GigaOM » Apple

IPhone accounts for more than 80 percent of AT&T smartphone sales

Darrell Etherington — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:59:39 +0000

AT&T posted its fourth quarter results for 2011 on Thursday and highlighted smartphone sales in particular, which reached a record high of 9.4 million devices, beating the standing company record by 50 percent. Apple should be very happy with those results, too, since 7.6 million, or 80.9 percent, of those smartphones were iPhones.

Both Android and iPhone devices had best-ever quarters, according to AT&T, but the launch of the 4S clearly helped Apple’s push ahead. In fact, AT&T’s iPhone sales alone during the quarter represent a higher number than AT&T’s previous quarterly record of 6.1 million for total combined smartphone sales across all types of devices.

AT&T attributes the success of the iPhone on its network to its faster data network, since it is the only U.S. carrier that offers HSPA+ speeds for the iPhone 4S. It definitely did post more sales than Verizon, which reported earlier that it sold 4.2 million iPhones during its fourth quarter. Whatever the reason, the success of the device on AT&T’s network definitely contributed significantly to Apple’s total of 37 million iPhones during its most recent quarter.

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LunaTik Antik review: An accessory for your iPod nano accessory

Darrell Etherington — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:44:41 +0000

iPod nano watch bands are pretty common now, with multiple companies introducing more and more models for Apple’s tiny touchscreen media player. But Scott Wilson’s Minimal design studio is trying something a little different. It’s taking the iPod nano out of the equation completely with its new line of Antik watch modules.

The Antik is a nano-shaped quartz time-keeper that comes in one of five distinct flavors. The idea is that you can use your nano-compatible watch bands without the iPod, should you like the design of the wrist-mounts but not the downsides of limited battery life and screens that require a button-press to read. The Antik is cheaper than a nano, too, at $69.95.

I was initially hoping the Antik would work in all my iPod nano watch band accessories, especially the Deckster, but alas. the protective glass covering the watch face protrudes a bit farther on the Antik than it does on the iPod. Likely that won’t be a problem for a lot of accessories, but the only bands it’s guaranteed to work with are the TikTok, LunaTik and LYNK models made by Minimal. Since those are some of the best nano watch bands available, that’s really only a small flaw.

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Antik-wrist

The Antik has no date; features a simple, two-hand design, with a nice cut-out effect for the numbering; and is water-resistant to 30 meters, which is definitely not true of your nano. The designs for the shipping product were chosen by Minimal shoppers, and come in both black and silver finishes to match your band of choice. The black is real black, too, unlike the finish on Apple’s graphite nano, so it’ll better match black wristbands.

All the face designs are better looking than the virtual ones provided by Apple on the nano, in my opinion. And while the idea of wearing an iPod as a watch is still likely to be the primary factor driving nano watch band accessory sales, the idea of a relatively cheap, modular watch face and case system definitely means Minimal’s LunaTik brand has legs to outlast Apple’s notoriously mercurial design tastes when it comes to its iPods.

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Hands on with Apple’s iTunes U: An education

Darrell Etherington — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:08:39 +0000

In university, I used a single clipboard/portfolio to store my notes from every class, then mostly piled the day’s work on the floor according to subject matter. Now Apple has launched a new iTunes U dedicated app, which makes keeping track of course material ridiculously easy compared to my days of academic foraging.

Most students and educators who’ve been in school in the past 10 years have probably run across Blackboard, or some similar system for managing courses online in an interactive digital environment. Generally speaking, those systems are lacking in a lot of ways: navigating them can be difficult for new users; the same content can easily be filed in multiple places, leading to confusion; they usually aren’t engaging or attractive in terms of visual design.

Apple’s iTunes U addresses all those problems. It uses a UI that mimics the real world, which some people say is the wrong approach, but should help students and education professionals who grew up using traditional tools transition to digital methods. iTunes U also organizes things organically and according to common-sense logic, which should provide a greater uniformity of experience regardless of who’s putting together the course package. Finally, like all Apple products, it invites touch and interaction. There’s actually something satisfying about tapping off tasks and assignments listed in each course package.

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You can also see all the additional course materials, including notes, slide shows and video, and download them individually. Course materials are also available once you subscribe from the course pack itself.

The courses in iTunes U work on a subscription model, so you’re automatically kept up-to-date as a course proceeds. The course catalog makes it easy to find what you’re looking for, with specific sections for post-secondary education, programs from outside universities and colleges, and K-12-targeted material. Like Apple’s other digital marketplaces, it also provides highlighted courses chosen by Apple’s team, as well top charts and categories.

