Apple's App Store turns five: You're great, now change
What a difference five years makes. Apple's App Store has a lot to brag about as it celebrates its fifth birthday on Wednesday. Over the last half decade, it helped fully realize the Swiss army-capabilities of the smartphone, which could do far more than make phone calls and browse the Internet. While not the first, it set the standard for mobile application marketplaces to come. The best part: it made apps accessible to everyone."Nothing like the App Store existed before and it has fundamentally changed the world," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said last month, describing the store's launch at the company's yearly developer conference ahead of today's anniversary.But things have changed since the App Store was first introduced by the late Steve Jobs, and Google Play has surpassed the App Store when it comes to sheer number of available apps. While Apple's App Store has always been home to the hottest big-name apps, its success over the next five years may be shaped by how well it can foster apps both big and small. "It winds up being a popularity contest rather than people finding the content that they want," said Brian Blau, Gartner's research director of consumer technology. Users are exposed to the top few thousand most popular apps, he added, so apps must compete for rankings or to get promoted as, say, a staff favorite. That disenfranchises all the apps without brand recognition or marketing firepower. Related storiesPopular iOS apps go free ahead of App Store's 5th anniversaryApple reveals details of 50 billionth App Store downloadApple now hosts 900,000 apps in App StoreFor now, Apple has a lot of impressive numbers to tout. Its App Store has surpassed 50 billion apps downloaded, with 900,000 programs available. Apple brags it's paid out $10 billion to developers, testament that it pays to work with the company even as it takes a 30 percent cut of sales.Apple has done a great job attracting the developers, Blau points out, by being the leader for developer revenues.As a result, the iPhone franchise remains the envy of the smartphone industry, even as rival Samsung Electronics has made significant headway with its own flagship Galaxy S family of phones. In the U.S., iPhone sales still dominate, fueled at least in part by the breadth of apps. What Apple did differentlyIt's easy to forget that Apple wasn't the first app marketplace. The App Store had precursors from the likes of Palm, Microsoft, and Salesforce.com's AppExchange. Jobs was friendly with Salesforce.com founder and CEO Marc Benioff, who had already taken over the "appstore" domain and trademark. When the time came for Apple to launch its App Store, Benioff gifted them to Jobs in a gesture of gratitude for Jobs advice to his team years before.But Apple did something different with its App Store: it made it accessible to everyone. By offering the apps in a single, simple store, and making it easy to download and run programs, Apple sparked a new market. Sure, BlackBerrys and Windows Mobile phones could download their own apps, but users had to dig for them at different Web sites, and there was no real guarantee they would work well. Apple, however, kept a tight rein on the kind of apps it would approve, and even offered its recommendations. It was a safe and convenient place for smartphone users who didn't want to deal with the headaches of downloading programs on other mobile platforms. The App Store's featured apps.Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNETAnalyst Al Hilwa, director of Applications Development Software at IDC, called Apple's idea of integrating a store into iTunes, which was already providing a tracking content and handling transactions for music, one of the strokes of genius that contributed to the success of the iPhone. Opening the platform up for app developers was another brilliant move, he said. iOS remains popular with developers not just because it's lucrative but also because of the simplicity of building for one line of smartphones. While older smartphone marketplaces had an array of rudimentary games and business apps, Apple's App Store opened the door to all kinds of different programs. All of a sudden, fart apps were making a small fortune as users were eager to find new and innovative ways to use their smartphones. Games such as Rovio's Angry Birds became a phenomenon, with the franchise marked as a must-have for any mobile platform. "The app store is a real reason for Shazam's success," said Rich Riley, CEO of the music-recognition app maker. "A lot of that is because the app store makes it so easy to find it, download it, and update it."Pandora, the second most downloaded free app on the App Store behind Facebook, credits Apple for greatly changing the trajectory of the company. For three years before the App Store, Pandora was confined to the desktop and was "a shadow of the bigger vision," said Chief Technology Officer Tom Conrad.From day one of the App Store, Conrad said, the company realized this is the way Pandora is meant to be consumed.The App Store's success spawned imitators, some successful (Google Play), while others quietly faded away (Palm and WebOS). Windows Phone has its Marketplace, while BlackBerry has its App World. Top 10 grossing iPhone apps ever (pictur...See full gallery1 - 4 / 10NextPrevCompetition heats upApple has long touted the number of apps available to its iOS devices, but it can no longer claim the title of largest app store. Google Play boasts 975,000 apps, edging out the App Store. It too has seen more than 50 billion app downloads.AppleIt's no surprise the Google Play has exploded, thanks to the aggressive adoption and promotion of Google's Android platform, which was widely embraced by the carriers that didn't have exclusive deals to sell the iPhone. In the U.S., while AT&T dominated smartphone sales with the iPhone, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Sprint rallied behind Android and Google Play's predecessor, the Android Marketplace. Android is the top smartphone operating system in the world, far outstripping Apple's iOS, according to market data. Android's runaway expansion and its open-ended adaptability for multiple smartphone makers come at a price. The fragmented nature of the platform can make it more complicated and costly to build for, which is one reason most apps launch on App Store first with Android to follow. IDC analyst Hilwa noted where