The 404 383: Where it's so bad it's good
Check it out! Jeff was invited to an Activision event last night to preview Tony Hawk's new game, but he was pretty surprised when Tony Hawk himself showed up to show him around! As you can see, the game comes with an actual "skateboard" controller to jump, ride, and pop up to do tricks within the game. Jeff tells us that the game is very realistic, but popping up the board feels more like a snowboard than skating. Check it out for yourself when it comes out on October 13 for $120.In other news, The 404 has decided to hire a young Twittern to update our Twitter. Social media, whether it's in short or long form, is super time-consuming...anyone out there want to be our Twittern? We're only half-joking...In more important news, Apple has finally broken up the love affair between iTunes and the Palm Pre: the smartphone no longer works with the popular desktop software. Jeff owns a Pre and figures that the only thing to do now is to refrain from upgrading to the latest software, lest some savvy developer use the latest SDK to somehow crack Apple's padlock.Also, start getting amped for tomorrow's episode where I, Justin Yu, will debut yet another band in a segment we like to call...deep breath..."The 404 Semi-Weekly Audio Draft Sponsored by Beck's Beer in conjunction with Last.FM, a subsidiary of CBS Interactive and CNET News and Reviews." Jeez.EPISODE 383Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Manually transfer your iTunes library to a new Mac
Manually transfer your iTunes library to a new Mac
Library transfer can be done in several, and perhaps obvious ways, using a USB thumb drive or hard drive, or via networking and file sharing. Depending on the size of your library and the connection speed of your Wi-Fi network, you might consider using a direct Ethernet connection or other option to swiftly transfer your library between computers.When your systems are connected, you can transfer the iTunes folder from the Macintosh HD > Users > username > Music directory on the old system to the same directory on the new system, replacing the current iTunes folder (if present), and then simply launching iTunes. Since this is the default location for the iTunes library, the program should simply adopt the new library and its media; however, if it does not, or if you have placed the copied library in a different location, then you will not see your music in iTunes and will have to re-associate your library with the program.Ensure the iTunes Media folder is the appropriate one, especially if your library is being stored in a non-standard location such as on an external hard drive.Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNETTo do this, quit iTunes and re-launch it while holding Option. When you do this, you will see a library selector window pop up which offers an option to create a new library or to choose an existing library. Select the option to Choose Library, and then navigate to the iTunes library folder you previously copied, and select the "iTunes Library.itl" file within.Now when iTunes launches, you should see your music and playlists appear. But now you will need to ensure your media folder is properly set so iTunes can find the files for your songs. To do this, go to the Advanced section of the iTunes preferences, and click the "Change..." button. Now navigate to the iTunes folder you copied to the system, and choose the iTunes Media folder within it.With these settings checked, iTunes should now properly associate your library and media files, and you should be up and running. The only additional step you may need to complete is to sign in with your Apple ID so any DRM-protected files can be played.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Library transfer can be done in several, and perhaps obvious ways, using a USB thumb drive or hard drive, or via networking and file sharing. Depending on the size of your library and the connection speed of your Wi-Fi network, you might consider using a direct Ethernet connection or other option to swiftly transfer your library between computers.When your systems are connected, you can transfer the iTunes folder from the Macintosh HD > Users > username > Music directory on the old system to the same directory on the new system, replacing the current iTunes folder (if present), and then simply launching iTunes. Since this is the default location for the iTunes library, the program should simply adopt the new library and its media; however, if it does not, or if you have placed the copied library in a different location, then you will not see your music in iTunes and will have to re-associate your library with the program.Ensure the iTunes Media folder is the appropriate one, especially if your library is being stored in a non-standard location such as on an external hard drive.Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNETTo do this, quit iTunes and re-launch it while holding Option. When you do this, you will see a library selector window pop up which offers an option to create a new library or to choose an existing library. Select the option to Choose Library, and then navigate to the iTunes library folder you previously copied, and select the "iTunes Library.itl" file within.Now when iTunes launches, you should see your music and playlists appear. But now you will need to ensure your media folder is properly set so iTunes can find the files for your songs. To do this, go to the Advanced section of the iTunes preferences, and click the "Change..." button. Now navigate to the iTunes folder you copied to the system, and choose the iTunes Media folder within it.With these settings checked, iTunes should now properly associate your library and media files, and you should be up and running. The only additional step you may need to complete is to sign in with your Apple ID so any DRM-protected files can be played.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Court orders push e-mail ban on iCloud, MobileMe to continue
Court orders push e-mail ban on iCloud, MobileMe to continue
An earlier German court ruling banning iCloud and MobileMe push e-mail service in that country has been upheld.The Mannheim Regional Court today ordered the ban to continue, claiming that the push e-mail service found in Apple's iCloud and MobileMe violates patents Motorola Mobility holds. In addition, Dow Jones, which first reported on the story, says the court ordered Apple to pay Motorola damages, but did not specify how much.A German court back in February sided with Motorola Mobility in the case, arguing that Apple's push e-mail services in iCloud and MobileMe should be banned from use in the country. A few weeks later, Apple was forced to turn off push e-mail, though the remaining services in iCloud and MobileMe were left on.Related storiesApple dealt legal setbacks by Motorola in GermanyApple turns off push e-mail for iCloud, MobileMe in GermanyCNET's review of Apple's new iPadCNET's review of Apple's iPhone 4S (Verizon Wireless)"Affected customers will still receive iCloud and MobileMe e-mail, but new messages will be downloaded to their devices when the Mail app is opened, or when their device periodically fetches new messages as configured in iOS Settings," Apple wrote to customers. "Push email service on desktop computers, laptop computers, and the Web is unaffected, as is service from other providers such as Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync."Apple has said that it believes the ruling is "invalid," and appealed the earlier ruling, which brought the case to the Mannheim court. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on what its next move might be to try to restore push e-mail across Germany.Update 9:52 a.m. PT: And Apple is, predictably, sticking to its guns. In a statement it sent to AllThingsD, the company said it disagrees with the court's decision and plans to appeal this latest ruling. And Apple wants potential customers to know that "the court's decision does not impact product availability."
An earlier German court ruling banning iCloud and MobileMe push e-mail service in that country has been upheld.The Mannheim Regional Court today ordered the ban to continue, claiming that the push e-mail service found in Apple's iCloud and MobileMe violates patents Motorola Mobility holds. In addition, Dow Jones, which first reported on the story, says the court ordered Apple to pay Motorola damages, but did not specify how much.A German court back in February sided with Motorola Mobility in the case, arguing that Apple's push e-mail services in iCloud and MobileMe should be banned from use in the country. A few weeks later, Apple was forced to turn off push e-mail, though the remaining services in iCloud and MobileMe were left on.Related storiesApple dealt legal setbacks by Motorola in GermanyApple turns off push e-mail for iCloud, MobileMe in GermanyCNET's review of Apple's new iPadCNET's review of Apple's iPhone 4S (Verizon Wireless)"Affected customers will still receive iCloud and MobileMe e-mail, but new messages will be downloaded to their devices when the Mail app is opened, or when their device periodically fetches new messages as configured in iOS Settings," Apple wrote to customers. "Push email service on desktop computers, laptop computers, and the Web is unaffected, as is service from other providers such as Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync."Apple has said that it believes the ruling is "invalid," and appealed the earlier ruling, which brought the case to the Mannheim court. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on what its next move might be to try to restore push e-mail across Germany.Update 9:52 a.m. PT: And Apple is, predictably, sticking to its guns. In a statement it sent to AllThingsD, the company said it disagrees with the court's decision and plans to appeal this latest ruling. And Apple wants potential customers to know that "the court's decision does not impact product availability."
