Apple: iPad 2 is 'dramatically faster' (live blog)
Editor's note: We used Cover It Live for this event, so if you missed the live blog, you can still replay it in the embedded component below. Replaying the event will give you all the live updates along with commentary from our readers. Following the introduction is an edited transcript of the event. To get the key points from today's announcement, you can check out our summary of what got announced.Apple will be holding a press event in San Francisco today to unveil a mysterious product--what many believe will turn out be the next version of the iPad, the company's tablet computer that made its debut a little more than a year ago. Earlier this month, Apple sent invites to news outlets with an image of a calendar page that's peeling back to reveal the corner of what appears to be an iPad. And during Apple's annual shareholders meeting last week, Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook sidestepped a shareholder question about plans for a follow-up to the device by saying the invite "might give you some clues." CNET will be on the scene at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to bring you the news as it happens. You'll be able to follow along here using the Cover it Live module below. We'll also be running a special episode of Buzz Out Loud. You can watch that in the video player below the live blog. The event starts at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.Transcript of live blog starts here:9:40 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):Welcome, folks. I'll be your moderator for this CNET live event today. 9:41 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):As a reminder, I and my colleagues will see your comments but this is a moderated chat, so not all of them may appear.9:42 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):My esteemed CNET colleague Josh Lowensohn will be reporting from the event today (I talked to him about an hour ago and he was heading over then). James Martin will be contributing photographs. Donald Bell will be adding perspective as well. 9:43 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):James sent over some photos of the scene at the event that I'm adding now. Lining up outside Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco this morningJames Martin/CNETInside Yerba Buena Center for the Arts this morningJames Martin/CNET9:44 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):We're in! Hey everyone.9:45 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh): Great! Glad to know you made it, Donald.9:45 a.m. PT (from reader Caleb): Is there a live video feed of the event? 9:40 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Josh here too. We're in the middle of what appears to be a long Beatles playlist. Thanks for joining us everyone.9:47 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):@Caleb: I'm not aware of any live feed. Josh, do you know of any? 9:47 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):People are shuffling into the theater. Because of the rain they had us all crowded into the lobby before getting us seated. Tragically, I could not access the coffee and pastry table. :^( 9:48 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Spotted in the front row is Apple COO Tim Cook, SVP of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller, SVP of Mac hardware engineering Bob Mansfield, and senior VP of industrial design Jonathan Ive. 9:48 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):By way of background (and, yes, Donald, we all feel for you), Josh is too modest to mention it, but he has a good preview of "four things to expect" up on CNET. 9:49 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):We've also got an armchair and a table up on stage, which is the same setup Apple had here last time to demo the first iPad.Inside the theaterJames Martin/CNETJames Martin/CNET9:53 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):I should note that Apple's online store is offline at the moment (it would be a surprise if it were not).9:54 a.m. PT (from reader James Hollis):Josh, what are your thoughts about availability of new iPad if that is indeed the announcement? 9:54 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):To answer the belated question about a live stream, Apple is not offering a stream of the event, and as usual, media isn't allowed to do a live stream of the proceedings. 9:56 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):@James, I can't answer the question about a new iPad until it's announced :) I can tell you there are a number of areas Apple can improve the first generation device, and I'm betting whatever we see today will address some of the main pain points for most folks.The real interesting rumor that had been kicking around was whether it will include Intel's recently announced Thunderbolt technology, which could make big data syncs super fast. 9:54 a.m. PT (from reader Danny):Declan...would that point toward immediate availability? 9:56 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):@Danny:It indicates the ability to preorder, I'd imagine, and perhaps immediate availability as well. But this is just speculation.9:57 a.m. PT (Scott Stein):Hey everyone. I imagine there will be some MobileMe-related announcement today... that's my guess. Could make the iPad an even more appealing platform to add better cloud support. Cameras are at the ready.James Martin/CNET 9:57 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):Scott is, I should add, a CNET senior associate editor in NYC. Thanks for joining us, Scott!9:58 a.m. PT (Scott Stein): Thunderbolt...considering it's on MacBook Pros now (and more to come, for sure), seems like it would make sense in some capacity. 30 pin-to-Thunderbolt? Thanks, Declan! 9:54 a.m. PT (from reader Kevin):Are you guys Blogging from an iPad?..just asking :) 9:58 a.m. PT (Scott Stein)::) not me. though I've done such a thing before. 9:59 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):@kevin, we are not blogging from an iPad, but I've had to do that before. Cover it Live, which we use to bring this to you, has a pretty snappy iPhone app. 9:59 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Literally, the only thing on stage is a chair and a side table. 10:00 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):A reminder, folks. Your comments are moderated and we may not be able to approve all of them. Our apologies in advance if this happens! 10:01 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Especially because we're getting about 5-10 a second :) 10:01 a.m. PT (Scott Stein):I'm also curious about gaming-related announcements, considering the proximity to GDC... 10:01 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Just got a tip from the Buzz Out Loud crew that RobRed in their chat room claims to have seen an engineering sample of the iPad 2 first-hand that included a Thunderbolt port. Take that with a grain of salt, but he's tipped us off reliably before. 10:02 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):OK folks, here we go. 10:02 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Stepping on stage is Steve Jobs... 10:03 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Who is getting a standing ovation from the room. "Good morning," Jobs says. 10:03 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs says, "We've been working on this product for a while, and I didn't want to miss today." 10:04 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs first talking about iBooks, which launched less than a year ago today. Jobs says users have downloaded more than 100m books in a year. 10:04 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Yay, people still read! 10:04 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs also says Random House is bringing 17,000 books to the iBooks store this morning. That makes 2,500 publishers distributing through the iBooks store, Jobs says.Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes the stage.James Martin/CNET 10:05 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs now giving a breakdown of the various stores--iTunes, App Store, and iBooks. All of them use the same account. Jobs says 200 million accounts are now in Apple's system, and that it's likely the most accounts on any online store.James Martin/CNET 10:06 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Now on the App Store, Jobs says we've paid out more than $2 billion to developers, cumulatively and total. "A lot of people try to copy us, and I think we're way ahead," Jobs says. 10:06 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Jobs says 100 million iPhones have been sold too, to another round of applause. 10:07 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Jobs says we're here to hear about Apple's other device. Now going through a rundown of past products, like the original iPod in 2001, iPhone in 2007, and iPad in 2010. "Every one of these has been a blockbuster," Jobs says. 10:07 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Jobs saying that people were laughing at the company for using the word "magical" but it turned out to be true. The same thing went for the price, Jobs says, making a crack at competing tablet prices. James Martin/CNET 10:09 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Jobs says that Apple has sold 15 million iPads in 2010 (from April-December), accounting for $9.5 billion in revenue. "More than every Tablet PC ever sold," Jobs says. 10:09 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Oh, they're claiming over 90% market share now for the iPad.James Martin/CNET 10:10 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Jobs now knocking Samsung, saying a lot of the company's tablets stayed on shelves.Jobs also giving an update on iPad development, saying that there are 65,000 apps that work with the iPad natively (meaning they're not blown-up iPhone apps) 10:11 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Now comparing tablet app lineup to competitors like Google, which Jobs says is closer to 100 apps.James Martin/CNET 10:12 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Time for a heartwarming video about the iPad. Where is my coffee? 10:12 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Now talking about retail stores, saying "without these stores, I don't think we would have been successul either."And we get to see a video about Apple retail stores, but there was a hiccup at the beginning that kept it from playing on the screen.Jobs presents the iPad 2.James Martin/CNET 10:13 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Lots of happy customers unwrapping iPads in retail stores, with Apple execs talking about how people have to go see it in person to get it. 10:14 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Video now talking up other uses for the iPad, like education and in hospitals. 10:15 a.m. PT (Scott Stein):Airlines. 10:16 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):And a cameo by Marc Benioff of Salesforce.com, talking about how it's going to change the way business is done. 10:17 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Now we're seeing how the iPad is helping a child with autism. "This is something my son can do. He doesn't need me. I don't want to have him need me all the time," the mother in the video says. 10:18 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Not the most humble video ever made. 10:18 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs back on stage now, saying 2010 was the year of the iPad. So what about 2011 Apple asks? "Everybody's got a tablet." Now flashing Google, Samsung, HP, BlackBerry and Motorola logos. Jobs says most of those aren't even catching up with the first. Jobs announces iPad 2! 