HP tablet to get Facebook app before iPad?
iPad users have been very patient with Facebook.They have been begging the social-networking giant for more than a year to release an iPad-native app. And it was reported recently that such an app was in final testing and would likely be released in just a few weeks.That may still be the case, but now it's conceivable that iPad users may be waiting in line for a tablet app behind owners of the HP TouchPad, according to TechCrunch. Screenshots published by the tech blog purportedly show the Facebook tablet app running on WebOS. Erick Schonfeld notes that the left-rail navigation bar pops in and out and that the Newsfeed can be viewed in the traditional stream view or a tablet-friendly tile version.The app looks pretty polished, but there's no word on whether it will be released when HP's long-awaited tablet ships on Friday, as Schonfeld suggests will happen. Facebook's iPad app could still beat it out the door.Facebook representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment but told Schonfeld later that "this app was not built by Facebook but by HP."Updated at 8:05 p.m. PT to add Facebook's comment to TechCrunch.
Monday, March 23, 2015
HP Slate more Netbook than iPad
HP Slate more Netbook than iPad
The notion of the Slate as a Netbook sans keyboard gained some ground Monday amid reports that the Slate does not compare favorably to an Apple iPad. Though the final verdict on the HP Slate will have to wait until it is released to major review sites, its specifications already hint at Netbook-like performance, as this report last week shows.And one of the core specifications is theIntel Atom, a minimalist processor that runs a Windows operating environment only adequately, if not less-than-adequately, depending on what the user is doing. The iPad delivers a satisfying experience because Apple carefully tailors the operating environment to the capabilities of its A4 processor--not to mention the fact that Apple maintains tight control over the overall experience.Netbooks, on the other hand, are more hit and miss because they are exposed to the full gamut of Windows applications (and processor-intensive apps like HD video) and must load a relatively cumbersome Windows operating system. So, HP's Slate may run into some headwind when users try to do more than it is designed to handle. HP would be wise to make sure consumers--and reviewers--have realistic expectations.
The notion of the Slate as a Netbook sans keyboard gained some ground Monday amid reports that the Slate does not compare favorably to an Apple iPad. Though the final verdict on the HP Slate will have to wait until it is released to major review sites, its specifications already hint at Netbook-like performance, as this report last week shows.And one of the core specifications is theIntel Atom, a minimalist processor that runs a Windows operating environment only adequately, if not less-than-adequately, depending on what the user is doing. The iPad delivers a satisfying experience because Apple carefully tailors the operating environment to the capabilities of its A4 processor--not to mention the fact that Apple maintains tight control over the overall experience.Netbooks, on the other hand, are more hit and miss because they are exposed to the full gamut of Windows applications (and processor-intensive apps like HD video) and must load a relatively cumbersome Windows operating system. So, HP's Slate may run into some headwind when users try to do more than it is designed to handle. HP would be wise to make sure consumers--and reviewers--have realistic expectations.
HP says it will soon offer Ultrabooks
HP says it will soon offer Ultrabooks
HP (along with Dell) will be one of the last major PC makers to enter the market for these sub-0.8-inch, 3-pounds-and-under laptops that compete with Apple's MacBook Air."HP had yet to announce its intentions for the Ultrabook market and has been notably quiet as Lenovo, Asus, Acer, and Toshiba have all announced new ultra-thin models," Deron Kershaw, an analyst at GAP Intelligence, said in a research note today.The world's largest PC maker needs to put all of its weight behind new product launches.The "hangover," as CEO Meg Whitman put it, of the August 18 announcement--when HP stated that it was exploring a spin-off of its PC business--has caused plenty of confusion among customers."We're very conscious of the pressure that we face in the short term," said Bradley today. Windows 8 tablets are also on HP's new-product agenda.Whitman indicated that today. "I think we need to be in the tablet business and we're certainly going to be there with Windows 8. We're going to make another run at this business," she said.
HP (along with Dell) will be one of the last major PC makers to enter the market for these sub-0.8-inch, 3-pounds-and-under laptops that compete with Apple's MacBook Air."HP had yet to announce its intentions for the Ultrabook market and has been notably quiet as Lenovo, Asus, Acer, and Toshiba have all announced new ultra-thin models," Deron Kershaw, an analyst at GAP Intelligence, said in a research note today.The world's largest PC maker needs to put all of its weight behind new product launches.The "hangover," as CEO Meg Whitman put it, of the August 18 announcement--when HP stated that it was exploring a spin-off of its PC business--has caused plenty of confusion among customers."We're very conscious of the pressure that we face in the short term," said Bradley today. Windows 8 tablets are also on HP's new-product agenda.Whitman indicated that today. "I think we need to be in the tablet business and we're certainly going to be there with Windows 8. We're going to make another run at this business," she said.
