What's new on SlashGear.com |
- Dear Logitech: The Revue Is Overpriced
- Apple App Store Hits 10 Billion Downloads
- Qualcomm Baseband Evidence for iPhone and iPad Found by Hacker
- The Daily Slash: January 21 2011
- SlashGear Tech Writer Wanted!
| Dear Logitech: The Revue Is Overpriced Posted: 22 Jan 2011 10:30 AM PST I'm a firm believer in Google TV. I think the platform has more promise than any other software running on set-top boxes today. With the right vision and some fulfilment on promises Google has made in the past, I think it's quite possible for the company's platform to entirely change the way we enjoy entertainment in the living room.
But in its current form, Google TV isn't there. Content providers aren't playing nice with Google and running the platform in tandem with your cable provider's DVR won't deliver the same appeal that DISH customers enjoy. I view the software more as a proof-of-concept than a nicely thought-out implementation. Realizing that, I just can't see why Logitech continues to sell its Revue set-top box for a whopping $300. Yes, I know that it's running Google TV, and the platform can do more than, say, the software running on the $99 Apple TV, but it's clear now that the excitement everyone had about Google TV has died down. And it's being viewed as what it really is: an under-performing entertainment platform. As far as I'm concerned, the Logitech Revue should be selling for $150 at most. At that price, the company will be able to drum up some demand for the device, hopefully get most of its investment back, and at least have an installed base in place for when Google gets serious about its platform. But the need for a price cut goes beyond demand. Earlier this month, Vizio, currently the second-largest TV maker in the U.S., announced that it will offer Google TV in some of its sets going forward. In addition, reports surfaced last week claiming ARM-based Google TV devices are scheduled to launch "soon." With the help of ARM, vendors should be able to offer lower-cost technology, pushing down the average price of Google TV products. Logitech continues to feel pressure outside of the Google TV market, as well. Apple announced in December that it hit 1 million unit sales of its Apple TV. The figure isn't staggering, but it effectively highlights that the platform is catching on. And let's face it: Logitech doesn't enjoy the same brand recognition that Apple does. Moreover, Roku's set-top boxes, which can be purchased for as little as $60, continue to sell well. So, I'm a little confused by Logitech's insistence on maintaining its $300 price tag on the Revue. I understand that it wants to get every last dime out of its investment and I think it believes that the device will offer more value when Google updates its platform, but by then will it be too late? At least right now, the Revue is somewhat new and relevant. In a few months, it could be just another forgotten toy that failed to catch on with the mainstream. Say what you will about Logitech and the future of home entertainment, but unless the company starts realizing that it's not as well-positioned as it could be, and it understands that the competition is offering cheaper and more compelling alternatives, it simply won't see success in the set-top box space.
 |
| Apple App Store Hits 10 Billion Downloads Posted: 22 Jan 2011 01:17 AM PST As of today, 10 billion apps, thats ten BILLION individual apps have been downloaded from the Apple App Store. The person who fired off the ten billionth download will be receiving a $10,000 USD iTunes Gift Card that can be redeemed for anything in the iTunes store or the App Store including apps, music, audiobooks, television shows, and movies. Supposing the 10 billionth person was a person buying up every app in the world in order to be the magic number last, can you imagine them even having anything left to buy, much less $10,000 worth of digital downloads?
Another bonus the final person might be receiving is either a $1,000 or $5,000 gift card from MacPhun supposing they downloaded either a photo app or specifically the FC Photo Studio app – what are the chances it’s either one of these? We imagine the chances are slim. Good sales tactic then, eh? And lets talk for a moment about the number 10 billion. That’s huge, especially considering the only comparable number to be coming from the Android Marketplace which, if current projections are right, should be at right around 2,750,800,000. Will the marketplace ever eclipse the market? Currently it appears that another thousand apps are downloaded every 9 seconds in the Android Marketplace while every 3 seconds another 1,000 apps are downloaded in the App Store. Is this accurate? I’d say sort of. The counter on AndroLib appears to be going at a more random rate than Apple’s did, which I’d guess is closer to the truth, but is also based on an estimate. What do you think – will the Android Marketplace ever overtake the App Store? Press Release:
      
 |
| Qualcomm Baseband Evidence for iPhone and iPad Found by Hacker Posted: 21 Jan 2011 08:36 PM PST Evidence pointing toward an upcoming Qualcomm cellular baseband inside the code for Apple’s iTunes software has been found by a hacker by the name of Zibri. This evidence, if proven real, could mean incorporation of Qualcomm’s baseband into the next generation of Apple mobile devices such as iPad 2 and iPhone 5. Zibri claims the code he’s presented is a “definitive answer” to rumors that Qualcomm would be the baseband provider for iPhone 5, this also lending water to the idea that the company is already providing radios for the Verizon CDMA iPhone 4.
Specifically, Zibri mentions the files “partition.mbn” and “AMSS.MBN,” both of which he’s located in the hacked iTunes code, both of which he says mean “only one thing: QUALCOMM. Those files are the building blocks of any Qualcomm baseband.” The version Zibri is hunting through is the same version that’s currently in the homes of computer owners the world over, pointing toward the idea that the devices on which this possible baseband is being used are already going through the testing process. Take a peek back at the post by the title Apple “A8″ processor & Qualcomm baseband for iPhone 5? This post was made on the 14th of this month, and was sourced back to Apple Daily. Once we get several sources from seemingly completely different directions coming together to say the same thing, things start adding up. Perhaps Qualcomm it is? [Via Apple Insider]
 |
| The Daily Slash: January 21 2011 Posted: 21 Jan 2011 07:50 PM PST First order of business, we need a writer! Take a peek at the SlashGear Tech Writer Wanted! post and pass it on if you know someone slick! And make sure they or you are as dedicated to writing as this man is to Verizon, because that’s what SlashGear loves! There is one thing SlashGear doesn’t love though, and that’s lawsuits – Android Faces Massive Lawsuit at Hands of Oracle and Verizon Files for Appeal on Net Neutrality Light – nasty stuff. On a lovelier note, Angry Birds Valentine’s Day Edition was announced today! And do you love updates? How about updates to your beloved Nexus S, Nexus One, and Samsung Vibrant? All the updates in the world today, and MORE here on The Daily Slash!
R3 Media Network Editor’s Choice SlashPhone Android Community SlashGear To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash] or here: [SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up]
 |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2011 04:08 PM PST SlashGear is looking for a new writer to join the team, helping us report at the front line of consumer electronics. We need a flexible early-adopter, passionate about technology, with a strong grasp of written English and the creativity to contribute to editorial and unique content.
An adaptable schedule and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and under pressure are essential. You’ll need to be able to quickly acclimate to the ever-changing world of online reporting, and have a solid understanding of the technology landscape and the major players and themes in the industry today. Being based in the San Francisco or NYC areas is a plus but not essential. If you think you’ve got what it takes, email us at jobs@slashgear.com with your bio and CV for more information.
 |
| You are subscribed to email updates from SlashGear To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar