The 404 551: Where Natali and Justin have an Apple iPad battle (podcast)
The CNET New York office is typically a tame environment--unless it happens to be the eve of a big Apple product drop and turns into pure unapologetic madness! It's the day before the release of the much-anticipated Apple iPad and Natali picked one up this morning for a CBS News segment, but little does she know The 404 has our own version, and it's bigger, cheaper, and even comes with its own stylus! Unfortunately, we can't do a side-by-side comparison because the real iPad is currently submerged in a puddle of Wilson's saliva, but we'll try to get the thing in the studio for Monday's show, pending a serious wipedown. The 404/CNETJeff and I are still disappointed by the lack of features on the iPad, but we can't shrug off the awesome-factor of the new Netflix for iPad app that dropped yesterday. Some disregarded it as a cruel April Fools' joke, but it is indeed available now on the App Store. The service is free to all Netflix customers, who will now have mobile access to more than 20,000 movies and television shows currently in the library. You can even continue watching movies from where you left off on your TV or computer at home.We can already sense your irritation at all this iPad talk, so let's move on. Sending dirty text messages to your boo bear isn't just for professional golfers and tweens anymore. Studies show that more and more adults are using "sexting" to get nasty on the run, so we're running down a list of five tips for safe sexting. The list is cheeky, and while we agree that the No. 1 tip is to be discreet, the article neglects to address the wonderful world of multimedia messages that can add a visual aid to your naughty text.Guess we know what you're doing this weekend! And after you do that, shoot us a line by leaving a voicemail at 1-866-404-CNET or send a message to the404(at)cnet(dot)com and let us know what's on your mind!EPISODE 551Listen nowYour 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
My weekend (not) using the OnStar iPhone app
My weekend (not) using the OnStar iPhone app
General Motors recently released a suite of iPhone and Android apps for OnStar and 2011 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models as a first step toward improving in-vehicle communications technology. I was eager to take the OnStar MyLink app for a spin in a 2011 Buick Regal during a road trip from New York to Boston, but I was surprised at how little opportunity I had to use it. OnStar's MyLink app is primarily a safety application for emergency situations, so not finding opportunity to use it was a good thing. But if the app is a step toward meeting consumers' increasingly savvy technology expectations, it fell a bit flat.Judging by MyLink's rating on iTunes, other people felt the same way. An average of 170 reviews yielded a two-star average rating. Granted, dragging down the app's rating were a few dozen one-star ratings from irate OnStar subscribers griping that the app didn't work for their 2007 Cadillac Escalade or other earlier model vehicles. And while I could see their point, it's not fair to trash an app because new technology was released after your purchased your vehicle. However, a dearth of functionality is.OnStar MyLink has, at best, a bare-bones set of features: It can tell you basic vehicle information, such as the VIN number, oil status, tire pressure, and preferred car dealership--information you might need if you've been in a car accident and need to tow the vehicle for repair. But it doesn't tell you other helpful data, such as the license plate, make, model, or year. Go figure. The OnStar app can act as a very rudimentary trip meter, letting you view the vehicle's lifetime mileage, trip mileage, average fuel economy, fuel levels, and available range, but it doesn't allow you to store additional data for record keeping.1 of 2Prev12Next
General Motors recently released a suite of iPhone and Android apps for OnStar and 2011 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models as a first step toward improving in-vehicle communications technology. I was eager to take the OnStar MyLink app for a spin in a 2011 Buick Regal during a road trip from New York to Boston, but I was surprised at how little opportunity I had to use it. OnStar's MyLink app is primarily a safety application for emergency situations, so not finding opportunity to use it was a good thing. But if the app is a step toward meeting consumers' increasingly savvy technology expectations, it fell a bit flat.Judging by MyLink's rating on iTunes, other people felt the same way. An average of 170 reviews yielded a two-star average rating. Granted, dragging down the app's rating were a few dozen one-star ratings from irate OnStar subscribers griping that the app didn't work for their 2007 Cadillac Escalade or other earlier model vehicles. And while I could see their point, it's not fair to trash an app because new technology was released after your purchased your vehicle. However, a dearth of functionality is.OnStar MyLink has, at best, a bare-bones set of features: It can tell you basic vehicle information, such as the VIN number, oil status, tire pressure, and preferred car dealership--information you might need if you've been in a car accident and need to tow the vehicle for repair. But it doesn't tell you other helpful data, such as the license plate, make, model, or year. Go figure. The OnStar app can act as a very rudimentary trip meter, letting you view the vehicle's lifetime mileage, trip mileage, average fuel economy, fuel levels, and available range, but it doesn't allow you to store additional data for record keeping.1 of 2Prev12Next
iPhone 5S, 5C to electrify Apple's quarter-- analyst
iPhone 5S, 5C to electrify Apple's quarter-- analyst
Apple's fiscal fourth quarter may be ending in late September, but at least one analyst expects the company's upcoming iPhones to make a quick impact.Apple could sell as many as 31 million iPhones in the period that ends this month, including 10 million iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C units, Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves wrote in a note to analysts, according to All Things Digital, which obtained a copy of the note.That Apple is selling so many iPhones might not be a surprise. That the company can generate 10 million unit sales in a period of a couple of weeks, though, is a bit of a surprise, given the short number of days Apple has to sell those devices.According to Hargreaves, Apple will, as expected, unveil a flagship iPhone 5S alongside the iPhone 5C, which he says, "is essentially an iPhone 5 with a different case." Hargreaves expects Apple to unveil the iPhones on Tuesday and then sell them at some point after that this month. Apple's quarter closes September 29.Things should get even better for Apple in the company's fiscal first quarter. During that period, Hargreaves expects Apple to sell 50 million iPhones, according to All Things Digital. If the company can ink a deal with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, that number could grow even higher, Hargreaves says.Apple has yet to confirm that it will actually launch new iPhones next week. However, the company is hosting an event on Tuesday at its Cupertino headquarters, and CNET will be there to cover every last second.
