Smart TV or media streamer-

Smart TV or media streamer?
If you do have a 4K TV, you will have to use your TV's built-in Netflix app (above) to see 4K content from them. Remember, just because your TV's Info button says "1080p" doesn't mean that's what the signal is from Netflix, that's just what your TV is receiving from the media box.Check outWhat is upconverting? and Ultra HD 4K TV Cheat Sheet for more info.Cost Tie, sort of (again) Generally speaking, a smart TV costs about $100, or around £80, more than a "dumb" TV. The better media streamers cost about the same. So technically it's a wash.It's not that simple, however. If you want to get a good, top-of-the-line TV, it's going to have smart features built in, whether you want them or not. So if you want to add a media streamer, you're going to be paying for the same apps (mostly, as mentioned above) twice.Bottom line That last part is the kicker. Most people are going to be faced with adding a media streamer to a TV that already has most of the streaming services. Looking at it that way, this becomes more complex than a simple tally of ties, wins, and losses. The question really is whether a media streamer is worth $100, or £80, when you already have a smart TV? Personally, I'd say yes, and I hate recommending people spend more money than they need to. It comes down to Amazon and iTunes. Being able to watch just about any show or movie whenever you want is huge, and most smart TVs just don't offer that ability. Many also have clunky, annoying interfaces, and they're not updated frequently. Sure there are some exceptions, but having a good media streamer means you can ignore a smart TV's apps, both when you're shopping, and when you've got it home. That's worth $100 to me, easily. Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics like why all HDMI cables are the same, LED LCD vs. plasma, active versus passive 3D, and more. Still have a question? Send him an email! He won't tell you what TV to buy, but he might use your letter in a future article. You can also send him a message on Twitter @TechWriterGeoff or Google+.

iMessages aren't secure when you lose your iOS device

iMessages aren't secure when you lose your iOS device
Since Apple released the Find My iPhone app, users cruising out and about have had a backup plan to keep their minds at ease should they accidentally leave their iPhone at a bar or come across the misfortune of being robbed.Find My iPhone allows you to remote-wipe your iPhone, leaving no trace of your information, should you not be able to recover it. That should be enough to keep users safe, but readers of Ars Technica have reported that despite deactivating their phone with their carrier, remote wiping their iPhone 4S, and changing their Apple ID password after the device was stolen from their home, iMessages from a new user were still being sent and received as the original owner.According to iOS security expert Jonathan Zdziarski, "iMessage registers with the subscriber's phone number from the SIM, so let's say you restore the phone, it will still read the phone number from the SIM. I suppose if you change the SIM out after the phone has been configured, the old number might be cached somewhere either on the phone or on Apple's servers with the UDID of the phone."This is not good news. Apparently the "best" solution is to completely cancel your original Apple ID and register your new iPhone with a completely new user name and password. Of course, by canceling your Apple ID you will lose access to any past purchases you've made on the iTunes Music Store or the App Store. Ouch. This seems like it could be a bigger deal than was first thought. Is there really no way to securely revoke access to iMessages if your iPhone is lost or stolen?Unfortunately, for now, that is the case. Keep in mind that the majority of your information, like your contacts, e-mail accounts, and content will still be erased forever when using the remote wipe feature of Find My iPhone. From a security standpoint those are the most important pieces of information to keep secure, but certainly Apple needs to get this iMessage debacle figured out.What should the blogosphere call this situation? iMessageGate? Luckily I have not had to use the remote wipe feature after losing my iPhone, but if anyone has experienced their iMessages being sent to their old iPhone after remote wiping it and getting a new phone, let me know in the comments.

