HP exec: We're in the Post-PC era? Ha!

Although some believe that the rapid adoption of tablets has ushered in the so-called Post-PC Era, at least one HP executive disagrees.

Speaking to PC World in an interview published yesterday, HP printing and personal systems group executive vice president Todd Bradley said that claims that the PC is on the decline as tablets take over is plain nonsense.

"Look, it's just wrong. Just think of the decision when your child is going off to college," Bradley told PC World. "What's a requirement? A PC. Or you run a business and need your employees to be productive. You need a PC. The size of the global PC business is huge, and I think some people are trying to be dramatic."

While it's certainly true that the PC market is huge, the space is in trouble. During the second quarter, HP saw its PC shipments fall 13 percent. Dell saw its shipments drop 10 percent. What's worse, Citigroup semiconductor analyst Glen Yeung reported earlier this month that the third quarter could be the PC industry's worst ever.

"We were looking into the supply chain over the course of August, and really everywhere you looked, PC data points are bad. What we're ultimately going to end up with is the worst third quarter in the history of PCs this quarter, so obviously the outlook is pretty dire," he said.

Meanwhile, tablet shipments are on the rise. Research firm IDC reported yesterday that it expects 117 million tablets to ship this year, up from its previous estimate of 107 million. In 2011, 70.9 million tablets shipped worldwide.

Surely that's enough to justify claims that the Post-PC Era is upon us, right? Think again, says Bob O'Donnell, program vice president for Clients and Displays at IDC. In an interview with CNET in February, he said we're really in the "PC-plus era. People owning PCs plus other devices."

"Tablets will occupy a unique place," he told CNET. "PCs will occupy a unique place. But and more with the ability to work together."

Although Bradley believes in the PC's value, he also echoed O'Donnell's sentiment, saying that tablets are playing an increasingly crucial role in our lives.

"There is a growing role for tablets, and we will absolutely be a significant force in that space," he told PC World.

Lance Whitney 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/vS-JTSZ_sMs/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

09.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unwired Planet hits Apple, Google with patent suits

Patent troll Unwired Planet has gone on the offensive against Apple and Google.

The company has reportedly filed patent-infringement complaints against the companies over their alleged use of its intellectual property in mobile products. Unwired Planet charges Apple with violating 10 patents related to everything from its device designs to cloud services. Google, too, was hit with 10 claims. RRT News was first to report on the infringement suits.

Companies like Unwired Planet don't create products or services. Instead, patent trolls wait for another firm to develop products that allegedly infringe their intellectual property, then pounce. Allegedly offending companies often choose to license the patent; those that fail to do so typically face a protracted lawsuit.

Unwired Planet earlier this year completed the sale of its Mediation and Messaging product businesses, leaving it open to focus solely on patents. At that time, the company made clear that it would "protect its patent portfolio of approximately 200 issued U.S. and foreign patents, and approximately 75 pending applications, many of which are considered foundational to mobile communications."

Unwired Planet is certainly no stranger to lawsuits. The company, which previously called itself Openwave Systems, filed a lawsuit against Apple and Research In Motion, claiming those companies violated five of its patents. Today's lawsuit against Apple extends beyond that earlier litigation.

Still, Apple and Google are no strangers to lawsuits, either. Apple, especially, is locked in bitter patent disputes with Samsung over mobile technology. Google's Motorola is also involved in several cases.

It's not currently clear which products from Apple and Google are allegedly infringing Unwired Planet's patents. CNET has contacted Unwired Planet for more details.

CNET has also contacted Google and Apple for comment on the lawsuit. We will update this story when we have more information.

(Via The Next Web)

Lance Whitney 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/yBpkVYBXp_c/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

09.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Less is more with the new generation Chevrolet MyLink system

Everything about the MyLink software reminds me of the old Zune interface; this is a good thing.

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

You may already be familiar with the maxim, "less is more." Clearly the infotainment engineers over at General Motors have, because it seems that they've taken this approach to designing the dashboard of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark LT.

The Chevrolet Spark LT is available is a variety of questionable colors.

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

There are only four buttons for volume up and down, power, and home below the seven-inch touch screen. There are only three knobs for the basic climate control system. There isn't even a CD player--GM's betting that you probably won't even notice that last bit, because its target market carries its music around on phones and in the cloud. When powered down, the Spark's dashboard is overwhelmingly simple. Turn the key and you'll find, as I did, that this is a case of less being more.

