Apple TV: Handicapping the competition
The release of Apple TV is imminent--the first hands-on review has appeared, pre-orders have already begun shipping, and it should be popping up in Apple Stores by the end of the week. It's fair to say that Apple's first living room entertainment device is going to cause some major waves in the industry. At the same time, though, it's neither the first nor only product of its kind. Plenty of others--known as digital media adapters or network media devices--are capable of streaming digital media from networked PCs. And iTunes isn't the only show in town when it comes to digitally delivering premium movies and TV shows. So, as the Apple TV rocket leaves the launchpad, we thought it only fair to present a look at the alternatives.The content boxesMovieBeamCNETThanks to Apple TV, all the music, TV shows, and movies purchased at Apple's iTunes Store will no longer be trapped on your computer. Instead of watching on your comparatively cramped desktop or laptop monitor, you'll be able to enjoy iTunes-purchased movies and TV shows on a big-screen TV.While Apple TV will almost certainly remain alone in being compatible with iTunes content--the company has thus far refused to license the FairPlay DRM to any third parties--it's not the only "content box" that you can attach to your TV.MovieBeam MB2160: It's a promising idea: a rotating selection of 100 movies--including some in high-def--are automatically queued up on the MovieBeam's hard drive (the content is downloaded via a proprietary over-the-air service--if it's not available in your area, the company won't sell you the box). You can view any of the movies on a pay-per-watch basis (a onetime fee of $2 to $5 gives you a 24-hour viewing window), and because they're already on the hard drive, there's no waiting for a long download. Unfortunately, the video quality leaves a lot to be desired, and the fact that you're limited to just 100 choices--determined by the company--makes it a tough sell. Perhaps new owner Movie Gallery can reinvigorate the MovieBeam concept.RCA Akimbo Video On Demand Player: In addition to Akimbo's video content--which ranges from the familiar (BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic TV shows) to niche-oriented programming (anime, extreme sports, international TV, adult content)--RCA's Video On Demand Player also provides access to all of the films from Movielink. But its combination of a flat monthly fee plus pay-per-view and subscription charges--depending on what you want to watch--remains confusing, and none of the content is available in HD (unless you sign up for the software-only version). The digital media adaptersNetgear Digital Entertainer HDNetgearAlready have a hard drive full of music, movies, and photos, and just want to watch them in another room? A digital media adapter will let you stream them from your PC to your TV. Originally limited to digital music files, the latest digital media adapters (known by a variety of names, including "network media devices" or "digital media receivers") handle audio, photos, and video--but getting one that's compatible with your specific file formats is the biggest challenge. In that regard, Apple TV looks pretty narrow: it apparently will only stream media that's available in iTunes. That's great if you're an iTunes junkie--nothing else can stream purchased iTunes videos, for instance. But if your video collection is full of other formats--AVI, WMV, DivX, and the like--you'll need to invest a lot of time and effort into converting those videos into iTunes-friendly formats (many freeware and commercial utilities are available), or you'll want to forgo iTunes compatibility and consider one of the competing products instead. Netgear EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD: In addition to offering HD video output and compatibility with a wide range of file formats, the Netgear is said to enable playback of YouTube videos on your TV. Netgear is also touting the Digital Entertainer HD's ability to play back video files purchased from the new BitTorrent Entertainment Network. We're getting one next week, and we'll be able to do a head-to-head streamdown with the Apple TV.D-Link DSM-750 High-Definition Draft N Media Player (available spring 2007): The name says it all: in addition to supporting HD video output, the next D-Link media streamer will have the latest (and fastest) wireless standard on board: 802.11n. The 750 also has a good pedigree: we had good luck with the company's earlier MediaLounge DSM-520 (once some initial problems were fixed via a series of firmware updates).Buffalo LinkTheater PC-P4LWAG Wireless A&G Network Media Player: While it's essentially "last year's model" (it's a safe bet that we'll see an 802.11n Buffalo product in the next few months), the LinkTheater still packs some impressive features, including 720p video support and the ability to stream content directly from one of Buffalo's networked attached storage devices (instead of a PC). We'll have a full review of this one later this month.Mvix MX-760HD: This may well be the "enthusiast" version of the Apple TV--what it lacks in polished design it more than makes up for in versatility and flexibility. While streaming media devices listed above lack internal storage (the Apple TV, by contrast, sports a 40GB drive), the Mvix lets you add your own 3.5-inch hard disk, so you can have hundreds of gigabytes of media at your fingertips--without the need for streaming from a PC.The iPod docksThe new DLO HomeDock DeluxeDLOIn a lot of ways, the Apple TV is sort of a stationary networked home version of the iPod. So if you've already got a video-enabled iPod--which can store all your music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos--why get another?With the latest wave of iPod docks, it's a worthwhile question. Unlike earlier models, some of the latest iPod docks offer worthwhile navigation options from afar--via LCD-enabled remotes or TV displays--so once you dock your iPod, you can watch your iTunes movies and TV shows without having to leave the sofa.Keyspan TuneView for iPod: Keyspan's TuneView remote offers a reasonable facsimile of the docked iPod's menu screen--navigate to the song or video of your choice, all from the palm of your hand. DLO HomeDock (version 2): DLO's original