Inside CNET Labs 84: A Halo Elite? (podcast)
This week, special guest Antuan Goodwin and I gang up on Dong as he has trouble deciding which race to enter on his 2010 census.Then we move on to a cinematic gem, a celluloid triumph, if you will. I'm speaking, of course, of "Black Dynamite!" (hears "Dynamite! Dynamite! in the background). We explain why, if you haven't seen this movie yet, you're a blight on humanity and we don't wanna be your friend anymore. If Apple, Microsoft, and Google were women, which would Dong want to date? Listen to find out the answer.This episode is fun, fun, fun with a lower case "f", which is how we like it. To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) |RSS (audio)
Monday, March 23, 2015
In tit for tat, AMD grabs Apple chip designer
In tit for tat, AMD grabs Apple chip designer
Fast on the heels of Apple nabbing a designer from chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, AMD turned around today and hired an Apple chip architect. Jim Keller, 53, will join AMD as a corporate vice president and chief architect of AMD's microprocessor cores, reporting to Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster, another former Apple employee. "Keller will lead AMD's microprocessor core design efforts...with a focus on developing both high-performance and low-power processor cores that will be the foundation of AMD's future products," AMD said in a statement. Keller had been a director in the platform architecture group at Apple.There he designed mobile chips, including those used in the iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV. Related storiesAnother AMD engineer goes to AppleApple recently hired a system-on-a-chip expert away from AMD. Before Apple, Keller was vice president of design for P.A. Semi, a chip-design firm specializing in low-power mobile processors. P.A. was acquired by Apple in 2008. This isn't Keller's first stint at AMD.Prior to Apple and P.A. Semi, Keller worked on AMD's Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron 64 processors. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University.
Fast on the heels of Apple nabbing a designer from chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, AMD turned around today and hired an Apple chip architect. Jim Keller, 53, will join AMD as a corporate vice president and chief architect of AMD's microprocessor cores, reporting to Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster, another former Apple employee. "Keller will lead AMD's microprocessor core design efforts...with a focus on developing both high-performance and low-power processor cores that will be the foundation of AMD's future products," AMD said in a statement. Keller had been a director in the platform architecture group at Apple.There he designed mobile chips, including those used in the iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV. Related storiesAnother AMD engineer goes to AppleApple recently hired a system-on-a-chip expert away from AMD. Before Apple, Keller was vice president of design for P.A. Semi, a chip-design firm specializing in low-power mobile processors. P.A. was acquired by Apple in 2008. This isn't Keller's first stint at AMD.Prior to Apple and P.A. Semi, Keller worked on AMD's Athlon 64 and AMD Opteron 64 processors. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University.
In tech-savvy Japan, Apple tops Microsoft in brand perception
In tech-savvy Japan, Apple tops Microsoft in brand perception
Apple has reached the top spot in corporate brand perception for the first time in Japan, as iPhone makes solid gains there, Nikkei said on Wednesday. Apple saw a "greater willingness of businesspeople to recommend its products," according Nikkei Research.And the U.S. company continues to rank high in "originality and brand premium," indicating that Japanese businesspeople are willing to pay more for Apple products, the report said. Apple has boosted its standing in Japan with strong sales of the iPhone 5.The iPhone 5S and 5C are expected to further bolster Apple's position as NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest carrier, begins selling the iPhone for the first time.SoftBank and KDDI (au) already market the iPhone. Microsoft fell to third place from first in 2012 because fewer businesses stated that they would recommend their products, Nikkei Research said.Google is also on the rise, jumping to fifth place from eighth. Google's Android software populates popular smartphones in Japan, such as Samsung's Galaxy products.And the company is raising its profile as a hardware maker with products like the Nexus 7 tablet.The No. 2 spot went to a Japanese company, Yamato Transport, a home delivery service. The annual survey reports on how consumers and businesses view corporate brands.
