The 404 1,031: Where it's cheaper if you get our e-book (podcast)
CNET laptop editor Scott Stein returns to The 404 guest seat, and the room is apparently full of onions today as we discuss this short film about a 9-year-old's homebrew cardboard arcade. If you look closely at Jeff's face during this segment, you may even catch a rare glimpse of his upturned frown.We'll also introduce you to a highly funded Kickstarter campaign for an iPhone and Android-compatible smart watch that goes the opposite direction of traditional e-watches and uses a digital ink display (similar to the original Amazon Kindle) that lets users check messages, play music, and more without the threat of sun glare or unreadable reflections.We'll also explore an article on CNET today about the outcome of an e-book price war between the five major book publishers and Amazon.com, who they claim are undercutting the industry at 45 percent off the cover price, effectively doubling its price break.CNET's Nathan Bransford argues that most of the costs associated with printing a physical book come from expenses that digital authors also face; things like author advances, cover design, marketing, and publicity costs. Read the rest of the article for more of Nathan's insights in the world of e-book publishing.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 1,031Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
iTunes Rewind shows off best-selling content of 2009
iTunes Rewind shows off best-selling content of 2009
The apps category is particularly interesting.The top 5 best-selling games of 2009 are dominated by Electronic Arts.Four out of the five top games are made by EA, including The Sims 3 in the No. 1 spot, followed by Need for Speed Undercover, Madden 10, and Tiger Woods in the Nos. 3, 4, and 5 spots.Gameloft's The Oregon Trail breaks up the EA love fest by sneaking in at No. 2.As far as other apps go, Navigon's Mobile Navigator grabs the top spot in best-sellers, followed by MLB.com At Bat, Textfree Unlimited, TomTom, Golfshot: Golf GPS, and SlingPlayer Mobile.Unfortunately iTunes doesn't give a combined list, so we don't know what app is really at the top of the pile.Although the iTunes list is probably not representative of the most popular movies of 2009, due to its limited catalog available for viewing, we'll take a look at it nonetheless.It should be no surprise that punching in at No. 1 for most sales and rentals is "Twilight."Rounding out the top three, we have the stoner comedy/action movie "Pineapple Express" and Bond flick "Quantum of Solace."iTunes also lists "Up," "Star Trek," "The Hangover," and "Adventureland" as some of the best movies of 2009.Finally, we have the TV shows category.Yes, iTunes did make some TV episode sales in 2009, despite the existence of alternatives like DVRs, Hulu, and Netflix.The top-selling seasons were "Mad Men" (season 3), "Lost" (season 5), and "24" (season 7)."Family Guy" claims the best-selling episode with "Stew-Roids," followed by "Gossip Girl" with "In the Realm of the Basses," and "Lost" with"Because You Left."2009 was a good year for content on iTunes.What were some of your favorites in music, movies, TV, and iPhone apps from last year (on iTunes or otherwise)?Let us know in the comments.
The apps category is particularly interesting.The top 5 best-selling games of 2009 are dominated by Electronic Arts.Four out of the five top games are made by EA, including The Sims 3 in the No. 1 spot, followed by Need for Speed Undercover, Madden 10, and Tiger Woods in the Nos. 3, 4, and 5 spots.Gameloft's The Oregon Trail breaks up the EA love fest by sneaking in at No. 2.As far as other apps go, Navigon's Mobile Navigator grabs the top spot in best-sellers, followed by MLB.com At Bat, Textfree Unlimited, TomTom, Golfshot: Golf GPS, and SlingPlayer Mobile.Unfortunately iTunes doesn't give a combined list, so we don't know what app is really at the top of the pile.Although the iTunes list is probably not representative of the most popular movies of 2009, due to its limited catalog available for viewing, we'll take a look at it nonetheless.It should be no surprise that punching in at No. 1 for most sales and rentals is "Twilight."Rounding out the top three, we have the stoner comedy/action movie "Pineapple Express" and Bond flick "Quantum of Solace."iTunes also lists "Up," "Star Trek," "The Hangover," and "Adventureland" as some of the best movies of 2009.Finally, we have the TV shows category.Yes, iTunes did make some TV episode sales in 2009, despite the existence of alternatives like DVRs, Hulu, and Netflix.The top-selling seasons were "Mad Men" (season 3), "Lost" (season 5), and "24" (season 7)."Family Guy" claims the best-selling episode with "Stew-Roids," followed by "Gossip Girl" with "In the Realm of the Basses," and "Lost" with"Because You Left."2009 was a good year for content on iTunes.What were some of your favorites in music, movies, TV, and iPhone apps from last year (on iTunes or otherwise)?Let us know in the comments.
