Report: PSP won't get music downloads soon
Could the disaster that was Sony's Connect music service have soured the international conglomerate on offering downloads at the PlayStation Network?Rafat Ali over at the tech news blog PaidContent.org is reporting that not only has Sony scrapped plans--at least for the time being--to offer music downloads to owners of the PlayStation Portable, but the executive in charge of dealing with the labels has resigned, according to the report. Two weeks ago, CNET News reported that Sony had talked to some of the largest recording companies about the possibility of offering music via the PlayStation Network, the online store for PlayStation, Sony's video game console, and PlayStation Portable (PSP), the multi-purpose handheld.PaidContent's report comes on the eve of the expected debut of the new PSP Go, the latest version of the device. Sony executives were not immediately available for comment. Music should have been one of the PSP's core offerings a long time ago. Sony is a major player in gaming and music. It's a little ironic that while Sony owns the second largest music label, the company can't offer MP3s to PSP owners.James McQuivey, an analyst with Forrester Research, is just one of the people who has said that the PSP has failed so far to live up to its potential. The device is probably one of the best mobile video players available, with a larger screen than any of the iPods or iPhones. It provides an excellent game-playing experience. But it has been well chronicled that the machine was hobbled by Sony's decision to initially offer physical media (Universal Media Disc) rather than digital content. That appears to be changing as the PSP Go, according to reports, will not offer an UMD drive.Sony has also been determined to keep the PSP's focus on gaming, which is understandable. But at the same time, Apple's iPhone has taken the Swiss Army knife approach and is offering a device that plays music, videos, and games, and also takes photos, downloads books, helps us organize our lives, counts calories and a lot more, thanks to all the applications being written for it.Sony may have lost the taste for competing in digital music sales by the misguided attempt that was Sony Connect. Connect was a troubled effort marked by infighting and software glitches and the company finally shut it down a year ago.
Hearthstone officially launches for iPad
Hearthstone officially launches for iPad
Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the first countries to get access to the iPad edition of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft as it finally makes its debut on the touchscreen platform â€" where the game's interface fits like magic.The game is still free to download and play, with extra card packs available via in-app purchase. Your decks are tied to your Battle.net account, so you can simply log in and start playing where you left off on the PC or Mac version, with all the features of the full game available across the board, including the Hearthsteed, ranked play, Golden Heroes and special edition card backs."Hearthstone's player base has already grown to more than 10 million registered accounts following the official Windows and Mac release, but we saw that a few people online were holding out for the iPad version," said Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime. "Instead of calling those folks up individually, we figured we might as well let everyone know that the global iPad rollout for Hearthstone has begun, and pretty soon it'll be available everywhere. The game is a natural fit for tablets â€" we encourage everyone to check it out on their couch, in their backyard, in a coffee shop... or anywhere else they take their iPads."At this point, the game is not available for iPhone, but it is on the way, as well as Android devices and Windows 8 tablets, later this year. As with the Mac and PC versions of the game, it can only be played when connected to the internet, so for Wi-Fi-only devices, it won't be available on the bus â€" but it will make tooling around while watching the telly a lot more comfortable.Scoop it up for every generation of iPad from the iPad 2 (including the Mini) now from the iTunes app store, and stay tuned for our full review. As for a full global release, Blizzard could only say "soon" â€" but, given it's already launched, we'd say that's actual soon as opposed to Blizzard's version of soon.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the first countries to get access to the iPad edition of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft as it finally makes its debut on the touchscreen platform â€" where the game's interface fits like magic.The game is still free to download and play, with extra card packs available via in-app purchase. Your decks are tied to your Battle.net account, so you can simply log in and start playing where you left off on the PC or Mac version, with all the features of the full game available across the board, including the Hearthsteed, ranked play, Golden Heroes and special edition card backs."Hearthstone's player base has already grown to more than 10 million registered accounts following the official Windows and Mac release, but we saw that a few people online were holding out for the iPad version," said Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime. "Instead of calling those folks up individually, we figured we might as well let everyone know that the global iPad rollout for Hearthstone has begun, and pretty soon it'll be available everywhere. The game is a natural fit for tablets â€" we encourage everyone to check it out on their couch, in their backyard, in a coffee shop... or anywhere else they take their iPads."At this point, the game is not available for iPhone, but it is on the way, as well as Android devices and Windows 8 tablets, later this year. As with the Mac and PC versions of the game, it can only be played when connected to the internet, so for Wi-Fi-only devices, it won't be available on the bus â€" but it will make tooling around while watching the telly a lot more comfortable.Scoop it up for every generation of iPad from the iPad 2 (including the Mini) now from the iTunes app store, and stay tuned for our full review. As for a full global release, Blizzard could only say "soon" â€" but, given it's already launched, we'd say that's actual soon as opposed to Blizzard's version of soon.
