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Apple has announced that after nearly five years it has paid out $10 billion to developers, with $5 billion coming in the last year.

The company has also announced that it has paid out three times more to developers than all the other platforms’ app stores combined. This includes Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and, presumably, Windows 8.

There are also 900,000 apps available in the Apple App Store. What’s amazing about this stat is that among those, there are 375,000 apps created specifically for the iPad.

The day has finally arrived. Apple will be unveiling a brand new version of iOS at the annual WWDC. Some early rumours are that we’ll see the software completely overhauled, plus an updated option to share pictures and videos. The events will unfold around 1PM EST and you can either follow along online, or below during our live blog of the event.

The HTC One has been bootloader unlockable since day one — meaning users can gain access to the guts of the device and install custom recoveries, kernels and ROMs — but there has always been one more step before true device freedom.

Even with an unlocked bootloader, most HTC devices come S-ON, referring to the installation of a security flag that prevents users from truly messing with their hardware. Achieving S-OFF, which has been hit-or-miss for a few generations of HTC devices now, refers to that security flag being removed, allowing users to install custom HBOOT versions, including downgrading, which isn’t possible when S-ON; SIM unlocking, which is usually a paid service; and, perhaps most importantly, SuperCID, which allows users to install any RUU from any manufacturer to a formerly carrier-locked device.

RUUs are important tools, as they let users fully recover from a software fault, returning to a completely pristine install of the original software. But HTC works with the carriers to ensure that, when S-ON, the CID string is locked to, say, Rogers or Bell. Only a compatible RUU will install. With SuperCID, you can install a European or Asian ROM, opening up some new features or just doing away with the bloatware that comes with a lot of Canadian installs.

More relevant to the situation, however, is the fact that there are currently no RUUs available for Canadian HTC One devices, so if a near-brick scenarios comes about, there’s no way to revert to the original software. It’s all very confusing (which is why I gave it up, for the most part).

The new tool, called RevOne, comes from experienced HTC hacking teams, Revolutionary and AlphaRevX, and is not for the inexperienced hacker. There is no graphical UI to use at the moment; the process involves ADB and knowledge of the terminal screen.

There are also other benefits to going S-OFF: the device will no longer warn you that you’re using unauthorized software, nor will the bootloader scream “TAMPERED” at the top like some accusatory officer.

If you’re interested,  head to XDA-Developers and give it a try.

Source: XDA
Via: Android Police

Google is reportedly set to purchase crowd-sourced maps provider, Waze, for upwards of $1.3 billion, according to sources. The Israeli-based company may not be well-known in some parts of the world, but its map data, coupled with a tremendously popular social element, has kept 32% of its sign-ups as full-time users.

The app, which is available for iOS and Android, contributes data to the cloud when open, creating real-time updates on congestion, traffic snarls, accidents and best routes. For that the company has earned previous bids from Facebook, which fell through, and Apple was also considering a nibble at some point.

Google’s bid for Waze would most be a defensive move, acquiring the one independent company with sufficient brand recognition to turn away users from Google Maps — not many, but enough. The crowd-sourced technology is also something Google does, but lacks the social element that makes Waze so much fun to use.

According to Globes, who first got wind of the acquisition, Waze will stay independent in the short-term, but could be folded into Google’s Israeli operations down the line. Waze has raised $67 million to date, the latest of which was a $30 round in late 2012.

Source: Globes
Via: AllThingsD

Apple has just sent out a press release informing the masses that they’ll be live streaming the WWDC today. The revolutionary event will start at 1PM EST (10:00 PDT) and can be experienced via Apple TV or online. Apple notes that “Live Streaming video requires Safari 4 or later on Mac OS X v10.6 or later; Safari on iOS 4.2 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.”

We’ll be seeing Tim Cook and Jony Ive talk about the new, flatter, iOS 7. Finally, the presser reminded us that “Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.”

Go forth here at Apple

Source: Apple
Via: 9to5Mac

Rogers has once again released their quarterly “Rogers Innovation Report” and this time they’ve focussed on television. While most of the stats are traditional TV viewing, there’s also a growing trend that Canadians are watching their favourite programs on their smartphone or tablet.

Their survey was conducted between April 3rd and 8th of less than 1,275 Canadians. The results, from a mobile perspective, revealed that 42% watch TV shows on their smartphones, while 33% watch TV on their tablets – I personally would have thought tablet usage would be higher. Another interesting stat is that “multiscreen taskers” – people who use another device while watching TV – is at a whopping 61%. Coupled this with Twitter activity shows that 20% of Canadians read or Tweet while they are watching a show. 

