MacRumors

Businessweek reports that Apple and Microsoft are currently in negotiations to replace Google as the default search engine on the iPhone with Microsoft's Bing.com. The talks have reportedly been underway for weeks.

Businessweek cites the increasing rivalry between Google and Apple as one of the reasons behind the discussions.

"Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy," says one of the people, who's familiar with Apple's thinking. "Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle."

If the negotiations are successful, it could also mean that Bing could eventually replace Google as the default search engine for Apple's desktop version of Safari as well.

With Google's entry into the mobile phone business as well as Apple's recent acquisition of a mobile ad company, the two businesses have encroached on each other's territories. Apple has even been said to be working on distancing itself from Google's Maps data in the iPhone.

Even if Apple and Microsoft do come to an agreement, Businessweek notes that this may just be a time buying move on Apple's part who is reportedly working on their own "skunk works" search technology.

Apple today released an update to Boot Camp to include support for Microsoft Windows 7, which was released last October, as well as addressing other issues and adding support for the latest Apple peripherals. Boot Camp is a Apple's tool to allow Intel Mac owners to boot dual boot Windows alongside Mac OS X. Running Windows under Boot Camp provides you with a fully compatible Windows environment.

This update adds support for Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate), addresses issues with the Apple trackpad, turns off the red digital audio port LED on laptop computers when it is not being used, and supports the Apple wireless keyboard and Apple Magic mouse.

Boot Camp 3.1 (in 64-bit and 32-bit versions) requires an authentic copy of Microsoft Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade, as well as an Intel-based Mac computer. In a support document about Boot Camp and Windows 7 last updated on January 6, Apple also noted that the following computers would not be supported for use with Windows 7 in Boot Camp:

iMac (17-inch, Early 2006)
iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)
iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)
Mac Pro (Mid 2006, Intel Xeon Dual-core 2.66GHz or 3GHz)

In addition to Boot Camp 3.1, Apple has also released Boot Camp Utility for Windows 7 Upgrade, which is needed before upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 and "safely unmounts the read-only Macintosh volume on Microsoft Vista."

A lot has been said about the rumored Apple tablet, and after evidence was discovered that Apple was interested in the name "iSlate", many have adopted that as the most likely name for Apple's new device.

New evidence however has revealed that Apple may, in fact, be positioning "iPad" as the name for the imminent tablet device. The name iPad has had its proponents amongst several MacRumors readers due to the similarities to Apple's iPod name, but little evidence had actually suggested it to be the case.

A search in the Canadian trademark database reveals that Apple's dummy corporation Slate Computing, LLC also applied for a trademark for "iPad" under the categories of handheld mobile digital electronic devices with a broad range of applications. This application was filed in July 2009 -- much more recently than the original iSlate trademarks which date back to 2006-2007. Slate Computing, LLC did not apply for a similar trademark in the U.S. due to the fact that Fujitsu appears to control the U.S. trademark as it relates to handheld computing. Of course, this didn't stop Apple from using the iPhone name despite it being owned by Cisco in the U.S. at the time of the iPhone's launch.

Very similar trademark applications for "iPad" were also filed in Europe and Hong Kong in July. The European filing listed a UK law firm while the Hong Kong application listed a company called IP Application Development, LLC which is located in Delaware.

Based on a source who claims to have knowledge of Apple's plans, we found that this unknown company has been active again in the past week with new iPad trademark applications in New Zealand and Australia. The filing dates for these latest trademark applications are from Friday, January 15th, 2010.

Of interest, the company's initials actually spell out "iPad". While we can't link IP Application Development, LLC directly to Apple, the associated timing of the applications alongside Slate Computing's Canadian application is very suggestive. While it appears Apple did have an Australian trademark application for iPad back in 2007, it was a much more limited scope than the current applications.

In the end, we believe that Apple is behind these trademark applications for iPad and that it may be the name for Apple's new tablet device to be revealed next week.

Boy Genius Report claims to have received information from a source regarding iPhone OS 4.0, which is rumored to be introduced at next week's media event in San Francisco. According to the source, iPhone OS 4.0 will be limited to the iPhone 3G and 3GS (presumably including at least more recent iPod touch models and omitting the original iPhone) and will incorporate solutions for multitasking by running applications in the background and a revamped user interface for easier navigation.

