BB10, Z10 and Q10: why they won't save BlackBerry
BlackBerry, BlackBerry, BlackBerry â€" that's probably all your tech news feed has been pushing at you all day. BB10, the Q10, the Z10: BlackBerry has come in swinging with the hopes that when the final bell rings, it'll still be standing, rather than flat on the canvas. Sadly, it is almost definitely a swing and miss. If you read the coverage, the praise for both hardware and software has been constantly tempered by one refrain: this is great for a BlackBerry. It's somewhere between condescending and damning with faint praise â€" BlackBerry gets a pat on the back for doing its gosh-darn hardest and not sucking. One attendee at the launch in New York even offered this high praise of the Z10: "It's easy to forget that you're using a BlackBerry". Plenty of phone operating systems haven't sucked. The Nokia N9 was a combination of breath-taking hardware and clean, concise and above all eminently usable OS in the form of MeeGo. Windows Phone is also a good OS and it has still failed to take any real market share away from Android and Apple since its 2010 debut.One of the big issues is that BlackBerry isn't offering anything real that can't be found on other platforms. In the past couple of years, nobody has looked down at their iPhone and thought "this just doesn't do what my BlackBerry did". Same for Android. BlackBerry's core concept that it was the phone for business people has fallen by the wayside â€" there's just no longer that requirement to have a split between a work phone and a personal phone.There's no real "killer app" from any of BlackBerry's offerings. Our US colleague Jessica Dolcourt said of BB10 that "happy Android and iOS users won't find a reason to switch" â€" and at this late stage in the game, switching is what had to happen for BlackBerry to climb back up the charts and give Apple and Android cause to get nervous. There are two key points that seem to best illustrate what BlackBerry has done wrong. One is the fact that the Q10 â€" the phone with the physical keyboard â€" is launching after the full touchscreen Z10.BlackBerry needed to take a leaf from its own marketing collateral and "be bold" in this instance. A keyboard phone was the closest thing BlackBerry had to that aforementioned "killer app" â€" a genuine point of difference from every single other phone around today. More than that, it would have sent a clear signal back to old users that this was a true BlackBerry. That underneath the new OS and shiny hardware was the heart and soul that once made BlackBerry the cult device it was. The other is apps. Much has been made of the 70,000 apps that will be available at launch. It's not enough. Not compared to Google Play and the iTunes App Store. And where are the incentives to get devs building and creating for a third platform? If they're barely willing to do it with Windows despite all of that Microsoft money, why will they do it for BlackBerry?In fact, they're barely even doing it for BlackBerry now â€" it's been hardly mentioned in all the hoopla, but 40 per cent of those 70,000 apps are just Android apps with a different hat on. They're not native for BB10.As we said yesterday, a phone ecosystem lives and dies on its apps these days, and this seems to put BlackBerry in intensive care already. If it were 2010 or even 2011, then we might be having a different conversation. But it's not and we aren't. BlackBerry will get some solid buzz from this, and curious customers will give the new handsets a little love, but barring an absolute left-field miracle, it'll be a blip for the company. At the end of the day, BlackBerry can hold its head up and say that it went down swinging, that it went down with a bang, not a whimper â€" but, sadly, it's still definitely going down.
Pandora, Spotify top ranking of music apps -- so where's Beats-
Pandora, Spotify top ranking of music apps -- so where's Beats?
New music-app rankings put Pandora and Spotify at the top of the charts, but go a little lower in the standings and things get interesting. App Annie, an analytics company that monitors and reports on app downloads and revenue, released on Wednesday lists of the top US apps in the Google Play store and Apple's App Store, the primary shops for apps on the two biggest operating systems for smartphones. For both downloads and revenue in September, Pandora and Spotify come out No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. But players like Beats Music are relatively low in the listing for top apps by downloads. Beats placed ninth, below iHeartRadio, SoundCloud and Apple's own GarageBand. App AnnieGiven that Apple bought Beats for $3 billion in a high-profile deal earlier this year, that may come as a surprise. With 250,000 subscribers as of May, after four months operating with a high-profile partnership with AT&T, versus Spotify's 10 million paying members, it may not be that surprising that Beats is ranked so low. Beats may not continue long in its current form, as Apple is widely believed to be integrating its streaming service into iTunes next year. The lower download ranking may also reflect the fact that Beats Music has no free, ad-supported model; people must pay for the service to use it at all. Rivals like Pandora and Spotify have the option of listening free with commercials on mobile devices.Despite Beats' lower ranking by downloads, it is relatively high for revenue, at No. 3. App Annie's revenue measurements include payments made to download an app and payments made within the app itself but don't capture revenue from sources like advertising.Marcos Sanchez, App Annie's vice president of global corporate communications, said the firm has observed Apple-related apps perform well on revenue elsewhere. "We have seen consistently in the US for sure that folks on the Apple platform tend to monetize better," he said. "It's a premium product, it's not cheap. You're probably going to have a demographic with more to spend." The rankings come from App Annie Intelligence, analytics data based on estimates calculated with the company's proprietary algorithm. The algorithm uses data from App Annie's more than 55,000 analytics users and provides estimates on absolute download and revenue numbers.Other big money-makers that may come as a surprise are music "creation" apps Magic Piano and Sing Karaoke by Smule. Though perhaps overlooked amid the fervor over streaming-music listening services, Smule has been rapidly increasing its number of users and revenue."We noticed that [music creation apps] are becoming increasingly popular, and people are starting to use them more," Sanchez said. "This is probably a reflection of how games have always been an enormous seller in apps...Music creation can almost mimic games."Plus, he said, "everyone wants to be rock star."
