DC Comics follows in Marvel's iPad footsteps
DC Comics also announced that the company would be digitally publishing the 26-issue comic book limited series Justice League: Generation Lost simultaneously through the ComiXology app and in stores, known in the industry as a "day and date" release. Although Marvel announced plans for a day-and-date release of The Invincible Iron Man Annual No. 1, it won't be published until Wednesday, June 30.The ComiXology app offers the same smooth reading experience as detailed for the Marvel app. The page movement is smooth; auto-zooming on panels makes reading them easier while preventing yourself from reading ahead; and the store puts relevant details like the names of the comics' creators and a story synopsis easily at hand.Marvel also has a different pricing scheme than DC Comics does for its day-and-date release (the two are historic rivals going back to Marvel's reinvention of the superhero in the 1960s). The paper version of the Iron Man annual, which will tell the "unknown origin" of the classic Iron Man villain The Mandarin, will be 80 pages long and retail for $4.99. The digital version of the comic, available from Marvel's ComiXology-based app, will be split into thirds. Each one will be available on June 30, but each will cost $1.99, the standard price for one of Marvel's digitally distributed comics.All ComiXology-based apps heavily use a Cover Flow-style browser.Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET DC's Generation Lost is available in the app for the same price as the paper copy, $2.99. Meanwhile, the three already published issues of Justice League: Generation Lost are available for $1.99, the price of most comics DC has published through the app. These include superhero titles as well as titles like The Sandman, written by uber-popular author Neil Gaiman; Bill Willingham's Fables, about characters from nursery rhymes and the fables of myth coming to life; and Tiny Titans, aimed at kids. A smattering of comics has been made available at 99 cents; most of them seem to be from DC Comics' WildStorm imprint. The publisher has also made available a number of titles for free. These include black-and-white Batman stories from several years ago, the Web comic Bayou, an adaptation of the TV show Fringe, and a preview of Superman No. 700, released Thursday. The variable pricing indicates that digital comics sales are even more fractured than book sales. Unlike music, which has been locked into a 99-cent pricepoint since Apple's iTunes Store pioneered it, prices for digital books and comics are heavily dependent on the publisher. ComiXology, as the first digital distributor of comics that has secured deals with the two biggest comics publishers, as well as 30 smaller publishers, could be in a position soon to dictate prices as Apple did and as Amazon.com is trying to.The PlayStation Network launched Wednesday as well with more than 80 issues from DC, including the first 25 issues of the Superman/Batman comic that debuted in 2003. But the system will work slightly differently for PSP users, as only a handful of those issues are for sale in DC iPad app. Comic book adaptations of video games that DC has been licensed will be available exclusively on the PSP, but DC plans to add 50 comics per month to their PlayStation Network catalog. Click on a comic to see the synopsis information, including creator, story summary, and a preview.Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET DC hasn't yet ruled out involving other systems. "Android is a very compelling platform and it seems to be catching on very, very quickly," said DC Comics' Co-Publisher Jim Lee. "Our goal is to be on the best platforms possible." To that end, the DC Comics Web site will soon add the ComiXology Web app embedded in the browser, making your purchased comics available from your desktop computer. However, John Rood, executive vice president of sales and marketing for DC Entertainment, DC's parent company, cautioned that the company was still being careful. "We've learned that more is not better and we've certainly learned not to be first."The selection of titles that DC has made available so far represents a sliver of the publisher's output, and appears to be smaller than Marvel's initial ComiXology launch. Although Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are represented, most of the best known characters, such as Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Aquaman, are not. What is included appears to be a broad stroke of what the publisher does: there are superhero comics, mystery comics, kids comics, horror comics, thrillers, war stories, and even one comic about zombies. (Frustratingly, it's not the new series from the publisher's Vertigo imprint with the horrible name, iZombie.)Censorship remains a strong concern for digital publishers, especially given several high-profile instances of Apple censoring content. There are certain titles that Lee said he expects will be restricted, although this hasn't happened yet. "You won't be able to purchase some comics through the Apple Store, but you can get them from the ComiXology site." Even with the potential restrictions caused by Apple's policies, Lee was quick to add his admiration for Apple. "Apple has been a tremendous partner in this. I don't think this rollout would've happened as well as it did without the iPad." ComiXology has introduced a Web app for accessing your comics from a desktop. The comics aren't portable outside of the ComiXology app, but at least there's one way to read them outside the iOS.Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET DC Comics' also took pains to announce in yesterday's press release that the company was adding digital comics sales to its royalties program for comics creators. That's not necessarily unique among comics publishers, but making sure that it was called out served to let the small comics community know that the company wasn't pocketing all the cash from digital sales. It also struck a contrast with Marvel, which also has added digital sales to its royalty payments but hasn't publicly called out their program.This marks the first time that one of the two biggest comic book publishers has made a comic available day-and-date, and the concept is a live wire for many in comics. Although they might hold a fond place in the memories of older comics readers, newsstand sales and drugstore spinner racks are now virtually non-existent. For nearly two decades, the American comics industry has relied heavily on direct-market comic book shops and burgeoning bookstore sales of graphic novels. While Marvel made its Iron Man announcement in enough time for retailers to adjust their order level, DC has instead made all unsold retailer copies returnable, which cuts down significantly on retailer liability. One retailer in San Francisco sounded largely unfazed by the announcement. Brian Hibbs, proprietor of Comix Experience, said it's too early to gauge how the day-and-date release will affect sales, if at all. "We can't avoid day-and-date. It's going to happen, at least as experiments. But there's no evidence yet that they replace these are 1:1 replacement sales."Hibbs, who is also on the board of the comics retailers advocacy group ComicsPRO, noted that DC's plan to funnel some earnings from digital sales back into brick-and-mortar stores represents an unusual path to trailblaze in online sales. "Think if we had the record companies doing that when digital music started selling. We might still have record stores."Full disclosure: I have been buying comics from Comix Experience for 17 years.
Rumor- Sony readying pair of Android 3.0 tablets
Rumor: Sony readying pair of Android 3.0 tablets
For all of the great things that Sony Ericsson has debuted over the last few weeks, one device it has yet to show off is a tablet.With LG and Motorola gearing up with their first push and Samsung readying a larger Galaxy Tab, Sony Ericsson would be wise to jump on the emerging market, and according to a pair of recent Engadget articles that's exactly what the company has been doing. If the rumors hold true, we'll see two Honeycomb tablets bearing the Sony brand in time for the holiday shopping season.While neither of these looks to carry a traditional tablet form factor, the S1 bears the most resemblance to today's devices. Sporting a 9.4-inch, 1,280x800-pixel-resolution touch screen and running Android 3.0, this tablet is said to be the Vaio team's latest project. Features are said to include a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, front and rear cameras, and a USB-A port for reading thumbdrives and media. As one might expect, Sony is currently customizing the experience to incorporate its own services, such as Qriocity, Bravia, and PlayStation. Engadget is also reporting that the S1 will be PlayStation Certified, indicating it will get access to a host of exclusive Sony games, much like the Xperia Play.The S1 design is said to mimic the feeling of "a magazine folded backward upon itself," which should lend itself to a natural way of holding the tablet. There should be just enough angle to allow comfortable typing when placed on a lap or desktop. Also, thanks to the weight being shifted to one side of the device, users can expect less wrist strain when using it one-handed, Engadget said. The face of the tablet is finished in a high-gloss black and the bottom is a matte silver.Sony's second tablet, the S2, will offer similar hardware internally but feature a completely different design. Where the S1 has one large screen, the S2 will have two 5.5-inch screens that combine to form a larger display. The tablet will fold in half like a clamshell phone and resemble a oval cylinder when closed. Engadget isn't certain as to whether the S2 will be PlayStation Certified but does note it will offer Qriocity support. As they are doing for the S1, the Sony team is customizing the experience of the S2 to take advantage of the dual screens.Internally, the S1 is garnering very positive reviews, with one Sony insider calling it the "best thing" that person has ever seen from the company, according to Engadget. Unfortunately, the S2 is getting less favorable buzz, with one source calling it a "dog," while another indicates that the gap between the displays is too large.As far as pricing and release dates, Engadget expects the Wi-Fi-only version of the S1 to fetch $599, which is the same as what the Motorola Xoom goes for with a contract with Verizon. Expect to see this tablet in stores near the end of 2011, possibly as early as September. Pricing for the S2 is said to be $699, which is considerably higher than most tablets. The S2 is also due by year's end.
