Dear Aereo: Good luck. You'll need it. Signed, Napster and Grokster vets
The veterans of the last knock-down, drag-out copyright wars have some words of wisdom for the chief and founder of streaming-TV startup Aereo, Chet Kanojia.If you decide to keep up the fight, more power to you. And prepare to weather a siege.Aereo's Supreme Court defeat last week harkened back to the cases against Napster and Grokster a decade ago. Those companies had enabled the widespread swapping of copyrighted digital files -- music in the case of Napster and many types in the case of Grokster and Morpheus -- while Aereo built individual mini antennas that grab free over-the-air TV signals to stream to paying subscribers. But the file-sharing companies, like Aereo, disrupted multibillion-dollar industries with technology to make entertainment cheaper, easier, and more convenient. By doing so without kissing the ring of the incumbents, Aereo and the file-sharing start-ups all faced David-versus-Goliath legal battles. And in all the cases, Goliath won.But Aereo isn't history yet. Even if the Supreme Court decision is Aereo's death knell, the earlier peer-to-peer file-sharing services proved that legal downfall doesn't stop the disruption they spurred. In interviews with CNET News, executives integral to the Napster and Grokster cases reflected on the similarities to Aereo's circumstances and important differences, and offered their experiences for Aereo as it faces the question: what now?Although Kanojia calls Aereo's current shutdown temporary and is marshalling customers to speak up about their support, his startup has yet to lay out its road map following the victory of the broadcasters that sued to shut it down, and things look grim. The Supreme Court's 6-3 split opinion said the 3-year-old company violates copyright law by failing to pay networks the same fees that cable companies must, rendering its current model illegal. (CBS, the parent company of CNET, is one of the broadcasters suing Aereo.) The case is bigger than just Aereo, though. The opinion writes the latest chapter in copyright precedent, and the moral of the latest story is that copyright protection trumps technological disruption.What came beforeNearly 15 years ago, in another instance of tech disrupter against media incumbents, the record industry sued file-sharing pioneer Napster over its software that traded music files. The industry effectively won the case in 2001 when a US Court of Appeals affirmed that Napster encouraged and abetted infringement, and Napster settled with copyright owners after shutting down under an injunction. It attempted a shift to paid subscriptions, then bounced from owner to owner over the next decade until it merged with the Rhapsody music service, where it exists today.Yet Napster had a significant, long-lasting effect: the mainstream proliferation of MP3s as the music format to start the new millennium, which paved the way for not only Rhapsody but also Apple's digital-download blockbuster iTunes. The Napster case also carved the path for Grokster and for Morpheus parent Streamcast Networks to push their iterations of file-sharing to the Supreme Court."Grokster was in a lot of respects a last-ditch battle in the shadow of the remnants of Napster," said Mark Cuban, a media-mogul billionaire who helped bankroll the Grokster/Streamcast defense at the Supreme Court. Related storiesAereo plans 'pause' after Supreme Court ruled it illegalAereo alternatives for recording free over-the-air TV (roundup)How Supreme Court ruling affects Aereo, the cloud, and youAereo CEO: 'Our work is not done'Aereo CEO calls fans to actionGrokster and StreamCast also operated popular file-swapping applications but built a different technology with a decentralized network, eliminating the Napster's Achilles' heel. Studios and labels sued the companies in 2001, and the case reached the Supreme Court only for the startups to lose, again, in a unanimous 2005 opinion that they were liable for the infringement they promoted with their software. Grokster shut down later that year, and Streamcast continued to fight until filing for bankruptcy protection in 2008.To be sure, the legal circumstances of the file-sharing cases differ from Aereo's. Cuban, for example, said that Aereo's reimagining of an old technology -- antennas -- in a way that "blew away anything that came before" isn't compatible with the peer-to-peer crusades. In addition, Aereo defended itself against a different type of infringement claim than Napster, Grokster and Streamcast. But those file-sharing companies were in the same boat then that Aereo is in now: figuring out a future after the courts say no."This is not a fun time," said Hank Barry, the chief executive of Napster in 2000 and 2001, the height of the legal affront. "But you have a really important decision to make, which is: Do you go forward, is it responsible to go forward, and where do you go?"If Aereo continues in the courtsSince last week's decision returns the case to a lower court, Aereo has the option of taking the suit to full trial, using a different line of argument than the one presented to the Supreme Court.Mike Weiss, the chief executive of Morpheus-owner Streamcast from 2000 through seven years of legal travails, said the tough prospect of tech innovators disrupting incumbents only gets tougher when the innovator is a small company. Though he didn't surrender for years, there is an inescapable reality of paying for the fight, he said."Don't give up, Chet, but get some deep pockets. You're going to need them," he said. In the case of Napster, ongoing legal faceoffs handicapped the service before it could fulfill its promise, he said. Dodge noted that everything the company did had to be measured against legal implication rather than what would be the best experience for the user.Don Dodge, the vice president of Napster product development in 2000, suggested that a better approach for Aereo would be to return with a more limited service, something that works within the boundaries of the legal opinion and flies under the radar, rather than "appeal, raise more money, and charge the castle again."The fight also entrenched the record companies in an oppositional stance. Even with the backing of German entertainment giant Bertelsmann, the owner of the BMG music label that had sued Napster, Dodge said Napster's efforts to be copyright-legal never seemed to satisfy the labels and the courts."It became clear to me, this is not a winnable fight," he said.If Aereo takes the fight to CongressAereo could also plead its case before Congress, seeking to convince lawmakers that a bill should be written to modernize the major law