The aforementioned seven-inch LCD is home to the newest generation of Chevrolet's MyLink software. Aside from looking like a love letter to the old Zune interface with its large text white text on a black background and fluorescent highlights, this software also gives the driver access to AM/FM radio, USB MP3 playback, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming. There's also an auxiliary analog input for those who want to simply plug in a device that's not compatible with the Bluetooth/USB/iPod digital audio triumvirate.

On its own, this would be a fairly simple entry-level infotainment system--on par with the Hyundai Accents and Scion iQs that it competes with. However, Chevy MyLink gains a few tricks when paired with an Android smartphone or Apple iPhone. Under the Smartphone Link option, you'll find connectivity hooks into a few apps, such as Pandora Internet radio, Stitcher Radio, and BringGo. Pandora and Stitcher should be familiar, but BringGo is a new navigation app developed for the Spark (and other future GM vehicles to boast smartphone link).

BringGo allows users to search for destinations, save and retrieve favorite locations, get traffic updates, and navigate from point A to B with turn-by-turn directions on a live updating map. Users interact with BringGo on their Spark's touchscreen just like they would with any other OEM navigation option, but the software and processing happens on their connected smartphone like an app. BringGo will be available to MyLink users in the Google Play store and iTunes for about $50--a pretty penny among the variety of free and cheap navigation apps in both markets, but almost nothing when compared to the alternative of a thousand dollar OEM navigation option.

Additionally, GM has announced that it is adding TuneIn Radio app support in a future software update and is courting more app developers to help flesh out its offerings. A partnership with app developer and car-to-app connectivity hardware pioneer Livio should help get that ball rolling.

Lance Whitney 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/t2UV_ShKdCM/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

09.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ultrabooks: The top technical problems

The top issues faced by MacBook Air owners, according to FixYa.

(Credit: FixYa)

Owners of ultrabooks face a variety of technical woes, from limited battery life to poor screen quality, according to a new study from FixYa.

Tracking questions and complaints from its site users, FixYa narrowed its scope to seven different ultrabooks, shining a light on the key problems found in each one.

Low memory was the top complaint among users of Apple's popular MacBook Air, followed by thermal shutdown, which automatically turns off the computer if it gets too hot. Some owners also said the Air was difficult to repair and that the speaker quality was poor.

To deal with the thermal shutdown problem, FixYa suggested that Air owners make sure the vents aren't covered, turn down the screen brightness, let the laptop rest for 30 minutes, don't leave it in the sun too long, and don't let the battery charge beyond 100 percent.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon was cited for its limited battery life, inconsistent touchpad, poor ability to multitask, and slow performance. The company's IdeaPad also had its share of issues, including Wi-Fi performance, poor screen quality, a loud fan, and too much heat.

To help preserve battery life on the Carbon, FixYa advised owners to turn down the screen brightness and resolution, carry a charger, and don't run too many applications at once. Of course, those suggestions run counter to some of the benefits of using a mobile PC in the first place. But poor battery life is a common issue on many laptops, so users sometimes have to tweak settings to keep their PCs up and running.

Wi-Fi problems, poor screen quality, and heat generation were cited as the top three problems by Dell XPS 14z owners. The XPS 14z has been discontinued, but current owners are advised to download the latest Wi-Fi drivers if they experience connectivity problems.

Other ultrabooks covered in the report included the Asus Zenbook Prime, the Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5, and the Vizio Thin + Light.

Fixya's report is aimed at ultrabook owners and buyers, who face an increasingly crowded market and confusing array of choices. That market will become even more crowded in the coming months as more vendors release Windows 8 ultrabooks.

"While Apple's Macbook Air dominates the market with their pick-up-and-use mantra, and a long track record of producing high quality products, competition in the ultrabook market has become fiercer than it once was," the report said. "With an explosion of choices in the market today, consumers are generally left confused, uninformed, and uncertain as to the strengths and weaknesses of each ultrabook."

Lance Whitney 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/PE73b9g5Brc/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

09.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unwired Planet hits Apple, Google with patent infringement suits

Unwired Planet, a company that has been called a patent troll by some, has gone on the offensive against Apple and Google.

The company has reportedly filed patent-infringement complaints against the companies over their alleged use of its intellectual property in mobile products. Unwired Planet charges Apple with violating 10 patents related to everything from its device designs to cloud services. Google, too, was hit with 10 claims. RRT News was first to report on the infringement suits.

Sometimes called "patent trolls" by critics, companies like Unwired Planet do not create products or services. Instead, the companies license patents or wait for another firm to allegedly use one of their intellectual property illegally, then pounce. Allegedly offending companies often choose to license the patent; those that fail to do so are typically brought into a protracted lawsuit.

