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Apple Now Accepting iPad Apps, Planning “Grand Opening” of iPad App Store

Apple is now accepting iPad apps for a “grand opening” of the iPad App Store, according to an email just sent to registered developers.
“iPad will begin shipping soon and your opportunity to be part of the grand opening of the iPad App Store starts today,” the email says.
There’s no details about when the store’s grand [...]

Security Expert: “Mac OS X Is Safer, But Less Secure”

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Tech site H-Online has an interesting story today, quoting security expert Charlie Miller about his forthcoming talk at the CanSecWest conference next week.
He says OS X is full of security holes. There are lots more than in Windows, he claims.
And yet: OS X is a safer system to use. Why? Because, in the words [...]

Apple Devotes Entire Home Page To Jerome York Obituary

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If ever you needed a sign that Apple was a different kind of technology company, this is it.
What other computer manufacturer would remove its top-selling, hype-inducing, industry-altering new product from the prime spot on its website home page, and replace it with an obituary to an investor?
This is one of those “Here’s to the [...]

Coming Soon: Steve Jobs, the Sitcom

Fake Steve creator Dan Lyons just signed a deal to bring Steve Jobs to another small screen near you.
The half-hour series called “iCon” is billed by the presser as “a savage satire centering on a fictional Silicon Valley CEO whose ego is a study in power and greed.”
Making sure the barbs prick will be the [...]

iPhones Being Tested for Use by Congress

iPhones could be a big part of the changes coming to Washington, DC in the post-George W. Bush era if a House Chief Administrative Office (CAO) test deems them suitable for use by members of congress and their staffs.

At the request of a number of congressional representatives, the CAO has begun testing a small number of iPhones within its ranks to see if they are compatible with the working needs of lawmakers and staff, according to a report at the Hill.com.

RIM’s Blacberry handhelds have been the communicator of choice in Washington since 2001 and today nearly 8,200 rely on a dedicated Blackberry exchange server to deliver email to people affiliated with the House of Representatives. “We’re trying [iPhones] out … because we heard a lot of people wanted the option to have them,” said Jeff Ventura, a spokesman for the CAO.

Should the iPhone become widely adopted after congress reconvenes in January, it will require costly investments including a new email server, in addition to the handsets themselves, funds for which would be required to come from the Member’s Representational Allowance, which is a government term for “paid for by taxpayers.”

Does your member of congress deserve an iPhone?

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About the author

Lonnie Lazar

Lonnie Lazar is a writer, musician, web designer attorney. He writes about Apple for Cult of Mac and Mac|Life, and about VoIP and telecommunications for Voxilla. Follow Lonnie on Twitter @LonnieLazar, join the Cult of Mac on Facebook, and find Lonnie's photos on Flickr.

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11 comments

    Do they deserve an iPhone? No.

    Do I want them to get one anyway and help continue the iPhone infrastructure builds? Hell yeah! Let’s bring AAPL back up to $200 and then some.

    Nah, get a real phone with real security.

    Deserve? Who cares. The question is do they NEED an iPhone to which the answer is hell no.

    No! they should stop spending billions on bailouts and frivolous corporate agendas. Maybe once they pay down the national debt do we give them the pleasure of owning an iPhone on our dime.

    Fucking ridiculous.

    They’re not going to replace the blackberry. AT&T service is terrible in Washington DC, and the iPhone doesn’t work reliably at the places that Senators and Representatives need them. AT&T gets no signal on the Hill.

    As for the cost. Government budgets for the House and Senate are matters of public record. These people make decisions which affect the most powerful economy on earth, and you’re going to get upset over $400? Grow a sense of perspective.

    OMG!!! I am not willing to pay for someone else’s iPhone… this is stupid!!!!

    They are going to have a “smart” phone (should the user of a “smart” phone have to be smart?) whether we want them to or not. They already are using/buying Blackberries.

    If they are going to go blow our money anyway, they might as well help out our favorite little technology company.

    I think Congress should be using US tax-payer dollars to purchase phones from an American company (i.e., Apple), not ones from a foreign company (i.e., RIM).

    Maybe for Christmas Dear.

    [...] iPhones Being Tested for Use by Congress [Cult of Mac] [...]

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