High Definition iTunes Music Downloads May Be on the Horizon
Earlier this week, a report suggested Apple was planning a “dramatic overhaul” of its iTunes Music store to combat declining music downloads, which could include an on-demand streaming music service and an Android version of iTunes.
Apple may also be planning to add high resolution audio downloads to iTunes as part of the revamp, allowing users to download lossless 24-bit audio files. According to music blogger Robert Hutton, who cites an unspecified source, Apple is going to roll out hi-res iTunes music downloads in early June, possibly at WWDC.
For several years, Apple have been insisting that labels provide files for iTunes in 24 bit format – preferably 96k or 192k sampling rate. So they have undeniably the biggest catalog of hi-res audio in the world.
And the Led Zeppelin remasters in high resolution will be the kick off event – to coincide with Led Zep in hi-res, Apple will flip the switch and launch their hi-res store via iTunes – and apparently, it will be priced a buck above the typical current file prices.
That’s right – Apple will launch hi-res iTunes in two months.
Apple has been working on offering music in a 24-bit format for several years, with a 2011 report suggesting the company was in talks with record labels to increase the quality of iTunes Music. Currently, Apple sells audio files on iTunes in 16-bit lossy AAC format encoded at 256 kbps to minimize file size.
High-definition 24-bit downloads are said to offer better detail, greater depth, and a deeper bass response compared to traditional 16-bit music downloads, but the file sizes are much larger.
Though Apple only offers 16-bit audio files at present, the company does encourage artists to submit music in a 24-bit 96kHz resolution, which it uses to “create more accurate encodes.” Apple accepts the audio files as part of its Mastered for iTunes program, an initiative that has produced higher quality music for the iTunes Store. Because Apple has already accepted 24-bit files for years, it does, presumably, have a large catalog of high quality audio files that could be offered for sale, reportedly at a premium of $1 over traditional iTunes tracks.
Hi-res audio has been gaining popularity in recent years, with music sites such as HDtracks securing deals with multiple major record labels. Recently, musician and song writer Neil Young launched a Kickstarter project for the PonoPlayer, a $399 digital music player designed to play high resolution audio files.
Thus far, the project has earned over $5.7 million, suggesting there is indeed a sizable demand for hi-res audio. Should Apple choose to begin selling 24-bit audio tracks, it could quickly dominate competing sites given its existing user base and boost its digital downloads by appealing to audiophiles unhappy with the current quality of iTunes tracks.
CNNx app lets you watch only the news you care about
Since you’re here, we figure you’re pretty comfortable in using the internet to get your news. CNN has noticed that trend as well, and is making the jump to the next generation with CNNx. Initially available as an iPad app but intended for other set-top boxes and CNN.com in the future (no word on Android, iPhone or other mobile platforms, although live streaming is already widely available), it lets viewers skip through any story segments that have aired in the last 24 hours — unfortunately that doesn’t include The Daily Show’s takedowns of its coverage, but you can see a screenshot of the app after the break.. That should end the frustration felt when you flip to the channel halfway through one interesting segment, and are face with sitting through an hour of disaster-of-the-minute coverage to find out all the information. There’s more than just video (live or on-demand) too, with related articles, pictures and social media just a click away.
CNN is a cable channel though, so you’ll need a login from a participating provider to use the TV Everywhere service just like HBO Go. It’s not live in the app store for us to try out just yet but it will arrive later today. For now, there is a video preview explaining what CNNx is all about — give it a peek and see if the ability to cherry pick interesting stories is enough to pull you back into the 24-hour cable news cycle.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Apple
Source: CNN, CNN (Vimeo)
iPhone 6 Case Maker’s Model Points to Larger Display, Ultra Thin Body
iPhone 6 rumors have thus far pointed towards a device that includes a larger screen and a thinner chassis than the existing iPhone 5s. Supporting those rumors, French site Nowhereelse.fr [Google Translation] has shared a case maker’s iPhone 6 model from Chinese case manufacturer Elam, which shows an ultra thin form factor very similar to that found in recent schematics.
The iPhone case model appears to have rounded corners and a single unified volume switch, which is different from the separate volume buttons in the iPhone 5s. It’s also a slight deviation from earlier design drawings, which showed separate rectangular volume buttons, suggesting this model may come from a different source.
Though not depicted on the case model, separate rumors have pointed towards a relocated power button, either on the top left edge of the device or on the side of the device, to improve one-handed use on a larger device. Currently, the power button is located on the top right edge of the iPhone. Bezels are also not visible, but rumors have indicated they could be 10 to 20 percent thinner than the bezels of the iPhone 5s and the phone itself may be 6.5mm to 7mm thick.