Samsung aims to void 4 Apple patents in Galaxy Tab case
Samsung aims to void 4 Apple patents in Galaxy Tab case
Samsung is seeking to invalidate several patents held by U.S. tech giant Apple in Australia, taking the Australian Commissioner of Patents to court.Samsung filed its case against the commissioner at the end of May, according to documents sighted by ZDNet Australia, seeking for the Federal Court to invalidate four patents granted to Apple between 2009 and 2010. The Korean company has alleged that the four patents were granted "ultra vires," or beyond the powers held by the commissioner of patents. Samsung alleges in its application that it is "aggrieved by the patents" because a case launched by Apple in 2011 against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was based on set patents that included those four.Samsung claims that all four patents related to inventions for which Apple had already been granted innovation patents between 2005 and 2008, and thus, Apple shouldn't have been eligible to be granted the second patents.Read more of "Samsung banks on Apple patent mistake" at ZDNet Australia.
Samsung is seeking to invalidate several patents held by U.S. tech giant Apple in Australia, taking the Australian Commissioner of Patents to court.Samsung filed its case against the commissioner at the end of May, according to documents sighted by ZDNet Australia, seeking for the Federal Court to invalidate four patents granted to Apple between 2009 and 2010. The Korean company has alleged that the four patents were granted "ultra vires," or beyond the powers held by the commissioner of patents. Samsung alleges in its application that it is "aggrieved by the patents" because a case launched by Apple in 2011 against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was based on set patents that included those four.Samsung claims that all four patents related to inventions for which Apple had already been granted innovation patents between 2005 and 2008, and thus, Apple shouldn't have been eligible to be granted the second patents.Read more of "Samsung banks on Apple patent mistake" at ZDNet Australia.
Rumored Apple dock connector may match size of Micro-USB
Rumored Apple dock connector may match size of Micro-USB
The iPhone 5's much-rumored new dock connector is as small as a Micro-USB plug, at least according to French tech blog site NowhereElse.fr (English translation).Photos of a Micro-USB cable and photos of the new dock connector cable supplied by an anonymous source to the French site show the similarities between the two, most notably in size.Rumors have floated over the past few months that Apple would reduce the size of the current 30-pin connector used on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Initial reports said the new size would use 19 pins, but later reports pointed to an 8-pin or 9-pin connector.The photos displayed by NowhereElse.fr show eight visible pins with the shell itself serving as a ninth contact. The new layout would boast at least one benefit over Apple's current connector. The cable could be plugged into a device in either orientation, so that users don't have to struggle to figure out which way to connect it.Related storiesApple's new iPhone plug shows up in photos, againApple claims dibs on new dock adapters, report saysThe smaller dock connector will reportedly appear not just on the new iPhone but on future devices, including the next iPad.Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 at a launch event this Wednesday.(Via AppleInsider)
The iPhone 5's much-rumored new dock connector is as small as a Micro-USB plug, at least according to French tech blog site NowhereElse.fr (English translation).Photos of a Micro-USB cable and photos of the new dock connector cable supplied by an anonymous source to the French site show the similarities between the two, most notably in size.Rumors have floated over the past few months that Apple would reduce the size of the current 30-pin connector used on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Initial reports said the new size would use 19 pins, but later reports pointed to an 8-pin or 9-pin connector.The photos displayed by NowhereElse.fr show eight visible pins with the shell itself serving as a ninth contact. The new layout would boast at least one benefit over Apple's current connector. The cable could be plugged into a device in either orientation, so that users don't have to struggle to figure out which way to connect it.Related storiesApple's new iPhone plug shows up in photos, againApple claims dibs on new dock adapters, report saysThe smaller dock connector will reportedly appear not just on the new iPhone but on future devices, including the next iPad.Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 at a launch event this Wednesday.(Via AppleInsider)
Apple confirms move to 90-second iTunes samples
Apple confirms move to 90-second iTunes samples
