Beats hit some high notes, but the purchase doesn't measure up
The appearance of Apple's Eddy Cue and Beats' Jimmy Iovine at the first Code Conference answered some of the questions that were raised when whispers first spread that the Apple and Beats would now seek to make beautiful money together.Beats' electronics products, on which the company made its name, will live on. The music service, complete with its support for Android and Windows Phone, would also live on. And, answering a question no one had any doubt about, Beats' licensing deal with HP, which Iovine described as "a marriage of convenience," will end when its contract expires.Other questions, though, continue to go unanswered. In confirming the continuation of many of the things that made Beats Beats, Apple didn't really say much about what led it to make Beats into part of Apple. We have heard that the Beats acquisition was "about music" (obviously) and that most of the value it would bring to Apple would be revealed in its future plans.Indeed, when one looks at the four fundamental assets Beats brings to Apple today, there's not a compelling case for any single thing the company offered. These included:An audio accessories business. Beats' pricey headphones both stole share in the airline lounge and attracted new category customers in the dance lounge. But Apple had already incidentally created a major presence in the headphone market via customers ordering replacements for their iPhones. Surely, with a bit of effort, it could have either gone upstream itself or purchased a less expensive company with a great reputation for headphone quality.A music service. Here again, Apple had built the fundamentals of a streaming subscription service with iTunes Radio and it sure didn't need Beats to broker a billing relationship with AT&T (or any other carrier). In fact, it wouldn't need the carriers at all given the tens of millions of credit card companies that It has racked up via the iTunes store. And speaking of iTunes, Beats also gives Apple...RELATED STORIESApple finally confirms it's buying Beats for $3BiTunes head Cue and Beats' Iovine: Apple will put Beats on steroidsAnalysts mixed about Apple's prospects for BeatsA new brand. Some have accused Apple of "buying cool" with its purchase of Beats, a charge that was levied against Beats partners HP and HTC as well. The Beats brand may well skew younger, cooler, and more toward music than Apple's. But compared to, say, HTC, the Apple brand is already pretty cool. iTunes has been Apple's audio subbrand for over 13 years and was already on its way to becoming a service brand with iTunes Radio. On the other hand, Apple's never really had a subbrand for the audio systems and processing inside its products (as it has for its cameras with FaceTime), and Beats may well provide that.Talent. People are often cited as a reason for acquisitions that don't add up and Apple will now have some unknown services for some unknown time from Beats founders Iovine and Dr. Dre. But again, it's hard to imagine that Apple couldn't enlist the services of many visionary music producers or legendary artists. One would think that Apple buying Beats would lead to a more substantive celebrity association than the short-lived spokesperson affiliations of Alicia Keys (BlackBerry) and Jessica Alba (Microsoft). However, for Dre, at least, one gets the impression that it just might have been about the money.One of the most interesting revelations about the talks between the two companies came when Cue noted that Apple had passed on buying Beats back when it did the deal with HTC simply because the timing wasn't right. But now that it is, the companies will have to go beyond simple moves such as integrating the Beats sound into Apple products to make the deal worthwhile.
Paul Allen revises patent suit against 11 tech firms
Paul Allen revises patent suit against 11 tech firms
In his revised complaint filed yesterday, Allen alleges that 11 tech companies and retailers--Apple, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, YouTube, eBay, Netflix, OfficeMax, Office Depot, and Staples--are violating patents granted to him when he headed Interval Research, a small R&D firm that he started in 1992 and ran until it went out of business in 2000.Allen initially filed the suit in August in U.S. District Court in Seattle. At the time, Allen's Interval Licensing company--which holds the patents of Interval Research--said in a press release that the "patents in the lawsuit cover fundamental web technologies first developed at Interval Research in the 1990s, which the company believes are being infringed by major e-commerce and web search companies."The lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman on December 13 on grounds that the charges were too vague. In her ruling, Pechman gave Allen until December 28 to revise the suit with the necessary specifics. Allen's legal team labeled the judge's ruling a "procedural issue" and said it would meet the deadline, which it did just in time.The revised complaint details specific products, services, and technologies offered or used by the defendants, according to a Wall Street Journal article.As one example, the suit claims that Apple uses a function developed at and patented by Interval Research that compares content items to determine whether they are related. This function is used in a variety of Apple products, including iTunes, Apple's App Store, and Apple TV, the Journal said. The claim against Google cites a violation of the same patented technology, which the search giant uses in Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, and other features. The four patents that Allen alleges have been violated are: • No. 6,263,507, "Browser for use in navigating a body of information, with particular application to browsing information represented by audiovisual data."• No. 6,034,652, "Attention manager for occupying the peripheral attention of a person in the vicinity of a display device."• No. 6,788,314, "Attention manager for occupying the peripheral attention of a person in the vicinity of a display device e."• No. 6,757,682, "Alerting users to items of current interest."Below is a copy of the amended suit:Paul Allen vs. Apple, Google, Facebook, eBay, AOL, Netflix, Yahoo, Google's YouTube, OfficeMax, Office Depo...
