The 404 346: Where Anna David wonders if you can be Bought
Today's show is all about Anna, a well-established journalist and sex/relationship expert whose second book tells the story of a tepid journalist who gets slapped with an assignment to explore the steamy underbelly of high-class glitterati and the girls who will do whatever, and whoever, it takes to get what they want. Though the story itself is fictitious, Anna tells us about the in-depth research involved, including the workers she met, a couple of crazy stories from the field, and the lessons she learned as a result. It's not a completely serious show, though. We have to call Anna out on her constant winking at Wilson, but soon discover it's purely platonic and uncontrollable. As it normally goes, Wilson misunderstands the situation and is currently perched in a tree outside her apartment with a telephoto lens and a mobile uploader, so keep checking back for those pics.Don't miss out on this show. Anna is a really engaging storyteller and quickly becoming one of our favorite guests in the triumvirate alongside Natali Del Conte and Alison Rosen. We promise you'll see her in The 404 studio again very soon, but be sure to also buy the book and read about it for yourself!This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play EPISODE 346Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video Check out this awesome video made to promote "Bought," courtesy of Jeremy Redleaf of Bracketscreative.comAnna David's home page, with portals to her book, bio, reel, and event appearancesStay up to date on Anna's life by reading her blogDon't forget about Anna's first book, "Party Girl: A Novel"Anna's Flickr photosFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson Tang
Like Guitar Hero- You'll love Instant Jam
Like Guitar Hero? You'll love Instant Jam
Behind the scenes, Instant Jam is using InstantAction's proprietary streaming technology to render all the 3D graphics on its own servers, then pipe it through as something that will run on any machine. Castle said that bands and their labels will have the option to customize these 3D backgrounds for particular songs, just like music games on consoles have done.To match up music tracks in a user's library with the ones in the company's database, InstantAction is using a song fingerprinting technology that Castle compared to what companies like Shazam and Soundhound use. "It's similar to Shazam, but we're not using the same technology," Castle explained. "It actually analyzes the waveform, like a digital file matching. For big files, like several megabytes, we can see what the signature is."Instant Jam's add-on store.InstantActionLike many other popular games on Facebook, such as PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz, Lexulous, and Farmville, Instant Jam offers only asynchronous gameplay. Built on top of that is a framework that encourages people to challenge friends, and share songs with friends in return for more chances to play.The number of songs you can play is limited, though it's refreshed throughout the day. A user can also buy additional play credits for real-world dollars, though when CNET talked to Castle, that pricing structure was not yet finalized. Credits can also be spent for in-game items like new guitars, power-ups, and notes that can be easier to hit and reward more points. As of last month, Castle said that Instant Jam was up to a library of around 2,500 tracks--all at four different difficulty levels. Included in those are 400 some tracks from Rolling Stone magazine's top 500 songs of all time list. Castle explained that the staff members who code the note progressions into these tracks can run through a full album in a matter of hours, and as the service continues on, its library will keep growing. Instant Jam will be launching in beta as part of this week's GamesCom in Cologne, Germany.Related:JamLegend turns your keyboard into a guitarUnderstanding next-gen streaming game services
Behind the scenes, Instant Jam is using InstantAction's proprietary streaming technology to render all the 3D graphics on its own servers, then pipe it through as something that will run on any machine. Castle said that bands and their labels will have the option to customize these 3D backgrounds for particular songs, just like music games on consoles have done.To match up music tracks in a user's library with the ones in the company's database, InstantAction is using a song fingerprinting technology that Castle compared to what companies like Shazam and Soundhound use. "It's similar to Shazam, but we're not using the same technology," Castle explained. "It actually analyzes the waveform, like a digital file matching. For big files, like several megabytes, we can see what the signature is."Instant Jam's add-on store.InstantActionLike many other popular games on Facebook, such as PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz, Lexulous, and Farmville, Instant Jam offers only asynchronous gameplay. Built on top of that is a framework that encourages people to challenge friends, and share songs with friends in return for more chances to play.The number of songs you can play is limited, though it's refreshed throughout