The 404 1,196: Where we get locked up for unlocking (podcast)
Microsoft assumes you probably haven't used an Internet Explorer browser since the mid-1990s, and the company's latest commercial for IE10 takes us all back to those awkward times with a montage of '90s nostalgia that includes slap bracelets, Oregon Trail, LA Gear Lights, and Tamogotchis. We're not sure how any of those items are supposed to lure us away from Firefox or Chrome, but check it out anyway.We knew it was only a matter of time before a 6-second clip of hardcore porn made its way to the Twitter Vine, but we never expected it to come from Twitter itself--a nasty clip was featured for a short time on Vine's "Editor's Choice" pick list. Granted, it's not the first instance of adult content on the new social video service. With Vine's TOS giving users creative freedom to access its service, an unfiltered stream of dirty hashtags is already building out on VineRoulette. Then again, who the hell wants to watch porn for only six seconds?Other stories leaked from today's episode: - Will China end its 13-year ban on video game consoles? - Google accidentally indexes 8,000 publicly available printers. - Don't forget, it's illegal to unlock your phone now. - Wi-Fi on school buses credited for curbing bad behavior.Bathroom break video: Beatboxing goat.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 1,196Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe:iTunes (HD) |Â iTunes (SD) |Â iTunes (HQ) |Â iTunes (MP3) RSS (HD) |Â RSS (SD) |Â RSS (HQ) |Â RSS (MP3)Â Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
Labels dissatisfied with MySpace Music performance
Labels dissatisfied with MySpace Music performance
At a MySpace Music board meeting last month, the company's CEO, Courtney Holt, got an earful from several music label representatives, according to multiple music industry sources. "Several key players were unhappy" with how MySpace Music was performing, said a source with knowledge of the talks. Some board members want MySpace Music, the joint venture formed by the four largest recording companies and News Corp., to make changes such as boost sales conversions and do more to integrate the service with the regular MySpace site, the sources said. The meeting was designed to provide "open dialogue" and "constructive feedback" from the board to the service's managers, said a source. But another source described parts of the discussions as "tense." On Wednesday morning, a MySpace Music spokeswoman declined to comment. MySpace Music represents the largest attempt so far to wed social networking to music. Some in the recording industry argue that MySpace and Facebook are choice areas for promoting artists and songs and MySpace has long been a place where bands showcased their songs. With Apple dominating online music retail, MySpace Music is seen as a potential new opportunity to generate sales. At the very least, MySpace Music's sluggish performance illustrates how difficult that task is. Music consumption on the Web has really come down to two horses: iTunes and illegal peer-to-peer sites. During the meeting, Holt conceded MySpace Music needed improving, according to the sources who spoke with CNET News. Board members understand that MySpace Music was launched only last September and that Holt, a former MTV executive, was named the site's president just five months ago. He impressed some of those present by promising that he and his staff are ready to make improvements, a source said.One source said that all the labels appear "very confident" in Holt and "nobody is panicking." The labels have been spurring Web music services to start generating profits. The record companies say they have offered price breaks and other concessions to help start-ups build audiences but they won't offer these forever. The labels are telling companies that they want to see results sooner rather than later.
At a MySpace Music board meeting last month, the company's CEO, Courtney Holt, got an earful from several music label representatives, according to multiple music industry sources. "Several key players were unhappy" with how MySpace Music was performing, said a source with knowledge of the talks. Some board members want MySpace Music, the joint venture formed by the four largest recording companies and News Corp., to make changes such as boost sales conversions and do more to integrate the service with the regular MySpace site, the sources said. The meeting was designed to provide "open dialogue" and "constructive feedback" from the board to the service's managers, said a source. But another source described parts of the discussions as "tense." On Wednesday morning, a MySpace Music spokeswoman declined to comment. MySpace Music represents the largest attempt so far to wed social networking to music. Some in the recording industry argue that MySpace and Facebook are choice areas for promoting artists and songs and MySpace has long been a place where bands showcased their songs. With Apple dominating online music retail, MySpace Music is seen as a potential new opportunity to generate sales. At the very least, MySpace Music's sluggish performance illustrates how difficult that task is. Music consumption on the Web has really come down to two horses: iTunes and illegal peer-to-peer sites. During the meeting, Holt conceded MySpace Music needed improving, according to the sources who spoke with CNET News. Board members understand that MySpace Music was launched only last September and that Holt, a former MTV executive, was named the site's president just five months ago. He impressed some of those present by promising that he and his staff are ready to make improvements, a source said.One source said that all the labels appear "very confident" in Holt and "nobody is panicking." The labels have been spurring Web music services to start generating profits. The record companies say they have offered price breaks and other concessions to help start-ups build audiences but they won't offer these forever. The labels are telling companies that they want to see results sooner rather than later.
Apple's new iMacs face delays, report claims
Apple's new iMacs face delays, report claims
The release of Apple's newly-redesigned iMac all-in-one desktop has quietly been pushed back, and could miss a major part of the holiday shopping season, according to a new report.Citing an unnamed source, French Apple news site MacBidouille says production difficulties will push back the release of both models, possibly affecting holiday sales. The computer, which was unveiled at Apple's iPad Mini event in October, is set to ship out to early buyers sometime this month, with the larger, 27-inch model shipping in December. So what's the hold up? MacBidouille says it's the new friction-stir welding process Apple's using, something that bonds the two major pieces of the iMac's aluminum body together. That very same process was touted heavily at Apple's unveiling last month as one of the main reasons for the computer's thinness and improved strength over previous generations. Apple declined to comment on the report. Related storiesApple introduces new iMac (video)Taming Apple's new Fusion Drive technologyApple vs. Dell: Finding the perfect 27-inch all-in-oneA person familiar with the situation says it's likely the smaller, 21.5-inch model won't ship out until next month, but that both models are still scheduled for release before the end of the year.Apple's new iMac is 40 percent smaller in volume compared to the previous generation, according to the company. To achieve that, Apple nixed the optical drive and used a new screen technology to cut thickness. It also went with a mix of flash memory and a hard disk drive for something Apple calls a Fusion Drive.(via AppleInsider)Apple's new Macs of all stripes (picture...See full gallery1 - 4 / 20NextPrev
The release of Apple's newly-redesigned iMac all-in-one desktop has quietly been pushed back, and could miss a major part of the holiday shopping season, according to a new report.Citing an unnamed source, French Apple news site MacBidouille says production difficulties will push back the release of both models, possibly affecting holiday sales. The computer, which was unveiled at Apple's iPad Mini event in October, is set to ship out to early buyers sometime this month, with the larger, 27-inch model shipping in December. So what's the hold up? MacBidouille says it's the new friction-stir welding process Apple's using, something that bonds the two major pieces of the iMac's aluminum body together. That very same process was touted heavily at Apple's unveiling last month as one of the main reasons for the computer's thinness and improved strength over previous generations. Apple declined to comment on the report. Related storiesApple introduces new iMac (video)Taming Apple's new Fusion Drive technologyApple vs. Dell: Finding the perfect 27-inch all-in-oneA person familiar with the situation says it's likely the smaller, 21.5-inch model won't ship out until next month, but that both models are still scheduled for release before the end of the year.Apple's new iMac is 40 percent smaller in volume compared to the previous generation, according to the company. To achieve that, Apple nixed the optical drive and used a new screen technology to cut thickness. It also went with a mix of flash memory and a hard disk drive for something Apple calls a Fusion Drive.(via AppleInsider)Apple's new Macs of all stripes (picture...See full gallery1 - 4 / 20NextPrev
Apple's new iBooks Author targets e-book creators
Apple's new iBooks Author targets e-book creators
Although Apple's education event in New York focused on students, the company today also unveiled a new author platform.Dubbed iBooks Author, the free Mac OS X application lets authors create textbooks and other books with simple drag-and-drop mechanisms. According to Apple, the application gives authors basic templates to quickly create titles that offer both text and interactive elements such as videos and images. To add multimedia content, iBooks Author lets users drag and drop content onto pages.In deference to those who want to create more unique titles, Apple says folks who can code in JavaScript and HTML will be able to create custom widgets to enhance the interactivity of the books or textbooks. It also comes with a glossary function, promising to make that arduous task far simpler.AppleOf course, the most important element in any e-book is the text. So, to facilitate its transfer, Apple will let users drag and drop their chapters from a Word file into the application. From there, the application automatically creates sections and headers.Once the e-book is ready, authors need to connect an iPad to their computers to proof and debug the title. Once complete, they can submit it to Apple's iBooks store.The other key product unveiled today was iBooks 2, a free app that provides access to digital textbooks at Apple's App Store.iBooks Author is available today and requires Lion, the latest version of Apple's Mac OS X.
Although Apple's education event in New York focused on students, the company today also unveiled a new author platform.Dubbed iBooks Author, the free Mac OS X application lets authors create textbooks and other books with simple drag-and-drop mechanisms. According to Apple, the application gives authors basic templates to quickly create titles that offer both text and interactive elements such as videos and images. To add multimedia content, iBooks Author lets users drag and drop content onto pages.In deference to those who want to create more unique titles, Apple says folks who can code in JavaScript and HTML will be able to create custom widgets to enhance the interactivity of the books or textbooks. It also comes with a glossary function, promising to make that arduous task far simpler.AppleOf course, the most important element in any e-book is the text. So, to facilitate its transfer, Apple will let users drag and drop their chapters from a Word file into the application. From there, the application automatically creates sections and headers.Once the e-book is ready, authors need to connect an iPad to their computers to proof and debug the title. Once complete, they can submit it to Apple's iBooks store.The other key product unveiled today was iBooks 2, a free app that provides access to digital textbooks at Apple's App Store.iBooks Author is available today and requires Lion, the latest version of Apple's Mac OS X.