In his revised complaint filed yesterday, Allen alleges that 11 tech companies and retailers--Apple, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, YouTube, eBay, Netflix, OfficeMax, Office Depot, and Staples--are violating patents granted to him when he headed Interval Research, a small R&D firm that he started in 1992 and ran until it went out of business in 2000.Allen initially filed the suit in August in U.S. District Court in Seattle. At the time, Allen's Interval Licensing company--which holds the patents of Interval Research--said in a press release that the "patents in the lawsuit cover fundamental web technologies first developed at Interval Research in the 1990s, which the company believes are being infringed by major e-commerce and web search companies."The lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman on December 13 on grounds that the charges were too vague. In her ruling, Pechman gave Allen until December 28 to revise the suit with the necessary specifics. Allen's legal team labeled the judge's ruling a "procedural issue" and said it would meet the deadline, which it did just in time.The revised complaint details specific products, services, and technologies offered or used by the defendants, according to a Wall Street Journal article.As one example, the suit claims that Apple uses a function developed at and patented by Interval Research that compares content items to determine whether they are related. This function is used in a variety of Apple products, including iTunes, Apple's App Store, and Apple TV, the Journal said. The claim against Google cites a violation of the same patented technology, which the search giant uses in Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, and other features. The four patents that Allen alleges have been violated are: • No. 6,263,507, "Browser for use in navigating a body of information, with particular application to browsing information represented by audiovisual data."• No. 6,034,652, "Attention manager for occupying the peripheral attention of a person in the vicinity of a display device."• No. 6,788,314, "Attention manager for occupying the peripheral attention of a person in the vicinity of a display device e."• No. 6,757,682, "Alerting users to items of current interest."Below is a copy of the amended suit:Paul Allen vs. Apple, Google, Facebook, eBay, AOL, Netflix, Yahoo, Google's YouTube, OfficeMax, Office Depo...
Create ringtones right on your iPhone
Create ringtones right on your iPhone
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Feb. 2, 2011. It has been updated with new information.Ever wish you could turn a certain Grammy-nominated Daft Punk song -- you know the one I mean -- into a ringtone for your iPhone?There are apps for that -- lots of them, in fact, all capable of converting virtually any track in your song library (not just those hilariously parodied on "The Colbert Report") into a ringtone or calendar/alarm/text tone.To keep things as simple as possible, start with Ringtone Designer. It's a free tool that makes the process painless. (It's also ad-supported; if you want more features and no ads, Ringtone Designer Pro costs 99 cents, 69p or AU$1.29.) Here's how:Step 1: The first time you run the app, you'll be prompted to choose a song. This can be any DRM-free track stored on your iPhone. Don't worry: Turning it into a ringtone won't modify the original in any way. Instead, the copy is merely copying a section of the song.Use sliding selectors to choose the song snippet you want for your 'tone.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETStep 2: After making your choice, you'll see an audio waveform of the song, along with a pair of sliding selectors for choosing the snippet you want. The left selector indicates where the ringtone will begin; the right, where it will end. (Remember that ringtones repeat themselves, so it doesn't have to be long.)Step 3: If you're having trouble getting exactly the starting/stopping point you want, you can pinch out to zoom in on the waveform. Tap the Play icon to listen to your selection, then make adjustments as needed.Step 4: Tap the Save icon, which will result in an an iTunes-friendly M4R file. Now you need to fire up iTunes and use the File Sharing feature to add that file to your Ringtones library. (The app has a link to a tutorial video that walks you through each step of that process. If you've never done it before, I highly recommend watching it.)Step 5: Once you've added your newly created ringtone(s) to your library and synced your iPhone, simply venture into Settings > Sounds > Ringtone to start using it.In an ideal world, ringtone apps wouldn't require this iTunes hoop-jumping, but would instead make your song snippets instantly available. At least the creation part is easy. If you have a few minutes to spare and want a potentially limitless supply of new ringtones, Ringtone Designer gets the job done.Is there a ringtone maker you like better? If so, hit the comments and make with the name!