10:18 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):It's officially called "iPad 2" 10:19 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):And the Apple store is still down... 10:19 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):What is iPad 2? Jobs asks. It's an all new design, Jobs says. It's not been tweaked, he says."Dramatically faster," Jobs says. That comes in the form of an A5 processor. Dual-core processors.Jobs announces the iPad 2.James Martin/CNET 10:19 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"Up to twice as fast on CPU performance," Jobs says. But the real speed is in graphics, which are 9 times faster, while using the same power as the processor from the first iPad. 10:20 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also coming: Video cameras. Both a rear camera, and a front-facing camera.James Martin 10:20 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):As well as a gyroscope. 10:20 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):All this, and it's "dramatically thinner," Jobs says. How much? 33 percent thinner. 10:21 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Gone from 13.4mm to 8.8mm in thickness. Jobs says iPad 2 is actually thinner than iPhone 4. 10:21 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Damn, that's thin. That should send competitors back to the drawing board.James Martin/CNET 10:21 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Getting first look at it now. There's almost no metal part in the bezel around the screen.Jobs also says it's lighter, from 1.5 lbs down to 1.3 lbs. 10:21 a.m. PT (Scott Stein):Gaming's going to radically transform if graphics are up to 9x faster. 10:22 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):And it comes in two colors. White is shipping from day 1 Jobs says. 10:22 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):No extra ports from the looks of things.Models work with both AT&T and Verizon, Jobs says.10:23 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):He's emphasizing "all new design" but it really doesn't look that different.James Martin/CNET 10:23 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs now saying that the iPad 2 will feature the same "legendary" 10-hour battery life of the existing iPad. That includes a month of standby. 10:24 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"We're really happy to keep that, and never let it go," Jobs says. The same exact pricing structure will be used as well. So no price drop, folks.James Martin/CNET 10:25 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"We only have one model that's more expensive than $799," Jobs says, addressing competitor tablet prices. 10:25 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):10 hours is still the high bar for the competition. Hard to match, especially without cramming a giant battery inside. 10:25 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Shipping March 11. 10:25 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):That's in the U.S. Shipping in 26 more countries on March 25. 10:26 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Whew, I have a week and a half to prepare. Taking my anxiety level down a few notches.James Martin/CNET10:27 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):That's it for the iPad 2, Jobs says. What could be next? "Really cool accessories," Jobs says. First one is HDMI video out. Jobs says this was a big request from teachers. Gives you mirrored video output, so you can see everything on the screen, not just display out from specific apps. Runs 1080p. Works with all apps, Jobs says.10:27 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also includes a spare port for you to run power through the iPad.James Martin/CNET 10:27 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Will be $39. 10:27 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Ouch, that's taking a big selling point away from competitors. 10:28 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):The other accessory is something called "Smart Covers." Jobs talking about how the original case was neat, but Apple went through all this effort to design the iPad, then covered it up and made accessories hard to access. The answer is Smart Cover, which is a bendable flap that sticks onto the side of the device. Smart Cover is a bendable flap that sticks onto the side of the device.James Martin/CNET 10:29 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Look out, case manufacturers. Apple is about to eat your lunch. 10:29 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Wakes up the iPad from sleep when you open it, and puts it to sleep when you close it, Jobs says.The cover uses magnets to grasp onto the unit, and align it. "You can add it in a second. You can remove it in a second," Jobs says. 10:30 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"You can have a bunch of them, and pick which one you feel like today and easily put it on," Jobs says.Now we're seeing a video of how this accessory works.10:31 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Best case commercial EVER! Seriously. James Martin/CNET 10:31 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Pretty impressive stuff here, the case just snaps on. Jobs jokes that the ad is similar to a Pixar short. 10:31 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Comes in 5 colors for the polyurethane case, and 5 for the leather. Poly is $39, and leather is $69. 10:32 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Now we're reading about iOS 4.3. On stage is Scott Forstall, SVP of iOS Software. Smart Covers come in a range of colors.James Martin/CNET 10:33 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):New:Safari performance bump with the nitro Javascript engine. Runs Javascript twice as fast as before, Forstall says.iTunes home sharingAirplay improvements 10:34 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Home sharing is the tech that lets you see other iTunes libraries from your PC or Mac on your iOS device by the way. Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS softwareJames Martin/CNET 10:35 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):The improvements to AirPlay now include photo slideshows, and video and audio from apps to other devices.10:35 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also, the software preference to use the switch on the right of the iPad to go between volume mute, or a screen orientation lock. This was a popular request, Forstall says.James Martin/CNET 10:36 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):And finally is the personal Wi-Fi hot spot, which is coming to the iPhone 4. This is the same one Verizon iPhone users have had since that release. 10:37 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also coming in iOS 4.3 is Photo Booth, Apple's photo-taking application that's been on Mac OS X since the introduction of iSight cameras. The software gives you nine live video streams with various effects. Photo BoothJames Martin/CNET 10:38 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Forstall is giving us a demo of the software running on an iPad 2 running the various filters and taking photos with the iPad 2's front-facing cameras.The app is making use of the touch screen to let users adjust some of the effects by touching the screen. 10:39 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also coming to the iPad 2 (as expected) is FaceTime, Apple's video chat service. This works between two iPads, between an iPad and an iPod Touch, and between an iPad and a Mac, Forstall says. Now we're getting a demo of that going from the iPad. 10:39 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"The size of the iPad is just ideal for video conferencing," Forstall says. Similar to on other iOS devices, the FaceTime app can swap between the front or back cameras. Face TimeJames Martin/CNET 10:41a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):That's it on iOS 4.3, which is hitting iOS users on March 11. Supports iPad, iPhone (GSM) and iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation) 10:41a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs back up on stage now, introducing two new iOS applications. "We like to do applications," Jobs says. 10:42a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):The first is iMovie for iPad.10:43a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Features:•Prevision editor •multitrack audio recording •new themes •AirPlay to Apple TV •Share your videos in HD •Universal app On stage to demo it is Randy Ubillos who is Apple's Chief Architect of Video Applications. 10:45 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Ubillos giving us a look at the iPad version of the app. Users can browse through their projects like movie posters outside a cinema.James Martin/CNET Looks across between iMovie on the Mac and the iPhone app. Same timeline scrubbing and clipping. The whole app uses gestures, so you can tap on parts of clips to add them to the timeline, as well as use things like the pinch to adjust things. 10:46 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):One big request had been audio, Ubillos says. So iMovie has an audio editor where you adjust audio waveforms. Also included are 50 sound effects users can throw in their creations. 10:47 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Each video can have up to three audio tracks, in addition to a voiceover track you can record on the iPad's microphone.James Martin/CNET 10:49 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Now we're getting a look at themes, and adjusting text and video headers. Sharing options go out to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, CNN iReport with little logos for each service. There's also an option to send it to your iTunes library. Randy UbillosJames Martin/CNET 10:50 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs back up now, giving a quick wrap up of iMovie, while saying it will be available March 11 for $4.99.Also coming to the iPad: GarageBand. 10:50 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh): Apple's stock is up about 1 percent, BTW. The timing coincides with this event. 10:51 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Features:•Touch instruments•Guitar amps and effects•8 track recording and mixing•More than 250 loops•Email AAC file of your song•Compatible with Mac version.Up for a demo is Xander Soren, director of music marketing for Apple. 10:51 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):GarageBand's arrival will probably spell doom for IK Multimedia's excellent AmpliTube app.James Martin/CNET 10:52 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Soren flipping through instruments, similar to going through albums with coverflow. First up is a demo of playing the piano. 10:52 a.m. PT (from reader Geremy):iPad 2 page is up on Apple.com 10:53 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):Yep, it is. http://www.apple.com/ipad/ 10:53 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Soren says the app makes use of note dynamics, so that the iPad can tell how hard you're hitting the screen to affect the power of the note. This is handled via accelerometer, Soren says.James Martin/CNET 10:53 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):The store's still down, but the iPad page on Apple.com is up. 10:54a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Soren just switched up the piano to a "classic rock organ" while noting that the entire identity of instruments changes visually. 