Longer song samples are finally on their way to iTunes. An Apple spokesman confirmed for CNET this evening a report by Symphonic Distribution, a digital music distributor, that iTunes would soon be extending the length of song samples from 30 seconds to 90 seconds for songs that are at least two-and-a-half minutes in length. Shorter songs would continue to offer the 30-second sample. Apple notified the top music labels and other business partners in the music industry about the change today. The samples are, of course, the snippets of music that Apple offers to iTunes users so they can determine whether they want a song or not. CNET was first to report on August 30 that Apple planned to increase the length of samples and would roll it out during the company's press event in San Francisco on September 1. The day after CNET's report appeared, however, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) informed Apple that it had not negotiated for the proper licenses with music publishers and didn't have the right to offer longer samples. The longer samples were shelved temporarily. Since then, Apple has spoken with various groups, including the Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), one of the performing-rights organizations that collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers. BMI confirmed in September that it was in negotiations with Apple over the samples. Some of the discussions with rights holders may still be ongoing, according to music industry sources. But Apple apparently feels they are close enough to a final deal to inform their partners at the labels.Representatives from the NMPA and BMI were not immediately available. Song samples play an important role in the buying process, according to researchers at Robert Morris University. In a report released last year, professor Min Lu and assistant professor Yanbin Tu reported that consumers are more likely to buy songs if allowed to sample the music for about 60 seconds and if provided access to a "high-quality" version of the music.A chart created by researchers from Robert Morris University shows top ways consumers discover music.The first category is recommendations from friends.Robert Morris University
Longer song samples are finally on their way to iTunes. An Apple spokesman confirmed for CNET this evening a report by Symphonic Distribution, a digital music distributor, that iTunes would soon be extending the length of song samples from 30 seconds to 90 seconds for songs that are at least two-and-a-half minutes in length. Shorter songs would continue to offer the 30-second sample. Apple notified the top music labels and other business partners in the music industry about the change today. The samples are, of course, the snippets of music that Apple offers to iTunes users so they can determine whether they want a song or not. CNET was first to report on August 30 that Apple planned to increase the length of samples and would roll it out during the company's press event in San Francisco on September 1. The day after CNET's report appeared, however, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) informed Apple that it had not negotiated for the proper licenses with music publishers and didn't have the right to offer longer samples. The longer samples were shelved temporarily. Since then, Apple has spoken with various groups, including the Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), one of the performing-rights organizations that collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers. BMI confirmed in September that it was in negotiations with Apple over the samples. Some of the discussions with rights holders may still be ongoing, according to music industry sources. But Apple apparently feels they are close enough to a final deal to inform their partners at the labels.Representatives from the NMPA and BMI were not immediately available. Song samples play an important role in the buying process, according to researchers at Robert Morris University. In a report released last year, professor Min Lu and assistant professor Yanbin Tu reported that consumers are more likely to buy songs if allowed to sample the music for about 60 seconds and if provided access to a "high-quality" version of the music.A chart created by researchers from Robert Morris University shows top ways consumers discover music.The first category is recommendations from friends.Robert Morris University
Apple Configurator offers easy iOS deployment from OS X
Apple Configurator offers easy iOS deployment from OS X
To tackle these needs, on Wednesday Apple released its free Apple Configurator utility for OS X, which allows you to use your Mac to create custom profiles for iOS devices and deploy them to users in your workplace. You can now address deployment frustrations by creating various profiles for the devices (such as one for office workers, and others for bosses and supervisors) that offer restrictions to hardware such as cameras and built-in services like FaceTime or the App Store, and also which allow you to specify which Apps can be used. When the profile is set up, you can then supervise the devices using it and make adjustments to the profile that are applied the next time the device is connected to the Mac (do keep in mind the device is wiped when updated in this way).The last option the Configurator program offers is user and group assignments. You can set up lists of employees or students and assign different devices to them using check-out and check-in routines, save documents created by users on their devices, and even preview them if needed.To an extent, Apple Configurator is similar to the OS X Server's Open Directory options for managing multiple Macs in a workgroup. If you are familiar with OS X Server or even have used the basic OS X Parental Controls and have created restricted and custom Mac accounts and system setups, then similar principles apply with the Configurator.While the Configurator does run on OS X, it so far is fairly separate from many of the services built into the OS. For instance, it does not interface with any settings in iTunes, and requires you to create a separate list of available users instead of accessing the system's directory or your Address Book contacts for user and group information. Despite this, the program is relatively easy to use and should offer robust deployment options for employers, teachers, or other supervisors who have a Mac available through which to manage their iOS devices.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.