From the perspective of someone who’s designed a course syllabus and planned a class of study, this definitely seems like a great tool for educators. You can lay out exactly the course of action students need to take, complete with videos, slides and assignments listed as items in a list, where you can access them directly. It not only makes it easier for students to follow an instructor’s thinking, but should also help instructors better plan, organize and imrpove their courses.

If there’s one major downside to the iTunes U app, it’s that it’s most definitely exclusionary; students need an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone to take full advantage. Obviously, that’s Apple’s goal: to attract more users by providing appealing software experiences, and I definitely think it’ll succeed based on what I’ve seen so far.

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Apple envisions a future where clothes inform and mold your workouts

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:50:25 +0000

A newly granted Apple patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Tuesday and uncovered by Patently Apple describes a system through which your clothing could talk to your iPhone to help it create tailored workouts that know you better than you know yourself.

The system in the patent seems to build off the existing tech in the Nike+ workout tracking system that is currently built into some iPods and iOS devices. It goes further than the existing tech, however, thanks to additional sensors, which gather a lot more information than the basic Nike+ sensor, including details about how your foot falls during a running stride, and relay that info back to a central database that tracks lifetime garment usage.

Apple also talks about how the system could be used in more than just sneakers, such as in garments like shirts and shorts, in order to make it usable for additional activities like skiing, skating or swimming. Sophisticated sensors would provide enough feedback to help a receiver device, like an iPhone, provide the best possible training regimen or workout routine to users in order to help them reach the next level or meet current fitness goals.

Apple is rumored to be working on wearable devices, according to a recent New York Times report, and devices that track a user’s fitness, activity and other personal data are becoming a hot commodity, as we saw with the popular though ultimately flawed Jawbone UP and as Kevin saw at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Providing a system where the very clothes you wear are also the data-gathering components of a whole-body monitoring system would definitely help Apple stay on top of this trend.

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When 3D printing meets iPod nano

Om Malik — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:27:42 +0000

Let’s just face it: From Darrell to me, we are just watch nerds here. We love to dress up our wrists with cool watches, smart watches and of course, the best of them all, iPod nano watches. And that is why we are constantly writing about iPod nano straps — you know, Tik Tok and iWatchz Q. Anyway here is another one from Ireland-based Curve Creative. It is called Nanolet.

So what’s cool about this? For starters, it is minimalist, and if you know me, I am all about minimalism. (Don’t believe me? Check out my personal blog.) It is a 3D printed product, and we are all big fans of 3D printing around here. As a result, the $22 strap wraps around the wrist. They warn that is good for medium wrists — well, that rules it out for me. For now.

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6 ways to give your Mac a thorough New Year’s cleaning

Dave Greenbaum — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:19:10 +0000

Although it’s still winter, now is the time to do some spring cleaning on your Mac to help it run more efficient and reliably. Here are six simple steps to take that will get your Mac sparkly clean and running like new.

1. Clean that screen

You’ve got a gorgeous screen on that iMac, but it’s covered by dust, debris and who knows what else. You may be tempted to use a bottle of glass cleaner — but don’t. That can harm the screen. My recommendation is to use Klear Screen kits, along with their microfiber cloth. They remove the debris while protecting the finish. If you don’t use Klear Screen, make sure whatever you do use is designed for glossy screens. For laptops, I highly recommend Radtech’s Screensavrz to prevent transfer of oils from the laptop keyboard onto the screen.

Let’s not even talk about that keyboard and how dirty it is. If you can shake it out, go ahead and do it. Then give it a good wipe with a safe, keyboard-specific cleaner.

2. Check the hard drive and keep it running right

Your hard drive stores your digital life and is a common point of failure in Macs. When’s the last time you checked the status of yours? Lion’s recovery partition makes this extremely easy. Hold down command-R at startup, and choose the recovery partition so that you can run Disk Utility on your main drive. For more information, check Apple’s detailed site about Lion Recovery.

Computers running operating systems older than Lion will need to boot from a CD or external hard disk to fully check the computer’s hard drive and perform minor repairs. If you want, you can also use third-party programs to expand your recovery and repair options.

Both Tech Tool Pro 6 and Drive Genius 3 have background monitoring of your hard drive to give you early warnings of problems, but if you want a free simple SMART warning program, check out the free SMARTReporter. Advance warning of a hard drive failure can be crucial to saving your data.

