Rumor Has It, Ep. 19: Amazon's brick-and-mortar black hole (podcast)
Today's episode blew our minds. And not just because it was Humiliation Day.First Emily embarrassed herself by revealing her hidden talents; then she discovered her old lady cowboy voice; then Karyne did a "face mic," which is basically a face palm but using a mic; and then Amazon killed us with the possibility of opening brick-and-mortar stores to sell (drum roll, please): BOOKS! Say what?Best Buy put out a survey starring the iTV this week, only to tell us later that the survey was "hypothetical." You know what else is hypothetical, Best Buy? You not carrying the iTV, no matter how big it is and how much it costs.Also on today's show, the next iPod Nano might be used as the stupidest spy camera in the world, we give the Duck Timer for a Windows Phone 8's possible specs, and Samsung is releasing so many products a minute, we just can't keep up.Don't miss the special video-within-a-video for Humiliation Day!EPISODE 19This 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.PlaySubscribe:Â RSS (MP3) |Â RSS (320x180) |Â RSS (640x360) |Â iTunes (MP3) |Â iTunes (320x180) |Â iTunes (640x360)PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Links from the show!Apple TV shows up in Best Buy surveyBest Buy: That Apple TV survey was 'hypothetical'More photos of iPod Nano with a camera emergeCan Amazon replicate Apple's brick-and-mortar success?Amazon has tried everything to make shopping easier. Except this.Superslim Galaxy S iii could drop in MayYay or nay?iPhone 5 could see June debut at Apple confab, report saysData debugger reveals iPad 3 to get 4G, A6 chipiOS 5.1 to bring Facebook integration to your iDevice?RIM puts resources behind single BlackBerry 10 device, report saysThunderbolt headed to iOS devices? Patent pitch says soNow it's a Google tablet that will challenge Kindle Fire?Google's HUD glasses have been sightedHeard a tech rumor you think we should cover?E-mail us at Rumorhasit [at] cnet.com, or directly at karyne.levy [at] cnet.com or emily.dreyfuss [at] cbsinteractive.com. And call and leave us a voice mail at 1-800-750-CNET!And don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, @RumorShow, @stephenbeacham.
How to get notified when BioShock for iOS has a price drop
How to get notified when BioShock for iOS has a price drop
In case you missed the news, BioShock just arrived in the App Store for iPhone and iPad.Actually, that's the good news. The bad news is that it's priced at $14.99 (AU$18.99 and £10.49), making it one of the most expensive iOS games around.Is it worth it? As a longtime fan of the game, I definitely think BioShock is worth playing. However, the desktop version sells for just $5 more, and routinely goes on sale for under $10. (I've seen it as low as $4.99.) So $15 for the mobile version feels a little steep.But I guarantee you it won't be that steep forever -- and maybe not even for long. Historically speaking, other "premium" iOS games that have debuted with higher-than-average prices have gone on sale -- or seen outright price drops -- within a couple months. Dragon Quest VIII, for example, debuted in May with a $19.99 price tag, but it's currently on sale for $14.99. Once the dust settles on BioShock, I'm sure it'll come down.OK, but short of visiting the App Store every day, how will you know when that happens? As it happens, there are a couple ways to let bots do the work for you.For starters, check out Jason Cipriani's recent tutorial on discovering when apps go on sale. It relies on two services, AppZapp and If This Then That (IFTTT), to deliver alerts when top App Store apps go free or on sale. Use AppShopper to track BioShock price drops.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETThat's a handy option, to be sure, but it's not specific to BioShock. For that, head to AppShopper, sign up for an account, then search for BioShock. (Needless to say, you could do this for any other game or app as well.) In the search results (making sure to zero in on the "iOS Universal" version), click Want It to add the game to your wish list.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETNow, click the Wish List tab up top and then look for the Price Drop Notifications box on the right. Enable "Notify me of price drops via e-mail" and you're all done! Now, as soon as BioShock's price drops, you'll know about it.That leads to the following question: How low does the price need to go before you'll pull the trigger?
