Apple Patents Anti-Sexting Device

Today the US Patent and Trademark Office approved a patent Apple filed in 2008, which, get this, prevents users from sending or receiving “objectionable” text messages. The patent’s official title? “Text-based communication control for personal communication device” which actually doesn’t use the pretty ridiculous noun/verb “Sexting,” but come on, we all know what they mean.

The “Sexting” patent background info states that the problem it solves is that there is currently “No way to monitor and control text communications to make them user appropriate. For example, users such as children may send or receive messages (intentionally or not) with parentally objectionable language.”

And the patent itself:

In one embodiment, the control application includes a parental control application. The parental control application evaluates whether or not the communication contains approved text based on, for example, objective ratings criteria or a user’s age or grade level, and, if unauthorized, prevents such text from being included in the text-based communication.

If the control contains unauthorized text, the control application may alert the user, the administrator or other designated individuals of the presence of such text. The control application may require the user to replace the unauthorized text or may automatically delete the text or the entire communication.

Intel and Microsoft CEOs give iPad a nod, plan to kill it dead with Oak Trail next year


Intel CEO Paul Otellini said a number of interesting things while explaining away $11.1 billion dollars, as did Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in a post-Windows Phone 7 launch interview with CNET, but the pair individually touched on a common theme -- both desire to beat down the iPad, and both believe that Intel's Oak Trail chip might make a suitable club. Though Ballmer said that Microsoft partners would have tablets this holiday season, before Oak Trail is done, he called out the "enhancement" the new chips would bring to the Windows tablet experience, calling Oak Trail specifically "an important part of our roadmap." Meanwhile, Intel's Otellini explained just how much Chipzilla will bank on the touchscreen slates to come, saying that Intel will "utilize all of the assets at our disposal to win this segment" and calling the tablet market a viable third business alongside PCs and netbooks. "You will see Intel solutions that run on Windows, Android and MeeGo operating systems across a variety of form factors and price points," he said, and suggested that Oak Trail silicon would lead the charge.

You can read the other interesting things both men said at our source links, but there is one more we'll call out now: Otellini said that Intel intends to integrate the recently-acquired Infineon's 3G and LTE wireless capabilities directly into Atom processors for tablets and phones, starting in about three years.

SM Entertainment files injunction against sale of JYJ’s “The Beginning” album


With JYJ’s Jaejoong, Yuchun, and Junsu preparing to release their first official album, “The Beginning,” a law firm representative has just revealed that SM Entertainment filed an injunction against the trio, prohibiting the sale of the album.

The sale of JYJ’s first album is now left entirely in the hands of the court. However, since it will take a considerable amount of time before a decision is made, it’s highly likely that the album will be released onto the market first.

The reason behind SM Entertainment’s restraining order is said to be found in the problems still remaining in their contracts. It has already been over a year since the three filed a lawsuit against SME and began walking a separate path on their own.

“The Beginning” is to be distributed by Warner Music Korea. Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story.

Source + Photo: Star News

Jacky Cheung’s mainland China concert tour commemorates half a century

Jacky Cheung will kick off his concert at the end of the year with a 50 city tour in mainland China. Jacky named the concert "Jacky Cheung Half Century Concert" to commemorate having lived half a century. Yesterday, Jacky and his manager Florence Chan held a press conference in Beijing to officially announce that the Beijing leg of the tour will commence on January 21st through 23rd at the Wukesong Arena. [TN: Jacky’s World Tour concert will officially start on New Year’s Eve (12/31/10) in Shanghai].

Jacky indicated that next year, he will turn 50 years old and since 50 years is half a century, he decided to name his concert using this to commemorate his 50th birthday as well as the many years of beautiful memories he’s had in the music industry. Jacky expressed: “I will be 50 next year! When I was young, I looked down upon 50 year olds and felt that age was far away from me – now I regret using that type of attitude to view 50 year olds. I hope that today’s younger generation won’t look down upon people who are 50 – 60 years old.”

