â€&lsqauo;Why it's harder to choose which iPad works best for you
Apple has never sold so many different types of iPad tablets all at the same time.After the debut of the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3 last week, Apple now sells five different models, allowing for 56 configurations with prices from $249 to $829. With so many choices, the iPad lineup is starting to look less and less like the "simple and elegant" design mantra Apple uses to describe its products. It's hard to say definitively yet whether having so many options will confuse consumers or, worse, if it's evidence of a defensive Apple reacting to competitors and a sputtering tablet market. Critics who think Apple isn't the trailblazing company it once was question whether CEO TIm Cook's leadership is steering the gadget maker toward a more confusing and less profitable array of products. Having that many choices isn't a product philosophy espoused by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who unveiled the iPad in 2010 and handed over the reins of the company to Cook in 2011."It's really the difference between Cook and Jobs," said Rob Enderle, an analyst at the Enderle Group. "Jobs created a very unique model. His idea was to create asimple line and drive people to it."If you walked into an Apple store four years ago, when the tablet market had yet to come into its own, the consumer choice was in line with that Jobsian vision. Potential iPad buyers only had to consider a few questions: how much storage (16, 32 or 64 gigabytes), and whether the tablet would to work solely on Wi-Fi networks or have cellular connectivity. As the iPad won over fans (the company sold 225 million units since its debut), the tablet market matured and competitors flooded the market with their own devices. Apple's full iPad lineup is now more complex than ever, offering five different models at the same time.Screenshot by Nick Statt/CNETApple began to offer more choices to lure consumers who didn't think a higher-end, 9.7-inch model was the perfect fit -- the same strategy it employed to win over a mass market audience for its iPod digital media player and is now doing with the iPhone. For the iPad, the expansion of the product line meant not just a smaller tablet -- the 7.9-inch iPad Mini, which debuted in October 2012 -- but a reinvention of the 9.7-inch model with last year's pencil-thin iPad Air. Almost every time a new model was announced, Apple discontinued an older product to streamline consumer choice. The iPad 2 replaced the first generation model, the iPad 3 was quickly replaced by the fourth iteration, and the iPad 4 was replaced by the iPad Air. Yet now, Apple is keeping both the first- and second-generation iPad Mini available alongside the first iPad Air. The iPad Mini 3, which got only only 40 seconds of stage time from Apple marketing VP Phil Schiller atThursday's product launch, is only slightly different from its older sibling: it adds more storage and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the home key. That Apple kept the iPad Mini 2 on board at a reduced price of $299 already has reviewers advising consumers to steer clear of the Mini 3 and opt for the cheaper Mini 2, a rarity for a company known for driving consumers upward and commanding premium prices for the best hardware. So what's the deal? Analysts say it may be a sign that Samsung, Apple's chief rival in the market for tablets and smartphones, is winning away more customers with the many models it sells across numerous product lines at different prices."Tim Cook is trying to compete with Samsung," Enderle said. "The customer instead of having a clear choice has a hard choice."That choice manifests itself in consumer doubt around how to avoid making a buying mistake like buying the 16GB iPad Mini 3 when you actually wanted the 64GB iPad Mini 2. "They have so many obsolete products in the market right now that it's pretty damn hard for the consumer," Enderle said. "Therein lies the difficulty for Apple longterm."Apple did not respond to a request comment.The role of cheaper iPadsThere are other factors at play, too. Tablets aren't sold at a reduced or subsidized price by wireless carriers. That's driven consumers to hold on to them longer because there aren't cellular carrier subsidies driving you to upgrade every two years (or less). Apple has built its smartphone business by urging consumers to get the best and latest iPhone. But it can't mirror that strategy easily with the iPad. Much of that has to do with the maturing of the tablet market. Though Apple has sold 225 million iPads since the device's introduction in 2010 and has more than 675,000 dedicated apps for the gadget, the company's tablet share has dropped from 33 percent to 27 percent in the second quarter of 2014, according to market researcher IDC. The iPad is still Apple's second-best selling product line behind the iPhone at about 15 percent to 20 percent of revenue (the iPhone accounts for more than half of revenue). Yet while the tablet market is expected to continue growing, with consumers expected to buy as many as 229 million units this year, its growth is estimated to have slowed from a substantial 55 percent increase last year to as little as 11 percent in 2014, according to a forecast in a report from research firm Gartner this month.Given that competing devices from companies including Samsung, Google and Amazon sell at prices below the iPad, Apple is wading into tricky waters. Google's newest tablet, the Nexus 9, is a quality device that stacks up well against the iPad Air 2, but is priced like an iPad Air at $399.Hands-on with the new Apple iPad Air 2 and...See full gallery1 - 4 / 19NextPrevThere's also the effect it may have on the brand. "I think it's a bad ideas to sell old products as current. It degrades the brand," Enderle said. But that may be where having a wide array of choices comes in strategically, says Rhoda Alexander, director of tablet and monitor research at IHS Technology. "What happens is that Apple starts the customer out on a choice selection of the product that's affordable," she said. That range is now as low as $249 for a 16 GB first-generation iPad Mini, a 2-year-old device that lacks the frills of its newer siblings. "It's all carefully calibrated to move the customer up the decision tree."Rhoda Alexander, IHS TechnologyIn other words, Apple's strategy may be to get consumers into stores with lower-priced models -- and rethinking how much money they're willing to spend when they see what a little more cash can buy them in terms of features. "When you want to move up...to the 64 GB model or to have the gold casing, you think, 'Now that I'm here, do I want this product or the 9.7-inch Air?' Because they're the same price," Alexander said.In that sense, Alexander says, "it's all carefully calibrated to move the customer up the decision tree." So even though a tablet may be something you shop for only once every few years, getting more consumers to want that tablet in the first place -- using the $249 iPad Mini for instance -- gets them thinking about how much bang for their buck they can get once they begin considering, say, the iPad Air 2 for only $500.Are five iPads too much?There is still the possibility that consumers may look at Apple's charts and come away scratching their heads. "There's the risk of that, particularly for someone who is just coming into the product line," Alexander said. However, Apple has played this game before with the iPod. The original iPod, with 5GB of storage, was the one and only device in 2001. By 2009, Apple had moved through multiple iterations of every iPod model it unveiled -- delivering the Shuffle, Mini, Classic and Touch -- changing up the designs and adding colors. The experimentation paid off and the iPod became the dominant digital media player in the world.With the iPod, each model played a unique role that consumers could identify -- the iPod Shuffle for exercising, the Touch for game players who don't listen to a lot of music, the Classic for iTunes junkies. With the iPhone now too, consumers are given an obvious choice between big and bigger screen sizes.The differentiation for iPads isn't quite as obvious -- the smaller iPad Mini can be held more easily in one hand and can fit more comfortably in a purse or backpack. But consumers will still be using them in very much the same way, with the same apps in the same tablet environment that tends to be when we're at home connected to Wi-Fi. That poses a problem when you cannot easily pinpoint which tasks the Mini or the Air are better for. Alexander says that Apple will have to offer clarity there, but that its in-person stores are designed to tackle those kinds of consumer questions."You're looking at a system in a mature market that has a lot of retail stores that help walk people through the decision process," she said.Having 56 iPad configurations isn't as messy as it sounds when you consider the things consumers most care about -- color, storage amount, and display -- are easily communicated."The product line is maturing. There's more to offer," Alexander added. "There's not necessarily a reason to discontinue old products."
