20 hours with the iPhone: A full, hands-on evaluation...so far
As I mentioned in my previous iPhone post, I took the plunge Friday night and drove down to my local AT&T store for a nice new iPhone. So, with some time on my hands as my girlfriend watches more YouTube videos than anyone else who has ever seen the site, I thought I would give you some insight into my experience with the iPhone and my impressions at this point.When I got to the AT&T store, I was asked to stand outside the door until one of the seven sales kiosks became available. Within five minutes the security guard opened the door for me and I was well on my way to getting a new cellie. As I mentioned in a previous article, I am a Verizon Wireless customer. And for a string of reasons, I feel compelled to keep my relationship with Verizon running, so I now have two phones, two plans and two bills. Great.After a five-minute wait while the sales representative made sure another iPhone was in stock, I had the box in front of me and credit check behind me. A couple minutes later, I was on my way home with a new toy.Once home, I needed to install the new iTunes update, which took about 10 minutes. After a quick reboot, I connected my iPhone to my MacBook and it was immediately recognized. After a quick run-through of my address and billing information, I was sent a confirmation that my iPhone had been activated and I was free to use it the way I saw fit. All in all, the process of going to the store and calling some people took about a half hour--much quicker than my previous trip to a cell phone store, when I bought my Treo from Verizon Wireless.As a guy who is dedicated (or is it obsessed?) with his e-mail, I spend quite a bit of time typing away on my Treo.Because of this, I spent the better part of last night learning how to use the virtual keyboard. I am happy to report that after just one night with the iPhone, I have been able to (almost) master the art of two-thumb typing on the device, and believe it or not, it's actually better than typing on my Treo.Which brings me to another topic: e-mail integration could have been the most rewarding experiences I have ever had while using a mobile device.When I first brought my Treo home, I had to go through the agonizing process of inputting my username, password and POP server information. As many Verizon customers know, outgoing mail servers (SMTP) need to be networked through Verizon servers in certain areas, and unfortunately, I am in one of those areas. So, after a week of calling Verizon asking why I wasn't able to send any email, I finally had the outgoing mail server set up and ready for use. The iPhone was nothing like that.As soon as the iPhone was connected, it recognized all of my Mail settings and immediately integrated them into the phone. In seconds (seconds!), I was using the exact same mail application on both my iPhone and my laptop. Wow.So far, I have connected the iPhone to two different Wi-Fi networks, and the ease with which it switches from AT&T's EDGE service to my Wi-Fi network is gratifying, to say the least. YouTube videos are slow when I use the EDGE network (obviously), but I was still able to get them to run after a while.Unfortunately the EDGE network is slower than my EV-DO, but believe it or not, it's only nominally slower on most major Web sites.Sure, a 5- or 10-second wait may be a big deal to some, but I personally couldn't care less. That said, if I needed Web site information quickly on a page that wasn't too big, I would probably choose my Treo. But if the Web site was larger, I would take the iPhone any day. Why, you ask?Because navigating a stacked and screwed up Web site is probably one of the most annoying aspects of using a smart phone, and the iPhone doesn't do anything of the sort.Simply put, Web pages look great.At this point, I have not yet charged the iPhone.On any given day, I usually receive well over 50 calls on my Treo and check my e-mail every 10 or 20 minutes.This usually means a nightly charge for Uncle Treo.But now that the iPhone is in the mix, I expect those calls to be cut in half for both phones, and although e-mail will be checked on the iPhone from now on, I don't see a significant enough drain to warrant a daily battery charge.In fact, after calling and receiving a number of calls and a conservative estimate of one or two hours on YouTube, my iPhone is still half-charged out of the box. This is one heck of a feat, if you ask me.Which brings me to one of the best aspects of the iPhone: the iPod. With a simple click of the mouse, I was able to tell the iPhone to sync all of my music onto its hard drive.Because I'm not much of a music aficionado, I have about 600 songs from a bunch of artists no one has heard of. All told, my music library is about 3GB.In a matter of minutes, my entire library was loaded onto my iPhone, and I'm currently listening to some of my songs through the device's built-in speaker, which, surprisingly, sounds quite good. The iPod gives you the same options as the current iPods, but throws in some Front Row and Apple TV flair by allowing you to flip through your album art. I wish fewer taps on the touch screen were required to maneuver through the iPod menu, but all in all it's still a great experience.Another topic I should mention is the ease of integration between my Mac Address Book and the iPhone contacts.In a matter of seconds, I sent my entire Treo contact list to my MacBook via Bluetooth and used the iTunes sync to send that file to my iPhone.I now have a complete replica of my Treo's contact list--a good 200 people--and didn't have to spend the hours it would normally take to input all of those people.Ringtones on the iPhone are nice, but like many others, I would have liked to use some of iTunes' songs. Oh well. I guess in this business we win some and we lose some.My biggest complaint so far is not really an indictment of the iPhone itself, but of the features it lacks. Talk about lack of faster Internet access and no GPS has been driven into the ground, so I won't go into that here. But my major complaint is the lack of iChat or another third-party chat client. For a full-featured phone that provides much of the same experience I have on my MacBook, there is no reason to leave iChat out. I know it supports SMS and I have 200 messages with my plan, but chatting is different and should have been thrown in.The iPhone, much like the iPod, is a landmark device. The iPod had no significant rivals after it went on sale and the iPhone has no significant rivals today.The iPod changed an industry and the iPhone has most definitely changed the cell phone business. The iPod had faults that have been addressed in later iterations and the iPhone has faults that I hope will be addressed. But for all of the bad, the iPhone has an awful lot of good. And it is for this reason that I consider my iPhone, after 20 hours of use, the most significant technological achievement in the past 20 years.
