Knockoffs of Apple's Lightning connector may be on their way
Apple has retained strict control over Lightning connector accessories, but some companies have reportedly cracked the authorization chips required to make generic versions of the adapter. Apple last month revealed the iPhone 5 uses a new cable, dubbed Lightning, that replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003. Since introducing the new connector, Apple has limited which companies can make accessories for the new Lightning interface, and it reportedly hasn't yet approved any new facilities to build the device. Apple reportedly installed an authorization chip in its adapters. But MacRumors is reporting that companies are making cracked chips that bypass Apple's authentication functions. One Lightning connector maker, iPhone5mod, told the site it's currently using original chips from Apple's supplier, but cracked chips it has obtained are working just as well as the original chips. That means we may soon see a big bump in unauthorized Lightning accessories. We reached out to Apple for comment and will update if we receive any information.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Kindle Fire, Nook driving 7-inch display demand
Kindle Fire, Nook driving 7-inch display demand
Strong demand for the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet is boosting demand for 7-inch displays above the more traditional 9.7-inch tablet display size, according to an Asia-based report. Shipments of 7-inch display panels in November grew about 17 percent month on month, surpassing shipments of 9.7-inch displays, according to a report in Taipei-based Digitimes. Amazon said earlier this month that the Kindle Fire is its bestselling product and sales have been increasing week over week. Sales of at least several million are projected in the first month. Barnes & Noble, meanwhile, is expected to take delivery of well over a million Nook Tablets and Nook Colors combined in the fourth quarter. Part of the falloff in demand for the 9.7-inch panel is due to Apple.There was some letup in the purchase of displays for the current iPad as Apple gets ready to launch the next-generation iPad, according to Digitimes. Strong demand from Apple, however, should resume soon, according to the report. The new iPad is expected in the March-June time frame.
Strong demand for the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet is boosting demand for 7-inch displays above the more traditional 9.7-inch tablet display size, according to an Asia-based report. Shipments of 7-inch display panels in November grew about 17 percent month on month, surpassing shipments of 9.7-inch displays, according to a report in Taipei-based Digitimes. Amazon said earlier this month that the Kindle Fire is its bestselling product and sales have been increasing week over week. Sales of at least several million are projected in the first month. Barnes & Noble, meanwhile, is expected to take delivery of well over a million Nook Tablets and Nook Colors combined in the fourth quarter. Part of the falloff in demand for the 9.7-inch panel is due to Apple.There was some letup in the purchase of displays for the current iPad as Apple gets ready to launch the next-generation iPad, according to Digitimes. Strong demand from Apple, however, should resume soon, according to the report. The new iPad is expected in the March-June time frame.
Justin Timberlake tops billing of iTunes Festival this year
Justin Timberlake tops billing of iTunes Festival this year
Apple will be beaming Justin Timberlake to your iPhone this fall, when he headlines more than 60 acts at this year's iTunes Festival in London. But you'll need to vie in local media competitions if you want a chance to see him bring "sexy back" in person for free. Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast) Other top performers include Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson, and Jessie J.Every night in September, performances can be watched live or on-demand by iOS users around the world on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, as well as on iTunes on computers or Apple TV. Tickets are free for winners of competitions run by local media partners. So in the U.K., for example, the iTunes Festival app, the iTunes Store, and groups like Channel 4, Global Radio, and Metro will be running contests to give tickets away. In the six years since Apple started streaming performances from its sponsored iTunes Festivals, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Amy Winehouse have been among those who have kicked off the inaugural festivities.
Apple will be beaming Justin Timberlake to your iPhone this fall, when he headlines more than 60 acts at this year's iTunes Festival in London. But you'll need to vie in local media competitions if you want a chance to see him bring "sexy back" in person for free. Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast) Other top performers include Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson, and Jessie J.Every night in September, performances can be watched live or on-demand by iOS users around the world on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, as well as on iTunes on computers or Apple TV. Tickets are free for winners of competitions run by local media partners. So in the U.K., for example, the iTunes Festival app, the iTunes Store, and groups like Channel 4, Global Radio, and Metro will be running contests to give tickets away. In the six years since Apple started streaming performances from its sponsored iTunes Festivals, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Amy Winehouse have been among those who have kicked off the inaugural festivities.