How Steve Jobs, Fox studio chief became friends
How Steve Jobs, Fox studio chief became friends
Steve Jobs undoubtedly made a strong impression in the tech and entertainment worlds, including on a Fox executive who started out as a potential business partner and eventually became a friend.Writing about his personal history with Jobs in a recent article for The Hollywood Reporter, Fox Filmed Entertainment CEO Jim Gianopulos recounted both the difficulties and the pleasures of working with the icon.Though Gianopulos had already known Jobs for several years, the two were put in the position of negotiating with each other in the spring and summer of 2006 when Apple was trying to expand iTunes to sell feature films in addition to music and TV shows. The two chatted both in person and by phone trying to iron out an agreement, which apparently was high on Jobs' agenda as he was hoping to announce the deal that fall."We were very eager to make it work--but nowhere near as eager as Steve, who wanted to corral all the studios and make one of his bold and exciting announcements, which he'd scheduled for September," Gianopulos wrote. "We wanted to change things; he wanted to change them now."But by August, the two men still remained far apart, according to Gianopulos. To grab some R&R, the Fox exec snuck off to his retreat on an island near Greece. But a determined Jobs tracked him down by e-mail with an offer to meet. Though Jobs didn't make it to the island retreat, Gianopulos said the two eventually managed to hash out a deal, which "evolved into a great friendship."Related stories:• The death of Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 (roundup)• Steve Jobs, the consummate challenger• What I learned from Steve Jobs• Apple prepping cloud-based movie streaming, report saysA later event at MacWorld in which the two men were slated to appear before a large audience found Gianopulos nervous with stage fright. Offering some advice, Jobs told him, "It's easy, you just imagine you have a few friends sitting around your living room and you're telling them what's new."Gianopulos said he's used that advice in every speech since but noted that "no one did it like Steve, because he knew what those 6,000 people and millions more wanted, even before they did."Jobs also loved and knew music, Gianopulos said, recounting that the first place his friend visited after receiving a liver transplant in Memphis in 2009 was Sun Records, which the Apple chief considered the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. For Jobs' next birthday, Gianopulos gave him a 45 record of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," autographed by Lewis himself."That really captured the Steve Jobs I knew: The guy who revolutionized the way we enjoy music in the 21st century thought having a vintage 45 from the mid-'50s was the coolest thing ever," Gianopulos remembered.The last conversation between the two took place a few weeks following Jobs' announcement that he was resigning as Apple CEO. Though Jobs sounded frail, he was still bursting with new ideas and told Gianopulos not to let what happened to the music business happen to the film business and to keep coming up with better ways to offer people content."We all owe it to Steve to do that," Gianopulos said. "We'll just miss him telling us how."Jobs' advice to Gianopulos may still play out as he envisioned. Apple has reportedly been talking with Hollywood studios about offering customers a way to stream movies. If studios sign on the dotted line, such a deal would let Apple users buy films via iTunes and then stream them to their iOS devices, PCs, and Apple TVs. Potentially using iCloud on the back end, Apple is hoping to kick off the new service by the end of this year or early 2012.
Steve Jobs undoubtedly made a strong impression in the tech and entertainment worlds, including on a Fox executive who started out as a potential business partner and eventually became a friend.Writing about his personal history with Jobs in a recent article for The Hollywood Reporter, Fox Filmed Entertainment CEO Jim Gianopulos recounted both the difficulties and the pleasures of working with the icon.Though Gianopulos had already known Jobs for several years, the two were put in the position of negotiating with each other in the spring and summer of 2006 when Apple was trying to expand iTunes to sell feature films in addition to music and TV shows. The two chatted both in person and by phone trying to iron out an agreement, which apparently was high on Jobs' agenda as he was hoping to announce the deal that fall."We were very eager to make it work--but nowhere near as eager as Steve, who wanted to corral all the studios and make one of his bold and exciting announcements, which he'd scheduled for September," Gianopulos wrote. "We wanted to change things; he wanted to change them now."But by August, the two men still remained far apart, according to Gianopulos. To grab some R&R, the Fox exec snuck off to his retreat on an island near Greece. But a determined Jobs tracked him down by e-mail with an offer to meet. Though Jobs didn't make it to the island retreat, Gianopulos said the two eventually managed to hash out a deal, which "evolved into a great friendship."Related stories:• The death of Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 (roundup)• Steve Jobs, the consummate challenger• What I learned from Steve Jobs• Apple prepping cloud-based movie streaming, report saysA later event at MacWorld in which the two men were slated to appear before a large audience found Gianopulos nervous with stage fright. Offering some advice, Jobs told him, "It's easy, you just imagine you have a few friends sitting around your living room and you're telling them what's new."Gianopulos said he's used that advice in every speech since but noted that "no one did it like Steve, because he knew what those 6,000 people and millions more wanted, even before they did."Jobs also loved and knew music, Gianopulos said, recounting that the first place his friend visited after receiving a liver transplant in Memphis in 2009 was Sun Records, which the Apple chief considered the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. For Jobs' next birthday, Gianopulos gave him a 45 record of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," autographed by Lewis himself."That really captured the Steve Jobs I knew: The guy who revolutionized the way we enjoy music in the 21st century thought having a vintage 45 from the mid-'50s was the coolest thing ever," Gianopulos remembered.The last conversation between the two took place a few weeks following Jobs' announcement that he was resigning as Apple CEO. Though Jobs sounded frail, he was still bursting with new ideas and told Gianopulos not to let what happened to the music business happen to the film business and to keep coming up with better ways to offer people content."We all owe it to Steve to do that," Gianopulos said. "We'll just miss him telling us how."Jobs' advice to Gianopulos may still play out as he envisioned. Apple has reportedly been talking with Hollywood studios about offering customers a way to stream movies. If studios sign on the dotted line, such a deal would let Apple users buy films via iTunes and then stream them to their iOS devices, PCs, and Apple TVs. Potentially using iCloud on the back end, Apple is hoping to kick off the new service by the end of this year or early 2012.
