The 404 1,070: Where we fatten them up and move them out (podcast)
We've arrived at the last episode of The 404 Minority Report, so we have an extra long show for you today starting with a long overdue discussion about Mayor Bloomberg's proposed ban of 16 ounce sugary drinks in New York. He started with banning smoking in beaches and parks, then moved onto limiting trans fat in restaurant, and now he hopes to enact large-scale portion control of any sweet drinks more than16 ounces in bodegas and street carts.No word yet on how this will affect Big Gulps at the 100 7-11 stores opening up in the city this year, but we have questions about who will enforce the laws, how it will (or won't) change dietary habits, and whether or not Joseph will still have access to his 25.4 ounce Gatorade.Last week we talked about a restaurant in Berkeley using active noise cancelling to lower the ambient volume, and now cooling manufacturer Noctua hopes to port the same idea over to the loud whirring sounds in desktop computers. As CNET's resident computer doctor and unapologetic tinkerer, Joseph give us a summary of the current trends in liquid cooling and the viability of signal processing in internal fans. We'll also take a look at a new Web site hoping to bank on desperate social networkers by offering to "like" your Facebook status, watch your YouTube video, and follow you on Twitter...for a price, of course. Finally, we can't end this week without a brief history of sneakers culminating in Kanye's Yeezy 2s selling for an incredible $90,000 on eBay even before they were released!Quick programming note: We won't have a live 404 show on Monday due to a special WWDC report from Brian Tong and Donald Bell, but check your feeds later in the day for the recorded episode. All the WWDC fun starts Monday 9 a.m. PT!Bathroom break video: English bulldog wants in!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.PlayEpisode 1,070Listen 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 YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
Jay-Z raps on in 10 exclusive ringtones
Jay-Z raps on in 10 exclusive ringtones
With sales for digital singles outpacing CD sales, it's hard to imagine an artist overlooking any avenue of digital distribution and revenue. Yet with the exception of a handful of tracks, American rap icon Jay-Z has resisted releasing his 100-song catalog as ringtones--until last week. That's when most of the remaining tracks streamed into the digital media marketplace. Most. Through August, ten of the artist's smash singles have been earmarked for only one site.Starting Monday, those hidden hits, including 'Can I Get A', 'IZZO (H.O.V.A.)', and 'Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)', became exclusively available on Thumbplay.com. Thumbplay, a mobile content company with an estimated worth of $400 million, now carries 101 prepackaged Jay-Z ringtones, including the coveted 10 (see the exclusive titles below.) But will ringtones continue to sell in a hobbled economy? Mitch Rotter, Thumbplay's Vice President of Content Acquisition & Merchandising, thinks they will. Ringtones are about social expression, he said in an interview. To a youth demographic, "they're a fashion accessory," and therefore a worthy buy for teens proving their cool to peers within earshot. Thumbplay's Jay-Z titles:1-900-Hustler, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)-Can I Get A, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998)-Encore, The Black Album (2003)-Excuse Me Miss, The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002)-Girls, Girls, Girls, The Blueprint (2001)-Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love), The Blueprint (2001)-IZZO (H.O.V.A.), The Blueprint (2001)-Jigga What, Jigga Who, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998)-Roc Boys (And The Winner Is), American Gangster (2007)-S. Carter, Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
With sales for digital singles outpacing CD sales, it's hard to imagine an artist overlooking any avenue of digital distribution and revenue. Yet with the exception of a handful of tracks, American rap icon Jay-Z has resisted releasing his 100-song catalog as ringtones--until last week. That's when most of the remaining tracks streamed into the digital media marketplace. Most. Through August, ten of the artist's smash singles have been earmarked for only one site.Starting Monday, those hidden hits, including 'Can I Get A', 'IZZO (H.O.V.A.)', and 'Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)', became exclusively available on Thumbplay.com. Thumbplay, a mobile content company with an estimated worth of $400 million, now carries 101 prepackaged Jay-Z ringtones, including the coveted 10 (see the exclusive titles