Dear Steve Jobs: Set the music free
The iTunes music library is looking a little shabby these days. Look around, Steve: iTunes is the last great refuge of DRM-laden downloads. Is this the image you want for Apple? More than 18 months have passed since you signed your one and only deal to acquire music free of copy-protection software with a major recording company. And that was with EMI, which accounts for less than 9 percent of U.S. album sales and is the smallest of the four top music labels. In the meantime, Apple has continued to wrap the vast majority of major-label music in Fairplay, the company's proprietary digital rights management software, at a time when your major competitors have already signed DRM-free deals with all the big players. If you cling to this position, iTunes is going to look stodgier than that "PC guy" you're always mocking in your commercials. Zune offers more DRM-free music, signing agreements with EMI, Warner Music Group, and just this week, Universal Music Group, the largest music label. Steve, DRM inspires hatred from all the cybergroovies, many of whom swear loyalty to Apple products. It's time to dump this loser. Even the major labels have recognized this. I'll get back to that. You now have a golden opportunity to make things right. I've heard about your negotiations with the three largest music labels about acquiring music unburdened by copy-protection software. My sources said that no deals are final but that one top label is closing in on an agreement. Close them, Steve. Close all of them. I'm going to point out the obvious: striking these agreements would be good for Apple, the recording industry, and certainly for Apple customers.DRM doesn't fit with Apple image I realize cutting a deal takes both sides to agree. But you and the music industry have blamed each other for the absence of DRM-free songs on iTunes for more than a year, certainly since you published your now famous open letter of February 2007. That's when you called for the labels to abandon DRM. I'm sure you know music execs always laughed at this and suggested that your argument was a tad disingenuous. They said your DRM fit perfectly with your plans to lock customers into buying music that played only on Apple devices. I think I can speak for your customers here. They don't care who's responsible. What really matters to them is that it's time to do more than write letters. You must recognize that the time is perfect for you to act. The climate surrounding digital music is vastly changed since you wrote that letter. The labels admit now their DRM strategy has failed.Check out what Edgar Bronfman, the head of Warner Music Group, said earlier this month: "We're not technology companies...We never came up with a version of DRM that did what we needed it to do." AudioPodcastListen in as Greg joins Charles Cooper on Thursday's edition of the CNET News Daily Podcast to talk about what has held Apple up in the move to DRM-free music.Download mp3 (3.68 MB)Doug Morris, Universal Music's CEO, called you a friend and one the smartest men in music during a recent interview. Sounds to me like these guys are ready to deal. They must know that it's in their best interest for iTunes, the country's largest music retailer online or off, to have everything it needs to move music. Sure, they want iTunes to have some competition. They fear you will grab too much control over digital sales...again. That's likely why all four major labels have provided music sans copy-protection software to your chief rivals: Amazon.com, MySpace Music, and Wal-Mart Stores. I'm not naive enough to think that's an accident.But all the signs point to a music industry, at least with regard to digital downloads, that wants copy-protected songs buried. Take away competitors' advantage Just consider the benefits to Apple if you acquire DRM-free songs from the three largest labels: • You snatch away the most important competitive advantage that any of your rivals possess. Amazon, MySpace Music, and Napster have been touting their DRM-free libraries. Amazon appears to be the only place where DRM is making much of a difference. The Web's largest retail store doesn't break out numbers, but in April, research company NPD Group reported that Amazon's MP3 service was showing signs of growth based on consumer sampling. • You can give iTunes' tech-savvier customers peace of mind. Sure, they represent a tiny sliver of your customer base, but they're also the most vocal. They're the ones who have been calling for an end to Fairplay for a long time and understand that one day Apple could stop issuing DRM keys and leave their music stranded. Remember, Steve, DRM schemes were proved to be anti-consumer this year.MSN, Yahoo, and Wal-Mart all made announcements that they planned to stop issuing DRM keys. They all were widely criticized when customers realized that without the keys, songs couldn't be moved to new devices or computers. All three capitulated. Sure, Apple appears to be an immovable force now, but who knows about five years from now? Fairplay is DRM and that means it's vulnerable to this key issue.Do you really want to follow in this group's footsteps?• Apple also will avoid alienating customers in the case that a company develops a popular music player that people can't play their iTunes libraries on because of compatibility issues. I've always said that in this scenario, Apple could lose a lot of good will.Apple needs to prove the naysayers wrong and show that the company was never interested in locking customers into buying its music or music players. Apple has to show that it knows the best way to build an empire is to design products people want to play their media on--not players they have to play their media on.
RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS gets overhauled interface, new features
RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS gets overhauled interface, new features
I usually hang up my running shoes for the winter, but the arrival of RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS makes me want to brave the cold, ice, and snow (of which there's ample supply here in Michigan).Let me pause here to note that although the App Store is home to many great run-management apps, I've been a RunKeeper fan -- and user -- since way back in 2009. And I'm not alone in my adoration of the app: It's a regular presence on the iTunes top-10-freebies list.So what's new in version 3.0? The first thing you'll notice is the totally overhauled interface, which replaces the functional but rather plain one from version 2.0 with something attractive, elegant, and familiar: RunKeeper 3.0 borrows the very popular Instagram-style toolbar, with five icons spanning the bottom of the screen for quick switching between important areas.Thankfully, however, the developers labeled those icons with text, so you're not forced to guess what everything does. (That's long been my bugaboo with Instagram and other apps that have copied that interface approach.)Overall, I'd say the new RunKeeper looks gorgeous, and it wisely keeps the important stuff (tools and tracking for your next activity) front and center.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETAlso new in 3.0: improved support for taking and sharing photos in-app, meaning it's now much easier to distribute your post-race snapshots via Facebook and/or Twitter. And if you subscribe to RunKeeper Elite, which you can now do in-app for the regular price of $19.99 annually, you can enable live tracking from the Start screen.This is a cool feature: it lets your followers (friends, family members, etc.) track your progress on a map and get real-time updates. Developer FitnessKeeper also promises improved tracking accuracy (for iOS 6 users).One of my favorite carryover features is goals: You can set one for, say, a distance (like running 10 miles, which I did over the summer), or to finish a particular race or lose a certain amount of weight. The app will track your progress and give you encouragement along the way. It also keeps tabs on your PRs (personal records) and lets you choose from a variety of preset training plans (Beginner 5K, Running 4 Fat Loss, to name a few).In short, I continue to rank RunKeeper as not only the best fitness tracker out there -- it's certainly the best free one -- but also one of the best iPhone apps, period. (An update to the Android version is coming soon.) The new interface is just icing on the cake.Agree? Disagree? What's your favorite run tracker, and why?
I usually hang up my running shoes for the winter, but the arrival of RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS makes me want to brave the cold, ice, and snow (of which there's ample supply here in Michigan).Let me pause here to note that although the App Store is home to many great run-management apps, I've been a RunKeeper fan -- and user -- since way back in 2009. And I'm not alone in my adoration of the app: It's a regular presence on the iTunes top-10-freebies list.So what's new in version 3.0? The first thing you'll notice is the totally overhauled interface, which replaces the functional but rather plain one from version 2.0 with something attractive, elegant, and familiar: RunKeeper 3.0 borrows the very popular Instagram-style toolbar, with five icons spanning the bottom of the screen for quick switching between important areas.Thankfully, however, the developers labeled those icons with text, so you're not forced to guess what everything does. (That's long been my bugaboo with Instagram and other apps that have copied that interface approach.)Overall, I'd say the new RunKeeper looks gorgeous, and it wisely keeps the important stuff (tools and tracking for your next activity) front and center.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETAlso new in 3.0: improved support for taking and sharing photos in-app, meaning it's now much easier to distribute your post-race snapshots via Facebook and/or Twitter. And if you subscribe to RunKeeper Elite, which you can now do in-app for the regular price of $19.99 annually, you can enable live tracking from the Start screen.This is a cool feature: it lets your followers (friends, family members, etc.) track your progress on a map and get real-time updates. Developer FitnessKeeper also promises improved tracking accuracy (for iOS 6 users).One of my favorite carryover features is goals: You can set one for, say, a distance (like running 10 miles, which I did over the summer), or to finish a particular race or lose a certain amount of weight. The app will track your progress and give you encouragement along the way. It also keeps tabs on your PRs (personal records) and lets you choose from a variety of preset training plans (Beginner 5K, Running 4 Fat Loss, to name a few).In short, I continue to rank RunKeeper as not only the best fitness tracker out there -- it's certainly the best free one -- but also one of the best iPhone apps, period. (An update to the Android version is coming soon.) The new interface is just icing on the cake.Agree? Disagree? What's your favorite run tracker, and why?