3. Replace that surge protector and test the battery backup

Do you know how old your surge protector is? Are you using one? If you don’t know when you bought it and you don’t know the amount of joules it protects against, it’s time to get a new one. Remember that a power strip isn’t necessarily a surge protector. One well-placed electrical “event” can turn that wonderful Mac into a glorified paperweight. As a general rule, when you get a new Mac, it’s also time for a new surge protector. I prefer name brand protectors from providers I trust such as Belkin, APC, and Tripp-Lite.

Similar to a surge protector, battery backups (UPS) tend to be set it and forget it. But batteries have limited life spans, and you don’t want to find out your battery is bad the hard way. It’s time to test the battery. Save your work and unplug your UPS from the wall. Did your Mac stay up? If it didn’t then your battery may be at end of life. Some vendors have software that will check the battery’s health and provide for graceful shutdowns during a power outage.

4. Clean up your cables

While you’re behind your Mac or on the floor checking your UPS and surge protector, do you know what each of those cables back there do, or if you still even need them? Organizing cables isn’t just about aesthetics. Disorganized cables tangled together creates the potential for chain reaction disasters: Pull too much on that iPod, and the entire string of computers and hard drives comes tumbling down. I’ve seen it, and it isn’t pleasant.

It’s time to trace those back, get rid of the ones you aren’t using and organize the rest. Lifehacker had a great article about how to get these under control. Oh, and you might as well dust that area, too, while you’re at it.

5. Check those logs

Your Mac has a little black box that records all sorts of problems and errata. Open up your Console app and it’s all there. It might be an application crash, a slowdown, or just general weirdness. For those of us who have trouble reading the logs and what they mean, Log Leech is well worth the $10. It makes your logs more Mac-like, and easy to find.

6. Lighten your load

Like many of you, I’m embarrassed with the collection of old manuals, disks and obsolete tech in my basement. It’s time to get rid of it. Old disks and manuals can usually be donated to libraries for their inventory or their big tent sale. While Apple has a recycling program, it’s limited to certain items, but your local Goodwill will usually take most items via the Reconnect partnership with Dell as will most Best Buy locations.

These six tips will ensure that your Mac has a happy and healthy 2012. Anything you would add?

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Apple tops Canada’s “Leading Edge” brands, RIM doesn’t place

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:35:42 +0000

Apple is the No. 1 “leading edge” brand in Canada, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll, the results of which were published Tuesday. While Apple is the best-positioned company in terms of watching where tech is headed, homegrown smartphone competitor RIM didn’t even make the top 10.

The survey of more than 1,000 respondents conducted in November also found that Google is a strong contender for being perceived as current and relevant, since it placed second. Microsoft came in fourth, and non-tech firms occupied the majority of the remaining top 10 positions.

Ipsos notes that the “leading edge” quality has a big impact on the perception of overall brand influence, and one that serves companies well. According to Ipsos Reid President Steve Levy, “while being seen as leading edge is only one factor in brand influence it is definitely one of the most important, something that Apple has recognized and excelled at achieving.”

RIM’s absence is telling, but not unexpected. The company’s devices are no longer seen as cutting edge tech, and the brand’s image can’t be dealing with its fast-fading fortunes very well. RIM still has a huge customer base, but its significance in the important U.S. market is tanking, and doesn’t look likely to ever catch up to Android or iOS again.

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iOS 5.1 Beta 3 restores 3G toggle, hints at iPod, iPad dictation

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:27:51 +0000

Apple released its latest iOS beta on Monday, and details have since emerged that make it a noteworthy update, both for iPhone users and for others waiting in the wings on some of Siri’s features to trickle down to the rest of the iDevice family.

First, there’s a new feature in iOS 5.1 beta 3 for iPhone 4S users that will be familiar to many: You can once again toggle 3G on and off (via mobileburn), instead of only being able to disable data entirely. It’s a feature that was missed by many during its absence, especially since the ability to force a step down to 2G connections is a great way to help extend your battery just a little longer than usual. It’ll be found under the Settings app in the Network section when the 5.1 update goes live.

Another new tidbit which has less concrete implications is the presence of new references to Dictation services (via 9to5Mac) in a new section under the Keyboard menu in general settings. The section, called “About Dictation and Privacy,” opens a dialog box with legal and feature information related to using Siri Dictation on the iPhone 4S. The new section is reportedly appearing on both the iPad and iPod touches with Retina Displays.

While dictation still isn’t actually available from software keyboards on either of those devices, the presence of this new section indicates that Apple could be preparing them for its arrival. Since the same info relegated the Siri subsection of Settings on the iPhone 4S, it does seem like the iPad and iPod touch could be getting just the dictation, without the smart searching and other benefits of Siri. There’s also the possibility that these are just testing placeholders, ahead of the introduction of Siri features to next-gen devices also being used internally at Apple with pre-release iOS software builds.