Apple's fiscal fourth quarter may be ending in late September, but at least one analyst expects the company's upcoming iPhones to make a quick impact.Apple could sell as many as 31 million iPhones in the period that ends this month, including 10 million iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C units, Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves wrote in a note to analysts, according to All Things Digital, which obtained a copy of the note.That Apple is selling so many iPhones might not be a surprise. That the company can generate 10 million unit sales in a period of a couple of weeks, though, is a bit of a surprise, given the short number of days Apple has to sell those devices.According to Hargreaves, Apple will, as expected, unveil a flagship iPhone 5S alongside the iPhone 5C, which he says, "is essentially an iPhone 5 with a different case." Hargreaves expects Apple to unveil the iPhones on Tuesday and then sell them at some point after that this month. Apple's quarter closes September 29.Things should get even better for Apple in the company's fiscal first quarter. During that period, Hargreaves expects Apple to sell 50 million iPhones, according to All Things Digital. If the company can ink a deal with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, that number could grow even higher, Hargreaves says.Apple has yet to confirm that it will actually launch new iPhones next week. However, the company is hosting an event on Tuesday at its Cupertino headquarters, and CNET will be there to cover every last second.
iPhone 5S, 5C score 100,000 reservations at China Unicom
iPhone 5S, 5C score 100,000 reservations at China Unicom
Apple's latest iPhones have already snagged a healthy number of consumers in China.China Unicom, the country's second biggest mobile provider, has seen more than 100,000 reservations for the two new phones since they took Apple's stage early last week, Bloomberg said on Monday. Reservations hit that level even though the carrier has yet to reveal its pricing for the new lineup.The iPhone 5C is up for preorder around the world, while the 5S won't be available at all until September 20. But reservations are different from preorders.An online reservation doesn't require money upfront but promises the consumer the reserved phone from available stock come September 20. On that date, customers can visit an Apple Store in China or Hong Kong where employees will help them pick the right mobile plan, set up e-mail, and transfer contacts.China Telecom subscribers who buy one of the new iPhones will have to contend with a slightly lower subsidy. A monthly plan that costs 289 yuan ($47) for the iPhone 5S carries a subsidy of 2,890 yuan ($472), 15 percent less than the 3,400 yuan ($555) for the iPhone 5 under the same plan, Hong Kong-based analyst Eva Yip told Bloomberg.Fellow carrier China Telecom will offer the 5C and 5S with downpayments of 4,488 yuan ($733) and 5,288 yuan ($864), respectively. The phones are free for subscribers who opt for a two-year contract with a minimum monthly plan costing 329 yuan ($53) for the 5C and 389 yuan ($63) for the 5S, Bloomberg added.China Mobile still doesn't offer the iPhone. But the latest reports say Apple may be close to reaching a deal with the country's largest carrier.
Apple's latest iPhones have already snagged a healthy number of consumers in China.China Unicom, the country's second biggest mobile provider, has seen more than 100,000 reservations for the two new phones since they took Apple's stage early last week, Bloomberg said on Monday. Reservations hit that level even though the carrier has yet to reveal its pricing for the new lineup.The iPhone 5C is up for preorder around the world, while the 5S won't be available at all until September 20. But reservations are different from preorders.An online reservation doesn't require money upfront but promises the consumer the reserved phone from available stock come September 20. On that date, customers can visit an Apple Store in China or Hong Kong where employees will help them pick the right mobile plan, set up e-mail, and transfer contacts.China Telecom subscribers who buy one of the new iPhones will have to contend with a slightly lower subsidy. A monthly plan that costs 289 yuan ($47) for the iPhone 5S carries a subsidy of 2,890 yuan ($472), 15 percent less than the 3,400 yuan ($555) for the iPhone 5 under the same plan, Hong Kong-based analyst Eva Yip told Bloomberg.Fellow carrier China Telecom will offer the 5C and 5S with downpayments of 4,488 yuan ($733) and 5,288 yuan ($864), respectively. The phones are free for subscribers who opt for a two-year contract with a minimum monthly plan costing 329 yuan ($53) for the 5C and 389 yuan ($63) for the 5S, Bloomberg added.China Mobile still doesn't offer the iPhone. But the latest reports say Apple may be close to reaching a deal with the country's largest carrier.