on the books, the Copyright Act of 1976. The company has already indicated moves in Capitol Hill's direction. While rallying supporters in a statement on Tuesday, Aereo encouraged them to tell elected officials about their disappointment in the Supreme Court's decision "that could deny you the right to use the antenna of your choice.""Today, I'm asking you to raise your hands and make your voices heard," Kanojia said.Weiss, the former CEO of Streamcast, remembers that sensation. "Good for him, I felt that way too," he said. "The reality is, these congressional hearings...they're not there to seek the truth."Congress, as many who try to get legislation passed and fail will note, is an uphill climb. In addition to the gridlock facing almost all legislation, the companies suing Aereo are among the most active on Capitol Hill. Comcast, which owns NBC, spent $18.8 million on lobbying in 2013, ranking it seventh out of more than 4,000 groups, according to the Center for Responsive Politics."If the court didn't side with the broadcasters, Congress would," said Wayne Rosso, the president of Grokster from 2002 to 2003. "There's no way you can win."If Aereo works with the broadcasters Finally, Aereo could turn to the companies suing it with hat in hand, willing to pay for the right to retransmit their programming or collaborate in another way. Wayne RossoGreg Sandoval/CNET"I see one avenue, one and only one, and that's basically paying for the transmission rights," said Rosso. But he recounted the walls Grokster hit as it attempted to work with the music industry, getting the response either of opposition on principle ("We don't deal with pirates") or demands that failed to grasp the fundamentals or value of the technology ("Shut down the network and we'll talk.")"They all thought we had a switch somewhere that we could just turn off," he added.Weiss noted similar Streamcast experiences of record companies making outrageous demands, asking for equity stakes in the company that, like a comedy sketch, would have meant Streamcast was selling 120% of itself. On the flip side, the times are different now, Weiss said. When Morpheus began, mobile devices to access the Internet were essentially nonexistent, and the newer generation of consumers that has grown up with the Internet simply expects media companies to offer their products there.But Rosso underscored three lessons he learned from the Grokster case that may hold true today."When it comes to licensing entertainment properties specifically, No.1 it's extremely expensive, No. 2 it's all about control, their control, and No. 3 they're Luddites," said Rosso. "None of these corporate knuckleheads get fired for saying no."One thing binds Aereo not only to Groster, Napster and Streamcast but also to pioneering media technology stretching back more than a hundred years, be it rolls of perforated paper instructing pianos to automatically play songs or home-recording devices that make copies of movies and TV shows. Unfortunately for them, that common thread is unbridled opposition."It's gone over and over throughout history, it's old media versus new media," Weiss said. "At end of the day, technology is sure as hell getting there, but there's a lot of arrows in our back."
Rumored three iPad model lineup could cut entry price to $299
Rumored three iPad model lineup could cut entry price to $299
The rumored expansion of iPad models this year may reduce the price of entry for owning an Apple tablet, if a new report is to be believed. Despite having its report on Apple planning to triple its iPad lineup this year firmly rebuffed by many onlookers, Taiwan-based tech site DigiTimes today reiterated that assessment, also claiming that the change could bring big price cuts at the low end. In a research report issued earlier today, the site once again asserted that Apple plans to expand its lineup of iPads by adding models that serve the "high-end segment" and"the midrange," while continuing to offer the iPad 2. "With the existing iPad 2, the Apple tablet series may cover all price segments--from entry-level to high-end. Apple's pricing strategy for its iPad series is crucial to the tablet market. It remains to be seen at what price level Apple will set its entry-level iPad. For Wi-Fi-only models, U.S. $299, U.S. $349 or U.S. $399 may all be possible," the outlet said. A $299 iPad has been available before, but there were caveats galore. It was Apple's first-generation device, and it only sold at fire sale prices through third-party carrier stores following the introduction of Apple's second-generation model.Since then, competitors have emerged, including Amazon.com and its Kindle Fire, which made waves near the end of last year, selling for $199. While not sporting as big of a display, and missing a handful of hardware features found on the iPad, it sells for less than half the price of Apple's current entry-level iPad, with reports pegging sales at 1 million units a week during December.Apple has maintained the same pricing structure since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, offering Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models of the tablet at different pricing tiers for its 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models. The entry-level 16GB model with Wi-Fi starts at $499, with each additional tier of storage, plus optional 3G networking, tacking on costs scaling up to $829.One important consideration is the cost of producing the iPad. A teardown of the iPad 2 by IHS-owned iSupply last year estimated the total cost of Apple's two 32GB models to start at $326.60, with manufacturing costs pushing that total north of $333. iSuppli lists the LCD screen as the most expensive part of the tablet, at $127. Costs could have certainly come down between then and now, but Apple is expected to be utilizing panels with considerably higher pixel density in the next iPad, something that does not come cheap. Apple has been known to make considerable price cuts on its products, though such moves have been few and far between. The shortlist includes the $200 price cut on the original iPhone, a move that came a little more than two months after its introduction and infuriated early buyers, leading to Apple offering iTunes gift cards as an apology. There was also the $500 price cut on the solid-state version of its first-generation MacBook Air.The suggested iPad price cut comes alongside price reductions on two high-profile tablets in recent days, with Sony knocking $100 off the price of its S series tablet over the weekend, and Research In Motion dropping the price of its entire line of PlayBook tablets to $299, down from its $499 starting point.