For his upcoming concert, Jacky expressed that he will be travelling to cities that he has never been to before – such as the city Ordos located in Inner Mongolia. Smiling, he states: “I’ve only heard of the city’s name while on an airplane, I’m not even sure which province it’s in! My geography is not very good, but I will make the effort to study about it to increase my knowledge of our mother country.” Jacky also indicated that he wants to hold a concert in his homeland of Tianjin so that he can see what types of changes the city has gone through these past couple years. Asked if he would ‘return the favor’ and ask Jay Chou to be a musical guest at his concert, Jacky said that he has not thought about a guest list yet.

He's got specs appeal! Justin Bieber heads for Tokyo in a pair of uber-geeky glasses

Justin Bieber arrived at the airport in Hawaii yesterday wearing a pair of very geeky thick black-rimmed glasses.

The pint-sized popstar was en route to Tokyo, and he clearly wanted to make sure he landed there looking cutting edge.

This isn't the first time the 16-year-old has worn glasses out in public, with a red pair and a white pair that he's experimented with in the past.



Bizarrely, the white plastic specs comprised of just the oversized frames and had no glass in them at all.

But, let's face it, at this point Bieber is so adored by his fans that he could step out in a bin bag and still get mobbed.

The pop star wowed the crowds when he attended the Jewish wedding of his guitar player and musical director Dan Kanter in Toronto on Sunday.

Joan Collins: Angelina Jolie Is Beautiful, Jennifer Aniston Isn't

Joan Collins has very specific thoughts about women in Hollywood--and she isn't afraid to share them. The former 'Dynasty' actress, 77, tells UK's Hello magazine that there just aren't that many beauties in Hollywood. In fact, she thinks there's just one.

"I have to say, there aren't that many good looking actresses around today. I mean, there's Angelina Jolie and there's... Angelina Jolie," she tells the magazine.

And then, she took it a step further by throwing in her two cents about Jennifer Aniston as well. "Jennifer Aniston is cute, but I wouldn't call her beautiful. She's no Ava [Gardner] or Lana [Turner]. I think that is why Cheryl Cole is so popular, because she is just so pretty and the public are starved of gorgeous people," Collins explained.

"When I was young, everybody on screen was gorgeous," she concluded.

Aniston hasn't responded to the comments made by Collins but we're guessing it might sting a little. In 2005, Aniston revealed she cried after reality starlet Kimberly Stewart called her 'homely.' As she told Vanity Fair, the comment "literally ruined my night. It hurt my feelings."

This Is Sony's $1399 Google TV-Powered Internet TV


At Sony's Internet TV press conference, where we're seeing the "world's first HDTV powered by Google TV" (and its gnarly remote). Not bad at all, $1400 for the 46-inch model, available this weekend.

Palm Pre 2 launch imminent, live pictures leak


Just yesterday we saw French carrier SFR inadvertently leak some details about the upcoming Palm Pre 2.

Not even a day has passed and now we have the first live hands-on pictures of the smartphone, courtesy of MobiFrance.

Along with the pictures came reconfirmation of the specs we heard about yesterday. As such, the Pre 2 will come with a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM and will run WebOS 2.0.

Lindsay Lohan Trying to Shorten Probation

Lindsay Lohan is angling to shorten her probation period, which currently runs until August 2011, in hopes that will help her stay out of further trouble.

Of course, all you have to do is stay out of legal trouble in the first place and being on probation isn't a problem. But we're talking about Lindsay Lohan.

The troubled star's legal team is hoping for an early end to her probation period due to the "increased chances that she will get in trouble" during it.

Her lawyers acknowledge they are seeking the change "because of problems staying compliant with the terms." So why would Judge Elden Fox agree?

Some reasons would include: "Lindsay remaining in rehab for a longer period of time” or “attending alcohol education classes,” according to a source.

Lindsay is currently undergoing treatment at Betty Ford in Palm Springs, and will remain in rehab until further notice as she battles her drug addictions.

