Are record shops worth saving? (Part 1)
Last Saturday, independent music retailers organized a national Record Store Day, complete with in-store freebies and exclusive releases from dozens of bands who want to see these business survive. As someone who spent two of the best years of my youth working at an independent record store, I have a nostalgic attachment to these mom-and-pop shops. I don't know if I was motivated more by sentimentality or pity, but I felt an obligation to honor the spirit of the day and visit my local music store. The shop was ripped right out of "High Fidelity," and contained all the requisite elements for an indy music store: aloof, yet knowledgeable staff; equal ratios of vinyl and CDs; postered walls; a selection of local music; and a lazy pet cat. But nostalgia aside, I couldn't shake the reality that stores like this can't last much longer.It's a shame, because some aspects of shopping in a record store haven't (or can't) translate into the world of online music. I'm not delusional enough to think that everyone should go back to buying CDs or LPs, but at the same time, my gut tells me that music consumers (and our culture in general) may realize all too late that there's something worth preserving about today's endangered music shops. Billy Corgan talks about why he loves his local record shop.What's worth savingArguing in defense of record shops, here are five things I think the best brick-and-mortar music retailers get right.Rock 'n' roll ambianceDonald Bell/CNET NetworksFor the devoted, stepping into a great music store is like stepping into a temple. For these people, downloading music is like worshiping at an online church--there's no ritual to it, no pageantry, no reason to dress up. In light of the inherently private experience of actually listening to music, there's something balancing about discovering and purchasing new music in a comfortable public space that reaffirms your identity as a music lover.The community aspect also comes into play. I've yet to see a music store that isn't plastered with flyers for local shows. Especially in small towns, music stores often act as a vital hub for the community's live music scene.Inviting explorationDonald Bell/CNET NetworksThe Web has made it very easy to point, click, and preview new music within seconds, but the experience often feels less like exploration, and more like judgmentally picking your way through a digital haystack. There's no digital equivalent to the tiny thrill I get crouching down to the bottom shelf and flipping through used CDs for hidden gems, or finding a carefully curated bin full of Balinese gamelan recordings on vinyl. In my experience, if a shop is doing its job right and stocking the shelves with great music, the act of exploring and browsing is tremendously more satisfying offline than online. Even if you don't walk away with the music you came for, the exploratory part of shopping and discovering is different, more memorable, more of an experience.Mixing formatsDonald Bell/CNET NetworksFor the most part, shopping for music online means shopping for downloads. Sure, you could buy an LP from eBay, a CD from Amazon, or an AAC file from iTunes, but there's no single site that lets you compare and purchase multiple formats. As a music fan, I spend most of my money these days on downloads, but I'm also a sucker for a cheap CD or a rare LP. Just last month, I spent $5 on eBay for the Moog synthesizer rendition of the "Star Wars" sound track... an 8-track cassette. For me, music comes in all shapes and sizes, and I appreciate that many independent music retailers still reflect music's legacy of mixed-formats.Used musicDonald Bell/CNET NetworksYou can't get a used MP3. Well, you can, but it's called piracy. Major labels and online retailers despise them, but used CDs are a great value for consumers, and the used CD trade is one of the few things keeping mom-and-pops afloat. I consider it one of the least appreciated swindles of the 21st century that we're still paying new CD prices ($12-15) for music with lower fidelity and no resale value. Without old CDs to sell back to record stores, I probably would have starved in my early twenties.CollectiblesPromos, schwag, posters, limited edition vinyl, box sets, T-shirts, stickers, patches, bands have always offered dozens of ways to consume their brands and their music. Moog MusicWhen you really love a band, weaving them into the fabric of your life requires more than a download on your iPod. Mom-and-pops seem to get this better than online retailers. In the extreme, you've got mall chains like Hot Topic, who put the collectible merchandise ahead of the music itself.What'd I miss?So, now you know what I'd miss if music stores vanished from the face of the earth. What about you? I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets a little sentimental about this stuff, so add your two cents in the comments section.Before you take me for a total softie, though, stay tuned for part two of this blog post, where I'll confess all the record shop quirks that drive me crazy, and ultimately, drive me away.(Continue to Part 2.)
