Share your iTunes across the world: SimplifyMedia
At the moment, the service works only with iTunes, and most iTunes users probably know that iTunes already allows streaming between computers. The hitch is that iTunes restricts sharing to a local network, so music can be shared in a building, but not across the world. You can hack around this with a virtual network product like Hamachi, but that's beyond the technical reach of most people. Orb also lets you share your media libraries, but I've found it buggy, and the browser-based interface is slow. SimplifyMedia makes things automatic if you want to share across the Internet. You can invite up to 30 other people into your library, and see their tracks as well. As I said, what I find most useful about the product is that it gives me easy access to my home desktop's iTunes library from my work laptop, no matter where it may be.I keep a large music and podcast library on my desktop at home, and this tool makes it easy for me to access it from iTunes on my laptop, even when I'm at work or on another network elsewhere. It's like a Slingbox for music.The service keeps things legal by allowing only streaming, not copying, and only to a small group. Also, only you can listen to your own iTunes-purchased, DRM-protected tunes. The Simplify team is working to loosen up that restriction.SimplifyMedia-shared libraries show up inside iTunes.CNET NetworksMy big criticism has to do with access control. It's binary--when you let people see and play your library, they have complete access to all your nonprotected music, just as you do. I'd like a better way to restrict visibility for people I've given access to, while maintaining full access for myself. Also, I found a technical conflict between the beta software and my home's media storage drive--I could only have one working at a time. There are also reports of VPN incompatibilities, but none popped up in my tests.This application is a natural for the Facebook community. SimplifyMedia co-founder Paul Joyce says the team is already working on it. See also TUAW's interesting history lesson on iTunes sharing.
How to watch YouTube videos on Roku
How to watch YouTube videos on Roku
2. On your Roku, go to Settings > Player Info > Check for update. This will force your Roku to install the Twonky channel you added online. Once it's done updating, head back to My Channels and a new Twonky channel should appear.Apple iTunes Store3. Connect your phone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku. Then, download the Twonky Beam app (iOS, Android). 4. When you launch the Beam app, you'll be presented with a tiled list of video sources, like YouTube, Ted, and even FunnyOrDie. See, Beam will actually let you stream videos from all of the sources listed, not just YouTube. But, for the purpose of this tutorial, we'll focus on YouTube.From the home screen of the app, swipe left to reveal what we'll call the "beam panel." Here, tap Display Device, and select Roku Video Player.Now you're ready to start beaming YouTube videos to your TV. 5. Swipe right from the beam panel to reveal the home screen, and select YouTube. You'll be redirected to YouTube's mobile site within the app, where you can find a YouTube video as usual. When you find a video you want to beam, you'll see a Beam button overlaid on the video. Tap to play the video, wait a few moments, and revel while the video buffers and plays on your TV screen. You can even play/pause and stop the video from the beam panel.Extra Twonky Beam optionsTwonky Beam offers a couple extra features worth checking out:High-quality streaming:By default, Twonky beams videos in a mediocre bandwidth, but if your Roku is connected to the Internet via Ethernet, and you've got a pretty good connection, pump up the video quality to High.In the Beam app, go to Settings > Settings, and change the preferred bandwidth to High.Video queue: With Twonky Beam, you can line up a list of videos that will play consecutively. From any screen, swipe left and tap Beam Queue Off to turn the feature on. Now head to the videos you want to queue up (even while one is playing on your Roku), tap Beam, and they'll be added to the queue. When you're ready to switch back to on-demand viewing, just tap Beam Queue On to disable it.