How to get unlimited free holiday music on your phone or tablet
How to get unlimited free holiday music on your phone or tablet
Warm fire, check. Good company and good cheer, check. Now all you need is some good holiday music, which you can get in virtually unlimited quantities on your smartphone or tablet. And it won't cost you anything extra.With the exception of iTunes Radio, which is available only for iOS devices, most of the services listed below are available for most mobile platforms.iTunes RadioSurprisingly, Apple's new streaming service has only one holiday-themed Featured Station, at least for the moment: the very good Rockin' Holiday. And if you search for "holidays," you get only a weird selection that includes, for some reason, comedian Jim Gaffigan. Search for "Christmas," though, and you'll find the Christmas Music Radio station, which offers a nice mix of classical tunes.PandoraAs any Pandora user knows, it's a snap to create a new station of Christmas or holiday tunes. However, when you start the process, you can also tap Browse Genre Stations, then scroll down to Holiday. There you'll find a wealth of stations already ready to go, including one for those of us who celebrate Hanukkah.Pandora's extensive holiday selection includes a Hanukkah station.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETSlackerSlacker has been around nearly as long as Pandora, but it's often overlooked as a source for free streaming music. Now's your chance to discover what's so great about it: browse the Stations listing and you'll find nearly a dozen devoted entirely to Christmas tunes. These range from New Holiday Hits to Jazz Christmas to Yuletide Classics.SongzaAn app that specializes in slinging tunes based on specific moods and activities, Songza has plenty of holiday-themed stations available, starting with half a dozen main categories: A Christmas Concert Spectacular, Too Cool for Yule, Cozy Christmas Hits, and so on. This is arguably the single best app for finding exactly the kind of holiday music you want to hear.TuneIn RadioThe popular Internet-radio app can connect you to a variety of Christmas-themed stations. Just tap Browse, then scroll down to the Christmas category. You'll see upwards of 20 stations, a good choice being Christmas 365 -- Santa's Radio.By the way, if you don't have a smartphone or tablet but still want an ample helping of free holiday tunes, check out Ed Rhee's roundup of online holiday-music options.Have you found another great app or service for streaming holiday tunes on the cheap? Talk it up in the comments!
Warm fire, check. Good company and good cheer, check. Now all you need is some good holiday music, which you can get in virtually unlimited quantities on your smartphone or tablet. And it won't cost you anything extra.With the exception of iTunes Radio, which is available only for iOS devices, most of the services listed below are available for most mobile platforms.iTunes RadioSurprisingly, Apple's new streaming service has only one holiday-themed Featured Station, at least for the moment: the very good Rockin' Holiday. And if you search for "holidays," you get only a weird selection that includes, for some reason, comedian Jim Gaffigan. Search for "Christmas," though, and you'll find the Christmas Music Radio station, which offers a nice mix of classical tunes.PandoraAs any Pandora user knows, it's a snap to create a new station of Christmas or holiday tunes. However, when you start the process, you can also tap Browse Genre Stations, then scroll down to Holiday. There you'll find a wealth of stations already ready to go, including one for those of us who celebrate Hanukkah.Pandora's extensive holiday selection includes a Hanukkah station.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETSlackerSlacker has been around nearly as long as Pandora, but it's often overlooked as a source for free streaming music. Now's your chance to discover what's so great about it: browse the Stations listing and you'll find nearly a dozen devoted entirely to Christmas tunes. These range from New Holiday Hits to Jazz Christmas to Yuletide Classics.SongzaAn app that specializes in slinging tunes based on specific moods and activities, Songza has plenty of holiday-themed stations available, starting with half a dozen main categories: A Christmas Concert Spectacular, Too Cool for Yule, Cozy Christmas Hits, and so on. This is arguably the single best app for finding exactly the kind of holiday music you want to hear.TuneIn RadioThe popular Internet-radio app can connect you to a variety of Christmas-themed stations. Just tap Browse, then scroll down to the Christmas category. You'll see upwards of 20 stations, a good choice being Christmas 365 -- Santa's Radio.By the way, if you don't have a smartphone or tablet but still want an ample helping of free holiday tunes, check out Ed Rhee's roundup of online holiday-music options.Have you found another great app or service for streaming holiday tunes on the cheap? Talk it up in the comments!
Amazon getting cloud-music rights, may match iCloud (scoop)
Amazon getting cloud-music rights, may match iCloud (scoop)
Amazon executives are close to striking license deals with music studios to cover the company's cloud music service, numerous music industry sources told CNET.Amazon already has reached agreements with Universal Music Group, EMI and Sony Music Entertainment and is in the later stages of negotiations with the other Warner Music Group, the sources said. Amazon could announce the deals within weeks. Spokesmen for UMG, EMI and Sony declined to comment. An Amazon representative was not immediately available for comment, though I'll update as soon as we hear back.Details are scarce as to what new features Amazon's cloud music service will offer as a result of the license deals, though it's likely that Amazon may soon be able to match many of the features found at Apple's iCloud.The moves comes more than a year after Amazon surprised both the music sector and its rivals, Apple and Google, by launching Amazon Cloud Drive and Cloud Player without licenses from the top labels. Amazon became the first of the major music stores to enable users to upload their music collections into the cloud. Related storiesAmazon's Cloud Player enters the App StoreAmazon's cloud risks war with labels, studiosAmazon may soon launch film, music locker serviceAmazon Cloud Drive enables users to upload copies of their music, e-books, videos, and other digital media to Amazon's servers. The Cloud Player enables them to listen to the uploaded music with the help of Web-connected devices. Earlier today, Amazon announced that the Cloud Player app is now available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. While we don't know what new features Amazon will offer, the company will likely eliminate the need for users to upload every one of their songs individually to the cloud. Because Apple obtained licenses before launching its cloud service last year, it was allowed to scan a user's hard drive to identify the music there. The company could then match and stream songs to the user from copies stored in the iTunes' library, eliminating the tedious uploading. Amazon couldn't offer a similar service because the scan-and-match process involves creating and delivering copies of music to users who didn't technically buy them. Making a copy requires a license, say the labels; otherwise, they argue, such copies violate their copyrights.Update: 6-13-12, 8:15 a.m. PT: To include news that Sony Music Group has also reached an a cloud-music agreement with Amazon.
Amazon executives are close to striking license deals with music studios to cover the company's cloud music service, numerous music industry sources told CNET.Amazon already has reached agreements with Universal Music Group, EMI and Sony Music Entertainment and is in the later stages of negotiations with the other Warner Music Group, the sources said. Amazon could announce the deals within weeks. Spokesmen for UMG, EMI and Sony declined to comment. An Amazon representative was not immediately available for comment, though I'll update as soon as we hear back.Details are scarce as to what new features Amazon's cloud music service will offer as a result of the license deals, though it's likely that Amazon may soon be able to match many of the features found at Apple's iCloud.The moves comes more than a year after Amazon surprised both the music sector and its rivals, Apple and Google, by launching Amazon Cloud Drive and Cloud Player without licenses from the top labels. Amazon became the first of the major music stores to enable users to upload their music collections into the cloud. Related storiesAmazon's Cloud Player enters the App StoreAmazon's cloud risks war with labels, studiosAmazon may soon launch film, music locker serviceAmazon Cloud Drive enables users to upload copies of their music, e-books, videos, and other digital media to Amazon's servers. The Cloud Player enables them to listen to the uploaded music with the help of Web-connected devices. Earlier today, Amazon announced that the Cloud Player app is now available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. While we don't know what new features Amazon will offer, the company will likely eliminate the need for users to upload every one of their songs individually to the cloud. Because Apple obtained licenses before launching its cloud service last year, it was allowed to scan a user's hard drive to identify the music there. The company could then match and stream songs to the user from copies stored in the iTunes' library, eliminating the tedious uploading. Amazon couldn't offer a similar service because the scan-and-match process involves creating and delivering copies of music to users who didn't technically buy them. Making a copy requires a license, say the labels; otherwise, they argue, such copies violate their copyrights.Update: 6-13-12, 8:15 a.m. PT: To include news that Sony Music Group has also reached an a cloud-music agreement with Amazon.