Apple's new campus to be 'greenest' on Earth-
Apple's new campus to be 'greenest' on Earth?
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday offered up the heady goal of making his company's new headquarters the most environmentally friendly building there is out there."We're building a new headquarters that I think will be the greenest building on the planet," he said during the Climate Week NYC conference. "It'll be a center for innovation, and it's something clearly our employees want and we want."The building, which has been likened to a spaceship, is now under construction in Cupertino, Calif., and expected to be completed in 2016. When done, it will take up 2.8 million square feet and be doughnut shaped. Apple has said that the headquarters will be 80 percent landscape with more than 7,000 trees. Parking lots will be buried underground, and the campus will include one of the largest onsite corporate solar energy installations in the world. The facility will be able to accommodate over 14,000 employees, morethan five times the number Apple's current Cupertino headquarters canfit.Related storiesDrone sneaks peek at Apple's 'spaceship' campus in progressApple's 'spaceship' campus architect dishes detailsWatch the video that helped Apple land its 'spaceship' HQWith the headquarters as a prime example of what Apple hopes to do to fight climate change, Cook said at the conference his company will focus on making its supply chain greener, as well. The company in 2012 faced criticism after The New York Times published a series on Apple's Chinese suppliers, which spotlighted questionable labor and environmental practices. Apple has since worked to improve those conditions.Cook said the effort to make the supply chain more environmentally friendly was "dirty" and "detailed" work, but he reinforced Apple's commitment to making improvements."We know that we will not make enough of a difference if we only solve our little piece of the world," he said. "We need to be one of the pebbles in the pond that creates the ripple."
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday offered up the heady goal of making his company's new headquarters the most environmentally friendly building there is out there."We're building a new headquarters that I think will be the greenest building on the planet," he said during the Climate Week NYC conference. "It'll be a center for innovation, and it's something clearly our employees want and we want."The building, which has been likened to a spaceship, is now under construction in Cupertino, Calif., and expected to be completed in 2016. When done, it will take up 2.8 million square feet and be doughnut shaped. Apple has said that the headquarters will be 80 percent landscape with more than 7,000 trees. Parking lots will be buried underground, and the campus will include one of the largest onsite corporate solar energy installations in the world. The facility will be able to accommodate over 14,000 employees, morethan five times the number Apple's current Cupertino headquarters canfit.Related storiesDrone sneaks peek at Apple's 'spaceship' campus in progressApple's 'spaceship' campus architect dishes detailsWatch the video that helped Apple land its 'spaceship' HQWith the headquarters as a prime example of what Apple hopes to do to fight climate change, Cook said at the conference his company will focus on making its supply chain greener, as well. The company in 2012 faced criticism after The New York Times published a series on Apple's Chinese suppliers, which spotlighted questionable labor and environmental practices. Apple has since worked to improve those conditions.Cook said the effort to make the supply chain more environmentally friendly was "dirty" and "detailed" work, but he reinforced Apple's commitment to making improvements."We know that we will not make enough of a difference if we only solve our little piece of the world," he said. "We need to be one of the pebbles in the pond that creates the ripple."
Apple's need for iPhone touch panels could hurt other vendors
Apple's need for iPhone touch panels could hurt other vendors
Apple will need a huge number of LTPS, or low-temperature poly-silicon, screens to maintain the Retina Display resolution on its next iPhone, a move that could make life tough for its rivals, according to DigiTimes.Citing the usual "Taiwan-based supply chain makers," DigiTimes said the next iPhone will will require the use of LTPS technology to offer a resolution of 326 pixels per inch. LTPS displays can achieve higher resolutions than those possible with regular active-matrix LCD screens.But production of such screens will be in short supply. Manufacturers LG Display, Japan Display, and Sharp combined can produce about 95 million LTPS panels each quarter. Assuming a successful yield rate of 75 percent, that equals between 71 million and 72 million panels, DigiTimes' sources said.However, Apple is likely to require about 70 percent of the total yield of the panels to meet demand for the iPhone, this year and in 2013. As such, other smartphone vendors will be hard pressed to find enough supply to fill their own needs.Of course, this type of situation is hardly new or unique. Apple has a history of grabbing a hefty percentage of certain components for its products, leaving the rest of the industry to fight over the remaining scraps.iPhone sales could fall to 25 million in the current quarter from 35 million last quarter, the sources estimated. But sales will ramp up to 40 million or higher in the third quarter and 45 million in the fourth quarter, they added. Related stories iPhone 5 launching with 3.95-inch display, more pixels? Put all the iPhone 5 rumors together and you get this iPhone 5 rumor roundup
