Citrix CEO: Consumer Web vs. enterprise PC
This is an oversimplification, of course. Over the years, companies have run their business software in many different ways--not all of which are easily categorized as either mainframe-like or PC-like. One whole era of computing architectures during roughly the 1980s commonly went by the term "client-server." However, if we think of how distributed computing in the enterprise has evolved, this broad-brush statement makes a lot of sense.That's because the enterprise PC isn't really a personal computer any longer. The administrative and security requirements around desktop and notebook devices running an increasingly complex stew of locally installed software have seen to that. In many enterprises, they're stringently locked down as a way to protect their often fragile software payloads from corruption.This is a drum that virtualization and cloud-computing specialist Citrix has been pounding for quite a while. Writing after Citrix iForum (Synergy's predecessor) in November 2007, I noted:We've seen and heard a lot of praise for the democratic impulse associated with this particular phase of computing that often goes by the Web 2.0 moniker. Anyone can post. Anyone can publish. Anyone can photograph. Your vote matters in social media. And alternative ways of accessing and running applications have indeed made it easier to do things outside of a strict IT framework. In his closing iForum keynote, Citrix CEO Mark Templeton used the phrase "making the personal computer personal again" for this idea.It's perhaps not too surprising that the proffered solution to this problem is a variety of technologies that Citrix collectively describes as application delivery. The framework to think about it is something like a satellite TV system. A controller, a delivery network, and a receiver transmit and receive the bits; they do so independently of the actual end-point device (i.e. the TV) and the content, so long as those adhere to certain interface standards. One could use such an architecture to deliver enterprise applications to a truly personal notebook, an employee's personal system rather than an IT asset. Although still relatively uncommon in an enterprise context when it comes to PCs, it's a fairly common model with smartphones, though we're starting to see the beginnings of such an approach in the PC space too.What this means specifically in a Citrix environment is that Citrix Delivery Center "head-end controllers" such as XenApp and XenDesktop advertise services--that is, applications that are available for users to run. New services or service updates are then loaded or streamed to a client.One of Tuesday's major announcements was Citrix Receiver, which the company describes as "the first universal client for IT service delivery": Under the hood, Citrix Receiver is a lightweight universal software client with an extensible browser-like "plug-in" architecture. Receiver comes standard with a variety of optional plug-ins that communicate with head-end infrastructure in the Citrix Delivery Center product family such as XenApp, XenDesktop, Citrix Access Gateway, and Branch Repeater. These plug-ins support functionality such as online and offline app usage, virtual-desktop delivery, secure access control, password management, app acceleration, multimedia acceleration, service-level monitoring, and voice communications. This model enables IT to effectively operate as a service provider to their own employees, proactively and transparently monitoring end-user experience from a central location.Receiver is available for Windows, Macs, and iPhones. Citrix also plans to support Windows Mobile and Symbian operating systems. It's also working with Open Kernel Labs to support Android. In all cases, Receiver is free. In general, as with XenServer, Citrix' strategy is to make its money from the management and delivery software infrastructure rather than all of the base-level components.The final announcement of the day was Dazzle. It's built on top of Receiver and accesses the same head-end services. It is, in a sense, Citrix application delivery meets Web 2.0.I mean that in a somewhat metaphorical sense. But Dazzle is a self-service application store for employees that very deliberately and consciously mimics the conventions and approach of something like the iTunes Store. Web 2.0 and cloud-computing attributes, like self-service, device independence, and remote access are what help so many consumer applications make traditional enterprise apps look a bit shopworn by comparison. And that's what Mark Templeton was talking about when he said the enterprise application delivery model is being disrupted by the consumer Web.
Report- BlackBerry maker to launch video service
Report: BlackBerry maker to launch video service
The blog NewTeeVee, which reported the news earlier this week, said that the service will be offered as an unlimited monthly subscription service. And it adds that RIM has already signed several broadcast and cable partners to offer up content. But instead of streaming the video over the 3G wireless network, RIM is planning a service that will allow the videos to be downloaded using Wi-Fi connections, the site reported.News of the TV service is expected to be announced Wednesday when Mike Lazaridis, co-CEO of RIM, is slated to give a keynote address on the opening day of the trade show and conference. The company is also expected to announce the availability of its new application store, called BlackBerry App World. Representatives declined to comment about the launch of the BlackBerry App World and the new video service.There are already several services available for watching video on cell phones. Qualcomm's MediaFlo has built its own broadcast network that streams live TV directly to handsets. The service is offered through AT&T and Verizon Wireless, but it requires special handsets. And to date, RIM's BlackBerry phones do not offer this service. MobiTV also offers a streaming mobile video service. This service provides content from more than 40 channels, including several major networks, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Discovery Networks. It also offers made-for-mobile videos and video-on-demand clips to more than 5 million subscribers on over 350 mobile devices. The service, which costs $10 a month, is currently offered on AT&T and Sprint Nextel networks the day after CBS broadcasts them on TV.But instead of streaming video to handsets, RIM plans to allow users to download entire episodes over a Wi-Fi connection to the devices, the NewTeeVee blog said. Apple also requires videos from its iTunes store to be downloaded instead of streamed. But unlike RIM, which will use a Wi-Fi connection for downloading, iPhone users must download the video via their computers and then sync it to their iPhone.Because video files are large, it makes sense that RIM would offer the service over Wi-Fi. But it does limit the usefulness of the service. If users can download video over the 3G cellular network, they can access video anywhere. Wi-Fi is limited to smaller hotspots and is not ubiquitous. What's more, not every BlackBerry device on the market offers Wi-Fi. In fact, the BlackBerry Storm, offered exclusively by Verizon Wireless, does not support Wi-Fi. The Storm is RIM's only touch-screen device, and it offers the largest screen that would be ideal for viewing video.But other hot BlackBerry models do offer Wi-Fi. The BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry Curve 8900, both of which have good screens, support Wi-Fi.There are other BlackBerry devices, primarily offered by AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint Nextel, that support Wi-Fi. Here's a list of Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerry devices and which carriers offer them.•&nbsp BlackBerry Bold (AT&T)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8900 (T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8320 (AT&T and T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry 8820 (AT&T and T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 (T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8350i (Sprint Nextel)•&nbsp BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (AT&T and T-Mobile)CNET Reviews editor Bonnie Cha contributed to this article.