The rumored expansion of iPad models this year may reduce the price of entry for owning an Apple tablet, if a new report is to be believed. Despite having its report on Apple planning to triple its iPad lineup this year firmly rebuffed by many onlookers, Taiwan-based tech site DigiTimes today reiterated that assessment, also claiming that the change could bring big price cuts at the low end. In a research report issued earlier today, the site once again asserted that Apple plans to expand its lineup of iPads by adding models that serve the "high-end segment" and"the midrange," while continuing to offer the iPad 2. "With the existing iPad 2, the Apple tablet series may cover all price segments--from entry-level to high-end. Apple's pricing strategy for its iPad series is crucial to the tablet market. It remains to be seen at what price level Apple will set its entry-level iPad. For Wi-Fi-only models, U.S. $299, U.S. $349 or U.S. $399 may all be possible," the outlet said. A $299 iPad has been available before, but there were caveats galore. It was Apple's first-generation device, and it only sold at fire sale prices through third-party carrier stores following the introduction of Apple's second-generation model.Since then, competitors have emerged, including Amazon.com and its Kindle Fire, which made waves near the end of last year, selling for $199. While not sporting as big of a display, and missing a handful of hardware features found on the iPad, it sells for less than half the price of Apple's current entry-level iPad, with reports pegging sales at 1 million units a week during December.Apple has maintained the same pricing structure since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, offering Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models of the tablet at different pricing tiers for its 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models. The entry-level 16GB model with Wi-Fi starts at $499, with each additional tier of storage, plus optional 3G networking, tacking on costs scaling up to $829.One important consideration is the cost of producing the iPad. A teardown of the iPad 2 by IHS-owned iSupply last year estimated the total cost of Apple's two 32GB models to start at $326.60, with manufacturing costs pushing that total north of $333. iSuppli lists the LCD screen as the most expensive part of the tablet, at $127. Costs could have certainly come down between then and now, but Apple is expected to be utilizing panels with considerably higher pixel density in the next iPad, something that does not come cheap. Apple has been known to make considerable price cuts on its products, though such moves have been few and far between. The shortlist includes the $200 price cut on the original iPhone, a move that came a little more than two months after its introduction and infuriated early buyers, leading to Apple offering iTunes gift cards as an apology. There was also the $500 price cut on the solid-state version of its first-generation MacBook Air.The suggested iPad price cut comes alongside price reductions on two high-profile tablets in recent days, with Sony knocking $100 off the price of its S series tablet over the weekend, and Research In Motion dropping the price of its entire line of PlayBook tablets to $299, down from its $499 starting point.
