10 music-tech trends that will shape the next decade
Songs instead of albums Musicians will always find ways to record their music--it's a fundamental drive, like painting for a painter or writing for a writer. But I agree with Guttenberg that fewer musicians will release suites of songs organized around a common theme or sound. As much as I love my long-playing records, they arose out of economics rather than art--they were a convenient way for companies to bundle multiple songs (particularly songs that might not have sold as singles) in an affordable package. With digital files already taking the place of physical recordings, there's almost no economic reason for the album to persist. By 2020, the concept of the album will be an anachronism with a few vocal adherents--like vinyl records are today--but most music will be released and consumed as songs.Streams instead of downloads Where did we get the idea that digital music has to be downloaded? It started with the CD and file-trading networks--content owners wouldn't sell us music in a form that could be consumed on our computers, so we ripped our own and swapped the files through Napster and its brethren. But now, every time a new song or album comes out, or we rediscover an old act, we have to rip or download the recordings, then transfer them to whichever device(s) we want to play them on. There's got to be an easier way!If you had access to every song ever recorded, on any device, from any location with an Internet connection, wouldn't you rather pay for that service than buy a new CD or two every month? People say they want to own music, but when it's just a digital file, what do they want to own--a collection of ones and zeroes sitting on a segment of their hard drive? Why bother?I think the real problem is that today's streaming services don't give you every song ever recorded and don't work on every device, and broadband data access--particularly wireless--is not ubiquitous. Those flaws stem from business problems (licensing, DRM, format incompatibility, and insufficient broadband infrastructure) rather than technology problems. And the business problems are gradually being resolved--look at the introduction of Rhapsody and Spotify for iPhone, and Apple's acquisition of streaming music service (and music locker) Lala. By 2020, most professionally recorded music will be consumed as on-demand streams and people won't pay by the track.In the cloud rather than on hard drives Some songs will never be available on demand--think of tracks from friends or obscure independent acts, or live covers (where licensing can be incredibly complicated, involving multiple performers and songwriters). But as users become accustomed to listening to more professionally recorded music on demand, they'll expect their personal collections to be available in the cloud as well. After all, who wants to spend time backing up a 120GB music collection on an external drive, or choosing particular recordings to eliminate in order to clear space on a cell phone? This is where Apple's Lala acquisition really makes sense--imagine if iTunes served not only as an on-demand music service but also as a locker for songs you'd previously downloaded, ripped, or obtained elsewhere. Suddenly, the 16GB of storage on an entry-level iPhone would seem generous instead of paltry.Fidelity rather than file size Once our music lives in the cloud, we'll no longer have to worry about running out of space on our local drives or devices. Microsoft's SkyDrive already offers 25GB of online storage for free, and I could easily see that increasing one-hundred-fold by 2020. That's right: free terabytes of storage. It'll take a little bit longer, but eventually bandwidth--even wireless bandwidth--will increase to the point where streaming lossless digital files makes sense. Listeners will rediscover what they've been missing--detail in the midrange, and tons of information at the low and high ends of the spectrum--and the era of the MP3 will be looked back (and down) upon as the dark ages of audio quality.Extras become standard Again, with concerns over storage gradually disappearing, what's to prevent artists from packaging their music with artwork, lyric sheets, video outtakes, and even interactive applications? Today's artist-specific iPhone apps will become standard. Casual fans will stream a couple songs for free. Hardcore fans will pay to download the entire app and pore over it obsessively.Production rather than consumption Digital technology has already democratized the recording process--what used to take tens of thousands of dollars and a professional studio can now be accomplished with a laptop and a free program like Garage Band or Audacity. The results usually don't sound as good, but the experimentation process is fun, and sometimes a gem emerges. Digital technology and the Internet have also made promotion and distribution far easier than they were a decade ago. By 2020, music fans will spend almost as much time creating and sharing recordings with their friends as they do listening to professionally recorded music. Don't believe me? Think of this: 10 years ago, writers were a comparatively rare breed. Now, everybody's got a blog, or at least a Facebook page. In another 10 years, everybody will be a musician--or at least a recording artist.Suggestions rather than searches In a world of on-demand music in the cloud, search will become vitally important. Users will want to be able to find songs not only by title, album, or artist, but also by a few snippets of lyrics, or even by humming or playing part of a melody. (Imagine a combination of the voice search function available on Google Mobile with an advanced version of technology like Shazam, which can identify recorded music from a few snippets.) But search is only part of the question--once everything's available, how will users decide what to listen to? By 2020, personalized recommendation services, like those provided by Pandora, Slacker, and MOG, will become even more important than search, and will have to be integrated into any on-demand music service that hopes to survive.Festivals rather than big concerts Live music is already a long-tail world--with the exception of old, established acts and the very occasional pop sensation, very few bands can fill large arenas or football stadiums. This trend will accelerate as the last bands from the golden age of radio retire, labels take even fewer big promotional risks, and the market continues to fragment under the explosion in recording releases. In 2020, no single act will be able to sell 50,000 tickets at Qwest Field like U2 hopes to do this summer. Instead, the only shows that will pack large arenas will be festivals, where listeners can pick and choose among dozens of acts and classes of entertainment--just like they'll be doing online.Spectacle rather than personality With recording revenue plunging, bands must draw fans to their live shows in order to make a living. The common wisdom today dictates that musicians need a personal connection with their fans. They must blog, tweet, maintain their MySpace and Facebook profiles, and generally act like your next door neighbor who's always pestering you to see his band. There's a word for receiving "personal" messages from your favorite 100 bands--it's called "spam." Eventually, this cloud of self-promotional noise will dissipate, and will be replaced by old-fashioned word of mouth. Only acts that put on a great show--not just singing and playing songs, but entertaining in the old-fashioned sense of the word, with video and stagecraft and humor and spectacle--will cut through the noise. Bonus points for the first act that somehow integrates an audience-accessible game console into their act.Retro takes on a new meaning In 2020, the original iPod will be almost 20 years old. As the music world is overtaken by a nearly infinite selection of high-fidelity music, streamed over super-fast wireless connections to increasingly inexpensive portable devices, hardcore nostalgists will drag out their first-generation iPods and fill them with treble-heavy 120kbps MP3s. Meanwhile, grandpa will still be down in the basement with his collection of LP records and his lava lamp.
How to enable Emoji icons on iOS for free
How to enable Emoji icons on iOS for free
Have you ever received a message on your iPhone that looked like the one above? Emoji icons have grown in popularity for iOS devices over the last couple of years. With this simple guide we are going to show you how to get an Emoji keyboard on your iPhone, iPad or iPad Touch for free; allowing you to join in on the fun. We had originally shown you how to get an Emoji keyboard on your iPhone back in 2009. At the time there was only one Emoji app available in the App Store, and it was a paid app at that. Today there are literally hundreds of apps available in the App Store that bring Emoji to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch--most of them are free. Step 1. Search the App Store for Emoji.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou will need to search the App Store for Emoji (iTunes link) on your iOS device or in iTunes on your computer. Most of the apps you will see are free, while some are free with ads, or $0.99. You can pick any of the free apps; they all end up doing the same thing in the end. After you have selected an Emoji app that works for you, download and install it on your iOS device. Step 2. Enable the Emoji KeyboardAfter you install the Emoji app of your choice, you will see an icon for the app on your device. This makes for an easy way to browse all of the Emoji icons, but it does not automatically enable the Emoji keyboard. In fact, if you have a folder or a screen where you put apps that you will never open, this would be one app to add to that collection. In order to enable the Emoji keyboard, open the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and tap on General. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiOn the General screen, scroll down and tap on Keyboard.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiTap on Add New Keyboard..Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou will now be presented with a long list of available keyboards on your device. Scroll down and locate Emoji. Tap on Emoji. If Emoji doesn't show up in this list, exit back to your home screen and open the Emoji app icon. Let it fully load, then go back into Settings > General > Keyboard and try to add Emoji again. If it is still not present in the list, restart your device and try again. Step 3. Activate your Emoji keyboard while typingScreenshot by Jason CiprianiNow that you have enabled your Emoji keyboard, you can access it whenever you're typing on your device. When your keyboard pops up, you will see a button with a globe on it just to the left of the Space key. Tap on this button to change to your Emoji keyboard.Emoji keyboard on the iPhoneScreenshot by Jason CiprianiEmoji keyboard on the iPadScreenshot by Jason CiprianiTo change back to your normal keyboard, just tap on the globe again.Now that you are able to send Emoji to friends and family, keep in mind that they will need to be using an iOS device as well. However, some Android apps will recognize the Emoji you send from your iPhone.
Have you ever received a message on your iPhone that looked like the one above? Emoji icons have grown in popularity for iOS devices over the last couple of years. With this simple guide we are going to show you how to get an Emoji keyboard on your iPhone, iPad or iPad Touch for free; allowing you to join in on the fun. We had originally shown you how to get an Emoji keyboard on your iPhone back in 2009. At the time there was only one Emoji app available in the App Store, and it was a paid app at that. Today there are literally hundreds of apps available in the App Store that bring Emoji to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch--most of them are free. Step 1. Search the App Store for Emoji.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou will need to search the App Store for Emoji (iTunes link) on your iOS device or in iTunes on your computer. Most of the apps you will see are free, while some are free with ads, or $0.99. You can pick any of the free apps; they all end up doing the same thing in the end. After you have selected an Emoji app that works for you, download and install it on your iOS device. Step 2. Enable the Emoji KeyboardAfter you install the Emoji app of your choice, you will see an icon for the app on your device. This makes for an easy way to browse all of the Emoji icons, but it does not automatically enable the Emoji keyboard. In fact, if you have a folder or a screen where you put apps that you will never open, this would be one app to add to that collection. In order to enable the Emoji keyboard, open the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and tap on General. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiOn the General screen, scroll down and tap on Keyboard.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiTap on Add New Keyboard..Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou will now be presented with a long list of available keyboards on your device. Scroll down and locate Emoji. Tap on Emoji. If Emoji doesn't show up in this list, exit back to your home screen and open the Emoji app icon. Let it fully load, then go back into Settings > General > Keyboard and try to add Emoji again. If it is still not present in the list, restart your device and try again. Step 3. Activate your Emoji keyboard while typingScreenshot by Jason CiprianiNow that you have enabled your Emoji keyboard, you can access it whenever you're typing on your device. When your keyboard pops up, you will see a button with a globe on it just to the left of the Space key. Tap on this button to change to your Emoji keyboard.Emoji keyboard on the iPhoneScreenshot by Jason CiprianiEmoji keyboard on the iPadScreenshot by Jason CiprianiTo change back to your normal keyboard, just tap on the globe again.Now that you are able to send Emoji to friends and family, keep in mind that they will need to be using an iOS device as well. However, some Android apps will recognize the Emoji you send from your iPhone.
A freaky Friday for our iPhone 3G
A freaky Friday for our iPhone 3G
That is, until today. Since I only got the iPhone back from the CNET Labs just this week--I'm convinced Eric Franklin was getting back at me for being cold-blooded--I had to wait until today to get the latest 2.0.1 software update.After connecting the phone to iTunes and accepting the update, all was proceeding normally until suddenly, disaster struck. iTunes informed me that it was unable to complete the update because of an "unknown error" and my iPhone froze with the "connect to iTunes" prompt on the screen. Ouch...that was unexpected, particularly since I had updated CNET's first-generation iPhone moments before. But thinking it could just be a one-time quirk I tried a factory restore, reconnected the phone to iTunes in recovery mode, and accepted the update again. But alas, disaster struck a second time.Though thoughts of doom began to flood my mind, I took the advice of my very knowledgeable colleague over at iPhone Atlas and tried the update a third time. And that's when Murphy's Law hit me over the head with a mallet. Not only did the "unknown error" flash across my computer screen again, but also my iPhone snowed over with the "white Apple logo screen of death."Any screen of death, be it blue or white, is not fun as now it looks like a trip to the Apple store is in order. I was able to clear the screen with another restore, but now my iPhone won't get past the pesky iTunes prompt. It may not be bricked, but it might as well be.It's more than clear, Cupertino, that we have a problem. I'm hardly the only one to experience this problem, as message boards across the Internet can attest. But so far, Apple has remained silent on this issue, not to mention the mounting reports of 3G reception problems and dropped calls. AT&T is denying responsibility, but the fact the user complaints are coming from outside the United Statesseems to support the theory that there is an issue with the phone.Analysts and researchers have pointed to probable causes, from the Infineon chipset to a lack of 3G sensitivity, but so far iPhone users have been left to fend for themselves. And that's just shameful. According to a Business Week story, a software update to fix the reception problems is on the way. But until I hear anything officially, I consider it hearsay. Apple, it goes without saying that you should fix these issues soon. But in the meantime, it would be nice if you could discuss them at all--even if it is a simple "we're working on it." I'm certain that even the very acknowledgment that something is afoot would put a lot of minds at ease. And AT&T, you should chime in as well. My iPhone is a free loaner so I deserve nothing. But there are plenty of people who paid a lot of money for your product. And they deserve better.Have you been struck with the iTunes "white screen of death"? Leave a comment to let us know.
