Showing posts with label apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apple. Show all posts

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Why Steve Jobs Would Be a Better President Than Obama

Just as congress and the president are bickering over raising the federal debt ceiling, news comes from the BBC that Apple has a larger cash reserve than the United States of America (Apple has $76.4 billion, the U.S. has $73.7 billion).

So we are going to do what any sensible person looking at these two stories would do. We are going to suggest that Steve Jobs run for president. We predict not only that will he be better at the job than Barack Obama, but that he will be the greatest U.S. president we have ever seen.

Why on Earth would we suggest such an outrageous change of command? After all, Steve Jobs has never run for public office. But when you look at the positives he would bring to the country, it’s impossible to deny that he would make mincemeat of what our current commander-in-chief has done.

He’s an A**hole

For most politicians, no matter what they claim to stand for or what they promise in campaigns, their loyalties lie first and foremost with their own power. When push comes to shove, they will do what will get them in power, and then they will do what will keep them in power.

Yet they are always pretending. They have to put on a face that they’re these nice guys whose loyalties are, first and foremost, with the American people (as if any two Americans can completely agree on anything, much less the direction of the country). All presidents are a**holes, but they’re usually closet a**holes.

Not Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs makes no apologies about being an a**hole. Sure, he smiles when he’s pitching a new product, but even then it’s more of a smarmy smirk than a warm ray of sunshine. Nobody makes the mistake of thinking he’s Mr. Rogers. He cuts through the B.S. and saves his energy for what really matters.

While this could be off-putting to some, it’s the perfect quality for the president to have. The thing about a**holes is that they know how to get stuff done. Steve Jobs doesn’t waste energy on niceties.

Consider this story from Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN (pointed out by John Gruber at Daring Fireball):

The story goes that ESPN president George Bodenheimer [...] spotted Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a hallway. It seemed like a good time to introduce himself. “I am George Bodenheimer,” he said to Jobs. “I run ESPN.”

Jobs just looked at him and said nothing other than “Your phone is the dumbest f***ing idea I have ever heard,” then turned and walked away.

You know what you’re getting from Steve Jobs. He’ll be the first politician in history who isn’t two-faced. He can’t possibly be two-faced because he wears his a**hole-ness on his sleeve.

Contrast this with Obama, who makes grandiose, rousing speeches that stir the emotions of his supporters – and then proceeds to deal most of those promises away before negotiations have even begun.

Jobs’ speeches will stir emotions, but he won’t make empty promises. In fact, as head of the most secretive government in history, the only promises he makes will be ones he has already been working on for the better part of a year. Major government overhauls and new initiatives will typically be announced two weeks before they’re set to take effect.

Half of the country won’t like Jobs, but they’ll know what they’re getting from him. This will build trust and respect.  His approval rating will be through the roof, and America will be united.

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Efficient Congress

As president, Jobs will require that all congressional bills that cross his desk be simplified. And when we say ‘simplified,’ we really mean it. There will be no more 200-page manifestos, filled with pork, earmarks, and fine print that nobody can possibly follow.

Jobs will declare on Day One that he isn’t signing anything that can’t be summed up in two sentences. The two sentences will have to be displayed in a black Myriad font with a white background. Corresponding images and promotional videos will be expected as well. Paper will not be used – all bills will be presented as stand-alone iPad apps:

An example of a health care bill in the Jobs era.

The biggest strength Jobs will have when it comes to congress, however, will be the leverage he will have on all of them. Every member of Congress will have been lobbied by some company or organization. Every one of those companies will be violating some patent which is owned by Apple.

The choice for congressmen will be very simple:

Do you want to support Jobs’ latest initiative, or do you want the organizations that are funding your political career to go bankrupt defending patent infringements?

It will be win after win for Jobs’ administration.

iHouse

As iconic a look as the White House has, Steve Jobs will decide that it’s time for an update. He will task Apple Senior VP of Design Jonathan Ive with redesigning the White House.

As White House 2.0, it will be known by most as iHouse. It will feature a familiar look, borrowed from Apple’s successful retail stores.

Tourists will be free to enter the open front, where they’ll be greeted by iHouse staffers (known as ‘Creatives’). If the citizens simply want to take a look around, they’re free to do that.

If, however, a person has a problem with something that is going on in the country, he will be ushered to the Genius Bar in the back of the iHouse. A Genius will be waiting to hear out his complaints, to which he will listen patiently. If the American’s complaint can’t be immediately resolved, he will be granted Apple Store credit and will walk home happy.

In addition, the iHouse will no longer be limited to Washington D.C. iHouses will pop up all over the country, in which citizens can have their voices heard and their needs satisfied.

The large number of iHouses will also serve to greatly increase the president’s security, as nobody will ever really know which iHouse Jobs is living in at any given time.

Vice President Steve Wozniak

In a gesture of unity and making amends, Jobs will select his Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, as vice president.

If you think Joe Biden is a gaffe waiting to happen, wait until you see Woz. He’ll regularly be caught on a live mic speaking of A.I. robots taking over the world. But it won’t matter, because people will just love him.

The mood at press conferences will be lightened, as he will frequently interrupt them with impromptu magic shows. Media cycles will be dominated by the quesiton of which Android phone he is toting this week

 

CNN's cameras will be frequently hijacked by Vice President Woz showing us something really cool

Woz’s fuzzy teddy bear presence will become a symbol for easing up, smiling and enjoying the ride. Americans will be happier than ever.

