The 404 1,060: Where we break through the clusterzuck (podcast)
Now that the Internet isn't flooded with Facebook IPO news, we can move on to more breaking news, like Hollywood finally answering our prayers for a Hook prequel that tells the Rufio origin story.That's right, the original actor who played Rufio, Dante Basco, recently announced in an interview that a Rufio prequel film is in the works under the directing eye of Rpin Suwannath. Maybe we'll finally get to the bottom of how he got those fabulous red tights.We'll also take a closer look at the Internet Protection Act proposed for New York that wants to reveal the identity of anyone posting "baseless political attacks" on the Internet. There's a argument for the 1st Amendment to be made here, and while we don't personally think it'll pass, it's worth noting the possible conspiracy theories behind the proposal.Thanks to all the listeners who sent in pictures of their podcast-loving pets! Our favorite is this picture of James's cat Salt glaring menacingly at Jeff's face, but there's also Greg's dog Lucy aka the official mascot of The 404, Emily's cranky cat Deeders, Kelsey's Greek tortoise Mr. Tibbles, Nick's Shih Tzu blocking his view, and Deejay's 8-year-old Pomeranian, Hero Slaughterpuff!Bathroom break video: Smallest firetruck in the worldThis content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayEpisode 1,060PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff Bakalar
iTunes U hits 1 billion downloads
iTunes U hits 1 billion downloads
That old college try seems to be working. Content downloads from iTunes U have surpassed 1 billion.Apple today announced the passing of the milestone for the repository of free educational content from schools, libraries, museums, and other sources. iTunes U hosts more than 2,500 public and thousands of private courses from over 1,200 universities and colleges, and 1,200 K-12 schools and districts."There are now iTunes U courses with more than 250,000 students enrolled in them, which is a phenomenal shift in the way we teach and learn," Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, said in a statement.The service is widely used around the world. More than 60 percent of app downloads from iTunes U come from outside the United States, Apple said. The scholastic content can be accessed in 155 countries, and educators can create iTunes U courses in 30 countries, including the recently added Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. That diffusion of access, as with other online learning initiatives such as the Khan Academy, means that students don't have to be on, say, the Stanford campus to partake in lectures and other coursework."Because of iTunes U, I have been able to introduce students and colleagues in China to research on the links between chronic multitasking, information overload and stress; discuss research publications and degree programs with students in Europe; and exchange information about the influence of neighborhood design on community levels of physical activity and obesity with students in Australia," Dan Stokols, a professor at University of California, Irvine, said in Apple's statement.iTunes U hit 300 million downloads in August 2010.
That old college try seems to be working. Content downloads from iTunes U have surpassed 1 billion.Apple today announced the passing of the milestone for the repository of free educational content from schools, libraries, museums, and other sources. iTunes U hosts more than 2,500 public and thousands of private courses from over 1,200 universities and colleges, and 1,200 K-12 schools and districts."There are now iTunes U courses with more than 250,000 students enrolled in them, which is a phenomenal shift in the way we teach and learn," Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, said in a statement.The service is widely used around the world. More than 60 percent of app downloads from iTunes U come from outside the United States, Apple said. The scholastic content can be accessed in 155 countries, and educators can create iTunes U courses in 30 countries, including the recently added Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. That diffusion of access, as with other online learning initiatives such as the Khan Academy, means that students don't have to be on, say, the Stanford campus to partake in lectures and other coursework."Because of iTunes U, I have been able to introduce students and colleagues in China to research on the links between chronic multitasking, information overload and stress; discuss research publications and degree programs with students in Europe; and exchange information about the influence of neighborhood design on community levels of physical activity and obesity with students in Australia," Dan Stokols, a professor at University of California, Irvine, said in Apple's statement.iTunes U hit 300 million downloads in August 2010.
