Al Gore a lightning rod at Apple shareholder meeting
Gore was seated in the first row, along with his six fellow board members, in Apple's Town Hall auditorium as several stockholders took turns either bashing or praising his high-profile views on climate change.At the first opportunity for audience participation just several minutes into the proceeding, a longtime and well-known Apple shareholder--some would say gadfly--who introduced himself as Shelton Ehrlich, stood at the microphone and urged against Gore's re-election to the board. Gore "has become a laughingstock. The glaciers have not melted," Ehrlich said, referring to Gore's views on global warming. "If his advice he gives to Apple is as faulty as his views on the environment then he doesn't need to be re-elected."Another shareholder immediately got up to defend Gore and endorse his presence as an Apple director. And that wasn't the end of it. Two different proposals from shareholders were presented in regard to Apple's environmental impact. One was from the nonprofit As You Sow, which for the second straight year asked Apple to publicly commit to specific greenhouse gas reduction goals and publish a formal sustainability report; the second came from Herrington Investments, which proposed that Apple's board establish a sustainability committee, just like a compensation or personnel committee.As You Sow's representative, Conrad MacKerron, praised Gore, but also challenged him on not doing more to encourage the company to set specific public commitments. Forest Hill, Herrington Investment's senior portfolio manager also addressed some of his comments directly to Gore, saying making board members responsible for Apple's envronmental impact "would make Apple a corporate leader."Neither Gore nor anyone else on Apple's board of directors responded directly. Both proposals were ultimately rejected by shareholders.Despite his apparently polarizing nature, Gore was re-elected with the rest of the slate in preliminary results. Proposals regarding changes to an employee stock plan, directors' stock options, an advisory vote on executive compensation, and selection of Ernst & Young as Apple's public accounting firm were all passed to complete the official business portion of the event.The security of cash on handDuring the following Q&A session led by CEO Steve Jobs, COO Tim Cook, and CFO Peter Oppenheimer, shareholders were given the chance to speak their mind on, well, practically anything. Besides the environment, many homed in on the theme of just what Apple plans on doing with all that cash it has sitting around--approximately $40 billion in reserve, Apple reported last quarter. One shareholder asked if Apple might consider investing in electric-car maker Tesla. To that, Jobs replied he was planning on throwing "a toga party" with the money instead."Cash gives us tremendous security and flexibility. When you take risks, it's like jumping up in the air, and it's nice to know the ground will be there when you land."--Apple CEO Steve JobsHe was obviously joking, but he did rebut more than one shareholder on the suggestions that Apple, among other ideas tossed out there, buy more companies, offer cash dividends, or create an Apple video game development studio.Jobs took time to clearly lay out Apple's attitude on being conservative with its savings. "Cash gives us tremendous security and flexibility. When you take risks, it's like jumping up in the air, and it's nice to know the ground will be there when you land," he told the group. "We run our company conservatively from a financial point of view because you never know what opportunity is around the corner...We're very fortunate that if we needed to acquire something we could write a check for it and not have to borrow money."Jobs also rejected the idea of giving stockowners more of that cash through dividends because, he said, he believed the stock price, currently at $201.60 a share, would be unaffected either way. He asked one shareholder, "Would you rather be a company with our same stock price and $40 billion in cash, or a company with the same stock price and no cash?"Other topics raised by stockholders included the following:• The suggestion that Google CEO's Eric Schmidt's presence on Apple's board until last summer was damaging to Apple in terms of future competition between Apple's iPhone OS and Google's rival Android mobile operating system. Jobs gave Apple's standard respond on Schmidt's controversial presence on both boards: "Eric conducted himself appropriately. He recused himself when we were discussing matters that might be a conflict."• The notion that Apple return to Macworld Expo. Jobs: "No. Sorry."• Asked when Verizon customers would be able to buy the iPhone, Jobs said Apple would not be discussing its exclusive arrangement with AT&T or Verizon.• Could a strategic alliance with Nintendo and iTunes help ensure that Netflix doesn't gain more ground in the digital video business? Jobs seemed to dismiss that. "Strategic alliances take an awful lot of work, and there'd have to be a really big payoff. But I suppose anything's possible."• And displaying a sense of humor, when asked what he considered his biggest challenges in the future, Jobs deadpanned, "Shareholder meetings."This story was updated on 2/26 to correct the spelling of Shelton Ehrlich's name.