Jimmy Kimmel pitches solution for dizzy iOS 7 users
Jimmy Kimmel pitches solution for dizzy iOS 7 users
Are the new screen effects in iOS 7 making you nauseous? Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has something that could ease your queasiness.Apple tweaked the screens in iOS 7 so that every app, icon, and folder zooms in and out each time you open or close them. The new OS also offers a parallax effect that moves the background display as you move your iPhone or iPad.Alas, the new animated features apparently are causing motion sickness in a number of users. iOS 7 users chiming in at Apple's support forums are reporting a range of maladies, including dizziness, headaches, and nausea.If you're among the suffering souls, look no further than Jimmy Kimmel for the remedy.On his late-night "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show Tuesday night, Kimmel served up a sketch unveiling a product called "Stop Looking at Your F**ing Phone Every Five Seconds!" Touted as a "safe and effective way to get fast relief," the new medication is designed to treat the signs and symptoms of nausea, headaches, and vertigo.Have your doubts? You can ask your doctor about "Stop Looking at Your F**ing Phone Every Five Seconds!" But be warned: There may be some unpleasant side effects, including eye contact, conversations, facial expressions, and other human stuff."Seek medical help immediately if you try to use your fingers to zoom into someone's face," advises the sketch.
Are the new screen effects in iOS 7 making you nauseous? Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has something that could ease your queasiness.Apple tweaked the screens in iOS 7 so that every app, icon, and folder zooms in and out each time you open or close them. The new OS also offers a parallax effect that moves the background display as you move your iPhone or iPad.Alas, the new animated features apparently are causing motion sickness in a number of users. iOS 7 users chiming in at Apple's support forums are reporting a range of maladies, including dizziness, headaches, and nausea.If you're among the suffering souls, look no further than Jimmy Kimmel for the remedy.On his late-night "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show Tuesday night, Kimmel served up a sketch unveiling a product called "Stop Looking at Your F**ing Phone Every Five Seconds!" Touted as a "safe and effective way to get fast relief," the new medication is designed to treat the signs and symptoms of nausea, headaches, and vertigo.Have your doubts? You can ask your doctor about "Stop Looking at Your F**ing Phone Every Five Seconds!" But be warned: There may be some unpleasant side effects, including eye contact, conversations, facial expressions, and other human stuff."Seek medical help immediately if you try to use your fingers to zoom into someone's face," advises the sketch.
Japan makers said to ramp up iPhone 5S, 5C parts production
Japan makers said to ramp up iPhone 5S, 5C parts production
With new iPhones expected to be unveiled this month, production at Japan Display, TDK, and others is in high gear, according to the Nikkei business daily. Japan Display Inc. (JDI), a merger of the small and medium-size display businesses of Sony, Hitachi, and Toshiba, is in "full production" Nikkei said in a report Thursday. TDK, which supplies Apple with inductor coils, among other components, boosted production this summer to meet demand for the new iPhones, expected to be announced at a September 10 event.The report also sites an IHS analyst, who said that if sales of the new iPhone models are solid, that could drive the prices of flash memory higher.Toshiba is major supplier of flash memory to Apple.But it's not all good news.Suppliers in Japan are concerned about being too dependent on Apple, Nikkei said.That can lead to a sharp drop in production when sales of Apple products decline.Along these lines, a report Wednesday from Digitimes Research said that iPhone 5 shipments fell by 6.2 million units in the second quarter, as consumers wait for the release of the 5S and 5C.
With new iPhones expected to be unveiled this month, production at Japan Display, TDK, and others is in high gear, according to the Nikkei business daily. Japan Display Inc. (JDI), a merger of the small and medium-size display businesses of Sony, Hitachi, and Toshiba, is in "full production" Nikkei said in a report Thursday. TDK, which supplies Apple with inductor coils, among other components, boosted production this summer to meet demand for the new iPhones, expected to be announced at a September 10 event.The report also sites an IHS analyst, who said that if sales of the new iPhone models are solid, that could drive the prices of flash memory higher.Toshiba is major supplier of flash memory to Apple.But it's not all good news.Suppliers in Japan are concerned about being too dependent on Apple, Nikkei said.That can lead to a sharp drop in production when sales of Apple products decline.Along these lines, a report Wednesday from Digitimes Research said that iPhone 5 shipments fell by 6.2 million units in the second quarter, as consumers wait for the release of the 5S and 5C.