below.) But will ringtones continue to sell in a hobbled economy? Mitch Rotter, Thumbplay's Vice President of Content Acquisition & Merchandising, thinks they will. Ringtones are about social expression, he said in an interview. To a youth demographic, "they're a fashion accessory," and therefore a worthy buy for teens proving their cool to peers within earshot. Thumbplay's Jay-Z titles:1-900-Hustler, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)-Can I Get A, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998)-Encore, The Black Album (2003)-Excuse Me Miss, The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002)-Girls, Girls, Girls, The Blueprint (2001)-Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love), The Blueprint (2001)-IZZO (H.O.V.A.), The Blueprint (2001)-Jigga What, Jigga Who, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998)-Roc Boys (And The Winner Is), American Gangster (2007)-S. Carter, Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
Apple's iPhone 4 wins best mobile device award
Apple's iPhone 4 wins best mobile device award
BARCELONA, Spain--A host of hot new Android phones from Samsung, LG Electronics, HTC, Sony Ericsson made their debut at Mobile World Congress 2011 here this week, but it was the relatively venerable iPhone 4 from Apple that was named the show's best mobile device.The iPhone 4 is months old and early on suffered notable reception problems. Its maker didn't even come to the show. But the influence of Apple, reaching all the way from Silicon Valley to this cosmopolitain event, was clear.The iPhone 4 was lauded by judges for its "great screen, sharp design, fantastic materials, and phenomenal ecosystem for app developers. In a tight race, the iPhone 4 built on the success of its predecessors to set the pace for smartphones," according to a Spanish-language Apple forum site.Problems with the antenna in the iPhone 4 could not be solved with a software fix and the company told angry customers they would have to buy a special case to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, Apple has been sued by users of iPhone 3G and 3GS phones who say that the iOS 4 operating system broke their phones. The antenna problem prompted Consumer Reports to decline to recommend the phone. It's not clear who picked up the award for Apple at the awards ceremony this week, given that the Cupertino, Calif.-based company declines to participate in the trade show, as is also the case with the Consumer Electronics Show and now even Macworld.(There were no press passes for the Mobile World Congress awards show.)Last year, the HTC Hero won the best mobile device award.This time around, HTC won the award for device manufacturer of the year, and the best app overall and best app for the iPhone was the game Angry Birds, which has sales of more than 50 million apps. Google Maps was named the best Android app.The full list of award winners is here.
BARCELONA, Spain--A host of hot new Android phones from Samsung, LG Electronics, HTC, Sony Ericsson made their debut at Mobile World Congress 2011 here this week, but it was the relatively venerable iPhone 4 from Apple that was named the show's best mobile device.The iPhone 4 is months old and early on suffered notable reception problems. Its maker didn't even come to the show. But the influence of Apple, reaching all the way from Silicon Valley to this cosmopolitain event, was clear.The iPhone 4 was lauded by judges for its "great screen, sharp design, fantastic materials, and phenomenal ecosystem for app developers. In a tight race, the iPhone 4 built on the success of its predecessors to set the pace for smartphones," according to a Spanish-language Apple forum site.Problems with the antenna in the iPhone 4 could not be solved with a software fix and the company told angry customers they would have to buy a special case to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, Apple has been sued by users of iPhone 3G and 3GS phones who say that the iOS 4 operating system broke their phones. The antenna problem prompted Consumer Reports to decline to recommend the phone. It's not clear who picked up the award for Apple at the awards ceremony this week, given that the Cupertino, Calif.-based company declines to participate in the trade show, as is also the case with the Consumer Electronics Show and now even Macworld.(There were no press passes for the Mobile World Congress awards show.)Last year, the HTC Hero won the best mobile device award.This time around, HTC won the award for device manufacturer of the year, and the best app overall and best app for the iPhone was the game Angry Birds, which has sales of more than 50 million apps. Google Maps was named the best Android app.The full list of award winners is here.
