The 404 541: Where we put Sweden on the map (podcast)
Longtime 404 listener Ammi took some time out of her busy vacation from Sweden to drop by our studios this morning, so we invite her on the show to tell us about her first trip to the United States...and also to help us locate Sweden on the map, because we're geographically hopeless. Ammi's only been here a few days so far, but her observations on the chaos and consumerism of American culture are on point. Like many foreigners that visit our country, she can't help but notice the obesity epidemic that we can easily trace back to the cupcake stores on every block in the city.To Jeff's delight, Ammi also tells us that hockey gets much more attention in Sweden than it in the US, although I'm pretty sure Swedish cable subscribers can't watch their games in 3D. On March 24th, Cablevision will be broadcasting the New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders game in 3D, the first live 3D sports broadcast to hit the network. Don't worry if you're not one of the 11 people that actually own a 3D TV, Madison Square Garden will also host a viewing party on a big screen 3D projection TV for 2,500 guests on the night of the big game. Hockey fans that can handle the real dimension can also just buy tickets to the live game.Finally, a new study in the latest Retrevo Gadgetology Report (gadgetology?) anecdotally shows that one in 10 people under 25 would pause coitus to check their social networking updates, which begs the question: is Facebook better than sex?Short answer: No, dude. Long answer: Listen to the show!EPISODE 541PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Music sources- Phantom Yoko Ono-iTunes story untrue
Music sources: Phantom Yoko Ono-iTunes story untrue
Sky News, the 24-hour British news operation, apparently posted a story that cited Yoko One as saying the Beatles' catalog was coming to iTunes. The story disappeared not long after, but not before someone took a screen shot of the headline and a tease, which said: "The whole of the Beatles back catalog will be made available to buy on iTunes, Yoko Ono has told Sky News." Sky News officials would not comment and has yet to issue a correction. This is the kind of juicy what-if situation that Apple fans live for and the speculation that the Fab Four's music could finally arrive at iTunes hit overdrive Tuesday evening. But the problem is it's simply not true. The Beatles' catalog is not coming to iTunes, at least if one is to believe EMI officials and other music industry insiders with knowledge of the Beatles-iTunes negotiations. EMI owns the Beatles' sound recordings, while Sony/ATV owns the publishing rights. Ernesto Schmitt, EMI's global catalog president, told The Financial Times that that the catalog would not be part of Apple's press event on Wednesday. I checked with my music industry sources, some of whom have direct knowledge of the talks between EMI and Apple Corp., the company that represents the Beatles, and they also said the negotiations have not yielded an agreement. All Things Digital reported the same earlier.How about this? If Sky News did nail this kind of whopper scoop, the organization would most certainly be ballyhooing its sweet piece of journalism, not hiding it. But as of 5 p.m. PDT Tuesday, that's exactly what what was happening. The story was nowhere to be found on the site. What's far more likely at this point is that something went wrong at Sky News. Anyone who has followed iTunes news has seen these rumors come and go. In the past, regardless of how delicious they've sounded, they've all been debunked.
Sky News, the 24-hour British news operation, apparently posted a story that cited Yoko One as saying the Beatles' catalog was coming to iTunes. The story disappeared not long after, but not before someone took a screen shot of the headline and a tease, which said: "The whole of the Beatles back catalog will be made available to buy on iTunes, Yoko Ono has told Sky News." Sky News officials would not comment and has yet to issue a correction. This is the kind of juicy what-if situation that Apple fans live for and the speculation that the Fab Four's music could finally arrive at iTunes hit overdrive Tuesday evening. But the problem is it's simply not true. The Beatles' catalog is not coming to iTunes, at least if one is to believe EMI officials and other music industry insiders with knowledge of the Beatles-iTunes negotiations. EMI owns the Beatles' sound recordings, while Sony/ATV owns the publishing rights. Ernesto Schmitt, EMI's global catalog president, told The Financial Times that that the catalog would not be part of Apple's press event on Wednesday. I checked with my music industry sources, some of whom have direct knowledge of the talks between EMI and Apple Corp., the company that represents the Beatles, and they also said the negotiations have not yielded an agreement. All Things Digital reported the same earlier.How about this? If Sky News did nail this kind of whopper scoop, the organization would most certainly be ballyhooing its sweet piece of journalism, not hiding it. But as of 5 p.m. PDT Tuesday, that's exactly what what was happening. The story was nowhere to be found on the site. What's far more likely at this point is that something went wrong at Sky News. Anyone who has followed iTunes news has seen these rumors come and go. In the past, regardless of how delicious they've sounded, they've all been debunked.