the day. A user can also buy additional play credits for real-world dollars, though when CNET talked to Castle, that pricing structure was not yet finalized. Credits can also be spent for in-game items like new guitars, power-ups, and notes that can be easier to hit and reward more points. As of last month, Castle said that Instant Jam was up to a library of around 2,500 tracks--all at four different difficulty levels. Included in those are 400 some tracks from Rolling Stone magazine's top 500 songs of all time list. Castle explained that the staff members who code the note progressions into these tracks can run through a full album in a matter of hours, and as the service continues on, its library will keep growing. Instant Jam will be launching in beta as part of this week's GamesCom in Cologne, Germany.Related:JamLegend turns your keyboard into a guitarUnderstanding next-gen streaming game services
Asus, Dell- We're not exiting the Android tablet business
Asus, Dell: We're not exiting the Android tablet business
The company was responding to Taiwanese news site Digitimes, which cited suppliers in its report that the three PC manufacturers were looking to phase out their Android tablet businesses. "As usual, the rumors and reports from Digitimes are incorrect," said Asus spokesman Gary Key."Asus is not exiting the Android tablet business." Likewise, a Dell spokesman said the company doesn't have any plans to exit the business either. An Acer representative wasn't available for comment. Regardless, the companies have all struggled to make a dent in the tablet business, which, beyond Apple's iPad, hasn't seen a second hit product. While it's still seen as a potentially hot area in consumer electronics, many companies have stumbled in an attempt to breach the market. All three have taken their stabs at the market. Asus has its Eee Pad Transformer, Acer has its Iconia Tab, and Dell has its Streak. None of them, despite middling carrier support and a varying amount of marketing, has been able to draw in consumers. To be sure, other mobile companies, including Research In Motion with its PlayBook, and Motorola with its Xoom, also havestruggled in this business. The hardware manufacturers are expected to face further pressure from the likes of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Amazon's Kindle Fire sells for $199, undercutting all of its major competitors by a significant margin, while Barnes & Noble's Nook tablet is $250. Both companies are offering a cheaper product in the hopes that it will make money off the digital content ordered through the device. The hardware players have no such luxury, and can't afford to price their devices at such a level. The potential of Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Android designed for both tablets and smartphones, could provide a boost, though it's unclear who would succeed in such a crowded market. The Guardian points out that the companies could be pulling back on resources for Android tablets as they focus on Windows 8, which will also run on tablets. Updated at 12:01 p.m. PT: to include a response from Dell.
The company was responding to Taiwanese news site Digitimes, which cited suppliers in its report that the three PC manufacturers were looking to phase out their Android tablet businesses. "As usual, the rumors and reports from Digitimes are incorrect," said Asus spokesman Gary Key."Asus is not exiting the Android tablet business." Likewise, a Dell spokesman said the company doesn't have any plans to exit the business either. An Acer representative wasn't available for comment. Regardless, the companies have all struggled to make a dent in the tablet business, which, beyond Apple's iPad, hasn't seen a second hit product. While it's still seen as a potentially hot area in consumer electronics, many companies have stumbled in an attempt to breach the market. All three have taken their stabs at the market. Asus has its Eee Pad Transformer, Acer has its Iconia Tab, and Dell has its Streak. None of them, despite middling carrier support and a varying amount of marketing, has been able to draw in consumers. To be sure, other mobile companies, including Research In Motion with its PlayBook, and Motorola with its Xoom, also havestruggled in this business. The hardware manufacturers are expected to face further pressure from the likes of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Amazon's Kindle Fire sells for $199, undercutting all of its major competitors by a significant margin, while Barnes & Noble's Nook tablet is $250. Both companies are offering a cheaper product in the hopes that it will make money off the digital content ordered through the device. The hardware players have no such luxury, and can't afford to price their devices at such a level. The potential of Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Android designed for both tablets and smartphones, could provide a boost, though it's unclear who would succeed in such a crowded market. The Guardian points out that the companies could be pulling back on resources for Android tablets as they focus on Windows 8, which will also run on tablets. Updated at 12:01 p.m. PT: to include a response from Dell.