Apple has reached the top spot in corporate brand perception for the first time in Japan, as iPhone makes solid gains there, Nikkei said on Wednesday. Apple saw a "greater willingness of businesspeople to recommend its products," according Nikkei Research.And the U.S. company continues to rank high in "originality and brand premium," indicating that Japanese businesspeople are willing to pay more for Apple products, the report said. Apple has boosted its standing in Japan with strong sales of the iPhone 5.The iPhone 5S and 5C are expected to further bolster Apple's position as NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest carrier, begins selling the iPhone for the first time.SoftBank and KDDI (au) already market the iPhone. Microsoft fell to third place from first in 2012 because fewer businesses stated that they would recommend their products, Nikkei Research said.Google is also on the rise, jumping to fifth place from eighth. Google's Android software populates popular smartphones in Japan, such as Samsung's Galaxy products.And the company is raising its profile as a hardware maker with products like the Nexus 7 tablet.The No. 2 spot went to a Japanese company, Yamato Transport, a home delivery service. The annual survey reports on how consumers and businesses view corporate brands.
iMovie app made to run on iPhone 3GS
iMovie app made to run on iPhone 3GS
That was fast. After less than a week of iPhone 4 availability, hackers have found a way to get Apple's iMovie application running on an iPhone 3GS.Apple's iMovie app, which costs $4.99, is officially available only to iPhone 4 owners. But hackers tipped off tech blog Redmond Pie that they were able to get the app running on the iPhone 3GS. The process, according to tipster David Romhan Torres, starts with users jailbreaking an iPhone 3GS running iOS 4. From there, they need to modify a few items in the app's files to get it running.Exactly why Apple has decided to not support the iPhone 3GS with iMovie is unknown. Some have speculated that the iPhone 3GS' 256MB of RAM, compared to the iPhone 4's 512MB of RAM, could have contributed to the decision. Either way, those who have a desire to run iMovie on the iPhone 3GS might be able to pull it off with just a few tweaks.
That was fast. After less than a week of iPhone 4 availability, hackers have found a way to get Apple's iMovie application running on an iPhone 3GS.Apple's iMovie app, which costs $4.99, is officially available only to iPhone 4 owners. But hackers tipped off tech blog Redmond Pie that they were able to get the app running on the iPhone 3GS. The process, according to tipster David Romhan Torres, starts with users jailbreaking an iPhone 3GS running iOS 4. From there, they need to modify a few items in the app's files to get it running.Exactly why Apple has decided to not support the iPhone 3GS with iMovie is unknown. Some have speculated that the iPhone 3GS' 256MB of RAM, compared to the iPhone 4's 512MB of RAM, could have contributed to the decision. Either way, those who have a desire to run iMovie on the iPhone 3GS might be able to pull it off with just a few tweaks.
Imagine Apple with an MBA at top, no Steve Jobs
Imagine Apple with an MBA at top, no Steve Jobs
"OK, hear me out on another idea," the Apple engineer pleads. "A slate or tablet form factor.10-inch diagonal.Very light, very portable.Under 1.5 pounds. Runs essentially the same OS as a smartphone." Chainsaw Al: "Hold it. Stop. I've heard enough.10 inches but no physical keyboard? What would anyone use it for? Just buy a laptop.And we already make those.And I suppose you'd want to make that out of aluminum too with almost no ports.What rock did you crawl out from under? Where's your cost argument?Didn't you get the memo?" Maybe slightly overdramatized, but you get the point.Luckily, there are other Silicon Valley companies that match Apple in engineering-driven design and long-term outlook.One would be Intel.And Intel does Apple one better by making stuff in the U.S. (via multibillion dollar investments in its U.S. chip plants). Apple, on the other hand, farms out manufacturing to companies in Asia like Foxconn (iPad, iPhone) and Samsung (A5 processor). But I digress.The fact is that Apple makes well-engineered products that are very different from what other computer/electronics companies make.And you will find few, if any, companies in Silicon Valley or the U.S auto industry that exceed the threshold of greatness with a Chainsaw Al at the helm.
"OK, hear me out on another idea," the Apple engineer pleads. "A slate or tablet form factor.10-inch diagonal.Very light, very portable.Under 1.5 pounds. Runs essentially the same OS as a smartphone." Chainsaw Al: "Hold it. Stop. I've heard enough.10 inches but no physical keyboard? What would anyone use it for? Just buy a laptop.And we already make those.And I suppose you'd want to make that out of aluminum too with almost no ports.What rock did you crawl out from under? Where's your cost argument?Didn't you get the memo?" Maybe slightly overdramatized, but you get the point.Luckily, there are other Silicon Valley companies that match Apple in engineering-driven design and long-term outlook.One would be Intel.And Intel does Apple one better by making stuff in the U.S. (via multibillion dollar investments in its U.S. chip plants). Apple, on the other hand, farms out manufacturing to companies in Asia like Foxconn (iPad, iPhone) and Samsung (A5 processor). But I digress.The fact is that Apple makes well-engineered products that are very different from what other computer/electronics companies make.And you will find few, if any, companies in Silicon Valley or the U.S auto industry that exceed the threshold of greatness with a Chainsaw Al at the helm.