Earlier this week, MacRumors published a set of renderings based on the schematics that share similarities with the case model, depicting what the finished iPhone 6 might look like.
iPhone 6 (4.7″) and iPhone 6 (5.7″)
Apple’s iPhone 6 is expected to come in two different sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. Recent rumors have indicated the 4.7 inch version will be available to ship in in the third quarter of 2014, while the larger version may ship somewhat later due to production delays.
Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested the 4.7-inch iPhone will have a 1334×750 Retina display with 326 pixels per inch, while the 5.5-inch version will have a 1920×1080 screen with 401 pixels per inch.
Along with a larger screen, both versions of the iPhone 6 are expected to include an upgraded A8 processor, Touch ID, 1GB of RAM, and camera improvements in the form of optical image stabilization.
Intel’s New Haswell Desktop CPUs Could Arrive in May, Allowing for iMac Updates
Intel may release an update to its desktop Haswell processors in May, according to a report in TechPowerUp that cites Hermitage Akihabara as its source. The report claims Intel will launch its new processors, including its flagship Core i7-4790K, on May 10th in most markets. These next generation Haswell chips will include Intel’s Z97 chipset, which provides support for faster and larger M.2 SATA Express drives.
The new Haswell desktop processors will offer a 100 MHz bump in clock speeds and will be a direct successor to most of the chips currently used in the iMac, with the exception of the low-end 21.5-inch iMac, which uses a special i5-4570R chip enhanced with Intel’s Iris 5200 integrated graphics. Intel may have a compatible replacement processor under development, but leaked information has not yet revealed this corresponding model.
These chips may lay the groundwork for an iMac refresh that Apple is planning in 2014. Apple allegedly has a low-priced iMac model in the works, claims KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a research note published this week. This less expensive model may be Apple’s first major product launch in 2014 and could boost iMac shipments by up to 30 percent.
Our surveys indicate that Apple’s last iMac model, released at end-2012 with an all-new-design, shipped fewer-than-expected units in the worldwide market. We think the price was set too high and the model failed to make an impact in critical foreign markets like China. We thus think Apple may offer a budget iMac model to push shipments among non-US markets in the face of solid competition from Levono (CN), HP (US) and other rivals.
Though Intel’s desktop processors may be slated for a refresh as early as next month, the timing for the release of the mobile processors used in Apple’s MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are not yet known. The latest information leaked earlier this year by VR-Zone suggests low-end models of Intel’s next-generation Broadwell processor may debut in Q3 2014, with the roadmap for high-end processors compatible with Apple’s MacBook line still up in the air.
Speed bumped versions of the current Haswell chips in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro may appear at the end of 2014, but that release date still is uncertain at this point and would only provide a small upgrade heading into Broadwell next year. 
T-Mobile Targets Tablets: LTE Models for Price of Wi-Fi, Bonus Free Data Through 2014
T-Mobile US, which has been shaking up the cellular industry in the United States with a series of promotions and policy changes, today made several announcements intended to attract tablet customers to the carrier. There are two key pieces to the initiative:
– LTE tablets for the price of Wi-Fi: Under Apple’s standard pricing, LTE iPad models are priced $130 higher than their Wi-Fi equivalents, but T-Mobile’s limited time promotion will allow customers to purchase an LTE iPad from the carrier at Wi-Fi pricing.
If you’re stuck on Wi-Fi, you can now come to T-Mobile and upgrade to a 4G LTE-enabled model for nothing down and pay no more than you’d pay for the cheaper Wi-Fi-only model, with any postpaid activation on a 1GB or more mobile internet plan with no annual service contract. For example, pay the Wi-Fi price of $499 instead of $630 for the 4G LTE-enabled 16GB iPad Air.
24-month interest-free financing with zero money down is also available for qualified customers.
– Bonus 1GB of free data per month through 2014: T-Mobile already offers a free 200 MB data package for tablet owners, and with today’s announcement, T-Mobile voice customers can receive an additional 1 GB of free data per month through the end of the year.
And, for both new and existing customers, T-Mobile is offering $10 off its most popular internet data plans starting April 12th through the end of 2014. For voice customers, what that means is you can get up to 1GB of 4G LTE data free every month through the end of the year. Combined with the 200 MB of free data you already automatically get every month with T-Mobile’s previously announced “Free Data for Life” offer that comes to nearly 1.2GB of free 4G LTE data every month through the end of 2014. If you love living beyond the Wi-Fi zone – and want to keep enjoying that tablet freedom beyond 2014 – you can get it starting at just $10 a month with voice service next year.