The blog NewTeeVee, which reported the news earlier this week, said that the service will be offered as an unlimited monthly subscription service. And it adds that RIM has already signed several broadcast and cable partners to offer up content. But instead of streaming the video over the 3G wireless network, RIM is planning a service that will allow the videos to be downloaded using Wi-Fi connections, the site reported.News of the TV service is expected to be announced Wednesday when Mike Lazaridis, co-CEO of RIM, is slated to give a keynote address on the opening day of the trade show and conference. The company is also expected to announce the availability of its new application store, called BlackBerry App World. Representatives declined to comment about the launch of the BlackBerry App World and the new video service.There are already several services available for watching video on cell phones. Qualcomm's MediaFlo has built its own broadcast network that streams live TV directly to handsets. The service is offered through AT&T and Verizon Wireless, but it requires special handsets. And to date, RIM's BlackBerry phones do not offer this service. MobiTV also offers a streaming mobile video service. This service provides content from more than 40 channels, including several major networks, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Discovery Networks. It also offers made-for-mobile videos and video-on-demand clips to more than 5 million subscribers on over 350 mobile devices. The service, which costs $10 a month, is currently offered on AT&T and Sprint Nextel networks the day after CBS broadcasts them on TV.But instead of streaming video to handsets, RIM plans to allow users to download entire episodes over a Wi-Fi connection to the devices, the NewTeeVee blog said. Apple also requires videos from its iTunes store to be downloaded instead of streamed. But unlike RIM, which will use a Wi-Fi connection for downloading, iPhone users must download the video via their computers and then sync it to their iPhone.Because video files are large, it makes sense that RIM would offer the service over Wi-Fi. But it does limit the usefulness of the service. If users can download video over the 3G cellular network, they can access video anywhere. Wi-Fi is limited to smaller hotspots and is not ubiquitous. What's more, not every BlackBerry device on the market offers Wi-Fi. In fact, the BlackBerry Storm, offered exclusively by Verizon Wireless, does not support Wi-Fi. The Storm is RIM's only touch-screen device, and it offers the largest screen that would be ideal for viewing video.But other hot BlackBerry models do offer Wi-Fi. The BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry Curve 8900, both of which have good screens, support Wi-Fi.There are other BlackBerry devices, primarily offered by AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint Nextel, that support Wi-Fi. Here's a list of Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerry devices and which carriers offer them.•&nbsp BlackBerry Bold (AT&T)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8900 (T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8320 (AT&T and T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry 8820 (AT&T and T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 (T-Mobile)•&nbsp BlackBerry Curve 8350i (Sprint Nextel)•&nbsp BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (AT&T and T-Mobile)CNET Reviews editor Bonnie Cha contributed to this article.
Fantastic DJ app for iPhone stung by piracy
Fantastic DJ app for iPhone stung by piracy
The concept is similar to Touch DJ, an Amidio app that I wrote about last month. While the iPhone naturally restricts you to playing one song at a time, these apps function like a virtual DJ booth, letting you play two tracks simultaneously, jump to any point in either track with a touch of your finger, crossfade between them, match beats, adjust tempos, and add various effects. I was impressed by Touch DJ's technical capabilities, but DJ Mixer Pro is even more extensive. Amateurs like me will love the sync button: as you're playing one track, the sync button will adjust the speed of the second track and place the downbeats in the right place so they're synchronized. You can also adjust beats per minute (BPM), and DJ Mixer can change tempo without changing pitch, so your sped-up tracks don't sound like the Chipmunks. (If you want the Chipmunks, you can turn the pitch correction off.) The loop function is easier to use as well--you can select a specific number of beats in the song, rather than having to start and stop the loop with finger touches. This made it really easy for me to create a couple different loops of the gunshot chorus in MIA's "Paper Planes" (four and eight beats long). You can also do some interesting things bouncing between tracks--I created two separate loops of Nirvana's "All Apologies" and played them over each other. Finally, DJ Mixer offers more indicators about each track, including volume levels and colored bars to match each drumbeat. This video shows you more. Best of all, it's only half the price of Touch DJ--$9.99.But there's one nagging usability issue: uploading music to the app is complicated. Apple currently does not allow other apps to access the iTunes playback app, and tracks need to be electronically manipulated before you can mix them. This means that users have to upload their music separately into DJ Mixer. This was also the case with Touch DJ, but where that app used a piece of desktop software to accomplish the task, DJ Mixer uses a Web server.And therein lies the problem. According to Eyal, when DJ Mixer launched in late November (as DJ Player), the company's servers were inundated with users trying to upload songs to pirated versions of the app--he estimates that between 90 percent and 99 percent of the uploads were from users who didn't pay for the app. This created a lot of load on the servers, and hampered legitimate users. So now, to upload your music to DJ Mixer, first you need to e-mail customer support with a copy of your receipt from the iTunes store or a screenshot showing your purchase history with the DJ Mixer app on it. Then you must go through a Web interface to perform the uploads. The company e-mails you back for each upload as it becomes ready, after which you have to open the app, hit "downloads," and enter your personal numeric code. Finally, you have to wait as the app downloads each song from the Web server and performs the necessary conversion--a process that takes about 15 or 20 seconds per song.It's a pain, but the app is good enough that it's probably worth going through this process. You'll only have to do it once, and then you'll be set up for some pretty serious DJ'ing.