IBM launches 'Smart Cube' with app store
IBM launches 'Smart Cube' with app store
• The Smart Cube hardware, which starts just under $8,000;• Smart Market, a marketplace for customers to download enterprise applications (so far there are 48 business apps from 17 software companies);• Smart Desk, a dashboard for maintenance, to manage applications on the Cube and in the cloud;• Integrated Intuit's QuickBooks Enterprise. IBM's claim for small and midsized businesses (SMBs): Four steps and you're running without manuals, installation CDs, and configuration hassles. The Smart Cube is sold through channel partners. IBM argues that these value added resellers are the preferred channel for many small businesses. However, IBM will be the sole point of contact for technical support.Big Blue's sweet spot is expected to be for companies with 15 to 1,000 employees. The target market for QuickBooks enterprise is companies with 20 to 500 employees.The big pitch to SMBs is that they can save on labor and time because the IBM lineup won't require integration work. Matt Friedman, vice president of marketing for IBM's Smart Business unit, said the Smart Cube has print serving, VOIP, database, network, storage, and backup settings integrated. Friedman made a point to note that the Smart Cube isn't preconfigured as much as it is integrated at the factory with more than 150 IBM patents. Friedman considered it a software and services in a box effort. "We automated the complexity," said Friedman, adding that the Smart Business platform is designed to run "all core business applications from ERP to supply chain to CRM to vertical industry apps."As for the ROI case, IBM argues that SMBs can save $20,000 over three years relative to similar Microsoft Windows-based offerings from Dell and HP. Most of that savings derives from the labor associated with deployment, maintenance and system and software management. The Smart Cube comes in two flavors-Linux and IBM's i operating system.Other key points:• Independent software vendors (ISVs) pay IBM to have their applications listed in the Smart Market. IBM drives demand and offers the technical support. Friedman wouldn't disclose the license revenue split, but did not that it's "not dissimilar to the Apple model."• The Smart Market allows potential customers to compare applications by industry, company size and categories. Larry Dignan/ZDNet• IBM's market place won't do freebies. Some apps ran north of $70,000. Larry Dignan/ZDNet
• The Smart Cube hardware, which starts just under $8,000;• Smart Market, a marketplace for customers to download enterprise applications (so far there are 48 business apps from 17 software companies);• Smart Desk, a dashboard for maintenance, to manage applications on the Cube and in the cloud;• Integrated Intuit's QuickBooks Enterprise. IBM's claim for small and midsized businesses (SMBs): Four steps and you're running without manuals, installation CDs, and configuration hassles. The Smart Cube is sold through channel partners. IBM argues that these value added resellers are the preferred channel for many small businesses. However, IBM will be the sole point of contact for technical support.Big Blue's sweet spot is expected to be for companies with 15 to 1,000 employees. The target market for QuickBooks enterprise is companies with 20 to 500 employees.The big pitch to SMBs is that they can save on labor and time because the IBM lineup won't require integration work. Matt Friedman, vice president of marketing for IBM's Smart Business unit, said the Smart Cube has print serving, VOIP, database, network, storage, and backup settings integrated. Friedman made a point to note that the Smart Cube isn't preconfigured as much as it is integrated at the factory with more than 150 IBM patents. Friedman considered it a software and services in a box effort. "We automated the complexity," said Friedman, adding that the Smart Business platform is designed to run "all core business applications from ERP to supply chain to CRM to vertical industry apps."As for the ROI case, IBM argues that SMBs can save $20,000 over three years relative to similar Microsoft Windows-based offerings from Dell and HP. Most of that savings derives from the labor associated with deployment, maintenance and system and software management. The Smart Cube comes in two flavors-Linux and IBM's i operating system.Other key points:• Independent software vendors (ISVs) pay IBM to have their applications listed in the Smart Market. IBM drives demand and offers the technical support. Friedman wouldn't disclose the license revenue split, but did not that it's "not dissimilar to the Apple model."• The Smart Market allows potential customers to compare applications by industry, company size and categories. Larry Dignan/ZDNet• IBM's market place won't do freebies. Some apps ran north of $70,000. Larry Dignan/ZDNet
Apple announces its best apps of 2013
Apple announces its best apps of 2013
Apple's iTunes App Store has had an incredible year. In May, it hit its 50 billionth app download â€" doubling in just 14 months from the 25 billion it hit in March 2012, a number that took four years to accrue. As of October, there have been 60 billion downloads.Just this year alone, over 20 billion apps have been downloaded, and the number of apps in the store has increased from 775,000 to over a million. The store has also seen 575 million new accounts created, and developers have made over US$11 billion in revenue (that's not including Apple's percentage).The top three games Apple deemed the best of the year for iPhone â€" the winner and two runners-up â€" were from independent developers.Game of the year is non other than Vlambeer's insane epic, Ridiculous Fishing, a deeply moving tale about a fisherman searching the seas for his lost dad (and shooting a lot of fish in the process). When it launched in March, we spent way too many hours plumbing its colourful, polygonal depths and enjoying the sheer craziness of the concept.Simogo's Device 6 and Australian studio Uppercut Games' Epoch 2 took out the runners-up prizes. Device 6 is an interactive text adventure unlike anything we'd ever played before. The text, flowing around corners and upside-down, tells the story of a young lady waking up in a mysterious castle. You have to think well beyond the text to solve the puzzles â€" collecting clues from sounds, pictures and other elements to solve the puzzles.Epoch 2 is an amazing achievement for a studio that, two years ago, consisted of three guys in Queanbeyan. Following on from its debut hit, Epoch, it's a third-person cover-based shooter that is one of the best implementations we've seen to date of touchscreen controls â€" along with a fascinating story and some stellar art. Ed Orman of Uppercut told us, "We're amazed to find ourselves on Apple's Best Of 2013 list with Epoch 2! With so many great indie games this year, it's fantastic that our small studio can make something that stands out." (Our full write-up of the game is here.)On iPad, independent developer Frogmind's side-scrolling puzzle platformer Badland swept Game of the Year, with 2K Games' XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a reboot of the 1994 title UFO: Enemy Unknown, and Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3 in the runner-up spots.For App of the year, Duolingo took the iPhone prize: a simple, easy-to-use language-learning app that uses mini-games to teach you Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English. Exercises help you retain what you've learned, and you can start from the very basics of vocabulary and work your way into more complex grammar.The iPad prize was awarded to Disney Animated, an in-depth exploration of the history of Disney and its animation techniques, built by The Elements creator Theodore Gray.Free photography app VSCO Cam and healthy lifestyle cooking app The Whole Pantry came in as iPhone runners-up. Music app Traktor DJ and art app Procreate (which you might remember from that amazing Morgan Freeman portrait) were the runners-up for iPad.As for the most popular apps? Well, unsurprisingly, these are games. The most downloaded paid app for 2013 was Mojang's Minecraft â€" Pocket Edition. The most downloaded free app will surprise no one: King's Candy Crush Saga.Click here to view Apple's full best of 2013 lists, including music, books, movies, TV shows and podcasts.