To tackle these needs, on Wednesday Apple released its free Apple Configurator utility for OS X, which allows you to use your Mac to create custom profiles for iOS devices and deploy them to users in your workplace. You can now address deployment frustrations by creating various profiles for the devices (such as one for office workers, and others for bosses and supervisors) that offer restrictions to hardware such as cameras and built-in services like FaceTime or the App Store, and also which allow you to specify which Apps can be used. When the profile is set up, you can then supervise the devices using it and make adjustments to the profile that are applied the next time the device is connected to the Mac (do keep in mind the device is wiped when updated in this way).The last option the Configurator program offers is user and group assignments. You can set up lists of employees or students and assign different devices to them using check-out and check-in routines, save documents created by users on their devices, and even preview them if needed.To an extent, Apple Configurator is similar to the OS X Server's Open Directory options for managing multiple Macs in a workgroup. If you are familiar with OS X Server or even have used the basic OS X Parental Controls and have created restricted and custom Mac accounts and system setups, then similar principles apply with the Configurator.While the Configurator does run on OS X, it so far is fairly separate from many of the services built into the OS. For instance, it does not interface with any settings in iTunes, and requires you to create a separate list of available users instead of accessing the system's directory or your Address Book contacts for user and group information. Despite this, the program is relatively easy to use and should offer robust deployment options for employers, teachers, or other supervisors who have a Mac available through which to manage their iOS devices.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.
Apple CEO Tim Cook joins Twitter amid iPhone launch frenzy
Apple CEO Tim Cook joins Twitter amid iPhone launch frenzy
Apple's CEO Tim Cook has joined Twitter.Using an account with the name of @Tim_Cook, which has been verified by Twitter, Cook posted the following tweet just after noon Pacific, noting that he enjoyed his visit at Apple's retail store in Palo Alto, Calif., -- near Apple's headquarters: Visited Retail Stores in Palo Alto today. Seeing so many happy customers reminds us of why we do what we do.â€" Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 20, 2013Apple did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation that the executive had joined the popular social network, though CNBC is reporting that it's the real deal.Cook appeared at the company's Palo Alto store earlier Friday to partake in the company's launch festivities for the iPhone 5S. That store, which was remodeled last year, has been host to several other appearances by Apple execs, including late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Scott Forstall, who was in charge of iOS software up until last October.Cook is the latest Apple exec to join Twitter. Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller has used the popular microblogging service since 2008 and posts things there semi-regularly. Schiller's also used the platform to take cracks at competitors, notably Google and the security of its Android platform with a single tweet this past March that pointed to an F-Secure Labs quarterly Mobile Threat report. There as also Forstall, who joined and amassed more than 59,000 followers, but has never tweeted. It's unclear whether Cook intends to use Twitter as a way to interact with customers, competitors, the press, or in conjunction with any product details. The executive, who took on the top spot at Apple in August 2011, already had a penchant for replying to customer e-mails, many of which have been posted publicly. Update, 1:00 p.m. PT: Notes that Twitter has verified Cook's account.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook has joined Twitter.Using an account with the name of @Tim_Cook, which has been verified by Twitter, Cook posted the following tweet just after noon Pacific, noting that he enjoyed his visit at Apple's retail store in Palo Alto, Calif., -- near Apple's headquarters: Visited Retail Stores in Palo Alto today. Seeing so many happy customers reminds us of why we do what we do.