Less than a week after Hugh Hefner tweeted that an uncensored version of the Playboy app was headed to the iPad, Apple has shot down the rumor, saying it will stick to its strict no-nudity policy for apps allowed into the App Store.

Instead, Playboy will be creating a service where users can view all the uncensored archives online.

"The service will be iPad compatible and will utilize iPad functions," explains the company.

Playboy does plan to create an iOS app, but it will have censored images, and contain articles and jokes.

At the time, Hefner had said: "Big news! Playboy--both old & new--will be available on iPad beginning in March. The IPad Version of Playboy will include the whole magazine from the first issue to the latest and Playboy on iPad will be uncensored."

Permalink | Comments

---

XBMC, the free and open source cross-platform media player and home entertainment system software has now been ported to the second-gen Apple TV, iPhone 4 and iPad, giving jailbroken users a chance to enjoy the very popular media center.

The software now works on the A4 chip used in the iOS devices, and will allow for content playback way beyond what Apple's devices natively support.

Apple TV owners can now enjoy 1080p video, although Engadget says some videos are choppy in Full HD.

As the group says, "your AppleTV2 is no longer chained to iTunes."

Additionally, XBMC has been ported for the iPhone 4 and iPad and will require your device to be jailbroken with the Cydia market.

Permalink | Comments

---

According to Nokia, 20 percent of all mobile phones sold in the world are illegal clones, unlicensed copies that sell for a fraction of the cost of phones they are copying.

The world's top mobile phone maker says the "gray market" is killing their positions in emerging markets like South America and parts of Asia.

Says Nokia exec Esko Aho:

It is mostly China-originated, but it is global. It is not only in Asia, but also in Latin America and even in some parts of Europe.

Research firm Gartner agreed with the assessment in November stating that no-brand manufacturers now account for 20 percent of global sales. Other firms have said the number is much lower, closer to 5 percent.

Permalink | Comments

---

Trapster, the free iOS/Android/BlackBerry app created to help users find police "speed traps" has alerted its 10.06 million users that their security has been breached and all accounts have been compromised.

All current users are told to immediately change their passwords, and change passwords for other services if using the same email and password combination.

Says the company (via Mash):

The Trapster team has recently learned that our website has been the target of a hacking attempt, and it is possible that your email address and password were compromised.

We have taken, and continue to take, preventative measures to avoid future incidents, but we are recommending that you change your Trapster password.

It was unclear how the breach happened and what the app has done to improve security.

Permalink | Comments

---

Opera Software has announced today that they will be bringing their popular Opera browser to Sony Bravia HDTVs and Blu-ray disc players.

The company says the browser will bring applications, widgets, a full and robust Web browsing experience, and HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.

Flash is so far not supported.

Opera says they want to give TV users a chance to enjoy VOD, exchange "opinions with friends through social networks about the program they are watching," and quickly be able to purchase items they just saw in ads, or TV shows.

Adds Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera Software:

The Web as we know it is evolving, and we are committed to making it more accessible across diverse devices. Our ability to address key hybrid broadcast-broadband initiatives in numerous markets makes us a natural fit with Sony. By delivering both a global viewpoint and the necessary technology, we are able to stay on the cutting edge of the industry.

Permalink | Comments

---

Nvidia has finally confirmed their plans to release the ARM-based Tegra 3 chip, bringing quad-core processing to tablets and possibly smartphones in the future.

General manager of mobile business Michael Rayfield would not give a time frame, however, just saying the chips will make an appearance "soon."

Speculation is the company will show off the designs at next month's Mobile World Congress Expo.

The announcement comes just a week after the company announced "Project Denver," a Tegra chip for desktops and servers, mixing the CPU with a GeForce GPU.

Pricing for such a powerful mobile chip is still unclear, as well as power draw.

Permalink | Comments

---