10:55a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):Tech specs: 9.5" high, 7.3" wide, 0.34" deep, 1.33 lbs in weight. Storage capacity for both WiFi and WiFi+3G models: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB. 10:56a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):Available on AT&T and Verizon (WiFi+3G). Display is 1024x768, 9.7". Rear camera is 720P, front camera is "VGA-quality" for video and still. 10:55a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Now we're getting a demo of drums. Drum kit looks just like a real drum kit. This too uses the accelerometer, Soren says.James Martin/CNET 10:56a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Soren jokes that another great feature is that your kids can play the drums, but with the headphones on. 10:57a.m. PT (from reader Michael):Back camera: Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera Tap to control exposure for video or stills Photo and video geotagging over Wi-Fi 10:57a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Also included are "smart instruments," which is Apple's solution to help people who don't know how to play, a way to do it.James Martin/CNET 10:58a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):For the guitar that means the chords have been moved from the frets to the strumming area, so you can just move your finger to stay in a note. Another option is an auto play mode where it will play a chord progression, and you can pick which chord you want. Soren referred to them as "training wheels." 10:59a.m. PT (from reader Dan):Same capacity. How dumb! Agh! That would have been the clintcher for me!!!!10:59a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):@Dan: That's according to the iPad spec page. It is a shame. http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/ 10:59a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Similar to its desktop counterpart, the GarageBand iPad app can also record whatever you're doing and let you combine them together.11:00a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):The UI here looks a lot like the desktop version of GarageBand, where you can see each track and its notes. The system works with 8 tracks, Soren says. 11:02 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):We've already seen that the iPad can support MIDI input with accessories, for those who want more advanced composition control. Hopefully GarageBand for iPad will support this too. If not, it could be one angle left for developers. 11:02a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Garageband wrapping up now. Jobs back out. 11:03 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):"Anyone can make music now, on something that's this thick and weighs 1.3 pounds. It's unbelievable," Jobs says. "This is no toy. This is something you can use for real work." 11:03 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):GarageBand will be $4.99 Jobs says. Will be on the app store March 11. 11:05 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn):Jobs now giving us a quick rundown of iPad 2 features once again, as well as color options and accessories. Jobs says, "We think 2011 is going to be the year of iPad 2." 11:05 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Now we're getting a video about the iPad 2, with more talk of it being a "post-PC" device.11:07 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Ive on the video saying that by removing the side walls of the iPad, it makes it more comfortable to hold.James Martin/CNET 11:09 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Video still going here, just doing some more footage of the new apps, FaceTime, and AirPlay. 11:11 a.m. PT (from reader Craig): Is there a wifi only version?11:11 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):@Craig. Yes. See: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/Declan McCullagh/CNET 11:13 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): Video done now, once again we see the "2011: Year of the iPad 2" message up.Now Jobs back out in front of a sign that says "technology" and "liberal arts." Jobs says, "It's in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough. It's technology married with liberal arts, humanities that yields us the result that makes our heart sing. And nowhere is that more true than in these post-PC devices. And a lot of folks in this tablet market are rushing in and looking at this as the next PC." Talking about how competitors are going after things like specs like they did with the PC, but they're missing the point.Jobs now having everyone who worked on the iPad 2 stand up and get applause. Jobs also thanking everyone's families for making it possible to "work our tails off." 11:14 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):The above image is from me, not James--showing FaceTime video calling. 11:14 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): And that's it. We're getting a hands-on with the device shortly. Thanks for tuning in!11:15 a.m. PT (Donald Bell):Looks like we're done. Thanks everyone. I'll get a post up in a bit with my hands-on impressions. 11:15 a.m. PT (Declan McCullagh):I'll keep this conversation going for a little bit. Thanks, Josh, James, Donald!11:15 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): So to wrap up, we've got a new iPad coming in two weeks that's got a faster processor, a beefier GPU for graphics, two cameras, and a new design.We've also got iPad versions of iMovie and GarageBand.On top of that, we've got a new HDMI connector, and neato magnetic covers. 11:16 a.m. PT (Josh Lowensohn): From Donald, James and myself, thanks for tuning in!James Martin/CNET This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play Editors' note: The original, pre-event version of this story was posted March 1 at 12 p.m. PT.
iTunes creator working on Apple TV, report says
iTunes creator working on Apple TV, report says
Apple vice president of consumer applications, Jeff Robbin, is heading up a team at the company that's working on launching a television, according to a new report.Citing multiple sources, Bloomberg says Robbin's team has a prototype in the works right now, but there is still a possibility that Apple won't even release a television.Robbin's involvement in the Apple television is notable. After joining Apple more than a decade ago to head up the company's iTunes product, Robbin also helped create the iPod, making him a key player in the firm's executive lineup.Although talk of an Apple television has surfaced from time to time over the last few years, it has become a hot topic recently, due to comments made by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs prior to his death."I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use," Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. "It would be seamlessly synched with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it."Related stories:• Was Jobs' next big thing an integrated Apple TV?• Apple TV: Did Steve Jobs crack the code?• Isaacson: Jobs was 'eager to talk,' exercise 'no control' (Q&A)According to Bloomberg's sources, Robbin and his team are working on making that dream a reality. The software in the television, a Bloomberg source says, will allow users to check for a movie or television show across multiple platforms, such as cable service and Netflix, within a single pane. In most cases today, users must separately access their cable box or Netflix to find content.That said, in an interview with CNET published yesterday, Isaacson tossed some cold water on hopes that an Apple television was nearing its launch, saying that Apple wasn't "close at all" to developing a television."He told me it was very theoretical," Isaacson said, speaking of Jobs' comments to him regarding an Apple TV. "These were theoretical things they were thinking about in the future."However, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, a noted Apple analyst, said recently that he believes Apple is hard at work on a television, and he expects the set to launch late next year or early in 2013 with a host of the company's services thrown in."iCloud stores TV shows and pictures, but we believe Apple may add movies," Munster said. "While a solution for live TV combined with previously aired shows 'recorded' in the cloud remains a significant hurdle, perhaps this code is precisely what Jobs believed he has 'cracked.'"We also believe Apple could use Siri, its voice recognition, personal assistant technology to bolster its TV offering and simplify the chore of inputting information like show titles, or actor names, into a TV (typically with a remote)," Munster continued.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the television.
Apple vice president of consumer applications, Jeff Robbin, is heading up a team at the company that's working on launching a television, according to a new report.Citing multiple sources, Bloomberg says Robbin's team has a prototype in the works right now, but there is still a possibility that Apple won't even release a television.Robbin's involvement in the Apple television is notable. After joining Apple more than a decade ago to head up the company's iTunes product, Robbin also helped create the iPod, making him a key player in the firm's executive lineup.Although talk of an Apple television has surfaced from time to time over the last few years, it has become a hot topic recently, due to comments made by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs prior to his death."I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use," Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. "It would be seamlessly synched with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it."Related stories:• Was Jobs' next big thing an integrated Apple TV?• Apple TV: Did Steve Jobs crack the code?• Isaacson: Jobs was 'eager to talk,' exercise 'no control' (Q&A)According to Bloomberg's sources, Robbin and his team are working on making that dream a reality. The software in the television, a Bloomberg source says, will allow users to check for a movie or television show across multiple platforms, such as cable service and Netflix, within a single pane. In most cases today, users must separately access their cable box or Netflix to find content.That said, in an interview with CNET published yesterday, Isaacson tossed some cold water on hopes that an Apple television was nearing its launch, saying that Apple wasn't "close at all" to developing a television."He told me it was very theoretical," Isaacson said, speaking of Jobs' comments to him regarding an Apple TV. "These were theoretical things they were thinking about in the future."However, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, a noted Apple analyst, said recently that he believes Apple is hard at work on a television, and he expects the set to launch late next year or early in 2013 with a host of the company's services thrown in."iCloud stores TV shows and pictures, but we believe Apple may add movies," Munster said. "While a solution for live TV combined with previously aired shows 'recorded' in the cloud remains a significant hurdle, perhaps this code is precisely what Jobs believed he has 'cracked.'"We also believe Apple could use Siri, its voice recognition, personal assistant technology to bolster its TV offering and simplify the chore of inputting information like show titles, or actor names, into a TV (typically with a remote)," Munster continued.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the television.
