Apple may 'think different' on iCloud's video sync feature
iCloud and video are two words that have not gone together since the service launched last year. But a video synchronization feature rumored to arrive on iCloud next month could change all that.According to a report in The Wall Street Journal earlier today (subscription required), Apple is at work on a feature that lets users sync up videos they've taken with their iOS devices through iCloud. What's unclear is whether that's simply an addition to the existing Photo Stream feature, or something separate.As it stands, Apple's Photo Stream feature, which was introduced alongside iOS 5 last June, only syncs photos. If you want to see a video you've taken from your iPhone on your iPad, or vice versa, you've got to either sync it to that device with a computer using iTunes, or upload it to a Web sharing service like YouTube or Vimeo. The Journal's report suggests videos would now be ferried over too.This brings up a question about storage though. Videos are big, especially if you've captured them on either of Apple's most recent iOS devices, the third-generation iPad and iPhone 4S. Both of these shoot in 1080p, and the files that are saved are bigger than ever. If Apple treats videos the same as photos, will that mean you get to keep videos as part of your Photo Stream, with no size limits? That would be generous given how Apple treats other types of files on the service.Apple's iCloud gives users 5GB for free, though only some files eat into that amount. Things like digital content (be it apps, books, videos, or music) purchased from one of Apple's stores and the Photo Stream don't count against the limit. However, e-mail, stored documents, settings, app data, and iOS device backups (which can include the camera roll's photos and videos) are all counted. When thisgets short, users can add on 10GB, 20GB, or 50GB of iCloud storage, for $20, $40, or $100 per year respectively.By comparison Photo Stream is considered more like a temporary bin for your files. Apple counts photos by volume, not megabyte or gigabyte. You get up to 1,000 photos in your Photo Stream at any given time, and as new ones come in, old ones are flushed out.Related storiesIs Apple about to make iCloud an Instagram competitor?Apple Photo Stream syncs photos simplyHow much iCloud storage will you need?How to manage iCloud storage on iOS 5Apple prices out extra iCloud storageBut the way users store their media with the service could be changing, according to the Journal. In the same report the outlet says Apple execs have been considering "expanding the number of photos and albums users can store via iCloud to make the service resemble its iPhoto downloadable software," but that cost (presumably in its server infrastructure) has been a consideration. In other words, a move like that would likely increase how much Apple needs to spend on its server infrastructure and upkeep.One thing that's unclear is how many people are paying for add-on storage through Apple already. During its fiscal second-quarter conference call last month, Apple was asked by Goldman Sachs whether there had been "a big uptick in iTunes Match and paid storage additions," since those features were introduced (iTunes Match is Apple's other paid add-on service that scans and matches a user's music library with tracks in the iTunes catalog to make them available on other iOS devices). Apple's chief financial officer, Peter Oppenheimer, responded by saying that question was missing the point (emphasis mine):We've now got over 125 million users that have come on to the service since then and they're building up documents and music and other things that they want to store. And so I think storage growth will come more over time. Our real desire here was not about selling more storage. We think Match is a great product, and we recommend that everybody use it. But it's a 'pay for a service.' We just really want to increase the customer delight from the entire ecosystem and platform of our iOS devices and the Mac, and that's why we've done iCloud.That's a pretty strong indication that Apple won't charge extra if it were to add videos to the Photo Stream feature. The real question is what happens if iOS users actually get to store more of their media on iCloud as opposed to relying on computers and hard drives, or on iCloud's backup feature, which only stores snapshots of a device.Apple very clearly wants to distance itself from using iCloud as a virtual hard drive, as we can see with the closure of MobileMe's iDisk next month. User-made video hasn't been too far removed from that product. Looking back, Apple has kept close tabs on how much space user videos take up in its cloud. With MobileMe, and .Mac before it, Apple kept track of not just how much storage a video took up, but also how much bandwidth got slurped up when you shared it with someone else. MobileMe closes up its doors next month, and perhaps that megabyte-counting behavior will go with it.
Latest iPad mini rumor puts price at $200 with 8GB storage
Latest iPad mini rumor puts price at $200 with 8GB storage
A smaller version of the iPad will be less expensive and offer less storage than Apple's full-sized model, but will have the same resolution, according to a new report.Citing a previously reliable source, iMore today adds to the handful of existing iPad mini rumors, with something a little different.The outlet says such a device is very much in the works and will come in around the $200 to $250 price range. On the lower end, that's less than half the price of Apple's current entry-level iPad model, and $150 to $200 less than the 16GB second-generation model that Apple still sells. That would also overlap with the pricing of Apple's iPod Touch line, which starts out at $199 and tops out at $399 for the 64GB model.iMore's report adds two other interesting assertions. The first is that the device will only have 8GB of memory. That's half the memory of the entry-level iPad, which has kept the same three storage configurations (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) since the first-generation model. Second, is that the screen will sport the same resolution as Apple's latest iPad at 2,048 by 1,536 pixels.That second detail is of particular interest given the notion that Apple would want to keep in step with what it calls "Retina Displays" on its iOS devices. These are displays where the pixels are so closely packed together that you cannot pick them out from one another when viewing the screen. As iMore notes, a 2,048 by 1,536 pixel screen at 7 inches would give the smaller iPad a 326 pixels per inch display, up considerably from the 264 pixels per inch on Apple's latest iPad, and on par with the 326 ppi Apple currently offers on its iPod Touchs and iPhones -- just bigger.Related stories'iPad Mini' to take on Kindle Fire?Samsung may have let slip Apple's iPad Mini plansNew iPad Mini rumor: 6M coming in third quarterThat screen resolution combined with smaller storage could cause a problem though. 8GB on an iPad would fill up mighty fast with HD content, and media-rich games. For instance, many 1,080p movies on iTunes go beyond 4GB a pop. There are also games, some of which have stretched in size in the jump to the new iPad. There could be workarounds for it though, particularly if Apple makes some adjustments to its iCloud infrastructure to add streaming instead of downloading. This is the latest rumor to suggest Apple would roll out a smaller version of the iPad later this year. A report from the often off Taipei-based DigiTimes in February said a 7.85-inch iPad model was in the works and ready to ship by the "third quarter" of this year. Separately, Chinese portal Netease asserted the same claim just last month. The big difference from both those reports is the price, which was $50 to $100 higher than iMore's suggestion.(via MacRumors)