Press Secretary Walt Mossberg

With Jobs putting his own spin on the way that the country is run, who better to be the administration’s spokesperson than someone who has been reviewing his products for years? Walt Mossberg will fill the role of iHouse Press Secretary like no other.

In a bold move, Jobs will bring on Mossberg as press secretary without officially making him part of the administration. In fact, Walt won’t directly associate with anyone in the iHouse. This seemingly illogical move will pay huge dividends, as Mossberg’s distance from the administration will build a trust with the media and the public that no spokesperson has ever had.

Who better to speak for the iHouse than the nation's most trusted tech journalist?

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Walt will begin every press conference with an in-depth, unbiased review of Jobs’ latest moves as president. He won’t mince words and will be the first to criticize the president when his actions merit it.

This balanced view will give an immense power to his words, and when he does ultimately come to the conclusion that Jobs is doing his job better than any other President in history, we will all agree. The press – and the entire country – will come to a silent agreement with the administration. It will be an unprecedented moment in history.

Kick-ass State of the Union Addresses

But the real highlight of the Jobs administration will be his State of the Union addresses. They will kick ass.

Hotly anticipated for months, blogs will spend the better part of the year speculating about rumors and leaks of what he will announce. When the day finally comes, they won’t disappoint. For the first time, congress’ applause will be completely sincere. 95% of Americans will tune in to watch.

After about 50 minutes of exciting announcements and news of breakthroughs, the words everyone in the country has been waiting for will be uttered:

“One more thing…”

President Jobs’ “one more thing” will always be something absolutely amazing. It will be Christmas in January every time.

During his first State of the Union, everyone in the country will be given a free MacBook Air. In his second year in office, everyone will receive shares of Apple stock. For the year after that, everyone’s home will get a built-in Apple Store.

It will be like “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” only you don’t need to be in the studio audience to get in on it. It will be the most wonderful time of the year.

For a Brighter Tomorrow

So, fellow Americans, we implore you to look within. Don’t just settle for what we’ve come to expect from a president. Look at what we could have in a president.

We need a president who is an a**hole and isn’t ashamed of it. We need a more efficient congress. We definitely need free MacBooks.

We need Steve Jobs.

Apple iPad: Five Things I Like Most About the iPad

In keeping with the precedent established in previous "30 Days With..." series, I devoted yesterday's post to detailing my complaints and criticisms. Today is dedicated to the counter point of view--a list of my favorite things about the iPad from my 30 Days With the iPad journey.

There were, of course, some bumps along the way, but there are also a few things that I truly appreciated about using the iPad instead of my notebook. Without further ado, here is my list of the five things I like most about the iPad:

1. Size. Size does matter. And when you're talking about lugging a device around all over town, the smaller the better...to a point. Carting a 15-inch notebook, or maybe one of those laptops with dual 17-inch displays, may provide more of a portable computing workhorse, but then we get into a semantic debate about defining "portable".

On the other end of the spectrum, you could argue that the iPhone (or an Android or Windows Phone 7 smartphone) are even more compact and portable, or make a case for smaller tablets like the7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The iPad--especially the iPad 2--fits nicely in between those two extremes. It is big enough to make it practical, and small enough to make it portable. It has enough power and flexibility to do what you need it to in most cases, yet it is thin and light enough to be carried like a magazine. The same could be said of other similar tablets as well, like the Motorola Xoom, or the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

2. Stamina. It lasts, and lasts, and lasts. As if the size issue of the device itself isn't enough, working with a notebook on the go for more than a few hours involves carrying the power adapter and/or a backup battery as well. I can leave my home office with a fully-charged iPad 2, and use it freely for any purpose all day with virtually zero chance of running out of juice. It has the added benefit that if I did choose to carry the power adapter for insurance, the outlet plug and USB cable add little in the way of either size or weight.

3. AirPlay.AirPlay is simply awesome. For now, it is primarily an entertainment feature enabling me to stream audio and video content from the iPad to my TV or stereo. It works with some apps, and not with others.

4. App Store. You might recall that I have had some complaints about the Apple App Store. I'd like to see it cleaned up and better organized to make searching through 400,000 apps a little easier, and I wish the App Store would implement a test drive or return policy that would enable me to check out an app and scrap it if it doesn't meet my needs without getting charged for it.

5. Front Camera. The rear camera on the iPad 2 is essentially useless. If Apple doesn't plan to make significant jump in the quality and capabilities of that camera in the next iPad model, it should just eliminate it. The front-facing camera, on the other hand, is quite nice.

The ability to conduct FaceTime video calls, or participate in video conferencing sessions using Fuze Meeting, or WebEx make the iPad 2 much more valuable as a mobile productivity platform than its predecessor.

There is really a lot more that I like about the iPad. I was already an iPad fan and proponent before embarking on the 30 Days With the iPad series. However, just because I like the iPad in and of itself, or as a tablet, does not necessarily mean that I like the iPad as a PC replacement. I tried to keep this list of things I liked focused more or less on the ways I like the iPad 2 as a PC replacement.

Check back tomorrow for my summary and closing thoughts on how this experiment went, and the lesson I have learned along the way in the final 30 Days With the iPad post.

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Apple Bests Nokia and Samsung for Q2 Worldwide Smartphone Sales for Q2 Worldwide Smartphone sales

The official results are in: Apple has taken the crown as the world's largest smartphone maker for raw shipments, surpassing both Nokia and Samsung to capture 20.3 percent of all smartphone shipments worldwide. But, as CEO Steve Jobs might note, there's one more thing: Apple's also taken the crown for worldwide smartphone market share, clocking in at 18.5 percent for the second quarter of 2011.