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Feb. 2, 2011. It has been updated with new information.Ever wish you could turn a certain Grammy-nominated Daft Punk song -- you know the one I mean -- into a ringtone for your iPhone?There are apps for that -- lots of them, in fact, all capable of converting virtually any track in your song library (not just those hilariously parodied on "The Colbert Report") into a ringtone or calendar/alarm/text tone.To keep things as simple as possible, start with Ringtone Designer. It's a free tool that makes the process painless. (It's also ad-supported; if you want more features and no ads, Ringtone Designer Pro costs 99 cents, 69p or AU$1.29.) Here's how:Step 1: The first time you run the app, you'll be prompted to choose a song. This can be any DRM-free track stored on your iPhone. Don't worry: Turning it into a ringtone won't modify the original in any way. Instead, the copy is merely copying a section of the song.Use sliding selectors to choose the song snippet you want for your 'tone.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETStep 2: After making your choice, you'll see an audio waveform of the song, along with a pair of sliding selectors for choosing the snippet you want. The left selector indicates where the ringtone will begin; the right, where it will end. (Remember that ringtones repeat themselves, so it doesn't have to be long.)Step 3: If you're having trouble getting exactly the starting/stopping point you want, you can pinch out to zoom in on the waveform. Tap the Play icon to listen to your selection, then make adjustments as needed.Step 4: Tap the Save icon, which will result in an an iTunes-friendly M4R file. Now you need to fire up iTunes and use the File Sharing feature to add that file to your Ringtones library. (The app has a link to a tutorial video that walks you through each step of that process. If you've never done it before, I highly recommend watching it.)Step 5: Once you've added your newly created ringtone(s) to your library and synced your iPhone, simply venture into Settings > Sounds > Ringtone to start using it.In an ideal world, ringtone apps wouldn't require this iTunes hoop-jumping, but would instead make your song snippets instantly available. At least the creation part is easy. If you have a few minutes to spare and want a potentially limitless supply of new ringtones, Ringtone Designer gets the job done.Is there a ringtone maker you like better? If so, hit the comments and make with the name!
The 404 547- Where objects in mirror are closer than they appear (podcast)
The 404 547: Where objects in mirror are closer than they appear (podcast)
On today's episode of The 404 Podcast, we discuss the future of video games and how students at the Imperial College in London are developing a pair of special glasses that allows players to control paddle movement using their eye movements! The new technology holds particular promise for people with physical disabilities that might soon get the chance to join the gaming community. The glasses are fitted with infrared light sensors and a webcam that links a laptop to the player's eyes, and although the hardware only costs $35 to make, the eye movement system itself costs around $36,000, so don't expect to control Modern Warfare with your eyes anytime soon.The big news of CTIA 2010 is Sprint announcing the HTC Evo 4g, the first available handset to run 4G in the US. Its list of accolades is impressive and blows away the competition: 4.3-inch display, micro-USB port, 8.3-megapixel rear facing camera in addition to a VGA lens on the front for video calls, and perhaps the most impressive--a kickstand! So far Sprint has rolled out its 4g network in 27 cities and plans to expand to NYC, Boston, D.C., SF, and more by the end of the year. The HTC Evo 4g certainly grabs our interests, but Jeff is shaking at the prospect of a phone worthy of replacing his 8th Palm Pre. Could this be the one? We'll get CNET's Cell Phone Editor Bonnie Chain the studio soon to get the inside scoop.Both of those stories plus an family-sized Calls From The Public on today's episode of The 404 Podcast!EPISODE 547Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
On today's episode of The 404 Podcast, we discuss the future of video games and how students at the Imperial College in London are developing a pair of special glasses that allows players to control paddle movement using their eye movements! The new technology holds particular promise for people with physical disabilities that might soon get the chance to join the gaming community. The glasses are fitted with infrared light sensors and a webcam that links a laptop to the player's eyes, and although the hardware only costs $35 to make, the eye movement system itself costs around $36,000, so don't expect to control Modern Warfare with your eyes anytime soon.The big news of CTIA 2010 is Sprint announcing the HTC Evo 4g, the first available handset to run 4G in the US. Its list of accolades is impressive and blows away the competition: 4.3-inch display, micro-USB port, 8.3-megapixel rear facing camera in addition to a VGA lens on the front for video calls, and perhaps the most impressive--a kickstand! So far Sprint has rolled out its 4g network in 27 cities and plans to expand to NYC, Boston, D.C., SF, and more by the end of the year. The HTC Evo 4g certainly grabs our interests, but Jeff is shaking at the prospect of a phone worthy of replacing his 8th Palm Pre. Could this be the one? We'll get CNET's Cell Phone Editor Bonnie Chain the studio soon to get the inside scoop.Both of those stories plus an family-sized Calls From The Public on today's episode of The 404 Podcast!EPISODE 547Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
