Buying a tablet on a budget: Android or iPad?
There are also rumors that Apple may offer a lower-priced version of the iPad.How low? Some say the price could be as low as $299, which could fit nicely into a budget. I'm not sure how much stock I put into this particular rumor. There are always hopeful Apple fans professing that the company will introduce two products, a high-end model and low-end model, when a new iPad or iPhone is about to be released. But what generally happens is that Apple takes the existing device, such as the iPad 2 and slashes the price on it, making it the lower-end model. My guess is that Apple will do something similar when the iPad 3 is announced. A price reduction would obviously be great for you given your budget of $400, which is actually in a sort of no-man's land when it comes to tablets. You are somewhere in between the 7-inch budget tablets, such as the Kindle Fire, which sell for $200 and the higher-end 10-inch tablets, such as the iPad, Motorola Xoom, and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which sell for around $500.If you want a quick guide of some of the best tablets on the market, check out the lists CNEThas put together. There's a list of best tablets in each of the size categories as well as one for budget-minded shoppers.Right now, the only 10-inch tablet that Donald recommends at the $400 price point is the Asus Eee Pad Transformer (16GB Wi-Fi). You may be able to find some of the other Android tablets mentioned in his list running for close to $400, but you may have to hunt for them. And as I mentioned, there could be big discounts coming when the iPad 3 is released. I know you said you don't want to buy an iPad. But you may want to reconsider. And the reason I say that is even though the iPad 2 doesn't meet the same specs as some of these other tablets, it has a much broader set of apps available and it holds its value much more than these other devices, according to CNET's Donald Bell. What's more the iPad 3 is likely to have improved specs that more closely match those of its competitors."I would make the case that in spite of any concerns over specs and storage, there is no tablet on the market that has held its value better than the iPad," Donald told me when I asked him about your question. "Refurbished versions of the first-gen iPad (now almost two years old) are still selling for over $300. It's mind-boggling. You'll be lucky if you can resell the Motorola Xoom as a doorstop in two years."Also, since your main reason for buying a tablet is to get textbooks on it, the iPad is probably the best device for you. Why? The iPad works with the largest number of e-book stores (both big and small), according to Donald. It also is integrated with Apple's iTunes University. And it's got a deep catalog of test-prep apps. "As a college student, I would have a hard time passing it up," Donald said. "For the extra $100 you'll spend, that value will stay in the tablet when you go to resell it, and you'll never have to worry about a lack of access to the best selection of e-book and app content."I completely agree with Donald on each of these points. But even though Android has caught up in many ways to Apple in terms of apps for smartphones, it's still way behind when it comes to apps for tablets. And I think this is a huge issue, because without apps, why even own a tablet? I've also found the Android software to be very buggy with the apps that are available. The browser on the Galaxy Tab that I've been using also crashes pretty frequently. The only benefit I've found in using an Android tablet over the iPad is that Android supports Flash, which means you can reach more rich Web sites and even watch some video on the tablet. This is still something that is lacking on the iPad.Part of the problem with many Android tablets today is that the majority of them still run an older version of Android software called Honeycomb. This version of Android was specifically developed for tablets, and it's notoriously buggy. It was meant as interim software for early Android tablets. And because it's not meant to be a long-term solution for Android tablets, developers haven't spent much time creating apps for it. So what tablet users are faced with are some apps that are made for Honeycomb and some apps that are made for smartphone versions of the software that don't run well on the tablets. In the Android Marketplace it's tough to know if the apps you want are optimized for this OS or not. Android 4.0, otherwise known as Ice Cream Sandwich, is the latest Android OS. It was developed to merge smartphone and tablet software, so that apps could work on either type of device. That software, released initially on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, is only now just starting to trickle out for tablets.So the bottom line is this: First, wait until March when the iPad 3 is introduced. If you need to stick to your $400 budget, you may be able to pick up a new iPad 2 for that price, if Apple drops the price. Or you could get one of the Android tablets listed in CNET's list for a lower price. But if I were you, I'd buy an iPad since I think you'll get better access to more textbooks and apps. And I also think the device is a better investment since it will hold its value better.Good luck!Trading in the iPod Touch for an iPhoneDear Maggie,I am planning on upgrading to a smartphone when I graduate from college in August. I currently own a fourth-generation iPod Touch. I use my current iPod Touch to read a ton of books on iBooks and I listen to music from iTunes. Also, I can spend about $200 with a two-year contract.I have two questions for you:1. Should I go with an iPhone when I upgrade to a smartphone or should I get an Android phone? 