Dear Android: This is your last chance
Just this month, Gingerbread adoption finally showed a measurable uptick (though primarily due to sales of new devices, one assumes), while Froyo penetration dropped below 50 percent for the first time. That's a slow burn. Meanwhile, Google's Eric Schmidt is now promising that Ice Cream Sandwich would bring unity to hardware and software specs and make everything all timely and perfect. But developers have heard that before: Honeycomb, the tablet-specific version of Android, was also supposed to come with strict hardware and software implementation requirements, but many developers say it only worsened fragmentation issues (not to mention the tablets running it were a dud, sales-wise). Now, Honeycomb is being killed off to make room for ICS. That's a wise after-the-fact decision, but woe be the foolish developer who spent a lot of time and money writing apps for Honeycomb back when it was the fragmentation-killer du jour. What's the end result of fragmentation for you and me? First, the constant game of waiting for updates--some of your friends have Gingerbread, you're still on Froyo, you're complaining about that and then another friend comes up behind you and says they haven't even gotten Froyo. You never know when updates are coming, other than rumors on blogs and forums, and there never seems to be a reason for the delay. That's just a terrible customer experience--but it's not the worst problem. Fragmentation also leads to lukewarm developer support, which leaves us frustratingly behind the apps race compared to the iTunes App Store. And it means delays on hotly desired apps, like the Netflix app, which the company said was nearly impossible to develop considering the lack of a common DRM platform across devices. Say what you will about DRM, Netflix can't stream movies without it--and that meant no app at all until only recently. The app finallyappeared in May, and only worked on five devices, with a slow rollout to others happening willy-nilly over the last few months. And that slow rollout and spotty implementation, says Symantec, opened the door to the fake Netflix Trojan that this week masqueraded as the actual Netflix app and then stole users' personal information. People were so happy to see any Netflix app, they cheerfully downloaded a Trojan.SymantecTo be honest, fragmentation alone is plenty reason to abandon the platform--I'm not buying a new phone every year just to keep up, and I'm tired of the guessing game and bullet lists about what's coming when and to whom, and what apps support what version of the OS, down to the second decimal place. If only that were the end of the tale, though. Lack of support Smartphones are complicated devices, running complicated software. Android is further complicated by, as I mentioned, fragmentation, and also the introduction of wild-card apps from multiple sources. Don't get me wrong--I prefer and appreciate the open(ish) nature of Android and the ability to get lots of kinds of apps. But when something goes wrong with my phone, I want someone to call, and Verizon (or AT&T, or T-Mobile, or Sprint) isn't in the business or habit of supporting software. The manufacturers seem well out of their depth, in terms of support. And Google is no help at all. For example, Droid X users like myself waited months for a Gingerbread update that came more than a year after the phone's release. Sadly, when it landed in June 2011, it crippled many phones, including mine. The list of problems introduced by the update is unbelievable, ranging from the navigation app confusing east and west to spontaneous restarts to weakened or disappearing 3G signals to Bluetooth failing completely to random Wi-Fi disconnections, and on and on. A partial (seriously) list of problems introduced by Gingerbread on the Droid X.Motorola Owners' ForumForum threads were filled with complaints. Motorola promised it was looking into the issue, and an Android fix finally arrived in August, fully two months later. In the meantime, Verizon didn't say a word, officially (although it did helpfully factory reset my phone as a possible "fix" that simply erased every app and setting and left me with a clean Gingerbread install that was only marginally less buggy than the first), and neither did Google.Now, I don't necessarily expect Google to wade into every Android-related fray on behalf of their manufacturing partners. But its standards-setting clearly isn't working, if updates this buggy are going out to customers, and if it can't force its partners to deal with problems more quickly, it should at least communicate with the public about whether Android is a trustworthy product on any platform. This is a question of brand equity and customer experience: Google needs to get control of it on more than just pure-Android Nexus phones. The answer to every Android-related problem on any phone cannot be an army of disdainful Reddit readers telling everyday consumers that all they have to do is root their phones, install Cyanogen Mod, and live happily ever after. Android is always late To live