My Best Tech Gift Ever- Beatles catalog on a USB key
My Best Tech Gift Ever: Beatles catalog on a USB key
Every day this week, a different CNET writer or editor will recall a tech or geek-centric present that left a mark. Read past stories by Eric Mack, Jeff Sparkman, and Jay Greene, and look for another installment tomorrow at midnight PT.Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by this stuff every day, but traditional technology gifts tendto leave me cold. Even the memories of unwrapping game consoles or that first yellow Sports model Sony Walkman don't stand out in a best-gift-ever sort of way.Sarah Tew/CNET Instead, I turn to a more recent holiday gift, one that combines technology and art, importantly using the former in service of the latter.In 2009, right on the heels of a pair of remastered CD box sets, the entire Beatles catalog was officially released for the first time in a digital format, but not as one might expect from iTunes or another digital download store. Instead, this was in the form of a limited-edition 16GB USB key in the shape of an apple (the Beatles finally did come to iTunes in 2010). The 16GB USB key, tucked under the metal stem of the green-apple base, contained the 14 official Beatles releases in both 320Kbps MP3 format and, more importantly, 44.1KHz/24-bit FLAC format. FLAC is a lossless audio codec, so at least in theory, it's the best possible commercially available reproduction of the source material.What's the best tech gift you ever got? Send your stories and photos to crave at cnet dot com (subject line: Best Tech Gift) for possible inclusion in an upcoming feature.But beyond that (and beyond the cute-but-clunky Flash interface you can use to access the music and some mini documentaries about each album), it was a great way to give physical form to recorded music, something that's been missing since we all stopped buying CDs and started buying (or just streaming) digital music. It's not as cool as a stack of vinyl and a couple of turntables, but it's a great desktop conversation piece, and a reminder that digital music isn't just disposable ones and zeros.Find a memorable gift for the people in your life by visiting CNET's 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.
Every day this week, a different CNET writer or editor will recall a tech or geek-centric present that left a mark. Read past stories by Eric Mack, Jeff Sparkman, and Jay Greene, and look for another installment tomorrow at midnight PT.Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by this stuff every day, but traditional technology gifts tendto leave me cold. Even the memories of unwrapping game consoles or that first yellow Sports model Sony Walkman don't stand out in a best-gift-ever sort of way.Sarah Tew/CNET Instead, I turn to a more recent holiday gift, one that combines technology and art, importantly using the former in service of the latter.In 2009, right on the heels of a pair of remastered CD box sets, the entire Beatles catalog was officially released for the first time in a digital format, but not as one might expect from iTunes or another digital download store. Instead, this was in the form of a limited-edition 16GB USB key in the shape of an apple (the Beatles finally did come to iTunes in 2010). The 16GB USB key, tucked under the metal stem of the green-apple base, contained the 14 official Beatles releases in both 320Kbps MP3 format and, more importantly, 44.1KHz/24-bit FLAC format. FLAC is a lossless audio codec, so at least in theory, it's the best possible commercially available reproduction of the source material.What's the best tech gift you ever got? Send your stories and photos to crave at cnet dot com (subject line: Best Tech Gift) for possible inclusion in an upcoming feature.But beyond that (and beyond the cute-but-clunky Flash interface you can use to access the music and some mini documentaries about each album), it was a great way to give physical form to recorded music, something that's been missing since we all stopped buying CDs and started buying (or just streaming) digital music. It's not as cool as a stack of vinyl and a couple of turntables, but it's a great desktop conversation piece, and a reminder that digital music isn't just disposable ones and zeros.Find a memorable gift for the people in your life by visiting CNET's 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.