Unwired Planet earlier this year completed the sale of its Mediation and Messaging product businesses, leaving it open to focus solely on patents. At that time, the company made clear that it would "protect its patent portfolio of approximately 200 issued U.S. and foreign patents, and approximately 75 pending applications, many of which are considered foundational to mobile communications."

Unwired Planet is certainly no stranger to lawsuits. The company, which was known as Openwave Systems last year, filed a lawsuit against Apple and Research In Motion, claiming those companies violated five of its patents. Today's lawsuit against Apple extends beyond that earlier litigation.

Still, Apple and Google are no strangers to lawsuits, either. Apple, especially, is locked in bitter patent disputes with Samsung over mobile technology. Google's Motorola is also involved in several cases.

It's not currently clear which products from Apple and Google are allegedly infringing Unwired Planet's patents. CNET has contacted Unwired Planet for more details.

CNET has also contacted Google and Apple for comment on the lawsuit. We will update this story when we have more information.

(Via The Next Web)

Don Reisinger 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/lzB-hEEdPuE/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

08.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Low Latency No. 38: The waiting game

Low Latency is a weekly comic on CNET's Crave blog written by CNET editor and podcast host Jeff Bakalar and illustrated by Blake Stevenson. Be sure to check Crave every Thursday at 8 a.m. PT for new panels! Want more? Here's every Low Latency comic so far.

Don Reisinger 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/eKaw1iB1B5Y/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

08.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

CFast 2.0 splits high-end flash card market

SanDisk showed this CFast 2.0 prototype flash-memory card at Photokina 2012 in Germany. The card is for high-end cameras and is the same size as a CompactFlash card. Canon committed to support CFast 2.0 in future cameras, but Nikon is backing a different would-be CompactFlash successor called XQD.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

COLOGNE, Germany -- There's room for a higher-end flash card format that's faster and more capacious than SD Card, and for years, CompactFlash has occupied that market niche.

But CompactFlash is running out of steam, and finding a successor to CompactFlash just got a lot messier courtesy of a new standard that arrived this week at the Photokina trade show here.

Last year, Nikon and Sony carried the XQD format to market as the would-be CompactFlash successor, with Nikon's flagship D4 camera accepting the cards and Sony making the cards. But Canon and professional camera maker Phase One announced support for the new standard, CFast 2.0.

Sony's new 32GB QD-H32, a XQD flash memory card, has a retail price of $229.99.

(Credit: Sony)

Who'll win the battle between these two formats? Neither. SD Card will.

SD has spread far and wide and now is supported even on high-end SLRs. Examples include high-profile, high-end models such as Canon's $3,500 EOS 5D Mark II and Nikon's $3,000 D800, both of which pair a CompactFlash slot with an SD slot. And a notch down the line but still in the ethereal world of full-frame SLRs, Nikon's D600 has two SD slots and Canon's EOS 6D has a single SD slot.

SD's performance is increasing, with faster transfer speeds and guarantees that higher-end cards will keep up with video. Today's UHS-1 rating will be exceeded by a faster UHS-2 in the works. And with ever-smaller flash memory chips, capacity is increasing, too. Lexar announced a 256GB SDXC card at Photokina, for example, and its top rival, SanDisk, is steadily improving its SD products, too.

No, SD can't match CompactFlash, but it comes close and is plenty fast for most people's needs today. And for people upgrading from lesser cameras, chances are good that customers already have some SD cards ready for use. And don't forget that many computers, including all newer Apple Macs, have built-in SD card readers.

Who will lose this battle? Today's CompactFlash customers.

CompactFlash already costs more per gigabyte by a long shot than SD, and with the high-end market split between XQD and CFast, you can expect lower sales volumes for each. You also will have a harder time finding them in stores if you're vacationing or cadging one from a fellow photographer in a pinch. Now it won't just be lenses that Nikon and Canon shooters can't share.

It's not easy to bring a new flash-card format to market. Manufacturers have to find the right flash memory chips, design or buy controllers to embed on the cards, and test to make sure the cards meet standards for longevity and durability.

Right now it's not clear whether SanDisk and Lexar will each manufacture both of the new formats, but it appears unlikely.

A CFast 2.0 card, at left, is the same size as cards for today's prevailing format for high-end cameras, CompactFlash.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Sony is the sole supplier of XQD cards today, but Lexar announced its support of XQD to keep its business partner Nikon happy. It still hasn't brought any XQD products to market, though that should change in a few months. "The likelihood is you'll have something at CES," the January electronics show, said Steve McDonald, market development manager for Micron's consumer products group, which runs Lexar.