Apple's iTunes App Store has had an incredible year. In May, it hit its 50 billionth app download â€" doubling in just 14 months from the 25 billion it hit in March 2012, a number that took four years to accrue. As of October, there have been 60 billion downloads.Just this year alone, over 20 billion apps have been downloaded, and the number of apps in the store has increased from 775,000 to over a million. The store has also seen 575 million new accounts created, and developers have made over US$11 billion in revenue (that's not including Apple's percentage).The top three games Apple deemed the best of the year for iPhone â€" the winner and two runners-up â€" were from independent developers.Game of the year is non other than Vlambeer's insane epic, Ridiculous Fishing, a deeply moving tale about a fisherman searching the seas for his lost dad (and shooting a lot of fish in the process). When it launched in March, we spent way too many hours plumbing its colourful, polygonal depths and enjoying the sheer craziness of the concept.Simogo's Device 6 and Australian studio Uppercut Games' Epoch 2 took out the runners-up prizes. Device 6 is an interactive text adventure unlike anything we'd ever played before. The text, flowing around corners and upside-down, tells the story of a young lady waking up in a mysterious castle. You have to think well beyond the text to solve the puzzles â€" collecting clues from sounds, pictures and other elements to solve the puzzles.Epoch 2 is an amazing achievement for a studio that, two years ago, consisted of three guys in Queanbeyan. Following on from its debut hit, Epoch, it's a third-person cover-based shooter that is one of the best implementations we've seen to date of touchscreen controls â€" along with a fascinating story and some stellar art. Ed Orman of Uppercut told us, "We're amazed to find ourselves on Apple's Best Of 2013 list with Epoch 2! With so many great indie games this year, it's fantastic that our small studio can make something that stands out." (Our full write-up of the game is here.)On iPad, independent developer Frogmind's side-scrolling puzzle platformer Badland swept Game of the Year, with 2K Games' XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a reboot of the 1994 title UFO: Enemy Unknown, and Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3 in the runner-up spots.For App of the year, Duolingo took the iPhone prize: a simple, easy-to-use language-learning app that uses mini-games to teach you Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English. Exercises help you retain what you've learned, and you can start from the very basics of vocabulary and work your way into more complex grammar.The iPad prize was awarded to Disney Animated, an in-depth exploration of the history of Disney and its animation techniques, built by The Elements creator Theodore Gray.Free photography app VSCO Cam and healthy lifestyle cooking app The Whole Pantry came in as iPhone runners-up. Music app Traktor DJ and art app Procreate (which you might remember from that amazing Morgan Freeman portrait) were the runners-up for iPad.As for the most popular apps? Well, unsurprisingly, these are games. The most downloaded paid app for 2013 was Mojang's Minecraft â€" Pocket Edition. The most downloaded free app will surprise no one: King's Candy Crush Saga.Click here to view Apple's full best of 2013 lists, including music, books, movies, TV shows and podcasts.
Rumor Has It, Ep. 17- Instagram helps us care about Windows Phone
Rumor Has It, Ep. 17: Instagram helps us care about Windows Phone
It's Tuesday again, and this time we are prepared. On today's show, code in iBooks 2 points to possible Retina Display iPad; Casio does something other than make keyboards; our favorite people on Earth, analysts, comment on the upcoming year for Netflix; and we have a couple guesses about who Anonymous will attack next. Also next week, or maybe the week after, is Humiliation Day. You know what's different about this Humiliation Day? For once, Karyne isn't the big loser. If you have any Humiliation Day ideas for Emily, or if you have any ideas about who Anonymous will attack next, let us know in the comments! Or shoot us an e-mail, or a tweet, or leave us a voice mail! It turns out, we're very easy to get a hold of. Just ask analyst Gene Munster!EPISODE 17This 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.PlaySubscribe:Â RSS (MP3) |Â RSS (320x180) |Â RSS (640x360) |Â iTunes (MP3) |Â iTunes (320x180) |Â iTunes (640x360)PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Show notes:Could Instagram come to Windows Phone before Android?iBooks 2 code reveals HD images, possibly for iPad 3 Retina DisplayCasio said to be prepping quad-core handsetUh oh: Netflix set for an even worse 2012, analyst saysAnonymous: Facebook is next, on January 28Heard a tech rumor you think we should cover?E-mail us at Rumorhasit [at] cnet.com, or directly at karyne.levy [at] cnet.com or emily.dreyfuss [at] cnet.com. And call and leave us a voice mail at 1-800-750-CNET!And don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, @RumorShow, @stephenbeacham.
It's Tuesday again, and this time we are prepared. On today's show, code in iBooks 2 points to possible Retina Display iPad; Casio does something other than make keyboards; our favorite people on Earth, analysts, comment on the upcoming year for Netflix; and we have a couple guesses about who Anonymous will attack next. Also next week, or maybe the week after, is Humiliation Day. You know what's different about this Humiliation Day? For once, Karyne isn't the big loser. If you have any Humiliation Day ideas for Emily, or if you have any ideas about who Anonymous will attack next, let us know in the comments! Or shoot us an e-mail, or a tweet, or leave us a voice mail! It turns out, we're very easy to get a hold of. Just ask analyst Gene Munster!EPISODE 17This 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.PlaySubscribe:Â RSS (MP3) |Â RSS (320x180) |Â RSS (640x360) |Â iTunes (MP3) |Â iTunes (320x180) |Â iTunes (640x360)PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Show notes:Could Instagram come to Windows Phone before Android?iBooks 2 code reveals HD images, possibly for iPad 3 Retina DisplayCasio said to be prepping quad-core handsetUh oh: Netflix set for an even worse 2012, analyst saysAnonymous: Facebook is next, on January 28Heard a tech rumor you think we should cover?E-mail us at Rumorhasit [at] cnet.com, or directly at karyne.levy [at] cnet.com or emily.dreyfuss [at] cnet.com. And call and leave us a voice mail at 1-800-750-CNET!And don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, @RumorShow, @stephenbeacham.
