The 'Typical' iPhone 4S User; iPhone 3GS Price Bumped Up to 99 Cents

Every week, makes news with technology developments, business deals and, more often than not, controversies.

That’s where our weekly "Core Bytes" column on Apple comes in. We’ll relay the past week’s news highlights from our favorite backyard tech giant.

Controversies
Apple has sued Amazon for the use of the term Appstore in its Kindle tablet. It feels it owns the words App store, and that Amazon has infringed on that. They tried to stop the immediate use of “Appstore” by requesting a primary injunction, which was rejected by the district court judge in the case.

New Products
Not sure if you want to purchase on AppleCare+, iPhone warranty and accidental coverage plan? Customers originally had to decide on the spot when they purchased their new phones, but now have upwards of 30 days to decide. The $99 plan was initially announced in October.

Apple’s iTunes remain a big whig in the online music world. But on Wednesday, Google announced a service that could stand in competition: an online music store that will allow people to buy and store as many as 20,000 songs online, listening to them on multiple devices. It has secured partnerships with 1,000 record labels, including Universal.

Business Deals and Developments
AT&T has bumped up the price of the iPhone 3GS -- to a whopping 99 cents. It was originally free with a two-year contract, but now the wireless carrier has set its sights in the dollar range.

Who would you expect to purchase an iPhone? College students would likely factor on the list, but what about vitamin takers, pet owners, or advocates of organic foods? Those were some of the traits compiled by the marketing firm BlueKai, who also ranked international travelers, health care workers, and apartment dwellers as likely to foot the bill on a new iPhone.

Which actor would you select to play Steve Jobs in a cinematic portrayal of his life? Right now George Clooney, 50, and Noah Wyle, 40, are competing for roles in the film, which will be starting production in 2012. Wyle may have a leg up, since he already played Jobs in the 1999 “Pirates of Silicon Valley.”