iPhone 5S rumored to launch in August, new iPads in April
iPhone 5S rumored to launch in August, new iPads in April
The iPhone and iPad rumor mill continues to heat up.Apple is reportedly prepping the iPhone 5S for a summer release, mostly likely in August, "sources familiar with the plans" told blog site iMore. The next iPhone would sport the same design as its predecessor but with a beefier processor and better camera.People awaiting a new iPad could get some satisfaction as early as next month, according to the sources.An "April-ish" launch for the next-generation iPads, most likely the iPad 5 and the iPad Mini 2, is seriously being considered by Apple. From that description, it hardly sounds like the date is written in stone, and even iMore admits it's not sure what to make of that.Related storiesThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupAnalyst reiterates 'July' arrival of iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhoneiPad Mini 2 to sport Retina Display, analyst saysiPad (fall 2012) reviewiPad Mini reviewThe rumored release for the iPhone 5S may have credibility.Other sources have chimed in with a late summer launch date, most notably KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo, who projects that the new phone will be announced in June and reach the market in July.But the iPad reports are on thin ground.Apple is unlikely to release the iPad 5 so soon after the October release of the fourth-generation model and last March's debut of the third-gen edition. And the iPad Mini 2, which will reportedly sport a Retina Display, isn't likely to hit the market while Apple is still enjoying healthy sales of the current version.
The iPhone and iPad rumor mill continues to heat up.Apple is reportedly prepping the iPhone 5S for a summer release, mostly likely in August, "sources familiar with the plans" told blog site iMore. The next iPhone would sport the same design as its predecessor but with a beefier processor and better camera.People awaiting a new iPad could get some satisfaction as early as next month, according to the sources.An "April-ish" launch for the next-generation iPads, most likely the iPad 5 and the iPad Mini 2, is seriously being considered by Apple. From that description, it hardly sounds like the date is written in stone, and even iMore admits it's not sure what to make of that.Related storiesThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupAnalyst reiterates 'July' arrival of iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhoneiPad Mini 2 to sport Retina Display, analyst saysiPad (fall 2012) reviewiPad Mini reviewThe rumored release for the iPhone 5S may have credibility.Other sources have chimed in with a late summer launch date, most notably KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo, who projects that the new phone will be announced in June and reach the market in July.But the iPad reports are on thin ground.Apple is unlikely to release the iPad 5 so soon after the October release of the fourth-generation model and last March's debut of the third-gen edition. And the iPad Mini 2, which will reportedly sport a Retina Display, isn't likely to hit the market while Apple is still enjoying healthy sales of the current version.