In case you missed the news, BioShock just arrived in the App Store for iPhone and iPad.Actually, that's the good news. The bad news is that it's priced at $14.99 (AU$18.99 and £10.49), making it one of the most expensive iOS games around.Is it worth it? As a longtime fan of the game, I definitely think BioShock is worth playing. However, the desktop version sells for just $5 more, and routinely goes on sale for under $10. (I've seen it as low as $4.99.) So $15 for the mobile version feels a little steep.But I guarantee you it won't be that steep forever -- and maybe not even for long. Historically speaking, other "premium" iOS games that have debuted with higher-than-average prices have gone on sale -- or seen outright price drops -- within a couple months. Dragon Quest VIII, for example, debuted in May with a $19.99 price tag, but it's currently on sale for $14.99. Once the dust settles on BioShock, I'm sure it'll come down.OK, but short of visiting the App Store every day, how will you know when that happens? As it happens, there are a couple ways to let bots do the work for you.For starters, check out Jason Cipriani's recent tutorial on discovering when apps go on sale. It relies on two services, AppZapp and If This Then That (IFTTT), to deliver alerts when top App Store apps go free or on sale. Use AppShopper to track BioShock price drops.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETThat's a handy option, to be sure, but it's not specific to BioShock. For that, head to AppShopper, sign up for an account, then search for BioShock. (Needless to say, you could do this for any other game or app as well.) In the search results (making sure to zero in on the "iOS Universal" version), click Want It to add the game to your wish list.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETNow, click the Wish List tab up top and then look for the Price Drop Notifications box on the right. Enable "Notify me of price drops via e-mail" and you're all done! Now, as soon as BioShock's price drops, you'll know about it.That leads to the following question: How low does the price need to go before you'll pull the trigger?
Starbucks iOS app adds support for Apple's Passbook
Starbucks iOS app adds support for Apple's Passbook
iOS 6 users who want to grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks can now pay for it through their iPhones.Launched yesterday, the latest update to the Starbucks iOS app stirs in support for Apple's Passbook.Starbucks Card owners can add their accounts to Passbook directly through the app. Once that's done, customers can pay for food and beverages, check their card balances, reload the card with more cash, and add rewards to score free drinks, all through the iPhone.Unveiled in iOS 6, Passbook lets users store electronic copies of tickets, coupons, boarding passes, and loyalty cards.Like any new feature, Passbook will likely have to wait awhile before it gets adopted by more of the business world. But such companies as McDonald's, Airbnb, and Eventbrite have already updated their mobile apps to integrate Passbook.Related storiesApple's Passbook gets some love from Airbnb, Eventbrite, McDonald'sGiving Apple's Passbook a real-world spinApple hit by patent suit over PassbookStarbucks promised Passbook support before October but went a bit past its deadline in brewing up the feature.The Starbucks app doesn't yet support the iPhone 5's 16:9 aspect ratio. So users are stuck with the 4:3 format with black bars on top and bottom. But now that Passbook support is cooking, maybe iPhone 5 optimization is next on Starbucks' menu.
iOS 6 users who want to grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks can now pay for it through their iPhones.Launched yesterday, the latest update to the Starbucks iOS app stirs in support for Apple's Passbook.Starbucks Card owners can add their accounts to Passbook directly through the app. Once that's done, customers can pay for food and beverages, check their card balances, reload the card with more cash, and add rewards to score free drinks, all through the iPhone.Unveiled in iOS 6, Passbook lets users store electronic copies of tickets, coupons, boarding passes, and loyalty cards.Like any new feature, Passbook will likely have to wait awhile before it gets adopted by more of the business world. But such companies as McDonald's, Airbnb, and Eventbrite have already updated their mobile apps to integrate Passbook.Related storiesApple's Passbook gets some love from Airbnb, Eventbrite, McDonald'sGiving Apple's Passbook a real-world spinApple hit by patent suit over PassbookStarbucks promised Passbook support before October but went a bit past its deadline in brewing up the feature.The Starbucks app doesn't yet support the iPhone 5's 16:9 aspect ratio. So users are stuck with the 4:3 format with black bars on top and bottom. But now that Passbook support is cooking, maybe iPhone 5 optimization is next on Starbucks' menu.
Staples trims $100 off its iPad lineup
Staples trims $100 off its iPad lineup
Staples is offering $100 off the current lineup of iPads, apparently just before new models hit the market.In a new online-only promotion that ends Saturday, iPad buyers can trim $100 off the iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display using a coupon code at checkout. The Staples website lists the models up for sale, including all capacities of Apple's popular tablet and both the Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi+Cellular versions.Retailers typically try to sell off stock of an existing product ahead of the release of a new model. Apple is expected to unveil new editions of its iPad Air and iPad Mini in October. If the company follows last year's pattern, the new versions will then go on sale at the start of November. Staples rang up a similar $100-off iPad promotion in August, according to 9to5Mac, though only for certain models.Little is known about the next-generation iPad Air and iPad Mini, so it can be a tough choice deciding whether to wait for the new models or opt for last year's editions and save $100. The sale is good only online and not at Staples retail stores, according to a customer support rep, and will last through the end of day Saturday.
