Apple's new iPad pricing: A head scratcher or brilliant?
The first question I got from several readers, colleagues, and friends yesterday was "so which iPad should I buy?"Many were very smart people who keep up with the ins and outs of technology, which leads me to believe that Apple's new lineup might leave some consumers scratching their heads when faced with a potential purchase this holiday. Related storiesWhy would anybody buy a 16GB iPad 2 for $399?CNET first look at iPad Airli>CNET first look at iPad Mini with Retina DisplayThe iPad Air's Missed OpportunityAs with years past, the new lineup is a lot of the old and a bit of new. Last year's iPad mini is $30 cheaper and will stick around, as will 2011's iPad 2 with two 16GB models (one with only Wi-Fi, and one with 3G).New this year are a full-sized iPad -- the iPad Air -- and iPad Mini with a Retina Display. The mini comes in two screen resolutions, both at the same 7.9-inch size. People simply pay $100 more if they want the Air with its larger screen. Everything else about the two new tablets, right down to the battery life and their innards, is the same. This, combined with no bump to the amount of baseline storage you get (an important thing for a tablet) sets up a peculiar situation in which you can go $100 or so each way and end up with a markedly different device, often with trade-offs.Do the mathOne example of a trade-off: Want Apple's cheapest tablet? Get the Wi-Fi version of last year's iPad Mini. But it's only 16GB and you can't go higher without upgrading to one of the two newer models, which at 32GB would run either $499 for the Mini, or $599 for the Air. In the case of the Air, that's the price of simply buying a second first-generation iPad Mini.Another example: You want to get one of the newer models -- but with cellular, and you don't want to pay much. Your cheapest option is the 16GB Mini with Retina for $529. But for $70 more, you can get an Air with a larger screen and twice the storage -- however, you're back to Wi-Fi only.There also remains the very top end of the line, which runs up to $829 and $929 respectively, for the 128GB iPad Mini and Air. The $829 option for even the latest Mini is within $70 (the price of a leather Smart Cover) of costing the same as a brand-new 11-inch MacBook Air from Best Buy. The parts that make the difference now are storage and cellular chipsThis is not a new thing, by any means. Apple became the profits juggernaut it is by offering a "good, better, best" option with its computers and later iPods. The part that's typically made the difference has been storage, RAM, and the optical drives that consumers bought for their notebooks and desktop towers (something that's gone kaput). As Apple's business has evolved into tablets and smartphones, the parts that make the biggest difference now are storage and cellular chips, both of which can tweak the price by $100 per tier -- even when Apple's paying far, far less. Case in point: Apple's latest, the iPhone 5S. According to a teardown by IHS iSuppli last month, that same 16GB of NAND flash memory -- which is the entry point of storage on all of Apple's tablets since 2010's iPad 1 -- runs an estimated $9.40. Bumping up to 32GB costs $18.80, while going up to 64GB costs $29 total. Those same upgrades cost users $100 for each tier on the iPads, meaning consumers pay more than 10 times what it likely cost Apple. It's a similar story for the cellular chips that cost users an extra $100 if they want to connect to cellular networks. Those same chips only run around $25.60 for the iPad 2, iSuppli says, while the newer 4G LTE chips cost about $41.50. iPads piled up at an Apple store at launch from the third-generation iPad.James Martin/CNETWhat people are actually buyingThis $100-per-step upgrade has gone on for years and worked out well for Apple, but perhaps it has never made such a difference as with these tablets, which are priced so close together. With notebooks, which could run between $1,000 up to $3,000, there was more wiggle room for such parts, something that makes more of a difference with gadgets that cost less.The reality is that most people buy the mid-range version of the iPad, or at least they were early last year. A report covering three months of 2012 holiday iPad sales by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners suggested that the 32GB model of the iPad 2 accounted for 49 percent of all sales, with the 16GB model following at 31 percent. Of course, two new models and the iPad Mini have been released since then, making the comparison less than ideal. Looking at something more recent, gadget trade-in service Gazelle says that 16GB iPads have made up 42 percent of all iPad models traded in since its program started. Last year alone that mix was a tad lower, with 16GB iPads accounting for 38 percent of trade-ins, a figure that jumped to 47 percent of trades so far this year. 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.PlayApple, to its credit, has removed some of the need for lots of storage on its devices, with things like iCloud, Photo Stream, and iTunes Match and iTunes Radio for streaming and storing music tracks. Still, there's no debating that apps, games, videos, and especially magazines can take up incredible amounts of storage quickly. There's also little debating that while some could see potential consumer confusion in Apple's myriad iPad offerings, the results could be increased sales come this holiday shopping season. "The new iPad Air is a very attractive upgrade," Barclays Capital's Ben Reitzes told investors on Tuesday, adding that the firm's original estimate that Apple would surpass 20 million iPads sold over the next two months was "conservative."
