Apple is reportedly trying to poach artists from Jay Z’s music service
The streaming music business is getting particularly cutthroat, it seems. According to Billboard, Apple exec Jimmy Iovine has been trying to lure the first-tier musicians from Jay Z’s artist-owned Tidal service (possibly for an upcoming streaming option) by paying them “more money upfront.” Jay Z isn’t directly confirming the rumor, but he isn’t exactly denying it, either. He explains that a poaching attempt just reflects Iovine’s “competitive nature” and that the two have talked about their rival offerings. The rapper claims that he’s trying to make nice, and that he doesn’t “have to lose in order for you guys [at Apple] to win” — he sees the two sides trying to help artists. That may be true, but something tells us that Apple isn’t about to make life easy for a direct competitor… especially one whose emphasis on exclusives and special deals could hurt Apple’s bottom line.
[Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Roc Nation]
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Billboard
Nintendo squashes browser-based Mario tribute game
While Nintendo proper might be willing to let some folk make a Mario game, we’re a long way from that extending to free browser-based versions of the company’s best-known franchise. As such, that Super Mario 64 HD tribute that popped up last Friday is (perhaps predictably) no more. Now back to work, the lot of you.
Original Work: The copyrighted work at issue is Nintendoâ€[TM]s Super Mario 64 video game (U.S. Copyright Reg. No. PA0000788138), including but not limited to the audiovisual work, computer program, music, and fictional character depictions. The web site at http://mario64-erik.u85.net/Web.html displays, and allows users to play, an electronic game that makes unauthorized use of copyright-protected features of Nintendo’s Super Mario 64 video game. Nintendo requests that CloudFlare, Inc. immediately disable public access to http://mario64-erik.u85.net/Web.html We have provided the name of your hosting provider to the reporter. Additionally, we have forwarded this complaint to your hosting provider as well.
Filed under: Misc, Gaming, Nintendo
Via: TNW
Source: Roystan Ross
Microsoft Announces Intel Atom-Based Surface 3 With Windows 8.1 for $499
Microsoft on Tuesday announced the Surface 3 tablet with Windows 8.1, available in May for a starting price of $499. The latest iPad competitor is designed to be a laptop replacement, running full Windows, including desktop applications, and delivering all-day battery life. Surface 3 comes with 64GB storage and 2GB of RAM for $499, while a 128GB option with 4GB of RAM costs $599. Both Wi-Fi only and 4G LTE models are available.
Surface 3 is powered by a quad-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, a significant shift from ARM processors used in previous models. The tablet also features a 10.8″ full HD display at 1,920×1,280 pixels resolution, full-size USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader, headphone jack, cover port, micro USB charging port, Bluetooth 4.0 and three-position kickstand. The tablet will receive a free upgrade to Windows 10 when available, and includes a one-year Office 365 subscription to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more.
The base model Surface 3 in 64GB and 128GB options is available for pre-order now through Microsoft’s website for delivery starting the first week of May, while the 4G LTE models are listed as shipping by June 26th. The tablet includes a 1-year limited hardware warranty. More detailed hardware specifications and general information about the tablet is available on the Surface 3 product page.
LG skipping Snapdragon 810 for the G4, using Snapdragon 808 instead
The Snapdragon 810 chipset has been plagued by overheating issues as we all know. While LG denied these reports after using the chip on the G Flex 2 handset, HTC’s One M9 was seen to be getting overheating warnings while on demonstration during the MWC event, so this is a known issue.
A new report suggests that the Korean manufacturer has finally decided to ditch the controversial silicon in favor of the Snapdragon 808 SoC. Benchmark results have shown the LG G4 to be running the Snapdragon 808, so this is not the first time we’re coming across such a report.
LG has already sent out invites for its April 28 unveiling of the LG G4, so it makes sense that the company has taken this decision now. It was said that Qualcomm will have a fixed version of the Snapdragon 810 SoC by mid-Q2 2015, which is close to May. Clearly, this wouldn’t go well with LG’s plans as it plans to unveil the G4 by late April and possibly have the device in shelves by May.
The Snapdragon 808 uses a hexa-core (6) CPU architecture and is powered by the Adreno 418 GPU. It uses a mixture of ARM Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53 cores, so the performance will not be hindered compared to the Snapdragon 810.
Source: Korea Times
Via: G For Games
Come comment on this article: LG skipping Snapdragon 810 for the G4, using Snapdragon 808 instead
Windows Central Easter Sale: 20% off all Windows Phone accessories!
Hop on over to the Windows Central Store to pick up the latest accessories for your Windows Phone and save 20%
Easter doesn’t have to be just about the kids, you know. Treat yourself to a brand new case, charger, wireless charger or even a backup battery — our selection of Windows Phone accessories is quite extensive.
You’ll even find accessories for the most popular Windows phones including the HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 1520, Lumia 1320 and Lumia 920. Use coupon code: BUNNY15 and you’ll save 20% on your entire cart!
We offer fast, free shipping on all orders over $50, and accept credit cards, PayPal and Amazon Payments. This sale won’t last forever, so be sure to place your orders before midnight, April 5 to receive your discount.
iMore Easter Sale: 20% off all iPhone and iPad accessories!
Hop on over to the iMore Store to pick up the latest accessories for your iPhone or iPad and save 20%
Easter doesn’t have to be just about the kids, you know. Treat yourself to a brand new case, charger, car mount or even a backup battery — our selection of iPhone and iPad accessories is quite extensive.
You’ll even find accessories for the most popular Apple devices including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. Use coupon code: BUNNY15 and you’ll save 20% on your entire cart!
We offer fast, free shipping on all orders over $50, and accept credit cards, PayPal and Amazon Payments. This sale won’t last forever, so be sure to place your orders before midnight, April 5 to receive your discount.
