MySpace buries Imeem
On Tuesday, MySpace completed its acquisition of Imeem, a service that used to let users upload music and videos and share playlists. In the press release announcing the finalization of the deal, MySpace noted that it will be "working as quickly as possible" to migrate "aspects of" Imeem to MySpace Music.What does that mean? As of Tuesday, it means that Imeem's gone. Imeem.com and my personal Imeem profile both redirect to MySpace Music.The press release promises that MySpace will "be working to offer users the Imeem playlists they've created on MySpace Music," but the phrasing on the FAQ doesn't leave me much hope--"will attempt to transition" leaves a lot of wiggle room. The free Imeem app for iPhone is still in the iTunes Store, but it's going to be inoperable until MySpace pushes an update out, and there's no telling how close the new app will be to the old one.I always found Imeem a little confusing--especially in its early days--but I did like its user-contributed content model, which gave it a large selection of music, and I personally used it to post a lot of recordings from long-dead bands I used to play in. But I suspect that user-contributed content is one reason why MySpace is treating Imeem so differently than it treated iLike: some of that content may not have been properly licensed from content owners. In contrast, MySpace boasts that its content is "fully licensed."Unfortunately, using MySpace Music is still a pain. It's gotten a bit better since the last time I took a close look, but I still can't find the home pages for certain artists using the MySpace search engine (Google works), the advertisements are still annoying and intrusive (text ads above search results; audio ads on a music site), and there are still no playable Led Zeppelin tracks. (Although MySpace does have The Beatles and AC/DC, which most other services don't.)There's no free lunch, and the recent consolidation among free online music sites is beginning to look like a crackdown.
iPhone sales could hit 50 million in fourth quarter, says analyst
iPhone sales could hit 50 million in fourth quarter, says analyst
Apple may receive a nice Christmas bonus in the form of 50 million iPhones sold over the December quarter.Courtesy of J.P. Morgan analyst Katy Huberty, that forecast is a bit higher than the previous estimate and is based on heavy iPhone 5 demand anticipated by both suppliers and carriers. Last week's preorders for the new iPhone also were greater than expected, rising 100 percent from 2011's numbers for the iPhone 4s.For the current quarter ending this month, Huberty now sees iPhone sales of 25 million, a modest bump from the previous forecast. The actual numbers for both the third and fourth quarters could be higher if component supplies improve. And if the first quarter of 2013 proves healthier than usual, the analyst predicts total iPhone sales of 200 million for all of next year.Apple is already off to a solid start. The company said today that it sold more than 5 million iPhone 5 handsets over the weekend. However, some analysts were projecting sales as high as 10 million.Related storiesiPhone 5 preorders indicate hot demandiPhone 5 matches monthlong sales figures for 4S in just 3 daysiPhone 5 sales top 5M units over first weekend, Apple saysHere's to the iSheep, iPhone 5 vindicates themChina is likely to be a major contributor to iPhone 5 sales with more carriers set to offer the new phone, Huberty said in a research note out today.China Unicom could start shipping the iPhone 5 as soon as this December. China Telecom is expected to follow suit in next year's first quarter. And Apple is reportedly working with China Mobile to offer an iPhone 5 compatible with the carrier's TD-LTE network.Huberty expects the LTE-enabled iPhone 5 to trigger a strong wave of upgrades for the rest of the year and throughout 2013.