A smaller version of the iPad will be less expensive and offer less storage than Apple's full-sized model, but will have the same resolution, according to a new report.Citing a previously reliable source, iMore today adds to the handful of existing iPad mini rumors, with something a little different.The outlet says such a device is very much in the works and will come in around the $200 to $250 price range. On the lower end, that's less than half the price of Apple's current entry-level iPad model, and $150 to $200 less than the 16GB second-generation model that Apple still sells. That would also overlap with the pricing of Apple's iPod Touch line, which starts out at $199 and tops out at $399 for the 64GB model.iMore's report adds two other interesting assertions. The first is that the device will only have 8GB of memory. That's half the memory of the entry-level iPad, which has kept the same three storage configurations (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) since the first-generation model. Second, is that the screen will sport the same resolution as Apple's latest iPad at 2,048 by 1,536 pixels.That second detail is of particular interest given the notion that Apple would want to keep in step with what it calls "Retina Displays" on its iOS devices. These are displays where the pixels are so closely packed together that you cannot pick them out from one another when viewing the screen. As iMore notes, a 2,048 by 1,536 pixel screen at 7 inches would give the smaller iPad a 326 pixels per inch display, up considerably from the 264 pixels per inch on Apple's latest iPad, and on par with the 326 ppi Apple currently offers on its iPod Touchs and iPhones -- just bigger.Related stories'iPad Mini' to take on Kindle Fire?Samsung may have let slip Apple's iPad Mini plansNew iPad Mini rumor: 6M coming in third quarterThat screen resolution combined with smaller storage could cause a problem though. 8GB on an iPad would fill up mighty fast with HD content, and media-rich games. For instance, many 1,080p movies on iTunes go beyond 4GB a pop. There are also games, some of which have stretched in size in the jump to the new iPad. There could be workarounds for it though, particularly if Apple makes some adjustments to its iCloud infrastructure to add streaming instead of downloading. This is the latest rumor to suggest Apple would roll out a smaller version of the iPad later this year. A report from the often off Taipei-based DigiTimes in February said a 7.85-inch iPad model was in the works and ready to ship by the "third quarter" of this year. Separately, Chinese portal Netease asserted the same claim just last month. The big difference from both those reports is the price, which was $50 to $100 higher than iMore's suggestion.(via MacRumors)
Apple, Elon Musk and interplanetary travel
Apple, Elon Musk and interplanetary travel
So, about a year ago Tesla's Elon Musk reportedly met with Apple's mergers and acquisitions chief and maybe Tim Cook. What was on the agenda? The report this weekend in the San Francisco Chronicle didn't have any details on what transpired at the meeting. Perhaps Apple wanted to kick Tesla's tires. Moving from $600 iPhones and $6,000 Mac Pros to $60,000 automobiles would be a bold move for Apple, but not a moonshot. The two companies are likely a cultural and aesthetic fit, both obsessed with creating breakthrough, eco-friendly consumer products that win design awards and become status symbols.But the more logical move for Apple is turning the Tesla into another Apple-driven computer, integrating iOS software technologies into the stylish electric car. A partnership approach is more of a Tim Cook move. And, if Apple and Tesla were to join hands, there could be only one CEO. Elon Musk doesn't seem prone to giving up control of his creations, especially at this early stage, or to crave developing personal computing devices. While Apple is thinking $300 iWatch, Musk is launching rockets into outer space and devising 800 mile-per-hour Hyperloop transporters.Related storiesElectric cars advance in DetroitTesla Motors finalizes DOE loan for Model STesla Motors files for $100 million IPOCar Tech Live 154: Could Toyota have had a worse week? (podcast)Hints of a bubble in green-tech IPOsApple might want to come along for Musk's space rides. His Space X venture, which has a goal of enabling humans to visit and live on other planets, could make use of some creature comforts from Apple. When people travel to Mars or other planets via Space X, Apple's entertainment, commerce, and communication services could be integrated into the in-flight systems. Visitors and the local population might tour the planet in a Tesla dune buggy with Siri, Maps, and Apple wearables while listening to dreamy music streamed from iTunes. This scenario may never happen, but it points to Apple's need to gain industrial strength in vertical markets, not just geographies. The company can continue to sell tens of millions of iPhones each quarter, especially given the majority of the people on the planet today are without a smartphone. But the bigger opportunity for Apple and its ecosystem is becoming essential not just for people texting, checking news, watching movies, and playing games, but for massive growth areas such as transportation, home automation, and health care.Apple, as well as Microsoft and Google, wants to be in every car, not just Tesla. The company is betting that iOS users want to have their Apple-ness everywhere. Apple has been working with Audi, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, and others to integrate iOS in the car. On the health care front, Apple has assembled an elite squad of wearable designers, medical sensor experts, sleep researchers, exercise physiologists, and fitness gurus to create a new platform that works on every Apple device. Late last year, senior Apple executives met with directors at the United States Food and Drug Administration to discuss mobile medical applications.Apple hasn't yet given indications regarding how it plans to tackle home automation, or interplanetary travel. But it's safe to say that Apple's approach won't involve manufacturing living spaces or spacecraft.
