The 404 414: Where we eat Snow Leopard for dinner
Wilson's back, but we figure everyone is tired of hearing about the Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard by now, so we shift gears and talk about Walmart shoppers instead. Behold: a new blog documenting the People of Walmart. While Wilson "Tennessee" Tang thinks this all looks pretty typical, Jeff and I are straight up spooked. It's humiliating enough to set foot in a Walmart, but what if I just need to pick up deodorant? Now I have to worry about being publicly humiliated on this blog too? And who brought that goat into the store?After our rant is over, we move on to dissect a few upcoming movies like James Cameron's newest science fiction CGI powerhouse, "Avatar." The weird part is that James Cameron has been planning this movie for 10 years but hasn't been able to make it because the technology just wasn't there. Well, now it's here...and the movie looks like a cheesy cut scene from Halo. Next up on the butcher block is "Cirque de Freak: The Vampire's Assistant." Don't get me wrong, I love me some John C. Reilly, but a convincing vampire he is not. When was the last time you've seen a bloodsucker with curly hair? The rest of the show devolves into the three hosts doing vampire impressions, which isn't incredibly hard to do, just follow these three steps:Talk loudly and open-mouthedRaise the intonation of your voice at the end of every sentenceDon't forget the "AH AH AHHH" at the endIf you're like Wilson and don't have anything to do over the weekend, why don't you give us a call at 1-866-404-CNET and tell us what's on your mind? We're also on Twitter, Facebook, and Meetup as well, so there's really no excuse for falling out of touch. Or, if you have a suggestion for our Weekend Throwback Episode, let me know in a comment below!EPISODE 414PodcastYour 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
Microsoft apologizes for 'vile' Amy Winehouse tweet
Microsoft apologizes for 'vile' Amy Winehouse tweet
Yet some people seemed to find this tweet highly offensive. Cynical, even. A tweeter called Simon Riley offered: "Crass much?" Shaney Hudson suggested: "Vile leeches- seriously?" And Stuart Houghton tweeted: "Stay classy Microsoft PR jackals."Other tweeters, though, thought this was overreaction. David Smyth, for example, declared: "It's what she would have wanted."I have no reason to believe that Winehouse was a Zune aficionado. However, it's clear that Microsoft reads its Twitter feed, for it soon replied: "Apologies to everyone if our earlier Amy Winehouse 'download' tweet seemed purely commercially motivated. Far from the case, we assure you."Many might suggest that, oh yes, it was purely commercially motivated and that nobody should be surprised. It's not as if Microsoft is alone in bringing Winehouse's music to people's attention after her death. Apple also put a picture of Winehouse on the iTunes front door with the words "Remembering Amy Winehouse".However, Microsoft seems to have compounded its confused demeanor by sending out another tweet that read: "With Amy W's passing, the world has lost a huge talent. Our thoughts are with Amy's family and friends at this very sad time."The original tweet, though, is still on the Tweetbox360 Twitter feed at the time of writing. Which means that perhaps not all Tweetbox360's thoughts are with Winehouse's family and friends. It also means that tweeters still have the opportunity to give their opinions on Microsoft U.K.'s writing skills. Microsoft's apologies don't seem to have done much good. As tweeter Bec Vaughan says in response to Microsoft's apology: "Why don't you let people download for free then?"Oh, but wouldn't that feel like taking advantage?
Yet some people seemed to find this tweet highly offensive. Cynical, even. A tweeter called Simon Riley offered: "Crass much?" Shaney Hudson suggested: "Vile leeches- seriously?" And Stuart Houghton tweeted: "Stay classy Microsoft PR jackals."Other tweeters, though, thought this was overreaction. David Smyth, for example, declared: "It's what she would have wanted."I have no reason to believe that Winehouse was a Zune aficionado. However, it's clear that Microsoft reads its Twitter feed, for it soon replied: "Apologies to everyone if our earlier Amy Winehouse 'download' tweet seemed purely commercially motivated. Far from the case, we assure you."Many might suggest that, oh yes, it was purely commercially motivated and that nobody should be surprised. It's not as if Microsoft is alone in bringing Winehouse's music to people's attention after her death. Apple also put a picture of Winehouse on the iTunes front door with the words "Remembering Amy Winehouse".However, Microsoft seems to have compounded its confused demeanor by sending out another tweet that read: "With Amy W's passing, the world has lost a huge talent. Our thoughts are with Amy's family and friends at this very sad time."The original tweet, though, is still on the Tweetbox360 Twitter feed at the time of writing. Which means that perhaps not all Tweetbox360's thoughts are with Winehouse's family and friends. It also means that tweeters still have the opportunity to give their opinions on Microsoft U.K.'s writing skills. Microsoft's apologies don't seem to have done much good. As tweeter Bec Vaughan says in response to Microsoft's apology: "Why don't you let people download for free then?"Oh, but wouldn't that feel like taking advantage?