No Flash flood in iPad avoidance
No Flash flood in iPad avoidance
This puts it on track to break most estimates of first-year sales. In defending Apple's entry into the space, Jobs noted that it was important for the iPad to do certain tasks better than either the smaller smartphone or larger notebook. Among those tasks were watching videos, reading books, and surfing the Web. Indeed, the iPad's unique mixture of handheld usage, large and bright screen, long battery life, and powerful processor have set a bar for forthcoming slate products for certain intimate content consumption tasks, such as reading e-books and watching videos--those downloaded from iTunes or streamed through apps like those of Netflix and ABC. But while the iPad's browser is fast and friendly, it lacks support for Adobe Flash, a technology that many consider a critical component for enjoying the Web's breadth of content. In its Apple iPad: Consumers' Perceptions and Attitudes study (PDF) fielded prior to the launch of the device, NPD surveyed consumers, asking them about whether they were interested in the iPad, and their reasons for interest or lack of interest. Not surprisingly, those interested in the iPad said they were drawn to its physical attributes, including its multitouch screen and thin profile, whereas those who were not interested in it cited a lack of need and the product's "unbelievable" price as too expensive. Only 14 percent, though, of those not interested in the iPad cited the lack of Adobe Flash as an inhibitor to purchase. Some might interpret this as consumers' lack of prioritization of Adobe Flash or the content that relies on it, or it could simply indicate that consumers do not equate the lack of Flash with the lack of access to many Web videos, including the content of popular sites such as Hulu. It is, of course, Apple's hope that such content providers will embrace Web standards that the iPad and iPhone support in lieu of, or at least in addition to, Flash, following in the footsteps of YouTube and Vimeo. Apple has even created an "iPad ready" Web page highlighting sites, such as CNET TV, that adhere to Web standards supported by the device. Adobe Systems, on the other hand, has had a difficult time raising awareness of Flash's role, in part a victim of its own success. With such high penetration of the installed base of PCs, Flash is so ubiquitous that it may be taken for granted by many. The company's efforts with smartphone vendors may soon make it equally ubiquitous on handset platforms other than the iPhone, on which Apple seems intent on keeping its ban of the technology. Until now, for all the controversy about the iPhone's lack of Flash support, it's effectively given Apple a directional, rather than actual, disadvantage, with respect to competitive phones. But Adobe now has an opportunity to promote the existence of Flash on other handsets, particularly as version 10.1 of the technology provides the first practical "desktop" Flash experience to these products.Among other reasons cited for avoiding the iPad, there were several that will probably never be addressed. This fall, though, Apple may yet win over those citing the next most popular reason for avoiding the iPad after its lack of Flash, as iPhone OS 4.0 brings multitasking to Apple's slate.
This puts it on track to break most estimates of first-year sales. In defending Apple's entry into the space, Jobs noted that it was important for the iPad to do certain tasks better than either the smaller smartphone or larger notebook. Among those tasks were watching videos, reading books, and surfing the Web. Indeed, the iPad's unique mixture of handheld usage, large and bright screen, long battery life, and powerful processor have set a bar for forthcoming slate products for certain intimate content consumption tasks, such as reading e-books and watching videos--those downloaded from iTunes or streamed through apps like those of Netflix and ABC. But while the iPad's browser is fast and friendly, it lacks support for Adobe Flash, a technology that many consider a critical component for enjoying the Web's breadth of content. In its Apple iPad: Consumers' Perceptions and Attitudes study (PDF) fielded prior to the launch of the device, NPD surveyed consumers, asking them about whether they were interested in the iPad, and their reasons for interest or lack of interest. Not surprisingly, those interested in the iPad said they were drawn to its physical attributes, including its multitouch screen and thin profile, whereas those who were not interested in it cited a lack of need and the product's "unbelievable" price as too expensive. Only 14 percent, though, of those not interested in the iPad cited the lack of Adobe Flash as an inhibitor to purchase. Some might interpret this as consumers' lack of prioritization of Adobe Flash or the content that relies on it, or it could simply indicate that consumers do not equate the lack of Flash with the lack of access to many Web videos, including the content of popular sites such as Hulu. It is, of course, Apple's hope that such content providers will embrace Web standards that the iPad and iPhone support in lieu of, or at least in addition to, Flash, following in the footsteps of YouTube and Vimeo. Apple has even created an "iPad ready" Web page highlighting sites, such as CNET TV, that adhere to Web standards supported by the device. Adobe Systems, on the other hand, has had a difficult time raising awareness of Flash's role, in part a victim of its own success. With such high penetration of the installed base of PCs, Flash is so ubiquitous that it may be taken for granted by many. The company's efforts with smartphone vendors may soon make it equally ubiquitous on handset platforms other than the iPhone, on which Apple seems intent on keeping its ban of the technology. Until now, for all the controversy about the iPhone's lack of Flash support, it's effectively given Apple a directional, rather than actual, disadvantage, with respect to competitive phones. But Adobe now has an opportunity to promote the existence of Flash on other handsets, particularly as version 10.1 of the technology provides the first practical "desktop" Flash experience to these products.Among other reasons cited for avoiding the iPad, there were several that will probably never be addressed. This fall, though, Apple may yet win over those citing the next most popular reason for avoiding the iPad after its lack of Flash, as iPhone OS 4.0 brings multitasking to Apple's slate.
