Apple has sprung a leak -- scoops about iPhone 5 right on
Apple failed to spring many surprises on fans today. In the past, Apple was one of the most security conscious companies in Silicon Valley. Company managers protected the content of upcoming media events as if they were guarding state secrets. If leaks occurred, they were rare and feathers in the caps of the reporters who bagged them. Today, all sorts of blogs can boast that they scooped the Apple event. Go down the list of Apple's new products or services and nearly all leaked out weeks or months ago. New ear buds, check. A new dock connector, check. The new iPhone, the marquee product that Apple fans salivate over, check. Leading up to today's Apple media event came a steady stream of leaked photos of the iPhone 5, most of which turned out to be accurate. Like most companies, Apple wants to safeguard trade secrets from competitors. But the company also understands one of the keys to building excitement around product releases is to ratchet up anticipation and create an expectation in consumers that they're going to be wowed by something new. If this event was unprecedented in any way, it was that at no other time in Apple's history have so many of the company's upcoming offerings been unveiled by those other than Apple. For weeks, CNET's Apple reporter, Josh Lowensohn, has said that all the early reports were draining the anticipation out of the iPhone 5 debut. Many of the reviews of today's show say Apple failed to deliver pizazz. Did the news leaks contribute to the disappointment? It's hard to imagine that if news about Apple's upcoming products continued to be delivered ahead of these events that they would matter as much or still be effective as marketing tools.Apple's iPhone 5 event Apple out to prove it's still kingHo-hum. iPhone 5 won't wow anyoneiPhone 5: No Steve Jobs, no sizzle Taking the wraps off the iPhone 5 Pictures: Apple's big iPhone 5 reveal iPhone 5 price same as 4S: $199 for 16GB CNET's iPhone 5 review iPhone 5: What we didn't get Comparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 Poll: Will you buy the iPhone 5? Video: Apple announces ultrafast iPhone 5 Start your iOS 6 downloads September 19 iOS 6 hits major marks New iPod Touch: Siri and a 4-inch screen New Nano: Remembering the iPod Mini84M iPads, 400M iOS devices Apple reworks, simplifies iTunes Full coverage: The iPhone 5 arrivesAs for the reason for the leaks, the first place to look is at the CEO. There's little to indicate that Tim Cook is anywhere near as zealous about locking down Apple's secrets as Jobs. Yes, Cook said recently that Apple will "double down" on security, but Jobs was said to obsess about security. Recall that Apple once sued a teenage blogger for breaking news about Apple products. Remember Jobs' angry reaction in 2010 to the iPhone prototype lost in a German brew pub and eventually sold to Gizmodo?The blog returned the phone, but Apple called the cops and the home of one of Gizmodo's editors was raided. When asked about the matter, which he described as an attempt by Gizmodo to extort Apple, Jobs said that he was advised to let the matter slide. "I'd rather quit," Jobs declared. When Jobs was running Apple, there were reports of strict security protocols and clandestine meetings in zoned-off buildings. Former cops were dispatched to hunt down leaks, and there were of course numerous stories about the ever-present threat of termination for employees who couldn't keep their mouths shut.Even with all of that, Apple saw several major breaches of security while Jobs was still at the helm, including the iPhone prototype lost in the brew pub. During Jobs' tenure, Apple also lost a second unreleased handheld in a San Francisco tequila bar in July 2011 and an executive at one of Apple's suppliers was arrested on charges that he supplied unreleased data about the iPhone and iPad to investors. They wanted to trade illegally on the insider information.Brian Tong, a CNET senior editor and on-air personality, said today he suspected Apple has far too many suppliers now and that demand for information about the company's products is too great for managers to keep anything secret.See CNET's full coverage of Apple's iPhone 5 event He's probably right. It is also might be wise to consider the cost and risks of creating a Kremlin-like atmosphere at a consumer-electronics company. In July 2011, Apple security personnel went looking for the prototype phone that went missing in a tequila bar. They tracked the device electronically to the home of a San Francisco man. With police standing by, the Apple employees searched the man's home, car, and computer. Some of the people who were in the home at the time say they felt pressured to agree to the search and claimed they were threatened with deportation if they didn't cooperate. To many people the search was extreme and Apple had crossed the line. Maybe, for the long term, Apple is better off not making security too much of a priority. Apple isn't the CIA. These really aren't state secrets. The target of the prototype search by Apple's security unit that day in San Francisco was, after all, just a phone.
Is the 64GB iPad the new 32-
Is the 64GB iPad the new 32?
What size third-gen iPad will you get?What storage is for you?I've always been a 32GB iPad kind of person. It's done me well the last two generations, although I've come up against my storage limit pretty frequently. So, this time I'm going 64.Am I mad? Maybe, but I asked the same question when the 64GB iPhone 4S made its debut. In that instance, I wondered whether the 5 megapixel camera and 1080p video recording capabilities would eat up valuable space on the iPhone. I was particularly concerned about videos, since their file sizes can get big fast and because they're not backed up or synced on iCloud, unlike photos.I ended up getting the 32GB iPhone 4S, but I do find I have to manage/dump files and photos/videos with some regularity. Using my iPhone as a camera at CES, I filled up my remaining space pretty quickly. A two-minute movie I shot of my son at school clocked in at 369MB. Doing any significant larger-scale video editing on an iPad will probably necessitate 64GB just to host the clips on iMovie.With the new iPad, another concern arises: will the pixel-doubled Retina display and quad-core graphics cause a balloon in file sizes? Apple has increased the 4G file download limit to 50MB, which feels like a harbinger of file sizes to come. Many app developers have already admitted that file sizes are bound to increase. This happened with the iPhone 4, and it seems inevitable now. Related storiesWho's getting the 64GB iPhone 4S?Third-gen iPad: first takeThe new iPad and gaming: what will change?Of course, for those who stream and have no problem frequently deleting their TV shows, movies and apps, 32GB should do just fine. Or, even 16GB, provided your expectations are limited to low-capacity apps, web browsing, and the like.I'm hoping to do more video editing on the iPad, which will eat up space. I also expect to download more movies, now that iTunes has finally allowed re-downloading of purchased films (which means, of course, no lengthy file syncing with my maxed-out laptop). That's a hope. The reality is I download tons of games, a good handful of space-eating magazine issues, and a few surprisingly beefy book-apps for my son. There's always the chance I regret the $100 up-sell, but I know I've already regretted the limitations of 32GB for my needs. Yes, $699 for an iPad is expensive, but there's no real way to expand storage otherwise.I also wonder if, with this higher-resolution iPad, many buyers will start going for larger-storage versions. The presence of a 16GB iPad 2 will corner the market on the low-end iPad, while New iPad buyers might be tempted to choose between 32GB and 64GB on the Retina display versions, and skip 16GB completely.The case for 64GB: possible file size bumps, heavy photo taker/home video taker, interested in video editing, heavy gamer, movie downloader.The case against 64GB: iCloud allows re-downloading of nearly everything; backups happen in the cloud; you prefer streaming to downloading videos; you don't like paying tons of money for an iPad.How about you: what are you going with if you're getting one?