New music-app rankings put Pandora and Spotify at the top of the charts, but go a little lower in the standings and things get interesting. App Annie, an analytics company that monitors and reports on app downloads and revenue, released on Wednesday lists of the top US apps in the Google Play store and Apple's App Store, the primary shops for apps on the two biggest operating systems for smartphones. For both downloads and revenue in September, Pandora and Spotify come out No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. But players like Beats Music are relatively low in the listing for top apps by downloads. Beats placed ninth, below iHeartRadio, SoundCloud and Apple's own GarageBand. App AnnieGiven that Apple bought Beats for $3 billion in a high-profile deal earlier this year, that may come as a surprise. With 250,000 subscribers as of May, after four months operating with a high-profile partnership with AT&T, versus Spotify's 10 million paying members, it may not be that surprising that Beats is ranked so low. Beats may not continue long in its current form, as Apple is widely believed to be integrating its streaming service into iTunes next year. The lower download ranking may also reflect the fact that Beats Music has no free, ad-supported model; people must pay for the service to use it at all. Rivals like Pandora and Spotify have the option of listening free with commercials on mobile devices.Despite Beats' lower ranking by downloads, it is relatively high for revenue, at No. 3. App Annie's revenue measurements include payments made to download an app and payments made within the app itself but don't capture revenue from sources like advertising.Marcos Sanchez, App Annie's vice president of global corporate communications, said the firm has observed Apple-related apps perform well on revenue elsewhere. "We have seen consistently in the US for sure that folks on the Apple platform tend to monetize better," he said. "It's a premium product, it's not cheap. You're probably going to have a demographic with more to spend." The rankings come from App Annie Intelligence, analytics data based on estimates calculated with the company's proprietary algorithm. The algorithm uses data from App Annie's more than 55,000 analytics users and provides estimates on absolute download and revenue numbers.Other big money-makers that may come as a surprise are music "creation" apps Magic Piano and Sing Karaoke by Smule. Though perhaps overlooked amid the fervor over streaming-music listening services, Smule has been rapidly increasing its number of users and revenue."We noticed that [music creation apps] are becoming increasingly popular, and people are starting to use them more," Sanchez said. "This is probably a reflection of how games have always been an enormous seller in apps...Music creation can almost mimic games."Plus, he said, "everyone wants to be rock star."
Crave giveaway- Philips Fidelio SoundRing wireless speaker
Crave giveaway: Philips Fidelio SoundRing wireless speaker
Editor's note: Since CNET comments were disabled for several days due to site maintenance, we have extended the deadline for this giveaway to 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 14, 2014.Congratulations to Kenneth T. of Coldwater, Mich., for winning an amplified HDTV antenna from Winegard in last week's giveaway. This week's prize will have you going 'round in circles -- in a good way.We're offering up a Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W portable wireless AirPlay speaker, which, as the name suggests, features a circular design. And a striking one at that. Related storiesCNET's review of the Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W AirPlay, in case you need a refresher, is a wireless-streaming feature found on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or any Mac or Windows PC running iTunes. The SoundRing offers what Philips calls a "360-degree surround-sound effect," and in his CNET review, David Carnoy reports that it exudes "superior sound."The 16-watt speaker measures 7.8 inches at its widest and weighs 3.3 pounds. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and a USB port for charging smartphones. Normally, this speaker would run you $299.99, but this is your chance to get one for zilch, nada, bupkis. How do you go about doing that? Our rulemakers have made a few rules, as rulemakers do, so please read carefully.Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again.Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful, it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated. Leave only one comment. You may enter for this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W, with a retail value of $299.99.If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. The winner must respond within three days of the end of the sweepstakes. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.Entries can be submitted until 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 14.And here's the disclaimer that our legal department said we had to include (sorry for the caps, but rules are rules):NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. YOU HAVE NOT YET WON. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OLD OR AGE OF MAJORITY, WHICHEVER IS OLDER IN YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 10, 2014. See official rules for details.Good luck.
Editor's note: Since CNET comments were disabled for several days due to site maintenance, we have extended the deadline for this giveaway to 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 14, 2014.Congratulations to Kenneth T. of Coldwater, Mich., for winning an amplified HDTV antenna from Winegard in last week's giveaway. This week's prize will have you going 'round in circles -- in a good way.We're offering up a Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W portable wireless AirPlay speaker, which, as the name suggests, features a circular design. And a striking one at that. Related storiesCNET's review of the Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W AirPlay, in case you need a refresher, is a wireless-streaming feature found on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or any Mac or Windows PC running iTunes. The SoundRing offers what Philips calls a "360-degree surround-sound effect," and in his CNET review, David Carnoy reports that it exudes "superior sound."The 16-watt speaker measures 7.8 inches at its widest and weighs 3.3 pounds. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and a USB port for charging smartphones. Normally, this speaker would run you $299.99, but this is your chance to get one for zilch, nada, bupkis. How do you go about doing that? Our rulemakers have made a few rules, as rulemakers do, so please read carefully.Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again.Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful, it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated. Leave only one comment. You may enter for this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Philips Fidelio SoundRing DS3881W, with a retail value of $299.99.If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. The winner must respond within three days of the end of the sweepstakes. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.Entries can be submitted until 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 14.And here's the disclaimer that our legal department said we had to include (sorry for the caps, but rules are rules):NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. YOU HAVE NOT YET WON. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OLD OR AGE OF MAJORITY, WHICHEVER IS OLDER IN YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 10, 2014. See official rules for details.Good luck.
