Jetstar will start renting out of pre-loaded iPads as a form of inflight entertainment instead of the more typical seat back video system. No word in the article on how or if they will handle Wi-Fi connections, but interestingly it does mention that they will be usable during takeoff and landings — something that will be sure to spark lots of discussion regarding planes and modern electronics

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/0...-Entertainment ...

For a while now Apple has said it doesn't want "widget-like" apps in the store; but where is the boundary of that fuzzy statement? The developers of My Frame, of which three versions had already been approved for the iPhone/iPad, found out that they had already crossed it when Apple informed them their app would be pulled. My Frame had options to overlay data on whatever photo was displaying: a Twitter stream, weather, etc. When one of the developers wrote to Steve Jobs on a whim to ask what unwritten rule their app had violated, Jobs wrote back: "We are not allowing apps that create their own desktops. Sorry."
"I see now why people are so angry at the 'murky' nature of the App Store, and I'm starting to agree with them. My Frame was approved by Apple 3 times (once for each version we released), and... now, at version 1.2 they decide it's to be removed? How can a company be prepared to invest into a platform that can change at any time, cutting you off and kicking you out, with no course of action but to whine on some no-name blog[?] There is no alternative platform, despite what others may say about Android, it's immature and their app store(s) are a wild west nightmare. It really is Apple's way or the highway..."
A few blogs have picked up the story.

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/0...ore-Developers ...

It's not even been officially announced yet but already Virgin Gaming has kicked off its existence by partnering with Sony.

Canadian copies of ModNation Racers are apparently advertising a tournament on Virgin Gaming's just-launched teaser site, in which handy racers can win a number of Sony-themed prizes.

The tournament kicks off on Tuesday, June 15 and offers the incentive of PSPgos, Sony Bravia TVs and a trip to Las Vegas all to be won.

The site's already kicked off speculation that the Branson venture could, in fact, be a dedicated tournament portal.

Virgin Gaming will be the first time the company's been involved in the business since its last venture ended in 1999, when its assets were purchased by French company Titus Software and Electronic Arts the previous year.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS ...

Asus, which claims to have invented the netbook market with the Eee PC, is going head-to-head with Apple in the tablet market with the launch of the Eee Pad.
A 12-inch version of the device runs a full version of Windows 7, is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and full multitasking – an area in which Apple's offering came up short.
A smaller 10-inch version with reduced specs is also available, running on Windows Embedded Compact 7.
Asus will be hoping to leverage its experience in the netbook market to drive into the tablet area with its new devices, which considering the huge success of the Eee PC could be the most serious threat to the iPad yet.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/33630/Asus-takes-on-iPad ...

via http://www.redspotgames.com/june-is-...by-30-percent/


...

Nintendo has said that it is committed to ethical manufacturing in the wake of reports that staff at Chinese partner Foxconn are committing suicide amid poor working conditions.

New reports suggest Foxconn has put up protective safety nets around its buildings to prevent more suicides at its main Chinese plant, as further stories emerge of inhumane working practices.

The plant, which makes a wide range of consumer electronics - including the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, iPod, iPhone and iPad - has recently come under intense scrutiny following 12 attempted suicides and 10 deaths, most involving staff jumping from roofs.

The company has already pledged to increase salaries by 20 per cent and to offer counselling for its over 350,000 employees.

However, a recent Guardian report suggests an even darker background to some of the deaths, with the family of the first victim alleging that he was murdered by security staff and his dead body thrown from the rooftop.

Other staff though have pointed out that conditions at the factory are in fact better than average for the Guangdong province. Particularly after the first death in January, some have theorised that many of the deaths may have been intended to benefit the victim's families with conciliatory payments from Foxconn.

With the facts of the matter under such dispute many of the Western clients of Foxconn have instigated their own investigations, with Nintendo joining the increasing long list of concerned parties on Friday.

"We take our responsibilities as a global company very seriously and are committed to an ethical policy on sourcing, manufacture and labour," said Nintendo in a statement to GamesIndustry.biz.

"In order to ensure the continued fulfilment of our social responsibility throughout our supply chain, we established the Nintendo CSR Procurement Guidelines in July 2008. We require that all production partners, including Foxconn, comply with these guidelines, which are based on relevant laws, international standards and guidelines."