Twitter updates iPhone app

Twitter updates iPhone app
Just a few weeks after it updated its Android app, Twitter today sent out a major revamp of its free iPhone app to the iTunes App Store. As with most software updates, there are both good and bad changes here. The former definitely outweigh the latter, but Twitter needs to step in and correct one irritating addition. Here's the full list of changes.What's welcomeA redesigned Tweet compose screen with buttons for adding usernames, hashtags, photos, and locationAutomatically shortens URLs to 20 characters (I like this, though having the option to use a third-party source would be nice)Auto-complete of usernames and hashtags (my favorite addition)A cleaner interface for uploading photosFind users using your phone's contactsA better conversationlike view for direct messages. The interface now is similar to the iPhone's text messaging app (also very cool)Changes to preferencesBug fixesWhat's not welcomeUnfortunately, you'll now find a "quick bar" at the top of your feed that shows trending tweets and hashtags, some of which are promoted. You can cycle through the selectionby swiping left to right.Though Twitter is promoting the convenience of never leaving your timeline, I found the quick bar to be nothing short of annoying. Not only does it resemble spam or a rotating ad, but also I don't really care what's trending at a certain moment. As I said, this is a welcome update, but I hope the quick bar is gone with the next one.

Twitter updates app for iOS 7

Twitter updates app for iOS 7
As expected, Twitter has updated its iOS app to coincide with Apple's release on Wednesday of iOS 7.The new version of the app, which appeared this morning, is largely unchanged, although it has a flat toolbar gracing the top, and several new buttons.It had been expected that Twitter would roll out an all-new version of its app for iOS 7 which did away with the standard four buttons across the bottom of the screen for Home, Connect, Discover, and Me, but for now, at least, that's not the case.In a blog post this morning, Twitter said that the update is also compatible with iOS 5 and iOS 6. In addition, the company pointed out several new iOS features that integrate with Twitter. Users can use the #music hashtag on iTunes Radio to find music currently trending on Twitter. As well, it's now possible to use Siri to search Twitter, and in Safari users can employ shared links to access links other people have tweeted.

AT&T reintroduces anti-video-streaming terms

AT&T reintroduces anti-video-streaming terms
Earlier this month, AT&T modified its wireless terms of service (TOS) to ban Slingbox activities on mobile devices attached to its network. Less than a week later, the company retracted these changes due to public outcry over the matter and explained that the changes were made "in error." Unexpectedly, the AT&T TOS has changed again within the past 24 hours. The new TOS language targets and prohibits the place-shifting activities from Slingbox or similar devices to "Personal Computers" using AT&T's wireless network. The changes are:While most common uses for Intranet browsing, e-mail, and Intranet access are permitted by your data plan, there are certain uses that cause extreme network capacity issues and interference with the network and are therefore prohibited. Examples of prohibited uses include, without limitation...downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers, Web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices....Clearly, AT&T is seeking to keep its wireless network from being overwhelmed by heavy video use, but the restriction is surprising given that it comes during a time of growth for AT&T. Apple is rumored to be releasing a next-generation iPhone with video capabilities this summer, and AT&T is performing network upgrades that are supposed to double download speeds to 7Mbps and eventually higher.It remains to be seen what effect AT&T's new restrictions might have on the availability of the iPhone SlingPlayer app in the iTunes App Store. As of press time, it still has not been approved for distribution in the store. However, we suspect that the app will eventually be approved, considering that the new TOS does not completely forbid video streaming and does not mention the iPhone or SlingPlayer directly.