He also wouldn't commit Lexar to making CFast cards, though having SLR leader Canon in the market could be a draw even if it's only with high-end SLRs. "We're looking at various types of technology," McDonald said.

SanDisk, on the other hand, announced its support for CFast 2.0.

"We believe in CFast," said Gerry Edward, director of product marketing. Its top speed is 600 megabytes per second compared to 250MBps for XQD. "We're not going to productize XQD any time soon."

But when it comes to speed, that's not the whole story. The CompactFlash Association, a consortium that standardizes both CFast and XQD, also just announced it's working on XQD 2.0 that'll reach to 1,000MBps.

The two specifications different? Because different companies chose a different path to better performance.

CFast 2.0 is the same width as CompactFlash, but its electrical connections use a fin with metal contacts rather than CompactFlash's recessed pins that must poke into holes. The new design is more reliable, SanDisk said.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

CompactFlash is based on the old PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) standard that was phased out years ago as a way to plug hard drives into computers. CFast 2.0 uses the newer SATA (Serial ATA) that modern hard drives use. But XQD uses a different data pathway that's deeper in a computer's architecture, PCI Express.

Neither CFast 2.0 nor XQD is compatible with CompactFlash, so cameras and card readers need new slots to use either.

CFast cards are the same relatively large size as CompactFlash cards: 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 3.6mm. That makes it easier to reach higher capacities and makes it a bit less likely that photographers will lose track of the cards. But XQD's smaller size -- a bit larger than SD cards -- makes it easier for designers to squeeze one or two slots into camera bodies.

For the card manufacturers, though, standards wars can be tough, as the videotape industry of decades past showed. "We need to make sure we're not backing Betamax, we're backing VHS," McDonald said.

Don Reisinger 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/r59zrQiSSvw/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

08.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Apple's Maps app slammed over missing cities and other mistakes

Duplicating an entire island is just one of the mistakes Apple made in the new Maps app.

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Released just yesterday as part of iOS 6, Apple's new Maps app is already facing criticism around the world over a slew of geographic errors.

The app has been faulted across several countries for misidentifying cities, using incorrect icons, and even failing to display certain locations. Many of the complaints so far seem to come from Europe.

Irish Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has asked Apple to remove the airline icon for Airfield House. The problem? Airfield House is not an airport but a farm, according to Ireland's Breaking News. Shatter may be worried that pilots relying on Maps may think the spot is an airport and end up landing on a bunch of cows and pigs.

Of course, one would hope a pilot would use a better navigation system than the one included on an iPhone. But the concern is still valid, especially if a pilot runs into equipment failure or needs to make an emergency landing.

Several locations in the U.K. have been moved or are missing from the app, reports the BBC News.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull are both nowhere to be found. The town of Uckfield in East Sussex is in the wrong location. Certain schools are missing, while the app apparently placed a furniture museum in a river. Satellite images of different locations, including ones in Scotland, are covered by clouds.

Users in Asia aren't happy either. Some have complained of poor quality in the level of details, while others say the app doesn't show train station exits, according to Japanese blog site Japan Mobile Tech.

One Twitter user pointed out that the app has also created two instances of the Senkaku, or Diaoyu, Islands. Japan and China have been fighting over ownership of that territory, leading the tweeter to speculate that Apple may be trying to broker a deal by creating two versions of the islands.

Some Web sites, such as the Huffington Post, have already created lists of the worst or funniest mistakes found in the app.

Apple created the app, but it didn't generate the actual data. Tom Tom was responsible for producing the data itself. But the GPS maker seemed eager to deflect any criticism, saying that it only provided a "foundation" to the app.

"We are confident about our map quality, as selling 65 million portable navigation devices across the world and more than 1.4 million TomTom apps for iPhone in the past two years reaffirms this quality," the company told the BBC.

It's not uncommon for a brand new app to be rough around the edges. But these mistakes point to a major flaw in the Maps app.

And it's especially embarrassing since Apple had been heavily touting the app, seeing it as a worthy replacement for Google Maps.

CNET contacted Apple and Tom Tom for comment and will update the story if we receive more information.

For you iOS 6 upgraders, have you found any mistakes in the Maps app? Let us know in the comments below.

Lance Whitney 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/X4MRP7-MeDM/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

08.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Facebook Offers no longer free

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

Facebook Offers won't be free much longer, with the company finding a new way to grow revenue by charging merchants to run deals on its site.

The social networking giant launched Facebook Offers a year ago as a free service that allows business to send promotions directly to user news feeds. The service, which competes with Groupon and other similar offerings, allows a company's Facebook fans to redeem vouchers for discounts.

