Clinton plans to stump for global Net freedom
The speech will come just nine days after Google's blunt declaration about Chinese censorship and illegal electronic intrusions, including allegations of theft of intellectual property. As many as 30 other companies may have been targeted, including Yahoo, Symantec, Juniper Networks, Dow Chemical, and Northrop Grumman.One question left unanswered during the briefing by Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner, which took place Wednesday morning, is whether the State Department would risk offending the Chinese government by addressing last week's charges lodged by Google. "We did not get the impression that there would be any particular reference to the Google China incident," said Robert Mahoney, deputy director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, one of the people briefed.But a State Department official, speaking on background, told CNET later in the day that the Google-China incident will be included in the speech.The speech comes at a precarious time in Washington-Beijing relations, which have been stressed by a dispute over carbon emissions at the Copenhagen summit and controversy over the valuation of China's currency, the yuan."If people are looking for a laying out of a 1-through-10 Internet agenda, they're going to be disappointed," said Leslie Harris, the president of the Center for Democracy and Technology, who was also briefed. "But if they're looking for the United States to put the power of its diplomacy on the line for Internet freedom, it's going to be a very important speech."Google's blunt admission that it believes the Chinese government is behind intrusions into its internal network, and perhaps theft of source code, has roiled political and technological circles since last week. It has led the State Department to indicate that it would lodge a protest in a formal letter--called a demarche--with Beijing.AudioHillary Clinton on Internet freedomInteresting excerpts from the secretary of state's speech,recorded by Larry Magid of the CNET Blog Network.PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio) In the last few days, State Department officials have had multiple meetings with their Chinese counterparts and say they plan to continue the discussions.During a press briefing on Wednesday, however, Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell declined to say whether the demarche has been sent. "We take this matter very seriously and, as Secretary Clinton said last week, that the whole issue does raise serious concerns," Campbell told reporters. "Now, it is also clear that China has denied the allegations made by Google. But we also think that the Chinese are in the best position to explain this, and we are asking them for an explanation."Expect to hear about more than China, however. Sources familiar with the development of the policy said it dates back to last summer, when violent protests in Iran were all over Twitter and YouTube despite attempts by the Iranian government to censor the communications. Even some countries like South Korea, home to widespread Internet usage, have enacted laws such as requiring those uploading videos to YouTube to use their real names instead of pseudonyms.And there are dozens of countries in which citizens are just starting to access and appreciate the global Internet. Some of the governments in those countries are attempting to figure out how they will respond to these new freedoms, and could potentially be swayed one way or another by a carrot-and-stick approach from the U.S. government tied to foreign aid.Human rights groups cautioned on Wednesday that a high-profile address by an administration official may be forgotten within a year or so. They said that happened in February 2006 when then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice created the Global Internet Freedom Task Force (GIFTF), convened a few meetings, and then let the effort languish."I would hope that it's not GIFTF 2, but a decided evolution from that," said Arvind Ganesan, director of Human Rights Watch's business and human rights program. "It'll be interesting to see if they're not only supporting openness online, but supporting it to a particular end."Sharon Hom, executive director of the Human Rights in China advocacy group, also stressed a wait-and-see approach. "It's important to make a strong policy statement," Hom said. "More important is how it will become implemented."
Report- NBC wanted a cut of iPod revenue
Report: NBC wanted a cut of iPod revenue
"Apple sold millions of dollars worth of hardware off the back of our content and made a lot of money," Zucker reportedly told The New Yorker's Ken Auletta during a benefit for former football powerhouse Syracuse University. "They did not want to share in what they were making off the hardware or allow us to adjust pricing."The content industry has long had a beef with Apple's fixed pricing structure on iTunes. They would prefer to charge more for newer hit shows and less for older programs, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been firm on the $1.99 pricing for television shows on iTunes. Now, NBC and Zucker certainly have the right to decide what they want to charge for their content. And it's very early days for online video sales, so you can see how negotiations might have broken down over the pricing.But seriously, you guys asked Apple for a cut of iPod revenue? Justifying it by claiming that they are making tons of money off your content?I'm not even sure where to begin. First off, in earlier comments reported by Variety Zucker said that NBC took in only $15 million in revenue through iTunes during the last year of its deal. I'm not exactly sure when that began or ended, but in 2006 NBC Universal did $16 billion in revenue, according to parent company General Electric's annual report. So even if you tripled the amount of money NBC was taking in from iTunes sales a year, that would have only amounted to 0.3 percent of NBC Universal's revenue for the year. By comparison, NBC Universal's theme park business did $100 million in revenue.So it's not like Apple screwed NBC out of all this revenue they would have otherwise been earning, although the network will get a chance to prove otherwise with the pending launch of its Hulu project and its own NBC Direct site. But that's not really the point.How much revenue does Sony give NBC when it sells a television? How about Panasonic? Or Sharp? The idea that NBC thought Apple would agree to give them a share of iPod revenue is either the funniest or the most horrifying thing I've ever heard come out of the mouth of an high-profile executive like Zucker.NBC may or may not need iTunes to distribute its content, and it will be interesting to see if it can build an online distribution model on its own. But does Apple really need NBC's content? I'm sure Apple would like to sell hit shows like Heroes or My Name is Earl on iTunes, but I can't imagine there's a network show good enough on television to justify Apple giving anyone a share of revenue from its crown jewel.You have to have leverage to demand revenue from a prospective partner, like Apple did with AT&T over the iPhone. And that worked: the iPhone is AT&T's top-selling model, and brought hundreds of thousands of new customers to the carrier. Is Bionic Woman really going to bring thousands of new customers to iTunes?I would have given anything to have been a fly on the wall when Zucker or one of his lieutenants made that pitch to Apple. Apple immediately retaliated after talks broke down, announcing plans to pull NBC's shows from iTunes before the contract between the two companies ended. They're still offering several shows, perhaps a signal that not all is lost, but I'll promise to watch an entire season of The Singing Bee if Zucker gets a cut of iPod revenue from Apple.By the way, if you're going to start selling your own shows online, shouldn't you try to get a cut of PC sales from Hewlett-Packard and Dell, while you're at it?CNET News.com's Greg Sandoval contributed to this report.
"Apple sold millions of dollars worth of hardware off the back of our content and made a lot of money," Zucker reportedly told The New Yorker's Ken Auletta during a benefit for former football powerhouse Syracuse University. "They did not want to share in what they were making off the hardware or allow us to adjust pricing."The content industry has long had a beef with Apple's fixed pricing structure on iTunes. They would prefer to charge more for newer hit shows and less for older programs, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been firm on the $1.99 pricing for television shows on iTunes. Now, NBC and Zucker certainly have the right to decide what they want to charge for their content. And it's very early days for online video sales, so you can see how negotiations might have broken down over the pricing.But seriously, you guys asked Apple for a cut of iPod revenue? Justifying it by claiming that they are making tons of money off your content?I'm not even sure where to begin. First off, in earlier comments reported by Variety Zucker said that NBC took in only $15 million in revenue through iTunes during the last year of its deal. I'm not exactly sure when that began or ended, but in 2006 NBC Universal did $16 billion in revenue, according to parent company General Electric's annual report. So even if you tripled the amount of money NBC was taking in from iTunes sales a year, that would have only amounted to 0.3 percent of NBC Universal's revenue for the year. By comparison, NBC Universal's theme park business did $100 million in revenue.So it's not like Apple screwed NBC out of all this revenue they would have otherwise been earning, although the network will get a chance to prove otherwise with the pending launch of its Hulu project and its own NBC Direct site. But that's not really the point.How much revenue does Sony give NBC when it sells a television? How about Panasonic? Or Sharp? The idea that NBC thought Apple would agree to give them a share of iPod revenue is either the funniest or the most horrifying thing I've ever heard come out of the mouth of an high-profile executive like Zucker.NBC may or may not need iTunes to distribute its content, and it will be interesting to see if it can build an online distribution model on its own. But does Apple really need NBC's content? I'm sure Apple would like to sell hit shows like Heroes or My Name is Earl on iTunes, but I can't imagine there's a network show good enough on television to justify Apple giving anyone a share of revenue from its crown jewel.You have to have leverage to demand revenue from a prospective partner, like Apple did with AT&T over the iPhone. And that worked: the iPhone is AT&T's top-selling model, and brought hundreds of thousands of new customers to the carrier. Is Bionic Woman really going to bring thousands of new customers to iTunes?I would have given anything to have been a fly on the wall when Zucker or one of his lieutenants made that pitch to Apple. Apple immediately retaliated after talks broke down, announcing plans to pull NBC's shows from iTunes before the contract between the two companies ended. They're still offering several shows, perhaps a signal that not all is lost, but I'll promise to watch an entire season of The Singing Bee if Zucker gets a cut of iPod revenue from Apple.By the way, if you're going to start selling your own shows online, shouldn't you try to get a cut of PC sales from Hewlett-Packard and Dell, while you're at it?CNET News.com's Greg Sandoval contributed to this report.
The 404 716- Where we're thankful for enhanced pat-down searches (podcast)
The 404 716: Where we're thankful for enhanced pat-down searches (podcast)
Speaking of the TSA screenings that have become all the rage on the news these days, Jeff thinks that it's the dearth of news in American media that is letting the issue blow up on cable news and across the Web.In part, Wilson agrees given that the new regulations, backscatter (cool name for a band) X-ray scanning machines and pat-down searches have been planned for months.While the general populace might be a bit surprised by the new TSA regulations, Wilson doesn't believe it makes it right to be photographed through our clothes just because we want to fly.DragCloseThis 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.In happier ramblings, The 404 does give thanks for the privilege of essentially shooting the tech-and-culture crap with each other on a daily basis.It's something we're truly thankful for, and we'd love nothing but to share our love for our loyal and growing listener base.Jeff, being Jeff, though, has to interrupt the flow of happiness to talk a bit about the blackout for the New York-New Jersey region when it comes to the NHL's new GameCenter service, which lets fans watch games and replays.The big exception that really irks Jeff is that the service won't let him watch his beloved New Jersey Devils!Wilson and Mark really couldn't care less.Any way, we won't be having a show tomorrow or Friday, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but be sure to e-mail us or call in at the usual 1-866-404-CNET (2638), and let us know what you're thankful for.Maybe it's that new tech gadget or Wilson's laugh?Let us know.Episode 716PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Speaking of the TSA screenings that have become all the rage on the news these days, Jeff thinks that it's the dearth of news in American media that is letting the issue blow up on cable news and across the Web.In part, Wilson agrees given that the new regulations, backscatter (cool name for a band) X-ray scanning machines and pat-down searches have been planned for months.While the general populace might be a bit surprised by the new TSA regulations, Wilson doesn't believe it makes it right to be photographed through our clothes just because we want to fly.DragCloseThis 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.In happier ramblings, The 404 does give thanks for the privilege of essentially shooting the tech-and-culture crap with each other on a daily basis.It's something we're truly thankful for, and we'd love nothing but to share our love for our loyal and growing listener base.Jeff, being Jeff, though, has to interrupt the flow of happiness to talk a bit about the blackout for the New York-New Jersey region when it comes to the NHL's new GameCenter service, which lets fans watch games and replays.The big exception that really irks Jeff is that the service won't let him watch his beloved New Jersey Devils!Wilson and Mark really couldn't care less.Any way, we won't be having a show tomorrow or Friday, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but be sure to e-mail us or call in at the usual 1-866-404-CNET (2638), and let us know what you're thankful for.Maybe it's that new tech gadget or Wilson's laugh?Let us know.Episode 716PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Open-source hardware, start-ups, and land wars in Asia
Open-source hardware, start-ups, and land wars in Asia
Gadi Amit of NewDealDesign suggests that the hardware business, long shunned by Silicon Valley VCs for its costs and complexities, may be getting easier due to ready-made manufacturing capacity in China, which is driving down the cost of building hardware.Open-source hardware could drop the price of development even further, as Om Malik recently wrote.Give away the designs for your hardware and let would-be customers build it themselves.This is a particularly appealing strategy for companies that depend upon hardware to drive what are essentially software businesses.Apple builds its own hardware because it wants to control the complete consumer experience, but it could also enable third parties to build hardware that is optimized to run iTunes, OS X, and other Apple software.Yet hardware could prove the undoing of Apple in smartphones, just as it did in the personal computer industry, when the pioneer Mac gave way to the relentless, ubiquitous Windows.Sure, Apple's iPhone is currently blowing the competition out of the water.Google Android, however, poses a serious threat, given its ability to embrace multiple hardware vendors with a common platform.Were Google to extend this strategy with open-source hardware, too, the strategy could prove even more disruptive to Apple's current dominance.Android's momentum is a sobering reminder to Apple that community can trump control.This same strategy applies to others, too.What about TiVo?Or Sling Media?These are all companies that have built and distribute their own hardware, but really what they're providing is software or services.The hardware is simply there to enable consumer access to software-driven data or entertainment businesses.So why not open source the hardware and, hopefully, accelerate adoption by lowering the cost of manufacture and distribution?This is exactly what we're seeing happen in software, as companies race to open source complements to their core businesses.Intel with Linux, Google with Android, IBM with Linux/Apache/more, etc.Can it work for hardware, too?I think so.But we're still waiting on someone to prove it.Follow me on Twitter @mjasay.
Gadi Amit of NewDealDesign suggests that the hardware business, long shunned by Silicon Valley VCs for its costs and complexities, may be getting easier due to ready-made manufacturing capacity in China, which is driving down the cost of building hardware.Open-source hardware could drop the price of development even further, as Om Malik recently wrote.Give away the designs for your hardware and let would-be customers build it themselves.This is a particularly appealing strategy for companies that depend upon hardware to drive what are essentially software businesses.Apple builds its own hardware because it wants to control the complete consumer experience, but it could also enable third parties to build hardware that is optimized to run iTunes, OS X, and other Apple software.Yet hardware could prove the undoing of Apple in smartphones, just as it did in the personal computer industry, when the pioneer Mac gave way to the relentless, ubiquitous Windows.Sure, Apple's iPhone is currently blowing the competition out of the water.Google Android, however, poses a serious threat, given its ability to embrace multiple hardware vendors with a common platform.Were Google to extend this strategy with open-source hardware, too, the strategy could prove even more disruptive to Apple's current dominance.Android's momentum is a sobering reminder to Apple that community can trump control.This same strategy applies to others, too.What about TiVo?Or Sling Media?These are all companies that have built and distribute their own hardware, but really what they're providing is software or services.The hardware is simply there to enable consumer access to software-driven data or entertainment businesses.So why not open source the hardware and, hopefully, accelerate adoption by lowering the cost of manufacture and distribution?This is exactly what we're seeing happen in software, as companies race to open source complements to their core businesses.Intel with Linux, Google with Android, IBM with Linux/Apache/more, etc.Can it work for hardware, too?I think so.But we're still waiting on someone to prove it.Follow me on Twitter @mjasay.
First impression on Thecus N3200 NAS device
First impression on Thecus N3200 NAS device
I recently got a NAS device from Thecus--the N3200--and was very excited getting it out of the box. Among other things, the device looked as if it would be the first network storage device that incorporates a PCI expansion slot. Unfortunately it isn't. There's indeed a place that reads "expansion slot" on the back of the device that looks like where you would fit a PCI card on a computer, but that's just a placeholder. As it turns out, the N3200 is the first NAS designed with achassis to house more features than the internal circuit board has to offer. A representative from Thecus assured me that future products that share the same chassis will come with an actual PCI expansion slot.Other than that rather disconcerting finding, the N3200 seems a nice NAS device that offers three hard drive bays. Each bay can house an SATA hard drive up to 1TB in size. The hard drives then can be set up in RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or JBOD configuration. The device also has two USB ports and one eSATA port for storage expansion. The N3200 would be the first SOHO NAS device that has a PCI expansion slot if that slot wasn't just a placeholder.Dong Ngo/CNET NetworksOther than regular NAS features including dynamic DNS, FTP server, iTunes server, and so on, it has a few rather unusual features such as ISO Mount, where you can mount up to 200 ISO files and make their contents available to network users. This is a nice way to compact data to conserve storage space. In addition, the USB ports of the device can also be used to host a printer, USB Webcams for surveillance, or a Wireless adapter if you want to put the device in a corner where there's no Ethernet connectivity. This is the second NAS device I've seen that support Webcams, the other was the Synology DS107+, though the Synology only supports IP-base Webcams.The N3200 is available for about $320 without hard drives,a relatively good price for a product that offers RAID 5. This is the first storage product we've got from Thecus so check back soon for our in-depth review of the N3200.
I recently got a NAS device from Thecus--the N3200--and was very excited getting it out of the box. Among other things, the device looked as if it would be the first network storage device that incorporates a PCI expansion slot. Unfortunately it isn't. There's indeed a place that reads "expansion slot" on the back of the device that looks like where you would fit a PCI card on a computer, but that's just a placeholder. As it turns out, the N3200 is the first NAS designed with achassis to house more features than the internal circuit board has to offer. A representative from Thecus assured me that future products that share the same chassis will come with an actual PCI expansion slot.Other than that rather disconcerting finding, the N3200 seems a nice NAS device that offers three hard drive bays. Each bay can house an SATA hard drive up to 1TB in size. The hard drives then can be set up in RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or JBOD configuration. The device also has two USB ports and one eSATA port for storage expansion. The N3200 would be the first SOHO NAS device that has a PCI expansion slot if that slot wasn't just a placeholder.Dong Ngo/CNET NetworksOther than regular NAS features including dynamic DNS, FTP server, iTunes server, and so on, it has a few rather unusual features such as ISO Mount, where you can mount up to 200 ISO files and make their contents available to network users. This is a nice way to compact data to conserve storage space. In addition, the USB ports of the device can also be used to host a printer, USB Webcams for surveillance, or a Wireless adapter if you want to put the device in a corner where there's no Ethernet connectivity. This is the second NAS device I've seen that support Webcams, the other was the Synology DS107+, though the Synology only supports IP-base Webcams.The N3200 is available for about $320 without hard drives,a relatively good price for a product that offers RAID 5. This is the first storage product we've got from Thecus so check back soon for our in-depth review of the N3200.
Fire dept. has an iPhone app for citizen CPR (podcast)
Fire dept. has an iPhone app for citizen CPR (podcast)
"Biology gives us about 10 minutes to survive if our heart stops beating," said Richard Price, chief of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. "We have a goal or arriving within seven minutes which is pretty close to that 10 minutes...We need to suspend time and that's what CPR does." The district, which is located about 35 miles east of San Francisco, is updating an app called "Fire Department," which will now be used to alert CPR-trained citizens in the event of a nearby cardiac emergency.The idea, according to Price, is to extend the reach of the department's 44 on-duty personnel to the thousands of local citizens who know CPR. The system will only alert people if the emergency is in a public place, not if it occurs in a private home. Using the phone's GPS, the app directs rescuers to the "exact location of the nearest public access."CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a relatively simple technique that can help get a person's heart started.The Mayo Clinic's Web site defines it as a "lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped."The Mayo Clinic page describes how to perform CPR and this video demonstrates the technique.According to the San Ramon fire department, "Nearly 300,000 people die each year in the United States from cardiac arrest. Survival rates nationally for SCA are less than eight percent and brain death begins in just four to six minutes."Price said that his department is reaching out to other departments around the country to make the App more widely available. To find out more about the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's iPad App, I spoke with its chief, Richard Price.Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
"Biology gives us about 10 minutes to survive if our heart stops beating," said Richard Price, chief of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. "We have a goal or arriving within seven minutes which is pretty close to that 10 minutes...We need to suspend time and that's what CPR does." The district, which is located about 35 miles east of San Francisco, is updating an app called "Fire Department," which will now be used to alert CPR-trained citizens in the event of a nearby cardiac emergency.The idea, according to Price, is to extend the reach of the department's 44 on-duty personnel to the thousands of local citizens who know CPR. The system will only alert people if the emergency is in a public place, not if it occurs in a private home. Using the phone's GPS, the app directs rescuers to the "exact location of the nearest public access."CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a relatively simple technique that can help get a person's heart started.The Mayo Clinic's Web site defines it as a "lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped."The Mayo Clinic page describes how to perform CPR and this video demonstrates the technique.According to the San Ramon fire department, "Nearly 300,000 people die each year in the United States from cardiac arrest. Survival rates nationally for SCA are less than eight percent and brain death begins in just four to six minutes."Price said that his department is reaching out to other departments around the country to make the App more widely available. To find out more about the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's iPad App, I spoke with its chief, Richard Price.Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Startup hawks Android phone via 'budget iPhone' video
Startup hawks Android phone via 'budget iPhone' video
One startup has come up with a interesting marketing scheme: float a video of a purported budget iPhone, then use it to plug your own Android handset. Techdy posted what it claims is a "hands on" video of Apple's rumored budget iPhone.In a blog, the site says the budget iPhone "will be made substantially from plastic (we can feel it's actually polycarbonate material). It will have a 4" screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that's similar to Apple's original iPod." The description continues."When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy." Oh, and "one more thing," just below this: Techdy is also selling an Android handset "based" on the low-cost iPhone design: it's "just $199," replete with a 4-inch (1136x640) display, a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, and Android 4.2. That Jelly Bean phone uses essentially the same polycarbonate shell described in the blog. AppleInsider describes Techdy as a recent start-up that markets an open-source game controller for the iPad mini and "as such has no track record in 'leaking' Apple products. The company's founders include M.I.C. Gadget's Chris Chang, who has a decent history in reporting on Apple's Far East movements." The entry-level iPhone is rumored to appear in the fall timeframe and come in a variety of colors. 'One more thing': here's the $199 Android phone Techdy is selling.Techdy[Via AppleInsider]
One startup has come up with a interesting marketing scheme: float a video of a purported budget iPhone, then use it to plug your own Android handset. Techdy posted what it claims is a "hands on" video of Apple's rumored budget iPhone.In a blog, the site says the budget iPhone "will be made substantially from plastic (we can feel it's actually polycarbonate material). It will have a 4" screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that's similar to Apple's original iPod." The description continues."When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy." Oh, and "one more thing," just below this: Techdy is also selling an Android handset "based" on the low-cost iPhone design: it's "just $199," replete with a 4-inch (1136x640) display, a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, and Android 4.2. That Jelly Bean phone uses essentially the same polycarbonate shell described in the blog. AppleInsider describes Techdy as a recent start-up that markets an open-source game controller for the iPad mini and "as such has no track record in 'leaking' Apple products. The company's founders include M.I.C. Gadget's Chris Chang, who has a decent history in reporting on Apple's Far East movements." The entry-level iPhone is rumored to appear in the fall timeframe and come in a variety of colors. 'One more thing': here's the $199 Android phone Techdy is selling.Techdy[Via AppleInsider]
Starbucks- We'll be Passbook-ready before October
Starbucks: We'll be Passbook-ready before October
Starbucks says it will be integrated with Apple's Passbook by the end of the month.The company announced the news on Twitter this morning, providing no further information about features or carryover for current Starbucks card holders. A Starbucks spokesperson told CNET that an update to the company's iPhone app will let current Starbucks Card owners add their account to Passbook.Passbook, which went out as part of iOS 6 earlier this week, is a new application from Apple designed to store membership cards, tickets, coupons, and boarding passes -- a bit like a digital wallet. As an added feature, Passbook does a few things paper and plastic can't, like alert you to changes, and pop up to be readily accessed based on your location.Starbucks already announced that it would be integrating with Passbook, though did not provide a timetable. Nonetheless Apple has promoted the company as one of the initial partners, along with Fandango, Target, and Major League Baseball, the last of which CNET gave a spinthis week at a MLB game.The relationship between Apple and Starbucks dates back to 2007 with a deal that had Apple offering a special Starbucks section of its iTunes Music Store, with Starbucks-curated music picks that would appear when iPhone or iPod Touch users were on the store's Wi-Fi network. Starbucks has since gone on to offer the Pick of the Week program, as well as developed a first-party application that lets users pay for drinks with their iOS device.
Starbucks says it will be integrated with Apple's Passbook by the end of the month.The company announced the news on Twitter this morning, providing no further information about features or carryover for current Starbucks card holders. A Starbucks spokesperson told CNET that an update to the company's iPhone app will let current Starbucks Card owners add their account to Passbook.Passbook, which went out as part of iOS 6 earlier this week, is a new application from Apple designed to store membership cards, tickets, coupons, and boarding passes -- a bit like a digital wallet. As an added feature, Passbook does a few things paper and plastic can't, like alert you to changes, and pop up to be readily accessed based on your location.Starbucks already announced that it would be integrating with Passbook, though did not provide a timetable. Nonetheless Apple has promoted the company as one of the initial partners, along with Fandango, Target, and Major League Baseball, the last of which CNET gave a spinthis week at a MLB game.The relationship between Apple and Starbucks dates back to 2007 with a deal that had Apple offering a special Starbucks section of its iTunes Music Store, with Starbucks-curated music picks that would appear when iPhone or iPod Touch users were on the store's Wi-Fi network. Starbucks has since gone on to offer the Pick of the Week program, as well as developed a first-party application that lets users pay for drinks with their iOS device.
Staples will reportedly begin selling Apple products in U.S.
Staples will reportedly begin selling Apple products in U.S.
Apple products will soon be showing up at Staples stores, according to tweets from employees at the office supply store chain.Regis Mulot, the vice president of international human resources at Staples, made the announcement this afternoon:After Canada, #Apple products arecoming to #Staples in US. Great news!â€" Regis Mulot (@FrenchHR) February 15, 2013In addition to Mulot's tweet, Erin LaFlamme, a Strategic Accounts coordinator at Staples, tweeted her joy at the deal (and the apparent gift of Apple pie):Thanks #Apple for letting #Staples sell you...oh, and for the delicious apple products to celebrate at... instagr.am/p/Vuezsgk6_t/â€" Erin LaFlamme (@ErinLaFlamme) February 14, 2013Mike Goggin, a field services manager at Staples, tweeted that it was a done deal:Staples just finalized a deal to begin selling Apple products #finallyâ€" Mike Goggin (@Goggin88) February 14, 2013Rumors of just such a tie-up have been circulating for a couple of months. Initially offering its products only at CompUSA, the company has gradually expanded its retail channels to include Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and RadioShack.The move would be a big win for both companies. It would give Apple exposure at one of the largest chains of office supply stores in the U.S., while expanding Staples' customer base with Apple's loyal customers.It was not clear which products would be offered or when they might arrive in stores. CNET has contacted Staples and Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.(Via AppleInsider)
Apple products will soon be showing up at Staples stores, according to tweets from employees at the office supply store chain.Regis Mulot, the vice president of international human resources at Staples, made the announcement this afternoon:After Canada, #Apple products arecoming to #Staples in US. Great news!â€" Regis Mulot (@FrenchHR) February 15, 2013In addition to Mulot's tweet, Erin LaFlamme, a Strategic Accounts coordinator at Staples, tweeted her joy at the deal (and the apparent gift of Apple pie):Thanks #Apple for letting #Staples sell you...oh, and for the delicious apple products to celebrate at... instagr.am/p/Vuezsgk6_t/â€" Erin LaFlamme (@ErinLaFlamme) February 14, 2013Mike Goggin, a field services manager at Staples, tweeted that it was a done deal:Staples just finalized a deal to begin selling Apple products #finallyâ€" Mike Goggin (@Goggin88) February 14, 2013Rumors of just such a tie-up have been circulating for a couple of months. Initially offering its products only at CompUSA, the company has gradually expanded its retail channels to include Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and RadioShack.The move would be a big win for both companies. It would give Apple exposure at one of the largest chains of office supply stores in the U.S., while expanding Staples' customer base with Apple's loyal customers.It was not clear which products would be offered or when they might arrive in stores. CNET has contacted Staples and Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.(Via AppleInsider)
Sprint-flavored iPad coming sooner rather than later-
Sprint-flavored iPad coming sooner rather than later?