Coupons.com app gets native Passbook integration
Coupons.com app gets native Passbook integration
Coupons.com today updated its iOS app to integrate with Apple's Passbook digital wallet service, something that previously required going through mobile Safari.As part of the update, there's now an "add to Passbook" option next to coupons, which will spit the deal out to Apple's software app. Users previously had to navigate to that same link through Coupons' Web site, but the end result was the same.Like before, when coupons get added they get an expiration date and instructions on the back for the cashier to redeem them. Not all coupons can be sent to Passbook, but the company says about 50 retailers with coupons on the service support the feature. Passbook is an application from Apple designed to store membership cards, tickets, coupons, and boarding passes -- a bit like a digital wallet. As an added feature, Passbook can alert users to changes in connected account information, and pop up through the home screen to be readily accessed based on your location. The feature debuted as a part of iOS 6 for iPhones and iPod Touch, though it's not available on Apple's three iPad models.In an interview last week, a Coupons.com representative said its coupons do not currently include location-based information but that it's something that's being explored. In the meantime, that means users will need to hunt out the coupon for a store they're in versus having it automatically pop up on their iPhone's home screen when they're within a certain proximity. Coupons.com originally added Passbook integration to its mobile site in late October, about a month after the feature was publicly available. It's the latest company to jump on with support for Apple's nascent digital-wallet effort. Other recent additions include Starbucks, LivingSocial, and Google with its Chrome app for iOS. Onlookers are keeping a close eye on which companies are getting involved with Passbook and how the product evolves given that it's a relatively new direction for Apple. The company has already come under criticism for not explaining Passbook well enough, something that will be addressed in an upcoming iOS software update.
Coupons.com today updated its iOS app to integrate with Apple's Passbook digital wallet service, something that previously required going through mobile Safari.As part of the update, there's now an "add to Passbook" option next to coupons, which will spit the deal out to Apple's software app. Users previously had to navigate to that same link through Coupons' Web site, but the end result was the same.Like before, when coupons get added they get an expiration date and instructions on the back for the cashier to redeem them. Not all coupons can be sent to Passbook, but the company says about 50 retailers with coupons on the service support the feature. Passbook is an application from Apple designed to store membership cards, tickets, coupons, and boarding passes -- a bit like a digital wallet. As an added feature, Passbook can alert users to changes in connected account information, and pop up through the home screen to be readily accessed based on your location. The feature debuted as a part of iOS 6 for iPhones and iPod Touch, though it's not available on Apple's three iPad models.In an interview last week, a Coupons.com representative said its coupons do not currently include location-based information but that it's something that's being explored. In the meantime, that means users will need to hunt out the coupon for a store they're in versus having it automatically pop up on their iPhone's home screen when they're within a certain proximity. Coupons.com originally added Passbook integration to its mobile site in late October, about a month after the feature was publicly available. It's the latest company to jump on with support for Apple's nascent digital-wallet effort. Other recent additions include Starbucks, LivingSocial, and Google with its Chrome app for iOS. Onlookers are keeping a close eye on which companies are getting involved with Passbook and how the product evolves given that it's a relatively new direction for Apple. The company has already come under criticism for not explaining Passbook well enough, something that will be addressed in an upcoming iOS software update.
Could the iPhone 5 be... ahem, a camera-
Could the iPhone 5 be... ahem, a camera?
Less than a month before Apple gets ready to unveil the iPhone 5, we get word of a last-minute rethink that forced the boffins in Cupertino to go back to the drawing board and rework the entire project. Why? Because customers use their iPhones only to take photos of their food in order to create the delusion of a fulfilling life. Oh, and did we mention that the iPhone 5 is a camera?Or so says one "Greg Mansfield," the fictitious vice president of iPhone product design, in a deliciously biting parody that's made its way to YouTube. A couple of snippets: [People are] sad and alone so they use pictures of food to create the illusion of a fulfilling life.... Siri'son there too. She can recognize the food you photograph and suggest fun captions that'll imply a life worth living.... The iPhone 5 is a game-changer. Its photos are sure to garner all the likes, hearts, plusses, pins, stars, reposts, reblogs, retumbles, and retweets that you've used to replace human connection in your life.I've been using the iPhone 5 for a few months now and it's already turned my life into a seemingly enjoyable lie. Last weekend I was having brunch with my girlfriend, but we had nothing to talk about, so I took out my iPhone 5, I snapped a pic of my eggs Benedict, connected my iPhone to my MacBook, found a Wi-Fi hot spot, uploaded that photo onto Facebook, and within minutes I had friends telling me how much fun I was having. And you know, for one brief moment -- I almost believed it myself.The eminently entertaining video, which you can check out below, was put together by Adam Sacks. Nice one.