Apple to host January 19 'education event' in New York
Apple to host January 19 'education event' in New York
Apple is planning to hold a special education-focused event in New York City next week.The iPhone maker earlier today sent out invites to media outlets, asking them to "join us for an education announcement in the Big Apple." Apple did not disclose what it will discuss at the event, which will be held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.Earlier this month, Fox's Clayton Morris reported that Apple was planning to hold an education-focused event in New York last year, but the company decided to delay it until 2012. Morris, citing sources, said that the January event would focus on Apple's iTunes University program. Related storiesApple's academic January event delayed from 2011Oklahoma State students, faculty tout iPad in classroom'Steve Jobs': An apt portrait of a jerk and a geniusAlthough Apple typically holds its events in Silicon Valley, Morris' sources said Apple chose New York for the event because of its proximity to major textbook publishers. He also said Apple would not be unveiling any new hardware at the event, despite hopes that the company would show off the next iPad sooner rather than later.Apple's push into the education market isn't much of a surprise. In Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Steve Jobs, the author wrote that the company's late co-founder had "set his sights on textbooks," since he believed the $8-billion-a-year business was "ripe for destruction."Jobs' "idea was to hire great textbook writers to create digital versions, and make them a feature of the iPad," Isaacson wrote. "In addition, he held meetings with the major publishers such as Pearson Education, about partnering with Apple."If Apple does unveil new textbook partnerships, it would be a coup for the company. Although none of the major textbook publishers currently have strong ties with Apple or its iBooks platform, they don't have arrangements with the company's competitors, either. If Apple can find a way to become the go-to destination for digital textbooks, it could corner that space, similarly to how it achieved dominance in music.But who really knows if Apple will talk textbooks at the event? The company has so far not commented on what it plans to say and until it does, so take all the rumors surrounding the event with the proverbial grain of salt. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the event.Update 9:55 a.m. PT and 10:02 a.m. PT to include more details.
Apple is planning to hold a special education-focused event in New York City next week.The iPhone maker earlier today sent out invites to media outlets, asking them to "join us for an education announcement in the Big Apple." Apple did not disclose what it will discuss at the event, which will be held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.Earlier this month, Fox's Clayton Morris reported that Apple was planning to hold an education-focused event in New York last year, but the company decided to delay it until 2012. Morris, citing sources, said that the January event would focus on Apple's iTunes University program. Related storiesApple's academic January event delayed from 2011Oklahoma State students, faculty tout iPad in classroom'Steve Jobs': An apt portrait of a jerk and a geniusAlthough Apple typically holds its events in Silicon Valley, Morris' sources said Apple chose New York for the event because of its proximity to major textbook publishers. He also said Apple would not be unveiling any new hardware at the event, despite hopes that the company would show off the next iPad sooner rather than later.Apple's push into the education market isn't much of a surprise. In Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Steve Jobs, the author wrote that the company's late co-founder had "set his sights on textbooks," since he believed the $8-billion-a-year business was "ripe for destruction."Jobs' "idea was to hire great textbook writers to create digital versions, and make them a feature of the iPad," Isaacson wrote. "In addition, he held meetings with the major publishers such as Pearson Education, about partnering with Apple."If Apple does unveil new textbook partnerships, it would be a coup for the company. Although none of the major textbook publishers currently have strong ties with Apple or its iBooks platform, they don't have arrangements with the company's competitors, either. If Apple can find a way to become the go-to destination for digital textbooks, it could corner that space, similarly to how it achieved dominance in music.But who really knows if Apple will talk textbooks at the event? The company has so far not commented on what it plans to say and until it does, so take all the rumors surrounding the event with the proverbial grain of salt. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the event.Update 9:55 a.m. PT and 10:02 a.m. PT to include more details.
Spec sheet shows HP entering Chromebook market
Spec sheet shows HP entering Chromebook market
It seems Hewlett-Packard plans to follow Samsung, Acer, and Lenovo into the Chromebook market.The company published a spec sheet for the Pavilion Chromebook 14-c010us that reveals a 4-pound model with a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron 847 processor, 16GB SSD, 14-inch LED-backlit display with 1,366x768 resolution, a Webcam, and three USB 2.0 ports.It appears the device will ship in the coming weeks. The spec sheet, spotted by The Verge, lists an advertising embargo date of February 17."The HP Pavilion Chromebook gives you fast and easy access to the things you love and depend on, from a world of Google apps and services to your photos and social networks. And since it's the first Chromebook with a 14-inch diagonal design, you get full-size comfort without giving up full-on mobility," the sheet said.Related storiesAsus weighing Chrome versus AndroidThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Google shows off Chrome OS tablet ideasCNET News Daily Podcast: Chrome OS tablet mock-ups exciteGoogle seeks to patent new Web app tech Chromebooks are laptops that run Chrome OS, Google's browser-based operating system that runs Web apps rather than traditional native apps. That makes them useful for Google Docs, Web-based e-mail, Facebook, and other mainstream apps. But you can't run iTunes, Skype, Photoshop, many games, and other native software that make use of Windows or OS X interfaces.With the rise of smartphones and tablets, Microsoft doesn't hold the power it once did over the PC market. HP's willingness to sell a Chromebook reflects the fluidity of the new computing landscape. It didn't go as far as Samsung, though, which sells a $249 Chromebook with one of the company's ARM processors.HP has clearly been reading Google's sales pitch for Chrome OS. "Chromebooks are effortlessly simple right out of the box," the sheet said. "And with automatic updates to your apps and the Google Chrome OS, your software and security is kept up to date without you having to lift a finger."An SSD of only 16GB may sound small, but part of the promise of Chromebooks is that a lot of data, like music libraries and photos, can be stored on the cloud.HP declined to comment for this story.
It seems Hewlett-Packard plans to follow Samsung, Acer, and Lenovo into the Chromebook market.The company published a spec sheet for the Pavilion Chromebook 14-c010us that reveals a 4-pound model with a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron 847 processor, 16GB SSD, 14-inch LED-backlit display with 1,366x768 resolution, a Webcam, and three USB 2.0 ports.It appears the device will ship in the coming weeks. The spec sheet, spotted by The Verge, lists an advertising embargo date of February 17."The HP Pavilion Chromebook gives you fast and easy access to the things you love and depend on, from a world of Google apps and services to your photos and social networks. And since it's the first Chromebook with a 14-inch diagonal design, you get full-size comfort without giving up full-on mobility," the sheet said.Related storiesAsus weighing Chrome versus AndroidThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Google shows off Chrome OS tablet ideasCNET News Daily Podcast: Chrome OS tablet mock-ups exciteGoogle seeks to patent new Web app tech Chromebooks are laptops that run Chrome OS, Google's browser-based operating system that runs Web apps rather than traditional native apps. That makes them useful for Google Docs, Web-based e-mail, Facebook, and other mainstream apps. But you can't run iTunes, Skype, Photoshop, many games, and other native software that make use of Windows or OS X interfaces.With the rise of smartphones and tablets, Microsoft doesn't hold the power it once did over the PC market. HP's willingness to sell a Chromebook reflects the fluidity of the new computing landscape. It didn't go as far as Samsung, though, which sells a $249 Chromebook with one of the company's ARM processors.HP has clearly been reading Google's sales pitch for Chrome OS. "Chromebooks are effortlessly simple right out of the box," the sheet said. "And with automatic updates to your apps and the Google Chrome OS, your software and security is kept up to date without you having to lift a finger."An SSD of only 16GB may sound small, but part of the promise of Chromebooks is that a lot of data, like music libraries and photos, can be stored on the cloud.HP declined to comment for this story.