But Reuters is reporting today that Facebook will require merchants to spend at least $5 on related ads to promote each offer to a targeted audience. The report said the cost will vary based on the size of a company's Facebook pages.

Facebook's IPO was one of the most anticipated debuts of all time, but the company has since faced questions about its ability to grow and make money. Chief among the worries is doubt about Facebook's mobile strategy, as well as concern about a slowdown in advertising.

According to the Reuters report, Facebook also plans to extend Offers to online-only businesses, not just merchants with physical stores, as in the past. And the vouchers will also now include barcodes, Reuters said, allowing customers to redeem the offers more easily.

Facebook wasn't immediately available to comment.

Shara Tibken 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/BTzF-npo5Gg/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

07.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Facebook quietly tests Photo Syncing on Android, report says

Facebook's Photo Syncing.

(Credit: Facebook)

Facebook's Photo Syncing is being tested on Android-based devices, according to a new report.

The feature, which automatically uploads images Android users snap from their devices to their Facebook profiles, is being tested on a small number of users, The Verge is reporting, citing comments from Facebook.

Upon snapping a photo with an Android-based handset, Facbeook's Photo Syncing automatically sends it to a private folder in the user's account. Those images can then be removed from Facebook or shared publicly, depending on the user's preference.

Photo Syncing isn't quite a secret. Facebook currently has a page on its Web site that describes the feature in detail and how it works on user devices. To get it up and running, according to Facebook, users must have the latest version of the social network's Android app and click the "Sync" option at the bottom of their Photos menu. A total of 2GB of photos can be stored from mobile devices.

It's not currently clear how many folks have been able to use the feature, but The Verge claims to have spoken to a Facebook spokesperson, who said that the testing is being conducted on a "really small" number of devices.

CNET has contacted Facebook for comment on the testing. We will update this story when we have more information.

Shara Tibken 20 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/iRrvp1kccCw/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

07.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Apple's iOS 6 set for 10 a.m. PT launch, leaked image claims

Some of the improvements coming to iOS 6.

(Credit: CNET)

Apple's iOS 6 is definitely launching today. But when exactly? A new image that's popped up on the Web might just tell us.

Twitter user "JamesIsFierce" today posted what he claims is a schedule of "release times for iOS 6." The image shows locations around the world with corresponding times. According to the image, the operating system will be made available to people in the U.S. and Canada at 10 a.m. PT. Folks in London will get their hands on the operating system at 6 p.m. local time.

Although the time seems to fit with the pattern of previous iOS releases, at this point there's been no official statement from Apple. It's not clear how JamesIsFierce obtained the list of cities and times, and that image doesn't provide any indication that it's referencing iOS 6.

Still, Apple has promised that iOS 6 will launch today. So, whether it happens at 10 a.m. PT or a little sooner or a little later, the update to the operating system -- over 200 improvements and all -- is imminent.

(Via Fortune)

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/H5M_GfnrRmQ/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

07.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tablet shipments now expected to hit 117 million this year

New products and growing consumer demand could trigger a surge in global tablet shipments to 117 million for 2012, according to IDC.

The new forecast is an increase over IDC's previous prediction, which was looking for tablet shipments of 107 million for the year. Peering over the horizon, the research firm now expects shipments to reach 166 million next year, up from its prior estimate of 142 million. And by 2016, shipments could soar as high as 261 million.

"Despite ongoing economic concerns in most regions of the world, consumers continue to buy tablets in record numbers, and we expect particularly strong demand in the fourth quarter," Tom Mainelli, research director for IDC's Mobile Connected Devices, said in a statement.

Apple's iPad is still the tablet leader and will retain its top spot for the rest of the year, according to IDC. But new Android and Windows tablets will expand the market by giving consumers more choices, especially during the holiday shopping season.

What does IDC's crystal ball see for Windows tablets?

Windows 7 tablets shippping today and Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets shipping in the final quarter will capture around 4 percent of the market for 2012. By 2016, these devices could own as much as 11 percent of the market.

"Tablets running Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 and RT operating systems, including the company's own Surface tablets, will add some momentum," IDC research analyst Jennifer Song said in a statement. "However, we expect shipments to remain low in the fourth quarter as high prices and consumer confusion around these devices will limit their appeal. Also, in the second half of the year Android should benefit from the success of the Nexus 7 and Amazon's launch of new Kindle Fires."

Apple's lead will slip, but only slightly, from 60 percent of the market this year to 58 percent by 2016. Android's share will also decline, IDC said, from 35 pecent this year to 30.5 percent in another four years.