The 404 545- Where we've got an intern for the day (but he won't get us coffee) (podcast)
The 404 545: Where we've got an intern for the day (but he won't get us coffee) (podcast)
404-listener Blake Stevenson heard us fanning out on The Sandlot during yesterday's episode, so he whipped up a 404ified poster for today's blog image. Thanks Blake!It's almost the end of the work week, so Natali Del Conte is on the show and she's bringing the dirty starting with the queen of filthy pop, Lady Gaga. According to video analytics company Visible Measures, the diva has just become the first artist ever to achieve one billion online video views thanks to her three hit singles: Poker Face, Just Dance, and Bad Romance. If you're new to Gaga fandom, you have a lot of homework to do, because the one billion doesn't even count her live performances, video diaries, and popular interviews--not to mention her upcoming 3D concert DVD. Speaking of which, anyone have extra tickets to the sold-out MSG show in July?On a completely unrelated note, law enforcement can now expose and track pedophiles by their typing habits. Apparently the typing speed and rhythms of these predators are unique and researching are currently investigating ways to identify the typist's age, sex, and culture within TEN KEYSTROKES! We're fully backing any new methods that put these idiots behind bars, but with no explanation of exactly how pedophiles type, we can't help but be skeptical with their findings. How about casting a smaller net and focusing on the dude asking for a WEP password at Chuck E. Cheese?Be sure to stick around to hear Natali and the guys debunk 5 myths about the male body, starting with this foolish rumor about shoe size. The days of being too ashamed to ask a shoe salesperson for your size 7 loafers are over! All this and more stories guaranteed to leave a bitter taste in your mouth, plus a new "E-mails From the Public" segment that forces us to question our potty-mouth promos. Talk to you tomorrow! EPISODE 545PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
404-listener Blake Stevenson heard us fanning out on The Sandlot during yesterday's episode, so he whipped up a 404ified poster for today's blog image. Thanks Blake!It's almost the end of the work week, so Natali Del Conte is on the show and she's bringing the dirty starting with the queen of filthy pop, Lady Gaga. According to video analytics company Visible Measures, the diva has just become the first artist ever to achieve one billion online video views thanks to her three hit singles: Poker Face, Just Dance, and Bad Romance. If you're new to Gaga fandom, you have a lot of homework to do, because the one billion doesn't even count her live performances, video diaries, and popular interviews--not to mention her upcoming 3D concert DVD. Speaking of which, anyone have extra tickets to the sold-out MSG show in July?On a completely unrelated note, law enforcement can now expose and track pedophiles by their typing habits. Apparently the typing speed and rhythms of these predators are unique and researching are currently investigating ways to identify the typist's age, sex, and culture within TEN KEYSTROKES! We're fully backing any new methods that put these idiots behind bars, but with no explanation of exactly how pedophiles type, we can't help but be skeptical with their findings. How about casting a smaller net and focusing on the dude asking for a WEP password at Chuck E. Cheese?Be sure to stick around to hear Natali and the guys debunk 5 myths about the male body, starting with this foolish rumor about shoe size. The days of being too ashamed to ask a shoe salesperson for your size 7 loafers are over! All this and more stories guaranteed to leave a bitter taste in your mouth, plus a new "E-mails From the Public" segment that forces us to question our potty-mouth promos. Talk to you tomorrow! EPISODE 545PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Muziic brings free on-demand music to iPhone
Muziic brings free on-demand music to iPhone
On Friday, Muziic took another big step with the release of its free iPhone app. It's the first free app that lets users search for and play songs on demand on their iPhones. Like the desktop app, Muziic for iPhone gets around content owners' licensing restrictions by taking content from YouTube, which already has a deal with Apple to power online video on the iPhone. So basically, it's just a music-focused YouTube search app with a few extra capabilities, like the ability to compile your searches into playlists and search for "albums" (which are actually lists of single tracks compiled together into a special type of search result). You can also buy songs from iTunes and post notifications about the song you're currently playing to your Twitter account.Because Muziic gets all its content from YouTube, there are some gaps--when I tried to search for Steely Dan's "Only A Fool Would Say That," I got a bunch of (bad) cover versions, but not the original--and there a lot of searches that return only poorly recorded live versions. You have to tailor your search pretty narrowly, or you might get a bunch of irrelevant results like video interviews. Also, the search function has an annoying habit of erasing your query if you hit "Done" instead of "Go," as I often do when I finish typing a search. I found that the best way to use the app is to spend a few minutes doing a bunch of searches and making sure that the results are relevant, then compile all of them into a playlist, so you can have uninterrupted listening. I also found performance to be adequate over AT&T's 3G network--it took longer for songs to load, but I didn't notice any stutters or dropouts--but for best results you really want to do this over a Wi-Fi connection. But hey, it's free music on demand. You have nothing to lose by downloading this app.