The concept is similar to Touch DJ, an Amidio app that I wrote about last month. While the iPhone naturally restricts you to playing one song at a time, these apps function like a virtual DJ booth, letting you play two tracks simultaneously, jump to any point in either track with a touch of your finger, crossfade between them, match beats, adjust tempos, and add various effects. I was impressed by Touch DJ's technical capabilities, but DJ Mixer Pro is even more extensive. Amateurs like me will love the sync button: as you're playing one track, the sync button will adjust the speed of the second track and place the downbeats in the right place so they're synchronized. You can also adjust beats per minute (BPM), and DJ Mixer can change tempo without changing pitch, so your sped-up tracks don't sound like the Chipmunks. (If you want the Chipmunks, you can turn the pitch correction off.) The loop function is easier to use as well--you can select a specific number of beats in the song, rather than having to start and stop the loop with finger touches. This made it really easy for me to create a couple different loops of the gunshot chorus in MIA's "Paper Planes" (four and eight beats long). You can also do some interesting things bouncing between tracks--I created two separate loops of Nirvana's "All Apologies" and played them over each other. Finally, DJ Mixer offers more indicators about each track, including volume levels and colored bars to match each drumbeat. This video shows you more. Best of all, it's only half the price of Touch DJ--$9.99.But there's one nagging usability issue: uploading music to the app is complicated. Apple currently does not allow other apps to access the iTunes playback app, and tracks need to be electronically manipulated before you can mix them. This means that users have to upload their music separately into DJ Mixer. This was also the case with Touch DJ, but where that app used a piece of desktop software to accomplish the task, DJ Mixer uses a Web server.And therein lies the problem. According to Eyal, when DJ Mixer launched in late November (as DJ Player), the company's servers were inundated with users trying to upload songs to pirated versions of the app--he estimates that between 90 percent and 99 percent of the uploads were from users who didn't pay for the app. This created a lot of load on the servers, and hampered legitimate users. So now, to upload your music to DJ Mixer, first you need to e-mail customer support with a copy of your receipt from the iTunes store or a screenshot showing your purchase history with the DJ Mixer app on it. Then you must go through a Web interface to perform the uploads. The company e-mails you back for each upload as it becomes ready, after which you have to open the app, hit "downloads," and enter your personal numeric code. Finally, you have to wait as the app downloads each song from the Web server and performs the necessary conversion--a process that takes about 15 or 20 seconds per song.It's a pain, but the app is good enough that it's probably worth going through this process. You'll only have to do it once, and then you'll be set up for some pretty serious DJ'ing.
The 404 701- Where Justin cancels his flight back to San Francisco (podcast)
The 404 701: Where Justin cancels his flight back to San Francisco (podcast)
Speaking of things that are harmful to your health, a new report co-authored by former government chief drugs adviser David Nutt suggests that alcohol is more harmful than heroin. Professor Nutt judged 20 drugs on 16 degrees of harm that include lasting effects on physical and mental health, social harms including crime, and environmental damage, and alcohol is the most prevalent on this chart, topping other substances like ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms, crack, and methylamphetamines.The results likely have more to do with alcohol being the only legal drug on the list, and cannabis surprisingly ranks fairly high on the list as well, just two under nicotine.We all know cigarettes are lethal carcinogens, but a new company called Blu Cigs is manufacturing electronic cigarettes aimed at users who want to "smoke" tobacco without the addictive nicotine element.We're obviously not condoning use of this product, but the tech angle on the device itself is interesting because they use battery-operated atomizers to warm up capsules of flavored liquid that then produce vapor you can inhale, making them technically "legal" to use in non-smoking areas, like on an airplane. Be sure to watch this segment's video to see an actual e-cigarette in action!After we hit the break (and a small audio hiccup afterward), we have two jaw-dropping video voicemails queued up: the first is from our own Jeff Bakalar, who recorded a video of him and his new wife Stacie at some dreadful resort in who knows where, and the second is a relatively straightforward voicemail from "BMGreatness" that also features a disturbing prop. Check it out, and keep sending your video voicemails to the404(at)cnet.com! Even in paradise, Jeff is still Jeff.BMGreatness: Please call back and verify the owner of that thingie. Episode 701PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to 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