HP Envy Spectre- Your move, Apple
HP Envy Spectre: Your move, Apple
LAS VEGAS--Hewlett-Packard's Spectre high-end ultrabook--which debuted publicly for the first time Monday night--could be a leading indicator of where Apple is going with larger ultrathin MacBooks. While Apple is expected to bring out larger, thinner MacBooks in the spirit of the MacBook Air, HP is leading the way here and now. I had plenty of opportunity to handle the 20mm-thin Envy 14 Spectre Monday night and my initial impression is that this is a very high-quality ultrabook, albeit pricey at $1,399. That said, that's the same price range that Apple's larger MacBooks fall into. And this combination of quality, design finesse, and features is possible only with a large PC maker with resources like HP.HP Envy 14 Spectre highlights: Gorilla glass everywhere: display front and back, lid, palm rest, and touch pad.Dual solid-state storage:two SSDs up to 256GB (per single drive)Core i5 processors: Fast Core i series processors (but no discrete graphics)High-resolution display: 1,600x900-pixel HP Radiance LED display Price: $1,399 If Apple combines a larger MacBook Air with a ultra-high-resolution display (about which I heard more rumors from Asia-based sources last night), that would certainly be tough competition.But HP is delivering this now.And expect this Envy to only get better over time with Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge processors and better displays. See CNET first look here.
LAS VEGAS--Hewlett-Packard's Spectre high-end ultrabook--which debuted publicly for the first time Monday night--could be a leading indicator of where Apple is going with larger ultrathin MacBooks. While Apple is expected to bring out larger, thinner MacBooks in the spirit of the MacBook Air, HP is leading the way here and now. I had plenty of opportunity to handle the 20mm-thin Envy 14 Spectre Monday night and my initial impression is that this is a very high-quality ultrabook, albeit pricey at $1,399. That said, that's the same price range that Apple's larger MacBooks fall into. And this combination of quality, design finesse, and features is possible only with a large PC maker with resources like HP.HP Envy 14 Spectre highlights: Gorilla glass everywhere: display front and back, lid, palm rest, and touch pad.Dual solid-state storage:two SSDs up to 256GB (per single drive)Core i5 processors: Fast Core i series processors (but no discrete graphics)High-resolution display: 1,600x900-pixel HP Radiance LED display Price: $1,399 If Apple combines a larger MacBook Air with a ultra-high-resolution display (about which I heard more rumors from Asia-based sources last night), that would certainly be tough competition.But HP is delivering this now.And expect this Envy to only get better over time with Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge processors and better displays. See CNET first look here.
How-to- Boot commands for Mac OS X
How-to: Boot commands for Mac OS X
While you cannot run any code from Terminal or otherwise to set an order of boot devices, you can easily control where your Mac boots via keyboard commands. The following key combinations can be held as your Mac is powering on:Boot to external hard drive: Command + Option + Shift + DeleteBoot to a bootable CD: CChoose start-up volume: OptionSafe-boot mode: Shift (Note: Disables nonessential and login applications)Verbose mode: Command + VSingle-user mode: Command + STarget disk mode: T (Note: Only for FireWire Macs)NetBoot (from a network server): NReset PRAM: Command + Option + P + R (Note: Hold until second chime)Reset NV RAM: Command + Option + N + VBoot to open firmware: Command + Option + O + FForce eject (CD/DVD): Click Mouse Button and HoldNot all these functions work with every version of Mac OS X or with every hardware upgrade, but they are the most common. Do you have any boot commands not listed here that you use? Let us know in the comments!
While you cannot run any code from Terminal or otherwise to set an order of boot devices, you can easily control where your Mac boots via keyboard commands. The following key combinations can be held as your Mac is powering on:Boot to external hard drive: Command + Option + Shift + DeleteBoot to a bootable CD: CChoose start-up volume: OptionSafe-boot mode: Shift (Note: Disables nonessential and login applications)Verbose mode: Command + VSingle-user mode: Command + STarget disk mode: T (Note: Only for FireWire Macs)NetBoot (from a network server): NReset PRAM: Command + Option + P + R (Note: Hold until second chime)Reset NV RAM: Command + Option + N + VBoot to open firmware: Command + Option + O + FForce eject (CD/DVD): Click Mouse Button and HoldNot all these functions work with every version of Mac OS X or with every hardware upgrade, but they are the most common. Do you have any boot commands not listed here that you use? Let us know in the comments!