with Android is to learn to wait. Like an overdue baby making its expectant mother insane with each passing day, Android came into this world more than a year after it was expected to launch, and it's been running late ever since. Look: Android 1.5 (Cupcake) was delayed on T-MobileDonut was delayed for Samsung users Eclair was delayed for almost everyone--two full months for HTC (Cliq XT users got the bad news that the upgrade was never coming to their phones) Froyo was delayedGingerbread was delayed on the Droid Incredible and actually delayed the launch of the Nexus S with its tardiness The Honeycomb tablet OS delays themselves delayed the release of a multiverse of would-be Honeycomb tablets that were hoping to launch after CES 2011--possibly killing off serious iPad competition in droves Now, Ice Cream Sandwich and the promising sounding Galaxy Nexus/Nexus Prime have also been delayed, purportedly out of respect for the passing of Steve Jobs. At least one blogger has speculated the true reason may be patent-related; certainly, given Android's history, the benefit of the doubt is a bit harder to find.In sum, life with Android has been an uncertain, buggy, frustrating mess. There are times when I truly doubt Google's commitment to the whole enterprise, despite its burgeoning market share. The proposed Motorola Mobility acquisition throws even more questions into the mix: will other hardware partners abandon Android in favor of a more trustworthy bedfellow? If so, I'm unquestionably out: Motorola hardware fails fast and hard, although it's not quite as awful as the crapware-laden Samsung Fascinate Verizon foisted on me--the only phone I did root, just to escape having Bing as my default search. Perhaps Ice Cream Sandwich will be all that we hope: the peacemaker, the great uniter, the forger of a New Deal between handset makers and Google. The Galaxy Nexus could prove to be the perfect phone, with a fully integrated suite of amazing Google services working in harmony and delivering on the promise that Google made back in 2007. But let's be clear: it will have to be exactly that. As I said, the iPhone 4S gave Android an unexpected break: before that announcement, fully 42 percent were prepared to switch to an iPhone. Those numbers may be lower in the wake of the lack of 4G, the still-small screen, and the fact that Vlingo does a lot of what Siri promises. But the break is likely to be short unless Google can put some serious muscle behind bringing the platform up to prime time. Me, personally, I'm still keeping the credit card ready for the iPhone 5, just in case.
Rumors of Facebook music service bubbling again
Rumors of Facebook music service bubbling again
But this all might take awhile. "Facebook Music" is something that has been talked about for months and so far has borne no fruit. Back in October, AllFacebook blogger Nick O'Neill said that he was familiar with someone interviewing for the position as head of Facebook's "music division" and that the social network was already in negotiations with record labels.But rumors of a full-out Facebook music service grew muddled with early reports about the site's "fan pages," which Facebook encourages bands and artists to create as promotional tools. A Wired blog report about Warner Bros. looking for a Facebook application developer likely dealt with the creation of fan pages and surrounding applications, not an iTunes-like music service as blogger Eliot van Buskirk speculated.Facebook's "fan pages" launched in November as part of the company's new social advertising strategy. Since then, the company has created "Facebook Music" and "Facebook Film" hubs to promote the creation of those fan pages and offer tools to musicians and filmmakers who want to build a presence on Facebook. And at this month's South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Facebook will be throwing parties and developer events not only at the geek-saturated South by Southwest Interactive division but also for the indie confab's music and film festivals.Facebook representatives have stressed that the music and film pages are strictly tied to the fan pages, not any kind of upcoming commerce. "Facebook did not launch any new music or film products in recent weeks," the company said in a statement responding to a request for comment. Facebook "created informational pages called 'Music on Facebook' and 'Film on Facebook' as guides and resources for musicians, bands and filmmakers wanting to create their own Facebook Pages. The ability for musicians, bands and filmmakers to create Facebook Pages has been available since the launch of the Facebook Pages product on Nov. 6." The company also highlighted the fact that it does not have a partnership or formal agreement with iTunes and that any links between Facebook and iTunes are on behalf of developers who have integrated them into their third-party applications.Clearly, Facebook wants to make a play for pop culture, but these latest rumors about big agreements with the record labels aren't much more substantial than the ones we read five months ago.