Staples is offering $100 off the current lineup of iPads, apparently just before new models hit the market.In a new online-only promotion that ends Saturday, iPad buyers can trim $100 off the iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display using a coupon code at checkout. The Staples website lists the models up for sale, including all capacities of Apple's popular tablet and both the Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi+Cellular versions.Retailers typically try to sell off stock of an existing product ahead of the release of a new model. Apple is expected to unveil new editions of its iPad Air and iPad Mini in October. If the company follows last year's pattern, the new versions will then go on sale at the start of November. Staples rang up a similar $100-off iPad promotion in August, according to 9to5Mac, though only for certain models.Little is known about the next-generation iPad Air and iPad Mini, so it can be a tough choice deciding whether to wait for the new models or opt for last year's editions and save $100. The sale is good only online and not at Staples retail stores, according to a customer support rep, and will last through the end of day Saturday.
Apple releases iTunes 9
Apple releases iTunes 9
When the program is installed and launched for the first time, it will initially run a few routines on your library to update it and also analyze it for gapless playback information. The new welcome screen contains information and resources for using iTunes, with video tutorials and sections for obtaining podcasts, songs, and other media iTunes can play.The main window brings some slight changes, with the option to put the genre/artist/album browser to the left as well as on top, and there is a small triangle in the upper-left of the song list to show album artwork in the list. The interface has a shinier appearance overall, but there is no major change to the overall look and feel of the program.Before updating, be sure you have a backup of your iTunes library files, which include the following:iTunes LibraryiTunes Library Extras.itdbiTunes Library Genius.itdbiTunes Music Library.xmlIn addition, be sure to back up your music, since past iTunes updates have deleted some files or the whole library for people. While my update went smoothly, it's always best to be safe about your data. A full Time Machine backup should be sufficient, so if you have Time Machine running then you should be good to go.iTunes 9 is available at the iTunes Website and so far has not appeared on Software Update. Currently the iTunes download link is having problems, but Apple should address it soon.iTunes website troublesScreenshot by Topher Kessler for MacFixIt/CNETWhile Apple is striving to promote 64-bit computing and has ported most of their applicaitons and system components to 64-bit, iTunes is still distributed as a 32-bit application. This is most likely because it is one of Apple's few cross-platform application, but should sooner or later find its way to being 64-bit along with the rest of the iLife suite. Oddly, the iTunesHelper utility is 64-bit.iTunes is still 32-bitScreenshot by Topher Kessler for MacFixIt/CNETQuestions? Comments? Post them below!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
When the program is installed and launched for the first time, it will initially run a few routines on your library to update it and also analyze it for gapless playback information. The new welcome screen contains information and resources for using iTunes, with video tutorials and sections for obtaining podcasts, songs, and other media iTunes can play.The main window brings some slight changes, with the option to put the genre/artist/album browser to the left as well as on top, and there is a small triangle in the upper-left of the song list to show album artwork in the list. The interface has a shinier appearance overall, but there is no major change to the overall look and feel of the program.Before updating, be sure you have a backup of your iTunes library files, which include the following:iTunes LibraryiTunes Library Extras.itdbiTunes Library Genius.itdbiTunes Music Library.xmlIn addition, be sure to back up your music, since past iTunes updates have deleted some files or the whole library for people. While my update went smoothly, it's always best to be safe about your data. A full Time Machine backup should be sufficient, so if you have Time Machine running then you should be good to go.iTunes 9 is available at the iTunes Website and so far has not appeared on Software Update. Currently the iTunes download link is having problems, but Apple should address it soon.iTunes website troublesScreenshot by Topher Kessler for MacFixIt/CNETWhile Apple is striving to promote 64-bit computing and has ported most of their applicaitons and system components to 64-bit, iTunes is still distributed as a 32-bit application. This is most likely because it is one of Apple's few cross-platform application, but should sooner or later find its way to being 64-bit along with the rest of the iLife suite. Oddly, the iTunesHelper utility is 64-bit.iTunes is still 32-bitScreenshot by Topher Kessler for MacFixIt/CNETQuestions? Comments? Post them below!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Apple refunds buyers of GameStore, calls app 'premature'
Apple refunds buyers of GameStore, calls app 'premature'