2. If I buy an iPhone, will I still need my iPod Touch? Or could I sell my iPod Touch?I really appreciate your advice! Thanks! ViroopDear Viroop If you're already using an iOS device, it will be very easy for you to use an iPhone. You can use all the apps and load all the same music you'd load onto your iPod Touch onto a new iPhone. You will also be able to access all your iBooks that you've already bought on your new iPhone.AppleIf you buy an Android device, you will be able to transfer unprotected music to your new phone. But anything that has iTunes DRM on it, won't transfer to an Android device. Also, all the apps you've bought and downloaded onto your iPod Touch will not transfer to a new Android smartphone. And the iBooks that you've already downloaded for the iPod Touch also won't work on an Android phone. So for these reasons, I'd say you should just buy an iPhone to preserve the investment you've already made in the Apple iOS ecosystem.Since you're not going to upgrade until August when you graduate college, it's very likely that Apple will have a new iPhone on the market. There's no official word from Apple when a new iPhone will be released. But the company generally has a new one every year. And it's typically introduced these devices in the summer. If it doesn't come out this summer, my guess is that by October Apple will have a new product in the market. So in terms of timing, you're in very good shape.The answer to your second set of questions is, yes. An iPhone will replace the need for you to have an iPod Touch, since the iPod Touch is essentially the same device as an iPhone, but without the cellular radio.Since you don't really need both devices, you may want to sell your old iPod Touch. Apple products hold their value pretty well. An 8GB iPod Touch in good condition with all the original cables etc. can fetch you about $66 on the gadget-buying site Gazelle.com. And the 32GB version in good condition will get you about $90 on Gazelle. It won't cover the cost of buying the new iPhone, but it could certainly help defray the cost.I hope this advice was useful. Study hard! And good luck!Ask Maggie is an advice column that answers readers' wireless and broadband questions. The column now appears twice a week on CNET offering readers a double dosage of Ask Maggie's advice. If you have a question, I'd love to hear from you. Please send me an e-mail at maggie dot reardon at cbs dot com. And please put "Ask Maggie" in the subject header. You can also follow me on Facebook on my Ask Maggie page.
Premium-headphone honchos jostle for your ears
Premium-headphone honchos jostle for your ears
Of course, a large part of Beats' success is built on the name and image of Dr. Dre, and as such, has inspired numerous other musician-endorsed headphones. Offerings from Soul by Ludacris, Sync by 50 Cent, and House of Marley have proved to be notable entries into the market. The strategy clearly works.The NPD Group's recent Headphones Ownership and Applications study reports that endorsements from music artists influence one in five premium-headphone shoppers to make a purchase. Compared with other industry data showing that celebrity endorsements do very little to actually spur purchases, this approach for headphones is a definite success.But in an increasingly crowded market, how long can artist or celebrity endorsements provide differentiation?A number of headphone companies have taken to promoting their premium lines in a different way. Harman's new Harman Kardon headphones, released in June, aligned not with a musician but with Apple in their design, engineering, and distribution. Logitech's Ultimate Ears have also partnered with Apple, making the Apple Store the exclusive launch partner for the new line of headphones and wireless audio speakers.And headphone maker Denon has taken a fresh approach, gearing its four lines of headphones to different types of audio listeners ranging from audiophiles (the Music Maniac line) and workout warriors (the Exercise Freak line) to hip-hop bass lovers (the Urban Ravers line). Premium-headphone users own an average of 2.3 pairs, according to the NPD study, an indication that different pairs are used in different scenarios. RelatedCelebrity-endorsed headphones: Some good, some badHeadphone maker 'Beats' marketing rules at OlympicsThe Audiophiliac: A high-end audio blog from Steve GuttenbergDenon might be on to something. With media consumption habits shifting to new devices like smartphones and tablets, headphones are being used for a multitude of activities, and consumers are going to expect better audio quality to maximize their experience. In fact, NPD's study shows 29 percent of premium headphones being used with a tablet, triple the level observed in 2011. Products specifically designed for activities such as watching video, gaming, or even composing music using apps like Garage Band or iElectribe from Korg will provide the next wave of growth in the market.In the end, we're likely to see the premium-headphone market continue to grow, and as more companies chase the opportunity, differentiation will be key. Designs and engineering geared toward different pursuits will certainly provide this, but expect collaborations to emerge with other brands (like Harman and Apple), as well as content services (Monster just recently partnered with Viacom on the Monster DNA line).Delivering quality sound is the new mantra in consumer audio now -- just look at HP and HTC's Beats Audio branding and Apple's Mastered for iTunes effort, but with most headphones brands claiming high fidelity, consumers will need something else to help capture their eyes (and ears).
