Coldplay snub sounds alarm for streaming music
Coldplay and singer Tom Waits last week issued no-confidence votes on subscription music services, or at least that's how the press is interpreting their decision not to distribute their latest albums through companies such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio, and MOG. On Wednesday, CNET broke the news that Coldplay and Waits will follow other marquee acts, such as Adele and Prince, who have withheld at least part of their catalogs from some of the subscription services. Management for Coldplay and Waits did not respond to interview requests. So, while we don't know for sure why they chose to snub the subscription services, several analysts and members of the media say there's little doubt about the reason.The subscription services just pay artists too little money say critics and there's also some fears about whether these services, which generate less revenue, eat into sales from more lucrative outlets, such as Apple's iTunes. Coldplay has made its latest album "Mylo Xyloto," available for download on iTunes and Amazon as well as made music videos for each song available at YouTube. Glenn Peoples at Billboard wrote that Coldplay is apparently trying to push fans into paying for downloads or CDs."By keeping the album away from on-demand services," Peoples wrote, "Coldplay is ensuring fans will buy (or find other ways to obtain the music) rather than listen for free."Spotify, Rdio, and MOG charge users a monthly price to access large pools of songs but they also offer a limited amount of music free of charge. Top 10 most influential music sites (pho...See full gallery1 - 4 / 10NextPrevRolling Stone magazine tried to compare the amounts of money that artists see from each type of distribution. The magazine said an artist may receive 19 cents for every 60 times a song is played. The magazine cautioned that licensing deals will differ between acts as well as between subscription services. The payout for a downloaded song at iTunes that costs $1.29 is much easier to pinpoint: the label gets 60 cents, Apple 40 cents, the artist 20 cents, and the songwriter 9 cents.The perception that streaming services aren't lucrative for artists has been around for awhile, but it continues to dog the sector, and losing a band with the notoriety of Coldplay won't help.These services, which stream songs over the Internet to users' mobile phones, PCs, or digital music players, have only been building momentum in the last year thanks in large part to the buzz generated by Spotify. The service took Europe music listeners by storm and after years of failed attempts to license music in the United States, finally launched operations here in July."Artists can--and do--receive very substantial revenues from Spotify," the company said in a statement. "And as we grow, these revenue streams will naturally continue to grow."In that same Rolling Stone article, Jim Guerinot, manager of Nine Inch Nails and No Doubt, suggested subscription services could have a bright future. "Is it big money?," Guerinot said, "I think it could be." Cannibalizing sales?Spotify was once considered a threat to music sales. Critics argued that the amount of free music the company gave away cannibalized download and CD sales. The labels weren't happy with Spotify's ability to convert users of the company's free service into users of the subscription plan. That held up Spotify's move to the U.S., but the company agreed to dramatically limit the amount of free music it offers.The labels are now big boosters of Spotify and the other subscription services. I was told by one music industry source that the labels aren't seeing any cannibalization for one important reason: buyers of downloads and those who obtain music from subscription services are two very separate customers. CD and download buyers typically have more disposable income and are a little older. The subscription service customer is likely a teen or twentysomething consumer that may have in the past obtained music from illegal file-sharing sites. "We're cannibalizing piracy," said John Irwin, president of Rhapsody, a subscription service that's been around for a decade. "That's the question we should be asking. If we don't offer subscription services to some of these music consumers, where are they going to and get their music?"Companies like Rhapsody and Spotify have helped antipiracy efforts, according to multiple music label sources. Irwin said that artists have the right to choose how they want to distribute and he respects that, but he also said that subscription services are just now gathering steam. He suggests that because of the piracy issue and the inability so far for the music industry to find real competition for iTunes, artists should give the sector some time to develop. Related links• Coldplay latest act to freeze out streaming services (scoop)• Pandora spurs music sales; Spotify not so much• Rhapsody to acquire Napster (scoop)The obvious question then is how much time does the sector need? Rhapsody has been around for a decade. Spotify was founded in 2008. The criticism is that Spotify's payouts to artists have always been miniscule. Some acts say they've seen enough. Sam Rosenthal, a member of the dark-rock band "Black Tape For A Blue Girl," and owner of the New York indie label Projekt, told CNET he removed all his label's music from the streaming services back in July."What they pay just doesn't support the idea that art has value," said Rosenthal, 43, who added that Spotify paid him a little more than a tenth of a penny for every song play. He said that if his songs were played a total of 5,000 times, he would receive $6.50. He said that 892,000 spins would pay him the equivalent of minimum wage for a month. He's sticking with iTunes, he added.
Reselling MP3s- The music industry's new battleground-
Reselling MP3s: The music industry's new battleground?