What size third-gen iPad will you get?What storage is for you?I've always been a 32GB iPad kind of person. It's done me well the last two generations, although I've come up against my storage limit pretty frequently. So, this time I'm going 64.Am I mad? Maybe, but I asked the same question when the 64GB iPhone 4S made its debut. In that instance, I wondered whether the 5 megapixel camera and 1080p video recording capabilities would eat up valuable space on the iPhone. I was particularly concerned about videos, since their file sizes can get big fast and because they're not backed up or synced on iCloud, unlike photos.I ended up getting the 32GB iPhone 4S, but I do find I have to manage/dump files and photos/videos with some regularity. Using my iPhone as a camera at CES, I filled up my remaining space pretty quickly. A two-minute movie I shot of my son at school clocked in at 369MB. Doing any significant larger-scale video editing on an iPad will probably necessitate 64GB just to host the clips on iMovie.With the new iPad, another concern arises: will the pixel-doubled Retina display and quad-core graphics cause a balloon in file sizes? Apple has increased the 4G file download limit to 50MB, which feels like a harbinger of file sizes to come. Many app developers have already admitted that file sizes are bound to increase. This happened with the iPhone 4, and it seems inevitable now. Related storiesWho's getting the 64GB iPhone 4S?Third-gen iPad: first takeThe new iPad and gaming: what will change?Of course, for those who stream and have no problem frequently deleting their TV shows, movies and apps, 32GB should do just fine. Or, even 16GB, provided your expectations are limited to low-capacity apps, web browsing, and the like.I'm hoping to do more video editing on the iPad, which will eat up space. I also expect to download more movies, now that iTunes has finally allowed re-downloading of purchased films (which means, of course, no lengthy file syncing with my maxed-out laptop). That's a hope. The reality is I download tons of games, a good handful of space-eating magazine issues, and a few surprisingly beefy book-apps for my son. There's always the chance I regret the $100 up-sell, but I know I've already regretted the limitations of 32GB for my needs. Yes, $699 for an iPad is expensive, but there's no real way to expand storage otherwise.I also wonder if, with this higher-resolution iPad, many buyers will start going for larger-storage versions. The presence of a 16GB iPad 2 will corner the market on the low-end iPad, while New iPad buyers might be tempted to choose between 32GB and 64GB on the Retina display versions, and skip 16GB completely.The case for 64GB: possible file size bumps, heavy photo taker/home video taker, interested in video editing, heavy gamer, movie downloader.The case against 64GB: iCloud allows re-downloading of nearly everything; backups happen in the cloud; you prefer streaming to downloading videos; you don't like paying tons of money for an iPad.How about you: what are you going with if you're getting one?
Apple taken to court over unwanted iOS 7 install download
Apple taken to court over unwanted iOS 7 install download
A California man is taking Apple to court over what he says were "unwanted" downloads of iOS 7 onto his family's gadgets.Mark Menacher, a resident of Poway, Calif., filed a small-claims complaint against Apple's CEO Tim Cook in the Superior Court of California in San Diego on Thursday, asking for the removal of the iOS 7 install file -- something that's downloaded to devices automatically when they're connected to power and a Wi-Fi connection.That file does not install iOS 7 on a device without user interaction, though does prompt users to do so every time they restart their device.Some users were irked to discover this feature last month, which is designed to get users onto the latest version of Apple's iOS software, updates that often contain security fixes and new features. However in the case of iOS 7, it also means a brand new look and feel of the OS, along with potential compatibility issues with some pieces of software, and a sizable download that can take up 1GB or more. The software also cannot be downgraded within iTunes, or from on the device itself. Related storiesiOS 6 holdouts complain about large, unwanted iOS 7 downloadCNET's iOS 7 reviewHow to install iOS 7The automatic downloading behavior was present in the jump from iOS 5 to 6 as well, however that update did not come with a visual overhaul."Apple's disregard for customer preferences in relation to iOS7 is corporate thuggery," Menacher said in a statement. "Steve Jobs was reportedly rough on company employees in pursuit of happy customers, but Tim Cook apparently cultivates a culture of contempt for customer satisfaction in pursuit of corporate profits. It is a policy that will eventually fail." Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Menacher's complaint, which follows one made with the Better Business Bureau last month, asks for a way to get rid of the downloaded installer file, as well as $50. Menacher told CNET he is "considering" elevating the issue to a higher court, and exploring whether there's support for class action status. Apple's iOS 7 has seen the fastest adoption of any version of the software according to both Apple and third-party tracking firms. Analytics company Mixpanel, which keeps a live tracker up here, currently lists iOS 7 on more than 72 percent of all devices. Updated at 3:28 p.m. PT to further clarify how the downloaded installer works.