Just how bad are the losses for Nokia? The company recorded a market share of 38.1 percent during the same time period last year. That's since shrunk to 15.2 percent, putting the handset producer in a solid third place behind Samsung's 17.5 percent smartphone market share. The loss ends Nokia's 15-year reign as the world's top smartphone vendor, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. And it's also done a number on Nokia's stock price– down 47 percent this year alone as the company struggles to compete against both iOS and Android.

Although Samsung took second in total smartphone shipments for the second quarter of 2011, at 19.2 percent, the company actually recorded a higher year-to-year growth in smartphone shipments than even mighty Apple. Year-to-year shipment growth for Apple jumped from 8.4 percent to 11.9 percent between Q2 2010 and Q2 2011. Samsung, however, rocketed from 3.1 percent of all worldwide smartphone shipments to 16.1 percent – thanks, in part, to healthy sales of the company's Galaxy S2 smartphone.

The same growth spike can be seen on Samsung's global market share as well. First-place Apple may have jumped from 13.5 percent to 18.5 percent to capture the lead, but Samsung rose from a scant five percent to 17.5 percent over a single year's worth of time.

"Samsung is breathing down Nokia's neck," said Neil Mawston, an analyst at Strategy Analytics. "An unexciting touch-phone portfolio, inventory correction, wavering demand for the Symbian platform and limited presence in the huge U.S. market continued to weigh on Nokia's near-term performance."

In total, year-to-year smartphone shipments worldwide grew 76 percent to a total of 110 million units: Apple shipped 20.3 million, Samsung shipped 19.2 million, and Nokia shipped 16.7 million.

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Apple Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X is truly a dramatic rewrite of Apple's mature and well-developed video-editing software. It borrows some interface elements from iMovie that may disappoint seasoned professionals, and also it loses many key features that are simply an absolute necessity in the professional world, like XML export. On the other hand, those looking to upgrade from iMovie will find a lot more features in Final Cut Pro X, but there are some caveats.

Installing and downloading

Final Cut Pro X is only available via the Mac App Store. The previous Final Cut Studio came with heavy instruction manuals, which are now just help files in FCPX. We appreciate reducing paper waste, but be warned that the digital help files won't offer any images unless you are connected to the internet.

Getting started

When you first launch Final Cut Pro X, the old Final Cut loading screen is replaced by a new semitransparent load screen that let's you know this is the 10.0 iteration of the professional software. But what comes after that is nothing like the 10 previous versions of Final Cut.

You'll first notice a prominent option to Import iMovie Events right above the Import Files and Import From Camera options. If you're wondering if we skipped a step, you're wrong. According to Final Cut Pro X's help file, you don't create a project first. Instead, you import media and manage your media first. You can, however, create a project first and import later. But it just goes to show you how much Apple believes that data-based video workflows are the future of post-production.

New interface

FCPX's new interface borrows some style elements from iMovie, which will really have many editors scratching their head. But first, multiple windows have largely disappeared.

Instead of windows, like in previous versions, we now get panels. The panels have default positions, but they can fortunately be resized.

For the most part, the panel locations are generally where you want them to be, but we would have preferred more customisation options. Users can specify the Viewer or the Events panels to live on secondary monitors, but it's still no match for arranging windows to whatever your project or personal preferences are.

The Viewer

The biggest change is the new Viewer. Previous users of Final Cut Pro will wonder what happened to the Viewer and Canvas windows.

They have been combined into a single panel called the Viewer. In previous versions of Final Cut Pro, the Viewer loaded clips to edit or it let users manipulate the properties of a clip. The Canvas traditionally showed the current frame of the playhead in the Timeline. Final Cut Pro X now combines both the viewer and canvas into one panel simply called the Viewer.

Simpler is better though, right? Actually, we're not so sure.

Final Cut Pro 7 used the decades-old convention of Source and Record editing (which Apple, of course, had to refer differently as the Viewer and Canvas). It traces back to the day of linear editing, when a producer or editor would load up one clip from a video deck, mark the start and stop and then record on to a second tape.

Old as it might be, the source/record convention is blazingly fast. Watching a professional editor is like watching a pianist. Loading clips, scrubbing through to find the perfect clip, marking an in point and an out point, then laying on the timeline could be accomplished without touching the mouse at all. For Apple, it's a difference of philosophy.

Creating a new project

Starting a new project feels a bit strange because the program does little to explain new concepts like Events. Events are Apple's new way of describing media libraries. An event contains the actual media files of your project, as well as metadata information.

When you create a new project, there are no options like resolution or codec until you select custom. By default, the app will pick a resolution and frame rate based on the first clip you use.

You can select custom options, which will support most of the standard resolutions: 1080i, 1080p, 720p, NTSC, PAL, 2K and 4K. The Other options curiously do not let you set custom resolutions. Instead, you're limited to 640x480 pixels and 960x540 pixels. Apple says that you can use Compressor to scale and resize your videos.

Frame rates are also limited to standard NTSC, PAL and film rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 frames per second. Again, if you have to work in a non-standard frame rate, you're out of luck. As a sign from the future of where Apple wants to take video editing, FCPX supports 4K resolutions at 60 progressive frames per second.

