The 404 1,087: Where we talk about it without ruining it (podcast)
With Justin Yu still under the weather, The 404 Show once again experiments with Joe Kaminski filling in. We consider ourselves very lucky to have a guest with super-powers on our program. The first power is his knack for going on obscenely long tangents about the most meaningless of topics. The second is the ability to give spoiler-free movie reviews, more specifically of The Amazing Spiderman, which was just released.Next it's off to a discussion on Android and the fact that only 10-percent of those devices have Ice Cream Sandwich running on them. What's even more confusing is that Jelly Bean (ICS' successor) was just released last week. It's arguably the most annoying Android reality, so we weigh its pros and cons.Finally, we touch on EA's recent statement that the company will soon be distributing games 100-percent digitally. This shouldn't be much of a surprise, since EA already goes out of the way to combat used game sales (see EA Online Pass). But perhaps the most exciting news of the day is the introduction of the official 404 trucker hat (pictured above). These bad boys will be available should you come and hang out with us at ComicCon 2012. All the info you need is here. We also highly recommend participating on CNET's ComicCon Twitter Contest for your chance to win a game console.The 404 Digest for Episode 1087This 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.PlayPodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
Jobs hints at wireless music downloads on the iPhone
Jobs hints at wireless music downloads on the iPhone
That changed today when Apple CEO Steve Jobs dropped ever-so subtle hints that the iPhone may download music wirelessly and accommodate work-friendly applications in the near future. "There are a lot of things you can imagine down the road," Jobs said when asked if over-the-air music will ever be a reality. Granted, that not an admission, but it's not a denial either. During the interview with The Wall Street Journal Jobs went on to say that corporate-friendly applications are on the way from third-party sources. He didn't make any specific promises, but he mentioned that Salesforce.com will be in the game. He also said VOIP applications are in the works and added that he didn't put the technology in the iPhone from the start because Apple doesn't consider VOIP to be a big breakthrough.In other tidbits from the interview, Jobs said that Apple dropped 3G from the iPhone because the chipsets took up too much space and they were too much of a drain on the battery. But again, he did not rule out adding the technology in the future. "Down the road, I'm sure some of those tradeoffs will become more favorable towards 3G, but as of now we think we made a pretty good doggone decision," he said. In the meantime, however, Jobs and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson are confident the iPhone's Wi-Fi and EDGE network compatibility will be enough.And regarding its partnership with AT&T--another source of iPhone criticism--Jobs said Apple had considered an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) but decided against it because it "would be a big waste of energy." Finally, he wouldn't elaborate on which carriers Apple would partner with in other countries.
That changed today when Apple CEO Steve Jobs dropped ever-so subtle hints that the iPhone may download music wirelessly and accommodate work-friendly applications in the near future. "There are a lot of things you can imagine down the road," Jobs said when asked if over-the-air music will ever be a reality. Granted, that not an admission, but it's not a denial either. During the interview with The Wall Street Journal Jobs went on to say that corporate-friendly applications are on the way from third-party sources. He didn't make any specific promises, but he mentioned that Salesforce.com will be in the game. He also said VOIP applications are in the works and added that he didn't put the technology in the iPhone from the start because Apple doesn't consider VOIP to be a big breakthrough.In other tidbits from the interview, Jobs said that Apple dropped 3G from the iPhone because the chipsets took up too much space and they were too much of a drain on the battery. But again, he did not rule out adding the technology in the future. "Down the road, I'm sure some of those tradeoffs will become more favorable towards 3G, but as of now we think we made a pretty good doggone decision," he said. In the meantime, however, Jobs and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson are confident the iPhone's Wi-Fi and EDGE network compatibility will be enough.And regarding its partnership with AT&T--another source of iPhone criticism--Jobs said Apple had considered an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) but decided against it because it "would be a big waste of energy." Finally, he wouldn't elaborate on which carriers Apple would partner with in other countries.
Apple's latest top executives get $50M stock perks
Apple's latest top executives get $50M stock perks
Apple's newly-minted top executives will have good reason to stick around in the form of a hefty stock bonus that finishes vesting in four years.New filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show that Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering, and Dan Riccio, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, were both given 75,000 shares of company stock as part oftheir promotions last week.Those grants, currently worth $50.62 million, vest at three separate points over the next four years. The first batch of 25,000 vests December 23, 2013, with the other two chunks of 25,000 vesting April 23, 2015 and August 23, 2016 respectively.The big potential pay days are not unusual for Apple's top brass. The long-term vesting of the shares among some of Apple's top executives provides incentive to stay with the company and improve its performance in return for a big payoff when those shares vest.Last November Apple doled out 150,000 shares each to most of its senior vice presidents, short of SVP Eddy Cue, who received a slightly smaller 100,000-share bonus, and design guru Jonathan Ive, who is an SVP, but does not fall under the SEC's section for directors, officers, and principal stockholders. At the time that worked out to just over a $60 million payday to those who got the 150,000 shares, with Cue's cut coming out to a little more than $40 million.Also of note is a sale of 25,000 shares of stock by Apple board member Mickey Drexler worth about $16.6 million. Drexler has been a director on Apple's board since 1999 and is currently the chairman and chief executive of the J.Crew Group.
