Posts tagged Breakingnews at Switched

Posts with tag breakingnews

Digital Music Sales Surpass CD Sales at Atlantic

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 26th 2008 at 9:51AM

Yep, it finally happened. One label has come forward and admitted that, for the first time, digital sales of its music have surpassed CDs. While many pundits asserted that loosing tunes via tiny downloadable files would instantaneously cause the deep-pocketed record labels to crumble as piracy ran rampant, the numbers tell a different story. In fact, music sales overall have declined from $14.6 billion in 1999 to $10.1 billion this year, and it's expected to shrink further.

But for Atlantic, moving tracks on the information superhighway has proven quite successful; last quarter, digital sales accounted for 51% of its revenue, while CD sales still make up over two-thirds of all music sales industry-wide. There's no real indication as to why Atlantic seems to have that digital charm while everyone else is still clinging tight to old world business models, but it's sure nice to see this side of the equation thriving.

Now, about those DRM-free downloads across the board...

[Image courtesy of Dexondaz]

Dynamism Launches Gizmine, for Stylish Gadgets from Japan

by Tom Samiljan, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 5:26PM

Looking for something sleek and cool and design-y that can pretty much guarantee you won't find anywhere else? (That is, unless you feel like schlepping all the way to Tokyo, and then schlepping all the way back with a heavy paper shredder.) If that sounds like you, discerning gift-giver, then you'll want to head straight over the the just-launched Gizmine, an online boutique run by the same folks who brought us online Japanese-gadget--emporium Dynamism.

This is the place to come for said Red-Dot-Award-for-Good-Design-winning paper shredder, the latest curvy designs by Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa (new alarm clocks, subtle calculators, distinct watches), as well as hot red leather backpacks by venerable Tokyo luggage-maker Isaburo. You'll find everything from iPod accessories and headphones to robots and video games.

Whereas Dynamism is the place to get the latest cell phone or laptop from Japan or Europe -- a gadget nerd's favorite gift, by the way -- Gizmine caters to a more aesthetically-minded gadget lover, said CEO Douglas Krone when he called us to preview the site earlier today.

As is the case on Dyamism, if you want something, but can't find it on the site, you can probably ask the folks at Gizmine to order it for you.

We're just psyched we won't have to schlep stuff like that humidifier from retro-chic gadget label Amadana in our return-from-Tokyo luggage anymore, since it looks like we can now get home delivery of this kind of gear. [From: Gizmine]

Verizon Announces Samsung Omnia for $249.99

by Chris Ziegler, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 3:28PM

If it's a 5-megapixel cameraphone you're looking for, there are decidedly cheaper entries on the market -- but if only a 5-megapixel WinMo Professional set will do, the Omnia's just about the best (read: only) deal you'll find on an American carrier these days. The CDMA translation of the smartphone that Samsung's been selling in other parts of the world for much of 2008 in GSM form carries over most of its key features, namely Windows Mobile 6.1 with TouchWiz, WiFi, DivX certification, the love-it-or-hate-it optical directional pad, and that beefy cam with flash and autofocus. It also nabs VZ Navigator support, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.2-inch 400 x 240 display, and 8GB of internal memory. Gives pause to that imminent Touch Pro purchase, doesn't it? Look for it to be available for order this week -- a full retail launch is expected come December 8 -- for $249.99 after rebate on a two-year contract.

T-Mobile G1 'Google' Phone Now Available in Frosty White

by Chris Ziegler, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 1:01PM

We've heard that it's been showing up on doorsteps and in stores for a few days now, but T-Mobile has just officially given the word that the G1 is now available in white to complement bronze and the especially personality-free black (not to say there's anything wrong with that, black G1 owners). The price, hardware, and software are all the same, so if you thought this release might somehow magically bring a soft keyboard with it, think again. Any guesses what -- if any -- future colors we might see on this puppy?

YouTube Finally Goes Widescreen, Some Users Not Pleased

by Tim Stevens, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 10:23AM

While YouTube quickly came to dominate the scene in user-provided, online video content, pioneering the market for many others, in a lot of ways it's been rather slow to react to the competition. Other sites like viddler were quick to offer high-quality, widescreen videos, but YouTube stuck with the old, traditional-format and low-resolution stuff for a long time. At last, the video site has upgraded to widescreen, and while the results are good, not everyone is happy!

New videos added to the site and made specifically for the widescreen (16:9) format look great, but other videos that were uploaded letterboxed to fit the old (4:3) format now have black bars on all sides, leaving them looking rather... small. Unfortunately the site applied this new format to all videos and didn't give an option to users to disable it, meaning every old video posted on the site will have borders. That's unfortunate, so we hope YouTube makes the new widescreen optional in the near future. Regardless, we think this is a good move for YouTube, and it's about time! [From: The YouTube Blog]

New Security Flaw Found in Windows Vista

by Tim Stevens, posted Nov 24th 2008 at 9:40AM

We've certainly shown, again and again, how Windows XP has no shortage of security flaws, but thus far Vista has been relatively free of issues. That's good news for Microsoft, since Vista looks like it will provide the foundation of the upcoming Windows 7. However, one crack in that foundation has been discovered that could allow hackers to corrupt the core of the system and hide software on your machine.

The core of the system is called the kernel, and there's a flaw in Vista's, which could be exploited by software that you download and run on your machine. It could allow that malicious software to install a so-called "rootkit," secretly running in privileged mode, where it can do anything it likes. This is the sort of shady software that made headlines when Sony illicitly installed it on users' machines back in 2005.