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A Target expansion would broaden Apple’s halo effect

Darrell Etherington — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:13:31 +0000

Apple could add considerably to its retail reach, if a new report out Friday is accurate. According to a “source familiar with Apple’s plans,” AppleInsider says Apple will bring store-within-a-store retail outlets to Target locations sometime soon, helping it reach markets Apple’s own stores don’t cover.

Apple initially intends to open mini-store locations, like those it currently uses at select Best Buy locations across the U.S. and Canada, in 25 Target locations in areas where a standalone Apple Store isn’t economically viable, according to the report. Target has 1,752 stores currently operating in the U.S., more than Best Buy’s roughly 1,100 locations. Apple now has store-within-a-store setups in more than 600 of those Best Buy locations.

Target stores currently offer iOS devices, including the iPod and iPad, as well as the iPhone in stores that have Target Mobile sales centers. The rumored expansion would allow the 25 pilot stores to begin offering sales of Mac computers, as well as other Apple-branded hardware and peripherals. Bringing Macs right into the stores could help capitalize on the so-called “halo effect” of iOS devices, which sees Mac sales increase in proportion to the iPhone and iPad’s success. Customers who come in to Target for an iPhone would be more likely to at least take note of and consider a Mac purchase, too, since all those products would be available for hands-on trial in one place.

This isn’t the first time people have suspected a limited retail partnership would lead to something larger. Back in December 2008, Walmart began selling iPhones, and then in 2009, Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes suggested that along with iPod sales they would be precursors to the store-within-a-store model being adopted at Walmart locations. So far, that hasn’t happened, but there’s good reason to suspect Target is a better candidate for this kind of setup.

The main reason is that Target appeals to a different demographic than Walmart. Target’s crowd tends to be closer to Apple’s core market audience, namely middle-class buyers with more cash to spend. Selling Macs, which are for the most part much pricier than iOS devices, is a good fit for Target’s customer base, especially in places Apple’s own retail shops can’t reach.

Photo: Some rights reserved by Chris Coyier

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Verizon iPhone sales hit 4.2 million during holiday quarter

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:26:23 +0000

Verizon sold 4.2 million iPhones during the fourth quarter of 2011, according to CFO Fran Shammo speaking at a conference on Wednesday, StreetInsider reported Wednesday. That’s more than twice as many iPhone devices as it sold during the previous quarter, an increase no doubt spurred by the launch of the iPhone 4S.

The sales of Apple’s device is actually not all that beneficial in the immediate future for Verizon itself, which is predicting a narrower profit margin because of all the upfront costs of subsidizing that many devices. For customers who sign up for a new contract to get reduced pricing on an iPhone, Verizon must pay the additional costs to Apple, with the idea being that the carrier will recoup those costs in service and usage fees over the course of a customer’s contract. Verizon indicated during the conference that it does expect iPhone margins to improve, though it didn’t provide a specific timeframe for when this would occur.

Sales more than doubling at one of its major U.S. carrier partners is definitely good news for Apple, both in the near- and long-term. Analysts have been predicting upward of 30 million iPhones sold for Apple’s holiday quarter, which would be almost double the 17 million it sold during the previous quarter. Apple reports its results for that quarter on Jan. 24, so that’s when we’ll find out for sure whether it met or exceeded those lofty expectations.

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Apple’s 2012: What the year in iDevices and Macs will look like

Darrell Etherington — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:00:49 +0000

Apple had a huge 2011 according to the numbers, thanks in large part to the success of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. But it also wasn’t really a year in which we saw a lot of big changes on the hardware front, even though iOS 5 and iCloud made big splashes in software. That’s part of why I think we can expect a lot of changes in terms of devices in 2012.

iPhone

Apple’s next iPhone is one many probably feel we’ve already seen in previews, since the rumor mill prior to the release of the iPhone 4S was focused more on the so-called iPhone 5. A lot of what was said about that device should probably come to pass when we do get a new iPhone next year, which Apple could well call the iPhone 5.

A release in fall is probably in the cards, since Apple would gain little by releasing a new iPhone in the early summer so soon after unveiling the iPhone 4S, so it’s hard to pin down anything definite about the device at this point; a lot can change in mobile in nearly a year, after all. But there are a few safe bets regarding Apple’s next smartphone.