So, about a year ago Tesla's Elon Musk reportedly met with Apple's mergers and acquisitions chief and maybe Tim Cook. What was on the agenda? The report this weekend in the San Francisco Chronicle didn't have any details on what transpired at the meeting. Perhaps Apple wanted to kick Tesla's tires. Moving from $600 iPhones and $6,000 Mac Pros to $60,000 automobiles would be a bold move for Apple, but not a moonshot. The two companies are likely a cultural and aesthetic fit, both obsessed with creating breakthrough, eco-friendly consumer products that win design awards and become status symbols.But the more logical move for Apple is turning the Tesla into another Apple-driven computer, integrating iOS software technologies into the stylish electric car. A partnership approach is more of a Tim Cook move. And, if Apple and Tesla were to join hands, there could be only one CEO. Elon Musk doesn't seem prone to giving up control of his creations, especially at this early stage, or to crave developing personal computing devices. While Apple is thinking $300 iWatch, Musk is launching rockets into outer space and devising 800 mile-per-hour Hyperloop transporters.Related storiesElectric cars advance in DetroitTesla Motors finalizes DOE loan for Model STesla Motors files for $100 million IPOCar Tech Live 154: Could Toyota have had a worse week? (podcast)Hints of a bubble in green-tech IPOsApple might want to come along for Musk's space rides. His Space X venture, which has a goal of enabling humans to visit and live on other planets, could make use of some creature comforts from Apple. When people travel to Mars or other planets via Space X, Apple's entertainment, commerce, and communication services could be integrated into the in-flight systems. Visitors and the local population might tour the planet in a Tesla dune buggy with Siri, Maps, and Apple wearables while listening to dreamy music streamed from iTunes. This scenario may never happen, but it points to Apple's need to gain industrial strength in vertical markets, not just geographies. The company can continue to sell tens of millions of iPhones each quarter, especially given the majority of the people on the planet today are without a smartphone. But the bigger opportunity for Apple and its ecosystem is becoming essential not just for people texting, checking news, watching movies, and playing games, but for massive growth areas such as transportation, home automation, and health care.Apple, as well as Microsoft and Google, wants to be in every car, not just Tesla. The company is betting that iOS users want to have their Apple-ness everywhere. Apple has been working with Audi, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, and others to integrate iOS in the car. On the health care front, Apple has assembled an elite squad of wearable designers, medical sensor experts, sleep researchers, exercise physiologists, and fitness gurus to create a new platform that works on every Apple device. Late last year, senior Apple executives met with directors at the United States Food and Drug Administration to discuss mobile medical applications.Apple hasn't yet given indications regarding how it plans to tackle home automation, or interplanetary travel. But it's safe to say that Apple's approach won't involve manufacturing living spaces or spacecraft.
Squrl for iPad acts like a DVR for Web video
Squrl for iPad acts like a DVR for Web video
It seems like every day there's a new app and/or service to help put all your digital detritus in one interface. Squrl does it for Web video, and while it's not new, its free iOS app just got an update to improve the iPad experience. But even if you don't have an iPad (or iPhone), the browser version of it works well, too. Squrl for iOS social, watch-later video service...See full gallery1 - 4 / 10NextPrevThe site and the app are fairly easy to use. You just sign up for a free account (name and e-mail address) and head to a supported provider (pictured above). Find something you want to watch later and you can either e-mail it to your queue using a provided @squrl.it address, tweet it @squrlit, or drag and drop a one-click button onto your browser; app users get a little acorn icon to click. There's a social aspect to the service, too. Sure, you can use Twitter and Facebook to share videos, but there's also the Squrl community. Users, called curators, can build video galleries and collections and then share them with others and you can see what others are collecting and watching and view their profiles.Once you've built up your queue, collections, and galleries, you can watch videos in your browser through the Squrl interface for most content. If you're on an iPad, clips are played back in the app for most content. The app also gives you a "play all" option to watch an entire gallery or collection like a playlist. If you have an Apple TV, video can be pushed to your TV via AirPlay for large-screen viewing. (See the slideshow above for a full walk-through of the iPad app.)For those who do a lot of video watching through its providers, the service is nice, but there are a couple things missing. Unlike Fanhattan, there's no connection to iTunes content, so if something you want to watch isn't available from the listed providers, there's no dipping into iTunes availability. (However, you can Squrl YouTube movie rentals.)Also, there's no information on the site explaining how to use the service. Yes, most of it's easy to figure out with some clicking or tapping, but the service is in need of at least a brief introduction on using it. For example, how to build a gallery or collections within a gallery is simple enough, but it's not immediately apparent how to do it.
It seems like every day there's a new app and/or service to help put all your digital detritus in one interface. Squrl does it for Web video, and while it's not new, its free iOS app just got an update to improve the iPad experience. But even if you don't have an iPad (or iPhone), the browser version of it works well, too. Squrl for iOS social, watch-later video service...See full gallery1 - 4 / 10NextPrevThe site and the app are fairly easy to use. You just sign up for a free account (name and e-mail address) and head to a supported provider (pictured above). Find something you want to watch later and you can either e-mail it to your queue using a provided @squrl.it address, tweet it @squrlit, or drag and drop a one-click button onto your browser; app users get a little acorn icon to click. There's a social aspect to the service, too. Sure, you can use Twitter and Facebook to share videos, but there's also the Squrl community. Users, called curators, can build video galleries and collections and then share them with others and you can see what others are collecting and watching and view their profiles.Once you've built up your queue, collections, and galleries, you can watch videos in your browser through the Squrl interface for most content. If you're on an iPad, clips are played back in the app for most content. The app also gives you a "play all" option to watch an entire gallery or collection like a playlist. If you have an Apple TV, video can be pushed to your TV via AirPlay for large-screen viewing. (See the slideshow above for a full walk-through of the iPad app.)For those who do a lot of video watching through its providers, the service is nice, but there are a couple things missing. Unlike Fanhattan, there's no connection to iTunes content, so if something you want to watch isn't available from the listed providers, there's no dipping into iTunes availability. (However, you can Squrl YouTube movie rentals.)Also, there's no information on the site explaining how to use the service. Yes, most of it's easy to figure out with some clicking or tapping, but the service is in need of at least a brief introduction on using it. For example, how to build a gallery or collections within a gallery is simple enough, but it's not immediately apparent how to do it.