Importing media

Final Cut Pro X has support for natively importing AVC-Intra, AVCHD (including AVCCAM, AVCHD Lite and NXCAM), all standard versions of DV (including DVCAM, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO HD), H.264, HDV, iFrame, Motion JPEG, MPEG IMX (D-10) and standard XDCAM HD/EX/HD422. Additionally, the program can import codecs supported by QuickTime.  AVI to FCP

Gone are the Log & Capture and Log & Transfer options. Instead, we just get options for importing media files and importing files from a camera. The new Final Cut Pro X really embraces a file-based workflow.

The closest option might be the Import From Camera. This is not the same as Log & Transfer. It's sort of an attempt at combing capture from tape and capture from memory card sources. The new import interface does support FireWire and can read mounted memory cards, as well as control playback options using the classic JKL (rewind-pause-play) keys.

It doesn't support importing certain types of files. For XDCAM users, Apple recommends installing Sony's own transfer and transcoding utility. HDV is still supported, but oddly only over tape on FireWire. You'll have to wait for HDV import from MXF files. Nor does FCPX support the ultra-high-quality Red RAW natively. For now, you can either set up your RED camera to record QuickTime movie files, which FCPX can import natively, or you can use Red's own free conversion program to convert into Apple's native ProRes format. Apple says it is working with companies like Sony and Red to create plug-ins that will allow FCPX to be a one-stop-shop for importing video.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Why Microsoft May Be Apple's Greatest Ally in the Mobile Wars

Most investors have written off Microsoft (MSFT) as a creaky old has-been that can't move fast enough to go toe to toe with today's titans of technology such as Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG). But its stock has been showing signs of life recently, rallying more than 12% off its low in the middle of June versus 4% for the broader index. One reason for this change in sentiment is the early stage success of Microsoft's Mango operating system, which has received a number of favorable reviews from critics and raised investors' hopes that Microsoft may have what it takes to compete on the mobile front after all.

As someone who's long Apple, one may surmise that this news is disappointing to me, but it had the exact opposite effect - as an Apple investor, I actually hope Microsoft does well and achieves success in its attempt to remain relevant in the post-PC era, counterintuitive though it may seem.

To explain why, we've got to rewind to the 80s, back when Microsoft was Apple's worst nemesis and the two fought a long and bloody battle for dominance over the emerging PC market. We all know how that fight turned out for Apple. There are those who say that Apple vs. Google today is eerily reminiscent of Apple vs. Microsoft two decades ago, and they wonder if history is going to repeat itself. The statistics validate this concern: Research firm Gartner reported that smartphones running Google's Android operating system accounted for 36% of industry sales during first quarter 2011, versus just 16.8% for Apple's iOS. According to data released by Nielsen, 50% of Americans who recently purchased a smartphone chose an Android phone, which is double iOS's 25% market share of new converts.

These numbers are disconcerting for an Apple investor. The network effect inherent in the adoption of any new platform gives the current market leader a self-propagating advantage that, if left unchecked for too long, becomes impossible to defeat. The longevity of any new platform is directly tied to how effectively it can attract third party developers, and developers always consolidate around the most popular platform. The more successful your platform becomes, the more developers you attract, and the more developers you have adding value to your platform with their applications, the more successful your platform becomes.

It's this powerful virtuous cycle that allowed Microsoft to crush Apple in the PC wars, and it's this phenomenon that's the biggest threat to Apple today. Right now, Apple is benefitting from its head start in mobile and still commands the largest number of developers - according to Appsfire, its App Store at over 400,000 apps is still double the size of Google's Android Market at 200,000. However, its lead is rapidly shrinking - German firm research2guidance reported that for the month of April, the Android Market added 28,000 new apps, more than double the App Store's 11,000. The race is on, and most analysts believe that it's not a question of whether or not Android will overtake iOS, but when.

Apple vs. Everyone Else

So is Apple doomed to fall to Google as it did to Microsoft twenty years ago? Not quite, and there are many reasons why things are different this time around. Not the least of which is that Apple is a much stronger company today than when it took on Microsoft. A second reason is Microsoft itself. There were only two real players going head to head in the PC wars, and as expected, the stronger one took out the weaker one. The mobile wars are going to be different, because this time, there are three players: Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Three changes the dynamics of the game entirely.

The old adage "the enemy of the enemy is my friend" fits the situation perfectly here, because this fight is not really about Apple vs. Google. It's about Apple vs. Everyone Else. Apple is notorious for not playing well with others, preferring to create the entire product from top to bottom itself instead of contracting out to other companies. This strategy allows Apple to create best in class products, the most expensive ones with the highest margins, but it also puts a hard cap on how much market share Apple can control, because the whole point of a premium gadget is that most people aren't rich enough to own one.

Apple doesn't care, it just wants to make the best widget in town - it's a bold strategy, but it can also be a dangerous one depending on how the rest of the market, the non-premium, value-oriented part, is staked out. To illustrate, let's use a baseline of 20% for the premium market, and 80% for the value market. Assuming Apple has the premium market for smartphones all to itself, if the rest of the industry consolidates around Android, there will be four times the number of Android phones in circulation compared to the number of iPhones. As a developer, would you want to develop apps for 20% of the user base, or 80%?

In reality, there's no way Google will have the entire value market to itself, and there'll always be smaller players like Research in Motion (RIMM who'll get the bright idea to create their own operating systems and chip away at Android's market share. Assuming all of the little guys collectively gobble up 10% of the market, that still leaves Android with 70% versus Apple's 20%. Let's cut off a piece of Google's slice and give Apple another 10%, since some value consumers will be able to get an extremely cheap iPhone by signing an extra long-term contract with a carrier. At 30-60, that still gives developers a huge incentive to flock to Android instead of iOS, where they have access to a consumer base twice as large.