Of course, a large part of Beats' success is built on the name and image of Dr. Dre, and as such, has inspired numerous other musician-endorsed headphones. Offerings from Soul by Ludacris, Sync by 50 Cent, and House of Marley have proved to be notable entries into the market. The strategy clearly works.The NPD Group's recent Headphones Ownership and Applications study reports that endorsements from music artists influence one in five premium-headphone shoppers to make a purchase. Compared with other industry data showing that celebrity endorsements do very little to actually spur purchases, this approach for headphones is a definite success.But in an increasingly crowded market, how long can artist or celebrity endorsements provide differentiation?A number of headphone companies have taken to promoting their premium lines in a different way. Harman's new Harman Kardon headphones, released in June, aligned not with a musician but with Apple in their design, engineering, and distribution. Logitech's Ultimate Ears have also partnered with Apple, making the Apple Store the exclusive launch partner for the new line of headphones and wireless audio speakers.And headphone maker Denon has taken a fresh approach, gearing its four lines of headphones to different types of audio listeners ranging from audiophiles (the Music Maniac line) and workout warriors (the Exercise Freak line) to hip-hop bass lovers (the Urban Ravers line). Premium-headphone users own an average of 2.3 pairs, according to the NPD study, an indication that different pairs are used in different scenarios. RelatedCelebrity-endorsed headphones: Some good, some badHeadphone maker 'Beats' marketing rules at OlympicsThe Audiophiliac: A high-end audio blog from Steve GuttenbergDenon might be on to something. With media consumption habits shifting to new devices like smartphones and tablets, headphones are being used for a multitude of activities, and consumers are going to expect better audio quality to maximize their experience. In fact, NPD's study shows 29 percent of premium headphones being used with a tablet, triple the level observed in 2011. Products specifically designed for activities such as watching video, gaming, or even composing music using apps like Garage Band or iElectribe from Korg will provide the next wave of growth in the market.In the end, we're likely to see the premium-headphone market continue to grow, and as more companies chase the opportunity, differentiation will be key. Designs and engineering geared toward different pursuits will certainly provide this, but expect collaborations to emerge with other brands (like Harman and Apple), as well as content services (Monster just recently partnered with Viacom on the Monster DNA line).Delivering quality sound is the new mantra in consumer audio now -- just look at HP and HTC's Beats Audio branding and Apple's Mastered for iTunes effort, but with most headphones brands claiming high fidelity, consumers will need something else to help capture their eyes (and ears).
Dragon iPhone app tweaked, search tool released
Dragon iPhone app tweaked, search tool released
Over the weekend, the company updated its Dragon voice dictation app for the Apple iPhone and unveiled a new Dragon Search app to let you find info via voice.The 1.2 version of the free Dragon Dictation app--which was initially released last month--now supports the iPod Touch 2G and 3G. Touch users can plug in an external microphone and dictate up to 20 seconds of speech that is converted to text.Besides adding support for the iPod Touch, Nuance resolved an issue that had created some controversy. In its initial release, Dragon Dictation automatically uploaded your contact list to Nuance, which the company said helped the app better convert those names into text. But that feature generated privacy concerns among users wary of letting the company grab the names of relatives, friends, and colleagues. The new version lets you decide upfront whether you want your contact list uploaded to a Nuance server.Dragon Dictation is quick and simple. After you've delivered your 20-second message, the words pop up on the app's text screen. From there you can load an onscreen keyboard to correct errors or make other changes. Tapping on a word offers you options to delete it or replace it from a short list of alternate words suggested by Dragon. When done, you can e-mail or IM your text or save it to the clipboard where you can paste it into the iPhone's Notes app or another text editor.I dictated several passages and found the text conversion to be surprisingly accurate. Like the Dragon desktop app, you can dictate not just text but also punctuation marks, such as periods, commas, and paragraph returns. Nuance also says the app will adapt to your voice over time, further increasing its accuracy.Dragon Search from NuanceNuanceI wish Nuance had bumped up the amount of time you can talk--20 seconds is fine for a brief thought or quick note but obviously too short for anything substantial. The company's FAQ indicates it may change the time limit in a future release.Nuance has also jumped into the mobile search market. The company's new and free Dragon Search app for the iPhone and iPod Touch lets you run a Web search by speaking a word or phrase. Just record your search query, and a list of links appears on the screen.You can set your default search engine among Google, Bing, and Yahoo. You can also see your results among different types of search engines, including Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, and iTunes. From the iTunes search results, you can jump to iTunes itself on your device to download associated music or podcasts. Dragon Search keeps a history of your last several searches, so you don't need to recreate them.Like the Dragon Dictation app, Dragon Search is fast and accurate. The time limit is not an issue, and I like the ability to see the same results in Google, Bing, Twitter, and other search engines. Both apps are good first starts from Nuance in the iPhone app arena.
Over the weekend, the company updated its Dragon voice dictation app for the Apple iPhone and unveiled a new Dragon Search app to let you find info via voice.The 1.2 version of the free Dragon Dictation app--which was initially released last month--now supports the iPod Touch 2G and 3G. Touch users can plug in an external microphone and dictate up to 20 seconds of speech that is converted to text.Besides adding support for the iPod Touch, Nuance resolved an issue that had created some controversy. In its initial release, Dragon Dictation automatically uploaded your contact list to Nuance, which the company said helped the app better convert those names into text. But that feature generated privacy concerns among users wary of letting the company grab the names of relatives, friends, and colleagues. The new version lets you decide upfront whether you want your contact list uploaded to a Nuance server.Dragon Dictation is quick and simple. After you've delivered your 20-second message, the words pop up on the app's text screen. From there you can load an onscreen keyboard to correct errors or make other changes. Tapping on a word offers you options to delete it or replace it from a short list of alternate words suggested by Dragon. When done, you can e-mail or IM your text or save it to the clipboard where you can paste it into the iPhone's Notes app or another text editor.I dictated several passages and found the text conversion to be surprisingly accurate. Like the Dragon desktop app, you can dictate not just text but also punctuation marks, such as periods, commas, and paragraph returns. Nuance also says the app will adapt to your voice over time, further increasing its accuracy.Dragon Search from NuanceNuanceI wish Nuance had bumped up the amount of time you can talk--20 seconds is fine for a brief thought or quick note but obviously too short for anything substantial. The company's FAQ indicates it may change the time limit in a future release.Nuance has also jumped into the mobile search market. The company's new and free Dragon Search app for the iPhone and iPod Touch lets you run a Web search by speaking a word or phrase. Just record your search query, and a list of links appears on the screen.You can set your default search engine among Google, Bing, and Yahoo. You can also see your results among different types of search engines, including Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, and iTunes. From the iTunes search results, you can jump to iTunes itself on your device to download associated music or podcasts. Dragon Search keeps a history of your last several searches, so you don't need to recreate them.Like the Dragon Dictation app, Dragon Search is fast and accurate. The time limit is not an issue, and I like the ability to see the same results in Google, Bing, Twitter, and other search engines. Both apps are good first starts from Nuance in the iPhone app arena.