2. On your Roku, go to Settings > Player Info > Check for update. This will force your Roku to install the Twonky channel you added online. Once it's done updating, head back to My Channels and a new Twonky channel should appear.Apple iTunes Store3. Connect your phone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku. Then, download the Twonky Beam app (iOS, Android). 4. When you launch the Beam app, you'll be presented with a tiled list of video sources, like YouTube, Ted, and even FunnyOrDie. See, Beam will actually let you stream videos from all of the sources listed, not just YouTube. But, for the purpose of this tutorial, we'll focus on YouTube.From the home screen of the app, swipe left to reveal what we'll call the "beam panel." Here, tap Display Device, and select Roku Video Player.Now you're ready to start beaming YouTube videos to your TV. 5. Swipe right from the beam panel to reveal the home screen, and select YouTube. You'll be redirected to YouTube's mobile site within the app, where you can find a YouTube video as usual. When you find a video you want to beam, you'll see a Beam button overlaid on the video. Tap to play the video, wait a few moments, and revel while the video buffers and plays on your TV screen. You can even play/pause and stop the video from the beam panel.Extra Twonky Beam optionsTwonky Beam offers a couple extra features worth checking out:High-quality streaming:By default, Twonky beams videos in a mediocre bandwidth, but if your Roku is connected to the Internet via Ethernet, and you've got a pretty good connection, pump up the video quality to High.In the Beam app, go to Settings > Settings, and change the preferred bandwidth to High.Video queue: With Twonky Beam, you can line up a list of videos that will play consecutively. From any screen, swipe left and tap Beam Queue Off to turn the feature on. Now head to the videos you want to queue up (even while one is playing on your Roku), tap Beam, and they'll be added to the queue. When you're ready to switch back to on-demand viewing, just tap Beam Queue On to disable it.
Tim Cook doesn't like Apple's falling share price, either
Tim Cook doesn't like Apple's falling share price, either
If you're an Apple shareholder and pretty pissed about the company's recent stock drop, you can at least take comfort in knowing you're not alone. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said today during the electronics giant's annual shareholder meeting that he knows people are upset about the stock drop.Related stories:Apple re-elects board, mum about stock splitApple, Samsung get knocked down a pegStock split rumor surfaces ahead of Apple investor meeting"I don't like it either," Cook said. Nor does the board and management, he added.But what investors are likely still wondering is what Apple is going to do about it. Shares have tumbled roughly 35 percent from their peak in September, and it's unclear what could spur another run higher. Many investors have become worried about increased competition from the likes of Samsung and others, and some shareholders, like David Einhorn, have demanded that Apple return more cash to investors.Cook today said the company is focused on the long term and making the very best products. He noted that Apple is working harder than ever and "has some great stuff coming." Apple shares recently slid 1 percent, to $444.29, as investors awaited more news from the shareholder meeting.
If you're an Apple shareholder and pretty pissed about the company's recent stock drop, you can at least take comfort in knowing you're not alone. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said today during the electronics giant's annual shareholder meeting that he knows people are upset about the stock drop.Related stories:Apple re-elects board, mum about stock splitApple, Samsung get knocked down a pegStock split rumor surfaces ahead of Apple investor meeting"I don't like it either," Cook said. Nor does the board and management, he added.But what investors are likely still wondering is what Apple is going to do about it. Shares have tumbled roughly 35 percent from their peak in September, and it's unclear what could spur another run higher. Many investors have become worried about increased competition from the likes of Samsung and others, and some shareholders, like David Einhorn, have demanded that Apple return more cash to investors.Cook today said the company is focused on the long term and making the very best products. He noted that Apple is working harder than ever and "has some great stuff coming." Apple shares recently slid 1 percent, to $444.29, as investors awaited more news from the shareholder meeting.
Tim Cook advises climate change deniers to get out of Apple stock
Tim Cook advises climate change deniers to get out of Apple stock
In his job as Apple CEO, Tim Cook is mostly known for having a demeanor that's in some ways antithetical to that of Steve Jobs. Instead of bombast and bold claims, Cook's soothing Southern-tinged speech and steely temperament have marked him as a man whose head could be nothing but level. That is, unless you're a shareholder who thinks climate change is bogus. At Apple's annual shareholder meeting Friday, Cook shot down the suggestion from a conservative, Washington, D.C.-based think tank that Apple give up on environmental initiatives that don't contribute to the company's bottom line. The organization, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), hasn't taken too kindly to Apple's increasing reliance on green energy, nor Cook's hiring of Lisa Jackson, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to spearhead sustainability efforts for the iPhone-maker. And NCPPR General Counsel Justin Danhof said as much in a statement issued to Apple ahead of the meeting."We object to increased government control over company products and operations, and likewise mandatory environmental standards," Danhof wrote alongside NCPPR's demand that the pledge be voted on at the meeting. "This is something [Apple] should be actively fighting, not preparing surrender."Cook came back with a harsh reminder that despite the company's mounds of cash, it is not in the business of caving to shareholder demands, especially politically motivated ones. "We do a lot of things for reasons besides profit motive," Cook said. "We want to leave the world better than we found it."Danhof's proposal was voted down, of course, but not before Cook put the final touches on his rebuttal. To any who found the company's environmental dedication either ideologically or economically ill-advised, they can "get out of the stock," Cook said. (Via Mashable)