First, expect an A6 processor, possibly quad-core, powering the device. Also, a larger screen and a new physical case design are almost guaranteed. I don’t think Apple would go the route of the Android-makers with anything gigantic, but a respectable 4-inch display seems likely. And while LTE still isn’t a guarantee, it’s a good bet for 2012. Near-field communication (NFC) is less certain to make the cut, since that tech still has a long way to go before (if) it goes mainstream.

iPod

Making predictions about Apple’s iPod line is definitely tough. The media player got virtually no changes in 2011 compared to 2010, and its impact on Apple’s overall revenue picture continues to dwindle. The iPod touch is still an important part of the lineup, but even its future might become a question sometime in the next couple of years.

In 2012, I see Apple finally putting its iPod classic to rest, and maybe the shuffle, too. The iPod touch will likely get the spec bump it missed this year, bringing it closer to the current iPhone 4S in terms of wireless radios and processing power, and possibly a physical redesign, too. The real question mark, and maybe Apple’s greatest opportunity to shake up the media player market, is the iPod nano.

Users have been looking for an update that brings Bluetooth on-board with the diminutive nano, making it compatible with wireless headphones (better when worn on the wrist) and possibly enabling a live data connection between it and the iPhone. I suspect that Apple skipped a proper update for the nano this year because it’s actually working on making the nano the perfect connected companion for the iPhone, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 tech, but we’ll see in 2012 whether or not that’s the case.

iPad

Rumors about the iPad 3 are already swirling, since it seems on track for an early 2012 release. I think we’ll see it arrive around the same time as last year’s iPad 2, so between February and March, complete with the Retina Display users have been looking for since the iPhone 4′s release.

What else will the iPad 3 offer? That’s a good question, and one that hasn’t really been addressed all that much in early reports. Its features will be dictated largely by what the market demands, which shouldn’t be much judging by the current tablet market picture. In 2011, Apple ruled the tablet market without a real competitor in sight. In 2012, it will have low-cost alternatives nipping at its heels, but it still isn’t looking at any competitors who are truly shaking up the space.

As a result, I’d expect to see an iPad 3 that resembles its predecessor in most regards, with the aforementioned improved screen, as well as a slimmer design and maybe a longer lasting battery. Apple has the right recipe for success in other regards, and the iPad 3 isn’t really crying out for camera improvements or additional wireless tech. Adoption of Bluetooth 4.0 is probably also on tap, as well as an upgraded A6 processor, but I wouldn’t expect much else.

Instead of making dramatic changes or additions to the iPad, expect Apple to offer a low-cost option in the form of the iPad 2, likely limited to either 8 or 16 GB of onboard storage. And as much as I and Kevin admire the smaller, 7-inch form factor, I think Apple might keep that one in reserve for at least another year.

Macs

In 2012, iDevices won’t be the only devices getting big upgrades. Apple’s Mac division is still a big revenue driver for the company, and in the new year I expect them to focus on the products that will have the biggest role in the future of computing. The MacBook Air is the crucial device here, but iMacs, too, should be in for big changes.

The MacBook Air is Apple’s most forward-looking Mac, and it has plenty of room to grow. In 2011, the 11- and 13-inch form factors got even better thanks to much-needed processor upgrades and the addition of Thunderbolt tech. In 2012, I expect Apple to expand the line as it moves to push aside the MacBook Pro in terms of its importance to Apple’s notebook offerings. So a 15-inch Air is likely, as well as more substantial improvements to the 11- and 13-inch devices, aimed at shoring up their remaining weaknesses: battery life and storage. Higher resolution displays are another definite possibility.

As Apple’s strongest desktop product, expect iMacs to get significant updates in 2012, both externally and on the inside, too. The current iMac case design is getting a little long in the tooth, and is overdue for an update. Intel has new processors that will likely make their way into Macs in the works, and we should see them in the second quarter of 2012, so expect new iMacs around then, too. Other changes might include high-res displays like those that could make their way to the notebook line, and solid state storage as the default option on some models.

As to the rest of the Mac line, I’d expect to see upgrades for the Mac mini, but not necessarily any big improvements for the Mac Pro. Apple is clearly focusing on consumer products, and it could let its more powerful desktops languish again as a result.

Apple TV

It’s the last big question mark for Apple’s 2012 plans, the mythical iTV. I think we’ll see Apple make its move here, and introduce a television set late in the year, complete with a full App Store, Siri controls and iCloud support. Whether or not we’ll see its set-top Apple TV gets a similar upgrade strikes me as less certain, but since it could act as a gateway device the way the iPod touch does for the iPhone and iPad, I think we’ll see that, too.

This is the rough roadmap I see in place for Apple’s 2012 product plans. Predicting Apple’s plans is likely a fool’s game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Let us know what you think is coming out of Cupertino in the comments.