'Fusion' chip on rise as Netbooks become un-Netbooks
'Fusion' chip on rise as Netbooks become un-Netbooks
So, is Fusion that much better than Atom?Let's put it this way: Though AMD's Fusion processors don't clobber comparable Atom chips in benchmarks, Fusion offers enough of a performance cushion over Atom for PC makers like Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo to create new designs. Sony and HP, among others, are using Fusion in 11.6-inch designs that are designated simply as small laptops.(See CNET review of HP Pavilion dm1Z with commentary about AMD's Fusion chip performance vis-a-vis Atom.)Not surprisingly, Intel disagrees about the demise of Netbooks--though in a phone interview Friday, the chipmaker's marketing chief said tablets are having some impact. "It is fair to say that if people have discretionary income and they're going to spend 500 or 600 dollars, it's a tablet today [which] could have been a Netbook a year ago. So, there's no question there's a substitution that could be happening there," said Tom Kilroy, a senior vice president and general manager at Intel's Sales and Marketing Group.And a couple of final thoughts about Netbooks: Apple is also doing its part to diminish the format. Though there's a gaping price difference between, let's say, a $300 Atom-based 10-inch Netbook and a $999 11.6-inch MacBook Air, Apple offers consumers a clearly superior choice to a Netbook. And let's not forget the Chromebook, a dark horse in all of this.These small (11- and 12-inch) Google Chrome OS-based laptops, due in June, are powered by Intel's latest dual-core Atom processors. Atom's performance characteristics are better suited to the Chrome OS than Microsoft's resource- and performance-intensive Windows 7, which runs (slowly) on all Netbooks today.
So, is Fusion that much better than Atom?Let's put it this way: Though AMD's Fusion processors don't clobber comparable Atom chips in benchmarks, Fusion offers enough of a performance cushion over Atom for PC makers like Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo to create new designs. Sony and HP, among others, are using Fusion in 11.6-inch designs that are designated simply as small laptops.(See CNET review of HP Pavilion dm1Z with commentary about AMD's Fusion chip performance vis-a-vis Atom.)Not surprisingly, Intel disagrees about the demise of Netbooks--though in a phone interview Friday, the chipmaker's marketing chief said tablets are having some impact. "It is fair to say that if people have discretionary income and they're going to spend 500 or 600 dollars, it's a tablet today [which] could have been a Netbook a year ago. So, there's no question there's a substitution that could be happening there," said Tom Kilroy, a senior vice president and general manager at Intel's Sales and Marketing Group.And a couple of final thoughts about Netbooks: Apple is also doing its part to diminish the format. Though there's a gaping price difference between, let's say, a $300 Atom-based 10-inch Netbook and a $999 11.6-inch MacBook Air, Apple offers consumers a clearly superior choice to a Netbook. And let's not forget the Chromebook, a dark horse in all of this.These small (11- and 12-inch) Google Chrome OS-based laptops, due in June, are powered by Intel's latest dual-core Atom processors. Atom's performance characteristics are better suited to the Chrome OS than Microsoft's resource- and performance-intensive Windows 7, which runs (slowly) on all Netbooks today.