The source stressed that Lohan will comply with whatever the judge decides, but "a strong push being made for Lindsay's probation to terminate early."

"It's important to remember that Lindsay is on probation for misdemeanor charges relating to her two DUI's back in 2007," the insider added, truthfully.

iPhone 4 Cracked Glass Cases Almost Double the iPhone 3GS'


When the iPhone 4 was revealed, it was obvious that its design was more fragile than the previous generation: If you double the glass panes, the accidental shattering rate will increase too. Now there is data to confirm this theory.

According to consumer electronics warranty company SquareTrade, the "aluminosilicate glass seem to crack at least as often as the old glass." Their data shows that 3.9% of all iPhone 4 owners have reported a cracked screen—meaning the front and the back glass panes—within the first four months. On the iPhone 3GS, this percentage was only 2.1%.

Android Gingerbread SDK may come next week

Have your standardized pinch of salt close by for this one. According to today’s Android rumor, courtesy of Android Police, the SDK (Software Development Kit) for the next iteration of Android will go live next week.

Such an event would allow us to peek inside the next version of Android (via emulators) and see if all the rumors about a UI overhaul were true or just wishful thinking.

The source “close to the Android core” did not give any more details. It’s still unclear what version number Gingerbread will bear: 2.3, 2.5, 3.0?

Also, whenever the SDK does launch, the open source code will probably trail it by a few weeks. That’s what has always happened. Still, having screenshots of the next version of Android would be pretty cool, so I’m hoping this is true.

On the other hand, if you’re a die-hard Android fan, you may get a bit depressed when you realize that it will take your favorite smartphone manufacturer (many) months to actually get this into your hands. Oh, wait, I forgot – die-hard Android fans only carry Google’s Nexus One. You’re safe then, I guess.

Taylor Swift Apologizes to Ex-Boyfriend Taylor Lautner Through New Song

Remember when Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner were first spotted together? It didn't take long before the blonde country cutie and the handsome, jacked-up werewolf became Hollywood's newest it couple. We all got caught up in their teenage love story, but as we know, the two decided to be "just friends" back in December 2009.

Their short-lived courtship did result in some endearingly witty 'SNL' shout-outs to one another, a slew of tabloid covers and, evidently, a song on Swift's upcoming album, 'Speak Now.'

We think it's safe to say the song 'Back to December' is about Swift's relationship with Lautner.

Apple releases iOS 4.2 beta 3 to developers


Apple has just released iOS 4.2 beta three, along with iTunes 10.1 beta 2, to developers. The iOS code weighs in at a hefty 620 MB and is waiting at the ready in Apple’s developer web portal. If you install the new bits on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, let us know what you find.

Intel quarterly revenue hits record $11.1 billion

Intel's revenue in the third quarter jumped 18 percent year-over-year, while profits also shot up over the previous year.

The world's largest chipmaker reported revenue of $11.1 billion, earning 52 cents per share and beating the analyst consensus of about 50 cents per share. This compares to $9.4 billion in revenue in the year-earlier period, or 33 cents a share.

Intel said back in August that its third-quarter revenue would be below the company's prior outlook, due to weak demand for consumer PCs, and at that time said it expected to post third-quarter revenue of about $11 billion.

Profits shot up in the third quarter to $3 billion, topping last year's third quarter of $1.9 billion and this year's prior quarter of $2.9 billion.

Gross margin, a crucial profit indicator, was 66 percent, meeting Wall Street expectations.

"Intel's third-quarter results set all-time records for revenue and operating income," said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO, in a statement. "These results were driven by solid demand from corporate customers, sales of our leadership products and continued growth in emerging markets," Otellini said.

Christina Aguilera and Husband Jordan Bratman Split

It's a bad week for celebrity unions: Christina Aguilera and husband Jordan Bratman are another couple in the "split" category.

"Yes they are separated," a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE. "Right now they're just trying to figure things out. There are no divorce proceedings at this point."

The couple, whose only child, son Max, was born in Jan. 2008, are committed to raising him together and remaining friends.

