Apple unveils iCloud, shows off features of Lion, iOS 5
With summer right around the corner, Apple held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference keynote presentation in San Francisco today.As promised, Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who's currently on a medical leave of absence from the company, hosted the event, which showcased Apple's long-awaited cloud-based service, iCloud.The online service stores digital media on the Web and automatically pushes it to iOS-based devices, PCs, and Macs. According to Apple, the service is automatically integrated with a user's apps, allowing new content to be pushed to the cloud, and then shared with other devices, automatically. Jobs specifically pointed to Calendar, Mail, and Contacts, which have all been rewritten to accommodate iCloud's functionality. Users with @me.com e-mail accounts that use Mail, for example, will be able to sync their messages with iCloud and view them on any of their devices.But Apple didn't stop there. iCloud will also work with the App Store, allowing users to put all their downloaded programs on their iOS-based devices. The service will also sync with purchased books, delivering a copy to linked devices once a title is bought. Each day, iCloud backs up iOS-based devices over Wi-Fi, allowing users to restore their exact settings and content onto a new iOS-based device.Those who use Apple's iWork productivity suite will be able to create a document, spreadsheet, or presentation on one iOS-based device, and then, after it's stored to the cloud, access it with their other devices.It's a similar story on the images side, with a new cloud feature called Photo Stream. Like documents, photos either taken with devices or synced to those platforms will be automatically uploaded to the cloud, and pushed to other devices. However, Apple said that the last 1,000 photos will be stored on iOS devices, and in the cloud, images will be kept for only 30 days. On the user's Mac or PC, all content will be stored locally.Finally, Jobs turned his attention to iTunes in the cloud. The Apple CEO said that those who purchase tracks and albums from iTunes will be able to re-download them from the cloud to other iOS-based devices at no additional charge. Users can also turn on a feature that automatically downloads a copy of content to other devices.Those looking for better sound quality will be able to take advantage of a new feature called iTunes Match. The service essentially scans the user's library and upgrades it to the 256kbps AAC file available in the iTunes store. iTunes Match will run customers $24.99 per year.According to Jobs, iCloud, which is made up of a total of nine applications, is free. Up to 10 devices are allowed to be connected to a single iCloud account. Users will receive 5GB of free storage for e-mail, documents, and backups. Music, books, and apps are not included in that storage limit, Jobs said today.The service will be made available with iOS 5 this fall.Mac OS X LionBut Apple didn't discuss only iCloud. Jobs turned the stage over to Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president for worldwide product marketing, who discussed the company's upcoming desktop operating system, Mac OS X Lion.According to Schiller, Apple now has more than 54 million Mac users around the world, and sales have beaten the industry every quarter for five years. With Lion, Apple is hoping to build on that with the addition of more than 250 new features in the operating system.When it launches later this year, Lion will come with support for multitouch gestures, including tap-to-zoom, two-finger swiping, and more. That functionality has helped Apple nix scroll bars, which will show up only when users scroll using the new gestures. Aside from that, the company unveiled full-screen application viewing from within the operating system, and the previously announced Mission Control, which offers a quick view of all the apps and documents the user is currently running. Resume, which will let users stop working with an application and then pick up in the exact spot where they left off, was demoed at the event. Resume will be available systemwide, Apple says.Apple has also unveiled an auto-save feature for Mac OS X Lion. With it, users can opt to either automatically save documents, make a copy, or "lock" a copy, so auto save is turned off. With the help of Versions, users will be able to go back to an older snapshot of a particular file, see edits made throughout the process, and choose what to use as the final product.Apple wasn't done there, however. The company also talked about a new Lion feature called AirDrop. With the new option, users will be able to see friends on their network and transfer files to them within the same pane. Apple said AirDrop should help replace the practice of people copying content onto a USB drive and bringing it over to another computer to transfer data onto that device.Apple also showed off a completely redesigned version of Mac OS X's e-mail application, Mail. The offering will feature a two- or three-column view and the addition of conversation viewing to keep all e-mails between parties on a respective subject in-line. The platform will also boast improved search.As expected, the Mac App Store, which first launched in January, made a showing during Apple's discussion on Mac OS X Lion. According to the company, the marketplace has become the top channel for buying software in just the few months since its launch, besting Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and other retail outlets. To make it more appealing to users, Apple said it will offer in-app purchasing in the marketplace, as well as push notifications.Apple plans to launch Mac OS X Lion in July for $29.99. Surprisingly, it will be available only as a 4GB download in the Mac App Store; the company will not be selling disc versions of the platform.Apple talks stats, iOS 5Following the Mac OS X Lion details, Apple turned its attention to its mobile operating