On Friday, Muziic took another big step with the release of its free iPhone app. It's the first free app that lets users search for and play songs on demand on their iPhones. Like the desktop app, Muziic for iPhone gets around content owners' licensing restrictions by taking content from YouTube, which already has a deal with Apple to power online video on the iPhone. So basically, it's just a music-focused YouTube search app with a few extra capabilities, like the ability to compile your searches into playlists and search for "albums" (which are actually lists of single tracks compiled together into a special type of search result). You can also buy songs from iTunes and post notifications about the song you're currently playing to your Twitter account.Because Muziic gets all its content from YouTube, there are some gaps--when I tried to search for Steely Dan's "Only A Fool Would Say That," I got a bunch of (bad) cover versions, but not the original--and there a lot of searches that return only poorly recorded live versions. You have to tailor your search pretty narrowly, or you might get a bunch of irrelevant results like video interviews. Also, the search function has an annoying habit of erasing your query if you hit "Done" instead of "Go," as I often do when I finish typing a search. I found that the best way to use the app is to spend a few minutes doing a bunch of searches and making sure that the results are relevant, then compile all of them into a playlist, so you can have uninterrupted listening. I also found performance to be adequate over AT&T's 3G network--it took longer for songs to load, but I didn't notice any stutters or dropouts--but for best results you really want to do this over a Wi-Fi connection. But hey, it's free music on demand. You have nothing to lose by downloading this app.
iPhone 5S and 5C come to Walmart's no-contract plans
iPhone 5S and 5C come to Walmart's no-contract plans
Walmart is looking to please those customers that just won't do contracts. The big box retailer announced Monday that it's bringing Apple's iPhone 5S and 5C to its contract-free Straight Talk Wireless and Net10 Wireless networks.The plans start at $45 a month for Straight Talk and $50 a month for Net10 -- they are slated to begin on Friday, December 13."Our growing lineup of premium smartphones with the addition of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c reflects our dedication to providing consumers with affordable plans on the top phones on the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE networks," TracFone Wireless CEO F.J. Pollak said in a statement. TracFone Wireless owns Straight Talk and Net10.Walmart has sold both iPhones since the launch of the devices in September, but they were only available with a two-year contract. The iPhone 5S is Apple's newest high-end smartphone and the 5C is a lower-cost device that has a plastic case and comes in several colors. Under the new plans, the iPhone 5S 16GB comes in space gray, silver, and gold and will sell for $649; and the iPhone 5C 16GB comes in white, blue, green, pink, and yellow and costs $549. Straight Talk is offering a $45 per month no-contract 30-day plan with unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data. For $50 a month, Net10 is offering a friends and family line and $40 more for each additional line. For $60 per month on Straight Talk or $65 per month on Net10, users can talk to more than 1,000 destinations in several countries, such as Mexico, Canada, and India.Walmart offered a similar promotion a few months after the launch of Apple's iPhone 5 last year. Several retailers, including Apple stores, major mobile carriers, Best Buy, and Target also sell the smartphones, but they typically don't offer no-contract plans.
Walmart is looking to please those customers that just won't do contracts. The big box retailer announced Monday that it's bringing Apple's iPhone 5S and 5C to its contract-free Straight Talk Wireless and Net10 Wireless networks.The plans start at $45 a month for Straight Talk and $50 a month for Net10 -- they are slated to begin on Friday, December 13."Our growing lineup of premium smartphones with the addition of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c reflects our dedication to providing consumers with affordable plans on the top phones on the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE networks," TracFone Wireless CEO F.J. Pollak said in a statement. TracFone Wireless owns Straight Talk and Net10.Walmart has sold both iPhones since the launch of the devices in September, but they were only available with a two-year contract. The iPhone 5S is Apple's newest high-end smartphone and the 5C is a lower-cost device that has a plastic case and comes in several colors. Under the new plans, the iPhone 5S 16GB comes in space gray, silver, and gold and will sell for $649; and the iPhone 5C 16GB comes in white, blue, green, pink, and yellow and costs $549. Straight Talk is offering a $45 per month no-contract 30-day plan with unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data. For $50 a month, Net10 is offering a friends and family line and $40 more for each additional line. For $60 per month on Straight Talk or $65 per month on Net10, users can talk to more than 1,000 destinations in several countries, such as Mexico, Canada, and India.Walmart offered a similar promotion a few months after the launch of Apple's iPhone 5 last year. Several retailers, including Apple stores, major mobile carriers, Best Buy, and Target also sell the smartphones, but they typically don't offer no-contract plans.
iPhone 5C sales may affect China Mobile deal -- analyst
iPhone 5C sales may affect China Mobile deal -- analyst
Apple and China Mobile are close to signing a deal to launch the iPhone, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, but sluggish sales of the iPhone 5C may alter the terms.Speculation has run rampant that the two companies had already inked a deal, especially after the iPhone 5S and 5C appeared on preorder pages for China Mobile. But the carrier's chairman, Xi Guohua, said this week that nothing has been finalized though the two have been talking about a partnership.That deal is close to being signed, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said yesterday in an investors report obtained by AppleInsider and other sources. However, sales of the 5C may be a stumbling block."We believe that weak sales of iPhone 5C may trigger a re-negotiation of the Apple-China Mobile partnership," Kuo said. "However, the indications are that the deal is nearing an end. While recent market speculation calls for the deal to boost 1Q14 iPhone shipments to 45-50mn units, we think this is overly optimistic."Interest in the 5C among China Mobile subscribers has waned, according to the analysts, replaced by demand for the more expensive 5S. As such, Apple may be forced to revise its terms in order to convince the carrier to sell the cheaper 5C. Due to the underwhelming 5C demand, Kuo belives that shipments of the TD-LTE version will range between 1 million and 1.5 million this quarter and just under 1 million next quarter, way below Apple's initial projections.