But this all might take awhile. "Facebook Music" is something that has been talked about for months and so far has borne no fruit. Back in October, AllFacebook blogger Nick O'Neill said that he was familiar with someone interviewing for the position as head of Facebook's "music division" and that the social network was already in negotiations with record labels.But rumors of a full-out Facebook music service grew muddled with early reports about the site's "fan pages," which Facebook encourages bands and artists to create as promotional tools. A Wired blog report about Warner Bros. looking for a Facebook application developer likely dealt with the creation of fan pages and surrounding applications, not an iTunes-like music service as blogger Eliot van Buskirk speculated.Facebook's "fan pages" launched in November as part of the company's new social advertising strategy. Since then, the company has created "Facebook Music" and "Facebook Film" hubs to promote the creation of those fan pages and offer tools to musicians and filmmakers who want to build a presence on Facebook. And at this month's South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Facebook will be throwing parties and developer events not only at the geek-saturated South by Southwest Interactive division but also for the indie confab's music and film festivals.Facebook representatives have stressed that the music and film pages are strictly tied to the fan pages, not any kind of upcoming commerce. "Facebook did not launch any new music or film products in recent weeks," the company said in a statement responding to a request for comment. Facebook "created informational pages called 'Music on Facebook' and 'Film on Facebook' as guides and resources for musicians, bands and filmmakers wanting to create their own Facebook Pages. The ability for musicians, bands and filmmakers to create Facebook Pages has been available since the launch of the Facebook Pages product on Nov. 6." The company also highlighted the fact that it does not have a partnership or formal agreement with iTunes and that any links between Facebook and iTunes are on behalf of developers who have integrated them into their third-party applications.Clearly, Facebook wants to make a play for pop culture, but these latest rumors about big agreements with the record labels aren't much more substantial than the ones we read five months ago.
The 404 949- Where we drop the SOPA (podcast)
The 404 949: Where we drop the SOPA (podcast)
GM announced its new Cadillac User Experience (CUE) navigation display at yesterday's LA Auto Show (full CNET coverage here). Drivers of the SRX coupe and XTS sedan can swipe through various applications on the virtual dock that can display fuel, mileage, speed, or other apps from licensees like Pandora. App store coming soon.Want to buy a porn site? Gawker's Nick Denton is selling Fleshbot, a news engine that gives viewers a peek into the porn industry. Sold on an as-is basis, Web traffic currently boasts 25 million monthly pages, 1 million monthly uniques.As more .xxx top-level domains are getting snatched up, porn bigwig Manwin Licensing International is suing ICANN and the ICM Registry, claiming that those companies command a monopoly in the lucrative space of Internet pornography. Manwin is the company behind YouPorn, Playboy Online, and plenty of other NSFW sites that I'll research later.The HTC Vivid earned a solid 7.6 out of 10 on our CNET review, but the porn studio Vivid Entertainment is charging the smartphone maker for infringing on its label trademark. Lawyers at Vivid Video argue that customers are easily confused and may assume the two companies collaborated on the phone. Actually, why hasn't that happened yet?Bathroom break video 1: Learn Windows 95 with Greta.Bathroom break video 2: Girl and camel face off in a foot race.Click through today's post to stream the audio and video from this episode of The 404 Podcast!Episode 949PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
GM announced its new Cadillac User Experience (CUE) navigation display at yesterday's LA Auto Show (full CNET coverage here). Drivers of the SRX coupe and XTS sedan can swipe through various applications on the virtual dock that can display fuel, mileage, speed, or other apps from licensees like Pandora. App store coming soon.Want to buy a porn site? Gawker's Nick Denton is selling Fleshbot, a news engine that gives viewers a peek into the porn industry. Sold on an as-is basis, Web traffic currently boasts 25 million monthly pages, 1 million monthly uniques.As more .xxx top-level domains are getting snatched up, porn bigwig Manwin Licensing International is suing ICANN and the ICM Registry, claiming that those companies command a monopoly in the lucrative space of Internet pornography. Manwin is the company behind YouPorn, Playboy Online, and plenty of other NSFW sites that I'll research later.The HTC Vivid earned a solid 7.6 out of 10 on our CNET review, but the porn studio Vivid Entertainment is charging the smartphone maker for infringing on its label trademark. Lawyers at Vivid Video argue that customers are easily confused and may assume the two companies collaborated on the phone. Actually, why hasn't that happened yet?Bathroom break video 1: Learn Windows 95 with Greta.Bathroom break video 2: Girl and camel face off in a foot race.Click through today's post to stream the audio and video from this episode of The 404 Podcast!Episode 949PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
PopCap Games and Amazon get exclusive
PopCap Games and Amazon get exclusive
Amazon knows what mobile gamers want--popular titles and freebies. By inking high-profile studios to exclusive launches, the company has generated plenty of positive buzz around its Appstore and continues to build momentum, especially with its free App of the Day offers. The first being the hugely popular exclusive free download of Rovio's Angry Birds Rio.So to follow up Amazon's success with its deal with Rovio, the company recently signed an exclusive agreement with casual gaming company PopCap.Chuzzle is the first game to roll out from PopCap and is also the free download of the day. Other PopCap titles will soon follow this month, including Peggle and Plants vs. Zombies--which is slated to arrive to the Appstore towards the end of May and will also be free on launch day, then go back to their standard retail prices after the one-day promotions expire, at $2.99 each. All three games will remain an Amazon exclusive for only two weeks, and then becomes available everywhere else you get your Android fix from.PopCap Games and Amazon get exclusiveSee full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrevAmazon is definitely shaking things up in the Androidverse--slowly luring users away from Android's official marketplace as the first place to go for apps--and they have to be paying out some substantial cash to get a deal like this sealed. Remember how absurdly popular Plants vs. Zombies was, or still is? By the way, PopCap, we're still waiting on that sequel.On a mobile platform level, are there any studios banging out successful games in the iTunes store that you would like to see ported over to the Amazon's list of Android apps? Who do you think Amazon should sign up with next?