A California man is taking Apple to court over what he says were "unwanted" downloads of iOS 7 onto his family's gadgets.Mark Menacher, a resident of Poway, Calif., filed a small-claims complaint against Apple's CEO Tim Cook in the Superior Court of California in San Diego on Thursday, asking for the removal of the iOS 7 install file -- something that's downloaded to devices automatically when they're connected to power and a Wi-Fi connection.That file does not install iOS 7 on a device without user interaction, though does prompt users to do so every time they restart their device.Some users were irked to discover this feature last month, which is designed to get users onto the latest version of Apple's iOS software, updates that often contain security fixes and new features. However in the case of iOS 7, it also means a brand new look and feel of the OS, along with potential compatibility issues with some pieces of software, and a sizable download that can take up 1GB or more. The software also cannot be downgraded within iTunes, or from on the device itself. Related storiesiOS 6 holdouts complain about large, unwanted iOS 7 downloadCNET's iOS 7 reviewHow to install iOS 7The automatic downloading behavior was present in the jump from iOS 5 to 6 as well, however that update did not come with a visual overhaul."Apple's disregard for customer preferences in relation to iOS7 is corporate thuggery," Menacher said in a statement. "Steve Jobs was reportedly rough on company employees in pursuit of happy customers, but Tim Cook apparently cultivates a culture of contempt for customer satisfaction in pursuit of corporate profits. It is a policy that will eventually fail." Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Menacher's complaint, which follows one made with the Better Business Bureau last month, asks for a way to get rid of the downloaded installer file, as well as $50. Menacher told CNET he is "considering" elevating the issue to a higher court, and exploring whether there's support for class action status. Apple's iOS 7 has seen the fastest adoption of any version of the software according to both Apple and third-party tracking firms. Analytics company Mixpanel, which keeps a live tracker up here, currently lists iOS 7 on more than 72 percent of all devices. Updated at 3:28 p.m. PT to further clarify how the downloaded installer works.
Sony opens book on new Reader
Sony opens book on new Reader
Rumors have been circulating that Sony was about to release the second edition of its electronic book reader--and now it's official. Sony's new Reader Digital Book, the PRS-505, will hit stores shortly, and while it doesn't look that different on the surface, it's got some notable improvements. Next-generation electronic paper display delivers faster response and a higher contrast ratio, with eight levels of gray scale instead of four. Slightly thinner profile.More intuitive button layout allows for easier navigation.Available in silver and dark blue.The new Reader costs the same as the old Reader ($300), offers the same amount of built-in storage (room for about 160 "typical" eBooks), and the same amount of battery life (Sony lists it at up to 7,500 page turns). While the original Reader wasn't bad, I saw plenty of room for improvement--and it appears that Sony has addressed some of the downsides that I noted in my review (Sony says it listened to what Reader owners had to say, but we pompous reviewers think we're the real influencers).Whatever the case, the announcement couldn't have come sooner for Sony. Rumors of an Amazon digital book reader have been percolating for a while and turning the iPhone into an e-book reader doesn't seem all that difficult, considering "illegal" PDF-reader hacks seem to work pretty well. No word on when Apple will create a real e-book reader for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, but when it does, it will only validate this emerging market.Hopefully, Sony's learned from some of its missteps in the digital music arena and a Sony executive I spoke with says it has. The company wants the Reader to be an open platform, and it helps that you can view Word and PDF files on the device along with the copy-protected books from the online Connect eBooks Store. I'm not sure Sony has the chops to create an iTunes-like store for e-books (Connect still has a little ways to go), but we'll see--at least Sony's out there trying to break new ground instead of watching Apple do it.
Rumors have been circulating that Sony was about to release the second edition of its electronic book reader--and now it's official. Sony's new Reader Digital Book, the PRS-505, will hit stores shortly, and while it doesn't look that different on the surface, it's got some notable improvements. Next-generation electronic paper display delivers faster response and a higher contrast ratio, with eight levels of gray scale instead of four. Slightly thinner profile.More intuitive button layout allows for easier navigation.Available in silver and dark blue.The new Reader costs the same as the old Reader ($300), offers the same amount of built-in storage (room for about 160 "typical" eBooks), and the same amount of battery life (Sony lists it at up to 7,500 page turns). While the original Reader wasn't bad, I saw plenty of room for improvement--and it appears that Sony has addressed some of the downsides that I noted in my review (Sony says it listened to what Reader owners had to say, but we pompous reviewers think we're the real influencers).Whatever the case, the announcement couldn't have come sooner for Sony. Rumors of an Amazon digital book reader have been percolating for a while and turning the iPhone into an e-book reader doesn't seem all that difficult, considering "illegal" PDF-reader hacks seem to work pretty well. No word on when Apple will create a real e-book reader for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, but when it does, it will only validate this emerging market.Hopefully, Sony's learned from some of its missteps in the digital music arena and a Sony executive I spoke with says it has. The company wants the Reader to be an open platform, and it helps that you can view Word and PDF files on the device along with the copy-protected books from the online Connect eBooks Store. I'm not sure Sony has the chops to create an iTunes-like store for e-books (Connect still has a little ways to go), but we'll see--at least Sony's out there trying to break new ground instead of watching Apple do it.
iOS 4.1 jailbreak arrives, but do you want it-
iOS 4.1 jailbreak arrives, but do you want it?
Almost a month ago to the day, I reported that hackers had found a way to jailbreak iOS 4.1--and asked if it was worth the hassle anymore. That question generated lots of great discussion, and now is the perfect time to revisit it.That's because an iOS 4.1 jailbreak, Limera1n, is now in the wild. Unlike the JailbreakMe hack that made jailbreaking iOS 4.0 as simple as loading a URL in your iPhone's browser, Limera1n requires a PC and a download--one that's currently available for Windows only.To use the hack, start by connecting your iPhone (3G, 3GS, or 4), iPod Touch 4G, or iPad. (Note that I used my iPhone 3GS, so I can't promise the results will be the same with other devices.) Let iTunes do its thing, just to make sure you have a full and working backup.Warning: proceed at your own risk!Run the Limera1n executable, then click "make it ra1n." In a moment the program will instruct you to hold down the Home and Power buttons. Do that for a few seconds, then look for it to say "release power button." Do that, but make sure to keep holding the Home button until you see the message, "in DFU mode...wait."In less than a minute you should see a "Done" message, after which your iPhone/iPod/iPad will turn itself off. Hold down the Power button to fire it back up.All this worked smoothly for me (though a handful of my Camera Roll thumbnails got blacked out for some reason), and afterward I found a Limera1n icon on my iPhone. Tapping it led me to a screen where I could download jailbreak-app store Cydia--though I had to reboot my 3GS before the Cydia icon would appear.So, now, let's get back to the big question: is jailbreaking still worth the effort? Are there enough must-have apps, and, if so, what are they? (Check out 5 killer apps for jailbroken iPhones if you're looking for some.)Personally, I'm still enamored with tethering solutions like MyWi 4.0 and PdaNet, though I must admit I don't use either one very much. Other than that, I can easily live without jailbreaking.How about you?