A new iPad capable of running on Sprint's fledgling 4G network was missing from this week's big refresh event, but if you believe in leaked photos, such a device could be just around the corner.Engadget posts what it says are shots of Best Buy's inventory system that list a slew of new iPads that run on Sprint's network. At Apple's event on Wednesday, the only 4G-compatible tablets introduced were ones that run on AT&T and Verizon. Related storiesPoor Sprint gets nothing as Verizon, AT&T nab 4G iPadsComplete coverage: Apple unveils the 'new iPad'Sprint confirms unlimited data plan for iPhone 4SBut in an Engadget shot, 14 such devices are listed on the screen next to what appears to be various data plans.A Sprint spokesman reiterated a statement from earlier this week, saying the company was "not a carrier for Apple's iPad products," and that the company had "nothing to announce at this time."An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the report.Sprint is currently in the middle of rolling out its 4G LTE infrastructure, with plans to have the faster wireless technology in 10 cities by the end of June. By comparison, Verizon has its 4G LTE network in 196 cities and 122 major airports, with AT&T coming in at 28 cities. AT&T also counts its HSPA+ network as "4G," a wireless protocol found on Apple's iPhone 4S and many other recent-model smartphones.Sprint only recently became one of Apple's business partners in the U.S. as one of the select carriers to have Apple's iPhone 4S last October. Previously the iPhone had only been available on AT&T, before landing on Verizon early last year. CNET's Roger Cheng contributed to this report.Updated at 7 p.m. with comment from Sprint.
A new iPad capable of running on Sprint's fledgling 4G network was missing from this week's big refresh event, but if you believe in leaked photos, such a device could be just around the corner.Engadget posts what it says are shots of Best Buy's inventory system that list a slew of new iPads that run on Sprint's network. At Apple's event on Wednesday, the only 4G-compatible tablets introduced were ones that run on AT&T and Verizon. Related storiesPoor Sprint gets nothing as Verizon, AT&T nab 4G iPadsComplete coverage: Apple unveils the 'new iPad'Sprint confirms unlimited data plan for iPhone 4SBut in an Engadget shot, 14 such devices are listed on the screen next to what appears to be various data plans.A Sprint spokesman reiterated a statement from earlier this week, saying the company was "not a carrier for Apple's iPad products," and that the company had "nothing to announce at this time."An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the report.Sprint is currently in the middle of rolling out its 4G LTE infrastructure, with plans to have the faster wireless technology in 10 cities by the end of June. By comparison, Verizon has its 4G LTE network in 196 cities and 122 major airports, with AT&T coming in at 28 cities. AT&T also counts its HSPA+ network as "4G," a wireless protocol found on Apple's iPhone 4S and many other recent-model smartphones.Sprint only recently became one of Apple's business partners in the U.S. as one of the select carriers to have Apple's iPhone 4S last October. Previously the iPhone had only been available on AT&T, before landing on Verizon early last year. CNET's Roger Cheng contributed to this report.Updated at 7 p.m. with comment from Sprint.
Sprint unveils new no-contract data plans for 4G LTE tablets
Sprint unveils new no-contract data plans for 4G LTE tablets
One day after Apple finally announced new iPads that would run on Sprint's network, the wireless carrier announced a set of new data plans it says offers up to 20 percent more data than Verizon or AT&T at the same price.Beginning November 11, Sprint customers will be able to choose among four no-contract rate plans for 4G LTE-enabled tablets, Sprint announced this evening. Plans start at $14.99 for 300MB of data per month and increase to $34.99 for 3GB, $49.99 for 6GB, topping out at $79.99 a month for 12GB of data. Existing smartphone customers can add a tablet to their account for as little as $10 for 100MB or $15 for 1GB. Sprint also said it will waive the activation fee for all 3G/4G LTE tablets for a limited time.Related storiesApple surprises with fourth-generation iPad, starting at $499Apple iPad Mini -- it's real, and it has a new designApple yesterday unveiled its brand-new fourth-generation iPad, which along with a faster, more powerful A6X processor also features a new LTE chipset that will work on new networks, including Sprint. Meanwhile, the specs for the new iPad Mini listed on the Apple Web site confirm that the smaller device will support the Sprint network as well.As for comparison to competitors' plans, Verizon's off-contract tablet data plans offer 2GB of data for $30, 5GB for $50, and 10GB for $80 -- a clear 20 percent savings at the high end. Meanwhile, AT&T offer 3GB of data for $30 a month and 5GB of data for $50 -- a gigabyte less than Sprint is offering for the same price.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
One day after Apple finally announced new iPads that would run on Sprint's network, the wireless carrier announced a set of new data plans it says offers up to 20 percent more data than Verizon or AT&T at the same price.Beginning November 11, Sprint customers will be able to choose among four no-contract rate plans for 4G LTE-enabled tablets, Sprint announced this evening. Plans start at $14.99 for 300MB of data per month and increase to $34.99 for 3GB, $49.99 for 6GB, topping out at $79.99 a month for 12GB of data. Existing smartphone customers can add a tablet to their account for as little as $10 for 100MB or $15 for 1GB. Sprint also said it will waive the activation fee for all 3G/4G LTE tablets for a limited time.Related storiesApple surprises with fourth-generation iPad, starting at $499Apple iPad Mini -- it's real, and it has a new designApple yesterday unveiled its brand-new fourth-generation iPad, which along with a faster, more powerful A6X processor also features a new LTE chipset that will work on new networks, including Sprint. Meanwhile, the specs for the new iPad Mini listed on the Apple Web site confirm that the smaller device will support the Sprint network as well.As for comparison to competitors' plans, Verizon's off-contract tablet data plans offer 2GB of data for $30, 5GB for $50, and 10GB for $80 -- a clear 20 percent savings at the high end. Meanwhile, AT&T offer 3GB of data for $30 a month and 5GB of data for $50 -- a gigabyte less than Sprint is offering for the same price.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