HomeDock let you navigate your docked iPod's music collection via your TV screen, but couldn't duplicate that feat for videos.The new version of the HomeDock corrects that oversight. CNET will have a full review soon, but iLounge already found a lot to like.The PC servicesMovielink Some of you actually have a PC in the living room, already hooked up to the big-screen TV. In that case, there are several digital delivery options available.Movielink (which Blockbuster Video is rumored to be interested in acquiring), CinemaNow (which lets you download and burn certain titles to DVD), and Vongo (which offers an "all you can eat" subscription plan, and the ability to transfer movies to certain Windows-compatible portable media devices).A recent addition to that list is Netflix: all of its DVDs-by-mail plans are being supplemented by an online Watch Now viewing option that streams movies directly to your browser--and it works surprisingly well. Each currently requires a Windows PC and Windows Explorer (though some of the services let you stream downloaded movies to an Xbox 360 elsewhere on your network).Meanwhile, Apple's own iTunes will work perfectly on a PC or a Mac.With a Mac Mini in your home entertainment rack, for instance, there's little reason to run out and buy an Apple TV.There's also a completely free service called Orb that lets you stream your PC-based media (and, if you have a built-in TV tuner, live TV) to other PCs, game consoles, and mobile devices.At the same time, plenty of media outlets--including ABC and NBC--let you watch full-length shows right on their Web sites free of charge, while start-ups such as Joost are taking a crack at delivering a more full-featured video-on-demand service. The convergence boxesXbox Live Video MarketplaceEurogamerWe know what you're thinking--can't they build digital media streaming into some other A/V products?They have, of course--Gateway, Amoi, GoVideo, and Buffalo (among others) all introduced DVD players that could also stream digital media over a home network, but none of them quite hit the mark.But there are a handful of products that do offer some impressive media functionality in addition to their primary entertainment mission. Pioneer BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player: It may be the most expensive of the first-generation Blu-ray players, but the Pioneer's BDP-HD1 is also the only one with a full-service media streaming function built-in.HP SLC3760N MediaSmart TV: Sharp's Network AQUOS is still on the drawing board, but HP already offers at least one TV with built-in wired and wireless network streaming.TiVo DVR: TiVo's Series2 and Series3 DVRs have long had a TiVoCast feature for viewing digital video content--in fact, CNET's one of the providers of such content. But the company recently flicked the switch on Amazon Unbox, which lets TiVo owners download movies straight to their DVR (no PC required). We found that it worked as advertised--but the video quality was lacking, and those looking for wide-screen or HD flicks will need to look elsewhere, at least for now. Xbox 360: Microsoft's second-generation home console is a great game machine. But the 360 goes a lot further. It can stream music, photos, and videos from networked Windows PCs, and it can stream recorded and live TV programming--including high-def content--from Windows XP Media Center and Windows Vista Premium/Ultimate PCs. (Among the streamable content: movies downloaded from the aforementioned Movielink, Vongo, and CinemaNow services.)The 360 also plays CDs and DVDs, of course. And if you don't want to drop $200 to buy the HD DVD drive, you can opt for the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which lets you buy a number of movies and TV shows--including some in high-def--which are downloaded directly to the 360's hard drive. Microsoft is even pledging to deliver a more ambitious IPTV service--live TV channels--to the 360 by the end of 2007.Now, if the 360 only had a bigger hard drive and an HDMI port...The dark horsesWatch your back, Apple TV. There are a couple of potential competitors over there in the shadows.Sony PlayStation 3: You know all that great stuff the 360 can do?There's no reason the PS3 couldn't match it every step of the way. It already has a 60GB hard drive, built-in networking, and full 1080p HD support, and it can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs. Look for future software updates to add even more impressive media functionality. In the meantime, though, we'll complain bitterly about what's missing.Sling Media SlingCatcher (available summer/fall 2007): The SlingCatcher has two functions--it can receive the signal from any Slingbox--essentially giving you access to a remote cable/satellite box or DVR--and it can mirror the display from any computer on a home network. The company is essentially pledging that anything you can enjoy on your PC--from Web pages to audio/video content--can be beamed straight to your TV.For instance, we were able to watch a few YouTube clips when Sling demonstrated the product at January's Consumer Electronics Show--but it remains to be seen if the bandwidth for full-length movies to be smoothly displayed would be feasible with a guaranteed quality of service. More enticing, however, is the possibility offered by the product's add-on storage.The SlingCatcher has a pair of USB ports that can support a snap-on hard drive.Paired with any of the above-mentioned movie download services--Movielink, Netflix, you name it--and the SlingCatcher (or a customized version thereof) would be a potentially powerful Apple TV competitor indeed. The bottom lineFor die-hard iTunes addicts, Apple TV will likely be a slam dunk--indeed, aside from streaming straight off your computer (or an iPod), it will pretty much be the only choice for enjoying iTunes media. But if you're not married to iTunes, there's no denying that the Xbox 360 is a compelling alternative--especially when you consider how much more it can do. And if you want to go beyond the familiar Microsoft/Apple rivalry, there are at least a couple of dozen other choices for accessing your digital media--and that's just for starters. Note: This blog entry was updated since originally posting to include information on Orb, and to add a link to the DLO HomeDock (version 2) review.
