Apple slams Microsoft's 'App Store' challenge

Apple slams Microsoft's 'App Store' challenge

"Apple is defending its effort to trademark the phrase "App Store" against a Microsoft challenge, arguing the term is no more generic than the software giant's trademarked "Windows."

Apple's applied for the trademark in 2008, prompting a challenge by Microsoft, which contended the phrase is too generic to register and would restrict competitors' ability to use of the term to describe their own services. In a filing (PDF) yesterday with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple asked that that challenge be dismissed and pointed out that one of Microsoft's most prominent trademarks has also been challenged as generic.

"Having itself faced a decades-long genericness challenge to its claimed Windows mark, Microsoft should be well aware that the focus in evaluating genericness is on the mark as a whole and requires a fact-intensive assessment of the primary significance of the term to a substantial majority of the relevant public," says Apple in the filing (Apple's emphasis). "Yet, Microsoft, missing the forest for the trees, does not base its motion on a comprehensive evaluation of how the relevant public understands the term App Store as a whole."  

Will iPad 2 Be Another Enterprise Afterthought?

Will iPad 2 Be Another Enterprise Afterthought?

"The likelihood that Apple would simply send a press release announcing its next iPad (iPad 2) is like Lebron James laying up on a breakaway, so here we all come to San Francisco, breathless about what's to come at its March 2 announcement. In these very pages, we've talked about what the new tablet should be and what it shouldn't be, and on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific time, we'll tell you in our live blog what it actually is. This will be the final announcement in this season of tablet introductions, and while this one may not be the slam dunk Apple made last year, it's sure to have a couple of surprises. And because the iPad has become a surprisingly popular business tool, we're hoping for some enhanced enterprise support.

A reasonable person may ask: With more than 15 million tablets sold, why should Apple care about expanding its scope? The enterprise is unreasonable, demanding even, and besides, other vendors are building tablets that do provide various levels of enterprise support" 


 

Expanded distribution of iPad 2 COULD BE Apple's key to success

 Expanded distribution of iPad 2 could be Apple's key to success

"Exploring alternative retail partners like Kohl's or Bed Bath & Beyond for the next-generation iPad could give Apple another advantage over its competitors in the booming tablet market.

Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis with the NPD Group, wrote about the anticipated launch of the second-generation iPad on his company's official blog on Tuesday. He said he believes distribution and availability of the touchscreen tablet will be an even more important factor than technical specifications for the next-generation device.

"As Apple talks more about small businesses and the iPad opportunity in enterprise it would be great if distribution focus was expanded to include more business-oriented channels like the office stores and the DMRs, such as PC Connection and Insight," he wrote. "Those chains and resellers offer Apple real chances to gain incremental volume versus shoveling a couple more units through carrier stores or adding another Web site." 

15 Features Apple MUST BUILD Into iOS 5

15 Features Apple MUST BUILD Into iOS 5!

"In addition to the iPad 2, Apple may unveil a new version of its iOS software for iPhones and iPads this Wednesday. As in years past, we expect Apple to boast about a large number of new features for iOS -- most of them minor -- and many new programming hooks for developers.
What's going to be included?
In addition to our own expectations and wish lists, we have polled more than a dozen iOS developers for the features, large and small, that they would like Apple to add to the platform."

Best Buy Leaks Info On Ipad2 Launch!

"More evidence that Apple plans to surprise with near immediate availability of its second-generation iPad surfaced Tuesday, when it was revealed that retailer Best Buy has listed the first-generation iPad as "deleted" in its inventory."

Best Buy Leaks Info On Ipad2 Launch! 

Apple's iPad 2 unveiling viewed as 'CRUCIAL' to stay ahead of competition

Apple's iPad 2 unveiling viewed as 'CRUCIAL' to stay ahead of competition

"With over a hundred tablets expected to come to market this year looking to take on the iPad, Apple's unveiling of its second-generation tablet on Wednesday will be a critical moment for the company, one analyst believes.

Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said in a note to investors on Tuesday that he believe's Apple's iPad 2 event, to be held on Wednesday, is a "crucial product launch." In particular, he said, analysts will look to see how well Apple handles the debut of its second-generation iPad with Chief Executive Steve Jobs on a medical leave of absence.

"We estimate there are well over one hundred tablets coming to market around the world this year," White said. "Assuming a new iPad is unveiled at this event, we believe Apple must make a convincing case for why the iPad 2 is better than the plethora of competitors coming to market, while at the same time persuading iPad 1 buyers to upgrade to iPad 2."

With 15 million iPads sold in calendar year 2010, the new device has become a very important product for Apple. White noted that the iPad and related products and services generated $4.61 billion in sales in the first quarter of Apple's fiscal 2011, amounting to 17.2 percent of the company's revenue."

11 Killer Features That COULD Take the iPad to the NEXT Level

11 Killer Features That Could Take the iPad to the Next Level

"It's been a year since Apple took the wraps off its first tablet. In those past 12 months, the iPad hasn't had too much serious competition, and has easilydominated the tablet market. But with the recent introduction of Google's tablet-specific Honeycomb Android OS on devices like the Motorola Xoom, the tablet space is finally starting to get interesting.

And while other companies like HP, Motorola, and RIM are releasing first-generation tablets, Apple is set to unveil its second-gen iPad tomorrow. Theinvites have been sent, and the blogosphere is bursting with all sorts of ideas about what the 'iPad 2' might look like. But as anyone who follows Apple knows, nothing is certain until it's unveiled on stage in San Francisco. Here are 11 ways Apple could knock it out of the park with its next iPad"