The 404 929- Where we hail to the chief (podcast)
The 404 929: Where we hail to the chief (podcast)
Jim kicks off the conversation and tells us about his experience in the start-up world with eTour, Clicker, and Ask.com, then we explore his ideas about the future of television and how Web programming will compete with DVRs.We'll also chat about GameSpot and EA teaming up for The Controller, a competition reality show where the best pro-gamers from around the country battle in a high-stakes competition without ever touching the controller.Finally, we're taking questions from the live chat room and talking with Jim about today's tech news headlines, like the new Lytro camera that captures light in every direction in every point in space (whoa), the most annoying tech words in Web 2.0, and a reminder to turn off Siri access in your iPhone 4S's lock screen!The 404 Digest for Episode 929This 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.PlayCBS Interactive hires Jim Lanzone as president.New Lytro camera captures light in every direction in every point in space.Has Siri left your iPhone 4S unlocked?Sleeper iPhone Siri feature: Phonetic name fields.Intexicated, Twittersphere, Tweetup, and Scareware top list of most annoying tech words.Follow Jim Lanzone on Twitter.Bathroom break video 1: Watch the trailer for GameSpot's The Controller: Battlefield 3.Bathroom break video 2: Don't leave me hanging!Episode 929PodcastYour 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
Jim kicks off the conversation and tells us about his experience in the start-up world with eTour, Clicker, and Ask.com, then we explore his ideas about the future of television and how Web programming will compete with DVRs.We'll also chat about GameSpot and EA teaming up for The Controller, a competition reality show where the best pro-gamers from around the country battle in a high-stakes competition without ever touching the controller.Finally, we're taking questions from the live chat room and talking with Jim about today's tech news headlines, like the new Lytro camera that captures light in every direction in every point in space (whoa), the most annoying tech words in Web 2.0, and a reminder to turn off Siri access in your iPhone 4S's lock screen!The 404 Digest for Episode 929This 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.PlayCBS Interactive hires Jim Lanzone as president.New Lytro camera captures light in every direction in every point in space.Has Siri left your iPhone 4S unlocked?Sleeper iPhone Siri feature: Phonetic name fields.Intexicated, Twittersphere, Tweetup, and Scareware top list of most annoying tech words.Follow Jim Lanzone on Twitter.Bathroom break video 1: Watch the trailer for GameSpot's The Controller: Battlefield 3.Bathroom break video 2: Don't leave me hanging!Episode 929PodcastYour 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
Pondering 'Battlestar' puzzler- Ratings down, popularity up
Pondering 'Battlestar' puzzler: Ratings down, popularity up
As a fan of Battlestar Galactica, I've watched every episode thus far. What didn't fully dawn on me until I pondered an Associated Press article this week, however, was that out of all the 60-plus episodes I've seen, I've probably watched less than five "live" on TV (I don't have a DVR yet).I discovered the series on DVD and was able to catch up that way. After that, I began downloading it from iTunes when it was available. On those rare Friday nights that the planets aligned and I was at home, I'd watch it on TV--if I remembered to, that is. Accustomed to watching the show on DVD and on my PC, I sometimes just plain forgot that it came on Friday nights.According to the AP article, I'm not alone. BSG's Nielsen ratings have steadily dropped since the series debuted in 2004. "The series averaged 2.8 million viewers an episode during Season 1. During the most recent run of 10 episodes, the show averaged 2.2 million viewers, a slight dip overall but up from Seasons 2 and 3. The series lost some of that steam by the midseason finale, falling to just 1.8 million viewers," according to the article.Despite this, the show's popularity has seemingly only increased. Jamie Bamber, who plays "Apollo" on BSG--and is the one actor whom virtually every woman I know has a crush on--said he gets hounded on the street much more frequently now that the ratings are lower than in 2004 when the ratings were at their peak.Also, I know many people who only watch it on DVD, and most of these people aren't even the sci-fi-watching types. For many reasons I won't go into right now, this show transcends the Trekker/nerd stigma. The producers of the show believe most people do watch the show during long DVD marathons or a few days after an episode has aired on their TiVo or DVR. This doesn't even mention sites like Hulu, where users are able to stream the episodes over the Web for free.Even with its recent improvements, the Nielsen system is broken, as it still does not account for all the many ways that someone can watch a show. It's basically biased towards shows that are viewed in the more traditional manner. DVD, DVR, services like iTunes, and sites like Hulu are changing he way we watch TV. Here's hoping a much more accurate gauge of a show's popularity is on the horizon.
As a fan of Battlestar Galactica, I've watched every episode thus far. What didn't fully dawn on me until I pondered an Associated Press article this week, however, was that out of all the 60-plus episodes I've seen, I've probably watched less than five "live" on TV (I don't have a DVR yet).I discovered the series on DVD and was able to catch up that way. After that, I began downloading it from iTunes when it was available. On those rare Friday nights that the planets aligned and I was at home, I'd watch it on TV--if I remembered to, that is. Accustomed to watching the show on DVD and on my PC, I sometimes just plain forgot that it came on Friday nights.According to the AP article, I'm not alone. BSG's Nielsen ratings have steadily dropped since the series debuted in 2004. "The series averaged 2.8 million viewers an episode during Season 1. During the most recent run of 10 episodes, the show averaged 2.2 million viewers, a slight dip overall but up from Seasons 2 and 3. The series lost some of that steam by the midseason finale, falling to just 1.8 million viewers," according to the article.Despite this, the show's popularity has seemingly only increased. Jamie Bamber, who plays "Apollo" on BSG--and is the one actor whom virtually every woman I know has a crush on--said he gets hounded on the street much more frequently now that the ratings are lower than in 2004 when the ratings were at their peak.Also, I know many people who only watch it on DVD, and most of these people aren't even the sci-fi-watching types. For many reasons I won't go into right now, this show transcends the Trekker/nerd stigma. The producers of the show believe most people do watch the show during long DVD marathons or a few days after an episode has aired on their TiVo or DVR. This doesn't even mention sites like Hulu, where users are able to stream the episodes over the Web for free.Even with its recent improvements, the Nielsen system is broken, as it still does not account for all the many ways that someone can watch a show. It's basically biased towards shows that are viewed in the more traditional manner. DVD, DVR, services like iTunes, and sites like Hulu are changing he way we watch TV. Here's hoping a much more accurate gauge of a show's popularity is on the horizon.