Midomi 3.0 seeks song lyrics, knows what's hot
Midomi 3.0 seeks song lyrics, knows what's hot
Fans of Midomi, the song-identifying app for iPhone, will still recognize the app when the iPhone prompts an update to version 3.0, even if they don't recognize the new name: SoundHound. The app's core remains the same with its outsize orange button you tap to sing, hum, or record a song you want to ID, buttressed by another button for shier folk to speak the artist or song name, and a text field for old-fashioned typing. What's new is big, and it centers on two additional tabs below, one that lets you browse music trends and another that links up to your iPod library.Tap "What's Hot" to pull up trend charts for the most popular songs on the Midomi network; the songs that are played more through Midomi than they are on the air; and a list of the most recently "grabbed" tunes that SoundHound and Midomi.com users have identified.Following any musical entry pulls up an info page from which you can flow into an artist bio, bookmark or share the details, buy the song via iTunes, or watch available YouTube videos. A new lyrics feature presents the words to the tunes within the Midomi app; if that's not available, tapping the "lyrics" button produces Google search results, still within the app.Midomi's SoundHound also cleverly hooks into your iPhone's iPod library through the "Now Playing" button. The songs you play through SoundHound get funneled into the Midomi network, so you can rapidly interact with your ditty as you would had you sought it out by typing, talking, humming, or recording the tune. Even better, SoundHound can show lyrics for your iTunes song as it plays. Likewise, if your music search turns up a song you've already got, an icon denotes the fact, and lets you play the tune from your own collection.The robustness of the lyrics feature and the trend charts crowd in on TuneWiki's territory, and threaten to overtake it. Shazam, the other popular music discovery app, could also find itself on SoundHound's lunch menu, except for its loyal following and free price. Even the premium Shazam Encore may continue to appeal to some for its now slightly cheaper price tag and a handy offline mode, but its features pale in comparison.The cost of owning Midomi 3.0/SoundHound does jump in this release from $4.99 to $6.99, presumably to accommodate the cost of licensing lyrics, though we haven't been able to confirm this yet with the app's publisher, Melodis. What we do know is that with this release, SoundHound is jetting to the front of the music discovery pack, which can only mean more sophisticated improvements down the line for its competitors.
Fans of Midomi, the song-identifying app for iPhone, will still recognize the app when the iPhone prompts an update to version 3.0, even if they don't recognize the new name: SoundHound. The app's core remains the same with its outsize orange button you tap to sing, hum, or record a song you want to ID, buttressed by another button for shier folk to speak the artist or song name, and a text field for old-fashioned typing. What's new is big, and it centers on two additional tabs below, one that lets you browse music trends and another that links up to your iPod library.Tap "What's Hot" to pull up trend charts for the most popular songs on the Midomi network; the songs that are played more through Midomi than they are on the air; and a list of the most recently "grabbed" tunes that SoundHound and Midomi.com users have identified.Following any musical entry pulls up an info page from which you can flow into an artist bio, bookmark or share the details, buy the song via iTunes, or watch available YouTube videos. A new lyrics feature presents the words to the tunes within the Midomi app; if that's not available, tapping the "lyrics" button produces Google search results, still within the app.Midomi's SoundHound also cleverly hooks into your iPhone's iPod library through the "Now Playing" button. The songs you play through SoundHound get funneled into the Midomi network, so you can rapidly interact with your ditty as you would had you sought it out by typing, talking, humming, or recording the tune. Even better, SoundHound can show lyrics for your iTunes song as it plays. Likewise, if your music search turns up a song you've already got, an icon denotes the fact, and lets you play the tune from your own collection.The robustness of the lyrics feature and the trend charts crowd in on TuneWiki's territory, and threaten to overtake it. Shazam, the other popular music discovery app, could also find itself on SoundHound's lunch menu, except for its loyal following and free price. Even the premium Shazam Encore may continue to appeal to some for its now slightly cheaper price tag and a handy offline mode, but its features pale in comparison.The cost of owning Midomi 3.0/SoundHound does jump in this release from $4.99 to $6.99, presumably to accommodate the cost of licensing lyrics, though we haven't been able to confirm this yet with the app's publisher, Melodis. What we do know is that with this release, SoundHound is jetting to the front of the music discovery pack, which can only mean more sophisticated improvements down the line for its competitors.
AppMakr lowers barriers to creating iPhone apps
AppMakr lowers barriers to creating iPhone apps
Building an iPhone app to promote your Web site or blog is becoming an increasingly popular thing to do, but the cost of creating an iPhone app can reach thousands of dollars. A new system called AppMakr, from PointAbout,lowers barriers to app development.AppMakr pricing starts at $199, making it relatively affordable to quickly turn your existing RSS or Atom news feed into an iPhone application. You need just a few things to create an app with your own branding: an RSS or Atom news feed from you Web site, graphics for your header and splash screen, and an icon for the iTunes App Store.RSS or Atom feeds can originate from Twitter, iTunes podcast feeds, Flickr streams, YouTube,Wordpress, or other sources. If any of the feeds contain MP4 video, AppMakr will support playback within the app that it builds. If your site has multiple feeds, you can create multiple tabs within your app to represent each feed. AppMakr provides a few options for making money off your app. You can submit the app to the App Store as either a free or paid download. On free apps, you can embed ads from services including AdMob, Medialets, DoubleClick, and Google Adsense. Once you finish customizing your options, AppMakr will submit the app for you to Apple's App Store.According to the AppMakr Web site, there are two pricing options:$199 - The easy way: AppMakr publishes your appSubmit your app in minutes, with AppMakr as the publisher. Skip the difficult parts of making an iPhone app, including working with Xcode and figuring out the app certification and provisional process. You can even insert your own ads in the app. Apps built with this option will have a small AppMakr logo on the splash screen.$499 - You're in control: Publish under your own brandTake control of the app-building process by creating an Apple Developer Account and loading your certificates into AppMakr. We'll take care of the rest, including the provisioning, building and management of your apps. You'll also be able to test apps on your own phone with Ad Hoc builds.It should be noted that AppMakr does not replace the full application development suite of tools called XCode from Apple. Additionally, the current release of AppMakr doesn't support more than news feeds for content generation, but the AppMakr blog mentions additional functionality that will be added to it in the future. Even with its current limits, AppMaker is a cost-effective way to make your brand and content readily available to iPhone and iPod Touch users. You can see a video demonstration of AppMakr below:AppMakr.com has provided us with a coupon for anyone interested in a trial. To use the coupon, visit AppMakr's site and enter the code "CNET" to receive $99 off of the prices listed above.