Enter Microsoft. Microsoft is a company that markets its products to the masses instead of the elite, which makes it a much deadlier threat to Google than to Apple. Its partnership with Nokia (NOK), which is still the largest handset manufacturer in the world, is a match that has enormous potential. And if the company can execute well and create a product worth buying, Microsoft can easily become a force to be reckoned with in the mobile business. Assuming it is successful enough to steal a third of the market away from Google and half that percentage from Apple, the mobile landscape will be end up breaking down like this: Apple with 25%, Google with 40%, Microsoft with 25%, and everyone else with 10%.

Google is still top dog, but the choice between Google and Apple is no longer as obvious with these revised numbers. Yeah, you get access to more raw users with Android, but the iPhone's premium-oriented customers are more willing to pay for quality apps, which means there's potentially more money to be made developing for iOS despite the smaller userbase. Back this up with Apple's superior brand image and its loyal cult following who'll stick with Apple no matter what, and you have yourself a sustainable community of developers large enough to keep Apple's products relevant for years to come. And it's all thanks to Microsoft.

A win for Microsoft will hurt Apple, no doubt, but it'll hurt Google a whole lot more. The mobile wars will be brutal, and as an Apple investor, I'm willing to take a cut on the arm if it means my biggest rival will get stabbed in the heart. The big picture is all about Apple vs Everyone Else. The more fragmented Everyone Else is, the better it is for Apple, and this is an edge worth surrendering some market share for. What this means is that I'll be watching Microsoft's progress with great interest and cheer for it on the sidelines.

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Don't give up, Mister Softee. Keep on swinging, keep on going. As an Apple investor, I hope you succeed and do well for yourself. Not too well, of course, but just enough be a huge thorn in Google's side and slow it down some so we can leave it in the dust. Good luck.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

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What is WTV format?
WTV File is recorded television file created by Windows Media Center. In Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft originally introduced the .DVR-MS (DVR) file format. Similar in format to .ASF, the .DVR-MS (DVR) file enhancements allow the creation of key PVR functionality, including time-shifting, live pause, and simultaneous record and playback. These files now use a .WTV extension.

As a professional WTV Video Converter, WTV to iPad enables users to convert the recorded TV shows of MTV extension to iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Android smartphones, PSP, xBox, Zune, Wii, BlackBerry, Archos, and other mobile devices with 5X faster speed and perfect video-audio synchronization.

Guide: How to convert WTV to iPad/iPad 2 on Mac OS X

Preparation: Free download and install Mac WTV to iPad Converter, ready for the conversion.

Step 1: Import WTV files- Drag & drop WTV files to the program. Or click "Add File" button to locate the WTV files you want to add. The WTV Converter for Mac app supports batch conversion for saving your time, so you can add several files at one time.

Step 2: Choose the optimized preset for iPad- specify the preset "iPad Video (.mp4)" as output. This Mac WTV to iPad Converter has optimized the video settings, like video resolution, bit rate and frame rate for iPad/iPad 2. The output videos could fit on the iPad screen perfectly.

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As the picture shows above, straightforward presets of WTV to iPad Converter for Mac allow you to easily convert WTV videos to a format optimized for your iPad, iPod touch, iPhone 4, 3G mobile phones, PSP, Xbox, Zune, Android smartphones and more.

Step 3: Edit input files (optional): WTV Converter for Mac enables users to perfect the output video with practical editing functions like merge several video clips, video crop, movie trimming, split video, import subtitles, add watermark, adjust video effects, etc.

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Step 4: Click 'Convert' button to start WTV to iPad mp4 conversion. This WTV converter for Mac will get the rest done. After the video conversion, you can launch iTunes, import the target video to iPad/iPad 2 for free enjoyment.

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With WTV to iPad Mac, it is now possible to put recorded TV shows of MTV format into your iPad/iPad 2 for playback freely.

Besides converting standard definition WTV files, HD WTV files and WTV files with H.264 content to iPad/iPad 2 compatible video and audio formats like H.264, MP4, MOV, MP3, AAC, professional WTV Converter for Mac also supports converting WTV video to AVI, DivX, Xvid, MPEG, MKV, FLV, 3GP, ASF, WebM, VP8, MTS, TS, 720p, 1080p,HD videos and more for playing on portable devices and media players.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Here Are All The iPad 3 Rumors We Know About So Far

The iPad 2 has only been out for three and a half months, but that's not keeping analysts from speculating about the iPad 3.

We've heard everything about the iPad 3 from a fall release date to a high-res Retina Display like the iPhone 4.

At this early point, it's almost all speculation so far, but there are some juicy nuggets of iPad goodness floating around.

We gathered all the best rumors for you right here.

The iPad 3 will launch this fall along with the iPhone 5 (Unlikely)

It's tough for us to swallow this one. A new DigiTimes report says Taiwanese suppliers are shipping materials for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3. While we're all but certain the iPhone 5 will launch this September, we highly doubt there will be an iPad refresh just six months after the iPad 2.

What about an iPad 3 in time for the Holidays? (Unlikely)

Other analysts have speculated Apple will push out the iPad 3 in time for the Holidays this year. Again, we doubt Apple would release a refresh before 2012.

The most likely release date: Spring 2012

We're pretty confident that Apple will stick to its yearly Spring launch of the iPad. Expect an announcement in March or April.