The 404 962- Where we play the waiting game (podcast)
The 404 962: Where we play the waiting game (podcast)
According to Consumer Reports, prepaid phone subscribers are actually the most satisfied with their service, but that's probably because their burner phones don't have the Internet access necessary to lodge a complaint. On today's show, we'll look at how the other carriers compare to AT&T, dispel rumors of Shigeru Miyamoto's departure from Nintendo, put in our our bid for RickPerry.com, Jeff demonstrates My Xbox Live for the iPad, and we'll show some incredible listener-submitted contest submission videos!Leaked from 404 Podcast 962:AT&T voted worst carrier for second year in a row.Shigeru Miyamoto gets lost in translation, will not retire.HP offers last batch of $99 TouchPads on eBay, but they're refurbished.Rickperry.com is available to the highest bidder on GoDaddy.com.Hands-on: OnLive comes to iPad and other tablets.My Xbox Live now available for iOS.Video voicemail: Denmark from Martin folds a family of 404 cranes. Here's how to make your own!Video voicemail: Richard broadcasts from CNET Cleveland.Video voicemail: JRock remixes Call of Doody.Video voicemail: Jeff has a sports question for Jeff and Wilson.Bathroom break video 1: Cowboy Mickey, the beeper king!Bathroom break video 1: Rick Perry flipped. Well, that was fast.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.PlayEpisode 962Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in 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
According to Consumer Reports, prepaid phone subscribers are actually the most satisfied with their service, but that's probably because their burner phones don't have the Internet access necessary to lodge a complaint. On today's show, we'll look at how the other carriers compare to AT&T, dispel rumors of Shigeru Miyamoto's departure from Nintendo, put in our our bid for RickPerry.com, Jeff demonstrates My Xbox Live for the iPad, and we'll show some incredible listener-submitted contest submission videos!Leaked from 404 Podcast 962:AT&T voted worst carrier for second year in a row.Shigeru Miyamoto gets lost in translation, will not retire.HP offers last batch of $99 TouchPads on eBay, but they're refurbished.Rickperry.com is available to the highest bidder on GoDaddy.com.Hands-on: OnLive comes to iPad and other tablets.My Xbox Live now available for iOS.Video voicemail: Denmark from Martin folds a family of 404 cranes. Here's how to make your own!Video voicemail: Richard broadcasts from CNET Cleveland.Video voicemail: JRock remixes Call of Doody.Video voicemail: Jeff has a sports question for Jeff and Wilson.Bathroom break video 1: Cowboy Mickey, the beeper king!Bathroom break video 1: Rick Perry flipped. Well, that was fast.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.PlayEpisode 962Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in 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
Privacy expert 'disappointed' by iPhone tracking (podcast)
Privacy expert 'disappointed' by iPhone tracking (podcast)
Researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden said Wednesday that they had found what appears to be a previously undisclosed file on iPhones that reveals where the phone has been.According to the pair, such tracking began with iOS 4, and the information is not only on the phone but also on any computer synchronized with the phone.They explained their findings in a blog post on O'Reilly Radar and in a video that's posted on YouTube. Allan and Warden created a Mac OS X application that lets users view their own location data displayed on a map. I've been carrying around an iPhone for only the past couple of weeks, but after backing up my phone to a MacBook and running their application, I was able to trace my steps and display a map of a bus trip I took last week from Boston to New York as well as my recent travels around New York and Silicon Valley. Allan and Warden said their data showed their locations for nearly the past year. The discovery, according to Electronic Privacy Information Clearinghouse (EPIC) President Marc Rotenberg, is both surprising and disappointing. In a recorded interview (scroll down to listen to the podcast), Rotenberg said, "I actually remember when Steve Jobs was discussing locational apps at one of the