How to fix battery issues after upgrading to iOS 5.1.1
How to fix battery issues after upgrading to iOS 5.1.1
After Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update was released last week, several users began reporting that their iOS devices had taken a significant battery life hit.While the issues are not common to most users, it appears as though some iPhone and iPad owners found that the battery life they had come to expect was not apparent after updating to iOS 5.1.1 using Apple's over-the-air updating.If you find your device is not getting the battery life it once was, a few troubleshooting tips provided by Apple Support Communities user sbaily4 could be of help.First, be sure you have a good backup of your iPhone or iPad. Plug your device into your Mac or PC, open iTunes, and sync it. Open Settings and tap to navigate to General > Reset. Tap "Reset All Settings" at the top of the screen. This option does not delete your content (music, videos, photos, or apps) so you won't lose anything important.Your iPhone or iPad will then prompt you for basic setup information including reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network, as if you had just purchased the device. Now, use your device so that the battery drains completely to zero percent.Now, plug your device into a power source (preferably a wall outlet) and let it charge, undisturbed, to a full 100 percent. If your battery percentage is not showing up, open Settings and navigate to General > Usage. Under battery usage, flip the switch to On.This process should resolve any battery issues resulting from the iOS 5.1.1 update, especially if it was performed over the air. If you find that your battery life is still not up to par, plug your device into your Mac or PC, open iTunes, and perform a restore -- first from a backup and then, if that does not resolve the issue, as a new device.Have you experienced any issues, battery life or otherwise, after upgrading to iOS 5.1.1? Let me know in the comments!
After Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update was released last week, several users began reporting that their iOS devices had taken a significant battery life hit.While the issues are not common to most users, it appears as though some iPhone and iPad owners found that the battery life they had come to expect was not apparent after updating to iOS 5.1.1 using Apple's over-the-air updating.If you find your device is not getting the battery life it once was, a few troubleshooting tips provided by Apple Support Communities user sbaily4 could be of help.First, be sure you have a good backup of your iPhone or iPad. Plug your device into your Mac or PC, open iTunes, and sync it. Open Settings and tap to navigate to General > Reset. Tap "Reset All Settings" at the top of the screen. This option does not delete your content (music, videos, photos, or apps) so you won't lose anything important.Your iPhone or iPad will then prompt you for basic setup information including reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network, as if you had just purchased the device. Now, use your device so that the battery drains completely to zero percent.Now, plug your device into a power source (preferably a wall outlet) and let it charge, undisturbed, to a full 100 percent. If your battery percentage is not showing up, open Settings and navigate to General > Usage. Under battery usage, flip the switch to On.This process should resolve any battery issues resulting from the iOS 5.1.1 update, especially if it was performed over the air. If you find that your battery life is still not up to par, plug your device into your Mac or PC, open iTunes, and perform a restore -- first from a backup and then, if that does not resolve the issue, as a new device.Have you experienced any issues, battery life or otherwise, after upgrading to iOS 5.1.1? Let me know in the comments!
Staples now sells iPads and iPods online
Staples now sells iPads and iPods online
Staples shoppers can now pick up an iPad or iPod directly through the retailer's Web site.iPad buyers can choose from a variety of flavors of either the fourth-generation iPad or the iPad Mini. Both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular variations are available at the usual retail prices. But as an added incentive, Staples offers customers 5 percent back in rewards points. And shipping is free.Also up for grabs is the full gamut of iPod devices, including the iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle. The iPad and iPod are only available online, at least for now.Staples first started selling certain Apple devices and accessories in February. Customers can find accessories for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac, including keyboards, mice, cases, covers, and cables. Larger items such as Time Capsules and Apple TVs are also in stock.iPhones and Macs are still not offered by Staples. But the retail chain seems to gradually be expanding its lineup of Apple products.(Via TUAW)
Staples shoppers can now pick up an iPad or iPod directly through the retailer's Web site.iPad buyers can choose from a variety of flavors of either the fourth-generation iPad or the iPad Mini. Both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular variations are available at the usual retail prices. But as an added incentive, Staples offers customers 5 percent back in rewards points. And shipping is free.Also up for grabs is the full gamut of iPod devices, including the iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle. The iPad and iPod are only available online, at least for now.Staples first started selling certain Apple devices and accessories in February. Customers can find accessories for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac, including keyboards, mice, cases, covers, and cables. Larger items such as Time Capsules and Apple TVs are also in stock.iPhones and Macs are still not offered by Staples. But the retail chain seems to gradually be expanding its lineup of Apple products.(Via TUAW)
Staples is now selling Apple products
Staples is now selling Apple products
Consumers looking for Apple products or accessories can now find them at Staples, at least online.The retailer is now officially stocking a variety of Apple items at its Web-based store. Staples is offering accessories for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac, including keyboards, mice, cases, covers, and cables. Larger and pricier items such as Time Capsules and Apple TVs are also available.The products will start to pop up in Staples' retail stores as well. A salesperson at one Staples store told me that about half of the physical outlets will soon begin to stock various Apple items.Staples executives had already tweeted the news almost two weeks ago but couldn't say when the products might appear on their online or offline shelves.Apple has gradually been expanding its retail reach beyond its own branded stores. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and RadioShack all carry Apple products and accessories. Almost all of those stores carry the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, but so far Staples is offering mostly accessories and just certain hardware.CNET contacted Staples for more information and will update the story when the company responds.(Via 9to5Mac)
Consumers looking for Apple products or accessories can now find them at Staples, at least online.The retailer is now officially stocking a variety of Apple items at its Web-based store. Staples is offering accessories for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac, including keyboards, mice, cases, covers, and cables. Larger and pricier items such as Time Capsules and Apple TVs are also available.The products will start to pop up in Staples' retail stores as well. A salesperson at one Staples store told me that about half of the physical outlets will soon begin to stock various Apple items.Staples executives had already tweeted the news almost two weeks ago but couldn't say when the products might appear on their online or offline shelves.Apple has gradually been expanding its retail reach beyond its own branded stores. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and RadioShack all carry Apple products and accessories. Almost all of those stores carry the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, but so far Staples is offering mostly accessories and just certain hardware.CNET contacted Staples for more information and will update the story when the company responds.(Via 9to5Mac)
Apple queuing up launch of iTunes Match-
Apple queuing up launch of iTunes Match?