Samsung Milk Music soon to feature ads, $4 ad-free option
Samsung Milk Music soon to feature ads, $4 ad-free option
Samsung's Milk Music streaming service will soon feature ads, according to a new infographic posted Friday to the company's global blog.Nestled towards the end of the infographic, Samsung makes mention of two options for Milk Music users -- a Basic Service that's "free to users with ads" and a Premium Service that's "ad-free and [comes with] some exclusive features." The Premium Service will set customers back $4 per month and be "available soon."Related storiesSamsung's answer to Apple's iTunes Radio: Milk MusicHands-on with Samsung's Milk MusicPandora sued by record labels for copyright infringementSamsung launched its Milk Music service last month. The streaming-music offering is powered by Slacker Radio and allows users to create stations and choose how much variety they want in their song selection. One of the more appealing aspects of Milk at its launch was that it was free and didn't contain ads, unlike Pandora, iTunes Radio, and many other free streaming-music services. It appears that will soon come to an end.CNET has contacted Samsung for comment on the infographic and to see when the ad-free offer expires. We will update this story when we have more information.(Via The Next Web)
Samsung's Milk Music streaming service will soon feature ads, according to a new infographic posted Friday to the company's global blog.Nestled towards the end of the infographic, Samsung makes mention of two options for Milk Music users -- a Basic Service that's "free to users with ads" and a Premium Service that's "ad-free and [comes with] some exclusive features." The Premium Service will set customers back $4 per month and be "available soon."Related storiesSamsung's answer to Apple's iTunes Radio: Milk MusicHands-on with Samsung's Milk MusicPandora sued by record labels for copyright infringementSamsung launched its Milk Music service last month. The streaming-music offering is powered by Slacker Radio and allows users to create stations and choose how much variety they want in their song selection. One of the more appealing aspects of Milk at its launch was that it was free and didn't contain ads, unlike Pandora, iTunes Radio, and many other free streaming-music services. It appears that will soon come to an end.CNET has contacted Samsung for comment on the infographic and to see when the ad-free offer expires. We will update this story when we have more information.(Via The Next Web)
Poll- Are 99-cent TV shows a good idea-
Poll: Are 99-cent TV shows a good idea?
Confession time: In the nearly five years since iTunes began selling TV shows, I've purchased exactly zero. Why? Because I think Apple's $1.99-per-episode price tag is too high.Apple seems to think so, too, which is why the company is reportedly looking to drop show prices to 99 cents. Unfortunately, the networks aren't too keen on the idea, as indicated in last Sunday's New York Times story: "Networks Wary of Apple's Push to Cut Show Prices."I'm not sure why Hollywood's number-crunchers fail to grasp basic economics, but I think we should help them get the message: lower your prices and more people will buy your product.I mean, look, networks, your shows are already in the can. It's not like you're producing them exclusively for this medium. And Apple provides the bandwidth for delivery, so cutting prices costs you nothing--unless, of course, sales fail to increase accordingly, in which case you can go ahead and raise them again.I know we're only talking about a buck difference here, but having been "raised" on 99-cent songs (which, incidentally, have a lot more replay value than last week's episode of "Parks and Recreation") and, increasingly, 99-cent apps, I cannot and will not spend $1.99 on a TV show.But 99 cents? That's my magic number. And I'll wager plenty of other iPhone and iPod Touch owners feel the same. Take our latest poll:Would you buy more TV shows if they cost 99 cents each?surveysPoll: What's your favorite audio format?
A couple of weeks ago I asked Audiophiliac readers to vote in my "What's the worst audio format?" poll, so now let's find out what you guys think is the best audio format. As in that poll, sound quality isn't the only criteria -- how you use the format and other factors may come into play.I love vinyl but play more CDs, mostly because the selection of contemporary music is vastly greater on CD than it is on LP. I listen to Apple Lossless files on my iPod Classic when I'm on the go, but at home it's mostly CDs and LPs, with a smattering of SACD, DVD-Audio, and high-resolution downloads.Listening at home is fundamentally different, it's more focused than on-the-go listening. That is, I'm really listening, as opposed to having music "on" to serve as soundtrack for whatever else is going on around me. In those cases, fidelity isn't paramount. How could it be? The environment is usually noisy, and there are more distractions when I'm not at home.So I come down on the side of vinyl for sound, and I love the size, look, and feel of LPs. Yes, they're easily damaged and fragile, so they need to be treated with care. That's fine with me. Add your two cents about the best format in the Comments section. Ideally, your vote or comment should be based on personal experience with the format. Feel free to list formats I neglected to mention.
