Former Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, and Windows Vista honcho, Bill Allchin, had an email exchange back in 2003 when Apple launched iTunes and were rather candid about how well Steve Jobs put it together, and how badly Microsoft was caught off guard.

Gates says Microsoft was caught “flat footed”. He also praises Jobs and doubts the subscription model Microsoft now uses for the Zune HD:

Steve Jobs ability to focus in on a few things that count, get people who get user interface right and market things as revolutionary are amazing things.

[...] With the subscription who can promise you that the cool new stuff you want (or old stuff) will be there?

Allchin was much briefer:

1. How did they get the music companies to go along?

2. We were smoked.

Gizmodo, via Groklaw have the full emails online. The question now becomes, is Apple still catching the competition flat-footed, or is Apple the one who now needs to be careful, lest they be smoked?

Gates/Alchin Email: iTunes “Smoked” Microsoft, Caught them “Flat Footed” is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple has released a software update for the Apple TV, bringing their set-top box up to version 3.0.2. No word yet on what it includes — and I won’t be able to test mine until Sunday — so if you find anything, let us know.

(9to5mac suggests it’s to tie in the new wave of photo-related updates)

Apple Releases Apple TV 3.0.2 Update is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Financial Times is reporting that Apple might just be set to test drive $1 iTunes TV downloads as part of their iPad launch in March:

Some television networks agreed to the lower prices after months of negotiations, and having initially resisted Apple's push. Media executives are under pressure from declining DVD sales and cut-rate rental services such as Redbox, that offer rental DVDs for $1.

Not all networks say they’ve been approached, and being networks some may still refuse, but if the test is successful they’d be complete idiots not to jump on board (which means, of course, some won’t).

Competing with “free as in pirated” is a tough model but Apple showed music how to do it with the $0.99 price point (while it lasted). Hopefully the networks pay attention. Selling iTunes TV for more than it costs on DVDs isn’t only consumer-hostile, it’s simply bad business.

[Financial Times via Macrumors]

FT: Apple to Test $1 iTunes TV Downloads with iPad Launch? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple’s latest bulletin via the iPhone Developer News feed highlight how we really might see 3G connected SlingPlayer — and even Hulu — on the iPhone and iPad without melting the cell towers, courtesy of HTTP Live Streaming:

HTTP Live Streaming provides a state-of-the-art standards-based solution for streaming video over wireless networks. A key benefit of HTTP Live Streaming is the ability to dynamically adjust to varying network bandwidth conditions. It can store multiple video clips of different quality on a server, and then deliver the one that matches what the customer is capable of viewing on the network they are currently accessing.

Your application must use the HTTP Live Streaming protocol if it uses the cellular network to deliver video for any stream with a duration of 10 minutes or more. In addition, applications using HTTP Live Streaming over the cellular network must include a low quality stream of no more than 64 Kbps for your app to resort to when network conditions demand it.

The key here is that HTTP Live Streaming can dynamically increase or decrease video quality as you move from beefy Wi-Fi to 3G, standard or starved. Do we mind getting worse-looking video when the network is being strained? Years of putting up with blocky YouTube cat-on-piano videos likely points to “no”…

Apple: Want to Stream Video Over 3G? Use HTTP and Have a 64 Kbps Option for the Network is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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The San Francisco Chronicle reports that, according to Adobe 7 million iPhone and iPod touch users attempted to download Flash in December, well over the 3 million who tried back in June. We wonder how many of those were for Hulu, and whether rumors of a Hulu app for iPad would change them significantly?

Engadget feels that both Apple and Adobe’s competition (competing smartphone platforms that will soon include Flash 10.1, and competing video and rich-content delivery systems from HTML5 to Silverlight which now streams H.264 to the iPhone) are the only ones who will benefit.

We figure technology might as well, as Flash is forced to make less resource intensive, more security and privacy-friendly plugins and Apple and others are forced to make and push alternatives.

Case in point, Hulu. Techcrunch and 9to5mac hear a a Hulu app might still be in progress and set to launch in March in time for the iPad. Their videos are already H.264 so no conversion is required, but they make money off their advertising, which is entirely Flash-based now, and would need to either be replaced with HTML5 for a web app, or Cocoa touch for a native App Store app.

Either way, we’re still waiting..

Adobe Says 7 Million iPhone OS Users Tried to Download Flash — Would Hulu App Fix That? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Sad news, TiPb-verse, but with yours truly at Macworld and Dieter on his way to Mobile World Congress, we’re not able to do iPhone Live! tonight. However, we’ll make it up to you with lots of great coverage of both events and huge show next week.

We’ll be kicking things off tonight with the Indie Dev Spotlight, Macworld media preview, and 148apps.com iPhone App Awards. If you want live updates, I’ll post whatever I can to my twitter feed @reneritchie and round it all up for you later tonight right here on the main page.