A person could transfer numerous copies of the same song file as long as it was free of DRM. But Meshkin says his company can prevent repeat sales of the same song. Bopaboo has developed song-identification technology that prevents individuals from uploading more than one copy of the same song to the site regardless of how the file might be altered, Meshkin said. A copy is always produced when MP3s are transferred and that is retained on a computer's hard drive. Meshkin didn't have any technological solution for that. He said that in such harsh economic times the music industry must accept a few risks. After all it was they who allowed their music to be sold without DRM in the first place. "Obviously, MP3s are very easy to duplicate," Meshkin said. "It's very difficult to tell the difference between a so-called new copy and a so-called old copy." The label guys are unlikely to just shrug their shoulders at this kind of set up, said von Lohmann."If you buy a song from iTunes' (DRM-free) store you can immediately go and sell a copy of the song on Bopaboo," von Lohmann points out. "You would be assured of getting a discount on your iTunes purchase. There is no doubt that the first-sale law was drafted with physical objects in mind. There's no question that you are allowed to sell books or CDs. But when it comes to selling MP3s, it's an untested legal question." Another problem for Bopaboo, says von Lohmann is that some digital music stores specifically forbid the resale of songs. At Amazon.com for example, the terms of use agreement says customers must agree to "copy, store, transfer and burn" digital music for personal-use only. Customers also agree that they won't "redistribute, transmit, assign, sell, broadcast, rent, share, lend, modify, adapt, edit, sub-license or otherwise transfer" the music.I spoke with two label representatives who declined to comment for the record but told me they thought the resale of DRM-free songs could be the music industry's next big legal battleground. Patrick Ross, executive director of the Copyright Alliance, a watchdog group made up of artists, producers and other content creators, chuckled when I explained Bopaboo's business model. "Clearly a first-sale defense won't apply here," Ross said. "In the case of a book or any other creative work, you no longer possess the work once you sell it...It's also hard for me to imagine the model succeeding because if somebody wants to pay for works they will pay for it at a legal site and see that creators are compensated. If they are willing to break the rules, they would just go on (P2P service) Lime Wire and get it for free. I hope (Bopaboo) crashes and burns before it gets sued. It seems like a flawed business model as well as an illegal business model."If the business model isn't a hard enough pitch to make to the music industry, Meshkin has the added burden of trying to explain his past. In a February 2005 story, BusinessWeek questioned some of the claims Meshkin has made about his background and highlighted the controversy surrounding his oversight of a NASCAR racing team for Toyota at the age of 23. According to the story, Meshkin was sued by one former executive with Bang Racing, his NASCAR team, and accused by some investors of misleading them about his personal wealth and ability to operate a racing team. Meshkin is quoted in the magazine denying the accusations. Toyota eventually pulled its support.
A person could transfer numerous copies of the same song file as long as it was free of DRM. But Meshkin says his company can prevent repeat sales of the same song. Bopaboo has developed song-identification technology that prevents individuals from uploading more than one copy of the same song to the site regardless of how the file might be altered, Meshkin said. A copy is always produced when MP3s are transferred and that is retained on a computer's hard drive. Meshkin didn't have any technological solution for that. He said that in such harsh economic times the music industry must accept a few risks. After all it was they who allowed their music to be sold without DRM in the first place. "Obviously, MP3s are very easy to duplicate," Meshkin said. "It's very difficult to tell the difference between a so-called new copy and a so-called old copy." The label guys are unlikely to just shrug their shoulders at this kind of set up, said von Lohmann."If you buy a song from iTunes' (DRM-free) store you can immediately go and sell a copy of the song on Bopaboo," von Lohmann points out. "You would be assured of getting a discount on your iTunes purchase. There is no doubt that the first-sale law was drafted with physical objects in mind. There's no question that you are allowed to sell books or CDs. But when it comes to selling MP3s, it's an untested legal question." Another problem for Bopaboo, says von Lohmann is that some digital music stores specifically forbid the resale of songs. At Amazon.com for example, the terms of use agreement says customers must agree to "copy, store, transfer and burn" digital music for personal-use only. Customers also agree that they won't "redistribute, transmit, assign, sell, broadcast, rent, share, lend, modify, adapt, edit, sub-license or otherwise transfer" the music.I spoke with two label representatives who declined to comment for the record but told me they thought the resale of DRM-free songs could be the music industry's next big legal battleground. Patrick Ross, executive director of the Copyright Alliance, a watchdog group made up of artists, producers and other content creators, chuckled when I explained Bopaboo's business model. "Clearly a first-sale defense won't apply here," Ross said. "In the case of a book or any other creative work, you no longer possess the work once you sell it...It's also hard for me to imagine the model succeeding because if somebody wants to pay for works they will pay for it at a legal site and see that creators are compensated. If they are willing to break the rules, they would just go on (P2P service) Lime Wire and get it for free. I hope (Bopaboo) crashes and burns before it gets sued. It seems like a flawed business model as well as an illegal business model."If the business model isn't a hard enough pitch to make to the music industry, Meshkin has the added burden of trying to explain his past. In a February 2005 story, BusinessWeek questioned some of the claims Meshkin has made about his background and highlighted the controversy surrounding his oversight of a NASCAR racing team for Toyota at the age of 23. According to the story, Meshkin was sued by one former executive with Bang Racing, his NASCAR team, and accused by some investors of misleading them about his personal wealth and ability to operate a racing team. Meshkin is quoted in the magazine denying the accusations. Toyota eventually pulled its support.