Apple's App Store- 25 billion downloads
Apple's App Store: 25 billion downloads
Apple's App Store has served up 25 billion downloads, the company announced today.The iPhone and iPad maker's main Web site was festooned with a banner trumpeting the milestone, but the 25 billionth downloader--and consequent contest winner--has not yet been announced. That lucky individual will receive a gift card for the iTunes Store, worth $10,000. (That's a lot of Beatles ring tones.)Related storiesApple counting down to 25 billion app downloadsLast January Apple ran a similar promotion for the 10 billionth app downloaded, also awarding a $10,000 gift card. That was a follow-up to the company's 2009 award to the person who downloaded the 1 billionth app. That first time was a bit more generous, with 13-year-old Connor Mulcahey nabbing a $10,000 iTunes gift card along with an iPod Touch, MacBook Pro, and one of Apple's Time Capsule devices.The acceleration in App Store downloads has been swift since the business launched in July of 2008. The store hit 1 billion downloads in its first nine months, reaching 5 billion downloads in June 2010. By January 2011, the company tallied 10 billion downloads, a number that topped 18 billion in October of the same year.Apple has said that it pretty much breaks even running the App Store. But the point of the enterprise is not to profit from the sale of apps, but to make Apple's devices more useful and more attractive to gadget buyers.Apple said it would unveil the winner of the 25 billion contest within 10 days, on this page.CNET's Josh Lowensohn contributed to this report.
Apple's App Store has served up 25 billion downloads, the company announced today.The iPhone and iPad maker's main Web site was festooned with a banner trumpeting the milestone, but the 25 billionth downloader--and consequent contest winner--has not yet been announced. That lucky individual will receive a gift card for the iTunes Store, worth $10,000. (That's a lot of Beatles ring tones.)Related storiesApple counting down to 25 billion app downloadsLast January Apple ran a similar promotion for the 10 billionth app downloaded, also awarding a $10,000 gift card. That was a follow-up to the company's 2009 award to the person who downloaded the 1 billionth app. That first time was a bit more generous, with 13-year-old Connor Mulcahey nabbing a $10,000 iTunes gift card along with an iPod Touch, MacBook Pro, and one of Apple's Time Capsule devices.The acceleration in App Store downloads has been swift since the business launched in July of 2008. The store hit 1 billion downloads in its first nine months, reaching 5 billion downloads in June 2010. By January 2011, the company tallied 10 billion downloads, a number that topped 18 billion in October of the same year.Apple has said that it pretty much breaks even running the App Store. But the point of the enterprise is not to profit from the sale of apps, but to make Apple's devices more useful and more attractive to gadget buyers.Apple said it would unveil the winner of the 25 billion contest within 10 days, on this page.CNET's Josh Lowensohn contributed to this report.