$99 Pop Video accessory turns iPhone into pico projector
$99 Pop Video accessory turns iPhone into pico projector
Looking into the future, concept artists often equip their dream iPhones with built-in pico projectors. That feature probably isn't coming to an iPhone anytime soon, but Micron Technology's upcoming $99 Pop Video pico projector accessory may be the next best thing. The key feature here is the 30-pin connector that allows you to dock your iPhone or iPod, forming one compact unit. While some of the larger pico projectors like the BenQ Joybee GP2 have an integrated dock, the Pop Video is designed to be much more portable, fitting into a pocket when not in use.Brookstone's competing Pocket Projector for iPhone 4 costs $229 (click to enlarge).BrookstoneBrookstone is offering up a similarly styled pico projector that's simply called the Pocket Projector for iPhone 4, but its native resolution is lower (640 x 360 pixels) than the Pop Video's (960 x 540 pixels) and the Brookstone accessory costs $229. I've listed the Pop Video's main specs below, but some specs are missing and questions remain. For instance, I didn't see a listing for brightness -- the Brookstone unit is a 15 lumens projector, which just isn't all that bright.I presume the Pop Video is somewhere in that range but no number is given (I'll add it to the post when I get it). The Micron projector also doesn't appear to have a built-in speaker like the Brookstone unit does but I haven't been able to verify that. I doubt Brookstone's integrated speaker is much better than the iPhone's internal speaker, but it's worth talking about sound with these tiny projectors because it's more important than you think. Putting up a big image on the wall with tiny sound just doesn't cut it.Dimensions: 4.4 inches x 1.8 inches x .6 inch (HWD)Weight: 3.5 ounces (97g)Input: 30-pin dock connectorVideo Output: qHD (960 x 540 pixel resolution)Battery: Built-in Lithium-ion rechargeable batteryPlaytime: Up to two hours with full battery chargeCharging: Micro-USB charging (1.2 compliant)Charge time: About 4 hoursiOS version: 5.0 and greaterCompatible with iPhone 4/4S and gen-3 and 4 iPod TouchPrice: $99 (available for preorder now)As for the light engine inside the Pop Video, Micron apparently uses something called FLCOS microdisplay technology, which is cheaper to produce and allegedly more energy efficient. Chances are the Pop Video can project a passable image at fairly large sizes, but you'll need to project in a dark room for best results (as the manual states) and I don't expect to be wowed.All that said, this is definitely a big step in the right direction for the pico projector market -- both in terms of price point and form factor. The killer app for these types of projectors has always been tighter integration with the iPhone (and other smartphones eventually) that makes it much easier to project without attaching any kluge cables. To that end, the projector is designed to be used with a free app that allows you to tweak the projector settings and more importantly, projector more content directly from your iPhone, including Web pages, Facebook, and videos downloaded from iTunes or iTunes U that are not MPEG 3 protected. At least that's what the description for the app claims.When I get my hands on a unit I'll let you know just how good the image is. As I said, it's unclear when the Pop Video will ship, but hopefully it will be within the next few months, if not sooner.
Looking into the future, concept artists often equip their dream iPhones with built-in pico projectors. That feature probably isn't coming to an iPhone anytime soon, but Micron Technology's upcoming $99 Pop Video pico projector accessory may be the next best thing. The key feature here is the 30-pin connector that allows you to dock your iPhone or iPod, forming one compact unit. While some of the larger pico projectors like the BenQ Joybee GP2 have an integrated dock, the Pop Video is designed to be much more portable, fitting into a pocket when not in use.Brookstone's competing Pocket Projector for iPhone 4 costs $229 (click to enlarge).BrookstoneBrookstone is offering up a similarly styled pico projector that's simply called the Pocket Projector for iPhone 4, but its native resolution is lower (640 x 360 pixels) than the Pop Video's (960 x 540 pixels) and the Brookstone accessory costs $229. I've listed the Pop Video's main specs below, but some specs are missing and questions remain. For instance, I didn't see a listing for brightness -- the Brookstone unit is a 15 lumens projector, which just isn't all that bright.I presume the Pop Video is somewhere in that range but no number is given (I'll add it to the post when I get it). The Micron projector also doesn't appear to have a built-in speaker like the Brookstone unit does but I haven't been able to verify that. I doubt Brookstone's integrated speaker is much better than the iPhone's internal speaker, but it's worth talking about sound with these tiny projectors because it's more important than you think. Putting up a big image on the wall with tiny sound just doesn't cut it.Dimensions: 4.4 inches x 1.8 inches x .6 inch (HWD)Weight: 3.5 ounces (97g)Input: 30-pin dock connectorVideo Output: qHD (960 x 540 pixel resolution)Battery: Built-in Lithium-ion rechargeable batteryPlaytime: Up to two hours with full battery chargeCharging: Micro-USB charging (1.2 compliant)Charge time: About 4 hoursiOS version: 5.0 and greaterCompatible with iPhone 4/4S and gen-3 and 4 iPod TouchPrice: $99 (available for preorder now)As for the light engine inside the Pop Video, Micron apparently uses something called FLCOS microdisplay technology, which is cheaper to produce and allegedly more energy efficient. Chances are the Pop Video can project a passable image at fairly large sizes, but you'll need to project in a dark room for best results (as the manual states) and I don't expect to be wowed.All that said, this is definitely a big step in the right direction for the pico projector market -- both in terms of price point and form factor. The killer app for these types of projectors has always been tighter integration with the iPhone (and other smartphones eventually) that makes it much easier to project without attaching any kluge cables. To that end, the projector is designed to be used with a free app that allows you to tweak the projector settings and more importantly, projector more content directly from your iPhone, including Web pages, Facebook, and videos downloaded from iTunes or iTunes U that are not MPEG 3 protected. At least that's what the description for the app claims.When I get my hands on a unit I'll let you know just how good the image is. As I said, it's unclear when the Pop Video will ship, but hopefully it will be within the next few months, if not sooner.
Quincy Jones doing video podcasts
Quincy Jones doing video podcasts
Quincy Jones has launched a series of video podcasts with behind-the-scenes looks at some of his projects with famous artists.As part of the new series, the music, film, theater and television-producing legendhas relaunched his MySpace page to include streams of the videos, as well as a list of his achievements and music selections to listen to while you visit.Jones has technically been a member of MySpace since October 18,2006, according to his profile. The video series can also be subscribed to via the podcast section of Apple's iTunes store. But can the icon make a connection with a crowd more familiar with the people Jones made famous, than the man himself?The first two videos in the series feature Celine Dion singing a song called "I Knew I Loved You." It's an odd choice that hardly seems like it will play with the MySpace community, which includes among its top artists 50 Cent, Avril Lavigne, Kanye West and Linkin Park. The song's music comes from a score written by the composer Ennio Morricone for Once Upon a Time in America, a movie starring Robert DeNiro that came out before many of today's heavy MySpace users were even born.When asked about the distinction, Jones' people say that the famed producer is simply going to go with what he is most passionate about."The Quincy Jones Show" plans to "take viewers on the road with Quincy as he travels the world, appears at special events and meets with celebrities and dignitaries of different cultures...Episodes will feature one or more artists or other influential persons or major topics of great interest to Quincy," Robert Thorne, CEO of the company partnering with Jones on the project, said in an e-mailed statement.