The 404 728- Where we pet it on its head (podcast)
The 404 728: Where we pet it on its head (podcast)
Along with the rest of the discoveries in Zeitgeist 2010, Google has also shared the "fastest-falling" list of searches in 2010. In other words, these are the search terms that enjoyed popularity in 2009 but failed to keep up the momentum this year.The list includes swine flu, Circuit City, Myspace Layouts, and Michael Jackson, despite the release of a new album in December.Check out this graphic of the world according to Facebook. Facebook intern Paul Butler wondered how to show an accurate representation of Facebook's popularity across the globe, and his idea to visualize Facebook "Internet" friendships on a map actually shows the extent of real human relationships.Interestingly enough, the picture reveals that even Argentina, Southeast Asia, and South Africa have a strong Facebook presence, while a significant portion of China and Russia are missing due to Web censorship. Girls geeks are uniting in support of a young Star Wars fan who was bullied by classmates after choosing a Star Wars water bottle and matching backpack for school. Her mom wrote a heartfelt blog asking female Star Wars fans to send messages and comments to show Katie that plenty of women appreciate Star Wars, and within days the post received more than 1,000 messages of support.With all the attention on bullying these days, both online and in person, it's important to remind young people that it's great to be different...and that nerds make more money.Episode 728PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Along with the rest of the discoveries in Zeitgeist 2010, Google has also shared the "fastest-falling" list of searches in 2010. In other words, these are the search terms that enjoyed popularity in 2009 but failed to keep up the momentum this year.The list includes swine flu, Circuit City, Myspace Layouts, and Michael Jackson, despite the release of a new album in December.Check out this graphic of the world according to Facebook. Facebook intern Paul Butler wondered how to show an accurate representation of Facebook's popularity across the globe, and his idea to visualize Facebook "Internet" friendships on a map actually shows the extent of real human relationships.Interestingly enough, the picture reveals that even Argentina, Southeast Asia, and South Africa have a strong Facebook presence, while a significant portion of China and Russia are missing due to Web censorship. Girls geeks are uniting in support of a young Star Wars fan who was bullied by classmates after choosing a Star Wars water bottle and matching backpack for school. Her mom wrote a heartfelt blog asking female Star Wars fans to send messages and comments to show Katie that plenty of women appreciate Star Wars, and within days the post received more than 1,000 messages of support.With all the attention on bullying these days, both online and in person, it's important to remind young people that it's great to be different...and that nerds make more money.Episode 728PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Palm releases WebOS 1.1 for Pre; brings back iTunes syncing
Palm releases WebOS 1.1 for Pre; brings back iTunes syncing
This post was last updated July 24, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. PT.Oh, snap! Things just got a little more heated between Palm and Apple. On Thursday, Palm released WebOS 1.1 for the Palm Pre, which, among other things, brings back iTunes syncing even with version 8.2.1, which disabled the feature. The news was posted on Palm's blog where it listed the new features and enhancements of the software update and nonchalantly added at the end:Oh, and one more thing: Palm webOS 1.1 re-enables Palm media sync. That's right--you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes (8.2.1, for Windows and Mac).Further, in a statement to All Things Digital, Palm spokeswoman Lynn Fox revealed that it has taken the issue to the USB Implementers Forum:Palm believes that openness and interoperability offer better experiences for users by allowing them the freedom to use the content they own without interference across devices and services, so on behalf of consumers, we have notified the USB Implementers Forum of what we believe is improper use of the Vendor ID number by another member.Bold move, Palm. Bold move. It'll be interesting to see how Apple responds, and do you suppose the use of the phrase "one more thing," a phrase that Apple CEO Steve Jobs often uses to introduce a new product at the end of his keynotes, was intentional or am I just reading too much into this? Aside from the media syncing features, WebOS 1.1 also delivers more enterprise-friendly features, including more additions to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support. The Pre now offers remote, PIN/password requirements, inactivity timeout, improved certificate handling, and more. In addition, you can now use emoticons with text, multimedia, and instant messages and set "person reminders" in the Contacts app. Sprint's NFL Mobile Live app is now supported on the Pre, but that's the only new app that was added to the smartphone with this update. The full list of WebOS 1.1 features is posted on Palm's support site so check it out. The update, like all other updates, will be delivered to the Pre over-the-air. We just checked our review unit and sure enough, it's there waiting for us, so we're off to update it now. Let us know about your experience below.