A faster A6 processor (Likely)

It's safe to say that the iPad 3 will have a new, faster processor. Right now the iPad 2 rocks a dual-core A5 processor, but there are already Android tablets in the works with quad-core processors. Will Apple's next A6 be able to match? We think so.

What about a 4G iPad? (Maybe)

Apple has been slow to adopt 4G into its mobile devices, likely due to battery life concerns. Still, the iPad already has incredible battery life, so there's always a chance the third version will be able to run on Verizon and AT&T's 4G LTE networks. (AT&T's LTE network should be up and running by then.)

Will there be a 7-inch iPad 3? (Unlikely)

Steve Jobs himself has said he doesn't believe 7-inch tablets can be successful. But some analysts seem to disagree, pointing to all those 7-inch Android tablets.

We highly doubt this rumor will ever come true since the iPad is so far ahead that it doesn't even need to worry about 7-inch Android tablets.

Will there finally be a Retina display (Unlikely)

Will there finally be a Retina display (Unlikely)

While the iPad 3's display is likely to get a boost in resolution, we doubt it will be the same as the iPhone 4's Retina Display. Those are pretty expensive to make for such a large device, and will make it difficult to keep the iPad affordable.

A glasses-free 3D display (Not a chance)

Glasses-free 3D is pretty cool on devices like Nintendo's 3DS, but it's far from perfect. It destroys battery life, and you still have to hold the device at the perfect angle to get the 3D effect. There's no way Apple would consider implementing 3D until the technology ready.

More storage options (Unlikely)

With everything moving to the iCloud, we doubt Apple will offer anything higher than a 64 GB model of the iPad 3.

Thinner and lighter design (Definitely)

This is the most common rumor, and the one we can pretty much guarantee will happen. Apple will continue to shave the iPad down to be thinner and lighter.

What about overall design? We know Apple likes to keep its iDevices in sync, so we'll have to wait and see what the iPhone 5 looks like before we judge.

Same pricing structure as the iPad 2 (Very likely)

Part of the iPad's success has been due to its affordability. Apple would be silly to raise the entry-level iPad price above $499.

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Apple iPhone 5, iPad 3 Will See Fall Release

Apple will launch the iPad 3 and iPhone 5 in the fall, according to a new report. Many news sources have pegged the iPhone 5 for a fall release.

Apple could be prepping for a fall release of a new iPad on top of the iPhone 5, according to a new report by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

“Sources pointed out that Apple only plans to launch one model of the new iPhone, while iPad 3 has just recently been added to the production schedule,” read the July 1 report, “with both set to be produced in small volumes in August and volume will start picking up in September and October.”

While a fall release of the iPhone 5 has been the focus of many a recent Apple-related rumor, a release of the iPad 3 in the same timeframe has generally been dismissed by pundits and media. Certainly an iPad 3 launch would represent a radical speeding-up of Apple’s tablet schedule, which so far has timed iPad releases roughly a year apart.

Morgan,Stanley analyst Katy Huberty recently stated in a note to investors that the next iPhone “will begin production in mid to late August and ramp aggressively.” Her information apparently came from talks with unnamed sources in Taiwan.

Bloomberg also reported June 21 that the next iPhone will debut in September and include the company’s faster A5 processor, along with an 8-megapixel camera and the recently introduced iOS 5 mobile operating system. In addition, that report claimed Apple is developing a smaller, cheaper iPhone that utilizes “chips and displays of similar quality to today’s iPhone 4.” That device will apparently embrace the iPhone 4’s design aesthetic.

The blog Boy Genius Report had previously cited August as a possible start date for the iPhone 5’s launch. “According to our source, Apple may hold an event in the beginning or middle of August to announce the new iPhone, with availability to follow in the last week of August,” read a June 21 posting, which predicted that Apple will utilize a “radical new case design” for the smartphone.

During a June 6 presentation at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, company executives claimed that more than 200 million iOS devices had been sold. Despite that sizable number, Apple is certainly feeling pressure to keep iOS evolving in order to keep ahead of the growing family of increasingly sophisticated Android devices; and that’s on top of the competition it faces from the likes of Research In Motion’s PlayBook tablet and Hewlett-Packard’s just-released TouchPad, which runs webOS.

With this latest iPad 3 rumor, DigiTimes is running counter to its own April report, which suggested it was unlikely that Apple would release an iPad 3 in 2011. That report cited unnamed “upstream component makers.”

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Sunday, July 3, 2011

Apple Releases OS X Lion Gold Master

OS X Lion

Hold onto your hats, Apple enthusiasts: The latest iteration of your OS X operating system could be beating down your digital door within days.

According to various news reports, Apple has released the gold master of OS X Lion to developers, suggesting that we're but a few days away from the official release of OS X 10.7. Apple hasn't provided an official release date for the operating system update, except to say that it was scheduled to arrive sometime during July.

Don't plan on camping out on local Apple stores in an attempt to be one of the first to get your hands on the new software: There's no need. Lion marks the first operating system that Apple will be releasing as a digital download via the Mac App Store—which also means that the company should be able to significantly shorten its typical two week waiting period between releasing an OS gold master and seeing a tangible product on store shelves.

Users will only have to pony up $29.99 to upgrade from Snow Leopard–OS X 10.6–to Lion via digital download. However, you'll want to make sure that you've installed all of the Apple-specific updates released over the past month before Lion hits the Mac App Store. Version 10.6.8 of the operating system contains tweaks that enable the digital download and upgrade process, a must-have in order for the upgrade to function correctly.