New iFixIt kits offer expansion to new iMacs
New iFixIt kits offer expansion to new iMacs
In systems that contain optical drives, you can replace this drive with a high-capacity hard drive or high-speed SSD by placing a bracket in the drive bay that can be purchased from companies like Other World Computing or OptiBay (I recently installed such a system in one of my Macs). Similar brackets are also available for the optical drives in iMac and Mac Mini systems.While for iMac systems you can replace the optical drive and use its SATA connection for another hard drive, in newer models Apple has included support for two SATA devices on the optical drive's connection, allowing customers to select dual drive options on supported systems. However, if you have purchased an iMac and only chose a single hard drive configuration, or purchased the 21.5-inch system that does not come with drive customization options, then Apple does not include any bracket or connection to attach a second drive, even though such a connection would work.To tackle this and allow you to install a second hard drive at a later point, Mac repair site iFixIt has come out with a small $69.96 adapter and installation kit (one for the 21.5-inch iMac, and one for the 27-inch iMac) that will allow you to put a second drive in your iMac. Unlike other kits that might replace the optical drive, this one will result in the new drive being right behind the optical drive and thereby allow you continue using it.The project involves feeding wires through the components and removing delicate connections such as that for this thermal sensor, which if not assembled correctly could result in blaring system fans and other problems.iFixItThe kit comes with an SATA data cable and a custom SATA power cable, along with all the tools necessary to open the system and manage the delicate connectors and components in it. Using this kit you should be able to put any 2.5-inch SATA drive in your system and either increase speed with an SSD as your boot drive, or add more storage. If you do not wish to spend much on a large SSD, you can get similar performance by using a smaller SSD (up to 128GB) as a boot drive and then storing your larger files and data (such as iTunes libraries or movie collections) on the slower conventional hard drive.Do keep in mind that while these bracket and adapter options are available, they are not for the technically timid. Installing them does require a fair amount of disassembly and manipulation of delicate wires and connectors that could easily be broken if you are not careful. While iFixIt does offer a very detailed and clear step-by-step guide for installing its drive mount, even with this option some people may be uncomfortable with performing these modifications.Even if you do feel comfortable with it, I recommend you only attempt this if your system is out of warranty and if you would find it far more beneficial to have a second internal drive than resort to using external options.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
In systems that contain optical drives, you can replace this drive with a high-capacity hard drive or high-speed SSD by placing a bracket in the drive bay that can be purchased from companies like Other World Computing or OptiBay (I recently installed such a system in one of my Macs). Similar brackets are also available for the optical drives in iMac and Mac Mini systems.While for iMac systems you can replace the optical drive and use its SATA connection for another hard drive, in newer models Apple has included support for two SATA devices on the optical drive's connection, allowing customers to select dual drive options on supported systems. However, if you have purchased an iMac and only chose a single hard drive configuration, or purchased the 21.5-inch system that does not come with drive customization options, then Apple does not include any bracket or connection to attach a second drive, even though such a connection would work.To tackle this and allow you to install a second hard drive at a later point, Mac repair site iFixIt has come out with a small $69.96 adapter and installation kit (one for the 21.5-inch iMac, and one for the 27-inch iMac) that will allow you to put a second drive in your iMac. Unlike other kits that might replace the optical drive, this one will result in the new drive being right behind the optical drive and thereby allow you continue using it.The project involves feeding wires through the components and removing delicate connections such as that for this thermal sensor, which if not assembled correctly could result in blaring system fans and other problems.iFixItThe kit comes with an SATA data cable and a custom SATA power cable, along with all the tools necessary to open the system and manage the delicate connectors and components in it. Using this kit you should be able to put any 2.5-inch SATA drive in your system and either increase speed with an SSD as your boot drive, or add more storage. If you do not wish to spend much on a large SSD, you can get similar performance by using a smaller SSD (up to 128GB) as a boot drive and then storing your larger files and data (such as iTunes libraries or movie collections) on the slower conventional hard drive.Do keep in mind that while these bracket and adapter options are available, they are not for the technically timid. Installing them does require a fair amount of disassembly and manipulation of delicate wires and connectors that could easily be broken if you are not careful. While iFixIt does offer a very detailed and clear step-by-step guide for installing its drive mount, even with this option some people may be uncomfortable with performing these modifications.Even if you do feel comfortable with it, I recommend you only attempt this if your system is out of warranty and if you would find it far more beneficial to have a second internal drive than resort to using external options.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Bluetooth issues with iOS 4-
Bluetooth issues with iOS 4?
Though we have yet to replicate many of these problems with our own iPhones at CNET, the number of e-mail and comments we've received about this is enough to make us sit up and notice. Here we list a few of them, just to give you an idea of the problems people are experiencing:Reader Josh writes: "I am having a different issue with a Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset.It worked perfectly with my 3GS but now that it is connected to my iPhone 4, I am having difficulty.Although it connected fine and I have no problem hearing callers, all callers tell me that my voice is so poor that they can't understand a word that I am saying.Most describe it as a very bad connection, far away, as if in a tunnel."Reader Douglas writes: "My issue is that my Plantronics discovery 975 is not working with my iPhone 4. If I put the phone in my pocket, wear it on my belt, or take just one step away the headset disconnects."Reader Rob writes: "I can pair the iPhone 4 with my Jawbone Bluetooth no problem but it loses connectivity every few minutes / disconnects from the phone Bluetooth. I went and bought a brand new identical Bluetooth headset (another Jawbone) and have the same problem (disconnects every couple of minutes). I have reset my iPhone 4 and this does not help. I have restored my iPhone 4 to factory settings through iTunes and this also does not help. These same headsets worked fine on my older 3GS iPhone. My second issue is that the very few minutes at a time that the Bluetooth actually does work ... when on a call the person on the other end of the line constantly hears muffled sound and annoying echo of themselves."Reader Larry writes: "Since upgrading to iOS 4 (on a 3GS and iPhone 4), people have noted that I sound 'muffled' or that they cannot hear me at all while using my Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset."Reader Biren writes: "I am based in London, U.K., and have just received my iPhone 4 a couple of days ago, but have found that talking via the Motorola Bluetooth headset, the other party are complaining that I sound like as if I am very far away or have got a pillow in front of the headset."Biren also helpfully pointed us to an Apple discussion forum that mentions this same muffled audio quality issue. As of this writing, the forum thread is up to nine pages long. Also, from the comments in our original post about the iPhone Bluetooth issues, many people are having problems with syncing their iPhones to their cars via Bluetooth. It doesn't appear that the iOS 4.0.1 update has fixed this issue, but word is that iOS 4.1 might. However, we wouldn't hold our breath for a complete fix. It seems that iOS 4.1 will only upgrade the existing Bluetooth protocol on the iPhone to support full AVRCP (audio-video remote control profile), where you will now be able to skip tracks via Bluetooth (previously you could only control the volume and play/pause). We're still waiting to hear if Apple will deal with the other Bluetooth issues mentioned above.
Though we have yet to replicate many of these problems with our own iPhones at CNET, the number of e-mail and comments we've received about this is enough to make us sit up and notice. Here we list a few of them, just to give you an idea of the problems people are experiencing:Reader Josh writes: "I am having a different issue with a Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset.It worked perfectly with my 3GS but now that it is connected to my iPhone 4, I am having difficulty.Although it connected fine and I have no problem hearing callers, all callers tell me that my voice is so poor that they can't understand a word that I am saying.Most describe it as a very bad connection, far away, as if in a tunnel."Reader Douglas writes: "My issue is that my Plantronics discovery 975 is not working with my iPhone 4. If I put the phone in my pocket, wear it on my belt, or take just one step away the headset disconnects."Reader Rob writes: "I can pair the iPhone 4 with my Jawbone Bluetooth no problem but it loses connectivity every few minutes / disconnects from the phone Bluetooth. I went and bought a brand new identical Bluetooth headset (another Jawbone) and have the same problem (disconnects every couple of minutes). I have reset my iPhone 4 and this does not help. I have restored my iPhone 4 to factory settings through iTunes and this also does not help. These same headsets worked fine on my older 3GS iPhone. My second issue is that the very few minutes at a time that the Bluetooth actually does work ... when on a call the person on the other end of the line constantly hears muffled sound and annoying echo of themselves."Reader Larry writes: "Since upgrading to iOS 4 (on a 3GS and iPhone 4), people have noted that I sound 'muffled' or that they cannot hear me at all while using my Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset."Reader Biren writes: "I am based in London, U.K., and have just received my iPhone 4 a couple of days ago, but have found that talking via the Motorola Bluetooth headset, the other party are complaining that I sound like as if I am very far away or have got a pillow in front of the headset."Biren also helpfully pointed us to an Apple discussion forum that mentions this same muffled audio quality issue. As of this writing, the forum thread is up to nine pages long. Also, from the comments in our original post about the iPhone Bluetooth issues, many people are having problems with syncing their iPhones to their cars via Bluetooth. It doesn't appear that the iOS 4.0.1 update has fixed this issue, but word is that iOS 4.1 might. However, we wouldn't hold our breath for a complete fix. It seems that iOS 4.1 will only upgrade the existing Bluetooth protocol on the iPhone to support full AVRCP (audio-video remote control profile), where you will now be able to skip tracks via Bluetooth (previously you could only control the volume and play/pause). We're still waiting to hear if Apple will deal with the other Bluetooth issues mentioned above.