This post was last updated July 24, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. PT.Oh, snap! Things just got a little more heated between Palm and Apple. On Thursday, Palm released WebOS 1.1 for the Palm Pre, which, among other things, brings back iTunes syncing even with version 8.2.1, which disabled the feature. The news was posted on Palm's blog where it listed the new features and enhancements of the software update and nonchalantly added at the end:Oh, and one more thing: Palm webOS 1.1 re-enables Palm media sync. That's right--you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes (8.2.1, for Windows and Mac).Further, in a statement to All Things Digital, Palm spokeswoman Lynn Fox revealed that it has taken the issue to the USB Implementers Forum:Palm believes that openness and interoperability offer better experiences for users by allowing them the freedom to use the content they own without interference across devices and services, so on behalf of consumers, we have notified the USB Implementers Forum of what we believe is improper use of the Vendor ID number by another member.Bold move, Palm. Bold move. It'll be interesting to see how Apple responds, and do you suppose the use of the phrase "one more thing," a phrase that Apple CEO Steve Jobs often uses to introduce a new product at the end of his keynotes, was intentional or am I just reading too much into this? Aside from the media syncing features, WebOS 1.1 also delivers more enterprise-friendly features, including more additions to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support. The Pre now offers remote, PIN/password requirements, inactivity timeout, improved certificate handling, and more. In addition, you can now use emoticons with text, multimedia, and instant messages and set "person reminders" in the Contacts app. Sprint's NFL Mobile Live app is now supported on the Pre, but that's the only new app that was added to the smartphone with this update. The full list of WebOS 1.1 features is posted on Palm's support site so check it out. The update, like all other updates, will be delivered to the Pre over-the-air. We just checked our review unit and sure enough, it's there waiting for us, so we're off to update it now. Let us know about your experience below.
Ford Flex Photo Lab iPhone app
Ford Flex Photo Lab iPhone app
It seems that more and more automakers are jumping on this iPhone app bandwagon. First it was Audi, with its driving game. Then Mercedes-Benz launched an iPhone optimized Web site featuring video. Now, it's Ford's turn to throw its hat into the iPhone arena. Where the previous two examples were directly related to the cars and car culture, Ford has chosen to release a free photo editor. What?The Ford Flex Photo Lab--try saying that five times fast--is essentially a collection of six photo filters that allow iPhone users to fix up or trick out their pictures. What does photography have to do with the Flex? Usha Raghavachari, Ford Crossover marketing communications manager, says: "Flex consumers love new technology, and we know that a lot of them have iPhones, so we wanted to offer them a free application that is both a cool and useful tool."I ran the kaleidoscope filter on a photo of a Mazda RX8.Antuan Goodwin/CBS InteractiveSo how does the Flex Photo Lab perform as a photo editor? In a word: mediocre. The kaleidoscope filter allows users to fracture their photos like the namesake toy, but it's not of much use beyond the first trial. "Electric lines" allows users to draw lines on the chosen photo. We're not sure why you'd want to, but you can. "Spot burner" and "spot lighter" allow darkening and lightening of areas of a photo, with mixed results. Brightness/contrast and hue/saturation controls are good for tweaking images, but without much control over the effect. The experience is far from Adobe Photoshop in the palm of your hand.From the main menu, users are also given a "Discover FLEX" option, which links to photos, 360-degree views and specs for the Ford Flex crossover. An interesting option is the "Locate the FLEX" button, which uses Google Maps to locate the Ford dealer nearest to you.I spent hours goofing off with the Audi app when it first came out, but the Ford app didn't capture my attention in the same way. I used it once or twice, but I don't see much use for it down the line. I do most of my photo editing at home on a bigger monitor with a better program. Neither of the applications made me want to go out and buy the vehicles. The Ford Flex Photo Lab is available for free in the Apple iTunes App store. I like free apps, so keep 'em coming, automakers!