Find the hottest iPhone accessories
ASUS Zenfone 2 arrives in Europe with €179 price tag
Following its launch in Asia, the ASUS Zenfone 2 is now making its way to Europe, with prices starting at just €179, ranging up to a still modest €349. The big talking point with the Zenfone 2 series is the option for a colossal 4GB or RAM, but the range has plenty more to offer too.
As we previously covered, there are a range of Zenfone 2 variants in production and three of them are heading to Europe.
The most expensive is the ZE551ML variant, which costs €349 and comes with the 4GB of RAM, a 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 1080p 5.5-inch display, a 13MP rear camera, 32GB of internal memory and a 3,000mAh battery. For €249 you can grab the ZE550ML, which sports a 720p 5.5-inch display, 1.8GHz Z3560 SoC, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, with the same camera and battery as the most expensive model.
The more budget friendly option is the ZE500CL model, which features a 1.6GHz Atom Z2560 processor, a 720p 5-inch display, 2GB of RAM, 8GB storage, 8MP rear camera and a smaller 2,500mAh battery. All of the handsets feature a microSD card slot and Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box.
France will be the first country to receive the Zenfone 2, ahead of a wider rollout across the region. Asus France is currently offering the ZE55ML variant (the 4GB one) for €299, for a limited time only. A US store release is stated for this spring and an Indian launch date is expected on April 13th.
DARPA wants an army of drones to overwhelm the enemy
US air warfare superiority is hardly a given anymore — sometimes the nation’s very pricey new fighter jets aren’t even airworthy, let alone dominant. Even the military’s science arm, DARPA, said that “US military systems today are often too expensive… (and) are obsolete by the time they become operational.” Ouch. But DARPA is at least doing something about the problem. It’s developed a project called the System of Systems Integration Technology and Experimentation (SoSITE) with the aim of nothing less than completely overhauling US military air power. To do that, it wants to build open systems that help drones, missiles, “mission truck” planes and fighter jets work together.
The idea is so simple, you have to wonder why they didn’t do it before. In one scenario (see the video below), a modern fighter is accompanied by an unmanned, C-130-sized “mission truck” in an attack on enemy radar systems. The larger plane would stay outside the attack zone, but carry loads of extra missiles and drones to increase the fighter jet’s punch.
It would first release special UAVs that jam the radar station targets to avoid being shot down and simultaneously relay intelligence about them back to the warfighter. From there, the pilot could come up with a targeting solution and fire a bevy of small, cheap cruise missiles from the mission truck. The enemy would be forced to engage with expensive long-range surface-to-air missiles and may even shoot a few down. However, some of the cruise missiles would break through the shield and eventually destroy the target.
The whole system would require minimal input from the pilot, thanks to computers onboard the fighter and mission truck. DARPA’s plan is to supplement existing system capabilities with open-systems architectures that would yield “interchangeable modules and platforms that can be quickly upgraded and swapped out as needed.” If it works, the military would be able to upgrade current manned and unmanned tech faster and for less money. At the same time, it would force the enemy to spend a lot more money to counter with traditional systems.
DARPA compared the idea to smartphone technology and apps. According to the project leader, “you don’t need to buy a new smartphone every time an app comes out… (SoSITE) will build the ‘under-the-hood’ verification and cyber-defense capabilities so airborne platforms can host interchangeable ‘app’ functions.” It’s already started the project in earnest by awarding contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and others.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: DARPA
Huawei profits grew 33 percent last year
Huawei has announced its net profit for 2014, which saw a 33 percent rise over the previous year. As well as an increase in smartphone sales, Huawei has also seen a rise in demand for its telecommunications equipment, as the global 4G rollout continues.
Net profit rose to 27.9 billion yuan (USD 4.5 billion) last year on the back of a 21 percent increase in global revenue, which reached 288.2 billion yuan (USD 36.8 billion). Huawei is estimating that its global revenue will grow by another 20 percent this year as well. However, Huawei saw its operating margins fall to 11.9 percent in 2014 compared with 12.2 percent in 2013.
Looking more specifically at hardware, Huawei’s consumer device division, aka smartphones, saw its biggest leap in revenue last year. Revenues rose 32.6 percent, ahead of the enterprise division which grew 27.3 percent. Huawei is hovering around the top five spot for global smartphone shipments, depending on who you ask, with the bulk of its shipments heading to Asia and emerging markets. Foreign exchange rates had a particularly strong influence on earnings last year, due to an increase in foreign sales. We have seen strong 2014 profits for rival Chinese manufacturers too and Huawei seems to be thriving in this heavily competitive market.
Huawei’s carrier hardware business also saw a 16.4 percent growth in revenue last year. For comparison, consumer hardware accounts for 26% of the company’s overall revenue, while telecommunication equipment made up 67 percent last year.
Huawei still remains locked out of several major foreign markets, following fears that close ties to the Chinese government, which finances 22 percent of the company’s debt, makes the company a security threat. Both the US and Australia are keen to prevent Huawei from being involved in communications. Speaking of debt, Huawei announced that the company’s total liabilities amount to 209.8 billion yuan, while it holds assets of 309.8 billion yuan.
Huawei is targeting roughly 10 percent year on year growth to reach its revenue target by 2018, and is also looking to new technologies, such as cloud computing and 5G mobile communications for future areas of revenue.
Gallery: Project Spartan in Windows 10 technical preview 10049
With the release of build 10049 of the Windows 10 technical preview, Microsoft finally lets us take a look at its all new, Project Spartan web browser.
To make it easy to find Spartan is automatically pinned to the task bar after the update. Inside you’ll find Cortana (or not, as the case may be), the distraction free reading mode, the ability to draw and write over web pages and more.
AIVAnet 