Speaking of things that are harmful to your health, a new report co-authored by former government chief drugs adviser David Nutt suggests that alcohol is more harmful than heroin. Professor Nutt judged 20 drugs on 16 degrees of harm that include lasting effects on physical and mental health, social harms including crime, and environmental damage, and alcohol is the most prevalent on this chart, topping other substances like ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms, crack, and methylamphetamines.The results likely have more to do with alcohol being the only legal drug on the list, and cannabis surprisingly ranks fairly high on the list as well, just two under nicotine.We all know cigarettes are lethal carcinogens, but a new company called Blu Cigs is manufacturing electronic cigarettes aimed at users who want to "smoke" tobacco without the addictive nicotine element.We're obviously not condoning use of this product, but the tech angle on the device itself is interesting because they use battery-operated atomizers to warm up capsules of flavored liquid that then produce vapor you can inhale, making them technically "legal" to use in non-smoking areas, like on an airplane. Be sure to watch this segment's video to see an actual e-cigarette in action!After we hit the break (and a small audio hiccup afterward), we have two jaw-dropping video voicemails queued up: the first is from our own Jeff Bakalar, who recorded a video of him and his new wife Stacie at some dreadful resort in who knows where, and the second is a relatively straightforward voicemail from "BMGreatness" that also features a disturbing prop. Check it out, and keep sending your video voicemails to the404(at)cnet.com! Even in paradise, Jeff is still Jeff.BMGreatness: Please call back and verify the owner of that thingie. Episode 701PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to 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
On Call- Yet another iPhone wish list
On Call: Yet another iPhone wish list
Hello, iPhone fans. We know that you're tingling with excitement at what Wednesday's Apple event will bring. Sure, the elusive tablet should grab the spotlight, but the iPhone may show its face during the infamous "one more thing" portion of the program. Will it be a new OS or will we get a whole new iPhone? Or maybe, just maybe, the iPhone will finally free itself of its AT&T shackles.Unfortunately, we don't know what will happen until CEO Steve Jobs (we figure he wouldn't pass up this opportunity) takes the stage. And since plenty of speculation abounds, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to say what we'd like to see. After you've read our wish list, be sure to add your own in the comments.File managementWe need a way to better organize apps and files on the phone. Heck, even home screen folders like we get with Google Android would be nice. Even better, just give us an integrated file manager that's not an app.FM radioYes, we know this is highly unlikely, but this is a wish list.User-replaceable batteryThis is unlikely, too, but we still don't like the idea of paying Apple to replace the battery and having to go without a phone during the process.MultitaskingApple proudly boasts that there's an "app for that," but with so many apps available, the iPhone needs to be able to run more than one simultaneously. The need is even more apparent now, as Palm WebOS and Android devices show us how it's done.USB mass storage and file transferiTunes is great and we know that Apple likes to control the experience, but we should be able to transfer all files of our choice. Flash support for the Web browserAt the iPhone 3.0 announcement last March, an Apple exec hinted we might get this in the future. Hopefully, it will come tomorrow.TetheringWe've been hearing about this for a while, as well. The functionality is there, but AT&T has to get around to supporting it.A mark-as-read optionThis would come in very handy when scrolling through a long list of new e-mails.MultitouchWe love our multitouch, so why not expand it across more applications?Outlook syncing for tasksThis is a relatively minor point, but it would be nice.A Verizon iPhoneWe'd accept T-Mobile, too, but Verizon would really make it interesting.
Hello, iPhone fans. We know that you're tingling with excitement at what Wednesday's Apple event will bring. Sure, the elusive tablet should grab the spotlight, but the iPhone may show its face during the infamous "one more thing" portion of the program. Will it be a new OS or will we get a whole new iPhone? Or maybe, just maybe, the iPhone will finally free itself of its AT&T shackles.Unfortunately, we don't know what will happen until CEO Steve Jobs (we figure he wouldn't pass up this opportunity) takes the stage. And since plenty of speculation abounds, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to say what we'd like to see. After you've read our wish list, be sure to add your own in the comments.File managementWe need a way to better organize apps and files on the phone. Heck, even home screen folders like we get with Google Android would be nice. Even better, just give us an integrated file manager that's not an app.FM radioYes, we know this is highly unlikely, but this is a wish list.User-replaceable batteryThis is unlikely, too, but we still don't like the idea of paying Apple to replace the battery and having to go without a phone during the process.MultitaskingApple proudly boasts that there's an "app for that," but with so many apps available, the iPhone needs to be able to run more than one simultaneously. The need is even more apparent now, as Palm WebOS and Android devices show us how it's done.USB mass storage and file transferiTunes is great and we know that Apple likes to control the experience, but we should be able to transfer all files of our choice. Flash support for the Web browserAt the iPhone 3.0 announcement last March, an Apple exec hinted we might get this in the future. Hopefully, it will come tomorrow.TetheringWe've been hearing about this for a while, as well. The functionality is there, but AT&T has to get around to supporting it.A mark-as-read optionThis would come in very handy when scrolling through a long list of new e-mails.MultitouchWe love our multitouch, so why not expand it across more applications?Outlook syncing for tasksThis is a relatively minor point, but it would be nice.A Verizon iPhoneWe'd accept T-Mobile, too, but Verizon would really make it interesting.
