Why all the phone barcode things suddenly?

[SS4]

You honestly think that if similar security issues had happened at Apple they would just stay schtum? :roll:

Not entirely but they would if it's in their best interests to!

A simple bug. Bugs get into every kind of software.

They are usually fixed in a time period far shorter than 6 months too - this issue occurred when the clocks went back last year and again when they went forward this year (and possibly last year). Since no independent person can check the code we have to take Apple's word whether or not it's fixed.

Because the end user is never given the choice to install it. Most of the millions will never hear of the disallowed apps. Logic says that if you don't know it exists, then you won't want to install it, thus Apple are not dictating what they can install.

That would explain the apps that never see the light of day but doesn't explain about the apps that are pulled after release.

You should only use [sic] where you are denoting the passage is quoted exactly from the original source. No need to do that for iPhone!

True, yet since it's a proper noun it ought to begin with an upper case letter too.

In any case, Apple did not track any users. No data was sent to Apple. The data was so inaccurate anyway, it would only give a general location - sometimes hundreds of miles out.

Apple tracked users by recording their location onto the iPhone. Regardless of whether or not it was monitored it was still tracked. The accuracy of the data doesn't enter into it.

Apple didn't remove it because they didn't like the licensing. That's untrue. I suggest you read this: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/01/08/vlc-app-removed-from-app-store/

Putting DRM onto software is a violation of the GPL as it renders the program undistributable.

The end result seems somewhat counterproductive...So much for ensuring that VLC can be freely distributed

Balderdash! VLC can be freely distributed, Apple chose not to because they wanted DRM and Rémi Denis-Courmont did not. Surely Apple, themselves no strangers to legal action, would have let the case go to court if they were in the right.
Imagine the uproar if this had been the other way around and someone wanted to change the licences of apple products.

 

[jon0844]

The software change on the iPhone 4 was a con. It made the older models, which were fine, look worse - and stopped the iPhone 4 suddenly fluctuating all over the place.

The proof is that the phone may show signal when it can't make or receive a call, as software can't fix a hardware issue. Let's see whether the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 has the same design!

BTW, VLC - like any company wanting in on the App Store - must tread very carefully. Write anything bad, from a Tweet to an official press statement, and see how likely it is you'll ever be accepted in the future!

 

[SS4]

The software change on the iPhone 4 was a con. It made the older models, which were fine, look worse - and stopped the iPhone 4 suddenly fluctuating all over the place.

Isn't that the point though? It's in Apple's best interests to make the iPhone 4 look better than it's predecessors. The death-grip was handled abysmally and Apple needed to do something to get people to buy the iPhone 4 rather than the iPhone 3G

The proof is that the phone may show signal when it can't make or receive a call, as software can't fix a hardware issue. Let's see whether the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 has the same design!

It will be interesting to see although I cannot see it happening though. Much as I dislike Apple they have excellent marketing and design and another signal failure will be a PR disaster (in Apple terms). Indeed their marketing is good enough that people will queue for hours at a midnight opening to get their hands on the latest iDevice.

BTW, VLC - like any company wanting in on the App Store - must tread very carefully. Write anything bad, from a Tweet to an official press statement, and see how likely it is you'll ever be accepted in the future!

Yes indeed but consider the flip side. By refusing to back down over Apple's terms and conditions the developers of VLC have gained enormous prestige amongst those who dislike Apple's tactics and their walled-in stance.

Open-source software has little to gain by getting itself onto the App Store since the GPL dictates anyone can have the code and modify the code so they won't be making massive profits. This also means it can also say "we don't want you as a user" without incurring huge penalties

 

[ralphchadkirk]

BTW, VLC - like any company wanting in on the App Store - must tread very carefully. Write anything bad, from a Tweet to an official press statement, and see how likely it is you'll ever be accepted in the future!

People are naive to think any other way! If I go down to my local newsagent and complain about them, bitch about them and warn other customers off, they'll rightly tell me to intercourse off when I ask if they'll stock my biscuits.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes indeed but consider the flip side. By refusing to back down over Apple's terms and conditions the developers of VLC have gained enormous prestige amongst those who dislike Apple's tactics and their walled-in stance.

I fail to see how the VLC issue can be Apple's fault! One of VLC's developers was threatening them with legal action if they didn't take it down. Apple and that developer settled out of court.

 

[SS4]

I fail to see how the VLC issue can be Apple's fault! One of VLC's developers was threatening them with legal action if they didn't take it down. Apple and that developer settled out of court.

Apple were refusing to respect the GPL which VLC is licensed under by adding DRM to it. They could have made it available verbatim which would have incurred no problems

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Apple were refusing to respect the GPL which VLC is licensed under by adding DRM to it. They could have made it available verbatim which would have incurred no problems

It's a condition of Apple's App Store. You want something on there, you abide by their rules. It's how life works, but sadly the Open Source brigade don't realise that and try and kick up a fuss when they are, rightly, refused.

 

[j0hn0]

software can't fix a hardware issue

Not strictly true. Lots of hardware components in devices such as this (phone, sat nav, mp3 player etc) have their configurations set by a bootloader and/or other config files, that both I suppose by definition are software

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Not strictly true. Lots of hardware components in devices such as this (phone, sat nav, mp3 player etc) have their configurations set by a bootloader and/or other config files, that both I suppose by definition are software

I think what Jon means is that the software update will not fix the phone's construction.

