Data speeds: iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 4S
Though its thinner profile and longer screen are two of the iPhone 5's top draws, I'm more interested in what's inside Apple's newest handset. Yes, after a long wait, the iPhone 5 finally adds support for 4G LTE data networks. Of course, I have to point out that a galaxy of Android phones (get it!) have long offered the feature, but that doesn't mean I'm not grateful that at long last the iPhone has caught up.Editors' note: This article was originally posted September 22, 2012. We will continue to update it as we record new test results.Hands-on with the sharp, slim iPhone 5 (...See full gallery1 - 4 / 24NextPrevEarly reviewers of the iPhone 5 have already praised the big jump in data speeds from the iPhone 4S. Indeed, CNET's Scott Stein called the new data speeds "stunningly fast" in his iPhone 5 review. In his testing, AT&T's LTE network was even faster than his home Wi-Fi.Related storiesCNET's iPhone 5 reviewApple's iPhone 5: Everything you need to know (FAQ)Choosing an iPhone carrierSo, what's new? Comparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 vs. Lumia 920: By the numbersYet, you don't get the full story of LTE until you compare the iPhone 5 with its immediate predecessor, the iPhone 4S. Remember, that device topped out at 3G on Verizon and Sprint, and 3.5G on AT&T (even if AT&T tried to tell us differently). The speed boost is striking, both in CNET's anecdotal use and in the tests that we conducted. And to make things interesting, I threw in the Samsung Galaxy S3, which also runs on LTE. Now you can see for yourself just how much faster the LTE phones are.Before you get to the results, I've got a few words about how we conducted the tests. For each phone -- as a reminder, that's the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S, and the Galaxy S3 -- we conducted multiple tests using Ookla's SpeedTest.net (available free from the iTunes App Store and Google Play). Because our review devices currently are divided between the two CNET offices, we tested the Verizon phones in San Francisco and the AT&T handsets in New York. As soon as we can, though, we'll trade each batch of phones between us so that all handsets are tested on both coasts. In each location, we used the app to ping the same server and record the download and upload speeds in megabits per second. This report is a work in progress so we will keep adding more results when they come in and update our evaluations. At the moment, comparing Sprint's LTE results is trickier since Sprint's network covers only 19 cities. But once it reaches New York or San Francisco we'll test the same phones and add the data here. Verizon Wireless (San Francisco)table.geekbox th{background-color:#72C9F4;text-align:left;font-weight:bold;}table{width:600px;}table.geekbox tr.even{background-color:#CCCCCC;}.ratingGood{color:#093;} .ratingAverage{color:#666;} .ratingBad{color:#C00;}iPhone 5 (LTE)Galaxy S3 (LTE) iPhone 4S (EV-DO)Test 1 download11.92Mbps8.77Mbps1.02MbpsTest 1 upload10.8713.931Test 2 download7.1710.581.76Test 2 upload2.889.360.96Test 3 download10.057.31.78Test 3 upload8.5815.70.87Test 4 download10.489.951.96Test 4 upload7.5914.350.84Test 5 download9.277.752.03Test 5 upload7.4414.390.88Average download9.788.871.71Average upload7.4713.550.91AT&T (New York)table.geekbox th{background-color:#72C9F4;text-align:left;font-weight:bold;}table{width:600px;}table.geekbox tr.even{background-color:#CCCCCC;}.ratingGood{color:#093;} .ratingAverage{color:#666;} .ratingBad{color:#C00;}iPhone 5 (LTE)Galaxy S3 (LTE)iPhone 4S (HSPA)Test 1 download23.6Mbps14.79Mbps8.18MbpsTest 1 upload10.177.831.98Test 2 download20.3719.156.48Test 2 upload9.558.451.92Test 3 download16.6921.086.5Test 3 upload7.559.461.95Test 4 download23.0220.915.66Test 4 upload7.9710.471.82Test 5 download18.5420.757.03Test 5 upload11.739.390.61Average download20.4419.346.77Average upload9.399.121.66I know it's not earth-shattering news, but both the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3 smoked the iPhone 4S all around. But even the LTE handsets weren't in line. On Big Red, the iPhone 5 delivered superior download speeds while the Galaxy S3 enjoyed almost double the upload speeds. On AT&T, the two devices were almost evenly matched. And on the whole, AT&T's network outperformed Verizon's.Keep in mind that your results may vary depending on your location, the strength of a carrier's network at a given the time, and the number of people using it around you. Carrier network performance changes constantly so there's no way to guarantee that you'll get the same results as we found. CNET Senior Editor Brian Bennett contributed to this report. This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Rumor Has It, Ep. 26- Last call for iPhone 5 rumors (podcast)
Rumor Has It, Ep. 26: Last call for iPhone 5 rumors (podcast)