Quincy Jones has launched a series of video podcasts with behind-the-scenes looks at some of his projects with famous artists.As part of the new series, the music, film, theater and television-producing legendhas relaunched his MySpace page to include streams of the videos, as well as a list of his achievements and music selections to listen to while you visit.Jones has technically been a member of MySpace since October 18,2006, according to his profile. The video series can also be subscribed to via the podcast section of Apple's iTunes store. But can the icon make a connection with a crowd more familiar with the people Jones made famous, than the man himself?The first two videos in the series feature Celine Dion singing a song called "I Knew I Loved You." It's an odd choice that hardly seems like it will play with the MySpace community, which includes among its top artists 50 Cent, Avril Lavigne, Kanye West and Linkin Park. The song's music comes from a score written by the composer Ennio Morricone for Once Upon a Time in America, a movie starring Robert DeNiro that came out before many of today's heavy MySpace users were even born.When asked about the distinction, Jones' people say that the famed producer is simply going to go with what he is most passionate about."The Quincy Jones Show" plans to "take viewers on the road with Quincy as he travels the world, appears at special events and meets with celebrities and dignitaries of different cultures...Episodes will feature one or more artists or other influential persons or major topics of great interest to Quincy," Robert Thorne, CEO of the company partnering with Jones on the project, said in an e-mailed statement.
Google Maps already No. 1 among free iPhone apps
Google Maps already No. 1 among free iPhone apps
Google Maps didn't take long to capture the top spot among free iPhone apps.Driving back into iTunes earlier today, the app had already reached first place after the first several hours. It's also garnered close to 8,000 reviews at this point, almost all of them earning five stars.Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNETThe new app offers all of the features that made it an iOS standard in the past but with a cleaner look and feel.You can search for your destination by typing or speaking it. The app handles specific addresses as well as the names of businesses and landmarks. You can also tell the app whether you're driving, walking, or taking mass transit. In return, Google Maps provides you with spoken turn-by-turn directions. You can quickly switch your view from traffic to public transit to satellite. In Street View mode, you can swipe your way around 360-degree panoramas of different locations.There's no iPad-optimized version just yet, just the one version for all iOS devices. Otherwise, the app marks a smooth return for Google to the iOS world.Google Maps was kicked out of the App Store after iOS 6 debuted in September. Apple replaced it with its own Maps app as the default navigation program for iOS.But Apple Maps proved to be a wrong turn for the company following complaints of missing locations, faulty images, bad directions, and a host of other glitches.Apple was forced to fess up to its Maps mess, even going so far as to recommend that users turn to other Maps apps as alternatives. Scott Forstall, Apple's iOS software chief, was reportedly fired over the Maps fiasco after refusing to sign a letter apologizing for the flaws in the app.Two views via Google Maps.GoogleRelated story: Getting to know Google Maps on iOSThis content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Google Maps didn't take long to capture the top spot among free iPhone apps.Driving back into iTunes earlier today, the app had already reached first place after the first several hours. It's also garnered close to 8,000 reviews at this point, almost all of them earning five stars.Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNETThe new app offers all of the features that made it an iOS standard in the past but with a cleaner look and feel.You can search for your destination by typing or speaking it. The app handles specific addresses as well as the names of businesses and landmarks. You can also tell the app whether you're driving, walking, or taking mass transit. In return, Google Maps provides you with spoken turn-by-turn directions. You can quickly switch your view from traffic to public transit to satellite. In Street View mode, you can swipe your way around 360-degree panoramas of different locations.There's no iPad-optimized version just yet, just the one version for all iOS devices. Otherwise, the app marks a smooth return for Google to the iOS world.Google Maps was kicked out of the App Store after iOS 6 debuted in September. Apple replaced it with its own Maps app as the default navigation program for iOS.But Apple Maps proved to be a wrong turn for the company following complaints of missing locations, faulty images, bad directions, and a host of other glitches.Apple was forced to fess up to its Maps mess, even going so far as to recommend that users turn to other Maps apps as alternatives. Scott Forstall, Apple's iOS software chief, was reportedly fired over the Maps fiasco after refusing to sign a letter apologizing for the flaws in the app.Two views via Google Maps.GoogleRelated story: Getting to know Google Maps on iOSThis content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
RadioShack slashes prices on Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 and 4S
RadioShack slashes prices on Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 and 4S
With Samsung's Galaxy S4 unveiled last week and rumors of an iPhone 5S on the way, RadioShack is letting loose some of its inventory at a discounted price.The consumer electronics store is offering deals on the Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 5, and iPhone 4S to Sprint customers starting today. A RadioShack spokesperson told CNET that this sale will last between now and April 4.Of the three devices, the best deal seems to be for the Galaxy S3. With a new two-year contract, customers can save $150 on the device. Typically the mobile phone costs $199.99 at RadioShack, but the company is now offering it for $49.99 with a new Sprint account. For the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S, customers can save $50 on the smartphones with a new Sprint plan. The promotion is in-store only, so customers can't score the lower price by ordering online. For those people looking to save even more money, they can use RadioShack's "Trade & Save" program, which lets people trade in their old devices for cash toward their new purchase.While RadioShack is one of the first stores to start giving discounts on these top-of-the-line devices, it's likely other retailers will start offering deals on these smartphones in the near future too.
With Samsung's Galaxy S4 unveiled last week and rumors of an iPhone 5S on the way, RadioShack is letting loose some of its inventory at a discounted price.The consumer electronics store is offering deals on the Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 5, and iPhone 4S to Sprint customers starting today. A RadioShack spokesperson told CNET that this sale will last between now and April 4.Of the three devices, the best deal seems to be for the Galaxy S3. With a new two-year contract, customers can save $150 on the device. Typically the mobile phone costs $199.99 at RadioShack, but the company is now offering it for $49.99 with a new Sprint account. For the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S, customers can save $50 on the smartphones with a new Sprint plan. The promotion is in-store only, so customers can't score the lower price by ordering online. For those people looking to save even more money, they can use RadioShack's "Trade & Save" program, which lets people trade in their old devices for cash toward their new purchase.While RadioShack is one of the first stores to start giving discounts on these top-of-the-line devices, it's likely other retailers will start offering deals on these smartphones in the near future too.
Quick, painless way to buy an iPhone 5- Don't plan
Quick, painless way to buy an iPhone 5: Don't plan
Here's the easy way to buy an iPhone: Don't have a plan. I didn't intend to get an iPhone today. But a phone call to a friend -- who I knew was at a local shopping center near a Verizon store -- changed my mind.The upshot: a short line out front. "Wait, this is the first day of iPhone 5 sales and this is Los Angeles. And you're telling me there isn't a long line?" -- was, more or less, what I said. By the time I got there the line was down to five or six people (just after 11:00).After 15 minutes I was in the store and they had what I wanted (see photo above). It seemed too easy.Earlier in the morning, I had confirmed with a rep at the Apple Store in Century City (near Hollywood) that there was a long line (he said it was at least a two-hour wait). So, I can conclude a couple of things.One, Apple pushed out plenty of inventory to low-profile outlets, like my local Verizon store.Two, high-profile Apple Stores -- like the one in Century City -- are the last place you want to go.I'm already planning not to plan when the iPhone 6 arrives.