 

[MCR247]

But free. (well, de facto)

But so is ping for example, except you need to download it, but you can speak to people on android, app store and bb. It's quite funny seeing people with both ping and BBM!

 

[jon0844]

Software might be able to adjust certain settings, but the simply fact that holding the phone a certain way (the death grip) caused a short was not fixable - well, not without a rubber casing or any other case.

Given most people put their iPhone in a case, it isn't that big a deal and the problem has pretty much gone away. In town, coverage is so good anyway that people probably get a good signal. Now whether they can make a call, or use data, is another matter - but that's a problem for ALL handsets now.

I don't have a problem with Apple wanting to keep tight control. I don't like the idea myself, but people have a choice and nobody is forced to buy an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

I am rather more concerned with them wanting to take 30% on everything, including online publications and subscriptions to newspapers. I feel that if they get too much of a grip on all of our media (and they're launching iCloud next week) then Apple could end up becoming as powerful, or more powerful, than the likes of Rupert Murdoch.

I personally think that Apple has already realised the potential from selling content, which the competition is yet to fully appreciate. Google was/is slow to capitalise on what it has in terms of content (such as YouTube) but it seems to be getting there. It has launched Movies and a music streaming service and will eventually offer something comparable to Apple and iTunes - but not for a while. Google is currently looking to take only around 10% from content providers.

The battle is far from over. I also think that while Google may follow a rather predictable path, things may radically change if Steve Jobs goes (or is that when).

 

[Eagle]

You can also do this on some new LG Android handsets (including the Optimus 2X), as a blatant copy of Apple!

That's my phone, and it can't do that. Is it a Doughnut/Eclair thing? Call me backward but I'm sticking with the preinstalled Doughnut because I can't be bothered losing all the data saved on my phone just to upgrade to Eclair. (Can't remember if an Optimus even supports Froyo onwards.)

For the massively confused, Android versions are all named after dessert items, in alphabetical order. God knows why.

 

[466.networkers]

I've downloaded RedLaser, and I am amazed by the amount of everyday and obscure items in my house that it can find to buy on the internet!

BTW here's one I made earlier! :P

 

[jon0844]

That's my phone, and it can't do that. Is it a Doughnut/Eclair thing? Call me backward but I'm sticking with the preinstalled Doughnut because I can't be bothered losing all the data saved on my phone just to upgrade to Eclair. (Can't remember if an Optimus even supports Froyo onwards.)

For the massively confused, Android versions are all named after dessert items, in alphabetical order. God knows why.

The Optimus 2X is Android 2.2 (FroYo) out of the box. Do you have an earlier Optimus phone (like the Optimus One)?

 

[1V53]

This thread is so far off topic now. I did try to get it back by pointing out how pointless these barcodes are but the geeks won the day lol

 

[HST Power]

I've not been on the forum for two days, and having read the past two pages of this thread, I can safely conclude that I haven't a clue what on earth is going on in here!

Are we talking about barcodes, laptops, Androids or chickens?

 

[jon0844]

I can't wait to get stuck into a Chickens vs Android debate.

Can we write all the text encoded as barcodes?!

 

[Deerfold]

Are we talking about barcodes, laptops, Androids or chickens?

To clarify: Yes.

 

[HST Power]

To clarify: Yes.

Which one?

 

[Eagle]

All five.

 

[SS4]

This thread is so far off topic now. I did try to get it back by pointing out how pointless these barcodes are but the geeks won the day lol

It's the Gimmick Mountain Zone in this thread (kudos to anyone who gets the reference )

 

[causton]

I think those ones are for internal identification, they wouldn't have had the 4 squares in each corner like QR codes do (on one corner the square is 'set in' a bit though, so the camera knows which way up the QR code is


(An actually relevant ad! http://vvcap.net/db/9OKltL8oq3qxKyxK5ggK.htp :P )

 

[chris89]

Bit off another bump and intresting to see the messages with the QR codes as just got an HTC Incredible S as an upgrade phone

Chris

 

[HST Power]

I can now only name two users with Barcodes!

 

[Deerfold]

I can now only name two users with Barcodes!

There's still at least 3 in this thread!

 

[HST Power]

There's still at least 3 in this thread!

Didn't see you there!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Well, my avatar is still refreshingly different.

...but not as refreshing as the one used by SS4, which always make you feel you need a tangerine when you are posting.

 

[SS4]

...but not as refreshing as the one used by SS4, which always make you feel you need a tangerine when you are posting.

Or a clementine?
(I took this from the icon of Clementine media player which is also my favourite of the citrus fruits)

 

[Deerfold]

Or a clementine?
(I took this from the icon of Clementine media player which is also my favourite of the citrus fruits)

You mean it's not a rather large slice of orange cream cake?

 

[HST Power]

Or a clementine?
(I took this from the icon of Clementine media player which is also my favourite of the citrus fruits)

I like your avatar a lot, particularly the user title underneath it as it always makes me smile!

I change mine far too often, but I've decided that Mr Stobart will stay for at least a month!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I suppose the number of computer-generated avatars can reach a very high figure. Many university mathematics-based forums in some parts of America only allow members to use these, rather than submitting their own image.