Possible iPhone 5C casing endures damage tests
Possible iPhone 5C casing endures damage tests
The rear plastic backing that may or may not belong to Apple's next iPhone is already being tested for durability, weeks before the device is expected to debut.Taiwan-based news site Apple Daily (via MacRumors) posted on Wednesday a brief video showing a blue plastic version -- which looks much like others that have made the rounds in recent days -- undergoing damage from metal objects. That includes being thrown into a plastic bag and shaken with keys and pocket change, as well as being aggressively scratched with a car key. The short video suggests the plastic back is resistant to such types of damage, which would likely occur for people who placed the device in the same pocket as these objects. However the tests do not cover durability in the event of a drop, something that's frequently done at, or just before, the launch of the product, when all the other components are in place. Along with the scratch tests, Apple Daily also measured the thickness of the shell itself, which came in at 8.98mm. Even without a display, that's thicker than the iPhone 5's 7.6mm, which is made out of aluminum. Apple is expected to unveil a less-expensive, plastic-backed iPhone model at an event on September 10, alongside an updated iPhone 5 model. For more on what to expect, read CNET's FAQ.
The rear plastic backing that may or may not belong to Apple's next iPhone is already being tested for durability, weeks before the device is expected to debut.Taiwan-based news site Apple Daily (via MacRumors) posted on Wednesday a brief video showing a blue plastic version -- which looks much like others that have made the rounds in recent days -- undergoing damage from metal objects. That includes being thrown into a plastic bag and shaken with keys and pocket change, as well as being aggressively scratched with a car key. The short video suggests the plastic back is resistant to such types of damage, which would likely occur for people who placed the device in the same pocket as these objects. However the tests do not cover durability in the event of a drop, something that's frequently done at, or just before, the launch of the product, when all the other components are in place. Along with the scratch tests, Apple Daily also measured the thickness of the shell itself, which came in at 8.98mm. Even without a display, that's thicker than the iPhone 5's 7.6mm, which is made out of aluminum. Apple is expected to unveil a less-expensive, plastic-backed iPhone model at an event on September 10, alongside an updated iPhone 5 model. For more on what to expect, read CNET's FAQ.
Pomera DM100 from Japan and iPhone make an odd couple
Pomera DM100 from Japan and iPhone make an odd couple
Japan has a knack for marketing odd products. Many of them thrive, however.Enter King Jim's Pomera DM100.When I lived in Tokyo, I spent way too much time in the Akihabara electronics district.That's where stores hawked, for example, pint-sized laptops made for the Japanese market by IBM Japan.To me, those Big Blue portables seemed impractical but always found plenty of buyers. In that vein, the Pomera DM100 has apparently struck a chord of sorts in Japan. Enough to be deemed worthy of a lengthy review in Japan's leading business daily, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.So, why would an august publication like Nikkei write up a device with a 5.7-inch monochrome screen, no Wi-Fi, and no broadband? Well, because it's a very fast way to take notes, let's say, in a meeting.Not convinced yet?It turns on instantly.Not yet?Has a rated 30 hours of battery life and weighs only 399 grams.Still not interested? It sends text instantly to an iPhone or iPad via QR code using a Bluetooth connection.And it's priced over $350.OK, so I lost you there.But if you want to go minimalist and chuck that bulky MacBook, it's an option--in Japan, at least.If you need more convincing see this video review or a more in-depth video review here.
Japan has a knack for marketing odd products. Many of them thrive, however.Enter King Jim's Pomera DM100.When I lived in Tokyo, I spent way too much time in the Akihabara electronics district.That's where stores hawked, for example, pint-sized laptops made for the Japanese market by IBM Japan.To me, those Big Blue portables seemed impractical but always found plenty of buyers. In that vein, the Pomera DM100 has apparently struck a chord of sorts in Japan. Enough to be deemed worthy of a lengthy review in Japan's leading business daily, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.So, why would an august publication like Nikkei write up a device with a 5.7-inch monochrome screen, no Wi-Fi, and no broadband? Well, because it's a very fast way to take notes, let's say, in a meeting.Not convinced yet?It turns on instantly.Not yet?Has a rated 30 hours of battery life and weighs only 399 grams.Still not interested? It sends text instantly to an iPhone or iPad via QR code using a Bluetooth connection.And it's priced over $350.OK, so I lost you there.But if you want to go minimalist and chuck that bulky MacBook, it's an option--in Japan, at least.If you need more convincing see this video review or a more in-depth video review here.