The 404 399- Where life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it
The 404 399: Where life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it
As the undisputed heavyweight champion director of such classic '80s flicks as "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Weird Science," "The Breakfast Club," and more, John Hughes made a tremendous impact on the industry. We're all still shocked by his passing, so we take a moment to discuss how his movies have affected our lives. You'll be dearly missed, John!Speaking of movies, Wilson checked out "Thirst," and believe it or not, he actually enjoyed it! If you're a fan of vampire movies or the unique directorial style of Park Chan-Wook, whose previous films include "Sympathy for Mr./Lady Vengeance" and "OldBoy," you'll definitely like this new thriller. Vampires: so hot right now.The next segment is all about Netflix coming to the iPhone and movie rental kiosks in general. Somehow, Wilson had it in his head that the Netflix delivery service was on its way out two years ago, but he has the right idea predicting that soon, all movies will be delivered online instead of in person.We also get to a few Calls from the Public, as well as the winner of our most recent "Choose Justin's next pair of glasses" competition!" We think you'll be happy with the winner, so be sure to watch the video for all the commentary--surprisingly, Jeff and Wilson actually agree with the decision!Finally, don't forget to check us out today on Gadgets and Games, LIVE at 2 p.m EDT. We'll be chatting with our good buddy Clayton Morris, host of "Fox and Friends," about tech, gaming, unboxings, etc. We'll also post the show online next week, so don't worry if you can't watch it live. Have a great weekend everybody!EPISODE 399PodcastYour 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
As the undisputed heavyweight champion director of such classic '80s flicks as "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Weird Science," "The Breakfast Club," and more, John Hughes made a tremendous impact on the industry. We're all still shocked by his passing, so we take a moment to discuss how his movies have affected our lives. You'll be dearly missed, John!Speaking of movies, Wilson checked out "Thirst," and believe it or not, he actually enjoyed it! If you're a fan of vampire movies or the unique directorial style of Park Chan-Wook, whose previous films include "Sympathy for Mr./Lady Vengeance" and "OldBoy," you'll definitely like this new thriller. Vampires: so hot right now.The next segment is all about Netflix coming to the iPhone and movie rental kiosks in general. Somehow, Wilson had it in his head that the Netflix delivery service was on its way out two years ago, but he has the right idea predicting that soon, all movies will be delivered online instead of in person.We also get to a few Calls from the Public, as well as the winner of our most recent "Choose Justin's next pair of glasses" competition!" We think you'll be happy with the winner, so be sure to watch the video for all the commentary--surprisingly, Jeff and Wilson actually agree with the decision!Finally, don't forget to check us out today on Gadgets and Games, LIVE at 2 p.m EDT. We'll be chatting with our good buddy Clayton Morris, host of "Fox and Friends," about tech, gaming, unboxings, etc. We'll also post the show online next week, so don't worry if you can't watch it live. Have a great weekend everybody!EPISODE 399PodcastYour 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
MCE Tunes- iTunes content in Windows Media Center
MCE Tunes: iTunes content in Windows Media Center
Despite the fact that iTunes has been getting so bloated with so many features and functions, it's arguably still the best software to manage your music. And now there's a way to play its content, as well as using its playlists, in the Media Center user interface if you use Windows Media Center as your entertainment center. Proxure announced on Monday its MCE Tunes software application that allows for complete iTunes libraries access, including purchased music and video content, from within Microsoft's Windows Media Center (MCE) interface or Windows Media Player. On top of that, MCE Tunes can also stream iTunes music to Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles or other Media Center Extender devices.I tried the application briefly with my Windows Media Center 2005 and it worked as intended. There wasn't much to do. Once installed and launched, the MCE Tunes interface allows for merging iTunes' library with MCE's library. You can choose different criteria for the merge, such as: the whole library, just content rated with certain amount of stars, or certain playlists. The merge only happens once, and when you want to share more music from iTunes to MCE, you'll need to run MCE Tunes and repeat the process. However, there's also an option for MCE Tunes to automatically perform this task everyday for those who add more music and video to iTunes regularly.Other features of the MCE Tunes include:iTunes playlists automatically recreated in Windows Media Player (including compilation albums). All file metadata is carried over to Windows Media Player. iTunes track ratings are carried over to Windows Media Player. Album artwork is carried over to Windows Media Player. You can download the trial version of MCE Tunes, which limits playback to 20 tracks, and does not include video playback support. The full version of the software costs $30.Dong Ngo/CNET Networks