iPhone 5S, 5C sales split down the middle, claims analyst
iPhone 5S, 5C sales split down the middle, claims analyst
The iPhone 5S has dramatically outsold the iPhone 5C. Or has it?A recent report from Localytics found that the number of iPhone 5S activations outscored those of the 5C by a factor of 3.4. But one analyst believes the gap in actual sales is much narrower.In an investors note caught by AppleInsider, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple's two new phones split their sales about evenly, at least during their opening weekend.Kuo believes that of the 9 million iPhones sales reported by Apple for launch weekend, between 3.5 million and 4.5 million were for the iPhone 5S. If true, that would mean between 4.5 million and 5.5 million were scored by the 5C.The analyst pointed to the data from Localytics but said that their numbers were based on iPhone activations, while his are based on actual production, AppleInsider noted. Kuo also indicated that the approximately 50-50 split between the two iPhones was due in part to supply constraints of the 5S at launch time. "From Apple's viewpoint, production, sell-in, sell-through and activation are different things," Kuo said. "Since iPhone 5S is in shortage now, numbers of production, sell-in, sell-through, and activation should be very close."The 5S remains in short supply compared to its less expensive brother.Apple's online store in the US shows that 5S models bought now won't ship until sometime in October, while 5C units ship within just 24 hours. However, the supply constraints for the 5S are easing up, Kuo added.
The iPhone 5S has dramatically outsold the iPhone 5C. Or has it?A recent report from Localytics found that the number of iPhone 5S activations outscored those of the 5C by a factor of 3.4. But one analyst believes the gap in actual sales is much narrower.In an investors note caught by AppleInsider, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple's two new phones split their sales about evenly, at least during their opening weekend.Kuo believes that of the 9 million iPhones sales reported by Apple for launch weekend, between 3.5 million and 4.5 million were for the iPhone 5S. If true, that would mean between 4.5 million and 5.5 million were scored by the 5C.The analyst pointed to the data from Localytics but said that their numbers were based on iPhone activations, while his are based on actual production, AppleInsider noted. Kuo also indicated that the approximately 50-50 split between the two iPhones was due in part to supply constraints of the 5S at launch time. "From Apple's viewpoint, production, sell-in, sell-through and activation are different things," Kuo said. "Since iPhone 5S is in shortage now, numbers of production, sell-in, sell-through, and activation should be very close."The 5S remains in short supply compared to its less expensive brother.Apple's online store in the US shows that 5S models bought now won't ship until sometime in October, while 5C units ship within just 24 hours. However, the supply constraints for the 5S are easing up, Kuo added.
iPhone 5S to go gold, get 128GB option, analyst predicts
iPhone 5S to go gold, get 128GB option, analyst predicts
A widely-cited analyst echoed previous rumors about the iPhone 5S while adding that there will be a 128GB option for the new phone and possibly a 64-bit processor.Expect a new 128GB storage option for the iPhone 5S,KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Thursday (via AppleInsider). In February, Apple began offering a 128GB option on the iPad 4 for the first time. And gold -- maybe better described as "champagne" -- will be a color option on the upcoming phone, Kuo said, echoing a previous report from Japanese site Macotakara. The analyst also claimed Thursday that the iPhone 5S will include a new A7 system-on-a-chip (SoC) based on ARM's 64-bit ARMv8 architecture.That would be significant as Apple's previous A series processors and popular ARM chips used in smartphones are 32-bit. Generally, 64-bit chips can address more memory and, thus, can be better at running more demanding software.The A7 is expected to boost performance over the A6.(Kuo said it will be more "efficient.") The rear camera on the 5S will keep the 8MP sensor but get a larger f/2.0 aperture(that would match the HTC One) with dual LED flash -- confirming rumors circulating last week.If accurate, that aperture would be significantly larger than the iPhone 5's, i.e., more light gets through, improving image quality and low-light performance. Kuo also repeated another rumor going around last week about a sapphire home button with fingerprintsensor. The 5S announcement is expected in mid-September. Purported images of 'gold' iPhone 5S from Macboutic emerged on Friday.Macboutic
