[DS Notes] Security Researcher May Have Been Reason for Apple Developer Center Shutdown

The Next Web reports that a security researcher contacted Apple about vulnerabilities that he discovered on Apple’s system. and Apple may have taken that warning as an intrusion with possible malicious intent. The researcher, Ibrahim Balic, claims otherwise. The researcher is “a bit irritated” at the tone that Apple has taken with regards to this incident along with the media coverage. He insisted that he had reported all the bugs to Apple to inform the company of his discoveries and has no intention to keep the data that he has collected for evidence of the bugs. Balic has yet to hear anything back from Apple and asked that he be not blacklisted by the company.

[DS Notes] From XCode Newbie to Publishing on the App Store in Two Months

No, this isn’t a get rich quick scheme but it’s a guide for those who wish to be able to publish an app on the App Store. Sure, the App Store is one massive digital jungle in which more than half of the apps probably never saw more than a few downloads but if you’re diligent enough, you can get your app published, get your friends to use it, and learn on the experience to build better apps in the future. Your first app is probably not going to be a blockbuster hit but it gets you through the door. These tips require you to already be a software engineer or you’ll get lost on week one. Getting on board Code Academy or some other programming 101 course would help before jumping into building full fledged mobile apps.

Read the tips on TheNextWeb.

[DS Notes] Mobile Commerce Grows in Asia Pacific as Consumers Skip the Desktop

Mobile commerce is becoming more prominent in recent times as adoption of smartphones is growing rapidly and lower end devices are beginning to receive smartphone-like capabilities. e27 had a chat with Anurag Banerjee, APAC managing director of mobile-based market research firm Jana who shared his insights into how companies in the region are tapping into mobile commerce and engagement to drive sales and increase revenue. With nearly 80% of Indonesians preferring to go online from mobile, it’s critical that this market behavior be acknowledged and acted upon when discussing strategies.

Read the story in full on e27.

[DS Notes] Greater Calls For Encryption Following NSA Spill

As the fallout of the Edward Snowden case continues, American journalism professor Jeff Jarvis posted an opinion piece for Guardian arguing for increased encryption for private communications. He argues that Internet companies owe it to consumers to provide a secure communications line that will maintain their right to privacy and must stand by that right in pushing for greater transparency when governments make a request to turn over user data. On a related note, increased encryption has impeded a handful of court-approved US government surveillance, reports Wired. While the numbers are tiny compared to the entire effort (15 out of nearly 3400), 2012’s Wiretap Report marks the first time in the report’s history that the US federal government acknowledges wiretapping failure due to encryption. This follows Cnet’s report in April about iMessage causing problems for the DEA.

[DS Notes] How Much Is Apple Paying Music Labels for iTunes Radio?

We discussed a bit about music licensing fees on Monday specifically when it comes to digital playback. As it happens, the Wall Street Journal revealed the licensing structure that Apple has to pay for songs played through iTunes Radio and to nobody’s surprise, it’s not entirely straightforward. Apple pays US$0.13 per song played plus 15% of net advertising revenue on year one and it goes up to $0.14 and 19% on year two, but there are other qualifiers that will alter the final figures such as not having to pay royalty fees when the played songs are already in the person’s library or when it’s a promoted track, or when the song gets skipped before it reaches 20 seconds. But then Apple is only allowed to skip royalties for two songs per person per hour. Got that? Don’t forget, iTunes Radio is also designed to get people to buy more songs from iTunes.

[DS Notes] Instagram Accounts Hacked, Sending Photos of Fruits

Middle of the night, weekend, what a time to take over Instagram accounts right? If you received an email from Instagram informing you that your account may have been compromised, it’s most likely real. GigaOm reports that a large scale hack has hit Instagram as of several hours ago and all the hacked accounts had been posting photos of fruits. If you’re seeing lots and lots of fruit photos on your Instagram timeline along with a bitly link to some fake BBC website, or worse, seeing them on your own account, chances are you’re seeing hacked accounts. Right now though, those photos seem to have been removed by Instagram already but if you got that password reset email, go to Instagram.com from your computer and reset your password.

[DS Notes] Private Car Service Uber is Expanding Its Asia Pacific Presence

Earlier this week SGE.io reported that San Francisco-based Uber will be adding seven new markets in Asia Pacific as part of its global expansion plan. The company has yet to confirm but there’s enough evidence to support this report. The seven new markets apparently will be Auckland, Bangalore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei. Uber makes locating private cars for hire more convenient through smartphone apps and credit card payments. The company launched its service in Singapore in February of this year.

[DS Notes] Microsoft Releases Office 365 App for iPhone

The iOS version of Office has finally been made available. The app is free to download from the US App Store but it requires a USD 100 yearly subscription to Office 365 before it can be used at all. The Next Web has a full run down of the app and a comparison with the Windows Phone version. Currently the app is not yet available on other App Stores around the world and it is also not a universal app which means it will run on the iPad but as a stretched out iPhone app.

Continue reading [DS Notes] Microsoft Releases Office 365 App for iPhone

[DS Notes] Zynga’s New Game: Laid Off With Friends

Reuters, Bloomberg, (and just about everyone else) reported that Zynga has laid off 520 of its nearly 2900 employees and shut down offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas in an attempt to reduce costs. Last year the game company shut down offices in Boston and Austin after its games failed to met expectations. Its acquisition of OMGPop over a year ago which followed the short-lived success of Draw Something didn’t turn out to be the kick the company needed. CEO Mark Pincus says Zynga is refocusing on mobile but from the looks of it, the prospect isn’t good unless they can come up with more successful games.