iPhone developer banned over fraudulent practices
iPhone developer banned over fraudulent practices
"The developer Thuat Nguyen and his apps were removed from the App Store for violating the developer Program License Agreement, including fraudulent purchases," Apple said in an e-mail sent to CNET on Tuesday. Nguyen showed an incredible increase in sales over the July 4 holiday weekend, to the point where this one developer accounted for 42 of the top 50 books by revenue. At the same time, users were reporting that their accounts had been hacked into and used to purchase apps on the App Store.Despite that, Apple said the iTunes servers were not compromised. "An extremely small percentage of users, about 400 of the 150 million iTunes users--that is less than 0.0003 percent of iTunes users--were impacted," an Apple representative said.Apple also reassured customers that Nguyen and other developers "do not receive any iTunes confidential customer data when an app is downloaded."AppleInsider on Sunday said legitimate iTunes accounts are under organized attacks from people in China. Information is reportedly sold to users for a few dollars and used until the credit card is turned off.Apple said it has implemented a new security measure on the iTunes Store to help curb such activity in the future. Beginning on Tuesday, users will be asked to enter the code on the back of their credit card more frequently, when making purchases from the iTunes Store or when accessing their accounts from a different computer.Apple recommends contacting your financial institution, if you notice unauthorized iTunes charges on your credit card. The company also recommends changing your iTunes password immediately. You can find other iTunes security tips on Apple's Support Web site.
"The developer Thuat Nguyen and his apps were removed from the App Store for violating the developer Program License Agreement, including fraudulent purchases," Apple said in an e-mail sent to CNET on Tuesday. Nguyen showed an incredible increase in sales over the July 4 holiday weekend, to the point where this one developer accounted for 42 of the top 50 books by revenue. At the same time, users were reporting that their accounts had been hacked into and used to purchase apps on the App Store.Despite that, Apple said the iTunes servers were not compromised. "An extremely small percentage of users, about 400 of the 150 million iTunes users--that is less than 0.0003 percent of iTunes users--were impacted," an Apple representative said.Apple also reassured customers that Nguyen and other developers "do not receive any iTunes confidential customer data when an app is downloaded."AppleInsider on Sunday said legitimate iTunes accounts are under organized attacks from people in China. Information is reportedly sold to users for a few dollars and used until the credit card is turned off.Apple said it has implemented a new security measure on the iTunes Store to help curb such activity in the future. Beginning on Tuesday, users will be asked to enter the code on the back of their credit card more frequently, when making purchases from the iTunes Store or when accessing their accounts from a different computer.Apple recommends contacting your financial institution, if you notice unauthorized iTunes charges on your credit card. The company also recommends changing your iTunes password immediately. You can find other iTunes security tips on Apple's Support Web site.
Windows 7 works fine with Zune HD, iTunes 9
Windows 7 works fine with Zune HD, iTunes 9
Of course, Microsoft's had access to final Windows 7 code for a long time. But what about Apple? The company kindly sent me a new-model iPod Touch and Nano to test out, and I noticed that the boxes say they're compatible with Windows XP and Vista (and Mac OS X 10.4.11). Windows 7 isn't mentioned. I downloaded and installed iTunes 9 on my Windows 7 PC anyway, and I'm now happily syncing my music library. I haven't noticed any bugs or errors. (Your mileage may vary--this isn't a review, just my personal experience.) But this underscores my general impression of Windows 7 as a solid upgrade to Vista--not a fundamentally new OS, like Vista was to XP. As Microsoft has said, if your apps work with Vista, they'll almost surely work with 7.Reverse-sync, one of my favorite features of the Zune software. The more interesting question is how did I get my music library onto my work computer in the first place? Simple--the Zune software has, from the very beginning, had a reverse-sync feature. You simply drag all the songs from the Zune icon to the PC icon, and they go happily traversing your USB cable down into your PC. iTunes has no such reverse-sync, and in fact is pretty strict about only allowing you to sync with one library at a time, although there are plenty of third-party apps that can do it for you.
Of course, Microsoft's had access to final Windows 7 code for a long time. But what about Apple? The company kindly sent me a new-model iPod Touch and Nano to test out, and I noticed that the boxes say they're compatible with Windows XP and Vista (and Mac OS X 10.4.11). Windows 7 isn't mentioned. I downloaded and installed iTunes 9 on my Windows 7 PC anyway, and I'm now happily syncing my music library. I haven't noticed any bugs or errors. (Your mileage may vary--this isn't a review, just my personal experience.) But this underscores my general impression of Windows 7 as a solid upgrade to Vista--not a fundamentally new OS, like Vista was to XP. As Microsoft has said, if your apps work with Vista, they'll almost surely work with 7.Reverse-sync, one of my favorite features of the Zune software. The more interesting question is how did I get my music library onto my work computer in the first place? Simple--the Zune software has, from the very beginning, had a reverse-sync feature. You simply drag all the songs from the Zune icon to the PC icon, and they go happily traversing your USB cable down into your PC. iTunes has no such reverse-sync, and in fact is pretty strict about only allowing you to sync with one library at a time, although there are plenty of third-party apps that can do it for you.
Will iTunes kill the CD-
Will iTunes kill the CD?