Can an iPad replace a laptop on a business trip-
Can an iPad replace a laptop on a business trip?
If there's a downside to video on the iPad, it's getting the content onto the device. It's straightforward to purchase TV shows and movies through iTunes, of course. But manually ripping, converting, and transferring DVDs is time-consuming and messy relative to the straightforward process of ripping them directly to a laptop and viewing them with DVD player software.The iPad also serves as a credible e-book reader. It has some plusses and minuses compared with a Kindle or another e-paper-based reader, but I find it more than satisfactory. So long as I have the iPad with me, I certainly don't feel a need to bring a dedicated e-book reader as well.Before getting into the issues I experienced, I do want to emphasize one point. My intent here is not to critique a tablet for, essentially, not being a laptop. They are different devices for different purposes and they make trade-offs accordingly. Rather, I want to offer my experience using an iPad in a setting where I would normally take a full-blown computer.My experience was that in a business setting, it's far too easy to run into a situation where you can't really do what you need to do on a tablet. For example, when I was unexpectedly scheduled for a Webcast, I had to borrow a PC because the required Java plug-in couldn't run in Safari on the iPad.In another instance, I would have shown a few slides during an interview had my usual laptop been available. Given that various applications let you display and even edit certain file formats on the iPad, this needn't have been an insurmountable problem. However, it's another case where some advance planning may be needed and not everything ultimately will be possible.Another nit I encountered was that, in a couple places, wired Ethernet connections were available but no Wi-Fi and therefore I had no way to connect an iPad to the network. You can deal with this particular limitation by carrying an Airport Express to create a wireless network to which the iPad can then connect, but at some point carrying supplemental workaround gadgetry sort of defeats the purpose of going lightweight.Had the entire trip been personal, none of this would have particularly mattered. E-mail, social media, and browsing every day or two would be plenty and any tablet can handle that just fine--as indeed can my phone for the most part. But, in a business setting, you're working against the expectation that you have a laptop handy and can use it to perform the myriad unexpected tasks that arise.A tablet can indeed handle a variety of routine business jobs but there are also many things, too many, that it cannot do. As a result, I'm inclined to chalk this trip up as more of a learning experience than a particularly successful experiment.
If there's a downside to video on the iPad, it's getting the content onto the device. It's straightforward to purchase TV shows and movies through iTunes, of course. But manually ripping, converting, and transferring DVDs is time-consuming and messy relative to the straightforward process of ripping them directly to a laptop and viewing them with DVD player software.The iPad also serves as a credible e-book reader. It has some plusses and minuses compared with a Kindle or another e-paper-based reader, but I find it more than satisfactory. So long as I have the iPad with me, I certainly don't feel a need to bring a dedicated e-book reader as well.Before getting into the issues I experienced, I do want to emphasize one point. My intent here is not to critique a tablet for, essentially, not being a laptop. They are different devices for different purposes and they make trade-offs accordingly. Rather, I want to offer my experience using an iPad in a setting where I would normally take a full-blown computer.My experience was that in a business setting, it's far too easy to run into a situation where you can't really do what you need to do on a tablet. For example, when I was unexpectedly scheduled for a Webcast, I had to borrow a PC because the required Java plug-in couldn't run in Safari on the iPad.In another instance, I would have shown a few slides during an interview had my usual laptop been available. Given that various applications let you display and even edit certain file formats on the iPad, this needn't have been an insurmountable problem. However, it's another case where some advance planning may be needed and not everything ultimately will be possible.Another nit I encountered was that, in a couple places, wired Ethernet connections were available but no Wi-Fi and therefore I had no way to connect an iPad to the network. You can deal with this particular limitation by carrying an Airport Express to create a wireless network to which the iPad can then connect, but at some point carrying supplemental workaround gadgetry sort of defeats the purpose of going lightweight.Had the entire trip been personal, none of this would have particularly mattered. E-mail, social media, and browsing every day or two would be plenty and any tablet can handle that just fine--as indeed can my phone for the most part. But, in a business setting, you're working against the expectation that you have a laptop handy and can use it to perform the myriad unexpected tasks that arise.A tablet can indeed handle a variety of routine business jobs but there are also many things, too many, that it cannot do. As a result, I'm inclined to chalk this trip up as more of a learning experience than a particularly successful experiment.