That is, until today. Since I only got the iPhone back from the CNET Labs just this week--I'm convinced Eric Franklin was getting back at me for being cold-blooded--I had to wait until today to get the latest 2.0.1 software update.After connecting the phone to iTunes and accepting the update, all was proceeding normally until suddenly, disaster struck. iTunes informed me that it was unable to complete the update because of an "unknown error" and my iPhone froze with the "connect to iTunes" prompt on the screen. Ouch...that was unexpected, particularly since I had updated CNET's first-generation iPhone moments before. But thinking it could just be a one-time quirk I tried a factory restore, reconnected the phone to iTunes in recovery mode, and accepted the update again. But alas, disaster struck a second time.Though thoughts of doom began to flood my mind, I took the advice of my very knowledgeable colleague over at iPhone Atlas and tried the update a third time. And that's when Murphy's Law hit me over the head with a mallet. Not only did the "unknown error" flash across my computer screen again, but also my iPhone snowed over with the "white Apple logo screen of death."Any screen of death, be it blue or white, is not fun as now it looks like a trip to the Apple store is in order. I was able to clear the screen with another restore, but now my iPhone won't get past the pesky iTunes prompt. It may not be bricked, but it might as well be.It's more than clear, Cupertino, that we have a problem. I'm hardly the only one to experience this problem, as message boards across the Internet can attest. But so far, Apple has remained silent on this issue, not to mention the mounting reports of 3G reception problems and dropped calls. AT&T is denying responsibility, but the fact the user complaints are coming from outside the United Statesseems to support the theory that there is an issue with the phone.Analysts and researchers have pointed to probable causes, from the Infineon chipset to a lack of 3G sensitivity, but so far iPhone users have been left to fend for themselves. And that's just shameful. According to a Business Week story, a software update to fix the reception problems is on the way. But until I hear anything officially, I consider it hearsay. Apple, it goes without saying that you should fix these issues soon. But in the meantime, it would be nice if you could discuss them at all--even if it is a simple "we're working on it." I'm certain that even the very acknowledgment that something is afoot would put a lot of minds at ease. And AT&T, you should chime in as well. My iPhone is a free loaner so I deserve nothing. But there are plenty of people who paid a lot of money for your product. And they deserve better.Have you been struck with the iTunes "white screen of death"? Leave a comment to let us know.
Remotely control a Mac with Mac.remote for Android
Remotely control a Mac with Mac.remote for Android
Related stories: Home networking explained, Part 9: Access your home computer remotely How to control remote PCs for free now that LogMeIn Free is dead How to use Keynote to control...Keynote on iOS, Mac Many of us rely on our computers as entertainment hubs for watching videos and listening to music.Having a remote control to manage simple functions like play/pause, fast-forward, and volume makes a lot of sense.Every now and then, you'll see a physical remote control included with a computer system, but they're pretty rare.In the absence of an actual remote control, you can use an Android device with the Mac.remote app to control many multimedia applications on your Mac.You can even put your Mac to sleep, shut it down, and control the screen's brightness.To connect your Android device to your Mac with Mac.remote, go to System Preferences > Sharing and make sure that the Remote Login service is turned on.Next, launch the Mac.remote app, then enter your OS X username, password, and the IP address of your Mac in the Mac.remote app.The username is your short name in OS X, not your full name.If you're not sure what it is, launch the Terminal app and you should see your short name listed at the top of the window (and as part of the command prompt).Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETOnce you're logged in, you'll see the list of apps available to control on the left.By default, it's set up for iTunes, Spotify, Rdio, QuickTime Player, MPlayerX, VLC, Keynote, and iPhoto.After you've selected an app to control, you can play/pause, go back, go next, control the volume, and select "i" to see the title that's playing.Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETYou can also control some system functions by swiping the screen to the left.You'll see the controls for power, sleep, and screen brightness on the right side of the screen.To disconnect from your Mac or manage apps, tap on the Menu in the lower right-hand corner.Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETMac.remote runs without ads for 5 days.After the initial 5 days, you can either use it with the ads or purchase the ad-free version.Alternatively, you can also try an app called Mac Remote that's very similar to Mac.remote.
Related stories: Home networking explained, Part 9: Access your home computer remotely How to control remote PCs for free now that LogMeIn Free is dead How to use Keynote to control...Keynote on iOS, Mac Many of us rely on our computers as entertainment hubs for watching videos and listening to music.Having a remote control to manage simple functions like play/pause, fast-forward, and volume makes a lot of sense.Every now and then, you'll see a physical remote control included with a computer system, but they're pretty rare.In the absence of an actual remote control, you can use an Android device with the Mac.remote app to control many multimedia applications on your Mac.You can even put your Mac to sleep, shut it down, and control the screen's brightness.To connect your Android device to your Mac with Mac.remote, go to System Preferences > Sharing and make sure that the Remote Login service is turned on.Next, launch the Mac.remote app, then enter your OS X username, password, and the IP address of your Mac in the Mac.remote app.The username is your short name in OS X, not your full name.If you're not sure what it is, launch the Terminal app and you should see your short name listed at the top of the window (and as part of the command prompt).Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETOnce you're logged in, you'll see the list of apps available to control on the left.By default, it's set up for iTunes, Spotify, Rdio, QuickTime Player, MPlayerX, VLC, Keynote, and iPhoto.After you've selected an app to control, you can play/pause, go back, go next, control the volume, and select "i" to see the title that's playing.Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETYou can also control some system functions by swiping the screen to the left.You'll see the controls for power, sleep, and screen brightness on the right side of the screen.To disconnect from your Mac or manage apps, tap on the Menu in the lower right-hand corner.Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNETMac.remote runs without ads for 5 days.After the initial 5 days, you can either use it with the ads or purchase the ad-free version.Alternatively, you can also try an app called Mac Remote that's very similar to Mac.remote.