In his job as Apple CEO, Tim Cook is mostly known for having a demeanor that's in some ways antithetical to that of Steve Jobs. Instead of bombast and bold claims, Cook's soothing Southern-tinged speech and steely temperament have marked him as a man whose head could be nothing but level. That is, unless you're a shareholder who thinks climate change is bogus. At Apple's annual shareholder meeting Friday, Cook shot down the suggestion from a conservative, Washington, D.C.-based think tank that Apple give up on environmental initiatives that don't contribute to the company's bottom line. The organization, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), hasn't taken too kindly to Apple's increasing reliance on green energy, nor Cook's hiring of Lisa Jackson, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to spearhead sustainability efforts for the iPhone-maker. And NCPPR General Counsel Justin Danhof said as much in a statement issued to Apple ahead of the meeting."We object to increased government control over company products and operations, and likewise mandatory environmental standards," Danhof wrote alongside NCPPR's demand that the pledge be voted on at the meeting. "This is something [Apple] should be actively fighting, not preparing surrender."Cook came back with a harsh reminder that despite the company's mounds of cash, it is not in the business of caving to shareholder demands, especially politically motivated ones. "We do a lot of things for reasons besides profit motive," Cook said. "We want to leave the world better than we found it."Danhof's proposal was voted down, of course, but not before Cook put the final touches on his rebuttal. To any who found the company's environmental dedication either ideologically or economically ill-advised, they can "get out of the stock," Cook said. (Via Mashable)
Apple-Beats deal to get EU decision by July 30
Apple-Beats deal to get EU decision by July 30
The European Union's competition watchdog, the European Commission, will make a decision on Apple's $3 billion deal to buy Beats by the end of next month.The Commission announced the news Wednesday, saying that while it could clear the deal with no concessions, it reserves the right to launch an in-depth investigation into the agreement to deal with any competitive issues that might result from the acquisition.Late last month, Apple announced plans to acquire Beats for $3 billion. Apple has been cryptic about its plans, but seems to be most interested in the Beats Music streaming service. While Apple already has a music-streaming service in iTunes Radio, the pending acquisition suggests that Apple sees greater potential by folding Beats Music into its lineup.The European Commission is just one of several governmental bodies that need to approve the Apple deal, including US regulators, who will also examine whether it poses any anticompetitive concerns. That seems unlikely, given the sheer amount of competition in music streaming today and the small sliver occupied by Beats Music in the space owned by Pandora and Spotify.In addition to streaming music, Apple would get its hands on Beats' popular headphones. Apple's brand has arguably lost some of its "coolness" factor over the last few years, while Beats, riding the success of its headphones, has become a pop culture phenomenon. When the deal closes, Apple will also bring aboard rap star and Beats co-founder Dr. Dre, as well as Interscope Records chairman and Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the EU approval date. We will update this story when we have more information.
The European Union's competition watchdog, the European Commission, will make a decision on Apple's $3 billion deal to buy Beats by the end of next month.The Commission announced the news Wednesday, saying that while it could clear the deal with no concessions, it reserves the right to launch an in-depth investigation into the agreement to deal with any competitive issues that might result from the acquisition.Late last month, Apple announced plans to acquire Beats for $3 billion. Apple has been cryptic about its plans, but seems to be most interested in the Beats Music streaming service. While Apple already has a music-streaming service in iTunes Radio, the pending acquisition suggests that Apple sees greater potential by folding Beats Music into its lineup.The European Commission is just one of several governmental bodies that need to approve the Apple deal, including US regulators, who will also examine whether it poses any anticompetitive concerns. That seems unlikely, given the sheer amount of competition in music streaming today and the small sliver occupied by Beats Music in the space owned by Pandora and Spotify.In addition to streaming music, Apple would get its hands on Beats' popular headphones. Apple's brand has arguably lost some of its "coolness" factor over the last few years, while Beats, riding the success of its headphones, has become a pop culture phenomenon. When the deal closes, Apple will also bring aboard rap star and Beats co-founder Dr. Dre, as well as Interscope Records chairman and Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the EU approval date. We will update this story when we have more information.