Jailbreak no longer a dirty word on iTunes, the App Store
Jailbreak no longer a dirty word on iTunes, the App Store
Following yesterday's discovery that Apple wasaltering how it displayed apps, music, and other digital content with the name "jailbreak" in the title, the company appears to have relented.Searching for "jailbreak" now shows the word in full, instead of offering "j*******k." An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the change, which was spotted by The Next Web.As mentioned yesterday, the issue was inconsistant. Some digital content that was named jailbreak, or that simply had the word in the title appeared unchanged, while others were not.Apple's App Store Guidelines document makes no indication that the word is off limits to developers. That seven-page document does, in fact, have a section that covers metadata (which Apple specifies as app names and descriptions), but it only goes into detail about prohibiting apps with descriptions that are "not relevant to the application content and functionality." In the case of jailbreak, the obvious connection is the practice of gaining deep system-level access using third-party software tools, something Apple considers a no-no, and warranty-voiding behavior.
Following yesterday's discovery that Apple wasaltering how it displayed apps, music, and other digital content with the name "jailbreak" in the title, the company appears to have relented.Searching for "jailbreak" now shows the word in full, instead of offering "j*******k." An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the change, which was spotted by The Next Web.As mentioned yesterday, the issue was inconsistant. Some digital content that was named jailbreak, or that simply had the word in the title appeared unchanged, while others were not.Apple's App Store Guidelines document makes no indication that the word is off limits to developers. That seven-page document does, in fact, have a section that covers metadata (which Apple specifies as app names and descriptions), but it only goes into detail about prohibiting apps with descriptions that are "not relevant to the application content and functionality." In the case of jailbreak, the obvious connection is the practice of gaining deep system-level access using third-party software tools, something Apple considers a no-no, and warranty-voiding behavior.
'Sonic' makes his way to the iPod
'Sonic' makes his way to the iPod
Excuse our lack of productivity today--we've got a hedgehog in the office. Sonic the Hedgehog, that is. Sega's 16-bit classic has made its way onto the iPod games section of iTunes (link) this morning and can be had for a mere $4.99. In comparison, the Wii version of the title, which launched just a month ago runs nearly twice as much at 800 Wii points ($8).The controls use the circular iPod touch wheel as a four-way d-pad, with the center button acting just like the original ABC buttons from the first Genesis controller. They take a little bit of time to get used to, but manage to do the job admirably, at least on the earlier levels. However, for the bonus levels and more platform intensive stages where jumping must be exact, you'll find yourself wishing for something with a little more finesse.Despite the fudgy controls, the game's got some added goodies not found in the original. You can turn off the game's soundtrack in place of your own, while retaining some of the wonderful '90s-era sound effects. There's also a save anywhere system, and support for multiple player profiles in case you want to share the game with someone else without losing your progress.We're still not sold on the controls, but for $5 it's got a lot going for it compared to some of the other iPod gaming titles.
Excuse our lack of productivity today--we've got a hedgehog in the office. Sonic the Hedgehog, that is. Sega's 16-bit classic has made its way onto the iPod games section of iTunes (link) this morning and can be had for a mere $4.99. In comparison, the Wii version of the title, which launched just a month ago runs nearly twice as much at 800 Wii points ($8).The controls use the circular iPod touch wheel as a four-way d-pad, with the center button acting just like the original ABC buttons from the first Genesis controller. They take a little bit of time to get used to, but manage to do the job admirably, at least on the earlier levels. However, for the bonus levels and more platform intensive stages where jumping must be exact, you'll find yourself wishing for something with a little more finesse.Despite the fudgy controls, the game's got some added goodies not found in the original. You can turn off the game's soundtrack in place of your own, while retaining some of the wonderful '90s-era sound effects. There's also a save anywhere system, and support for multiple player profiles in case you want to share the game with someone else without losing your progress.We're still not sold on the controls, but for $5 it's got a lot going for it compared to some of the other iPod gaming titles.