Almost a month ago to the day, I reported that hackers had found a way to jailbreak iOS 4.1--and asked if it was worth the hassle anymore. That question generated lots of great discussion, and now is the perfect time to revisit it.That's because an iOS 4.1 jailbreak, Limera1n, is now in the wild. Unlike the JailbreakMe hack that made jailbreaking iOS 4.0 as simple as loading a URL in your iPhone's browser, Limera1n requires a PC and a download--one that's currently available for Windows only.To use the hack, start by connecting your iPhone (3G, 3GS, or 4), iPod Touch 4G, or iPad. (Note that I used my iPhone 3GS, so I can't promise the results will be the same with other devices.) Let iTunes do its thing, just to make sure you have a full and working backup.Warning: proceed at your own risk!Run the Limera1n executable, then click "make it ra1n." In a moment the program will instruct you to hold down the Home and Power buttons. Do that for a few seconds, then look for it to say "release power button." Do that, but make sure to keep holding the Home button until you see the message, "in DFU mode...wait."In less than a minute you should see a "Done" message, after which your iPhone/iPod/iPad will turn itself off. Hold down the Power button to fire it back up.All this worked smoothly for me (though a handful of my Camera Roll thumbnails got blacked out for some reason), and afterward I found a Limera1n icon on my iPhone. Tapping it led me to a screen where I could download jailbreak-app store Cydia--though I had to reboot my 3GS before the Cydia icon would appear.So, now, let's get back to the big question: is jailbreaking still worth the effort? Are there enough must-have apps, and, if so, what are they? (Check out 5 killer apps for jailbroken iPhones if you're looking for some.)Personally, I'm still enamored with tethering solutions like MyWi 4.0 and PdaNet, though I must admit I don't use either one very much. Other than that, I can easily live without jailbreaking.How about you?
Verizon iPhone ad plays up the suspense
Verizon iPhone ad plays up the suspense
Verizon Wireless has released an iPhone ad that ditches actual views of Apple's smartphone in favor of people and clocks.The 30-second ad features several quick cuts to different ticking clocks and people staring at them, anxiously awaiting something. Along the way, no mention of Apple or the iPhone is made. The ad then turns to a voiceover, thanking Verizon customers for standing by the carrier through the long wait for Apple's smartphone."To our millions of customers who never stopped believing this day would come," the ad's voiceover says, "thank you."The ad then ends with a flash of Apple's iPhone 4 logo and Verizon's own logo, followed by the smartphone's February 10 release date.Sure, the ad is overly dramatic. Still, Verizon customers were forced to "believe" that the iPhone would be coming to their network for quite some time. The smartphone launched in 2007 in the U.S. exclusively on AT&T's network. It wasn't until earlier this month that Verizon finally announced iPhone availability on its network, following weeks and months of rampant rumors and wishful thinking.Apple's iPhone will be available to Verizon customers for $199.99 and $299.99 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively.
Verizon Wireless has released an iPhone ad that ditches actual views of Apple's smartphone in favor of people and clocks.The 30-second ad features several quick cuts to different ticking clocks and people staring at them, anxiously awaiting something. Along the way, no mention of Apple or the iPhone is made. The ad then turns to a voiceover, thanking Verizon customers for standing by the carrier through the long wait for Apple's smartphone."To our millions of customers who never stopped believing this day would come," the ad's voiceover says, "thank you."The ad then ends with a flash of Apple's iPhone 4 logo and Verizon's own logo, followed by the smartphone's February 10 release date.Sure, the ad is overly dramatic. Still, Verizon customers were forced to "believe" that the iPhone would be coming to their network for quite some time. The smartphone launched in 2007 in the U.S. exclusively on AT&T's network. It wasn't until earlier this month that Verizon finally announced iPhone availability on its network, following weeks and months of rampant rumors and wishful thinking.Apple's iPhone will be available to Verizon customers for $199.99 and $299.99 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively.
Verizon CEO refutes claims of low iPhone sales
Verizon CEO refutes claims of low iPhone sales
Reports of underwhelming iPhone sales on Verizon's network seem to have been exaggerated.That's according to Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel S. Mead, who in an interview with The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) said that the carrier had sold more iPhone 4s during its launch period than any product so far. Despite Verizon's announcement that it had its most successful first-day sales ever during a pre-order period prior to the phone's launch, alleged sales numbers from 5 of Apple's stores pointed at sales numbers in the mid triple digits. As CNET noted at the time, this was just 5 of more than 230 Apple Stores that had been selling the Verizon iPhone, and the numbers didn't include any hard data from Verizon's own retail stores, where iPhone 4s were also being sold. Mead also told the Journal that 60 percent of Verizon's sales had been online, which would overshadow some of the reported numbers from the 2 different retail venues.Along with the inside look at the company's sales, Mead also hinted to the Journal that Apple will bring a product to market that will work on Verizon's "4G" long-term evolution (LTE) network. "They understand the value proposition of LTE, and I feel very confident that they are going to be a part of it," he said.
Reports of underwhelming iPhone sales on Verizon's network seem to have been exaggerated.That's according to Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel S. Mead, who in an interview with The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) said that the carrier had sold more iPhone 4s during its launch period than any product so far. Despite Verizon's announcement that it had its most successful first-day sales ever during a pre-order period prior to the phone's launch, alleged sales numbers from 5 of Apple's stores pointed at sales numbers in the mid triple digits. As CNET noted at the time, this was just 5 of more than 230 Apple Stores that had been selling the Verizon iPhone, and the numbers didn't include any hard data from Verizon's own retail stores, where iPhone 4s were also being sold. Mead also told the Journal that 60 percent of Verizon's sales had been online, which would overshadow some of the reported numbers from the 2 different retail venues.Along with the inside look at the company's sales, Mead also hinted to the Journal that Apple will bring a product to market that will work on Verizon's "4G" long-term evolution (LTE) network. "They understand the value proposition of LTE, and I feel very confident that they are going to be a part of it," he said.