Gracenote hints at CES announcements
Gracenote hints at CES announcements
Today at San Francisco's annual Music Tech Summit, Gracenote Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Ty Roberts hinted at a few announcements the company will make at CES 2011. Speaking on a panel that tackled the subject of "connected devices," Ty mentioned that Gracenote (a division of Sony) is gearing up to unveil a service for delivering streaming mood-based music playlists to connected devices such as TVs, along with accompanying artist photos and album art.Apart from the "mood-based" angle, the combination of streaming music and artist images sounds similar to Microsoft's Zune offering now available on Xbox 360. Last.fm (a property of CNET parent company CBS) also has a conceptually similar photo montage music visualizer for its streaming radio Web-based player. This isn't Gracenote's first stab at delivering intelligent playlists to consumers. Two years ago, it announced its in-car system for mood and location-aware playlists. Gracenote's parent company, Sony, has also used the playlist technology recently for its line of Walkman media players, music phones, and the PSP. While Gracenote's playlist technology is most famous for working behind the scenes in products like Apple's iTunes, the leap into the realm of Internet-connected TVs may help the company step into the spotlight. On the other hand, with Sony at the helm, the as-yet-unveiled service may be limited to Sony's own sets and devices. Ty also made a telling CES prediction, stating that he expects to see a number of services using the iPad to react to your TV with augmented content to enhance the television viewing experience.With CES only five weeks away, we won't need to wait long to see if he's right.
Today at San Francisco's annual Music Tech Summit, Gracenote Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Ty Roberts hinted at a few announcements the company will make at CES 2011. Speaking on a panel that tackled the subject of "connected devices," Ty mentioned that Gracenote (a division of Sony) is gearing up to unveil a service for delivering streaming mood-based music playlists to connected devices such as TVs, along with accompanying artist photos and album art.Apart from the "mood-based" angle, the combination of streaming music and artist images sounds similar to Microsoft's Zune offering now available on Xbox 360. Last.fm (a property of CNET parent company CBS) also has a conceptually similar photo montage music visualizer for its streaming radio Web-based player. This isn't Gracenote's first stab at delivering intelligent playlists to consumers. Two years ago, it announced its in-car system for mood and location-aware playlists. Gracenote's parent company, Sony, has also used the playlist technology recently for its line of Walkman media players, music phones, and the PSP. While Gracenote's playlist technology is most famous for working behind the scenes in products like Apple's iTunes, the leap into the realm of Internet-connected TVs may help the company step into the spotlight. On the other hand, with Sony at the helm, the as-yet-unveiled service may be limited to Sony's own sets and devices. Ty also made a telling CES prediction, stating that he expects to see a number of services using the iPad to react to your TV with augmented content to enhance the television viewing experience.With CES only five weeks away, we won't need to wait long to see if he's right.
Report- Former iPod chief leaves Apple
Report: Former iPod chief leaves Apple
Fadell had served as senior vice president of the iPod for seven years and was largely credited with playing a key role in Apple's resurgence. Fadell stepped down from his iPod post in November 2008 but remained at the company as an adviser to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Fadell was reportedly expected to announce his departure from the company online Monday night.Fadell became the inaugural member of the iPod engineering team in 2001, eventually beingpromoted to head of the division in 2006, succeeding Jon Rubenstein, who is now Palm's chief executive officer. Fadell was credited by Fortune as the man behind the idea of a handheld music player combined with a digital music store. He reportedly shopped the idea around Silicon Valley, including a six-week stint at Seattle-based RealNetworks, before landing at Apple. During Fadell's tenure, the iPod grew from a curiosity into the profit engine that paved the way for Apple's renaissance in personal computers and its entry into mobile computing.Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Fadell said he plans to focus on advising companies and investing in green tech companies."My primary focus will be helping the environment by working with consumer green-tech companies," Fadell told the Times. "I'm determined to tell my kids and grandkids amazing stories beyond my iPod and iPhone ones."
Fadell had served as senior vice president of the iPod for seven years and was largely credited with playing a key role in Apple's resurgence. Fadell stepped down from his iPod post in November 2008 but remained at the company as an adviser to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Fadell was reportedly expected to announce his departure from the company online Monday night.Fadell became the inaugural member of the iPod engineering team in 2001, eventually beingpromoted to head of the division in 2006, succeeding Jon Rubenstein, who is now Palm's chief executive officer. Fadell was credited by Fortune as the man behind the idea of a handheld music player combined with a digital music store. He reportedly shopped the idea around Silicon Valley, including a six-week stint at Seattle-based RealNetworks, before landing at Apple. During Fadell's tenure, the iPod grew from a curiosity into the profit engine that paved the way for Apple's renaissance in personal computers and its entry into mobile computing.Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Fadell said he plans to focus on advising companies and investing in green tech companies."My primary focus will be helping the environment by working with consumer green-tech companies," Fadell told the Times. "I'm determined to tell my kids and grandkids amazing stories beyond my iPod and iPhone ones."
Report- FaceTime-capable iPod Touch in the works
Report: FaceTime-capable iPod Touch in the works
An updated iPod Touch boasting features found in the iPhone 4 is slated for release this fall, according to a buyer for a prominent U.K. retail chain.Rob Hennessy, the audio and telecom buyer for U.K. retail giant John Lewis, said this week at a company event focused on the holiday-shopping season that the updated iPod Touch will be aimed at teens and kids.Several U.K. tech blogs reported Hennessy as saying that the next iPod Touch will mimic the iPhone 4 by including a 5-megapixel camera, a flash, HD video recording, and a gyroscope. He also reportedly said that new iPod Touch will include FaceTime, Apple's new video-calling feature.A John Lewis spokeswoman confirmed to CNET on Thursday that Hennessy made the remarks, though she added that Hennessy was "speculating" about the device. The spokeswoman added that Apple has not contacted John Lewis directly or discussed any new version of the device. CNET has also contacted Apple but has not immediately heard back.
An updated iPod Touch boasting features found in the iPhone 4 is slated for release this fall, according to a buyer for a prominent U.K. retail chain.Rob Hennessy, the audio and telecom buyer for U.K. retail giant John Lewis, said this week at a company event focused on the holiday-shopping season that the updated iPod Touch will be aimed at teens and kids.Several U.K. tech blogs reported Hennessy as saying that the next iPod Touch will mimic the iPhone 4 by including a 5-megapixel camera, a flash, HD video recording, and a gyroscope. He also reportedly said that new iPod Touch will include FaceTime, Apple's new video-calling feature.A John Lewis spokeswoman confirmed to CNET on Thursday that Hennessy made the remarks, though she added that Hennessy was "speculating" about the device. The spokeswoman added that Apple has not contacted John Lewis directly or discussed any new version of the device. CNET has also contacted Apple but has not immediately heard back.