The 404 420- Where we're wearing white
The 404 420: Where we're wearing white
Plenty of news to talk about, but first we recap our weekends. We all used the holiday weekend differently: Jeff sailed a boat (in the sun!) on the Potomac river; Wilson became the only Asian Agent Double Oh Nothing for Her Majesty's Secret Service, and I had the unfortunate experience of actually laboring at work on Labor Day. Hear all the juicy details on the first half of the show.Next up, we talk about Google's latest product, a version of the popular Monopoly real estate game that uses Google Maps as a giant playing board! Turns out that this isn't the first role-playing game to incorporate the popular online mapping Web site: users found a way to play RISK using Google Maps when it first debuted in 2005!Film.comSpeaking of things to come, we always like taking a look into the future, so this week in time travel, we bring you Boondock Saints 2! Every male born after the year 1970 should be well aware of the original Boondock Saints, which featured two brothers on a mission to cleanse their city of scumbags--classic story, but something about the theatrical gunfights and archetypal characters made it into a cult classic. We're excited about the new one, even though it doesn't feature Willem Dafoe.Finally, in typical Monday show fashion, we delve off into a trip down memory lane and rediscover our love for Beavis and Butthead, who recently made a short comeback to promote Mike Judge's latest film "Extract." Surprise! Wilson hates it. All that and more on today's episode of The 404!EPISODE 420PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Plenty of news to talk about, but first we recap our weekends. We all used the holiday weekend differently: Jeff sailed a boat (in the sun!) on the Potomac river; Wilson became the only Asian Agent Double Oh Nothing for Her Majesty's Secret Service, and I had the unfortunate experience of actually laboring at work on Labor Day. Hear all the juicy details on the first half of the show.Next up, we talk about Google's latest product, a version of the popular Monopoly real estate game that uses Google Maps as a giant playing board! Turns out that this isn't the first role-playing game to incorporate the popular online mapping Web site: users found a way to play RISK using Google Maps when it first debuted in 2005!Film.comSpeaking of things to come, we always like taking a look into the future, so this week in time travel, we bring you Boondock Saints 2! Every male born after the year 1970 should be well aware of the original Boondock Saints, which featured two brothers on a mission to cleanse their city of scumbags--classic story, but something about the theatrical gunfights and archetypal characters made it into a cult classic. We're excited about the new one, even though it doesn't feature Willem Dafoe.Finally, in typical Monday show fashion, we delve off into a trip down memory lane and rediscover our love for Beavis and Butthead, who recently made a short comeback to promote Mike Judge's latest film "Extract." Surprise! Wilson hates it. All that and more on today's episode of The 404!EPISODE 420PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Microsoft updates Bing's iPhone app
Microsoft updates Bing's iPhone app
Taking a page from its browser-based cousin, the updated Bing app can now tap into your social networks to deliver relevant search results. Bing's new version 1.2 lets you connect to your own accounts on Facebook and Twitter to access the last six months' worth of updates from your friends and family.You can search your social networks directly for specific subjects or names, or include them in your overall search results alongside the usual links to Web pages. To use the new social feature, you'll need to enter your Facebook and Twitter credentials. Bing will take several minutes to grab all the updates from the past half year.Now when you search for something, such as a movie, you could see the latest show times along with comments by your Facebook and Twitter contacts, according to Bing's official blog. On the flip side, if you find a Web page you want to share with your friends and followers, you can do so through Facebook or Twitter without leaving Bing's mobile app.In addition to the new social option, Bing 1.2 offers a visual scanning feature for iPhone users. Snap a photo of a bar code or a piece of cover art from a CD or video game, and Bing will track down product descriptions, reviews, prices, retail Web sites, and other relevant information, according to Microsoft.MicrosoftBeyond these two core updates, you'll see new categories on Bing's mobile app home page, including Social, Directions, and Weather. The description of Bing's new version on iTunes also says the Shopping section has been expanded with new reviews, ratings, and prices, while the Movies section now offers more clips and trailers.Bing's new 1.2 version is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad, though only the camera-equipped iPhone can take advantage of the visual scanning feature.Bing's star has been on the rise at Apple. It was recently added as a search option on the iPhone just below Yahoo. Though earlier reports said Bing was on tap to replace Google as the iPhone's default search engine, Google still remains the default setting.Apple is also gearing up to offer Bing as an option on the Mac and Windows versions of Safari and of course will launch the iPhone 4 this Thursday, giving Bing an even greater playing field.
