The 404 819: Where everybody knows your name (podcast)
We had a quick olfactory disaster this morning, but we cleared the air and can get on with our regularly scheduled programming. There's more Google news following yesterday's I/O developers conference, and this time the search giant introduces Chromebooks and several new apps to its Chrome Web store.In other Google news, the company is suffering from a smear campaign in the tech media that sources have traced back to Facebook, of all companies. Spurned from competitive tension in the social-networking space, the two companies are going head to head over growing privacy concerns.You might've noticed a lack of audio and video voicemails lately, and that's because we haven't received any! If you want to make it on the show, let us know your comments/feedback/criticisms by calling into 1-866-404-CNET (2638) or record a video on YouTube and send the link to the404(at)cnet(dot)com.The 404 Digest for Episode 819This 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.PlayGoogle debuts Chromebooks.Angry Birds for Chrome already hacked, unlocking all levels.Glympse.com lets people follow your every move for a given amount of time.Facebook hired a PR Firm to plant anti-Google stories in the media.Let's get a 404 ad on TV!Loser of the week: Mom gives Botox to 8-year-old daughter.Episode 819Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Pink Floyd wins court fight on downloads
Pink Floyd wins court fight on downloads
The U.K.'s High Court ruled that EMI Music isn't entitled to exploit individual recordings via the Web or any other distribution means without Pink Floyd's consent, according to a story by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Pink Floyd charged in its suit that the financially troubled label violated its contract by selling individual songs. The label countered that the clause in the contract that prohibited those song sales applied only to physical DVDs or albums. EMI denied that the court's decision would require it to stop selling Pink Floyd's individual songs on iTunes, Amazon or any other Web music service. "Today's judgment does not require EMI to cease making Pink Floyd's catalog available as single track downloads," EMI said in a statement. "EMI continues to sell Pink Floyd's music digitally and in other formats." The band's most recent contract was signed prior to the rise of digital music, according to the BBC and a report in The Associated Press. The BBC's story didn't make it clear whether the famed rock band, known for albums such as The Wall (from 1979) and The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), is opposed to the sale of individual songs on the Web or to the narrower point of EMI doing so without its permission. What is also unclear is how many acts this decision could affect in the future. The High Court fined EMI $60,000, with an additional fine to be decided later, the BBC reported. Pink Floyd also objected to the way EMI paid royalties for downloads. Corrected at 8:53 a.m. PST: This story incorrectly stated how the court's decision will affect EMI. It is unclear whether the label will be forced to stop selling individual song downloads of Pink Floyd's music.Updated 8:50 a.m. PST:to include EMI statement.
The U.K.'s High Court ruled that EMI Music isn't entitled to exploit individual recordings via the Web or any other distribution means without Pink Floyd's consent, according to a story by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Pink Floyd charged in its suit that the financially troubled label violated its contract by selling individual songs. The label countered that the clause in the contract that prohibited those song sales applied only to physical DVDs or albums. EMI denied that the court's decision would require it to stop selling Pink Floyd's individual songs on iTunes, Amazon or any other Web music service. "Today's judgment does not require EMI to cease making Pink Floyd's catalog available as single track downloads," EMI said in a statement. "EMI continues to sell Pink Floyd's music digitally and in other formats." The band's most recent contract was signed prior to the rise of digital music, according to the BBC and a report in The Associated Press. The BBC's story didn't make it clear whether the famed rock band, known for albums such as The Wall (from 1979) and The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), is opposed to the sale of individual songs on the Web or to the narrower point of EMI doing so without its permission. What is also unclear is how many acts this decision could affect in the future. The High Court fined EMI $60,000, with an additional fine to be decided later, the BBC reported. Pink Floyd also objected to the way EMI paid royalties for downloads. Corrected at 8:53 a.m. PST: This story incorrectly stated how the court's decision will affect EMI. It is unclear whether the label will be forced to stop selling individual song downloads of Pink Floyd's music.Updated 8:50 a.m. PST:to include EMI statement.