Less than a month before Apple gets ready to unveil the iPhone 5, we get word of a last-minute rethink that forced the boffins in Cupertino to go back to the drawing board and rework the entire project. Why? Because customers use their iPhones only to take photos of their food in order to create the delusion of a fulfilling life. Oh, and did we mention that the iPhone 5 is a camera?Or so says one "Greg Mansfield," the fictitious vice president of iPhone product design, in a deliciously biting parody that's made its way to YouTube. A couple of snippets: [People are] sad and alone so they use pictures of food to create the illusion of a fulfilling life.... Siri'son there too. She can recognize the food you photograph and suggest fun captions that'll imply a life worth living.... The iPhone 5 is a game-changer. Its photos are sure to garner all the likes, hearts, plusses, pins, stars, reposts, reblogs, retumbles, and retweets that you've used to replace human connection in your life.I've been using the iPhone 5 for a few months now and it's already turned my life into a seemingly enjoyable lie. Last weekend I was having brunch with my girlfriend, but we had nothing to talk about, so I took out my iPhone 5, I snapped a pic of my eggs Benedict, connected my iPhone to my MacBook, found a Wi-Fi hot spot, uploaded that photo onto Facebook, and within minutes I had friends telling me how much fun I was having. And you know, for one brief moment -- I almost believed it myself.The eminently entertaining video, which you can check out below, was put together by Adam Sacks. Nice one.
Could phones become 'viable threat' to gaming devices-
Could phones become 'viable threat' to gaming devices?
The gaming industry is getting some much needed help from mobile phones, market research firm iSuppli found in a recent study.According to iSuppli, shipments of game-capable mobile phones will be up 11.4 percent by the end of 2010 to 1.27 billion, compared to 1.14 billion shipments in 2009. By the end of 2010, it expects console shipments to top 52.3 million units, up just 0.2 percent compared to 2009's 52.1 million units. Handhelds are expected to see a decline in 2010, tallying 38.9 million shipments by the end of 2010, compared to 39.9 million in 2009."The formidable lead enjoyed by cell phones capable of gaming will continue in the years to come with no hint of decline, and their near-universal presence gives them the potential to become a viable competitive threat to dedicated gaming platforms, primarily handheld devices," Pamela Tufegdzic, consumer electronics analyst at iSuppli, said in a statement Monday.iSuppli said that devices like Apple's iPhone have helped spur the growth of gaming on mobile phones. Currently, the top nine out of 10 most popular paid applications in Apple's App Store are games. They're led by Angry Birds, Fragger, and Doodle Jump.News of the iPhone and other mobile phones gaining gaming market share is nothing new. In March, Flurry Analytics found that between 2008 and 2009, Apple's iOS platform captured significant mobile-market share from Nintendo's DS and Sony's PSP. In 2008, the mobile OS owned just 5 percent of the mobile gaming market. In 2009, that figure jumped to 19 percent. Given the continued growth of the platform, including other mobile platforms like Google's Android OS, it's not a stretch to say that smartphones could make an even greater impact on that market in 2010.
The gaming industry is getting some much needed help from mobile phones, market research firm iSuppli found in a recent study.According to iSuppli, shipments of game-capable mobile phones will be up 11.4 percent by the end of 2010 to 1.27 billion, compared to 1.14 billion shipments in 2009. By the end of 2010, it expects console shipments to top 52.3 million units, up just 0.2 percent compared to 2009's 52.1 million units. Handhelds are expected to see a decline in 2010, tallying 38.9 million shipments by the end of 2010, compared to 39.9 million in 2009."The formidable lead enjoyed by cell phones capable of gaming will continue in the years to come with no hint of decline, and their near-universal presence gives them the potential to become a viable competitive threat to dedicated gaming platforms, primarily handheld devices," Pamela Tufegdzic, consumer electronics analyst at iSuppli, said in a statement Monday.iSuppli said that devices like Apple's iPhone have helped spur the growth of gaming on mobile phones. Currently, the top nine out of 10 most popular paid applications in Apple's App Store are games. They're led by Angry Birds, Fragger, and Doodle Jump.News of the iPhone and other mobile phones gaining gaming market share is nothing new. In March, Flurry Analytics found that between 2008 and 2009, Apple's iOS platform captured significant mobile-market share from Nintendo's DS and Sony's PSP. In 2008, the mobile OS owned just 5 percent of the mobile gaming market. In 2009, that figure jumped to 19 percent. Given the continued growth of the platform, including other mobile platforms like Google's Android OS, it's not a stretch to say that smartphones could make an even greater impact on that market in 2010.