Those who jumped on buying an unannounced, and apparently unfinished, first-party iOS application from Apple ended up getting their money back from the company today.Buyers of GameStore--a 99-cent app that appeared briefly on the App Store on Saturday and listed Apple as the developer--today received an e-mail from the company notifying them about the refund. Following its discovery, the software was pulled off the App Store. In its e-mail to customers, which has been posted by Macrumors, Apple acknowledged that the software was put on the App Store "prematurely." Dear [name], You recently purchase (sic) the GameStore app. The app was made available for sale prematurely. We apologize for the problem and have refunded the purchase amount back to your account. These funds will be applied to your original payment method within 5 business days.Sincerely, iTunes Store Customer Supporthttp://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/ An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the matter, but confirmed to CNET that the above e-mail to customers came from the company and not a third-party. The company is not disclosing how many individuals purchased the app while it was available.The app itself included a series of in-app purchase options for virtual gaming goods, however there was no game to speak of. The only description on its product page said that GameStore "allows you to buy different things from within the app."TUAW's Erica Sadun, who downloaded and analyzed several of the code strings within the software, suggested it was "sample code" set up as a demo to let developers test Apple's in-app purchase system.Updated at 8:13 p.m. PT with comment from Apple.
Those who jumped on buying an unannounced, and apparently unfinished, first-party iOS application from Apple ended up getting their money back from the company today.Buyers of GameStore--a 99-cent app that appeared briefly on the App Store on Saturday and listed Apple as the developer--today received an e-mail from the company notifying them about the refund. Following its discovery, the software was pulled off the App Store. In its e-mail to customers, which has been posted by Macrumors, Apple acknowledged that the software was put on the App Store "prematurely." Dear [name], You recently purchase (sic) the GameStore app. The app was made available for sale prematurely. We apologize for the problem and have refunded the purchase amount back to your account. These funds will be applied to your original payment method within 5 business days.Sincerely, iTunes Store Customer Supporthttp://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/ An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the matter, but confirmed to CNET that the above e-mail to customers came from the company and not a third-party. The company is not disclosing how many individuals purchased the app while it was available.The app itself included a series of in-app purchase options for virtual gaming goods, however there was no game to speak of. The only description on its product page said that GameStore "allows you to buy different things from within the app."TUAW's Erica Sadun, who downloaded and analyzed several of the code strings within the software, suggested it was "sample code" set up as a demo to let developers test Apple's in-app purchase system.Updated at 8:13 p.m. PT with comment from Apple.
Apple got the iPhone 5's physical design right
Apple got the iPhone 5's physical design right
With the iPhone 5, Apple did what it does best: come up with a good industrial design.But that's not always the case.Until I got my hands on the iPhone 5 -- I picked one up on Friday -- I wasn't sure if Apple had nailed the design (hands-on videos and reviews go just so far).Well, after 48 hours I'm pretty sure it did.It just looks and feels a lot better than the 4S (which I owned until Friday). Thinness, in my book, is the foundation for coolness. But thinness isn't just an aesthetic bonus; it can be practical too.In this case, Apple stretched out the 4S just enough to allow for a bigger screen, while making it lighter and easier to hold. Let's quantify that.iPhone 4S:Height: 4.5 inches (115.2 mm)Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)Depth: 0.37 inch (9.3 mm)Weight: 4.9 ounces (140 grams) iPhone 5 Height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)Weight: 3.95 ounces (112 grams)The two-toned back plate is a nice touch too.Not to mention that the metal-clad sides look better when there's about 0.7 inches shaved off. And the front is more attractive too.The ratio of display area to non-display area (e.g., where the home button is) is greater for the 5 compared to the 4S. So, my first impression is that the iPhone 5 seems to be a successful physical design. Related storiesCNET's iPhone 5 full reviewBut let me close with a cautionary note.The physical design of the last Apple product I bought, the third-generation iPad, was a disappointment. I agree with Raymond Soneira of DisplyMate Technologies that the resulting design was plan B for Apple. Though it has a wonderful Retina display, it's noticeably thicker and heavier than the iPad 2 because of display assembly compromises Apple had to make.A newer product -- particularly in Apple's case -- shouldn't be thicker and heavier than the older model. Let's hope Apple continues on the thinner, lighter trajectory of the iPhone 5 with future products, including the expected upcoming iPad Mini.The iPhone 5 I picked up on Friday.Brooke Crothers