system, iOS. According to the company, 200 million iOS-based devices have been sold to date. Apple has also sold 25 million iPads since the tablet's launch last year, the company said.The company's App Store now has more than 425,000 applications, including 90,000 built for the iPad. All told, 14 billion apps have been downloaded from Apple's App Store, and a whopping $2.5 billion has been paid out to app developers.With iOS 5, users will find more than 200 new features, Apple said.Arguably one of the most important updates is the addition of Notification Center. The service aggregates all updates into a single location for people to find out about new text messages, missed calls, and other notifications. The missed notifications will also be available on the device's lock screen. When users swipe across one of those notifications, they'll be brought to the respective app to see the update.Those hoping to cut the cord between their iOS-based devices and iTunes will be happy to hear that iOS 5 delivers over-the-air software updates. In addition, iPhone buyers will no longer need to tether their smartphone to their computer to activate it; all that will be done on the device.iOS-based devices are going PC-free.CNET StaffApple has added a Newsstand feature to iOS 5 to help users manage purchased digital magazines and newspapers from their iOS-based device, and Twitter will be featured prominently in iOS 5, allowing users to input their credentials into the platform's "Settings" menu. Twitter will be integrated into Camera, Photos, and other apps, allowing users to quickly tweet from the native programs.To help improve the Web-browsing experience, mobile Safari will come with a new Reader feature, letting users click the option on a poorly formatted site and see content in a stripped-down version for easy viewing. In addition, Apple has added the ability for users to e-mail an entire story from Safari, rather than a link as before. Users will also find full tabbed-browsing in the app.Apple's iOS 5 will deliver camera improvements, including being able to snap photos with the volume-up button, and the ability to enhance exposure settings on a particular part of the frame before the picture is snapped. Apple has also added image-editing in the app. For added convenience, Apple has brought the Camera app to the lock screen to give users quick access when they want to take a shot.With Mail in iOS 5, users will have indentation control, the ability to flag messages, and the option to search entire messages. Apple has also added a split-keyboard option, pushing half of the keyboard to either side of the screen, which should excite those who use their thumbs to type.Finally, Apple showed off a new feature, called iMessage, allowing iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users to send text messages, videos, photos, and more to each other. The offering will work on both Wi-Fi and 3G networks, and the new messages are sent to all the iOS devices a user owns.Apple plans to make iOS 5 available to users this fall.
MP3 resale violates copyright law, court rules
MP3 resale violates copyright law, court rules
A court ruling has put the kibosh on reselling digital media. In a lawsuit between Universal Music Group's Capitol Records and MP3 reseller ReDigi, U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan has sided with the record label and said that reselling songs bought on iTunes, Amazon, or other digital music venues is akin to copyright infringement."The court grants Capitol's motion for summary judgment on its claims for ReDigi's direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement of its distribution and reproduction rights," Judge Sullivan wrote in a summary judgment filed Saturday. "The court also denies ReDigi's motion in its entirety."ReDigi calls itself "the world's first online marketplace for used digital music." The company argued that it was operating under the "first sale doctrine," which says that people can resell or rent goods. This legal doctrine is what Netflix uses for its business model. ReDigi also noted that it's legal for people to sell used CDs and DVDs.However, Judge Sullivan ultimately concluded that digital media can only be resold if permission is granted by the copyright owner."Courts have consistently held that the unauthorized duplication of digital music files over the Internet infringes a copyright owner's exclusive right to reproduce," Judge Sullivan wrote. "However, courts have not previously addressed whether the unauthorized transfer of a digital music file over the Internet -- where only one file exists before and after the transfer -- constitutes reproduction within the meaning of the Copyright Act. The court holds that it does."A ReDigi spokesperson told CNET that the judge's ruling mainly affects the service's 1.0 technology. Further iterations of its service, including 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, were not considered by Judge Sullivan in his summary judgment and could ultimately be deemed to comply with copyright law. "The case has wide ranging, disturbing implications that affect how we as a society will be able to use digital goods," the ReDigi spokesperson told CNET. "The Order is surprising in light of last month's United States Supreme Court decision in Kirtsaeng v. Wiley & Sons, which reaffirmed the importance and applicability of the First Sale Doctrine in the United States of America."Capitol Records first filed its copyright complaint against ReDigi in January 2012. At first, Judge Sullivan denied the record company's motion to shutdown ReDigi. However, after putting more thought into the matter, he seems to have changed his mind."ReDigi will continue to keep its ReDigi 2.0 service running and will appeal the ReDigi 1.0 decision, while supporting the fundamental rights of lawful digital consumers," the ReDigi spokesperson told CNET.Both Capitol Records and ReDigi are to file a joint letter to the court by April 12 on what they expect the next steps in the case to be.