Apple's iPad tallies up 3 billion app downloads
Apple's iPad tallies up 3 billion app downloads
Apple iPad users have been pretty busy downloading apps.Since the launch of the original iPad in April 2010, 3 billion apps have been downloaded for the hit tablet, ABI Research announced today.It took the iPhone two years to hit the 3B mark, ABI said, while it took the iPad just a year and a half. In contrast, the market researcher said, 440 million apps have been downloaded so far for Android tablets.The disparity in downloads further illustrates the dominance that the iPad holds in the tablet market, where its rivals have fought one other for the position of distant second place. The difference is also largely due to the larger library of applications available on the iPad. As of the third quarter, there were 120,000 iPad-specific apps in the App Store, ABI said. "Discounting all those apps that were originally developed for Android smartphones, Android still trails greatly behind the iPad in terms of its tablet app offerings," said ABI analyst Lim Shiyang.The contrast is stark. An NPD study showed sales of 1.2 million units of non-Apple tablets from January through October. Apple, in comparison, shipped 11.1 million iPads in the prior quarter alone.Of course, the roll out of Android tablets is just getting started. The study didn't include Amazon's Kindle Fire, which has been a popular holiday gift. The move to Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich, could also help tablet sales because the operating system is intended to allow apps to be simultaneously built for both the smartphone and tablet. ABI expects Android app downloads to eventually overtake the iPad, just as Android smartphone sales have long surpassed the iPhone. Annual app downloads for Android smartphones are expected to hit 58 billion by 2016, compared with 27 billion for the iPhone.
Apple iPad users have been pretty busy downloading apps.Since the launch of the original iPad in April 2010, 3 billion apps have been downloaded for the hit tablet, ABI Research announced today.It took the iPhone two years to hit the 3B mark, ABI said, while it took the iPad just a year and a half. In contrast, the market researcher said, 440 million apps have been downloaded so far for Android tablets.The disparity in downloads further illustrates the dominance that the iPad holds in the tablet market, where its rivals have fought one other for the position of distant second place. The difference is also largely due to the larger library of applications available on the iPad. As of the third quarter, there were 120,000 iPad-specific apps in the App Store, ABI said. "Discounting all those apps that were originally developed for Android smartphones, Android still trails greatly behind the iPad in terms of its tablet app offerings," said ABI analyst Lim Shiyang.The contrast is stark. An NPD study showed sales of 1.2 million units of non-Apple tablets from January through October. Apple, in comparison, shipped 11.1 million iPads in the prior quarter alone.Of course, the roll out of Android tablets is just getting started. The study didn't include Amazon's Kindle Fire, which has been a popular holiday gift. The move to Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich, could also help tablet sales because the operating system is intended to allow apps to be simultaneously built for both the smartphone and tablet. ABI expects Android app downloads to eventually overtake the iPad, just as Android smartphone sales have long surpassed the iPhone. Annual app downloads for Android smartphones are expected to hit 58 billion by 2016, compared with 27 billion for the iPhone.