Apple and China Mobile are close to signing a deal to launch the iPhone, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, but sluggish sales of the iPhone 5C may alter the terms.Speculation has run rampant that the two companies had already inked a deal, especially after the iPhone 5S and 5C appeared on preorder pages for China Mobile. But the carrier's chairman, Xi Guohua, said this week that nothing has been finalized though the two have been talking about a partnership.That deal is close to being signed, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said yesterday in an investors report obtained by AppleInsider and other sources. However, sales of the 5C may be a stumbling block."We believe that weak sales of iPhone 5C may trigger a re-negotiation of the Apple-China Mobile partnership," Kuo said. "However, the indications are that the deal is nearing an end. While recent market speculation calls for the deal to boost 1Q14 iPhone shipments to 45-50mn units, we think this is overly optimistic."Interest in the 5C among China Mobile subscribers has waned, according to the analysts, replaced by demand for the more expensive 5S. As such, Apple may be forced to revise its terms in order to convince the carrier to sell the cheaper 5C. Due to the underwhelming 5C demand, Kuo belives that shipments of the TD-LTE version will range between 1 million and 1.5 million this quarter and just under 1 million next quarter, way below Apple's initial projections.
iPhone 5C grabs 2.2 million preorders, estimates analyst
iPhone 5C grabs 2.2 million preorders, estimates analyst
Apple may have snagged around 2.2 million preorders for its iPhone 5C during the initial 24 hours last Friday, projects Citi analyst Glen Yeung.That number tops the 2 million preorders scored by the iPhone 5 over the first 24 hours last year. However, the iPhone 5C preorders include those from China and Japan's NTT DoCoMo, which were not part of the initial rollout phase for the iPhone 5 in 2012.Apple typically provides preorder numbers but has so far been mum about the 5C figures. That silence may have been responsible for pushing down Apple shares in early morning trading on Monday.Both the iPhone 5C and 5S go on sale this coming Friday. What does Yeung predict for the upcoming weekend?Combined, the two phones are expected to ring up sales of around 7.75 million for the entire weekend, Yeung said in an investors note released Monday night. The 5C will account for more than 4.5 million, leaving the 5S with around 3.2 million. In comparison, the iPhone 5 racked up sales of around 5 million during its first weekend in 2012.Overall, Yeung isn't too optimistic about the prospects for the 5C, at least not in emerging markets.In a report entitled: "So Much for a Low-Priced iPhone to Penetrate Emerging Markets," the analyst expressed surprise at the price for the unlocked 5C."At this level, we do not expect the iPhone 5C to meaningfully penetrate emerging markets without substantial subsidy, noting that phones priced above $300 account for just 13.7 percent of the global handset market and the average price of a premium phone in China is 23 percent below the US (and the gap is expected to widen)," Yeung said.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
Apple may have snagged around 2.2 million preorders for its iPhone 5C during the initial 24 hours last Friday, projects Citi analyst Glen Yeung.That number tops the 2 million preorders scored by the iPhone 5 over the first 24 hours last year. However, the iPhone 5C preorders include those from China and Japan's NTT DoCoMo, which were not part of the initial rollout phase for the iPhone 5 in 2012.Apple typically provides preorder numbers but has so far been mum about the 5C figures. That silence may have been responsible for pushing down Apple shares in early morning trading on Monday.Both the iPhone 5C and 5S go on sale this coming Friday. What does Yeung predict for the upcoming weekend?Combined, the two phones are expected to ring up sales of around 7.75 million for the entire weekend, Yeung said in an investors note released Monday night. The 5C will account for more than 4.5 million, leaving the 5S with around 3.2 million. In comparison, the iPhone 5 racked up sales of around 5 million during its first weekend in 2012.Overall, Yeung isn't too optimistic about the prospects for the 5C, at least not in emerging markets.In a report entitled: "So Much for a Low-Priced iPhone to Penetrate Emerging Markets," the analyst expressed surprise at the price for the unlocked 5C."At this level, we do not expect the iPhone 5C to meaningfully penetrate emerging markets without substantial subsidy, noting that phones priced above $300 account for just 13.7 percent of the global handset market and the average price of a premium phone in China is 23 percent below the US (and the gap is expected to widen)," Yeung said.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
iPhone 5 will reportedly launch in the fall
iPhone 5 will reportedly launch in the fall
The iPhone 5 will make its debut in the fall, at least according to Japanese blog Macotakara.Pointing to a scoop from an "Asian reliable source," the site says that Apple will unveil its next iPhone in September or October and maintain that same launch cycle for years.In the past Apple has traditionally released its latest iPhone in the early summer, with the iPhone 4 and 3GS reaching customers in June and the 3G in early July. But last year the company broke the mold by delaying the debut of the iPhone 4S until October.Macotakara's information contradicts opinions from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster and other Apple watchers that the iPhone 5 would reach consumers midsummer. The report itself was short and sweet, with no explanation given as to why Apple would permanently alter the release cycle. But if Macotakara's source is on the level, there are a few reasons why the company might keep the fall timeframe.Related storiesRumor: iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen expected this summeriPhone 5 could see June debut at Apple confab, report saysiPhone 5 rumor roundupApple has typically held an iPod event in the fall. But iPod sales now account for a much smaller piece of Apple's pie, notes Apple Insider.The 2010 iPod lineup, including the iPod Touch, Shuffle, Nano, and Classic, sported few changes from the previous generation, so the focus last October was clearly on the new iPhone.Launching the iPhone 4S in October just ahead of the holiday season also helped Apple ring in a record quarter as eager shoppers scooped up the new phone for themselves and as gifts. Even further, with iPhone 4S sales going gangbusters, it seems unlikely Apple would release a new iPhone less than a year after the current model.For now, we'll have to add this latest report to the rumor list.