â€" Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 20, 2013Apple did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation that the executive had joined the popular social network, though CNBC is reporting that it's the real deal.Cook appeared at the company's Palo Alto store earlier Friday to partake in the company's launch festivities for the iPhone 5S. That store, which was remodeled last year, has been host to several other appearances by Apple execs, including late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Scott Forstall, who was in charge of iOS software up until last October.Cook is the latest Apple exec to join Twitter. Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller has used the popular microblogging service since 2008 and posts things there semi-regularly. Schiller's also used the platform to take cracks at competitors, notably Google and the security of its Android platform with a single tweet this past March that pointed to an F-Secure Labs quarterly Mobile Threat report. There as also Forstall, who joined and amassed more than 59,000 followers, but has never tweeted. It's unclear whether Cook intends to use Twitter as a way to interact with customers, competitors, the press, or in conjunction with any product details. The executive, who took on the top spot at Apple in August 2011, already had a penchant for replying to customer e-mails, many of which have been posted publicly. Update, 1:00 p.m. PT: Notes that Twitter has verified Cook's account.
Apple cancels Cards greeting card app, suggests iPhoto
Apple cancels Cards greeting card app, suggests iPhoto
Apple quietly discontinued its Cards app on Tuesday, just two years after launching the greeting card app.iOS users who launched the app this afternoon were greeted by the message: "The Cards service is no longer available." Attempts to visit the app's page are redirected to the iPhoto '11 page, suggesting that Apple is offering the photo-sharing app as an alternative. An Apple Knowledge Base page seems to offer the only public acknowledgement of the closure Apple has offered:As of September 10, 2013, the Cards iOS app service is no longer available.Cards ordered before 1 PM Pacific time on September 10, 2013, will be delivered, and push notifications will continue to work.You can view your previous purchases by tapping Saved Cards in the app.Note: You can still order beautiful letterpress cards customized with your photos and text using iPhoto on your Mac. Cards ordered through iPhoto are shipped through a carrier such as FedEx rather than through the United States Post Office.Introduced alongside iPhone 4S in 2011, Cards let iPhone users create fold-in-the-middle greeting cards that Apple would then send to recipients on real paper via snail mail. Buyers used their Apple ID account to make payments and received a push notification when their card was delivered if it was shipped in the U.S. as part of a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the closure and will update this report when we learn more.?
Apple quietly discontinued its Cards app on Tuesday, just two years after launching the greeting card app.iOS users who launched the app this afternoon were greeted by the message: "The Cards service is no longer available." Attempts to visit the app's page are redirected to the iPhoto '11 page, suggesting that Apple is offering the photo-sharing app as an alternative. An Apple Knowledge Base page seems to offer the only public acknowledgement of the closure Apple has offered:As of September 10, 2013, the Cards iOS app service is no longer available.Cards ordered before 1 PM Pacific time on September 10, 2013, will be delivered, and push notifications will continue to work.You can view your previous purchases by tapping Saved Cards in the app.Note: You can still order beautiful letterpress cards customized with your photos and text using iPhoto on your Mac. Cards ordered through iPhoto are shipped through a carrier such as FedEx rather than through the United States Post Office.Introduced alongside iPhone 4S in 2011, Cards let iPhone users create fold-in-the-middle greeting cards that Apple would then send to recipients on real paper via snail mail. Buyers used their Apple ID account to make payments and received a push notification when their card was delivered if it was shipped in the U.S. as part of a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the closure and will update this report when we learn more.?
