The 404 1,024: Where winter comes a little late this year (podcast)
We're believers: WINTER IS COMING. Technically I guess it arrived a year ago, but Jeff and I are finally catching up to the "Game of Thrones" hype and spend the first few minutes of today's episode discussing the George R. R. Martin books and the anachronisms of the show.The reviews are in for Microsoft Kinect Star Wars and nobody is impressed with the glitchy gameplay and a story that seems to appeal more to kids than fans of the original movies. With years of anticipation in the making, Jeff echoes the fans in the galaxy that feel the game comes up short in terms of motion-sensing gameplay and justice to the story. Also, when did Han Solo get so loose?Finally, we'll also discuss rumors about Batman: Arkham City players may finally get their wish to play as Robin in an upcoming story-based DLC. According to IGN UK and PS3 Trophies, 10 new in-game challenges will be called "Harley's Revenge," one of which asks players to use "5 different Quickfire gadgets" in a fight as the heroic young ward.We'll wait until the second half of the show to bring up a topic that's close to both our childhood memories: local arcades disappearing from cities. An article in Ars Technica examines the disappearing video arcade culture in the lens of a new indie documentary called "100 Yen: The Japanese Arcade Experience," which tries to determine why arcades in Japan have seen more success than here in the states.Creator Brad Crawford attributes some of the East's success with arcades to the country's train-based transportation culture and the limited space that kids have in their homes to host big gaming parties, essentially pushing them out into public arcades to hang out and have fun.Bathroom break video: Death metal voice warmups.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.PlayEpisode 1,024Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
iTunes gets ready for Russia debut, report says
iTunes gets ready for Russia debut, report says
Apple's iTunes platform could make its debut in Russia tomorrow.An Apple PR person in Russia has sent out an event invite to a small number of people in the country for a music event the company plans to host tomorrow night, TechCrunch, which obtained a copy of the invite, is reporting. The invite did not say that iTunes will be launching, but did acknowledge that the iTunes team will be holding the event.Russia is one of the more difficult digital-music markets to crack. The country has several legitimate download services, including one from search firm Yandex, but is also home to rampant piracy. The Intellectual Property Alliance, an organization dedicated to ending piracy, has placed Russia on its "priority watch list" as a major pirate.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Given that, iTunes availability has lagged. However, reports suggested that Apple would launch its music service in Russia in October. It was quickly pushed back to November, but was again delayed.Despite the obvious challenges with piracy, Russia is a huge country with huge opportunities for Apple's iTunes platform. If the company can find a way to get Russians to buy music, Apple might find itself a rather profitable market.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the TechCrunch report. We will update this story when we have 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's iTunes platform could make its debut in Russia tomorrow.An Apple PR person in Russia has sent out an event invite to a small number of people in the country for a music event the company plans to host tomorrow night, TechCrunch, which obtained a copy of the invite, is reporting. The invite did not say that iTunes will be launching, but did acknowledge that the iTunes team will be holding the event.Russia is one of the more difficult digital-music markets to crack. The country has several legitimate download services, including one from search firm Yandex, but is also home to rampant piracy. The Intellectual Property Alliance, an organization dedicated to ending piracy, has placed Russia on its "priority watch list" as a major pirate.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Given that, iTunes availability has lagged. However, reports suggested that Apple would launch its music service in Russia in October. It was quickly pushed back to November, but was again delayed.Despite the obvious challenges with piracy, Russia is a huge country with huge opportunities for Apple's iTunes platform. If the company can find a way to get Russians to buy music, Apple might find itself a rather profitable market.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the TechCrunch report. We will update this story when we have 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-Google deal took a wrong turn over directions, report says
Apple-Google deal took a wrong turn over directions, report says