Apple may receive a nice Christmas bonus in the form of 50 million iPhones sold over the December quarter.Courtesy of J.P. Morgan analyst Katy Huberty, that forecast is a bit higher than the previous estimate and is based on heavy iPhone 5 demand anticipated by both suppliers and carriers. Last week's preorders for the new iPhone also were greater than expected, rising 100 percent from 2011's numbers for the iPhone 4s.For the current quarter ending this month, Huberty now sees iPhone sales of 25 million, a modest bump from the previous forecast. The actual numbers for both the third and fourth quarters could be higher if component supplies improve. And if the first quarter of 2013 proves healthier than usual, the analyst predicts total iPhone sales of 200 million for all of next year.Apple is already off to a solid start. The company said today that it sold more than 5 million iPhone 5 handsets over the weekend. However, some analysts were projecting sales as high as 10 million.Related storiesiPhone 5 preorders indicate hot demandiPhone 5 matches monthlong sales figures for 4S in just 3 daysiPhone 5 sales top 5M units over first weekend, Apple saysHere's to the iSheep, iPhone 5 vindicates themChina is likely to be a major contributor to iPhone 5 sales with more carriers set to offer the new phone, Huberty said in a research note out today.China Unicom could start shipping the iPhone 5 as soon as this December. China Telecom is expected to follow suit in next year's first quarter. And Apple is reportedly working with China Mobile to offer an iPhone 5 compatible with the carrier's TD-LTE network.Huberty expects the LTE-enabled iPhone 5 to trigger a strong wave of upgrades for the rest of the year and throughout 2013.
iPhone owners report iOS 4.0.1 installation errors
iPhone owners report iOS 4.0.1 installation errors
Apple looks to have yet another problem on its hands.iPhone owners attempting to install the latest software update from Apple Thursday afternoon say that the process repeatedly fails. The reports cropped up on Apple's own support forums. A user with the handle evan127 wrote Thursday, "So, this is the seventh time I've tried to restore. I keep getting error 9. I've tried both usb ports and another cable. Now I am trying a new user account. What else can I do?...I get 3/4 of the way through the firmware update and it gives me an error."Other users reported similar experiences. "I'm having the same problem everyone else is reporting with the upgrade timing out 2/3 of the way through," wrote user stteve. "I've tried all the things recommended on the Apple site, from deleting software, trying another computer, etc." Apple released iOS 4.0.1 earlier Thursday as a partial solution to the antenna-related problems that have dogged the iPhone 4 since its debut in June. But the system update is only meant to change the way the phone displays signal strength, and does not address the weakening or dropped signals when the phone is gripped in a certain way. Apple will likely address the antenna-related problems at the special press conference it has called for Friday morning.Problems installing 4.0.1 don't appear to be universal. CNET had no problem installing the update earlier Thursday. It's possible Apple's servers that are delivering the update are overloaded by many iPhone owners trying to download the update simultaneously.We've reached out for comment from Apple to see if it's aware of the issue, but have not yet heard back. We'll update this post if we hear more.
Apple looks to have yet another problem on its hands.iPhone owners attempting to install the latest software update from Apple Thursday afternoon say that the process repeatedly fails. The reports cropped up on Apple's own support forums. A user with the handle evan127 wrote Thursday, "So, this is the seventh time I've tried to restore. I keep getting error 9. I've tried both usb ports and another cable. Now I am trying a new user account. What else can I do?...I get 3/4 of the way through the firmware update and it gives me an error."Other users reported similar experiences. "I'm having the same problem everyone else is reporting with the upgrade timing out 2/3 of the way through," wrote user stteve. "I've tried all the things recommended on the Apple site, from deleting software, trying another computer, etc." Apple released iOS 4.0.1 earlier Thursday as a partial solution to the antenna-related problems that have dogged the iPhone 4 since its debut in June. But the system update is only meant to change the way the phone displays signal strength, and does not address the weakening or dropped signals when the phone is gripped in a certain way. Apple will likely address the antenna-related problems at the special press conference it has called for Friday morning.Problems installing 4.0.1 don't appear to be universal. CNET had no problem installing the update earlier Thursday. It's possible Apple's servers that are delivering the update are overloaded by many iPhone owners trying to download the update simultaneously.We've reached out for comment from Apple to see if it's aware of the issue, but have not yet heard back. We'll update this post if we hear more.