Apple can replace broken iPhone 5 screens in the store, says report
Apple can replace broken iPhone 5 screens in the store, says report
iPhone 5 users who suffer a broken or scratched screen may be able to get a replacement directly in the store, according to a report from iMore.Citing "sources within Apple retail," the blog site said that the equipment used to replace iPhone screens has started showing up in the stores themselves. This move means that Apple store reps could outfit an iPhone 5 with a new screen on the spot rather than switching the entire phone for a new or refurbished model.The screen swap-out process for the new iPhone would match that of the iPhone 3G and 3GS, iMore added. All three models use a single front that houses the LCD panel, glass surface, and the touch sensor, making it easy to replace. In contrast, the screens on the iPhone 4S and 4 are trickier to swap out since the front assembly can't be removed as easily.Related storiesInside the iPhone 5: Bigger battery, easier to repairiPhone 5 gets the teardown treatmentPhone 5 lines cropping up across country, overseasApple upgrades iPhone AppleCare coverage, priceAfter tearing down the new iPhone, iFixit dubbed the iPhone 5 "the most repairable iPhone we've seen in a while." Of course, with any luck most new iPhone buyers won't be in need of repair services just yet.Users who want some extra insurance against damage can consider Apple's $99 AppleCare service. AppleCare for the iPhone extends the usual repair coverage to two years from date of purchase and covers up to two incidents of accidental damage. But each incident will cost you a $49 service fee.CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we receive more information.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
iPhone 5 users who suffer a broken or scratched screen may be able to get a replacement directly in the store, according to a report from iMore.Citing "sources within Apple retail," the blog site said that the equipment used to replace iPhone screens has started showing up in the stores themselves. This move means that Apple store reps could outfit an iPhone 5 with a new screen on the spot rather than switching the entire phone for a new or refurbished model.The screen swap-out process for the new iPhone would match that of the iPhone 3G and 3GS, iMore added. All three models use a single front that houses the LCD panel, glass surface, and the touch sensor, making it easy to replace. In contrast, the screens on the iPhone 4S and 4 are trickier to swap out since the front assembly can't be removed as easily.Related storiesInside the iPhone 5: Bigger battery, easier to repairiPhone 5 gets the teardown treatmentPhone 5 lines cropping up across country, overseasApple upgrades iPhone AppleCare coverage, priceAfter tearing down the new iPhone, iFixit dubbed the iPhone 5 "the most repairable iPhone we've seen in a while." Of course, with any luck most new iPhone buyers won't be in need of repair services just yet.Users who want some extra insurance against damage can consider Apple's $99 AppleCare service. AppleCare for the iPhone extends the usual repair coverage to two years from date of purchase and covers up to two incidents of accidental damage. But each incident will cost you a $49 service fee.CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we receive more information.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Apple buys transit-app maker Embark
Apple buys transit-app maker Embark
Apple has picked up another mapping company, its third this year. The tech giant recently snapped up Embark, a company with myriad localized transit apps for cities like New York, San Francisco, and London, reports Jessica Lessin.Apple confirmed the deal, saying it "buys smaller technology companies from time to time," but would not go into detail about the future of the service. Embark CEO David Hodge declined to comment.Embark was one of several location app makers who got a big boost following Apple's rollout of its own mapping software in iOS 6. Within the first week of that software launching, Embark said it saw the biggest spike in downloads and activity since the service launched.Related storiesPublic-transit apps bolstered by missing iOS 6 featureApple buys location-based data company LocationaryApple has acquired nine companies since OctoberAccording to Lessin, Apple plans to build Embark's technology into its own software, presumably to replace the public transit features in Apple Maps. As it stands, the app directs users to try their route in any third-party transit apps that may be installed, as well as directing them toward such apps in the App Store.The purchase is Apple's latest in a series. In just the past month, it's been revealed that Apple has purchased location-based-data company Locationary, as well as local-navigation company Hopstop, which provides a service similar to Embark's. In addition, Apple has picked up Oakland-based Passif Semiconductor (a deal that was also reported by Lessin), along with video guide andrecommendation service Matcha.TV. Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that Apple has been buying a company every month or two. "We are always looking, and if anything, we will do more of that in the future," Cook said at the All Things Digital Conference in May.Here's a brief promotional video by Embark, showing how the service works in New York: Embark from Embark on Vimeo.