Rhapsody MP3 store opens
Rhapsody MP3 store opens
Even so, MP3s are just another product to Amazon, which is why I welcome the entry of RealNetworks' Rhapsody into the market. Rhapsody is my favorite of the subscription services I've tried, and I know several big music listeners who are devoted fans. The company understands how to curate and package music.Rhapsody MP3 launched today, and it's very straightforward: songs cost $0.99, albums $9.99, everything's in DRM-free MP3 format, and you don't need the Rhapsody player or any other specialized software application to buy songs. (Like Amazon, Rhapsody offers the option of downloading a small application that automatically adds songs to iTunes. Unlike Amazon's equivalent, this download manager can also add songs to the Rhapsody Player and the Real Player, which apparently is still used by somebody somewhere. But it doesn't support the Windows Media Player, while Amazon's does.)Rhapsody's store also has one huge advantage over Amazon's: you can sign up for the free level of the Rhapsody subscription service and stream 25 songs per month in their entirety. No more guessing whether you like a song based on a 30-second sample. As my fellow CNET Network blogger Rick Broida already noted, if you're one of the first 100,000 to create an account--which means giving them a credit card number--before July 4, you get a free album.
Even so, MP3s are just another product to Amazon, which is why I welcome the entry of RealNetworks' Rhapsody into the market. Rhapsody is my favorite of the subscription services I've tried, and I know several big music listeners who are devoted fans. The company understands how to curate and package music.Rhapsody MP3 launched today, and it's very straightforward: songs cost $0.99, albums $9.99, everything's in DRM-free MP3 format, and you don't need the Rhapsody player or any other specialized software application to buy songs. (Like Amazon, Rhapsody offers the option of downloading a small application that automatically adds songs to iTunes. Unlike Amazon's equivalent, this download manager can also add songs to the Rhapsody Player and the Real Player, which apparently is still used by somebody somewhere. But it doesn't support the Windows Media Player, while Amazon's does.)Rhapsody's store also has one huge advantage over Amazon's: you can sign up for the free level of the Rhapsody subscription service and stream 25 songs per month in their entirety. No more guessing whether you like a song based on a 30-second sample. As my fellow CNET Network blogger Rick Broida already noted, if you're one of the first 100,000 to create an account--which means giving them a credit card number--before July 4, you get a free album.
O'Reilly releases guide to iPhone hacking
O'Reilly releases guide to iPhone hacking
Zdziarski was among the first hackers to take aim at the iPhone last year in light of Apple's Web-only application policy, and his book is essentially a how-to guide for using the "unofficial" iPhone SDK to create applications. Apple, of course, has started to outline its own vision of how applications should be created for the iPhone, giving developers two options for their projects.There's a group of developers, of an uncertain size, who feel that Apple's SDK restricts their freedom to develop creative applications for the iPhone. Those folks will likely be all over this book. The book itself appears to be a summation of a lot of the iPhone jailbreaking and development techniques that are easy to find online, but condensed into one handy reference guide.Once the official SDK is released in June, it will be interesting to watch how unofficial iPhone development progresses. Apple's restrictions have some carrots attached, such as a powerful distribution vehicle in iTunes and the App Store, which will definitely attract those trying to make a living off the iPhone.But those who are trying to circumvent Apple's restrictions by developing unlocking software, music players, or applications unlikely to sit well with Apple, will need a handbook.
Zdziarski was among the first hackers to take aim at the iPhone last year in light of Apple's Web-only application policy, and his book is essentially a how-to guide for using the "unofficial" iPhone SDK to create applications. Apple, of course, has started to outline its own vision of how applications should be created for the iPhone, giving developers two options for their projects.There's a group of developers, of an uncertain size, who feel that Apple's SDK restricts their freedom to develop creative applications for the iPhone. Those folks will likely be all over this book. The book itself appears to be a summation of a lot of the iPhone jailbreaking and development techniques that are easy to find online, but condensed into one handy reference guide.Once the official SDK is released in June, it will be interesting to watch how unofficial iPhone development progresses. Apple's restrictions have some carrots attached, such as a powerful distribution vehicle in iTunes and the App Store, which will definitely attract those trying to make a living off the iPhone.But those who are trying to circumvent Apple's restrictions by developing unlocking software, music players, or applications unlikely to sit well with Apple, will need a handbook.