Building an iPhone app to promote your Web site or blog is becoming an increasingly popular thing to do, but the cost of creating an iPhone app can reach thousands of dollars. A new system called AppMakr, from PointAbout,lowers barriers to app development.AppMakr pricing starts at $199, making it relatively affordable to quickly turn your existing RSS or Atom news feed into an iPhone application. You need just a few things to create an app with your own branding: an RSS or Atom news feed from you Web site, graphics for your header and splash screen, and an icon for the iTunes App Store.RSS or Atom feeds can originate from Twitter, iTunes podcast feeds, Flickr streams, YouTube,Wordpress, or other sources. If any of the feeds contain MP4 video, AppMakr will support playback within the app that it builds. If your site has multiple feeds, you can create multiple tabs within your app to represent each feed. AppMakr provides a few options for making money off your app. You can submit the app to the App Store as either a free or paid download. On free apps, you can embed ads from services including AdMob, Medialets, DoubleClick, and Google Adsense. Once you finish customizing your options, AppMakr will submit the app for you to Apple's App Store.According to the AppMakr Web site, there are two pricing options:$199 - The easy way: AppMakr publishes your appSubmit your app in minutes, with AppMakr as the publisher. Skip the difficult parts of making an iPhone app, including working with Xcode and figuring out the app certification and provisional process. You can even insert your own ads in the app. Apps built with this option will have a small AppMakr logo on the splash screen.$499 - You're in control: Publish under your own brandTake control of the app-building process by creating an Apple Developer Account and loading your certificates into AppMakr. We'll take care of the rest, including the provisioning, building and management of your apps. You'll also be able to test apps on your own phone with Ad Hoc builds.It should be noted that AppMakr does not replace the full application development suite of tools called XCode from Apple. Additionally, the current release of AppMakr doesn't support more than news feeds for content generation, but the AppMakr blog mentions additional functionality that will be added to it in the future. Even with its current limits, AppMaker is a cost-effective way to make your brand and content readily available to iPhone and iPod Touch users. You can see a video demonstration of AppMakr below:AppMakr.com has provided us with a coupon for anyone interested in a trial. To use the coupon, visit AppMakr's site and enter the code "CNET" to receive $99 off of the prices listed above.
The 404 1,065- Where it's all in our heads (podcast)
The 404 1,065: Where it's all in our heads (podcast)
Today's episode of The 404 is a valuable resource for anyone obsessed with headphones -- classic audiophiles, young audiophiliacs, musicians, producers, and casual listeners will all benefit from Steve Guttenberg's knowledge, and he brought a friend! Tyll Hertsens is largely credited for creating the first portable headphone amp and currently the editor-in-chief of InnerFidelity.With Tyll's help, we'll run through the differences between on-ear and in-ear headphones, give credit to two companies responsible for introducing high-quality headphones to the next generation of audiophiles, and we'll even spend a little time dissecting the criteria for what makes a headphone "sound good."You've certainly arrived at the right episode if you're shopping for a new headphone! Tyll, Steve, and I throw out a bunch of recommendations with models ranging in style, design, application, and music genre. As always, you can check out InnerFidelity's Wall of Fame as well as CNET's Best Headphones list to see a roundup of the best in the industry.After the break, Jeff and I are eager to talk about the United States taking credit for the Stuxnet virus. It's all detailed in an upcoming book, "Confront and Conceal: Obama's Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power," but today we'll spend some time going over Stuxnet's sticky history and what the evidence means for the future of cyber-warfare. 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.PlayEpisode 1,065PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
Today's episode of The 404 is a valuable resource for anyone obsessed with headphones -- classic audiophiles, young audiophiliacs, musicians, producers, and casual listeners will all benefit from Steve Guttenberg's knowledge, and he brought a friend! Tyll Hertsens is largely credited for creating the first portable headphone amp and currently the editor-in-chief of InnerFidelity.With Tyll's help, we'll run through the differences between on-ear and in-ear headphones, give credit to two companies responsible for introducing high-quality headphones to the next generation of audiophiles, and we'll even spend a little time dissecting the criteria for what makes a headphone "sound good."You've certainly arrived at the right episode if you're shopping for a new headphone! Tyll, Steve, and I throw out a bunch of recommendations with models ranging in style, design, application, and music genre. As always, you can check out InnerFidelity's Wall of Fame as well as CNET's Best Headphones list to see a roundup of the best in the industry.After the break, Jeff and I are eager to talk about the United States taking credit for the Stuxnet virus. It's all detailed in an upcoming book, "Confront and Conceal: Obama's Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power," but today we'll spend some time going over Stuxnet's sticky history and what the evidence means for the future of cyber-warfare. 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.PlayEpisode 1,065PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
iTunes vs physical media, and the urge to purge
iTunes vs physical media, and the urge to purge
I own 3,000 CDs and 4,000 LPs. They take up a lot of space in my apartment, and that's OK with me. They're lined up in metal racks, wood shelving, and stacked up in piles on the floor. But a lot of my friends with just a few hundred CDs are in a big hurry to dump them into their computers and get rid of the discs. I just had lunch yesterday with an audiophile friend who is in the midst of transferring all of his CDs as WAV files to his new HD. As always I'm completely out of step with the times. For me, the joy of sauntering over to the wall and scoping the titles to figure out what I'm going to play next is still so satisfying. I stumble upon stuff I haven't played in years, like the other day I popped on "The Fantasy Film World of Bernard Herrmann" and that led to gamelan percussion from Evan Ziporyn, which put me in the mood for Radiohead's "Amnesiac." And so it goes. I like clutter, it seems to spur creativity, but to most folks it looks like a mess. So maybe the whole move to download music and movies is really based on the urge to purge. That at least makes some sense. That's also a big part of the whole iTunes mindset. But for me, scanning playlists just doesn't have the tactile appeal of fingering CDs or LPs. I like sitting there reading the booklet or just staring at the cover. Which sometimes jogs my memories of buying the music in the first place. The funky store in San Francisco where somebody turned me onto Clifford Jordan's jazz, or the time I was walking through Central Park on a misty April morning listening to Copland's "Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp and Piano" on the radio. The music so perfectly fit the scene I headed straight to the Tower Records store on 66th and Broadway and bought it. And now every time I play that CD it takes me back to the day in Central Park. The CD is a physical connection to that day, and I don't want to give that up.