A widely-cited analyst echoed previous rumors about the iPhone 5S while adding that there will be a 128GB option for the new phone and possibly a 64-bit processor.Expect a new 128GB storage option for the iPhone 5S,KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Thursday (via AppleInsider). In February, Apple began offering a 128GB option on the iPad 4 for the first time. And gold -- maybe better described as "champagne" -- will be a color option on the upcoming phone, Kuo said, echoing a previous report from Japanese site Macotakara. The analyst also claimed Thursday that the iPhone 5S will include a new A7 system-on-a-chip (SoC) based on ARM's 64-bit ARMv8 architecture.That would be significant as Apple's previous A series processors and popular ARM chips used in smartphones are 32-bit. Generally, 64-bit chips can address more memory and, thus, can be better at running more demanding software.The A7 is expected to boost performance over the A6.(Kuo said it will be more "efficient.") The rear camera on the 5S will keep the 8MP sensor but get a larger f/2.0 aperture(that would match the HTC One) with dual LED flash -- confirming rumors circulating last week.If accurate, that aperture would be significantly larger than the iPhone 5's, i.e., more light gets through, improving image quality and low-light performance. Kuo also repeated another rumor going around last week about a sapphire home button with fingerprintsensor. The 5S announcement is expected in mid-September. Purported images of 'gold' iPhone 5S from Macboutic emerged on Friday.Macboutic
iPhone 5S teardown- New Sony camera sensor inside
iPhone 5S teardown: New Sony camera sensor inside
Among the highlights of iFixit's teardown of the iPhone 5S is a new Sony sensor for the 5S' boffo camera. Apple has gone with a "new variant" of the Sony sensor, as it did in the iPhone 5, according to iFixit. The...markings are consistent with the markings on the camera modules housing the Sony IMX145 we saw in the iPhone 4s and on the iPhone 5. The marks on the side of the module are different, but our industry insiders tell us this is Sony's again...As Apple has stated the pixel pitch on this camera is 1.5 µ, this sensor should not be the IMX145, but a newer variant."New Sony camera sensor in the iPhone 5S, courtesy of iFixit.iFixitApple's iPhone 5S camera improves on the already-great iPhone 5 camera, according to CNET."All you can really count on for sure with the iPhone 5S is that it has a noticeably better camera...Close-up photos show off pretty incredible detail and a shallower depth-of-field effect, which feels more "SLR-like," CNET said about the 5S' 8MP camera.The iPhone 5S' home button with its fingerprint sensor.iFixitiFixit's intrepid teardown experts also took on the new sapphire home button and its fingerprint scanner. "A CMOS chip, the Touch ID is essentially a bunch of very small capacitors that creates an 'image' of the ridges on your finger," iFixit wrote. "We worry about how well the sapphire crystal covering the sensor can protect it from degrading over time like most CMOS fingerprint sensors," iFixit added. Not everything went swimmingly in the teardown, though. "Perhaps the 's' in 5s stands for 'stuck,' as in 'this battery is stuck in with a lot of glue,' " said iFixit. In other words, good luck replacing the battery. The 64-bit Apple A7 chip, which is proving to be one of the fastest smartphone chips to date based on benchmarks.iFixit
Among the highlights of iFixit's teardown of the iPhone 5S is a new Sony sensor for the 5S' boffo camera. Apple has gone with a "new variant" of the Sony sensor, as it did in the iPhone 5, according to iFixit. The...markings are consistent with the markings on the camera modules housing the Sony IMX145 we saw in the iPhone 4s and on the iPhone 5. The marks on the side of the module are different, but our industry insiders tell us this is Sony's again...As Apple has stated the pixel pitch on this camera is 1.5 µ, this sensor should not be the IMX145, but a newer variant."New Sony camera sensor in the iPhone 5S, courtesy of iFixit.iFixitApple's iPhone 5S camera improves on the already-great iPhone 5 camera, according to CNET."All you can really count on for sure with the iPhone 5S is that it has a noticeably better camera...Close-up photos show off pretty incredible detail and a shallower depth-of-field effect, which feels more "SLR-like," CNET said about the 5S' 8MP camera.The iPhone 5S' home button with its fingerprint sensor.iFixitiFixit's intrepid teardown experts also took on the new sapphire home button and its fingerprint scanner. "A CMOS chip, the Touch ID is essentially a bunch of very small capacitors that creates an 'image' of the ridges on your finger," iFixit wrote. "We worry about how well the sapphire crystal covering the sensor can protect it from degrading over time like most CMOS fingerprint sensors," iFixit added. Not everything went swimmingly in the teardown, though. "Perhaps the 's' in 5s stands for 'stuck,' as in 'this battery is stuck in with a lot of glue,' " said iFixit. In other words, good luck replacing the battery. The 64-bit Apple A7 chip, which is proving to be one of the fastest smartphone chips to date based on benchmarks.iFixit
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