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Is facial recognition Apple’s next big innovation refinement?

Darrell Etherington — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:54:06 +0000

Apple has a track record of taking products that work but haven’t caught on and redesigning them to give them the appeal that makes them catch fire with the general buying public. The iPad is one good example, and Siri is another. Now, there’s a new patent that suggests Apple could tackle facial recognition next.

A patent application published by the USPTO on Dec. 29 and spotted by Patently Apple describes a system for presence detection that builds on two earlier patents Apple filed related to the technology, but this time with a specific take aimed at its use in mobile devices. Prior patents dealt with presence detection on MacBooks, and advanced recognition systems for use in processor-heavy home and business applications, but this one combines sophistication with a light footprint for practical, everyday mobile use.

Source: Patently Apple

Having recently used the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for a while, what Apple’s new patent proposes to fix about presence detection sounds appealing. It describes a system in which lighting conditions, angles and scale could all be accounted for, making face recognition usable on mobiles without strict caveats and conditions. The Galaxy Nexus’s ICS face unlock feature is cute, but that’s about as far as it goes, since it fails to match in most cases and also can be fooled with a still photograph of the subject who set it up.

Apple’s new method would use shortcuts to accurately determine who’s using a device, without requiring the heavy computational costs normally involved in such a process, by ignoring face biometrics and judging the position of features to compensate for changes in subject orientation. Other advantages include a built-in feature that judges a person’s level of attentiveness when using the system, which could help it avoid being duped by still photographs.

The new patent also describes other neat tricks, like recognizing other faces among your family members, friends and co-workers and delivering different screen savers or non-secured information to those individuals. That’s a great step for shared use devices, and sounds like it could even eventually be used to set different parental restriction levels for family members who share an iPad, for instance.

Apple specifically envisions the tech for use in iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and MacBook devices, and although patents sometime never see practical application, this one does seem both useful and realistically achievable in the next couple of years. It would definitely add to Apple’s personal edge in combination with its Siri assistant, and could make iOS devices even more accessible to a broader swath of the population than they already are.

What do you think? Is this the next place we can expect Apple to take a good thing and make it better?

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Two Belkin add-ons for iOS cameras, but only one is hot

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:08:50 +0000

Apple’s iPhone is no doubt a heavy contributor to the death of point-and-shoots at the hands of smartphones, but it still lacks some niceties of dedicated cameras. New accessories from Belkin, collected under the LiveAction brand, aim to narrow the gap even further. I looked at the Belkin LiveAction Camera Grip and Remote to see how much value they add to the iPhone’s already considerable mobile picture-taking chops.

Belkin LiveAction Camera Grip ($49.99)

The Camera Grip is a simple slide-on accessory that basically makes the iPhone a little more usable as a traditional camera by adding a more grippy, larger hand-hold for iPhone 4/4S and iPod touch owners, as well as dedicated photo and video shutter buttons. There’s also a standard 1/4-inch tripod adapter in the bottom of the grip, and a dock connector that allow the hardware shutter buttons to communicate to Belkin’s LiveAction camera app.

Cleverly designed with a spring-loaded bracket to hold iPhones snugly, even when they’re in a protective case or skin, the Camera Grip definitely succeeds at its goal of making it easier to hold your iOS device like a camera and snap photos. But it comes with some limitations that might seriously disappoint mobile photographers. The shutter buttons only work in the LiveAction app, for instance, which means you won’t be able to use Apple’s own camera app, Camera+ or the photo taking part of Instagram.

Also, while it’s nice that the Camera Grip doesn’t require any batteries and is relatively small, it adds a significant amount of bulk to the iPhone or iPod touch, and also isn’t so small as to be able to be stowed comfortably in a pocket. In short, it adds a lot of the downsides of a point-and-shoot while offering few advantages, especially now that iOS 5 supports using the volume up button as a hardware shutter. The tripod mount is nice, but other accessories, like the Glif, do the job cheaper and with a smaller footprint.

Belkin LiveAction Camera Remote ($49.99)

The Remote, on the other hand, offers a pretty unique set of features for iPhone photographers, and in a package that’s remarkably well-designed for mobile-minded users. It features a Bluetooth-powered remote shutter control unit, with a clever support stand that fits neatly into the remote unit for easy storage. The two-part design manages to still be small enough that it doesn’t feel cumbersome in the front pocket of a pair of jeans.

Again, the Remote works only with the Belkin LiveAction app, but in this case that’s not as much of an issue, since you’ll be using the remote in cases where you’re taking a self-portrait, night shot or some other situation where speed isn’t key, but properly setting up the shot is.