- There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
- "A few new ways" to run applications in the background -- multitasking.
- Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven't had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
- The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will "put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers" more than any other phone to date. Everyone is "really excited."
- The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

The ability to run iPhone applications in the background has been near the top of many users' wish lists, but Apple has yet to implement full backgrounding and multitasking due to its effect on performance and battery life, instead opting to deploy push notifications as a means for closed applications to serve data to users. The expansion of the ability to run applications in the background beyond those few specified by Apple has been a relatively common theme, with multiple reports suggesting that Apple has been working on ways to deploy the functionality in at least a limited sense, although many expected such developments to be included in iPhone OS 3.0 last year.

Several media sources related to gaming, including IGN and Kotaku, have received invitations to Apple's media event scheduled for next week. According to IGN, representatives of several game makers have also been invited to the event. While the invitations suggest that gaming may be at least something of a focus at the event, it remains unclear it might be related to Apple's tablet device or simply iPhone OS 4.0, both of which are rumored to be topics of conversation.

Consider these few additional tantalizing hints about the event, though. Myself and another iPhone games writer received invites for this event today, as did contacts at a handful of iPhone game makers. Why would Apple want us collected at this event if there was not some game-related news on the horizon?

While gaming offerings for the tablet would certainly not be a surprise, the question remains whether Apple could look to position the tablet as a gaming device. Although the device's large screen could offer some distinct advantages over traditional handheld gaming systems and the company's own iPhone and iPod touch as has been demonstrated in the past, its expected relatively high price would likely make it difficult to position the tablet solely for gaming.

On the other hand, if iPhone OS 4.0 is in fact scheduled for an introduction at the event, the presence of gaming industry representatives may be less of a surprise. Gaming has played an important role in the success of the iPhone and iPod touch, and demonstrations from game developers have figured prominently in many of Apple's iPhone OS presentations. So while gaming appears to have garnered a greater importance to Apple when drawing up its guest list this time around, we still must wait until next week to discover whether Apple has some major gaming news up its sleeve or if it is simply acknowledging the important role gaming already plays in the iPhone ecosystem.

With Apple's acquisition of streaming media firm Lala Media last month, speculation about Apple's plans for the company has suggested a number of possible opportunities, including a new iTunes streaming service or simply a "talent" acquisition of Lala's engineers.

In a guest post on TechCrunch today, digital music executive Michael Robertson claims that rather than a traditional subscription-based streaming model, Apple is preparing to allow users to move their existing iTunes libraries into the cloud, allowing streaming to a variety of Internet-connected devices.

An upcoming major revision of iTunes will copy each user's catalog to the net making it available from any browser or net connected ipod/touch/tablet. The Lala upload technology will be bundled into a future iTunes upgrade which will automatically be installed for the 100+ million itunes users with a simple "An upgrade is available. . ." notification dialog box. After installation iTunes will push in the background their entire media library to their personal mobile iTunes area. Once loaded, users will be able to navigate and play their music, videos and playlists from their personal URL using a browser based iTunes experience.

Robertson claims that while Apple could have deployed such a functionality on its own, it decided to pursue Lala in order to speed the process while also adding expertise in the technology to its team.

Apple has been rumored to be including discussion of the next-generation iLife at next week's media event where the company is widely expected to introduce a tablet device, and although iTunes is technically no longer part of the iLife suite, a number of the applications do interface with iTunes media, suggesting that a shift to cloud-based iTunes could have implications for iLife. Today's report, however, does not offer a timeline for Apple's deployment of cloud-based iTunes functionality.

Apple received significantly publicity in mid-2009 for its announcement that it would build a $1 billion data center in North Carolina, scheduled to open sometime this year. While Apple has been silent on its plans for the data center, speculation has suggested that a data center of that size would most likely be targeting to supporting cloud-based services.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is in talks with book publisher HarperCollins to bring electronic books to the company's new tablet device, expected to be introduced at next week's media event. The report notes that pricing for the e-books, which would offer enhanced content, would be established by HarperCollins with Apple receiving a portion of the sales.