Could Carl Icahn be interested in RIM-
Could Carl Icahn be interested in RIM?
Could billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn be the answer to Research In Motion's woes?Wall Street apparently thinks so, as RIM's stock rose nearly 7 percent today on speculation that Icahn may have taken a stake in the company, BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis, citing traders, told Reuters today. "We believe that, if true, this would be viewed positively, as it could lead to changes in the company to potentially unlock value," said James Moorman, an equity analyst at Standard & Poor's.Icahn has a track record of taking major stakes and agitating for change in ailing companies, calling for new board members, a change in leadership, and even a break-up of the company or the sale of assets--anything to increase shareholder value. And he has a track record of getting what he wants. Icahn couldn't immediately be reached for comment by CNET. If Icahn were interested in RIM, he would be buying shares in the company at their lowest value in years. The stock hit a five-year low of just less than $22 a share on Friday. It has been battered--having lost roughly two-third of its market value over the past seven months--on concerns that RIM's BlackBerry smartphones were no longer able to compete in a market where Android smartphones and Apple's iPhone dominate. To make matters worse, RIM's PlayBook tablet, the first device to use its next-generation operating system, flopped early, taking recent discounts to drive sales. RIM's situation echoes that of Motorola, where Icahn first disclosed a stake in the company in early 2007, later orchestrating the ouster of its CEO, Ed Zander, and choosing two people to serve on the board. He helped Motorola's decision to split into two businesses: Motorola Solutions, which makes public-safety radios and enterprise computing devices, and Motorola Mobility, the handset business that Google agreed to buy for $12.5 billion.But RIM's situation is different, as the two largest shareholders of the company are co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis. In this case, Icahn would face significantly more entrenched resistance to change.
Could billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn be the answer to Research In Motion's woes?Wall Street apparently thinks so, as RIM's stock rose nearly 7 percent today on speculation that Icahn may have taken a stake in the company, BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis, citing traders, told Reuters today. "We believe that, if true, this would be viewed positively, as it could lead to changes in the company to potentially unlock value," said James Moorman, an equity analyst at Standard & Poor's.Icahn has a track record of taking major stakes and agitating for change in ailing companies, calling for new board members, a change in leadership, and even a break-up of the company or the sale of assets--anything to increase shareholder value. And he has a track record of getting what he wants. Icahn couldn't immediately be reached for comment by CNET. If Icahn were interested in RIM, he would be buying shares in the company at their lowest value in years. The stock hit a five-year low of just less than $22 a share on Friday. It has been battered--having lost roughly two-third of its market value over the past seven months--on concerns that RIM's BlackBerry smartphones were no longer able to compete in a market where Android smartphones and Apple's iPhone dominate. To make matters worse, RIM's PlayBook tablet, the first device to use its next-generation operating system, flopped early, taking recent discounts to drive sales. RIM's situation echoes that of Motorola, where Icahn first disclosed a stake in the company in early 2007, later orchestrating the ouster of its CEO, Ed Zander, and choosing two people to serve on the board. He helped Motorola's decision to split into two businesses: Motorola Solutions, which makes public-safety radios and enterprise computing devices, and Motorola Mobility, the handset business that Google agreed to buy for $12.5 billion.But RIM's situation is different, as the two largest shareholders of the company are co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis. In this case, Icahn would face significantly more entrenched resistance to change.
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