Android apps must span multiple versions of the platform, Apple apps have one; where the number of Android apps shops is in the triple digits, App Store is Apple's only game in town. That's why Apple customers spend the most on content and apps, he saidHighlights from 5 years of the App Store...See full gallery1 - 4 / 19NextPrevHelp for the little guyBut with the number of apps in App Store's inventory approaching a million, that leaves a giant swath fighting for -- and seldom winning -- the spotlight.Derek Lamberton's apps, and those like his, "just get sort of lost underneath the pile," he said. The independent app creator's company Blue Crow Media specializes in city guide apps. His best-selling one is London's Best Coffee, which is consistently in the top 10 for the food and drink category."All my apps at this stage will hit the top ten when they launch, but unless there is a serious social media effort...it's really really hard to get new users," he said. Even with top-tier exposure, the halo effect is brief. The New York Times twice highlighted a Lamberton's Craft Beer New York app, and it would give him a big spike in sales the day immediately following. But after the one-off jump to 250 or so downloads, the norm of five to 10 a day quickly returned."I see it again and again, developers don't want to release their download numbers because I think because they're ashamed," he said. "Outside of super games, there isn't a lot of money to be made.""I see it again and again, developers don't want to release their download numbers because I think because they're ashamed," <br />--Derek Lamberton, independent app developerThe futureLamberton's challenges show how Apple can be a victim of its own success as it embarks on its next five years of App Store.As big as App Store has become, the "wander the aisles" method of app discovery doesn't work anymore, Pandora's Conrad said. "Looking forward, the big opportunities in the App Store are to move beyond this merchandised, best-seller based browsing model" to search relevance. Last year, Apple purchased app search and discovery company Chomp only to quietly close it down within months. On its own, Chomp was an alternate search website for Apple's App Store and, later, Google's Android platform, that retrieved results based on app function, not name. Despite the takeover stoking expectations of app discovery improvement to come, Apple never integrated Chomp's search tools in the App Store. App Store on iPadAppleThe upshot is users have a hard time finding the exact app they're looking for. And unless they're blessed with a name like Facebook or a big marketing warchest, developers struggle to find their audience.While Apple wouldn't provide anyone to talk for this story, Apple iTunes chief Eddy Cue said at WWDC last month that Apple is working on making app discovery better. The company has added a feature that finds apps based on age range so parents can find apps for kids, and it has launched Apps Near Me, which finds most popular apps in a smartphone's location. But even that improvement relies on the same thing Apple always has for app discovery: popularity. Gartner's Blau, noting that Apple hasn't done much to help the apps in its universe that are hobbled simply by obscurity, said the change will have to come from within."This is something only Apple can fix."
My move to T-Mobile's $30 unlimited plan- The good and the bad
My move to T-Mobile's $30 unlimited plan: The good and the bad
I don't mind my 13-year-old daughter using an unlocked, hand-me-down iPhone 4. It's actually an ideal phone for her, as it lets her text and app to her heart's content while allowing me to keep tabs on her whereabouts and app-tivities (she's on the same iTunes account as me).But I loathe the extra $60 or so the phone adds to my monthly AT&T bill. She subsidizes it, yes, but mostly with an allowance that comes from yours truly.So it was with great interest that I read Danny Sullivan's recent post, "Is this the best smartphone plan ever?" I'd considered switching the kid to a less expensive service like Solavei or Straight Talk, but I had a few reservations about both. And the savings were good, but not spectacular: around $11 and $15 per month, respectively.But T-Mobile's prepaid plan would literally cut her phone-service cost in half. For a very reasonable $30 per month, she'd get 100 voice minutes and unlimited (with an asterisk, of course) texting and data. For my daughter, that's perfect: She probably spends all of 10 minutes actually talking on the phone, but she's heavy into messaging, Pandora streaming, and the like.Because the iPhone was already unlocked, all I had to do was order a SIM card ($10 plus tax), then pop it in and activate it. In theory. In reality, I received only a laughably sparse confirmation e-mail for my order (it literally contained only an order number, date, and dollar amount.). And later, during activation, the account setup page wouldn't let me submit my payment information. I'm not sure if it was a Chrome browser incompatibility or what, but ultimately I had to get on the phone with T-Mobile to resolve the issue.Related storiesLimited-edition Fender myTouch 3G coming January 20Clearwire may consider 4G alternatives to WiMaxGoogle tweaks its Nexus One pricingWith that step done, it took less than 24 hours to get her number transferred over, and from there it was mostly smooth sailing. Calls worked, visual voice mail worked, and MMS worked (or, at least, photos delivered via iMessage). For my daughter, the switch was largely transparent.However, here's the rub: T-Mobile's data service in our metro-Detroit neck of the woods is limited to 2G. That's because of the iPhone's use of the 1,900MHz band, which T-Mobile has yet to fully refarm to 3G/4G (something the company's coverage map woefully fails to address). It's available in Detroit proper, Ann Arbor, and a couple of other Michigan cities, but out here in the 'burbs, it's mostly 2G.The good news is that where my daughter is concerned, it doesn't really matter. Calls and text messages go through just fine, and although she does occasionally get frustrated by slow Web searches, she's usually connected to Wi-Fi anyway. And, hey, for the price, I'm not expecting 4G LTE.Quite the opposite: this $30-per-month plan is great for a teenager or anyone else who relies mostly on data and doesn't need many minutes. The other carriers would be wise to offer similar options for the modern smartphone user.