Friends, geeks, countrymen, lend me your ears, for we have some important news: iPhone 5 may get a bigger Retina Display!OK, OK, you got me; that isn't actually the big, bomb-dropping news. I'm stalling, but I'll just be brave and come out with it like a responsible adult: the Rumor Has It podcast as you have come to know and love it is ending. Next week we will have our final episode, consisting of the ULTIMATE HUMILIATION! We hate to go, but it's been so much fun, and we're going to go out with a rollicking, fun show. All our chips are on the table; this is it, folks!On this week's show, we gush about how much we love you, explain the changes coming to CNET TV, play an awesome clip show made by our fan Cale, and bet on the final rumors.Karyne's walrus for Draw Something.Karyne Levy/CNETNow for the rumors: we are perplexed by the whole "tattoos that answer phone calls" patent from Nokia. Then we wonder what in the world Microsoft is thinking submitting a patent for a 3D gaming helmet that looks like Karyne drew it in Draw Something. We ask, is the new iPhone finally going to get bigger? And is Sony so sad and behind that it is really going to release a Chromebook literally a year too late?But most importantly of all, what do you guys want to see on our last show? Please write us with ideas for short, in-studio humiliations we can enact, and ask your final questions! We'll answer as many as we can, and play as many of your videos and voice mails as we can cram into an hour. Also, if you want to write in with your support for the show, or ideas for a new show that Karyne, Stephen, and I can undertake, please do! E-mail us at Rumorhasit [at] cnet.com; call 1-800 750-CNET; or tweet to us @RumorShow, @EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, and @stephenbeacham. Thanks, everyone!EPISODE 26This 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.PlaySubscribe:Â RSS (MP3) |Â RSS (320x180) |Â RSS (640x360) |Â iTunes (MP3) |Â iTunes (320x180) |Â iTunes (640x360)Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Links from the show!Nokia wants your tattoos to vibrate when the phone rings--ew?Microsoft working on gaming helmets and eyewear? iPhone to get bigger Retina Display?Sony Chromebook is not a unicorn, Laptop Review reportsYay or Nay?Will we get password-free Wi-Fi? (Whatever that means)Is the HTC One V slated for Virgin Mobile?4G roaming coming to the U.S.? Will they release a 10-inch Kindle Fire?
Friends, geeks, countrymen, lend me your ears, for we have some important news: iPhone 5 may get a bigger Retina Display!OK, OK, you got me; that isn't actually the big, bomb-dropping news. I'm stalling, but I'll just be brave and come out with it like a responsible adult: the Rumor Has It podcast as you have come to know and love it is ending. Next week we will have our final episode, consisting of the ULTIMATE HUMILIATION! We hate to go, but it's been so much fun, and we're going to go out with a rollicking, fun show. All our chips are on the table; this is it, folks!On this week's show, we gush about how much we love you, explain the changes coming to CNET TV, play an awesome clip show made by our fan Cale, and bet on the final rumors.Karyne's walrus for Draw Something.Karyne Levy/CNETNow for the rumors: we are perplexed by the whole "tattoos that answer phone calls" patent from Nokia. Then we wonder what in the world Microsoft is thinking submitting a patent for a 3D gaming helmet that looks like Karyne drew it in Draw Something. We ask, is the new iPhone finally going to get bigger? And is Sony so sad and behind that it is really going to release a Chromebook literally a year too late?But most importantly of all, what do you guys want to see on our last show? Please write us with ideas for short, in-studio humiliations we can enact, and ask your final questions! We'll answer as many as we can, and play as many of your videos and voice mails as we can cram into an hour. Also, if you want to write in with your support for the show, or ideas for a new show that Karyne, Stephen, and I can undertake, please do! E-mail us at Rumorhasit [at] cnet.com; call 1-800 750-CNET; or tweet to us @RumorShow, @EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, and @stephenbeacham. Thanks, everyone!EPISODE 26This 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.PlaySubscribe:Â RSS (MP3) |Â RSS (320x180) |Â RSS (640x360) |Â iTunes (MP3) |Â iTunes (320x180) |Â iTunes (640x360)Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element.Links from the show!Nokia wants your tattoos to vibrate when the phone rings--ew?Microsoft working on gaming helmets and eyewear? iPhone to get bigger Retina Display?Sony Chromebook is not a unicorn, Laptop Review reportsYay or Nay?Will we get password-free Wi-Fi? (Whatever that means)Is the HTC One V slated for Virgin Mobile?4G roaming coming to the U.S.? Will they release a 10-inch Kindle Fire?