Apple's Anobit buy a done deal, report says
Apple's Anobit buy a done deal, report says
Apple has acquired Israel-based flash memory startup Anobit, a report claims.The deal, according to Israel's Calcalist business news site (Google Translate), is in the $400 million to $500 million range. Earlier today, Anobit apparently informed its employees that Apple had made an offer that it had accepted and that they were on their way to being employed by the iPhone maker.Today's report follows a claim made by Calcalist last week, saying that Apple and Anobit were nearing a deal.Anobit's flash memory technology is found in Apple's iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air. The startup also sells enterprise storage solutions. Apple's decision to acquire the company might have to do with its desire to increase margins, since it'll now get its memory at cost, rather than be forced to pay a premium to a third party. What's more, one of Apple's chief competitors--Samsung--is also an Anobit customer.But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it's worth noting that neither Apple nor Anobit has confirmed the acquisition. In fact, the companies haven't even said if they were discussing a deal. But in the past, Apple has completed acquisitions that it never announces.However, this time, another stakeholder might have spoken out of turn. The Israeli prime minister's Twitter account, run by new media director Eitan Eliram, congratulated Apple this morning on its first acquisition in the country."Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc., on your 1st acquisition here," the prime minister's office tweeted. "I'm certain that you'll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge."Although it seems to corroborate Calcalist's claims, there's no telling whether the tweet was due to inside knowledge or was just a response to the news outlet's story.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the reported acquisition.
Apple has acquired Israel-based flash memory startup Anobit, a report claims.The deal, according to Israel's Calcalist business news site (Google Translate), is in the $400 million to $500 million range. Earlier today, Anobit apparently informed its employees that Apple had made an offer that it had accepted and that they were on their way to being employed by the iPhone maker.Today's report follows a claim made by Calcalist last week, saying that Apple and Anobit were nearing a deal.Anobit's flash memory technology is found in Apple's iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air. The startup also sells enterprise storage solutions. Apple's decision to acquire the company might have to do with its desire to increase margins, since it'll now get its memory at cost, rather than be forced to pay a premium to a third party. What's more, one of Apple's chief competitors--Samsung--is also an Anobit customer.But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it's worth noting that neither Apple nor Anobit has confirmed the acquisition. In fact, the companies haven't even said if they were discussing a deal. But in the past, Apple has completed acquisitions that it never announces.However, this time, another stakeholder might have spoken out of turn. The Israeli prime minister's Twitter account, run by new media director Eitan Eliram, congratulated Apple this morning on its first acquisition in the country."Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc., on your 1st acquisition here," the prime minister's office tweeted. "I'm certain that you'll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge."Although it seems to corroborate Calcalist's claims, there's no telling whether the tweet was due to inside knowledge or was just a response to the news outlet's story.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the reported acquisition.
Apple's AirPlay tech to work without Wi-Fi, report says
Apple's AirPlay tech to work without Wi-Fi, report says
Apple's AirPlay streaming feature could soon work even if your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network, according to a new report.In a brief post, The Telegraph says that Apple is at work on a new version of the streaming technology, dubbed "AirPlay Direct," that eschews the need to be on the same local area network."The new version will require just speakers or a hi-fi and an iDevice; the iPhone, iPod or iPad would form its own network to allow a direct connection and music playback," The Telegraph says. The feature is expected to be unveiled alongside Apple's next iPhone and the much-rumored smaller iOS power/data plug, the site added.Apple introduced AirPlay in late-2010 as the successor to its AirTunes wireless audio streaming technology. The renaming was also meant to explain to consumers that, with the incorporation of video streaming, the technology was no longer just for audio. With AirPlay, users of iOS devices like the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPod Touch can wirelessly send videos to Apple TV for watching on the big screen.Apple extended AirPlay to its Macs last month with the release of Mountain Lion. Like on iOS devices, it lets Mac users stream whatever was on their computer to an AirPlay compatible device, including mirrored video to the Apple TV.Apple is now heavily rumored to be holding its iPhone event on September 12. The company used last year's iPhone 4S launch event to make small updates to its iPod lineup as well.
