A 34-year-old man who was robbed of his phone early Sunday morning was able to access his phone’s camera using his computer and provided the police with a photo of a “person of interest.”

At 4:45 a.m. Sunday morning, the victim passed three other men in the pedestrian tunnel at West 190th Street. One of the men grabbed the victim from behind and covered his eyes, while the others went through his pockets and stole cash and his cell phone. The three suspects fled through the Broadway exit of the tunnel.

The victim went home to call 911 and then accessed his cell phone from his computer using an app installed on his phone. He was able to access the camera and take a photo, which he then provided to the police.

Cops are looking to question the man in the photo, and have asked anyone with information about the robbery or the man pictured to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential.

Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat

The post Victim uses app to take photo with stolen phone appeared first on Metro.us.

Smartphone makers should help stem the tide of iPhones being swiped in the state, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said today.

Schneiderman sent letters to the heads of Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung asking them to help prevent theft and questioning why phones aren’t better protected from being resold on the black market.

He cited a rise in violent street crimes including phone thefts, often called “Apple picking.”

“I would like to know what Apple is doing to combat this growing public safety problem,” Schneiderman wrote in a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

He asked why “companies that can develop sophisticated handheld electronics, such as the products manufactured by Apple, cannot also create technology to render stolen devices inoperable and thereby eliminate the expanding black market.”

The NYPD has reported that smartphone thefts are increasingly on the rise in the city, even as other crime declines.

Thieves often swipe them from their owners’ hands – the subway is a frequent setting, just before doors close or on a platform – then wipe the devices and resell them for hundreds in cash.

According to Schneiderman’s office, between January and September of last year, 11,447 smartphones were reported swiped, an increase of 3,280 from the year before.

And too many of these robberies are violent, Schneiderman said.

This month, a woman was mugged at gunpoint in Crown Heights for her Android phone. In February, three people were stabbed on a Queens subway platform in a fight over the phone, and last April, a 26-year-old Museum of Modern Art chef was killed for his phone in the Bronx.

Schneiderman asked the companies to give information about what they tell consumers regarding safety. He also requested whether they financially benefit when customers have to shell out cash to replace stolen phones.

“Cracking down on violent and dangerous cell phone thefts is important for New Yorkers,” Schneiderman said. “The companies that dominate this industry have a responsibility to their customers to fulfill their promises to ensure safety and security.”

The post A.G. asks smartphone companies to help stop ‘Apple picking’ appeared first on Metro.us.

With its rare apology, Apple went from pariah to praiseworthy in the eyes of China’s state-controlled media, a lesson for other foreign firms not to underestimate the speed and power of the government press.

After coming under near-daily media assault for the past two weeks and facing the threat of penalties from two Chinese government bureaus, Apple apologized to Chinese consumers on Monday for poor communication over its warranty policy and said it will change the terms for some of its iPhones sold in China.

Greater China is Apple’s second-biggest and fastest-growing market, with sales up almost 40 percent to $6.8 billion in the final quarter of 2012.

The Chinese newspapers that threw brickbats at Apple a few days ago have since changed their tune.

“The company’s apology letter has eased the situation, softening the tense relationship between Apple and the Chinese market … Its reaction is worth respect compared with other American companies,” wrote popular tabloid the Global Times, published by Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily.

The Foreign Ministry praised Apple for “conscientiously” responding to consumers’ demands.

“We approve of what Apple said,” spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing this morning.

Only last week, the People’s Daily issued a scathing editorial on Apple’s return policy saying the popular smartphone maker was filled with “unparalleled arrogance”.

Apple was first targeted in mid-March by state broadcaster CCTV during its annual consumer day segment. Volkswagen AG, which was also criticized on the same show, plans to recall vehicles to fix a gearbox problem.

“That Timothy Cook had to step up and respond from the CEO’s chair shows the importance of China and how critical it is as a market not just for Apple but for every multinational company here,” said Kent Kedl, Shanghai-based head of Greater China and North Asia for risk consultancy firm Control Risks.

Foreign companies who are adept at managing media crises at home find it much tougher to navigate China where state media outlets, pandering to different audiences, often have opaque agendas and intentions. Analysts also said that foreign companies need to remember that the bigger the brand, the bigger a target it will be, especially in China.