A court ruling has put the kibosh on reselling digital media. In a lawsuit between Universal Music Group's Capitol Records and MP3 reseller ReDigi, U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan has sided with the record label and said that reselling songs bought on iTunes, Amazon, or other digital music venues is akin to copyright infringement."The court grants Capitol's motion for summary judgment on its claims for ReDigi's direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement of its distribution and reproduction rights," Judge Sullivan wrote in a summary judgment filed Saturday. "The court also denies ReDigi's motion in its entirety."ReDigi calls itself "the world's first online marketplace for used digital music." The company argued that it was operating under the "first sale doctrine," which says that people can resell or rent goods. This legal doctrine is what Netflix uses for its business model. ReDigi also noted that it's legal for people to sell used CDs and DVDs.However, Judge Sullivan ultimately concluded that digital media can only be resold if permission is granted by the copyright owner."Courts have consistently held that the unauthorized duplication of digital music files over the Internet infringes a copyright owner's exclusive right to reproduce," Judge Sullivan wrote. "However, courts have not previously addressed whether the unauthorized transfer of a digital music file over the Internet -- where only one file exists before and after the transfer -- constitutes reproduction within the meaning of the Copyright Act. The court holds that it does."A ReDigi spokesperson told CNET that the judge's ruling mainly affects the service's 1.0 technology. Further iterations of its service, including 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, were not considered by Judge Sullivan in his summary judgment and could ultimately be deemed to comply with copyright law. "The case has wide ranging, disturbing implications that affect how we as a society will be able to use digital goods," the ReDigi spokesperson told CNET. "The Order is surprising in light of last month's United States Supreme Court decision in Kirtsaeng v. Wiley & Sons, which reaffirmed the importance and applicability of the First Sale Doctrine in the United States of America."Capitol Records first filed its copyright complaint against ReDigi in January 2012. At first, Judge Sullivan denied the record company's motion to shutdown ReDigi. However, after putting more thought into the matter, he seems to have changed his mind."ReDigi will continue to keep its ReDigi 2.0 service running and will appeal the ReDigi 1.0 decision, while supporting the fundamental rights of lawful digital consumers," the ReDigi spokesperson told CNET.Both Capitol Records and ReDigi are to file a joint letter to the court by April 12 on what they expect the next steps in the case to be.