Despite the fact that iTunes has been getting so bloated with so many features and functions, it's arguably still the best software to manage your music. And now there's a way to play its content, as well as using its playlists, in the Media Center user interface if you use Windows Media Center as your entertainment center. Proxure announced on Monday its MCE Tunes software application that allows for complete iTunes libraries access, including purchased music and video content, from within Microsoft's Windows Media Center (MCE) interface or Windows Media Player. On top of that, MCE Tunes can also stream iTunes music to Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles or other Media Center Extender devices.I tried the application briefly with my Windows Media Center 2005 and it worked as intended. There wasn't much to do. Once installed and launched, the MCE Tunes interface allows for merging iTunes' library with MCE's library. You can choose different criteria for the merge, such as: the whole library, just content rated with certain amount of stars, or certain playlists. The merge only happens once, and when you want to share more music from iTunes to MCE, you'll need to run MCE Tunes and repeat the process. However, there's also an option for MCE Tunes to automatically perform this task everyday for those who add more music and video to iTunes regularly.Other features of the MCE Tunes include:iTunes playlists automatically recreated in Windows Media Player (including compilation albums). All file metadata is carried over to Windows Media Player. iTunes track ratings are carried over to Windows Media Player. Album artwork is carried over to Windows Media Player. You can download the trial version of MCE Tunes, which limits playback to 20 tracks, and does not include video playback support. The full version of the software costs $30.Dong Ngo/CNET Networks
Don't hold your breath for 7-inch iPad
Don't hold your breath for 7-inch iPad
Steve Jobs thinks you're fat. Or at least your fingers are.Jobs dialed in to Apple's earnings call this afternoon and took on, among other topics, the usability of a 7-inch touch-screen tablet. Though many of Apple's competitors are introducing or plan to introduce tablets in that size, it's not ideal for a touch-screen device, he told investors."It's meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size," he said.Normal-size human fingers are too big to be able to accurately hit icons on a screen that size, he claimed."Apple has done extensive user testing and we really understand this stuff," he said. "There are clear limits on how close you can place things on a touchscreen, which is why we think 10 inch is the minimum screen size to create great tablet apps."But it's not just our pesky fingers that are the problem. He also trashed the screen size and resolution of 7-inchers."One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 percent of the benefits of a 10-inch screen...this is far from the truth. Seven-inch screens are 45 percent as large as an iPad," Jobs said. "This size isn't sufficient for making great tablet apps.""No tablet can compete with a smartphone. And given that all tablet users will already have a smartphone in their pocket, giving up screen area to fit in a pocket is a bad trade-off," he said.Jobs is obviously doing some marketing countermeasures ahead of the holidays when several new tablet models may become available that compete with the iPad.But he was also sending this message to those reporting rumors thata 7-inch iPad is on its way: it's not happening.
Steve Jobs thinks you're fat. Or at least your fingers are.Jobs dialed in to Apple's earnings call this afternoon and took on, among other topics, the usability of a 7-inch touch-screen tablet. Though many of Apple's competitors are introducing or plan to introduce tablets in that size, it's not ideal for a touch-screen device, he told investors."It's meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size," he said.Normal-size human fingers are too big to be able to accurately hit icons on a screen that size, he claimed."Apple has done extensive user testing and we really understand this stuff," he said. "There are clear limits on how close you can place things on a touchscreen, which is why we think 10 inch is the minimum screen size to create great tablet apps."But it's not just our pesky fingers that are the problem. He also trashed the screen size and resolution of 7-inchers."One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 percent of the benefits of a 10-inch screen...this is far from the truth. Seven-inch screens are 45 percent as large as an iPad," Jobs said. "This size isn't sufficient for making great tablet apps.""No tablet can compete with a smartphone. And given that all tablet users will already have a smartphone in their pocket, giving up screen area to fit in a pocket is a bad trade-off," he said.Jobs is obviously doing some marketing countermeasures ahead of the holidays when several new tablet models may become available that compete with the iPad.But he was also sending this message to those reporting rumors thata 7-inch iPad is on its way: it's not happening.