It seems that more and more automakers are jumping on this iPhone app bandwagon. First it was Audi, with its driving game. Then Mercedes-Benz launched an iPhone optimized Web site featuring video. Now, it's Ford's turn to throw its hat into the iPhone arena. Where the previous two examples were directly related to the cars and car culture, Ford has chosen to release a free photo editor. What?The Ford Flex Photo Lab--try saying that five times fast--is essentially a collection of six photo filters that allow iPhone users to fix up or trick out their pictures. What does photography have to do with the Flex? Usha Raghavachari, Ford Crossover marketing communications manager, says: "Flex consumers love new technology, and we know that a lot of them have iPhones, so we wanted to offer them a free application that is both a cool and useful tool."I ran the kaleidoscope filter on a photo of a Mazda RX8.Antuan Goodwin/CBS InteractiveSo how does the Flex Photo Lab perform as a photo editor? In a word: mediocre. The kaleidoscope filter allows users to fracture their photos like the namesake toy, but it's not of much use beyond the first trial. "Electric lines" allows users to draw lines on the chosen photo. We're not sure why you'd want to, but you can. "Spot burner" and "spot lighter" allow darkening and lightening of areas of a photo, with mixed results. Brightness/contrast and hue/saturation controls are good for tweaking images, but without much control over the effect. The experience is far from Adobe Photoshop in the palm of your hand.From the main menu, users are also given a "Discover FLEX" option, which links to photos, 360-degree views and specs for the Ford Flex crossover. An interesting option is the "Locate the FLEX" button, which uses Google Maps to locate the Ford dealer nearest to you.I spent hours goofing off with the Audi app when it first came out, but the Ford app didn't capture my attention in the same way. I used it once or twice, but I don't see much use for it down the line. I do most of my photo editing at home on a bigger monitor with a better program. Neither of the applications made me want to go out and buy the vehicles. The Ford Flex Photo Lab is available for free in the Apple iTunes App store. I like free apps, so keep 'em coming, automakers!
Ford CTO on New Ford Fusion
Ford CTO on New Ford Fusion
Paul Mascarenas, Ford's chief technology and VP of research, was in San Francisco showing off the new Ford Fusion, which now comes with a choice of engines including a 47mpg hybrid and a gasoline engine that shuts the engine off when stopped at a light or a traffic jam. CNET's Wayne Cunningham got a brief test drive and wrote some "fun facts" about the car.In a telephone interview (scroll down to listen) Mascarenas talked about the fuel efficiency features including a "start/stop system" in its 1.6 litre "EcoBoost" gasoline engine, "which actually stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a stand still for example in a traffic jam."That model gets 37 mpg, but there is also a hybrid model which, according to Mascarenas, gets 47 mpg in both the city and highway driving, which is very close the the EPA mileage estimates for the Toyota Prius. As you might expect from a modern car, there is plenty of new technology packed into the Fusion, including some safety features (some are optional) that "assist the driver and help them avoid having an accident in the first place."One example of Ford's active safety technologies includes sensors on the vehicle including forward looking cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors that warn you if you drift in your lane. There is also forward collision warning that detects if you're likely to run into a vehicle up ahead and adaptive cruise control that uses radar to disable cruise control if you're approaching a vehicle.My favorite is blind spot monitoring that uses radar in the rear of the car to detect if another vehicle is moving into your mirror's blind spots.Click below for the full 14-minute interview with Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas.Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas, photographed at the IFA tech trade show in Berlin in September 2011 (Credit: Larry Magid/CNET) Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Paul Mascarenas, Ford's chief technology and VP of research, was in San Francisco showing off the new Ford Fusion, which now comes with a choice of engines including a 47mpg hybrid and a gasoline engine that shuts the engine off when stopped at a light or a traffic jam. CNET's Wayne Cunningham got a brief test drive and wrote some "fun facts" about the car.In a telephone interview (scroll down to listen) Mascarenas talked about the fuel efficiency features including a "start/stop system" in its 1.6 litre "EcoBoost" gasoline engine, "which actually stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a stand still for example in a traffic jam."That model gets 37 mpg, but there is also a hybrid model which, according to Mascarenas, gets 47 mpg in both the city and highway driving, which is very close the the EPA mileage estimates for the Toyota Prius. As you might expect from a modern car, there is plenty of new technology packed into the Fusion, including some safety features (some are optional) that "assist the driver and help them avoid having an accident in the first place."One example of Ford's active safety technologies includes sensors on the vehicle including forward looking cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors that warn you if you drift in your lane. There is also forward collision warning that detects if you're likely to run into a vehicle up ahead and adaptive cruise control that uses radar to disable cruise control if you're approaching a vehicle.My favorite is blind spot monitoring that uses radar in the rear of the car to detect if another vehicle is moving into your mirror's blind spots.Click below for the full 14-minute interview with Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas.Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas, photographed at the IFA tech trade show in Berlin in September 2011 (Credit: Larry Magid/CNET) Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Thunderbolt cables prove expensive to make cheaply
Thunderbolt cables prove expensive to make cheaply
