Teen survey makes Microsoft's Zune seem futile
The results are in for the spring installment of Piper Jaffray's biannual Teen Survey, and not surprisingly, things look very good for Apple--particularly when it comes to the iPod.According to the survey, now in its eighth year, 92 percent of students own some sort media player--up from 87 percent a year ago--and of those who do own a media player, 86 percent own an iPod. Only 4 percent of the 600 students interviewed for the survey owned a Zune. (The average age of the students surveyed was 16.3 years old; 54 percent were male, and 46 percent female).With the iPod being so dominant, those numbers are about what you'd expect. But what should concern other MP3 makers is the number that came up when teens were asked what MP3 player they were planning on buying in the next 12 months: 100 percent said they were buying an Apple iPod. Not a single vote was cast for MP3 players from Microsoft, Creative, Sony, iRiver, Sandisk, or "other."Of course, teens don't represent the whole market, but this group does represent the leading edge, and if Apple's "hooking" kids early, this will translate into future domination in older age brackets where Apple currently enjoys a large lead in media players.While I'm highlighting that 100 percent figure on MP3 purchases, publications like Apple Insider are talking about how Apple's "near the saturation point for iPod, iTunes use by teens." And the big question is whether Apple can convert teen iPod users into iPhone users.Eight percent of the teens surveyed said they owned an iPhone and 16 percent said they were considering buying an iPhone in the next six months. The latter number actually represents a decline from Piper's last survey, where 22 percent of the teens said they were going to buy an iPhone. Also, in the fall '08 survey, 8 percent said they owned an iPhone, so that number hasn't gone up. But if AT&T and Apple were able to get out a $99 iPhone with a more affordable plan, you'd probably see that ownership number jump quite a bit in the next survey.Comments?Via Apple Insider
iTunes 9.1 update sets stage for iPad
iTunes 9.1 update sets stage for iPad
Version 9.1 of Apple's iTunes software is now available for download, bringing a handful of improvements and iPad compatibility.Without an iPad to connect, there aren't a whole lot of visible changes for users to notice. The Audiobook library category has been renamed "Books" and broadened to include all book-related content, including audiobooks and back-ups of e-books purchased using the iPad's iBooks app. Although the feature isn't advertised, we found that free EPUB books from Project Guttenberg or Google Books can be imported via drag and drop. Unfortunately, without the option to view e-book files within iTunes, the new feature is useless without a compatible device with which to sync.Version 9.1 also blesses users with the option of deleting, renaming, and rearranging Genius Mixes. Perhaps this is an admission on Apple's part that the company cannot, in fact, read your mind. At least, not yet.Along with a slight redesign of device view, the device sync summary page now offers a checkbox option for converting "higher bit rate songs to 128kbps AAC". The option for down-sampling music files on-the-fly was previouslyavailable only to iPod Shuffle users, who presumably cared less about audio quality than about cramming as much workout-worthy techno on their devices as possible. After hearing a handful of user reports, it seems that all iTunes-compatible devices now include this down-sampling capability.Other pieces of general housekeeping include the shortening of the Applications category to "Apps" and a few tweaks to overall performance.Users with jailbroken devices (iPhone or iPod Touch) are reporting an inability to sync after the software update.
Version 9.1 of Apple's iTunes software is now available for download, bringing a handful of improvements and iPad compatibility.Without an iPad to connect, there aren't a whole lot of visible changes for users to notice. The Audiobook library category has been renamed "Books" and broadened to include all book-related content, including audiobooks and back-ups of e-books purchased using the iPad's iBooks app. Although the feature isn't advertised, we found that free EPUB books from Project Guttenberg or Google Books can be imported via drag and drop. Unfortunately, without the option to view e-book files within iTunes, the new feature is useless without a compatible device with which to sync.Version 9.1 also blesses users with the option of deleting, renaming, and rearranging Genius Mixes. Perhaps this is an admission on Apple's part that the company cannot, in fact, read your mind. At least, not yet.Along with a slight redesign of device view, the device sync summary page now offers a checkbox option for converting "higher bit rate songs to 128kbps AAC". The option for down-sampling music files on-the-fly was previouslyavailable only to iPod Shuffle users, who presumably cared less about audio quality than about cramming as much workout-worthy techno on their devices as possible. After hearing a handful of user reports, it seems that all iTunes-compatible devices now include this down-sampling capability.Other pieces of general housekeeping include the shortening of the Applications category to "Apps" and a few tweaks to overall performance.Users with jailbroken devices (iPhone or iPod Touch) are reporting an inability to sync after the software update.