Analyst predicts Apple will unveil Netbook
Analyst predicts Apple will unveil Netbook
Macworld Rumor Week is now in full swing.Ezra Gottheil of Technology Business Research anted up Tuesday with a research note predicting, but not reporting, that Apple will announce a low-cost "Netbook" style Mac in January at Macworld. He told Computerworld, "I don't have any inside information" but nonetheless believes that Apple will release a small low-cost laptop to get in on the Netbook craze and satisfy those calling for a cheaper Mac.The Apple-doing-a-Netbook rumor has been around for several months, despite Apple's attempts to push it back down. As recently as October, CEO Steve Jobs trotted out the old line about how Apple doesn't know how to make a cheap computer "that isn't a piece of junk," and said Apple was watching the Netbook market but didn't really think at this point, there was any there there.Gottheil thinks Apple has to move down the price ladder because the other PC vendors have cut prices significantly this year, moving Apple "out of the most price-sensitive markets, including the fastest growing emerging economies." He thinks if Apple released a $599 Netbook-style product that was designed like the iPhone--a simple user interface fed by the App Store and iTunes--it could be a hit.Netbook sales have been growing, but this report seems more like an attempt to get in on the pre-Macworld rumor mill than anything substantial. Just 5.6 million Netbooks were sold during the past quarter; this isn't exactly a huge market that Apple is missing out on.And the creator of the Netbook idea--Intel--has backed off its evangelism of the category after realizing it was killing its margins. For years, Apple has wisely avoided the temptation to get sucked into developing low-cost but low-margin hardware that holds nothing but trouble: once you start chasing the low-price dragon in this industry your customers learn to expect cheap computers every year, with no sympathy for your gross margins.Still, Jobs is notorious for insisting Apple isn't going to release certain kinds of products right up to the point when Apple releases those same products (video iPods and mobile phones, most prominently). And Apple will have to release something interesting at Macworld; a new Mac Mini and an iPhone Nano are the other rumors currently making the rounds.
Macworld Rumor Week is now in full swing.Ezra Gottheil of Technology Business Research anted up Tuesday with a research note predicting, but not reporting, that Apple will announce a low-cost "Netbook" style Mac in January at Macworld. He told Computerworld, "I don't have any inside information" but nonetheless believes that Apple will release a small low-cost laptop to get in on the Netbook craze and satisfy those calling for a cheaper Mac.The Apple-doing-a-Netbook rumor has been around for several months, despite Apple's attempts to push it back down. As recently as October, CEO Steve Jobs trotted out the old line about how Apple doesn't know how to make a cheap computer "that isn't a piece of junk," and said Apple was watching the Netbook market but didn't really think at this point, there was any there there.Gottheil thinks Apple has to move down the price ladder because the other PC vendors have cut prices significantly this year, moving Apple "out of the most price-sensitive markets, including the fastest growing emerging economies." He thinks if Apple released a $599 Netbook-style product that was designed like the iPhone--a simple user interface fed by the App Store and iTunes--it could be a hit.Netbook sales have been growing, but this report seems more like an attempt to get in on the pre-Macworld rumor mill than anything substantial. Just 5.6 million Netbooks were sold during the past quarter; this isn't exactly a huge market that Apple is missing out on.And the creator of the Netbook idea--Intel--has backed off its evangelism of the category after realizing it was killing its margins. For years, Apple has wisely avoided the temptation to get sucked into developing low-cost but low-margin hardware that holds nothing but trouble: once you start chasing the low-price dragon in this industry your customers learn to expect cheap computers every year, with no sympathy for your gross margins.Still, Jobs is notorious for insisting Apple isn't going to release certain kinds of products right up to the point when Apple releases those same products (video iPods and mobile phones, most prominently). And Apple will have to release something interesting at Macworld; a new Mac Mini and an iPhone Nano are the other rumors currently making the rounds.
Analyst- Apple's iCloud could see 150 million users
Analyst: Apple's iCloud could see 150 million users
Apple could sign up as many as 150 million iPhone users to its new iCloud service, according to projections based on a survey from RBC Capital Markets.In a report released today, RBC found that 76 percent of the 1,500 iPhone users polled from June 7 to 14 intend to use the iCloud service. Unveiled at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, iCloud will allow iOS device users to store, access, and sync their iTunes content online.iMessage also should be a hot item, according to RBC. The survey found 73 percent of iPhone users plan to use Apple's upcoming new text messaging service, which RBC projects might mean 150 million iMessage users in total.The iMessage service, a feature in iOS 5, could boost loyalty among existing iPhone users and convince the 60 million iPod Touch users to pick the iPhone over Android or other competing phones if they upgrade, according to the report.Finally, iTunes Match proved enticing to 30 percent of those surveyed, who said they'd be likely to spend $24.99 per year for the new service. Part of iCloud, iTunes Match lets users store any music not purchased or available through iTunes in the cloud. Based on the survey, RBC is projecting that iTunes Match could add another $1.5 billion a year to Apple's annual revenue.Looking down the road, RBC believes Apple will add additional services through iCloud, including audio and video streaming, photo and video sharing, hosted Time Machine backups, and document management and storage. The iCloud service will be accessible from all iOS devices and possibly even entry-level items like the iPod Nano and Shuffle, the report said. Overall, RBC sees iCloud and iTunes as a strong combination, helping Apple continue to retain and grow a devoted customer base."Because it stores user data, iCloud, along with iTunes is expected to enhance loyalty and stickiness of Apple's customers, helping defend against threats from Android, helping grow a defensible install base of users who continually upgrade to next generation Macs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods," the report said.
Apple could sign up as many as 150 million iPhone users to its new iCloud service, according to projections based on a survey from RBC Capital Markets.In a report released today, RBC found that 76 percent of the 1,500 iPhone users polled from June 7 to 14 intend to use the iCloud service. Unveiled at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, iCloud will allow iOS device users to store, access, and sync their iTunes content online.iMessage also should be a hot item, according to RBC. The survey found 73 percent of iPhone users plan to use Apple's upcoming new text messaging service, which RBC projects might mean 150 million iMessage users in total.The iMessage service, a feature in iOS 5, could boost loyalty among existing iPhone users and convince the 60 million iPod Touch users to pick the iPhone over Android or other competing phones if they upgrade, according to the report.Finally, iTunes Match proved enticing to 30 percent of those surveyed, who said they'd be likely to spend $24.99 per year for the new service. Part of iCloud, iTunes Match lets users store any music not purchased or available through iTunes in the cloud. Based on the survey, RBC is projecting that iTunes Match could add another $1.5 billion a year to Apple's annual revenue.Looking down the road, RBC believes Apple will add additional services through iCloud, including audio and video streaming, photo and video sharing, hosted Time Machine backups, and document management and storage. The iCloud service will be accessible from all iOS devices and possibly even entry-level items like the iPod Nano and Shuffle, the report said. Overall, RBC sees iCloud and iTunes as a strong combination, helping Apple continue to retain and grow a devoted customer base."Because it stores user data, iCloud, along with iTunes is expected to enhance loyalty and stickiness of Apple's customers, helping defend against threats from Android, helping grow a defensible install base of users who continually upgrade to next generation Macs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods," the report said.