iPhone owned 63 percent of smartphone marketshare at AT&T
iPhone owned 63 percent of smartphone marketshare at AT&T
Apple's share of the smartphone market dominated at AT&T and Verizon, but Samsung's share was growing, records show. In the first quarter of 2010, Apple owned 60 percent market share compared with Samsung's 3 percent. The combined market share belonging to all the other phone makers equaled 37 percent. The data was made public as part of Apple v. Samsung, the ongoing patent trial that has enabled tech fans to take a peek at some of each company's trade secrets. Apple filed suit last year and accused Samsung of pilfering the iPhone and iPad's "look and feel." Samsung countersued and alleged that the iPhone and iPad violated some of its patents. While it won't surprise anyone that Apple's market share at AT&T or Verizon was big, it is interesting to note that Samsung was making gains. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple's share of the market had grown by 3 percent from the first quarter of 2010, while Samsung's had more than quadrupled to 12 percent during the same period. At the same time, the combined share for all other manufacturers fell to 24 percent. The data shows a dramatic change in market share at Verizon. In Q1 2010, with the iPhone still unavailable at the carrier, Samsung controlled 3 percent of the smartphone share while the other carriers controlled 97 percent. Verizon began selling the iPhone in Q1 2011 and by the fourth quarter of that year, the iPhone owned 54 percent of the market at the carrier. Samsung was up to 12 and the other competitors' combined market share had plummeted to 34 percent.
Apple's share of the smartphone market dominated at AT&T and Verizon, but Samsung's share was growing, records show. In the first quarter of 2010, Apple owned 60 percent market share compared with Samsung's 3 percent. The combined market share belonging to all the other phone makers equaled 37 percent. The data was made public as part of Apple v. Samsung, the ongoing patent trial that has enabled tech fans to take a peek at some of each company's trade secrets. Apple filed suit last year and accused Samsung of pilfering the iPhone and iPad's "look and feel." Samsung countersued and alleged that the iPhone and iPad violated some of its patents. While it won't surprise anyone that Apple's market share at AT&T or Verizon was big, it is interesting to note that Samsung was making gains. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple's share of the market had grown by 3 percent from the first quarter of 2010, while Samsung's had more than quadrupled to 12 percent during the same period. At the same time, the combined share for all other manufacturers fell to 24 percent. The data shows a dramatic change in market share at Verizon. In Q1 2010, with the iPhone still unavailable at the carrier, Samsung controlled 3 percent of the smartphone share while the other carriers controlled 97 percent. Verizon began selling the iPhone in Q1 2011 and by the fourth quarter of that year, the iPhone owned 54 percent of the market at the carrier. Samsung was up to 12 and the other competitors' combined market share had plummeted to 34 percent.
iPhone launching across five U.S. regional carriers today
iPhone launching across five U.S. regional carriers today
The iPhone is branching out from its major U.S. carrier roots to grab even more customers.Five regional carriers have made good on their promise to offer local subscribers the iPhone as of today.Customers of the five regional carriers will actually enjoy at least one advantage over those on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.A peek at the iPhone 4S pages for Alaska Communications, Appalachian Wireless, Cellcom, GCI, and nTelos show the phone selling for $50 less than the price tag offered by the three nationwide carriers.The iPhone 4 is also available among the five, selling for the usual $99 from some and $50 from others. Buyers can opt for a range of voice and data plans from across the carriers, including individual, family, statewide, nationwide, and even prepaid.Alaska Communications obviously covers Alaska. Appalachian Wireless covers parts of Kentucky and Virginia. Cellcom covers Wisconsin and Michigan. GCI covers Alaska. And nTelos covers Virginia and parts of other states.Related storiesUh, T-Mobile? NTelos just got the iPhone 4ST-Mobile: Yeah, we still don't have the iPhoneWill T-Mobile get the iPhone 5?As the iPhone expands across the U.S., one carrier, though, is still left out of the loop, namely T-Mobile. But it's not for lacking of trying.The company has shown its desire to pick up the iPhone, but so far Apple hasn't acted on the request."T-Mobile thinks the iPhone is a good device and we've expressed our interest to Apple to offer it to our customers," the company said in a statement e-mailed to CNET last October. "Ultimately, it is Apple's decision."Corrected at 9:00 a.m. PST. Fifth carrier is GCI.