Apple, Burberry show off iPhone 5S photo, video technology
Apple, Burberry show off iPhone 5S photo, video technology
Last week Apple made big claims about the photo capabilities of its new flagship phone, the iPhone 5S, and Monday was one of the first chances to see it in action outside of the company's press event. Fashion brand Burberry used the phone -- which goes on sale this Friday -- to capture stills, videos, and celebrity snapshots at its Spring/Summer fashion show, which took place earlier today in London. Related storiesApple's iPhone 5S to be used in fashion show ahead of launchApple reportedly preps in-store demo of iPhone 5S Touch IDCNET hands-on with iPhone 5SThe results can now be seen on Burberry's site, including the video stream of the show, which we're told was shot entirely on the 5S' native video app, along with FiLMiC Pro and TurtleHead Pro.One thing that detracts from the new tech is a series of images ahead of the show that were shot on the 5S, though adjusted with gel filters. That is, perhaps, not so terrible an offense now that iOS 7 includes built-in software image filters, but something worth noting in light of how the technology was touted ahead of the show. An example:The company also showed off a new iPhone 5S camera feature that lets users slow down video. The feature was toggled at the close of the show where flower petals fell from the top of the runway: There's also a Vine of one of the creations getting sketched out, which was shot on the 5S: The hookup between the tech and fashion companies is just the latest in recent months. Earlier this year, Google Glass -- the wearable computer -- was tapped by designer Diane Von Furstenberg to document behind-the-scenes action. More recently, Samsung partnered with designer Dana Lorenz to create jewelry to go with its new Gear watch gadget. In both cases, that technology was wearable, whereas the iPhone 5S spent its time in the stands. The 5S goes on sale this Friday, and is Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone. It's joined by the 5C, which went up for preorder at the end of last week. Both replace last year's iPhone 5. You can read more about what's new (or not) in both, right here.
Last week Apple made big claims about the photo capabilities of its new flagship phone, the iPhone 5S, and Monday was one of the first chances to see it in action outside of the company's press event. Fashion brand Burberry used the phone -- which goes on sale this Friday -- to capture stills, videos, and celebrity snapshots at its Spring/Summer fashion show, which took place earlier today in London. Related storiesApple's iPhone 5S to be used in fashion show ahead of launchApple reportedly preps in-store demo of iPhone 5S Touch IDCNET hands-on with iPhone 5SThe results can now be seen on Burberry's site, including the video stream of the show, which we're told was shot entirely on the 5S' native video app, along with FiLMiC Pro and TurtleHead Pro.One thing that detracts from the new tech is a series of images ahead of the show that were shot on the 5S, though adjusted with gel filters. That is, perhaps, not so terrible an offense now that iOS 7 includes built-in software image filters, but something worth noting in light of how the technology was touted ahead of the show. An example:The company also showed off a new iPhone 5S camera feature that lets users slow down video. The feature was toggled at the close of the show where flower petals fell from the top of the runway: There's also a Vine of one of the creations getting sketched out, which was shot on the 5S: The hookup between the tech and fashion companies is just the latest in recent months. Earlier this year, Google Glass -- the wearable computer -- was tapped by designer Diane Von Furstenberg to document behind-the-scenes action. More recently, Samsung partnered with designer Dana Lorenz to create jewelry to go with its new Gear watch gadget. In both cases, that technology was wearable, whereas the iPhone 5S spent its time in the stands. The 5S goes on sale this Friday, and is Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone. It's joined by the 5C, which went up for preorder at the end of last week. Both replace last year's iPhone 5. You can read more about what's new (or not) in both, right here.