Not mentioned by IDC, Apple may extend its dominance of the tablet market if reports of an iPad mini prove true.

Rumored to launch next month, the smaller iPad could challenge Google's Nexus 7, Amazon's Kindle Fire, and other 7-inch tablets.

And on the Windows front, Microsoft's upcoming Surface device has upset at least a couple of Windows 8 tablet vendors, who see it as unwanted competition. Last month, Acer chairman JT Wang urged Microsoft not to price Surface too low. And Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing labeled Microsoft just another competitor, but one he believes his company can beat on hardware.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/DXKZgnWEtHM/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

07.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Get an iZon remote room monitor for $64.99

This cute little Wi-Fi Webcam normally sells for twice the price.

(Credit: Ben's Outlet)

Wi-Fi Webcams can be really cool, allowing you to stream live video to, say, a laptop or phone without having to run cables all over the place.

But many, if not most, of them are expensive, unattractive gizmos requiring complicated setup and delivering iffy results.

They're getting better, though, and for today at least, more affordable: Ben's Outlet has the Stem Innovation iZon Wi-Fi Webcam for $64.99 shipped. That's half the list price, and definitely the best deal I've seen on this product.

The small, white, cylindrical iZon stands about four inches high on its curved, magnetic base. That base makes it easy to position the camera, and can even be hung upside-down. An appreciably lengthy power cord supplies the juice.

The device connects to your home Wi-Fi network, streaming live images to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch by way of the free iZon app. You can also configure it to send push notifications if it detects noise and/or movement, meaning it can serve as a poor-man's security camera. A newly added feature allows it to record video and upload it directly to YouTube.

But because it delivers live video, you can keep an eye on, say, the baby's room, the babysitter, an elderly parent who's living on his or her own, an empty house, and so on.

Let me come right out and say that the iZon isn't perfect; look no further than some of the user reviews for proof of that. Recent firmware and app updates (including one that just pushed out yesterday) have improved things quite a bit, but the iZon I have here still produces the occasional app crash. And some of the motion-detection and video-recording features are spotty.

Consequently, I wouldn't recommend paying $129.99 for one of these. But $64.99? If you like the idea of a simple, elegant Webcam that's built expressly for streaming video to your iOS device, that might be worth considering.

Bonus deal: Game time! The Humble Indie Bundle folks are at it again, offering five slick indie games for whatever price you care to pay. (You'll have to pay a minimum of $1 if you want your downloads via Steam, otherwise you can steal them for as little as a penny.) If you pony up at least $5.74, you'll get a sixth game. A portion of your purchase goes to charity.

Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

Curious about what exactly The Cheapskate does and how it works? Read our FAQ.

Rick Broida 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/cy2teu3HfGI/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Quad-core Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launches with 5 carriers

Samsung Galaxy Note 2: Samsung's next-generation phablet.

(Credit: Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

The first quad-core LTE smartphone in the U.S. is almost here, and it comes to our shores extra-large. In launching the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung is hoping to repeat its own success with sales on the the Galaxy S3 just a few months before, while also setting a record for the first quad-core smartphone to reach U.S. retail shelves.

The Korea-based manufacturer announced today that it intends to kick off the 5.5-inch Android 4.1 Jelly Bean "phablet," a smartphone with tabletlike proportions, on the same five carriers that initially offered the Galaxy S3 this summer. Moreover, the smartphone will carry Samsung's 1.6 GHz Exynos processor.

Although Samsung didn't share exact dates or prices, it did promise to deliver the premium, stylus-driven smartphones by mid-November on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. Samsung will let individual carriers reveal their own pricing and availability in the coming weeks.

Since Samsung is positioning the Galaxy Note 2 as a more powerful and larger version of the GS3, we can expect it to be pricier than the GS3 is now, or the same price, with the GS3 dropping to promotional figures.

The Note 2's S Pen stylus makes it a different product than the Galaxy S3 (GS3) in many respects, but in others, the Galaxy Note 2 is a continuation of the GS3's young legacy -- the Note 2's design builds on the same physical form as the GS3, but larger, and with the more flexible S Pen and attending software extras.

Like the GS3, the Note 2 will feature an 8-megapixel camera, a front-facing camera, and support for 1080p HD video. The screen is also HD Super AMOLED. The Note 2 will also hold 2GB of internal RAM; and will come with 16 GB of onboard file storage, plus support for up to 64GB of expandable memory through a microSD card.

We'll offer more details when we get them. In the meantime, get to know the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in our hands-on take.