Assessing the PlayBook's threat to the iPad
Assessing the PlayBook's threat to the iPad
And part and parcel of having two cores is multitasking.Will the PlayBook surpass the iPad?This is how RIM puts it: "Watch a movie in one window, surf a Web site in another.Laptop? What Laptop?"More specifically, Dan Dodge, co-founder and CEO of QNX Software Systems (which RIM acquired in April) put it this way in a post to the Inside BlackBerry Developer's Blog. "The QNX Neutrino architecture can also support true multitasking on multicore hardware--in fact, its multicore prowess has been performance-proven in the world's highest-capacity routers. As a result, it can run multiple applications simultaneously, while delivering very high performance." It would be interesting if this moved multitasking up a notch and forced Apple to respond in kind.(I own an iPad 3G and understand that there is multitasking of sorts already on the iPad and that this will improve with iOS 4.x) And that brings up another potential advantage--though still very theoretical at this point.RIM does not have to position its tablet below higher-performance laptops (MacBooks) like Apple does.The more functionality, the more laptop-like, the better for RIM.In fact, there's nothing stopping RIM from eventually bringing out a tablet that's roughly analogous to a slider phone. Now, that would be perilously close to a laptop. And let's not forget support for Adobe Flash and Air.It's easy to say "who cares" until you actually need a Flash-based app. The point is, RIM has got my attention. And if they execute, the iPad will truly have some stiff competition.
And part and parcel of having two cores is multitasking.Will the PlayBook surpass the iPad?This is how RIM puts it: "Watch a movie in one window, surf a Web site in another.Laptop? What Laptop?"More specifically, Dan Dodge, co-founder and CEO of QNX Software Systems (which RIM acquired in April) put it this way in a post to the Inside BlackBerry Developer's Blog. "The QNX Neutrino architecture can also support true multitasking on multicore hardware--in fact, its multicore prowess has been performance-proven in the world's highest-capacity routers. As a result, it can run multiple applications simultaneously, while delivering very high performance." It would be interesting if this moved multitasking up a notch and forced Apple to respond in kind.(I own an iPad 3G and understand that there is multitasking of sorts already on the iPad and that this will improve with iOS 4.x) And that brings up another potential advantage--though still very theoretical at this point.RIM does not have to position its tablet below higher-performance laptops (MacBooks) like Apple does.The more functionality, the more laptop-like, the better for RIM.In fact, there's nothing stopping RIM from eventually bringing out a tablet that's roughly analogous to a slider phone. Now, that would be perilously close to a laptop. And let's not forget support for Adobe Flash and Air.It's easy to say "who cares" until you actually need a Flash-based app. The point is, RIM has got my attention. And if they execute, the iPad will truly have some stiff competition.
Asia chatter predicts increase in cost of Retina iPad Mini
Asia chatter predicts increase in cost of Retina iPad Mini
Chatter in Asia has it that the total cost of the iPad Mini could increase by almost a third -- though no word on whether that would impact price.Commentary in Digitimes, which is close to the chain of component suppliers in Asia, said the jump to a Retina screen means adding costly display components.If iPad mini adopts the Retina display, the dots per inch (DPI) will be higher and the brightness of the backlight modules will have to improve. This also means the number of LEDs used will...[increase the total cost] by more than 30% if it is equipped with the 7.9-inch Retina panel. This commentary is similar to what Vinita Jakhanwal, a display analyst at IHS iSuppli, told CNET in November. At that time, she said a Retina iPad Mini with a design identical to the current Mini would not have been possible. "They would have had to compromise on thickness and weight and price," she said.But more than three months have passed since then. And it's not known if display technologies such as IGZO or some version of Low Temperature Polysilicon (LTPS) -- the latter used in the iPhone 5 -- are beginning to address some of these display assembly challenges.If those challenges are met, a Retina iPad Mini could potentially maintain its current design and even, possibly, its price, Jakhanwal said previously.When Apple introduced the 9.7-inch Retina in March 2012, it maintained the same price. Related storiesCNET's iPad Mini reviewThe upcoming Nexus 7, for example, is expected to have a Full HD display but maintain the same $199 starting price. The 7-inch tablet segment may account for 45 percent to 60 percent of total shipments this year, Digitimes said. This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Chatter in Asia has it that the total cost of the iPad Mini could increase by almost a third -- though no word on whether that would impact price.Commentary in Digitimes, which is close to the chain of component suppliers in Asia, said the jump to a Retina screen means adding costly display components.If iPad mini adopts the Retina display, the dots per inch (DPI) will be higher and the brightness of the backlight modules will have to improve. This also means the number of LEDs used will...