“What foreign companies need to pay attention to, is that nobody operates in a vacuum, nobody operates only on the good graces of a brand name … Five to ten years ago a report on CCTV would have rippled a little bit, now it goes viral and has a life of its own,” Kedl said.

Apple’s acquiescence in this setting, where the world’s largest technology company by market value was ironically the David going up against China’s Goliath state media machinations, shows its wisdom in not challenging a more powerful enemy.

Although popular opinion on the Internet swayed in Apple’s favor, against state media and the reported threats of penalties from China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce as well as its quality and inspection bureau, it was not Apple’s fight to win, experts said.

Other foreign companies targeted by CCTV, such as fast food chain operator Yum Brands Inc, have also apologized and faced scrutiny from government agencies. Last December CCTV reported that two of Yum’s suppliers purchased chickens from farmers who used excessive levels of antibiotics in their animals. The report and subsequent investigations hurt sales at Yum’s KFC chain.

But Apple’s situation is somewhat different because CCTV’s claim was not completely new. Last July, a Chinese consumer rights group also slammed Apple for its after-sales policies. That time, however, Apple held its ground.

With the apology and warranty change, Apple’s mea culpa is significant not just because it comes from a tech firm that rarely apologizes, but also because Apple may be realizing that in China, it needs to be proactive.

“They’re out of the woods and into the weeds. Things will rarely be smooth for Apple in China – even if consumers love it there will always be factions in and out of government that are trying to take it down,” said Michael Clendenin, managing director of technology consultancy RedTech Advisors.

“Apple made it easy this time, but they have learned to be more proactive. The next time they stumble, it will be easier to recover,” he said.

The post Apple’s rare show of humility pleases China appeared first on Metro.us.

It’s April Fools’ Day soon – no, really, it’s Monday.

Fear not! Metro has some last-minute ideas. Whether you want to best your coworkers or dial up a friend or significant other, read on for some suggestions. No comment on whether we tested these on Metro colleagues first…

The whoopee cushion is old news, say the creators of the Fart O Gram. The prank-calling service allows you to enter digits to be pranked, then calls the person and lets the flatulence rip as they pick up. Take your time choosing from the Sexy Stall or the Costume Party, where a female recording pretends to have met the prankee before and then, well, you know.

For a prank you can set up on your phone, try the Fake Text app. It crafts a message that pops up on your screen, from, perhaps, Barack Obama. All you do is download and type in the celebrity you want to drop you a line. So show your friends a text of Barack Obama inviting you to the White House. Or perhaps you met Lady Gaga at a party the night before, and she texted you to come to her next concert. See who believes it.

Another app, Prank Me, logs recorded voices — from the stomach-dropping, like Timothy Warrenton calling from the IRS to say you owe $10,000 that will soon be drafted from your paycheck, to the celeb, like Regis Philbin calling about “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” The catch? The app calls your phone, so to prank someone with the recording, you have to hold your phone up to another receiver as you dial someone else.

To brainstorm, the Pranks app revolves through different plots, like hiding alarm clocks and setting them for different times or gluing a quarter to the floor and snickering as people try to pick it up.

Old-school style

If you’d rather get your hands dirty and do the prankwork yourself, get inspired by these small-screen scenarios:

We all know arriving at the office is a gift, but make it official by wrapping up an office computer and chair with that wrapping paper you bought at CVS two holiday seasons ago. This only requires beating a coworker to the office – or maybe some sneakiness when they run out for lunch. This is gem inspired by “The Office”: During their ongoing prank-off, Jim gift-wraps Dwight’s desk and everything on it.

In “New Girl,” Nick wants to prove that he’s the prank master. Although many of his shenanigans are too much work (reworking a wall so roommate Schmidt would think he was getting smaller), this one is office-effective: claim the TV (or some Pandora music) is blaring, and get your officemates in on the joke, nodding along, to make another think they are going deaf.

This prank may end in a cubemate punching a hole through the wall, if “The Office” is any indication. In one of the episodes, Jim tosses Andy’s phone through a ceiling panel, constantly calling it so it rings as Andy’s blood pressure rises while struggling to find it. For a less violent reaction, you may want to hide your coworker’s phone in an easier-to-find spot, like under a file pile in a drawer or wedged behind the water cooler. Just make sure you know the number to dial.