HarperCollins is expected to set the prices of the e-books, which would have added features, with Apple taking a percentage of sales. Details haven't been ironed out.

It couldn't be learned whether Apple will sell the HarperCollins titles via a new e-book store or through its existing iTunes Store, which sells music, television shows and movies. Other publishers also have met with Apple, people familiar with the matter said. Apple declined to comment.

While Apple has been rumored to be attempting to "redefine" print media with its new tablet device and e-books have naturally been considered a significant segment of that industry as evidenced by the rise of dedicated e-readers, reports on Apple's plans for e-book content have been relatively few and far between. Speculation surfaced a number of months ago that Apple would be unlikely to directly enter the e-book market given the fragmented and difficult industry, but tapping publishers themselves to provide content has long been considered a likely path for the company.

Apple has also reportedly been looking at other aspects of print media, apparently spurring magazine publishers to begin developing their own distribution models while electronic textbooks publishers have been envisioning their products on Apple tablet devices. A number of major newspapers have also reportedly held discussions with Apple about bringing their content to its tablet, with New York Times executive editor Bill Keller even mentioning the device in an all-hands staff meeting addressing the future of the paper.

FOXNews.com reports that Apple's January 27th media event is expected to include the introduction of Apple's much-anticipated tablet device and iPhone OS 4.0, as well as iLife 2010. According to the report, no iPhone hardware is expected to be shown.

I spoke to a source at Apple this morning, before the invite hit my inbox, who said the event would likely focus on three projects: The tablet device, iPhone 4, and a new round of iLife 2010 software. While we won't see new iPhone hardware just yet, we will see the next-generation software.

The author of the report, Clayton Morris, had previously claimed to have "confirmed" a January 26th date for the media event, although it is unclear whether the early reports of an event on the 26th were incorrect or if Apple tweaked its plans to move it to the 27th. Morris had also vaguely claimed in his earlier report that the media event would focus on the "mobility space", which would be in line with discussion of the tablet and iPhone OS 4.0.

A report from earlier this month claimed that Apple has been developing a multi-touch version of iWork, although Morris' source made no mention of iWork as a topic of discussion for next week. It is unknown at this time what enhancements will be included in the next generation of iLife and whether any of them will include multi-touch capabilities and the ability to run on Apple's tablet device as rumored for iWork.

Engadget, Ars Technica, and others are reporting that Apple has issued invitations for a media event scheduled for 10:00 AM Pacific Time on January 27th. The event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, and the invitation's tag line reads "Come see our latest creation."

Apple had been rumored earlier this month to have scheduled a media event for that date and location, and the company is widely expected to introduce its highly-anticipated tablet device at the event.

Occasional rumors regarding Apple's forthcoming tablet have claimed that the device may include an OLED screen, with a report just last week suggesting that Apple's need for 10.1-inch screens had created shortages in both the LCD and OLED supplier markets.

Ars Technica examines the possibility, determining that the inclusion of an OLED screen in Apple's tablet is highly unlikely given the quantity of such screens available in the market.

Ars caught up with Barry Young, Managing Director of the OLED Association, and asked him about the state of OLED in general and the Apple tablet rumors in specific.

The problem with the recent rumor that Apple is hoarding 10-inch OLEDs, Young explained, is that "there's no real production of 10.1-inch panels" for anyone to hoard. If anyone were to produce a 10.1-inch panel, then it would have to be for a specific order. "I haven't seen any of the OLED suppliers commit to that yet," Young said of a hypothetical 10.1-inch panel production run.

According to Young, Samsung is the only company currently offering active matrix OLED panels in quantity, and it could only produce about 150,000 10.1-inch panels per month, with that level only being possible if the company shifted its entire production to that size of panel and abandoned its existing orders from other companies with which it is already struggling to keep up.