The 404 908- Where we level up with Fitocracy (podcast)
The 404 908: Where we level up with Fitocracy (podcast)
A self-described "ex-fat kid," Dick tells us about his high-school RPG career that developed an unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits, and the light bulb moment when he realized he could combine his love for video games with the success of online social networks to get into shape. Instead of typical workout routines you get from personal trainers and fitness magazines, Fitocracy takes cues from games like World of Warcraft and Chrono Trigger to present "quests" that must be completed to earn achievement points and "boosts."After each workout, Fitocracy makes it easy to check in online, update your progress, and even send "props" to your fellow Fitocrats--the whole process is really motivating and takes the chest puffing out of your daily gym experience.Check out today's episode to see Dick's incredible before and after photos, which should be enough to get you out of your computer chair for at least a few sit-ups. Also, the site is in private beta right now, but Dick is extending a generous invite to 404 listeners--just head to Fitocracy.com and enter in "The404" as a promo code and you'll be able to sign up ahead of everyone else.Enjoy the service, and let us know what you think, and don't forget to send us your before and after photos!The 404 Digest for Episode 908DragCloseThis 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.Head over to Fitocracy and enter "The 404" into the promo code section to try it out!Fitocracy brings games and social to your workouts.Follow Fitocracy on Twitter.My workout partner is a role-playing game.Xkcd comic about Fitocracy.Most popular fitness tracking Web site: Fitocracy.Twitter break video of the day: HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA (AND HE PRAYS)Episode 908Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
A self-described "ex-fat kid," Dick tells us about his high-school RPG career that developed an unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits, and the light bulb moment when he realized he could combine his love for video games with the success of online social networks to get into shape. Instead of typical workout routines you get from personal trainers and fitness magazines, Fitocracy takes cues from games like World of Warcraft and Chrono Trigger to present "quests" that must be completed to earn achievement points and "boosts."After each workout, Fitocracy makes it easy to check in online, update your progress, and even send "props" to your fellow Fitocrats--the whole process is really motivating and takes the chest puffing out of your daily gym experience.Check out today's episode to see Dick's incredible before and after photos, which should be enough to get you out of your computer chair for at least a few sit-ups. Also, the site is in private beta right now, but Dick is extending a generous invite to 404 listeners--just head to Fitocracy.com and enter in "The404" as a promo code and you'll be able to sign up ahead of everyone else.Enjoy the service, and let us know what you think, and don't forget to send us your before and after photos!The 404 Digest for Episode 908DragCloseThis 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.Head over to Fitocracy and enter "The 404" into the promo code section to try it out!Fitocracy brings games and social to your workouts.Follow Fitocracy on Twitter.My workout partner is a role-playing game.Xkcd comic about Fitocracy.Most popular fitness tracking Web site: Fitocracy.Twitter break video of the day: HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA (AND HE PRAYS)Episode 908Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Podcast tip- Special characters will break your podcast feed
Podcast tip: Special characters will break your podcast feed
Often, I receive the title and description of a podcast direct from the people who host their own show, written by them in Microsoft Outlook.In the past, I would copy and paste these blurbs from the e-mail and paste them into the XML feeds before publishing live.Now, however, I have to be a bit more careful because Office 2007 does some automatic formatting on the fly as you type.This formatting creates special characters that can be very tough to spot in the context of a block of text. They are a bit easier to spot when compared side by side with their valid equivalent.These special characters will result in ? marks within the Firefox feed reader in place of each instance.In other readers, such as Internet Explorer 7 and even worse, in aggregators such as iTunes, the feed URL will return an error message saying that the feed is either invalid, or doesn't even exist!If you are using Microsoft Office 2007 to type out anything that might end up in your podcast feed, make notice when you type a punctuation.Notice that a special character is inserted.Hit CTRL-Z immediately after typing the character.This will not undo the last character entirely, but rather it will remove the special formatting and revert to it's "dumb" equivalent.Make sure you have corrected all of these special characters before copying this text into your feed and publishing it.You should always check the validity of your published podcast feed by visiting Feed Validator.There, you can plug in the URL to your podcast feed and it will report right back to you with any errors that the feed currently contains.It even gives you the ability to check out why a specific rule exists, and what you can do to fix each problem.So please, do what I didn't do.Validate your feed before assuming that your work is done.