Here's the easy way to buy an iPhone: Don't have a plan. I didn't intend to get an iPhone today. But a phone call to a friend -- who I knew was at a local shopping center near a Verizon store -- changed my mind.The upshot: a short line out front. "Wait, this is the first day of iPhone 5 sales and this is Los Angeles. And you're telling me there isn't a long line?" -- was, more or less, what I said. By the time I got there the line was down to five or six people (just after 11:00).After 15 minutes I was in the store and they had what I wanted (see photo above). It seemed too easy.Earlier in the morning, I had confirmed with a rep at the Apple Store in Century City (near Hollywood) that there was a long line (he said it was at least a two-hour wait). So, I can conclude a couple of things.One, Apple pushed out plenty of inventory to low-profile outlets, like my local Verizon store.Two, high-profile Apple Stores -- like the one in Century City -- are the last place you want to go.I'm already planning not to plan when the iPhone 6 arrives.
12mail- Short video messaging arrives on iPhone
12mail: Short video messaging arrives on iPhone
12seconds.tv, a micro video messaging service dubbed by some as "Twitter for video," is bringing the same short format to private video messaging in its second iPhone app, 12mail.The basic gist of the app, released this week, is that you can record a video, up to 12 seconds, and send it off to one of your friends.Your friend then gets a push notification and can watch it.Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of the video recording part of this app, you have to have an iPhone 3GS.Those with the 3G or original iPhone can take a photo and record 12 seconds of audio as an alternative.The app does not require a 12seconds account, but rather allows you to link with Twitter or Facebook.It then pulls down your contacts from either service and you can video message to your heart's content.12mail is a great concept as a private video messaging app, but it seems to have missed the mark when it came to Facebook Connect implementation.When you send a video message to one of your Twitter contacts, it shows up as a direct message on Twitter and as a private message in the iPhone app.In contrast, when you message a Facebook contact, it posts it in public on that person's Facebook Wall and shows up in the iPhone app.The result of sending a video message in these two scenarios is very different.It would serve 12mail well to alert a user on Facebook by sending an Inbox message.In its current state, the Facebook integration just doesn't work as you would expect it to.Despite some of these functionality issues (which can be worked out), I really like the idea of private video messaging or "video voicemail."It has a lot of great potential uses and opens up a whole new way of communicating.You can download the app from the iTunes App Store here.12mail's push notification.Screenshot by Harrison Hoffman/CNET12mail's Facebook friend list.Screenshot by Harrison Hoffman/CNET
12seconds.tv, a micro video messaging service dubbed by some as "Twitter for video," is bringing the same short format to private video messaging in its second iPhone app, 12mail.The basic gist of the app, released this week, is that you can record a video, up to 12 seconds, and send it off to one of your friends.Your friend then gets a push notification and can watch it.Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of the video recording part of this app, you have to have an iPhone 3GS.Those with the 3G or original iPhone can take a photo and record 12 seconds of audio as an alternative.The app does not require a 12seconds account, but rather allows you to link with Twitter or Facebook.It then pulls down your contacts from either service and you can video message to your heart's content.12mail is a great concept as a private video messaging app, but it seems to have missed the mark when it came to Facebook Connect implementation.When you send a video message to one of your Twitter contacts, it shows up as a direct message on Twitter and as a private message in the iPhone app.In contrast, when you message a Facebook contact, it posts it in public on that person's Facebook Wall and shows up in the iPhone app.The result of sending a video message in these two scenarios is very different.It would serve 12mail well to alert a user on Facebook by sending an Inbox message.In its current state, the Facebook integration just doesn't work as you would expect it to.Despite some of these functionality issues (which can be worked out), I really like the idea of private video messaging or "video voicemail."It has a lot of great potential uses and opens up a whole new way of communicating.You can download the app from the iTunes App Store here.12mail's push notification.Screenshot by Harrison Hoffman/CNET12mail's Facebook friend list.Screenshot by Harrison Hoffman/CNET
5 hidden, awesome Lion features
5 hidden, awesome Lion features
1. Spotlight is sexier. If a search box could be attractive, Spotlight would be it. You can now drag and drop directly from search results to another program (like Mail) or another place on your desktop. Previews are new, too--just search for a doc and hover over a result to get an image preview. And finally, you can search the Web within Spotlight and launch a Google search result in your default browser. Tip: Hit CMD-SPACE to quickly launch Spotlight.2. More Photo Booth fun. Lion gives you nine new Photobooth effects including Space Alien, Blockhead, Dizzy (blue birds fly above your head!), and my favorite: Lovestruck (pink hearts float above your head). Hit the arrows in the upper-right corner and enjoy these silly, new effects in Photobooth's beautiful full-screen mode.3. Files and folders are smarter. You'll immediately notice that the Finder is much more organized and intuitive. There's a new All My Files view, which (obviously) displays all your files organized by type in a pretty interface. Apple also added a smarter search box, and the ability to swipe though files in the icon view. Folders are more intelligent, too. When you try to combine two folders with the same name, Lion will ask you if you want to merge them. Also new is a feature that lets you create a new folder from a selection of files. 4. Your screensaver is a jukebox. When your iTunes' library artwork is your screensaver, clicking on any album will immediately launch its music. Go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > and set is as "iTunes Artwork." Hit "Test," click on any album cover, and jam out with this awesome feature.5. Add a login message. What happens if you lose your laptop? With Lion, you can add a message to the login screen, so make it useful by adding some personal information (like your phone number or e-mail address). Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Check "Show a message when the screen is locked" and add your info in the box below.5 hidden, awesome Lion features (photos)See full gallery1 - 4 / 5NextPrevView a list of all 250 new features in Lion here, and let us know if you find any other awesome features we missed.
1. Spotlight is sexier. If a search box could be attractive, Spotlight would be it. You can now drag and drop directly from search results to another program (like Mail) or another place on your desktop. Previews are new, too--just search for a doc and hover over a result to get an image preview. And finally, you can search the Web within Spotlight and launch a Google search result in your default browser. Tip: Hit CMD-SPACE to quickly launch Spotlight.2. More Photo Booth fun. Lion gives you nine new Photobooth effects including Space Alien, Blockhead, Dizzy (blue birds fly above your head!), and my favorite: Lovestruck (pink hearts float above your head). Hit the arrows in the upper-right corner and enjoy these silly, new effects in Photobooth's beautiful full-screen mode.3. Files and folders are smarter. You'll immediately notice that the Finder is much more organized and intuitive. There's a new All My Files view, which (obviously) displays all your files organized by type in a pretty interface. Apple also added a smarter search box, and the ability to swipe though files in the icon view. Folders are more intelligent, too. When you try to combine two folders with the same name, Lion will ask you if you want to merge them. Also new is a feature that lets you create a new folder from a selection of files. 4. Your screensaver is a jukebox. When your iTunes' library artwork is your screensaver, clicking on any album will immediately launch its music. Go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > and set is as "iTunes Artwork." Hit "Test," click on any album cover, and jam out with this awesome feature.5. Add a login message. What happens if you lose your laptop? With Lion, you can add a message to the login screen, so make it useful by adding some personal information (like your phone number or e-mail address). Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Check "Show a message when the screen is locked" and add your info in the box below.5 hidden, awesome Lion features (photos)See full gallery1 - 4 / 5NextPrevView a list of all 250 new features in Lion here, and let us know if you find any other awesome features we missed.