Camera Genius for iPhone
Camera Genius for iPhone
When you launch Camera Genius it will activate your iPhone camera automatically. You now have access to an enhanced photography experience via the icon on the left end of the navigation pane. Tap it and you're presented with the following six photo options.Zoom is my favorite feature even though it affects the image quality. Like with all camera phones, the iPhone doesn't have an optical lens, so enlargements are done digitally. Also, though the camera has enough resolution to handle some zoom levels, the images are prone to pixelation the more you zoom. So why is this feature my favorite? Well, I found that this feature turns my iPhone into a magnifying lens, which made reading those serial numbers and MAC addresses on my equipment a lot easier to read.Rule of ThirdsSound Capture is unique since it allows you to record a sound to take a picture. Think of it as a kind of a James Bond feature--it uses your iPhone microphone to record the initial sound and thereafter takes a picture when it recognizes the sound. Nifty huh?Anti-Shake steadies the phone while taking a photo. The app accomplishes this by using the accelerometer to monitor the iPhone's movement and prevent blurry pictures.Big Button turns the iPhone's entire screen into a shutter button. Once activated, you can tap anywhere on the screen and the app will take a picture. This feature is handy for self-portraits or for people who have trouble reaching for the small camera button on the navigation pane.Guides assists in framing and positioning the subject you are photographing using horizontal and vertical lines. Your inner-photographer will leap with joy for the ability to use the "rule of thirds" to make your photo more interesting or even award winning.Timer gives you a basic 10-second countdown along with an audible "beep" as each second passes.Camera Genius is a welcome addition to the iPhone camera apps that I've already accumulated like ColorSplash, QuadCamera, Light, Airphoto, and it turns my iPhone into a even better digital photography tool.
When you launch Camera Genius it will activate your iPhone camera automatically. You now have access to an enhanced photography experience via the icon on the left end of the navigation pane. Tap it and you're presented with the following six photo options.Zoom is my favorite feature even though it affects the image quality. Like with all camera phones, the iPhone doesn't have an optical lens, so enlargements are done digitally. Also, though the camera has enough resolution to handle some zoom levels, the images are prone to pixelation the more you zoom. So why is this feature my favorite? Well, I found that this feature turns my iPhone into a magnifying lens, which made reading those serial numbers and MAC addresses on my equipment a lot easier to read.Rule of ThirdsSound Capture is unique since it allows you to record a sound to take a picture. Think of it as a kind of a James Bond feature--it uses your iPhone microphone to record the initial sound and thereafter takes a picture when it recognizes the sound. Nifty huh?Anti-Shake steadies the phone while taking a photo. The app accomplishes this by using the accelerometer to monitor the iPhone's movement and prevent blurry pictures.Big Button turns the iPhone's entire screen into a shutter button. Once activated, you can tap anywhere on the screen and the app will take a picture. This feature is handy for self-portraits or for people who have trouble reaching for the small camera button on the navigation pane.Guides assists in framing and positioning the subject you are photographing using horizontal and vertical lines. Your inner-photographer will leap with joy for the ability to use the "rule of thirds" to make your photo more interesting or even award winning.Timer gives you a basic 10-second countdown along with an audible "beep" as each second passes.Camera Genius is a welcome addition to the iPhone camera apps that I've already accumulated like ColorSplash, QuadCamera, Light, Airphoto, and it turns my iPhone into a even better digital photography tool.
Buzz Out Loud 1586- Announcing the end of Buzz Out Loud (Podcast)
Buzz Out Loud 1586: Announcing the end of Buzz Out Loud (Podcast)
Oh, dear fans...we're sad to say that Buzz Out Loud is ending, after an amazing six-year run. Tom, Veronica, and Jason will join us for an epic final show on April 5, and we hope you'll all stick with us as we move on to new projects, including Molly's new show, Always On, launching in June. Meanwhile, enjoy a little tech news, won't you?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.PlayListen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360) RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS (640x360)EPISODE 1586 NEWS:The Big Announcement-Always On show trailer-Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords-Facebook responds-Facebook buys 750 IBM patents: but why does it need to fight Yahoo?-Rovio working on Angry Birds Space for WP -CEO-Angry Birds Space Game Skips Windows Phone in Blow to Nokia-Zynga gobbling up OMGPOP for $200 million?-done-deal-zynga-gets-draw-something-phenom-by-acquiring-omgpop-were-hearing-Google Wallet said to be seeking more mobile carriers-Google Said to Rethink Wallet Strategy Amid Slow Adoption-Did you know Verizon also throttles unlimited data service?-Apple’s ‘Flash Crash’ Scares the Daylights Out of Investors-Want a vibrating tattoo that alerts you to a call? Nokia doesQuick Hits:-China surpasses US in activations of Apple, Android devices-Twitter Turns Six With 140 Million Active Users-OUR FIRST TWEETS-Bowing to fans, BioWare mulls new Mass Effect 3 endingINTO IT NOT INTO IT:-Robotic jellyfish for U.S. Navy powers itself with seawater-Firefighting humanoid robot gets drafted into the Navy-Photographer uses red-dot gunsight as AF assist-Mario Bro’s question box lamp-Charging mask-Ashton Kutcher to be launched into spaceâ€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"http://bol.cnet.com, 800-616-2638 (CNET), buzz@cnet.comFollow us on Twitter: @mollywood @brian_tong @stephenbeacham
Oh, dear fans...we're sad to say that Buzz Out Loud is ending, after an amazing six-year run. Tom, Veronica, and Jason will join us for an epic final show on April 5, and we hope you'll all stick with us as we move on to new projects, including Molly's new show, Always On, launching in June. Meanwhile, enjoy a little tech news, won't you?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.PlayListen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360) RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS (640x360)EPISODE 1586 NEWS:The Big Announcement-Always On show trailer-Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords-Facebook responds-Facebook buys 750 IBM patents: but why does it need to fight Yahoo?-Rovio working on Angry Birds Space for WP -CEO-Angry Birds Space Game Skips Windows Phone in Blow to Nokia-Zynga gobbling up OMGPOP for $200 million?-done-deal-zynga-gets-draw-something-phenom-by-acquiring-omgpop-were-hearing-Google Wallet said to be seeking more mobile carriers-Google Said to Rethink Wallet Strategy Amid Slow Adoption-Did you know Verizon also throttles unlimited data service?-Apple’s ‘Flash Crash’ Scares the Daylights Out of Investors-Want a vibrating tattoo that alerts you to a call? Nokia doesQuick Hits:-China surpasses US in activations of Apple, Android devices-Twitter Turns Six With 140 Million Active Users-OUR FIRST TWEETS-Bowing to fans, BioWare mulls new Mass Effect 3 endingINTO IT NOT INTO IT:-Robotic jellyfish for U.S. Navy powers itself with seawater-Firefighting humanoid robot gets drafted into the Navy-Photographer uses red-dot gunsight as AF assist-Mario Bro’s question box lamp-Charging mask-Ashton Kutcher to be launched into spaceâ€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"http://bol.cnet.com, 800-616-2638 (CNET), buzz@cnet.comFollow us on Twitter: @mollywood @brian_tong @stephenbeacham