Now playing in iOS Game Center- Your real name
Now playing in iOS Game Center: Your real name
If you're a gamer who revels in your status as a faceless player, you should pay attention to the change Apple rolled out with its Game Center app today.Starting today, when you send a friend request or accept a friend request, your real name in addition to your gamer tag or nickname will be shown to that person. Apple added that new policy in a change to its terms of service agreement to Game Center.Previously, when you added a friend it only displayed a username. Now, it shows both the person's username and real name. While that may seem harmless to some, it's a change from how most online gaming works.To understand the importance of privacy for gamers, look no further than the recent controversy kindled by Blizzard Entertainment, the creators of popular World of Warcraft and the StarCraft franchises. In July, Blizzard started requiring users to register with their real names instead of anonymous usernames, but just days later backed down due to the firestorm of criticism from its rabid users.
If you're a gamer who revels in your status as a faceless player, you should pay attention to the change Apple rolled out with its Game Center app today.Starting today, when you send a friend request or accept a friend request, your real name in addition to your gamer tag or nickname will be shown to that person. Apple added that new policy in a change to its terms of service agreement to Game Center.Previously, when you added a friend it only displayed a username. Now, it shows both the person's username and real name. While that may seem harmless to some, it's a change from how most online gaming works.To understand the importance of privacy for gamers, look no further than the recent controversy kindled by Blizzard Entertainment, the creators of popular World of Warcraft and the StarCraft franchises. In July, Blizzard started requiring users to register with their real names instead of anonymous usernames, but just days later backed down due to the firestorm of criticism from its rabid users.
Now it's a Google tablet that will challenge Kindle Fire-
Now it's a Google tablet that will challenge Kindle Fire?
So maybe there's not a rumored Apple iPad in production to challenge the Kindle Fire after all. Maybe the purported Fire fighter is actually a Google tablet.That's according to DigiTimes, which reported today that sources in Google's upstream supply chain believe the tablet could be positioned to challenge Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire. The sources expect the Android tablet to arrive in the spring at a price below $299 to compete with Amazon.The report comes a few weeks after Google Chairman Eric Schmidt allegedly told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the company plans to "market a tablet of the highest quality" in the next six months. It's possible that the newspaper misunderstood or misquoted Schmidt, but Google has refused to clarify his comments.However, this rumor should be taken with a grain of salt as the Taiwan news site already has a shaky reputation for accuracy; sources have told it three different tablet suspicions in as many weeks. The tech blog reported in mid December that Apple would "likely" launch a 7.85-inch tablet in the fourth quarter of 2012 to compete with Amazon's Android-based tablet. The site then reported last week that Apple would unveil two 9.7-inch versions later this month at the Macworld|iWorld conference--a report that was largely rebuffed by the many tech observers.
So maybe there's not a rumored Apple iPad in production to challenge the Kindle Fire after all. Maybe the purported Fire fighter is actually a Google tablet.That's according to DigiTimes, which reported today that sources in Google's upstream supply chain believe the tablet could be positioned to challenge Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire. The sources expect the Android tablet to arrive in the spring at a price below $299 to compete with Amazon.The report comes a few weeks after Google Chairman Eric Schmidt allegedly told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the company plans to "market a tablet of the highest quality" in the next six months. It's possible that the newspaper misunderstood or misquoted Schmidt, but Google has refused to clarify his comments.However, this rumor should be taken with a grain of salt as the Taiwan news site already has a shaky reputation for accuracy; sources have told it three different tablet suspicions in as many weeks. The tech blog reported in mid December that Apple would "likely" launch a 7.85-inch tablet in the fourth quarter of 2012 to compete with Amazon's Android-based tablet. The site then reported last week that Apple would unveil two 9.7-inch versions later this month at the Macworld|iWorld conference--a report that was largely rebuffed by the many tech observers.