announcements of new iPhone products, and Steve made a point of talking about the importance of protecting privacy for users and said that they had incorporated strong features so users would have control over locational data." EPIC President Marc RotenbergEPIC.orgRotenberg said storing such data on the phone for long periods of time violates best practices. "When companies no longer need the data for the service, such as finding appropriate Wi-Fi spots or cell phone towers, it really should be deleted," he said. He also questions whether "Apple might have crossed the line and violated Federal communications law."He said he was still investigating whether Apple had violated its own privacy policies, but he questioned whether most consumers would have the time or expertise "to figure out whether this was permissible under their policy."He said he "can't imagine any scenario under which someone would want information about them being kept secretly." Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden said Wednesday that they had found what appears to be a previously undisclosed file on iPhones that reveals where the phone has been.According to the pair, such tracking began with iOS 4, and the information is not only on the phone but also on any computer synchronized with the phone.They explained their findings in a blog post on O'Reilly Radar and in a video that's posted on YouTube. Allan and Warden created a Mac OS X application that lets users view their own location data displayed on a map. I've been carrying around an iPhone for only the past couple of weeks, but after backing up my phone to a MacBook and running their application, I was able to trace my steps and display a map of a bus trip I took last week from Boston to New York as well as my recent travels around New York and Silicon Valley. Allan and Warden said their data showed their locations for nearly the past year. The discovery, according to Electronic Privacy Information Clearinghouse (EPIC) President Marc Rotenberg, is both surprising and disappointing. In a recorded interview (scroll down to listen to the podcast), Rotenberg said, "I actually remember when Steve Jobs was discussing locational apps at one of the announcements of new iPhone products, and Steve made a point of talking about the importance of protecting privacy for users and said that they had incorporated strong features so users would have control over locational data." EPIC President Marc RotenbergEPIC.orgRotenberg said storing such data on the phone for long periods of time violates best practices. "When companies no longer need the data for the service, such as finding appropriate Wi-Fi spots or cell phone towers, it really should be deleted," he said. He also questions whether "Apple might have crossed the line and violated Federal communications law."He said he was still investigating whether Apple had violated its own privacy policies, but he questioned whether most consumers would have the time or expertise "to figure out whether this was permissible under their policy."He said he "can't imagine any scenario under which someone would want information about them being kept secretly." Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Purported iPad 5 gets weighed and measured
Purported iPad 5 gets weighed and measured
The iPad 5 is simply a larger version of the iPad Mini, if a detailed video demonstration by a Hong Kong parts retailer is accurate.The video (below) by the retailer, Sw-box.com, shows three iPad covers side-by-side, the iPad 4, iPad 5, and iPad Mini. It "does a good job detailing the physical differences between the iPad 4 and iPad 5," MacRumors points out. The iPad 5 is shorter, narrower (by 15mm), and thinner (by 2mm) than the iPad 4, according to the video.In effect, it's a large iPad Mini.And, of course, weighs less.There are other differences too, including volume buttons and speaker placement that replicate the Mini. The design is not unlike images published by Sonny Dickson earlier in the week. (Which makes you wonder where he gets his covers and shells from.) And, being a retailer, that's not all Sw-box.com has on its site.It is selling an iPad 5 back cover, replete with all the measurements of the unannounced Apple product. The iPad 5 is expected to be released in the coming months, possibly October.