Since the Remote uses Bluetooth, it also doesn’t necessarily require line-of-sight, as do many IR-based DSLR camera remotes. That makes it very handy, since you can keep the remote itself out of shots when taking pictures you also happen to be in.

Remote capabilities definitely expand the scope of the iPhone’s potential as a camera significantly; combined with things like the Olloclip, for instance, you can take pretty excellent macro photos without worrying about shutter shake. Also, there’s a dedicated video shutter button, so switching from a distance between still and moving picture recording is a breeze.

One last thing I liked about the Belkin LiveAction Remote: it works as a play/pause remote for music playback on your iPhone or iPod touch when the LiveAction camera app isn’t active. Comes in handy when you’ve got your iPhone docked in your home stereo.

Both getting and missing the point

The LiveAction accessories are then a mixed bag. On the one hand, the Camera Grip seems to miss much of what makes mobile photography fun; it adds bulk, reduces portability and offers little additional functionality in return. The Camera Remote, on the other hand, is exactly what iPhone photographers are looking for: a product that addresses a functionality gap without affecting the iPhone’s general mobility or necessitating a camera bag. Your needs may vary, but for my money, the LiveAction remote paired with a Glif, GorillaMobile and Olloclip is hard to beat in terms of a mobile photography kit that covers all the bases.

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Is it time for Apple’s patent war to end?

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:03:38 +0000

In its fight with Android hardware-makers, Apple almost seems to see itself as a noble hero fighting a nefarious villain bent on stealing its identity and reputation. But just or not, is the fight one that makes sense for Apple from a practical and business standpoint?

That’s the question Bloomberg posed in a new article that polls patent experts on Apple’s ongoing patent disputes that seem to multiply on a daily basis. The answer they come up with is that Apple might be better off taking a less extreme approach, and I’m inclined to agree.

Especially in cases like the ITC import ban against HTC and Apple’s injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany, 3LP Advisors LLC Managing Partner Kevin Rivette told Bloomberg that Apple is better off negotiating a settlement that would grant it some benefit in exchange for licensing its technology. Instead, Apple scores surface wins, but then the manufacturers on the losing end need only modify their design to get around the imposed restrictions.

The problem is that many of Apple’s patents focus on look, feel and design, which means they can be worked around, as in the cases mentioned above. As a result, Apple could have a hard time securing lasting, sticky restrictions that prevent its competitors’ products from being sold permanently in individual markets, let alone worldwide.

The better strategy, Rivette says, is to negotiate deals that allow Apple an inside look at competitor direction in exchange for the use of current tech. That way, Apple would be able to spot and benefit from any innovation made by others. As it is, Apple is basically forcing innovation on the part of others while doing nothing to ensure any net IP gains for itself.

Apple doesn’t have to give in, however. It has very deep pockets, and a solid armory of patents. Should it choose to, it can continue the war of attrition we’ve written about previously, in which it chips away at features and physical designs in an effort to undermine the overall consumer appeal of competing products.

But seeking to shut down the copycat competition through any means, as seems to have been Steve Jobs’ original intent in pursuing Samsung and others, doesn’t benefit Apple. Essentially, all it might really accomplish is a stagnated mobile industry, with Android spinning its wheels in cosmetic and minor changes to avoid Apple’s patent lockdowns, and Apple staying just ahead of the competition with no real impetus to achieve big, sweeping innovations.

Apple’s war on Android seems to have been Jobs’ preferred course when it came to dealing with Google’s supposed IP theft, but going after Microsoft for committing basically the same sin with regards to Mac OS was never such a sustained and concerted effort. And I’d say that given where we are today, that worked out for the better: forced to compete outside of the realm of the PC, Apple came up with the iPod and became a driving force of mobile innovation, plus its Mac division still outpaces the PC industry by a considerable margin in terms of growth. With that in mind, isn’t it time Apple thought about calling off the dogs and instead settled in to a prolonged, productive armistice?

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Analyst: Apple to skip iPad mini in 2012, keep low-cost iPad 2 instead

Darrell Etherington — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:41:27 +0000

Apple’s plans for a 7-inch iPad are a very hot topic heading into the new year, but they may not bear any tangible fruit for consumers in 2012. Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair told AllThingsD he doesn’t think it’s in the cards, even though Apple definitely seems to have been testing the idea.

The 7-inch iPad has been in testing at Apple for “over a year,” according to what Blair told AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski, but the firm doesn’t expect the company to release anything for the public based on that design in 2012. That runs contrary to reports we have heard earlier, including one from last week that suggested a 7.85-inch device was set for a late 2012 introduction, based on supply chain information.