Filemaker serves snack-size database for Leopard
Filemaker serves snack-size database for Leopard
Like the Japanese lunch box for which it's named, Bento appears to be a tidy organizer. Sorting and searching options look elegant. The software could serve a variety of purposes, such as tracking freelance work gigs, sending party invitations, plotting an exercise regime, cataloging household items, creating libraries of possessions, and even rating stores where you shop or children you might teach.When you open Bento for the first time, appointments from iCal and contacts from Address Book will flow automatically into the program while also streaming to connected iPhones and .Mac accounts. More than 20 templates and drag-and-drop data fields serve users who don't wish to grapple with the ins and outs of managing a relational database.Data from Bento can be saved for export as either CSV text, or in the Microsoft Excel or iWork Numbers formats. Judging by a demo with Filemaker several weeks ago, Bento's minimal interface should look familiar to Mac fans.Macs haven't quite been known as the computer of choice for those looking to wrangle data with spreadsheets and databases. Apple iWork '08 just added the Numbers spreadsheet application, and the package still does not include database software.For Windows, by contrast, Microsoft Office offers the complex Access database tool. But unlike Access, a heavy-duty research tool, Bento is built to manage the components of your life the way you'd juggle an iTunes library.Bento's ticket price is $20 less than Filemaker's original plan to charge $69, but I wonder how many users will bite. iLife and iWork, after all, each cost just $79 for three or more applications per bundle. Plus, Leopard is the only operating system friendly to Bento. Still, Bento looked neat to me, and I'll give it a spin to see how well it can organize my sloppy stockpiles of digital data.Bento enables users to add scores to database items.Filemaker
Like the Japanese lunch box for which it's named, Bento appears to be a tidy organizer. Sorting and searching options look elegant. The software could serve a variety of purposes, such as tracking freelance work gigs, sending party invitations, plotting an exercise regime, cataloging household items, creating libraries of possessions, and even rating stores where you shop or children you might teach.When you open Bento for the first time, appointments from iCal and contacts from Address Book will flow automatically into the program while also streaming to connected iPhones and .Mac accounts. More than 20 templates and drag-and-drop data fields serve users who don't wish to grapple with the ins and outs of managing a relational database.Data from Bento can be saved for export as either CSV text, or in the Microsoft Excel or iWork Numbers formats. Judging by a demo with Filemaker several weeks ago, Bento's minimal interface should look familiar to Mac fans.Macs haven't quite been known as the computer of choice for those looking to wrangle data with spreadsheets and databases. Apple iWork '08 just added the Numbers spreadsheet application, and the package still does not include database software.For Windows, by contrast, Microsoft Office offers the complex Access database tool. But unlike Access, a heavy-duty research tool, Bento is built to manage the components of your life the way you'd juggle an iTunes library.Bento's ticket price is $20 less than Filemaker's original plan to charge $69, but I wonder how many users will bite. iLife and iWork, after all, each cost just $79 for three or more applications per bundle. Plus, Leopard is the only operating system friendly to Bento. Still, Bento looked neat to me, and I'll give it a spin to see how well it can organize my sloppy stockpiles of digital data.Bento enables users to add scores to database items.Filemaker
FIFA bans Beats headphones from World Cup matches
FIFA bans Beats headphones from World Cup matches
Beats headphones are causing something of a kerfuffle at the World Cup in Brazil. After several top soccer stars, including Brazilian sensation Neymar, have been spotted wearing the chunky, brightly colored headphones, FIFA, the game's governing body, has banned the headgear from inside the stadiums, according to Reuters.Why? Because Beats is not an official sponsor of the games -- Sony is.While it may seem that FIFA is being a bit harsh on the headphones that soccer players prefer to don, it appears this isn't the first time that Beats has caused a stir at a world sporting event.Related storiesBeats advertises Apple (surprise)Apple finally confirms it's buying Beats for $3BiTunes head Cue and Beats' Iovine: Apple will put Beats on steroidsDuring the London Olympics last summer, Beats sent thousands of free headphones to the world's top athletes, according to Reuters. The International Olympic Committee, with its rules to protect official sponsors, had to ban the earphones since Beats wasn't a sponsor. Also, Olympic athletes are forbidden from wearing gear from their personal sponsors -- the same goes for World Cup players.It's unclear if Beats gave Neymar his headphones for free or if the soccer star bought them. It seems most likely the headphone company gave them to Neymar, considering the fact he starred in a Beats YouTube ad earlier this month titled "The Game Before the Game." CNET contacted Beats for comment, and we'll update the story when we get more information.Beats was acquired by Apple for $3 billion last month. During the acquisition Apple said that Beats has "become the brand of choice in the music and sports worlds" and "has quickly become part of pop culture."
Beats headphones are causing something of a kerfuffle at the World Cup in Brazil. After several top soccer stars, including Brazilian sensation Neymar, have been spotted wearing the chunky, brightly colored headphones, FIFA, the game's governing body, has banned the headgear from inside the stadiums, according to Reuters.Why? Because Beats is not an official sponsor of the games -- Sony is.While it may seem that FIFA is being a bit harsh on the headphones that soccer players prefer to don, it appears this isn't the first time that Beats has caused a stir at a world sporting event.Related storiesBeats advertises Apple (surprise)Apple finally confirms it's buying Beats for $3BiTunes head Cue and Beats' Iovine: Apple will put Beats on steroidsDuring the London Olympics last summer, Beats sent thousands of free headphones to the world's top athletes, according to Reuters. The International Olympic Committee, with its rules to protect official sponsors, had to ban the earphones since Beats wasn't a sponsor. Also, Olympic athletes are forbidden from wearing gear from their personal sponsors -- the same goes for World Cup players.It's unclear if Beats gave Neymar his headphones for free or if the soccer star bought them. It seems most likely the headphone company gave them to Neymar, considering the fact he starred in a Beats YouTube ad earlier this month titled "The Game Before the Game." CNET contacted Beats for comment, and we'll update the story when we get more information.Beats was acquired by Apple for $3 billion last month. During the acquisition Apple said that Beats has "become the brand of choice in the music and sports worlds" and "has quickly become part of pop culture."