The iPad 5 is simply a larger version of the iPad Mini, if a detailed video demonstration by a Hong Kong parts retailer is accurate.The video (below) by the retailer, Sw-box.com, shows three iPad covers side-by-side, the iPad 4, iPad 5, and iPad Mini. It "does a good job detailing the physical differences between the iPad 4 and iPad 5," MacRumors points out. The iPad 5 is shorter, narrower (by 15mm), and thinner (by 2mm) than the iPad 4, according to the video.In effect, it's a large iPad Mini.And, of course, weighs less.There are other differences too, including volume buttons and speaker placement that replicate the Mini. The design is not unlike images published by Sonny Dickson earlier in the week. (Which makes you wonder where he gets his covers and shells from.) And, being a retailer, that's not all Sw-box.com has on its site.It is selling an iPad 5 back cover, replete with all the measurements of the unannounced Apple product. The iPad 5 is expected to be released in the coming months, possibly October.
Purported images of next-gen iPad shell leak out
Purported images of next-gen iPad shell leak out
Just days before the expected launch of two much-anticipated iPhones on Tuesday, more images have emerged of what's purported to be Apple's next-generation iPad.Sonny Dickson, who is a frequent leaker of all things Apple, on Sunday posted an extensive gallery of alleged fifth-generation iPad parts, including an assembled shell that appears identical to previous image leaks. If legitimate, the photos appear to buttress previous image leaks and rumors that the iPad 5 will take many of its design cues from the iPad Mini, with a thinner profile and more rounded edges and corners.Previous purported leaks from Dickson included images of what appeared to be the front panel of the iPad 5. While Apple has planned a media event for Tuesday at which many expect new iPhones to be unveiled, company observers don't expect a new iPad 5 or iPad Mini to be announced at the event. "It contradicts everything we've heard thus far about Apple's fall iOS Device launch plans from our sources," 9to5Mac noted.
Just days before the expected launch of two much-anticipated iPhones on Tuesday, more images have emerged of what's purported to be Apple's next-generation iPad.Sonny Dickson, who is a frequent leaker of all things Apple, on Sunday posted an extensive gallery of alleged fifth-generation iPad parts, including an assembled shell that appears identical to previous image leaks. If legitimate, the photos appear to buttress previous image leaks and rumors that the iPad 5 will take many of its design cues from the iPad Mini, with a thinner profile and more rounded edges and corners.Previous purported leaks from Dickson included images of what appeared to be the front panel of the iPad 5. While Apple has planned a media event for Tuesday at which many expect new iPhones to be unveiled, company observers don't expect a new iPad 5 or iPad Mini to be announced at the event. "It contradicts everything we've heard thus far about Apple's fall iOS Device launch plans from our sources," 9to5Mac noted.
Wall Street cheers iPhone 5, Apple closes at record high
Wall Street cheers iPhone 5, Apple closes at record high
Never mind the naysayers who are complaining that the iPhone 5 lacks this or that feature. Wall Street couldn't care less. Investors bid up shares of Apple almost another 2 percent today, pushing the stock to close at a record high of $682.98. That's a 3.3 percent climb in two trading sessions. After yesterday's iPhone 5 event, a number of already giddy analysts rushed to up their sales estimates and raise their target prices for the stock as it inches its ways towards the $700 mark. One analyst even predicted Apple could top $1,600 a share in three years.To be fair, today's Apple rally wasn't entirely pinned to the prospects of booming iPhone sales and profits. The entire market rose after the Federal Reserve unveiled a long-awaited package of steps to spur economic growth.Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chartClick here to download Flash Player nowView the full NASDAQ:AAPL chart at Wikinvest
Never mind the naysayers who are complaining that the iPhone 5 lacks this or that feature. Wall Street couldn't care less. Investors bid up shares of Apple almost another 2 percent today, pushing the stock to close at a record high of $682.98. That's a 3.3 percent climb in two trading sessions. After yesterday's iPhone 5 event, a number of already giddy analysts rushed to up their sales estimates and raise their target prices for the stock as it inches its ways towards the $700 mark. One analyst even predicted Apple could top $1,600 a share in three years.To be fair, today's Apple rally wasn't entirely pinned to the prospects of booming iPhone sales and profits. The entire market rose after the Federal Reserve unveiled a long-awaited package of steps to spur economic growth.Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chartClick here to download Flash Player nowView the full NASDAQ:AAPL chart at Wikinvest