AT&T- 'Most successful' iPhone 5 launch smashes sales records

AT&T: 'Most successful' iPhone 5 launch smashes sales records
AT&T said today that the iPhone 5 has sold faster than any previous model of the Apple smartphone.The network declined to offer numbers on the first weekend of the iPhone 5 going on sale -- normally reserved for Apple, in which an announcement is expected in the coming days -- but the cell network giant said it set a "sales record" for its first day of pre-orders and over the weekend.The 5 arrivesCNET's iPhone 5 reviewApple out to prove it's still kingPictures: Apple's big iPhone 5 reveal Full coverage: The iPhone 5 arrivesiPhone 5: What we didn't getStart your iOS 6 downloads September 19Apple reworks, simplifies iTunesApple's new smartphone comes with a 4-inch Retina display, global 4G LTE coverage, an improved A6 processor and 1GB memory, and a new Lightning dock connector.The iPhone 5 was announced on Wednesday and was available for pre-order on Friday. Almost as soon as the device went up for sale on carrier's sites at 12.01 a.m. PT, many carrier sites struggled to stay afloat. AT&T's own site hiccuped through the early morning and eventually came back online close to two hours after the device went on sale.In the first hour, the first batch of iPhone 5 smartphones were sold out, pushing back delivery times from September 21 to as far as early October.Apple said on Friday, following the outages and delays, that it was "blown away by the customer response," and noted that: "Pre-orders for iPhone 5 have been incredible."Apple is expected to sell between 6 million to 10 million iPhone's in September alone, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, with an overall 49 million units in the fourth-quarter in the run-up to the Christmas holiday season.See CNET's full reporting on Apple's iPhone 5.This story originally appeared at ZDNet.This 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.Play

Apple reigns as chief U.S. smartphone maker

Apple reigns as chief U.S. smartphone maker
As Apple appears to be winning the U.S. smartphone race, Google still has a strong hold as the top mobile platform. New data by ComScore shows that Apple got the rank of "top smartphone manufacturer" by raking in 36.3 percent of the market share, while Google Android was the No. 1 platform with 53.4 percent share. ComScore tallied this data by surveying more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers between September and December 2012.To date, 125.9 million people in the U.S. now own a smartphone, which is 54 percent of the total mobile market. This is up 5 percent since September. And, Apple's iPhone has been steadily rising in U.S. penetration -- having also gone up 2 percentage points since September. It is followed by Samsung, which has 21 percent of the market and has risen 2.3 percentage points. Next in line are HTC, Motorola, and LG, respectively.ComScore As far as smartphone platforms go, Google's Android still dominates. However, Apple seems to be creeping up in this market too. Apple's share increased 2 percentage points to 36.3 percent since September, while Google's went up just 0.9 percentage points. BlackBerry came in third with 6.4 percent, and Microsoft and Symbian followed.Despite Apple's growth and dominance, some analysts believe that the iPhone market share will peak at 22 percent and then level off. In order to keep growing, ABI research firm has said, Apple needs to put more focus on the business market.

Apple refunds buyers of GameStore, calls app 'premature'

Apple refunds buyers of GameStore, calls app 'premature'
Those who jumped on buying an unannounced, and apparently unfinished, first-party iOS application from Apple ended up getting their money back from the company today.Buyers of GameStore--a 99-cent app that appeared briefly on the App Store on Saturday and listed Apple as the developer--today received an e-mail from the company notifying them about the refund. Following its discovery, the software was pulled off the App Store. In its e-mail to customers, which has been posted by Macrumors, Apple acknowledged that the software was put on the App Store "prematurely." Dear [name], You recently purchase (sic) the GameStore app. The app was made available for sale prematurely. We apologize for the problem and have refunded the purchase amount back to your account. These funds will be applied to your original payment method within 5 business days.Sincerely, iTunes Store Customer Supporthttp://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/ An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the matter, but confirmed to CNET that the above e-mail to customers came from the company and not a third-party. The company is not disclosing how many individuals purchased the app while it was available.The app itself included a series of in-app purchase options for virtual gaming goods, however there was no game to speak of. The only description on its product page said that GameStore "allows you to buy different things from within the app."TUAW's Erica Sadun, who downloaded and analyzed several of the code strings within the software, suggested it was "sample code" set up as a demo to let developers test Apple's in-app purchase system.Updated at 8:13 p.m. PT with comment from Apple.