Rick Broida 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/EFQt78xQp8I/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

SEC probes possibly fraudulent Facebook pre-IPO sales

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is probing possibly fraudulent sales of Facebook stock in advance of the company's initial public offering, CNET has learned.

SEC investigators have issued subpoenas demanding the financial records of Paul Tabet, a manager at a venture capital fund called Ventures Trust II LLC, and his wife.

The commission is investigating whether Tabet and fellow fund manager Craig Berkman -- once a leading financier in Portland who fled to Florida to escape creditors -- raised more than $3 million to purchase Facebook shares, and if so, where the money went.

"Staff has obtained evidence that a forged letter on law firm letterhead stating that Ventures Trust owned a direct interest in almost 500,000 pre-IPO shares of Facebook was apparently used to solicit Ventures Trust investors," SEC attorneys told a federal judge. "Staff has evidence indicating that the forged letter was attached to an e-mail sent by Paul Tabet to at least one potential investor."

First page of SEC subpoena to Paul Tabet. Click for larger image.

A representative for Facebook declined to answer questions, and neither Tabet nor Berkman could immediately be reached for comment. SEC spokesman John Nester told CNET: "If, upon completion of an investigation, the enforcement division believes the securities laws were violated, the division will make a recommendation to the commission for the commission to authorize charges."

The revelation of the SEC investigation is the latest twist in the bizarre tale of Berkman, an ex-investment banker who acknowledged that he "loaned" himself funds from his clients' accounts. He was also a major donor to the Republican Party and a onetime GOP gubernatorial candidate in Oregon.

A 2010 SEC filing for Ventures Trust lists its address as a 8,606-square foot lakeside house with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms that was purchased for $4 million in 2005. Property records show it's owned by Berkman, who declared bankruptcy and owes creditors (PDF) at least $10 million; Florida residents enjoy a generous homestead exemption.

The state of Florida lists an active corporate registration for a Ventures Trust management company, but the VenturesTrustFunds.com domain name included in a 2011 filing (PDF) with the state is defunct.

A 2009 article published by The Oregonian reported that:

To date, Berkman has not paid a dime. He submitted a personal financial statement to the court showing that he is broke, with millions of dollars in debts far exceeding his assets... In all, investors lost much of the $75 million they poured into the Berkman funds, though they later recovered millions in legal settlements with accounting and law firms that did work for Berkman.

In a written response to the SEC's request for his financial records, Tabet called the subpoena "overly broad," "oppressive," and a "warrantless search and seizure."

The SEC says that evidence it has collected so far shows that Paul Tabet withdrew more than $1 million from Ventures Trust bank accounts and that $23,000 was transferred to the bank account of Jenifer Tabet.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/1bdcgHlceyc/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

EU to market test e-book settlement proposed by publishers, Apple

The European Union's European Commission (EC) confirmed today that Apple, along with four e-book publishers, have offered up a settlement deal on e-book price-fixing that could be approved in the coming months.

According to the EC, Apple, Harper Collins, Hachette Livre, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster (which is owned by CBS, the same company that publishes CNET) have agreed to terminate e-book agency pricing contracts and allow retailers to set their own prices on titles for a period of two years.

The solution, which the EC did not offer an opinion on, will now be opened to market tests, allowing any competitor or concerned EU citizen to share their opinions. If the issues interested parties have with the settlement are deemed illegitimate or immaterial, the EC could press forward with adopting the deal and legally bind the companies to follow their assurances.

Apple, along with major e-book publishers, were hit by government agencies with lawsuits earlier this year over claims that the companies illegally colluded to inflate the prices of e-books and hurt Amazon. Under the so-called agency model, the companies established a system whereby the publishers would establish e-book prices. Amazon, which was accustomed to establishing its own retail prices based on the wholesale cost of titles, was forced to raise its prices, according to the government agencies.

In the U.S., e-book publishers have been quick to ink settlements. Just last month, three publishers signed a $69 million settlement with U.S. attorneys general to prevent further litigation. Earlier this month, the publishers completed their settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. So far, Apple has decided to fight the charges in the U.S.

Penguin, which was also included in the e-book price-fixing case, has not agreed to participate in any settlement, saying that it believes it did nothing wrong.

The biggest benefactor in the settlement could be Amazon. As noted, that company was forced to raise prices on e-books. With these latest settlements, prices can come down, making Amazon's offering more competitive in the e-book space.

If the EC decides to take the deal offered by the publishers and Apple, the organization reserves the right to impose a fine of up to 10 percent of their annual worldwide sales in the event of any infringement.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/q1jrUXc-5ao/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

T-Mobile names Legere as new CEO

T-Mobile USA is getting a new chief executive.

