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
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 ]
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