For all of the great things that Sony Ericsson has debuted over the last few weeks, one device it has yet to show off is a tablet.With LG and Motorola gearing up with their first push and Samsung readying a larger Galaxy Tab, Sony Ericsson would be wise to jump on the emerging market, and according to a pair of recent Engadget articles that's exactly what the company has been doing. If the rumors hold true, we'll see two Honeycomb tablets bearing the Sony brand in time for the holiday shopping season.While neither of these looks to carry a traditional tablet form factor, the S1 bears the most resemblance to today's devices. Sporting a 9.4-inch, 1,280x800-pixel-resolution touch screen and running Android 3.0, this tablet is said to be the Vaio team's latest project. Features are said to include a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, front and rear cameras, and a USB-A port for reading thumbdrives and media. As one might expect, Sony is currently customizing the experience to incorporate its own services, such as Qriocity, Bravia, and PlayStation. Engadget is also reporting that the S1 will be PlayStation Certified, indicating it will get access to a host of exclusive Sony games, much like the Xperia Play.The S1 design is said to mimic the feeling of "a magazine folded backward upon itself," which should lend itself to a natural way of holding the tablet. There should be just enough angle to allow comfortable typing when placed on a lap or desktop. Also, thanks to the weight being shifted to one side of the device, users can expect less wrist strain when using it one-handed, Engadget said. The face of the tablet is finished in a high-gloss black and the bottom is a matte silver.Sony's second tablet, the S2, will offer similar hardware internally but feature a completely different design. Where the S1 has one large screen, the S2 will have two 5.5-inch screens that combine to form a larger display. The tablet will fold in half like a clamshell phone and resemble a oval cylinder when closed. Engadget isn't certain as to whether the S2 will be PlayStation Certified but does note it will offer Qriocity support. As they are doing for the S1, the Sony team is customizing the experience of the S2 to take advantage of the dual screens.Internally, the S1 is garnering very positive reviews, with one Sony insider calling it the "best thing" that person has ever seen from the company, according to Engadget. Unfortunately, the S2 is getting less favorable buzz, with one source calling it a "dog," while another indicates that the gap between the displays is too large.As far as pricing and release dates, Engadget expects the Wi-Fi-only version of the S1 to fetch $599, which is the same as what the Motorola Xoom goes for with a contract with Verizon. Expect to see this tablet in stores near the end of 2011, possibly as early as September. Pricing for the S2 is said to be $699, which is considerably higher than most tablets. The S2 is also due by year's end.
The 404 911- Where we put our ear to the cloud (podcast)
The 404 911: Where we put our ear to the cloud (podcast)
We're also superexcited to have SoundCloud CEO Alexander Ljung in the studio for the second part of today's episode. SoundCloud.com is a music-streaming service that allows anyone to upload and share music across multiple platforms--blogs, direct links, and even cross-platform properties like Outloud.fm and Headliner.fm.Alexander tells us all about how the company started with just a few musicians playing songs for one another, then slowly grew into a service with over 5 million active users uploading, playing, and sharing music. We'll also talk to him about SoundCloud's partnership with Facebook announced last week at the company's F8 Developers Conference, and what you can expect from the Web service in the coming months.Stay tuned after the break for more discussion topics about this weekend's Facebook paid-services hoax, more Facebook privacy flaws, and more!The 404 Digest for Episode 911DragCloseThis 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.Amazon is set to announce a tablet on Wednesday.Amazon Instant adds FOX movies and TV shows.Netflix gets DreamWorks movies.More Motorola Xoom 2 leaks: Two models?Apple slashes fourth-quarter iPad orders, report says.Yes, Google Drive is coming. For real this time.Hoax! Fake Facebook fees."Read" in Facebook--it's not a button, so be careful what you click!SoundCloud opens its first U.S. office in San Francisco.Outloud.fm lets you share tracks from SoundCloud.Follow Alexander Ljung on Twitter.Bathroom-break videos of the day: Boston Terrier dog likes his belly tickled and a cat's first day of exercise.Episode 911Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
We're also superexcited to have SoundCloud CEO Alexander Ljung in the studio for the second part of today's episode. SoundCloud.com is a music-streaming service that allows anyone to upload and share music across multiple platforms--blogs, direct links, and even cross-platform properties like Outloud.fm and Headliner.fm.Alexander tells us all about how the company started with just a few musicians playing songs for one another, then slowly grew into a service with over 5 million active users uploading, playing, and sharing music. We'll also talk to him about SoundCloud's partnership with Facebook announced last week at the company's F8 Developers Conference, and what you can expect from the Web service in the coming months.Stay tuned after the break for more discussion topics about this weekend's Facebook paid-services hoax, more Facebook privacy flaws, and more!The 404 Digest for Episode 911DragCloseThis 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.Amazon is set to announce a tablet on Wednesday.Amazon Instant adds FOX movies and TV shows.Netflix gets DreamWorks movies.More Motorola Xoom 2 leaks: Two models?Apple slashes fourth-quarter iPad orders, report says.Yes, Google Drive is coming. For real this time.Hoax! Fake Facebook fees."Read" in Facebook--it's not a button, so be careful what you click!SoundCloud opens its first U.S. office in San Francisco.Outloud.fm lets you share tracks from SoundCloud.Follow Alexander Ljung on Twitter.Bathroom-break videos of the day: Boston Terrier dog likes his belly tickled and a cat's first day of exercise.Episode 911Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