Woz concedes Android advantages over iPhone
Woz concedes Android advantages over iPhone
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak may have waited in line for the release of new iPhones, but he says there are ways Android has leaped ahead of iPhone.In an interview with Dan Lyons for the Daily Beast comparing iPhones with Android phones, the Woz laments the limitations of Apple's smartphone. "My primary phone is the iPhone," the Woz said. "I love the beauty of it. But I wish it did all the things my Android does, I really do."However, don't get the idea that Woz is getting ready to dump the iPhone. He said his main beef is with Siri, which he said no longer works as well as he would like."I used to ask Siri, 'What are the five biggest lakes in California?' and it would come back with the answer," he said."Now it just misses. It gives me real estate listings. I used to ask, 'What are the prime numbers greater than 87?' and it would answer. Now instead of getting prime numbers, I get listings for prime rib, or prime real estate."He also said he prefers the GPS navigation on Android phones and he also takes issue with the battery life on the iPhone ("it just started running through the battery so fast").Despite those gripes, Woz says he still recommends the iPhone, especially for people who might be intimidated by Android's complexity."The people I recommend the iPhone 4S for are the ones who are already in the Mac world, because it's so compatible, and people who are just scared of computers altogether and don't want to use them. The iPhone is the least frightening thing. For that kind of person who is scared of complexity, well, here's a phone that is simple to use and does what you need it to do," he said.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak may have waited in line for the release of new iPhones, but he says there are ways Android has leaped ahead of iPhone.In an interview with Dan Lyons for the Daily Beast comparing iPhones with Android phones, the Woz laments the limitations of Apple's smartphone. "My primary phone is the iPhone," the Woz said. "I love the beauty of it. But I wish it did all the things my Android does, I really do."However, don't get the idea that Woz is getting ready to dump the iPhone. He said his main beef is with Siri, which he said no longer works as well as he would like."I used to ask Siri, 'What are the five biggest lakes in California?' and it would come back with the answer," he said."Now it just misses. It gives me real estate listings. I used to ask, 'What are the prime numbers greater than 87?' and it would answer. Now instead of getting prime numbers, I get listings for prime rib, or prime real estate."He also said he prefers the GPS navigation on Android phones and he also takes issue with the battery life on the iPhone ("it just started running through the battery so fast").Despite those gripes, Woz says he still recommends the iPhone, especially for people who might be intimidated by Android's complexity."The people I recommend the iPhone 4S for are the ones who are already in the Mac world, because it's so compatible, and people who are just scared of computers altogether and don't want to use them. The iPhone is the least frightening thing. For that kind of person who is scared of complexity, well, here's a phone that is simple to use and does what you need it to do," he said.
Words with Friends players richer than Angry Birds fans-
Words with Friends players richer than Angry Birds fans?
Angry Birds players tend to skew Republican, while Words with Friends players tend to make more money. That's according to a recent study by JumpTap, which provides targeted mobile advertising and collects trending data.Another finding: the new iPad has exceeded sales expectations, even if its traffic levels are lower than prior versions of Apple's hit tablet. The results -- particularly from the mobile games -- provide some interesting insight into the patterns and preferences of players. Words with Friends players are more likely to have an annual income over $100,000 and tend to use smartphones. Angry Birds players, meanwhile, are more likely Republican than their Words with Friends counterparts. They are also twice as likely to be on a tablet as the average mobile user, according to JumpTap. Such characteristics apparently help a company like JumpTap deliver more relevant advertisements to consumers on their mobile devices. On the new iPad, JumpTap said use was heavy for the first six days after its launch, but only represented a small percentage of use from total iPads. The original iPad and the iPad 2 each maintained a share of 45 percent of total traffic during the launch week. JumpTap market executive Paran Johar said the early read of the data suggests the new iPad is stealing traffic from the iPad 2, meaning that iPad 2 users may be more inclined to switch to the new iteration than original iPad users. That flies in the face of conventional thinking, which assumed many original iPad users would be willing to upgrade to the new version. The new iPad only offers a few improvement to the iPad 2, which would seem to discourage upgrades from that model. Apple iPad (March 2012, 16GB, Wi-Fi, black)...See full gallery1 - 4 / 9NextPrev