Often, I receive the title and description of a podcast direct from the people who host their own show, written by them in Microsoft Outlook.In the past, I would copy and paste these blurbs from the e-mail and paste them into the XML feeds before publishing live.Now, however, I have to be a bit more careful because Office 2007 does some automatic formatting on the fly as you type.This formatting creates special characters that can be very tough to spot in the context of a block of text. They are a bit easier to spot when compared side by side with their valid equivalent.These special characters will result in ? marks within the Firefox feed reader in place of each instance.In other readers, such as Internet Explorer 7 and even worse, in aggregators such as iTunes, the feed URL will return an error message saying that the feed is either invalid, or doesn't even exist!If you are using Microsoft Office 2007 to type out anything that might end up in your podcast feed, make notice when you type a punctuation.Notice that a special character is inserted.Hit CTRL-Z immediately after typing the character.This will not undo the last character entirely, but rather it will remove the special formatting and revert to it's "dumb" equivalent.Make sure you have corrected all of these special characters before copying this text into your feed and publishing it.You should always check the validity of your published podcast feed by visiting Feed Validator.There, you can plug in the URL to your podcast feed and it will report right back to you with any errors that the feed currently contains.It even gives you the ability to check out why a specific rule exists, and what you can do to fix each problem.So please, do what I didn't do.Validate your feed before assuming that your work is done.
Penguin finally settles with EU over e-book pricing
Penguin finally settles with EU over e-book pricing
Penguin, the last major holdout in the antitrust probe involving Apple and publishers over e-book pricing, is now in line with its competitors.The European Union's European Commission announced on Thursday that it has approved conditions it agreed to with Penguin in April. The book publisher agreed to terminate agency agreements that allow a publisher, not a retailer, to set prices on titles, as well as end the "most favored nation" pricing clauses that offered different prices based on location.Penguin and the European Commission's agreement comes after other book publishers, including Harper Collins and Hachette, agreed to essentially the same terms back in December. Penguin was conspicuously missing from that deal and has consistently said that it did nothing wrong.The case relates to alleged e-book price fixing on the part of Apple and book publishers that drove prices up and hurt Amazon's e-book business.
Penguin, the last major holdout in the antitrust probe involving Apple and publishers over e-book pricing, is now in line with its competitors.The European Union's European Commission announced on Thursday that it has approved conditions it agreed to with Penguin in April. The book publisher agreed to terminate agency agreements that allow a publisher, not a retailer, to set prices on titles, as well as end the "most favored nation" pricing clauses that offered different prices based on location.Penguin and the European Commission's agreement comes after other book publishers, including Harper Collins and Hachette, agreed to essentially the same terms back in December. Penguin was conspicuously missing from that deal and has consistently said that it did nothing wrong.The case relates to alleged e-book price fixing on the part of Apple and book publishers that drove prices up and hurt Amazon's e-book business.