iPhone 5 sees mixed demand, says analyst
iPhone 5 sees mixed demand, says analyst
The iPhone 5 may not be quite as hot as its precedessors, at least according to a new report from Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kidron.In an investors note out Tuesday, Kidron cited retail checks that indicate "steady demand for the iPhone 4/4S and mixed demand for the iPhone 5." And the analyst predicts the trend will continue. As a result, he now expects iPhone sales of 26 million for the current quarter, down from his prior forecast of 27 million.The September quarter may also be a bit dicey. Though Kidron still believes a new iPhone will debut in September, he doesn't think it will launch early enough to beef up the entire quarter."Our previous estimates also reflected a nearly full September quarter contribution from a new iPhone, which looks overly optimistic at this point," Kidron said. "We still feel a September month launch and QoQ [quarter on quarter] volume increase are possible, but with our checks already showing signs of delayed iPhone 5 purchases, there's still risk to our lowered estimate [of 29 million in iPhone sales]."Kidron doesn't see abigger-screen iPhone, an iWatch, or an Apple television (iTV) in the cards for September. But when and if it debuts, an Apple smart TV has the potential to rev up consumers and investors. "We see a larger iPhone as a [calendar year 2014] reality, but only mildly incremental to estimates/sentiment," the analyst added. "We're lukewarm on an iWatch, but view iTV as having more game-changing/innovation-reaffirming potential."
The iPhone 5 may not be quite as hot as its precedessors, at least according to a new report from Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kidron.In an investors note out Tuesday, Kidron cited retail checks that indicate "steady demand for the iPhone 4/4S and mixed demand for the iPhone 5." And the analyst predicts the trend will continue. As a result, he now expects iPhone sales of 26 million for the current quarter, down from his prior forecast of 27 million.The September quarter may also be a bit dicey. Though Kidron still believes a new iPhone will debut in September, he doesn't think it will launch early enough to beef up the entire quarter."Our previous estimates also reflected a nearly full September quarter contribution from a new iPhone, which looks overly optimistic at this point," Kidron said. "We still feel a September month launch and QoQ [quarter on quarter] volume increase are possible, but with our checks already showing signs of delayed iPhone 5 purchases, there's still risk to our lowered estimate [of 29 million in iPhone sales]."Kidron doesn't see abigger-screen iPhone, an iWatch, or an Apple television (iTV) in the cards for September. But when and if it debuts, an Apple smart TV has the potential to rev up consumers and investors. "We see a larger iPhone as a [calendar year 2014] reality, but only mildly incremental to estimates/sentiment," the analyst added. "We're lukewarm on an iWatch, but view iTV as having more game-changing/innovation-reaffirming potential."