Wait time for 21.5-inch iMac now up to three weeks
Wait time for 21.5-inch iMac now up to three weeks
Consumers who buy the 21.5 inch iMac will now have to wait up to three weeks before it arrives on their doorstep.For more than a month, the ship time had been a "mere" 7 to 10 business days for the U.S. and several other countries. As of yesterday, the new estimate of two to three weeks is now the norm in Apple online stores around the world, including the U.S., U.K., China, and Japan.Until now, the 27-inch iMac had been the problem child, with ever-rising wait times. Available for preorders in October, the 27-incher was initially given a ship time of two to three weeks. But that jumped to three to four weeks after just a few hours.In early December, Apple revised the forecast for the 27-inch model to a vague timeframe of January but then revised it back up to three to four weeks earlier this month.At Apple's fourth-quarter earnings call last October, CEO Tim Cook warned that supplies of the iMac would be "constrained" the rest of the year, leading to a "signficant shortage." And now that shortage is affecting both models on into 2013.Tomorrow Apple reveals its December quarter results, and is likely to address the iMac shortage then.(Via 9to5Mac)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
Consumers who buy the 21.5 inch iMac will now have to wait up to three weeks before it arrives on their doorstep.For more than a month, the ship time had been a "mere" 7 to 10 business days for the U.S. and several other countries. As of yesterday, the new estimate of two to three weeks is now the norm in Apple online stores around the world, including the U.S., U.K., China, and Japan.Until now, the 27-inch iMac had been the problem child, with ever-rising wait times. Available for preorders in October, the 27-incher was initially given a ship time of two to three weeks. But that jumped to three to four weeks after just a few hours.In early December, Apple revised the forecast for the 27-inch model to a vague timeframe of January but then revised it back up to three to four weeks earlier this month.At Apple's fourth-quarter earnings call last October, CEO Tim Cook warned that supplies of the iMac would be "constrained" the rest of the year, leading to a "signficant shortage." And now that shortage is affecting both models on into 2013.Tomorrow Apple reveals its December quarter results, and is likely to address the iMac shortage then.(Via 9to5Mac)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
Volvo taps Apple CarPlay for XC90
Volvo taps Apple CarPlay for XC90
Volvo wasted no time getting to the starting line with Apple's CarPlay.Apple early on Monday unveiled CarPlay, its new system for integrating the iPhone into people's dashboards and driving habits. With a CarPlay-enabled iPhone plugged into their rides, drivers will be able to use Siri or the car's touch screen to search maps, play music, and answer phone calls "with minimized distraction," said Apple.Six automakers will be rolling out models with CarPlay during 2014, according to Apple's CarPlay site: Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. And while Volvo may be last on that alphabetic list, it appears to be the first to provide details about its use of CarPlay.Apple CarPlay ready to hit the road (pic...See full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrevVolvo said Monday that it will install CarPlay in its updated XC90 SUV, which it promises to introduce later in 2014. The touch screen in the XC90 will show both iPhone applications and Volvo's own automotive content at the same time.The iPhone will connect to the car through a Lightning cable -- and Volvo said further that a Wi-Fi connection will be "coming in the near future."
Volvo wasted no time getting to the starting line with Apple's CarPlay.Apple early on Monday unveiled CarPlay, its new system for integrating the iPhone into people's dashboards and driving habits. With a CarPlay-enabled iPhone plugged into their rides, drivers will be able to use Siri or the car's touch screen to search maps, play music, and answer phone calls "with minimized distraction," said Apple.Six automakers will be rolling out models with CarPlay during 2014, according to Apple's CarPlay site: Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. And while Volvo may be last on that alphabetic list, it appears to be the first to provide details about its use of CarPlay.Apple CarPlay ready to hit the road (pic...See full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrevVolvo said Monday that it will install CarPlay in its updated XC90 SUV, which it promises to introduce later in 2014. The touch screen in the XC90 will show both iPhone applications and Volvo's own automotive content at the same time.The iPhone will connect to the car through a Lightning cable -- and Volvo said further that a Wi-Fi connection will be "coming in the near future."