The iPhone 5 will make its debut in the fall, at least according to Japanese blog Macotakara.Pointing to a scoop from an "Asian reliable source," the site says that Apple will unveil its next iPhone in September or October and maintain that same launch cycle for years.In the past Apple has traditionally released its latest iPhone in the early summer, with the iPhone 4 and 3GS reaching customers in June and the 3G in early July. But last year the company broke the mold by delaying the debut of the iPhone 4S until October.Macotakara's information contradicts opinions from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster and other Apple watchers that the iPhone 5 would reach consumers midsummer. The report itself was short and sweet, with no explanation given as to why Apple would permanently alter the release cycle. But if Macotakara's source is on the level, there are a few reasons why the company might keep the fall timeframe.Related storiesRumor: iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen expected this summeriPhone 5 could see June debut at Apple confab, report saysiPhone 5 rumor roundupApple has typically held an iPod event in the fall. But iPod sales now account for a much smaller piece of Apple's pie, notes Apple Insider.The 2010 iPod lineup, including the iPod Touch, Shuffle, Nano, and Classic, sported few changes from the previous generation, so the focus last October was clearly on the new iPhone.Launching the iPhone 4S in October just ahead of the holiday season also helped Apple ring in a record quarter as eager shoppers scooped up the new phone for themselves and as gifts. Even further, with iPhone 4S sales going gangbusters, it seems unlikely Apple would release a new iPhone less than a year after the current model.For now, we'll have to add this latest report to the rumor list.
iPhone 5 will launch with 19-pin Dock connector, report says
iPhone 5 will launch with 19-pin Dock connector, report says
Apple's next iPhone will come with a smaller Dock connector port, according to a new report.Although Apple's current mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad, come with a 30-pin port, the new iPhone will sport a 19-pin connector, Reuters is reporting today, citing sources. The switch will help Apple make room on the bottom of the handset for a headphone jack. The headphone jack currently sits at the top of Apple's iPhones.Reuters' report on Apple's Dock connector is just the latest in a string of rumors surrounding Apple's plans for that port. Over the last few months, an increasing number of reports have cropped up, saying that Apple will be ditching the 30-pin connector for a smaller, 19-pin option.Back in May, for example, Apple site iLounge reported, citing sources, that the new connector is "closer to a pill shape." In addition, the site said that the connector will be available on all future mobile devices Apple launches.For its part, Apple hasn't commented on its plans for a new Dock connector, but CNET has contacted the company for comment on the Reuters report and will update this story when we have more information.If Apple does, in fact, decide to launch a new Dock connector in the iPhone 5, its latest handset would, out of the box, seemingly be incompatible with the many accessories that connect to its devices with a 30-pin connector. Whether Apple will offer up an adapter to ensure legacy products still work with its products remains to be seen.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
Apple's next iPhone will come with a smaller Dock connector port, according to a new report.Although Apple's current mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad, come with a 30-pin port, the new iPhone will sport a 19-pin connector, Reuters is reporting today, citing sources. The switch will help Apple make room on the bottom of the handset for a headphone jack. The headphone jack currently sits at the top of Apple's iPhones.Reuters' report on Apple's Dock connector is just the latest in a string of rumors surrounding Apple's plans for that port. Over the last few months, an increasing number of reports have cropped up, saying that Apple will be ditching the 30-pin connector for a smaller, 19-pin option.Back in May, for example, Apple site iLounge reported, citing sources, that the new connector is "closer to a pill shape." In addition, the site said that the connector will be available on all future mobile devices Apple launches.For its part, Apple hasn't commented on its plans for a new Dock connector, but CNET has contacted the company for comment on the Reuters report and will update this story when we have more information.If Apple does, in fact, decide to launch a new Dock connector in the iPhone 5, its latest handset would, out of the box, seemingly be incompatible with the many accessories that connect to its devices with a 30-pin connector. Whether Apple will offer up an adapter to ensure legacy products still work with its products remains to be seen.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
iPhone 5 could sport tiny 8-pin dock connector, says report
iPhone 5 could sport tiny 8-pin dock connector, says report
Time to place your bets. Just how small will the iPhone 5's dock connector be?A new report claims the next generation of iOS devices will come with an 8-pin connector. Citing two separate sources, the folks at iLounge say that Apple's next iPhone, iPad, and iPod units will dramatically shrink the size of the connector to a single 8-pin row from its current 30-pin layout.This follows recent reports saying that the new connector would be whittled down to 19 pins. iLounge's sources believe that a 19-pin connector wouldn't jibe with the port's small size and any actual need for pins beyond the number offered by USB and Micro-USB adapters.Related storiesApple reportedly to unveil iPhone 5, iPad Mini on Sept. 12iPhone 5 will launch with 19-pin Dock connector, report saysiPhone 5 said to have half-the-size dock connectoriPhone 5 rumor roundupHowever many pins the new connector carries, will current Apple owners be forced to buy all new cables? Not necessarily. I think it's a fair bet Apple will offer some type of adapter to marry the old larger connector with the new smaller one.One of iLounge's sources also dropped hints that the new connector will offer at least one other advantage beyond the smaller size. Users would be able to plug in the new connector in either orientation, similar to Apple's MagSafe connector for the Mac. That would mean no more fiddling around trying to remember which way to plug it in.So, which will it be - 19 pins or 8 pins? We may have our answer come September 12 when Apple will reportedly hold an event to unveil the new iPhone and perhaps a couple of other surprises.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