We're getting close to the day when a major artist or group releases a download-only album. Maybe it'll be the next Rolling Stones or Sufjan Stevens album. That'll be a dark day. Just last week, I went to my local record store to pick up "Hemispheres," the new release of Bill Frisell and Jim Hall, a jazz guitar duo. I left the store empty-handed. Next, I checked on Amazon.com. It stocked the album in MP3 format only. Great, but I refuse to pay $17.98 for a crappy-sounding MP3. Next, I checked the record label's site, and yes, you can buy the CD there, but I wasn't in the mood to navigate the trials and tribulations of its order form. I already own a lot of Frisell and Hall CDs; I guess I don't need another one.Tower Records shuttered its doors a few years ago, and now another big record chain, Virgin Megastores, is closing down, so there are fewer and fewer places that sell CDs. These days, I'm buying more and more CDs from Amazon.com, but even Amazon may not move enough product to justify the labels pressing CDs. And local record shops are an endangered species; here in New York, the better ones are barely hanging on. Still, the fact is that people buy more CDs than downloads, and download sales aren't expected to surpass those of CDs for another couple of years. There's a lot of conflicting information floating around.Then again, LP sales are on the rise, so maybe we'll wind up with the choice of low-quality iTunes, MP3s, or vinyl. That would be strange. If you couldn't buy CDs anymore, would you care? Would you buy vinyl instead?Do iTunes sound about the same as free downloads? If they do, why buy them?
We're getting close to the day when a major artist or group releases a download-only album. Maybe it'll be the next Rolling Stones or Sufjan Stevens album. That'll be a dark day. Just last week, I went to my local record store to pick up "Hemispheres," the new release of Bill Frisell and Jim Hall, a jazz guitar duo. I left the store empty-handed. Next, I checked on Amazon.com. It stocked the album in MP3 format only. Great, but I refuse to pay $17.98 for a crappy-sounding MP3. Next, I checked the record label's site, and yes, you can buy the CD there, but I wasn't in the mood to navigate the trials and tribulations of its order form. I already own a lot of Frisell and Hall CDs; I guess I don't need another one.Tower Records shuttered its doors a few years ago, and now another big record chain, Virgin Megastores, is closing down, so there are fewer and fewer places that sell CDs. These days, I'm buying more and more CDs from Amazon.com, but even Amazon may not move enough product to justify the labels pressing CDs. And local record shops are an endangered species; here in New York, the better ones are barely hanging on. Still, the fact is that people buy more CDs than downloads, and download sales aren't expected to surpass those of CDs for another couple of years. There's a lot of conflicting information floating around.Then again, LP sales are on the rise, so maybe we'll wind up with the choice of low-quality iTunes, MP3s, or vinyl. That would be strange. If you couldn't buy CDs anymore, would you care? Would you buy vinyl instead?Do iTunes sound about the same as free downloads? If they do, why buy them?
Denon debuts flashy new Cocoon AirPlay speaker docks
Denon debuts flashy new Cocoon AirPlay speaker docks
Welcome another couple of pricey wireless AirPlay speakers to the market. They arrive courtesy of Denon, which has introduced the Cocoon Home ($599) and Cocoon Portable ($499).Both models feature an integrated iPhone/iPod dock as well as the aforementioned AirPlay feature, which allows you to stream music directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (or from a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes).To set it apart from other audio docks on the market, Denon says its designers gave it a super glossy look "with a contemporary twist" that's unique because the clear plastic enclosure (on the back of the unit) is painted from the inside. And to add to that "seamless" appearance, all connections are housed in a solid metal base.Denon's beauty shot of the Cocoon Portable. It didn't seem quite as glamorous in person.DenonAs for the Cocoon Home's specs, you're looking at 100 watts of total power (25-watt per driver, bi-amped), a ported enclosure, and a built-in, two-way speaker system with dual-layer woofers. Needless to say, there's a bit of digital processing on board (Denon refers to it as an "advanced DSP engine and 9-band digital equalization") to widen the sound stage and "insure precision sound reproduction."Meanwhile the 25-percent smaller Cocoon Portable (it's available in black only) has a rugged, water-resistant construction, offers full networking capabilities, including AirPlay, DLNA, and Internet Radio, and its built-in rechargeable battery is rated for 5 hours of operation. Denon says the portable Cocoon delivers 50 watts of power, with two full-range drivers "specially tuned for outdoor usage." It's also worth mentioning that there's an integrated carry handle, plus a retractable slot for the remote control.A Cocoon Portable spotted in the wild at a Denon preview event.David Carnoy/CNETI got a quick look at the Cocoon Portable at a Denon preview event last week, but I didn't get a chance to hear it in action (I did snap a picture, however -- see above). It seemed very solid when I picked up, but then again, a $500 speaker dock should.No word on exactly when the new units will ship, but Denon says it will be this summer, so expect them to turn up later this month or early September.
Welcome another couple of pricey wireless AirPlay speakers to the market. They arrive courtesy of Denon, which has introduced the Cocoon Home ($599) and Cocoon Portable ($499).Both models feature an integrated iPhone/iPod dock as well as the aforementioned AirPlay feature, which allows you to stream music directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (or from a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes).To set it apart from other audio docks on the market, Denon says its designers gave it a super glossy look "with a contemporary twist" that's unique because the clear plastic enclosure (on the back of the unit) is painted from the inside. And to add to that "seamless" appearance, all connections are housed in a solid metal base.Denon's beauty shot of the Cocoon Portable. It didn't seem quite as glamorous in person.DenonAs for the Cocoon Home's specs, you're looking at 100 watts of total power (25-watt per driver, bi-amped), a ported enclosure, and a built-in, two-way speaker system with dual-layer woofers. Needless to say, there's a bit of digital processing on board (Denon refers to it as an "advanced DSP engine and 9-band digital equalization") to widen the sound stage and "insure precision sound reproduction."Meanwhile the 25-percent smaller Cocoon Portable (it's available in black only) has a rugged, water-resistant construction, offers full networking capabilities, including AirPlay, DLNA, and Internet Radio, and its built-in rechargeable battery is rated for 5 hours of operation. Denon says the portable Cocoon delivers 50 watts of power, with two full-range drivers "specially tuned for outdoor usage." It's also worth mentioning that there's an integrated carry handle, plus a retractable slot for the remote control.A Cocoon Portable spotted in the wild at a Denon preview event.David Carnoy/CNETI got a quick look at the Cocoon Portable at a Denon preview event last week, but I didn't get a chance to hear it in action (I did snap a picture, however -- see above). It seemed very solid when I picked up, but then again, a $500 speaker dock should.No word on exactly when the new units will ship, but Denon says it will be this summer, so expect them to turn up later this month or early September.