"They have their ups and downs like all married couples. They argue like everyone else," a source told PEOPLE a couple of months ago.

Aguilera, 29, and Bratman, 33, wed in California's Napa Valley in Nov. 2005, after getting in engaged in Carmel, Calif., in February of that year.

At the time, the singer recounted the romantic proposal, which took place in a hotel room filled with rose petals, red and pink balloons and gift boxes, each containing a present and a self-penned poem.

"When I got to the last box, there was a ring in it," Aguilera told PEOPLE at the time. "He got down on one knee and said, 'Will you do me the honor of being my wife?' I've been floating ever since."

Eminem, Lady Antebellum lead American Music Awards nominees

The American Music Awards announced their nominees today, and in a rare display of statuette-dispensary restraint, neither of 2010′s Dominant Blondes—Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga—lead the pack.

They are, of course, not entirely forgotten; Swift has a nod for Favorite Female Artist in the Country category, and Gaga two, for Favorite Female Artist in Pop or Rock and overall Artist of the Year.

But this year the AMAs, founded 27 years ago by Dick Clark and defined by a by-and-for-the-people populism (awards are determined by public poll), have directed the spotlight primarily on other acts: Lady Antebellum and Eminem each have five noms, followed by Justin Bieber with four, and Katy Perry, Usher, B.o.B. and Ke$ha with three apiece.

The show is set to air live from L.A. on Sunday, November 21st, and has announced Usher, Pink, and Bon Jovi as preliminary performers. Voting, now in its fourth year as a strictly online enterprise, has already begun; you can participate by clicking here—apparently, a privilege limited only to how many online identities you have (email ID is required to register), and how mobilized your fan club is. In other words: clear your mantle, Biebs.

Find a full listing of nominees after the jump:

€799 Galaxy Tab on sale in Germany says Samsung


Samsung Germany has put the Galaxy Tab Android 2.2 tablet up for sale, though the hefty €799 ($1,106) price tag may put many would-be buyers off. Supplied unlocked and SIM-free, the Tab has a 7-inch touchscreen, 3G/UMTS, WiFi and a 3-megapixel camera

Samsung has also confirmed that the Galaxy Tab will work with its existing Media Gateway WMG160, the DLNA adapter that was announced back at the Samsung Galaxy S launch. The UK version of the tablet isn’t expected until November 1st 2010.

Bing-Yahoo set to shake up paid search, report says

Google still owns the market for paid search results, but the newly formed Bing-Yahoo team could "capture significant market share in the near term," according to a new report from SearchIgnite.

Among all search engines, Google's third-quarter share of the pay-per-click search market stood at 80.2 percent. That represented a gain of 7.9 percent in ad spending from the year-ago quarter and Google's "most dominant" market share since SearchIgnite started tracking companies three years ago, according to the market researcher's report released today.


In the same quarter, Bing's market share was 6.4 percent and represented a 21 percent growth in ad spending from the previous year. Yahoo's market share stood at 13.4 percent and marked a 10 percent drop in ad spending from the year-ago quarter. According to SearchIgnite, the results for Bing and Yahoo both were impacted by testing being done on the companies' new search alliance.

David Arquette Opens Up (Way Up) About Courteney: No Sex in Months, Except With Another Woman

A tired and clearly emotional David Arquette unloaded about three Us Weekly's worth of details about his split from Courteney Cox on Howard Stern's radio show Tuesday morning, telling listeners the couple hadn't had sex in months and that he has since been with another woman.

"[Courteney] knows she's not f***ing me, and she's like, 'Listen, I want you to be able to do whatever you have to do,'" he said. Arquette also admitted to sleeping with "the girl in the paper" -- meaning waitress Jasmine Waltz -- "once ... maybe twice."

Arquette said he and Cox became sexually distant about a month before they began filming 'Scream 4.' He explained separating in June was her idea and that she had grown fed up with him.