Dish delivers live, recorded TV to iPad via Sling
Dish delivers live, recorded TV to iPad via Sling
Dish Network subscribers can now watch content from their DVRs in full screen on Apple's iPad.The satellite provider said today that its Remote Access app is available for free to iPad users in Apple's App Store. The app lets people watch live TV and DVR recordings, as well as manage their DVR. The service was already available on PCs, Macs, Apple's iPhone, Android-based devices, and both the BlackBerry Bold and Curve.However, in order to get it to work, Remote Access users need much more than just the app.First off, subscribers will need a Dish ViP 722 or 722k HD DVR. In addition, they need to connect a Sling Media product--such as the Sling Adapter offered for $99 to Dish subscribers--to their respective satellite box. From there, they can use the Remote Access app, which will be linked to the Sling product, to access their TV content.In an e-mailed statement to CNET sent last month when Dish first announced its "TV Everywhere" service, a company representative acknowledged that current Slingbox owners could already achieve this functionality by connecting the Slingbox to a DVR and accessing it either from a computer or mobile device.The representative was quick to point out, though, that Dish's mobile app is free. Currently, Sling sells its iPad app for $29.99 in Apple's App Store.However, Dish doesn't necessarily view Sling as a competitor. The Dish representative said the company's "goal with the Sling Adapter is to take Sling from a techie product to a mass-market product."
Dish Network subscribers can now watch content from their DVRs in full screen on Apple's iPad.The satellite provider said today that its Remote Access app is available for free to iPad users in Apple's App Store. The app lets people watch live TV and DVR recordings, as well as manage their DVR. The service was already available on PCs, Macs, Apple's iPhone, Android-based devices, and both the BlackBerry Bold and Curve.However, in order to get it to work, Remote Access users need much more than just the app.First off, subscribers will need a Dish ViP 722 or 722k HD DVR. In addition, they need to connect a Sling Media product--such as the Sling Adapter offered for $99 to Dish subscribers--to their respective satellite box. From there, they can use the Remote Access app, which will be linked to the Sling product, to access their TV content.In an e-mailed statement to CNET sent last month when Dish first announced its "TV Everywhere" service, a company representative acknowledged that current Slingbox owners could already achieve this functionality by connecting the Slingbox to a DVR and accessing it either from a computer or mobile device.The representative was quick to point out, though, that Dish's mobile app is free. Currently, Sling sells its iPad app for $29.99 in Apple's App Store.However, Dish doesn't necessarily view Sling as a competitor. The Dish representative said the company's "goal with the Sling Adapter is to take Sling from a techie product to a mass-market product."
Discontinued iPad 4 may see return with 8GB iPhone 5C
Discontinued iPad 4 may see return with 8GB iPhone 5C
Editors' note: Shortly after this story was posted, Apple unveiled its new 8GB iPhone 5C and a $399 version of its formerly discontinued fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display.Apple is reportedly planning a couple of iOS product refreshes, one of which could see the return of the iPad 4 to retailer shelves.After reports Monday that the company was planning to release an 8GB iPhone 5C as early as Tuesday,another report suggested that Apple would also reintroduce the discontinued iPad 4 with Retina display. A source told 9to5Mac that shipments of the discontinued tablet are arriving at Apple retail locations along with instructions that the boxes are not to be opened until Tuesday.KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last month that, in light of the iPhone 4's return to some markets, the iPad 4 would return to mass production as the company wound down production of the iPad 2.Introduced in 2012, the iPad 4 came with a dual-core A6X chip, a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video, and a Lightning connector. But the fourth-generation iPad was discontinued with the launch of the iPad Air last October. With retailers seeing tightening supplies of the $399 iPad 2, it appears that the encore of the more powerful iPad 4 is geared toward replacing the low-end iPad 2. The refresh would also allow Apple to officially transition away from its previous proprietary 30-pin connector as all of its current iOS device offerings would now be based on the 8-pin Lightning standard.