Apple-approved drug-dealing game tops iTunes chart
Apple-approved drug-dealing game tops iTunes chart
How can you ever teach kids about real life?You know they're going to encounter it before you know it. And you know there's no guaranteed method of preparing them.There is, however, a way to ease them gently into certain aspects. Why, USA Today tells me there's a very fine drug-dealing game that's soared to the very top of the iTunes chart. It's called Weed Firm. And, yes, its principles don't divert entirely from the challenges experienced by Mary-Louise Parker's character on "Weeds."The game's makers describe it like this: "Follow the story of an expelled botany sophomore Ted Growing as heinherits a growing operation and expands it. Learn to grow weed, plantnew varieties to increase your yields, expand your customer base andinteract with the characters to become the biggest weed dealer in town."Yes, of course you have to bribe the police along the way. That's called a business expense.Some might find it odd that Apple, which does occasionally adhere to strict moral principles, approved this game at all. (And it's definitely available beyond Colorado and Washington.)More Technically IncorrectWoz to FCC: You're supposed to be on the people's sideDear Ashton Kutcher, where are my T-shirts?NYPD uses GPS-enabled pill bottle to catch alleged drugstore robberThose who have reviewed it in the iTunes Store seem generally pleased with its performance. One reviewer, though, offered frustration: "I hate when the gangsters break in and steal all of your money and weedand if you haven't already got any seeds or weed, you can't buy or sellanything else."Life can be like that. Heartless.Manitoba Games, the makers of Weed Firm, insist they don't condone smoking pot or making money out of dealing. Their disclaimer reads: "The plot of this game is solely a work of fiction and should be viewed only as such."Personally, I enjoyed their other warning, one that will surely serve everyone as they go through their daily lives: "Watch out for thugs and cops."
How can you ever teach kids about real life?You know they're going to encounter it before you know it. And you know there's no guaranteed method of preparing them.There is, however, a way to ease them gently into certain aspects. Why, USA Today tells me there's a very fine drug-dealing game that's soared to the very top of the iTunes chart. It's called Weed Firm. And, yes, its principles don't divert entirely from the challenges experienced by Mary-Louise Parker's character on "Weeds."The game's makers describe it like this: "Follow the story of an expelled botany sophomore Ted Growing as heinherits a growing operation and expands it. Learn to grow weed, plantnew varieties to increase your yields, expand your customer base andinteract with the characters to become the biggest weed dealer in town."Yes, of course you have to bribe the police along the way. That's called a business expense.Some might find it odd that Apple, which does occasionally adhere to strict moral principles, approved this game at all. (And it's definitely available beyond Colorado and Washington.)More Technically IncorrectWoz to FCC: You're supposed to be on the people's sideDear Ashton Kutcher, where are my T-shirts?NYPD uses GPS-enabled pill bottle to catch alleged drugstore robberThose who have reviewed it in the iTunes Store seem generally pleased with its performance. One reviewer, though, offered frustration: "I hate when the gangsters break in and steal all of your money and weedand if you haven't already got any seeds or weed, you can't buy or sellanything else."Life can be like that. Heartless.Manitoba Games, the makers of Weed Firm, insist they don't condone smoking pot or making money out of dealing. Their disclaimer reads: "The plot of this game is solely a work of fiction and should be viewed only as such."Personally, I enjoyed their other warning, one that will surely serve everyone as they go through their daily lives: "Watch out for thugs and cops."