[increase the total cost] by more than 30% if it is equipped with the 7.9-inch Retina panel. This commentary is similar to what Vinita Jakhanwal, a display analyst at IHS iSuppli, told CNET in November. At that time, she said a Retina iPad Mini with a design identical to the current Mini would not have been possible. "They would have had to compromise on thickness and weight and price," she said.But more than three months have passed since then. And it's not known if display technologies such as IGZO or some version of Low Temperature Polysilicon (LTPS) -- the latter used in the iPhone 5 -- are beginning to address some of these display assembly challenges.If those challenges are met, a Retina iPad Mini could potentially maintain its current design and even, possibly, its price, Jakhanwal said previously.When Apple introduced the 9.7-inch Retina in March 2012, it maintained the same price. Related storiesCNET's iPad Mini reviewThe upcoming Nexus 7, for example, is expected to have a Full HD display but maintain the same $199 starting price. The 7-inch tablet segment may account for 45 percent to 60 percent of total shipments this year, Digitimes said. This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
As Apple seeks new chip suppliers, theories abound
As Apple seeks new chip suppliers, theories abound
The Intel scenario: Intel is pursuing future chip business at Apple aggressively, according to Piper Jaffray's Richard."Intel's weakness is its SoC [system-on-a-chip] design capability which lags the rest of the industry as much as its manufacturing leads," Richards wrote. But "Apple needs to maintain control of its microprocessor architecture and software to differentiate its products, protect its IP [intellectual property] and slow copy cats. Based on these assumptions, we think Apple and Intel could benefit by working together," he wrote. But what Intel would make is unclear.A special system-on-a-chip for a newfangled Apple device?Or more of a straight-forward contract manufacturing--so-called foundry--relationship? Other scenarios: Gwennap believes Apple may have to get a "third-party" processor for some of its future products. "Either to develop low-cost iPhones or to reduce the burdenof developing a broad line of processors," he wrote."Qualcomm is already shipping cellular-baseband chips into Apple's newest products and would be a logical supplier if Apple were to adopt integrated processors," he wrote, adding that it will be impossible to know, however, until the products actually ship because of Apple's secrecy.In the end, what many observers tend to miss is that designing a chip is a Herculean task, even for a tech-savvy, resource-rich company like Apple, according to Gwennap. "Apple's decision to develop its own processors is paying dividends, but the company is discovering how difficult it is to be a processor supplier," Gwennap wrote.
The Intel scenario: Intel is pursuing future chip business at Apple aggressively, according to Piper Jaffray's Richard."Intel's weakness is its SoC [system-on-a-chip] design capability which lags the rest of the industry as much as its manufacturing leads," Richards wrote. But "Apple needs to maintain control of its microprocessor architecture and software to differentiate its products, protect its IP [intellectual property] and slow copy cats. Based on these assumptions, we think Apple and Intel could benefit by working together," he wrote. But what Intel would make is unclear.A special system-on-a-chip for a newfangled Apple device?Or more of a straight-forward contract manufacturing--so-called foundry--relationship? Other scenarios: Gwennap believes Apple may have to get a "third-party" processor for some of its future products. "Either to develop low-cost iPhones or to reduce the burdenof developing a broad line of processors," he wrote."Qualcomm is already shipping cellular-baseband chips into Apple's newest products and would be a logical supplier if Apple were to adopt integrated processors," he wrote, adding that it will be impossible to know, however, until the products actually ship because of Apple's secrecy.In the end, what many observers tend to miss is that designing a chip is a Herculean task, even for a tech-savvy, resource-rich company like Apple, according to Gwennap. "Apple's decision to develop its own processors is paying dividends, but the company is discovering how difficult it is to be a processor supplier," Gwennap wrote.
As Apple says sorry, Google Maps gets a little better
As Apple says sorry, Google Maps gets a little better
Google Maps is getting a facelift in some parts of the world.The search giant today announced that it has released new 45-degree imagery for 51 cities around the world, including 37 in the U.S. In one example, Google shows off its 45-degree view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In another, The Forks in Winnipeg, Canada, are on display.Google has chosen a host of rather surprising locations for its 45-degree view, including Billings, Mont.; Utica, N.Y.; and Lancaster, Calif. The company has also added more well-known locales, like Detroit.Google also said that it has updated its aerial and satellite imagery in Google Maps and Earth. The update includes new visuals for 112 countries and regions, as well as 17 cities.The updated Google Maps comes as Apple finds itself in a bit of a mess over its alternative, Maps. That application, which is built into iOS 6, replaced Google Maps in the operating system, and was billed as a fitting replacement. Instead, the app has come with a host of issues, including inaccurate data and duplicated locales.Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly apologized for Maps' problems in a note to customers today, saying that his company "fell short" on its goal of making "world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers." Cook also offered some alternatives iOS users should consider as his company works to improve Maps."While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," Cook wrote.