With the iPhone 5, Apple did what it does best: come up with a good industrial design.But that's not always the case.Until I got my hands on the iPhone 5 -- I picked one up on Friday -- I wasn't sure if Apple had nailed the design (hands-on videos and reviews go just so far).Well, after 48 hours I'm pretty sure it did.It just looks and feels a lot better than the 4S (which I owned until Friday). Thinness, in my book, is the foundation for coolness. But thinness isn't just an aesthetic bonus; it can be practical too.In this case, Apple stretched out the 4S just enough to allow for a bigger screen, while making it lighter and easier to hold. Let's quantify that.iPhone 4S:Height: 4.5 inches (115.2 mm)Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)Depth: 0.37 inch (9.3 mm)Weight: 4.9 ounces (140 grams) iPhone 5 Height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)Weight: 3.95 ounces (112 grams)The two-toned back plate is a nice touch too.Not to mention that the metal-clad sides look better when there's about 0.7 inches shaved off. And the front is more attractive too.The ratio of display area to non-display area (e.g., where the home button is) is greater for the 5 compared to the 4S. So, my first impression is that the iPhone 5 seems to be a successful physical design. Related storiesCNET's iPhone 5 full reviewBut let me close with a cautionary note.The physical design of the last Apple product I bought, the third-generation iPad, was a disappointment. I agree with Raymond Soneira of DisplyMate Technologies that the resulting design was plan B for Apple. Though it has a wonderful Retina display, it's noticeably thicker and heavier than the iPad 2 because of display assembly compromises Apple had to make.A newer product -- particularly in Apple's case -- shouldn't be thicker and heavier than the older model. Let's hope Apple continues on the thinner, lighter trajectory of the iPhone 5 with future products, including the expected upcoming iPad Mini.The iPhone 5 I picked up on Friday.Brooke Crothers
Apple goes big with a $14 billion stock buyback
Apple goes big with a $14 billion stock buyback
Apple took advantage of investor disappointment with the company's first-quarter financial results to accelerate its stock buyback plans. The company repurchased $14 billion of its own shares in two weeks, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Journal Thursday that he intends for the move to be both "aggressive" and "opportunistic.""It means that we are betting on Apple. It means that we are really confident on what we are doing and what we plan to do," Cook told the Journal. "We're not just saying that. We're showing that with our actions."Apple's projections for first-quarter revenue fell short of analysts' estimates last month. After the company reported a slight decline in net income during its financial report, shares fell in after-hours trading by 8 percent. Apple has roughly $160 billion in the bank and investors -- most notably activist investor Carl Icahn -- have been appealing to the company to return some of that money to shareholders.Icahn, who owns about $4 billion in Apple shares, has asked the company to commit to at least $50 billion of share repurchases next year. Meanwhile, Apple has urged investors to reject Icahn's "precatory proposal." Shareholders will be asked to vote on this at the company's annual shareholder meeting on February 28. With this latest stock buyback, Cook said Apple has now repurchased more than $40 billion of its shares within the last year, which is a record for any company, according to the Journal. The CEO also said he plans to release "updates" to Apple's buyback program in March or April.
Apple took advantage of investor disappointment with the company's first-quarter financial results to accelerate its stock buyback plans. The company repurchased $14 billion of its own shares in two weeks, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Journal Thursday that he intends for the move to be both "aggressive" and "opportunistic.""It means that we are betting on Apple. It means that we are really confident on what we are doing and what we plan to do," Cook told the Journal. "We're not just saying that. We're showing that with our actions."Apple's projections for first-quarter revenue fell short of analysts' estimates last month. After the company reported a slight decline in net income during its financial report, shares fell in after-hours trading by 8 percent. Apple has roughly $160 billion in the bank and investors -- most notably activist investor Carl Icahn -- have been appealing to the company to return some of that money to shareholders.Icahn, who owns about $4 billion in Apple shares, has asked the company to commit to at least $50 billion of share repurchases next year. Meanwhile, Apple has urged investors to reject Icahn's "precatory proposal." Shareholders will be asked to vote on this at the company's annual shareholder meeting on February 28. With this latest stock buyback, Cook said Apple has now repurchased more than $40 billion of its shares within the last year, which is a record for any company, according to the Journal. The CEO also said he plans to release "updates" to Apple's buyback program in March or April.