Report- Gaming might be coming to Apple TV
Report: Gaming might be coming to Apple TV
Gaming could be making its way to the Apple TV.According to Engadget, which received iOS 4.3 beta 3 code snippets from an anonymous tipster, two strings of code, dubbed "com.apple.appletv.play.live.thunder" and "com.apple.appletv.play.archive.thunder," provide the best evidence that video game support could be coming to the Apple TV. Other areas of the code mentioned "ATVThunder" and "ATVGames," Engadget is reporting.All told, "several references" to gaming on the Apple TV were found throughout the code that Engadget obtained.Apple released an updated version of its set-top box in September. The new Apple TV, which the company says isn't the "hobby" that its predecessor was, lacks internal storage and requires users to stream multimedia content to the device. It includes access to iTunes video content, as well as Netflix and Flickr. According to Apple, it hit the 1 million units sold mark in December.Prior to the launch of the latest Apple TV, some industry watchers thought that the device would feature some kind of gaming component. In 2009, an Apple patent was discovered that seemed to indicate that the company was thinking about allowing Apple TV owners to play casual games on the device. But companies file a slew of patents, and many of the products described in those filings never make it to store shelves.The discovery by Engadget's tipster is by no means a smoking gun. And as with any other Apple product, rumors about the Apple TV's upcoming features should be taken with a grain of salt. But if Apple is looking for other ways to improve its set-top box, games might just be the next logical space for the company to jump on. If that happens, just don't expect Xbox 360- or PlayStation 3-quality games. The Apple TV lacks the graphical prowess to match those consoles, which means it would probably only accommodate casual, online games.Apple did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Gaming could be making its way to the Apple TV.According to Engadget, which received iOS 4.3 beta 3 code snippets from an anonymous tipster, two strings of code, dubbed "com.apple.appletv.play.live.thunder" and "com.apple.appletv.play.archive.thunder," provide the best evidence that video game support could be coming to the Apple TV. Other areas of the code mentioned "ATVThunder" and "ATVGames," Engadget is reporting.All told, "several references" to gaming on the Apple TV were found throughout the code that Engadget obtained.Apple released an updated version of its set-top box in September. The new Apple TV, which the company says isn't the "hobby" that its predecessor was, lacks internal storage and requires users to stream multimedia content to the device. It includes access to iTunes video content, as well as Netflix and Flickr. According to Apple, it hit the 1 million units sold mark in December.Prior to the launch of the latest Apple TV, some industry watchers thought that the device would feature some kind of gaming component. In 2009, an Apple patent was discovered that seemed to indicate that the company was thinking about allowing Apple TV owners to play casual games on the device. But companies file a slew of patents, and many of the products described in those filings never make it to store shelves.The discovery by Engadget's tipster is by no means a smoking gun. And as with any other Apple product, rumors about the Apple TV's upcoming features should be taken with a grain of salt. But if Apple is looking for other ways to improve its set-top box, games might just be the next logical space for the company to jump on. If that happens, just don't expect Xbox 360- or PlayStation 3-quality games. The Apple TV lacks the graphical prowess to match those consoles, which means it would probably only accommodate casual, online games.Apple did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Hands-on with Sony Ericsson's music phone
Hands-on with Sony Ericsson's music phone
We've had Sony Ericsson's W380i strapped to our heads for a fair while now and, while it's not quite as inveigling as Jaffa Cakes, it's given us numerous happy times. In fact, as clamshells go, it's pretty snazzy. True, it's a music phone that needs an adaptor just to use normal headphones, but it's still more enjoyable to use than, say, something like the Nokia N95, which sports a native 3.5-millimeter adapter.Aesthetics aside, the W380i is easy to use as an MP3 player--its dedicated Walkman button gives quick access to your music library, and side-loading MP3s to the removable Memory Stick is a piece of cake with either the bundled software or simple drag 'n' drop through Windows. There's no support for DRMed content from the likes of Napster or iTunes of course, but MP3s from 7digital or eMusic work just fine.Sound quality-wise, we weren't hugely impressed. Although Sony's MP3 Walkman range continually blows us away with stellar quality, the W380i does not. If you really don't have a critical ear, you won't take issue, as it's perfectly acceptable for a phone.But if you've invested in decent earphones and fancy this model as your sole MP3 player, we'd advise otherwise--music sounds a little flat, with less detail and power than we'd expect from even a dedicated player. There's a tiny element of distortion too, perhaps a result of the proprietary headphone adapter. Also, only MP3 is supported--there's no love for WMA or even gapless playback.Music aside, the phone's a treat. Large-ish flat buttons are easy to depress, meaning texting can be done in seconds. It's a responsive piece of kit, with no notable lag between button presses and system response--something that would otherwise anger the hell out of you as you try and blast out a quick e-mail on the train.You've also got a simple Web browser, RSS feed reader, 3D games support (for those of you who are so addicted to The Sims 2 you need to play it on a bus), a low-end 1-megapixel camera, FM radio, and a the usual office-esque apps you'd expect.Make sure your seat belts are fastened, as our full review will be with you very soon. For those of you already desperate for one, you can snag a W380i on a monthly contract or pay as you go from a number of networks right about now, funk soul brothers (and sisters).(Source: Crave UK)
We've had Sony Ericsson's W380i strapped to our heads for a fair while now and, while it's not quite as inveigling as Jaffa Cakes, it's given us numerous happy times. In fact, as clamshells go, it's pretty snazzy. True, it's a music phone that needs an adaptor just to use normal headphones, but it's still more enjoyable to use than, say, something like the Nokia N95, which sports a native 3.5-millimeter adapter.Aesthetics aside, the W380i is easy to use as an MP3 player--its dedicated Walkman button gives quick access to your music library, and side-loading MP3s to the removable Memory Stick is a piece of cake with either the bundled software or simple drag 'n' drop through Windows. There's no support for DRMed content from the likes of Napster or iTunes of course, but MP3s from 7digital or eMusic work just fine.Sound quality-wise, we weren't hugely impressed. Although Sony's MP3 Walkman range continually blows us away with stellar quality, the W380i does not. If you really don't have a critical ear, you won't take issue, as it's perfectly acceptable for a phone.But if you've invested in decent earphones and fancy this model as your sole MP3 player, we'd advise otherwise--music sounds a little flat, with less detail and power than we'd expect from even a dedicated player. There's a tiny element of distortion too, perhaps a result of the proprietary headphone adapter. Also, only MP3 is supported--there's no love for WMA or even gapless playback.Music aside, the phone's a treat. Large-ish flat buttons are easy to depress, meaning texting can be done in seconds. It's a responsive piece of kit, with no notable lag between button presses and system response--something that would otherwise anger the hell out of you as you try and blast out a quick e-mail on the train.You've also got a simple Web browser, RSS feed reader, 3D games support (for those of you who are so addicted to The Sims 2 you need to play it on a bus), a low-end 1-megapixel camera, FM radio, and a the usual office-esque apps you'd expect.Make sure your seat belts are fastened, as our full review will be with you very soon. For those of you already desperate for one, you can snag a W380i on a monthly contract or pay as you go from a number of networks right about now, funk soul brothers (and sisters).(Source: Crave UK)