I don't mind my 13-year-old daughter using an unlocked, hand-me-down iPhone 4. It's actually an ideal phone for her, as it lets her text and app to her heart's content while allowing me to keep tabs on her whereabouts and app-tivities (she's on the same iTunes account as me).But I loathe the extra $60 or so the phone adds to my monthly AT&T bill. She subsidizes it, yes, but mostly with an allowance that comes from yours truly.So it was with great interest that I read Danny Sullivan's recent post, "Is this the best smartphone plan ever?" I'd considered switching the kid to a less expensive service like Solavei or Straight Talk, but I had a few reservations about both. And the savings were good, but not spectacular: around $11 and $15 per month, respectively.But T-Mobile's prepaid plan would literally cut her phone-service cost in half. For a very reasonable $30 per month, she'd get 100 voice minutes and unlimited (with an asterisk, of course) texting and data. For my daughter, that's perfect: She probably spends all of 10 minutes actually talking on the phone, but she's heavy into messaging, Pandora streaming, and the like.Because the iPhone was already unlocked, all I had to do was order a SIM card ($10 plus tax), then pop it in and activate it. In theory. In reality, I received only a laughably sparse confirmation e-mail for my order (it literally contained only an order number, date, and dollar amount.). And later, during activation, the account setup page wouldn't let me submit my payment information. I'm not sure if it was a Chrome browser incompatibility or what, but ultimately I had to get on the phone with T-Mobile to resolve the issue.Related storiesLimited-edition Fender myTouch 3G coming January 20Clearwire may consider 4G alternatives to WiMaxGoogle tweaks its Nexus One pricingWith that step done, it took less than 24 hours to get her number transferred over, and from there it was mostly smooth sailing. Calls worked, visual voice mail worked, and MMS worked (or, at least, photos delivered via iMessage). For my daughter, the switch was largely transparent.However, here's the rub: T-Mobile's data service in our metro-Detroit neck of the woods is limited to 2G. That's because of the iPhone's use of the 1,900MHz band, which T-Mobile has yet to fully refarm to 3G/4G (something the company's coverage map woefully fails to address). It's available in Detroit proper, Ann Arbor, and a couple of other Michigan cities, but out here in the 'burbs, it's mostly 2G.The good news is that where my daughter is concerned, it doesn't really matter. Calls and text messages go through just fine, and although she does occasionally get frustrated by slow Web searches, she's usually connected to Wi-Fi anyway. And, hey, for the price, I'm not expecting 4G LTE.Quite the opposite: this $30-per-month plan is great for a teenager or anyone else who relies mostly on data and doesn't need many minutes. The other carriers would be wise to offer similar options for the modern smartphone user.
Battle of the premium DVD rippers
Battle of the premium DVD rippers
I own J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot. The DVD's bought and paid for. Needless to say, I'm not about to give Apple another $14.99 so I can watch the movie on my iPhone or iPod Touch. That's as ludicrous as buying the MP3s of an album I already purchased on CD.Alas, though it's easy to turn a CD into iPod-friendly digital media--iTunes can do it, as can Windows Media Player--ripping a DVD requires a bit more muscle. That's why I tested the latest versions of two popular products: WinX DVD Ripper Platinum ($29.95) and Wondershare DVD Ripper Platinum ($39.95). (Apparently platinum is the, um, gold standard when it comes to ripping utilities.)Basically, I wanted to see how well the two tools handled a new release like "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and an older one like "Back to the Future." Again, these are movies I own; I believe creating a digital copy constitutes fair use, same as ripping a CD does.For these fairly informal tests, I opted for medium-quality MPEG-4 conversion using preselected "iPhone" profiles. Also, my system has a quad-core AMD processor with 6GB of RAM, so performance results will undoubtedly vary unless you have similar hardware.From a feature standpoint, the two programs are pretty similar. Both give you an abundance of conversion options, meaning you can rip your DVDs for viewing on devices other than just the iPhone and iPod (everything from Apple TV to Zune).WinX DVD Ripper Platinum quickly turns your movies into iPhone/iPod-friendly video files.WinXI'm happy to report that both programs ripped all my sample DVDs with ease. Wondershare occasionally produced an error while opening a disc, but it never interfered with ripping the actual movie.Wondershare definitely has the snazzier, easier-to-use interface, but one point in WinX's favor is that it automatically reads the currently inserted DVD. With Wondershare, you have to point it to your DVD drive. On the other hand, WinX doesn't let you preview the selected track so you can verify what you're about to rip.Even so, WinX wins the day for two key reasons: it costs $10 less than Wondershare, and it's much, much faster. It blazed through "Cloudy" in just over 15 minutes, an amazing time. Wondershare took nearly twice as long (about 27 minutes) to complete the same job. Likewise, WinX finished "Back to the Future" in just 22 minutes, while Wondershare spent 48 minutes on it.I'm sure some readers will point to free solutions like Handbrake, but that app (which I like and use regularly) doesn't rip protected DVDs unless you pair it with increasingly outdated third-party tools.Ultimately, if you want a fast, effective, and fairly user-friendly DVD-ripping solution, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is the way to go--with Wondershare's eponymous product running it a close second.