The 404 640- Where we finally run Frash (podcast)
The 404 640: Where we finally run Frash (podcast)
You've probably heard of cars that run on vegetable oil, but what about a vehicle that runs on methane gas extracted from human waste? Engineers at GENeco are testing a Volkswagen Beetle, aka "Dung Beetle," that uses methane harvested from bacteria stored in sewage decomposition containers.The thought of a fart-powered car might tickle your gag reflex, but there's no denying its energy efficiency.Our own Rory Reid on Crave U.K. said the waste from 70 homes can create enough gas to run the Dung Beetle for 10,000 miles, and it's also carbon neutral since all of it normally is released into the atmosphere when the sewage converts to methane. Join us in the second half of the show where we'll discuss yesterday's epic Classic Tetris World Championship in Los Angeles. More than 200 players competed in the Championship organized by former Nintendo World Champion player Robin Mihara, but only Jonas Neubauer was able to beat the other eight players in the semi-finals and win the trophy and $1,000 prize.We asked for TerrorByte lyrics over the weekend and you guys certainly delivered! Check out today's submission from Mark after the break, and don't forget to send yours to the404(at)cnet(dot)com! If you just want to leave a comment about the show, feel free to give us a ring at 1-866-404-CNET or BBM our phone at 2482F452; we'll be waiting!Its TerrorByte representin' on the 4-0-4With every podcast makin' you want moreNone of y'all can playa hateCause I be runnin' on solid stateYour machines can't handle meI know you still be rockin' AOL, navigator, and version 6 of IEYou know your 28.8 can't hang wit meCause I'm the one, the only, Magnificent TBSHABBAEpisode 640PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
You've probably heard of cars that run on vegetable oil, but what about a vehicle that runs on methane gas extracted from human waste? Engineers at GENeco are testing a Volkswagen Beetle, aka "Dung Beetle," that uses methane harvested from bacteria stored in sewage decomposition containers.The thought of a fart-powered car might tickle your gag reflex, but there's no denying its energy efficiency.Our own Rory Reid on Crave U.K. said the waste from 70 homes can create enough gas to run the Dung Beetle for 10,000 miles, and it's also carbon neutral since all of it normally is released into the atmosphere when the sewage converts to methane. Join us in the second half of the show where we'll discuss yesterday's epic Classic Tetris World Championship in Los Angeles. More than 200 players competed in the Championship organized by former Nintendo World Champion player Robin Mihara, but only Jonas Neubauer was able to beat the other eight players in the semi-finals and win the trophy and $1,000 prize.We asked for TerrorByte lyrics over the weekend and you guys certainly delivered! Check out today's submission from Mark after the break, and don't forget to send yours to the404(at)cnet(dot)com! If you just want to leave a comment about the show, feel free to give us a ring at 1-866-404-CNET or BBM our phone at 2482F452; we'll be waiting!Its TerrorByte representin' on the 4-0-4With every podcast makin' you want moreNone of y'all can playa hateCause I be runnin' on solid stateYour machines can't handle meI know you still be rockin' AOL, navigator, and version 6 of IEYou know your 28.8 can't hang wit meCause I'm the one, the only, Magnificent TBSHABBAEpisode 640PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
New music acts to labels- 'We won't tweet'
New music acts to labels: 'We won't tweet'
"I was shocked to find out how many twentysomethings aren't interested in social networking," said Cameo Carlson, a former iTunes executive who is now executive vice president at Universal Motown Republic Group.Carlson, who has risen to become one of Universal Music Group's highest-ranking female digital executives since moving over from iTunes three years ago, participated in a panel discussion this week at the Digital Music East Forum in New York. This was the same conference where the NPD Group announced that the music industry has lost 24 million music buyers over the past two years. Of those, a million were buyers of digital downloads, NPD said.Later, Carlson said she understood many musicians would prefer to focus exclusively on their music. But she noted that in the digital age, acts must connect with fans. Daniel Glass, who three years ago founded indie label Glassnote, couldn't agree more. He was on the same panel with Carlson and he said that he chose not to sign a promising new group after they expressed apathy about social networking. "There may be some indie hipper-than-thou artists who want to let the music speak for itself," Glass said on Friday. "They are probably not for us. We believe an artist has a responsibility to communicate with their audience...We embrace the world of technology and the vast improvements in communication." But social networking doesn't mean artists have to become pitchmen, selling themselves like the people hawking Ronco Pasta Makers on the Home Shopping Network.Carlson and Glass said each band can figure out what's the right way to address fans, but the labels can't do everything. The fans want the acts. "Some of them think once they sign, the labels will do everything," Carlson said. During his CNET interview, Glass said most acts get it. One of the acts his label represents, Two Door Cinema, was sending Tweets from a video shoot as we spoke, he said. "We need acts to be involved," Glass said. "When promoting a band, touring is still most important, but after that comes social networking."