Android phones whip iPhone at wooing mobile ad traffic but...
Android phones whip iPhone at wooing mobile ad traffic but...
Android generates more mobile ad traffic for smartphones than does the iPhone, according to a new report from Opera Mediaworks.Looking strictly at smartphone platforms, Opera found that Android scooped up a 36 percent share of all ad impressions during the fourth quarter of 2013. That number beat the iPhone, which sliced off a 28.7 percent share.But factor in the iPad and iPod Touch, and iOS is still at top of the heap.Overall, iOS accounted for 43.4 percent of mobile ad traffic, leaving Android (smartphones and tablets) with 37.7 percent. Further, iOS generated the highest slice of revenue last quarter, taking in 55.7 percent compared with Android's 31.7 percent, the report said. Android's share of revenue is expected to grow this year but isn't likely to surpass Apple's cut.Global ad traffic is booming, according to Opera, with more than 60 billion ad impressions reaching 425 million consumers each month. And advertisers can thank increased sales of mobile devices. During the three days including and surrounding last Christmas, the number of smartphones and tablets seen by Opera jumped by 13 percent in the US and by 22 percent in Europe."2013 was a tremendous year for mobile advertising," Opera Mediaworks CEO Mahi de Silva said in a statement. "Many publishers found their smartphone and tablet traffic eclipse their desktop internet traffic, and some even made more money from mobile advertising when compared to desktop."
Android generates more mobile ad traffic for smartphones than does the iPhone, according to a new report from Opera Mediaworks.Looking strictly at smartphone platforms, Opera found that Android scooped up a 36 percent share of all ad impressions during the fourth quarter of 2013. That number beat the iPhone, which sliced off a 28.7 percent share.But factor in the iPad and iPod Touch, and iOS is still at top of the heap.Overall, iOS accounted for 43.4 percent of mobile ad traffic, leaving Android (smartphones and tablets) with 37.7 percent. Further, iOS generated the highest slice of revenue last quarter, taking in 55.7 percent compared with Android's 31.7 percent, the report said. Android's share of revenue is expected to grow this year but isn't likely to surpass Apple's cut.Global ad traffic is booming, according to Opera, with more than 60 billion ad impressions reaching 425 million consumers each month. And advertisers can thank increased sales of mobile devices. During the three days including and surrounding last Christmas, the number of smartphones and tablets seen by Opera jumped by 13 percent in the US and by 22 percent in Europe."2013 was a tremendous year for mobile advertising," Opera Mediaworks CEO Mahi de Silva said in a statement. "Many publishers found their smartphone and tablet traffic eclipse their desktop internet traffic, and some even made more money from mobile advertising when compared to desktop."
Android now owns half of China's smartphone market
Android now owns half of China's smartphone market
Android has upped its lead in the growing Chinese smartphone market.Google's mobile OS reached a milestone at the end of the first quarter as it gobbled up a 51.4 percent slice of all smartphones owned in China, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech said on Friday. That figure showed a gain of 2.8 percent over the fourth quarter of 2012.Among all Android vendors, Samsung proved the fastest growing with a 15.2 percent share among Chinese smartphone owners. And Kantar expects more growth on the way."Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy S4, selling over 10 million units globally in less than one month," Craig Yu, consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, said in a statement. "We predict the launch of Galaxy S4 Mini in the not too distant future will greatly increase its product reach in urban China."Nokia's Symbian took the No. 2 spot in China last quarter with a market share of 23 percent, down 2 percent from the prior quarter. As Nokia phases out its older mobile OS, Kantar expects Symbian to drop to third place sometime in the next two quarters. Apple's iOS came in third with a 19.9 percent share.Smartphones in general continue to see heavier demand among Chinese buyers. Smartphone ownership reached 42 percent in China last quarter, up 1.2 percent from the prior quarter. Much of that growth came from owners of feature phones upgrading to smartphones. Almost half of feature phone owners who changed their devices last quarter opted for a smartphone."Feature phones are losing their price advantage as Android smartphones are rapidly becoming more affordable and delivering better value," Yu said. "We expect to see accelerated smartphone adoption in China in the coming months."
Android has upped its lead in the growing Chinese smartphone market.Google's mobile OS reached a milestone at the end of the first quarter as it gobbled up a 51.4 percent slice of all smartphones owned in China, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech said on Friday. That figure showed a gain of 2.8 percent over the fourth quarter of 2012.Among all Android vendors, Samsung proved the fastest growing with a 15.2 percent share among Chinese smartphone owners. And Kantar expects more growth on the way."Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy S4, selling over 10 million units globally in less than one month," Craig Yu, consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, said in a statement. "We predict the launch of Galaxy S4 Mini in the not too distant future will greatly increase its product reach in urban China."Nokia's Symbian took the No. 2 spot in China last quarter with a market share of 23 percent, down 2 percent from the prior quarter. As Nokia phases out its older mobile OS, Kantar expects Symbian to drop to third place sometime in the next two quarters. Apple's iOS came in third with a 19.9 percent share.Smartphones in general continue to see heavier demand among Chinese buyers. Smartphone ownership reached 42 percent in China last quarter, up 1.2 percent from the prior quarter. Much of that growth came from owners of feature phones upgrading to smartphones. Almost half of feature phone owners who changed their devices last quarter opted for a smartphone."Feature phones are losing their price advantage as Android smartphones are rapidly becoming more affordable and delivering better value," Yu said. "We expect to see accelerated smartphone adoption in China in the coming months."
Android market share to surge over next four years
Android market share to surge over next four years
BlackBerry's share will stay about the same, though Apple's iOS is expected to lose some share, falling from 14.7% this year to 10.9% in 2014. Rounding up the top five, Microsoft will recapture some of its lost mobile market share through its new Windows Phone platform."IDC believes the market will comfortably support up to five OS players over the next five years," Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with IDC, said in a statement. "Shorter replacement cycles and an ample feature phone to smartphone upgrade opportunity means the smartphone OS market will remain fragmented but healthy for the foreseeable future."Looking at the near term, consumer demand higher than expected should help the market grow 55.4 percent this year over 2009, 10 percent higher than IDC's previous forecast last quarter. Amid launches of the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch, and HTC Evo 4G, 269.6 million smartphones will ship this year, compared with 173.5 million last year, estimates IDC. The surge in demand will lead to overall growth of 14.1 percent this year, 1.5 percent higher than IDC's prior forecast and a nice improvement over last year when the market dropped 2.8 percent. The smartphone market will enjoy further gains of 24.5 percent next year before declining to annual growth of 13.6 percent in 2014.In a separate report earlier this week, Piper Jaffray was especially bullish on Android, saying it would likely control half of the smartphone market within five years.