Sharp- Our iPhone 5 display production is 'adequate'
Sharp: Our iPhone 5 display production is 'adequate'
Sharp says that concerns over its iPhone 5 display production are overblown.A company executive told Reuters in an interview published today that Sharp is producing "adequate volumes" of the iPhone 5's screen. According to Reuters, the unidentified person didn't say how many displays are being produced, but the reassurance seems to indicate things are better than thought.Related stories2009 PC shipments inch into positive territoryMicrosoft brings kids developer tool to the PCApple's Mac shipments up 23.3 percent in the U.S.Reports: Tech recovery driven by developing nations, cloudAT&T to sell Moto Backflip March 7?Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Apple might be suffering from an iPhone 5 supply shortfall due to its display's in-cell touch sensing. Unlike the iPhone 4S, which came with a display and a separate touch screen, Apple's iPhone 5 combines the two layers. That has resulted in better color representation, but also presents new challenges for suppliers.Among Apple's suppliers, Sharp was reportedly facing the biggest troubles and didn't start shipping its screens until the smartphone's debut.Despite that, Apple's iPhone 5 had a strong first weekend, selling through 5 million units in its first three days of availability. Last year, the iPhone 4S tallied sales of 4 million units during its first weekend of availability.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
Sharp says that concerns over its iPhone 5 display production are overblown.A company executive told Reuters in an interview published today that Sharp is producing "adequate volumes" of the iPhone 5's screen. According to Reuters, the unidentified person didn't say how many displays are being produced, but the reassurance seems to indicate things are better than thought.Related stories2009 PC shipments inch into positive territoryMicrosoft brings kids developer tool to the PCApple's Mac shipments up 23.3 percent in the U.S.Reports: Tech recovery driven by developing nations, cloudAT&T to sell Moto Backflip March 7?Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Apple might be suffering from an iPhone 5 supply shortfall due to its display's in-cell touch sensing. Unlike the iPhone 4S, which came with a display and a separate touch screen, Apple's iPhone 5 combines the two layers. That has resulted in better color representation, but also presents new challenges for suppliers.Among Apple's suppliers, Sharp was reportedly facing the biggest troubles and didn't start shipping its screens until the smartphone's debut.Despite that, Apple's iPhone 5 had a strong first weekend, selling through 5 million units in its first three days of availability. Last year, the iPhone 4S tallied sales of 4 million units during its first weekend of availability.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
Second iOS 6 beta given to developers
Second iOS 6 beta given to developers
Apple has given developers an updated version of its iOS 6 software ahead of a public release later this year.It's the first such update to the software, which Apple provided to developers in beta form, at its annual developers conference earlier this month. Several more betas are expected ahead of a release to the general public, which Apple said will come in the fall.Apple-centric blog 9to5mac has posted screenshots and a full change log of the update, which weighs in at 299MB for the iPhone 4S, 322MB for the iPhone 4, and 497MB for the third-generation iPad. No new features have been found, short of spinning gears within the over the air update settings menu, something Apple added as part of iOS 5 last year. Apple went through seven beta versions ahead of the release of iOS 5, which came last October. During that process bugs were squashed, alongside the addition of a few new features like Wi-Fi sync, location privacy menus, over the air updating, a Hearing Aid Mode, and the scrubbing of Unique Device Identifiers.According to Apple, iOS 6 adds some 200 new features to iOS 5. Many of the main ones are simply refinements of existing features, such as FaceTime calling over 3G, more information about movies, restaurants and sports scores in Siri, and extended photo sharing features in Apple's Photo Streams feature. However there are a handful of new things, not the least of which is a completely new Maps application, as well as Passbook, Apple's new digital wallet service. Here's a video of the new gear spinning animation, which hopefully is not on the aforementioned list of new features:
Apple has given developers an updated version of its iOS 6 software ahead of a public release later this year.It's the first such update to the software, which Apple provided to developers in beta form, at its annual developers conference earlier this month. Several more betas are expected ahead of a release to the general public, which Apple said will come in the fall.Apple-centric blog 9to5mac has posted screenshots and a full change log of the update, which weighs in at 299MB for the iPhone 4S, 322MB for the iPhone 4, and 497MB for the third-generation iPad. No new features have been found, short of spinning gears within the over the air update settings menu, something Apple added as part of iOS 5 last year. Apple went through seven beta versions ahead of the release of iOS 5, which came last October. During that process bugs were squashed, alongside the addition of a few new features like Wi-Fi sync, location privacy menus, over the air updating, a Hearing Aid Mode, and the scrubbing of Unique Device Identifiers.According to Apple, iOS 6 adds some 200 new features to iOS 5. Many of the main ones are simply refinements of existing features, such as FaceTime calling over 3G, more information about movies, restaurants and sports scores in Siri, and extended photo sharing features in Apple's Photo Streams feature. However there are a handful of new things, not the least of which is a completely new Maps application, as well as Passbook, Apple's new digital wallet service. Here's a video of the new gear spinning animation, which hopefully is not on the aforementioned list of new features:
Sapphire shines when it comes to protecting future iPhones
Sapphire shines when it comes to protecting future iPhones
Apple seems to have big plans for sapphire with the latest clue coming from a freshly-published patent filing.Published on Thursday by the US Patent and Trademark Office, a patent application dubbed simply "Attachment Techniques" describes ways to securely attach sapphire to an iPhone. Apple has already used sapphire for the lens cover on the iPhone 5 and the surface of the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S. But the company wants to expand its use, at least as envisioned in the patent filing.As one example, sapphire could be used as a cover to better protect the screen of the iPhone. CNET's own Jessica Dolcourt tested an iPhone with a sapphire cover and found it more durable and scratch-resistant than the Gorilla Glass currently used. Of course, Gorilla Glass-maker Corning argues that its product is still the better of the two, at least when it comes to mobile phones.Further, sapphire makes a good thermal conductor, comparable to metals, and could be attached to a processor to dissipate heat.Sapphire is clearly on Apple's mind. Last November, the company signed a deal with sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies to create the material for its device lineup. Another patent application published last November described plans to further incorporate sapphire into Apple's products.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(Via AppleInsider)