FTC takes to Twitter to explain $22.5M fine against Google
FTC takes to Twitter to explain $22.5M fine against Google
The Federal Trade Commission took to social media to answer question about the $22.5 million fine it slapped against Google this morning for allegedly tracking people using Apple's Safari browser even though Safari tells users it blocks cookies by default.The fine, while tiny for Google, amounts to the largest penalty ever for the violation of an FTC order. Read the details here.While FTC representatives also took to Twitter and Facebook, the action took place on Twitter. The answers, however, were far from enlightening. The FTC reps sounded like they were tweeting from talking points -- should that be "tweeting points"? -- which was probably the case. When asked how "can msg sent be 'clear' when there's no admission of liability or explanation of violation or fine?" an FTC rep tweeted: "What's impt is actions not words; $22.5M is loud."Another: "What impact do you hope the settlement will have on Web industry? Answer from @FTC: "We want eb industry to abide by the promises it makes to consumers."One participant, @Swiftstories, asked for specifics: "How many Safari users affected by Google modifications and how was that used to compute $22.5M fine." To which @FTC said: "Hard to know exactly. Est 190M Safari users worldwide but not all saw Google's (missteps. Penalty = many factors in case law."And on it went. @caseyoppenheim asked if there was "an analysis of how much Google profited form the violation?" The answer:And another:
The Federal Trade Commission took to social media to answer question about the $22.5 million fine it slapped against Google this morning for allegedly tracking people using Apple's Safari browser even though Safari tells users it blocks cookies by default.The fine, while tiny for Google, amounts to the largest penalty ever for the violation of an FTC order. Read the details here.While FTC representatives also took to Twitter and Facebook, the action took place on Twitter. The answers, however, were far from enlightening. The FTC reps sounded like they were tweeting from talking points -- should that be "tweeting points"? -- which was probably the case. When asked how "can msg sent be 'clear' when there's no admission of liability or explanation of violation or fine?" an FTC rep tweeted: "What's impt is actions not words; $22.5M is loud."Another: "What impact do you hope the settlement will have on Web industry? Answer from @FTC: "We want eb industry to abide by the promises it makes to consumers."One participant, @Swiftstories, asked for specifics: "How many Safari users affected by Google modifications and how was that used to compute $22.5M fine." To which @FTC said: "Hard to know exactly. Est 190M Safari users worldwide but not all saw Google's (missteps. Penalty = many factors in case law."And on it went. @caseyoppenheim asked if there was "an analysis of how much Google profited form the violation?" The answer:And another:
FTC looking into Apple's in-app purchasing policy
FTC looking into Apple's in-app purchasing policy
The Federal Trade Commission will review how Apple markets games with in-app purchases, but not for the reason you may think.Apple introduced a controversial policyfor developers last week when it said that it would take a 30 percent cut of revenue generated from subscription publishing apps that included in-app purchases. Apple also said it would only accept apps whose subscription offers through its iOS app are consistent with the lowest price offered by the publisher elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Justice said last week it would take a look at Apple's policy, but stopped short of launching any kind of formal inquiry.Today FTC Chairman John Leibowitz wrote a letter to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) saying he would review the way Apple is marketing in-app purchases, in particular apps aimed at children, according to The Washington Post. Last week the Post reported on parents having to pay massive bills generated by their children making purchases within apps. Children are able to buy items within games that cost real money without fully understanding what they're doing, the report asserts.In portions of the letter published by the Post, Leibowitz wrote to Markey, "We fully share your concern that consumers, particularly children, are unlikely to understand the ramifications of these types of purchases...Let me assure you we will look closely at the current industry practice with respect to the marketing and delivery of these types of applications."Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Federal Trade Commission will review how Apple markets games with in-app purchases, but not for the reason you may think.Apple introduced a controversial policyfor developers last week when it said that it would take a 30 percent cut of revenue generated from subscription publishing apps that included in-app purchases. Apple also said it would only accept apps whose subscription offers through its iOS app are consistent with the lowest price offered by the publisher elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Justice said last week it would take a look at Apple's policy, but stopped short of launching any kind of formal inquiry.Today FTC Chairman John Leibowitz wrote a letter to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) saying he would review the way Apple is marketing in-app purchases, in particular apps aimed at children, according to The Washington Post. Last week the Post reported on parents having to pay massive bills generated by their children making purchases within apps. Children are able to buy items within games that cost real money without fully understanding what they're doing, the report asserts.In portions of the letter published by the Post, Leibowitz wrote to Markey, "We fully share your concern that consumers, particularly children, are unlikely to understand the ramifications of these types of purchases...Let me assure you we will look closely at the current industry practice with respect to the marketing and delivery of these types of applications."Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FTC seeks Apple testimony in Google antitrust probe
FTC seeks Apple testimony in Google antitrust probe