Apple receives final approval for new 'spaceship' campus

Apple receives final approval for new 'spaceship' campus
The Cupertino City Council on Tuesday gave its final approval to the construction of Apple's planned 176-acre Campus 2, better known as the company's "spaceship" campus.The vote, largely a formality after the council unanimously approved construction of the 2.8-million-square-foot building last month, allows Apple to enter a 20-year development agreement with the city and pick up its official building permits on Wednesday. Apple plans to begin demolition of office buildings on the former Hewlett-Packard campus by the end of the year, with the first phase of construction expected to be completed by 2016."Go for it," Cupertino Mayor Orrin Mahoney said after Tuesday's unanimous vote in favor of the project, according to a MacRumors account of the meeting. "We're eager to see it happen. Go for it."As part of the final agreement, Apple has agreed to increase the amount of taxes it pays to the city of Cupertino in the form of a reduction in a sales tax rebate the city gives the company each year. Instead of the 50 percent sales tax rebate that Cupertino gave the company last year, it will now refund only 35 percent, according to the Los Angeles Times. Of the $12.7 million in sales tax Apple generated for Cupertino last year, the city refunded $6.2 million back to Apple, the Times reported.The centerpiece of the new campus will be a four-story ring-shaped building of curved glass and steel surrounded by more than 7,000 trees. First referred to as a "spaceship" by the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs himself in 2011, the new building is expected to accommodate more than 14,000 employees.Apple's 'spaceship'-like campus reboot (...See full gallery1 - 4 / 14NextPrev

Apple readying new plan for cash pile, investor says

Apple readying new plan for cash pile, investor says
Apple soon will share what it plans to do with some of the cash on its books, according to a New York-based investment firm. In an interview earlier today, Gamco Investors CIO Howard Ward told Bloomberg he expects Apple to make a cash-related announcement by the end of the month. If true, it would be the second such plan detailed by the company in two years. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ward's claims. Related storiesApple taps $100B cash pile to pay dividend, buy back stockDavid Einhorn tries to woo Apple shareholders with cashApple shares fall; market cap tumbles below $400BApple's cash pile has grown in step with the breakout success of the iPhone and iPad, its top two sellers that have driven the company's record profits. As Apple's cash grew, shareholders began pressuring the company to return some of that pile with larger reinvestments or a dividend. Apple relented last year and announced a dividend program, as well as a $10 billion stock buyback. Even with that move, some investors believe Apple could do more to address the more than two-thirds of cash it keeps offshore. It's a touchy subject, considering the tax Apple would be privy to pay to bring it back into the country.Apple was sued earlier this year by David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital, who took the company to task over the idea of preferred shares. Einhorn successfully barred a vote on the issue at Apple's annual shareholders meeting, though Apple executives said they'd bring the issue back up when the company reached a decision.

Apple readying 15-inch MacBook Air for Q1, report says

Apple readying 15-inch MacBook Air for Q1, report says
Apple is planning to unveil a bigger MacBook Air towards the beginning of 2012, a new report claims.According to Digitimes, which claims to have sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company has already engaged manufacturing partners to start producing a 15-inch MacBook Air for a first-quarter 2012 launch. Digitimes' sources say that the bigger MacBook Air will complement the current 11.6- and 13.3-inch MacBook Airs already on store shelves.Apple's ultraslim and lightweight MacBook Air has quickly become a key component in the company's product mix. Earlier this month, research from NPD and Morgan Stanley found that the computer accounted for 28 percent of all Apple notebook sales in October, up from an 8 percent contribution in May and June.That report followed an investor note from J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz earlier this year, claiming the MacBook Air could deliver as much as $2.2 billion in revenue to Apple if its sales continue on their torrid pace. Related LinksMacBook Air's importance to Apple on the riseUltrabooks to MacBook Air: Time to step up your gameApple to ship 15-inch ultrathin laptop in 2012However, there's no telling how that figure might need to be adjusted if Digitimes' sources are right on another point about Apple's MacBook Air plans. According to those sources, Apple will cut the price of its existing MacBook Airs at some point in the next few months to prepare for the launch of its new line. The new prices, as well as pricing on the 15-inch model, are unknown at this point.Digitimes' latest report on the MacBook Air comes just two weeks after the publication said that Apple was planning to launch a thin, 15-inch Mac notebook in March. However, at the time, the outlet's sources weren't sure if it was a MacBook Air or a slimmer MacBook Pro.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the Digitimes report.