Apple's iPad Smart Cover targeted in patent lawsuit
Apple's iPad Smart Cover targeted in patent lawsuit
The design of Apple's Smart Cover accessory for its second- and third-generation iPads is not so original, according to a new lawsuit filed against the company this week.In a complaint filed in Colorado yesterday, and picked up by PaidContent, local resident Jerald Bovino claims Apple is infringing on a patent he owns for a "portable computer case" with its Smart Cover accessory. The complaint also sets sights on retailer Target for selling the case with Apple's iPad in its stores. In return, Bovino seeks damages from both companies and royalties from Apple.Bovino filed for the patent in mid-2003, and was later issued it in December, 2005. According to its summary, the design in question is a ruggedized case to protect against wear and tear, but that also includes a strap for carrying:The present invention is directed to a portable computer having an integral case that incorporates a resilient material to protect the portable computer from wear and tear encountered when transporting and/or using the portable computer. The integral case also includes a retractable strap means that can be utilized to facilitate the transporting of the portable computer. The integral case for the portable computer also includes an identification pocket on the exterior surface of the integral case for incorporating identification documents for the portable computer.By comparison, Apple's Smart Cover is a single-sided cover that protects the front, but not the back of the iPad, and attaches with magnets.The day before this particular complaint was filed, Apple was granted some 25 new patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including one for its Smart Cover. However unlike Bovino's, the one Apple was awarded is a design patent.Bovino's "portable computer case" patent design.USPTO
The design of Apple's Smart Cover accessory for its second- and third-generation iPads is not so original, according to a new lawsuit filed against the company this week.In a complaint filed in Colorado yesterday, and picked up by PaidContent, local resident Jerald Bovino claims Apple is infringing on a patent he owns for a "portable computer case" with its Smart Cover accessory. The complaint also sets sights on retailer Target for selling the case with Apple's iPad in its stores. In return, Bovino seeks damages from both companies and royalties from Apple.Bovino filed for the patent in mid-2003, and was later issued it in December, 2005. According to its summary, the design in question is a ruggedized case to protect against wear and tear, but that also includes a strap for carrying:The present invention is directed to a portable computer having an integral case that incorporates a resilient material to protect the portable computer from wear and tear encountered when transporting and/or using the portable computer. The integral case also includes a retractable strap means that can be utilized to facilitate the transporting of the portable computer. The integral case for the portable computer also includes an identification pocket on the exterior surface of the integral case for incorporating identification documents for the portable computer.By comparison, Apple's Smart Cover is a single-sided cover that protects the front, but not the back of the iPad, and attaches with magnets.The day before this particular complaint was filed, Apple was granted some 25 new patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including one for its Smart Cover. However unlike Bovino's, the one Apple was awarded is a design patent.Bovino's "portable computer case" patent design.USPTO
Apple's iPad nabs Netbook market share
Apple's iPad nabs Netbook market share
While DisplaySearch said that the low price of Netbooks have made them an attractive alternative to standard laptops, the iPad and other tablets should continue to make inroads into this market segment that has been based on more traditional office suite applications."With the emergence of the iPad and other slates, this segment of the market is transitioning from devices that, though smaller and less expensive, followed typical PC market trends that are built upon Office suite applications and content creation to devices that provide the ability to create content (and) is more focused on an a la carte method for selecting the software capabilities (apps) of the device andcontent consumption." The firm went so far to say that the first quarter of 2010 may be the beginning of the end to the Netbook."The last quarter of 2007 heralded the birth of the mini-note PC (netbook). Q1'10 signaled the birth of the slate PC, and possibly by extension, the beginning of the end of the mini-note PC (netbook)." But the end, if it indeed comes, is not here yet.Netbooks continued to sell well in Latin America and Asia-Pacific."The positive Y/Y (year-to-year) revenue growth in Q1'10 was a result of very strong mini-note PC/slate growth in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific, as well as continued growth in China and North America," DisplaySearch said.And notebook sales overall are robust.Revenue for the total notebook PC market grew to $31.1 billion, the largest single quarter since the third quarter of 2008."Shipments of portable class notebook PCs surged Y/Y in Asia-Pacific, China, and Latin America, easily passing average market growth rates for the segment. Shipments of desktop replacement class notebook PCs surged Y/Y in Europe/Middle East/Africa and Japan."