Vodafone teaser site an iPhone 5 clue-
Vodafone teaser site an iPhone 5 clue?
London-based Vodafone has put up a new teaser site in the Australia region allowing for users to register to get information about "this year's biggest smartphone release," which the carrier says is "coming soon to Vodafone." BGR, which picked up on the site this morning, suggests it's a tease for Apple's next iPhone, which a recent report suggested is being unveiled next week. Vodafonebegan carrying Apple's iPhone in 10 countries beginning in early 2008. That deal marked the first time Apple began selling its smartphone through two different operators in the same market. Vodafone currently stocks both colors of Apple's iPhone 4, and carries the iPad 2 as well.Earlier this month Vodafone briefly listed the "iPhone 5" in product pages that were taken down just hours after being discovered. The company later told tech news site TechRadar it was "looking into" how the listings appeared on the site, while declining to comment on why they were there in the first place.
London-based Vodafone has put up a new teaser site in the Australia region allowing for users to register to get information about "this year's biggest smartphone release," which the carrier says is "coming soon to Vodafone." BGR, which picked up on the site this morning, suggests it's a tease for Apple's next iPhone, which a recent report suggested is being unveiled next week. Vodafonebegan carrying Apple's iPhone in 10 countries beginning in early 2008. That deal marked the first time Apple began selling its smartphone through two different operators in the same market. Vodafone currently stocks both colors of Apple's iPhone 4, and carries the iPad 2 as well.Earlier this month Vodafone briefly listed the "iPhone 5" in product pages that were taken down just hours after being discovered. The company later told tech news site TechRadar it was "looking into" how the listings appeared on the site, while declining to comment on why they were there in the first place.
VirnetX v. Apple judge upholds $368M patent suit verdict
VirnetX v. Apple judge upholds $368M patent suit verdict
A U.S. District Court has upheld an earlier decision by a federal jury last year to award intellectual property and patent holding firm VirnetX more than $368.2 million, after Apple was found to have infringed patents related to the networking technology used it its FaceTime video chat service. Meanwhile, as first noted by Seeking Alpha, Apple must award VirnetX more than $330,000 per day until the case is settled, forcing the companies to hammer out agreements between themselves.VirnetX, known for going after major tech companies on patent infringement claims, believes Apple infringed four networking patents designed to establish a secure connection between two devices.The "royalty" mediation settlement will require the two firms to thrash out exactly how much Apple should pay for any further use of VirnetX's patents. Failure to reach an agreement will lead to a new ruling that could result in further damages.Apple's iPhone 5, iPad Mini, fourth-generation iPad, fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the latest Mac computers all infringe the patents, according to the original jury.While Apple's offering of FaceTime is likely not at risk for the end customer, the terms of the settlement will need to be decided upon by both firms sooner rather than later to prevent any further damages being added to the case.
A U.S. District Court has upheld an earlier decision by a federal jury last year to award intellectual property and patent holding firm VirnetX more than $368.2 million, after Apple was found to have infringed patents related to the networking technology used it its FaceTime video chat service. Meanwhile, as first noted by Seeking Alpha, Apple must award VirnetX more than $330,000 per day until the case is settled, forcing the companies to hammer out agreements between themselves.VirnetX, known for going after major tech companies on patent infringement claims, believes Apple infringed four networking patents designed to establish a secure connection between two devices.The "royalty" mediation settlement will require the two firms to thrash out exactly how much Apple should pay for any further use of VirnetX's patents. Failure to reach an agreement will lead to a new ruling that could result in further damages.Apple's iPhone 5, iPad Mini, fourth-generation iPad, fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the latest Mac computers all infringe the patents, according to the original jury.While Apple's offering of FaceTime is likely not at risk for the end customer, the terms of the settlement will need to be decided upon by both firms sooner rather than later to prevent any further damages being added to the case.