Apple's hiring binge could point to more iPhone development
Apple's hiring binge could point to more iPhone development
With a massive hiring binge in China and Taiwan, it looks like Apple is working to boost product production. The tech giant has reportedly poached engineers from smartphone maker HTC and other companies to create new Apple teams in Shanghai and Taipei, according to The Wall Street Journal. It's said that the company now has more than 600 engineers and operations staff in China.The Journal reports that the hiring push is due to Apple's focus on developing components for the iPhone and iPad, which could lead to more product releases more often."Apple is building an engineering team in Taipei to drive new iPhone product development," Apple said in a LinkedIn recruiting e-mail, according to the Journal. In September, Apple introduced two new versions of the iPhone for the first time ever, including the less-expensive but more colorful iPhone 5C. Apple also rolled out the new iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display the following month.The iPhone has proven to be a popular product in China. Last month, research firm IDC reported that Apple's iPhone 5S broke sales records in the country as market share rose from 6 percent in the third quarter of 2013 to 7 percent in the fourth quarter. These numbers are sure to increase since Apple recently inked a deal to sell the iPhone through China Mobile -- the world's biggest wireless carrier. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
With a massive hiring binge in China and Taiwan, it looks like Apple is working to boost product production. The tech giant has reportedly poached engineers from smartphone maker HTC and other companies to create new Apple teams in Shanghai and Taipei, according to The Wall Street Journal. It's said that the company now has more than 600 engineers and operations staff in China.The Journal reports that the hiring push is due to Apple's focus on developing components for the iPhone and iPad, which could lead to more product releases more often."Apple is building an engineering team in Taipei to drive new iPhone product development," Apple said in a LinkedIn recruiting e-mail, according to the Journal. In September, Apple introduced two new versions of the iPhone for the first time ever, including the less-expensive but more colorful iPhone 5C. Apple also rolled out the new iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display the following month.The iPhone has proven to be a popular product in China. Last month, research firm IDC reported that Apple's iPhone 5S broke sales records in the country as market share rose from 6 percent in the third quarter of 2013 to 7 percent in the fourth quarter. These numbers are sure to increase since Apple recently inked a deal to sell the iPhone through China Mobile -- the world's biggest wireless carrier. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple's Healthbook app would play virtual doctor -- report
Apple's Healthbook app would play virtual doctor -- report
Apple's rumored Healthbook app could break new ground in the area of health and fitness tracking.Reports of Healthbook have previously popped up, but new information and recreations of screenshots of the app from 9to5Mac reveal Apple's ambitious plans for the app.Healthbook would be able to monitor many of your vital stats, according to 9to5Mac, including heart rate, blood pressure, weight, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and blood sugar. It also reportedly will track your bloodwork, hydration, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.The Weight feature would let you enter your height and weight to keep track of your BMI (Body Mass Index) and your percentage of body fat. You could then watch these indicators over time as part of a weight loss program. The Nutrition feature would allow you to enter your daily food intake as you try to stay true to your diet, according to 9to5Mac.Healthbook will be able to store and track your blood pressure as well as your heart rate. It will record your oxygen saturation to help measure your respiratory rate and quality of breathing. It will also track your blood sugar, a key factor in determining your risk for diabetes, and it will be capable of keeping tabs on your sleep cycles, said 9to5Mac.Other apps and devices offer some of these same features. But Healthbook would combine them all in one single mobile interface. As for the data that feeds into Healthbook, it is unclear if that information will come directly from an iPhone or if the app will pull data from an Apple or third-party activity-tracking device. Though Apple is reportedly testing Healthbook with iOS 8, the app could be postponed for a future version or potentially cancelled altogether, 9to5Mac added. But assuming the app is the real deal and on track for the next version of iOS, when might we expect Apple to announce it?Apple typically unveils new iOS features at its Worldwide Developer's Conference in June. But if Healthbook is tied to a specific Apple device, like an iWatch, its debut may be delayed until the launch of that device.
Apple's rumored Healthbook app could break new ground in the area of health and fitness tracking.Reports of Healthbook have previously popped up, but new information and recreations of screenshots of the app from 9to5Mac reveal Apple's ambitious plans for the app.Healthbook would be able to monitor many of your vital stats, according to 9to5Mac, including heart rate, blood pressure, weight, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and blood sugar. It also reportedly will track your bloodwork, hydration, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.The Weight feature would let you enter your height and weight to keep track of your BMI (Body Mass Index) and your percentage of body fat. You could then watch these indicators over time as part of a weight loss program. The Nutrition feature would allow you to enter your daily food intake as you try to stay true to your diet, according to 9to5Mac.Healthbook will be able to store and track your blood pressure as well as your heart rate. It will record your oxygen saturation to help measure your respiratory rate and quality of breathing. It will also track your blood sugar, a key factor in determining your risk for diabetes, and it will be capable of keeping tabs on your sleep cycles, said 9to5Mac.Other apps and devices offer some of these same features. But Healthbook would combine them all in one single mobile interface. As for the data that feeds into Healthbook, it is unclear if that information will come directly from an iPhone or if the app will pull data from an Apple or third-party activity-tracking device. Though Apple is reportedly testing Healthbook with iOS 8, the app could be postponed for a future version or potentially cancelled altogether, 9to5Mac added. But assuming the app is the real deal and on track for the next version of iOS, when might we expect Apple to announce it?Apple typically unveils new iOS features at its Worldwide Developer's Conference in June. But if Healthbook is tied to a specific Apple device, like an iWatch, its debut may be delayed until the launch of that device.