The post Last-minute pranks for April Fools’ Day appeared first on Metro.us.

T-Mobile is getting the iPhone 5 – finally.

The company announced Tuesday that it will offer the iPhone 5 for a $99.99 down payment and $20 each month for 24 months. T-Mobile is the last major carrier to sell the iPhone.

“This is an important day for people who love their iPhones but can’t stand the pain other carriers put them through to own one,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA. “We feel their pain. I’ve felt the pain. So we’re rewriting the rules of wireless to provide a radically simple, affordable iPhone 5 experience – on an extremely powerful network.”

Customers can preorder the iPhone 5 through the pre-registration page here.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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Police are searching for three teen girls who punched a 15-year-old victim on a Brooklyn bus and stole her iPhone.

The suspects approached the girl on the B103 bus at about 4 p.m. on March 11. They punched her, took her iPhone and then got off the bus near Church Avenue and East 3rd Street, according to police.

The thieves are described as black females approximately 15 to 17 years old.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.

The post Bus-riding teen assaulted for iPhone appeared first on Metro.us.

It seems as if rumors start swirling about new Apple products as soon as previous models hit the market.

It might seem like you just got your new iPhone 5, but according to the latest rumors, a new iPhone 5S could be available in August. According to tech site iMore, the next-generation iPad could launch as soon as April.

iMore, is reporting that sources close to Apple say the company is giving “serious consideration” to launching its fifth edition iPad next month. We could possibly see the iPad Mini 2 next month as well.

As for the new version of the iPhone 5, it’s expected to have a faster processor and a better camera.

Keep in mind these are all rumors and speculations. Apple is known for trying to keep information about all new products a secret until the big unveil.

Other rumors circulating the web claim that the new iPhone will be available more colors and will have a bigger screen.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

The post Apple rumors: iPhone 5s to launch in August, new iPad in April appeared first on Metro.us.

Police are looking for a suspect who took an iPhone from a 15-year-old, then taunted the teen on Facebook.

According to police, on Jan. 26 around 5 p.m., two suspects approached the teenager, who was exiting a bus at the corner of Grand Concourse and East 175th Street in the Bronx.

One suspect demanded the teen’s phone, while the other displayed a knife and took his coat. Then they both fled.

According to a law enforcement source, one suspect then sent the victim a message on Facebook asking him how it felt not to have his phone.

That suspect is described as male, Hispanic, 17, 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds. Police released his photo.

The second suspect is described as a male Hispanic teenager.

Anyone with information should call 800-577-TIPS.

Danielle Tcholakian contributed reporting.

 Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter: @reporteralison

Follow Metro New York on Twitter: @MetroNewYork

The post Cops looking for iPhone robber who Facebook messaged his victim appeared first on Metro.us.

According to the NYPD, iPhone theft is one of the city’s biggest crime problems.

In the middle of the afternoon last Thursday, a 17-year-old girl was followed into her apartment building on East 187th Street and viciously beaten  — all, seemingly, for her iPhone.

Police caught the attack on surveillance camera, and described the suspect as Hispanic and in his early 20s, with cornrows and a burgundy coat with a fur-trimmed hood.

The suspect pushed her against a wall then dragged her down a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs he punched her repeatedly in the face then stole her iPhone and fled.

Though not always violent, iPhone thefts are a major problem in New York City, according to police statistics.

Last year, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed an increase in crime citywide on a spike in the theft of Apple products.

Between January 1 of last year and September 23, the NYPD reported 11,447 thefts of Apple products, a 40 percent increase from the year before.

The total number of crimes citywide for that same time period was 79,335, a 4 percent increase from the year before.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne noted in September that the increase in Apple thefts exceeded the increase in overall crime by 265.

In December, the New York Times reported an increase in major crime from the year before: 3,484 more on record.

Apple product thefts were reportedly up by 3,890. Mayor Bloomberg’s press secretary Marc La Vorgna reportedly pointed to this figure as evidence that Apple products were to blame for the overall increase in crime.