Apple said to be working on Logic Pro 'X' overhaul
Apple said to be working on Logic Pro 'X' overhaul
Apple's Logic pro audio software could be the next application in the company's line of professional software to undergo an overhaul, a new report claims. Japanese Apple tracking site Macotakara has a new report out today claiming the next version of Apple's professional audio suite will get a similar treatment to what the company did with Final Cut Pro X. That includes integrating previously separate applications, while selling others separately.Macotakara suggests that consolidation will be the case with the previously separate Waveburner authoring software being built into the application, with virtual instrument control panel MainStage being sold separately. Presumably the software will be offered as a digital download through the company's Mac App Store, however that's not mentioned in Macotakara's report. That is what Apple did with Final Cut Pro X earlier this year, whose predecessor was sold as a bundle of software and manuals the size of a car battery. One detail that will be of intense interest to longtime users is whether Apple makes Lion, its latest OS, a requirement as part of a new Logic suite. If the software requires a download through the Mac App Store, that will require at least Mac OS X 10.6.6, which was released this past January. Apple's last major release of Logic Studio was in July 2009, with the software selling for $499 to new users, and as a $199 upgrade. Prior to that, Apple released new versions in 2007 and 2004.Logic Studio makes up one leg of Apple's pro software offerings. Joining it is the aforementioned pro video editing software Final Cut Pro X, which was released in June, and photo library management and editing software Aperture, which saw its last major release in February of last year.(via Macrumors)
Apple's Logic pro audio software could be the next application in the company's line of professional software to undergo an overhaul, a new report claims. Japanese Apple tracking site Macotakara has a new report out today claiming the next version of Apple's professional audio suite will get a similar treatment to what the company did with Final Cut Pro X. That includes integrating previously separate applications, while selling others separately.Macotakara suggests that consolidation will be the case with the previously separate Waveburner authoring software being built into the application, with virtual instrument control panel MainStage being sold separately. Presumably the software will be offered as a digital download through the company's Mac App Store, however that's not mentioned in Macotakara's report. That is what Apple did with Final Cut Pro X earlier this year, whose predecessor was sold as a bundle of software and manuals the size of a car battery. One detail that will be of intense interest to longtime users is whether Apple makes Lion, its latest OS, a requirement as part of a new Logic suite. If the software requires a download through the Mac App Store, that will require at least Mac OS X 10.6.6, which was released this past January. Apple's last major release of Logic Studio was in July 2009, with the software selling for $499 to new users, and as a $199 upgrade. Prior to that, Apple released new versions in 2007 and 2004.Logic Studio makes up one leg of Apple's pro software offerings. Joining it is the aforementioned pro video editing software Final Cut Pro X, which was released in June, and photo library management and editing software Aperture, which saw its last major release in February of last year.(via Macrumors)
Apple said to be working on ad-skipping tech for TV
Apple said to be working on ad-skipping tech for TV
There's new fuel for the fire that Apple's working on technology for an updatedTV set-top box or TV platform. Citing unnamed sources, tech writer Jessica Lessin (formerly of The Wall Street Journal), says Apple's been meeting with cable companies to pitch a service that would enable TV viewers to skip commercials. That feature would be worked into a "premium" service Apple TV owners would buy into, the report says, adding that Apple would then pay networks when it occurred. Related storiesESPN, HBO come to Apple TVApple TV nears Time Warner Cable deal, Bloomberg saysApple's TV set-top box remains limited to prerecorded content instead of live TV channels, though that's expected to change. Apple has dabbled in offering live programming, but only its own presentations, like keynote addresses and concerts. A series of rumors has pointed toward the company expanding from selling content a la carte to a subscription that would rival what people purchase from their cable providers. Earlier this month, Apple was said to be in late-stage talks with Time Warner Cable to add live channels to the set-top box, presumably inside an app.Apple would not be the first company to offer users a way to skip ads on TV programming. TiVo and ReplayTV offered the feature to consumers more than a decade ago, and it's since permeated to the DVRs cable providers offer to customers. More recently, companies like Dish and its Hopper technology can skip commercial blocks, though the feature can be limited on certain programming and has raised legal ire from major broadcast networks which say it violates copyright law. (Disclosure: CBS is one of those broadcast networks, and CBS Interactive is the publisher of CNET News). Apple declined to comment on the report, calling it rumor and speculation.
There's new fuel for the fire that Apple's working on technology for an updatedTV set-top box or TV platform. Citing unnamed sources, tech writer Jessica Lessin (formerly of The Wall Street Journal), says Apple's been meeting with cable companies to pitch a service that would enable TV viewers to skip commercials. That feature would be worked into a "premium" service Apple TV owners would buy into, the report says, adding that Apple would then pay networks when it occurred. Related storiesESPN, HBO come to Apple TVApple TV nears Time Warner Cable deal, Bloomberg saysApple's TV set-top box remains limited to prerecorded content instead of live TV channels, though that's expected to change. Apple has dabbled in offering live programming, but only its own presentations, like keynote addresses and concerts. A series of rumors has pointed toward the company expanding from selling content a la carte to a subscription that would rival what people purchase from their cable providers. Earlier this month, Apple was said to be in late-stage talks with Time Warner Cable to add live channels to the set-top box, presumably inside an app.Apple would not be the first company to offer users a way to skip ads on TV programming. TiVo and ReplayTV offered the feature to consumers more than a decade ago, and it's since permeated to the DVRs cable providers offer to customers. More recently, companies like Dish and its Hopper technology can skip commercial blocks, though the feature can be limited on certain programming and has raised legal ire from major broadcast networks which say it violates copyright law. (Disclosure: CBS is one of those broadcast networks, and CBS Interactive is the publisher of CNET News). Apple declined to comment on the report, calling it rumor and speculation.
