Top tech headlines: iPhone, iPad tracking your location, PlayBook sales, Twitter bids for TweetDeck

(TweetDeck)

Hot topics in the tech blogs for the week ending April 22 include fears over iOS devices tracking your location, BlackBerry PlayBook goes on sale, Twitter attempts to purchase third party Twitter client TweetDeck, Apple files a patent suit against Samsung and Apple reports 2Q results.

iOS devices tracking your location
Fears were raised this week as people learnt that their iPhone and/or 3G iPad regularly recorded their location to a "secret" file stored on the device. Forensic researcher Alex Levinson revealed he had published research on the same topic last year and stated the "hidden file is neither new nor secret" while insisting that "Apple is not collecting this data." Daring Fireball’s John Gruber said the issue was a "bug or, more likely, an oversight" by Apple and that theoretically the historic location data should be automatically culled by code which was missing from iOS 4.

BlackBerry PlayBook goes on sale
Research In Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook arrived in stores in the US and Canada with little fanfare, however sales were reported to be "steady" at most outlets. While reviewers said the device was not finished and "missing key features," Read Write Web reveals, "the tablet did better than expected," selling around 50,000 units on day one.

Twitter tries to buy TweetDeck
The Wall Street Journal reported that Twitter is in talks to buy third party Twitter client TweetDeck "to broaden the appeal of the well-known messaging service." UberMedia, a company that runs and develops third party Twitter clients, reportedly acquired TweetDeck in February 2011 "[s]o if Twitter is attempting to acquire TweetDeck, it could be a reactionary counter-bid to UberMedia's offer," said CNET. Twitter’s PR account tweeted "We don't comment on rumors. We don't provide off-the-record background on rumors. We don't wink twice or release puffs of smoke [about] rumors," when asked about the deal.

Apple files patent suit against Samsung
Apple filed a patent suit against electronics manufacturer Samsung declaring the South Korean company had copied elements of its iconic smartphones and tablets. Samsung turned around and filed counter-action against Apple claiming the company had "violated Samsung's wireless technology patents." "The case is remarkable for several reasons, not least because Samsung is one of Apple’s critical component suppliers," said This Is My Next.

Apple reports 2Q results
Apple announced it had recorded a $5.99 billion profit and a 95 percent earnings surge during the second quarter of its fiscal year. The company reported record iPhone sales and strong Mac sales, both of which exceeded expectations. On the other hand, iPad sales were weaker than expected despite high demand for the product and Apple's own claim that "we sold every iPad 2 we could make."