10 Reasons Why 'Legend of Hercules' Director Renny Harlin Rules
Renny Harlin is one of two directors putting out a Herclules film this year. And to be brutally honest, expectations for his entry, The Legend of Hercules, are not as high as they could be. But maybe people are being too judgmental. Maybe movie fans have forgotten what gems this director has given us through the years. Here;s a refresher course on why people should be careful when throwing shade in Renny Harlin;s direction. The Cockroach Death - Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master The tide of opinion has shifted in Nightmare on Elm Street 4;s direction in recent years. And rightly so. While the film is neither as good as the original nor as interesting as Dream Warriors, it certainly gives its all in trying. On top of that, it has some of the most inventive dream kills in the series. This roach transformation probably offers the best example. Warning: May be NSFW. Grenades Can;t Kill John McClane - Die Hard 2 In real-life terms, this scene is totally absurd. But in action-movie terms, this moment told moviegoers that Die Hard 2 would at least have one must-see moment. In Die Hard terms, this is probably a moment that breaks the hard-earned reality people loved from the series, but as time (and new sequels) go by, Die Hard 2 grows in estimation for at least starring a character who actually resembles the John McClane we know and love. The Opening Scene - Cliffhanger Who says Renny Harlin can;t do tension? So much of Cliffhanger relies on the fear that someone might fall to their death. We get that not just from the vertigo-inducing visuals, but thanks to the white-knuckle opening scene in which we see an innocent woman fall from an unbelievably horrific height. If you want to see the difference between Renny Harlin and any other director, just watch the parody of this scene that opens Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Pretty Much Anything Involving Samuel L. Jackson - The Long Kiss Goodnight There;s a lot to love in The Long Kiss Goodnight, but Samuel Jackson reading lines from Shane Black;s hilarious script is the number-one thing it has going for it. No matter what;s going on in the film, you;re never far from either a golden line or some classic ;90s action. Samuel L. Jackson Bites the Big One - Deep Blue Sea There;s nothing better in a movie than a big rousing speech to raise morale. About the only thing that can top it is when the speaker is suddenly swallowed by a supersmart shark, which is exactly what happens in this showstopping moment from Harlin;s Deep Blue Sea, aka That Movie Where Samuel L. Jackson Gets Eaten by a Shark While Giving a Big Inspirational Speech. The Chicago Street Race - Driven Driven is not a film most remember fondly. And rightly so: it;s a pretty goofy Sylvester Stallone vehicle. Nevertheless, the film does feature one scene of note. Released the same year as the original The Fast and the Furious, Driven treated us to an almost superhuman Formula One race car drag out on the streets of Chicago that flips manholes and breaks nearby glass from the speed involved. Charly and Mitch Get Dressed - The Long Kiss Goodnight No one goes to an action movie wanting to see a school teacher running around acting scared. So it comes with a sigh of relief when Geena Davis; Samantha finally loses out to the super assassin living in her brain, Charly. Harlin follows her transformation scene with a surprising montage of Samuel L. Jackson suiting up for more wisecracks. So they both get to dress up to cool music. The Plane Crash - Die Hard 2 It;s hard to get real emotion into an action film, especially a sequel. But Renny Harlin makes it happen when John McClane fails to save a plane full of innocents from crashing. The scene is brutal, not only putting us firmly into these bad guys are really bad guys territory, but highlighting McClane;s limitations as an action hero in classic Die Hard fashion. Warning: May be NSFW. The Soul Pizza - Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master Seriously, there;s so much to love about Nightmare on Elm Street 4. It particularly improves as we look back from within an era overly dependent on computer animations for gore and monster effects. This great pizza scene, for instance, didn;t seem like such a big deal when the film came out, yet now feels all kinds of exciting for how real and gross it looks. Warning: May be NSFW The Creatures Attack - Devil;s Pass One of the great things about Renny Harlin is that he;s willing to try out anything. With last year;s Russian production Devil;s Pass, he gave found-footage horror a shot. While countless filmmakers have used and abused the gimmick, Harlin looked to [Rec];s night-vision aesthetic and created a series of memorable scares in the process.
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