PokerStars, 888 Poker pulled from Australian iTunes store
PokerStars, 888 Poker pulled from Australian iTunes store
PokerStars, which went live on the Australian iTunes App Store in May 2012, after pulling its operation out of Australia in 2011, and 888 Poker have been pulled after theintervention of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).In April, Apple and PokerStars came under fire from Greens Senator Dr Richard Di Natale for contravening the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), which states that "A person is guilty of an offence if the person intentionally provides an interactive gambling service" to Australian customers, with a maximum penalty of a fine of AU$340,000 per day for individuals and US$1.7 million per day for bodies corporate.PokerStars and 888 Poker both allowed Australian gamers to play digital poker games with real money, and their removal has prompted outrage from fans of the apps, both of which were massively popular. At the time of writing, 888 Poker still has a live website in Australia, and PokerStars remains available for Android via Google Play.In March this year, the DBCDE released a report that noted the Act has heretofore been useless, quoting the NSW Government:With no prosecutions having been conducted under the Act to date, the Act's ability to effectively prevent Australians from accessing overseas online gaming sites would appear to be minimal.An Apple spokesperson told CNET Australia that previously, no gambling apps had needed to be taken down from local iTunes store, and that the company complies with local law. They did not know how the apps had managed to pass Apple's approval process.It is interesting to see a law that has remained in disuse for 12 years suddenly be called into use against Apple, while leaving other gambling websites and smartphone platforms alone, but government bodies and other advocacy groups have recently started paying attention to in-app spending.Earlier this year, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) called upon the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate the freemium game model. Late last year, the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council also announced an inquiry into mobile commerce.
PokerStars, which went live on the Australian iTunes App Store in May 2012, after pulling its operation out of Australia in 2011, and 888 Poker have been pulled after theintervention of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).In April, Apple and PokerStars came under fire from Greens Senator Dr Richard Di Natale for contravening the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), which states that "A person is guilty of an offence if the person intentionally provides an interactive gambling service" to Australian customers, with a maximum penalty of a fine of AU$340,000 per day for individuals and US$1.7 million per day for bodies corporate.PokerStars and 888 Poker both allowed Australian gamers to play digital poker games with real money, and their removal has prompted outrage from fans of the apps, both of which were massively popular. At the time of writing, 888 Poker still has a live website in Australia, and PokerStars remains available for Android via Google Play.In March this year, the DBCDE released a report that noted the Act has heretofore been useless, quoting the NSW Government:With no prosecutions having been conducted under the Act to date, the Act's ability to effectively prevent Australians from accessing overseas online gaming sites would appear to be minimal.An Apple spokesperson told CNET Australia that previously, no gambling apps had needed to be taken down from local iTunes store, and that the company complies with local law. They did not know how the apps had managed to pass Apple's approval process.It is interesting to see a law that has remained in disuse for 12 years suddenly be called into use against Apple, while leaving other gambling websites and smartphone platforms alone, but government bodies and other advocacy groups have recently started paying attention to in-app spending.Earlier this year, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) called upon the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate the freemium game model. Late last year, the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council also announced an inquiry into mobile commerce.
Podcasts apps make their way back to iTunes
Podcasts apps make their way back to iTunes
Podcast applications have made their way back to iTunes.When users type "podcast" or "podcasts" into Apple's desktop iTunes application, they'll find a full listing of programs that allow users to subscribe and listen to audio and video podcasts.Apple's store surprised some searchers yesterday when only the iPhone maker's official Podcasts app was displayed after inputting those queries into the program. Upon searching for the same queries on the iPhone or iPad, all available apps were listed.It's not immediately clear when the podcasts apps listing was restored or what might have caused the omission of third-party search results.Apple launched its standalone app for podcasts back in June. The program allows users to both listen and subscribe to audio and video podcasts.Debate rages over the quality of Apple's Podcasts app. In a posting on the topic back in June, CNET writer Rick Broida offered up three apps that might do a better job handling user podcasts: Downcast, Instacast, and Stitcher Radio.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the change. We will update this story when we have more information.
