Filed under: Handsets, Software, Apple, iPhone OS

Well, it's not quite the sort of background application that most folks have been hoping for on the iPhone, but Loopt has nonetheless scored something of a first for its location-based iPhone app. As Silicon Alley Insider reports, the company has struck a deal directly with AT&T that'll let it monitor your location whenever you have a network connection, regardless of whether you have the Loopt app open or not. That, as you might have surmised, is done entirely on a server-to-server basis, and it'll initially be made available as a part of free 14-trial program limited to 5,000 users, after which it'll run them and everyone else $3.99 a month (added to your AT&T bill). Feeling lucky (or quick)? You can put your name and number into the hat by hitting up the appropriate read link below.

Read - Loopt Always-On Location Trial Sign-up
Read - Silicon Alley Insider, "Loopt Location To Update In The Background On iPhone"

[Via MacRumors]

Loopt strikes deal with AT&T for background monitoring on iPhone originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple is working already on a fix for various problems Snow Leopard users ran into after updating to the new operating system. Only a week after introducing Snow Leopard, Apple began seeding to developers an update addressing stability and compatibility issues.

Clever workaround to not being able to run in the background on your iPhone: Social network service Loopt has a deal that allows them to constantly update your location (presumably using AT&T's servers), even when the app's not running.

It's a limited trial for now with 5,000 slots, and it'll cost $4 a month after 2 free weeks of the service. Loopt says with the new real-time location powers, they can build a "life graph" showing everywhere you've been, so they can deliver personalized recommendations (read: ads) to you. Man, this woulda been sweet with Google Latitude (and probably free, though I don't see Loopt charging for this for too long, honestly). [Loopt]

You know, it's been nearly forty years since Intel introduced the first microprocessor, and even at this late date the company comprises a whopping eighty percent of the global market for CPUs. But not so fast! Like an electronics industry remake of The Magnificent Seven (which is, of course, an American remake of The Seven Samurai) NEC and Renesas have teamed up with a stalwart band of companies, including Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Panasonic, and Canon, to develop a new CPU that is compatible with Waseda University professor Hironori Kasahara's "innovative energy-saving software." The goal is to create a commercial processor that runs on solar cells, moderates power use according to the amount of data being processed (a current prototype runs on 30% the power of a standard CPU), remains on even when mains power is cut, and, of course, upsets the apple cart over at Intel. Once a standard is adopted and the chip is used in a wide range of electronics, firms will be able to realize massive savings on software development. The new format is expected to to be in place by the end of 2012. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Seven Samurai chipmakers set to take on Intel originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 162 - 09.04.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.