T-Mobile also continues to offer its ETF buyouts, allowing customers stuck on service contracts with another carrier to trade-in their devices and receive credits for the termination fees paid to the other carrier.
Survey Shows Strong Consumer Interest in Larger-Screen iPhone 6
Research firm ChangeWave (via Fortune) has released the results of a new survey, showing that interest among early-adopter and professional consumers in a larger-screen iPhone 6 is at an all time high.
40% of respondents indicated they are ‘very likely’ or ‘somewhat likely’ to buy an iPhone 6 that is described as having a “larger screen size” and a “faster processor” along with an “updated iOS operating system” at a starting price of $199 with a two year contract.
“This is the highest level of demand for an unannounced Apple model in a ChangeWave survey – stronger than we’ve seen in previous years for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 models prior to their announcements,” said Andy Golub of 451 Research. “Speculation over a larger screen iPhone is clearly striking a chord with consumers.”
Internal memos from the second ongoing trial between Apple and Samsung indicate that Apple is eager to release a larger phone, as a slide deck from an April 2013 presentation showed that customers want less expensive and notably, larger screen smartphones.
Apple will likely unveil its next-generation iPhone later this year, as it has done with previous models. Unlike past iterations however, the iPhone 6 may come in two versions, including one with a 4.7-inch screen and another with a larger 5.5-inch screen that will be released later.
In addition to a larger display, the iPhone 6 is expected to feature a narrower bezel that surrounds a thinner design along with a faster A8 processor and an upgraded camera. According to a research note from well-sourced KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the high-end models of the iPhone 6 may also feature a durable, sapphire display as Apple is expected to become temporarily limited by the low supply yields of the material. 
‘Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff’ Launches for iPhone and iPad [iOS Blog]
TinyCo and FOX have released their new free-to-play iOS game based on the popular TV show Family Guy. The game, called Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff, has gameplay similar to EA’s freemium The Simpsons: Tapped Out, released in 2012.
In the Family Guy game, the town of Quahog has been trashed by a fight between Peter Griffin and Ernie the Giant Chicken, and gamers must help Peter rebuild the town, collecting many the characters from the game along the way. The game features original content from the voice actors along with stories and jokes from writers at Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door productions.
The TinyCo team stressed that the freemium elements are solely there to speed up the game or for cosmetic decorations, but that users will never be forced to pay money to progress. It’s meant to be something that users play for short bursts — “on the bus or on the toilet”, according to the company — but it can also be played for long stretches, particularly later in the game.
Family Guy’s trademark irreverent humor — including numerous cutaway gags — are everywhere in the game, with some characters from the show making a brief appearance for a single joke before disappearing for the rest of the game.
The game features Facebook social integration so gamers can visit friends, but the social play is strictly optional. Logging in to TinyCo’s servers with a Google+ or Facebook login does make it significantly easier to play the game on multiple devices, however. The game backs up progress to the cloud, allowing users to seamlessly shift their ongoing game from an iPad to iPhone on the same account. It can also be used offline, on an airplane for example, but will need to eventually sync to the cloud to save progress.
“Not only is the game exponentially more entertaining than reading this press release, it’s the only place you’ll find Peter and Quagmire napping together,” said Rick Phillips, SVP, Fox Digital Entertainment. “We’re excited to deliver a game that brings the spontaneity and eccentricity of the show to the mobile gameplay experience for the first time. TinyCo successfully marries the world of FAMILY GUY, its infamous cutaways, lampooning of current events, and irreverent humor with entertaining game mechanics.”
“We’ve had an absolute blast bringing The Quest for Stuff to life,” said Andrew Green, head of business development and business operations at TinyCo. “Working with an IP like Family Guy wasn’t a responsibility we took lightly, and thanks to fantastic collaboration with Fox we’re delivering a game that both fans and newcomers will love.”
Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff is a free download for the iPhone and iPad. [App Store]
Delivery Status Touch Updated with Revamped Background Notifications, Various Bug Fixes [iOS Blog]
Junecloud has updated its popular delivery notification app Delivery Status touch to version 5.1, bringing a revamped notification system, a large number of fixes, support for new features, and more.