Right now, the risk of this flaw being exploited is low, so Microsoft is going to wait for its next regularly scheduled update to fix it. But, as always, watch where you click and what you download. [From: CNET News]

Verizon Employees Take Unauthorized Peek at Obama's Cell Phone Account

by Will Safer, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 11:04AM

You know those Verizon ads that show the throngs of tech support staff standing behind the "Can you hear me now?" guy, always on the move making sure your cell phone signal is strong? We wonder if any of them are among the Verizon employees who inappropriately accessed President-elect Barack Obama's Verizon cell phone account records.

Yes, the Basking Ridge, N.J.-based company announced late yesterday that "a number of Verizon Wireless employees have, without authorization, accessed and viewed President-Elect Barack Obama's personal cell phone account."

Granted, it was a personal account Obama hasn't used in a while. And it was a pretty basic account, with no email or calendar information, so it's not like the employees had access to his messages or appointments with leaders or party officials.

Still, shame on Verizon.

According to Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam, the employees involved have been put on leave until the company can figure out exactly who did what with Obama's private information. "Employees who have accessed the account improperly and without legitimate business justification will face appropriate disciplinary action," McAdam notes.

Perhaps as punishment they'll be sent to check wireless signal strength in Alaska? [Source: Verizon Wireless.]

iPhone Update Brings Google Street View and Podcast Downloads

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 21st 2008 at 11:20AM

It's here. Google Street View and over the air Podcast downloads from iTunes. Yup, public transit and walking directions too and the ability to share your location via email. Bug fixes, Safari enhancements, the ability to toggle auto-text correction, and plenty more... just like we heard in the pre-rumor run-up. Now get outta here, your iTunes update awaits.

Update: Added some screenshots of the most notable new features after the break. The Street View implementation seems solid though we miss the compass feature found on T-Mobile's G1. Also, the real-estate saved by moving the Google search field next to the URL field in Mobile Safari is a welcome and obvious change. As to auto-correction, well, that's personal taste. Tipster Vizcaya also noticed that Apple added a new option to rate an App when you delete it from your phone. You can also view multiple screenshots of applications available in the App Store.

Update 2: The other big update, Podcast downloads, works just as you'd hope and should further promote the spontaneous isolation we all crave. A few shots of that added after the break.

[Thanks Gustavo and badburro]

Continue reading iPhone Update Brings Google Street View and Podcast Downloads

Hands-On With the BlackBerry Storm (Video)

by Tom Samiljan, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 12:01AM

It's been an exciting year for anyone who wants to upgrade to a smart phone, what with the iPhone, the G1 "Google" phone, and, on Friday, the BlackBerry Storm for Verizon Wireless. At last, BlackBerry lovers and loyal Verizon Wireless subscribers who have been resisting the switch to an iPhone can boast their very own touchscreen-enabled handheld that's as much about fun (high-quality camera, stunning screen, media player, fun apps) as it is about business (excellent e-mail, document editing, Web access). The Storm will cost $199 with a two-year contract (you'll need to send in a $50 rebate, too).

But is the BlackBerry Storm fun enough to take on the iPhone, and will its incorporation of a touchscreen (albeit a moveable click-based one that you actually have to depress to in fact 'strike' a key) turn off those serious business (and heavy e-mailing) users? Well, we can't entirely answer that question, since we only had a day and a half with the thing, but we were able to get our first impressions down in the above video. We'll be back with more impressions in the coming days and weeks, since these newfangled smart phones have a tendency to either grow on you, or make you increasingly want to throw them out the window.

Once you're done watching our video, head on over to Engadget's in-depth review, where you can get more details on the first touchscreen BlackBerry ever.

Gallery: BlackBerry Storm

PC Magazine Closing Print Edition, Staying Online Only

by Tim Stevens, posted Nov 19th 2008 at 1:39PM

Woe betide the print publications of the world -- the Internet is here, stealing your subscribers, and it's not going to go away. Adapt or die is the mantra of the newspapers and pulpy journals of the world, and Ziff Davis is the latest trying to do just that, stopping print publication of the venerable PC Magazine, in favor of an exclusively online publication.

Founded in 1982, the magazine is following in the (very recent) footsteps of the Christian Science Monitor, which is also moving to an online model. PC Magazine, which used to print editions in excess of 500 pages in the heydays of the industry, back in the late '80s and '90s, will print its last edition in January of 2009. After that, the only place to get the word from the original source of PC news and reviews will be online.

So, PC collectors with a closet full of old, beige hardware, you may want to get to the bookstore in the near future -- your tome of choice won't be around for much longer. Not to worry too much, though, since you've probably been reading PC Mag online for years, anyway, and it doesn't look like that part is going anywhere.

The sad part, though, is just how fast all these magazines are shutting down. Check out our gallery below of five titles that have recently moved online only -- four out of five of them have announced the plans in the last couple of months alone. Though now make our living writing for the Web, we have to admit that we still like bringing the occasional newspaper or magazine when we're on, say, an airplane or bus (after all, that Amazon Kindle isn't cheap!).

What do you think? Do you still read magazines? Which do you prefer for news and articles: magazines or Web sites? [From: Paid Content]

Gallery: Death of Print

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Gallery: BlackBerry Storm

Gallery: Death of Print

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