"I was shocked to find out how many twentysomethings aren't interested in social networking," said Cameo Carlson, a former iTunes executive who is now executive vice president at Universal Motown Republic Group.Carlson, who has risen to become one of Universal Music Group's highest-ranking female digital executives since moving over from iTunes three years ago, participated in a panel discussion this week at the Digital Music East Forum in New York. This was the same conference where the NPD Group announced that the music industry has lost 24 million music buyers over the past two years. Of those, a million were buyers of digital downloads, NPD said.Later, Carlson said she understood many musicians would prefer to focus exclusively on their music. But she noted that in the digital age, acts must connect with fans. Daniel Glass, who three years ago founded indie label Glassnote, couldn't agree more. He was on the same panel with Carlson and he said that he chose not to sign a promising new group after they expressed apathy about social networking. "There may be some indie hipper-than-thou artists who want to let the music speak for itself," Glass said on Friday. "They are probably not for us. We believe an artist has a responsibility to communicate with their audience...We embrace the world of technology and the vast improvements in communication." But social networking doesn't mean artists have to become pitchmen, selling themselves like the people hawking Ronco Pasta Makers on the Home Shopping Network.Carlson and Glass said each band can figure out what's the right way to address fans, but the labels can't do everything. The fans want the acts. "Some of them think once they sign, the labels will do everything," Carlson said. During his CNET interview, Glass said most acts get it. One of the acts his label represents, Two Door Cinema, was sending Tweets from a video shoot as we spoke, he said. "We need acts to be involved," Glass said. "When promoting a band, touring is still most important, but after that comes social networking."
Non-Apple app store Cydia shown on iOS 7, with caveats
Non-Apple app store Cydia shown on iOS 7, with caveats
Popular third-party app installer Cydia, which predated Apple's own App Store, has been successfully installed on the latest version of iOS 7. Redmond Pie shares screenshots of the software, which lets users download and install third-party software on their iOS devices without going through Apple's App Store, running on an iPhone 4 on iOS 7.0.2.Now here's an important detail: So far it's only working on the iPhone 4, and using a version of the jailbreaking software aimed at Apple's older A4 chips -- not Apple's newest devices, which have proven to be more of a challenge. The jailbroken software is also experiencing some stability issues, iOS developer Cjori told the news site.With that said, the effort marks an important milestone on the path to gaining deep access to Apple's system software and hardware features, which the company limits.Apple's removed some of the allure of jailbreaking iOS devices with its last few major system releases. Many key things, like quick settings menus, multitasking, and updates to the general look and feel have been added over the years, but especially with iOS 7. Developers have also gained more access to system features and hardware. Still, jailbreaking opens up devices so that users can install new software outside of Apple's store, something that's standard on Google's Android and other mobile platforms. That was enough to attract a lawsuit back in 2011, claiming Apple had created a monopoly -- a complaint that was dismissed in August.
Popular third-party app installer Cydia, which predated Apple's own App Store, has been successfully installed on the latest version of iOS 7. Redmond Pie shares screenshots of the software, which lets users download and install third-party software on their iOS devices without going through Apple's App Store, running on an iPhone 4 on iOS 7.0.2.Now here's an important detail: So far it's only working on the iPhone 4, and using a version of the jailbreaking software aimed at Apple's older A4 chips -- not Apple's newest devices, which have proven to be more of a challenge. The jailbroken software is also experiencing some stability issues, iOS developer Cjori told the news site.With that said, the effort marks an important milestone on the path to gaining deep access to Apple's system software and hardware features, which the company limits.Apple's removed some of the allure of jailbreaking iOS devices with its last few major system releases. Many key things, like quick settings menus, multitasking, and updates to the general look and feel have been added over the years, but especially with iOS 7. Developers have also gained more access to system features and hardware. Still, jailbreaking opens up devices so that users can install new software outside of Apple's store, something that's standard on Google's Android and other mobile platforms. That was enough to attract a lawsuit back in 2011, claiming Apple had created a monopoly -- a complaint that was dismissed in August.