iOS 5.0.1 triggers address book bug for certain users
iOS 5.0.1 triggers address book bug for certain users
Apple's iOS 5.0.1 seems to have created a glitch with the Contacts app for certain users, according to various sources and several posts on the Apple Support Forums.Startup Foundry founder Paul Hontz reported late last week that after updating to 5.0.1, the iPhone was no longer able to associate address book contacts with other apps. Opening the Contacts app would display all the right names. But using the iMessage texting app or even making a phone call would fail to remember the name of a contact and just display the person's phone number.Hontz tweeted about this potential bug and said he heard back from others who ran into similar issues. A search of the Apple Support Forums also revealed several people complaining of the same problem.Apparently, the glitch pops up only under certain conditions.You must have a Verizon iPhone 4S (Hontz said he received no reports from iPhone 4 users) and you must have updated to iOS 5.0.1 using the OTA (over-the-air) method rather than installing it through iTunes on your computer. I have a Verizon iPhone 4S but I updated it via iTunes and have seen no problems with my contacts.Disabling and renabling iCloud contacts didn't fix the glitch for Hontz, but he did list some steps provided by one of his readers, which are detailed at his Web site. (Note: the site has been very slow to load.) Likewise, tech site Redmond Pie also offered a few suggestions to try to resolve the problem.Related storiesiOS 5.0.1 fixes battery drain bug, say early testersiOS 5.0.1 arrives with battery fix in towiOS 5.0.1 didn't fix battery drain bug, say some usersRolled out Thursday, iOS 5.0.1 was supposed to fix a variety of bugs, including the notorious battery drain issue. Responses have been mixed as to whether the update fixed the battery problem, had no effect, or made it worse, though Apple revealed on Friday that it was continuing to investigate a "few remaining issues" with the battery.With ongoing reports of the quick battery drain and this Contacts glitch, Apple may already be busy cooking up iOS 5.0.2 in the labs as it struggles to squash these persistent bugs.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.
Apple's iOS 5.0.1 seems to have created a glitch with the Contacts app for certain users, according to various sources and several posts on the Apple Support Forums.Startup Foundry founder Paul Hontz reported late last week that after updating to 5.0.1, the iPhone was no longer able to associate address book contacts with other apps. Opening the Contacts app would display all the right names. But using the iMessage texting app or even making a phone call would fail to remember the name of a contact and just display the person's phone number.Hontz tweeted about this potential bug and said he heard back from others who ran into similar issues. A search of the Apple Support Forums also revealed several people complaining of the same problem.Apparently, the glitch pops up only under certain conditions.You must have a Verizon iPhone 4S (Hontz said he received no reports from iPhone 4 users) and you must have updated to iOS 5.0.1 using the OTA (over-the-air) method rather than installing it through iTunes on your computer. I have a Verizon iPhone 4S but I updated it via iTunes and have seen no problems with my contacts.Disabling and renabling iCloud contacts didn't fix the glitch for Hontz, but he did list some steps provided by one of his readers, which are detailed at his Web site. (Note: the site has been very slow to load.) Likewise, tech site Redmond Pie also offered a few suggestions to try to resolve the problem.Related storiesiOS 5.0.1 fixes battery drain bug, say early testersiOS 5.0.1 arrives with battery fix in towiOS 5.0.1 didn't fix battery drain bug, say some usersRolled out Thursday, iOS 5.0.1 was supposed to fix a variety of bugs, including the notorious battery drain issue. Responses have been mixed as to whether the update fixed the battery problem, had no effect, or made it worse, though Apple revealed on Friday that it was continuing to investigate a "few remaining issues" with the battery.With ongoing reports of the quick battery drain and this Contacts glitch, Apple may already be busy cooking up iOS 5.0.2 in the labs as it struggles to squash these persistent bugs.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.
Vudu's 1,100-plus HD movie library bests Apple TV, Netflix, and Xbox Live--for now
Vudu's 1,100-plus HD movie library bests Apple TV, Netflix, and Xbox Live--for now
Vudu is now offering more than 1,100 movies in high-def, making it No. 1 in on-demand HD. The company says that it blew past the 1,000-title milestone by adding more than 150 HD flicks per week in October, and it's pledging to continue its HD focus in the weeks and months ahead. (The HD selections represent about 11 percent of Vudu's total library of on-demand movies.)Indeed, a quick examination of competing services seems to bear out Vudu's claim. We counted more than 1,100 HD movies available through Vudu's box (including about 200 that are also offered in Vudu's Blu-rayesque HDX format), compared to 391 on Xbox Live Marketplace, and something south of 700 on Apple iTunes.(Netflix will be kicking off its own HD streaming service later this month with a mere 300 titles.)By comparison, Amazon's Blu-ray inventory--i.e. the total number of Blu-rays available--shows a total of close to 2,000 titles, though that includes TV shows and prerelease discs.The Vudu BX100 retails for $300, but a limited-time promotion includes a $200 movie credit for those who purchase the unit at Best Buy, lowering the effective cost to just $100. Vudu HD and HDX movie rentals cost $4 to $6 each.So: is this a big enough HD movie library for you to take the plunge on Vudu? Or are you sticking with Blu-ray?
Vudu is now offering more than 1,100 movies in high-def, making it No. 1 in on-demand HD. The company says that it blew past the 1,000-title milestone by adding more than 150 HD flicks per week in October, and it's pledging to continue its HD focus in the weeks and months ahead. (The HD selections represent about 11 percent of Vudu's total library of on-demand movies.)Indeed, a quick examination of competing services seems to bear out Vudu's claim. We counted more than 1,100 HD movies available through Vudu's box (including about 200 that are also offered in Vudu's Blu-rayesque HDX format), compared to 391 on Xbox Live Marketplace, and something south of 700 on Apple iTunes.(Netflix will be kicking off its own HD streaming service later this month with a mere 300 titles.)By comparison, Amazon's Blu-ray inventory--i.e. the total number of Blu-rays available--shows a total of close to 2,000 titles, though that includes TV shows and prerelease discs.The Vudu BX100 retails for $300, but a limited-time promotion includes a $200 movie credit for those who purchase the unit at Best Buy, lowering the effective cost to just $100. Vudu HD and HDX movie rentals cost $4 to $6 each.So: is this a big enough HD movie library for you to take the plunge on Vudu? Or are you sticking with Blu-ray?
Vudu adds TV shows
Vudu adds TV shows
When we reviewed the Vudu back in September, we said "only feature films are available, but Vudu says that TV shows are on the roadmap." Vudu made good on that pledge today, adding 12 TV shows to its content roster. Episodes are available for $1.99 each--the same price you'd pay for TV shows on Apple's iTunes Store. TV content on Vudu is said to be "in beta," but it should be available to all Vudu owners as of today. The initial dozen shows offered are: 24, Arrested Development, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Family Guy, Firefly, Lost in Space, My Name is Earl, NYPD Blue, Prison Break, The Riches, Shark, and The Shield. While all of the TV shows will be available in standard-definition, Vudu has been experimenting with HD programming as well. Today marks the availability of The Bourne Ultimatum on Vudu--the same day it hits DVD and HD DVD--in standard and high-definition versions. The previous two Bourne movies have been available for free viewing on Vudu in HD since November 23, and the company says that "more HD will be coming."Update: For the record, The Bourne Ultimatum is available only to buy for now (as a permanent download to the Vudu box).Rental options may follow in the future on Vudu and other digital download providers.