Deja vu- Samsung may be eyeing a mobile video service, again
Deja vu: Samsung may be eyeing a mobile video service, again
Samsung Electronics hasn't had the easiest time developing consumer media services, but it may be trying again with new a short-form video service for mobile.The South Korean tech giant has set aside "several tens of millions of dollars" to invest in mobile videos, The Information reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources. The publication said the new product is being overseen by John Pleasants, the previous co-president of Disney Interactive, where he focused on video games. Samsung is aiming to charge people a few dollars a month for the service, the publication said.Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The company is holding press briefings next week about a "brand new lifestyle app," though it's unclear whether that's related to video.Samsung's investment of "tens of millions of dollars" in the service, its reported price point of a couple dollars a month, and the idea that it's being run by a former Disney gaming executive all indicate the offering will be experimental and small.By comparison, Netflix's original content budget is roughly $350 million. The bandwagon of technology companies investing in original content is a crowded one. Besides the high-profile examples of Netflix and Hulu, companies such as AOL, Yahoo, Microsoft, Sony, SoftBank and Xiaomi have been putting significant resources behind making their own videos to create exclusive lures for video watchers, with varying degrees of success.Samsung has an unimpressive track record in consumer media services. It jettisoned its Samsung Media Hub, which was similar to the iTunes and Google Play stores for movies and TV shows, earlier this year. It also launched streaming-music service Milk -- a Pandora-like radio offering -- this year as well, but the app is generally an afterthought in the crowded music-app landscape, overshadowed by the likes of Pandora, Spotify and a slew of others.
Samsung Electronics hasn't had the easiest time developing consumer media services, but it may be trying again with new a short-form video service for mobile.The South Korean tech giant has set aside "several tens of millions of dollars" to invest in mobile videos, The Information reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources. The publication said the new product is being overseen by John Pleasants, the previous co-president of Disney Interactive, where he focused on video games. Samsung is aiming to charge people a few dollars a month for the service, the publication said.Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The company is holding press briefings next week about a "brand new lifestyle app," though it's unclear whether that's related to video.Samsung's investment of "tens of millions of dollars" in the service, its reported price point of a couple dollars a month, and the idea that it's being run by a former Disney gaming executive all indicate the offering will be experimental and small.By comparison, Netflix's original content budget is roughly $350 million. The bandwagon of technology companies investing in original content is a crowded one. Besides the high-profile examples of Netflix and Hulu, companies such as AOL, Yahoo, Microsoft, Sony, SoftBank and Xiaomi have been putting significant resources behind making their own videos to create exclusive lures for video watchers, with varying degrees of success.Samsung has an unimpressive track record in consumer media services. It jettisoned its Samsung Media Hub, which was similar to the iTunes and Google Play stores for movies and TV shows, earlier this year. It also launched streaming-music service Milk -- a Pandora-like radio offering -- this year as well, but the app is generally an afterthought in the crowded music-app landscape, overshadowed by the likes of Pandora, Spotify and a slew of others.
Apple to join the geolocation craze-
Apple to join the geolocation craze?
Looks like Apple may be the latest to succumb to the geomadness gripping the mobile-development space right now.Patently Apple dug up an Apple patent application Thursday for a social-networking service called iGroups that uses geographic location data to connect iPhone and other mobile-device users.iGroups would let friend groups attending an event to stay in touch and share information in real time. If that sounds familiar it's because similar geolocation apps that accomplish the same thing are popping up more frequently--apps like Foursquare, Gowalla, Whrrl, Loopt, and others. According to the patent, iGroups is a bit different underneath, however. Using Apple's MobileMe service, iGroups users who don't have GPS on their phone can still participate in the stream of information sharing with "virtual GPS," according to the patent.Apple files for many patents, and just doing so doesn't automatically mean there's an actual product on the way. But this particular patent is interesting, not only because of the geofrenzy taking place right now, but because of what happened last summer. Though Google Voice getting rejected from the App Store got a lot more attention, Apple refused entry to Google Latitude on the iPhone too. Latitude allows users to broadcast their location to their friends, which sounds similar to iGroups.Another clue there may be more to come on this front? Several months after the Latitude skirmish, Apple purchased a company called PlaceBase, and the founder and CEO Jaron Waldman, became a member of Apple's "Geo Team."
Looks like Apple may be the latest to succumb to the geomadness gripping the mobile-development space right now.Patently Apple dug up an Apple patent application Thursday for a social-networking service called iGroups that uses geographic location data to connect iPhone and other mobile-device users.iGroups would let friend groups attending an event to stay in touch and share information in real time. If that sounds familiar it's because similar geolocation apps that accomplish the same thing are popping up more frequently--apps like Foursquare, Gowalla, Whrrl, Loopt, and others. According to the patent, iGroups is a bit different underneath, however. Using Apple's MobileMe service, iGroups users who don't have GPS on their phone can still participate in the stream of information sharing with "virtual GPS," according to the patent.Apple files for many patents, and just doing so doesn't automatically mean there's an actual product on the way. But this particular patent is interesting, not only because of the geofrenzy taking place right now, but because of what happened last summer. Though Google Voice getting rejected from the App Store got a lot more attention, Apple refused entry to Google Latitude on the iPhone too. Latitude allows users to broadcast their location to their friends, which sounds similar to iGroups.Another clue there may be more to come on this front? Several months after the Latitude skirmish, Apple purchased a company called PlaceBase, and the founder and CEO Jaron Waldman, became a member of Apple's "Geo Team."