Samsung has added another smartphone to their arsenal. The Galaxy Ace 3 is a follow-up to the Ace and Ace 2 and is targeted for the entry-level crowd. The specs of the Ace 3 have it running Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean, LTE connectivity with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 4-inch LCD display (480 x 800 resolution), 5MP camera. Overall is a respectable device and most notable inclusion is that is comes with some of the latest features found in the GS4, such as S Translator, S Voice, and Smart Stay.

No word on pricing or a Canadian release of the Ace 3, but this might find a home on any of our carriers lineup.

Source: Samsung

The Wall Street Journal has piped up and stated that, as expected, Apple will show off a new version of iOS at their Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco tomorrow. Similar to previous reports, the WSJ claims their sources believe Apple will unveil “an overhauled mobile operating system for iPhones and iPads.”

However, instead of “black, white, and flat all over” from past rumours, “The new design abandons Apple’s longtime approach of designing icons and apps to resemble real-life objects, like address books and fabric, in favor of plain solid backgrounds and more white space, these people said.” It’s expected that we’ll see some calendar and email enhancements, plus some mysterious new way to share photos and videos within iOS 7, plus the rumoured iRadio streaming-music service.

Apparently Apple employees have been worried for years that the look of the iPhone and iOS have been outdated and “has a growing number of inconsistencies,” namely maps and voice recognition features. Apple will first release the new version of iOS to their developer community, then to consumers “in the coming months.”

We’ll bring you updates as the event unfolds at 1PM EST.

Source: WSJ

It’s almost expected now that a Wi-Fi only tablet that also has a version with LTE connectivity will come to a Canadian carriers lineup. This is the fate of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 LTE. We’ve been informed that the 8-inch Jelly Bean tablet will be heading to Canadian land and into carrier shelves – for now we know that TELUS will be bringing the Note 8.0 LTE to their customers sometime this Summer. No word yet on other carriers, but it’s likely that Rogers and Bell will also launch the tablet.

If you need a refresher of specs for the Wi-Fi version, the Galaxy Note 8.0 runs Android OS 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 8-inch display (1280×800 resolution), S Pen capabilities, 1.6 GHz Exynos quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 5MP camera with a 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4,600mAh battery, 16 GB Internal Storage (can hold up to 64GB with a microSD card).

We’ll have a review of the LTE version once it arrives, but here’s a link to our hands-on review of the Wi-Fi model.

(Thanks tipster!)

Absolutely incredible week for mobile in Canada. The CRTC unleashed their “wireless code,” a few devices were launched and even a couple app updates. In addition, the Industry Minister declined TELUS’ bid for Mobilicity, but rival carrier Public Mobile announced a new owner. Below are the top stories from the past seven days, plus notable news from around the web.

- Public Mobile has a new owner [Read here]
- CRTC announces Wireless Code [Read here]
- Vine for Android now available for download [Read here]
- Awesome Twitter banter between HTC, Samsung and LG [Read here]
- BlackBerry Q10 now available at WIND Mobile [Read here]
- Rogers increases Early Upgrade Fee for Smartphone and Premium Smartphones [Read here]
- Banner showing “7″ hints that iOS 7 is only a few days away [Read here]
- WIND Mobile releases the Huawei Ascend W1 [Read here]
- BlackBerry A10 rumoured to launch in November [Read here]
- BBM for Android and iOS will NOT be available for download on June 27th [Read here]
- Rogers launching the LG A341 flip phone, priced at $100 outright [Read here]
- Images: HTC One ‘mini’ leaks online [Read here]
- BlackBerry has “interest from other handset makers” to preload BBM on their devices [Read here]
- Government pushes 700Mhz auction to January 2014 [Read here]
- Samsung taps past Android versions to fix Galaxy S4 storage issues [Read here]
- BlackBerry 10.2 caught on video before release later this year [Read here]
- Industry Canada denies TELUS’ acquisition of Mobilicity [Read here]
- Rogers expands 2600Mhz LTE Max network in BC, Quebec and the Maritimes [Read here]
- Android version numbers for June: Jelly Bean rises to 33% [Read here]
- Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S4 Active [Read here]
- Don’t scoff at Google Glass, it may one day replace your smartphone [Read here]
- There’s a “renewed opportunity for discussion” to purchase Mobilicity [Read here]
- mySaskTel app for iOS and Android now available [Read here]
- Bell releasing Bravo GO for Android and iOS on July 18th [Read here]
- TD Canada Trust app now available for BlackBerry 10 users [Read here]
- Bell launching Sonim Bolt 2 and Sonim Bolt SL in July [Read here]
- Bell to offer a $25 Google Play gift card to anyone who buys the HTC One [Read here]

Around the web:
- US Justice Department clears Softbank acquisition of Sprint [Engadget]
- Leaked Windows Phone screenshots reveal notification center, UI changes [The Verge]
- SoundHound Officially Launches on BlackBerry 10 [BerryReview]
- Purported full specs of the Xperia Z Ultra (Togari) leak [AndroidAuthority]