A last echo of iPhone 'antennagate' -- $15 checks
A last echo of iPhone 'antennagate' -- $15 checks
The clamor that surrounded Apple's iPhone "antennagate" episode has long since subsided, but there's now a faint echo to be heard.Some iPhone owners in the last day or so have received a $15 check that was the result of Apple's February 2012 settlement of a class action lawsuit over problems with the iPhone 4 antenna, according to reports at 9to5Mac and the TUAW blog.When the iPhone 4 debuted in June 2010, an uproar quickly ensued from a very vocal array of users who complained of dropped calls and poor reception, and who put the blame on Apple's hardware design. Apple strenuously defended the performance of the iPhone 4. At a July 2010 press conference, CEO Steve Jobs said that sometimes saggy signal strength was simply a matter of "life in the smartphone world" and that "every phone has weak spots." But Apple also said at the time that disgruntled iPhone 4 buyers could return the device within 30 days for a full refund, or those holding onto the phone could get free cases to help keep their grip from interfering with the signal.But that wasn't enough to fend off the lawsuits -- 18 of which were consolidated into one class action suit focused on the claim that Apple was "misrepresenting and concealing material information in the marketing, advertising, sale, and servicing of its iPhone 4 -- particularly as it relates to the quality of the mobile phone antenna and reception and related software." It was the settlement of that consolidated class action lawsuit that led to the issuance of the $15 checks. (Alternatively, affected iPhone 4 customers had the option to choose a bumper for their phones.) Ira Rothken, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said that the class comprises 25 million members.According to the official settlement Web site, iPhone4settlement.com, iPhone 4 owners had to file their claim for the cash by the end of August 2012. Recipients of the check apparently have until July 16 of this year to cash it.(Via 9to5Mac)
The clamor that surrounded Apple's iPhone "antennagate" episode has long since subsided, but there's now a faint echo to be heard.Some iPhone owners in the last day or so have received a $15 check that was the result of Apple's February 2012 settlement of a class action lawsuit over problems with the iPhone 4 antenna, according to reports at 9to5Mac and the TUAW blog.When the iPhone 4 debuted in June 2010, an uproar quickly ensued from a very vocal array of users who complained of dropped calls and poor reception, and who put the blame on Apple's hardware design. Apple strenuously defended the performance of the iPhone 4. At a July 2010 press conference, CEO Steve Jobs said that sometimes saggy signal strength was simply a matter of "life in the smartphone world" and that "every phone has weak spots." But Apple also said at the time that disgruntled iPhone 4 buyers could return the device within 30 days for a full refund, or those holding onto the phone could get free cases to help keep their grip from interfering with the signal.But that wasn't enough to fend off the lawsuits -- 18 of which were consolidated into one class action suit focused on the claim that Apple was "misrepresenting and concealing material information in the marketing, advertising, sale, and servicing of its iPhone 4 -- particularly as it relates to the quality of the mobile phone antenna and reception and related software." It was the settlement of that consolidated class action lawsuit that led to the issuance of the $15 checks. (Alternatively, affected iPhone 4 customers had the option to choose a bumper for their phones.) Ira Rothken, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said that the class comprises 25 million members.According to the official settlement Web site, iPhone4settlement.com, iPhone 4 owners had to file their claim for the cash by the end of August 2012. Recipients of the check apparently have until July 16 of this year to cash it.(Via 9to5Mac)
A display that resizes as your face moves- Apple zooms in
A display that resizes as your face moves? Apple zooms in
Your iPhone or iPad may one day be able to resize its display based on the distance from your face.Filed today with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a new Apple patent application dubbed "Scaling of Visual Content Based Upon User Proximity," details a method by which the display automatically scales as your face moves toward or away from the device.The content on the display would initially size itself based on how near or far your face is. Moving your face (or the device) would then trigger the display to resize itself accordingly based on a different scaling factor.Related storiesApple patent could transform headphones into loudspeakersApple wins patent on illumination across devicesApple patent application involves theft-alarm for phonesApple granted 29 patents, including for first iPad designThe technology would offer two ways of scaling the display.In comfort mode, the display would scale smaller as your face got closer to the device and grow larger as you moved away. For example, the closer you are to the device, the smaller the font size and graphics become. Moving further away then increases the font size and the size of the graphics.In zoom mode, the display would grow larger as your face got closer to the device, giving you the impression of zooming in on the text or graphics. This mode could play a role in graphics editing in which you'd move your face closer to the device to enlarge the individual pixels of the graphic to more easily see and edit them.If all works as outlined, the technology could replace a gesture such as "pinch and zoom," in which you have to manually manipulate the screen to zoom in or out."Often, during the course of using a computing device, especially one that is portable, such as a smartphone or a tablet, a user may position the display of the computing device at different distances from the user's face at different times," the patent noted. "If the user moves the display to different distances many times, the user may need to manually readjust the scale of the visual content many times. This can become inconvenient and tedious."(Via AppleInsider)
Your iPhone or iPad may one day be able to resize its display based on the distance from your face.Filed today with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a new Apple patent application dubbed "Scaling of Visual Content Based Upon User Proximity," details a method by which the display automatically scales as your face moves toward or away from the device.The content on the display would initially size itself based on how near or far your face is. Moving your face (or the device) would then trigger the display to resize itself accordingly based on a different scaling factor.Related storiesApple patent could transform headphones into loudspeakersApple wins patent on illumination across devicesApple patent application involves theft-alarm for phonesApple granted 29 patents, including for first iPad designThe technology would offer two ways of scaling the display.In comfort mode, the display would scale smaller as your face got closer to the device and grow larger as you moved away. For example, the closer you are to the device, the smaller the font size and graphics become. Moving further away then increases the font size and the size of the graphics.In zoom mode, the display would grow larger as your face got closer to the device, giving you the impression of zooming in on the text or graphics. This mode could play a role in graphics editing in which you'd move your face closer to the device to enlarge the individual pixels of the graphic to more easily see and edit them.If all works as outlined, the technology could replace a gesture such as "pinch and zoom," in which you have to manually manipulate the screen to zoom in or out."Often, during the course of using a computing device, especially one that is portable, such as a smartphone or a tablet, a user may position the display of the computing device at different distances from the user's face at different times," the patent noted. "If the user moves the display to different distances many times, the user may need to manually readjust the scale of the visual content many times. This can become inconvenient and tedious."(Via AppleInsider)
A ban on iPads in China- Not a chance, Beijing says
A ban on iPads in China? Not a chance, Beijing says
China's customs authorities were recently asked to make a choice between Apple and one of their own country's companies. They chose Apple.In an interview posted today by Reuters, Proview Technology, which is suing Apple over its use of the iPad name, said that it was told by Chinese customs that the popularity of devices like the iPhone and iPad is enough for the country to likely keep them on store shelves, regardless of what Proview wants."The customs have told us that it will be difficult to implement a ban because many Chinese consumers love Apple products," Proview chief executive Yang Long-san told Reuters. "The sheer size of the market is very big. We have applied to some local customs for the ban and they'll report to the headquarters in Beijing."The trouble between the firms started in 2010 after Apple unveiled the iPad. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company sued Proview, saying that its use of the term "iPad" was in violation of its trademark. Proview soon countered, saying that it registered for the trademark back in 2000--six years before Apple claims to have acquired the iPad trademark. Late last year, a Chinese court rejected Apple's claims, prompting the company to appeal the decision last month. Meanwhile, Proview filed a temporary restraining order against Apple, requesting it stop using the iPad name. This week, Proview followed that up with requests to ban both imports and exports of Apple's iPad.Those requests seemed to be working earlier this week, as the iPad was removed from some Chinese store shelves. Based on what the company said today, though, it appears that its chances of getting the Chinese government to play nice over the long term are slim. Apple is simply too important to China--from both a jobs and revenue perspective--for the country to allow a single company to upend its relationship with the iPhone maker.Even so, if Proview can't ban the iPad, a court victory could see it earn about $1.6 billion from Apple in damages.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the Reuters report.