Taking a page from its browser-based cousin, the updated Bing app can now tap into your social networks to deliver relevant search results. Bing's new version 1.2 lets you connect to your own accounts on Facebook and Twitter to access the last six months' worth of updates from your friends and family.You can search your social networks directly for specific subjects or names, or include them in your overall search results alongside the usual links to Web pages. To use the new social feature, you'll need to enter your Facebook and Twitter credentials. Bing will take several minutes to grab all the updates from the past half year.Now when you search for something, such as a movie, you could see the latest show times along with comments by your Facebook and Twitter contacts, according to Bing's official blog. On the flip side, if you find a Web page you want to share with your friends and followers, you can do so through Facebook or Twitter without leaving Bing's mobile app.In addition to the new social option, Bing 1.2 offers a visual scanning feature for iPhone users. Snap a photo of a bar code or a piece of cover art from a CD or video game, and Bing will track down product descriptions, reviews, prices, retail Web sites, and other relevant information, according to Microsoft.MicrosoftBeyond these two core updates, you'll see new categories on Bing's mobile app home page, including Social, Directions, and Weather. The description of Bing's new version on iTunes also says the Shopping section has been expanded with new reviews, ratings, and prices, while the Movies section now offers more clips and trailers.Bing's new 1.2 version is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad, though only the camera-equipped iPhone can take advantage of the visual scanning feature.Bing's star has been on the rise at Apple. It was recently added as a search option on the iPhone just below Yahoo. Though earlier reports said Bing was on tap to replace Google as the iPhone's default search engine, Google still remains the default setting.Apple is also gearing up to offer Bing as an option on the Mac and Windows versions of Safari and of course will launch the iPhone 4 this Thursday, giving Bing an even greater playing field.
Google's 3D city imagery hits Android, headed to iOS 'soon'
Google's 3D city imagery hits Android, headed to iOS 'soon'
Remember Google's snazzy demo of 3D views of various cities at a rather impromptu press conference earlier this month? You can now play with that feature yourself. Google quietly released a new version of its Google Earth program for Android today that adds 3D maps of 14 regions, just about all of which are in the U.S.: BostonBoulderCharlotteLawrenceLos AngelesLong BeachPortlandRome San AntonioSanta CruzSan DiegoSan Francisco Bay AreaTampaTucsonIn a post announcing the feature, Google says it will add more cities "in the coming months" with enough to cover "a combined population of 300 million people," by year's end. Included in the new software is a tour feature that points users towards cities that have a third dimension.Related storiesGoogle unveils full 3D Google Earth featureVideo: Apple launches 3D maps on iOS 6Pictures: Day 1 of Google I/OComplete coverage: Google I/O 2012The feature is still not on Apple's iOS platform, though Google says it's still working on it and will have a version with 3D maps "soon." As you might remember, Google demoed it for the first time on an iPad, running a pre-release version of Google Maps.Google's newest 3D technology comes well ahead of Apple's own 3D mapping efforts, which is being released as part of the Maps app in iOS 6. A beta version of that software was delivered to developers at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference a few weeks ago, with a full release to come this fall.Here's Google's new demo video of the feature:
Remember Google's snazzy demo of 3D views of various cities at a rather impromptu press conference earlier this month? You can now play with that feature yourself. Google quietly released a new version of its Google Earth program for Android today that adds 3D maps of 14 regions, just about all of which are in the U.S.: BostonBoulderCharlotteLawrenceLos AngelesLong BeachPortlandRome San AntonioSanta CruzSan DiegoSan Francisco Bay AreaTampaTucsonIn a post announcing the feature, Google says it will add more cities "in the coming months" with enough to cover "a combined population of 300 million people," by year's end. Included in the new software is a tour feature that points users towards cities that have a third dimension.Related storiesGoogle unveils full 3D Google Earth featureVideo: Apple launches 3D maps on iOS 6Pictures: Day 1 of Google I/OComplete coverage: Google I/O 2012The feature is still not on Apple's iOS platform, though Google says it's still working on it and will have a version with 3D maps "soon." As you might remember, Google demoed it for the first time on an iPad, running a pre-release version of Google Maps.Google's newest 3D technology comes well ahead of Apple's own 3D mapping efforts, which is being released as part of the Maps app in iOS 6. A beta version of that software was delivered to developers at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference a few weeks ago, with a full release to come this fall.Here's Google's new demo video of the feature:
Google+ iOS app gets more social with new features
Google+ iOS app gets more social with new features
Related stories:• Hands-on: Google+ app on the iPhone• Google+ arrives on the iPad, iPod Touch• Google opens its social network to allThe revamped Google+ app now lets you join a Hangout, a new videoconferencing service in which you can chat with people in your circles. Though you can join an existing Hangout via the mobile app, you still need to open Google+ on your PC to start a new Hangout.The group IM feature formerly known as Huddle has been rebranded Messenger (not to be confused with Windows or Yahoo Messenger) and now offers you the ability to send a photo along with a message. Google also said that it's improved the reliability of Messenger.Just as you can click the +1 option to share a post, you can now do the same thing to share a comment to a post. And as on the Google+ site, you can now share a post with just a single individual rather than entire circles or everyone. You'll also find it easier to mention the name of any Google+ member in one of your circles in your own posts.Google has improved the ability to search for public profiles via its mobile app so that you can now find virtually anyone with a Google+ profile.Finally, the notification settings have been tweaked to give you more control. You can choose to receive notifications for mentions, shares, comments, or even comments on a post that you already commented on. Additionally, you can opt to be notified if someone adds you to a circle or wants to tag or comment on one of your photos.Despite all these changes, there's still one improvement Google hasn't yet cooked up. Though the iOS app has been working on the iPad (and the iPod Touch) thanks to an update in early August, Google still doesn't offer an iPad-specific version that can take advantage of the tablet's larger screen size.
Related stories:• Hands-on: Google+ app on the iPhone• Google+ arrives on the iPad, iPod Touch• Google opens its social network to allThe revamped Google+ app now lets you join a Hangout, a new videoconferencing service in which you can chat with people in your circles. Though you can join an existing Hangout via the mobile app, you still need to open Google+ on your PC to start a new Hangout.The group IM feature formerly known as Huddle has been rebranded Messenger (not to be confused with Windows or Yahoo Messenger) and now offers you the ability to send a photo along with a message. Google also said that it's improved the reliability of Messenger.Just as you can click the +1 option to share a post, you can now do the same thing to share a comment to a post. And as on the Google+ site, you can now share a post with just a single individual rather than entire circles or everyone. You'll also find it easier to mention the name of any Google+ member in one of your circles in your own posts.Google has improved the ability to search for public profiles via its mobile app so that you can now find virtually anyone with a Google+ profile.Finally, the notification settings have been tweaked to give you more control. You can choose to receive notifications for mentions, shares, comments, or even comments on a post that you already commented on. Additionally, you can opt to be notified if someone adds you to a circle or wants to tag or comment on one of your photos.Despite all these changes, there's still one improvement Google hasn't yet cooked up. Though the iOS app has been working on the iPad (and the iPod Touch) thanks to an update in early August, Google still doesn't offer an iPad-specific version that can take advantage of the tablet's larger screen size.