The NYPD is working to prevent these thefts, in part with a program called Operation I.D., where Community Affairs officers offer free engraving of serial numbers on any electronic valuable. A Crime Prevention Officer at any precinct can coordinate that, and record the serial number and owner’s name and address.

The NYPD also encourages the use of the “Find My iPhone” app, and the PIN lock function.

Most importantly, though, New Yorkers are advised to remain alert and keep electronic devices out of sight as much as possible.

Stolen phones can be re-programmed with a new number and a new account. Senator Chuck Schumer proposed legislation last year that would create a national registry of stolen phones with the Federal Communications Commission, so that thieves would be unable to re-register stolen phones.

One New Yorker’s story

Lauren Pisano was robbed of her phone on the F train into Manhattan after visiting her mother in Forest Hills.

Pisano was looking at iPhone photos from a recent trip to Europe when a teenager waiting by the car doors grabbed her phone and ran.

Pisano jumped up to chase him but realized the train doors were going to close with all of her things inside. Some helpful passengers held the doors open for her and collected belongings that had gone flying when she leapt at the thief.

Afterward, Pisano said, “everyone was in shock, but there was nothing anyone could do so we all sat in silence — everyone staring at me.” When she got off the train, another passenger offered to serve as a witness if Pisano wanted to file a police report but Pisano declined, choosing instead to head straight to the Apple Store on 5th Avenue for a replacement, “hoping I could act like it never happened,” she said.

“I still get upset when I think about,” Pisano said. “It was so terrible to feel so violated and unsafe in ‘my’ city.”

Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat

The post NYPD initiatives aim to combat iPhone theft appeared first on Metro.us.

“Angry Birds Star Wars” combines the world’s biggest science fiction phenomenon with one of the most popular mobile games of all time. The game will be released on Nov. 8, for iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Mac, PC, Windows Phone and Windows 8.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to create new and fun experiences for ‘Star Wars’ fans around the world, and video games have always been a key element of that,” Paul Southern, vice president of licensing for Lucasfilm, told Metro World News. “With over a billion downloads to date, ‘Angry Birds’ is the first entertainment phenomenon that has been born out of the rapidly growing and increasingly important casual games digital space.”

Each bird will have special powers that will be aligned with a corresponding “Star Wars” character. For example, the beloved red bird that you meet in the first levels will be none other than protagonist Luke Skywalker. The yellow bird harnesses the spirit of Han Solo.

The backgrounds will also be nostalgic for “Star Wars” fans as they take players to the various locations in the movies, including the desert planet of Tatooine and the ominous Death Star.

Southern adds that “Angry Birds Star Wars” will allow both companies to join forces to create a merchandise experience that will let fans experience the digital game in the real world.  This includes new “Star Wars” Angry Birds plush toys and action figures, which will be available on Oct. 28 at select stores.

“This is the best Angry Birds game we’ve ever done. It’s the best parts of Angry Birds with all new cutting-edge gameplay set in in a galaxy far, far away,” Peter Vesterbacka, the Mighty Eagle and CMO of Rovio, added in a press release. “As a big Star Wars fan myself, I’m really excited about this new universe. The Force is definitely strong with this one.”

The “Star Wars” edition marks the fifth installment of the “Angry Birds” saga, which includes “Angry Birds Space,” “Angry Birds Seasons,” “Angry Birds Rio” and the original “Angry Birds.”

The post Angry Birds teams up with Star Wars appeared first on Metro.us.

CEO Tim Cook, who took over from the company’s late co-founder Steve Jobs last year, faces pressure to introduce a gadget that can help Apple remain at the forefront of the industry. The iPhone 5 sports a larger 4-inch “retina” display, ability to surf a high-speed 4G LTE network, and is 20 percent lighter than the previous iPhone 4S.

The latest iPhone comes as Apple tries to fend off competition that has reached fever-pitch. Google Inc’s Android has become the most-used mobile operating system in the world, while key supplier and rival Samsung Electronics has taken the lead in smartphone sales.

Now, Microsoft Corp is pushing its Windows Phone 8 operating system as a third alternative to Apple and Google’s.

Rivals have been first to market with phones that have bigger displays or run on faster wireless networks. Apple will try to close that gap with the unveiling of the newest iPhone, widely reported to offer 4G LTE for the first time and a 4-inch display, up from 3.5 inches.