Rich tweet- Icahn ups stake in Apple by $500 million
Rich tweet: Icahn ups stake in Apple by $500 million
Potter's not selling, he's buying, and so is Icahn -- buying Apple, that is, and in a big way.Investor Carl Icahn announced via a tweet on Tuesday that he had bought another $500 million worth of Apple stock, raising his overall ownership in the company to about $4.1 billion. Icahn's disclosure comes on the same day that traders dumped Apple shares following the company's disappointing quarterly financial results. Related storiesCarl Icahn selling off Yahoo sharesIcahn increases Motorola stakeIcahn pal Chapple to leave Yahoo's boardThis is the latest page in the involvement of the activist investor with Apple. Icahn, chairman of Icahn Enterprises, has been waging a public campaign to convince the company to buy back more stock, which presumably would lead to an increased share price. "My buying seems to be going neck-and-neck with Apple's buyback program, but hope they win that race," Icahn tweeted.During the company's conference call with analysts, CEO Tim Cook obliquely referred to the calls for the board to buy back more shares. "We've been buying back (shares) all year," he said, adding that has bought roughly $28 billion in stock of the $60 billion authorized to date. The company also announced a cash dividend of $3.05 a share which will get paid to shareholders of record on February 13.
Potter's not selling, he's buying, and so is Icahn -- buying Apple, that is, and in a big way.Investor Carl Icahn announced via a tweet on Tuesday that he had bought another $500 million worth of Apple stock, raising his overall ownership in the company to about $4.1 billion. Icahn's disclosure comes on the same day that traders dumped Apple shares following the company's disappointing quarterly financial results. Related storiesCarl Icahn selling off Yahoo sharesIcahn increases Motorola stakeIcahn pal Chapple to leave Yahoo's boardThis is the latest page in the involvement of the activist investor with Apple. Icahn, chairman of Icahn Enterprises, has been waging a public campaign to convince the company to buy back more stock, which presumably would lead to an increased share price. "My buying seems to be going neck-and-neck with Apple's buyback program, but hope they win that race," Icahn tweeted.During the company's conference call with analysts, CEO Tim Cook obliquely referred to the calls for the board to buy back more shares. "We've been buying back (shares) all year," he said, adding that has bought roughly $28 billion in stock of the $60 billion authorized to date. The company also announced a cash dividend of $3.05 a share which will get paid to shareholders of record on February 13.
Revenue for Android beats iPhone on ad network
Revenue for Android beats iPhone on ad network
Though still in third place, Research In Motion watched its ad requests rise 16 percent in September over the prior month and 143 percent since January.The results follow the trend found in Millennial's August report, which showed a surge in growth for Android and the iPad.In terms of the actual smartphone manufacturers, Apple stayed on top with a 30 percent share of ad impressions in September. Motorola surged past Samsung as the second largest device maker on Millennial's network, thanks in large part to the success of its Motorola Droid. Smartphones from RIM also accounted for five of the top 20 mobile phones, with the BlackBerry Curve holding onto its number 3 spot for the second consecutive month.Overall, smartphones continue to grow in adoption, now capturing 58 percent of all ad impressions on Millennial's network, a 7 percent gain from last month, compared with only 29 percent for feature phones, a drop of 4 percent since August.
Though still in third place, Research In Motion watched its ad requests rise 16 percent in September over the prior month and 143 percent since January.The results follow the trend found in Millennial's August report, which showed a surge in growth for Android and the iPad.In terms of the actual smartphone manufacturers, Apple stayed on top with a 30 percent share of ad impressions in September. Motorola surged past Samsung as the second largest device maker on Millennial's network, thanks in large part to the success of its Motorola Droid. Smartphones from RIM also accounted for five of the top 20 mobile phones, with the BlackBerry Curve holding onto its number 3 spot for the second consecutive month.Overall, smartphones continue to grow in adoption, now capturing 58 percent of all ad impressions on Millennial's network, a 7 percent gain from last month, compared with only 29 percent for feature phones, a drop of 4 percent since August.
Apple adding wireless podcast downloads to iPhone-
Apple adding wireless podcast downloads to iPhone?
Apple appears set to turn on over-the-air podcast downloads with the next version of the iPhone software, making it much clearer why it rejected a third-party application that did the same thing.A German blog called Flo's Weblog has published screenshots purportedly from the next release of Apple's iPhone OS, version 2.2. One of the new features in that software, along with additions like Google Street View, will allow iPhone or iPod Touch users to download podcasts directly to their devices without having to connect the device to their computers and go through iTunes.Sound familiar? That was the same feature offered by an iPhone application called Podcaster that was rejected from the App Store to much handwringing from the iPhone development community. Apple told the developer that the application duplicated a function found in iTunes, but at that time, iTunes wasn't able to send podcasts directly to a device over the air.Looks like that is about to change relatively soon. The rejection of Podcaster was one of the primary examples of the grumbling over Apple's policies for iPhone application development. Apple holds veto power over any application destined for the iPhone, and while there are quality control and security issues that help justify that stance, it also allows the company to kill any application that duplicates something it has on a future road map.And since Apple is unlikely to start sharing its iPhone software road map with the development community--when it hasn't even clarified exactly what the rules are for the App Store--developers who spend weeks or months adding a feature to the iPhone don't always know if they've been wasting their time. Not to mention the possibility that they could face the added insult of watching Apple roll out the same feature a few months later.