iPhone, iPod Touch users tops in downloading
iPhone, iPod Touch users tops in downloading
According to the report, "Entertainment Trends in America,"16 percent of Americans 13 years and older use devices other than home PCs to download content from the Internet. Three-quarters of iPhone and iPod Touch users are downloading music, video, and applications from the Web. In comparison, NPD said that 19 percent of game console owners and 17 percent of Blu-ray set-top product users downloaded content from the Web."It's not surprising that Apple users are ahead of others when it comes to downloading Web-based content, given the breadth of the company's app catalog and the head start iTunes had selling music for the iPod," said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. "Like other groups of early adopters, consumers downloading entertainment content are mostly younger and male; however, as app stores expand beyond Apple, as connected devices become more commonplace, and as connectivity is simplified we expect to see more activity on other devices and platforms."Not surprisingly, the most popular item to download among Apple users was free apps, followed by game apps and music. Of course, the most popular content downloaded on a game console was add-ons and the purchase of entire games. NPD surveyed 10,356 people ages 13 and older in the U.S. for the latest update to its twice-yearly consumer study.
According to the report, "Entertainment Trends in America,"16 percent of Americans 13 years and older use devices other than home PCs to download content from the Internet. Three-quarters of iPhone and iPod Touch users are downloading music, video, and applications from the Web. In comparison, NPD said that 19 percent of game console owners and 17 percent of Blu-ray set-top product users downloaded content from the Web."It's not surprising that Apple users are ahead of others when it comes to downloading Web-based content, given the breadth of the company's app catalog and the head start iTunes had selling music for the iPod," said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. "Like other groups of early adopters, consumers downloading entertainment content are mostly younger and male; however, as app stores expand beyond Apple, as connected devices become more commonplace, and as connectivity is simplified we expect to see more activity on other devices and platforms."Not surprisingly, the most popular item to download among Apple users was free apps, followed by game apps and music. Of course, the most popular content downloaded on a game console was add-ons and the purchase of entire games. NPD surveyed 10,356 people ages 13 and older in the U.S. for the latest update to its twice-yearly consumer study.
Hulu won't be clowned by iTunes
Hulu won't be clowned by iTunes
"Hulu is a very simple business model," Kilar said after his speech. "We believe that if we provide an advertising service that has higher brand recall, higher purchase intent (from users)...relative to billboards, radio and newspapers, advertisers will respond to that. And they are. That's why they are paying premium for ad spots on a higher cost per thousand (CPM) relative to other environments."Adams also asserted that Internet users won't tolerate the same number of ads online as they do from traditional TV. Hulu posts four times fewer ads into its films and TV shows as television broadcasters and Adams suggested that visitors aren't tolerating more. "(Adams) made it sound like we tested more ads and they didn't work," Kilar said. "We haven't done anything different than what we're doing now. It's always been two minutes of ads for every 22 minutes of content." In its first year in business, Hulu has surpassed almost everybody's expectations, certainly Google's. Execs at YouTube's parent company at one time referred to Hulu as "The Clown Company." The joke turned out to be on them. Hulu has become a force when it comes to offering full-length movies and TV shows. Kilar won't share data on revenue or user adoption, but did say Hulu now sees 12 million monthly visitors and serves 145 million monthly streams. Among Hulu's biggest accolades is that YouTube has followed it into offering full-length TV shows and feature films.
"Hulu is a very simple business model," Kilar said after his speech. "We believe that if we provide an advertising service that has higher brand recall, higher purchase intent (from users)...relative to billboards, radio and newspapers, advertisers will respond to that. And they are. That's why they are paying premium for ad spots on a higher cost per thousand (CPM) relative to other environments."Adams also asserted that Internet users won't tolerate the same number of ads online as they do from traditional TV. Hulu posts four times fewer ads into its films and TV shows as television broadcasters and Adams suggested that visitors aren't tolerating more. "(Adams) made it sound like we tested more ads and they didn't work," Kilar said. "We haven't done anything different than what we're doing now. It's always been two minutes of ads for every 22 minutes of content." In its first year in business, Hulu has surpassed almost everybody's expectations, certainly Google's. Execs at YouTube's parent company at one time referred to Hulu as "The Clown Company." The joke turned out to be on them. Hulu has become a force when it comes to offering full-length movies and TV shows. Kilar won't share data on revenue or user adoption, but did say Hulu now sees 12 million monthly visitors and serves 145 million monthly streams. Among Hulu's biggest accolades is that YouTube has followed it into offering full-length TV shows and feature films.
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