Images of alleged Retina iPad Mini appear on Chinese forum
Images of alleged Retina iPad Mini appear on Chinese forum
Photos posted to a Chinese Internet forum of what appears to be the back casing of a future iPad Mini are leading some to speculate that the next version of Apple's smaller tablet may have a Retina display.On the forum, the images show what seems to be an iPad Mini rear casing with a blue Apple logo and the word "iPad" in blue. Current iPad Minis, Apple Insider points out, have either black or silver detailing. But the photos also seem to show that the casing is thicker than the one used for the current-generation iPad Mini, and that's led to theories that, because the full-size Retina-quality iPad was thicker than its non-Retina predecessor, the next Mini will also have an upgraded display.This, of course, would be just the latest fodder for those who think Apple will release an iPad Mini with a Retina display. Rumors to that effect began appearing just days after the first version of the device went on sale. In November, the Chinese-language DoNews site reported that iPad Mini display maker AUO was working on a 2,048x1,536-pixel resolution display for the next iteration of the device. And more recently, there's been talk in Asia that if Apple does release an iPad Mini with a retina display, the tablet would carry a higher price than the original model.
Photos posted to a Chinese Internet forum of what appears to be the back casing of a future iPad Mini are leading some to speculate that the next version of Apple's smaller tablet may have a Retina display.On the forum, the images show what seems to be an iPad Mini rear casing with a blue Apple logo and the word "iPad" in blue. Current iPad Minis, Apple Insider points out, have either black or silver detailing. But the photos also seem to show that the casing is thicker than the one used for the current-generation iPad Mini, and that's led to theories that, because the full-size Retina-quality iPad was thicker than its non-Retina predecessor, the next Mini will also have an upgraded display.This, of course, would be just the latest fodder for those who think Apple will release an iPad Mini with a Retina display. Rumors to that effect began appearing just days after the first version of the device went on sale. In November, the Chinese-language DoNews site reported that iPad Mini display maker AUO was working on a 2,048x1,536-pixel resolution display for the next iteration of the device. And more recently, there's been talk in Asia that if Apple does release an iPad Mini with a retina display, the tablet would carry a higher price than the original model.
ScanLife 2D Barcode reader comes to iPhone
ScanLife 2D Barcode reader comes to iPhone
Scanbuy announced on Wednesday their free Scanlife barcode reader for iPhone called ScanLife. The software allows for scanning an EZcode using the iPhone's camera then instantaneously executing an individual action that the code is associated to, such as launching a Web site without you having to remember its URL and typing it on the phone's browser.ScanLife saves you from having to remember and type in the URL for a web page.ScanLifeI tried ScanLife on my new iPhone 3G to launch a few Web sites, and it worked very well most of the time, even when the code is not on the center of the photo. A few times when the photo was blurry or underexposed, I had to take it again. The software only works with EZcodes, which you can create your own for free after a quick registration. You can even create an EZcode for a specific Web page, for example, to send users directly to an iTunes page to preview and purchase a specific song or to watch a particular video on YouTube.ScanLife is available for other smartphones, too. You can get it by texting the word "SCAN" to 43588 to receive the download instructions or go to www.getscanlife.com on your mobile browser. ScanLife supports hundreds of other camera cell phones running major mobile operating systems including BREW, Java, Symbian, Palm, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile.This seems a fun and convenient way to access and process information from your phones, especially when the implementation of EZCodes becomes popular. There's a catch, though: your memory will atrophy, and soon enough you won't be able to do anything without your phone. This has already happened to me.
Scanbuy announced on Wednesday their free Scanlife barcode reader for iPhone called ScanLife. The software allows for scanning an EZcode using the iPhone's camera then instantaneously executing an individual action that the code is associated to, such as launching a Web site without you having to remember its URL and typing it on the phone's browser.ScanLife saves you from having to remember and type in the URL for a web page.ScanLifeI tried ScanLife on my new iPhone 3G to launch a few Web sites, and it worked very well most of the time, even when the code is not on the center of the photo. A few times when the photo was blurry or underexposed, I had to take it again. The software only works with EZcodes, which you can create your own for free after a quick registration. You can even create an EZcode for a specific Web page, for example, to send users directly to an iTunes page to preview and purchase a specific song or to watch a particular video on YouTube.ScanLife is available for other smartphones, too. You can get it by texting the word "SCAN" to 43588 to receive the download instructions or go to www.getscanlife.com on your mobile browser. ScanLife supports hundreds of other camera cell phones running major mobile operating systems including BREW, Java, Symbian, Palm, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile.This seems a fun and convenient way to access and process information from your phones, especially when the implementation of EZCodes becomes popular. There's a catch, though: your memory will atrophy, and soon enough you won't be able to do anything without your phone. This has already happened to me.