Part of the justification for such an expensive cable is that in order to maintain the high bandwidth in the cable, Apple has needed to implement active electronics to stabilize and condition the signal. While Thunderbolt could maintain connectivity using a cable without such electronics, interference and attenuation of the signal over the distance in the cable would result in degraded performance that would limit bandwidth.Even though the use of active electronics helped justify the $49 price tag of the 6-foot cable, as with other Apple products it was hoped that third-party developers would create offerings of their own at far lower prices, even if quality needed to be sacrificed a little.However, Elgato's Thunderbolt cable is unfortunately inferior to Apple's in two ways. First, the cable is only 2 feet long. While this may be appealing to some who plan to keep the Thunderbolt device and computer close together, overall it's more limiting. The second fact is that Elgato's Thunderbolt cable will cost $10 more than Apple's, at $59 each. Elgato does offer an incentive, though, by bundling it with Elgato's external Thunderbolt SSD drive.So far there are no benchmarks for any performance differences between the two cables, but the difference is likely negligible.The good news about the release of Elgato's cable is that it lends credit to Intel's announcement that by the end of this year we should see an increase in Thunderbolt devices. Hopefully as these devices become more plentiful, their prices and those of the cables used to interconnect them will drop.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or email us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Part of the justification for such an expensive cable is that in order to maintain the high bandwidth in the cable, Apple has needed to implement active electronics to stabilize and condition the signal. While Thunderbolt could maintain connectivity using a cable without such electronics, interference and attenuation of the signal over the distance in the cable would result in degraded performance that would limit bandwidth.Even though the use of active electronics helped justify the $49 price tag of the 6-foot cable, as with other Apple products it was hoped that third-party developers would create offerings of their own at far lower prices, even if quality needed to be sacrificed a little.However, Elgato's Thunderbolt cable is unfortunately inferior to Apple's in two ways. First, the cable is only 2 feet long. While this may be appealing to some who plan to keep the Thunderbolt device and computer close together, overall it's more limiting. The second fact is that Elgato's Thunderbolt cable will cost $10 more than Apple's, at $59 each. Elgato does offer an incentive, though, by bundling it with Elgato's external Thunderbolt SSD drive.So far there are no benchmarks for any performance differences between the two cables, but the difference is likely negligible.The good news about the release of Elgato's cable is that it lends credit to Intel's announcement that by the end of this year we should see an increase in Thunderbolt devices. Hopefully as these devices become more plentiful, their prices and those of the cables used to interconnect them will drop.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or email us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Three jailed over iPad 2 leaks in China
Three jailed over iPad 2 leaks in China
Three people charged with the leaking of trade secrets, including information about Apple's iPad 2, were reportedly sentenced to jail time by a Chinese court this week.The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that Xiao Chengsong, Lin Kecheng, and Hou Pengna were found guilty by The Shenzhen Bao'an People's Court yesterday and sentenced to 18 months, 14 months, and 12 months in jail respectively. Out of the three, Kecheng is the only one to have been an employee with Foxconn at the time, according to the Journal.Foxconn, which is part of Hon Hai Precision Industries, is the company that manufactures gadgets for Apple along with a number of other major electronics makers. The company has been closely watched since a string of worker suicideslast year. More recently, the company last month suffered an explosion at one of its factories near Chengdu, China, that killed three workers and injured another 15. A report from late April suggested that all three individuals charged for conspiring in a plot to acquire detailed information about Apple's iPad 2 ahead of its release worked for Foxconn. According to the Journal, however, that was not the case. Instead, the effort apparently centered around Chengsong, a general manager for a local accessories shop allegedly tapping Penga for information, who then proceeded to allegedly pay Kecheng to get photos of the iPad 2 hardware.Along with the jail time, the three have reportedly been fined at varying levels. Chengsong's sentence was the highest at a little more than $23,140, according to the Journal.
Three people charged with the leaking of trade secrets, including information about Apple's iPad 2, were reportedly sentenced to jail time by a Chinese court this week.The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that Xiao Chengsong, Lin Kecheng, and Hou Pengna were found guilty by The Shenzhen Bao'an People's Court yesterday and sentenced to 18 months, 14 months, and 12 months in jail respectively. Out of the three, Kecheng is the only one to have been an employee with Foxconn at the time, according to the Journal.Foxconn, which is part of Hon Hai Precision Industries, is the company that manufactures gadgets for Apple along with a number of other major electronics makers. The company has been closely watched since a string of worker suicideslast year. More recently, the company last month suffered an explosion at one of its factories near Chengdu, China, that killed three workers and injured another 15. A report from late April suggested that all three individuals charged for conspiring in a plot to acquire detailed information about Apple's iPad 2 ahead of its release worked for Foxconn. According to the Journal, however, that was not the case. Instead, the effort apparently centered around Chengsong, a general manager for a local accessories shop allegedly tapping Penga for information, who then proceeded to allegedly pay Kecheng to get photos of the iPad 2 hardware.Along with the jail time, the three have reportedly been fined at varying levels. Chengsong's sentence was the highest at a little more than $23,140, according to the Journal.