What led Apple to boot Google Maps from iOS 6? A new report claims that negotiations between the two companies broke down over disagreements on features and control of the app, which came preloaded on every single iOS device. All Things Digital reports that one dispute involved spoken turn-by-turn directions, a feature that debuted on Android but hadn't made its way to Apple's own Google-powered maps product. At the same time, Google wanted in-app branding and extra Google services like its Latitude location sharing tool, which didn't exactly charm Apple, the report claims. As a result, Apple "fast-tracked" the creation of its own maps application, and put it out as part of iOS 6. The report mirrors numerous details in a story from the Wall Street Journal back in June, which said that negotiations between the two companies fizzled over the very same things:Apple executives also wanted to include Google's turn-by-turn-navigation service in the iPhone -- a feature popular with Android users because it lets people treat their phones as in-car GPS devices. Google wouldn't allow it, according to people on both sides. One of these people said Google viewed Apple's terms as unfair.Google executives, meantime, also bristled at Apple's refusal to add features that would help Google. For instance, Google wanted to emphasize its brand name more prominently within the maps app. It also wanted Apple to enable its service designed to find friends nearby, dubbed Latitude, which Apple refrained from doing, said people on both sides. Google is now rumored to be feverishly working on its own standalone application for release through Apple's App Store. And perhaps now all eyes will be on whether or not it includes voice navigation.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
What led Apple to boot Google Maps from iOS 6? A new report claims that negotiations between the two companies broke down over disagreements on features and control of the app, which came preloaded on every single iOS device. All Things Digital reports that one dispute involved spoken turn-by-turn directions, a feature that debuted on Android but hadn't made its way to Apple's own Google-powered maps product. At the same time, Google wanted in-app branding and extra Google services like its Latitude location sharing tool, which didn't exactly charm Apple, the report claims. As a result, Apple "fast-tracked" the creation of its own maps application, and put it out as part of iOS 6. The report mirrors numerous details in a story from the Wall Street Journal back in June, which said that negotiations between the two companies fizzled over the very same things:Apple executives also wanted to include Google's turn-by-turn-navigation service in the iPhone -- a feature popular with Android users because it lets people treat their phones as in-car GPS devices. Google wouldn't allow it, according to people on both sides. One of these people said Google viewed Apple's terms as unfair.Google executives, meantime, also bristled at Apple's refusal to add features that would help Google. For instance, Google wanted to emphasize its brand name more prominently within the maps app. It also wanted Apple to enable its service designed to find friends nearby, dubbed Latitude, which Apple refrained from doing, said people on both sides. Google is now rumored to be feverishly working on its own standalone application for release through Apple's App Store. And perhaps now all eyes will be on whether or not it includes voice navigation.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-friendly lawyers snag iPad3.com domain
Apple-friendly lawyers snag iPad3.com domain
A law firm that has worked with Apple now is in possession of the iPad3.com domain.Fusible yesterday reported that the Whois record for the domain name has changed, and now, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton (KTS), a multinational law firm, owns it. KTS has represented Apple in the past, most notably helping the company in its legal fight against Psystar, the Florida company that was selling computers running Mac OS X.Although the Whois record doesn't show Apple as the domain's owner, it's quite possible that the company will soon take it over. DomainWire reported last month that Apple filed a case with the World Intellectual Property Organization to take control of the domain from its then-owner Global Access from Isle of Man. It appears that whatever Apple and its attorneys did, it worked.It's not clear what Apple wants with the iPad3.com domain. Apple buys a host of domain names related to products it sells, and does nothing substantial with them. The purchases are designed solely to ensure that no other company can take advantage of its intellectual property. Back in May, for example, Apple took control of the iPhone5.com domain, after a maneuver in which brand protection agency Corporation Service Company first took over the domain from an iPhone-focused forum site. That site now has no content.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the domain. We will update this story when we have more information.
A law firm that has worked with Apple now is in possession of the iPad3.com domain.Fusible yesterday reported that the Whois record for the domain name has changed, and now, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton (KTS), a multinational law firm, owns it. KTS has represented Apple in the past, most notably helping the company in its legal fight against Psystar, the Florida company that was selling computers running Mac OS X.Although the Whois record doesn't show Apple as the domain's owner, it's quite possible that the company will soon take it over. DomainWire reported last month that Apple filed a case with the World Intellectual Property Organization to take control of the domain from its then-owner Global Access from Isle of Man. It appears that whatever Apple and its attorneys did, it worked.It's not clear what Apple wants with the iPad3.com domain. Apple buys a host of domain names related to products it sells, and does nothing substantial with them. The purchases are designed solely to ensure that no other company can take advantage of its intellectual property. Back in May, for example, Apple took control of the iPhone5.com domain, after a maneuver in which brand protection agency Corporation Service Company first took over the domain from an iPhone-focused forum site. That site now has no content.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the domain. We will update this story when we have more information.