Apple gives Tim Cook $376 million stock award
Apple gives Tim Cook $376 million stock award
Even though he's only officially been Apple's chief executive for a few months, Tim Cook received a handsome compensation package for the job he did in 2011.Cook, who took over the helm at the tech giant when Steve Jobs resigned at the end of August, received $378 million in compensation for the year, according to a proxy statement (PDF) filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition to his 2011 base salary of $900,000, Cook received $376 million in restricted stock and other compensation. The committee also increased Cook's base salary from $900,000 to $1.4 million.Apple's board of directors said the size of the award was based on "Cook's performance in assuming responsibility for the company's day-to-day operations during Mr. Jobs's prior leaves of absence. The Board also took into account the 10-year vesting period of the award, the importance of retaining Mr. Cook, and the opportunities Mr. Cook would likely have if he were to seek other employment."Cook, who served as Apple's chief operating officer for seven years before being named CEO, filled in for Jobs during his three medical leaves of absence. Cook was first called on to fill in for Jobs in 2004, running the company's day-to-day operations for a few months while Jobs recovered from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his pancreas and when Jobs had a liver transplant in 2009.This isn't the first time the board has showed its appreciation to Cook for his performance during Jobs' absence. In August, a few days after Cook assumed the role of CEO full time, the board gave Cook 1 million restricted shares of Apple stock, half of which will be vested in five years time.After filling in for Jobs from January 2009 to June 2009, Apple's board rewarded Cook with a $5 million bonus, as well as 75,000 restricted stock units as a thank-you for "his outstanding performance."
Even though he's only officially been Apple's chief executive for a few months, Tim Cook received a handsome compensation package for the job he did in 2011.Cook, who took over the helm at the tech giant when Steve Jobs resigned at the end of August, received $378 million in compensation for the year, according to a proxy statement (PDF) filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition to his 2011 base salary of $900,000, Cook received $376 million in restricted stock and other compensation. The committee also increased Cook's base salary from $900,000 to $1.4 million.Apple's board of directors said the size of the award was based on "Cook's performance in assuming responsibility for the company's day-to-day operations during Mr. Jobs's prior leaves of absence. The Board also took into account the 10-year vesting period of the award, the importance of retaining Mr. Cook, and the opportunities Mr. Cook would likely have if he were to seek other employment."Cook, who served as Apple's chief operating officer for seven years before being named CEO, filled in for Jobs during his three medical leaves of absence. Cook was first called on to fill in for Jobs in 2004, running the company's day-to-day operations for a few months while Jobs recovered from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his pancreas and when Jobs had a liver transplant in 2009.This isn't the first time the board has showed its appreciation to Cook for his performance during Jobs' absence. In August, a few days after Cook assumed the role of CEO full time, the board gave Cook 1 million restricted shares of Apple stock, half of which will be vested in five years time.After filling in for Jobs from January 2009 to June 2009, Apple's board rewarded Cook with a $5 million bonus, as well as 75,000 restricted stock units as a thank-you for "his outstanding performance."
Apple gives devs early access to iTunes Match
Apple gives devs early access to iTunes Match
Apple has started giving developers a chance to kick the tires on its upcoming iTunes Match service.As noted by 9to5mac this afternoon, Apple is giving developers a chance to try out iTunes Match on their own music libraries ahead of the release this fall.iTunes Match is the service that scans a user's library to find music that they may have ripped from a CD, but did not purchase from Apple, and cross-references it with Apple's own library. If it finds a match, it provides a user with a license of the full-quality track, as long as they're a paid subscriber. In a surprise move, Apple quietly added the option to begin playing tracks once they've started downloading, and before the track is finished. It's not a true streaming-only solution, but it's a marked improvement from the prospect of having to wait until a track is fully downloaded to begin playback. When the feature was first introduced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, there was only mention of tracks being downloaded before being played. That functionality was discovered and detailed by Apple blog Insanely Great Mac this evening. As part of the test plan, Apple is giving developers access to the iTunes Match service free of charge ahead of the release, along with three months free. The plan itself runs 12 months, costs $24.99 a year, and covers 25,000 songs in a user's library. To use the service, Apple notes that developers need to be running the latest beta of iOS 5, and a new beta version of iTunes 10.5. As with previous software-driven initiatives, Apple has given developers early access to iCloud features ahead of its launch this fall. Developers have already gotten access to iCloud iOS device backup through the iOS 5 beta program, as well as early versions of its iWork apps, and the iCloud.com Web site.Updated at 9:30 p.m. PT with information about the streaming component, and once againat 11:10 a.m. PT on August 30 to clarify how playback works.