I own J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot. The DVD's bought and paid for. Needless to say, I'm not about to give Apple another $14.99 so I can watch the movie on my iPhone or iPod Touch. That's as ludicrous as buying the MP3s of an album I already purchased on CD.Alas, though it's easy to turn a CD into iPod-friendly digital media--iTunes can do it, as can Windows Media Player--ripping a DVD requires a bit more muscle. That's why I tested the latest versions of two popular products: WinX DVD Ripper Platinum ($29.95) and Wondershare DVD Ripper Platinum ($39.95). (Apparently platinum is the, um, gold standard when it comes to ripping utilities.)Basically, I wanted to see how well the two tools handled a new release like "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and an older one like "Back to the Future." Again, these are movies I own; I believe creating a digital copy constitutes fair use, same as ripping a CD does.For these fairly informal tests, I opted for medium-quality MPEG-4 conversion using preselected "iPhone" profiles. Also, my system has a quad-core AMD processor with 6GB of RAM, so performance results will undoubtedly vary unless you have similar hardware.From a feature standpoint, the two programs are pretty similar. Both give you an abundance of conversion options, meaning you can rip your DVDs for viewing on devices other than just the iPhone and iPod (everything from Apple TV to Zune).WinX DVD Ripper Platinum quickly turns your movies into iPhone/iPod-friendly video files.WinXI'm happy to report that both programs ripped all my sample DVDs with ease. Wondershare occasionally produced an error while opening a disc, but it never interfered with ripping the actual movie.Wondershare definitely has the snazzier, easier-to-use interface, but one point in WinX's favor is that it automatically reads the currently inserted DVD. With Wondershare, you have to point it to your DVD drive. On the other hand, WinX doesn't let you preview the selected track so you can verify what you're about to rip.Even so, WinX wins the day for two key reasons: it costs $10 less than Wondershare, and it's much, much faster. It blazed through "Cloudy" in just over 15 minutes, an amazing time. Wondershare took nearly twice as long (about 27 minutes) to complete the same job. Likewise, WinX finished "Back to the Future" in just 22 minutes, while Wondershare spent 48 minutes on it.I'm sure some readers will point to free solutions like Handbrake, but that app (which I like and use regularly) doesn't rip protected DVDs unless you pair it with increasingly outdated third-party tools.Ultimately, if you want a fast, effective, and fairly user-friendly DVD-ripping solution, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is the way to go--with Wondershare's eponymous product running it a close second.
The 404 341- Where we like Natali a-latte
The 404 341: Where we like Natali a-latte
On today's show, we've got Wilson Tang backers calling to defend the man.Lots of e-mails as well from supporters, who think finding out Tyler Perry is in a movie is about as much of a non-spoiler as you can get. But if you really want spoilers, check out Wilson's lastest Tumblr post, where he finds many faults in the new "Star Trek."In more stories from the Interwebs, Craigslist has finally acquiesced to state attorneys general, who wanted the erotic service section taken down. Now, a new section will appear, which will be moderated by Craigslist employees. We think it's too bad that all it took was one bad apple to ruin it for everyone. Now, Jeff has to find a new side job.Speaking of bad apples, Microsoft has been running these "Laptop Hunter" ads on television, and Apple comes back with its own "Megan" ad.We just think it's hilarious that these customers end up buying a 10-pound monster with a 22-inch screen. Wilson thinks it's even funnier that a "filmmaker" would buy a PC to edit her film on.What's she going to use?Windows Movie Maker?Come on, if you can afford Avid, the price difference between a Mac and a PC is trivial.Natali's best contribution to the show today is that she says the words "penis phone" on air and teaches us the Spanish slang for "schlong." Apparently, Venezuela's leftist president Hugo Chavez is releasing a government-subsidized cell phone named after a certain male body part. It's because of the vibration function we suspect.Finally, "404" shows up in some of the most random places.Check this out. It's a demolished building with a 404 sign. Be sure to send in your favorite 404 signs around the world at the404 (at) cnet (dot) com. Or drop us a voice mail with more Wilson love at 1-866-404-CNET (2638).EPISODE 341Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video Craigslist to remove 'erotic services' sectionVenezuela's penis phoneApple responds to Microsoft's 'Laptop Hunter' ads404-signs'Star Trek' was great, but...Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson Tang
On today's show, we've got Wilson Tang backers calling to defend the man.Lots of e-mails as well from supporters, who think finding out Tyler Perry is in a movie is about as much of a non-spoiler as you can get. But if you really want spoilers, check out Wilson's lastest Tumblr post, where he finds many faults in the new "Star Trek."In more stories from the Interwebs, Craigslist has finally acquiesced to state attorneys general, who wanted the erotic service section taken down. Now, a new section will appear, which will be moderated by Craigslist employees. We think it's too bad that all it took was one bad apple to ruin it for everyone. Now, Jeff has to find a new side job.Speaking of bad apples, Microsoft has been running these "Laptop Hunter" ads on television, and Apple comes back with its own "Megan" ad.We just think it's hilarious that these customers end up buying a 10-pound monster with a 22-inch screen. Wilson thinks it's even funnier that a "filmmaker" would buy a PC to edit her film on.What's she going to use?Windows Movie Maker?Come on, if you can afford Avid, the price difference between a Mac and a PC is trivial.Natali's best contribution to the show today is that she says the words "penis phone" on air and teaches us the Spanish slang for "schlong." Apparently, Venezuela's leftist president Hugo Chavez is releasing a government-subsidized cell phone named after a certain male body part. It's because of the vibration function we suspect.Finally, "404" shows up in some of the most random places.Check this out. It's a demolished building with a 404 sign. Be sure to send in your favorite 404 signs around the world at the404 (at) cnet (dot) com. Or drop us a voice mail with more Wilson love at 1-866-404-CNET (2638).EPISODE 341Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video Craigslist to remove 'erotic services' sectionVenezuela's penis phoneApple responds to Microsoft's 'Laptop Hunter' ads404-signs'Star Trek' was great, but...Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson Tang
Lego Harry Potter- Years 5-7 debuts for iOS
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 debuts for iOS
I'm a full-grown adult, and I must confess that some of my favorite Xbox games have "Lego" in the title.Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones -- these games may be aimed at kids, but they're funny, clever, and thoroughly entertaining for all ages.Alas, although they're available for nearly every platform known to man, only one has made its way to iOS: Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4. It was great -- but it was also 18 months ago.Finally, finally, there's more Lego goodness for iOS, even if it's just a sequel: Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7.Needless to say, this is a port of the console game that debuted just a few months ago, which GameSpot awarded an 8.0 rating.The iOS version brings much of the same adventuring, fighting, and spell-casting to your iPhone and iPad (and make no mistake -- it's a much better experience on the iPad's larger screen). There are 25 achievements to unlock and leaderboard bragging rights to be earned.Alas, like its predecessor, the iOS version lacks any kind of cooperative play, an oversight I don't understand. How awesome would it be to play this on side-by-side iPads, without all the usual split-screen hassles? Half the fun of all the Lego games is playing with a friend.A Warner Bros. PR rep declined to provide a review copy of the game, so I wasn't able to test it firsthand. The user reviews on iTunes are mostly positive, though many players found the app's onscreen D-pad control difficult to use. As I recall, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 had the same issue, but the developers released an update that allowed for other, better control schemes. Why revert to the old, unpopular method here? The rep also offered a "no comment" on questions regarding Android versions of the Lego Harry Potter titles or any future Lego games for either platform.This vexes me. Instead of giving fans something to look forward to, of perhaps hinting at "exciting things to come," Warner Bros. takes the old "we're not discussing our plans at this time" approach. Barf.That grievance aside, it's hard to argue with the economics: Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 for iOS costs $4.99. The PlayStation Vita version sells for $19.99, while the Xbox version runs around $40. Even a Muggle can figure out that if you're itching for some Potter-themed gaming, this is the deal to beat.
I'm a full-grown adult, and I must confess that some of my favorite Xbox games have "Lego" in the title.Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones -- these games may be aimed at kids, but they're funny, clever, and thoroughly entertaining for all ages.Alas, although they're available for nearly every platform known to man, only one has made its way to iOS: Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4. It was great -- but it was also 18 months ago.Finally, finally, there's more Lego goodness for iOS, even if it's just a sequel: Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7.Needless to say, this is a port of the console game that debuted just a few months ago, which GameSpot awarded an 8.0 rating.The iOS version brings much of the same adventuring, fighting, and spell-casting to your iPhone and iPad (and make no mistake -- it's a much better experience on the iPad's larger screen). There are 25 achievements to unlock and leaderboard bragging rights to be earned.Alas, like its predecessor, the iOS version lacks any kind of cooperative play, an oversight I don't understand. How awesome would it be to play this on side-by-side iPads, without all the usual split-screen hassles? Half the fun of all the Lego games is playing with a friend.A Warner Bros. PR rep declined to provide a review copy of the game, so I wasn't able to test it firsthand. The user reviews on iTunes are mostly positive, though many players found the app's onscreen D-pad control difficult to use. As I recall, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 had the same issue, but the developers released an update that allowed for other, better control schemes. Why revert to the old, unpopular method here? The rep also offered a "no comment" on questions regarding Android versions of the Lego Harry Potter titles or any future Lego games for either platform.This vexes me. Instead of giving fans something to look forward to, of perhaps hinting at "exciting things to come," Warner Bros. takes the old "we're not discussing our plans at this time" approach. Barf.That grievance aside, it's hard to argue with the economics: Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 for iOS costs $4.99. The PlayStation Vita version sells for $19.99, while the Xbox version runs around $40. Even a Muggle can figure out that if you're itching for some Potter-themed gaming, this is the deal to beat.
Apple's vanishing iPad
Apple's vanishing iPad
The iPad we know and love seemed to vanish yesterday. Call it the featherweight KO'ing the heavyweight.On the first day of sales, the 312-gram Mini knocked the 652-gram fourth-generation iPad into quick obscurity. I knew there was a problem when I had to explain to people asking me about the iPad Mini that there was also this thing called the gen 4 (gen 3.5 may actually be more accurate) iPad. And some stores weren't exactly aware of the new iPad either.A sales rep at a certain large U.S. retail store (which will go unnamed) in Los Angeles gushed about the iPad Mini but was stumped when I asked about the gen 4 iPad. Related storiesCNET's review of the fourth-generation iPad"You know, the one right in front of you," was (more or less) what I had to say. Though I like the Mini, I'm partial to the fourth-generation iPad for, among other things, reasons I reported on yesterday. It's the first iPad to get Apple's A6 chip -- in this case a turbocharged version called the A6X -- and every step the iPad takes toward laptop-class processing power has got my attention. But I'm in the minority.The problem, of course, is that it looks the same as the gen 3 iPad, except for the Lightning connector.There are other minor improvements too. The front-facing FaceTime camera has been upgraded to HD 720p video. The 4G/LTE iPad also works with a wider range of international carriers.None of that appears to be enough to get people's attention, though.And it's not going to get easier for Apple.With the Nexus 10 tablet, Microsoft Surface, and the crush of tablets and hybrids coming from the Windows 8 crowd, Apple is going to need to make a bold statement with the next 10-inch class iPad. Until then, we have the incredible invisible iPad. Lest we forget, the gen 4 iPad also went on sale yesterday.Apple
The iPad we know and love seemed to vanish yesterday. Call it the featherweight KO'ing the heavyweight.On the first day of sales, the 312-gram Mini knocked the 652-gram fourth-generation iPad into quick obscurity. I knew there was a problem when I had to explain to people asking me about the iPad Mini that there was also this thing called the gen 4 (gen 3.5 may actually be more accurate) iPad. And some stores weren't exactly aware of the new iPad either.A sales rep at a certain large U.S. retail store (which will go unnamed) in Los Angeles gushed about the iPad Mini but was stumped when I asked about the gen 4 iPad. Related storiesCNET's review of the fourth-generation iPad"You know, the one right in front of you," was (more or less) what I had to say. Though I like the Mini, I'm partial to the fourth-generation iPad for, among other things, reasons I reported on yesterday. It's the first iPad to get Apple's A6 chip -- in this case a turbocharged version called the A6X -- and every step the iPad takes toward laptop-class processing power has got my attention. But I'm in the minority.The problem, of course, is that it looks the same as the gen 3 iPad, except for the Lightning connector.There are other minor improvements too. The front-facing FaceTime camera has been upgraded to HD 720p video. The 4G/LTE iPad also works with a wider range of international carriers.None of that appears to be enough to get people's attention, though.And it's not going to get easier for Apple.With the Nexus 10 tablet, Microsoft Surface, and the crush of tablets and hybrids coming from the Windows 8 crowd, Apple is going to need to make a bold statement with the next 10-inch class iPad. Until then, we have the incredible invisible iPad. Lest we forget, the gen 4 iPad also went on sale yesterday.Apple
Apple's TV plans on hold -- again, DisplaySearch says
Apple's TV plans on hold -- again, DisplaySearch says
The long wait for an Apple TV will get even longer. Blame wearable devices. That's what NPD DisplaySearch analyst Paul Gagnon claimed Monday in a research note.Apple is shifting its focus to wearable devices and pushing TV plans out -- aside from its existing set-top box -- according to Gagnon. The shift appears rather recent as even DisplaySearch had been expecting a product in 2014. "Indeed, our own information from TV supply chain sources pointed to the fact that Apple appeared to be lining up resources for a product introduction in the second half of 2014, likely with 2-3 large screen sizes and 4K resolution," Gagnon wrote. But that's not going to happen, at least not right away, until Apple achieves some critical goals. Apple needs to: Offer a unique point of differentiation to capture market share from leading TV manufacturers such as Samsung and Vizio, while at the same time being able to sell the products for a high enough price to deliver typically high Apple margins.[And] create follow-on replacement purchases to keep hardware sales from flat-lining once household penetration peaks. To offer truly unique product differentiation that would allow Apple to capture market share from existing smart TV brands, they would need to either deliver some exclusive source of content that the other brands cannot, such as a la carte pay-TV channels, or proprietary content not available on other devices. Neither of these is easy to achieve, and our sources indicate this is one of the principle reasons for the delay in the project.This may offer some relief to potential Apple rivals, Gagnon said. "For the current smart TV brands, this will be a big relief. While Apple may not have sold very many units, it would have had significant impact on the upper-tier product ranges from most of the top brands," he wrote.This speculation follows a report last month that Intel is abandoning its TV project. The DisplaySearch note comes as rumors heat up foran Apple iWatch, expected next year.
The long wait for an Apple TV will get even longer. Blame wearable devices. That's what NPD DisplaySearch analyst Paul Gagnon claimed Monday in a research note.Apple is shifting its focus to wearable devices and pushing TV plans out -- aside from its existing set-top box -- according to Gagnon. The shift appears rather recent as even DisplaySearch had been expecting a product in 2014. "Indeed, our own information from TV supply chain sources pointed to the fact that Apple appeared to be lining up resources for a product introduction in the second half of 2014, likely with 2-3 large screen sizes and 4K resolution," Gagnon wrote. But that's not going to happen, at least not right away, until Apple achieves some critical goals. Apple needs to: Offer a unique point of differentiation to capture market share from leading TV manufacturers such as Samsung and Vizio, while at the same time being able to sell the products for a high enough price to deliver typically high Apple margins.[And] create follow-on replacement purchases to keep hardware sales from flat-lining once household penetration peaks. To offer truly unique product differentiation that would allow Apple to capture market share from existing smart TV brands, they would need to either deliver some exclusive source of content that the other brands cannot, such as a la carte pay-TV channels, or proprietary content not available on other devices. Neither of these is easy to achieve, and our sources indicate this is one of the principle reasons for the delay in the project.This may offer some relief to potential Apple rivals, Gagnon said. "For the current smart TV brands, this will be a big relief. While Apple may not have sold very many units, it would have had significant impact on the upper-tier product ranges from most of the top brands," he wrote.This speculation follows a report last month that Intel is abandoning its TV project. The DisplaySearch note comes as rumors heat up foran Apple iWatch, expected next year.