Remember Robin Williams with His 10 Best Movie Moments
With the loss of Robin Williams, who died this week at age 63 from an apparent suicide, we lose not just one of the most talented actors of the past 35 years, but we also lose maybe the most interesting movie star of his era. He was at least two or three performers rolled into one; his broad, wacky comedy a far extreme from his most sentimental drama. You could often tell which version you were going to get depending on whether the character he was playing had a beard or not. But he wasn;t that easily defined, and he could mix the humor and the emotion within the same role, or he could go very light or very dark from one movie to the next. Below are10 of his best moments on-screen, beginning with his first lead role as one of the most iconic comic strip characters of all time. Popeye (1980) Immediately he shined in a part that was what he was, lively and fun -- yet also as reserved in this sort of role as we;d ever see. We can probably thank director Robert Altman for that, but Williams wasn;t doing a lot of shtick in general on the big screen at this point. It;s interesting, too, that he went rather unrecognizable (to fans of his TV character on Mork & Mindy) in his first lead appearance. Moscow on the Hudson (1984) While he continued to be one of the most popular, most uproarious stand-up comedians on the stage through the 1980s, his movie career was mainly sprinkled with pathos -- primarily dramatic parts with sprinkles of comedic fluorishes, such as the Soviet defector who takes Manhattan (and Brooklyn) in Paul Mazursky;s look at America from a particular point of view. Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) Earning his first Oscar nomination with this Vietnam War movie, he;d found one of his most suitable roles, a radio DJ who hams it up on the air but has to face the serious reality of his surroundings when he;s outside the booth. And that voice, blaring the movie;s title at the start of each broadcast, has been stuck in our heads ever since. Dead Poets Society (1989) Teachers, too, are a great sort of part for a performer who can in one minute be so hilarious -- whether over the top or deadpan -- and then in the next minute lay on the business. As John Keating, he is not just an important man to his students, but he is inspiring and amusing and maybe the greatest teacher we never had. The part earned him his second Oscar nomination. The Fisher King (1991) Of course he could play manic and crazy, chasing invisible fairies and running from hallucinations of a frightening red knight. Not to mention waving his little guy in the breeze in the middle of Central Park. He;s also adorable as Parry, the yuppie turned prince of the homeless. Most wonderful, though, is how romantic Williams is in this Terry Gilliam movie, a side we rarely saw from the actor. And it got him yet another Oscar nomination. Aladdin (1992) It fit him so perfectly to play an animated character like the Genie, one where he could go as wild with improvisation as his heart desired. He made this movie a hit and the role an instant classic, all with the power of his vocal chords and ingenuity. We ain;t never had a friend, or performer, like him. It;s impossible to imagine anyone else speaking that blue guy;s lines. Mrs. Doubtfire(1993) While possibly his most unbelievable movie, plotwise (counting the fantasy films he;s in), this was the one that cemented him as a popular movie star. He could act, he could be up for all the awards, and he could certainly be funny anytime he wanted to be, but there;s something else involved in carrying a broad sitcom such as this. Regardless of the quality of the movie itself, he;s winning here on many levels -- including in his opportunity to do cartoon voicework. Good Will Hunting (1997) He finally won an Academy Award for his supporting performance playing a therapist opposite Matt Damon. One of the greatest things about it is how Wiliams also improvised much of his scenes here, yet for totally different effect than something like the Genie in Aladdin. The stuff he made up still cracked up the crew, but for much more real anecdotes about idiosyncracies. He even came up with the memorable final line, proving he was just a genius all the way, not just one who could do quick jokes and impressions. One Hour Photo (2002) In one year, Williams appeared in three very dark movies (the other two being Death to Smoochy and Insomnia), with this being the last to come out and also the most remarkable. He was at his most unrecognizable in years, and the part signaled a new phase in his career and something of a comeback as he showed us that he could go totally unlikable. World;s Greatest Dad (2009) If Williams hadn;t already iconically starred as one of our favorite teachers in all of cinema, this part would still stand out as one the most despicable. It;s even more starkly contrasted, though, because he;s once again leading a poetry class. He plays the father of a boy who dies accidentally, but whom he claims committed suicide, and then he cons a whole nation while exploiting the death for his own success. It;s probably his least likable characters ever, but he plays it as brilliantly as he played all the rest.
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