Apple appears set to turn on over-the-air podcast downloads with the next version of the iPhone software, making it much clearer why it rejected a third-party application that did the same thing.A German blog called Flo's Weblog has published screenshots purportedly from the next release of Apple's iPhone OS, version 2.2. One of the new features in that software, along with additions like Google Street View, will allow iPhone or iPod Touch users to download podcasts directly to their devices without having to connect the device to their computers and go through iTunes.Sound familiar? That was the same feature offered by an iPhone application called Podcaster that was rejected from the App Store to much handwringing from the iPhone development community. Apple told the developer that the application duplicated a function found in iTunes, but at that time, iTunes wasn't able to send podcasts directly to a device over the air.Looks like that is about to change relatively soon. The rejection of Podcaster was one of the primary examples of the grumbling over Apple's policies for iPhone application development. Apple holds veto power over any application destined for the iPhone, and while there are quality control and security issues that help justify that stance, it also allows the company to kill any application that duplicates something it has on a future road map.And since Apple is unlikely to start sharing its iPhone software road map with the development community--when it hasn't even clarified exactly what the rules are for the App Store--developers who spend weeks or months adding a feature to the iPhone don't always know if they've been wasting their time. Not to mention the possibility that they could face the added insult of watching Apple roll out the same feature a few months later.
Apple- 87 percent of mobile users now on iOS 7
Apple: 87 percent of mobile users now on iOS 7
If you're not using iOS 7 yet, you're in the extreme minority. About 87 percent of Apple mobile users have downloaded the company's newest operating system for iPhones and iPads, the company said on its developer site Monday. The figure is up from 83 percent a month ago, the time Apple introduced iOS 7.1. The update added new features such as CarPlay and fixed bugs. It also tweaked Apple's Siri voice assistant, iTunes Radio, and its Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The company streamlined the operating system to make it work better with the iPhone 4, made some user interface refinements, and included some stability and accessibility improvements.Related linksSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple's iOS 7.1 lands with CarPlay, improved fingerprint scannerCNET's take on iOS 7While most iPhones and iPads now run iOS 7, 11 percent of users run iOS 6, and 3 percent run earlier versions of the operating system. The updated figures come as Apple gears up for its developer conference in early June. The Cupertino, Calif., electronics maker closed the lottery for Worldwide Developers Conference registration earlier Monday. The conference, which takes place in San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6, usually sells out within minutes. This year, in an effort to open up the process, the company has opted for a lottery system. Chosen developers will be notified by 5 p.m. on Monday. Tickets cost $1,599.Apple is widely expected to reveal details about the new version of iOS -- likely called iOS 8 -- at its developer conference. The new software is expected to have a health-tracking bent, and iTunes Radio might be made into a standalone app in the new mobile OS. The update to iOS traditionally has been released along with new phones later in the year.For Apple, it's key to get users to adopt its newest software. The company's software has been an important differentiator from other mobile devices. iOS 7, which launched in September, underwent a complete design overhaul, with everything from the typography and color schemes getting an update. iOS 7 also added useful features like automatic updates to make everyday use easier, AirDrop, and iTunes Radio, as well as a new control center that gives quick access to most-used features. Apple iOS 7See full gallery1 - 3 / 3NextPrev
If you're not using iOS 7 yet, you're in the extreme minority. About 87 percent of Apple mobile users have downloaded the company's newest operating system for iPhones and iPads, the company said on its developer site Monday. The figure is up from 83 percent a month ago, the time Apple introduced iOS 7.1. The update added new features such as CarPlay and fixed bugs. It also tweaked Apple's Siri voice assistant, iTunes Radio, and its Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The company streamlined the operating system to make it work better with the iPhone 4, made some user interface refinements, and included some stability and accessibility improvements.Related linksSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple's iOS 7.1 lands with CarPlay, improved fingerprint scannerCNET's take on iOS 7While most iPhones and iPads now run iOS 7, 11 percent of users run iOS 6, and 3 percent run earlier versions of the operating system. The updated figures come as Apple gears up for its developer conference in early June. The Cupertino, Calif., electronics maker closed the lottery for Worldwide Developers Conference registration earlier Monday. The conference, which takes place in San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6, usually sells out within minutes. This year, in an effort to open up the process, the company has opted for a lottery system. Chosen developers will be notified by 5 p.m. on Monday. Tickets cost $1,599.Apple is widely expected to reveal details about the new version of iOS -- likely called iOS 8 -- at its developer conference. The new software is expected to have a health-tracking bent, and iTunes Radio might be made into a standalone app in the new mobile OS. The update to iOS traditionally has been released along with new phones later in the year.For Apple, it's key to get users to adopt its newest software. The company's software has been an important differentiator from other mobile devices. iOS 7, which launched in September, underwent a complete design overhaul, with everything from the typography and color schemes getting an update. iOS 7 also added useful features like automatic updates to make everyday use easier, AirDrop, and iTunes Radio, as well as a new control center that gives quick access to most-used features. Apple iOS 7See full gallery1 - 3 / 3NextPrev
Apple App Store hits 15 billion downloads
Apple App Store hits 15 billion downloads
Over 15 billion applications have been downloaded from Apple's App Store, the company announced today."Thank you to all of our amazing developers who have filled [the App Store] with over 425,000 of the coolest apps and to our over 200 million iOS users for surpassing 15 billion downloads," Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, Phil Schiller, said in a statement.The App Store's growth over the last few years has been nothing short of astounding. It took Apple nine months to hit 1 billion downloads, and its store finally hit 5 billion downloads in June 2010. In January of this year, Apple's store tallied 10 billion app downloads. The company celebrated the feat by giving away a $10,000 App Store gift card to the person who downloaded the 10 billionth application.All those downloads have helped developers cash in. According to Apple, it has paid developers more than $2.5 billion since its App Store launched.At 15 billion downloads, Apple's mobile marketplace is far ahead of the Android Market. In May, Google announced that there have been 4.5 billion applications downloaded from the Android Market so far.However, the Android Market is hot on Apple's heels. According to Google, its store hits another billion downloads every 60 days.On a separate front, Apple is engaged in a legal battle with Amazon over the use of the term "Appstore." Yesterday, a judge denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction to squelch Amazon's use of the term, saying that, although the term isn't purely generic, Apple had not established the likelihood of confusion between the competing brands.In Europe, meanwhile, a quartet of tech heavyweights--Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson--have filed formal applications to get Apple's trademarks for "App Store" and "Appstore" declared invalidRelated stories:• Apple loses bid for injunction against Amazon• Google touts Android adoption• Microsoft, others fight Apple's EU 'App Store' trademark