Apple's hardware-boss shuffle ruffled feathers, report says
Apple's hardware-boss shuffle ruffled feathers, report says
Why exactly is Apple's former hardware chief Bob Mansfield sticking around, despite announcing plans to retire? When this occurred in late August, Apple didn't provide an explanation. A new story claims some of the company's top employees did not believe Mansfield's replacement was ready for the job, something that led to infighting within the company's top ranks.In a piece looking back at Apple's past year without former CEO Steve Jobs, who died one year ago on Friday, Bloomberg Businessweek throws in a tidbit about the situation, saying that some of Apple's senior engineers went straight to current CEO Tim Cook when they learned Dan Riccio would replace Mansfield as the company's hardware chief:According to three people familiar with the sequence of events, several senior engineers on Mansfield's team vociferously complained to Cook about reporting to his replacement, Dan Riccio, who they felt was unprepared for the magnitude of the role. In response, Cook approached Mansfield and offered him an exorbitant package of cash and stock worth around $2 million a month to stay on at Apple as an adviser and help manage the hardware engineering team. The outlet referred to the incident as a possible "insurrection." Apple announced Mansfield's retirement in June, saying that the transition to Riccio would take place over "several" months. Mansfield had been with Apple since 1999, though took on the chief hardware role in 2010. His departure was going to be the first from Apple's executive team since Cook took over as CEO last August.
Why exactly is Apple's former hardware chief Bob Mansfield sticking around, despite announcing plans to retire? When this occurred in late August, Apple didn't provide an explanation. A new story claims some of the company's top employees did not believe Mansfield's replacement was ready for the job, something that led to infighting within the company's top ranks.In a piece looking back at Apple's past year without former CEO Steve Jobs, who died one year ago on Friday, Bloomberg Businessweek throws in a tidbit about the situation, saying that some of Apple's senior engineers went straight to current CEO Tim Cook when they learned Dan Riccio would replace Mansfield as the company's hardware chief:According to three people familiar with the sequence of events, several senior engineers on Mansfield's team vociferously complained to Cook about reporting to his replacement, Dan Riccio, who they felt was unprepared for the magnitude of the role. In response, Cook approached Mansfield and offered him an exorbitant package of cash and stock worth around $2 million a month to stay on at Apple as an adviser and help manage the hardware engineering team. The outlet referred to the incident as a possible "insurrection." Apple announced Mansfield's retirement in June, saying that the transition to Riccio would take place over "several" months. Mansfield had been with Apple since 1999, though took on the chief hardware role in 2010. His departure was going to be the first from Apple's executive team since Cook took over as CEO last August.
Apple's Grand Central store won't open by Black Friday
Apple's Grand Central store won't open by Black Friday
Grand Central Station commuters looking to score a holiday deal at Apple's imminent New York City store may have to wait a while.Recent rumors had pegged the launch of the new Grand Central Terminal store for sometime this week as the holiday shopping season officially kicks into gear. But a construction worker reportedly confirmed to Mashable yesterday that Apple's latest store probably won't open for business until next month."It won't be any time too soon," the worker told Mashable. "We still have a lot to do, so my guess is that it will be ready in December."An Apple spokeswoman told CNET that the company has made no announcements on the date.For now, the new store remains boarded up and hidden from the public as construction continues. But a photo of the store's front boarding taken today touts it as "arriving soon."Related storiesApple's Grand Central store to open this week, report saysThe secret sauce to Apple's retail success? This man made itAnother Apple win: Retail sales per square footOnce it opens its doors, the store will be Apple's fifth outlet in New York City and promises to be one of the company's biggest. Stretching between two balconies, the store will take up more than 23,000 square feet. In comparison, Apple's Regent Street store in London is 25,000 square feet in size, but only 22,000 square feet is available to the public.The Apple Store has been one of the retail industry's biggest money makers, generating more sales per square foot than any other U.S. retailer, according to research firm RetailSails. And the new Manhattan store is likely to add its own fair share of customers.The station draws around 750,000 visitors on an average day and as many a million a day during the holidays, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Apple will reportedly pay more than $1 million each year in rent.Updated story 7:30 a.m. PT with photo of Apple Store front boarding.Update at 4:00 p.m. PT: The New York Post claims that Apple will open up the store on Friday, December 9.