We've covered the various features of OS X Lion pretty extensively, so here's the short list of what users can expect to see come Lion Launch Day: an automatic restoration feature that allows users to resume their apps exactly as they left them after quitting or shutting down the system, a brand-new "reboot into Safari" mode that turns one's system into a simple Web-browser-only kiosk of-sorts, and a comprehensive autosave feature that keeps your data safe (and version-tracked) analogous to a Google Docs file.

It remains to be seen just how Apple's hardware is going to shift around once the Lion is let loose into the wild. Rumors have suggested that Apple's been waiting for its operating system's official release before unveiling souped-up hardware, including a new Thunderbolt- and Sandy Bridge-enhanced refresh of the company's MacBook Air, that would come with the new operating system preinstalled.

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Friday, July 1, 2011

Apple iPhone 5: 10 Rival Products That Could Harm Sales

If the recent rumors have any credence, Apple will release the iPhone 5 in September. Most reports suggest that Apple will ship the device either that month or at some point shortly thereafter. Exactly what the iPhone 5 will feature is unknown at this point. However, rumors are swirling that the device will come with a bigger, edge-to-edge display, 4G capability and near-field communication, allowing users to pay for purchases with their smartphone. With all those features in tow, most analysts believe the iPhone 5 will perform exceedingly well at retail. But those analysts must also consider that Apple's smartphone will be facing off with a crowd of smartphones and tablets, and that could stymie its growth. The iPhone 5 will undoubtedly sell well, but the following products could hold the device back from fulfilling its full sales potential in both the consumer and enterprise markets. 

Apple iPad 2

Although Apple has said the iPad 2 and its iPhone don't necessarily compete with each other, that's not really the case. Both devices are running the same software, and they both offer multitouch functionality. Considering the economy isn't turning around and many people are on a budget, some folks might opt for the iPad 2, which they might perceive to offer more value for their money, rather than go with the iPhone 5.

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LG Revolution

The LG Revolution is arguably one of the more capable smartphone competitors on the market right now. The device comes with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and runs Android 2.2 "Froyo." Most importantly, it allows for support with Verizon's 4G network, making it a top choice for those who want to surf the Web over LTE. Combine that with its large 4.3-inch display, and the iPhone 5 might have a difficult competitor in the smartphone space.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

So far, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hasn't caught on as well as the handset maker had hoped. However, that doesn't mean it can be counted out. The Android 2.3 device is heavily involved in the gaming business as the world's first PlayStation-certified smartphone. It even includes slide-out controls for folks to play advanced games on the device. Considering the importance of gaming in Apple's App Store and how integral solid gaming experiences will be on the iPhone 5, there's no reason to suggest the Xperia Play won't have at least a small impact on sales of Apple's next smartphone.

Upcoming Windows Phone-Based Nokia Smartphones

Since the iPhone 5 will likely be on store shelves toward the end of this year and into 2012, the device will need to square off against Windows Phone-based Nokia smartphones. Though some scoff at those devices, Nokia is a major brand internationally, and with its "Mango" update, Windows Phone 7 will be more compelling than ever. If Nokia can deliver the right hardware, the iPhone 5 might feel some pressure from the handset maker's Windows Phone 7 devices.

Samsung Droid Charge

The Samsung Droid Charge is arguably one of the most compelling iPhone alternatives on the market right now. The device features a slick design and a big 4.3-inch display. It runs Android 2.2 and can connect to Verizon's 4G LTE network. When the iPhone 5 launches, the Droid Charge might just be the device's best competition. After all, Samsung devices are popular and the company has earned the trust of consumers. Look for a Samsung-iPhone 5 battle in the coming months.

RIM BlackBerry Torch

When it comes to the consumer market, Apple won't need to worry about Research In Motion's BlackBerry Torch. However, Apple will need to be concerned with the Torch in the enterprise market. RIM is still a huge player in the corporate world, and many companies will be attracted to the Torch, which is priced at just $50 with a two-year commitment. The iPhone 5 will have trouble competing in the corporate world as long as BlackBerry smartphones, including the Torch, still appeal to IT decision-makers.

HTC Evo 3D

Although HTC has had some difficulty competing with Apple in the past, the company's Evo 3D is one of the most interesting releases from the firm yet. In addition to its 4.3-inch display and Android operating system, the Evo 3D comes with 3D functionality. That feature, while still in its early stages on mobile devices, is starting to catch on with consumers. If the iPhone 5 lacks 3D when it launches, some customers might opt for HTC's unique functionality rather than stick with the 2D world. Will the Evo 3D obliterate iPhone 5 sales? Of course not. But for some customers, it might have the features that could make them opt for HTC's handset over the iPhone 5.

Google Nexus S 4G

There's quite a bit to like about the Google Nexus S 4G. The device allows for 4G connectivity, it runs Android, and it has a nice, 4-inch display. Most importantly, it has the Google name affixed to it, which automatically puts it on the same playing field as the iPhone 5. If the Nexus S 4G were running on Verizon's or AT&T's network, it would be a bigger threat to the iPhone 5. But even without support from those carriers, the device could cut into some of the iPhone 5's sales.