Time to place your bets. Just how small will the iPhone 5's dock connector be?A new report claims the next generation of iOS devices will come with an 8-pin connector. Citing two separate sources, the folks at iLounge say that Apple's next iPhone, iPad, and iPod units will dramatically shrink the size of the connector to a single 8-pin row from its current 30-pin layout.This follows recent reports saying that the new connector would be whittled down to 19 pins. iLounge's sources believe that a 19-pin connector wouldn't jibe with the port's small size and any actual need for pins beyond the number offered by USB and Micro-USB adapters.Related storiesApple reportedly to unveil iPhone 5, iPad Mini on Sept. 12iPhone 5 will launch with 19-pin Dock connector, report saysiPhone 5 said to have half-the-size dock connectoriPhone 5 rumor roundupHowever many pins the new connector carries, will current Apple owners be forced to buy all new cables? Not necessarily. I think it's a fair bet Apple will offer some type of adapter to marry the old larger connector with the new smaller one.One of iLounge's sources also dropped hints that the new connector will offer at least one other advantage beyond the smaller size. Users would be able to plug in the new connector in either orientation, similar to Apple's MagSafe connector for the Mac. That would mean no more fiddling around trying to remember which way to plug it in.So, which will it be - 19 pins or 8 pins? We may have our answer come September 12 when Apple will reportedly hold an event to unveil the new iPhone and perhaps a couple of other surprises.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
iPhone 5 could see June debut at Apple confab, report says
iPhone 5 could see June debut at Apple confab, report says
Smartphone users champing at the bit for the next iPhone could get a taste of it by June.The latest rumors about Apple's flagship phone suggest that the iPhone 5 could be announced in June at Apple's next Worldwide Developers Conference. This latest report comes from analysts at Daiwa Securities as reported by the Chinese newspaper Commercial Times.The folks at 9to5Mac are predicting that WWDC will be held from June 10 to 15 this year.The new scuttlebut follows a recent report from 9to5Mac also pointing to a summer release for the next iPhone. Citing a "reliable source at Foxconn in China," the Apple blog site said that samples of the iPhone 5 are already "floating around" Apple. The new phone reportedly will sport a 4-inch or larger display, with a form factor that differs from the iPhone 4 and 4S in both length and width.Related storiesRumor: iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen expected this summerPetition tells Apple: We want an 'ethical' iPhone 5iPhone 5 rumor roundupIf true, it means Apple will be returning to its usual schedule of unveiling the new iPhone in June. Last year marked an change of pace with the iPhone 4S not reaching the market until October.The iPhone 5, as presumably it will be called this time around, will continue to use the current glass-to-glass touch panel technology, according to the Daiwa analysts, benefiting Apple's touch panel suppliers, including TPK Holding and Wintek.People who bought the iPhone 4 in June of 2010 will of course be eligible to grab the iPhone 5 this time around. But those of you who went for the iPhone 4S last October will either have to wait or break your contract to pick up Apple's next-gen phone.iPhone 5: 15 most-wanted features (photo...See full gallery1 - 4 / 15NextPrev
Smartphone users champing at the bit for the next iPhone could get a taste of it by June.The latest rumors about Apple's flagship phone suggest that the iPhone 5 could be announced in June at Apple's next Worldwide Developers Conference. This latest report comes from analysts at Daiwa Securities as reported by the Chinese newspaper Commercial Times.The folks at 9to5Mac are predicting that WWDC will be held from June 10 to 15 this year.The new scuttlebut follows a recent report from 9to5Mac also pointing to a summer release for the next iPhone. Citing a "reliable source at Foxconn in China," the Apple blog site said that samples of the iPhone 5 are already "floating around" Apple. The new phone reportedly will sport a 4-inch or larger display, with a form factor that differs from the iPhone 4 and 4S in both length and width.Related storiesRumor: iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen expected this summerPetition tells Apple: We want an 'ethical' iPhone 5iPhone 5 rumor roundupIf true, it means Apple will be returning to its usual schedule of unveiling the new iPhone in June. Last year marked an change of pace with the iPhone 4S not reaching the market until October.The iPhone 5, as presumably it will be called this time around, will continue to use the current glass-to-glass touch panel technology, according to the Daiwa analysts, benefiting Apple's touch panel suppliers, including TPK Holding and Wintek.People who bought the iPhone 4 in June of 2010 will of course be eligible to grab the iPhone 5 this time around. But those of you who went for the iPhone 4S last October will either have to wait or break your contract to pick up Apple's next-gen phone.iPhone 5: 15 most-wanted features (photo...See full gallery1 - 4 / 15NextPrev
iPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcity
iPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcity
Love it or hate it, Apple's new Lightning plug is here to stay.But the cables and adapters to get some of your old gear working with your new iPhone or iPod that uses the technology? You'll have a wait ahead of you if you want to buy them from Apple's online store.Apple's USB-to-Lightning adapter, which runs for $19 and comes as a pack-in with the iPhone 5, and the iPod Nano and Touch, has gone from shipping in 1-3 days to 2-3 weeks. It's potentially an even longer wait for both models of the Lightning-to-30-pin adapters -- the $39 0.2 meter adapter and the $29 stub adapter. Both are still listed as shipping in the more nebulous "October." Lightning is Apple's new plug technology, which replaces the 30-pin adapters that date back to early iPods. Its key benefit is its size, which is 80 percent smaller. Users can also plug it in with either side up. Despite these benefits, the new technology presents a costly change for people who have multiple cables that they use in their car, home or at work.Of course the limited availability does not necessarily mean that the part will be tough to get in the coming weeks. People will still be able to buy the cable from third-party retailers and carrier partners, as well as from Apple's retail stores.Corrected at 1:32 a.m. PT to clarify that the two adapters were already set to ship in October.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