Apple seems to have big plans for sapphire with the latest clue coming from a freshly-published patent filing.Published on Thursday by the US Patent and Trademark Office, a patent application dubbed simply "Attachment Techniques" describes ways to securely attach sapphire to an iPhone. Apple has already used sapphire for the lens cover on the iPhone 5 and the surface of the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S. But the company wants to expand its use, at least as envisioned in the patent filing.As one example, sapphire could be used as a cover to better protect the screen of the iPhone. CNET's own Jessica Dolcourt tested an iPhone with a sapphire cover and found it more durable and scratch-resistant than the Gorilla Glass currently used. Of course, Gorilla Glass-maker Corning argues that its product is still the better of the two, at least when it comes to mobile phones.Further, sapphire makes a good thermal conductor, comparable to metals, and could be attached to a processor to dissipate heat.Sapphire is clearly on Apple's mind. Last November, the company signed a deal with sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies to create the material for its device lineup. Another patent application published last November described plans to further incorporate sapphire into Apple's products.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(Via AppleInsider)
Samsung's next Galaxy smartphones to feature 64-bit chips, too
Samsung's next Galaxy smartphones to feature 64-bit chips, too
Apple might have been the first major smartphone maker to deliver 64-bit architecture in its smartphone's processor, but Samsung doesn't intend to be too far behind.Speaking to Korea Times in an interview published Wednesday, Samsung Mobile co-CEO Shin Jong-kyun said that the next-generation Galaxy smartphones will come with 64-bit processors. Shin didn't say exactly when the Samsung handsets will come with 64-bit architecture, saying only that it will not happen "in the shortest time."Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)Samsung's diva actKodak patent complaints target Apple, RIM3D TV FAQVerizon Wireless revamps unlimited calling, data plansApple announced its iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S on Tuesday. The company's 5C handset is essentially an updated iPhone 5 that features a plastic finish and multiple colors. The iPhone 5S comes with Apple's new A7 processor featuring the 64-bit architecture. The higher-end capability should make Apple's iPhone 5S more adept at handling resource-intensive applications that can take advantage of the new chip.Samsung and Apple have been competing intensely for years now, so it's no surprise Samsung is looking to match the iPhone maker on this point. Shin didn't say what other features might come to the next-generation Galaxy handsets, but he did quickly turn his attention to China and Japan, where he says, Apple is trying hard to steal market share."Samsung understands that Apple intends to boost its mobile business in China, as well as in Japan, meaning that we should try harder in these countries," Shin told Korea Times.See also: The real reasons Apple's 64-bit A7 chip makes sense
Apple might have been the first major smartphone maker to deliver 64-bit architecture in its smartphone's processor, but Samsung doesn't intend to be too far behind.Speaking to Korea Times in an interview published Wednesday, Samsung Mobile co-CEO Shin Jong-kyun said that the next-generation Galaxy smartphones will come with 64-bit processors. Shin didn't say exactly when the Samsung handsets will come with 64-bit architecture, saying only that it will not happen "in the shortest time."Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)Samsung's diva actKodak patent complaints target Apple, RIM3D TV FAQVerizon Wireless revamps unlimited calling, data plansApple announced its iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S on Tuesday. The company's 5C handset is essentially an updated iPhone 5 that features a plastic finish and multiple colors. The iPhone 5S comes with Apple's new A7 processor featuring the 64-bit architecture. The higher-end capability should make Apple's iPhone 5S more adept at handling resource-intensive applications that can take advantage of the new chip.Samsung and Apple have been competing intensely for years now, so it's no surprise Samsung is looking to match the iPhone maker on this point. Shin didn't say what other features might come to the next-generation Galaxy handsets, but he did quickly turn his attention to China and Japan, where he says, Apple is trying hard to steal market share."Samsung understands that Apple intends to boost its mobile business in China, as well as in Japan, meaning that we should try harder in these countries," Shin told Korea Times.See also: The real reasons Apple's 64-bit A7 chip makes sense
Samsung, Apple tablet tit for tat to extend to displays
Samsung, Apple tablet tit for tat to extend to displays
Samsung could beat Apple to market with a tablet packing a high-resolution display, as the two bitter rivals vie to be the first on the block with a next-gen tablet. Sammy's tab, running Google's Ice Cream Sandwich, would have an 11.6-inch display that is "barely" larger than a 10.1-inch design because of a redesigned bezel, according to a report at BGR. But most importantly, it would use an eye-popping 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution display, putting it in the same league as Apple's upcoming iPad 3, which is expected to sport a Retina Display. Needless to say, that makes for a radically different product.Not that different, say, than moving from a laptop with a 1,366x768-pixel screen to one boasting 1,680x1,050-pixel resolution.And if Samsung gets to market first, that would be a unique competitive advantage, the draw of the Apple brand notwithstanding.Related storiesAustralia court lifts ban on Galaxy Tab salesIn Apple win, Samsung Galaxy Tab blocked in EUSamsung has been quite transparent about its plans, actually.In a press release last month, the Korean company said that its next-generation 2GHz Exynos processor is designed specifically to drive high-resolution tablet displays. "The Exynos 5250 is designed specifically for high-end tablets...In particular, the Exynos 5250 design was architected to drive up to an industry-leading 2,560x1,600 (WQXGA) display," Samsung said.And Samsung, by the way, makes those high-res displays, too. All of this should become clearer at either CES 2012 in January or at Mobile World Congress in February.