iPhone 4 nearing most popular camera on Flickr
iPhone 4 nearing most popular camera on Flickr
The camera in Apple's iPhone 4 is a popular option for Flickr users, a graph on the Yahoo-owned company's site shows.According to the graph, the Nikon D90 continues to be the top choice among Flickr users. However, the iPhone 4 has been gaining ground quite steadily and could overtake the D90 in short order. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and the Canon EOS Rebel T1i are the other top cameras on the site.The popularity of the iPhone 4's 5-megapixel camera on the photo-sharing site doesn't necessarily mean that high-end cameras, like the digital SLRs included in the Flickr listing, are in trouble. However, it does speak to the iPhone 4's influence. It also highlights how point-and-shoot cameras are increasingly competing with smartphones.In fact, another Flickr graph shows that the percentage of Flickr members using point-and-shoot cameras is declining at a rapid rate. Several Canon models, including the PowerShot G10 and G11, are seeing their popularity among Flickr users plummet to extremely low numbers. It becomes all the more sobering for those devices when one considers that Flickr itself says that camera phones are "under-represented" in its tallies, since it is often times difficult to automatically detect when a camera phone was used to snap a photo.The iPhone 4 camera's capabilities are boosted by backside illumination, known as BSI, which helps improve low-light performance, thus creating an nicer pictures.CNET photographer James Martin last year said the smartphone's camera "is approaching point-and-shoot quality." Just after the iPhone 4's release, he tested out the camera and put together this slideshow.(Via The New York Times)
The camera in Apple's iPhone 4 is a popular option for Flickr users, a graph on the Yahoo-owned company's site shows.According to the graph, the Nikon D90 continues to be the top choice among Flickr users. However, the iPhone 4 has been gaining ground quite steadily and could overtake the D90 in short order. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and the Canon EOS Rebel T1i are the other top cameras on the site.The popularity of the iPhone 4's 5-megapixel camera on the photo-sharing site doesn't necessarily mean that high-end cameras, like the digital SLRs included in the Flickr listing, are in trouble. However, it does speak to the iPhone 4's influence. It also highlights how point-and-shoot cameras are increasingly competing with smartphones.In fact, another Flickr graph shows that the percentage of Flickr members using point-and-shoot cameras is declining at a rapid rate. Several Canon models, including the PowerShot G10 and G11, are seeing their popularity among Flickr users plummet to extremely low numbers. It becomes all the more sobering for those devices when one considers that Flickr itself says that camera phones are "under-represented" in its tallies, since it is often times difficult to automatically detect when a camera phone was used to snap a photo.The iPhone 4 camera's capabilities are boosted by backside illumination, known as BSI, which helps improve low-light performance, thus creating an nicer pictures.CNET photographer James Martin last year said the smartphone's camera "is approaching point-and-shoot quality." Just after the iPhone 4's release, he tested out the camera and put together this slideshow.(Via The New York Times)
iPhone 4 hitting 17 more countries on Friday
iPhone 4 hitting 17 more countries on Friday
The iPhone 4 is expanding its reach to 17 more countries this Friday.Starting July 30, consumers will be able to buy the new model in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The iPhone 4 will sell through Apple's retail and online stores as well as authorized resellers.One country not on the list of recipients is South Korea. Initially slated to receive the iPhone 4 at the same time as the others, South Korea was dropped from the July 30 rollout reportedly over regulatory issues. At the July 16 press conference on the iPhone's antenna reception issues, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said it would take a little longer to get South Korean government approval for the new phone.However, that explanation has apparently upset government officials and the South Korean news media, which claim that Jobs misstated the reason behind the delay, according to The Wall Street Journal. One regulator said that neither Apple nor KT, the iPhone's South Korean carrer, have yet submitted the new phone for approval.In the meantime, Apple said that the white version of the iPhone 4 would be delayed until later this year explaining that the handset has proven more challenging to make than originally expected.The iPhone 4 is currently being sold in France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. at a price of $199 for the 16GB edition and $299 for the 32GB model. Apple plans to bring the phone to yet more countries later this year.
The iPhone 4 is expanding its reach to 17 more countries this Friday.Starting July 30, consumers will be able to buy the new model in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The iPhone 4 will sell through Apple's retail and online stores as well as authorized resellers.One country not on the list of recipients is South Korea. Initially slated to receive the iPhone 4 at the same time as the others, South Korea was dropped from the July 30 rollout reportedly over regulatory issues. At the July 16 press conference on the iPhone's antenna reception issues, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said it would take a little longer to get South Korean government approval for the new phone.However, that explanation has apparently upset government officials and the South Korean news media, which claim that Jobs misstated the reason behind the delay, according to The Wall Street Journal. One regulator said that neither Apple nor KT, the iPhone's South Korean carrer, have yet submitted the new phone for approval.In the meantime, Apple said that the white version of the iPhone 4 would be delayed until later this year explaining that the handset has proven more challenging to make than originally expected.The iPhone 4 is currently being sold in France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. at a price of $199 for the 16GB edition and $299 for the 32GB model. Apple plans to bring the phone to yet more countries later this year.