Grand Central Station commuters looking to score a holiday deal at Apple's imminent New York City store may have to wait a while.Recent rumors had pegged the launch of the new Grand Central Terminal store for sometime this week as the holiday shopping season officially kicks into gear. But a construction worker reportedly confirmed to Mashable yesterday that Apple's latest store probably won't open for business until next month."It won't be any time too soon," the worker told Mashable. "We still have a lot to do, so my guess is that it will be ready in December."An Apple spokeswoman told CNET that the company has made no announcements on the date.For now, the new store remains boarded up and hidden from the public as construction continues. But a photo of the store's front boarding taken today touts it as "arriving soon."Related storiesApple's Grand Central store to open this week, report saysThe secret sauce to Apple's retail success? This man made itAnother Apple win: Retail sales per square footOnce it opens its doors, the store will be Apple's fifth outlet in New York City and promises to be one of the company's biggest. Stretching between two balconies, the store will take up more than 23,000 square feet. In comparison, Apple's Regent Street store in London is 25,000 square feet in size, but only 22,000 square feet is available to the public.The Apple Store has been one of the retail industry's biggest money makers, generating more sales per square foot than any other U.S. retailer, according to research firm RetailSails. And the new Manhattan store is likely to add its own fair share of customers.The station draws around 750,000 visitors on an average day and as many a million a day during the holidays, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Apple will reportedly pay more than $1 million each year in rent.Updated story 7:30 a.m. PT with photo of Apple Store front boarding.Update at 4:00 p.m. PT: The New York Post claims that Apple will open up the store on Friday, December 9.
Apple's Grand Central store to open this week, report says
Apple's Grand Central store to open this week, report says
Apple's latest retail store in New York's iconic Grand Central Terminal may have its opening date announced tomorrow, with a launch by the end of this week, a new report says.Without citing sources, 9to5mac says that Apple plans to literally take the wraps off the store's opening date tomorrow by uncloaking a massive sign affixed to its exterior (pictured above). The company is said to be stocking up the store with products in time for a launch as early as this Friday, to coincide with start of holiday-shopping season on Black Friday.When reached for comment on the report, an Apple spokeswoman said the company had nothing to announce.The space, which Apple is reportedly paying in excess of $1 million a year to rent, is more than 23,000 square feet and stretches between two balconies. By comparison, Apple's Regent Street store in London is 25,000 square feet, 22,000 square feet of which is accessible to the public. Perhaps more impressive is the potential foot traffic. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that roughly 750,000 visitors come through the station each day--and up to a million a day during the holidays.Murmurs that Apple was seeking a spot in the iconic transportation hub began in February with a report from Cult of Mac that Apple planned to open one up in time for the 10th anniversary of its retail efforts, which took place in May. The rumor surfaced once again in late May with a Wall Street Journal report that the MTA was looking to fill up a 15,230-square-foot space, and that Apple had "expressed interest" in it. By July, more details emerged, including renderings of the store. Apple has yet to acknowledge that it's got a store on the way for the location.Apple currently has 358 retail stores, most of which are located in the United States. The company already has four stores within New York City, including its Fifth Avenue "cube," which re-opened earlier this month after undergoing a multi-million dollar overhaul to make its glass exterior more seamless.Iconic Apple stores around the world (ph...See full gallery1 - 4 / 18NextPrev
Apple's latest retail store in New York's iconic Grand Central Terminal may have its opening date announced tomorrow, with a launch by the end of this week, a new report says.Without citing sources, 9to5mac says that Apple plans to literally take the wraps off the store's opening date tomorrow by uncloaking a massive sign affixed to its exterior (pictured above). The company is said to be stocking up the store with products in time for a launch as early as this Friday, to coincide with start of holiday-shopping season on Black Friday.When reached for comment on the report, an Apple spokeswoman said the company had nothing to announce.The space, which Apple is reportedly paying in excess of $1 million a year to rent, is more than 23,000 square feet and stretches between two balconies. By comparison, Apple's Regent Street store in London is 25,000 square feet, 22,000 square feet of which is accessible to the public. Perhaps more impressive is the potential foot traffic. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that roughly 750,000 visitors come through the station each day--and up to a million a day during the holidays.Murmurs that Apple was seeking a spot in the iconic transportation hub began in February with a report from Cult of Mac that Apple planned to open one up in time for the 10th anniversary of its retail efforts, which took place in May. The rumor surfaced once again in late May with a Wall Street Journal report that the MTA was looking to fill up a 15,230-square-foot space, and that Apple had "expressed interest" in it. By July, more details emerged, including renderings of the store. Apple has yet to acknowledge that it's got a store on the way for the location.Apple currently has 358 retail stores, most of which are located in the United States. The company already has four stores within New York City, including its Fifth Avenue "cube," which re-opened earlier this month after undergoing a multi-million dollar overhaul to make its glass exterior more seamless.Iconic Apple stores around the world (ph...See full gallery1 - 4 / 18NextPrev
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