Samsung could beat Apple to market with a tablet packing a high-resolution display, as the two bitter rivals vie to be the first on the block with a next-gen tablet. Sammy's tab, running Google's Ice Cream Sandwich, would have an 11.6-inch display that is "barely" larger than a 10.1-inch design because of a redesigned bezel, according to a report at BGR. But most importantly, it would use an eye-popping 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution display, putting it in the same league as Apple's upcoming iPad 3, which is expected to sport a Retina Display. Needless to say, that makes for a radically different product.Not that different, say, than moving from a laptop with a 1,366x768-pixel screen to one boasting 1,680x1,050-pixel resolution.And if Samsung gets to market first, that would be a unique competitive advantage, the draw of the Apple brand notwithstanding.Related storiesAustralia court lifts ban on Galaxy Tab salesIn Apple win, Samsung Galaxy Tab blocked in EUSamsung has been quite transparent about its plans, actually.In a press release last month, the Korean company said that its next-generation 2GHz Exynos processor is designed specifically to drive high-resolution tablet displays. "The Exynos 5250 is designed specifically for high-end tablets...In particular, the Exynos 5250 design was architected to drive up to an industry-leading 2,560x1,600 (WQXGA) display," Samsung said.And Samsung, by the way, makes those high-res displays, too. All of this should become clearer at either CES 2012 in January or at Mobile World Congress in February.
Box Office Report: 'Captain' Finally Falls for 'The Other Woman
Here areyour three-day box office returns (new releases bolded): 1. The Other Woman - $24.7 million ($24.7 million total) 2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $16.0 million ($224.8 million total) 3. Heaven Is for Real - $13.8 million ($51.9 million total) 4. Rio 2 - $13.6 million ($96.1 million total) 5. Brick Mansions - $9.6 million ($9.6 million total) 6. Transcendence - $4.1 million ($18.4 million total) 7. The Quiet Ones - $4.0 million ($4.0 million total) 8. Bears - $3.6 million ($11.1 million total) 9. Divergent - $3.6 million ($139.4 million total) 10. A Haunted House 2 - $3.2 million ($14.2 million total) The Big Stories The ladies have not been very well represented at the box office as of late. Comic book heroes, horror films, spoofs, animated birds for kids and flowing-locks Jesus for certain adults. Meanwhile Jennifer Garner is a business woman in a major sports franchise who is pregnant, dating the general manager and constantly asked for coffee in Draft Day. You know what that means? It;s time to get their Real Housewives on. Good ol; revenge on those cheatin; dudes who cannot be satisfied with a Leslie Mann or a Cameron Diaz and have to trade up for an Upton. Considering what the Kingslayer goes through in the movie you would think he just took advantage of his sister at her son;s funeral or something. The Other Demographic Speaks It has certainly been an absentee year for women-anchored pictures at the box office so far. Aside from franchise wannabes like Divergent and Vampire Academy it has basically been your Valentine;s Day remakes, About Last Nightand Endless Love and then Tyler Perry;s The Single Mom;s Club vying to drum up interest from women this year. Divergent was more teen centric and wasn;t exactly drawing in the middle aged the way Twilight did. Could have said mature rather than middle aged but we are talking about sparkly teenage vampires here. The Other Woman should not be much of a surprise in the top spot this weekend. Captain America had held its own for three weeks and was going to drop into the teens eventually. It was a clear winner this weekend and part of a growing comeback for Fox, which had six straight losers after last summer;s The Wolverine and, which despite sweating off its portion of Mr. Peabody & Sherman, is now looking at a potential three-out-of-four streak including Son of God and Rio 2 (which is over $300 million worldwide.) Just as there have been nothing for women in the first four months, there is not much for them in May either as the summer season kicks off with more comic books, wacky comedies, destruction and whatever Mom;s Night Out is. The $40 million Nick Cassavetes film may not be a big hit, but it should stick around long enough to be one. Plus it makes a solid notch on Cameron Diaz;s ability to draw a crowd. Charlie;s Angels ($40.1), Charlie;s Angels: Full Throttle ($37.6), Bad Teacher ($31.6), The Other Woman ($24.7), What Happens In Vegas ($20.17), Knight & Day ($20.13), There;s Something About Mary ($13.7), The Holiday ($12.7), My Sister;s Keeper ($12.4), What to Expect When You;re Expecting ($10.5), In Her Shoes ($10.0), The Sweetest Thing ($9.4), The Box ($7.5) This start could prove to be a nice lead-in for Sex Tape this summer, Diaz; Bad Teacher reunion with Jason Segel and director Jake Kasdan. Let us hope it is just not nearly as painful as sitting through The Other Woman. Tales of the Top 10 The late Paul Walker was the draw for Brick Mansions. In three days it has already made more than than its origin counterpart, District B13 plus District B13: Ultimatum plus both of The Raid films. There is not much to say about its $9 million-plus opening except as another underwhelming starter for Relativity studio and a prime example of audiences missing the boat on more exceptional genre fare. The best reviewed new movie of the week was Lionsgate;s The Quiet Ones, which actually wasn;t screened for critics. It;s 39% at Rotten Tomatoes is hardly anything to brag about. Though neither is a $3.8 million opening weekend which is the studio;s lowest grossing wide release starter since The Cold Light of Day in September 2012. Anyone remember that one? Captain America: The Winter Soldier is still doing tremendous business with over $645 million, the top grossing film worldwide of 2014. Though it still needs another $30 million to topple The Lego Movie for number oneon its home turf. Divergent is finally on the plus side for Summit/Lionsgate. Will the franchise be completely in the black come 2017 after three more films? Back to the good news, Heaven Is for Real remains a solid hit for Tri-Star/Sony, passing over $51 million this week. And then back to the bad for Warner Bros. and Johnny Depp as Transcendence still has not hit $20 million in the U.S. and continues to wait for some overseas salvation (in the tune of another $60 million) to prevent the film from replacing Pompeii as the biggest loser of 2014 to date. Erik Childress can be seen each Thursday morning on WCIU-TV;s First Business breaking down the box office on the Movies & Money segment.
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