This year's iPhone lines match -- or better -- 2012's, analyst says
This year's iPhone lines match -- or better -- 2012's, analyst says
The volume of customers waiting in line for new iPhones has prompted Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster to stick to his forecast that Apple can sell 5 to 6 million handsets before the weekend is over.Tracking early-morning lines at a few Apple Stores on Friday, Munster and his team found an 83 percent jump in eager buyers at Apple's flagship 5th Avenue store in New York City. Specifically, 1,417 people were already in line at 8 a.m. local time, compared with 775 people in line at the same time last year waiting for the iPhone 5.The surge in customers could have been affected by the lack of iPhone 5S preorders. Last year, the iPhone 5 scored 2 million preorders during the first 24 hours. And the 5th Avenue store boom hasn't yet been seen at other stores tracked by the analyst.Lines at Apple Stores on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and in Minneapolis were about flat or slightly up compared with last year.Of course, these are just preliminary figures based on a few select stores. But in an investors note released today, Munster said he remains comfortable with his projection of 5 million to 6 million iPhones sold over the entire launch weekend. That number includes both of the new iPhones, though the analyst said the vast majority of people waiting in line seemed to be interested in the 5S and not the 5C.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
The volume of customers waiting in line for new iPhones has prompted Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster to stick to his forecast that Apple can sell 5 to 6 million handsets before the weekend is over.Tracking early-morning lines at a few Apple Stores on Friday, Munster and his team found an 83 percent jump in eager buyers at Apple's flagship 5th Avenue store in New York City. Specifically, 1,417 people were already in line at 8 a.m. local time, compared with 775 people in line at the same time last year waiting for the iPhone 5.The surge in customers could have been affected by the lack of iPhone 5S preorders. Last year, the iPhone 5 scored 2 million preorders during the first 24 hours. And the 5th Avenue store boom hasn't yet been seen at other stores tracked by the analyst.Lines at Apple Stores on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and in Minneapolis were about flat or slightly up compared with last year.Of course, these are just preliminary figures based on a few select stores. But in an investors note released today, Munster said he remains comfortable with his projection of 5 million to 6 million iPhones sold over the entire launch weekend. That number includes both of the new iPhones, though the analyst said the vast majority of people waiting in line seemed to be interested in the 5S and not the 5C.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
The Woz hired as an adviser on Sony's Steve Jobs biopic
The Woz hired as an adviser on Sony's Steve Jobs biopic
Steve Jobs couldn't start Apple without Steve Wozniak, and apparently Aaron Sorkin can't tell Jobs' story without the Woz.The Oscar-winning screenwriter has hired the Apple co-founder as an adviser as he turns Walter Isaacson's best-selling biography "Steve Jobs" into a screenplay for a movie project that Sony Pictures announced on Tuesday. Sorkin is best known for his Academy Award-winning adaptation of "The Social Network," an account of how Mark Zuckerberg built the Facebook empire.The Woz, who stepped away from the company in 1987 but remained close to Jobs, will serve as a "tutor" on the company's computers and Jobs himself, according to a Reuters report.Sorkin isn't sure what he is going to include in the screenplay, but he is certain that it won't be a straightforward biopic of the iconic Apple chief, who died last October of pancreatic cancer.Related stories'Steve Jobs' biography to become Aaron Sorkin movieWho will play Woz in the Steve Jobs movie with Ashton Kutcher?Steve Jobs movie starring Kutcher to focus on CEO's early years"I know so little about what I am going to write. I know what I am not going to write. It can't be a straight ahead biography because it's very difficult to shake the cradle-to-grave structure of a biography," Sorkin told reporters at a news conference.Sony sealed the deal for Sorkin's screenplay for $1 million, according to the Web site Film. Rumors have surfaced recently that Sony is looking to get George Clooney or Noah Wyle to portray Jobs in the movie.In addition to Sony's movie project, an independent studio is working on a competing film based on Jobs' early years that will star Ashton Kutcher.
Steve Jobs couldn't start Apple without Steve Wozniak, and apparently Aaron Sorkin can't tell Jobs' story without the Woz.The Oscar-winning screenwriter has hired the Apple co-founder as an adviser as he turns Walter Isaacson's best-selling biography "Steve Jobs" into a screenplay for a movie project that Sony Pictures announced on Tuesday. Sorkin is best known for his Academy Award-winning adaptation of "The Social Network," an account of how Mark Zuckerberg built the Facebook empire.The Woz, who stepped away from the company in 1987 but remained close to Jobs, will serve as a "tutor" on the company's computers and Jobs himself, according to a Reuters report.Sorkin isn't sure what he is going to include in the screenplay, but he is certain that it won't be a straightforward biopic of the iconic Apple chief, who died last October of pancreatic cancer.Related stories'Steve Jobs' biography to become Aaron Sorkin movieWho will play Woz in the Steve Jobs movie with Ashton Kutcher?Steve Jobs movie starring Kutcher to focus on CEO's early years"I know so little about what I am going to write. I know what I am not going to write. It can't be a straight ahead biography because it's very difficult to shake the cradle-to-grave structure of a biography," Sorkin told reporters at a news conference.Sony sealed the deal for Sorkin's screenplay for $1 million, according to the Web site Film. Rumors have surfaced recently that Sony is looking to get George Clooney or Noah Wyle to portray Jobs in the movie.In addition to Sony's movie project, an independent studio is working on a competing film based on Jobs' early years that will star Ashton Kutcher.