Amazon knows what mobile gamers want--popular titles and freebies. By inking high-profile studios to exclusive launches, the company has generated plenty of positive buzz around its Appstore and continues to build momentum, especially with its free App of the Day offers. The first being the hugely popular exclusive free download of Rovio's Angry Birds Rio.So to follow up Amazon's success with its deal with Rovio, the company recently signed an exclusive agreement with casual gaming company PopCap.Chuzzle is the first game to roll out from PopCap and is also the free download of the day. Other PopCap titles will soon follow this month, including Peggle and Plants vs. Zombies--which is slated to arrive to the Appstore towards the end of May and will also be free on launch day, then go back to their standard retail prices after the one-day promotions expire, at $2.99 each. All three games will remain an Amazon exclusive for only two weeks, and then becomes available everywhere else you get your Android fix from.PopCap Games and Amazon get exclusiveSee full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrevAmazon is definitely shaking things up in the Androidverse--slowly luring users away from Android's official marketplace as the first place to go for apps--and they have to be paying out some substantial cash to get a deal like this sealed. Remember how absurdly popular Plants vs. Zombies was, or still is? By the way, PopCap, we're still waiting on that sequel.On a mobile platform level, are there any studios banging out successful games in the iTunes store that you would like to see ported over to the Amazon's list of Android apps? Who do you think Amazon should sign up with next?
Production of rumored iPad Mini to hit 4M per month, says report
Production of rumored iPad Mini to hit 4M per month, says report
Apple and its suppliers face a busy season if rumors of its iPad Mini are true.The company's manufacturing partners will reportedly kick out 4 million units of the small tablet each month starting in September, according to the folks at Digitimes.Citing the usual "supply chain sources," DigiTimes said that Apple is aiming at those numbers in order to satisfy the expected demand from holiday shoppers. The supply chain has already been building the tiny tablet since June at a rate of around several hundred thousand per month, the sources added.The iPad Mini would reportedly offer a screen size of 7.85 inches with a display thinner than those of rival tablets and a resolution matching that of the iPad 2.Related storiesWhy you should wait for the iPad MiniImagining the iPad Mini: Mockups multiplyRumor Has It: Is the iPad Mini already in production?iPad Mini to debut in September, says analystDigiTimes pointed to October for the unveiling of the new iPad, however, other reports have cited September 12 as the launch date for both the tablet and the next-generation iPhone.The cost of the rumored iPad Mini is a mystery. DigiTimes' sources indirectly suggested that Apple could price it at $299, a figure that would certainly give the Kindle Fire and Google Nexus a run for their money.