Google unveils full 3D Google Earth feature
Google unveils full 3D Google Earth feature
Google unveiled a full 3D version of Google Earth today.The service allows users to move around, rotate, and interact with 3D images of cities. Google said it expects the service to work for a few major cities for Android and iOS in the coming weeks. "We're trying to create magic here," said Peter Birch, product manager for Google Earth. "It creates the illusion you're flying over the city.Related storiesThe next dimension of Google Maps and Google Earth (First take)New Google Maps kicks iPhone vs. Android battle up a notchGoogle takes Street View off-road with backpack rigThe service is expected to cover the location of 300 million people by the end of the year, Birch said. The ultimate goal is to get it everywhere. Google is using advanced 3D rendering technology to create the images. The company did a demonstration of the feature in San Francisco, moving around the city and getting full images on the Android tablet. Google Maps heading to new directions (p...See full gallery1 - 4 / 8NextPrevGoogle is investing in planes to take shots of the city, and using automated technology to extract 3D images from the aerial shots. Birch said the company has been working on it for years, but the quality of the images on Google Earth wasn't high enough until now.The technology is different than the patchwork of images and renderings currently used, which Birch said isn't as accurate or visually pleasing. 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
Google unveiled a full 3D version of Google Earth today.The service allows users to move around, rotate, and interact with 3D images of cities. Google said it expects the service to work for a few major cities for Android and iOS in the coming weeks. "We're trying to create magic here," said Peter Birch, product manager for Google Earth. "It creates the illusion you're flying over the city.Related storiesThe next dimension of Google Maps and Google Earth (First take)New Google Maps kicks iPhone vs. Android battle up a notchGoogle takes Street View off-road with backpack rigThe service is expected to cover the location of 300 million people by the end of the year, Birch said. The ultimate goal is to get it everywhere. Google is using advanced 3D rendering technology to create the images. The company did a demonstration of the feature in San Francisco, moving around the city and getting full images on the Android tablet. Google Maps heading to new directions (p...See full gallery1 - 4 / 8NextPrevGoogle is investing in planes to take shots of the city, and using automated technology to extract 3D images from the aerial shots. Birch said the company has been working on it for years, but the quality of the images on Google Earth wasn't high enough until now.The technology is different than the patchwork of images and renderings currently used, which Birch said isn't as accurate or visually pleasing. 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
Google to release Apple-like 'Find My Phone' app at long last
Google to release Apple-like 'Find My Phone' app at long last
One of the few OS perks iPhone owners have still held over the heads of their Android compatriots is Apple's official -- and free -- app for locating and remote wiping a lost device.After years of user complaints and shoddy third-party variants, Google has finally answered iOS's "Find My iPhone" feature with a locator of its own: the Android Device Manager. To be released later this month, the app will let Android users find and ring a misplaced or stolen device on a map in real time, as well as wipe its contents remotely. The feature will be available for users running Android 2.2 or later. Google's solution to the increasing problem of device theft comes at a time when smartphone manufacturers have seen mounting pressure from authorities to add software-side features that could help curb what has been called a violent crime epidemic. Some initiatives, discussed at a meeting between lawmakers and tech giants like Apple and Samsung in June, have included the potential for a "kill switch," which would permanently brick a stolen device and make it worthless for resale. But just how violent is smartphone theft -- which has picked up the unique law enforcement nickname of "Apple picking" -- becoming these days? Examples abound, including the killing of a 26-year-old Museum of Modern Art employee for his iPhone in the Bronx and the mugging of a Crown Heights, Brooklyn woman over her Android device at gunpoint.
One of the few OS perks iPhone owners have still held over the heads of their Android compatriots is Apple's official -- and free -- app for locating and remote wiping a lost device.After years of user complaints and shoddy third-party variants, Google has finally answered iOS's "Find My iPhone" feature with a locator of its own: the Android Device Manager. To be released later this month, the app will let Android users find and ring a misplaced or stolen device on a map in real time, as well as wipe its contents remotely. The feature will be available for users running Android 2.2 or later. Google's solution to the increasing problem of device theft comes at a time when smartphone manufacturers have seen mounting pressure from authorities to add software-side features that could help curb what has been called a violent crime epidemic. Some initiatives, discussed at a meeting between lawmakers and tech giants like Apple and Samsung in June, have included the potential for a "kill switch," which would permanently brick a stolen device and make it worthless for resale. But just how violent is smartphone theft -- which has picked up the unique law enforcement nickname of "Apple picking" -- becoming these days? Examples abound, including the killing of a 26-year-old Museum of Modern Art employee for his iPhone in the Bronx and the mugging of a Crown Heights, Brooklyn woman over her Android device at gunpoint.