Apple said to be talking to Foursquare for maps data
Apple said to be talking to Foursquare for maps data
Days after Google launched its Google Maps iOS app, rumors are circulating that Apple is making another play to beef up its own mobile mapping service. According to the Wall Street Journal, the tech giant is said to have been talking to social network Foursquare about integrating user data into Apple's maps app. Apparently, Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue has been meeting with Foursquare representatives over the past few weeks about how the service uses data to find locations and business listings.Apple debuted its new mapping service and booted Google Maps from its mobile devices in September with the release of iOS 6. With the switch over, many users complained of inaccurate data, lack of details, distorted images, and erroneous directions. In the midst of the debacle, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was "extremely sorry" for the frustration felt by customers and vowed to improve the program.Google launched its Google Maps app for iOS last week, and today announced that in its first two days on the App Store, the software was downloaded more than 10 million times. Google's app brings back some of the functionality no longer found in Apple's built-in maps software, including Street View technology and public transit directions.According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is also supposedly talking to a handful of other local data companies about how to best improve its maps service. If Apple does share data with Foursquare, it could take advantage of certain Foursquare features that would let it differentiate from Google Maps, like user-generated tips and the popularity of certain businesses.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Days after Google launched its Google Maps iOS app, rumors are circulating that Apple is making another play to beef up its own mobile mapping service. According to the Wall Street Journal, the tech giant is said to have been talking to social network Foursquare about integrating user data into Apple's maps app. Apparently, Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue has been meeting with Foursquare representatives over the past few weeks about how the service uses data to find locations and business listings.Apple debuted its new mapping service and booted Google Maps from its mobile devices in September with the release of iOS 6. With the switch over, many users complained of inaccurate data, lack of details, distorted images, and erroneous directions. In the midst of the debacle, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was "extremely sorry" for the frustration felt by customers and vowed to improve the program.Google launched its Google Maps app for iOS last week, and today announced that in its first two days on the App Store, the software was downloaded more than 10 million times. Google's app brings back some of the functionality no longer found in Apple's built-in maps software, including Street View technology and public transit directions.According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is also supposedly talking to a handful of other local data companies about how to best improve its maps service. If Apple does share data with Foursquare, it could take advantage of certain Foursquare features that would let it differentiate from Google Maps, like user-generated tips and the popularity of certain businesses.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple said to be 'serious' about moving into mobile payments
Apple said to be 'serious' about moving into mobile payments
Several clues have surfaced over the past few months that point to Apple working on its own mobile payments business. We've seen patent filings, rumors of secret meetings, and analyst predictions. Now, the company appears to be hiring for two new senior electronic payments positions, according to Re/code. Citing anonymous sources, Re/code writes that Apple is looking to fill positions for head of product and head of business development."Their ambitions are very, very serious," one of the sources told Re/code.Related storiesApple looking to build mobile-payments service, report saysSquare discussing possible sale with Google, Apple -- reportApple patent filing reveals digital wallet systemApple to develop digital wallet in next year or two, says analystApple already lets hundreds of millions of users buy music, books, and apps through an iTunes account linked to their credit cards. So, expanding this payment process into a digital wallet, or some other sort of mobile payment service, could be a feasible shift for the company.In January, it was rumored that Apple was exploring a move beyond the digital realm into letting users pay for physical goods and services -- such as clothes or a taxi ride -- with an iTunes account. Reportedly, Apple has been conducting on-going meetings with industry executives to discuss the topic. Expanding into a mobile-payments business could put the company in direct competition with services like Stripe and eBay's PayPal. According to Re/code, there's the possibility that Apple could even partner with PayPal in some sort of joint payment system.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Several clues have surfaced over the past few months that point to Apple working on its own mobile payments business. We've seen patent filings, rumors of secret meetings, and analyst predictions. Now, the company appears to be hiring for two new senior electronic payments positions, according to Re/code. Citing anonymous sources, Re/code writes that Apple is looking to fill positions for head of product and head of business development."Their ambitions are very, very serious," one of the sources told Re/code.Related storiesApple looking to build mobile-payments service, report saysSquare discussing possible sale with Google, Apple -- reportApple patent filing reveals digital wallet systemApple to develop digital wallet in next year or two, says analystApple already lets hundreds of millions of users buy music, books, and apps through an iTunes account linked to their credit cards. So, expanding this payment process into a digital wallet, or some other sort of mobile payment service, could be a feasible shift for the company.In January, it was rumored that Apple was exploring a move beyond the digital realm into letting users pay for physical goods and services -- such as clothes or a taxi ride -- with an iTunes account. Reportedly, Apple has been conducting on-going meetings with industry executives to discuss the topic. Expanding into a mobile-payments business could put the company in direct competition with services like Stripe and eBay's PayPal. According to Re/code, there's the possibility that Apple could even partner with PayPal in some sort of joint payment system.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple said to be pointing to GlobalFoundries for chip making
Apple said to be pointing to GlobalFoundries for chip making
Word has it that Apple may be looking to hire GlobalFoundries to make some of the chips used in its iPhones and iPads, according to the Albany Times Union.Sources familiar with the matter told the newspaper that GlobalFoundries could soon begin manufacturing some of Apple's chips at its Fab 8 factory in Malta, N.Y.Currently, Samsung makes the majority of chips for Apple's mobile devices. This includes Apple's powerful new A7 chip that is in the iPhone 5S. It's long rumored that Apple has been looking to expand its chip partners and decrease its dependency on Samsung. Over the past couple of years, the two companies have fiercely dueled over patent battles and smartphone competition.Despite the speculated tension between the two companies, the Albany Times Union reports that Samsung would continue to make chips for Apple, along with assist GlobalFoundries in getting its Apple chip manufacturing processes set up. Reportedly, Samsung and GlobalFoundries have similar chip-making "recipes."Rumors of Apple talking to GlobalFoundries for chip making deal also floated in July. A semiconductor industry source told CNET that the two companies were "kicking the tires." But "by no means" is any firm deal imminent at this point, the source said at that time. Besides GlobalFoundries, it's also been said that Apple has been in talks with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company about making chips for its upcoming mobile devices. It's been said that Samsung will continue to work on the A7 series of chips and TSMC will do A8, A9, and A9X chips -- or that there will be some mixture of the two.CNET contacted GlobalFoundries and Apple for comment. We'll update this story when we get more information.