Apple and its suppliers face a busy season if rumors of its iPad Mini are true.The company's manufacturing partners will reportedly kick out 4 million units of the small tablet each month starting in September, according to the folks at Digitimes.Citing the usual "supply chain sources," DigiTimes said that Apple is aiming at those numbers in order to satisfy the expected demand from holiday shoppers. The supply chain has already been building the tiny tablet since June at a rate of around several hundred thousand per month, the sources added.The iPad Mini would reportedly offer a screen size of 7.85 inches with a display thinner than those of rival tablets and a resolution matching that of the iPad 2.Related storiesWhy you should wait for the iPad MiniImagining the iPad Mini: Mockups multiplyRumor Has It: Is the iPad Mini already in production?iPad Mini to debut in September, says analystDigiTimes pointed to October for the unveiling of the new iPad, however, other reports have cited September 12 as the launch date for both the tablet and the next-generation iPhone.The cost of the rumored iPad Mini is a mystery. DigiTimes' sources indirectly suggested that Apple could price it at $299, a figure that would certainly give the Kindle Fire and Google Nexus a run for their money.
Preorder problems trip up iPhone 4S sales in U.S.
Preorder problems trip up iPhone 4S sales in U.S.
And here's Apple's error page from around 1:05 a.m. PT. Later orders were stuck in the "processing" page during carrier eligibility checks:CNETApple later ended up switching to a reservation system that would let would-be buyers reserve a device for release day and check their upgrade status later:CNETThis year's iPhone 4S preorder is the biggest yet for Apple in the U.S., launching on AT&T, Verizon, and newcomer Sprint at the same time. In addition, Apple is selling it all three carriers through its own online store.Both Apple and carriers ran into similar problems during last year's iPhone 4 launch, with buyers running into issues getting orders processed. Nonetheless, Apple managed 600,000 preorders or the new device, breaking previous presale records. Shortly thereafter, the device sold out, pushing orders back days, then weeks past launch.There was one other surprise to come out of the preorder process, which is that Apple plans to offer an unlocked and contract-free version of the iPhone 4Sfor sale as soon as next month. Those making preorders though Apple's site can see that option when picking out their phone or plan, but are unable to purchase it. Did you stay up to try to get the new iPhone 4S and come away successful? Let us know what worked for you in the comments.Updated at 1:58 a.m. PT with additional details.CNET News writer Stephen Shankland contributed to this story.
And here's Apple's error page from around 1:05 a.m. PT. Later orders were stuck in the "processing" page during carrier eligibility checks:CNETApple later ended up switching to a reservation system that would let would-be buyers reserve a device for release day and check their upgrade status later:CNETThis year's iPhone 4S preorder is the biggest yet for Apple in the U.S., launching on AT&T, Verizon, and newcomer Sprint at the same time. In addition, Apple is selling it all three carriers through its own online store.Both Apple and carriers ran into similar problems during last year's iPhone 4 launch, with buyers running into issues getting orders processed. Nonetheless, Apple managed 600,000 preorders or the new device, breaking previous presale records. Shortly thereafter, the device sold out, pushing orders back days, then weeks past launch.There was one other surprise to come out of the preorder process, which is that Apple plans to offer an unlocked and contract-free version of the iPhone 4Sfor sale as soon as next month. Those making preorders though Apple's site can see that option when picking out their phone or plan, but are unable to purchase it. Did you stay up to try to get the new iPhone 4S and come away successful? Let us know what worked for you in the comments.Updated at 1:58 a.m. PT with additional details.CNET News writer Stephen Shankland contributed to this story.
Virgin Mobile starts selling Apple's iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
Virgin Mobile starts selling Apple's iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
As promised, Virgin Mobile has started selling Apple's iPhone to its prepaid customers.Customers looking to get their hands on the device can opt for the 8GB iPhone 4 or the 16GB iPhone 4S. The former will set customers back $550, while the iPhone 4S will cost $650. As one might expect, based on those prices, they come with no contract and no fees for activation.Virgin Mobile announced earlier this month that it would start carrying Apple's iPhone. The company says that it's available to prepaid customers with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans, starting at $35 per month. Virgin Mobile is offering a $5-per-month discount to customers who set up automatic monthly payments with the company. The iPhones run on the Sprint Nationwide Network.Apple is now offering its device to a host of carrier networks, including major companies, like AT&T and Verizon, and lesser-known services like Leap Wireless' Cricket. However, the company has yet to bring its iPhone to T-Mobile's service. And with each new addition, that omission is becoming increasingly glaring.