Apple may finally be ready to launch iTunes Match, the subscription offering that will let users play ripped songs via Apple's iCloud service.Apple has sent an e-mail to developers who are testing the beta version of Match, informing them that their stored songs would be wiped from iCloud servers and reminding them to back up their libraries on their computers. It's not the first time such a data reset has taken place, but the wording of the e-mail may suggest the service's debut is nigh."As we prepare for the launch of iTunes Match, we will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday, November 12th at 10 AM PST," the company said, according to a report by John Paczkowski at All Things D. AppleInsider first reported the news earlier this afternoon.Related storiesApple still testing, teasing with iTunes Match iCloud, iTunes Match: Your questions answerediTunes Match is the $24.99-a-year service that scans a user's library to find music the user may have ripped from a CD but didn't purchase from Apple, then cross-references those tunes with songs in Apple's own library. When the service finds a match, it provides users with a license of the track at the same quality they'd find if they bought it off iTunes, up to a maximum of 25,000 songs.The feature is integrated with Apple's iCloud platform, which taps into the cloud to do things like ferry files, content, and apps between Apple devices. In this case, matched tracks are effectively licensed to users, letting them download music tracks to a device, even if they bought them on a different gadget. Apple said in September that it would launch the service in October, but that didn't pan out.Here's a video of the service in action: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.PlayCNET's Josh Lowensohn contributed to this report.
Apple may finally be ready to launch iTunes Match, the subscription offering that will let users play ripped songs via Apple's iCloud service.Apple has sent an e-mail to developers who are testing the beta version of Match, informing them that their stored songs would be wiped from iCloud servers and reminding them to back up their libraries on their computers. It's not the first time such a data reset has taken place, but the wording of the e-mail may suggest the service's debut is nigh."As we prepare for the launch of iTunes Match, we will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday, November 12th at 10 AM PST," the company said, according to a report by John Paczkowski at All Things D. AppleInsider first reported the news earlier this afternoon.Related storiesApple still testing, teasing with iTunes Match iCloud, iTunes Match: Your questions answerediTunes Match is the $24.99-a-year service that scans a user's library to find music the user may have ripped from a CD but didn't purchase from Apple, then cross-references those tunes with songs in Apple's own library. When the service finds a match, it provides users with a license of the track at the same quality they'd find if they bought it off iTunes, up to a maximum of 25,000 songs.The feature is integrated with Apple's iCloud platform, which taps into the cloud to do things like ferry files, content, and apps between Apple devices. In this case, matched tracks are effectively licensed to users, letting them download music tracks to a device, even if they bought them on a different gadget. Apple said in September that it would launch the service in October, but that didn't pan out.Here's a video of the service in action: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.PlayCNET's Josh Lowensohn contributed to this report.
Apple promoting iBooks Author books in iTunes
Apple promoting iBooks Author books in iTunes
A little more than a year after introducing its self-publishing book software, Apple is heavily promoting some works that were made using it. The company today began promoting some of those titles in a new section called "Breakout Books" which rounds up books that have high user ratings. That spans across three genres: romance; sci-fi and fantasy; and mysteries and thrillers, along with a collection of other titles. The promotion, spotted by The New York Times, comes just days ahead of when Inkling, which was founded by former Apple executive Matt MacInnis, plans to hold an event in New York. The company, which has its own books platform and sales front for books, is expected to debut on Monday new products, and to talk about its progress in the digital book sector.Apple debuted iBooks Author at a private event last January, aiming squarely at the education market. The company later opened it up to other types of book titles as part of an update late last year.The software is set up to let authors and publishers alike create several different book types with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get editor similar to its Keynote presentation software. Even with an advertised ease of use and a soft learning curve, the software's success in the e-book market remains unclear.Apple's licensing agreement inside of iBooks Author prompted controversy last year shortly after its introduction, when it appeared that the company planned to restrict what people could do with the works they created using it, including sales on rival platforms. Apple modified the license agreement to note that any exclusivity was limited to titles used in its proprietary format, which added extra features like 3D objects, widgets, quizzes, and flash cards.
A little more than a year after introducing its self-publishing book software, Apple is heavily promoting some works that were made using it. The company today began promoting some of those titles in a new section called "Breakout Books" which rounds up books that have high user ratings. That spans across three genres: romance; sci-fi and fantasy; and mysteries and thrillers, along with a collection of other titles. The promotion, spotted by The New York Times, comes just days ahead of when Inkling, which was founded by former Apple executive Matt MacInnis, plans to hold an event in New York. The company, which has its own books platform and sales front for books, is expected to debut on Monday new products, and to talk about its progress in the digital book sector.Apple debuted iBooks Author at a private event last January, aiming squarely at the education market. The company later opened it up to other types of book titles as part of an update late last year.The software is set up to let authors and publishers alike create several different book types with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get editor similar to its Keynote presentation software. Even with an advertised ease of use and a soft learning curve, the software's success in the e-book market remains unclear.Apple's licensing agreement inside of iBooks Author prompted controversy last year shortly after its introduction, when it appeared that the company planned to restrict what people could do with the works they created using it, including sales on rival platforms. Apple modified the license agreement to note that any exclusivity was limited to titles used in its proprietary format, which added extra features like 3D objects, widgets, quizzes, and flash cards.