"[She said] 'I don't wanna be your mother anymore.' I appreciated that. I respected it," he told Stern. "I've been going to therapy. I'm trying to grow up. I'm trying to be true to myself. Trying to figure out myself and my world, as is she."

The 'Never Been Kissed' actor insisted he and his wife are "best friends" and that she's the "greatest woman I ever met."

Wal-Mart to start selling iPad on Friday

Wal-Mart has confirmed that it will start selling the iPad in its stores starting Friday, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.

According to the report, Apple's tablet initially will be available in "hundreds" of Wal-Mart locations. The big box retailer plans to have the iPad in over 2,300 stores by mid-November to capitalize on the holiday shopping season, the Journal reported.

Wal-Mart will sell all six versions of the iPad at the same retail price they're offered for at Apple Stores. The company said that it plans to sell the iPad on its Web site, but it won't deliver the tablet to homes; customers will need to pick up the iPad in-store.

Getting the iPad on its store shelves is important for Wal-Mart. One of the company's biggest competitors, Target, started selling the iPad earlier this month. Best Buy has been carrying the iPad for months.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 keynote up for viewing


Yesterday in New York City, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer officially unveiled his company’s next generation mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7. The mobile device arena is a crowded space — with well established systems from Apple, Google, and Research In Motion already in the market — but Microsoft made a big splash by announcing nine new handsets that will be available in the coming months (both in the U.S. and abroad). Microsoft has posted the keynote presentation from yesterday’s event for those who want to see and hear, first hand, just what the Redmond company has been up to. If you’re interested in hearing every word from Steve Ballmer and company, hit the jump. The video is waiting for you.

HTC 7 Trophy, HTC HD7 and LG Optimus 7 all up for unlocked preorder

Windows Phone 7 devices aren’t showing up on carriers in Europe until October 21st (and November 7th for North America) but that hasn’t stopped preorders for unlocked, SIM-free devices from beginning to sprout. Amazon UK and Expansys have both listed the HTC 7 Trophy for £429.99 (with delivery expected on or around November 8th), but that’s not the only one so far.


Amazon Germany, for instance, has the HTC HD7 listed for €599, albeit with no estimated release date. It’s not just HTC devices either; the retailer also has the LG Optimus 7 up for preorder at €499, also with no release estimates.

Interestingly, HTC told us in a WP7 pre-brief that their devices wouldn’t be offered SIM-free and unlocked for an unspecified period after launch, since the first wave of handsets were all carrier exclusives. If Amazon and Expansys are to be believed, that exclusivity period is a little under three weeks.

Update: Clove UK is also listing the HTC 7 Trophy, for £423 with initial stock expected at the end of October.

JYJ releases audio tracks for ‘Ayyy Girl’ and a mystery song


There has been increasing hype around JYJ these past few months, especially with the news of the trio releasing their first full album, called ‘The Beginning‘, as well as their collaboration with all-time famous rapper Kanye West for one of their tracks, ‘Ayyy Girl’.

Well, the long wait is finally over, as the full audio version of ‘Ayyy Girl’ was just recently revealed!

As the song was composed by Kanye himself, the track does have a taste of westernized hip hop to it – which is definitely a new style for the trio, however the song is still catchy nevertheless.

HK actor Tony Leung reaffirms commitment to Carina Lau

Hong Kong A-lister Tony Leung shared his thoughts on aging and reaffirmed his commitment to his actress wife Carina Lau, when he spoke to reporters at a recent publicity event, reported Chinese media.

"Age is a fact you cannot change. Age is a measure of your maturity.

"Although your physical abilities might deteriorate as you grow older, I believe it also shows your maturity," said the 48-year-old.

The actor added that he was "not affected" by messages on his micro-blog account from his fans which addressed him as 'Uncle Leung'.

Though Leung, who is currently still shooting Wong Kar Wai's much-delayed martial arts film "The Grandmaster", may have rather philosophical views on aging, his ideas about the institution of marriage were much simpler.

Leung did not believe marriage was important but instead felt that it is the commitment to your partner which makes or breaks a relationship.

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