App Store Trademark, AT&T To Buy T-Mobile, iPad 2 International

Apple began defending its trademark over the term “App Store” this week by suing Amazon and others over use of the term. Apple filed for the trademark in 2008. Apple also sent a cease-and-desist letter to a company that was promoting a porn “app store.”
The U.S. wireless landscape is about to undergo a dramatic change as AT&T intends to buy T-Mobile for $39 billion. AT&T would then become the largest wireless network in the U.S., over Verizon. It would also leave Sprint as the only major carrier not offering the iPhone.
Following a successful launch of the iPad 2 in the U.S., Apple will start selling the device in 25 countries on Friday. Many thought that the international launch would be delayed because of supply line fears and continued long lines in the U.S. for the iPad 2. But Apple announced earlier this week that sales would start on Friday as planned. The iPad 2 will go on sale at 5 p.m. on Friday just as it had in the U.S. In April even more stores in other countries will begin selling the iPad 2. One exception is Japan, where the iPad 2 was supposed to have gone on sale tomorrow. Apple hasn’t announced a new release date for the iPad 2 in Japan yet.