Apple has started giving developers a chance to kick the tires on its upcoming iTunes Match service.As noted by 9to5mac this afternoon, Apple is giving developers a chance to try out iTunes Match on their own music libraries ahead of the release this fall.iTunes Match is the service that scans a user's library to find music that they may have ripped from a CD, but did not purchase from Apple, and cross-references it with Apple's own library. If it finds a match, it provides a user with a license of the full-quality track, as long as they're a paid subscriber. In a surprise move, Apple quietly added the option to begin playing tracks once they've started downloading, and before the track is finished. It's not a true streaming-only solution, but it's a marked improvement from the prospect of having to wait until a track is fully downloaded to begin playback. When the feature was first introduced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, there was only mention of tracks being downloaded before being played. That functionality was discovered and detailed by Apple blog Insanely Great Mac this evening. As part of the test plan, Apple is giving developers access to the iTunes Match service free of charge ahead of the release, along with three months free. The plan itself runs 12 months, costs $24.99 a year, and covers 25,000 songs in a user's library. To use the service, Apple notes that developers need to be running the latest beta of iOS 5, and a new beta version of iTunes 10.5. As with previous software-driven initiatives, Apple has given developers early access to iCloud features ahead of its launch this fall. Developers have already gotten access to iCloud iOS device backup through the iOS 5 beta program, as well as early versions of its iWork apps, and the iCloud.com Web site.Updated at 9:30 p.m. PT with information about the streaming component, and once againat 11:10 a.m. PT on August 30 to clarify how playback works.
Apple gives developers fully baked Mountain Lion
Apple gives developers fully baked Mountain Lion
Apple's next major release of OS X, dubbed Mountain Lion, is in its final testing stages.Apple today gave developers the same version of the software that will be released to consumers later this month.Mountain Lion is the followup to last year's Lion, and represents the eighth iteration of OS X. Apple first debuted the software in late-February with a preview release, and has since followed with a handful of beta versions that squashed bugs and introduced new features.As a quick recap, Mountain Lion brings a handful of iOS features to Macs, including the notes and reminders apps. It also adds a few other things, like Twitter integration and Apple's Game Center and iMessage services. There's also a new security feature called Gatekeeper, designed to fend off malware by controlling what applications can and cannot be installed. At its annual developers conference last month, Apple said it would release the software as a $19.99 update, as well as providing it as a free upgrade for anyone who purchased a new Mac.Related storiesCompaq AirLife smartbook has Android, touch2009 Nissan 370Z NISMO first driveElizabeth Taylor is now performing on TwitterApple has still not provided a firm release date for Mountain Lion. Last year the company offered a similarly general release time table, then surprised watchers byannouncing a next-day release during its third-quarter earnings call. The company could do the same at its upcoming earnings call, which takes place Tuesday, July 24. (via Macrumors)
Apple's next major release of OS X, dubbed Mountain Lion, is in its final testing stages.Apple today gave developers the same version of the software that will be released to consumers later this month.Mountain Lion is the followup to last year's Lion, and represents the eighth iteration of OS X. Apple first debuted the software in late-February with a preview release, and has since followed with a handful of beta versions that squashed bugs and introduced new features.As a quick recap, Mountain Lion brings a handful of iOS features to Macs, including the notes and reminders apps. It also adds a few other things, like Twitter integration and Apple's Game Center and iMessage services. There's also a new security feature called Gatekeeper, designed to fend off malware by controlling what applications can and cannot be installed. At its annual developers conference last month, Apple said it would release the software as a $19.99 update, as well as providing it as a free upgrade for anyone who purchased a new Mac.Related storiesCompaq AirLife smartbook has Android, touch2009 Nissan 370Z NISMO first driveElizabeth Taylor is now performing on TwitterApple has still not provided a firm release date for Mountain Lion. Last year the company offered a similarly general release time table, then surprised watchers byannouncing a next-day release during its third-quarter earnings call. The company could do the same at its upcoming earnings call, which takes place Tuesday, July 24. (via Macrumors)
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