Apple getting its A7 chip from Samsung
Apple getting its A7 chip from Samsung
Apple is getting its A7 processor from Samsung, as expected. By "decapping" the A7, Chipworks has verified that the A7 is manufactured by Samsung, according to iFixit, which has been working hand in hand with Chipworks to tear down the iPhone 5S. There had been some speculation that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) would make the chip, but that likely won't happen until Apple's A8, or whatever comes next.Related storiesiPhone 5S teardown: New Sony camera sensor insideApple has moved to a more advanced 28-nanometer manufacturing process from the previous 32-nanometer tech, according to Chipworks.Generally, the smaller the geometries, the more advanced the process, allowing more transistors to be packed into the equivalent or a smaller die area.Anandtech speculates that a Chipworks die photo (below) shows a dual-core A7 central processing unit (yellow border) and the lower-right reveals "four replicated blocks with some shared logic in between" (light blue border) -- which is the "4-cluster" PowerVR G6430 graphics processing unit (GPU) from Imagination Technologies. The M7 co-processor -- separate from the A7 -- is from NXP. The M7 is a "sidekick" to the A7 chip, according to Apple.It's designed to measure motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. Chipworks also confirmed that the 8MP camera sensor is a "stacked" Sony Exmor-RS sensor, as iFixit reported last night. Die photo of A7: Anandtech speculates that blocks within the yellow border comprise the dual-core Apple A7 CPU.Chipworks with highlighted areas via Anandtech.Apple's A7 is the first 64-bit ARM processor to land in a smartphone.CNET
Apple is getting its A7 processor from Samsung, as expected. By "decapping" the A7, Chipworks has verified that the A7 is manufactured by Samsung, according to iFixit, which has been working hand in hand with Chipworks to tear down the iPhone 5S. There had been some speculation that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) would make the chip, but that likely won't happen until Apple's A8, or whatever comes next.Related storiesiPhone 5S teardown: New Sony camera sensor insideApple has moved to a more advanced 28-nanometer manufacturing process from the previous 32-nanometer tech, according to Chipworks.Generally, the smaller the geometries, the more advanced the process, allowing more transistors to be packed into the equivalent or a smaller die area.Anandtech speculates that a Chipworks die photo (below) shows a dual-core A7 central processing unit (yellow border) and the lower-right reveals "four replicated blocks with some shared logic in between" (light blue border) -- which is the "4-cluster" PowerVR G6430 graphics processing unit (GPU) from Imagination Technologies. The M7 co-processor -- separate from the A7 -- is from NXP. The M7 is a "sidekick" to the A7 chip, according to Apple.It's designed to measure motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. Chipworks also confirmed that the 8MP camera sensor is a "stacked" Sony Exmor-RS sensor, as iFixit reported last night. Die photo of A7: Anandtech speculates that blocks within the yellow border comprise the dual-core Apple A7 CPU.Chipworks with highlighted areas via Anandtech.Apple's A7 is the first 64-bit ARM processor to land in a smartphone.CNET
Apple getting 'defensive' with 128GB iPad, says analyst
Apple getting 'defensive' with 128GB iPad, says analyst
With its new pricey fourth-generation iPad 4, Apple has one eye on Windows 8 hybrids, a Citibank analyst said today. "At $799, this latest iPad [model is] priced above the average selling price of a laptop ($703), bringing the two squarely into the same wallet discussion," Glen Yeung of Citibank said in a research note. Yeung continued: "Given what we estimate to be a 3-quarter slide in 10" iPad unit sales, we can't help but detect a defensive element to Apple's latest iPad [model]." That defensiveness is rooted in "trying to head off the onslaught of Haswell-based Ultrabooks and hybrids targeted for 2H13 release," he added, referring to laptop-tablet hybrids based on Intel's upcoming power-efficient Haswell chip due in the second half of this year.Related storiesApple iPad jumps to 128GB, starting at $799Apple's 128GB iPad: Here's how much the bump really costsMicrosoft's Surface Pro will be a prominent member of that group of hybrids.The 128GB model -- which is offered with a keyboard cover -- will be priced at $999 and pack laptop-like performance.The initial version will be available on February 9, but Microsoft is undoubtedly planning a future Haswell-based Surface. Haswell is expected to engender a number of "detachable" designs -- which separate from the base to become a standalone tablet.Current examples of detachables include Hewlett-Packard's Envy x2, Samsung's ATIV Smart PC 500T Tablet, Asus' VivoTab, and Acer's Iconia W510.Surface Pro. Is Apple worried about the crush of Windows 8 hybrid designs coming later in the year?Microsoft
With its new pricey fourth-generation iPad 4, Apple has one eye on Windows 8 hybrids, a Citibank analyst said today. "At $799, this latest iPad [model is] priced above the average selling price of a laptop ($703), bringing the two squarely into the same wallet discussion," Glen Yeung of Citibank said in a research note. Yeung continued: "Given what we estimate to be a 3-quarter slide in 10" iPad unit sales, we can't help but detect a defensive element to Apple's latest iPad [model]." That defensiveness is rooted in "trying to head off the onslaught of Haswell-based Ultrabooks and hybrids targeted for 2H13 release," he added, referring to laptop-tablet hybrids based on Intel's upcoming power-efficient Haswell chip due in the second half of this year.Related storiesApple iPad jumps to 128GB, starting at $799Apple's 128GB iPad: Here's how much the bump really costsMicrosoft's Surface Pro will be a prominent member of that group of hybrids.The 128GB model -- which is offered with a keyboard cover -- will be priced at $999 and pack laptop-like performance.The initial version will be available on February 9, but Microsoft is undoubtedly planning a future Haswell-based Surface. Haswell is expected to engender a number of "detachable" designs -- which separate from the base to become a standalone tablet.Current examples of detachables include Hewlett-Packard's Envy x2, Samsung's ATIV Smart PC 500T Tablet, Asus' VivoTab, and Acer's Iconia W510.Surface Pro. Is Apple worried about the crush of Windows 8 hybrid designs coming later in the year?Microsoft
Apple gets temporary break from antitrust monitor
Apple gets temporary break from antitrust monitor