Purported Google Play gift cards surface, good for music, movies
Purported Google Play gift cards surface, good for music, movies
Will the Google Play store soon get its own gift cards?The folks over at Android Central today published photos of what they claim are Google Play gift cards. The Android site, which received the photos from an unidentified source, shows two cards that can be redeemed for $10 or $25 in the marketplace.The alleged cards themselves are black with the Google Play logo. At the bottom, the card indicates that it can be redeemed for "music, movies, books, apps, and more."Related storiesGoogle reboots Android Market, launches Google PlayFive things you may not know about Google PlayGoogle Play: Nice catch-up move. Now what?Google Play offers apps, albums, more for a quarterAndroid Atlas Weekly Ep. 88: Google plays, Apple pays, Android listens (Podcast)It would only make sense for Google to offer up gift cards that can be sold in brick-and-mortar stores. Apple has been doing the same for iTunes store for years, and they commonly find their way into birthday and holiday gifts. The result? Increased sales across Apple's marketplace. Google might be trying to achieve the same results for its own store.Google has so far not confirmed that gift cards are coming to Google Play, so Android Central's report is very much a rumor at this point.CNET has contacted Google for comment on the photos. We will update this story when we have more information.
Will the Google Play store soon get its own gift cards?The folks over at Android Central today published photos of what they claim are Google Play gift cards. The Android site, which received the photos from an unidentified source, shows two cards that can be redeemed for $10 or $25 in the marketplace.The alleged cards themselves are black with the Google Play logo. At the bottom, the card indicates that it can be redeemed for "music, movies, books, apps, and more."Related storiesGoogle reboots Android Market, launches Google PlayFive things you may not know about Google PlayGoogle Play: Nice catch-up move. Now what?Google Play offers apps, albums, more for a quarterAndroid Atlas Weekly Ep. 88: Google plays, Apple pays, Android listens (Podcast)It would only make sense for Google to offer up gift cards that can be sold in brick-and-mortar stores. Apple has been doing the same for iTunes store for years, and they commonly find their way into birthday and holiday gifts. The result? Increased sales across Apple's marketplace. Google might be trying to achieve the same results for its own store.Google has so far not confirmed that gift cards are coming to Google Play, so Android Central's report is very much a rumor at this point.CNET has contacted Google for comment on the photos. We will update this story when we have more information.
iTunes Radio snags 11 million users
iTunes Radio snags 11 million users
Apple's iTunes Radio has already picked up 11 million listeners since its launch last week, Apple announced Monday.Related postsDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Available through iTunes 11 and iOS 7, iTunes Radio takes a page from Pandora's playbook. You can create and add different music stations to your feed based on your tastes and listen to songs streamed from each one. You can fine-tune each station to play only hits, a variety of songs, or a "discovery" of music new to you.Apple also naturally makes it easy to buy any song via iTunes with a price tag that you can click on to make your purchase. So far, the most popular song is "Hold On, We're Going Home" by Drake, according to Apple.iTunes Radio is currently available just in the United States.Apple also announced today that more than 200 million devices are now running iOS 7, while iPhone sales surpassed 9 million during the launch weekend of the new 5S and 5C.Correction, 11:10 a.m. PT: This story originally misstated the number of devices now running iOS 7.
Apple's iTunes Radio has already picked up 11 million listeners since its launch last week, Apple announced Monday.Related postsDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Available through iTunes 11 and iOS 7, iTunes Radio takes a page from Pandora's playbook. You can create and add different music stations to your feed based on your tastes and listen to songs streamed from each one. You can fine-tune each station to play only hits, a variety of songs, or a "discovery" of music new to you.Apple also naturally makes it easy to buy any song via iTunes with a price tag that you can click on to make your purchase. So far, the most popular song is "Hold On, We're Going Home" by Drake, according to Apple.iTunes Radio is currently available just in the United States.Apple also announced today that more than 200 million devices are now running iOS 7, while iPhone sales surpassed 9 million during the launch weekend of the new 5S and 5C.Correction, 11:10 a.m. PT: This story originally misstated the number of devices now running iOS 7.