China's customs authorities were recently asked to make a choice between Apple and one of their own country's companies. They chose Apple.In an interview posted today by Reuters, Proview Technology, which is suing Apple over its use of the iPad name, said that it was told by Chinese customs that the popularity of devices like the iPhone and iPad is enough for the country to likely keep them on store shelves, regardless of what Proview wants."The customs have told us that it will be difficult to implement a ban because many Chinese consumers love Apple products," Proview chief executive Yang Long-san told Reuters. "The sheer size of the market is very big. We have applied to some local customs for the ban and they'll report to the headquarters in Beijing."The trouble between the firms started in 2010 after Apple unveiled the iPad. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company sued Proview, saying that its use of the term "iPad" was in violation of its trademark. Proview soon countered, saying that it registered for the trademark back in 2000--six years before Apple claims to have acquired the iPad trademark. Late last year, a Chinese court rejected Apple's claims, prompting the company to appeal the decision last month. Meanwhile, Proview filed a temporary restraining order against Apple, requesting it stop using the iPad name. This week, Proview followed that up with requests to ban both imports and exports of Apple's iPad.Those requests seemed to be working earlier this week, as the iPad was removed from some Chinese store shelves. Based on what the company said today, though, it appears that its chances of getting the Chinese government to play nice over the long term are slim. Apple is simply too important to China--from both a jobs and revenue perspective--for the country to allow a single company to upend its relationship with the iPhone maker.Even so, if Proview can't ban the iPad, a court victory could see it earn about $1.6 billion from Apple in damages.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the Reuters report.
A 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is coming soon, analysts say
A 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is coming soon, analysts say
If you want a MacBook Pro with a Retina Display, your current options are limited to a single 15-inch size. However that might not be the case in a few months time. AppleInsider today relays a note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI, who suggests that Apple is about three months from running up production on a 13-inch model of its new, top of the line MacBook Pro.Kuo suggested that the smaller machine was originally intended to debut alongside the 15-inch version Apple unveiled on Monday, but that things didn't come together in time. The information is similar to that from NPD DisplaySearch analysts Richard Shim and Jeff Lin, who yesterday noted that a 13.3-inch Retina Display-caliber panel was being readied for production. That panel, the pair said, would start being made in the third quarter of this year. Apple's MacBook line before the Retina Display debut at WWDC.James Martin/CNET"Our Q1 report also indicated that a 13.3-inch 2,560 by 1,600 resolution panel was being prepared for production in the third quarter," the pair said. "ODM supply chain sources indicate that Apple will use this panel in a MacBook Pro unit to be launched in the fourth quarter."A 13-inch model of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display would presumably be less expensive than Apple's 15-inch version, based on Apple's past and current pricing. For now, the 15-inch, Retina version begins at $2,199 and can run up to $3,750 when fully-loaded with add-ons. That's as opposed to the non-Retina version of the 15-inch model, which starts at $1,799 and has a substantially different hardware make-up.The high-end MacBook Pro remains a difficult item to get. CNET spoke with numerous Apple retail stores yesterday, none of which had stock. Those who ordered the machine from Apple's online store on Monday only began receiving them today.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
If you want a MacBook Pro with a Retina Display, your current options are limited to a single 15-inch size. However that might not be the case in a few months time. AppleInsider today relays a note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI, who suggests that Apple is about three months from running up production on a 13-inch model of its new, top of the line MacBook Pro.Kuo suggested that the smaller machine was originally intended to debut alongside the 15-inch version Apple unveiled on Monday, but that things didn't come together in time. The information is similar to that from NPD DisplaySearch analysts Richard Shim and Jeff Lin, who yesterday noted that a 13.3-inch Retina Display-caliber panel was being readied for production. That panel, the pair said, would start being made in the third quarter of this year. Apple's MacBook line before the Retina Display debut at WWDC.James Martin/CNET"Our Q1 report also indicated that a 13.3-inch 2,560 by 1,600 resolution panel was being prepared for production in the third quarter," the pair said. "ODM supply chain sources indicate that Apple will use this panel in a MacBook Pro unit to be launched in the fourth quarter."A 13-inch model of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display would presumably be less expensive than Apple's 15-inch version, based on Apple's past and current pricing. For now, the 15-inch, Retina version begins at $2,199 and can run up to $3,750 when fully-loaded with add-ons. That's as opposed to the non-Retina version of the 15-inch model, which starts at $1,799 and has a substantially different hardware make-up.The high-end MacBook Pro remains a difficult item to get. CNET spoke with numerous Apple retail stores yesterday, none of which had stock. Those who ordered the machine from Apple's online store on Monday only began receiving them today.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
2013 MacBook Air gets low repair score from iFixit teardown
2013 MacBook Air gets low repair score from iFixit teardown
Newly unveiled by Apple, the 2013 13-inch MacBook Air has received the teardown treatment from the folks at iFixit, who gave out low ratings on the ability to repair and upgrade the laptop.At its WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple revealed several enhancements to its 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air ultrabooks, including a faster solid-state drive, an upgrade to Intel's fourth-generation core processor, increased battery life, and support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi.On the outside, the new MacBook Air is virtually the same as its predecessor. But a peek at the innards of the 13-inch version uncovered the new tech. With the right set of tools, the iFixit crew found that the MacBooks are easy enough to open. Ripping apart the new Air, iFixit bumped into a larger battery, a smaller module for the solid-state drive, and the updated Wi-Fi AirPort card. To coax more speed out of the SSD, Apple switched from a SATA connection to a faster PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) connection. Apple even gave work to its archrival and supplier Samsung, which manufactured the flash storage, flash controller, and RAM modules for the new Air.Finally, iFixit discovered the new MacBook Air's dual microphone setup, which promises to cut down on background noise.The final grade? The new MacBook Air scored only 4 out of 10 (10 being the best) on the iFixit repairability scale. The screws are proprietary, demanding a certain type of screwdriver. All of the components are proprietary, including the RAM and SSD. The RAM modules themselves are soldered to the logic board, and the SSDs aren't compatible with prior AirBook models."As with the prior iterations, this MacBook Air's biggest detractor is the lack of upgradeability," iFixit said.