Apple's Tim Cook- Wearable tech is 'profoundly interesting'
Apple's Tim Cook: Wearable tech is 'profoundly interesting'
It doesn't look like Apple will be cooking up its own rendition of Google Glass, but some other sort of wearable technology could be brewing. During an interview at the D11 conference on Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he thinks wearable computing is "profoundly interesting." While he noted that glasses seem to be "risky," the idea of wearing something on the wrist is "natural."However, he said, "you have to convince people it's so incredible you want to wear it." Cook pointed out that most young people don't wear watches, so it would be the company's job to make them appealing.During the interview, Cook showed off his Nike Fuel Band, which is integrated with iOS. "I would say the ones that do more than one thing" would be more successful, Cook said. "There are lots of things to solve, it's ripe for exploration." Rumors of Apple's interest in a wearable gadget heated up in February with a report from The New York Times, which claimed that Apple was "experimenting" with wristwatch-like devices. Bloomberg followed on from that, adding that Apple had a team of around 100 people working on such a device. Since then, there have been new patents pointing to Apple's exploration in the concept, as well as murmurings about rival products from companies like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft. The most recent rumors have said that a possible device most likely wouldn't launch until 2014. While Cook never said whether Apple will definitively set to work in wearables, he did say they are "an important branch of the tree," just like the iPhone and iPad.
It doesn't look like Apple will be cooking up its own rendition of Google Glass, but some other sort of wearable technology could be brewing. During an interview at the D11 conference on Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he thinks wearable computing is "profoundly interesting." While he noted that glasses seem to be "risky," the idea of wearing something on the wrist is "natural."However, he said, "you have to convince people it's so incredible you want to wear it." Cook pointed out that most young people don't wear watches, so it would be the company's job to make them appealing.During the interview, Cook showed off his Nike Fuel Band, which is integrated with iOS. "I would say the ones that do more than one thing" would be more successful, Cook said. "There are lots of things to solve, it's ripe for exploration." Rumors of Apple's interest in a wearable gadget heated up in February with a report from The New York Times, which claimed that Apple was "experimenting" with wristwatch-like devices. Bloomberg followed on from that, adding that Apple had a team of around 100 people working on such a device. Since then, there have been new patents pointing to Apple's exploration in the concept, as well as murmurings about rival products from companies like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft. The most recent rumors have said that a possible device most likely wouldn't launch until 2014. While Cook never said whether Apple will definitively set to work in wearables, he did say they are "an important branch of the tree," just like the iPhone and iPad.
Apple's Tim Cook promises 'big plans' in 2014
Apple's Tim Cook promises 'big plans' in 2014
Apple has "big plans that we think customers are going to love," CEO Tim Cook said in a memo thanking employees for their work in 2013. Snagging a copy of the memo from "multiple sources," 9to5Mac posted the employee e-mail on Sunday. Cook started by reflecting on the new and improved products unveiled this past year, including the iPhone 5S (the 5C didn't make the cut), iOS 7, the free OS X Mavericks upgrade, the iPad Air, the Retina iPad Mini, and the new Mac Pro now shipping from a factory in Texas.The CEO then discussed the various charitable causes toward which Apple contributed in 2013. Cook also brought up Apple's fight against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the the final paragraph, Cook expressed his admiration for his employees and also teased the year ahead.We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love. I am extremely proud to stand alongside you as we put innovation to work serving humankind's deepest values and highest aspirations. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world for the opportunity to work at this amazing company with all of you.What could those big plans be? Some products are a virtual certainty. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 6 by next October, a model that could bump the screen size. iOS 8 will pop up with its enhancements. New versions of the iPad and iPad Mini will appear, perhaps even an iPad Pro with a 12-inch screen.Past rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a smartwatch and a television. Either or both of those may appear next year. But the company also needs to create something different and unexpected to once again excite consumers. Could 2014 be the year when Apple does just that?
Apple has "big plans that we think customers are going to love," CEO Tim Cook said in a memo thanking employees for their work in 2013. Snagging a copy of the memo from "multiple sources," 9to5Mac posted the employee e-mail on Sunday. Cook started by reflecting on the new and improved products unveiled this past year, including the iPhone 5S (the 5C didn't make the cut), iOS 7, the free OS X Mavericks upgrade, the iPad Air, the Retina iPad Mini, and the new Mac Pro now shipping from a factory in Texas.The CEO then discussed the various charitable causes toward which Apple contributed in 2013. Cook also brought up Apple's fight against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the the final paragraph, Cook expressed his admiration for his employees and also teased the year ahead.We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love. I am extremely proud to stand alongside you as we put innovation to work serving humankind's deepest values and highest aspirations. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world for the opportunity to work at this amazing company with all of you.What could those big plans be? Some products are a virtual certainty. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 6 by next October, a model that could bump the screen size. iOS 8 will pop up with its enhancements. New versions of the iPad and iPad Mini will appear, perhaps even an iPad Pro with a 12-inch screen.Past rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a smartwatch and a television. Either or both of those may appear next year. But the company also needs to create something different and unexpected to once again excite consumers. Could 2014 be the year when Apple does just that?