A federal appeals court on Tuesday granted Apple's motion to hold off on having an external monitor to make sure it complies with antitrust laws, saying it will give Apple a reprieve until a panel can examine the issue.At a hearing last week, District Court Judge Denise Cote denied Apple's request to put the monitoring on hold until its appeal of her ruling is complete. Last July, Cote found Apple violated antitrust laws, orchestrating a conspiracy to fix the prices of e-books. She then appointed an external monitor to keep tabs on the company's compliance with antitrust laws.However, a United States court of appeals for the second circuit on Tuesday gave Apple a temporary stay until a three-judge motions panel hears the request for a longer stay. The court said the motion for stay should be heard by the panel "as soon as possible." The US government has until the end of day on Friday to file its opposition to the motion for a stay.Cote in October named former Assistant US Attorney and Justice Department Inspector GeneralMichael Bromwich as the monitor for the company for the next two years, which was less than the five-year injunction Apple faces across numerous deals with publishers as part of a July ruling.It didn't take long for Apple to butt heads with Bromwich. Apple complained in November that the attorney's fees were excessive, pointing to the $138,432 he charged for his first two weeks of work. Bromwich countered that his requests to meet with key Apple personnel were largely being ignored. Earlier this month, lawyers for Apple asked Cote to disqualify Bromwich, arguing that he has demonstrated a personal bias against the company.The Justice Department sued Apple and five of the six top book publishers last year, saying they conspired together to break Amazon's hold on the e-books market with its popular Kindle Reader by setting prices. Though the publishers settled, Apple fought the Justice Department's accusations in court, and lost. Cote ruled that Apple "orchestrated" the conspiracy, which Apple plans to fight on appeal.Reuters earlier reported the news about the temporary stay.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday granted Apple's motion to hold off on having an external monitor to make sure it complies with antitrust laws, saying it will give Apple a reprieve until a panel can examine the issue.At a hearing last week, District Court Judge Denise Cote denied Apple's request to put the monitoring on hold until its appeal of her ruling is complete. Last July, Cote found Apple violated antitrust laws, orchestrating a conspiracy to fix the prices of e-books. She then appointed an external monitor to keep tabs on the company's compliance with antitrust laws.However, a United States court of appeals for the second circuit on Tuesday gave Apple a temporary stay until a three-judge motions panel hears the request for a longer stay. The court said the motion for stay should be heard by the panel "as soon as possible." The US government has until the end of day on Friday to file its opposition to the motion for a stay.Cote in October named former Assistant US Attorney and Justice Department Inspector GeneralMichael Bromwich as the monitor for the company for the next two years, which was less than the five-year injunction Apple faces across numerous deals with publishers as part of a July ruling.It didn't take long for Apple to butt heads with Bromwich. Apple complained in November that the attorney's fees were excessive, pointing to the $138,432 he charged for his first two weeks of work. Bromwich countered that his requests to meet with key Apple personnel were largely being ignored. Earlier this month, lawyers for Apple asked Cote to disqualify Bromwich, arguing that he has demonstrated a personal bias against the company.The Justice Department sued Apple and five of the six top book publishers last year, saying they conspired together to break Amazon's hold on the e-books market with its popular Kindle Reader by setting prices. Though the publishers settled, Apple fought the Justice Department's accusations in court, and lost. Cote ruled that Apple "orchestrated" the conspiracy, which Apple plans to fight on appeal.Reuters earlier reported the news about the temporary stay.
Apple gearing up iPhone 5S for output this month, analyst says
Apple gearing up iPhone 5S for output this month, analyst says
Apple is gearing up to start iPhone 5S production later this month as part of a plan to make 15 million of the devices, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said in a note Monday morning. Related storiesGran Turismo 5's 'GPS-track day' feature demoedGoogle's plans for Android's YouTubeFuture fuels: What will power tomorrow's cars?Logitech's Z-5 speakers: Not in the same league as Z-10s, but decent for the priceThe latest speculation about the iPhone 5S -- which remains the fodder of rumor and expectation, as Apple has kept mum on such a product thus far -- draws from Misek's conclusions from inventory channel checks. Based on the checks, he said he believes small-batch production of a low-cost iPhone began last month, and manufacture of the iPhone 5S will begin later in July. He estimated availability would be in late September or early October, based on the lead time he thinks the device requires. He estimates the mix is 15 million each of the low-cost iPhone and iPhone 5S, with the iPhone 4S being retired.The iPhone 5S has a history at the rumor mill. Pictures in December showed an exterior identical to the iPhone 5, just a couple of months off the launch of the iPhone 5. Other pictures surfaced last month. More recently, a Korean news outlet expected a version of the iPhone 5S with LTE-Advanced technology. Misek has a track record of some misses, too, including about imminent launches of an Apple TV set last year, which did not pan out.
Apple is gearing up to start iPhone 5S production later this month as part of a plan to make 15 million of the devices, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said in a note Monday morning. Related storiesGran Turismo 5's 'GPS-track day' feature demoedGoogle's plans for Android's YouTubeFuture fuels: What will power tomorrow's cars?Logitech's Z-5 speakers: Not in the same league as Z-10s, but decent for the priceThe latest speculation about the iPhone 5S -- which remains the fodder of rumor and expectation, as Apple has kept mum on such a product thus far -- draws from Misek's conclusions from inventory channel checks. Based on the checks, he said he believes small-batch production of a low-cost iPhone began last month, and manufacture of the iPhone 5S will begin later in July. He estimated availability would be in late September or early October, based on the lead time he thinks the device requires. He estimates the mix is 15 million each of the low-cost iPhone and iPhone 5S, with the iPhone 4S being retired.The iPhone 5S has a history at the rumor mill. Pictures in December showed an exterior identical to the iPhone 5, just a couple of months off the launch of the iPhone 5. Other pictures surfaced last month. More recently, a Korean news outlet expected a version of the iPhone 5S with LTE-Advanced technology. Misek has a track record of some misses, too, including about imminent launches of an Apple TV set last year, which did not pan out.