TweetDeck returns to Apple's App Store
TweetDeck returns to Apple's App Store
TweetDeck, the popular Twitter app for the iPhone, was pulled from the Apple App Store on Monday due to a crippling crash bug.An update was quickly resubmitted to Apple and the new version (1.1.1) is now available for download (iTunes Link).The new version includes Facebook integration, video uploading, and support for Twitter trending topics.The Facebook support in TweetDeck for iPhone works very well, allowing you to add columns from Facebook by either selecting a feed of all your friends or separating them into groups.The feed support is restricted to status updates, so you cannot see when new photos or events are posted, but comments and Likes on status updates are visible.It also allows users to comment or Like a post from the app as well as post a message on someone's wall.Of course, Facebook's own iPhone app is a much more robust offering, but it is nice to have data from Facebook and Twitter centralized in one app.TweetDeck now also offers video recording and uploading for iPhone 3GS owners.This service is supported by 12seconds, which has an iPhone app of its own.This type of short-form video plays nicely with the overall concept of Twitter and should help to cut down on upload times when posting new updates.Additional features included in this update are the inclusion of Twitter trending topics, the ability to cross-post updates to Twitter and Facebook, nearby tweets, bit.ly support, and landscape composing.These are all features that make a lot of sense for TweetDeck and were surely highly requested.A nice video of the new features, put together by the TweetDeck team, is included below.
TweetDeck, the popular Twitter app for the iPhone, was pulled from the Apple App Store on Monday due to a crippling crash bug.An update was quickly resubmitted to Apple and the new version (1.1.1) is now available for download (iTunes Link).The new version includes Facebook integration, video uploading, and support for Twitter trending topics.The Facebook support in TweetDeck for iPhone works very well, allowing you to add columns from Facebook by either selecting a feed of all your friends or separating them into groups.The feed support is restricted to status updates, so you cannot see when new photos or events are posted, but comments and Likes on status updates are visible.It also allows users to comment or Like a post from the app as well as post a message on someone's wall.Of course, Facebook's own iPhone app is a much more robust offering, but it is nice to have data from Facebook and Twitter centralized in one app.TweetDeck now also offers video recording and uploading for iPhone 3GS owners.This service is supported by 12seconds, which has an iPhone app of its own.This type of short-form video plays nicely with the overall concept of Twitter and should help to cut down on upload times when posting new updates.Additional features included in this update are the inclusion of Twitter trending topics, the ability to cross-post updates to Twitter and Facebook, nearby tweets, bit.ly support, and landscape composing.These are all features that make a lot of sense for TweetDeck and were surely highly requested.A nice video of the new features, put together by the TweetDeck team, is included below.
Tweaked iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S released, Apple TV 4.4.4 also
Tweaked iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S released, Apple TV 4.4.4 also
The version of iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S users is build 9A406 and does not have any listed changes from the version of iOS 5.0.1, which was released last month in an attempt to solve battery life issues many people had been complaining about.According to iDownloadBlog.com, this new update now includes decrypted RAM disks, which essentially means that users can write a script to download iOS 5.0.1 and extract files that one might need to effectively port Siri to another device. This update is particularly interesting for hackers who would like to stay legal while porting Siri.After the iOS 5.0.1 update last month, users still complained of battery life issues. In fact, many developers claim that the iOS 5.1 beta that has been distributed by Apple is also not fixing these battery problems.If you are already running iOS 5.0.1 on your iPhone 4S, you will not be instructed to download and install it. You can, however, download it using a direct link, and installing it with iTunes.To update your Apple TV to version 4.4.4, simply access your settings and choose to update. So far, the only known additions in the Apple TV 4.4.4 update are minor bug fixes and stability updates.
The version of iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S users is build 9A406 and does not have any listed changes from the version of iOS 5.0.1, which was released last month in an attempt to solve battery life issues many people had been complaining about.According to iDownloadBlog.com, this new update now includes decrypted RAM disks, which essentially means that users can write a script to download iOS 5.0.1 and extract files that one might need to effectively port Siri to another device. This update is particularly interesting for hackers who would like to stay legal while porting Siri.After the iOS 5.0.1 update last month, users still complained of battery life issues. In fact, many developers claim that the iOS 5.1 beta that has been distributed by Apple is also not fixing these battery problems.If you are already running iOS 5.0.1 on your iPhone 4S, you will not be instructed to download and install it. You can, however, download it using a direct link, and installing it with iTunes.To update your Apple TV to version 4.4.4, simply access your settings and choose to update. So far, the only known additions in the Apple TV 4.4.4 update are minor bug fixes and stability updates.