Apple, book publishers face e-book antitrust lawsuit
Apple, book publishers face e-book antitrust lawsuit
The U.S. Justice Department plans to sue Apple and five U.S. publishers for alleged price-fixing on e-books, according to The Wall Street Journal.Several of the parties expected to be named as defendants have already begun discussions with regulators to head off an expensive antitrust court battle, the newspaper reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Such a settlement would likely have a ripple effect for the industry, however not every publisher is engaged in the settlement discussions, they cautioned.Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The publishers expected to be named in the lawsuit are HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group, and Simon & Schuster "colluded to increase prices" on popular books. (Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS. CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.) The action is apparently based on changes made to how publishers charge for e-books when Apple released the first iPad two years ago. Book publishers began using an "agency model" in which publishers set their own e-book prices, rather than the traditional wholesale model in which publishers set a retail price and retailers set their own sales price. The pricing model materialized in 2010 after book publishers asked Amazon to increase the price of e-books on its Web site, but Amazon stood firm in its contention that anything above $9.99 was too high. Amazon eventually relented after many popular Macmillan titles disappeared from the e-tailer's site. A lawsuit objecting to the pricing model was filed against Apple and the publishers last year. The plaintiffs alleged that they paid higher prices for their book purchases as a result of the agency model.
The U.S. Justice Department plans to sue Apple and five U.S. publishers for alleged price-fixing on e-books, according to The Wall Street Journal.Several of the parties expected to be named as defendants have already begun discussions with regulators to head off an expensive antitrust court battle, the newspaper reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Such a settlement would likely have a ripple effect for the industry, however not every publisher is engaged in the settlement discussions, they cautioned.Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The publishers expected to be named in the lawsuit are HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group, and Simon & Schuster "colluded to increase prices" on popular books. (Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS. CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.) The action is apparently based on changes made to how publishers charge for e-books when Apple released the first iPad two years ago. Book publishers began using an "agency model" in which publishers set their own e-book prices, rather than the traditional wholesale model in which publishers set a retail price and retailers set their own sales price. The pricing model materialized in 2010 after book publishers asked Amazon to increase the price of e-books on its Web site, but Amazon stood firm in its contention that anything above $9.99 was too high. Amazon eventually relented after many popular Macmillan titles disappeared from the e-tailer's site. A lawsuit objecting to the pricing model was filed against Apple and the publishers last year. The plaintiffs alleged that they paid higher prices for their book purchases as a result of the agency model.
Apple, Android 'most desired' smartphone systems
Apple, Android 'most desired' smartphone systems
To define the difference: smartphones run a third-party operating system, such as Apple's iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia's Symbian, and they support third-party mobile apps. Feature phones use a proprietary OS, are typically unable to run third-party apps, and usually have other limitations.Among age groups, the iPhone proved slightly more desirable than an Android phone to people 18-24, 25-34, and especially those 55 and older, according to Nielsen. Those 35-54 preferred an Android device as their next phone by a slight margin. And by gender, women favor the iPhone as their next purchase, while men are more interested in Android.Smartphone owners were more decisive than feature phone users about their next device in terms of operating system. Among those who presently use a feature phone, 25 percent said they were "not sure" what their next phone would be, compared with only 13 percent of smartphone users who were equally uncertain. People 55 and older were also less certain than younger users over which mobile OS they'd want for their next phone.Overall, 29.7 percent of all U.S. mobile subscribers use smartphones, compared with 70.3 percent who still have feature phones. The most common smartphones platforms in the U.S. are the iPhone's iOS and the BlackBerry OS, each with 27 percent of the market, while Android now holds a 22 percent share, according to Nielsen's data.Nielsen