MORE APPS

Cook began Wednesday’s event by saying the company’s notebooks now rank tops in U.S. sales, leading in market share in the past three months.

But it is the iPhone that carries the weight of Apple’s future on its slim frame, especially with the company continuing to play its cards close to the vest about future growth drivers, including an oft-rumored TV device.

Apple has sold more than 243 million iPhones since its 2007 arrival, after which the device proceeded to upend the industry and helped usher in the current applications ecosystem.

Cook told the audience at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco that its apps store now has more than 700,000 on tap — the industry’s largest library.

Apple also is making a lot of headway in a corporate market that has been dominated by struggling Canadian smartphone maker Research in Motion. Cook said almost every Fortune 500 companies was testing or using its iPhones and iPads.

Globally, Samsung leads the smartphone market with a 32.6 percent share followed by Apple with 17 percent, according to market research firm IDC. Both saw shipments rise compared to a year ago, with Samsung riding its flagship Galaxy S III phone.

The post Apple takes wraps off 4G-ready iPhone 5 appeared first on Metro.us.

The new iPhone screens will measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source said. That would represent a roughly 30 percent increase in viewing area, assuming Apple keeps other dimensions proportional. Apple has used a 3.5-inch screen since introducing the iPhone in 2007.

Early production of the new screens has begun at three suppliers: Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd, Sharp Corp and Japan Display Inc, a Japanese government-brokered merger combining the screen production of three companies.

It is likely all three of the screen suppliers will get production orders from Apple, which could begin as soon as June. That would allow the new iPhone to go into production as soon as August, if the company follows its own precedent in moving from orders for prototypes for key components to launch.

Apple’s decision to equip the next iPhone with a larger screen represents part of a competitive response to Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Samsung unveiled its top-of-the line Galaxy smartphone with a 4.8-inch touch-screen and a faster processor earlier this month.

With consumers becoming more and more comfortable using smartphones for tasks they once performed on laptops, like watching video, other smartphone manufacturers have also moved toward bigger displays.

AESTHETICS AND DESIGN

A likely shakeup in the design of a larger-screen iPhone could go a long way in boosting its “wow” factor, convincing fans to trade in their old iPhones for new ones, said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Sterne Agee.

“Not only do users pay for features, but they also pay for aesthetics and design. That’s as important, or more important, than features,” Wu said. “People love the current design — but it’s 18 months old.”

The latest iPhone 4S was introduced in October of last year and essentially has the same form factor as the iPhone 4, launched in 2010.

Samsung, which this year became the world’s largest cell phone maker, sold 45 million smartphones in the first quarter, and sales of the Galaxy phones outstripped the iPhone.

Apple was not immediately available to comment.

Apple’s move toward a larger display for the next generation iPhone was earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to being Apple’s rival, Samsung is also a major components supplier to the U.S. computer, tablet and phone manufacturer.

The share of the production of new screens that go to each of the three manufacturers working with Apple has not been determined, one source said.

Sales of the touch-screen iPhone now account for about one-half of Apple’s total sales, and the phone has been a key source of growth for the company in Asia.

A report in March by a South Korea business newspaper said Apple would use a “retina” display on the next iPhone, the same technology in its latest iPad that enhance image quality.

The post Apple readies iPhone with bigger screen: Sources appeared first on Metro.us.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are now engaged to be married, but what about their earlier claims that they would not tie the knot until everyone in the U.S. — including gays and lesbians — had the same right? Looks like they got tired of waiting. But Rebekah Orr of Equality California still supports the famous couple. “Marriage is something that says, ‘We’re a family’ in a way that nothing else can,” she tells TMZ. “No one has to deny that for themselves or their family to prove they are an ally and supporter of equality.” Besides Jolie and Pitt have already showed their support several times over, contributing more than $1 million to the fight against California’s Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in the state.

Jason Segel is lobbying hard for the title of Most Adorable Boyfriend, as the “How I Met Your Mother” apparently tapes photos of girlfriend Michelle Williams to the back of his iPhone case, according to the Daily Mail. Segel was spotted carrying the personalized phone in L.A. this weekend. A photo alone would be sweet, sure, but Segel also has the phrase “I love you” scribbled over and over again around the pictures. “They’re much more serious than everyone thinks,” a source says. “They’re really happy.”