Apple has picked up another mapping company, its third this year. The tech giant recently snapped up Embark, a company with myriad localized transit apps for cities like New York, San Francisco, and London, reports Jessica Lessin.Apple confirmed the deal, saying it "buys smaller technology companies from time to time," but would not go into detail about the future of the service. Embark CEO David Hodge declined to comment.Embark was one of several location app makers who got a big boost following Apple's rollout of its own mapping software in iOS 6. Within the first week of that software launching, Embark said it saw the biggest spike in downloads and activity since the service launched.Related storiesPublic-transit apps bolstered by missing iOS 6 featureApple buys location-based data company LocationaryApple has acquired nine companies since OctoberAccording to Lessin, Apple plans to build Embark's technology into its own software, presumably to replace the public transit features in Apple Maps. As it stands, the app directs users to try their route in any third-party transit apps that may be installed, as well as directing them toward such apps in the App Store.The purchase is Apple's latest in a series. In just the past month, it's been revealed that Apple has purchased location-based-data company Locationary, as well as local-navigation company Hopstop, which provides a service similar to Embark's. In addition, Apple has picked up Oakland-based Passif Semiconductor (a deal that was also reported by Lessin), along with video guide andrecommendation service Matcha.TV. Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that Apple has been buying a company every month or two. "We are always looking, and if anything, we will do more of that in the future," Cook said at the All Things Digital Conference in May.Here's a brief promotional video by Embark, showing how the service works in New York: Embark from Embark on Vimeo.
Apple buys chipmaker Intrinsity
Apple buys chipmaker Intrinsity
A month after the rumors first started flying, Apple finally confirmed that it has indeed purchased Intrinsity, a Texas-based chipmaker.Apple confirmed the acquisition on Tuesday to The New York Times, though it did not disclose the purchase price or what Apple's plans for Intrinsity are. One guess has the value at $121 million.It's the second chipmaker purchased by Apple in two years starting with P.A. Semi, which it bought for $278 million. It's also the fourth acquisition Apple has made since last fall; it bought map API maker PlaceBase in October, social music site LaLa in December, and mobile ad company Quattro Wirelessin January for $275 million.Though it appears like Apple is on a bit of a shopping spree right now, the company has the funds to back it up. At the end of its second fiscal quarter of 2010, Apple reported it had accumulated $41.7 billion in cash. Though Steve Jobs told investors at the annual company meeting that he had no plans to use that to offer a dividend to shareholders, he did hint what he'd rather do instead."You never know what opportunity is around the corner," Jobs said at the February meeting. "We're very fortunate that if we needed to acquire something we could write a check for it and not have to borrow money." In light of the recent string of purchases, that could be a hint there are even more small acquisitions like this to come.But what does Apple need Intrinsity for? It's unclear, but it's been rumored that the chipmaker is the outfit that assisted Samsung in building the speedy processor inside the iPad.
A month after the rumors first started flying, Apple finally confirmed that it has indeed purchased Intrinsity, a Texas-based chipmaker.Apple confirmed the acquisition on Tuesday to The New York Times, though it did not disclose the purchase price or what Apple's plans for Intrinsity are. One guess has the value at $121 million.It's the second chipmaker purchased by Apple in two years starting with P.A. Semi, which it bought for $278 million. It's also the fourth acquisition Apple has made since last fall; it bought map API maker PlaceBase in October, social music site LaLa in December, and mobile ad company Quattro Wirelessin January for $275 million.Though it appears like Apple is on a bit of a shopping spree right now, the company has the funds to back it up. At the end of its second fiscal quarter of 2010, Apple reported it had accumulated $41.7 billion in cash. Though Steve Jobs told investors at the annual company meeting that he had no plans to use that to offer a dividend to shareholders, he did hint what he'd rather do instead."You never know what opportunity is around the corner," Jobs said at the February meeting. "We're very fortunate that if we needed to acquire something we could write a check for it and not have to borrow money." In light of the recent string of purchases, that could be a hint there are even more small acquisitions like this to come.But what does Apple need Intrinsity for? It's unclear, but it's been rumored that the chipmaker is the outfit that assisted Samsung in building the speedy processor inside the iPad.
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