Paris court to Apple Stores- No more breaking 9 p.m. curfew
Paris court to Apple Stores: No more breaking 9 p.m. curfew
Apple has been hit with a fine and new regulations by a Paris court that has taken aim at the company's alleged after-hours work in France.According to the AFP, which was first to report on the ruling, the Paris Court awarded the unions that sued Apple 10,000 euros ($13,005) for its alleged violations. The court said that in some Apple stores in France, the company was asking employees to work past the 9 p.m. local time curfew in violation of the country's labor laws.France bans companies from making employees work between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless those activities are necessary to maintain economic success or they provide a social service. Although Apple's stores close at 9 p.m. in France to accommodate that regulation, the labor unions that sued the company argued that it forced employees to clean up and close down the store after 9 p.m. That meant some employees didn't actually leave work until as late as 11 p.m.According to the AFP, seven of Apple's stores in France have violated the law.Although Apple has lost one case, the company isn't quite out of the woods yet. According to the AFP, another court plans to make a ruling on the matter on April 16.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the legal action. We will update this story when we have more information.(Via The Verge)
Apple has been hit with a fine and new regulations by a Paris court that has taken aim at the company's alleged after-hours work in France.According to the AFP, which was first to report on the ruling, the Paris Court awarded the unions that sued Apple 10,000 euros ($13,005) for its alleged violations. The court said that in some Apple stores in France, the company was asking employees to work past the 9 p.m. local time curfew in violation of the country's labor laws.France bans companies from making employees work between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless those activities are necessary to maintain economic success or they provide a social service. Although Apple's stores close at 9 p.m. in France to accommodate that regulation, the labor unions that sued the company argued that it forced employees to clean up and close down the store after 9 p.m. That meant some employees didn't actually leave work until as late as 11 p.m.According to the AFP, seven of Apple's stores in France have violated the law.Although Apple has lost one case, the company isn't quite out of the woods yet. According to the AFP, another court plans to make a ruling on the matter on April 16.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the legal action. We will update this story when we have more information.(Via The Verge)
To get MTV doc sneak peeks, Miley fans can't stop tweeting
To get MTV doc sneak peeks, Miley fans can't stop tweeting
MTV is betting Twitter hasn't exhausted a fervor for Miley Cyrus yet. After the singer's provocative performance at the Video Music Awards had Twitter in a tizzy, MTV is leveraging the star's social presence to drive more people to its MTV app. After broadcasting a 60-minute documentary about Cyrus Wednesday night, MTV said it would release two clips from an extended 90-minute version of the film "Miley: The Movement" ahead of its slated airtime Sunday -- provided enough fans tweet the hashtag #UnlockMiley.The catch is that the clips will only be available through the MTV app for iPhone and iPad. It's the first time MTV is deploying a "flock to unlock" approach to stoke mobile usage of its MTV app, which first rolled out to iOS in June. Colin Helms, senior vice president of connected content at MTV, said the network viewed the "flock to unlock" idea as similar to a modern-day "applause-o-meter." And using its app to release exclusive content or premiere new content altogether is something MTV plans to do more, he said.A couple hours after the original Cyrus doc aired on the East Coast, tweeting fans were 2 percent of the way toward unlocking the first clip. Brings back memories of trying to download iOS 7.
MTV is betting Twitter hasn't exhausted a fervor for Miley Cyrus yet. After the singer's provocative performance at the Video Music Awards had Twitter in a tizzy, MTV is leveraging the star's social presence to drive more people to its MTV app. After broadcasting a 60-minute documentary about Cyrus Wednesday night, MTV said it would release two clips from an extended 90-minute version of the film "Miley: The Movement" ahead of its slated airtime Sunday -- provided enough fans tweet the hashtag #UnlockMiley.The catch is that the clips will only be available through the MTV app for iPhone and iPad. It's the first time MTV is deploying a "flock to unlock" approach to stoke mobile usage of its MTV app, which first rolled out to iOS in June. Colin Helms, senior vice president of connected content at MTV, said the network viewed the "flock to unlock" idea as similar to a modern-day "applause-o-meter." And using its app to release exclusive content or premiere new content altogether is something MTV plans to do more, he said.A couple hours after the original Cyrus doc aired on the East Coast, tweeting fans were 2 percent of the way toward unlocking the first clip. Brings back memories of trying to download iOS 7.
T-Mobile G1- What we didn't get
T-Mobile G1: What we didn't get
With the new T-Mobile G1, aka the HTC Dream, the Google Android OS is now a reality. The touch-screen device with the QWERTY keyboard offers a host of intriguing features but there a few things left off the list, some of which are surprising. Here's what we noticed so far.Exchange server support Sure, this may come later, but this is a glaring omission on any handset that's hoping for a slice of the smartphone pie. Of course, that also means there's no Outlook calendar and contacts syncing, either.Video recording We've raked Apple over the coals for not including this on the iPhone, so we'll have to to the same for the G1. Video should just be standard on a phone with a 3-megapixel camera.Stereo Bluetooth The support for the new Amazon MP3 Store shows that the T-Mobile G1 is not taking its music player lightly. Stereo Bluetooth is a common feature these days, and the G1 should have it, particularly since there's no 3.5mm headset jack (that's next). 3.5mm headset jack Seriously, HTC and T-Mobile, no 3.5mm headset jack? The port uses a proprietary connection? Wow...that's just wrong. Even if you can use your own headset with an adapter, you shouldn't have to.Interface The G1 won't have Apple's multitouch interface either, but that's something we can live without.No tethered modemApparently, the G1 will not offer modem capability. That's pretty low on our list, but it's worth noting just the same.What else were you hoping for? Is there anything that you think that the G1 should have?