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Newly unveiled by Apple, the 2013 13-inch MacBook Air has received the teardown treatment from the folks at iFixit, who gave out low ratings on the ability to repair and upgrade the laptop.At its WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple revealed several enhancements to its 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air ultrabooks, including a faster solid-state drive, an upgrade to Intel's fourth-generation core processor, increased battery life, and support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi.On the outside, the new MacBook Air is virtually the same as its predecessor. But a peek at the innards of the 13-inch version uncovered the new tech. With the right set of tools, the iFixit crew found that the MacBooks are easy enough to open. Ripping apart the new Air, iFixit bumped into a larger battery, a smaller module for the solid-state drive, and the updated Wi-Fi AirPort card. To coax more speed out of the SSD, Apple switched from a SATA connection to a faster PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) connection. Apple even gave work to its archrival and supplier Samsung, which manufactured the flash storage, flash controller, and RAM modules for the new Air.Finally, iFixit discovered the new MacBook Air's dual microphone setup, which promises to cut down on background noise.The final grade? The new MacBook Air scored only 4 out of 10 (10 being the best) on the iFixit repairability scale. The screws are proprietary, demanding a certain type of screwdriver. All of the components are proprietary, including the RAM and SSD. The RAM modules themselves are soldered to the logic board, and the SSDs aren't compatible with prior AirBook models."As with the prior iterations, this MacBook Air's biggest detractor is the lack of upgradeability," iFixit said.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
13-inch Retina MacBook Pro due in September, says analyst
13-inch Retina MacBook Pro due in September, says analyst
Apple buyers looking for a smaller and less expensive Retina MacBook Pro may soon get their wish.A 13-inch MacBook Pro is expected to join its larger 15-inch cousin this September, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Sharing an investors note with AppleInsider, Kuo said that the new laptop would offer consumers an "attractive" alternative to the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air due to the higher-resolution screen.The analyst believes the unit's appeal will be enhanced by its combination of low power consumption and smaller form factor. And for more budget-conscious buyers, the 13-inch Retina machine should be priced along the lines of Apple's non-Retina MacBook Pro, according to Kuo. The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro starts at $1,199, while the 15-inch flavor starts at $1,799.One potential problem: supply may have a tough time keeping up with demand. Apple has run into delays with the 15-inch Retina model due to constraints on panels and other parts for the sharper display, AppleInsider noted. And although the wait time for the 15-inch model has been decreasing, the smaller Retina MacBook Pro will likely face the same issue.If Kuo's forecast is true, September promises to be a busy month for Apple. The analyst also expects a new iPhone, iPad Mini, new iPod Touch, and new iMac to debut the same month.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Apple buyers looking for a smaller and less expensive Retina MacBook Pro may soon get their wish.A 13-inch MacBook Pro is expected to join its larger 15-inch cousin this September, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Sharing an investors note with AppleInsider, Kuo said that the new laptop would offer consumers an "attractive" alternative to the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air due to the higher-resolution screen.The analyst believes the unit's appeal will be enhanced by its combination of low power consumption and smaller form factor. And for more budget-conscious buyers, the 13-inch Retina machine should be priced along the lines of Apple's non-Retina MacBook Pro, according to Kuo. The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro starts at $1,199, while the 15-inch flavor starts at $1,799.One potential problem: supply may have a tough time keeping up with demand. Apple has run into delays with the 15-inch Retina model due to constraints on panels and other parts for the sharper display, AppleInsider noted. And although the wait time for the 15-inch model has been decreasing, the smaller Retina MacBook Pro will likely face the same issue.If Kuo's forecast is true, September promises to be a busy month for Apple. The analyst also expects a new iPhone, iPad Mini, new iPod Touch, and new iMac to debut the same month.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
12-core Mac Pro now available in Apple Store
The previously announced 12-core Mac Pro is now available in Apple's online store and retail outlets.Early Monday morning, Apple took down its online store. A few minutes later, the site popped back up listing 12-core option.Apple's new Mac Pro, which was unveiled at the end of July, is a beast of a machine. It features two 2.66GHz six-core Intel Xeon Westmere processors, 6GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and an ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card. Its price starts at $4,999, but that figure could rise quickly, depending on the customer's needs.Configuration is one area where Apple's 12-core Mac Pro is especially impressive. Customers can update the processor from the 2.66GHz model to a 2.93GHz version. They can also include up to 32GB of RAM, add a RAID card, and install several more hard drives. Given the power of the system, it might also be a good idea to update the computer's graphics cards to the dual ATI Radeon HD 5770 option. For those who want a single card, the ATI Radeon HD 5870 is also available.Those looking to get their hands on a 12-core Mac Pro can order now and receive the computer in seven to 10 business days.
You can jailbreak iOS 6.1, but there are some catches
iOS 6.1 can be jailbroken via the program Redsn0w, but only in tethered mode and only for older iDevices.As detailed by the Microsoft-focused tech site Redmond Pie, Redsn0w version 0.9.15b3 can jailbreak Apple's latest OS. The jailbreak requires that your device be tethered, meaning you'll have to connect it to your computer each time you restart it.Further, the latest version of Redsn0w supports only older iDevices with an A4 chip or earlier. That means it'll work on devices like the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and 4th-gen iPod Touch but not on the iPhone 5 or the latest iPads or Touches.However, an untethered jailbreak could kick off as soon as Super Bowl Sunday -- February 3 -- according to Redmond Pie. An iPhone Dev team known as evad3rs has been working on a full iOS 6.1 jailbreak.The new jailbreak would be untethered, so there'd be no need to connect your iDevice to a PC. And it would support a host of newer devices, including the iPhone 5, the 4th-generation iPad, the iPad Mini, the latest iPod Touch models, and even the latest Apple TVs.The evad3rs team has set up its own Twitter account and will likely offer up a tweet when the new jailbreak is ready for download.
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