Deutsche Telekom today announced that John Legere will become CEO of its T-Mobile USA business unit on September 22.

"John is a talented and proven executive who brings a successful track record of leading and operating consumer- and business-focused telecommunications and technology companies," said Rene Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, in a statement. "As T-Mobile moves forward with its strategic initiatives to improve its market position, including expanding its network coverage and initiating LTE service, John has obviously the right skillset to lead the business into the future."

Jim Alling, who has served as interim CEO since June, will return to his position as T-Mobile's chief operating officer.

More to come.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/YnFJXB7syl0/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Apple wants $3B in damages from Samsung, says report

Apple will reportedly request $3 billion in damages from Samsung for patent infringement, triple the amount initially awarded by the court.

Attorneys for Apple plan to ask U.S. Federal Judge Lucy Koh to order Samsung to pay $3 billion after losing the recent patent suit between the two companies, reports the Korea Times. A hearing was supposed to be scheduled for this coming Friday in which Apple would argue its case.

In seeking triple the amount in damages, Apple will likely rely on a jury decision that found Samsung guilty of "willfull infringement" on five of the six patents in question. This decision meant the jury felt that Samsung knowingly violated Apple's patents.

"By using that condition, Apple has decided to request the judge to order Samsung to pay more than $3 billion in the hearing on the San Jose verdict on Sept. 21 in California," a senior legal executive told the Korea Times.

The August 24 jury verdict found in favor of Apple in virtually of the decisions, awarding Apple damages of $1.05 billion. However, Samsung continues to face other challenges.

On Monday, Judge Koh denied Samsung's request to overturn a three-month-old U.S. ban on its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet. But Judge Koh cited a lack of jurisdiction in her ruling, meaning a permanent decision is still up in the air.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 was hit with a preliminary sales ban in June. A stipulation was added that the ban could be reversed if the jury found that Samsung did not infringe on Apple's Apple's D'889 tablet design patent. And that's exactly what the jury found last month. As a result, Samsung has argued that the ban should be removed.

CNET contacted both Apple and Samsung for comment and will update the story if we receive further information.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/WdElm2Bw6JY/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

LG's quad-core-packing Optimus G to head to U.S. in Q4

LG's latest super phone, the Optimus G, will head to the U.S. in the fourth quarter, according to the head of its U.S. marketing unit.

LG executive James Fischler, speaking at an event in New York, touted it as one of the most powerful and fastest smartphones in the market.

The Optimus G, which was announced earlier in South Korea, is the first phone to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon quad-core processor.

Roger Cheng 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/LaiQhRsNWmI/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

06.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

eBay sellers: iPhone 5 is yours for a mere $1,600

The iPhone 5 in hand.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Those trying to cash in on the iPhone 5 craze have taken to eBay to sell off iPhone 5s even before they've gone on sale.

A check of eBay shows that the range of prices varies wildly. The secondary market thinks nothing of asking more than $1,000 for an unlocked 64-gigabyte iPhone 5 and there were was one going for $1,625. Unlocked 32 GB models could be found for between $800 and $1000. Those selling unlocked 16GB versions of the smartphone were asking mainly between $900 and $1,000.

In the United States, Apple is selling unlocked 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models for $649, $749 and $849 respectively.

A screen shot of an eBay auction.

(Credit: Greg Sandoval/CNET)

Apple is scheduled to begin offering the iPhone 5 to the public on Friday at 8 a.m. The handset appears to be generating big demand. The number of phones Apple set aside for preorders, which Apple began taking last Friday, appeared to run out after only an hour and now some who preordered may not see their devices shipped for as long as a month. What is likely to accelerate demand are the reviews for the device, which came out yesterday. The iPhone 5 saw overwhelmingly positive reaction from most of the major reviewers, including CNET.

If you're wondering about prices for phones tied to a contract, those weren't much cheaper.

Apple's prices for iPhones 5 that come with a two-year contract are $199 for 16GB, $299 for a 32-gigabyte version and $399 for a 64-gigabyte version.

On eBay, the bids for one AT&T, 16GB iPhone 5 had reached $510 as of this morning. A black 32GB Verizon model had received 22 bids, with the highest being $890. A 64GB Sprint phone was going for $1,525.

According to The Los Angeles Times, which first reported on this, some of those purchasing the iPhone 5 on eBay may be from countries which won't get the iPhone 5 for a while.

Greg Sandoval 19 Sep, 2012

-
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~3/BL_LHmGtUz4/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

04.33 | 0 komentar | Read More