No iPhone 4 recall, Journal says
No iPhone 4 recall, Journal says
As we suspected, there is no recall planned for the iPhone 4.That's according to a report in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday afternoon. Apple is holding a press conference on Friday morning to talk about the iPhone 4. There's been much speculation regarding what Apple has planned, but it's widely believed the company will address the growing outcry over the iPhone 4's reported antenna problems.The Journal added that detail as an update to its previous story, which said that Apple engineers knew of the potential problems with the design of the iPhone 4. The device's antenna is inserted directly into the metal band running around the exterior of the device.Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported earlier Thursday that Apple CEO Steve Jobs was told by a senior engineer of the pitfalls of the iPhone 4's design, but that he was ignored. Carrier partners were also given little time with the latest model iPhone to do proper testing with it, according to Bloomberg's sources.Apple has denied Bloomberg's story that Jobs knew of the antenna problems before the device's launch. In a statement to Journal, an Apple spokesman said, "We challenge Bloomberg BusinessWeek to produce anything beyond rumors to back this up. It's simply not true."The Journal's own sources, however, confirm that Apple engineers knew there could be problems with the iPhone 4's antenna design "as early as a year ago," but that but Jobs overruled them because he liked the design.At WWDC in June, when he introduced the iPhone 4, Jobs specifically called out the iPhone 4's unique antenna design, saying that it would improve the device's reception.
As we suspected, there is no recall planned for the iPhone 4.That's according to a report in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday afternoon. Apple is holding a press conference on Friday morning to talk about the iPhone 4. There's been much speculation regarding what Apple has planned, but it's widely believed the company will address the growing outcry over the iPhone 4's reported antenna problems.The Journal added that detail as an update to its previous story, which said that Apple engineers knew of the potential problems with the design of the iPhone 4. The device's antenna is inserted directly into the metal band running around the exterior of the device.Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported earlier Thursday that Apple CEO Steve Jobs was told by a senior engineer of the pitfalls of the iPhone 4's design, but that he was ignored. Carrier partners were also given little time with the latest model iPhone to do proper testing with it, according to Bloomberg's sources.Apple has denied Bloomberg's story that Jobs knew of the antenna problems before the device's launch. In a statement to Journal, an Apple spokesman said, "We challenge Bloomberg BusinessWeek to produce anything beyond rumors to back this up. It's simply not true."The Journal's own sources, however, confirm that Apple engineers knew there could be problems with the iPhone 4's antenna design "as early as a year ago," but that but Jobs overruled them because he liked the design.At WWDC in June, when he introduced the iPhone 4, Jobs specifically called out the iPhone 4's unique antenna design, saying that it would improve the device's reception.
Nielsen- U.S. smartphone ownership higher among minorities
Nielsen: U.S. smartphone ownership higher among minorities
The adoption rates for smartphone ownership are also rising, especially among minority groups. Over the past six months, 42 percent of white users who bought a mobile phone opted for a smartphone, while 60 percent of Asians/Pacific Islanders, 56 percent of Hispanics, and 44 of African Americans made the same choice.Which mobile platforms are proving the most popular?Among those who currently own a smartphone, Nielsen discovered a three-way tie among Research In Motion's BlackBerry, Apple's iOS, and Google's Android. However, ownership of a BlackBerry has dropped around 10 percentage points over the course of a year and iOS has remained the same, but Android has shot up 25 percentage points.NielsenFurther, more people who picked up a smartphone in the past six months went for an Android device, with 43 percent ownership compared with 26 percent for Apple's iOS and 20 percent for BlackBerry.A report out yesterday from research firm Canalys noted similar trends in worldwide smartphone ownership, with Android surging to become the top smartphone platform across the globe.Finally, Nielsen found that the iPhone was the top choice among Asians/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and white users. But among African-American smartphone owners, the BlackBerry pulled into the lead, owned by 31 percent of those polled.To conduct its reports, Nielsen typically surveys a total sampling of around 20,000 people per month. But the company said that the numbers for the smartphone report were lower since it specifically targeted only smartphone owners by race or ethnicity.Correction, February 2 at 5:46 a.m.: This story initially gave an incorrect figure for the number of people surveyed. It has been updated to give a better sense of the sample size.
The adoption rates for smartphone ownership are also rising, especially among minority groups. Over the past six months, 42 percent of white users who bought a mobile phone opted for a smartphone, while 60 percent of Asians/Pacific Islanders, 56 percent of Hispanics, and 44 of African Americans made the same choice.Which mobile platforms are proving the most popular?Among those who currently own a smartphone, Nielsen discovered a three-way tie among Research In Motion's BlackBerry, Apple's iOS, and Google's Android. However, ownership of a BlackBerry has dropped around 10 percentage points over the course of a year and iOS has remained the same, but Android has shot up 25 percentage points.NielsenFurther, more people who picked up a smartphone in the past six months went for an Android device, with 43 percent ownership compared with 26 percent for Apple's iOS and 20 percent for BlackBerry.A report out yesterday from research firm Canalys noted similar trends in worldwide smartphone ownership, with Android surging to become the top smartphone platform across the globe.Finally, Nielsen found that the iPhone was the top choice among Asians/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and white users. But among African-American smartphone owners, the BlackBerry pulled into the lead, owned by 31 percent of those polled.To conduct its reports, Nielsen typically surveys a total sampling of around 20,000 people per month. But the company said that the numbers for the smartphone report were lower since it specifically targeted only smartphone owners by race or ethnicity.Correction, February 2 at 5:46 a.m.: This story initially gave an incorrect figure for the number of people surveyed. It has been updated to give a better sense of the sample size.