Apple to iPhone 5 buyers- No free 30-pin adapter for you
Apple to iPhone 5 buyers: No free 30-pin adapter for you
iPhone 5 buyers won't be getting a Lightning to 30-pin adapter on the house after all.Reports that the new phone would come with the adapter surfaced today after some of Apple's online stores listed it as packaged with the iPhone 5.The information on Apple's U.K. iPhone 5 order page specifically said that "your phone includes a Lightning to 30-pin Adapter for connecting 30-pin accessories to devices featuring the Lightning connector."But it seems Apple committed a bit of a gaffe here. Customers who called or chatted with Apple reps about the adapter eventually learned that the information was wrong.The company has since removed all references to the free adapter from the pages in question. An Apple sales rep confirmed to me by phone that the adapter is not included with the iPhone 5.Related storiesApple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: LightningiPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcityApple to sell Lightning adapters for HDMI and VGA, says reportApple to sell Micro-USB adapter for Lightning but only in EuropeApple's dock connector change is awful, don't kid yourselvesThere's been no word from Apple yet on why the misleading information was published. An Apple rep reportedly told one TNW reader that the matter is "being investigated at the moment."CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we get more information. iPhone 5 buyers who need the Lightning to 30-pin adapter for existing devices will still have to pony up $39 for a 7-inch adapter cable or $29 for a small stub adapter. Both items are listed by Apple as available in two to three weeks, meaning around early October.Since the new adapter doesn't support video out, Apple is also reportedly prepping Lightning adapters for HDMI and VGA that should be available sometime in the coming months.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
iPhone 5 buyers won't be getting a Lightning to 30-pin adapter on the house after all.Reports that the new phone would come with the adapter surfaced today after some of Apple's online stores listed it as packaged with the iPhone 5.The information on Apple's U.K. iPhone 5 order page specifically said that "your phone includes a Lightning to 30-pin Adapter for connecting 30-pin accessories to devices featuring the Lightning connector."But it seems Apple committed a bit of a gaffe here. Customers who called or chatted with Apple reps about the adapter eventually learned that the information was wrong.The company has since removed all references to the free adapter from the pages in question. An Apple sales rep confirmed to me by phone that the adapter is not included with the iPhone 5.Related storiesApple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: LightningiPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcityApple to sell Lightning adapters for HDMI and VGA, says reportApple to sell Micro-USB adapter for Lightning but only in EuropeApple's dock connector change is awful, don't kid yourselvesThere's been no word from Apple yet on why the misleading information was published. An Apple rep reportedly told one TNW reader that the matter is "being investigated at the moment."CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we get more information. iPhone 5 buyers who need the Lightning to 30-pin adapter for existing devices will still have to pony up $39 for a 7-inch adapter cable or $29 for a small stub adapter. Both items are listed by Apple as available in two to three weeks, meaning around early October.Since the new adapter doesn't support video out, Apple is also reportedly prepping Lightning adapters for HDMI and VGA that should be available sometime in the coming months.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Apple to host free workshops to take the mystery out of coding
Apple to host free workshops to take the mystery out of coding
For all the hours you spend obsessively playing the latest mobile game, think about all the hours a developer spent creating it. Wonder what it takes, but don't have a clue about coding?Not to worry. Anyone can learn computer programming basics. That's the goal behind Hour of Code. Apple is offering free coding workshops at its retail stores around the world next week as part of the second annual Hour of Code. The campaign is spearheaded by nonprofit Code.org, whose mission is to make computer science accessible to kids everywhere. The hour-long workshops -- think of them as a sort of Intro to Computer Science class -- will be held December 11 at all 446 of Apple's retail locations. Though the target audience is kids, people of all ages can sign up for a slot on Apple's website. Reservations are required. As part of Computer Science Education Week, some stores -- from New York to London to Tokyo -- will also host events December 8 to 12 with developers and engineers sharing how they got their start. Related storiesBarbie book implies girls can't be coders; Mattel apologizesComputer code gets literary with code poetry slamFCC chairman on schools: Basic connectivity is now inadequateMore than 65,000 Hour of Code events worldwide are scheduled for next week at schools, public libraries and coding clubs. Other companies hosting events include Disney Interactive, Microsoft and Best Buy. Google, Target, Salesforce.com and about three dozen other companies are also encouraging staff to participate in Hour of Code employee programs. "The Hour of Code, we hope, will continue to spark a creative fire that students might otherwise never discover," Hadi Partovi, co-founder of Code.org, said in a statement Thursday.
For all the hours you spend obsessively playing the latest mobile game, think about all the hours a developer spent creating it. Wonder what it takes, but don't have a clue about coding?Not to worry. Anyone can learn computer programming basics. That's the goal behind Hour of Code. Apple is offering free coding workshops at its retail stores around the world next week as part of the second annual Hour of Code. The campaign is spearheaded by nonprofit Code.org, whose mission is to make computer science accessible to kids everywhere. The hour-long workshops -- think of them as a sort of Intro to Computer Science class -- will be held December 11 at all 446 of Apple's retail locations. Though the target audience is kids, people of all ages can sign up for a slot on Apple's website. Reservations are required. As part of Computer Science Education Week, some stores -- from New York to London to Tokyo -- will also host events December 8 to 12 with developers and engineers sharing how they got their start. Related storiesBarbie book implies girls can't be coders; Mattel apologizesComputer code gets literary with code poetry slamFCC chairman on schools: Basic connectivity is now inadequateMore than 65,000 Hour of Code events worldwide are scheduled for next week at schools, public libraries and coding clubs. Other companies hosting events include Disney Interactive, Microsoft and Best Buy. Google, Target, Salesforce.com and about three dozen other companies are also encouraging staff to participate in Hour of Code employee programs. "The Hour of Code, we hope, will continue to spark a creative fire that students might otherwise never discover," Hadi Partovi, co-founder of Code.org, said in a statement Thursday.