To define the difference: smartphones run a third-party operating system, such as Apple's iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia's Symbian, and they support third-party mobile apps. Feature phones use a proprietary OS, are typically unable to run third-party apps, and usually have other limitations.Among age groups, the iPhone proved slightly more desirable than an Android phone to people 18-24, 25-34, and especially those 55 and older, according to Nielsen. Those 35-54 preferred an Android device as their next phone by a slight margin. And by gender, women favor the iPhone as their next purchase, while men are more interested in Android.Smartphone owners were more decisive than feature phone users about their next device in terms of operating system. Among those who presently use a feature phone, 25 percent said they were "not sure" what their next phone would be, compared with only 13 percent of smartphone users who were equally uncertain. People 55 and older were also less certain than younger users over which mobile OS they'd want for their next phone.Overall, 29.7 percent of all U.S. mobile subscribers use smartphones, compared with 70.3 percent who still have feature phones. The most common smartphones platforms in the U.S. are the iPhone's iOS and the BlackBerry OS, each with 27 percent of the market, while Android now holds a 22 percent share, according to Nielsen's data.Nielsen
Apple, Amazon tops among those holiday-shopping via handhelds
Apple, Amazon tops among those holiday-shopping via handhelds
While Amazon has both a mobile app and a mobile site, Apple offers only a mobile app. Though its shopping site is of course accessible on mobile devices, it's not optimized for mobile users.Still, both companies have been able to keep their mobile stores lean without removing too much content, helping customers find the items they need, noted Dull. Both allow shoppers to do the same things they can do on the full Web sites--search for products, read reviews, find related products, buy items, and add to a wishlist.And although buyers will find a lot of product details, the two mobile stores aren't overwhelming and are well designed for smaller screens."In short, these organizations have earned their high customer satisfaction ratings by neatly balancing information and functionality in a small space, without venturing to the two extremes where many mobile sites or apps get trapped: total information overload or a version that is so streamlined and pared down that it's useless," Dull said in the report. "Add this balancing act to truly innovative functionality (such as the ability to search for products by taking a picture or scanning a code), and these organizations are clearly head and shoulders above the rest."Related storiesApple tops in customer satisfaction for 8th yearAmazon, eBay, Apple among top retail sites visitedAmazon, Apple, Netflix tops in customer satisfactionBoth Apple and Amazon consistently score well in customer satisfaction. Both also continually tweak their mobile experiences.Apple recently revamped its Apple Store app to let customers buy items online and then pick them up at the nearest retail shop. And Amazon just unveiled a dedicated Kindle Store site for iPad users.Beyond Apple, Amazon, and Dell, other mobile retail stores that popped up on the list included Netflix, eBay, Best Buy, and Staples.To compile its results, Foresee surveyed more than 23,000 people between November 29 and December 15 of last year.
While Amazon has both a mobile app and a mobile site, Apple offers only a mobile app. Though its shopping site is of course accessible on mobile devices, it's not optimized for mobile users.Still, both companies have been able to keep their mobile stores lean without removing too much content, helping customers find the items they need, noted Dull. Both allow shoppers to do the same things they can do on the full Web sites--search for products, read reviews, find related products, buy items, and add to a wishlist.And although buyers will find a lot of product details, the two mobile stores aren't overwhelming and are well designed for smaller screens."In short, these organizations have earned their high customer satisfaction ratings by neatly balancing information and functionality in a small space, without venturing to the two extremes where many mobile sites or apps get trapped: total information overload or a version that is so streamlined and pared down that it's useless," Dull said in the report. "Add this balancing act to truly innovative functionality (such as the ability to search for products by taking a picture or scanning a code), and these organizations are clearly head and shoulders above the rest."Related storiesApple tops in customer satisfaction for 8th yearAmazon, eBay, Apple among top retail sites visitedAmazon, Apple, Netflix tops in customer satisfactionBoth Apple and Amazon consistently score well in customer satisfaction. Both also continually tweak their mobile experiences.Apple recently revamped its Apple Store app to let customers buy items online and then pick them up at the nearest retail shop. And Amazon just unveiled a dedicated Kindle Store site for iPad users.Beyond Apple, Amazon, and Dell, other mobile retail stores that popped up on the list included Netflix, eBay, Best Buy, and Staples.To compile its results, Foresee surveyed more than 23,000 people between November 29 and December 15 of last year.