Podcast applications have made their way back to iTunes.When users type "podcast" or "podcasts" into Apple's desktop iTunes application, they'll find a full listing of programs that allow users to subscribe and listen to audio and video podcasts.Apple's store surprised some searchers yesterday when only the iPhone maker's official Podcasts app was displayed after inputting those queries into the program. Upon searching for the same queries on the iPhone or iPad, all available apps were listed.It's not immediately clear when the podcasts apps listing was restored or what might have caused the omission of third-party search results.Apple launched its standalone app for podcasts back in June. The program allows users to both listen and subscribe to audio and video podcasts.Debate rages over the quality of Apple's Podcasts app. In a posting on the topic back in June, CNET writer Rick Broida offered up three apps that might do a better job handling user podcasts: Downcast, Instacast, and Stitcher Radio.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the change. We will update this story when we have more information.
Pentagon- No, we're not dropping BlackBerry support
Pentagon: No, we're not dropping BlackBerry support
With its newest smartphone set to go on sale tomorrow, BlackBerry received some good news today when the Pentagon said it intends to continue supporting the company's smartphones.Related storiesBlackBerry Z10, fully reviewedBlackBerry plans Z10 launch eventRoad Testing the BlackBerry Z10Defense Dept. reportedly in deal for more than 600K iOS devices "The department is aware of recent reporting that asserts it is 'dropping' BlackBerry. This reporting is in error. The department recently released its mobility strategy and supporting implementation plan, which clarifies we are moving towards a mobile management capability that supports a variety of devices, to include BlackBerry," Lt. Col. Damien Pickart told PC Magazine.BlackBerry's Z10 is considered crucial to the company's comeback hopes. It's the first phone to launch with the company's new BlackBerry 10 software, and it's the first BlackBerry smartphone to operate over AT&T's 4G LTE network.
With its newest smartphone set to go on sale tomorrow, BlackBerry received some good news today when the Pentagon said it intends to continue supporting the company's smartphones.Related storiesBlackBerry Z10, fully reviewedBlackBerry plans Z10 launch eventRoad Testing the BlackBerry Z10Defense Dept. reportedly in deal for more than 600K iOS devices "The department is aware of recent reporting that asserts it is 'dropping' BlackBerry. This reporting is in error. The department recently released its mobility strategy and supporting implementation plan, which clarifies we are moving towards a mobile management capability that supports a variety of devices, to include BlackBerry," Lt. Col. Damien Pickart told PC Magazine.BlackBerry's Z10 is considered crucial to the company's comeback hopes. It's the first phone to launch with the company's new BlackBerry 10 software, and it's the first BlackBerry smartphone to operate over AT&T's 4G LTE network.
Transfer content from your iPhone to Galaxy S5
Transfer content from your iPhone to Galaxy S5
After launching the app, select iCloud from the list of options. The service works by using your iCloud device backup, and transferring your information to the S5. If you're not comfortable with giving Samsung your Apple credentials, I understand. For this scenario, along with those who back up to iTunes (do people still do that?), Samsung has created a desktop tool to transfer your information. The tool can be found here. If you are comfortable with entering your credentials, then by all means, proceed. After Samsung verifies your account, you'll see a list of recent backups for your iOS devices. Select the backup you'd like to restore to your S5, and wait for the information to populate. Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNETSamsung will figure out how much information is in each category, you'll have the option to pick and choose what you want to be downloaded to the S5. Depending on your connection speed, and size of the backup, this process can take awhile. I suggest plugging your S5 in, sitting back, and watching a video about setting up the fingerprint scanner on the S5, featuring Dan Graziano. The app will alert you when it's finished and show you the content which was successfully transferred. After that, feel free to delete the app from your phone.