Though Emma Roberts and Chord Overstreet supposedly ended their relationship three months ago, the actors have been giving it another go and “have been hanging out,” according to Us Weekly. “They’re seeing where it goes,” a source says. “They liked each other, but fought a lot. They’re taking it slowly this time.” Taking it slow apparently means hitting church on Easter together as well as a party at the Soho House last week. “They held hands throughout the evening and kissed plenty of times,” an eyewitness says of Roberts and Overstreet at the event. “The two were inseparable.”

Zac Efron admits that after packing on 18 pounds of muscle to play a Marine in “The Lucky One,” he didn’t know who was staring back at him from the mirror. “By the end of the movie I didn’t recognize myself,” Efron tells Men’s Health. “You hear about guys like Christian Bale who dive into it and are really able to transform. I’ve always wondered if I had the willpower to actually do it. And I’ll always have pride around the sense that I can.” Efron, who’s back to his slimmer 145 pounds, says his secret is healthier-than-normal work ethic. “I could pick up almost anything. If you put it in front of me, I could always find a way to tackle it,” he says. “I was never a natural at anything, but I could always outwork everybody.”

“Glee” co-stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith took their real-life romance to the Coachella music festival this weekend, according to Us Weekly. Montheith arrived after Michele at a VIP pool party — but reportedly made up for his tardiness with some public displays of affection. “He tapped her on the shoulder and she was so excited to see him, she threw her arms around him and they hugged and kissed on the lips,” a source reports, adding that the couple then retreated to a private cabana. “Their arms were constantly around each other and they were talking very close. They definitely looked like a couple with how affectionate they were being in public.” Michele wasn’t shy about her excitement online, either: “I just saw a really hot 6-foot-3 Canadian with a tribal arm band hanging by the pool,” she posted to Twitter when he arrived. “So happy.”

The post Tuesday gossip roundup: Jason Segal has Michelle Williams’ face plastered on his iPhone case appeared first on Metro.us.

On the heels of an announcement heralding restaurant letter grades for lowering common health risks like vermin and bacteria, the city has launched a free iPhone app called ABCEats NYC.

It offers users information on more than 24,000 of the city’s eateries at the touch of a finger. Restaurants can be searched by name, neighborhood or current location.

Not only does the app include a restaurant’s letter grade, given by city health inspectors, it also includes details on the violations accrued.

Those violations can range from live roaches or rats to plumbing not properly installed in the facility’s restroom.

NYC diners, empower yourselves!

The post City launches app for NYC restaurant grades, violations appeared first on Metro.us.

Erum Malik, 31, was walking on Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens, at about 10 p.m. last Monday, Oct. 3. That’s when a man bumped into her, she told police, and reached into her front right pocket to grab her black iPhone 4.

He was off and running before she even knew what happened, she told police.

However, Malik’s phone was equipped with an app called iGotYa.

When the alleged thief later unsuccessfully tried to unlock and use the phone, the gadget snapped his photo and e-mailed it to Malik.

The mother of four sent texts to the phone, offering a $200 reward if she could get it back.

“I didn’t want him to be in trouble,” Malik told the Daily News. “I just wanted to get my phone back.”
Malik then brought the photo to the police.

“When I told them I had the picture, everyone was surprised,” she said.

Police distributed the image to the media last week and put up wanted posters in the neighborhood.
On Friday, Oct. 7, police recognized 23-year-old Queens resident Brian Chattoo from one of the posters, according to the NYPD press office.

He was arrested and charged with the theft, but his family says Chattoo looks nothing like the man in the iPhone photo.

The post iPhone app helps nab alleged thief appeared first on Metro.us.

The Westboro Baptist Church, famous for its firm stance against just about everything, is at it again!

Apparently, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who died yesterday, was the devil and those who knew him should not be permitted to pay their respects at his funeral without the Westboro protesters wielding their signs and yelling obscenities. To get the word out about what an evil corporate type Jobs was, Westboro
member Margie J. Phelps decided to use that little start-up non-profit
called Twitter.