With the new T-Mobile G1, aka the HTC Dream, the Google Android OS is now a reality. The touch-screen device with the QWERTY keyboard offers a host of intriguing features but there a few things left off the list, some of which are surprising. Here's what we noticed so far.Exchange server support Sure, this may come later, but this is a glaring omission on any handset that's hoping for a slice of the smartphone pie. Of course, that also means there's no Outlook calendar and contacts syncing, either.Video recording We've raked Apple over the coals for not including this on the iPhone, so we'll have to to the same for the G1. Video should just be standard on a phone with a 3-megapixel camera.Stereo Bluetooth The support for the new Amazon MP3 Store shows that the T-Mobile G1 is not taking its music player lightly. Stereo Bluetooth is a common feature these days, and the G1 should have it, particularly since there's no 3.5mm headset jack (that's next). 3.5mm headset jack Seriously, HTC and T-Mobile, no 3.5mm headset jack? The port uses a proprietary connection? Wow...that's just wrong. Even if you can use your own headset with an adapter, you shouldn't have to.Interface The G1 won't have Apple's multitouch interface either, but that's something we can live without.No tethered modemApparently, the G1 will not offer modem capability. That's pretty low on our list, but it's worth noting just the same.What else were you hoping for? Is there anything that you think that the G1 should have?
T-Mobile customers to get Google Music freebies
T-Mobile customers to get Google Music freebies
T-Mobile got to stand alongside Google as the search giant officially unveiled its music service. For its part, T-Mobile will be offering free music content to its subscribers, as well as carrier-billing support. For T-Mobile, the partnership gives the carrier an inside track into the new cloud music service, which directly targets Apple's iTunes. T-Mobile, the only national carrier without Apple's iPhone, could use the advantage and a little buzz as it struggles to preserve its customer base. "We believe Google Music will completely change the experience--allowing customers to not only discover and buy music in a new way, but also share their favorite tracks with friends on Google+," Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile, said in a blog posting. T-Mobile said customers with an Android phone running version 2.2 or later will get free exclusive content from a range of artists including Drake, Maroon 5, and Busta Ryhmes. Customers will get new free content each week through the end of the year.T-Mobile customers, meanwhile, can buy music on their Android phone and have the purchase show up on their monthly cellphone bill.The wireless industry has been attempting to wed music to cellphones, with the iPhone coming the closest through its integration of iTunes and iPod capabilities. More recently, HTC is packing Beats headphones with its Rezound smartphone for Verizon Wireless, while Nokia is looking to pack a comprehensive music service with its Lumia Windows Phone devices.
T-Mobile got to stand alongside Google as the search giant officially unveiled its music service. For its part, T-Mobile will be offering free music content to its subscribers, as well as carrier-billing support. For T-Mobile, the partnership gives the carrier an inside track into the new cloud music service, which directly targets Apple's iTunes. T-Mobile, the only national carrier without Apple's iPhone, could use the advantage and a little buzz as it struggles to preserve its customer base. "We believe Google Music will completely change the experience--allowing customers to not only discover and buy music in a new way, but also share their favorite tracks with friends on Google+," Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile, said in a blog posting. T-Mobile said customers with an Android phone running version 2.2 or later will get free exclusive content from a range of artists including Drake, Maroon 5, and Busta Ryhmes. Customers will get new free content each week through the end of the year.T-Mobile customers, meanwhile, can buy music on their Android phone and have the purchase show up on their monthly cellphone bill.The wireless industry has been attempting to wed music to cellphones, with the iPhone coming the closest through its integration of iTunes and iPod capabilities. More recently, HTC is packing Beats headphones with its Rezound smartphone for Verizon Wireless, while Nokia is looking to pack a comprehensive music service with its Lumia Windows Phone devices.
