apple

An Atom-powered Intel? Not a chance

With Intel's focus on the new Atom-brand processors being described at the Intel Developer Forum this week, "Atom-powered" is the obvious description of the mobile Internet devices (MIDs) these chips will go into... and it seems like half the IDF stories on the Internet this week are using that phrase.

Intel, however, seems to want even more hyperbole-- it expects people to believe that Atom will recharge the whole company. CEO Paul Otellini reportedly said "This is as important to Intel as the launch of the Pentium in the mid-1990s"-- but that's ridiculous.… Read more

Is Microsoft talking smack or taking it?

It seems that Microsoft's Scott Rockfeld was talking some smack about the iPhone at the London launch of Windows Mobile 6.1.

"We are not at all worried. We think we've got the one mobile platform you'll use for the rest of your life."

"Here lies Ted. He used Windows Mobile." Yeesh. Thanks for the creepy marketing campaign, Microsoft.

However Rockfeld was quick to dash Apple's hopes of dominating the smartphone market...

Uh, that should probably be "quick to try to dash Apple's hopes". The Macalope expects that if … Read more

Where, or where are the iPhones?

Apple has suddenly hit a shortage of iPhones, Paul Kedrosky notes. But why? And when will the shortage end? Most interestingly, does it portend the imminent arrival of the 3G iPhone?

Paul suggests the following reasons:

Apple has a component issue and is doing a quiet recall Apple has a supply issue with a major sole-source supplier Apple is set to do a surprise launch of a 3G phone

Even Option 3 isn't great for Apple, as it means it is losing out on hundreds of thousands of sales. Any ideas?

The Apple rumor that just won't die

An Apple rumor a day keeps a slow news day away. Right? Though idle chit chat about tech's most gossiped-about company pops up all the time, they tend to be quashed or talked to death before another one comes along that's juicier. One recent rumor is still floating around the Web.

Sometimes the rumors are generated by simply making logical leaps, as in Wednesday's Apple-will-use-Atom-processors yarn, which my colleague Tom Krazit flatly dismisses. Other times, they're based on rumors overheard in Asia, like last week when Gartner's Ken Dulaney said he heard that Apple has … Read more

MP3 Insider 91: On trusting user comments

This week, Donald and Jasmine discuss the relative merits of the MobiBlu T10, which becomes an example on when not to trust user comments. Also, some PVPs for movie marathoners and a handful of iPod Nano alternatives. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 91

Craptastic MobiBlu T10: http://reviews.cnet.com/portable-video-players-pvps/mobiblu-t10/4505-6499_7-32886414.html?tag=links;reviewSweet-ass m:Station Tower: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-player-speaker-docks/mstation-2-1-tower/4505-12699_7-31959354.html?tag=links;reviewAcoustic Reaserch headphones: http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/acoustic-research-awd510-wireless/4505-7877_7-32826682.html?tag=links;review & http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/acoustic-research-are05-noise/4505-7877_7-32907609.html?tag=links;review … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 694: Know your zombies

It's zombie-preparedness day, and may we suggest you also prepare yourself for a barrage of rumors of the eBay and Blu-ray variety. Also, today, Amazon reaches right inside Molly's brain and launches shopping via text-message (hello, impulse purchase heaven!), and one listener defends the sacred honor of the Chevy Nova. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 694

Voicemail - Dark Zombie Preparedness Day!

Judge to RIAA: You can’t sue over songs ‘made available’ via P2P http://www.news.com/8301-13578_3-9908353-38.html

eBay’s power sell: Skype to Google? http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9908959-36.html

Amazon launches … Read more

Apple unlikely to get up and Atom

Apple is an Intel customer. Intel has a new chip. Therefore, Apple will use Intel's new chip.

Such leaps of logic are easy to make when you need to construct an SEO-friendly headline, or to attach a news hook to an announcement of a chip that has already been announced five or six times but still won't appear in any devices for another couple of months. Intel is talking up its Atom processor halfway around the world at its Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, prompting Forbes to resurrect the "Apple will use Silverthorne" rumor from a … Read more

Macs: They're not for everyone

Yesterday, Computerworld brought us 5 reasons to ditch the Mac and return to PCs (tip o' the antlers to John Gruber via e-mail). And, sadly, they weren't April foolin' us.

Listen, then, Mac user to the tale of one "Mac fan" who switched... back! (Please shoot the Macalope now.)

So while Apple's sales continue to grow, Keanini decided to buck the trend, and gave up on his most recent Apple machine, an Intel dual-core based MacBook Pro.

That seems like kind of a waste since he could have just used Boot Camp to run Windows on … Read more

iPhone users: Think young and rich, not different

Rubicon Consulting's survey of 460 iPhone users in the U.S. surfaced the obvious. iPhone users are are young (half under 30), tech savvy and, besides telephony, primarily use the device for e-mail, texting, and Web browsing.

In addition, about one-third of the survey's respondents said they carry a second phone, presumably for some business purpose or a second phone number. Ten percent of those surveyed have a RIM BlackBerry alongside their iPhone. iPhone users also are about 40 percent above the U.S. median in household income.

The iPhone, starting at $399, naturally appeals to an elite, … Read more