Apple's newly-minted top executives will have good reason to stick around in the form of a hefty stock bonus that finishes vesting in four years.New filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show that Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering, and Dan Riccio, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, were both given 75,000 shares of company stock as part oftheir promotions last week.Those grants, currently worth $50.62 million, vest at three separate points over the next four years. The first batch of 25,000 vests December 23, 2013, with the other two chunks of 25,000 vesting April 23, 2015 and August 23, 2016 respectively.The big potential pay days are not unusual for Apple's top brass. The long-term vesting of the shares among some of Apple's top executives provides incentive to stay with the company and improve its performance in return for a big payoff when those shares vest.Last November Apple doled out 150,000 shares each to most of its senior vice presidents, short of SVP Eddy Cue, who received a slightly smaller 100,000-share bonus, and design guru Jonathan Ive, who is an SVP, but does not fall under the SEC's section for directors, officers, and principal stockholders. At the time that worked out to just over a $60 million payday to those who got the 150,000 shares, with Cue's cut coming out to a little more than $40 million.Also of note is a sale of 25,000 shares of stock by Apple board member Mickey Drexler worth about $16.6 million. Drexler has been a director on Apple's board since 1999 and is currently the chairman and chief executive of the J.Crew Group.
Apple's Korea after-sales policy the world's best, regulator says
Apple's Korea after-sales policy the world's best, regulator says
Apple has updated its after-sales policy in South Korea, making it the world's best, according to a regulator in that country.According to the Korea Herald, citing a statement from the country's Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Apple will now replace all defective products in that country with new devices within the first month of purchase. The company will even replace devices that become defective after the first month with a new model if the issue is obviously caused by a manufacturing issue. Apple had previously offered the policy to Korean customers with its iPhone last year, but has now expanded it to all of its devices, except for the iMac.With that change, Korea's FTC says Apple is delivering to the country a top level of service.Related storiesApple upgrades iPhone AppleCare coverage, priceDidn't get AppleCare when you preordered your iPhone 4S? You still canApple loses appeal in Italian AppleCare issueCNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4S"Apple confirmed that the renewed policy in Korea is the world's best level compared to [those] in other countries," FTC official Kim Chung-ki said today at a news conference, according to the Korea Herald.Korea has become a leader in consumer-friendly after-sales policies. On April 1, the country started enforcing a bill that requires companies to adhere to stringent government regulations on after-sales policies. In the event companies don't do so, they'd be required to note that on their product packaging.Apple's after-care policies have become an integral component in its success at establishing strong customer relationships. Aside from a standard policy that offers a full refund on iPhone returns within 30 days, the company's paid AppleCare service covers everything from regular defects to accidental damage.Back in October, Apple unveiled the iPhone AppleCare+ plan, allowing iPhone owners to extend their one-year warranty and 90 days of tech support to two years. The plan includes two incidents of accidental damage and costs $99.
Apple has updated its after-sales policy in South Korea, making it the world's best, according to a regulator in that country.According to the Korea Herald, citing a statement from the country's Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Apple will now replace all defective products in that country with new devices within the first month of purchase. The company will even replace devices that become defective after the first month with a new model if the issue is obviously caused by a manufacturing issue. Apple had previously offered the policy to Korean customers with its iPhone last year, but has now expanded it to all of its devices, except for the iMac.With that change, Korea's FTC says Apple is delivering to the country a top level of service.Related storiesApple upgrades iPhone AppleCare coverage, priceDidn't get AppleCare when you preordered your iPhone 4S? You still canApple loses appeal in Italian AppleCare issueCNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4S"Apple confirmed that the renewed policy in Korea is the world's best level compared to [those] in other countries," FTC official Kim Chung-ki said today at a news conference, according to the Korea Herald.Korea has become a leader in consumer-friendly after-sales policies. On April 1, the country started enforcing a bill that requires companies to adhere to stringent government regulations on after-sales policies. In the event companies don't do so, they'd be required to note that on their product packaging.Apple's after-care policies have become an integral component in its success at establishing strong customer relationships. Aside from a standard policy that offers a full refund on iPhone returns within 30 days, the company's paid AppleCare service covers everything from regular defects to accidental damage.Back in October, Apple unveiled the iPhone AppleCare+ plan, allowing iPhone owners to extend their one-year warranty and 90 days of tech support to two years. The plan includes two incidents of accidental damage and costs $99.