Apple to expand iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to 36 more countries
Apple to expand iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to 36 more countries
The Cupertino, Calif., company said Monday that its two newest smartphones will hit 36 more countries by the end of the month, for a total of 69 countries. The iPhones are on track to reach 115 countries by the end of the year, which the company said represents the fastest iPhone rollout yet.While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been smash hits in markets such as the US, Japan and Australia, they have yet to reach the heavily populated markets of China and India. The company is increasingly relying on foreign markets to propel its sales growth. As such, a quick release is imperative for Apple.There's been keen interest in the new iPhones because of their larger display, improved camera and apparently for the potential to pay for mobile goods through the Apple Pay service, which is expected to launchthis month.The news comes ahead of Apple's next launch event, scheduled for Thursday. The company is expected to unveil new iPads and Macs, as well as release its OS X Yosemite operating system. Here are the release dates and countries:• October 17: China, India and Monaco• October 23: Israel• October 24: Czech Republic, French West Indies, Greenland,Malta, Poland, Reunion Island and South Africa• October 30: Bahrain and Kuwait• October 31: Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Guam,Hungary, Iceland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Macedonia, Mexico,Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,Ukraine and Thailand
The Cupertino, Calif., company said Monday that its two newest smartphones will hit 36 more countries by the end of the month, for a total of 69 countries. The iPhones are on track to reach 115 countries by the end of the year, which the company said represents the fastest iPhone rollout yet.While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been smash hits in markets such as the US, Japan and Australia, they have yet to reach the heavily populated markets of China and India. The company is increasingly relying on foreign markets to propel its sales growth. As such, a quick release is imperative for Apple.There's been keen interest in the new iPhones because of their larger display, improved camera and apparently for the potential to pay for mobile goods through the Apple Pay service, which is expected to launchthis month.The news comes ahead of Apple's next launch event, scheduled for Thursday. The company is expected to unveil new iPads and Macs, as well as release its OS X Yosemite operating system. Here are the release dates and countries:• October 17: China, India and Monaco• October 23: Israel• October 24: Czech Republic, French West Indies, Greenland,Malta, Poland, Reunion Island and South Africa• October 30: Bahrain and Kuwait• October 31: Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Guam,Hungary, Iceland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Macedonia, Mexico,Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,Ukraine and Thailand
Apple to close some stores during Jobs celebration
Apple to close some stores during Jobs celebration
Apple will temporarily close some of its retail stores tomorrow to coincide with the celebration of late co-founder Steve Jobs, which is taking place at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.The Wall Street Journal says store employees were told over the phone about the closures, which have not been made public. The report corroborates a post from blog 9to5mac over the weekend that suggested stores were closing for approximately an hour to allow retail employees to watch a live Webcast of the memorial event. The Journal adds that the celebration could stretch to three hours.Any closures would come on the heels of the launch of the iPhone 4S, which went on sale last week in the U.S. and several other countries. The phone is Apple's fastest-selling product, and is still commanding lines at some stores. Apple representatives did not respond to multiple requests for confirmation of any store closures.Following the death of Jobs earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company was planning "a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life" at an employee-only event. In a follow-up memo sent out last week, Cook announced that the ceremony would be taking place at Apple's headquarters at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The planned service is the first for company employees. Over the weekend, Jobs' life was celebrated on Stanford University's campus in a similarly private event attended by friends, family, and colleagues. Jobs, who died October 5 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was buried a few days later during a private, non-denominational funeral in Santa Clara County.
Apple will temporarily close some of its retail stores tomorrow to coincide with the celebration of late co-founder Steve Jobs, which is taking place at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.The Wall Street Journal says store employees were told over the phone about the closures, which have not been made public. The report corroborates a post from blog 9to5mac over the weekend that suggested stores were closing for approximately an hour to allow retail employees to watch a live Webcast of the memorial event. The Journal adds that the celebration could stretch to three hours.Any closures would come on the heels of the launch of the iPhone 4S, which went on sale last week in the U.S. and several other countries. The phone is Apple's fastest-selling product, and is still commanding lines at some stores. Apple representatives did not respond to multiple requests for confirmation of any store closures.Following the death of Jobs earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company was planning "a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life" at an employee-only event. In a follow-up memo sent out last week, Cook announced that the ceremony would be taking place at Apple's headquarters at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The planned service is the first for company employees. Over the weekend, Jobs' life was celebrated on Stanford University's campus in a similarly private event attended by friends, family, and colleagues. Jobs, who died October 5 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was buried a few days later during a private, non-denominational funeral in Santa Clara County.
I have an iPhone 5 with iOS 8.1.2 and I have iTunes v12.0.1.26
I have an iPhone 5 with iOS 8.1.2 and I have iTunes v12.0.1.26. I have one computer that I sync my phone with and it is Windows 7 Home Premium SP1. iTunes has removed my playlists from my library but my playlists are still on my iPhone. I added two musc CD's to my library but iTunes won't add them to my iPhone. Also, I keep getting music duplicated on my iPhone. My apps sync just fine, I am having problems with my music. I removed duplicates from my iTunes library but I still have lots of duplicates on my iPhone. How do I get these cleaned up? I want my playlists copied from my iPhone back to my iTunes Library, the duplicate songs removed from my iPhone and new music added to my iPhone. Will someone please help me with this mess?
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