Over 15 billion applications have been downloaded from Apple's App Store, the company announced today."Thank you to all of our amazing developers who have filled [the App Store] with over 425,000 of the coolest apps and to our over 200 million iOS users for surpassing 15 billion downloads," Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, Phil Schiller, said in a statement.The App Store's growth over the last few years has been nothing short of astounding. It took Apple nine months to hit 1 billion downloads, and its store finally hit 5 billion downloads in June 2010. In January of this year, Apple's store tallied 10 billion app downloads. The company celebrated the feat by giving away a $10,000 App Store gift card to the person who downloaded the 10 billionth application.All those downloads have helped developers cash in. According to Apple, it has paid developers more than $2.5 billion since its App Store launched.At 15 billion downloads, Apple's mobile marketplace is far ahead of the Android Market. In May, Google announced that there have been 4.5 billion applications downloaded from the Android Market so far.However, the Android Market is hot on Apple's heels. According to Google, its store hits another billion downloads every 60 days.On a separate front, Apple is engaged in a legal battle with Amazon over the use of the term "Appstore." Yesterday, a judge denied Apple's request for a preliminary injunction to squelch Amazon's use of the term, saying that, although the term isn't purely generic, Apple had not established the likelihood of confusion between the competing brands.In Europe, meanwhile, a quartet of tech heavyweights--Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson--have filed formal applications to get Apple's trademarks for "App Store" and "Appstore" declared invalidRelated stories:• Apple loses bid for injunction against Amazon• Google touts Android adoption• Microsoft, others fight Apple's EU 'App Store' trademark
Apple announces 2012 Design Award winners
Apple announces 2012 Design Award winners
What were the prettiest, or otherwise design-centric apps made on Apple's platforms this year?The results are in.Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference continues through the rest of this week, though the annual Apple Design Awards show is in the can. This is the event where the company recognizes the achievements of developers who created particularly well-designed software, be it in looks or overall functionality.Among some of the winners are popular games like Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride and Playdead's Limbo, alongside creation apps like Bohemian Coding's Sketch for the Mac, and Paper for the iPad by FiftyThree. Apple began its annual design awards program in 1997 under the moniker the "Human Interface Design Excellence," changing to its current name just a year later. Those who win get promotion on Apple's developer site, as well as a cube-shaped award that glows when picked up. The design for that cube, which has been made by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Sparkfactor Design since 2003, was once put through a CT scanner by an award winner to see how it worked.A full list of winners from this year's show is below. All links lead to those apps in their respective App Stores.iPhone WinnersApp: Disney's Where's My Water. Company: DisneyApp: Jetpack JoyrideCompany: Halfbrick StudiosApp: National Parks by National GeographicCompany: National Geographic Society / Rally InteractiveiPad winnersApp: Paper Company: FiftyThree IncApp: Bobo Explores Light Company: GameCollageApp: DM1 - The Drum MachineCompany: Fingerlab Student winnersApp: DaWindci (iPad)Company: Reality Twist GmbH, Mimimi Productions, Mediadesign Highschool of Applied Sciences App: Little Star (iPad)Company: BiBoBox Studio, Dalian Nationalities University Mac winnersApp: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Ultimate EditionCompany: Feral Interactive LtdApp: LimboCompany: Playdead ApSApp: SketchCompany: Bohemian Coding
What were the prettiest, or otherwise design-centric apps made on Apple's platforms this year?The results are in.Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference continues through the rest of this week, though the annual Apple Design Awards show is in the can. This is the event where the company recognizes the achievements of developers who created particularly well-designed software, be it in looks or overall functionality.Among some of the winners are popular games like Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride and Playdead's Limbo, alongside creation apps like Bohemian Coding's Sketch for the Mac, and Paper for the iPad by FiftyThree. Apple began its annual design awards program in 1997 under the moniker the "Human Interface Design Excellence," changing to its current name just a year later. Those who win get promotion on Apple's developer site, as well as a cube-shaped award that glows when picked up. The design for that cube, which has been made by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Sparkfactor Design since 2003, was once put through a CT scanner by an award winner to see how it worked.A full list of winners from this year's show is below. All links lead to those apps in their respective App Stores.iPhone WinnersApp: Disney's Where's My Water. Company: DisneyApp: Jetpack JoyrideCompany: Halfbrick StudiosApp: National Parks by National GeographicCompany: National Geographic Society / Rally InteractiveiPad winnersApp: Paper Company: FiftyThree IncApp: Bobo Explores Light Company: GameCollageApp: DM1 - The Drum MachineCompany: Fingerlab Student winnersApp: DaWindci (iPad)Company: Reality Twist GmbH, Mimimi Productions, Mediadesign Highschool of Applied Sciences App: Little Star (iPad)Company: BiBoBox Studio, Dalian Nationalities University Mac winnersApp: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Ultimate EditionCompany: Feral Interactive LtdApp: LimboCompany: Playdead ApSApp: SketchCompany: Bohemian Coding
Apple and Samsung could make nice in patent wars
Apple and Samsung could make nice in patent wars
With lawsuits filed against each other in countries around the world, Apple and Samsung could be headed toward a truce with one another, according to a new report.In a detailed history of Apple's legal battles with mobile-device competitors including the likes of HTC and Samsung, Bloomberg suggests that Apple and Samsung's top leadership could be looking to strike a settlement. "People familiar with the situation, however, note that top-level executives at both Apple and Samsung have communicated lately about potential settlement options," the report today says."Apple CEO Tim Cook does not seem to share his predecessor's passion about laying all foes to waste," it adds. "Cook appears to view litigation as a necessary evil, not a vehicle of cosmic revenge."In Walter Isaacson's authorized biography on Steve Jobs released last year, the late Apple co-founder viewed Google's Android operating system as a "stolen" product, making it a personal mission to wipe it out."I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong," Jobs told Isaacson. "I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."As Bloomberg points out in its story, the company began that odyssey indirectly, filing suit not at Google, but first at HTC, and later expanding its efforts to Samsung. The story focuses on the oddity of that effort given that Apple remains Samsung's biggest customer, and that its components have been the distinctive features of Apple's products, including the latest iPad. Apple has struck cross-licensing agreements with foes in the past. That includes a patent deal with Microsoft as part of its investment in Apple in 1997, as well as one with Nokia in 2011 that gave the both companies the option to license certain patents from one another.