Angry Birds players tend to skew Republican, while Words with Friends players tend to make more money. That's according to a recent study by JumpTap, which provides targeted mobile advertising and collects trending data.Another finding: the new iPad has exceeded sales expectations, even if its traffic levels are lower than prior versions of Apple's hit tablet. The results -- particularly from the mobile games -- provide some interesting insight into the patterns and preferences of players. Words with Friends players are more likely to have an annual income over $100,000 and tend to use smartphones. Angry Birds players, meanwhile, are more likely Republican than their Words with Friends counterparts. They are also twice as likely to be on a tablet as the average mobile user, according to JumpTap. Such characteristics apparently help a company like JumpTap deliver more relevant advertisements to consumers on their mobile devices. On the new iPad, JumpTap said use was heavy for the first six days after its launch, but only represented a small percentage of use from total iPads. The original iPad and the iPad 2 each maintained a share of 45 percent of total traffic during the launch week. JumpTap market executive Paran Johar said the early read of the data suggests the new iPad is stealing traffic from the iPad 2, meaning that iPad 2 users may be more inclined to switch to the new iteration than original iPad users. That flies in the face of conventional thinking, which assumed many original iPad users would be willing to upgrade to the new version. The new iPad only offers a few improvement to the iPad 2, which would seem to discourage upgrades from that model. Apple iPad (March 2012, 16GB, Wi-Fi, black)...See full gallery1 - 4 / 9NextPrev
Without Apple, 'supply chain' shrinking, says analyst
Without Apple, 'supply chain' shrinking, says analyst
Apple is so important to the group of companies that build tech-related electronics products that without Apple there would be negative growth, according to Citibank. The tech electronics supply chain is barely showing year-to-year growth and would be in the red if it wasn't for Apple, according to a research note today from Citibank analyst Jim Suva. The supply chain is an amorphous collection of manufacturers, many located in Asia. In a subheading titled "Ex-Apple, the Tech Supply Chain is Still Not Growing Y/Y," Citibank said Apple is the linchpin for growth."Projected annual sales growth in the supply chain has slowed significantly and is expected to be +1.5% y/y in June, well below the 5-year and 10-year averages of +4.2% y/y and +6.8% y/y, respectively," Citi's Suva wrote. He continued. "Year over year, Apple on a dollars basis is expected to [be] outgrowing overall tech supply chain in the June quarter or, in other words, without Apple the supply chain is actually shrinking." Citibank breaks down the supply chain into "upstream suppliers" like semiconductor chip suppliers, "hubs," e.g., distributors, and "downstream vendors" such as wireless equipment and PC hardware suppliers. Products like the third-generation iPad keep the supply chain humming.When reporting second quarter financial results in April, Apple said it sold 11.8 million iPads, a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter.
Apple is so important to the group of companies that build tech-related electronics products that without Apple there would be negative growth, according to Citibank. The tech electronics supply chain is barely showing year-to-year growth and would be in the red if it wasn't for Apple, according to a research note today from Citibank analyst Jim Suva. The supply chain is an amorphous collection of manufacturers, many located in Asia. In a subheading titled "Ex-Apple, the Tech Supply Chain is Still Not Growing Y/Y," Citibank said Apple is the linchpin for growth."Projected annual sales growth in the supply chain has slowed significantly and is expected to be +1.5% y/y in June, well below the 5-year and 10-year averages of +4.2% y/y and +6.8% y/y, respectively," Citi's Suva wrote. He continued. "Year over year, Apple on a dollars basis is expected to [be] outgrowing overall tech supply chain in the June quarter or, in other words, without Apple the supply chain is actually shrinking." Citibank breaks down the supply chain into "upstream suppliers" like semiconductor chip suppliers, "hubs," e.g., distributors, and "downstream vendors" such as wireless equipment and PC hardware suppliers. Products like the third-generation iPad keep the supply chain humming.When reporting second quarter financial results in April, Apple said it sold 11.8 million iPads, a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter.
With Safari 5, Apple plugs four dozen holes
With Safari 5, Apple plugs four dozen holes
Apple has released the latest version of its Safari browser that includes fixes for four dozen security holes, mostly in the open-source WebKit technology and many of which leave a computer open to compromise by drive-by-download attacks from visiting a malicious Web page.Safari 5 for Windows and Mac debuted on Monday. The impact on security issues is detailed in this advisory, which applies to Safari 5.0 and Safari 4.1.The release updates the browser to display a warning before navigating to an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (secure HTTP) Web address containing user information, to better protect against phishing attacks, removes a heap buffer overflow in the handling of images using ColorSync technology, and addresses an issue in Safari's handling of PDF files.The software also plugs 44 holes in WebKit alone that could allow for numerous types of attacks and compromises, including: information disclosure from dragging or pasting links or images; cross-site scripting attacks; unexpected actions on other sites caused by interacting with a malicious Web page; data leakage from visiting an HTTPS site that redirects to a less secure HTTP site; data being sent to an IRC server by visiting a malicious Web site; and a plethora of the garden-variety arbitrary code execution attack from visiting a malicious site.Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins, fixing 34 vulnerabilities in one of its largest Patch Tuesdays to date. Meanwhile, Adobe said it would issue a patch for a critical hole in its Flash technology being exploited in the wild by delivering an update for Flash Player by Thursday, and for Adobe Reader and Acrobat by June 29.