Also speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Institute of Business Ethics research director Simon Webley commented: "Organisations need continual reminders that no matter how good their products, their reputation can be seriously damaged by events and practices throughout the length of their supply chain,"

"Companies should make sure that their suppliers have similar values and ethical practices to their own. This would include respect for human and labour rights covering such issues as health and safety standards, pay rates and use of children," said Webley.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...p-suicide-nets ...

Treyarch are promising to blow Wii owners away with a version of Call Of Duty: Black Ops that's similar to the 360, PS3 and PC versions.

Treyarch were behind the rather rough-looking Modern Warfare Wii port last year but, according to the company's Studio Head Mark Lamia, players won't believe that Black Ops is running on Wii.

"We do everything we can to make the two as similar as possible," Lamia told ONM.

"Whereas we're able to create the same assets that can be displayed on the PS3, PC and the 360, we actually have to do quite a bit of work both on the technology and the assets and the investment is heavy to get it working on the Wii but we're committed to it as we were with World At War and Call Of Duty 3 which was a Wii launch game.

"What we want to be able to do is create the most intense, the most cinematic 'you can't believe this is running on the Wii' situation that you could imagine. That's what people expect from Call Of Duty. They expect to be blown away. We're going to blow you away."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS ...

Platform holders are obligated to produce cutting edge, commercially risky games, Sony has told MCV.
“It’s one of the roles of a platform holder,” SCE UK sales director Mark Howsen said. “We’ve got to do that, to push boundaries as well as pushing strong franchises across their various iterations.
“Ultimately, the industry is dependent on creativity, new product and new ideas. As soon as we stop doing that then we’re all in trouble.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...ty-to-innovate ...

The Evening Standard's general manager of digital Tim Smith took the stage at London's M-Publishing conference today, to talk about the importance of apps for newspaper publishers.
However, he kicked off by outlining some of the challenges facing traditional media. "The game has completely changed because of online migration, particularly in classifieds," he said.
"Nearly every day publications are being sold or relaunched to try to face up to this challenge... It seems that almost one a week is going into bankruptcy or cutting way back."
The Evening Standard was recently sold by Associated Newspapers to Russian billionnaire Alexander Lebedev, who made the newspaper free and entirely ad-supported.
"The essence of the strategy is to retain the character of a paid-for newspaper, but it's free," explained Smith.


"But we're also getting really interested in devices, and starting to investigate which of those devices offer promise. The new battle is happening in the pocket of the reader."
He pointed out that all the big newspaper groups are investing in downloadable smartphone apps for three reasons: first to find new readers, second to generate more direct revenues, and third to find new advertising revenues.
Smith referred to comScore stats from the UK, indicating that 23% of all mobile users have a smartphone, and 3.5% have an iPhone.
80% of iPhone users and 48% of smartphoen users access news via their device. But 56% of iPhone users and 22% of smartphone users have downloaded an app to access news.
"More smartphone owners had used their phone to read news than had to access email, listen to music or access a social networking site," said Smith. "It's definitely a vote of confidence."
Smith also said that "smartphone users are prepared to pay" for content and applications - a key point for newspaper groups mulling their investment in apps.
He talked about some apps from other publishers. The Guardian's paid iPhone app was downloaded 70,000 times in its first month, generating gross revenues of £167,000 before Apple took its 30% cut.
Smith also highlighted the free Sky News iPhone app, which focuses on ads and sponsorship for its revenues, while also promoting Sky's subscription marketing campaigns for its satellite TV business.
And the Evening Standard? The paper just launched a series of smartphone apps in partnership with Handmark: iPhone, but also Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian.
"It's free to the user, mirroring the print strategy," he said. "It would be very difficult for us to charge for an application."
Why work with Handmark rather than develop in-house? "Relationships with OEMs and with carriers too," said Smith.
The commercial model is around revenues from sponsorship and advertising, and Smith said that while the app is relatively simple now, it will be developed further over time.
British Airways is sponsoring the app for two months, having got a plug in the press and online ads promoting the app launches, as well as branding within the app.
Smith didn't have any download figures for the Standard apps yet, as they only launched a week ago.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/37308...shing-industry ...