Apple's Jony Ive reportedly buys $17M home in SF
Apple's Jony Ive reportedly buys $17M home in SF
Jony Ive has put to rest rumors of an imminent departure from Apple with the purchase of a $17 million house in San Francisco.Apple's senior vice president of industrial design purchased a six-bedroom, eight-and-half-bath house on one of the city's most exclusive blocks in the Gold Coast neighborhood, people familiar with the deal tell The Wall Street Journal. The house, which was built in 1927 and features views of the San Francisco Bay, appears to be a property that went on the market in February for $25 million. The official MLS for the property has been pulled off the Web, but here is the selling agent's description of the property, which lists the selling price as $17 million.Related storiesApple gets 'Back to the Mac' with iLife '11, Mac OS X Lion (live blog)Steve Jobs, Jony Ive named smartest in techApple's Ive talks design, what competitors do wrongUnder Ive's direction, Apple's put out a list of iconic products including the iMac, iPod, and iPad. However, last year rumors circulated that Ive was contemplating a departure from Apple to relocate to the U.K. following the completion of a three-year stock deal.Ive, 45, was not listed among the group of executives who got massive stock grants last November, with an aim of keeping them there through 2016. However that does not mean he hasn't been given bonuses over the years. Ive is an SVP, but does not fall under the SEC's section for directors, officers, and principal stockholders when it comes to disclosures.Ive, who has lived in San Francisco with his family for a number of years, couldn't be reached for comment. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
Jony Ive has put to rest rumors of an imminent departure from Apple with the purchase of a $17 million house in San Francisco.Apple's senior vice president of industrial design purchased a six-bedroom, eight-and-half-bath house on one of the city's most exclusive blocks in the Gold Coast neighborhood, people familiar with the deal tell The Wall Street Journal. The house, which was built in 1927 and features views of the San Francisco Bay, appears to be a property that went on the market in February for $25 million. The official MLS for the property has been pulled off the Web, but here is the selling agent's description of the property, which lists the selling price as $17 million.Related storiesApple gets 'Back to the Mac' with iLife '11, Mac OS X Lion (live blog)Steve Jobs, Jony Ive named smartest in techApple's Ive talks design, what competitors do wrongUnder Ive's direction, Apple's put out a list of iconic products including the iMac, iPod, and iPad. However, last year rumors circulated that Ive was contemplating a departure from Apple to relocate to the U.K. following the completion of a three-year stock deal.Ive, 45, was not listed among the group of executives who got massive stock grants last November, with an aim of keeping them there through 2016. However that does not mean he hasn't been given bonuses over the years. Ive is an SVP, but does not fall under the SEC's section for directors, officers, and principal stockholders when it comes to disclosures.Ive, who has lived in San Francisco with his family for a number of years, couldn't be reached for comment. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
Apple's Jobs still shapes PC laptop future
Apple's Jobs still shapes PC laptop future
Of course it doesn't hurt that the Air has been the highest-profile thin laptop since 2008.And Apple has been evangelizing it like no one else--which can be traced directly to Steve Jobs.(Though Dell tried to promote the Adamo, and Sony has made efforts with laptops like the Vaio X.) Maybe most importantly, Jobs and Apple have had a particularly big influence on Intel (though Intel executives don't usually readily admit this)--in turn, probably the single most influential hardware player in the PC industry. Intel CEO Paul Otellini made a rare appearance with Jobs at the Air debut in 2008.Here's what Otellini said at the time: "A year ago, you challenged us to get [our] microprocessor into this impossibly thin machine.... When we started this project we didn't think it was possible.... There are times that we sweated over it. But at the end of the day, we did what we do best together, which is to innovate." Some of the fruits of that project now can be found at the core of all Ultrabooks. And Intel was challenged again with the most recent MacBook Air, which packs the chipmaker's most power-efficient central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) combined onto one chip.An Intel executive recently admitted that Apple threatened to drop its chips if the company didn't improve power efficiency.This is quintessential Apple: badgering a company to improve its product or risk elimination. (When IBM's and Motorola's PowerPC chip roadmap didn't hew to Jobs' vision, Apple dumped PowerPC and went with Intel.)Whatever happens, Apple and Jobs have made their mark on laptop design for years to come.And despite the popularity of iPhones and iPads, consumers worldwide will continue to buy millions of laptops every year with Jobs' and colleague Jonathan Ive's fingerprints all over them.