iPhone 5S in pink- Watch for new colors in spring, analyst says
iPhone 5S in pink? Watch for new colors in spring, analyst says
A new year brings with it new iPhone 5S rumors. And this time around the latest from Apple could even come in pink.Analyst Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets is all bullish on Apple this morning claiming his sources tell him that the next iPhone will arrive in May or June with more choices for customers including "more color patterns and screen sizes." Apparently White's bulls aren't seeing just red Apples, though. Rather, he believes the iPhone 5S could have as many color choices as the most recent generation of the iPod Touch:These colors included pink, yellow, blue, white & silver, black & slate... We believe the addition of color to the iPod Touch lineup was a testing ground for adding color to the next generation iPhone that we believe could be available in eight colors in total. White also says his "checks" indicate that Apple could be planning to offer a single iPhone model in different screen sizes for the first time, perhaps opening the door to a lower-priced iPhone, or going after consumers interested in the trend of bigger phones and phablets like Samsung's higher-end Galaxy line of phones.Related storiesiPhone 5S already? Possible pics leakJefferies cuts Apple stock target, cites iPhone 5S and moreThe rumor fits with the way Apple has traditionally worked and their movements of late. Testing the waters with the iPod Touch for an improvement to the iPhone and offering consumers greater choices to compete with the broadening market sounds a lot like Tim Cook's way of thinking to me. Besides, what else is there for the iPhone fan who lines up for each iteration to buy? How about a second iPhone for his girlfriend or mother in pink? Brilliant.(Via Barron's)
A new year brings with it new iPhone 5S rumors. And this time around the latest from Apple could even come in pink.Analyst Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets is all bullish on Apple this morning claiming his sources tell him that the next iPhone will arrive in May or June with more choices for customers including "more color patterns and screen sizes." Apparently White's bulls aren't seeing just red Apples, though. Rather, he believes the iPhone 5S could have as many color choices as the most recent generation of the iPod Touch:These colors included pink, yellow, blue, white & silver, black & slate... We believe the addition of color to the iPod Touch lineup was a testing ground for adding color to the next generation iPhone that we believe could be available in eight colors in total. White also says his "checks" indicate that Apple could be planning to offer a single iPhone model in different screen sizes for the first time, perhaps opening the door to a lower-priced iPhone, or going after consumers interested in the trend of bigger phones and phablets like Samsung's higher-end Galaxy line of phones.Related storiesiPhone 5S already? Possible pics leakJefferies cuts Apple stock target, cites iPhone 5S and moreThe rumor fits with the way Apple has traditionally worked and their movements of late. Testing the waters with the iPod Touch for an improvement to the iPhone and offering consumers greater choices to compete with the broadening market sounds a lot like Tim Cook's way of thinking to me. Besides, what else is there for the iPhone fan who lines up for each iteration to buy? How about a second iPhone for his girlfriend or mother in pink? Brilliant.(Via Barron's)
iPhone 5S beats Galaxy S4 as top smartphone worldwide
iPhone 5S beats Galaxy S4 as top smartphone worldwide
Apple's iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 both outsold Samsung's Galaxy S4 worldwide in October, says market researcher Counterpoint.In its latest Market Pulse report released Thursday, Counterpoint said that the iPhone 5S retained its top spot for global smartphone sales in spite of supply shortages that forced customers to wait to snag the phone. As 5S supply has ramped up, the research firm expects Apple to meet even stronger demand for November and December.The iPhone 5 took home second place in Counterpoint's rankings, leaving the Galaxy S4 in third. The iPhone 5C was No. 4, followed by Samsung's Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S4 Mini. Counterpoint ResearchApple fared well across the world but most notably in China where its market share surged to 12 percent in October from just 3 percent in September, transforming it into the country's third largest smartphone vendor. A deal with China Mobile, which reportedly has already been reached, stands to drive up Apple's share among Chinese consumers even further."With a China Mobile deal on the horizon, Apple's iPhone 5S at all three [Chinese] carriers will for sure ignite a 'price war' boosting the overall iPhone 5S sales in China," Counterpoint analyst Tom Kang said in a statement. "This might allow Apple to even reach the No. 1 smartphone player in December or January in China."Counterpoint's monthly Market Pulse report culls its sales data from surveys of major retailers and distributors across 33 countries.
Apple's iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 both outsold Samsung's Galaxy S4 worldwide in October, says market researcher Counterpoint.In its latest Market Pulse report released Thursday, Counterpoint said that the iPhone 5S retained its top spot for global smartphone sales in spite of supply shortages that forced customers to wait to snag the phone. As 5S supply has ramped up, the research firm expects Apple to meet even stronger demand for November and December.The iPhone 5 took home second place in Counterpoint's rankings, leaving the Galaxy S4 in third. The iPhone 5C was No. 4, followed by Samsung's Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S4 Mini. Counterpoint ResearchApple fared well across the world but most notably in China where its market share surged to 12 percent in October from just 3 percent in September, transforming it into the country's third largest smartphone vendor. A deal with China Mobile, which reportedly has already been reached, stands to drive up Apple's share among Chinese consumers even further."With a China Mobile deal on the horizon, Apple's iPhone 5S at all three [Chinese] carriers will for sure ignite a 'price war' boosting the overall iPhone 5S sales in China," Counterpoint analyst Tom Kang said in a statement. "This might allow Apple to even reach the No. 1 smartphone player in December or January in China."Counterpoint's monthly Market Pulse report culls its sales data from surveys of major retailers and distributors across 33 countries.
iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone said to be multicolored
iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone said to be multicolored
Apple's rumored iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone are said to be coming in a rainbow of colors, according to an article by Macotakara.While Apple has yet to confirm it's even producing the two new types of smartphone, rumors are flying about the phone's specs and appearance. The low-cost iPhone, which is said to have a plastic shell rather than aluminum, could come in white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange -- or, navy, gold orange, white, and gray, according to MacRumors, which translated the Macotakara article. The phone is also speculated to cost around $350 to $400.The supposed iPhone 5S, which is said to be similar in specs to the iPhone 5, could also get new colors. Besides the standard black and white models, the smartphone might also come in green or gold, according to MacRumors. Previous rumors have speculated that the phone could also come in pink. MacRumors notes that the new iPhone also might get a dual-LED flash. Apple's most recent generation of the iPod Touch already comes in several colors, which may be a sign that the company is looking to replicate this feature with its upcoming smartphones.According to MacRumors, the low-cost iPhone is reportedly expected to go into trial production as soon as next month. However, most sources speculate the phone won't come out until 2014. The iPhone 5S is rumored to be set for release sometime this fall; previously it was said that the device could hit stores as early as July.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple's rumored iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone are said to be coming in a rainbow of colors, according to an article by Macotakara.While Apple has yet to confirm it's even producing the two new types of smartphone, rumors are flying about the phone's specs and appearance. The low-cost iPhone, which is said to have a plastic shell rather than aluminum, could come in white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange -- or, navy, gold orange, white, and gray, according to MacRumors, which translated the Macotakara article. The phone is also speculated to cost around $350 to $400.The supposed iPhone 5S, which is said to be similar in specs to the iPhone 5, could also get new colors. Besides the standard black and white models, the smartphone might also come in green or gold, according to MacRumors. Previous rumors have speculated that the phone could also come in pink. MacRumors notes that the new iPhone also might get a dual-LED flash. Apple's most recent generation of the iPod Touch already comes in several colors, which may be a sign that the company is looking to replicate this feature with its upcoming smartphones.According to MacRumors, the low-cost iPhone is reportedly expected to go into trial production as soon as next month. However, most sources speculate the phone won't come out until 2014. The iPhone 5S is rumored to be set for release sometime this fall; previously it was said that the device could hit stores as early as July.CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple: No more 25GB freebie for ex-MobileMe users
MobileMe users' 25GB of free iCloud storage is about to run out.Apple today began notifying former MobileMe customers that their free 25GB iCloud accounts will be reduced to 5GB as of Sept. 30, MacRumors reports. Customers have to free up space or pay for 20GB of additional storage, which costs $40 a year. Related stories:MobileMe bites the dustHow to keep MobileMe filesMobileMe users get 25GB of storageApple earlier this year shuttered MobileMe in favor of its new iCloud storage. The service allows users to back up and store their documents and media on the cloud. All iCloud users automatically receive 5GB for free, and all music, movies, TV shows, apps and books purchased through iTunes are stored at no cost. To help users transition from MobileMe, Apple offered such customers an additional 20GB of storage for free. The company originally offered the bonus through June 30, but it extended the free MobileMe offer through the end of September, according to MacRumors. For higher levels of storage, an additional 10GB costs $20 a year, while adding 20GB costs $40 and 50GB costs $100 a year, according to Apple. We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story when we hear back.
Apple: New apps 'must be optimized for iOS 7
Apple is taking a sterner approach in trying to move app developers into the world of iOS 7.Related postsThe continuing evolution of iOSThe killer iOS 7 feature the iPad needs: Touch-pad supportRumor has it that Apple's iOS 7 development is delayedThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupSiri behaves slightly better in iOS 6, says analystThe company on Tuesday said that all new apps and app updates submitted after February 1, 2014, "must be optimized for iOS 7" and built with the latest version of Xcode 5, a software application for developers.It's nothing new for Apple to want to push developers toward its most current operating system, and that sentiment could be intensified for iOS 7, it's most drastic overhaul of the mobile OS. But the company has at times been more lenient with developers clinging to older versions, letting individual app makers decide whetherthey wanted to make old versions of the app -- like those compatible with iOS 6 -- available for download. The new app store restriction looks like it's trying to put all developers on the same page.
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