While DisplaySearch said that the low price of Netbooks have made them an attractive alternative to standard laptops, the iPad and other tablets should continue to make inroads into this market segment that has been based on more traditional office suite applications."With the emergence of the iPad and other slates, this segment of the market is transitioning from devices that, though smaller and less expensive, followed typical PC market trends that are built upon Office suite applications and content creation to devices that provide the ability to create content (and) is more focused on an a la carte method for selecting the software capabilities (apps) of the device andcontent consumption." The firm went so far to say that the first quarter of 2010 may be the beginning of the end to the Netbook."The last quarter of 2007 heralded the birth of the mini-note PC (netbook). Q1'10 signaled the birth of the slate PC, and possibly by extension, the beginning of the end of the mini-note PC (netbook)." But the end, if it indeed comes, is not here yet.Netbooks continued to sell well in Latin America and Asia-Pacific."The positive Y/Y (year-to-year) revenue growth in Q1'10 was a result of very strong mini-note PC/slate growth in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific, as well as continued growth in China and North America," DisplaySearch said.And notebook sales overall are robust.Revenue for the total notebook PC market grew to $31.1 billion, the largest single quarter since the third quarter of 2008."Shipments of portable class notebook PCs surged Y/Y in Asia-Pacific, China, and Latin America, easily passing average market growth rates for the segment. Shipments of desktop replacement class notebook PCs surged Y/Y in Europe/Middle East/Africa and Japan."
Apple's iPad Mini goes on sale overseas
Apple's iPad Mini goes on sale overseas
Right on schedule, Apple's latest pair of tablets are on store shelves. Around the world, that is.Retail sales of the iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad began in New Zealand -- where it's already well into Friday -- and are now rolling into other countries.The launch is Apple's biggest yet for an iPad at 34 countries, up from the 10 that got the company's third-generation model in mid-March.CNET Australia, which captured some of the early sales action, described the number of shoppers as "far fewer" than for the iPhone 5, with any signs of a queue disappearing within an hour of the store opening.Related storiesiPad Mini launch expected to match product's nameiFixit tears into iPad Mini, finds assembly a lot like iPod TouchApple: The iPad Mini has stereo speakersThe device goes on sale in the U.S. at 8 a.m. local time. Despite its lower price, Apple expected to sell fewer units in its opening weekend than the more expensive, third-generation iPad did earlier this year. An estimate from analyst firm Piper Jaffray this morning pegged Apple's opening iPad Mini weekend numbers at 1 to 1.5 million units, down from the 3 million full-sized iPads Apple sold in March. Nonetheless, analysts are looking beyond the launch weekend, which is likely to be dampened in New York and other parts of the East Coast affected by Hurricane Sandy, saying the product will eventually outsell the full-sized iPad. That trend was backed up some by strong pre-orders for the device, which sold out in about an hour."In our view, this is a very strong statement from consumers and we believe iPad mini will eventually surpass sales of the iPad over the next two to three years," said Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White in a note earlier today.You can read CNET's reviews of both devices here:CNET review: iPad miniCNET review: Fourth-generation iPad
Right on schedule, Apple's latest pair of tablets are on store shelves. Around the world, that is.Retail sales of the iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad began in New Zealand -- where it's already well into Friday -- and are now rolling into other countries.The launch is Apple's biggest yet for an iPad at 34 countries, up from the 10 that got the company's third-generation model in mid-March.CNET Australia, which captured some of the early sales action, described the number of shoppers as "far fewer" than for the iPhone 5, with any signs of a queue disappearing within an hour of the store opening.Related storiesiPad Mini launch expected to match product's nameiFixit tears into iPad Mini, finds assembly a lot like iPod TouchApple: The iPad Mini has stereo speakersThe device goes on sale in the U.S. at 8 a.m. local time. Despite its lower price, Apple expected to sell fewer units in its opening weekend than the more expensive, third-generation iPad did earlier this year. An estimate from analyst firm Piper Jaffray this morning pegged Apple's opening iPad Mini weekend numbers at 1 to 1.5 million units, down from the 3 million full-sized iPads Apple sold in March. Nonetheless, analysts are looking beyond the launch weekend, which is likely to be dampened in New York and other parts of the East Coast affected by Hurricane Sandy, saying the product will eventually outsell the full-sized iPad. That trend was backed up some by strong pre-orders for the device, which sold out in about an hour."In our view, this is a very strong statement from consumers and we believe iPad mini will eventually surpass sales of the iPad over the next two to three years," said Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White in a note earlier today.You can read CNET's reviews of both devices here:CNET review: iPad miniCNET review: Fourth-generation iPad
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