After launching the app, select iCloud from the list of options. The service works by using your iCloud device backup, and transferring your information to the S5. If you're not comfortable with giving Samsung your Apple credentials, I understand. For this scenario, along with those who back up to iTunes (do people still do that?), Samsung has created a desktop tool to transfer your information. The tool can be found here. If you are comfortable with entering your credentials, then by all means, proceed. After Samsung verifies your account, you'll see a list of recent backups for your iOS devices. Select the backup you'd like to restore to your S5, and wait for the information to populate. Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNETSamsung will figure out how much information is in each category, you'll have the option to pick and choose what you want to be downloaded to the S5. Depending on your connection speed, and size of the backup, this process can take awhile. I suggest plugging your S5 in, sitting back, and watching a video about setting up the fingerprint scanner on the S5, featuring Dan Graziano. The app will alert you when it's finished and show you the content which was successfully transferred. After that, feel free to delete the app from your phone.
Toshiba Chromebook to arrive at CES, booth photo shows
Toshiba Chromebook to arrive at CES, booth photo shows
A photo from Toshiba's booth at CES 2014 indicates that the Japanese PC maker will indeed reveal its new Chromebook at the show.9to5Google published a photo on Monday from Toshiba's booth with the words "Chromebook for Everyday." No laptops were yet placed on the stand, though.A Chromebook from Toshiba is no surprise. Toshiba had committed to ship a Chromebook last September. And product details leaked in December with a prematurely posted review showed a model that would cost $279, and ship with a 1.4GHz Intel Haswell processor, 13.3-inch 1366x768-pixel screen, 2GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD. PC makers, stung by sharp declines in the market as consumers spend money on tablets and smartphones instead, are looking for alternatives to boost sales. Computers using Google's Chrome OS, which provides a cheap, browser-based operating system useful for many tasks, is one such alternative.Although Chrome OS can't run mainstream software such as Microsoft Office or Apple iTunes, Web apps are gradually becoming more sophisticated.9to5Google also said Toshiba has a 4K TV at the show, a model whose diagonal is about 30 inches.
A photo from Toshiba's booth at CES 2014 indicates that the Japanese PC maker will indeed reveal its new Chromebook at the show.9to5Google published a photo on Monday from Toshiba's booth with the words "Chromebook for Everyday." No laptops were yet placed on the stand, though.A Chromebook from Toshiba is no surprise. Toshiba had committed to ship a Chromebook last September. And product details leaked in December with a prematurely posted review showed a model that would cost $279, and ship with a 1.4GHz Intel Haswell processor, 13.3-inch 1366x768-pixel screen, 2GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD. PC makers, stung by sharp declines in the market as consumers spend money on tablets and smartphones instead, are looking for alternatives to boost sales. Computers using Google's Chrome OS, which provides a cheap, browser-based operating system useful for many tasks, is one such alternative.Although Chrome OS can't run mainstream software such as Microsoft Office or Apple iTunes, Web apps are gradually becoming more sophisticated.9to5Google also said Toshiba has a 4K TV at the show, a model whose diagonal is about 30 inches.
TomTom iPhone app gets crowdsourced Map Share corrections
TomTom iPhone app gets crowdsourced Map Share corrections
The TomTom navigation app for iPhone gets an update to version 1.6 this week and gains a crowdsourced map correction tool that's been available on TomTom's line of standalone GPS devices for some time now.Map Share, as the service is called, is a free, user-generated maps correction engine that lets you make small edits to your locally stored maps with the touch of a few buttons from within the TomTom app. Possible changes include edits to street names or posted speed limits, changing the direction of traffic on, for example, a one-way street, modifying turn restrictions at an intersection, adding or editing missing or incorrect points of interest, and simply blocking or unblocking a street or bridge that has been closed or recently reopened. These changes are uploaded to TomTom's servers, merged with the Map Share data of other TomTom app and GPS device users, vetted by TomTom's algorithms, and redistributed to TomTom's user base, free of charge. Of course, these user tweaks and changes aren't meant to replace a full quarterly map update; rather, Map Share serves as a supplement.Current users of the TomTom app can grab the free update in the iTunes App Store. New users can expect to pay $39.99 for the app with U.S. maps or $49.00 for a version that adds either Canadian or Mexican maps to the mix.
The TomTom navigation app for iPhone gets an update to version 1.6 this week and gains a crowdsourced map correction tool that's been available on TomTom's line of standalone GPS devices for some time now.Map Share, as the service is called, is a free, user-generated maps correction engine that lets you make small edits to your locally stored maps with the touch of a few buttons from within the TomTom app. Possible changes include edits to street names or posted speed limits, changing the direction of traffic on, for example, a one-way street, modifying turn restrictions at an intersection, adding or editing missing or incorrect points of interest, and simply blocking or unblocking a street or bridge that has been closed or recently reopened. These changes are uploaded to TomTom's servers, merged with the Map Share data of other TomTom app and GPS device users, vetted by TomTom's algorithms, and redistributed to TomTom's user base, free of charge. Of course, these user tweaks and changes aren't meant to replace a full quarterly map update; rather, Map Share serves as a supplement.Current users of the TomTom app can grab the free update in the iTunes App Store. New users can expect to pay $39.99 for the app with U.S. maps or $49.00 for a version that adds either Canadian or Mexican maps to the mix.