Apple's Tim Cook gifts new iPhone 5 to Mark Zuckerberg
Apple's Tim Cook gifts new iPhone 5 to Mark Zuckerberg
Having nearly a billion friends has its perks, especially when one of them is Tim Cook sending you a free iPhone 5.The Apple CEO sent Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg one of Apple's new handsets gratis, the Facebook chief executive told Matt Lauer of "The Today Show' in an interview. "It's a wonderful device," Zuckerberg told Lauer during an interview scheduled to run Thursday, steering the conversation more toward Facebook's mobile presence.iPhone is a great platform. There are more people who use Facebook on Android -- because Android is just -- more people use it, at this point. And the thing that I think a lot of people don't think about is that there are actually more people in the world using Facebook on mobile Web, right, so not using the apps on iOS or Android, but actually just going to a browser on a phone. There are more people doing that than the iPhone and all of Android phones combined, right? So it's actually a pretty diverse ecosystem.This type of gesture is normally reserved for important business partners or public figures, so it's really no surprise that Zuckerberg would be a recipient.The two companies have become much more friendly with tighter integration between Facebook and Apple's iOS and OS X.But they weren't always so cordial. In 2010, Zuckerberg reportedly dissed the iPhone on his Facebook page, saying that he needed four charges to keep it charged "and a landline so I can actually make calls." The post quickly vanished, and perhaps he will be happier with the new handset, which has a larger battery with greater capacity.Zuckerberg also revealed that -- shocker -- he's not much of a clothes horse."I wear the same thing every day, right? I mean, it's literally, if you could see my closet," he said, adding that he has "about 20" of the same gray T-shirt.
Having nearly a billion friends has its perks, especially when one of them is Tim Cook sending you a free iPhone 5.The Apple CEO sent Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg one of Apple's new handsets gratis, the Facebook chief executive told Matt Lauer of "The Today Show' in an interview. "It's a wonderful device," Zuckerberg told Lauer during an interview scheduled to run Thursday, steering the conversation more toward Facebook's mobile presence.iPhone is a great platform. There are more people who use Facebook on Android -- because Android is just -- more people use it, at this point. And the thing that I think a lot of people don't think about is that there are actually more people in the world using Facebook on mobile Web, right, so not using the apps on iOS or Android, but actually just going to a browser on a phone. There are more people doing that than the iPhone and all of Android phones combined, right? So it's actually a pretty diverse ecosystem.This type of gesture is normally reserved for important business partners or public figures, so it's really no surprise that Zuckerberg would be a recipient.The two companies have become much more friendly with tighter integration between Facebook and Apple's iOS and OS X.But they weren't always so cordial. In 2010, Zuckerberg reportedly dissed the iPhone on his Facebook page, saying that he needed four charges to keep it charged "and a landline so I can actually make calls." The post quickly vanished, and perhaps he will be happier with the new handset, which has a larger battery with greater capacity.Zuckerberg also revealed that -- shocker -- he's not much of a clothes horse."I wear the same thing every day, right? I mean, it's literally, if you could see my closet," he said, adding that he has "about 20" of the same gray T-shirt.
iPhone 6, 6 Plus models now all in stock at Apple's online store
Those of you who order an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus via Apple's online store will no longer face any wait time before it ships to your doorstep.
Apple's online store in the US shows every variety of the new phone now in stock, including the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. All colors are available -- silver, gold and space gray. All capacities are in stock -- 16GB, 64GB and 128 GB. And you'll find the phone ready to ship for all four major US carriers -- Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Only the new SIM-free version shows a minor wait time -- just one business day.
Each new iPhone typically runs into simply and demand issues as Apple's manufacturers struggle to produce sufficient numbers of units. But with the iPhone 6, supply seemed to take longer than usual to match demand. In a survey of 80 Apple Stores in mid December, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster Munster found that only 56 percent of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models were in stock at the time. In contrast, supply of the iPhone 5S matched demand in early December back in 2013.
Of course, the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6 represent two different scenarios. The 5S was an upgrade over the iPhone 5 that added a few new features, including a faster processor and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus introduced a variety of new and innovative features, most notably larger screens over the previous models.
Big-screened phones have proven a hit with consumers. That was certainly true for Apple's chief rival, Samsung, which saw the benefits of offering smartphones with ample screens, such as its Galaxy S series, and even larger "phablets" like those in its Galaxy Note line. Apple was late to get into that fray, with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus not debuting till last September.
The pent-up demand was obvious. Apple logged record sales -- 10 million devices -- in the first weekend those two new phones went on sale, and the surge continued through the fourth quarter of 2014.
RELATED STORIES
Apple iPhone 6 review
iPhone 6 bites into Android's share of smartphone sales
Apple iPhone 6 ship times drop to 3 to 5 days
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB, 64GB now ship in one day
In December, Apple made a concerted effort to pump up supply of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. In early December, the online store showed a ship time of three to five business days for the 16GB and the 64GB edition of both models and 7 to 10 business days for the 128GB version. Those estimates continued to drop as December progressed.
Supply also has reached demand in Apple online stores in other countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. But consumers in such markets as Canada and Australia still have to wait one business day for shipping. Apple's online store in China shows a wait time of three to five business days.
US consumers who'd rather pick up a new iPhone at their local Apple retail store can also make sure it's in stock via the online product page. At the bottom of the page, click the link to check availability. Enter your zip code on the next screen and then click the Search Stores button. Apple then displays a list of nearby stores where your selected model is available.
Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the new ship times.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)