As promised, Virgin Mobile has started selling Apple's iPhone to its prepaid customers.Customers looking to get their hands on the device can opt for the 8GB iPhone 4 or the 16GB iPhone 4S. The former will set customers back $550, while the iPhone 4S will cost $650. As one might expect, based on those prices, they come with no contract and no fees for activation.Virgin Mobile announced earlier this month that it would start carrying Apple's iPhone. The company says that it's available to prepaid customers with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans, starting at $35 per month. Virgin Mobile is offering a $5-per-month discount to customers who set up automatic monthly payments with the company. The iPhones run on the Sprint Nationwide Network.Apple is now offering its device to a host of carrier networks, including major companies, like AT&T and Verizon, and lesser-known services like Leap Wireless' Cricket. However, the company has yet to bring its iPhone to T-Mobile's service. And with each new addition, that omission is becoming increasingly glaring.
Virgin Mobile plans to offer prepaid iPhone
Virgin Mobile plans to offer prepaid iPhone
Cricket will soon have some competition in the prepaid iPhone market .Sprint's Virgin Mobile plans to sell Apple's smartphone for use on a pay-as-you-go basis, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Sprint is expected to announce later this week that the prepaid carrier will offer the iPhone as early as July 1, sources tell the Journal. Leap Wireless' Cricket announced last week that it would begin selling the iPhone on June 22 for use on its prepaid wireless service. No pricing details were discussed for Sprint's offering, but Cricket plans to sell the 16GB iPhone 4S for $499.99, while the 8GB iPhone 4 for $399.99. Cricket's no-contract plan, which costs $55 a month, includes unlimited calling and text messages and includes 2.3GB of data, after which the carrier will throttle, or slow the connection down. There was no word on what Virgin Mobile's monthly charge would be, but the carrier already offers a similar plan for $35 a month with 2.5GBs of data before throttling.The Journal suggested that the arrangement could help it fulfill its commitment to buy $15.5 billion worth of iPhones during the next four years.CNET has contacted Sprint for comment and will update this report when we learn more.Related video:This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Cricket will soon have some competition in the prepaid iPhone market .Sprint's Virgin Mobile plans to sell Apple's smartphone for use on a pay-as-you-go basis, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Sprint is expected to announce later this week that the prepaid carrier will offer the iPhone as early as July 1, sources tell the Journal. Leap Wireless' Cricket announced last week that it would begin selling the iPhone on June 22 for use on its prepaid wireless service. No pricing details were discussed for Sprint's offering, but Cricket plans to sell the 16GB iPhone 4S for $499.99, while the 8GB iPhone 4 for $399.99. Cricket's no-contract plan, which costs $55 a month, includes unlimited calling and text messages and includes 2.3GB of data, after which the carrier will throttle, or slow the connection down. There was no word on what Virgin Mobile's monthly charge would be, but the carrier already offers a similar plan for $35 a month with 2.5GBs of data before throttling.The Journal suggested that the arrangement could help it fulfill its commitment to buy $15.5 billion worth of iPhones during the next four years.CNET has contacted Sprint for comment and will update this report when we learn more.Related video:This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Vintage Apple sales video surfaces, stars Jobs as FDR
Vintage Apple sales video surfaces, stars Jobs as FDR
A rare, internal video that Apple originally aired during its 1984 international sales conference has been put online.Networkworld today posted a full version of the 9-minute film, which shows an exuberant -- and costumed -- Steve Jobs and other early Apple execs staging a World War II-style assault on tech rival IBM, just ahead of launching the first Macintosh. In it, Apple stages a multi-front attack against IBM, saving office zombies from the mundane with Macs that can talk. Jobs also dons full suit, bow-tie, cigarette, and gray hair coloring to look like Franklin Delano RooseveltNo really. There's even a cameo appearance of the hammer-throwing athlete from Apple's famous 1984 Superbowl ad. The film was provided by former Apple employee Craig Elliott, who is currently the chief executive at Apple's neighbor, Pertino Networks. As Networkworld's Paul McNamara points out, a section of the video appeared in a video tribute made for Jobs on his 30th birthday, which was posted online following Jobs' death last year before being taken down over a copyright notice. You'll have to head to Networkworld to see the video, as it's not available for sharing elsewhere.