Next iPhone to cost the same as last iPhone, report says
Next iPhone to cost the same as last iPhone, report says
Those hoping for a cheaper iPhone -- or dreading the possibility of a price hike -- can stand down, according to a new report that claims Apple will stick to its tried and true pricing structure.In a report today, 9to5Mac posts a "parts code matrix" for the upcoming handset that sports the same $199 to $399 prices that have been in place since the iPhone 4S last year. The outlet says these prices and storage capacities will stay the same in the jump to the next iPhone, which is dubbed the N42.Related storiesApple retail stores reportedly price-matching iPhonesTarget, Best Buy latest iPhone price cuttersiPhone 5 rumor roundupThe cost of a carrier-subsidized iPhone 4S has gone down a bit since its release. Retailers, most notably Target, trimmed the price by $25 back in March. Sprint upped the ante last month, cutting the price by $50 at first, then doubling that to a $100 gift card a few weeks later. Apple itself was also rumored to be matching prices with Sprint and any other carrier partners at its own retail stores. The pricing rumor comes at a time when Apple's competitors have become more aggressive with the pricing of their flagship smartphones. That includes Motorola, which this week debuted a high-end $99 Android-based smartphone that buyers can get for free under certain circumstances. There's also Nokia's Lumia 900, which debuted at $100, a price Nokia halved to $50 in mid-July.Apple is expected to unveil its latest iPhone at its September 12 news event next week. The company sent out invites to press earlier this week.
Those hoping for a cheaper iPhone -- or dreading the possibility of a price hike -- can stand down, according to a new report that claims Apple will stick to its tried and true pricing structure.In a report today, 9to5Mac posts a "parts code matrix" for the upcoming handset that sports the same $199 to $399 prices that have been in place since the iPhone 4S last year. The outlet says these prices and storage capacities will stay the same in the jump to the next iPhone, which is dubbed the N42.Related storiesApple retail stores reportedly price-matching iPhonesTarget, Best Buy latest iPhone price cuttersiPhone 5 rumor roundupThe cost of a carrier-subsidized iPhone 4S has gone down a bit since its release. Retailers, most notably Target, trimmed the price by $25 back in March. Sprint upped the ante last month, cutting the price by $50 at first, then doubling that to a $100 gift card a few weeks later. Apple itself was also rumored to be matching prices with Sprint and any other carrier partners at its own retail stores. The pricing rumor comes at a time when Apple's competitors have become more aggressive with the pricing of their flagship smartphones. That includes Motorola, which this week debuted a high-end $99 Android-based smartphone that buyers can get for free under certain circumstances. There's also Nokia's Lumia 900, which debuted at $100, a price Nokia halved to $50 in mid-July.Apple is expected to unveil its latest iPhone at its September 12 news event next week. The company sent out invites to press earlier this week.
'Next' iPhone display production to begin, says Japan report
'Next' iPhone display production to begin, says Japan report
A Japan-based report indicates that production of at least one key component for the next iPhone will begin next month. Sharp will begin volume production in June of the display "panel" for the "next" iPhone model at its Kameyama plant in Mie prefecture, according to a report in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a major Japanese industrial newspaper.Related storiesThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupSharp's Kameyama plant has not been operating at anywhere near full capacity but production of the next iPhone's display is expected to bring the plant to "full production," the report said. The specifications for next iPhone -- which is rumored to be called the iPhone 5S -- are "similar" to the current model, the newspaper said. There have been rumors that the iPhone 5S will be delayed, with stern warnings from analysts that Apple needs to bring out the next iPhone model by the third calendar quarter. This news could indicate that may be the case. Sharp will be joined by LG Display and Japan Display -- the latter combines the former display businesses of Sony Mobile Display, Toshiba Mobile Display and Hitachi Displays -- in panel production. Production schedules for LGD and Japan Display were not mentioned in the report.The release of the next iPhone is expected to coincide with the availability of iOS 7, the next operating system for Apple's mobile devices. The new iPhone will also likely have new innards, possibly including an updated processor. [ViaAppleInsider and 9to5Mac ]
A Japan-based report indicates that production of at least one key component for the next iPhone will begin next month. Sharp will begin volume production in June of the display "panel" for the "next" iPhone model at its Kameyama plant in Mie prefecture, according to a report in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a major Japanese industrial newspaper.Related storiesThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupSharp's Kameyama plant has not been operating at anywhere near full capacity but production of the next iPhone's display is expected to bring the plant to "full production," the report said. The specifications for next iPhone -- which is rumored to be called the iPhone 5S -- are "similar" to the current model, the newspaper said. There have been rumors that the iPhone 5S will be delayed, with stern warnings from analysts that Apple needs to bring out the next iPhone model by the third calendar quarter. This news could indicate that may be the case. Sharp will be joined by LG Display and Japan Display -- the latter combines the former display businesses of Sony Mobile Display, Toshiba Mobile Display and Hitachi Displays -- in panel production. Production schedules for LGD and Japan Display were not mentioned in the report.The release of the next iPhone is expected to coincide with the availability of iOS 7, the next operating system for Apple's mobile devices. The new iPhone will also likely have new innards, possibly including an updated processor. [ViaAppleInsider and 9to5Mac ]