@MarjieJPhelps,  had tweeted, “Westboro will picket his funeral. He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin. MT @AP: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has died at 56.”

Well, it didn’t take long for other Twitter users to pick up on the fact that she tweeted it from an iPhone and start tearing her to shreds and calling her a hypocrite. After some healthy back-and-forth during which Phelps proclaimed that “God created the iPhone” so she could make comments like that, she finally de-activated her account. Damn.

Well, Marjie, guess you learned if you can’t take the heat, get out of the Twitter.

The post Ironic: Westboro Church member tweets from iPhone about protesting Jobs funeral appeared first on Metro.us.

Re-watch him take playful jabs at Bill Gates, give a commencement speech at Stanford and unveil the first iPod and iPhone. Love Apple or hate it, his vision inspired millions to think, dream and laugh.

The post VIDEO: Steve Jobs’ greatest moments appeared first on Metro.us.

It will also file legal cases in other countries to stop the sale of the iPhone 4S after further review, the South Korean maker of Galaxy smartphones and tablets said in a statement.

Samsung has emerged as a credible challenger to Apple’s mobile devices and the two companies are battling over patents in courtrooms around the world. They have sued each other in 10 countries involving more than 20 cases since April.

The latest salvo from Samsung comes hours after Apple’s newest iPhone launch left investors and Apple fans wishing for more than a souped-up version of its previous device introduced more than a year ago. Apple shares fell as much as 5 percent before recovering to close down 0.6 percent on Tuesday.

“Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free-ride on our technology,” the South Korean firm said in a statement. “We will steadfastly protect our intellectual property.”

Samsung said preliminary injunction requests for a ban on iPhone 4S sales will be filed on Wednesday and each case involves two patent infringements related to its wireless technology.

Under French and Italian laws, companies can seek and courts can order a ban on sales of a product even before it hits the market, Samsung spokesman James Chung told Reuters.

Apple and Samsung are vying for the top spot in the global smartphone market.

But the intensifying legal battle with Apple threatens to derail Samsung’s telecoms and component businesses. Apple is Samsung’s biggest customer, buying mainly chips and displays.

On Tuesday, Apple rejected an offer from Samsung to settle a tablet computer dispute in Australia, possibly killing off the commercial viability of the new Galaxy tablet in that market.

Samsung is set to report sharply lower quarterly earnings on Friday on persistent declines in chip prices, while investors look for signs its telecom business can sustain its booming growth.

LEGAL BATTLE

Samsung’s intensifying attack comes after a series of setbacks in Europe and Australia.

Apple and Samsung are due to meet again in courtrooms in the United States, the Netherlands and South Korea next week.

Apple says Samsung’s Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets “slavishly” copied its iPhone and iPad.

Samsung, widely expected to overtake Apple as the world’s No.1 smartphone vendor in unit terms in the third quarter, rejects the claims.

Samsung accused Apple of not paying licensing fees for some of its patents before it started selling iPhones in 2007. Apple argues Samsung never demanded a license fee until 2010 and before that Samsung remained silent because Apple is an important customer.

The iPhone 4S adds to Apple’s iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad 2 products that Samsung claims infringed its wireless-technology patents.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy tablets, powered by Google’s Android operating system, have already been blocked in Germany. So too have some smartphone models in the Netherlands.

Shares in Samsung closed up 1.7 percent on Wednesday after the new iPhone failed to wow fans and investors, leaving Android rivals better placed to grab market share.

The post Samsung targets iPhone 4S sales ban in France, Italy appeared first on Metro.us.

This  comes after a post on thisismynext.com featuring what appears to be an Apple installation fixture plan scheduled for that morning at Best Buy. It does not, however, include any details about which Apple product will be featured.

According to the site:

To be clear, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill installation for the big box — our tipster tells us that the request that a manager be on-hand at 6AM is out of the ordinary (they usually show up at 7AM for inventory), and that a similar arrangement was scheduled for the iPhone 4 launch.

Previous rumors about the date have proven false, particularly one that predicted a September 5 release. Clearly that didn’t happen.

Apple, which is notoriously tight-lipped about the details of its emerging products, has not commented on the latest and greatest features of the iPhone 5, but rumor has it that it will include a better camera, processor and a new headset.

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