RIM BlackBerry PlayBook

In the corporate world, there are finite budgets dedicated to buying mobile devices. And as recent history has shown, some companies are warming to the idea of bringing the iPhone to their operations. However, with the launch of the BlackBerry PlayBook, some of those companies might have a change of heart. The BlackBerry PlayBook delivers touch-screen functionality—something companies are starting to like—and offers the business features, such as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, that the corporate world is after. In the consumer space, the BlackBerry PlayBook won't hurt iPhone 5 sales, but in the enterprise, it just might.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

If the iPad 2 could cut into sales of Apple's iPhone 5, there's no reason to suggest the top Android tablet on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, won't do the same. The tablet is an ideal choice for consumers who don't want to invest in a new smartphone but are looking for an iPhone- or iPad-like experience. As mentioned, the economy isn't turning around quickly enough, and there are still many consumers who are on a budget. Considering the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with WiFi costs just $499.99 to start and is available now, some consumers might be willing to spend cash on the tablet immediately rather than wait for the iPhone 5 that might or might not come out later this year.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Samsung Sues Apple Over IPhone, IPad, IPod

Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s largest computer-memory chip maker, filed another lawsuit against Apple Inc. (AAPL), claiming the U.S. company infringed patents for technology used in its iPhone and iPad devices.

“Apple has copied many of Samsung’s innovations in its Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad products,” lawyers for the Suwon, South Korea-based company said in a lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court in Delaware.

Samsung also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington on June 28 seeking to block imports of the devices containing the allegedly infringing technology.

The suit follows litigation in at least four countries as Samsung and Apple, the world’s largest technology company by market value, compete in the mobile-device market. In April, Cupertino, California-based Apple sued Samsung in federal court in Oakland, California, alleging the Korean company’s Galaxy phone and table computers “slavishly” copy the iPhone and iPad.

“They seem to have a lot to talk about,” Seo Won Seok, a Seoul-based analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co., said. “With these steps they are taking now, they seem to be trying to take a favorable position as part of the process to reach an agreement on cross-licensing in the end.”

Prior to the latest lawsuit, Samsung, which also supplies memory chips for Apple, had sued Apple in Seoul,Tokyo, San Francisco and Mannheim, Germany. Apple also has a case pending against Samsung in South Korea.

Trudy Muller, an Apple spokeswoman, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on the suit.

Samsung’s Delaware suit will be delayed if federal regulators agree to investigate the company’s complaints against Apple. The trade commission typically completes its reviews in 15 to 18 months.

Apple’s April 15 complaint claims Samsung is infringing seven patents related to the way Galaxy devices’ touch screens understand user gestures, including selecting, scrolling, pinching and zooming. Samsung is also copying three patents on the design, including the flat black face of the iPhone and iPad, according to Apple.

Apple also said on April 18 that Samsung “blatantly” copied its technologies and designs.

Samsung had asked a federal judge in the U.S. to order Apple to turn over samples of Apple’s forthcoming iPads and iPhones. It lost that bid on June 22.

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Saturday, June 25, 2011

YouTube Commercial Kings Rhett and Link Talk New TV Show

Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings, a new television show premiering tonight on IFC, plots two best friends as they journey across the United States to understand the country—via advertising.

Rhett & Link won’t be a hyper-intellectual attempt to analyze our highest aspirations and deepest desires as a nation, as most media depictions of glamorous advertising do—from the Hucksters and What Women Want to Mad Men. Quite the opposite. We talk to the men behind the show below.

Rhett McLaughlin (left) and Link Neal (right) have one of the most subscribed-to channels on YouTube, where they show their clever commercials, each a viral hit in its own right. Although every ad boasts a different look, the pair deploy the same questionable production values, haphazardly written jingles, and guest appearances to make a hilarious final product. The IFC show documents the creation and production for each of these entertaining, more-rough-than-diamond, gems.

TOH: When did you develop a love for local advertisements?
Link: From the moment I started watching TV, I was developing a love for local commercials. When you see a guy trying to sell you used cars wearing a chicken suit, even if you’re not in the market to buy a car, even if you’re seven years old, you remember that. 

Rhett: One of things always grabbed our attention is the ‘unintentional funny.’  I don’t think every producer or business owner thinks it’s going to be really funny…

TOH: You started building your fan base on YouTube years ago.  Was expanding your channel into a television show part of the plan?
Rhett: Not really, but it’s something that you’re going to see more and more.  Anybody who wants to be in entertainment is going to be uploading stuff and if they’re good they’re going to build a following.

TOH: How will you use your YouTube fame to command a TV audience?
Rhett:  These crazy local commercials went viral. They make great stand-alone video. But then people start asking questions, like—is that real?  They want to see us interact with Rudy [the Cuban gynecologist-turned-American used-car salesman]. The commercial is candy; the TV show is a full course meal. You see the final product on the Internet, you can see the process on the show.

TOH: What has been your favorite commercial so far?
Link: Presidential carwash, with this great couple from India. They are committed to being the best carwash in town. This meant dressing them up as Presidents and having them rap. 

Rhett: My favorite is for Fountain of Health in Florida, which offers colatics. This stuff doesn’t sell itself. Often for local commercials, there will be a celebrity endorsement and we have a Grammy-award-winning musician famous for his 80s love songs, who will be making a cameo and [helped us] write the jingle.

TOH: How do you go about turning local business owners into Internet celebrities?
Link: With the owners of Presidential carwash, the owner said ‘why don’t you hire some actors or rappers.’  I said, ‘First of all – we don’t have a budget, but more importantly, we want people to see you and your wife starring in your own commercial.’  They are winsome. We want people to say, ‘I want to meet these people.’

Rhett: And what happens time after time a commercial goes up here, everyone who is local says, ‘I have to go to this carwash.’ Person after person in YouTube comments says, ‘I’m getting my car washed there,’ or ‘if I lived in America I would go here,’ or ‘I will drive across the country to go there.’

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