What Actor or Filmmaker Did You Finally "Discover" Thanks to a 2013 Movie
We all know Christopher Columbus didn;t really discover America, since it was always here. And it was already settled by people for tens of thousands of years. But discovery can be about more than being first. We can have personal discoveries, as in introductions to artists, bands and movies that have been around for years, maybe even with great popularity. Never mind the hipsters who only like things if they were into it before anyone else. None of us were into The Wizard of Oz first. That doesn;t mean we can;t all have that moment of discovery at some early point in our lives. Maybe for you it was even with this year;s 3D rerelease. Outside of old movies presented like new, actual 2013 releases have been great gateways through which we may finally discover established filmmakers and actors and actresses, then go back and enjoy their past work. For instance, Machete Kills was my first exposure to Chilean action star Marko Zaror, and now I;m interested in checking out the foreign martial arts films he;s done in the past, a few of which are streaming on Netflix. Similarly, Fast & Furious 6 gave us such an ensemble of Hollywood outsiders that hopefully it allowed fans to discover Gina Carano and Kim Kold and then seek out their better work from before. Maybe Spring Breakers was your first Harmony Korine movie or Drinking Buddies your first Joe Swanberg. Perhaps all the talk of The World;s End got you to finally see if Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz were as good as you;d heard and now you;re one of the Edgar Wright devout. There is probably a generation full of young novice movie lovers didn;t know anything about Shane Black before Iron Man 3. And my hope is that at least one person saw The Great Gatsby and became curious with his or her discovery of Amitabh Bachchan, now deeply immersing themselves in the Indian cinema legend;s many classics. Discoveries don;t have to be great. Columbus might have been very disappointed to discover a new world rather than find his way to the East Indies. Likewise, I admittedly finally discovered Benedict Cumberbatch this year thanks to the hype around Star Trek Into Darkness and followed it with some of his TV work. But I;m not a fan, probably one of the few to say so. I am thankful for the realization, though, so now I can just pray he;s not in the new Star Wars movie, too. As for good discoveries, I;ll go with Amy Seimetz, even though I;d seen her in stuff before 2013. It was only this year that I really noticed her on-screen talent (in Upstream Color and the HBO series Family Tree) while also discovering her offscreen talent with the official release of her feature directorial debut, Sun Don;t Shine. What actor or actress or filmmaker did you finally discover through a 2013 movie? Here are some responses received so far via Twitter: @thefilmcynic Macon Blair, Blue Ruin — Tyler Mager (@tylermager) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Macon Blair in BLUE RUIN. Amazing. Also, Sam Eidson in ZERO CHARISMA. — Alan Cerny (@NordlingAICN) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic @PeterSHall I knew of him, but @sammyeidson was amazing in @ZCharisma! I imagine quite a few people are discovering him now. — Nicklaus Louis (@NicklausLouis) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Shailene Woodley in THE SPECTACULAR NOW. Didn;t see THE DESCENDANTS. Blown away by her work. Miles Teller was also very good! — Dominic (@Count3D) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Shane Carruth. All the chatter about UPSTREAM COLOR led me to first PRIMER, then UC itself. Amazing movies. — BramStoker;sBrendanF (@TheTrueBrendanF) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Shane Carruth. A friend told me about PRIMER and UPSTREAM COLOR. Absolutely love ;em both. — Adrian Charlie (@Adrian_Charlie) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Amy Seimetz... The Killing, Upstream Color, and a million other things. — Reel Georgia (@ReelGA) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Also, Daniel Patrick Carbone for his film Hide Your Smiling Faces, one of my favorites of the year so far. — Reel Georgia (@ReelGA) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani (THE STRANGE COLOR...) — Point de vues (@Pointdevues) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Derek Cianfrance — Edwin Arnaudin (@EdwinArnaudin) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Brie Larson, as the lead in SHORT TERM 12 (though I;ve apparently seen her in other films) — Victor Morton (@vjmfilms) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Gina Carano. #Fast6 and then Netflixed #Haywire Her acting is iffy - but you can;t take your eyes off her. She;s a force. — Kyle Ailinger (@KAilinger) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic Filmmaker-wise, loved Jeff Nichols; MUD. Great cast, especially McConaughey and Sheridan. I really want to see TAKE SHELTER. — Dominic (@Count3D) October 14, 2013 @thefilmcynic The Before Sunrise/Sunset movies, which I;d never seen and then crammed before the new one. — Daniel Walber (@DSWalber) October 14,
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