The app now includes a revamped background notification system that informs users of packages in transit more frequently and makes non-essential updates less frequent, with badges now representing all notifications. Support for Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts, manual sorting, and swipe to delete while searching is also included, along with various bug fixes that address issues with iOS 7.1, AirDrop, and iCloud.
– Improved background notifications—updates are more frequent when they’re needed, less frequent when they’re not. We’ve also gotten rid of some unnecessary notifications, and fixed some problems where notifications weren’t appearing when they should.
– Badges are now shown for background notifications. If you don’t want them, just open the Settings app, tap Notification Center, find Deliveries in the list, and update your settings there.
– “Delivered” notifications now start with a checkmark to make them immediately clear.
– Manual sorting is back.
– The “…” menu now includes an option to Archive—or Delete for already archived items.
– You can now type a space in the search field to show everything.– You can now swipe to delete an archived delivery while searching.
– Keyboard shortcuts for Bluetooth keyboards in iOS 7. ⌘N: add a new delivery. ⌘F: search. ⎋: close the current view or cancel search.
– iCloud improvements.
– Fixed various display quirks on iOS 7.1.
Originally launched in 2008, Delivery Status touch saw its last major update this past October which added a redesigned interface for iOS 7 and new features such as background notifications for tracking info, iCloud sync, and barcode scanning.
Delivery Status touch is a $4.99 app for iOS devices and can be downloaded through the App Store. [Direct Link]
Death of Windows XP can’t quite reverse slowing PC sales
The official end to Windows XP support may have sent many companies into a panic, but it was good news for PC manufacturers this winter… well, sort of. Both Gartner and IDC report a big increase in PC shipments during the first quarter thanks to companies scrambling to replace old XP computers at the last possible moment. However, the two analyst groups note that the sudden spike only managed to soften ongoing declines in PC shipments, rather than reverse them. Depending on which research firm you ask, the number of PCs on the market dropped between 1.7 percent to 4.4 percent year-over-year. That’s better than what system builders have seen over most of the past two years, but it’s not exactly a recovery.
As for the companies that came out on top, it’s a familiar story. Market share gains largely went to major players like Lenovo, Dell and HP, while the biggest blows came to a long-suffering Acer as well as small vendors. What happens next is less than certain, though. Gartner believes that the tablet boom isn’t hurting PCs as much as it used to, and expects upgrades from XP to help shipments over the course of 2014. IDC, meanwhile, isn’t so optimistic. Although the outfit sees the tablet market slowing down as it matures, it’s not anticipating a turnaround for computers any time soon.
[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Apple, ASUS, HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo
How to avoid heartburn, err, Heartbleed
Don’t change your password. It’s strange advice to hear when the so-called Heartbleed bug is leaving databases all over the web open and exposed, but it’s applicable. Yes, security has been compromised for many of your favorite websites and services (including Google, Flickr and Steam, at least initially) but protecting yourself isn’t quite as easy as changing your password. Unlike past exploits, Heartbleed isn’t a database leak or a list of plaintext logins; it’s a flaw in one of the web’s most prevalent security protocols — and until its fixed, updating your login information won’t do a darn thing to protect you. What, then, can you do to protect yourself? Wait, watch and verify.
Updating your password is a must, but only after your favorite services have patched their servers to block the Heartbleed exploit. Fortunately that’s relatively easy — the open-source SSL encryption software the bug affects has already been updated with a new, secure version. Vulnerable sites need only to upgrade to the latest version of Open-SSL to protect their users. Although some companies will notify users that their services have been patched (like Google did), not all of them have or will. That means you need to be aware of which websites were vulnerable to the bug and routinely check them to see if they’re back on track. Don’t worry, that’s not too difficult either. Sites like GitHub and Mashable have already compiled lists of popular websites, services and social networks, noting if they were affected at the time of Heartbleed’s discovery, and in some cases, if they’ve been patched. You can check manually, too: concerned coders and even some companies have made tools available to help you suss out sites that are open to attack. Coder Filippo Valsorda has created a Heartbleed checker and the folks at LastPass have a similar tool — either or both will update you on the status of a site’s security certificate. If it comes up clean, you’re safe to change your password.
Of all the exploits we’ve seen over the past few years, Heartbleed is certainly the biggest nuisance. Not only is it widespread enough to worm its way into some forgotten nook of your digital past, but it’s been lying under our noses for two years. Still, there’s no need to panic: just wait for your favorites services to patch the bug, watch for announcements from sites you might use and verify their security using freely available tools. Once that’s all done, change your password, write it down and breathe easy.