Apple zooms to No. 17 on Fortune 500 list, tops IBM
Apple zooms to No. 17 on Fortune 500 list, tops IBM
Apple's is movin' on up the Fortune 500 list, passing computer heavyweight IBM. Apple landed at No. 17, up from No. 35, in terms of 2011 revenue, which was a cool $108.2 billion. To put Apple's meteoric rise into perspective, blue-chip tech stalwart IBM dropped one spot to No. 19, with 2011 revenues of $106.9 billion.And Hewlett-Packard is also feeling the heat from Apple.Though Apple's Silicon Valley neighbor moved up one spot to No. 10, with revenue of $127.2 billion, HP is not the profit juggernaut that Apple is.Apple was No.3 on the list in terms of profits ($25.9 billion), only topped by the two oil giants, Exxon and Chevron.HP was ranked No. 24.Apple also bested IBM, which was No. 9 on the list of the most profitable companies.Related storiesApple's second-quarter earnings by the numbersMicrosoft also ranked right up there with Apple on profitability: the software company was No.4 with $23.1 billion in profits (but was only No. 37 in terms of revenue). So, what's driving Apple's success?"Under CEO Tim Cook, the company continued pumping out new products -- like a significantly upgraded version of the iPad tablet," said Fortune.Fortune continued. "Apple nearly doubled its earnings per share in 2011, compared to 2010. That helped nudge management to announce plans for the firm's first dividend since 1995, returning some of the $97.6 billion in cash it had accumulated." Apple's gross margin -- an important indicator of profitability -- rose to 47.4 percent in the most recent quarter, compared to 41.4 percent in the year-ago quarter. And Apple said that it sold 11.8 million iPads during the most recent quarter, a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter.Apple is No. 3 on the Fortune 500 list of the most profitable companies: Exxon Mobile:$41 billion Chevron: $26.9 billionApple: $25.9 billion Microsoft: $23 billionFord Motor: $20.2 billion
Apple's is movin' on up the Fortune 500 list, passing computer heavyweight IBM. Apple landed at No. 17, up from No. 35, in terms of 2011 revenue, which was a cool $108.2 billion. To put Apple's meteoric rise into perspective, blue-chip tech stalwart IBM dropped one spot to No. 19, with 2011 revenues of $106.9 billion.And Hewlett-Packard is also feeling the heat from Apple.Though Apple's Silicon Valley neighbor moved up one spot to No. 10, with revenue of $127.2 billion, HP is not the profit juggernaut that Apple is.Apple was No.3 on the list in terms of profits ($25.9 billion), only topped by the two oil giants, Exxon and Chevron.HP was ranked No. 24.Apple also bested IBM, which was No. 9 on the list of the most profitable companies.Related storiesApple's second-quarter earnings by the numbersMicrosoft also ranked right up there with Apple on profitability: the software company was No.4 with $23.1 billion in profits (but was only No. 37 in terms of revenue). So, what's driving Apple's success?"Under CEO Tim Cook, the company continued pumping out new products -- like a significantly upgraded version of the iPad tablet," said Fortune.Fortune continued. "Apple nearly doubled its earnings per share in 2011, compared to 2010. That helped nudge management to announce plans for the firm's first dividend since 1995, returning some of the $97.6 billion in cash it had accumulated." Apple's gross margin -- an important indicator of profitability -- rose to 47.4 percent in the most recent quarter, compared to 41.4 percent in the year-ago quarter. And Apple said that it sold 11.8 million iPads during the most recent quarter, a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter.Apple is No. 3 on the Fortune 500 list of the most profitable companies: Exxon Mobile:$41 billion Chevron: $26.9 billionApple: $25.9 billion Microsoft: $23 billionFord Motor: $20.2 billion
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