TuneCore ties up with world's largest record label
TuneCore ties up with world's largest record label
Drake's story is instructive: days after distributing the single through TuneCore, he signed a deal with the world's largest record label, Universal. Today, TuneCore announced its own deal with Universal; specifically, the TuneCore Store will resell services offered by Universal Music Group Distribution, such as mastering (the final step in a professional audio production) and album art. Guitar Center, a massive guitar retailer with more than 200 stores, will also cooperate with Universal Distribution to sell physical CDs by TuneCore artists at its stores.But the real opportunity is more subtle. You have to ask what a big label like Universal gets out of the deal. Simple: this is a way to discover independent artists without doing the traditional boots-on-the-ground work of an A&R (artist and repertoire) representative. If a TuneCore customer buys Universal services, and then turns out to be a hot-seller, the artist and the label already have a relationship on which to build. Big-label contracts aren't--and shouldn't be--the goal of every indie musician, but for those who want a shot at reaching a large audience fast and are willing to give up some control to do so, they're still tempting.
Drake's story is instructive: days after distributing the single through TuneCore, he signed a deal with the world's largest record label, Universal. Today, TuneCore announced its own deal with Universal; specifically, the TuneCore Store will resell services offered by Universal Music Group Distribution, such as mastering (the final step in a professional audio production) and album art. Guitar Center, a massive guitar retailer with more than 200 stores, will also cooperate with Universal Distribution to sell physical CDs by TuneCore artists at its stores.But the real opportunity is more subtle. You have to ask what a big label like Universal gets out of the deal. Simple: this is a way to discover independent artists without doing the traditional boots-on-the-ground work of an A&R (artist and repertoire) representative. If a TuneCore customer buys Universal services, and then turns out to be a hot-seller, the artist and the label already have a relationship on which to build. Big-label contracts aren't--and shouldn't be--the goal of every indie musician, but for those who want a shot at reaching a large audience fast and are willing to give up some control to do so, they're still tempting.
TubeRadio helps you discover great music on YouTube
TubeRadio helps you discover great music on YouTube
TubeRadio has a few interesting wrinkles that make it worth checking out. If you select the "Discography" tab, then search on an artist's name, it will return a list of that artist's albums. Select any album, and it will cobble together a streaming playlist of songs from the album in in the proper order--not all of the songs will be the original studio versions, but might be lower-quality live or bootleg recordings. It all depends on what YouTube has available. For each album, TubeRadio also provides links to buy the physical CD from Amazon, or MP3 downloads from 7digital. When a song is playing, a window at the bottom of the screen contains tabs with information such as lyrics (this doesn't work all the time, but seems reliable for studio-based recordings), plus an artist biography, discography, and suggestions for other albums you might like (the last three features are provided by Last.fm, which is owned by CNET News publisher CBS Interactive). All in all, it's a slick and convenient way to discover the great wealth of music available on YouTube, and it doesn't cost a dime.
TubeRadio has a few interesting wrinkles that make it worth checking out. If you select the "Discography" tab, then search on an artist's name, it will return a list of that artist's albums. Select any album, and it will cobble together a streaming playlist of songs from the album in in the proper order--not all of the songs will be the original studio versions, but might be lower-quality live or bootleg recordings. It all depends on what YouTube has available. For each album, TubeRadio also provides links to buy the physical CD from Amazon, or MP3 downloads from 7digital. When a song is playing, a window at the bottom of the screen contains tabs with information such as lyrics (this doesn't work all the time, but seems reliable for studio-based recordings), plus an artist biography, discography, and suggestions for other albums you might like (the last three features are provided by Last.fm, which is owned by CNET News publisher CBS Interactive). All in all, it's a slick and convenient way to discover the great wealth of music available on YouTube, and it doesn't cost a dime.
Trip through your MP3s with Playlost
Trip through your MP3s with Playlost
The app comes in a ZIP file with two components. First you have to run the Library Scanner, a Java application. It took about 30 seconds to scan my entire library, and found about 400 MP3 files. One word of caution: if you rip your CDs in iTunes, they're probably in the MPEG-4 (.m4a) format, and Playlost won't recognize them--or any other file format, for that matter. Once you're done scanning, open the Playlost Viewer, which is an HTML file, in the browser of your choice, and you'll see all your MP3s laid out before you like a giant black-and-blue beehive. (The viewer uses Adobe's Flash technology, and you might get a security warning. If so, click the "Settings" button and add the Playlost viewer's file location to the safe list.) Select any song and it'll start playing. Then, you can click any of the six adjacent songs to begin building a playlist. A small set of playback controls lets you stop, resume, and move to any point in the song. I had a lot of fun navigating through my library this way, and found it surprisingly easy to build a coherent playlist with only a handful of "next song" choices at any given time. (Hat tip: Indie Music Tech)