Editors' note: Shortly after this story was posted, Apple unveiled its new 8GB iPhone 5C and a $399 version of its formerly discontinued fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display.Apple is reportedly planning a couple of iOS product refreshes, one of which could see the return of the iPad 4 to retailer shelves.After reports Monday that the company was planning to release an 8GB iPhone 5C as early as Tuesday,another report suggested that Apple would also reintroduce the discontinued iPad 4 with Retina display. A source told 9to5Mac that shipments of the discontinued tablet are arriving at Apple retail locations along with instructions that the boxes are not to be opened until Tuesday.KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last month that, in light of the iPhone 4's return to some markets, the iPad 4 would return to mass production as the company wound down production of the iPad 2.Introduced in 2012, the iPad 4 came with a dual-core A6X chip, a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video, and a Lightning connector. But the fourth-generation iPad was discontinued with the launch of the iPad Air last October. With retailers seeing tightening supplies of the $399 iPad 2, it appears that the encore of the more powerful iPad 4 is geared toward replacing the low-end iPad 2. The refresh would also allow Apple to officially transition away from its previous proprietary 30-pin connector as all of its current iOS device offerings would now be based on the 8-pin Lightning standard.
Digital City 100- Comic Con costumes and the ultimate video game t-shirt collection
Digital City 100: Comic Con costumes and the ultimate video game t-shirt collection
Speaking of collectables, in honor of our centenary, we're pleased to offer the greatest Digital City giveaway ever. We're sending one viewer/listener a sweet pile a video game t-shirts -- the ultra-rare promo-only items sent to journalists and industry insiders. These are all mint condition, never worn, and include shirts for Dead Space, GTA4, and many more. To win the Ultimate Video Game T-Shirt Collection just hop on over to the show's Twitter account, @digitalcitycnet and follow us, then RT the post about this episode. We'll pick a random winner at the end of the week, and there are also a pile of runner-up prizes, including some Red Dead Redemption swag and a copy of the new Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light game for DS. Special bonus: At long last, download the show's theme song as a free MP3 here! Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010See full gallery1 - 4 / 85NextPrevRelated links:>> Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010>> Windows 7 Phone debuts>> Meet your meat: Mechanically separated chicken >> Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. ET on CNET Live!>> Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes>> Join the Digital City Facebook fan page>> Need more? Follow the show on Twitter. Also check out Dan on Twitter,and Scott! PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) |RSS (audio) |RSS (video)
Speaking of collectables, in honor of our centenary, we're pleased to offer the greatest Digital City giveaway ever. We're sending one viewer/listener a sweet pile a video game t-shirts -- the ultra-rare promo-only items sent to journalists and industry insiders. These are all mint condition, never worn, and include shirts for Dead Space, GTA4, and many more. To win the Ultimate Video Game T-Shirt Collection just hop on over to the show's Twitter account, @digitalcitycnet and follow us, then RT the post about this episode. We'll pick a random winner at the end of the week, and there are also a pile of runner-up prizes, including some Red Dead Redemption swag and a copy of the new Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light game for DS. Special bonus: At long last, download the show's theme song as a free MP3 here! Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010See full gallery1 - 4 / 85NextPrevRelated links:>> Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010>> Windows 7 Phone debuts>> Meet your meat: Mechanically separated chicken >> Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. ET on CNET Live!>> Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes>> Join the Digital City Facebook fan page>> Need more? Follow the show on Twitter. Also check out Dan on Twitter,and Scott! PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) |RSS (audio) |RSS (video)
Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery- You might still be in luck
Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery? You might still be in luck
The chance to buy $1,599 tickets for Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually attracts more than 5,000 developers, was this year decided through a lottery. But people who weren't chosen might still be able to buy a ticket to Apple's annual confab.Those who were chosen through the lottery had until April 14 to actually purchase a ticket. According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been reaching out to those who didn't win to give them a chance to purchase unclaimed tickets. Apple did not return a request for comment, but we'll update this post if we hear back. Related StoriesSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6Six ways Apple can fix what's 'broken' about the iPhoneThe conference is a popular destination among Apple fans, as the company uses it as a stage to make product announcements. Past events have included unveilings of new MacBook Air models and updates to iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. The event will be held at San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6. Tickets in past years have sold out in minutes, so this year, the company moved to a lottery format to open up attendance. The rumor mill around Apple's plans always churns in the lead-up to the event. This year, there has been speculation that the company will unveil iOS 8, expected to have a heavy bent in health and fitness tracking, or even a new iPhone model with larger screens.