Apple has a long-term agreement with LG regarding development and supply of displays, but Young notes that LG has only 10-15% the capacity of Samsung when it comes to OLED technology, again insufficient to meet Apple's needs. Given the limited capacity of the OLED panel industry to supply Apple with such parts, Young's conclusion is that at best Apple could introduce a very expensive OLED model only in extremely limited quantities. Such a move would appear to agree with a November report claiming separate LCD and OLED models, with the OLED model coming in with a price tag near $2000, although it remains to be seen whether Apple would be willing to launch such a low-volume, high-cost niche product that would appear to be so similar to a cheaper LCD-based tablet offering.

In a brief note, DigiTimes points to a report [Google translation] from Taiwan's China Times claiming that Apple is preparing to launch a 22-inch touchscreen iMac in the second half of this year. Longtime manufacturing partner Quanta is among the companies expected to receive orders to build the new iMac.

The report notes that the popularity of "all-in-one" computers like the iMac is surging, with unit sales set to double in 2010 as other competitors such as Dell ramp up their offerings. In order to meet the challenge from these competitors, Apple will reportedly look to the touchscreen offering as continued means of differentiating itself.

Today's report also claims that Apple's highly-anticipated tablet will launch later this month, and will include a 9.7-inch screen.

Bloomberg reports that Apple has struck back at Nokia again in the growing patent dispute between the two companies, filing a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking to prevent the import of mobile phones from Nokia. The move counters a similar request made to the ITC earlier this month by Nokia seeking to ban the import of "virtually all" Apple products.

"Nokia will study the complaint when it is received and continue to defend itself vigorously," Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said by text message today. "However this does not alter the fact that Apple has failed to agree appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia's innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007."

The dispute between the two companies began in October 2009 when Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple charging infringement of a number of its patents by the iPhone. Apple filed a countersuit in December alleging both that Nokia itself was infringing on Apple patents with its products and that Nokia was in effect holding Apple hostage in negotiations over the Nokia patents, demanding the right to iPhone-related intellectual property not deemed "essential" to industry standards.

Responding to price cuts from Verizon, AT&T today rolled out new unlimited plans for all devices on its network, including the iPhone. Under the new plans taking effect on Monday, iPhone customers can sign up for unlimited voice and data for $99.99 per month, although texting packages remain separate for an additional fee. The unlimited voice and data plan represents a $30 discount from the previous unlimited plan for the iPhone.

All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Existing customers will be permitted to change to the new plans as of Monday via AT&T's website, with no monetary penalty or extension to contract terms. It is unclear at this time whether there will be any adjustment to AT&T's non-unlimited plans to reposition its pricing tiers in relation to the new, lower unlimited price.

The Mac Observer reports that unauthorized Mac clone make Psystar has officially filed an appeal of an injunction won by Apple preventing the company from selling computer systems modified to run Mac OS X.

Psystar has officially filed its Notice of Appeal in the copyright suit it lost against Apple Inc., according to a court document obtained by The Mac Observer. The step was a formality in the appeals process, but until it was filed, it was unclear if the company would actually mount an appeal.

Psystar shut down its sales operation last month in order to comply with the December 31st deadline set in the court ruling, although it continues to sell T-shirts and ask for donations to support its cause as it proceeds through the appeals process. An initial report after the injunction was issued suggested that Psystar may have given up the fight and would be shuttered permanently, but a company lawyer quickly refuted the claim, vowing that Psystar would continue to fight on.

Apple has set up a feature on its iTunes Store main page to allow users to donate to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts in the wake of Tuesday's massive earthquake in Haiti. The donations, which are available in six denominations ranging from $5 to $200, will be processed as any other iTunes purchase, allowing convenient billing for existing iTunes users, and 100% of the donated amount will be passed along to the Red Cross.

On January 12, a series of earthquakes measuring 6.5 to 7.3 on the Richter scale devastated Haiti. The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.

Your gift to the American Red Cross will support emergency relief efforts to help those affected by this earthquake. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include sending relief supplies, mobilizing relief workers and providing financial resources.

In addition, Macworld notes that a number of Mac developers are donating proceeds from sales of their software to the relief effort. One group in particular is organizing under the Indie+Relief banner to set January 20th as a one-day fundraising push for the effort, with over twenty as-yet-unnamed developers already on board according to Macworld.