Apple's AirPlay streaming feature could soon work even if your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network, according to a new report.In a brief post, The Telegraph says that Apple is at work on a new version of the streaming technology, dubbed "AirPlay Direct," that eschews the need to be on the same local area network."The new version will require just speakers or a hi-fi and an iDevice; the iPhone, iPod or iPad would form its own network to allow a direct connection and music playback," The Telegraph says. The feature is expected to be unveiled alongside Apple's next iPhone and the much-rumored smaller iOS power/data plug, the site added.Apple introduced AirPlay in late-2010 as the successor to its AirTunes wireless audio streaming technology. The renaming was also meant to explain to consumers that, with the incorporation of video streaming, the technology was no longer just for audio. With AirPlay, users of iOS devices like the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPod Touch can wirelessly send videos to Apple TV for watching on the big screen.Apple extended AirPlay to its Macs last month with the release of Mountain Lion. Like on iOS devices, it lets Mac users stream whatever was on their computer to an AirPlay compatible device, including mirrored video to the Apple TV.Apple is now heavily rumored to be holding its iPhone event on September 12. The company used last year's iPhone 4S launch event to make small updates to its iPod lineup as well.
Apple's A7 may really strut its stuff on iPad gaming
Apple's A7 may really strut its stuff on iPad gaming
Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip will debut on the iPhone 5S, but it may find its best gaming platform on upcoming iPads. The A7 is the world's first 64-bit chip for smartphones.What that means for consumers is better performance on data-intensive apps like games because, among other things, it means the chip can address more memory more effectively than a 32-bit processor.First introduced to supercomputers in the 1970s, 64-bit computing landed at Apple in the Power Mac G5 in 2003 via the first 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor.Fast forward to 2013.It seems increasingly likely that the fifth-generation iPad or a second-generation iPad Mini -- or both -- will get the A7 later this year.Recent speculation from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a higher-performance version of the A7, the A7X, will land in both tablets.If accurate, that would match up with Apple's schedule for rolling out A6 chips last year: the iPhone 5 was introduced with an A6 processor in September 2012, then the iPad 4 with the faster A6X in October.Because of the iPad's and iPad Mini's larger screens -- 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch, respectively -- game playing is taken up a notch, especially if future iPads pack a higher-performance version of the A7. Here's what Apple says. A7 supports OpenGL ES version 3.0 to deliver the kind of detailed graphics and complex visual effects once possible only on Mac computers, PCs, and gaming consoles. The difference is amazing. Take the imaginary worlds in games, for instance. Textures and shadows look more true to life. Sunlight reflects off the water. The whole experience feels much more realistic.Those effects could be more apparent on the larger-screen iPads.Particularly, if the Mini gets a Retina screen, boosting pixel density to more than 300 pixels per inch.
Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip will debut on the iPhone 5S, but it may find its best gaming platform on upcoming iPads. The A7 is the world's first 64-bit chip for smartphones.What that means for consumers is better performance on data-intensive apps like games because, among other things, it means the chip can address more memory more effectively than a 32-bit processor.First introduced to supercomputers in the 1970s, 64-bit computing landed at Apple in the Power Mac G5 in 2003 via the first 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor.Fast forward to 2013.It seems increasingly likely that the fifth-generation iPad or a second-generation iPad Mini -- or both -- will get the A7 later this year.Recent speculation from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a higher-performance version of the A7, the A7X, will land in both tablets.If accurate, that would match up with Apple's schedule for rolling out A6 chips last year: the iPhone 5 was introduced with an A6 processor in September 2012, then the iPad 4 with the faster A6X in October.Because of the iPad's and iPad Mini's larger screens -- 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch, respectively -- game playing is taken up a notch, especially if future iPads pack a higher-performance version of the A7. Here's what Apple says. A7 supports OpenGL ES version 3.0 to deliver the kind of detailed graphics and complex visual effects once possible only on Mac computers, PCs, and gaming consoles. The difference is amazing. Take the imaginary worlds in games, for instance. Textures and shadows look more true to life. Sunlight reflects off the water. The whole experience feels much more realistic.Those effects could be more apparent on the larger-screen iPads.Particularly, if the Mini gets a Retina screen, boosting pixel density to more than 300 pixels per inch.