iPhone 4 has display supply issues, analyst says
iPhone 4 has display supply issues, analyst says
Apple's iPhone 4 boasts a high-pixel-density Retina display that uses technology called IPS, or in-plane switching.IPS technology is also used in the iPad. Screens for both products are made by South Korea's LG Display, according to Ashok Kumar, managing director and senior technology analyst at Rodman & Renshaw. "Low yields on the IPS LCD panel from LG Display have dramatically impacted the production volumes for iPhone 4," Kumar wrote in his research note."Our supply chain checks indicate that our earlier monthly shipment estimate of 4 million units have been reset by about half." Kumar continued: "The hope is that the LG transition to Gen 5 LCD capacity by late summer could help alleviate the production bottleneck. Meanwhile there is a non trivial risk in the September quarter whereby demand for the legacy 3GS iPhone drops off faster than production can ramp up for the iPhone 4." The IPS-based Retina display is one of the key features on the iPhone 4, according to Apple. "Thanks to the Retina display... images in movies and photos are stunning at almost any angle. That's because the Retina display's pixel density is so high, your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels," according to Apple's iPhone 4 Web page. "Demand will be chasing supply through September," Kumar said in a phone interview, adding that display is the single most costly component in the iPhone.Correction at 11:00 a.m. PDT Saturday: the supplier of the display was incorrectly stated at the top of the post as LG Electronics.As stated further below, the supplier is LG Display, according to the research note by Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar.
Apple's iPhone 4 boasts a high-pixel-density Retina display that uses technology called IPS, or in-plane switching.IPS technology is also used in the iPad. Screens for both products are made by South Korea's LG Display, according to Ashok Kumar, managing director and senior technology analyst at Rodman & Renshaw. "Low yields on the IPS LCD panel from LG Display have dramatically impacted the production volumes for iPhone 4," Kumar wrote in his research note."Our supply chain checks indicate that our earlier monthly shipment estimate of 4 million units have been reset by about half." Kumar continued: "The hope is that the LG transition to Gen 5 LCD capacity by late summer could help alleviate the production bottleneck. Meanwhile there is a non trivial risk in the September quarter whereby demand for the legacy 3GS iPhone drops off faster than production can ramp up for the iPhone 4." The IPS-based Retina display is one of the key features on the iPhone 4, according to Apple. "Thanks to the Retina display... images in movies and photos are stunning at almost any angle. That's because the Retina display's pixel density is so high, your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels," according to Apple's iPhone 4 Web page. "Demand will be chasing supply through September," Kumar said in a phone interview, adding that display is the single most costly component in the iPhone.Correction at 11:00 a.m. PDT Saturday: the supplier of the display was incorrectly stated at the top of the post as LG Electronics.As stated further below, the supplier is LG Display, according to the research note by Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar.
iPhone 4 already in some customers' hands
iPhone 4 already in some customers' hands
"Xmas has come early because my #iPhone4 just arrived," Gil Cabrera wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.He was one of the few already reporting that their new iPhones are arriving via FedEx two days earlier than planned. The earliest iPhone 4 preorders were supposed to arrive Thursday, the first day the device is available to the general public. Earlier it was reported that some Apple customers have begun receiving notification that their iPhone 4 may arrive a day early, Wednesday. But some have clearly started arriving even earlier than that.Cabrera followed up his initial Twitter post about his iPhone 4 by noting that he can't actually activate and use the phone just yet."Oh cruelty! Apparently, the #iphone4 arrived in error early and I cannot activate it until tomorrow! That's just wrong!"The iPhone Download Blog is reporting that AT&T is texting some customers with instructions about how to activate their phones.Update 2:50 p.m. PDT: Cabrera e-mailed to say that after speaking with an Apple customer service supervisor over the phone, his iPhone 4 is now activated.It's still a mystery how he and several others received their iPhone shipments two days early. Cabrera said he received a call from FedEx Tuesday asking if he'd received a package that day. When he said that he had, the FedEx representative said, "OK, thanks," and hung up, Cabrera said.FedEx has not yet responded to a request for comment.