TomTom app launches on App Store
TomTom app launches on App Store
TomTom Australia is available now via iTunes for AU$99.95 and looks to be a full-featured TomTom software solution, including TomTom's IQ Routes, speed camera alerts and location-based searches. It also sports a few iPhone-specific enhancements like portrait and landscape modes, pinch-to-zoom map controls and the ability to create a route by selecting the location of a contact from your address book.Though it carries the most well-known brand name, the TomTom iPhone app isn't the first iPhone app to offer turn-by-turn directions and mapping to Australians. Sygic Mobile Maps and MobileNavigator Australia by Navigon are already available and are both cheaper at AU$79.99 and AU$69.99 respectively. TomTom will obviously trade on its name and experience in this field, and we're looking forward to testing the software for ourselves in the coming weeks.TomTom showcased the application for the iPhone during this year's World Wide Developers Conference, coinciding with Apple's announcement that it would lift restrictions on developers wanting to create navigation tools, allowing them to create apps that deliver turn-by-turn navigation to users so long as they don't use Google Maps to do it.
TomTom Australia is available now via iTunes for AU$99.95 and looks to be a full-featured TomTom software solution, including TomTom's IQ Routes, speed camera alerts and location-based searches. It also sports a few iPhone-specific enhancements like portrait and landscape modes, pinch-to-zoom map controls and the ability to create a route by selecting the location of a contact from your address book.Though it carries the most well-known brand name, the TomTom iPhone app isn't the first iPhone app to offer turn-by-turn directions and mapping to Australians. Sygic Mobile Maps and MobileNavigator Australia by Navigon are already available and are both cheaper at AU$79.99 and AU$69.99 respectively. TomTom will obviously trade on its name and experience in this field, and we're looking forward to testing the software for ourselves in the coming weeks.TomTom showcased the application for the iPhone during this year's World Wide Developers Conference, coinciding with Apple's announcement that it would lift restrictions on developers wanting to create navigation tools, allowing them to create apps that deliver turn-by-turn navigation to users so long as they don't use Google Maps to do it.
Tomorrow Daily 063- The Google Science Fair, a custom open-source robot and more
Tomorrow Daily 063: The Google Science Fair, a custom open-source robot and more
In addition, we're checking out a way to combine basic IKEA products and the iPhone into a game controller and light-source monitor, and discussing how an open-source robot named Jimmy might help robotics enthusiasts get into the game quicker and easier (though it's not cheap).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.PlayTomorrow Daily 063 [mp3]: The Google Science Fair, a custom open source robot, and moreYour browser does not support the audio element.Here are some links and notes for all the things on the show today:The Google Science Fair names its 2014 winnersUsing the iPhone as a game controller with the help of a few IKEA productsMeet Jimmy, an open-source humanoid robot ready to be your friendBack It or Hack It: Darma, a smart seat cushion for spinal healthUser feedback: Your #TDScary tweets, and our Phonetographer of the DayOf course, you can find us everywhere on social media. Like, follow, and heart us as you desire!Facebook (/TomorrowDaily) | Twitter (@TomorrowDaily)Instagram (TomorrowDaily) | Google+ (+TomorrowDailyTV)Ashley on Twitter | Khail on TwitterSubscribe to Tomorrow Daily:iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ) | iTunes (MP3)RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ) | RSS (MP3)
In addition, we're checking out a way to combine basic IKEA products and the iPhone into a game controller and light-source monitor, and discussing how an open-source robot named Jimmy might help robotics enthusiasts get into the game quicker and easier (though it's not cheap).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.PlayTomorrow Daily 063 [mp3]: The Google Science Fair, a custom open source robot, and moreYour browser does not support the audio element.Here are some links and notes for all the things on the show today:The Google Science Fair names its 2014 winnersUsing the iPhone as a game controller with the help of a few IKEA productsMeet Jimmy, an open-source humanoid robot ready to be your friendBack It or Hack It: Darma, a smart seat cushion for spinal healthUser feedback: Your #TDScary tweets, and our Phonetographer of the DayOf course, you can find us everywhere on social media. Like, follow, and heart us as you desire!Facebook (/TomorrowDaily) | Twitter (@TomorrowDaily)Instagram (TomorrowDaily) | Google+ (+TomorrowDailyTV)Ashley on Twitter | Khail on TwitterSubscribe to Tomorrow Daily:iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ) | iTunes (MP3)RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ) | RSS (MP3)