Apple has released the latest version of its Safari browser that includes fixes for four dozen security holes, mostly in the open-source WebKit technology and many of which leave a computer open to compromise by drive-by-download attacks from visiting a malicious Web page.Safari 5 for Windows and Mac debuted on Monday. The impact on security issues is detailed in this advisory, which applies to Safari 5.0 and Safari 4.1.The release updates the browser to display a warning before navigating to an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (secure HTTP) Web address containing user information, to better protect against phishing attacks, removes a heap buffer overflow in the handling of images using ColorSync technology, and addresses an issue in Safari's handling of PDF files.The software also plugs 44 holes in WebKit alone that could allow for numerous types of attacks and compromises, including: information disclosure from dragging or pasting links or images; cross-site scripting attacks; unexpected actions on other sites caused by interacting with a malicious Web page; data leakage from visiting an HTTPS site that redirects to a less secure HTTP site; data being sent to an IRC server by visiting a malicious Web site; and a plethora of the garden-variety arbitrary code execution attack from visiting a malicious site.Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins, fixing 34 vulnerabilities in one of its largest Patch Tuesdays to date. Meanwhile, Adobe said it would issue a patch for a critical hole in its Flash technology being exploited in the wild by delivering an update for Flash Player by Thursday, and for Adobe Reader and Acrobat by June 29.
With Passport phone, BlackBerry says it's hip to be square
With Passport phone, BlackBerry says it's hip to be square
If you're wondering why BlackBerry would create a smartphone with a square screen, the company's answer is pretty simple: It's all about getting work done.In a blog post on the company's website, BlackBerry claimed Monday that its new 4.5-inch display Passport phone -- which goes on sale in September -- will be an ideal device for professionals. It said the square screen and physical keyboard are well-suited for developing spreadsheets, trading stocks, and writing notes.The smartphone maker went a step further, saying that all the rectangular phones out there -- think Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and on and on -- may be "limiting innovation," and that a new shape could help change that.BlackBerry has been struggling to make a turnaround after falling behind in a smartphone market now led by Samsung Electronics and Apple. In November, BlackBerry installed a new chief executive, John Chen, who has been working to refocusing the Canada-based company on business customers instead of general consumers. That strategy seems to fit well with how BlackBerry is pitching the Passport phone. In the BlackBerry blog post, the company gave examples of architects being able to look at full designs and schematics, healthcare workers looking at X-rays, and traders using Web-based trading platforms, all on their phones.Sales at BlackBerry have been shrinking for years and the company now holds a small sliver of the overall smartphone market. Still, last month the company posted quarterly losses that weren't as bad as expected, thanks mostly to its efforts to cut costs.The Passport could help BlackBerry reconnect with its traditional business and government customer, though some may still be wondering whether a square phone will fit in their pockets.
If you're wondering why BlackBerry would create a smartphone with a square screen, the company's answer is pretty simple: It's all about getting work done.In a blog post on the company's website, BlackBerry claimed Monday that its new 4.5-inch display Passport phone -- which goes on sale in September -- will be an ideal device for professionals. It said the square screen and physical keyboard are well-suited for developing spreadsheets, trading stocks, and writing notes.The smartphone maker went a step further, saying that all the rectangular phones out there -- think Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and on and on -- may be "limiting innovation," and that a new shape could help change that.BlackBerry has been struggling to make a turnaround after falling behind in a smartphone market now led by Samsung Electronics and Apple. In November, BlackBerry installed a new chief executive, John Chen, who has been working to refocusing the Canada-based company on business customers instead of general consumers. That strategy seems to fit well with how BlackBerry is pitching the Passport phone. In the BlackBerry blog post, the company gave examples of architects being able to look at full designs and schematics, healthcare workers looking at X-rays, and traders using Web-based trading platforms, all on their phones.Sales at BlackBerry have been shrinking for years and the company now holds a small sliver of the overall smartphone market. Still, last month the company posted quarterly losses that weren't as bad as expected, thanks mostly to its efforts to cut costs.The Passport could help BlackBerry reconnect with its traditional business and government customer, though some may still be wondering whether a square phone will fit in their pockets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)