With lawsuits filed against each other in countries around the world, Apple and Samsung could be headed toward a truce with one another, according to a new report.In a detailed history of Apple's legal battles with mobile-device competitors including the likes of HTC and Samsung, Bloomberg suggests that Apple and Samsung's top leadership could be looking to strike a settlement. "People familiar with the situation, however, note that top-level executives at both Apple and Samsung have communicated lately about potential settlement options," the report today says."Apple CEO Tim Cook does not seem to share his predecessor's passion about laying all foes to waste," it adds. "Cook appears to view litigation as a necessary evil, not a vehicle of cosmic revenge."In Walter Isaacson's authorized biography on Steve Jobs released last year, the late Apple co-founder viewed Google's Android operating system as a "stolen" product, making it a personal mission to wipe it out."I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong," Jobs told Isaacson. "I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."As Bloomberg points out in its story, the company began that odyssey indirectly, filing suit not at Google, but first at HTC, and later expanding its efforts to Samsung. The story focuses on the oddity of that effort given that Apple remains Samsung's biggest customer, and that its components have been the distinctive features of Apple's products, including the latest iPad. Apple has struck cross-licensing agreements with foes in the past. That includes a patent deal with Microsoft as part of its investment in Apple in 1997, as well as one with Nokia in 2011 that gave the both companies the option to license certain patents from one another.
Apple announces 2011 Design Award winners
Apple announces 2011 Design Award winners
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference continues through the rest of this week, though the annual Apple Design Awards show is now in the can. This is the event where the company hands out awards to developers with particularly well-designed software, be it in looks or overall functionality. This year's edition, which wrapped up last night, was notable in that it was the first to require that Mac OS software apps were in the Mac App Store, a requirement Apple made when announcing the conference in March. Previously any application was eligible, as long as it was on the platform.Apple began its annual design awards program in 1997 under the moniker the "Human Interface Design Excellence," changing to its current name just a year later. Those who win get promotion on Apple's developer site, as well as a cube-shaped award that glows when picked up. The design for that cube, which has been made by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Sparkfactor Design since 2003, was once put through a CT scanner by an award winner to see how it worked.A full list of winners from this year's show is below. All links lead to those apps in their respective App Stores. You can also take a quick look at what each of these apps looks like in our slideshow.iPhoneWinner: Infinity BladeCompany: Chair Entertainment GroupWinner: Golfscape GPS RangefinderCompany:Shotzoom Winner: Cut the RopeCompany:Chillingo / Zepto LabStudent Winner: Grades 2 Company: Tapity / Jeremy OlsoniPadWinner:Djay for iPadCompany:algoriddim GmbHWinner:Osmos for iPadCompany:Hemisphere GamesWinner:Our ChoiceCompany: Push Pop Press / Al GoreStudent Winner: Pennant Company: Vargatron / Stephen VargaStudent Winner: Pulse News Reader Company: Alphonso Labs / Akshay KothariMacWinner: CapoCompany: SuperMegaUltraGroovyWinner: PixelmatorCompany: Pixelmator TeamWinner:Anomaly Warzone EarthCompany:11 bit studios
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference continues through the rest of this week, though the annual Apple Design Awards show is now in the can. This is the event where the company hands out awards to developers with particularly well-designed software, be it in looks or overall functionality. This year's edition, which wrapped up last night, was notable in that it was the first to require that Mac OS software apps were in the Mac App Store, a requirement Apple made when announcing the conference in March. Previously any application was eligible, as long as it was on the platform.Apple began its annual design awards program in 1997 under the moniker the "Human Interface Design Excellence," changing to its current name just a year later. Those who win get promotion on Apple's developer site, as well as a cube-shaped award that glows when picked up. The design for that cube, which has been made by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Sparkfactor Design since 2003, was once put through a CT scanner by an award winner to see how it worked.A full list of winners from this year's show is below. All links lead to those apps in their respective App Stores. You can also take a quick look at what each of these apps looks like in our slideshow.iPhoneWinner: Infinity BladeCompany: Chair Entertainment GroupWinner: Golfscape GPS RangefinderCompany:Shotzoom Winner: Cut the RopeCompany:Chillingo / Zepto LabStudent Winner: Grades 2 Company: Tapity / Jeremy OlsoniPadWinner:Djay for iPadCompany:algoriddim GmbHWinner:Osmos for iPadCompany:Hemisphere GamesWinner:Our ChoiceCompany: Push Pop Press / Al GoreStudent Winner: Pennant Company: Vargatron / Stephen VargaStudent Winner: Pulse News Reader Company: Alphonso Labs / Akshay KothariMacWinner: CapoCompany: SuperMegaUltraGroovyWinner: PixelmatorCompany: Pixelmator TeamWinner:Anomaly Warzone EarthCompany:11 bit studios
Apple and Samsung -- the odd couple of the tech world
Apple and Samsung -- the odd couple of the tech world
Apple and Samsung are arch-rivals in the mobile market and in the courtroom but they still need each other to do business.A story from Monday's Wall Street Journal highlights the co-dependency between the two competitors, pointing out that neither company can truly afford to upset that tenuous fruit cart.Apple reportedly reached an agreement last month to shift more of its chip production away from Samsung in favor of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The deal was described by DigiTimes as one "whereby TSMC replaces or supplements Samsung, the incumbent supplier of Apple processors." In recent, years, Apple has also been buying display screens and flash memory from other manufacturers.However, Samsung will remain Apple's primary chip supplier through next year, according to a TSMC executive. Why?Samsung is still the world's largest provider of the processors, memory chips, and screens that Apple needs for its devices. The two also have a history together in which Samsung has been creating custom chips for the iPhone maker, the Journal noted. That working relationship is difficult to establish elsewhere from scratch. On its end, Samsung depends on Apple for a hefty chunk of business. Apple is one of Samsung's largest component customers, and cutting off that supply would dig into Samsung's earnings."If Samsung loses Apple as a client, it will have an impact because Apple represents a large portion" of Samsung's sales of non-memory chips, Mark Newman, an analyst at Sanford Bernstein in Hong Kong, told the Journal.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)Samsung's diva actKodak patent complaints target Apple, RIM At the same time, the relationship between the two has grown dicier. Samsung's rise in the mobile market has challenged Apple's once-dominant position. And the two companies have kept the legal system busy by flinging countless lawsuits at each other.Apple is clearly striving to untether itself more and more from Samsung. But the two seem destined to remain joined at the hip for the foreseeable future.