Apple OKs Cinemax app, despite anti-porn policy
Apple OKs Cinemax app, despite anti-porn policy
A new app has arrived at the iTunes store that may violate Apple's own policy of keeping pornographic material off its app store.The company has given its blessing to the Cinemax Max Go app, which provides on-demand access to movies and programming on mobile devices to the cable channel's subscribers. The app also includes a Max After Dark tab, which allows streaming of some of the channel's softcore programming, which helped earned Cinemax the nickname "Skinemax."The app includes a disclosure that states users must be at least 17 years old to download the app because, among other things, it includes "frequent/intense sexual content or nudity." It also contains parental controls designed to prevent children from viewing racy material. However, as first pointed out by GigaOm, the programming being made available on iPads appears to violate Apple's own anti-porn policy.Movies with titles such as "The Hills Have Thighs," "Bikini Jones," and "The Temple of Eros" are available under the tab. But Apple's App Store guidelines state that "apps containing pornographic material, defined by Webster's Dictionary as 'explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings,' will be rejected."Apple is notoriously strict about what type of content it allows on the App Store. The company has in the past banned apps that contained certain sexual material and at one point even rejected an app from Project Gutenberg because it provided access to the Kama Sutra.Apple CEO Steve Jobs even reportedly told a customer asking about the company's porn policy that "we do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone. Folks who want porn can buy and (sic) Android phone."Apple representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A new app has arrived at the iTunes store that may violate Apple's own policy of keeping pornographic material off its app store.The company has given its blessing to the Cinemax Max Go app, which provides on-demand access to movies and programming on mobile devices to the cable channel's subscribers. The app also includes a Max After Dark tab, which allows streaming of some of the channel's softcore programming, which helped earned Cinemax the nickname "Skinemax."The app includes a disclosure that states users must be at least 17 years old to download the app because, among other things, it includes "frequent/intense sexual content or nudity." It also contains parental controls designed to prevent children from viewing racy material. However, as first pointed out by GigaOm, the programming being made available on iPads appears to violate Apple's own anti-porn policy.Movies with titles such as "The Hills Have Thighs," "Bikini Jones," and "The Temple of Eros" are available under the tab. But Apple's App Store guidelines state that "apps containing pornographic material, defined by Webster's Dictionary as 'explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings,' will be rejected."Apple is notoriously strict about what type of content it allows on the App Store. The company has in the past banned apps that contained certain sexual material and at one point even rejected an app from Project Gutenberg because it provided access to the Kama Sutra.Apple CEO Steve Jobs even reportedly told a customer asking about the company's porn policy that "we do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone. Folks who want porn can buy and (sic) Android phone."Apple representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apple offers up e-book discount to avoid antitrust fines, report says
Apple offers up e-book discount to avoid antitrust fines, report says
Apple has come up with a deal that may get the company out of an European antitrust investigation and avoid possible fines by letting its competitors sell e-books at a discount, Reuters reported today.The agreement, proposed by Apple and four major publishers, would let e-book retailers like Amazon sell books at a lower price for two years, an unnamed source told Reuters.In fear of Apple squashing competition in Europe, the European Union's commission overseeing antitrust violations began investigating Apple's e-book prices in December.The four publishers -- Simon & Schuster (which is owned by CBS, the same company that publishes CNET), News Corp. unit HarperCollins Publishers, French group Lagardere SCA's Hachette Livre, and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck (which owns Macmillan in Germany) -- had a deal with Apple that let the Cupertino, Calif., company sell e-books in iTunes, but stopped other retailers from selling the book at a lower price.The commission announced in April that five publishers had offered deals, also in an attempt to stop the investigation, but no details were released. Reuters' source said the commission is now looking for input from the industry to see if the offered concessions are sufficient.Apple's e-book woes are far reaching. In the United States, Justice Department officials have pursued a lawsuit against Apple and publishers for allegedly conspiring to increase prices.
Apple has come up with a deal that may get the company out of an European antitrust investigation and avoid possible fines by letting its competitors sell e-books at a discount, Reuters reported today.The agreement, proposed by Apple and four major publishers, would let e-book retailers like Amazon sell books at a lower price for two years, an unnamed source told Reuters.In fear of Apple squashing competition in Europe, the European Union's commission overseeing antitrust violations began investigating Apple's e-book prices in December.The four publishers -- Simon & Schuster (which is owned by CBS, the same company that publishes CNET), News Corp. unit HarperCollins Publishers, French group Lagardere SCA's Hachette Livre, and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck (which owns Macmillan in Germany) -- had a deal with Apple that let the Cupertino, Calif., company sell e-books in iTunes, but stopped other retailers from selling the book at a lower price.The commission announced in April that five publishers had offered deals, also in an attempt to stop the investigation, but no details were released. Reuters' source said the commission is now looking for input from the industry to see if the offered concessions are sufficient.Apple's e-book woes are far reaching. In the United States, Justice Department officials have pursued a lawsuit against Apple and publishers for allegedly conspiring to increase prices.