Apple-AppGratis flap triggers threat from French minister
Apple-AppGratis flap triggers threat from French minister
Fleur Pellerin, France's digital industry minister, is taking Apple to the public woodshed for pulling the AppGratis service from the App Store, saying the tech giant's "brutal" treatment had put the French startup in danger. She now plans to ask European regulators to more closely regulate digital platforms including search engines and social media."I recall that the French are the world's second largest developers of software applications behind the United States for mobile devices," Pellerin was quoted as saying in LeMonde Informatique. "What is the sense of investing if, overnight, the economic model is jeopardized by a unilateral decision...There is an issue of fairness in commercial relations..."Related storiesFree iOS app service AppGratis pulled from App StoreYanked iOS app AppGratis: We're 'far from finished' Pellerin said the issue justified taking a closer look at how companies with large, dominant technology platforms can "impose" their conditions on others. Apple last week removed the app, which claims more than 10 million users.AppGratis had been available on Apple's platform since last December.However, Apple says AppGratis violated its ban against promoting apps sold by other vendors. Reuters is reporting that Apple held a discussion with AppGratis before dumping it from its platform. The decision to remove AppGratis centers on the following provisions in the App Store guidelines: 2.25: Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected;5.6 Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind. We've contacted Apple for comment and will update this post when there is more information.
Fleur Pellerin, France's digital industry minister, is taking Apple to the public woodshed for pulling the AppGratis service from the App Store, saying the tech giant's "brutal" treatment had put the French startup in danger. She now plans to ask European regulators to more closely regulate digital platforms including search engines and social media."I recall that the French are the world's second largest developers of software applications behind the United States for mobile devices," Pellerin was quoted as saying in LeMonde Informatique. "What is the sense of investing if, overnight, the economic model is jeopardized by a unilateral decision...There is an issue of fairness in commercial relations..."Related storiesFree iOS app service AppGratis pulled from App StoreYanked iOS app AppGratis: We're 'far from finished' Pellerin said the issue justified taking a closer look at how companies with large, dominant technology platforms can "impose" their conditions on others. Apple last week removed the app, which claims more than 10 million users.AppGratis had been available on Apple's platform since last December.However, Apple says AppGratis violated its ban against promoting apps sold by other vendors. Reuters is reporting that Apple held a discussion with AppGratis before dumping it from its platform. The decision to remove AppGratis centers on the following provisions in the App Store guidelines: 2.25: Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected;5.6 Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind. We've contacted Apple for comment and will update this post when there is more information.
Apple’s sales for last quarter expected to be flat
Apple’s sales for last quarter expected to be flat
Apple is unlikely to show any sales growth when it reports second-quarter results on Wednesday. At least, that's the take from a collection of 37 different analysts.Polling analysts for their predictions on Apple's second fiscal quarter, which ended in March, Fortune found an average revenue estimate of $43.5 billion. That forecast is actually a bit lower than the $43.6 billion in sales that Apple reported during last year's second quarter.Related storiesSquare has held talks on possible sale with Google, Apple, says reportApple, Google battle over mobile game exclusivity -- reportWill a larger iPhone steal sales from the iPad Mini?Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery? You might still be in luckApple's own guidance for its second quarter calls for revenues of between $42 billion and $44 billion. Announced by Apple in January, that news actually sent the stock tumbling as analysts had initially been expecting revenues of $46 billion.As noted by Fortune, the analysts polled have since lowered their expectations to keep them more in line with Apple's guidance.Among specific analysts who released investor notes on Monday, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster is looking for revenues close to $44 billion, while Wells Fargo's Maynard Um expects $44.3 billion. But Um sees a bit of risk to his prediction based on potentially lower sales of the iPhone and iPad.Carriers have been getting stricter about enforcing a full 24-month upgrade cycle for smartphone contract customers. The tighter restriction likely hampered iPhone sales during Apple's first fiscal quarter, according to Um. And though the analyst believes the second quarter may benefit from the stricter upgrade cycle, he said Wells Fargo was still cautious about its sales forecast of 39 million iPhones and 21 million iPads.Apple shares rose .7 percent, or about $4.00, to $528.94in early trading on Monday.