The mobile app discovery problem
The mobile app discovery problem
Google's Tim Bray tackled those topics in a post to his personal blog Wednesday, unfortunately unable to solve the issues in under 1,000 words but making some good points in exploring them. Bray works for Google's Android development team but said in his post that the Android Market development is handled by a separate group.In short, when it comes to both Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market, "just as with the Internet itself, Sturgeon's Law applies: almost everything is crap," Bray wrote. There is no real good way to search for the right applications because there is no cultural commitment to determining the value of an application, he wrote.By contrast, take Amazon: there is a unbelievable amount of stuff on Amazon, from books and music to consumer goods. But we can keep things in context because we look to passionate communities devoted to judging the value of art and rely on our own experience with big brands. That simply doesn't exist in the mobile world, Bray wrote, although I might direct his attention to our own Download.com in the future.But his basic point is valid, that as the mobile application continues to be the premier way in which we utilize our mobile devices, both consumers and application retailers need to figure out a better way to surface the best content and weed out the useless stuff. Even with Apple's insistence on reviewing every application submitted to the App Store, application discovery has been one of the biggest gripes among iPhone developers for years.Good food for thought from Bray, and undoubtedly something both Google and Apple are working on. Google, after all, is a search company, and Apple bought mobile search company Siri in April. That expertise could and should be transferred to application discovery, not just Web search.
Google's Tim Bray tackled those topics in a post to his personal blog Wednesday, unfortunately unable to solve the issues in under 1,000 words but making some good points in exploring them. Bray works for Google's Android development team but said in his post that the Android Market development is handled by a separate group.In short, when it comes to both Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market, "just as with the Internet itself, Sturgeon's Law applies: almost everything is crap," Bray wrote. There is no real good way to search for the right applications because there is no cultural commitment to determining the value of an application, he wrote.By contrast, take Amazon: there is a unbelievable amount of stuff on Amazon, from books and music to consumer goods. But we can keep things in context because we look to passionate communities devoted to judging the value of art and rely on our own experience with big brands. That simply doesn't exist in the mobile world, Bray wrote, although I might direct his attention to our own Download.com in the future.But his basic point is valid, that as the mobile application continues to be the premier way in which we utilize our mobile devices, both consumers and application retailers need to figure out a better way to surface the best content and weed out the useless stuff. Even with Apple's insistence on reviewing every application submitted to the App Store, application discovery has been one of the biggest gripes among iPhone developers for years.Good food for thought from Bray, and undoubtedly something both Google and Apple are working on. Google, after all, is a search company, and Apple bought mobile search company Siri in April. That expertise could and should be transferred to application discovery, not just Web search.
Good option for photo enthusiasts
With three updates now out of the way since its debut in February, Apple's Aperture 3 is ready for prime time, and I recommend the software.The $199 software is geared for photography enthusiasts and professionals, especially those who shoot raw images rather than just JPEG, and I put the software through its paces for several weeks for a review. My overall opinion: It's solid software that produces very nice images.If you're an iPhoto user who wants more, it's a good upgrade, though it costs $199 new. If you're an Aperture 2 user, it's a no-brainer to move to the new version. For details, here's CNET's full review of Aperture 3.Aperture 3's geotagging tools are second to none for those who want to put location data into their photos, and the adjustment brushes work very well, reducing the likelihood you'll have to drag your image into Photoshop for fine-tuning.If you're on the fence between Aperture and Lightroom, choose carefully, because you won't have an easy time moving your photo archive from one to the other. Lightroom 3 is on its way, so you might want to wait to see what besides automatic lens flaw corrections Adobe has in store before you commit.
Another Apple touch-screen patent in trouble
One of Apple's broad patents covering touch-screen technology is under fire by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, following a re-examination.The USPTO ruled this week that all 20 claims included in the patent are invalid, according to a filing spotted by blog Foss Patents. The decision, which was handed down Monday, is not final. It's the second such Apple patent to be deemed completely invalid following a re-examination by the USPTO. A similar decision for an Apple patent covering the company's rubber-banding bounce effect came in late October, and is also subject to an appeal.Of note, late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is listed as the chief inventor, along with 24 others, of the touch-related technology listed in U.S. Patent No. 7,479,949. The company filed for the patent in April 2008, and was granted it just nine months later. It was one of three used against Motorola in a recent patent suit, which was tossed out of court last month.
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