The chance to buy $1,599 tickets for Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually attracts more than 5,000 developers, was this year decided through a lottery. But people who weren't chosen might still be able to buy a ticket to Apple's annual confab.Those who were chosen through the lottery had until April 14 to actually purchase a ticket. According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been reaching out to those who didn't win to give them a chance to purchase unclaimed tickets. Apple did not return a request for comment, but we'll update this post if we hear back. Related StoriesSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6Six ways Apple can fix what's 'broken' about the iPhoneThe conference is a popular destination among Apple fans, as the company uses it as a stage to make product announcements. Past events have included unveilings of new MacBook Air models and updates to iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. The event will be held at San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6. Tickets in past years have sold out in minutes, so this year, the company moved to a lottery format to open up attendance. The rumor mill around Apple's plans always churns in the lead-up to the event. This year, there has been speculation that the company will unveil iOS 8, expected to have a heavy bent in health and fitness tracking, or even a new iPhone model with larger screens.
iPhone sales soar in Japan, Korea and China
Apple has set sales records for itself in Japan, Korea and China courtesy of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, according to Counterpoint Research.
In Japan, Apple won 51 percent of all smartphone sales in November, Counterpoint said in a blog post Wednesday. Japan has traditionally been a strong region for Apple, but now "it is becoming increasingly difficult for competition to challenge Apple's dominance in near- to mid-term," Counterpoint noted. The growing audience of iPhone users in Japan may also benefit the adoption of the upcoming Apple Watch.
As consumers took a fancy to big-screened phones, Apple was late to the party compared with its Android rivals. Acknowledging the demand, the company finally released the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus last September in hopes of winning back customers and market share. That strategy seems to be paying off, not just in the US and other countries but in South Korea where chief rival Samsung has dominated.
In Samsung's home base of South Korea, Apple accounted for 33 percent of all smartphones sales in November.
"No foreign brand has gone beyond the 20 percent market share mark in the history of Korea's smartphone industry," Counterpoint's Korean research director Tom Kang said in a statement. "It has always been dominated by the global smartphone leader, Samsung. But iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have made a difference here, denting the competition's phablet sales. Korea being the world's highest penetrated phablet market (handsets with 5 inches above screens) earnestly needed a large screen iPhone for quite a time and now this thirst has been quenched."
Apple's slice of sales in Korea could have been higher had the company's supply been able to reach demand.
"If there was a better supply of iPhone 6 & 6 Plus 64GB & 128GB models during the month, then Apple's share could have climbed to the 40 percent level," Kang noted.
That big a piece of the pie would have truly challenged Samsung's share, which came in at 46 percent over the same period.
In China, iPhone sales grew more than 45 percent annually in November, triggering a record high in monthly sales volumes. Counterpoint attributed the gain to "rich urban Chinese consumers" attracted to the new iPhone's form factor. Apple's 12 percent market share in China pushed it into third place behind dominant local players Xiaomi and Lenovo, with no small help from the new iPhone.
"iPhone 6 was the most popular iPhone model during November accounting for more than two-thirds of the total iPhone sales," Counterpoint research director Neil Shah said. "However, with improving supply of iPhone 6 Plus we believe the iPhone 6 Plus sales will contribute to a greater proportion of the sales mix in December and during the Chinese holiday season in Q1 2015."
Apple initially ran into trouble launching the new iPhones in China. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus went on sale in the US and other countries on September 19, but China wasn't on the invite list due to a delay in regulatory approval of the new phones. The country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had to approve the new iPhones for network access before retailers could officially start selling them. That approval finally came through in late September, with sales launching in October.
Globally, Apple's iPhone sales jumped by 26 percent annually in November 2014 over the same month in 2013. Sales were boosted not only by the new iPhone 6 handsets but also by the older and less pricey iPhone 5S and 5C, aimed at prepaid customers in emerging markets, Counterpoint said. By tapping into the increasingly popular big-screened phone market, Apple both challenged Samsung and made up for sinking demand for the iPad tablet, according to Counterpoint.
"By launching iPhone 6 Plus, Apple killed two birds with one stone -- firstly, jumping into the fast growing phablet segment and recapturing the share lost to Samsung's popular Note series in the premium smartphone category," Counterpoint research director Peter Richardson said. "Secondly, offsetting the lackluster demand for iPads and targeting users looking for a single device and thus in turn recognizing even greater contribution to the top-line and bottom-line from the iPhone 6 Plus than it would have been able to generate from the iPad Mini."
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