When we reviewed the Vudu back in September, we said "only feature films are available, but Vudu says that TV shows are on the roadmap." Vudu made good on that pledge today, adding 12 TV shows to its content roster. Episodes are available for $1.99 each--the same price you'd pay for TV shows on Apple's iTunes Store. TV content on Vudu is said to be "in beta," but it should be available to all Vudu owners as of today. The initial dozen shows offered are: 24, Arrested Development, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Family Guy, Firefly, Lost in Space, My Name is Earl, NYPD Blue, Prison Break, The Riches, Shark, and The Shield. While all of the TV shows will be available in standard-definition, Vudu has been experimenting with HD programming as well. Today marks the availability of The Bourne Ultimatum on Vudu--the same day it hits DVD and HD DVD--in standard and high-definition versions. The previous two Bourne movies have been available for free viewing on Vudu in HD since November 23, and the company says that "more HD will be coming."Update: For the record, The Bourne Ultimatum is available only to buy for now (as a permanent download to the Vudu box).Rental options may follow in the future on Vudu and other digital download providers.
CNET's March Madness toolkit
CNET's March Madness toolkit
March Madness' home on the Web is the NCAA's March Madness on Demand site. You'll find all 63 games streamed live, and if you install Microsoft's Silverlight technology you get higher-quality video augmented by integrated team coverage, interactive boards, and a "boss button" so you can bury it all and bring up a phony spreadsheet if The Man walks by. After a game, hit the site for highlights, a full game replay, and buzzer beaters. (Disclosure: CNET is a division of CBS, whose CBS Sports unit broadcasts March Madness.) On the iPhone and iPod Touch there's a March Madness on Demand app that will bring you a live stream of all 63 games.It's powered by MobiTV and also offers game previews, post-game highlights, and tournament news updates.They say it will do all this over an EDGE or 3G connection and offer game audio only if you just want to listen in. It costs $4.99 in the iTunes App Store.Many other cell phones can become miniature March Madness televisions this year thanks to MediaFLO technology. Rather than a glitchy Web stream, this is a dedicated digital video signal to your phone. It looks really good. You need to check with your carrier to see if you have coverage in your market and the right phone to receive it. AT&T has the rights to offer all the games, and Verizon will pick up East and West contests. Back home on the couch, CBS Sports has the broadcast and there's some good stuff in DirecTV's Mega March Madness package if you're willing to part with $69. It will put up to four live games on your TV at once in a four-way split screen with the ability to switch between them, a streaming stats ticker, and interactive brackets. And of course you can beam March Madness from your living room to any connected computer and most smartphones using one of the SlingBox variants.
March Madness' home on the Web is the NCAA's March Madness on Demand site. You'll find all 63 games streamed live, and if you install Microsoft's Silverlight technology you get higher-quality video augmented by integrated team coverage, interactive boards, and a "boss button" so you can bury it all and bring up a phony spreadsheet if The Man walks by. After a game, hit the site for highlights, a full game replay, and buzzer beaters. (Disclosure: CNET is a division of CBS, whose CBS Sports unit broadcasts March Madness.) On the iPhone and iPod Touch there's a March Madness on Demand app that will bring you a live stream of all 63 games.It's powered by MobiTV and also offers game previews, post-game highlights, and tournament news updates.They say it will do all this over an EDGE or 3G connection and offer game audio only if you just want to listen in. It costs $4.99 in the iTunes App Store.Many other cell phones can become miniature March Madness televisions this year thanks to MediaFLO technology. Rather than a glitchy Web stream, this is a dedicated digital video signal to your phone. It looks really good. You need to check with your carrier to see if you have coverage in your market and the right phone to receive it. AT&T has the rights to offer all the games, and Verizon will pick up East and West contests. Back home on the couch, CBS Sports has the broadcast and there's some good stuff in DirecTV's Mega March Madness package if you're willing to part with $69. It will put up to four live games on your TV at once in a four-way split screen with the ability to switch between them, a streaming stats ticker, and interactive brackets. And of course you can beam March Madness from your living room to any connected computer and most smartphones using one of the SlingBox variants.
Chrome Packaged Apps gaining Android powers
Chrome Packaged Apps gaining Android powers
The foundation for making Web apps as powerful as native code is slowly sliding into place, as Google announced new back-end support for its Chrome Packaged Apps in a Chrome dev update on Monday.Related stories:Asus weighing Chrome versus AndroidThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Browse safely with Internet ExplorerDigg reworks its browser extensions, Boxee appYouTube begins HTML5 rolloutThe new support, expected in the stable version of Chrome in around six weeks, allows Packaged Apps to use a new set of APIs (application programming interfaces). Packaged Apps are a variant of Web sites, like Gmail, that are designed to load flawlessly even when not connected to the Internet.These include the In App Payments API that's built on Google Wallet; the Identity API for authentication; the Native Messaging API so that Chrome apps can communicate with native apps; a Media Gallery API for accessing locally stored music, image, and video files, including from iTunes; a Bluetooth 4.0-based API that Google says will let the Web apps connect to Low Energy health-tracking devices; and an Analytics API for monitoring app user data.Some of the additional features will provide developers with more feature-rich options that native apps have been able to lord over the Web. In the In App Payments API, for example, Google notes that developers will be able to build simple one-time and subscription-based billing into their Web apps. The Identity API will let developers provide more granular control over how much information about user behavior in an app becomes available to the public. It's small improvements like these that Google and other browser developers hope will continue to keep developers interested in coding for the Web, as well as making Chrome a bit more like Android. But keep those dreams of Chrome and Android merging in check -- that's still years away.
The foundation for making Web apps as powerful as native code is slowly sliding into place, as Google announced new back-end support for its Chrome Packaged Apps in a Chrome dev update on Monday.Related stories:Asus weighing Chrome versus AndroidThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Browse safely with Internet ExplorerDigg reworks its browser extensions, Boxee appYouTube begins HTML5 rolloutThe new support, expected in the stable version of Chrome in around six weeks, allows Packaged Apps to use a new set of APIs (application programming interfaces). Packaged Apps are a variant of Web sites, like Gmail, that are designed to load flawlessly even when not connected to the Internet.These include the In App Payments API that's built on Google Wallet; the Identity API for authentication; the Native Messaging API so that Chrome apps can communicate with native apps; a Media Gallery API for accessing locally stored music, image, and video files, including from iTunes; a Bluetooth 4.0-based API that Google says will let the Web apps connect to Low Energy health-tracking devices; and an Analytics API for monitoring app user data.Some of the additional features will provide developers with more feature-rich options that native apps have been able to lord over the Web. In the In App Payments API, for example, Google notes that developers will be able to build simple one-time and subscription-based billing into their Web apps. The Identity API will let developers provide more granular control over how much information about user behavior in an app becomes available to the public. It's small improvements like these that Google and other browser developers hope will continue to keep developers interested in coding for the Web, as well as making Chrome a bit more like Android. But keep those dreams of Chrome and Android merging in check -- that's still years away.
Apple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6
Apple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6
Mac and iOS software developers, mark your calendars: Apple's next Worldwide DevelopersConference will take place the first week in June.Apple on Thursday announced that WWDC 2014 has been scheduled for June 2 to 6 and will take place where it's often been found in the past: San Francisco's Moscone West center. Tickets will be available through the WWDC Web site now through 10 a.m. PT Monday, but they'll likely be gone long before then. WWDC tickets typically are gone within the first couple hours afterApple puts them on sale. Last year, the conference sold out in mere minutes.Apple said that tickets will beissued through random selection and that developers will know theirstatus by 5 p.m. PT Monday. Those selected will have to pony up $1,599 per ticket.The company plans to have more than 1,000 of its engineers at the conference to lead hands-on labs and other events to guide attendees through the inner workings of iOS and OS X.One big question leading into this year's WWDC: will Apple introduce iOS 8, and what new features will come in that next version of the mobile operating system? Rumors have suggested changes including Mac apps coming to the iPhone and iTunes Radio being broken out as a separate app. The most recent significant update, iOS 7.1, brought CarPlay for integrating the iPhone into car dashboards, along with updates to Siri and Touch ID.Last fall's OS X Mavericks release, meanwhile, brought some iOS features into the fold for Mac users. CNET reviewer Jason Parker considered the update "more evolutionary than revolutionary."But don't go looking for a merger of iOS and OS X. Apple execs have been quite clear that they consider such an effort a "waste of energy."Update 6:45 a.m. PT: This story has been expanded with additional background.