Apple's A7 chip makes a run at Intel
Apple's A7 chip makes a run at Intel
Is Apple simply engaging in PR puffery when it talks about its "desktop" A7 chip?Not so fast.Apple's claims for the first 64-bit "desktop class architecture" in a smartphone does sound like hype at first.A 64-bit design doesn't make any difference to most people, so it's marketing tripe -- so goes the argument.Indeed, the repetitive PR-speak used in the A7 discussion in Apple's formal announcement of the iPhone 5S is a little off-putting.The A7's desktop-class design is the single most prominent feature that Apple mentions in the first three paragraphs of the release.But there's teeth behind Apple's PR prattle. Both CNET's and Anandtech's reviews indicate the chip is indeed really fast. "Based on every benchmark we could find, the iPhone 5S and its new A7 processor seem at least twice as fast as the 5 and its A6," CNET Reviews said. Anandtech said it challenges Intel's fastest tablet silicon.The A7 SoC is seriously impressive...something capable of competing with the best Intel has to offer in this market. In many cases the A7's dual cores were competitive with Intel's recently announced Bay Trail SoC [system-on-a-chip]...The A7's GPU [graphics processing unit] performance is also insanely good -- more than enough for anything you could possibly throw at the iPhone 5s today.That last sentence alludes to Apple's future. It's not inconceivable that a future A8 or A9 will truly enter into laptop/desktop PC territory.After all, these days, laptop PC processors from Intel-- i.e., Haswell -- aren't about performance as much as power efficiency.That's something the A series has already pretty much mastered. And PC makers crave the kind of chip that Apple is offering today -- or could offer next year.They want a low-power but fast processor to power ultra-skinny, ultra-light laptops and hybrids that mimic the feature set of the tablet.Today, Intel is providing Haswell for that market segment and to a lesser extent its new Bay Trail Atom chip.But you can't help but wonder what Apple might ultimately do with, let's say, an A9.Did someone say MacBook?
Is Apple simply engaging in PR puffery when it talks about its "desktop" A7 chip?Not so fast.Apple's claims for the first 64-bit "desktop class architecture" in a smartphone does sound like hype at first.A 64-bit design doesn't make any difference to most people, so it's marketing tripe -- so goes the argument.Indeed, the repetitive PR-speak used in the A7 discussion in Apple's formal announcement of the iPhone 5S is a little off-putting.The A7's desktop-class design is the single most prominent feature that Apple mentions in the first three paragraphs of the release.But there's teeth behind Apple's PR prattle. Both CNET's and Anandtech's reviews indicate the chip is indeed really fast. "Based on every benchmark we could find, the iPhone 5S and its new A7 processor seem at least twice as fast as the 5 and its A6," CNET Reviews said. Anandtech said it challenges Intel's fastest tablet silicon.The A7 SoC is seriously impressive...something capable of competing with the best Intel has to offer in this market. In many cases the A7's dual cores were competitive with Intel's recently announced Bay Trail SoC [system-on-a-chip]...The A7's GPU [graphics processing unit] performance is also insanely good -- more than enough for anything you could possibly throw at the iPhone 5s today.That last sentence alludes to Apple's future. It's not inconceivable that a future A8 or A9 will truly enter into laptop/desktop PC territory.After all, these days, laptop PC processors from Intel-- i.e., Haswell -- aren't about performance as much as power efficiency.That's something the A series has already pretty much mastered. And PC makers crave the kind of chip that Apple is offering today -- or could offer next year.They want a low-power but fast processor to power ultra-skinny, ultra-light laptops and hybrids that mimic the feature set of the tablet.Today, Intel is providing Haswell for that market segment and to a lesser extent its new Bay Trail Atom chip.But you can't help but wonder what Apple might ultimately do with, let's say, an A9.Did someone say MacBook?
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