TiVo adds Web video--but there's a catch
TiVo adds Web video--but there's a catch
TiVo has added the ability to view downloadable Web videos on the company's DVRs, making good on its announcement at January's Consumer Electronics Show. The update will allow Web videos such as video podcasts to be downloaded with the same Season Pass functionality used by TiVo viewers to record their favorite TV shows. But don't expect to just punch in a URL or an RSS feed into the TiVo remote. Videos must first be downloaded to your PC's hard drive, after which they'll be transferred to your TiVo via your home network. That's a departure from Amazon Unbox videos, the Rhapsody subscription music service, and TiVo's forthcoming YouTube service, all of which are accessible online straight through TiVo's onscreen interface without the need to have a PC running elsewhere in the home. (By contrast, the Apple TV can pull down PC-free video podcasts, so long as they're indexed on the iTunes Store.) The Web video functionality requires TiVo's Desktop Plus 2.6 software, available for download today ($25 for new users, or a free upgrade for users of the existing software). For now, it's a Windows-only solution, though TiVo says that the company is continuing "to work with Roxio on delivering equivalent functionality on the Mac platform." With any luck, perhaps the new Desktop Plus software will also swat those TiVoToGo bugs that have been afflicting some TiVo users for the past several months.
TiVo has added the ability to view downloadable Web videos on the company's DVRs, making good on its announcement at January's Consumer Electronics Show. The update will allow Web videos such as video podcasts to be downloaded with the same Season Pass functionality used by TiVo viewers to record their favorite TV shows. But don't expect to just punch in a URL or an RSS feed into the TiVo remote. Videos must first be downloaded to your PC's hard drive, after which they'll be transferred to your TiVo via your home network. That's a departure from Amazon Unbox videos, the Rhapsody subscription music service, and TiVo's forthcoming YouTube service, all of which are accessible online straight through TiVo's onscreen interface without the need to have a PC running elsewhere in the home. (By contrast, the Apple TV can pull down PC-free video podcasts, so long as they're indexed on the iTunes Store.) The Web video functionality requires TiVo's Desktop Plus 2.6 software, available for download today ($25 for new users, or a free upgrade for users of the existing software). For now, it's a Windows-only solution, though TiVo says that the company is continuing "to work with Roxio on delivering equivalent functionality on the Mac platform." With any luck, perhaps the new Desktop Plus software will also swat those TiVoToGo bugs that have been afflicting some TiVo users for the past several months.
Tiny Wings still flying high on App Store
Tiny Wings still flying high on App Store
You may want to remember the name Andreas Illiger. He's the sole creator of Tiny Wings, a simple yet addictive iOS game that's exploding on the charts. In fact, the bird-jumping game is so popular that it's dethroned Angry Birds from the top of the paid-apps list on Apple's App Store--for several weeks now. Angry Birds had dominantly held the top spot for many months before Wings took flight last month. Illiger, a first-time App Store author, says on his Web site that he's "overwhelmed" at the incredible reception to his 99-cent game, in which players use one finger to help their winged character fly into the clouds (with the help of the hilly terrain) before nightfall. The German developer's Twitter page mentions an update coming soon that fixes a variety of issues: push notification (SMS, battery, etc.) crashing; sounds disappearing; iPod multitasking playback snags; and timing issues that may arise during the three-jump fever mode. Game Center, iPad, and Retina display support are in the works, according to Illiger's site. There's also brief mention of a downloadable content update in the future. Unfortunately, it appears Android and other versions of Little Wings are not currently in development. This game really has the opportunity to be the next big hit based on its meteoric rise in popularity, cool style, and quick gameplay. I admit that I'm a fan; my personal best score is a paltry 147,900 (with 24x multiplier), which is nothing compared with the 275k scores and beyond in the Openfeint high-score list.Hopefully I'll learn how to fly one of these days.
You may want to remember the name Andreas Illiger. He's the sole creator of Tiny Wings, a simple yet addictive iOS game that's exploding on the charts. In fact, the bird-jumping game is so popular that it's dethroned Angry Birds from the top of the paid-apps list on Apple's App Store--for several weeks now. Angry Birds had dominantly held the top spot for many months before Wings took flight last month. Illiger, a first-time App Store author, says on his Web site that he's "overwhelmed" at the incredible reception to his 99-cent game, in which players use one finger to help their winged character fly into the clouds (with the help of the hilly terrain) before nightfall. The German developer's Twitter page mentions an update coming soon that fixes a variety of issues: push notification (SMS, battery, etc.) crashing; sounds disappearing; iPod multitasking playback snags; and timing issues that may arise during the three-jump fever mode. Game Center, iPad, and Retina display support are in the works, according to Illiger's site. There's also brief mention of a downloadable content update in the future. Unfortunately, it appears Android and other versions of Little Wings are not currently in development. This game really has the opportunity to be the next big hit based on its meteoric rise in popularity, cool style, and quick gameplay. I admit that I'm a fan; my personal best score is a paltry 147,900 (with 24x multiplier), which is nothing compared with the 275k scores and beyond in the Openfeint high-score list.Hopefully I'll learn how to fly one of these days.