Instagram adds likes, comments in Web page expansion
Instagram adds likes, comments in Web page expansion
Instagram has increased its Web presence with a site overhaul that includes the addition of more interactive features.The update adds the options to like and comment on photos and the ability to log in to edit profile options from a desktop Web browser. The update also sports a new blue-and-white color scheme reminiscent of the app. However, as The Verge points out, the update still lacks feature parity between the app, and Web and photo browsing is limited.Instagram user interface designer Maykel Loomans announced the overhaul in a tweet this afternoon:On Day 100 in San Francisco, we launched the new @instagram Photo Page. -- instagram.com/p/H_OmtKh0No/â€" Maykel Loomans (@miekd) June 28, 2012The overhaul comes just three days after the first major update to Instagram since Facebook completed its purchase of the photo-sharing app.That update added a new profile tab, different ways to search, commenting improvements, and visual and speed enhancements. It also added the distinctive Facebook feature that lets users share likes, or little hearts, to Facebook if they want.Instagram has experienced a whirlwind of changes in the past couple of months. Shortly after the formerly iOS-only app added an Android brethren, Facebook plunked down $1 billion to acquire the company in April. It also climbed to the top of the iTunes app store charts that month. However, it's been pretty quiet since then and it now holds the sixth place in the app store.
Instagram has increased its Web presence with a site overhaul that includes the addition of more interactive features.The update adds the options to like and comment on photos and the ability to log in to edit profile options from a desktop Web browser. The update also sports a new blue-and-white color scheme reminiscent of the app. However, as The Verge points out, the update still lacks feature parity between the app, and Web and photo browsing is limited.Instagram user interface designer Maykel Loomans announced the overhaul in a tweet this afternoon:On Day 100 in San Francisco, we launched the new @instagram Photo Page. -- instagram.com/p/H_OmtKh0No/â€" Maykel Loomans (@miekd) June 28, 2012The overhaul comes just three days after the first major update to Instagram since Facebook completed its purchase of the photo-sharing app.That update added a new profile tab, different ways to search, commenting improvements, and visual and speed enhancements. It also added the distinctive Facebook feature that lets users share likes, or little hearts, to Facebook if they want.Instagram has experienced a whirlwind of changes in the past couple of months. Shortly after the formerly iOS-only app added an Android brethren, Facebook plunked down $1 billion to acquire the company in April. It also climbed to the top of the iTunes app store charts that month. However, it's been pretty quiet since then and it now holds the sixth place in the app store.
How to load up on apps for back-to-school season
How to load up on apps for back-to-school season
Evernote is available on every major platform, from iOS to Android and BlackBerry and Windows Phone. Pocket is available on iOS, Android, and the Kindle Fire, while MyMajors works on iOS and Android only.For many students, the start of a new school year means they actually have to wake up at a normal hour. For Android users, why not wake up in style? Doubletwist offers a more attractive alarm clock than the typical stock version. The two versions -- an analog clock and retro flip clock -- can be tied to your favorite tunes, giving you a wake-up call of your choosing. Google+ Hangouts in Mobile, available on iOS or Android, is a great way for college students living away from their family to keep in touch via video chat. The app allows you to chat with up to nine people at once with your mobile device. Of course, for iOS devices, there's iTunes U. The app gives you access to tons of free educational resources, including whole courses taught by instructors at major universities. If you have a textbook via iBooks, you can highlight and scribble notes and see them a consolidated form iTunes U.You can also share courses and notes with your less organized friends. There are still tons of other apps that will get you ready for the school year. Hopefully, these will help you along the way to finding all the ones you need.
Evernote is available on every major platform, from iOS to Android and BlackBerry and Windows Phone. Pocket is available on iOS, Android, and the Kindle Fire, while MyMajors works on iOS and Android only.For many students, the start of a new school year means they actually have to wake up at a normal hour. For Android users, why not wake up in style? Doubletwist offers a more attractive alarm clock than the typical stock version. The two versions -- an analog clock and retro flip clock -- can be tied to your favorite tunes, giving you a wake-up call of your choosing. Google+ Hangouts in Mobile, available on iOS or Android, is a great way for college students living away from their family to keep in touch via video chat. The app allows you to chat with up to nine people at once with your mobile device. Of course, for iOS devices, there's iTunes U. The app gives you access to tons of free educational resources, including whole courses taught by instructors at major universities. If you have a textbook via iBooks, you can highlight and scribble notes and see them a consolidated form iTunes U.You can also share courses and notes with your less organized friends. There are still tons of other apps that will get you ready for the school year. Hopefully, these will help you along the way to finding all the ones you need.
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