"Xmas has come early because my #iPhone4 just arrived," Gil Cabrera wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.He was one of the few already reporting that their new iPhones are arriving via FedEx two days earlier than planned. The earliest iPhone 4 preorders were supposed to arrive Thursday, the first day the device is available to the general public. Earlier it was reported that some Apple customers have begun receiving notification that their iPhone 4 may arrive a day early, Wednesday. But some have clearly started arriving even earlier than that.Cabrera followed up his initial Twitter post about his iPhone 4 by noting that he can't actually activate and use the phone just yet."Oh cruelty! Apparently, the #iphone4 arrived in error early and I cannot activate it until tomorrow! That's just wrong!"The iPhone Download Blog is reporting that AT&T is texting some customers with instructions about how to activate their phones.Update 2:50 p.m. PDT: Cabrera e-mailed to say that after speaking with an Apple customer service supervisor over the phone, his iPhone 4 is now activated.It's still a mystery how he and several others received their iPhone shipments two days early. Cabrera said he received a call from FedEx Tuesday asking if he'd received a package that day. When he said that he had, the FedEx representative said, "OK, thanks," and hung up, Cabrera said.FedEx has not yet responded to a request for comment.
iPad, other iOS devices top kids' holiday wish lists, says study
iPad, other iOS devices top kids' holiday wish lists, says study
Apple's line of iOS portables are in the lead for products desired by kids ages 6 to 12 in the U.S. this holiday season, a new study from Nielsen has found.According to the research firm, the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone are the top three most desired products by that age group. Leading the pack is the iPad, which 44 percent of those surveyed listed as wanting to buy in the next six months, up from the 31 percent from the firm's same study this time last year. The iPad was also the most desired product by those in the "13+" age category, knocking "computers" down to the second-most wanted product. By comparison, last year's study had computers leading, with the iPad trailing in fourth place. Tablets from other manufacturers come in at fifth place in both age groups. Besides Apple products, other products in demand are gaming devices, with Nintendo's 3DS topping the list among the 6-12 age group, followed closely by Microsoft's Kinect hardware and older models in the Nintendo DS line. In the group 13 and older, the leading game hardware is the Kinect, trailed by Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 consoles.Nielsen also pointed to growth in the interest of e-readers, which were the third-most wanted product among those 13 and older, topping televisions, Blu-ray players, and smartphones (including the iPhone). That product line was less desired by those in the 6-12 age group, where e-readers came in 13th.Nielsen said its study consisted of surveying 3,000 individuals in the U.S., and took place last month. Below is the full breakdown of interest in products by age group.Interest in buying over the next six months in the 6-12 age rangeNielsenInterest in buying over the next six months in the 13+ age rangeNielsen
Apple's line of iOS portables are in the lead for products desired by kids ages 6 to 12 in the U.S. this holiday season, a new study from Nielsen has found.According to the research firm, the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone are the top three most desired products by that age group. Leading the pack is the iPad, which 44 percent of those surveyed listed as wanting to buy in the next six months, up from the 31 percent from the firm's same study this time last year. The iPad was also the most desired product by those in the "13+" age category, knocking "computers" down to the second-most wanted product. By comparison, last year's study had computers leading, with the iPad trailing in fourth place. Tablets from other manufacturers come in at fifth place in both age groups. Besides Apple products, other products in demand are gaming devices, with Nintendo's 3DS topping the list among the 6-12 age group, followed closely by Microsoft's Kinect hardware and older models in the Nintendo DS line. In the group 13 and older, the leading game hardware is the Kinect, trailed by Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 consoles.Nielsen also pointed to growth in the interest of e-readers, which were the third-most wanted product among those 13 and older, topping televisions, Blu-ray players, and smartphones (including the iPhone). That product line was less desired by those in the 6-12 age group, where e-readers came in 13th.Nielsen said its study consisted of surveying 3,000 individuals in the U.S., and took place last month. Below is the full breakdown of interest in products by age group.Interest in buying over the next six months in the 6-12 age rangeNielsenInterest in buying over the next six months in the 13+ age rangeNielsen
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