Australian Bureau of Statistics releases town management game
Australian Bureau of Statistics releases town management game
So you think your local government can be run better, do you? A new game by the Australian Bureau of Statistics lets you put your money where your mouth is.Called Run That Town, it lets you take control of any city, town or village in Australia with a postcode. Now, we've all played town management sims before, but this one has a few twists. Based on actual census data from 2011, it requires a little more than just planning out where to put things.(Credit: Leo Burnett)The aim of the game is to make your chosen town the best it can be, including happy citizens. When proposals for public works land on your desk, you have to choose whether or not to approve them. Of course, you can just choose arbitrarily on whatever you think sounds good â€" but the fractious citizens can be hard to please. Their support is actually necessary â€" each proposal will cost you two kinds of in-game currency, money and clout, and if you don't have enough, you'll find it hard to move ahead.When deciding on a proposal, therefore, it helps to listen to the citizens as they argue for and against. A zoo, for example, will make children happy, but the older citizens will grumble at the use of land. It seems like an easy decision; but in fact, choosing not to build the zoo in this instance earned a popularity decrease, since families made up a large percentage of the town in question. You can't just take the person speaking into account â€" you have to also measure their passion about the project (seen on a scale on the screen), as well as census data, such as their demographic and how representative they are of the average resident. You can then track how well each project does by reading newspaper reports.Even so, perhaps just like real life, you can't predict everything, and keeping your popularity in the majority is a delicate juggling act. You can never keep everyone happy â€" in fact, it's downright frustrating at times. You think you're building something your townspeople will love â€" a community centre for the elderly, for instance â€" and then another group will get up in arms, such as parents complaining that land could have been better put to use as a playground. Everyone hates everyone else, resentful that the rich/unemployed/elderly/children/single people/students are getting their requirements seen to, even though you might have already built three facilities and thrown six events catering to them.But that unpredictability also makes the game so difficult to tear yourself away from.Of course, it helps that Run That Town is excellently designed. Produced by Leo Burnett, with narration by Shaun Micallef, writing by Kieran Ots andAyla Norris-Smith, and development by Millipede Creative (which you might remember from the amusingly potty-humoured Bullistic Unleashed), the game â€" somewhat surprisingly, in fact, coming as it did from a governmental office â€" is a fantastic piece of work. Although it seems complicated, its clear tutorial and interface makes it really easy just to pick up and play.Run That Town is free on the iTunes app store, and we heartily recommend picking it up and giving it a whirl.
So you think your local government can be run better, do you? A new game by the Australian Bureau of Statistics lets you put your money where your mouth is.Called Run That Town, it lets you take control of any city, town or village in Australia with a postcode. Now, we've all played town management sims before, but this one has a few twists. Based on actual census data from 2011, it requires a little more than just planning out where to put things.(Credit: Leo Burnett)The aim of the game is to make your chosen town the best it can be, including happy citizens. When proposals for public works land on your desk, you have to choose whether or not to approve them. Of course, you can just choose arbitrarily on whatever you think sounds good â€" but the fractious citizens can be hard to please. Their support is actually necessary â€" each proposal will cost you two kinds of in-game currency, money and clout, and if you don't have enough, you'll find it hard to move ahead.When deciding on a proposal, therefore, it helps to listen to the citizens as they argue for and against. A zoo, for example, will make children happy, but the older citizens will grumble at the use of land. It seems like an easy decision; but in fact, choosing not to build the zoo in this instance earned a popularity decrease, since families made up a large percentage of the town in question. You can't just take the person speaking into account â€" you have to also measure their passion about the project (seen on a scale on the screen), as well as census data, such as their demographic and how representative they are of the average resident. You can then track how well each project does by reading newspaper reports.Even so, perhaps just like real life, you can't predict everything, and keeping your popularity in the majority is a delicate juggling act. You can never keep everyone happy â€" in fact, it's downright frustrating at times. You think you're building something your townspeople will love â€" a community centre for the elderly, for instance â€" and then another group will get up in arms, such as parents complaining that land could have been better put to use as a playground. Everyone hates everyone else, resentful that the rich/unemployed/elderly/children/single people/students are getting their requirements seen to, even though you might have already built three facilities and thrown six events catering to them.But that unpredictability also makes the game so difficult to tear yourself away from.Of course, it helps that Run That Town is excellently designed. Produced by Leo Burnett, with narration by Shaun Micallef, writing by Kieran Ots andAyla Norris-Smith, and development by Millipede Creative (which you might remember from the amusingly potty-humoured Bullistic Unleashed), the game â€" somewhat surprisingly, in fact, coming as it did from a governmental office â€" is a fantastic piece of work. Although it seems complicated, its clear tutorial and interface makes it really easy just to pick up and play.Run That Town is free on the iTunes app store, and we heartily recommend picking it up and giving it a whirl.
The 404 1,196- Where we get locked up for unlocking (podcast)
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
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