The iPhone is branching out from its major U.S. carrier roots to grab even more customers.Five regional carriers have made good on their promise to offer local subscribers the iPhone as of today.Customers of the five regional carriers will actually enjoy at least one advantage over those on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.A peek at the iPhone 4S pages for Alaska Communications, Appalachian Wireless, Cellcom, GCI, and nTelos show the phone selling for $50 less than the price tag offered by the three nationwide carriers.The iPhone 4 is also available among the five, selling for the usual $99 from some and $50 from others. Buyers can opt for a range of voice and data plans from across the carriers, including individual, family, statewide, nationwide, and even prepaid.Alaska Communications obviously covers Alaska. Appalachian Wireless covers parts of Kentucky and Virginia. Cellcom covers Wisconsin and Michigan. GCI covers Alaska. And nTelos covers Virginia and parts of other states.Related storiesUh, T-Mobile? NTelos just got the iPhone 4ST-Mobile: Yeah, we still don't have the iPhoneWill T-Mobile get the iPhone 5?As the iPhone expands across the U.S., one carrier, though, is still left out of the loop, namely T-Mobile. But it's not for lacking of trying.The company has shown its desire to pick up the iPhone, but so far Apple hasn't acted on the request."T-Mobile thinks the iPhone is a good device and we've expressed our interest to Apple to offer it to our customers," the company said in a statement e-mailed to CNET last October. "Ultimately, it is Apple's decision."Corrected at 9:00 a.m. PST. Fifth carrier is GCI.
iPhone 6 might let you 'feel' objects on screen
iPhone 6 might let you 'feel' objects on screen
The next killer feature on Apple's expected iPhone 6 could be a display that provides tactile feedback to users -- giving users the impression, for instances, of a physical keyboard on a flat touchscreen. This latest iPhone 6 rumor stems from a report Wednesday on Chinese site Laoyaoba, which said so-called "haptics" technology will be added into the new device. Haptics technology is built into devices to create tactile feedback or vibrations so a user feels something when touching the screen of a mobile device. For instance, someone could feel the sensation of clicking a button or moving an object around the screen when using the technology. Related storiesiPhone 6 leaks show a device begging for extreme torture-testingApple iPhone 6 sapphire display rumors flyiPhone 6 may offer better battery performancePurported iPhone 6 cover makes video appearanceCNET has reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story with any further details.Samsung last year signed a multiyear licensing deal with Immersion for its haptics products, and Samsung already uses Immersion's haptics technology in some smartphones. Apple has made no public statements about the rumored iPhone 6. With the device expected to come out in the fall, rumors about its size, display, and features have been coming out for months. Many reports predict the smartphone will come out in two sizes -- 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch -- bigger than the latest 4-inch models. Past feature upgrades for the iPhone, Apple's biggest moneymaker, have included the Siri virtual assistant in 2011 and a fingerprint reader for the latest model, the iPhone 5S, though neither proved to be a major leap forward for the iPhone.
The next killer feature on Apple's expected iPhone 6 could be a display that provides tactile feedback to users -- giving users the impression, for instances, of a physical keyboard on a flat touchscreen. This latest iPhone 6 rumor stems from a report Wednesday on Chinese site Laoyaoba, which said so-called "haptics" technology will be added into the new device. Haptics technology is built into devices to create tactile feedback or vibrations so a user feels something when touching the screen of a mobile device. For instance, someone could feel the sensation of clicking a button or moving an object around the screen when using the technology. Related storiesiPhone 6 leaks show a device begging for extreme torture-testingApple iPhone 6 sapphire display rumors flyiPhone 6 may offer better battery performancePurported iPhone 6 cover makes video appearanceCNET has reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story with any further details.Samsung last year signed a multiyear licensing deal with Immersion for its haptics products, and Samsung already uses Immersion's haptics technology in some smartphones. Apple has made no public statements about the rumored iPhone 6. With the device expected to come out in the fall, rumors about its size, display, and features have been coming out for months. Many reports predict the smartphone will come out in two sizes -- 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch -- bigger than the latest 4-inch models. Past feature upgrades for the iPhone, Apple's biggest moneymaker, have included the Siri virtual assistant in 2011 and a fingerprint reader for the latest model, the iPhone 5S, though neither proved to be a major leap forward for the iPhone.
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