Confession time: In the nearly five years since iTunes began selling TV shows, I've purchased exactly zero. Why? Because I think Apple's $1.99-per-episode price tag is too high.Apple seems to think so, too, which is why the company is reportedly looking to drop show prices to 99 cents. Unfortunately, the networks aren't too keen on the idea, as indicated in last Sunday's New York Times story: "Networks Wary of Apple's Push to Cut Show Prices."I'm not sure why Hollywood's number-crunchers fail to grasp basic economics, but I think we should help them get the message: lower your prices and more people will buy your product.I mean, look, networks, your shows are already in the can. It's not like you're producing them exclusively for this medium. And Apple provides the bandwidth for delivery, so cutting prices costs you nothing--unless, of course, sales fail to increase accordingly, in which case you can go ahead and raise them again.I know we're only talking about a buck difference here, but having been "raised" on 99-cent songs (which, incidentally, have a lot more replay value than last week's episode of "Parks and Recreation") and, increasingly, 99-cent apps, I cannot and will not spend $1.99 on a TV show.But 99 cents? That's my magic number. And I'll wager plenty of other iPhone and iPod Touch owners feel the same. Take our latest poll:Would you buy more TV shows if they cost 99 cents each?surveysPoll: What's your favorite audio format?
A couple of weeks ago I asked Audiophiliac readers to vote in my "What's the worst audio format?" poll, so now let's find out what you guys think is the best audio format. As in that poll, sound quality isn't the only criteria -- how you use the format and other factors may come into play.I love vinyl but play more CDs, mostly because the selection of contemporary music is vastly greater on CD than it is on LP. I listen to Apple Lossless files on my iPod Classic when I'm on the go, but at home it's mostly CDs and LPs, with a smattering of SACD, DVD-Audio, and high-resolution downloads.Listening at home is fundamentally different, it's more focused than on-the-go listening. That is, I'm really listening, as opposed to having music "on" to serve as soundtrack for whatever else is going on around me. In those cases, fidelity isn't paramount. How could it be? The environment is usually noisy, and there are more distractions when I'm not at home.So I come down on the side of vinyl for sound, and I love the size, look, and feel of LPs. Yes, they're easily damaged and fragile, so they need to be treated with care. That's fine with me. Add your two cents about the best format in the Comments section. Ideally, your vote or comment should be based on personal experience with the format. Feel free to list formats I neglected to mention.
iTunes now Apple's fourth-largest business, says analyst
iTunes now Apple's fourth-largest business, says analyst
Apple's iTunes generated revenue of $13.5 billion last year, making it the company's fourth-largest business, according to Asymco analyst Horace Dediu.A business that simply broke even a few years ago has been rising "steadily and rapidly," Dediu said in a post yesterday. iTunes has averaged growth of more than 30 percent over the past two years. The $13.5 billion in sales in 2012 was up from $10.2 billion in 2011.At the same time that iTunes is adding a greater chunk of sales to Apple's overall results, the Mac and iPod lineups are contributing less. If this trend continues, iTunes could become Apple's third-largest business sometime this year, forecasts Dediu.Another business already bigger than the Mac is Apple's Accessories line, which includes products such as Apple TV. As Dediu points out, iTunes and Apple accessories depend on hardware sales to thrive. But the results show that these "ancillary" businesses are contributing more than their fair share."Indeed, if seen in isolation, iTunes plus Accessories combined is a bigger business in terms of revenues than any of the other phone vendors except Samsung," Dediu said.
Apple's iTunes generated revenue of $13.5 billion last year, making it the company's fourth-largest business, according to Asymco analyst Horace Dediu.A business that simply broke even a few years ago has been rising "steadily and rapidly," Dediu said in a post yesterday. iTunes has averaged growth of more than 30 percent over the past two years. The $13.5 billion in sales in 2012 was up from $10.2 billion in 2011.At the same time that iTunes is adding a greater chunk of sales to Apple's overall results, the Mac and iPod lineups are contributing less. If this trend continues, iTunes could become Apple's third-largest business sometime this year, forecasts Dediu.Another business already bigger than the Mac is Apple's Accessories line, which includes products such as Apple TV. As Dediu points out, iTunes and Apple accessories depend on hardware sales to thrive. But the results show that these "ancillary" businesses are contributing more than their fair share."Indeed, if seen in isolation, iTunes plus Accessories combined is a bigger business in terms of revenues than any of the other phone vendors except Samsung," Dediu said.