Tomorrow the Expo proper opens and Leanna and I will be walking the floor, talking to the developers, and checking out all the great new apps and accessories.

So apologies again for the lack of iPhone Live! but stay tuned for more of TiPb at Macworld 2010!

TiPb at Macworld 2010 — Yes. iPhone Live! Tonight — No :( is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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The E&B Company eCopilot leather side pouch for the iPhone, [$29.95 - TiPb Store link] has a sophisticated style and classic appearance. The case is made of a durable leather outer shell and has a soft cushioned interior lining. The horizontal pouch opening has a magnetic binding which makes it easy to open and close and yet is strong enough that it will not open on its own.

For more about this case, pictures and what is Project Pink, join us after the break…

The eCopilot can be used on your belt or carried in your bag or briefcase. The belt loop is reinforced and has ample room to fit over various belt widths. For those who prefer belt clips, however, that’s not an option here.

I prefer to keep my iPhone in my purse, so this pouch is well suited for my needs. The case has a streamlined finish so it does not add much bulk or weight and the leather outer layer has a attractive finish. It’s also quite strong and will protect your iPhone from most scratches, abrasions and some falls. In fact, when my child kicked my phone down the stairs — it survived (so did my child, after a lengthy time out…)

The sides have small openings and, whether or not it was the manufacturers intent, this can be used to plug in your earphones without having to take your iPhone out from the case.

There is a small groove in the front of the case which makes it easy to get to your iPhone with one hand.

This case is beautifully constructed and will take a good deal of abuse with ease. Its look is sophisticated and perfect for the professional in your life. For those of you who may want the case in another color other than pink, The E&B Company eCopilot side pouch also comes in black, brown and red and is available for $29.95 from the TiPb iPhone accessory store.

Project Pink: if I get over 50 different people’s comments on this post, Rene has generously offered (will be forced) to carry around my next case for a day (it’s also pink!). Follow me on twitter @GeorgiaTiPb and I will keep you posted on the progress.

** And the response has been so great if we break 150, I will get Video !

Disclaimer: the E&B Company eCopilot leather case was provided for review by TiPb's iPhone accessory store.

E&B Company eCopilot Leather Pouch Case for iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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From the Forums is a great way to see what all of the current hot topics are on the TiPb forums. In order to create any new threads of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is a simple process that will only take a few minutes out of your day, so if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• Backing up your iPhone is pretty much essential. With that being said, how often are you backing your device up?
• The iPad is a popular topic of discussion as of late, will you be buying one?
• Confused on how to go about jailbreaking your iPhone, look no further than or forum dedicated to the subject: iPhone Jailbreak and Unlock
• The new iPhone will be here this summer, will you make the purchase regardless of price and features? Be sure to vote in the poll!

See you on the forums!

From the Forums: iPhone Backup, Buying iPad, Jailbreak, Purchase New iPhone? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Yesterday Navigon MobileNavigator received a pretty nice update, today Telenav released a update of their own for AT&T Navigator that includes some very nice new features. They are as follows:

• Shake-to-Go(tm): Users can now shake their iPhone at any time while in an AT&T Navigator menu screen and it will automatically initiate a route to a pre-designated “home” address the user has set.
• Speed Limit Display & Alerts: Navigation screen includes speed limit information and provides visual alerts if the limit is exceeded.
• Last Trip Origin: Once a trip is completed, users can easily return to the origin of their last trip by accessing the “Recent Places” menu.
• Nighttime Maps: The brightness levels of map screens are adjusted for nighttime driving for easier viewing.
• Improved Route Avoidance Options: Drivers may now choose to avoid routes that make use of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes or choose to avoid routes that include toll roads.
• Improved Pedestrian Mode: Users will be able to clearly identify when they are navigating in pedestrian mode with the introduction of a new pedestrian icon on the map screen.

AT&T Navigator version 1.5i is now available to download within the App Store. The app is free to download with a subscription cost of $9.99 per month, or $69 for a year.

Check out this latest version in action after the break!

AT&T Navigator for iPhone Updated to v1.5i is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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AT&T has openly admitted that they have selected Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson as their LTE equipment suppliers and even better is the fact they are on track for a 2011 LTE rollout. 2011 is dead on with the information we gave you almost one year ago stating that LTE would in fact be here on AT&T in 2011 with the slight chance it would be delayed until 2012.

Now don’t fret when it comes to the existing 3G network that many of you have issues with. AT&T promises to keep working to improve that for you as well. They are not abandoning you… yet.

It is important to remember that sometimes plans do change, so don’t shoot the messenger if things don’t pan out next year.

[Via Engadget]

AT&T Admits LTE Rollout Will Begin in 2011 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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