Apple gains users, but Samsung still the mobile-phone leader
Apple gains users, but Samsung still the mobile-phone leader
Apple scored the greatest gain in market share among cell phone makers last quarter but was stuck in third place behind Samsung and LG.Looking at the three months ending with June, ComScore pegged Apple with a 15.4 percent share of the U.S. mobile-phone market, up from 14 percent the prior three months. Such growth surpassed that of the other top three players, each of which saw a dip in market share.Samsung's chunk of the market fell to 25.6 percent from 26 percent, but the company remained the dominant player. In second place was LG with an 18.8 percent share, down from 19.3 percent the prior three months.Over the same period, Motorola took home an 11.7 percent share, down from 12.8 percent. Though in fifth place, HTC eked out a small gain with a share of 6.4 percent, up from 6 percent. Overall, 234 million Americans age 13 and older were users of mobile phones for the quarter.Samsung has seen huge demand for its Galaxy-class phones. But with a new iPhone reportedly on the way this September, Apple is likely to shake things up in the third and fourth quarters, giving Samsung a heavier dose of competition.ComScoreLooking at mobile operating systems, Google's Android was in top place as usual with a 51.6 percent slice of the market. That left Apple's iOS in second place with a 32.4 percent share. Again, Apple scored the biggest growth in market share from the prior three months, though Android also squeezed out a small gain.The remaining three players in the top five all saw declines in market share. RIM's BlackBerry OS took third place with a 10.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft's Windows Phone with 3.8 percent, and Nokia's Symbian with less than 1 percent.More than 110 million consumers in the U.S. owned smartphones during the June quarter, a 4 percent rise over the prior three months.Relying on data from its MobiLens service, the ComScore report includes results from more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers.
Apple scored the greatest gain in market share among cell phone makers last quarter but was stuck in third place behind Samsung and LG.Looking at the three months ending with June, ComScore pegged Apple with a 15.4 percent share of the U.S. mobile-phone market, up from 14 percent the prior three months. Such growth surpassed that of the other top three players, each of which saw a dip in market share.Samsung's chunk of the market fell to 25.6 percent from 26 percent, but the company remained the dominant player. In second place was LG with an 18.8 percent share, down from 19.3 percent the prior three months.Over the same period, Motorola took home an 11.7 percent share, down from 12.8 percent. Though in fifth place, HTC eked out a small gain with a share of 6.4 percent, up from 6 percent. Overall, 234 million Americans age 13 and older were users of mobile phones for the quarter.Samsung has seen huge demand for its Galaxy-class phones. But with a new iPhone reportedly on the way this September, Apple is likely to shake things up in the third and fourth quarters, giving Samsung a heavier dose of competition.ComScoreLooking at mobile operating systems, Google's Android was in top place as usual with a 51.6 percent slice of the market. That left Apple's iOS in second place with a 32.4 percent share. Again, Apple scored the biggest growth in market share from the prior three months, though Android also squeezed out a small gain.The remaining three players in the top five all saw declines in market share. RIM's BlackBerry OS took third place with a 10.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft's Windows Phone with 3.8 percent, and Nokia's Symbian with less than 1 percent.More than 110 million consumers in the U.S. owned smartphones during the June quarter, a 4 percent rise over the prior three months.Relying on data from its MobiLens service, the ComScore report includes results from more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers.
Apple iOS warning message suggests 3G FaceTime coming
Apple's FaceTime video-chat service may be freed from its Wi-Fi-only restrictions soon. At least, that's according to a warning message that pops up on current iOS devices when a user shuts off 3G during a FaceTime call. The message: "Disabling 3G may end FaceTime. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?" There's really no reason why the message should pop up since FaceTime runs only on Wi-Fi, and that has prompted some to believe that FaceTime over 3G may be coming to the next version of iOS. The message was first discovered by Romanian Web site iDevice, and picked up by Gizmodo. AppleInsider also discovered that an additional message popped up when trying to enable 3G: "Enabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to enable 3G?" The site noted that changing the 3G settings didn't interrupt the call.CNET has contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story once we get a response. FaceTime has grown in popularity as Apple has pushed the feature first on the iPhone 4 two years ago, and then expanded it to MacBooks and iPads. The service has always been restricted to Wi-Fi at the request of the wireless carriers. Related video: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 iOS users can now gift an app from the App Store
iOS users searching for holiday gift ideas can head on over to Apple's App Store.You can now directly send a paid app to someone as a gift, a feature that was previously available with iOS 5 but disappeared when iOS 6 debuted this fall.To use the feature, open the App Store app on your iOS device. Choose a paid app that you'd like to gift. Click on the Share button in the upper right corner. The Share options window appears with a new icon in the lower right called Gift. Tap on the Gift icon.You'll be prompted for your Apple ID password, and you may be required to confirm your payment type. You'll then be asked to enter the e-mail address of your gift recipient and a personal message if you wish to include one.Select the date you want your gifted app to be sent and a color theme for the gift. Confirm your gift, and then tap on the Buy Gift button to send it on its merry way.Your giftee should receive your message and a link to the app. Of course, you can always send someone an electronic gift card for iTunes. But if you know the person's taste in apps, sending the app itself as a gift provides a bit more of a personal touch.(Via 9to5Mac)
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