Love it or hate it, Apple's new Lightning plug is here to stay.But the cables and adapters to get some of your old gear working with your new iPhone or iPod that uses the technology? You'll have a wait ahead of you if you want to buy them from Apple's online store.Apple's USB-to-Lightning adapter, which runs for $19 and comes as a pack-in with the iPhone 5, and the iPod Nano and Touch, has gone from shipping in 1-3 days to 2-3 weeks. It's potentially an even longer wait for both models of the Lightning-to-30-pin adapters -- the $39 0.2 meter adapter and the $29 stub adapter. Both are still listed as shipping in the more nebulous "October." Lightning is Apple's new plug technology, which replaces the 30-pin adapters that date back to early iPods. Its key benefit is its size, which is 80 percent smaller. Users can also plug it in with either side up. Despite these benefits, the new technology presents a costly change for people who have multiple cables that they use in their car, home or at work.Of course the limited availability does not necessarily mean that the part will be tough to get in the coming weeks. People will still be able to buy the cable from third-party retailers and carrier partners, as well as from Apple's retail stores.Corrected at 1:32 a.m. PT to clarify that the two adapters were already set to ship in October.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
iPhone 4S parts cost $188, study finds
iPhone 4S parts cost $188, study finds
Looking at the cost of Apple's components, iSuppli found that the device's "wireless section" costs the most, setting the company back $23.54 per iPhone produced. The iPhone 4S' Retina Display costs $23, while the touch screen goes for $14 per unit.Apple launched the iPhone 4S last week. The device features the same design as its predecessor, the iPhone 4, but boasts a few improvements, including an 8-megapixel camera and a dual-core processor. The device is also a world phone, allowing users to have wireless access in 200 countries around the globe.So far, the iPhone 4S has proven extremely popular. Apple announced on Monday that in its first weekend of availability, 4 million units of the iPhone 4S were sold worldwide, easily eclipsing the previous record set last year by the iPhone 4 of 1.7 million units sold in its first weekend.Related stories:iPhone 4 teardown reveals $188 cost to buildApple iPhone 3GS: The sum ($) of its parts Despite strength, Apple earnings miss the markBest of all for Apple, as its sales grow, the company's costs aren't rising all that much. In fact, last year, iSuppli found that iPhone 4 production costs started at $187.51. In 2009 when Apple launched the iPhone 3GS, that device cost $178.96 for the company to produce.Keeping costs low and selling more devices has helped Apple continue to post huge profits. Earlier this week, the company said that it generated a profit of $6.62 billion on $28.27 billion in revenue during its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 24. During the three-month period, it sold 17 million iPhone units.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on how much it costs the company to produce a single iPhone 4S unit.
Looking at the cost of Apple's components, iSuppli found that the device's "wireless section" costs the most, setting the company back $23.54 per iPhone produced. The iPhone 4S' Retina Display costs $23, while the touch screen goes for $14 per unit.Apple launched the iPhone 4S last week. The device features the same design as its predecessor, the iPhone 4, but boasts a few improvements, including an 8-megapixel camera and a dual-core processor. The device is also a world phone, allowing users to have wireless access in 200 countries around the globe.So far, the iPhone 4S has proven extremely popular. Apple announced on Monday that in its first weekend of availability, 4 million units of the iPhone 4S were sold worldwide, easily eclipsing the previous record set last year by the iPhone 4 of 1.7 million units sold in its first weekend.Related stories:iPhone 4 teardown reveals $188 cost to buildApple iPhone 3GS: The sum ($) of its parts Despite strength, Apple earnings miss the markBest of all for Apple, as its sales grow, the company's costs aren't rising all that much. In fact, last year, iSuppli found that iPhone 4 production costs started at $187.51. In 2009 when Apple launched the iPhone 3GS, that device cost $178.96 for the company to produce.Keeping costs low and selling more devices has helped Apple continue to post huge profits. Earlier this week, the company said that it generated a profit of $6.62 billion on $28.27 billion in revenue during its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 24. During the three-month period, it sold 17 million iPhone units.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on how much it costs the company to produce a single iPhone 4S unit.
Apple names former EPA admin as environmental officer
Apple's hired a new top level executive to oversee its environmental efforts.Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday announced that the company's hired Lisa Jackson, the former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to guide its environmental footprint. Cook, who dropped the news during an on-stage interview at the D11 conference, noted that he didn't know Jackson's formal title, but that she'd be reporting directly to him and would be coordinating "environmental efforts" across the company. CNET has reached out to Apple for more information.During her tenure at the EPA, Jackson focused on air quality, climate change and water quality, along with cleanup from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Jackson resigned as the EPA's administrator suddenly at the end of last year, and left office in February. Prior to that she was the chief of staff for New Jersey's governor. The hire comes as Apple has reached 75 percent renewable energy at its corporate facilities, and even higher at some of its data centers and its headquarters. The company has also attempted to trim down materials in its products, including the latest iMac, which uses 68 percent less material than the previous models. Critics, have still chided the company for not doing more. CNET Editor at Large Dan Farber contributed to this report.
Apple mulls turning MobileMe into film, music hub
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