Why 'Wolf' Is Like Watching Early Scorsese and De Niro Be Reborn
Wolf is the best crime movie you;ve never heard of and sadly have no chance to see anytime soon. So why are we writing about it? Well, because Wolf is the best crime movie you;ve never heard of and sadly have no chance to see anytime soon. Unless some very smart U.S. distributor picks it up, that is. The greatest joy of going to a film festival isn;t getting to talk to filmmakers or spotting celebrities on the red carpet, it;s discovering something amazing that you had no idea even existed. Case in point, this exceptional film about a kick boxer drifting into the world of organized crime in the Netherlands.Movies about a young guy getting mixed up in the criminal underworld have been so common for so long that even when they;re good they rarely feel like they;re bringing anything new to the table. Watching Wolf, however, felt like seeing the arrival of two massive new talents that simply cannot be ignored. Seeing what writer-director Jim Taihuttuand actor Marwan Kenzari are capable of this early on in their careers is like watchingScorsese and De Niro, or David Fincher and Brad Pitt, or Jeff Nichols and Michael Shannon, or, well, you get the point. These are two talents in total sync with one another, and together they;re creating a portrait of a modern man trapped in life by the weight of his own talent. Kenzari plays Majid, a man who has already been to jail once for petty crime, but who is trying to live a simple life doing the one thing he knows: beating people up. He tries to go the legit route as an amateur kick boxer, but when a Turkish mob boss sees what he;s capable of, he offers him a new path. He starts as just an enforcer for drug deals, but as is always the case, things start getting more and more serious. And yeah, it;s a story you;ve seen done before, but what makes Wolf stand out (even beyond the sheer talent of Taihuttu and Kenzari) is how it handles Majid and the idea of street criminals in general. He;s not someone seeking out this lifestyle. He doesn;t want to be the next Tony Montana. He doesn;t want to rob banks. He;s not in it for fast cars and supermodels or anyone;s approval. It;s just a job to him. It;s the kind of work he;s good at, and it pays well, and he uses that money to support his disapproving family and dying brother. Wolf also does something that;s rare for crime movies, especially these days: it approaches everything from a casual, blue-collar mindset. The players have no obnoxious sense of entitlement. All too often these movies are about how the rich deserve to be robbed, or how people and companies who already have more than they need deserve to be bled out. But Wolf doesn;t go that route. It;s not the underdog versus the fat cat. There;s an acceptance that these are guys living life the only way they know how, and that;s not only refreshing, but it;s authentic. Wolf isn;t the Hollywood version of this story, it;s the kind of movie Hollywood ruins with a remake. And that;s just all the script. The actual execution of it is quietly good, old fashioned, exceptional filmmaking. These days making a movie in black and white often feels like an arbitrary decision in a we don;t have any other ideas to make it stand out, so let;s just do it in black and white kind of way. Not with Wolf. The black-and-white cinematography here is stunning and traditional. It;s not high contrast with extreme blacks and blinding whites. It;s full of greys that give the movie a natural look that strips it free of distraction, leaving you to focus all of your energy on the characters and the remarkable acting. All of the supporting players are terrific, but this is Majid;s show and Marwan Kenzari has the kind of pure star potential that;s magnetic. He;s charming and innocent but also exudes a power that can quickly get out of control. And ultimately that relationship is exactly what Wolf embodies. It;s about men who are born with more power than what they know to do with. Not just muscles and physicality, but raw, untapped capacity as human beings, and the only way they know how to release it is by doing things at the expense of others. Seeing what writer-director Jim Taihuttu and actor Marwan Kenzari can do together is like spotting a volcano bubble up from the ocean floor and create a new island. Their work together is so damned good that it;s created an indelible mark on my cinematic map. Whenever I see their names together in the future, I am going to do everything in my power to visit their collaborative island and see what they;re up to. Hopefully Wolf has the same effect on a U.S. distributor; one who knows that these two not only made one hell of a film this time around, but are a cinematic force to be reckoned with.
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