Mac and iOS software developers, mark your calendars: Apple's next Worldwide DevelopersConference will take place the first week in June.Apple on Thursday announced that WWDC 2014 has been scheduled for June 2 to 6 and will take place where it's often been found in the past: San Francisco's Moscone West center. Tickets will be available through the WWDC Web site now through 10 a.m. PT Monday, but they'll likely be gone long before then. WWDC tickets typically are gone within the first couple hours afterApple puts them on sale. Last year, the conference sold out in mere minutes.Apple said that tickets will beissued through random selection and that developers will know theirstatus by 5 p.m. PT Monday. Those selected will have to pony up $1,599 per ticket.The company plans to have more than 1,000 of its engineers at the conference to lead hands-on labs and other events to guide attendees through the inner workings of iOS and OS X.One big question leading into this year's WWDC: will Apple introduce iOS 8, and what new features will come in that next version of the mobile operating system? Rumors have suggested changes including Mac apps coming to the iPhone and iTunes Radio being broken out as a separate app. The most recent significant update, iOS 7.1, brought CarPlay for integrating the iPhone into car dashboards, along with updates to Siri and Touch ID.Last fall's OS X Mavericks release, meanwhile, brought some iOS features into the fold for Mac users. CNET reviewer Jason Parker considered the update "more evolutionary than revolutionary."But don't go looking for a merger of iOS and OS X. Apple execs have been quite clear that they consider such an effort a "waste of energy."Update 6:45 a.m. PT: This story has been expanded with additional background.
Apple sets deadline for retiring old device ID system
Apple sets deadline for retiring old device ID system
It's official. Apple will longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs. The company has set a May 1 deadline for this new policy."Starting May 1, the App Store will no longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs," Apple wrote on its developer Web site today. "Please update your apps and servers to associate users with the Vendor or Advertising identifiers introduced in iOS 6."UDIDs are the unique string of numbers that individually identifies each iOS device. Typically, they have been used by developers as a way to track app installations across Apple's user base. By tracking users, companies can tailor advertising to each individual. However, tracking users also comes with a host of privacy concerns.Theoretically, developers have known for more than a year that Apple's UDID change was coming. The company announced in March 2012 that it was beginning to roll out a rejection process for apps that access UDIDs. When Apple launched iOS 6 last September, it built a new preference toggle called Advertising Identifier that lets users choose whether to be hit with targeted ads or not. As noted in its statement today, the company is pushing developers to use this technology, which doesn't access users' personal information.The big question, however, is what about all of those apps that are already in Apple's App Store and currently access UDID? A source familiar with Apple's new policy told CNET that the company will not remove older apps that have not been updated to adhere to the policy.In addition to setting a deadline for apps that access UDIDs, Apple also announced today that by May 1 all new apps and app updates must support Retina display and the longer, more slender iPhone 5. "Starting May 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built for iOS devices with Retina display and iPhone apps must also support the 4-inch display on iPhone 5," Apple wrote on its developer Web site.
It's official. Apple will longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs. The company has set a May 1 deadline for this new policy."Starting May 1, the App Store will no longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs," Apple wrote on its developer Web site today. "Please update your apps and servers to associate users with the Vendor or Advertising identifiers introduced in iOS 6."UDIDs are the unique string of numbers that individually identifies each iOS device. Typically, they have been used by developers as a way to track app installations across Apple's user base. By tracking users, companies can tailor advertising to each individual. However, tracking users also comes with a host of privacy concerns.Theoretically, developers have known for more than a year that Apple's UDID change was coming. The company announced in March 2012 that it was beginning to roll out a rejection process for apps that access UDIDs. When Apple launched iOS 6 last September, it built a new preference toggle called Advertising Identifier that lets users choose whether to be hit with targeted ads or not. As noted in its statement today, the company is pushing developers to use this technology, which doesn't access users' personal information.The big question, however, is what about all of those apps that are already in Apple's App Store and currently access UDID? A source familiar with Apple's new policy told CNET that the company will not remove older apps that have not been updated to adhere to the policy.In addition to setting a deadline for apps that access UDIDs, Apple also announced today that by May 1 all new apps and app updates must support Retina display and the longer, more slender iPhone 5. "Starting May 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built for iOS devices with Retina display and iPhone apps must also support the 4-inch display on iPhone 5," Apple wrote on its developer Web site.
Apple sells a record $17 billion in debt
Apple sells a record $17 billion in debt
Apple had a field day with its first debt offering since 1996. Investors hungrily gobbled up $17 billion in Apple bonds, the largest offering in corporate history. The proceeds will be used to help fund the company's ambitious plan to return value to shareholders through share repurchases and dividend payouts. The bond sale comes on the heels of Apple's plans to double its capital return program, which involves spending an additional $55 billion in dividend payments to investors. Apple also said it would be spending an extra $50 billion in repurchasing company stock along with increasing its quarterly dividend. The bond offering was split up into six parts with varying maturity dates. Apple benefited from historically low interest rates, which are set by the U.S. Treasury.Apple brings a little cool -- and stability -- to the bond market. The company's debt is considered safe because of its cash hoard, which it said grew to $145 billion in the last quarter. Of that total, roughly $100 billion is held overseas, and Apple would have to pay a hefty tax to bring it back into the U.S.As such, it is more cost-effective to offer debt when the interest rate is so low. The last time Apple issued any sort of debt was in 1996, when the company's future was quite uncertain. The plan then was for $573 million in notes that could be converted into Apple stock at a fixed price.Apple's stock has been on the mend for the past week, closing higher for the past seven days of trading, bringing it back to levels recorded near the end of March.Shares in Apple inched up 0.6 percent to $442.78 in premarket trading on Wednesday.
Apple had a field day with its first debt offering since 1996. Investors hungrily gobbled up $17 billion in Apple bonds, the largest offering in corporate history. The proceeds will be used to help fund the company's ambitious plan to return value to shareholders through share repurchases and dividend payouts. The bond sale comes on the heels of Apple's plans to double its capital return program, which involves spending an additional $55 billion in dividend payments to investors. Apple also said it would be spending an extra $50 billion in repurchasing company stock along with increasing its quarterly dividend. The bond offering was split up into six parts with varying maturity dates. Apple benefited from historically low interest rates, which are set by the U.S. Treasury.Apple brings a little cool -- and stability -- to the bond market. The company's debt is considered safe because of its cash hoard, which it said grew to $145 billion in the last quarter. Of that total, roughly $100 billion is held overseas, and Apple would have to pay a hefty tax to bring it back into the U.S.As such, it is more cost-effective to offer debt when the interest rate is so low. The last time Apple issued any sort of debt was in 1996, when the company's future was quite uncertain. The plan then was for $573 million in notes that could be converted into Apple stock at a fixed price.Apple's stock has been on the mend for the past week, closing higher for the past seven days of trading, bringing it back to levels recorded near the end of March.Shares in Apple inched up 0.6 percent to $442.78 in premarket trading on Wednesday.
Apple selling refurbished iPads, MacBooks, and iPods on eBay-
Apple selling refurbished iPads, MacBooks, and iPods on eBay?