I own 3,000 CDs and 4,000 LPs. They take up a lot of space in my apartment, and that's OK with me. They're lined up in metal racks, wood shelving, and stacked up in piles on the floor. But a lot of my friends with just a few hundred CDs are in a big hurry to dump them into their computers and get rid of the discs. I just had lunch yesterday with an audiophile friend who is in the midst of transferring all of his CDs as WAV files to his new HD. As always I'm completely out of step with the times. For me, the joy of sauntering over to the wall and scoping the titles to figure out what I'm going to play next is still so satisfying. I stumble upon stuff I haven't played in years, like the other day I popped on "The Fantasy Film World of Bernard Herrmann" and that led to gamelan percussion from Evan Ziporyn, which put me in the mood for Radiohead's "Amnesiac." And so it goes. I like clutter, it seems to spur creativity, but to most folks it looks like a mess. So maybe the whole move to download music and movies is really based on the urge to purge. That at least makes some sense. That's also a big part of the whole iTunes mindset. But for me, scanning playlists just doesn't have the tactile appeal of fingering CDs or LPs. I like sitting there reading the booklet or just staring at the cover. Which sometimes jogs my memories of buying the music in the first place. The funky store in San Francisco where somebody turned me onto Clifford Jordan's jazz, or the time I was walking through Central Park on a misty April morning listening to Copland's "Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp and Piano" on the radio. The music so perfectly fit the scene I headed straight to the Tower Records store on 66th and Broadway and bought it. And now every time I play that CD it takes me back to the day in Central Park. The CD is a physical connection to that day, and I don't want to give that up.
Apple's iCloud.com goes live ahead of iCloud launch
Apple's iCloud.com goes live ahead of iCloud launch
Ahead of a full release this fall, Apple has pushed the Web front end to iCloud live for developers to kick the tires on.The new site, which resides at iCloud.com, features a similar front-end to Me.com, which will be shuttered next year with Apple's MobileMe service. Visitors can view Web e-mail, manage contacts, view and edit calendar events, and access the Find My iPhone tool. A new entrant to the bunch is a Web app for iWork, which outlines iCloud's file storage for documents created in Apple's Keynote, Pages and Numbers iOS applications.One surprise to come out of the quiet launch is that the log-in screen matches one that leaked out ahead of Apple's official iCloud unveiling at WWDC in June. At the time, Apple made no mention of iCloud having a Web front-end, something the company committed to a few weeks later.9to5mac appears to be the finder of the freshly-launched site. Apple's made no mention of the service on its developer site.Apple's iCloud Web app lineup.CNETiCloud is Apple's upcoming cloud sync service. It succeeds MobileMe, the $99-a-year service Apple introduced three years ago. iCloud ferries files, apps, app data, and media across iOS devices, Macs, and PCs. It also syncs music across devices, though it won't do that for video content.The official end of life for MobileMe and its accompanying Web site is June 30, 2012. Between now and then, Apple has said that MobileMe features that are being shelved will continue to work, even after users transition their accounts to iCloud. That gives users of iWeb, iDisk, and the Apple Gallery service time to transfer their files to other hosting providers before MobileMe permanently goes dark. Apple is rumored to have paid some $4.5 million for the iCloud.com domain back in late-April, well ahead of when it revealed the product name in a press release announcing Apple CEO Steve Jobs as WWDC's keynote speaker. Update at 4:38 p.m. PT: Macrumors spotted Apple now offering up a pre-release version of its iWork software for iOS. The company's also posted a second beta version of iPhoto 9.2, which includes iCloud's Photo Stream feature.
