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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)