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has reportedly taken an interest in the mobile side of a business relationship between Apple and Google, and wants it on the record.Citing two people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that the U.S. regulatory group has subpoenaed Apple in hopes of getting details about its mobile-search deal with Google. That includes information on the agreement that has made Google the default search engine on Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPhone since 2007, the report said. The subpoena, which Apple did not confirm or comment on to Bloomberg, is part of a larger investigation by the FTC to figure out whether Google has used unfair or deceptive business practices. The FTC and the U.S. Senate already have investigations under way focused on concerns that Google unfairly promotes its own services in its search results. Related storiesFTC, Senate rachet up Google antitrust probesEPIC to FTC: Google Search Plus may violate privacy, antitrust rulesGoogle settles FTC charges over BuzzA Google spokesman declined comment on the report.While Google has long been the default search engine on Apple's iOS, there are other options. In the United States, that includes Yahoo and Microsoft's Bing, the latter of which became an option in mid-2010. Just ahead of that addition, there was a rumor that Microsoft had won a deal with Apple to become the iPhone's default search provider, although it was quickly squashed.Updated at 2:47 p.m. with note of Google declining to comment.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has reportedly taken an interest in the mobile side of a business relationship between Apple and Google, and wants it on the record.Citing two people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that the U.S. regulatory group has subpoenaed Apple in hopes of getting details about its mobile-search deal with Google. That includes information on the agreement that has made Google the default search engine on Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPhone since 2007, the report said. The subpoena, which Apple did not confirm or comment on to Bloomberg, is part of a larger investigation by the FTC to figure out whether Google has used unfair or deceptive business practices. The FTC and the U.S. Senate already have investigations under way focused on concerns that Google unfairly promotes its own services in its search results. Related storiesFTC, Senate rachet up Google antitrust probesEPIC to FTC: Google Search Plus may violate privacy, antitrust rulesGoogle settles FTC charges over BuzzA Google spokesman declined comment on the report.While Google has long been the default search engine on Apple's iOS, there are other options. In the United States, that includes Yahoo and Microsoft's Bing, the latter of which became an option in mid-2010. Just ahead of that addition, there was a rumor that Microsoft had won a deal with Apple to become the iPhone's default search provider, although it was quickly squashed.Updated at 2:47 p.m. with note of Google declining to comment.
Fresh iPad rumor- Thinner, lighter version due in March
Fresh iPad rumor: Thinner, lighter version due in March
Another iPad already?Apple is prepping a thinner, lighter fifth-generation iPad that shares some of its design cues with the recently released iPad Mini, according to Japanese blog Macotakara. The report was picked up and translated by 9to5Mac.The report also calls for the next iPad Mini to be released with a Retina display, following other similar reports. The addition wouldn't be surprising, as it was a key missing feature with the original iPad Mini.The release of a next-generation iPad would drastically shorten an already shortened product life cycle for Apple's main tablet. The fourth-generation iPad was released last month, just eight months after the third-generation iPad, and the proposed next version would come just five months later. The March timing has been the company's usual launch period for the iPad. Macotakara cited unnamed sources for its report, and it's unclear whether Apple would want to release an iPad so soon after the last one.But looking back, the fourth-generation iPad could have been the anomaly, a version released to ensure all of Apple's products had the same Lightning dock connector. CNET contacted Apple for comment, and we'll update the story when we get a response.Macotakara calls for the next iPad to have dimensions of 4mm in height, 17mm in width, and 2mm in depth, which is a near physical impossibility. The more likely scenario is that those dimensions represent the difference. The current iPad is 241.2mm in height, 185.7mm in width, and 9.4mm in depth.Presumably, the next iPad would pick up the white and silver and black and slate elements from the iPad Mini, which in turn picked them up from the iPhone 5.
Another iPad already?Apple is prepping a thinner, lighter fifth-generation iPad that shares some of its design cues with the recently released iPad Mini, according to Japanese blog Macotakara. The report was picked up and translated by 9to5Mac.The report also calls for the next iPad Mini to be released with a Retina display, following other similar reports. The addition wouldn't be surprising, as it was a key missing feature with the original iPad Mini.The release of a next-generation iPad would drastically shorten an already shortened product life cycle for Apple's main tablet. The fourth-generation iPad was released last month, just eight months after the third-generation iPad, and the proposed next version would come just five months later. The March timing has been the company's usual launch period for the iPad. Macotakara cited unnamed sources for its report, and it's unclear whether Apple would want to release an iPad so soon after the last one.But looking back, the fourth-generation iPad could have been the anomaly, a version released to ensure all of Apple's products had the same Lightning dock connector. CNET contacted Apple for comment, and we'll update the story when we get a response.Macotakara calls for the next iPad to have dimensions of 4mm in height, 17mm in width, and 2mm in depth, which is a near physical impossibility. The more likely scenario is that those dimensions represent the difference. The current iPad is 241.2mm in height, 185.7mm in width, and 9.4mm in depth.Presumably, the next iPad would pick up the white and silver and black and slate elements from the iPad Mini, which in turn picked them up from the iPhone 5.
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