Ahead of a full release this fall, Apple has pushed the Web front end to iCloud live for developers to kick the tires on.The new site, which resides at iCloud.com, features a similar front-end to Me.com, which will be shuttered next year with Apple's MobileMe service. Visitors can view Web e-mail, manage contacts, view and edit calendar events, and access the Find My iPhone tool. A new entrant to the bunch is a Web app for iWork, which outlines iCloud's file storage for documents created in Apple's Keynote, Pages and Numbers iOS applications.One surprise to come out of the quiet launch is that the log-in screen matches one that leaked out ahead of Apple's official iCloud unveiling at WWDC in June. At the time, Apple made no mention of iCloud having a Web front-end, something the company committed to a few weeks later.9to5mac appears to be the finder of the freshly-launched site. Apple's made no mention of the service on its developer site.Apple's iCloud Web app lineup.CNETiCloud is Apple's upcoming cloud sync service. It succeeds MobileMe, the $99-a-year service Apple introduced three years ago. iCloud ferries files, apps, app data, and media across iOS devices, Macs, and PCs. It also syncs music across devices, though it won't do that for video content.The official end of life for MobileMe and its accompanying Web site is June 30, 2012. Between now and then, Apple has said that MobileMe features that are being shelved will continue to work, even after users transition their accounts to iCloud. That gives users of iWeb, iDisk, and the Apple Gallery service time to transfer their files to other hosting providers before MobileMe permanently goes dark. Apple is rumored to have paid some $4.5 million for the iCloud.com domain back in late-April, well ahead of when it revealed the product name in a press release announcing Apple CEO Steve Jobs as WWDC's keynote speaker. Update at 4:38 p.m. PT: Macrumors spotted Apple now offering up a pre-release version of its iWork software for iOS. The company's also posted a second beta version of iPhoto 9.2, which includes iCloud's Photo Stream feature.
Apple's iCloud.com exits beta
Apple's iCloud.com exits beta
Apple today launched its cloud services portal iCloud.com to the public.Previously available only in beta form to developers, the updated site is now available to all iCloud users, allowing them to share content across multiple devices. The site features icons for the Notes and Reminder apps that sync with their iOS and Mac counterparts, as well as Find My Phone and iWork on a Mountain Lion-like background. The site includes a revamped Find My Phone app that features a "lost mode" that allows a user to lock a device if it's lost or stolen and send a contact number to the phone, so that whoever has the device can contact the owner. The new Mail Web app also includes a VIP list feature that sends users an alert when e-mails arrive from their chosen contacts. iCloud replaces MobileMe, a paid cloud sync and storage service plagued by outages that Apple shuttered in June. The new service gives users 5GB for free, though only some files count against that amount. Content such as apps, books, videos, or music purchased from one of Apple's stores and Photo Stream don't count against that limit. However, e-mail, stored documents, settings, app data, and iOS device backups are all counted. When users fill their locker, additional storage capacities of 10GB, 20GB, or 50GB can be purchased for $20, $40, or $100 per year respectively.The new service appears to be off to a rocky start as well. Some iCloud users complained yesterday of being unable to access e-mail, an issue Apple acknowledged but said affected only 1.1 percent of users.
Apple today launched its cloud services portal iCloud.com to the public.Previously available only in beta form to developers, the updated site is now available to all iCloud users, allowing them to share content across multiple devices. The site features icons for the Notes and Reminder apps that sync with their iOS and Mac counterparts, as well as Find My Phone and iWork on a Mountain Lion-like background. The site includes a revamped Find My Phone app that features a "lost mode" that allows a user to lock a device if it's lost or stolen and send a contact number to the phone, so that whoever has the device can contact the owner. The new Mail Web app also includes a VIP list feature that sends users an alert when e-mails arrive from their chosen contacts. iCloud replaces MobileMe, a paid cloud sync and storage service plagued by outages that Apple shuttered in June. The new service gives users 5GB for free, though only some files count against that amount. Content such as apps, books, videos, or music purchased from one of Apple's stores and Photo Stream don't count against that limit. However, e-mail, stored documents, settings, app data, and iOS device backups are all counted. When users fill their locker, additional storage capacities of 10GB, 20GB, or 50GB can be purchased for $20, $40, or $100 per year respectively.The new service appears to be off to a rocky start as well. Some iCloud users complained yesterday of being unable to access e-mail, an issue Apple acknowledged but said affected only 1.1 percent of users.
Apple's iBeacon tech to be used for fun in CES scavenger hunt
Apple's iBeacon tech to be used for fun in CES scavenger hunt
One of the world's biggest tech and gadget parties kicks off next week and organizers are looking to bring some extra fun to the shindig -- a scavenger hunt using Apple's iBeacon location-sensing technology. The idea of the scavenger hunt is to get attendees to explore the event. The way the contest works is attendees download the CES mobile app onto their iOS or Android devices and then work to find iBeacon badges throughout the conference center. The first three players to collect all of the badges will get a prize. This will be one of the first commercial uses of iBeacon to include Android devices."This promotional scavenger hunt demonstrates our commitment to leveraging the latest in emerging technologies, making CES the most interactive and engaging technology event of the year," Consumer Electronics Association's senior vice president of communications and strategic relationships Jeff Joseph said in a statement. "This promotion is a fun and novel way to introduce attendees to iBeacon technology and encourage participants to visit important exhibits across the show floor." For the scavenger hunt, CEA is partnering with Radius Networks, which developed the iBeacon hardware, and Texas Instruments, which created the low-energy Bluetooth technology used by iBeacon. The way iBeacon works is it sends off short-range transmitters that notify mobile devices when they are within 100 feet of a beacon. This type of location sensing technology can be used for indoor navigation, automatic ticketing, and location-relevant promotions."This is one of the coolest proximity-aware apps we have worked on," Radius Networks CEO and cofounder Marc Wallace said. "This is also one of the first, tangible applications that leverages iBeacon technology. And it is a great example of how iBeacon technology is not just about advertising as it is about bringing new and innovative solutions to the marketplace."