BlackBerry's share will stay about the same, though Apple's iOS is expected to lose some share, falling from 14.7% this year to 10.9% in 2014. Rounding up the top five, Microsoft will recapture some of its lost mobile market share through its new Windows Phone platform."IDC believes the market will comfortably support up to five OS players over the next five years," Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with IDC, said in a statement. "Shorter replacement cycles and an ample feature phone to smartphone upgrade opportunity means the smartphone OS market will remain fragmented but healthy for the foreseeable future."Looking at the near term, consumer demand higher than expected should help the market grow 55.4 percent this year over 2009, 10 percent higher than IDC's previous forecast last quarter. Amid launches of the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch, and HTC Evo 4G, 269.6 million smartphones will ship this year, compared with 173.5 million last year, estimates IDC. The surge in demand will lead to overall growth of 14.1 percent this year, 1.5 percent higher than IDC's prior forecast and a nice improvement over last year when the market dropped 2.8 percent. The smartphone market will enjoy further gains of 24.5 percent next year before declining to annual growth of 13.6 percent in 2014.In a separate report earlier this week, Piper Jaffray was especially bullish on Android, saying it would likely control half of the smartphone market within five years.
Android gains in tablets, Apple slows in third quarter, IDC says
Android gains in tablets, Apple slows in third quarter, IDC says
Apple's tablet market share took a hit as consumers "sat out" the third quarter in anticipation of the iPad Mini, analyst firm IDC said. Android tablets made gains as a result. After a strong second quarter, Apple's unit shipment growth slowed in both consumer and commercial (including education) markets, according to an IDC report published Monday."We believe a sizeable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad Mini," said IDC analyst Tom Mainelli in a statement.Apple's share sank from 65.5 percent in the second quarter of 2012 to 50.4 percent in the third quarter. In the same period last year, Apple's market share was 59.7 percent.Units in millions.IDCThe other four vendors ranked in the top five all gained share during the quarter.Samsung led the way, buoyed by its Galaxy Tab and Note 10.1,shipping 5.1 million tablets worldwide in the third quarter, up 115 percent from the second quarter of this year.And that's an increase of 325 percent from the third quarter of 2011, when it shipped 1.2 million tablets. Related storiesAndroid beats iOS 5-to-1 in Q3 smartphone market shareAmazon also made noticeable gains.Amazon, which announced new tablets late in the quarter, saw its worldwide market share from jump from 4.8 percent in the second quarter to 9.0 percent in the third quarter.Despite all these gains by Apple rivals, it could come roaring back in the fourth quarter."Now that the new Mini and a fourth-generation full-sized iPad are both shipping we expect Apple to have a very good quarter," IDC said.And what about Windows 8 and RT tablets that were just announced and don't show up in market share numbers yet? "Price points are critical in tablets, and Microsoft and its partners will have a tough time winning a share of consumer wallet with price points starting at $500," IDC said.The worldwide tablet market grew 49.5 percent year over year in the third quarter and 6.7 percent over the second quarter of 2012. IDC
Apple's tablet market share took a hit as consumers "sat out" the third quarter in anticipation of the iPad Mini, analyst firm IDC said. Android tablets made gains as a result. After a strong second quarter, Apple's unit shipment growth slowed in both consumer and commercial (including education) markets, according to an IDC report published Monday."We believe a sizeable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad Mini," said IDC analyst Tom Mainelli in a statement.Apple's share sank from 65.5 percent in the second quarter of 2012 to 50.4 percent in the third quarter. In the same period last year, Apple's market share was 59.7 percent.Units in millions.IDCThe other four vendors ranked in the top five all gained share during the quarter.Samsung led the way, buoyed by its Galaxy Tab and Note 10.1,shipping 5.1 million tablets worldwide in the third quarter, up 115 percent from the second quarter of this year.And that's an increase of 325 percent from the third quarter of 2011, when it shipped 1.2 million tablets. Related storiesAndroid beats iOS 5-to-1 in Q3 smartphone market shareAmazon also made noticeable gains.Amazon, which announced new tablets late in the quarter, saw its worldwide market share from jump from 4.8 percent in the second quarter to 9.0 percent in the third quarter.Despite all these gains by Apple rivals, it could come roaring back in the fourth quarter."Now that the new Mini and a fourth-generation full-sized iPad are both shipping we expect Apple to have a very good quarter," IDC said.And what about Windows 8 and RT tablets that were just announced and don't show up in market share numbers yet? "Price points are critical in tablets, and Microsoft and its partners will have a tough time winning a share of consumer wallet with price points starting at $500," IDC said.The worldwide tablet market grew 49.5 percent year over year in the third quarter and 6.7 percent over the second quarter of 2012. IDC
Android device shipments to top 1 billion this year -- Gartner
Android device shipments to top 1 billion this year -- Gartner
Android devices will wend their way to more than 1 billion people in 2014, research firm Gartner predicted on Tuesday.The 1.1 billion shipments would render Android far and away the leader among all PC, tablet, and mobile phone operating systems. Windows was tagged for second place with 359 million shipments, followed by Apple's iOS and Mac OS with 344 million shipments forecasted this year. Android is also on its way to 2 billion total installed devices, according to Gartner, thanks in part to its more budget-friendly choices versus the pricier options Apple offers."There is no doubt that there is a volume versus value equation, with Android users also purchasing lower-cost devices compared to Apple users," Gartner analyst Annette Zimmerman said in a statement. "Android holds the largest number of installed-base devices, with 1.9 billion in use in 2014, compared with 682 million iOS/Mac OS installed-base devices."Shipments of BlackBerry OS devices will sink from 24 million in 2013 to 15 million this year, Gartner said, while those of Chrome OS devices will surge to 4.7 million, up from 1.8 million last year.GartnerMobile phones will top all other devices, logging a predicted 1.9 billion shipments this year. Tablet shipments will rise to 263 million and ultramobile shipments (hybrid and clamshell devices) will jump to 39 million, up from 17 million last year. Shipments of desktop and notebook PCs will continue to drop, according to Gartner, sinking from almost 300 million in 2013 to 277 million this year.Total shipments of PCs, tablets, mobile phones, and ultramobile devices are forecasted to hit 2.5 billion in 2014, a 7.7 percent gain from 2013.