Apple is unlikely to show any sales growth when it reports second-quarter results on Wednesday. At least, that's the take from a collection of 37 different analysts.Polling analysts for their predictions on Apple's second fiscal quarter, which ended in March, Fortune found an average revenue estimate of $43.5 billion. That forecast is actually a bit lower than the $43.6 billion in sales that Apple reported during last year's second quarter.Related storiesSquare has held talks on possible sale with Google, Apple, says reportApple, Google battle over mobile game exclusivity -- reportWill a larger iPhone steal sales from the iPad Mini?Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery? You might still be in luckApple's own guidance for its second quarter calls for revenues of between $42 billion and $44 billion. Announced by Apple in January, that news actually sent the stock tumbling as analysts had initially been expecting revenues of $46 billion.As noted by Fortune, the analysts polled have since lowered their expectations to keep them more in line with Apple's guidance.Among specific analysts who released investor notes on Monday, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster is looking for revenues close to $44 billion, while Wells Fargo's Maynard Um expects $44.3 billion. But Um sees a bit of risk to his prediction based on potentially lower sales of the iPhone and iPad.Carriers have been getting stricter about enforcing a full 24-month upgrade cycle for smartphone contract customers. The tighter restriction likely hampered iPhone sales during Apple's first fiscal quarter, according to Um. And though the analyst believes the second quarter may benefit from the stricter upgrade cycle, he said Wells Fargo was still cautious about its sales forecast of 39 million iPhones and 21 million iPads.Apple shares rose .7 percent, or about $4.00, to $528.94in early trading on Monday.
Apple.com down after iPhone announcement
Apple.com down after iPhone announcement
Apple fans who had trouble accessing live blogs of the Let's Talk iPhone event on news sites today were further frustrated when they couldn't access Apple's own site.Let's talk iPhoneHopes were high for something special from Apple. Did the iPhone 4S do it for you?With all the anticipation that surrounded this event (though many people found the news to be a bit of a letdown) and Apple.com being one of the 10 most popular sites on the planet, you'd think that the company would have been prepared for increased traffic to the site today.Nevertheless, the site was been down sporadically shortly after the iPhone event ended. While visitors to the Apple Store site at the time of the high-profile event saw a customary "We'll be back soon" message for a while this morning, visitors to Apple.com were seeing a warning that said, "Access Denied. You don't have permission to access 'http://www.apple.com/' on this server." The problem seemed to be fixed after about an hour or so. It's unclear what happened. Apple representatives did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.Related stories:• Apple's iPhone event (live blog)• Apple unveils iPhone 4S• iPhone 4S First Take• Apple's iPod lineup (2011)• Full coverage: Apple's iPhone eventOn Twitter, the topic "Access Denied" was trending, reaching one of the top 10 trends on for San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with numerous other Apple announcement-related topics.Akamai, a content delivery provider for Apple, provided this comment to CNET: "We are aware of reported problems with certain Web sites but can't comment on specific customers. The Akamai platform isn't experiencing any issues."Meanwhile, concerns that domains for Apple (along with Google, Microsoft and others) had been hacked were dismissed by some reports as the result of a trick known as "whois spam," which is not new.Apple's outage was a trending topic on Twitter today.CNET/CBSinteractive
Apple fans who had trouble accessing live blogs of the Let's Talk iPhone event on news sites today were further frustrated when they couldn't access Apple's own site.Let's talk iPhoneHopes were high for something special from Apple. Did the iPhone 4S do it for you?With all the anticipation that surrounded this event (though many people found the news to be a bit of a letdown) and Apple.com being one of the 10 most popular sites on the planet, you'd think that the company would have been prepared for increased traffic to the site today.Nevertheless, the site was been down sporadically shortly after the iPhone event ended. While visitors to the Apple Store site at the time of the high-profile event saw a customary "We'll be back soon" message for a while this morning, visitors to Apple.com were seeing a warning that said, "Access Denied. You don't have permission to access 'http://www.apple.com/' on this server." The problem seemed to be fixed after about an hour or so. It's unclear what happened. Apple representatives did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.Related stories:• Apple's iPhone event (live blog)• Apple unveils iPhone 4S• iPhone 4S First Take• Apple's iPod lineup (2011)• Full coverage: Apple's iPhone eventOn Twitter, the topic "Access Denied" was trending, reaching one of the top 10 trends on for San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with numerous other Apple announcement-related topics.Akamai, a content delivery provider for Apple, provided this comment to CNET: "We are aware of reported problems with certain Web sites but can't comment on specific customers. The Akamai platform isn't experiencing any issues."Meanwhile, concerns that domains for Apple (along with Google, Microsoft and others) had been hacked were dismissed by some reports as the result of a trick known as "whois spam," which is not new.Apple's outage was a trending topic on Twitter today.CNET/CBSinteractive
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