One of the world's biggest tech and gadget parties kicks off next week and organizers are looking to bring some extra fun to the shindig -- a scavenger hunt using Apple's iBeacon location-sensing technology. The idea of the scavenger hunt is to get attendees to explore the event. The way the contest works is attendees download the CES mobile app onto their iOS or Android devices and then work to find iBeacon badges throughout the conference center. The first three players to collect all of the badges will get a prize. This will be one of the first commercial uses of iBeacon to include Android devices."This promotional scavenger hunt demonstrates our commitment to leveraging the latest in emerging technologies, making CES the most interactive and engaging technology event of the year," Consumer Electronics Association's senior vice president of communications and strategic relationships Jeff Joseph said in a statement. "This promotion is a fun and novel way to introduce attendees to iBeacon technology and encourage participants to visit important exhibits across the show floor." For the scavenger hunt, CEA is partnering with Radius Networks, which developed the iBeacon hardware, and Texas Instruments, which created the low-energy Bluetooth technology used by iBeacon. The way iBeacon works is it sends off short-range transmitters that notify mobile devices when they are within 100 feet of a beacon. This type of location sensing technology can be used for indoor navigation, automatic ticketing, and location-relevant promotions."This is one of the coolest proximity-aware apps we have worked on," Radius Networks CEO and cofounder Marc Wallace said. "This is also one of the first, tangible applications that leverages iBeacon technology. And it is a great example of how iBeacon technology is not just about advertising as it is about bringing new and innovative solutions to the marketplace."
Apple's iAds app found to bend App Store rules
Apple's iAds app found to bend App Store rules
Apple is no stranger to posting its own advertising on Apple.com, even grouping together online and TV ads on specially promoted pages. But a new iOS application Apple released yesterday, which showcases third-party ad campaigns as part of its iAd platform, manages to violate the company's own App Store guidelines.As pointed out by Business Insider, the free iAd Gallery app breaks the 13th item in Apple's functionality rules, which stipulates that "apps that are primarily marketing materials or advertisements will be rejected." The app itself is made up entirely of advertisements that users can interact with as if they saw them inside of an application. Based on a section in Apple's iAds guidelines, the app could also be considered as violating the rule that says "apps that are designed predominantly for the display of ads will be rejected." In the iAd application's description, Apple positions it as a resource of sorts, giving users a way to "learn about the featured ads, including the advertising agencies behind them." The application also contains some bookmarking and exploration tools that let users save ads they like, and browse campaigns by brand.Still, there's no arguing that the application remains a delivery mechanism for ads that Apple would be unlikely to allow from third parties based on its own rules. Proof enough of that was churned up by Engadget, which had been contacted by the maker of Ads Tube, an application that was designed to collect and organize iAd campaigns for viewing. That app was rejected in June for having "minimal user functionality." Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple's iAd platform was introduced around this time last year as an alternative to third-party mobile-advertising tools provided by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and others. The underlying technology, which had application developers sticking in just a few lines of code to have Apple serve up hand-picked ads in their applications, was built into Apple's iOS 4 and launched with 17 participating brands in July.
Apple is no stranger to posting its own advertising on Apple.com, even grouping together online and TV ads on specially promoted pages. But a new iOS application Apple released yesterday, which showcases third-party ad campaigns as part of its iAd platform, manages to violate the company's own App Store guidelines.As pointed out by Business Insider, the free iAd Gallery app breaks the 13th item in Apple's functionality rules, which stipulates that "apps that are primarily marketing materials or advertisements will be rejected." The app itself is made up entirely of advertisements that users can interact with as if they saw them inside of an application. Based on a section in Apple's iAds guidelines, the app could also be considered as violating the rule that says "apps that are designed predominantly for the display of ads will be rejected." In the iAd application's description, Apple positions it as a resource of sorts, giving users a way to "learn about the featured ads, including the advertising agencies behind them." The application also contains some bookmarking and exploration tools that let users save ads they like, and browse campaigns by brand.Still, there's no arguing that the application remains a delivery mechanism for ads that Apple would be unlikely to allow from third parties based on its own rules. Proof enough of that was churned up by Engadget, which had been contacted by the maker of Ads Tube, an application that was designed to collect and organize iAd campaigns for viewing. That app was rejected in June for having "minimal user functionality." Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple's iAd platform was introduced around this time last year as an alternative to third-party mobile-advertising tools provided by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and others. The underlying technology, which had application developers sticking in just a few lines of code to have Apple serve up hand-picked ads in their applications, was built into Apple's iOS 4 and launched with 17 participating brands in July.
Apple's iAd traveling to Japan
Apple's iAd traveling to Japan
Apple's iAd is setting up shop in Japan.Released in the U.S. over the summer, the mobile ad platform will reach iPhone and iPod Touch users in Japan in early 2011, Apple said yesterday.Apple will host, target, and deliver the ads, while Tokyo-based ad agency Dentsu Group will sell and develop them. Dentsu's subsidiary Cyber Communications will handle the specific planning and production of the ads."After an incredibly successful launch in the U.S. where we've already doubled the number of brands on the network, we're excited to bring iAd to Japan," Andy Miller, Apple's vice president of iAd, said in a statement. "Dentsu is one of the world's most prestigious advertising agencies, making them an ideal partner for iAds in Japan."Apple sees iAd as a way for developers of free apps to make some money, giving them 60 percent of the ad revenue. Since its debut, iAd has been limited to the iPhone and iPod Touch. But the upcoming release of iOS 4.2 will bring iAd's mobile ads to the iPad as well.Ads created through iAd appear within an actual app and open up full blown in a window when clicked on, rather than redirecting users to a separate Web page. The first ads via iAd hit the iPhone in the U.S. in early July. One report at the time said that some advertisers paid as much as $1 million for mobile ad space, with early adopters including Walt Disney, AT&T, General Electric, Geico, J.C. Penney, Target, and Best Buy.