Of course it doesn't hurt that the Air has been the highest-profile thin laptop since 2008.And Apple has been evangelizing it like no one else--which can be traced directly to Steve Jobs.(Though Dell tried to promote the Adamo, and Sony has made efforts with laptops like the Vaio X.) Maybe most importantly, Jobs and Apple have had a particularly big influence on Intel (though Intel executives don't usually readily admit this)--in turn, probably the single most influential hardware player in the PC industry. Intel CEO Paul Otellini made a rare appearance with Jobs at the Air debut in 2008.Here's what Otellini said at the time: "A year ago, you challenged us to get [our] microprocessor into this impossibly thin machine.... When we started this project we didn't think it was possible.... There are times that we sweated over it. But at the end of the day, we did what we do best together, which is to innovate." Some of the fruits of that project now can be found at the core of all Ultrabooks. And Intel was challenged again with the most recent MacBook Air, which packs the chipmaker's most power-efficient central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) combined onto one chip.An Intel executive recently admitted that Apple threatened to drop its chips if the company didn't improve power efficiency.This is quintessential Apple: badgering a company to improve its product or risk elimination. (When IBM's and Motorola's PowerPC chip roadmap didn't hew to Jobs' vision, Apple dumped PowerPC and went with Intel.)Whatever happens, Apple and Jobs have made their mark on laptop design for years to come.And despite the popularity of iPhones and iPads, consumers worldwide will continue to buy millions of laptops every year with Jobs' and colleague Jonathan Ive's fingerprints all over them.
Apple's iWeb to be shelved with MobileMe-
Apple's iWeb to be shelved with MobileMe?
Apple's iCloud announcements at last week's Worldwide Developers Conference had one product casualty in the form of MobileMe, but a piece of software the company ships with every Mac could be on the chopping block, too.In a purported e-mail response to a customer asking if they should plan on going elsewhere to build their sites and get them hosted, Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed that the company is doing away with its iWeb site building software and connected hosting services.As with other e-mails allegedly from the CEO, Apple does not comment on their authenticity and did not immediately respond to an inquiry on this one. MacRumors, which posted the e-mail thread, said the e-mail headers looked legitimate.iWeb was added to the iLife suite in 2006 as a way for Mac users to design Web sites with a what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) editor. For users with a MobileMe account, the software would allow them to push a site design straight to Apple's servers, or elsewhere using FTP. Apple last week announced that MobileMe would be closing up at the end of June 2012, though made no mention of iWeb coming down with it.Compared to other components of the iLife suite, which include iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband, iWeb tended to get less attention, receiving just one major update in 2009. Nonetheless, like iDVD (which is another infrequently updated part of iLife) it provided a solution for customers to build a commonly-needed project with all their media, something Apple's gone after with its products and software since the early days of the Mac.Apple's iCloud, which succeeds MobileMe, launches later this year alongside iOS 5. Unlike MobileMe, it's not a destination like .Mac and iTools that came before it. Instead, Apple is positioning it as a cloud service to keep user media, settings, apps, and music in sync across multiple devices. The company said last week that it would be providing more details about the eventual closure of MobileMe at a later date.
Apple's iCloud announcements at last week's Worldwide Developers Conference had one product casualty in the form of MobileMe, but a piece of software the company ships with every Mac could be on the chopping block, too.In a purported e-mail response to a customer asking if they should plan on going elsewhere to build their sites and get them hosted, Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed that the company is doing away with its iWeb site building software and connected hosting services.As with other e-mails allegedly from the CEO, Apple does not comment on their authenticity and did not immediately respond to an inquiry on this one. MacRumors, which posted the e-mail thread, said the e-mail headers looked legitimate.iWeb was added to the iLife suite in 2006 as a way for Mac users to design Web sites with a what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) editor. For users with a MobileMe account, the software would allow them to push a site design straight to Apple's servers, or elsewhere using FTP. Apple last week announced that MobileMe would be closing up at the end of June 2012, though made no mention of iWeb coming down with it.Compared to other components of the iLife suite, which include iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband, iWeb tended to get less attention, receiving just one major update in 2009. Nonetheless, like iDVD (which is another infrequently updated part of iLife) it provided a solution for customers to build a commonly-needed project with all their media, something Apple's gone after with its products and software since the early days of the Mac.Apple's iCloud, which succeeds MobileMe, launches later this year alongside iOS 5. Unlike MobileMe, it's not a destination like .Mac and iTools that came before it. Instead, Apple is positioning it as a cloud service to keep user media, settings, apps, and music in sync across multiple devices. The company said last week that it would be providing more details about the eventual closure of MobileMe at a later date.
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