A rare, internal video that Apple originally aired during its 1984 international sales conference has been put online.Networkworld today posted a full version of the 9-minute film, which shows an exuberant -- and costumed -- Steve Jobs and other early Apple execs staging a World War II-style assault on tech rival IBM, just ahead of launching the first Macintosh. In it, Apple stages a multi-front attack against IBM, saving office zombies from the mundane with Macs that can talk. Jobs also dons full suit, bow-tie, cigarette, and gray hair coloring to look like Franklin Delano RooseveltNo really. There's even a cameo appearance of the hammer-throwing athlete from Apple's famous 1984 Superbowl ad. The film was provided by former Apple employee Craig Elliott, who is currently the chief executive at Apple's neighbor, Pertino Networks. As Networkworld's Paul McNamara points out, a section of the video appeared in a video tribute made for Jobs on his 30th birthday, which was posted online following Jobs' death last year before being taken down over a copyright notice. You'll have to head to Networkworld to see the video, as it's not available for sharing elsewhere.
Video shows what looks like iOS 7 running on an iPad
Video shows what looks like iOS 7 running on an iPad
Apple has yet to give developers an iPad version of iOS 7, but photos, videos, and reports are popping up left and right about what the new operating system will look like on the tablet.A new iPad iOS 7 video (see below) surfaced Tuesday from a Russian-based YouTube user named Rozetked who claims to have the upcoming OS running on his iPad. In the video, the user holding an iPad taps and swipes through different screens and features. What's shown is awfully similar to what is known about iOS 7 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. When Apple announced the debut of iOS 7 for those devices at WWDC last week, the company said it dramatically redesigned the look and feel of the user interface. This appears to be shown in Rosetked's video. Icons, buttons, and color schemes all look like they've been revamped. The screen also has a swipe feature at the bottom of the device for quick access to various features -- just like with iOS 7 for the iPhone. Still, it's unclear if this video is indeed showing Apple's legitimate iOS 7 for the iPad or just some mock-up. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.(Via 9to5Mac)
Apple has yet to give developers an iPad version of iOS 7, but photos, videos, and reports are popping up left and right about what the new operating system will look like on the tablet.A new iPad iOS 7 video (see below) surfaced Tuesday from a Russian-based YouTube user named Rozetked who claims to have the upcoming OS running on his iPad. In the video, the user holding an iPad taps and swipes through different screens and features. What's shown is awfully similar to what is known about iOS 7 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. When Apple announced the debut of iOS 7 for those devices at WWDC last week, the company said it dramatically redesigned the look and feel of the user interface. This appears to be shown in Rosetked's video. Icons, buttons, and color schemes all look like they've been revamped. The screen also has a swipe feature at the bottom of the device for quick access to various features -- just like with iOS 7 for the iPhone. Still, it's unclear if this video is indeed showing Apple's legitimate iOS 7 for the iPad or just some mock-up. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.(Via 9to5Mac)
Video shows purported iPhone 5 internals, front plate
Video shows purported iPhone 5 internals, front plate
So much for post-product-release teardowns.The iPhone 5 is being torn down piece by piece already. Just after alleged photos of the iPhone 5's main circuit board appeared, we now have a video of not only the front plate but items as small as the "flex cable," replete with the sleep-wake button and volume switch, according to SmartPhone Medic, a smartphone repair service based in Columbia, S.C."We just got some new iPhone 5 parts in," the video begins. The SmartPhone Medic guy then goes to show the alleged iPhone 5's front plate with the larger display. Related storiesImages of alleged iPhone 5 logic board, USB cable surfaceIn addition to the obvious display size difference with iPhone 4S (iPhone 5's display is about 30 percent bigger), the camera and proximity sensor locations have changed, SmartPhone Medic claims.They also place the new iPhone 5 front plate on top of the Samsung Galaxy S III, clearly showing that even with the iPhone 5's larger screen, the Galaxy S III's 4.8-inch display is a lot wider and taller.The video also shows an 8-pin dock connector flex cable assembly, and two other flex cables for the iPhone 5. The next iPhone could be announced as soon as next month. [Via MacRumors]