Android devices will wend their way to more than 1 billion people in 2014, research firm Gartner predicted on Tuesday.The 1.1 billion shipments would render Android far and away the leader among all PC, tablet, and mobile phone operating systems. Windows was tagged for second place with 359 million shipments, followed by Apple's iOS and Mac OS with 344 million shipments forecasted this year. Android is also on its way to 2 billion total installed devices, according to Gartner, thanks in part to its more budget-friendly choices versus the pricier options Apple offers."There is no doubt that there is a volume versus value equation, with Android users also purchasing lower-cost devices compared to Apple users," Gartner analyst Annette Zimmerman said in a statement. "Android holds the largest number of installed-base devices, with 1.9 billion in use in 2014, compared with 682 million iOS/Mac OS installed-base devices."Shipments of BlackBerry OS devices will sink from 24 million in 2013 to 15 million this year, Gartner said, while those of Chrome OS devices will surge to 4.7 million, up from 1.8 million last year.GartnerMobile phones will top all other devices, logging a predicted 1.9 billion shipments this year. Tablet shipments will rise to 263 million and ultramobile shipments (hybrid and clamshell devices) will jump to 39 million, up from 17 million last year. Shipments of desktop and notebook PCs will continue to drop, according to Gartner, sinking from almost 300 million in 2013 to 277 million this year.Total shipments of PCs, tablets, mobile phones, and ultramobile devices are forecasted to hit 2.5 billion in 2014, a 7.7 percent gain from 2013.
Analyst expects iPad to pass Mac
Analyst expects iPad to pass Mac
Kumar also commented on the production ramp for the iPhone 4G."Supply chain checks indicate that 4G production volumes will approach 12 million units by the September quarter," he wrote in a research note sent out Friday. The iPhone 4G is Apple's next-generation iPhone, due later this year. "Along with 3GS shipments, total iPhone quarterly volume could approach 15 million units in September. If these trends manifest, iPhonevolumes for the year will top 40 million units or well above current street estimates. The production volumes are a confirmation that Apple isincreasingly becoming carrier agnostic," Kumar wrote. Kumar continued."Verizon launch (is) on track for the holidays: With FCC certification behind, the primary gating factor remains the terms of engagement with Verizon. Supply chain checks indicate that Apple will launch the product in time for the holidays. If these events unfold asplanned, iPhone quarterly volume (all flavors) could reach 17 million units by December," Kumar wrote. The iPhone 4G is expected to sport new features like a front-facing camera, better battery life, a higher-resolution display, and new design accents (square design with enlarged aluminum border), and an Apple A4 processor. Apple CEO Steve Jobs will deliver the opening keynote address June 7 at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, where he may provide some details on the next-generation iPhone.An iPhone from Verizon is expected at some point, though neither Verizon nor Apple has confirmed one is coming.Such a deal would mean AT&T would relinquish its current exclusivity to market the iPhone.
Kumar also commented on the production ramp for the iPhone 4G."Supply chain checks indicate that 4G production volumes will approach 12 million units by the September quarter," he wrote in a research note sent out Friday. The iPhone 4G is Apple's next-generation iPhone, due later this year. "Along with 3GS shipments, total iPhone quarterly volume could approach 15 million units in September. If these trends manifest, iPhonevolumes for the year will top 40 million units or well above current street estimates. The production volumes are a confirmation that Apple isincreasingly becoming carrier agnostic," Kumar wrote. Kumar continued."Verizon launch (is) on track for the holidays: With FCC certification behind, the primary gating factor remains the terms of engagement with Verizon. Supply chain checks indicate that Apple will launch the product in time for the holidays. If these events unfold asplanned, iPhone quarterly volume (all flavors) could reach 17 million units by December," Kumar wrote. The iPhone 4G is expected to sport new features like a front-facing camera, better battery life, a higher-resolution display, and new design accents (square design with enlarged aluminum border), and an Apple A4 processor. Apple CEO Steve Jobs will deliver the opening keynote address June 7 at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, where he may provide some details on the next-generation iPhone.An iPhone from Verizon is expected at some point, though neither Verizon nor Apple has confirmed one is coming.Such a deal would mean AT&T would relinquish its current exclusivity to market the iPhone.
What Is the Funniest Western Since 'Blazing Saddles'
Just as the Western genre as a whole has been lightly represented in the past 40 years, the subgenre of the Western comedy has also been rare. Maybe both have something to do with the fact that just over 40 years ago the greatest Western parody of all time was released. Mel Brooks; Blazing Saddles will never be topped for the most laughs or most insight into the Western genre and its period setting. At the same time, it dropped the mic on so many conventions, tropes and problems of the genre and American history that it;s been hard for the Western to make a proper comeback on the level that it was in its heydey. Look at the box office stats and you;ll see that Wild Wild West is still among the five highestgrossing Westerns of at least the past three decades, so it;s not like the genre is a huge moneymaker. What that means for Seth MacFarlane;s new movie, A Million Ways to Die in the West, we;ll just have to see. It looks like it aims to be the most politically incorrect and also the most raunchy Western comedy since Blazing Saddles, but will it be the funniest? As we wait for its release this Friday, let;s consider the other choices out there. ¡Three Amigos!, which repeats a good amount of Blazing Saddles humor on a tamer level, bombed when it came out but those of us who saw it as kids have grown up appreciating its silly jokes and how it set us up for both the Brooks movie and also silent cinema (I learned all about the Gish sisters at a young age thanks to Martin Short;s character). But if we;re going with nostalgic picks, I do believe The Apple Dumpling Gang also fits, though I haven;t watched either of these in many years. There;s Gore Verbinski;s Oscar-winning animated feature Rango, which is certainly the greatest comedic deconstruction of the Western post-Blazing Saddles, and that is one of the reasons that the director;s follow-up, The Lone Ranger, was such a disappointment. Rango might be more clever than funny, though. I have a big soft spot for Shanghai Noon, as Owen Wilson is enjoyably goofy and Jackie Chan was still doing some terrific stunts then, some of which were inspired by Buster Keaton. You have to have a good steam locomotive-based homage to The General in any Western comedy worth a damn. I think the one in Back to the Future Part III counts, too. And like most of those I;ve mentioned, that third BttF movie is really underrated and really quite funny as both a part of the trilogy and, on its own, a play on the Western genre. What;s the best Western comedy since Blazing Saddles? Here are some responses received so far via
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