Improve your tech skills with Lynda.com's iPhone app
Improve your tech skills with Lynda.com's iPhone app
In this tough job market, selling yourself takes more than a bachelor's degree. Journalists are expected to know some HTML and even basic video-editing skills. Administrative assistants need to be Microsoft Office experts. And, if you're building an online property, you better have a lot of technical skills. Taking classes at a community college is the obvious solution, but there's also Lynda.com, the online training resource for all of the above skills. At $25 a month, Lynda.com provides 748 courses for subjects like Photoshop, Microsoft Office, CSS, Google Apps, and Flash. The website even covers Twitter, Wordpress.com, and other blogging platforms. Now there's one more reason to brush up on your computer skills--Lynda.com just landed on the iPhone. Subscribers paying the $25 a month fee have access to all video tutorials (as long as they're connected to 3G, Edge, or Wi-Fi). Nonmembers can check out 10 percent of the training content for free, including popular tutorials like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Final Cut Pro.Once logged in, subscribers view their most recently watched video and pick up where they left off. Of course there's the lurking question, "What's the point of having this on the iPhone? Isn't this a hands-on training guide?" Well, yeah. Don't expect to become pro from this iPhone app. It's probably useful for refreshing your skills or reminding you of what you learned the previous day. The app is available now at the iTunes store for free.
In this tough job market, selling yourself takes more than a bachelor's degree. Journalists are expected to know some HTML and even basic video-editing skills. Administrative assistants need to be Microsoft Office experts. And, if you're building an online property, you better have a lot of technical skills. Taking classes at a community college is the obvious solution, but there's also Lynda.com, the online training resource for all of the above skills. At $25 a month, Lynda.com provides 748 courses for subjects like Photoshop, Microsoft Office, CSS, Google Apps, and Flash. The website even covers Twitter, Wordpress.com, and other blogging platforms. Now there's one more reason to brush up on your computer skills--Lynda.com just landed on the iPhone. Subscribers paying the $25 a month fee have access to all video tutorials (as long as they're connected to 3G, Edge, or Wi-Fi). Nonmembers can check out 10 percent of the training content for free, including popular tutorials like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Final Cut Pro.Once logged in, subscribers view their most recently watched video and pick up where they left off. Of course there's the lurking question, "What's the point of having this on the iPhone? Isn't this a hands-on training guide?" Well, yeah. Don't expect to become pro from this iPhone app. It's probably useful for refreshing your skills or reminding you of what you learned the previous day. The app is available now at the iTunes store for free.
How to get the best deal on your purchases with Savvy
How to get the best deal on your purchases with Savvy
There are plenty of ways to watch for the best deal online and in stores, but let's face it, there are just too many places to monitor and often times we end up missing out on the best deals. Enter Savvy. Savvy is a unique service that will monitor your recent purchases, as well as items you plan on purchasing to ensure you have received the best deal possible. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiAfter you make a purchase, take a picture of the itemized receipt from a supported retailer (the list is long and will continue to grow), and Savvy will add the items on the receipt to your account. Savvy will then monitor the purchased items, and should any of them go on sale within the return period, you will receive an alert, allowing you to go back to the retailer and get a refund for the price difference. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou can also name your own price for an item. After you name your price, Savvy will then monitor the item and let you know once it has reached your named price. If you prefer to simply be alerted once the price of an item has dropped, you can set up an alert for it as well. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou can use the Web site, iOS app [iTunes link] or Android app [Market link], to carry out manage your purchases and alerts, as well as view any recent deals discovered by Savvy.
There are plenty of ways to watch for the best deal online and in stores, but let's face it, there are just too many places to monitor and often times we end up missing out on the best deals. Enter Savvy. Savvy is a unique service that will monitor your recent purchases, as well as items you plan on purchasing to ensure you have received the best deal possible. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiAfter you make a purchase, take a picture of the itemized receipt from a supported retailer (the list is long and will continue to grow), and Savvy will add the items on the receipt to your account. Savvy will then monitor the purchased items, and should any of them go on sale within the return period, you will receive an alert, allowing you to go back to the retailer and get a refund for the price difference. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou can also name your own price for an item. After you name your price, Savvy will then monitor the item and let you know once it has reached your named price. If you prefer to simply be alerted once the price of an item has dropped, you can set up an alert for it as well. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou can use the Web site, iOS app [iTunes link] or Android app [Market link], to carry out manage your purchases and alerts, as well as view any recent deals discovered by Savvy.
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