Apple offers installment payments to customers in China
Apple offers installment payments to customers in China
Apple is trying to make it easier for customers in China to pay for its products.The company has posted to its Chinese Web site a new installment plan, allowing customers who pay 300 yuan (about $48) or more for an Apple product to pay in installments. From now until January 23, Apple is offering interest-free payments for up to 12 months. If customers choose 18- or 24-month installments, interest will be assessed at 6.5 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively.When customers check out on Apple's online store, they'll be given the option to pay in full at that time or choose an installment plan. Upon doing so, they'll be entered into installment plans through the Merchants Bank credit card.The move appears to be an attempt on Apple's part to appeal to shoppers in China who might not be able to afford its expensive products. For example, the iPhone 5 starts at 5,288 yuan -- about $850. The company's iPad starts at 3,688 yuan.As Bloomberg, which first reported on the installment plan, pointed out in its report, the iPhone 5's starting price is equal to about six weeks' pay for the typical Chinese employee working in a city.Still, Apple isn't offering the installment plan only to customers in China. In the U.S., for example, Apple will allow customers to finance its products for up to 18 months. Customer purchases that reach $1,999 or more have no interest for a period of 18 months. The no-interest option is available on smaller purchases for a shorter period of time.
Apple is trying to make it easier for customers in China to pay for its products.The company has posted to its Chinese Web site a new installment plan, allowing customers who pay 300 yuan (about $48) or more for an Apple product to pay in installments. From now until January 23, Apple is offering interest-free payments for up to 12 months. If customers choose 18- or 24-month installments, interest will be assessed at 6.5 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively.When customers check out on Apple's online store, they'll be given the option to pay in full at that time or choose an installment plan. Upon doing so, they'll be entered into installment plans through the Merchants Bank credit card.The move appears to be an attempt on Apple's part to appeal to shoppers in China who might not be able to afford its expensive products. For example, the iPhone 5 starts at 5,288 yuan -- about $850. The company's iPad starts at 3,688 yuan.As Bloomberg, which first reported on the installment plan, pointed out in its report, the iPhone 5's starting price is equal to about six weeks' pay for the typical Chinese employee working in a city.Still, Apple isn't offering the installment plan only to customers in China. In the U.S., for example, Apple will allow customers to finance its products for up to 18 months. Customer purchases that reach $1,999 or more have no interest for a period of 18 months. The no-interest option is available on smaller purchases for a shorter period of time.
Apple nudging developers to get apps Gatekeeper-ready
Apple nudging developers to get apps Gatekeeper-ready
Apple's release of its Mountain Lion software isn't until "late summer," though today the company began nudging developers to get their software up to speed with its new security feature.In an e-mail sent to developers this afternoon and forwarded on to CNET, Apple urged developers to start signing their apps and other software with their Apple Developer ID certificate so they will get by Gatekeeper, a security feature that's built into Apple's next OS and designed to keep malware at bay. "Gatekeeper is a new feature in OS X Mountain Lion that helps protect users from downloading and installing malicious software," Apple told developers. "Signing your applications, plug-ins, and installer packages with a Developer ID certificate lets Gatekeeper verify that they are not known malware and have not been tampered with."The feature has three levels of security, though by default it's set up to keep software from being installed unless it's sold through Apple's Mac App Store, or been certified by a registered Apple developer. The two other options allow users to either install anything without running the additional security check (which is how it works in existing versions of the OS), or limit software installations to Apple's Mac App Store.Related storiesApple Mac OS X 'Mountain Lion' takes more bites out of iOSSecurity experts: Apple did Mac OS X Gatekeeper rightWith Mountain Lion, Apple brings iOS and OS X a big step closerAs mentionedin previous coverage, Mountain Lion is a successor to OS X 10.7 Lion, whichApple released last July. The software takes several cues from Apple's iOS platform, bringing over features like Notification Center, and apps like Reminders and Notepad. Apple is currently on its third developer preview of Mountain Lion. The first preview came in February, alongside the unveiling of the upcoming OS.Here's the e-mail: Click to enlarge.CNET