Apple and Samsung are arch-rivals in the mobile market and in the courtroom but they still need each other to do business.A story from Monday's Wall Street Journal highlights the co-dependency between the two competitors, pointing out that neither company can truly afford to upset that tenuous fruit cart.Apple reportedly reached an agreement last month to shift more of its chip production away from Samsung in favor of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The deal was described by DigiTimes as one "whereby TSMC replaces or supplements Samsung, the incumbent supplier of Apple processors." In recent, years, Apple has also been buying display screens and flash memory from other manufacturers.However, Samsung will remain Apple's primary chip supplier through next year, according to a TSMC executive. Why?Samsung is still the world's largest provider of the processors, memory chips, and screens that Apple needs for its devices. The two also have a history together in which Samsung has been creating custom chips for the iPhone maker, the Journal noted. That working relationship is difficult to establish elsewhere from scratch. On its end, Samsung depends on Apple for a hefty chunk of business. Apple is one of Samsung's largest component customers, and cutting off that supply would dig into Samsung's earnings."If Samsung loses Apple as a client, it will have an impact because Apple represents a large portion" of Samsung's sales of non-memory chips, Mark Newman, an analyst at Sanford Bernstein in Hong Kong, told the Journal.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)Samsung's diva actKodak patent complaints target Apple, RIM At the same time, the relationship between the two has grown dicier. Samsung's rise in the mobile market has challenged Apple's once-dominant position. And the two companies have kept the legal system busy by flinging countless lawsuits at each other.Apple is clearly striving to untether itself more and more from Samsung. But the two seem destined to remain joined at the hip for the foreseeable future.
Box Office Report: As America Freezes, Audiences Keep 'Frozen' in Business
Here areyour box office returns (new releases bolded): 1. Frozen - $20.7 million 2. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - $18.2 million 3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - $16.2 million 4. The Wolf of Wall Street - $13.4 million 5. American Hustle - $13.2 million 6. Anchorman: The Legend Continues - $11.1 million 7. Saving Mr. Banks - $9.0 million 8. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - $8.2 million 9. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - $7.4 million 10. Grudge Match - $5.4 million The Big Stories For once you may be able to believe that bad weather may have taken some of the heat off the box office. Subzero temperatures may have spooked enough people--maybe that is the reason they;re still lining up to see Frozen, figuring if you can;t beat the weather, join it. Or at least look at that diva Elsa and blame her for covering everything in ice. Touching herself must give a new meaning to the term frigid, huh? C;mon now, it;s January. It;s cold, let;s have some fun. Are We the Marked Ones? Apparently people cannot get enough of this series. It;s not like there aren;t any good movies to go see. American Hustle is out. Anchorman 2 is really funny. Do yourself a favor and find Spike Jonze;s Her. I know it opens wide next week, but no time like the present to see the film that deserves to win Best Picture of the year. OK, fine, you want to go see Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones. It;s shiny and new and the only film to open this week. Also the first film of 2014 to get a C- rating at Cinemascore, so congratulations to that. How did it do compared to the other sequels in the series? Paranormal Activity 3 ($52.5 million), Paranormal Activity 2 ($40.6), Paranormal Activity 4 ($29.0) The original Slamdance sensation ended up grossing $19.6 million when it eventually went wide into 760 theaters on its fourth week. All the previous films opened around Halloween time and helped put the final nail into the coffin of the Saw series. The more official Paranormal Activity 5 opens on October 24 this year while The Marked Ones is trying to show it can specifically scare a Latino audience. For years, Hollywood barely bothered to release anything on the first weekend of the year, but a trend has certainly been developing this century: The Devil Inside ($33.7 million), White Noise ($24.1), Texas Chainsaw 3D ($21.7), Hostel ($19.5), Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones ($18.2), One Missed Call ($12.5), Season of the Witch ($10.6), Freedom Writers ($9.4), Happily N;Ever After ($6.6), Code Name: The Cleaner ($4.2), Grandma;s Boy ($3.0), BloodRayne ($1.5) With the exception of the Hilary Swank movie, pretty much horror films one and all, one way or another. We still have Devil;s Due and I, Frankenstein this month, not to mention Ride Along, That Awkward Moment and The Legend of Hercules. Welcome to January, everybody. Let It Go, Let It GO... Disney;s Frozen opened in the wake of what will soon be the biggest film of 2013 (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire). As the fire died down, the animated film held steady and took the number-oneslot in its third week. Then The Hobbit opened and held onto the top spot for three weeks. Now, Frozen is back in itsseventh week of release to reclaim the top spot, pass the $300 million mark and become theseventh highest grossing animated film in history. It will be hard for it to break into the top five with Despicable Me 2 guarding the entrance with its $367.8 million, but the extraordinary word of mouth this film seems to have should keep it in the top10 into February. The seventh week is the most impressive bit of Frozen;s continued run. It;s $22 million this weekend puts it in Avatar/Titanic territory, each grossing $31.2 and $25.9 million, respectively, in their seventh weekend. The next best on the list is The Passion of the Christ;s $15.2 million. Here is this century;s list of the best nonopening film grosses on the first weekend of the year (coupled with the number of their respective weekend.) Avatar ($68.4 million - 3), Sherlock Holmes ($36.6 - 2), Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel ($35.1 - 2), Meet the Fockers ($28.4 - 3), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($28.1 - 3), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ($25.0 - 3), Marley and Me ($24.2 - 2), Night at the Museum ($23.7 - 3), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ($23.0 - 3), Cast Away ($22.2 - 3), Cheaper by the Dozen ($21.6 - 2), Catch Me if You Can ($21.1 - 2), Frozen ($20.7 - 7), Bedtime Stories ($20.5 - 2), National Treasure: Book of Secrets ($20.06 - 3), Django Unchained ($20.0 - 2), Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol ($19.8 - 4), It;s Complicated ($18.8 - 2), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ($18.6 - 2) Very impressive indeed, as is American Hustle heading its way towards $100 million sometime next week, Anchorman 2 is about to cross $110 and The Hobbit is close to $230 million. The Wolf of Wall Street is going to need to some help as it;s currently at $63 million withLone Survivor likely to cut into that next weekend. Along with Saving Mr. Banks it will take an Oscar bump to get those films into nine digits. - Erik Childress can be seen each Thursday morning on WCIU-TV;s First Business breaking down the box office on the Movies & Money segment.
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