Google Maps is getting a facelift in some parts of the world.The search giant today announced that it has released new 45-degree imagery for 51 cities around the world, including 37 in the U.S. In one example, Google shows off its 45-degree view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In another, The Forks in Winnipeg, Canada, are on display.Google has chosen a host of rather surprising locations for its 45-degree view, including Billings, Mont.; Utica, N.Y.; and Lancaster, Calif. The company has also added more well-known locales, like Detroit.Google also said that it has updated its aerial and satellite imagery in Google Maps and Earth. The update includes new visuals for 112 countries and regions, as well as 17 cities.The updated Google Maps comes as Apple finds itself in a bit of a mess over its alternative, Maps. That application, which is built into iOS 6, replaced Google Maps in the operating system, and was billed as a fitting replacement. Instead, the app has come with a host of issues, including inaccurate data and duplicated locales.Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly apologized for Maps' problems in a note to customers today, saying that his company "fell short" on its goal of making "world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers." Cook also offered some alternatives iOS users should consider as his company works to improve Maps."While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," Cook wrote.
Al Gore- Steve Jobs' greatest work was Apple itself
Al Gore: Steve Jobs' greatest work was Apple itself
For board member Al Gore, Apple's future is in fine shape in spite of the loss of Steve Jobs--and in large part because of Jobs.Speaking at the AsiaD conference in Hong Kong yesterday, Gore reminisced about the Apple co-founder and longtime CEO, who died earlier this month at the age of 56. Of all the breakthroughs that Jobs helped bring about, from the Mac to the iPad to Pixar Animation Studios, Gore said, "I actually think his greatest work was Apple itself."Gore expressed confidence both in the Jobs-era Apple products still in the works and in the leadership that will guide Apple into the post-Jobs era: "There's so many things in the pipeline and the team he built is hitting on all cylinders."To a question on whether he still expects risk-taking and game-changing efforts from Apple, the former U.S. vice president heaped praise on the company's leaders: You can look at the executive team and go right across the list and every single one of them is world-class. Every single one of them could be the CEO of a major corporation.And Jobs would have expected the risk-taking, even if it meant risking a break with his own view of the world, Gore said. "He had said to Tim [Cook, Apple's CEO] and to members of the executive team, 'Don't ask what would Steve have done. Follow your own voice.'"Jobs was unique, of course, said Gore, who earlier in the week had attended Apple's in-house memorial for Jobs: "He's the kind of guy that comes along once every 250 years." In the AsiaD talk, Gore also touched on climate change, Current TV, and the state of education and the economy in the U.S.
For board member Al Gore, Apple's future is in fine shape in spite of the loss of Steve Jobs--and in large part because of Jobs.Speaking at the AsiaD conference in Hong Kong yesterday, Gore reminisced about the Apple co-founder and longtime CEO, who died earlier this month at the age of 56. Of all the breakthroughs that Jobs helped bring about, from the Mac to the iPad to Pixar Animation Studios, Gore said, "I actually think his greatest work was Apple itself."Gore expressed confidence both in the Jobs-era Apple products still in the works and in the leadership that will guide Apple into the post-Jobs era: "There's so many things in the pipeline and the team he built is hitting on all cylinders."To a question on whether he still expects risk-taking and game-changing efforts from Apple, the former U.S. vice president heaped praise on the company's leaders: You can look at the executive team and go right across the list and every single one of them is world-class. Every single one of them could be the CEO of a major corporation.And Jobs would have expected the risk-taking, even if it meant risking a break with his own view of the world, Gore said. "He had said to Tim [Cook, Apple's CEO] and to members of the executive team, 'Don't ask what would Steve have done. Follow your own voice.'"Jobs was unique, of course, said Gore, who earlier in the week had attended Apple's in-house memorial for Jobs: "He's the kind of guy that comes along once every 250 years." In the AsiaD talk, Gore also touched on climate change, Current TV, and the state of education and the economy in the U.S.
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