Maybe it's that Black Friday shopping time of year or maybe Apple is trying an experiment, but it appears that the company now may be selling its refurbished products on eBay.According to 9to5Mac, which noticed the site a few weeks ago, the eBay store has been up for about a month, and many aspects of it exactly mimic Apple's Web store. For example, the refurbished products are the exact same price and come with the same perks as the Apple Store, like a one-year warranty, original OS, and "final quality inspection by Apple." Operating under the guise of "refurbished outlet," this seller has a 99.7 percent approval rating and has received comments like, "Great product, awesome price, Apple backed warranty!! This rocks." Neither Apple nor eBay has confirmed that this is an Apple-run store on eBay, however.As of now, 23 items are for sale in the store, including 15 iPads, six MacBooks, and two iPods. "Refurbished outlet" gives the option to pay extra on some items for a yearlong GeekSquad warranty. Shoppers can't bid on any of the products, because there is only the "Buy It Now" option.One bonus 9to5Mac points out is that, unlike the online Apple Store, the eBay store only charges taxes in a few states, including California, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, and Texas, and Washington, D.C. CNET contacted Apple and eBay for confirmation. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Maybe it's that Black Friday shopping time of year or maybe Apple is trying an experiment, but it appears that the company now may be selling its refurbished products on eBay.According to 9to5Mac, which noticed the site a few weeks ago, the eBay store has been up for about a month, and many aspects of it exactly mimic Apple's Web store. For example, the refurbished products are the exact same price and come with the same perks as the Apple Store, like a one-year warranty, original OS, and "final quality inspection by Apple." Operating under the guise of "refurbished outlet," this seller has a 99.7 percent approval rating and has received comments like, "Great product, awesome price, Apple backed warranty!! This rocks." Neither Apple nor eBay has confirmed that this is an Apple-run store on eBay, however.As of now, 23 items are for sale in the store, including 15 iPads, six MacBooks, and two iPods. "Refurbished outlet" gives the option to pay extra on some items for a yearlong GeekSquad warranty. Shoppers can't bid on any of the products, because there is only the "Buy It Now" option.One bonus 9to5Mac points out is that, unlike the online Apple Store, the eBay store only charges taxes in a few states, including California, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, and Texas, and Washington, D.C. CNET contacted Apple and eBay for confirmation. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple seeks to bulk up on security with fingerprint patent
Apple seeks to bulk up on security with fingerprint patent
Apple's iOS-based devices and maybe even Macs could eventually come with support for a fingerprint sensor directly on the display.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Thursday published a patent application that Apple filed with its offices on January 17. The patent describes a technology in which a sensor is used to trace a person's finger and fingerprint and determine, based on that, if they have proper credentials. Apple's patent application doesn't go as far as including the security features that might come with it on the software side, but it's clear what the technology is designed to do.Biometric technology has, of course, been in place for years on devices. Many enterprise computers, in fact, come with a fingerprint sensor that allows users to access their computers and certain protected files. If a person's finger doesn't match up with what's been stored on the PC, they cannot gain access to the device.Apple's technology is slightly different than those embodiments. Rather than use an attached hardware sensor, like most PCs do, Apple's patent application allows users to place their fingers on a touch display. The company's technology then analyzes the finger on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine if it's a match with the owner's.Apple's patent application is the just the latest in a long line of fingerprint-sensing technology the company has brought to the USPTO. So far, however, none of those technologies has made their way to the iPhone or iPad. As with other companies, Apple often files for patents on technologies that seem to never see the light of day.(Via Patently Apple)
Apple's iOS-based devices and maybe even Macs could eventually come with support for a fingerprint sensor directly on the display.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Thursday published a patent application that Apple filed with its offices on January 17. The patent describes a technology in which a sensor is used to trace a person's finger and fingerprint and determine, based on that, if they have proper credentials. Apple's patent application doesn't go as far as including the security features that might come with it on the software side, but it's clear what the technology is designed to do.Biometric technology has, of course, been in place for years on devices. Many enterprise computers, in fact, come with a fingerprint sensor that allows users to access their computers and certain protected files. If a person's finger doesn't match up with what's been stored on the PC, they cannot gain access to the device.Apple's technology is slightly different than those embodiments. Rather than use an attached hardware sensor, like most PCs do, Apple's patent application allows users to place their fingers on a touch display. The company's technology then analyzes the finger on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine if it's a match with the owner's.Apple's patent application is the just the latest in a long line of fingerprint-sensing technology the company has brought to the USPTO. So far, however, none of those technologies has made their way to the iPhone or iPad. As with other companies, Apple often files for patents on technologies that seem to never see the light of day.(Via Patently Apple)
The Holiday Gift Guide Part 2: Books, Toys and More
Yesterday we shared part one of the Movies.com Holiday Gift Guide, which focused entirely on Blu-rays and DVDs. But we all know there are plenty of other things you can buy the movie fan in your life beyond actual movies, so we;ve put together a big list of reasonably priced and relatively new items that you can gift this holiday season. Unlike with part one of this guide, we won;t be breaking these out into fan categories, since it should be immediately obvious what type of person will like these goodies. Horror Pillows - $15-20 These are just plain cool. You;ve probably never even thought about having The Shining or The Thing pillows, but now that you know they exist, you;ve got to have them, right? Unfortunately HorrorDecor.net is a small, handmade operation and it;s too late to have any new orders arrive in time for Christmas, but these pillows are going to be damned cool no matter when they show up. Custom Vintage Action Figures - $20+ Here;s an eBay seller who creates action figures from your childhood, many of which never actually existed. Take, for example, the charred remains of Uncle Owen from Star Wars or Deckard from Blade Runner. Blade Runner Whiskey Glasses - $89 Speaking of Blade Runner, you can buy the same glasses Harrison Ford uses in the movie. Well, not the exact same glasses, but the same cool, square style. These are a bit pricey, but oh so cool. T-1000 Statue - $249 Okay, so not everything on this gift guide is affordable, but we can;t help but list this collectible Terminator 2: Judgment Day statue. It;s 18 inches tall andeight pounds heavy, so this isn;t just some disposable action figure. Plus there are only 500 of them for sale, so you have a die-hard T2superfan in your life, you may want to jump on this. The DeLorean Time Machine Lego Set - $48 You know it;ll break your heart when you watch your young child;s imagination come to life as they build and subsequently play with this rad Lego Back to the Future replica. Or you could buy it for a grown man or woman. Either way, there will be no judgment, just envy. Crazy 4 Cult: Cult Movie Art 2 by Gallery 1988- $24.59 Got a friend who loves movie art and has a coffee table? Buy them this collection of some of the most incredible movie art around - all curated from the famous Gallery 1988 - that way you can check it out any time you;re at their house. Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man;s Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman - $16.17 Memoirs and autobiographies from actors are a dime a dozen, but what separates Nick Offerman;sfrom the rest is, well, Nick Offerman. This book will be best received by a fan of Offerman;sTV work on Parks & Recreation (where his Ron Swanson character is not too far from his own personality), but even still it;s a very funny book and a brisk read. A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic - $20.46 This book does exactly what it says on the cover: it gives you a total picture of the production of one of the great film classics of all time. If you know someone who watches A Christmas Story every year (who doesn;t?), this;ll give them a new perspective on the whole thing. Screenwriting 101by FilmCritHulk! - $4.95 Here;s an eBook from Internet-famous film blogger FilmCritHulk that;s all about the basics of how to tell a good story. As for why you should care what some random, anonymous blogger thinks about screenwriting, this is one department whereFCHreally does know what he;s talking about. And don;t worry if your eyes can;t standFCH;sall caps writing style, there is a traditional version of the entire book included as well. Django Unchained ($16.51), Batman Noir: The Deluxe Edition ($18.47), Before Watchmen ($16.19) The road between movies and comics these days is a two-way street. There are comics based on movies, like the terrific graphic novel for Quentin Tarantino;s Django Unchained. Then there are comics that would make great movies, like the ones collected in the gritty series Batman Noir. And then there are comics that will (probably) never be made into movies, but would be iconic if they were, like the controversial Before Watchmen series. If you know anyone who likes the big-screen versions of any of these properties, then these would make great gifts. Disney Infinity - $59.99+ The Disney Infinity video game series is one of the most ambitious projects the Mouse House has ever put together. It lets fans control all kinds of Disney characters from dozens of different franchises in a ton of playful ways they probably never even dreamed of. Of course, this is the kind of game where you can keep paying more and more money to unlock every possible piece of gameplay, but if you want to keep it simple, just go with the starter pack. Read part one of the Movies.com Holiday Gift Guide here.
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