Google still wants Apple to use its maps, Eric Schmidt says
Google still wants Apple to use its maps, Eric Schmidt says
The Apple Maps fiasco may have died down, but Google still wants its mapping program to be default on iOS, said Google Chairman Eric Schmidt.Schmidt, speaking today during an AllThingsD mobile conference, declined to say why Apple decided to go with its own mapping system rather than working with Google as it had in the past. But he said his company is still pushing Apple to use Google Maps as the primary navigation tool on iOS. Related stories:CNET's take on Google Maps for iOSGoogle's Eric Schmidt: Apple has learned maps are hardAndroid phones to top 1B by year's end, Eric Schmidt saysEric Schmidt: Motorola's new products are 'phenomenal'"We would still really like them to use our maps," Schmidt said. "It would be easy for them to take the app in the store and put it as their basic one."Schmidt didn't specify whether talks are ongoing.Apple and Google used to partner closely, but the relationship has frayed as Android vies with iOS for smartphone and tablet market share, and the companies accuse each other of stealing designs. In response to the growing tension, Apple decided to package its own mapping app with iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 rather than rely on Google's long-used program. That decision faced a lot of problems, with Apple Maps misnaming cities, misplacing landmarks, and excluding mass transit directions.Google ultimately released a mapping application for iOS, but Apple's homegrown Maps remains default on the iPhone.
The Apple Maps fiasco may have died down, but Google still wants its mapping program to be default on iOS, said Google Chairman Eric Schmidt.Schmidt, speaking today during an AllThingsD mobile conference, declined to say why Apple decided to go with its own mapping system rather than working with Google as it had in the past. But he said his company is still pushing Apple to use Google Maps as the primary navigation tool on iOS. Related stories:CNET's take on Google Maps for iOSGoogle's Eric Schmidt: Apple has learned maps are hardAndroid phones to top 1B by year's end, Eric Schmidt saysEric Schmidt: Motorola's new products are 'phenomenal'"We would still really like them to use our maps," Schmidt said. "It would be easy for them to take the app in the store and put it as their basic one."Schmidt didn't specify whether talks are ongoing.Apple and Google used to partner closely, but the relationship has frayed as Android vies with iOS for smartphone and tablet market share, and the companies accuse each other of stealing designs. In response to the growing tension, Apple decided to package its own mapping app with iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 rather than rely on Google's long-used program. That decision faced a lot of problems, with Apple Maps misnaming cities, misplacing landmarks, and excluding mass transit directions.Google ultimately released a mapping application for iOS, but Apple's homegrown Maps remains default on the iPhone.
Apple remains tablet king, but Samsung climbs
The tablet market has grown by more than 140 percent over the course of a year, with Apple continuing to reign as the No. 1 provider of tablets, according to a report published Wednesday by IDC.That means Apple shipped 19.5 million of the 49.2 million tablets shipped worldwide during this past three-month quarter. Samsung, in comparison, shipped 8.8 million tablets, but it's a figure that's grown more than 280 percent since last year. Asus shipped 2.7 million tablets, thanks to the Nexus 7, and Kindle maker Amazon shipped 1.8 million tablets. Microsoft landed among the top five tablet vendors for the first time with its Surface PT and Surface Pro tablets. It shipped a total of 900,000 tablets.IDC analysts attribute the growth of the tablet market overall to consumers' fondness for smaller screens."Sustained demand for the iPad Mini and increasingly strong commercial shipments led to a better-than-expected first quarter for Apple," Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at IDC, said in a statement. "In addition, by moving the iPad launch to the fourth quarter of 2012, Apple seems to have avoided the typical first-quarter slowdown that traditionally occurred when consumers held off buying in January and February in anticipation of a new product launch in March."iCharts
Apple releases raw support for Nikon D5200, Sony RX1
With the release of its raw compatibility update 4.04, Apple software now can handle raw-format photos from two hot new cameras, the Nikon D5200 SLR and the high-end compact Sony RX1.The D5200 is a relatively inexpensive SLR whose 24-megapixel sensor looks to have promisingly high performance -- the top rating for an APS-C-sized sensor, according to DxO Labs' DxOMark test results. The $2,800 RX1 has an even larger full-frame sensor, also with a 24-megapixel resolution, but its design uses a fixed 35mm lens.Also supported in the Apple update is support for raw photos from Pentax's K-5 II and K-5 IIs, which also get high marks from the DxO sensor test.Apple has been turning the crank faster to keep up with the constant stream of new cameras, with eight raw support updates in the last year. Each update means that software such as iPhoto and Aperture that rely on OS X's raw-image support can handle newer cameras' formats. Raw photos, available on higher-end cameras, offer higher image quality and more flexibility than JPEGs, but they also require some manual processing that makes them less convenient than JPEGs. Also supported in the update are Leica's D-Lux 6, V-Lux 4, and X2, and Pentax's Q and K-30.
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