My colleague Kevin Tofel suggested that there were good reasons to believe a smaller iPad could indeed be on the way; these include portability, credible competition in that space, dwindling iPod touch sales and a lower price point. Blair thinks that price is the main issue Apple actually has to address in terms of keeping the competition in check, and he suggests that Apple can work on that element without compromising on a screen “too small to express the software,” as Jobs had described the 7-inch form factor.

Instead, Wedge Partners sees Apple’s keeping the iPad 2 as part of its lineup following the introduction of an iPad 3 and just dropping the price of the iPad 2. It’s a strategy we have seen Apple use with the iPhone; it keeps the previous-generation device available as a lower-cost option, and with the iPhone 4S launch, it even kept the iPhone from two models ago, which can be had for free with a contract in the U.S.

Obviously Apple didn’t do this with the original iPad as a low-cost alternative to the iPad 2 this year when the newer tablet was introduced, but the situation has changed. When the iPad 2 came out, there was no tablet competitor that posed any real threat to Apple’s dominance. Now the Kindle Fire appears to be doing well, and Apple has to consider that others will join it and Barnes & Noble with an end run at the low end of the market. Also, the iPad 2 offered relatively little in terms of big splashy changes over the original; if an iPad 3 comes packing a Retina Display, as rumors suggest, it should be a big-enough upgrade to allow the iPad 2 to remain on sale without drawing too many sales away from the newer device. This is especially true if Apple cuts the storage on the older device to 8 GB, as it has traditionally done with older iPhones.

A cheaper iPad 2 alongside the iPad 3 is a way for Apple to have its cake and eat it too. It can press the advantages of a larger screen while also competing on price, which would work well from a marketing perspective (“Bigger is better, but not more expensive”). We will have to wait and see to find out what Apple actually does, but Blair’s thinking makes an awful lot of sense to this Apple watcher.

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Magic Cable Duo review: Durable double-duty dynamo

Darrell Etherington — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:38:35 +0000

Cables that do the job of more than one are a noble breed of accessory, and Innergie’s Magic Cable Duo cuts down on the need for both multiple cables and external adapters. Here are my impressions of Innergie’s versatile iOS device charging accessory after a week’s use.

Thick and burly — but short

Apple’s own dock connector-to-USB charging cable is pretty thin, as far as USB cables go. That definitely helps when you’re rolling it up and stuffing it in a pocket, but it doesn’t necessarily do anything for durability. The Innergie Magic Cable is much thicker — about twice the diameter, I’d say — and definitely feels more solid. It seems to me like an animal’s tooth or errant blade would have to do a lot more damage to cause a fatal breach.

The feeling of durability extends to the point of connection between the cable itself and its USB tips, too. This is a notoriously weak point on Apple’s own charging cables, but Innergie seems to have gone out of its way to buttress and reinforce that weak point, which should do wonders for the cable’s longevity.

The only downside of the physical design of the Magic Cable vs. Apple’s own is in terms of length. The Innergie cable is just 31 inches (79 cm) long, while the Apple dock-to-USB cable is 38 inches (96.5 cm). If you find the official version short, you’ll be very disappointed in the Innergie, in other words.

Switching head

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The key appeal of the Magic Cable Duo is its sliding, in-line interchangeable dock connector head, which fits over the cable’s micro USB male component. I’m happy to report that this part of the cable impresses; repeatedly pulling the dock connector part on and off of the micro USB head showed no signs of stressing or breaking the plastic that holds it in place. I was also intentionally being a little rough with it, so with standard use (i.e. switching out the heads once every day or so) it should more than meet expectations.

Charging capacity

The Magic Duo seems more than able to charge your iOS devices at a normal rate. I tested it with my iPad 2 and the standard iPad 10W charging adapter, and found that the Innergie cable charged the iPad just as much as the Apple cable during a 15-minute period. Plus, the Magic Cable Duo also worked with the iPhone 4S, the Samsung Galaxy S II, and the BlackBerry Curve 9300, although the BlackBerry did required use of a BB-designated charging adapter.

Smart and sturdy

In the end, the Magic Cable Duo is a smart, inexpensive ($19.99) upgrade that makes plenty of sense for gadget addicts with lots of devices that need charging. It’s also much less likely to get lost than Apple’s own diminutive iPhone Micro USB Adapter, which has a tendency to get lost. Plus, Innergie includes a fixed velcro cable wrap to make sure it’s easy to pack. So long as you don’t mind the trade-off in cable length, it’s a great way to spend some of that Christmas money.

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