The app comes in a ZIP file with two components. First you have to run the Library Scanner, a Java application. It took about 30 seconds to scan my entire library, and found about 400 MP3 files. One word of caution: if you rip your CDs in iTunes, they're probably in the MPEG-4 (.m4a) format, and Playlost won't recognize them--or any other file format, for that matter. Once you're done scanning, open the Playlost Viewer, which is an HTML file, in the browser of your choice, and you'll see all your MP3s laid out before you like a giant black-and-blue beehive. (The viewer uses Adobe's Flash technology, and you might get a security warning. If so, click the "Settings" button and add the Playlost viewer's file location to the safe list.) Select any song and it'll start playing. Then, you can click any of the six adjacent songs to begin building a playlist. A small set of playback controls lets you stop, resume, and move to any point in the song. I had a lot of fun navigating through my library this way, and found it surprisingly easy to build a coherent playlist with only a handful of "next song" choices at any given time. (Hat tip: Indie Music Tech)
What Filmmakers Deserve Their Own Amusement Park
Would you go to a Wes Anderson amusement park? The quirky filmmaker has proposed the idea in a foreward to a book on the visual art of Mark Mothersbaugh, his frequent choice of composer. The idea is obviously a joke, but just imagine the go-karts, the camping, the first class Blume Aquarium, the animatronic foxes, rides modeled after the Darjeeling Limited and the Belafonteand accommodations in either a real-life Grand Budapest Hotel, where you can hook up with the concierge, or a little motel, where you can hook up with a maid.You may think the very idea of any filmmaker getting his or her own amusement park is silly, but let;s not forget that Walt Disney was a filmmaker and now has a ton of parks around the world. And even if those didn;t exist, would it be that odd given that other parks are branded after candy, toys, a children;s TV show, a country singer, a brewer and a fantasy book and movie franchise? Maybe it;s because we all remember the Oliver Stone Land sketch from The Ben Stiller Show?The reason Anderson;s park sounds plausible is because he has a distinct style as an auteur. Other possibilities don;t need that sort of identifiable consistent look, though. Any director known for making a lot of science fiction and fantasy films would work. Ridley Scott, for instance, could have separate lands devoted to the Los Angeles of Blade Runner, the spaceship from Alien, the fairy tale world of Legend and also an ancient-Rome theme with staged Gladiator matches.As a fan, I;m all for a Terry Giliam Land, partly for the Time Bandits ride through various settings and the Fear and Loathing ride that simulates the experience of driving across the desert and down the streets of Las Vegas while on numerous drugs. And the Baron Munchausen hot air balloon ship would be a lot of fun. I;d also like a Werner Herzog World, including a Fitzcarraldo ride and of course the Grizzly Man petting zoo.Then there;s Tim Burton Land so I can hang out in the Beetlejuice house or ride Pee-wee;s Big Bicycling Adventure ride. Peter Jackson Land can exist if there;s as much room for Heavenly Creatures clay people and a haunted cemetery from The Frighteners as there is for Tolkien stuff. And Christopher Nolan;s park would be cool for the zero-gravity Inception ride but not so much for the Insomnia-themed hotel. James Cameron;s would also be fantastic, but it;d be deep under the ocean and maybe that;s a little scary.How about Steven Spielberg? Or is his already halfway existing thanks to Universal Studios? And how about Hayao Miyazaki? If Studio Ghibli needs some help, they should build a park where we can ride a real catbus or a flying Totoro or a moving castle or visit the floating city of Laputa.What filmmakers would you love to see get their own amusement park?Here are some responses received so far via Twitter:@thefilmcynic John Carpenter— Larry Wright (@refocusedmedia) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Tim Burton— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Probably not original, but Tim Burton seems the pretty obvious choice.— JenniferYellin (@JenniferGYellin) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic I actually think a Michael Bay theme park would be perfect!— Lizziebeth (@lizziegolucky) November 4, 2014@lizziegolucky @thefilmcynic yes omg— Sushi Privilege (@Camera_Angel) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic I don;t like most of his movies, but I think I would thoroughly enjoy a Michael Bay amusement park; explosions everywhere.— Ashwin (@ShinobivsGast) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Terry Gilliam— Josh Davis (@joshabla) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Gilliam— John Gilpatrick (@johnlgilpatrick) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Vincent Ward— Barbie (@lemoviesnob) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Hayao Miyazaki— Ieda Marcondes (@iedamarcondes) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic: John Waters.— Josh Spiegel (@mousterpiece) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Michael Haneke. It would have fun and games, piano music, and love.— Matt Goldberg (@MattGoldberg) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Alive or Dead? Stanley Kubrick...— Damen Norton (@DamenNorton) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic Harmony Korine— Sushi Privilege (@Camera_Angel) November 4, 2014@thefilmcynic guillermo del toro. or he could just let people into his house for $20.— Da7e Gonzales (@Da7e) November 4, 2014Lloyd Kaufman RT @thefilmcynic POLL: Which filmmaker would you love to see really get his own amusement park?— Jamie (@filmnerdjamie) November 4, 2014Wes Anderson hands down RT:“@thefilmcynic: POLL: Which filmmaker would you love to see really get his own amusement park?”— Rhodri T. Williams (@TheRealRhodri) November 4, 2014Join in the next discussion:and
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