So much for post-product-release teardowns.The iPhone 5 is being torn down piece by piece already. Just after alleged photos of the iPhone 5's main circuit board appeared, we now have a video of not only the front plate but items as small as the "flex cable," replete with the sleep-wake button and volume switch, according to SmartPhone Medic, a smartphone repair service based in Columbia, S.C."We just got some new iPhone 5 parts in," the video begins. The SmartPhone Medic guy then goes to show the alleged iPhone 5's front plate with the larger display. Related storiesImages of alleged iPhone 5 logic board, USB cable surfaceIn addition to the obvious display size difference with iPhone 4S (iPhone 5's display is about 30 percent bigger), the camera and proximity sensor locations have changed, SmartPhone Medic claims.They also place the new iPhone 5 front plate on top of the Samsung Galaxy S III, clearly showing that even with the iPhone 5's larger screen, the Galaxy S III's 4.8-inch display is a lot wider and taller.The video also shows an 8-pin dock connector flex cable assembly, and two other flex cables for the iPhone 5. The next iPhone could be announced as soon as next month. [Via MacRumors]
Marvel Studios Countdown: Will the 'X-Men' Movies Ever Be Like the Actual Comic Books
Now that the dust has settled after the explosive box office opening of X-Men: Days of Future Past, let’s think about where this leaves the franchise. Fox has to be feeling pretty confident about its ability to still sell tickets to a 14-year-old franchise without going the way of a total reboot. Some other installments’ box office receipts may have called that longevity into question, but the marketing did a good job selling this as a can’t-miss X-Men event, just like the comics do when there’s a major crossover.Writer Simon Kinberg has intimated that the next X-film, X-Men: Apocalypse, will follow the First Class cast (for the most part) into a “disaster movie” against the longtime villain Apocalypse. He said some of the original cast might be returning, and the assumption is that it would involve time travel again, but the way Days of Future Past ends, this might only mean that Wolverine comes back. Maybe some X-Men that were already introduced in the earlier installments of the X-franchise (Nightcrawler? Gambit? Ben Foster’s Angel seems obvious, as that character becomes Archangel at the hands of Apocalypse) get recruited into this timeline before their introductions in the other films. It’s a possibility, and one that would keep time travel out of Apocalypse. Should they go to that well two films in a row?Knowing that there was a sequel on the way already was one of the stranger, more bittersweet disappointments with Days of Future Past. With Bryan Singer coming back, and with the crowd-pleasing “reset button” of the film’s finale, we could’ve applauded a bookend to the superhero franchise that started it all. With the knowledge there’s more on the way, one starts to wonder what this franchise would look like in different hands.There were a lot of people wishing that Spider-Man would return to Marvel Studios after the relative disappointment of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but I’m not hearing the same cry for X-Men, though it’s equally as deserved. Fox seems dead set on providing only one flavor of X-Men movie, and with its foundation established14 years ago, we’ve seen there’s not much that can or will change in these sequels. Even Days of Future Past works backwards to erase past storylines and resurrect departed characters so that the franchise looks closer to what it did at the start than what it should by now. That’s great for a rousing finale; not so great when your idea of a fresh start means recycling past ideas.Kinberg would like a second chance with the “Dark Phoenix” saga seen in X-Men: The Last Stand, which is understandable, but to do so with the exact same players seems foolish. I’m sure it would make a perfectly fine movie. We like these actors, we like these characters, we’ve paid to see them every time. We’re also seven films in and we haven’t seen Wolverine in his iconic superhero costume one single time. The X-Men haven’t gone to space. They haven’t explored the Savage Land. There’s no Morlocks, no Mojo, no Mister Sinister, no Genosha, no Madripoor, no nothing that makes the X-Men of the films resemble the X-Men of the comics beyond their abilities and names. The argument can be made, no matter how appealing Jackman is in the Wolverine role, that Professor Xavier and Magneto are the two characters who most closely resemble their four-color counterparts.Fox isn’t going to let the rights revert; not with so much potential money on the line. So, while I may wish for a Marvel Studios X-Universe, that’s really just shorthand for what I really want, which is no more Singerverse X-films. Let’s close the door, and not in the “left it open a crack” way that First Class did. Fox should rip a page from Marvel and make these guys into full-fledged superheroes; a team thatdoesn’t just solve their own mutant problems. Get strange -- the X-Men are strange. Ramp up the soap opera, always a huge part of the X-Men’s appeal, and show them as the “Alt-Avengers” that they are. The X-Men protect a world that hates and fears them. We’ve spent far too many movies with the team as Magneto’s stop-gap instead.When the X-Men franchise got stale, Marvel Comics overhauled the book entirely. Giant-Size X-Men #1 introduced all-new characters and an all-new flavor and it’s how the series has routinely stayed alive over the years. It reinvents itself. Let’s hope Apocalypse is the swan song to a specific era of X-Men. Then, let’s hope Fox makes the Uncanny X-Men uncanny
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