Apple's release of its Mountain Lion software isn't until "late summer," though today the company began nudging developers to get their software up to speed with its new security feature.In an e-mail sent to developers this afternoon and forwarded on to CNET, Apple urged developers to start signing their apps and other software with their Apple Developer ID certificate so they will get by Gatekeeper, a security feature that's built into Apple's next OS and designed to keep malware at bay. "Gatekeeper is a new feature in OS X Mountain Lion that helps protect users from downloading and installing malicious software," Apple told developers. "Signing your applications, plug-ins, and installer packages with a Developer ID certificate lets Gatekeeper verify that they are not known malware and have not been tampered with."The feature has three levels of security, though by default it's set up to keep software from being installed unless it's sold through Apple's Mac App Store, or been certified by a registered Apple developer. The two other options allow users to either install anything without running the additional security check (which is how it works in existing versions of the OS), or limit software installations to Apple's Mac App Store.Related storiesApple Mac OS X 'Mountain Lion' takes more bites out of iOSSecurity experts: Apple did Mac OS X Gatekeeper rightWith Mountain Lion, Apple brings iOS and OS X a big step closerAs mentionedin previous coverage, Mountain Lion is a successor to OS X 10.7 Lion, whichApple released last July. The software takes several cues from Apple's iOS platform, bringing over features like Notification Center, and apps like Reminders and Notepad. Apple is currently on its third developer preview of Mountain Lion. The first preview came in February, alongside the unveiling of the upcoming OS.Here's the e-mail: Click to enlarge.CNET
Apple now world's largest semiconductor buyer
Apple now world's largest semiconductor buyer
Apple is the easily outstripping all other hardware makers in semiconductor spending, a new report from IHS iSuppli has found.According to the research firm, Apple spent $17.5 billion on semiconductors in 2010, representing a whopping 79.6 percent increase over the $9.7 billion it spent in 2009. That year, Apple was ranked third among semiconductor buyers behind Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Samsung.And with that leap in spending, IHS iSuppli said, Apple now finds itself--"for the first time ever"--the largest buyer of semiconductors among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide.This time around, HP finds itself in the second spot with $15.2 billion spent on semiconductors last year. Samsung, Dell, and Nokia rounded out the top five by spending $13.9 billion, $11 billion, and $8.3 billion, respectively.Apple's meteoric rise in spending is due mainly to the company's iPhone and iPad, IHS iSuppli said. In 2010, Apple dedicated 61 percent of its semiconductor spending to its mobile devices, while the remaining costs went to its computers. HP, on the other hand, spent 82 percent of its cash on desktops, notebooks, and servers.Chances are, Apple's spending mix won't change anytime soon. At the Worldwide Developers Conference this week, the company announced that sales of iOS-based devices continue to soar. And so far, Apple has sold 200 million iOS-based products around the world.As that figure grows, IHS iSuppli expects more big things from Apple in the semiconductor market. The research firm said today that it expects Apple's semiconductor spending to increase again in 2011 to $22.4 billion. HP's, on the other hand, is expected to fall to $14.8 billion. Samsung, the research firm said, will spend $14.3 billion on semiconductors this year.
Apple is the easily outstripping all other hardware makers in semiconductor spending, a new report from IHS iSuppli has found.According to the research firm, Apple spent $17.5 billion on semiconductors in 2010, representing a whopping 79.6 percent increase over the $9.7 billion it spent in 2009. That year, Apple was ranked third among semiconductor buyers behind Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Samsung.And with that leap in spending, IHS iSuppli said, Apple now finds itself--"for the first time ever"--the largest buyer of semiconductors among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide.This time around, HP finds itself in the second spot with $15.2 billion spent on semiconductors last year. Samsung, Dell, and Nokia rounded out the top five by spending $13.9 billion, $11 billion, and $8.3 billion, respectively.Apple's meteoric rise in spending is due mainly to the company's iPhone and iPad, IHS iSuppli said. In 2010, Apple dedicated 61 percent of its semiconductor spending to its mobile devices, while the remaining costs went to its computers. HP, on the other hand, spent 82 percent of its cash on desktops, notebooks, and servers.Chances are, Apple's spending mix won't change anytime soon. At the Worldwide Developers Conference this week, the company announced that sales of iOS-based devices continue to soar. And so far, Apple has sold 200 million iOS-based products around the world.As that figure grows, IHS iSuppli expects more big things from Apple in the semiconductor market. The research firm said today that it expects Apple's semiconductor spending to increase again in 2011 to $22.4 billion. HP's, on the other hand, is expected to fall to $14.8 billion. Samsung, the research firm said, will spend $14.3 billion on semiconductors this year.
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