Apple will need a huge number of LTPS, or low-temperature poly-silicon, screens to maintain the Retina Display resolution on its next iPhone, a move that could make life tough for its rivals, according to DigiTimes.Citing the usual "Taiwan-based supply chain makers," DigiTimes said the next iPhone will will require the use of LTPS technology to offer a resolution of 326 pixels per inch. LTPS displays can achieve higher resolutions than those possible with regular active-matrix LCD screens.But production of such screens will be in short supply. Manufacturers LG Display, Japan Display, and Sharp combined can produce about 95 million LTPS panels each quarter. Assuming a successful yield rate of 75 percent, that equals between 71 million and 72 million panels, DigiTimes' sources said.However, Apple is likely to require about 70 percent of the total yield of the panels to meet demand for the iPhone, this year and in 2013. As such, other smartphone vendors will be hard pressed to find enough supply to fill their own needs.Of course, this type of situation is hardly new or unique. Apple has a history of grabbing a hefty percentage of certain components for its products, leaving the rest of the industry to fight over the remaining scraps.iPhone sales could fall to 25 million in the current quarter from 35 million last quarter, the sources estimated. But sales will ramp up to 40 million or higher in the third quarter and 45 million in the fourth quarter, they added. Related stories iPhone 5 launching with 3.95-inch display, more pixels? Put all the iPhone 5 rumors together and you get this iPhone 5 rumor roundup
Apple's Mountain Lion launches tomorrow
Apple's Mountain Lion launches tomorrow
Apple says the next major version of its Mac operating system will roll out to consumers tomorrow morning.The news came tucked inside Apple's third-fiscal-quarter earnings release where Apple reported earnings of $9.32 per share on revenues of $35 billion. The company pulled the same announcement trick for OS X 10.7, announcing its next-day availability during a conference call last year.As a quick recap, the $19.99 software update brings a handful of iOS features to Macs, including the notes and reminders apps. It adds a few other things, like Twitter integration, Apple's Game Center, and iMessage services. There's also a new security feature called Gatekeeper, designed to fend off malware by controlling what applications can and cannot be installed. The software was first announced in February and has undergone several rounds of beta testing from developers. Apple released a "golden master" version of the software to developers earlier this month, representing the final version that will be released in the Mac App Store tomorrow. Related storiesApple third-quarter earnings call (live blog)Apple's Q3: $35B in revenue, 26M iPhones, 17M iPadsApple's Cook hints at upcoming iPhone 5... or somethingMountain Lion shipping in JulyBought a Mac after June 10? Get a free upgrade to Mountain LionApple gives developers fully baked Mountain LionWill your Mac run Mountain Lion?The release marks a notable shift in Apple's OS X software schedule, which now seemingly follows an annual refresh cycle. Where early iterations of OS X were released once a year leading up to 2003's 10.3 Panther, Apple moved to a two-year cycle between 2005 and 2011, putting out three major updates during that time and focusing much of its engineering efforts on iOS.As with most recent releases of OS X, the minimum system requirements have changed. To see if your Mac will run it, take a look at CNET's rundown, here. In the meantime, keep an eye out for CNET's review.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Apple says the next major version of its Mac operating system will roll out to consumers tomorrow morning.The news came tucked inside Apple's third-fiscal-quarter earnings release where Apple reported earnings of $9.32 per share on revenues of $35 billion. The company pulled the same announcement trick for OS X 10.7, announcing its next-day availability during a conference call last year.As a quick recap, the $19.99 software update brings a handful of iOS features to Macs, including the notes and reminders apps. It adds a few other things, like Twitter integration, Apple's Game Center, and iMessage services. There's also a new security feature called Gatekeeper, designed to fend off malware by controlling what applications can and cannot be installed. The software was first announced in February and has undergone several rounds of beta testing from developers. Apple released a "golden master" version of the software to developers earlier this month, representing the final version that will be released in the Mac App Store tomorrow. Related storiesApple third-quarter earnings call (live blog)Apple's Q3: $35B in revenue, 26M iPhones, 17M iPadsApple's Cook hints at upcoming iPhone 5... or somethingMountain Lion shipping in JulyBought a Mac after June 10? Get a free upgrade to Mountain LionApple gives developers fully baked Mountain LionWill your Mac run Mountain Lion?The release marks a notable shift in Apple's OS X software schedule, which now seemingly follows an annual refresh cycle. Where early iterations of OS X were released once a year leading up to 2003's 10.3 Panther, Apple moved to a two-year cycle between 2005 and 2011, putting out three major updates during that time and focusing much of its engineering efforts on iOS.As with most recent releases of OS X, the minimum system requirements have changed. To see if your Mac will run it, take a look at CNET's rundown, here. In the meantime, keep an eye out for CNET's review.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
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