Apple's iAd is setting up shop in Japan.Released in the U.S. over the summer, the mobile ad platform will reach iPhone and iPod Touch users in Japan in early 2011, Apple said yesterday.Apple will host, target, and deliver the ads, while Tokyo-based ad agency Dentsu Group will sell and develop them. Dentsu's subsidiary Cyber Communications will handle the specific planning and production of the ads."After an incredibly successful launch in the U.S. where we've already doubled the number of brands on the network, we're excited to bring iAd to Japan," Andy Miller, Apple's vice president of iAd, said in a statement. "Dentsu is one of the world's most prestigious advertising agencies, making them an ideal partner for iAds in Japan."Apple sees iAd as a way for developers of free apps to make some money, giving them 60 percent of the ad revenue. Since its debut, iAd has been limited to the iPhone and iPod Touch. But the upcoming release of iOS 4.2 will bring iAd's mobile ads to the iPad as well.Ads created through iAd appear within an actual app and open up full blown in a window when clicked on, rather than redirecting users to a separate Web page. The first ads via iAd hit the iPhone in the U.S. in early July. One report at the time said that some advertisers paid as much as $1 million for mobile ad space, with early adopters including Walt Disney, AT&T, General Electric, Geico, J.C. Penney, Target, and Best Buy.
What Is the Most Iconic '80s Movie Moment
Twenty-five years ago today, cinema changed forever. That makes it sound like something groundbreaking or game changing occurred, but all that happend back on April 14, 1989 is that moviegoers were introduced to Say Anything, and with it the unforgettable image and sound of John Cusack holding a boom box blaring Peter Gabriel;s In Your Eyes. It probably actually took a few days or weeks for the moment to reach pop-culture consciousness in a way that made it iconic, but regardless it;s difficult to imagine life, the world, the movies without that scene. It;s like trying to imagine a time before trees. Maybe that;s a stretch, but really famous movie moments are so implanted in our brains that they seem as if they;ve always been there. Cinematic iconography is likely more powerful with moments we grew up with, though. Is the Say Anything boom box scene (the making of which is discussed here) as significant to our parents? Is, to stick with Cameron Crowe, the Tiny Dancer sing-along in Almost Famous more iconic to moviegoers who grew up with that? Maybe it works both ways. Do the kids today have any reason to get why Phoebe Cates;s exit from the pool in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (written by Crowe) is so famous? The truly most iconic moments of the 1980s are those that even my unborn child will find to be an indelible part of life, or at least of film history. E.T. and Elliott biking through the air in front of an enormous Moon is a pretty safe bet for that qualification. The scene;s endurance has, of course, been helped by its being a part of the Amblin Entertainment logo. Another one that my kids won;t be seeing so quickly and which might not resonate nearly as much when they do is the orgasm bit in When Harry Met Sally. Maybe they;ll be privy to the Old Time Rock and Roll scene from Risky Business whether they ever bother with the movie itself. That;s one of those iconic moments that has lasted in spite of its source being otherwise barely talked about or regularly watched over the decades. I don;t even know if I;ve seen the whole thing, yet I;ve seen that moment a billion times. That;s definitely the case for Flashdance, which I;ve definitely never seen at all. Those that come to mind quickest for me are from movies that I not only have seen but which are longtime favorites of mine. There;s the first image of the Delorean disappearing and leaving behind fiery tire marks from Back to the Future. The crane move at the climax of The Karate Kid. The Truffle Shuffle in The Goonies. Indiana Jones outracing the boulder from the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Any number of the scenes that produced numerous nightmares throughout my childhood from Poltergeist. And even though it;s my least favorite part of Ferris Bueller;s Day Off, the parade float number has an everlasting presence in my memory. Actually, if I;m going to go with something from Ferris Bueller it;s gotta be Ben Stein;s roll call. What;s the most iconic ;80s movie moment? Here are some responses received so far via Twitter: @thefilmcynic Jake Ryan and Molly Ringwald;s scene on top of the kitchen table staring at each other over her birthday cake. — Matty Mcboy (@RealMattyMcBoy) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Karate Kid: The Crane. — Ben Godar (@bengodar) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic The Delorean from the Back to The Future series not forgetting the memorable score too. — George Stavrinou (@georgestavrinou) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Yippee Ki-Yay- Die Hard. — Andrew Davies (@dashielldavies) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Ferris Bueller singing twist and shout? — Jack Giroux (@JackGi) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic the smiths cover and the Seurat painting - ferris bueller. Anyone, bueller anyone? — Jeanie Finlay (@JeanieFinlay) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Prince singing Purple Rain — Andrew Robinson (@gmanreviews) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Say Anything boom box — Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic The Terminator-I;ll be back — Professor Fate (@springcreature) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Phoebe Cates. Bikini. — Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic the Phoebe Cates pool scene in Fast Times — justin robinson (@TheJSRobinson) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Phoebe Cates. Red bikini. — The AlmostFilmCritic (@almostflmcritic) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Loretta Castorini, Lincoln Center fountain, Moonstruck. Only sorta because it;s the first thing to come to me. — Daniel Walber (@DSWalber) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic E.T. and Elliott touch fingers. — Alan Cerny (@NordlingAICN) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic Flying bike across the moon. #ET — Bernardo Villela (@BernardoVillela) April 14, 2014 @thefilmcynic The homerun from THE NATURAL.
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