Lou Reed: A Tribute to His Career in Movies
Like most artists, Lou Reed was never content to involve himself in only one art form. Unquestionably one of the most important musicians of the last 50 years, Lou Reed didn’t just write and perform great rock ‘n’ roll songs, he was actively involved in almost every aspect of the arts, from poetry to stage to photography, and even several movies. Lou Reed may not have been trained as an actor, but his several on-screen appearances proved that his talent went well beyond the realm of music. Even if he never showed up in front of the camera, there’s no doubt that Lou Reed’s music (both solo and with the Velvet Underground) has had a profound impact on film, considering that over 100 films and TV shows have contained his music on their soundtracks. Many have made excellent use of those songs, from Natural Born Killers; haunting use of Cowboy Junkies cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” (now making it the go-to song when uninventive filmmakers want to show drug use) to Juno’s “I’m Sticking with You” and my own personal favorite, the 1989 James Woods legal thriller True Believer, which very satisfyingly closes with “Busload of Faith” (from New York). There’s little to no question that Lou Reed and his music was made for the movies, which made his too-few on-screen appearances all the more special. Reed made his debut as an actor (aside from several Warhol “Screen Tests” made at the Factory in the late ;60s) in Paul Simon’s sole effort as an actor and screenwriter, 1980’s One Trick Pony (directed by Roger M. Young), playing a sleazy, Top 40 record producer who subverts Simon’s attempts at a comeback album to conform more to the record label’s need for a mainstream hit. Reed may have been able to draw from personal experience in his role, but he proved himself to be a convincing jerk in his handful of scenes that makes you think that, yes, he really does believe that Simon’s “ballsy” record would sound better with a string session and sax solo. One Trick Ponyproved to be a famous flop in theaters (the soundtrack sold considerably better), and its failure may have kept Reed away from the screen, but when he returned he did so with a classic performance that should have given Reed a film career, but still deserves rediscovery: Allan Arkush’s Get Crazy. Based on Arkush’s days as the stage manager at the famed Fillmore East rock club,Get Crazyis about a wild New Year’s Eve concert at L.A.’s Saturn Theater filled with an eclectic mix of acts (just like the Fillmore), including a terrific Malcolm McDowell as the Mick Jagger-esqe Reggie Wakner and Reed as Bob Dylan stand-in Auden, a mysterious rock legend “antisocial recluse” who hasn’t left his apartment insix years. Agreeing to show up because he’s told that club owner Allen Garfield is dying (which becomes the song “Deathbed Request”). Reed’s role is small, but he’s absolutely terrific in the part and his perfect, deadpan delivery is solely responsible for several of the biggest laughs in the film. (I asked Arkush how he knew Reed could be so funny on Facebook earlier this year, and he responded, “Lou was the first person we offered it to, and he said yes. He didn;t think it was at all funny, but I ran into him about 10 years later and he admitted that he now saw the humor.”) Unfortunately,Get Crazynever got the release it deserved and isn’t even available on DVD (Arkush claims the film’s stereo soundtrack is missing), but if you can see it then don’t miss one of the best rock ‘n’ roll comedies ever made with one of the funniest performances from a true rock legend ever captured on film. Aside from 2007’s Julian Schnabel concert film Berlin, Reed’s other on-screen appearances were limited to a cameo in Wang Wang’s Blue in the Faceand cameos as himself in Prozac Nation and Lulu on the Bridge, though Reed did lend his voice to Luc Besson’sArthur and the Invisiblessequels and, most famously, the animated Canadian cult film Rock & Rule from 1983. Though he only provides the singing voice for the film’s villain, his rendition of “My Name Is Mok” remains the film’s unquestioned highlight. Reed’s final film work ended up being his most personal, his 2010 short documentary Red Shirley, where Reed interviews his 99-year-old cousin, Holocaust survivor Shirley Novick. As always with Reed, it’s an intense, personal and often touching work from an artist who left an indelible mark on pretty much everything he created and will be sorely missed.
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