Word has it that Apple may be looking to hire GlobalFoundries to make some of the chips used in its iPhones and iPads, according to the Albany Times Union.Sources familiar with the matter told the newspaper that GlobalFoundries could soon begin manufacturing some of Apple's chips at its Fab 8 factory in Malta, N.Y.Currently, Samsung makes the majority of chips for Apple's mobile devices. This includes Apple's powerful new A7 chip that is in the iPhone 5S. It's long rumored that Apple has been looking to expand its chip partners and decrease its dependency on Samsung. Over the past couple of years, the two companies have fiercely dueled over patent battles and smartphone competition.Despite the speculated tension between the two companies, the Albany Times Union reports that Samsung would continue to make chips for Apple, along with assist GlobalFoundries in getting its Apple chip manufacturing processes set up. Reportedly, Samsung and GlobalFoundries have similar chip-making "recipes."Rumors of Apple talking to GlobalFoundries for chip making deal also floated in July. A semiconductor industry source told CNET that the two companies were "kicking the tires." But "by no means" is any firm deal imminent at this point, the source said at that time. Besides GlobalFoundries, it's also been said that Apple has been in talks with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company about making chips for its upcoming mobile devices. It's been said that Samsung will continue to work on the A7 series of chips and TSMC will do A8, A9, and A9X chips -- or that there will be some mixture of the two.CNET contacted GlobalFoundries and Apple for comment. We'll update this story when we get more information.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Is an Unsung Hero of Science Fiction Filmmaking
While he was busy playing action heroes for the better part of three decades, Arnold Schwarzenegger was quietly, and possibly unintentionally, becoming one of cinema;s definitive scence fiction actors. Unlike comedy or horror, it;s rare to see an actor return to sci-fi again and again. It;s not a genre that tends to typecast or trap actors once they become associated with it. While Schwarzenegger has appeared in a wide range of movies, his seven films dealing with time travel, killer robots, aliens, cloning, space travels and dystopias make him an unsung hero of the science fiction genre. Schwarzenegger;s science fiction legacy begins with the role that made him a true star. After all of these years, The Terminator is still one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time, using a time-travel premise and an unstoppable cyborg to create a thrilling, dirty and truly unsettling chase movie. Since the bulk of the film takes place in the modern day (well, 1984), the sci-fi elements could have been window dressing, but writer-director James Cameron revels in them, staging flashbacks/flashforwards to a truly hostile and hopeless future while exploring the nature of his villain in grisly, gory detail. The sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day leans even more heavily on the sci-fi elements, reducing the amount of action in carnage to give the characters time to philosophize about human nature in a way that feels like a solid ;70s science fiction novel. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines steers the series in the direction of bombastic and stupid blockbusters, but the first two films more than earn the series; place among the great sci-fi stories of all time. If the first two Terminator films represent Schwarzenegger;s sci-fi at its smartest, then The Running Man is surely the dumbest. Loud, obnoxious and just downright stupid, it;s perfectly entertaining nonsense that also happens to feel about20 years ahead of the curve. We live in a world where The Hunger Games is making a killing at the box office, but Arnold beat Katniss to the punch in the story of a dystopia that makes people fight to the death on live TV to placate and terrify the masses deparment. The world of The Running Man is far more cartoonish and silly than the grim and somewhat realistic world of Panem, but it;s all by design. If The Hunger Games represents a nightmare future envisioned by American society in 2014, The Running Man takes place in a nightmare future that comes straight out of the excess of the ;80s. It;s satire is broad, its comedy dumb and its action totally ludicrous, but The Running Man feels like the surprisingly satisfying halfway point between Network and Katniss Everdeen. But The Running Man was not the only crass, lowbrow science fiction movie Schwarzenegger made. No, he managed to top himself with Total Recall. Violent, trashy and proud of every filthy moment, Total Recall feels in line with The Running Man;s endearing dumbness but it;s significantly more knowing. Director Paul Verehoeven made a career out of making fine trash and Total Recall is the finest kind of trash, taking a typical Schwarzenegger shoot-;em-up and wrapping it in a science fiction premise that suggests the entire movie is taking place in a brain gone haywire, and that the hero;s desire to live out a violent fantasy is leading to his death in the real world. It;s telling that Schwarzenegger has gone on record saying the events of Total Recall actually happen while Verehoeven says they;re all a fantasy -- that kind of fundamental disagreement is what drives the entire film. Here;s the big question though: does Schwarzenegger actually like science fiction or is he just attracted to the kind of action and characters that the genre offers? Predator is an interesting case because it begins like a typical ;80s action movie and slowly transforms into science fiction as the titular alien begins to plague Schwarzenegger;s crew of commandoes. It feels like a micorcosm of his career as a whole: silly, brawny action that just keeps getting invaded by science fiction. As of right now, the last original sci-fi movie Schwarzenegger starred in was The 6th Day, a terrible film that;s still memorable thanks to a cloning plot that sees Arnold starring alongside himself. However, he;s currently gearing up to return to the Terminator franchise with Terminator: Genesis, which seems to be inventing all kinds of crazy genre concepts to justify why a cyborg got old and how a young Sarah Connor can meet him and why Kyle Reese is still alive. Schwarzenegger is 66 years old, but his action movies are still being taken over by nutty science fiction. Whether by accident or design, that makes him a true hero of the genre. More:Which Arnold Schwarzenegger Character Would Win in a Fight? (Infographic)
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