Best mobile games of February 2014
TengamiTrailerIf you like games that are as much about atmosphere and art as they are about gameplay, Tengami should be on your list. Based on pop-up books and set in a sort of mythical feudal Japan, it sees you exploring a gorgeous paper world, solving puzzles based on the mechanics of pop-up books: pulling tabs and folding pages to explore the world and find the fallen cherry blossom to return it to its tree. The narrative isn't especially deep, but sometimes an exercise in aesthetic wonder is enough in and of itself. You can read our full review of Tengami here.Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$5.49(Credit: Mi-Clos Studio)Out ThereTrailerWe have plenty of space-themed games on the list this week, but if it's depth you want, Out There is it. It tells the tale of an astronaut who wakes from cryosleep to find that he's no longer in orbit around Earth â€" in fact, he has no idea where he is, and has only unreliable alien technology as a guide home. You have to carefully manoeuvre through dangerous situations and manage resources as you navigate the starsâ€" because if your astronaut dies, it's game over. And all the while, you have no way of knowing if what you seek is truly the way home. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$5.64 (Android); AU$4.49 (iOS)(Credit: David Mondou-Labbe)OquonieTrailerDavid Mondou-Labbe, better known as Aliceffekt, doesn't make games for the faint of heart: each one is an exercise in going somewhere completely new. In Oquonie, you have to navigate the strange, labyrinthine spaces, where everyone speaks a strange language of symbols, trying to unlock enough information to find the way forward. It's a puzzle in every sense of the word â€" deeply confusing, deeply clever and deeply engrossing. You can read our full review of Oquonie here.Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$2.99(Credit: Sirvo)Threes!The premise of Threes! is pretty simple: pair matching numbers, starting with threes. Your base units are twos and ones, which you can push together to create a three; from there, you have to place matching numbers next to each other, then push them together to create a single, doubled number. The idea, of course, is to get the number higher and higher, until you hit the highest number achievable in the game â€" 6144 â€" on a four-by-four grid. Although it may well go higher than that. If you find out, let us know. It's worth noting that Threes! is not yet available for Android. There is a copycat called Fives doing the rounds on Google Play, but if you can wait â€" and we'd recommend you do, because copycats suck â€" Threes! will be available for Android soon. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$1.99(Credit: Rising Step)Dual SurvivorTrailerThe core of Dual Survivor is multi-tasking. The idea is to place both thumbs on the screen, using them to simultaneously steer two discrete pads along two tracks, collecting power orbs, 50 per level. This is not as easy as it sounds. Firstly, the orbs can be tucked away in tricky corners, which makes navigation difficult even on one track, never mind two at the same time. Secondly, it's not long before the placement of the orbs, as well as the layout of the track, starts to vary, meaning that you are, essentially, running two completely different tracks at once. It's dastardly tricky â€" and tremendously satisfying. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$3.80 (Android); AU$2.99 (iOS)(Credit: Playmous)God of LightTrailerThe light physics puzzler is nothing new, but a well-realised game is worth a look, even if we're all familiar with the mechanics. In God of Light, you're tasked with restoring light to the land by directing beams at a series of mirrors to reach a final destination point, tilting the mirrors to create a path through three gems. The fun part is that Shiny â€" the smiley light source â€" is the only light source, and it's only by directing light around the space that you can figure out how to solve the puzzle.Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$1.99(Credit: The Voxel Agents)Toy ManiaBetween the Train Conductor games and Puzzle Retreat, Aussie developer The Voxel Agents is becoming a consummate master of arcade puzzlers. Toy Mania has been available as a free Facebook game for some time, and it's just made the leap across to Android. It's a match puzzler, and the aim is to connect colour blocks together to create a lovable stuffed animal. But you have to connect together all the blocks of any single colour on the playgrid, or the match doesn't clear. Each line on the grid can be moved on the horizontal and vertical planes, so you need to carefully plan your manoeuvres â€" all the time racing against the clock. Platform: AndroidPrice: Free(Credit: Pierre Aclement)Primal FlameTrailerIt's rather astonishing that something like Primal Flame hasn't crossed our path before. As the name suggests, it's about fire, and your finger is the match, swiping across the screen to light a flame, then holding to stay alight. The aim is to move around the dark screen, killing the darkness where it blooms and collecting seeds of light to master the element of fire and restore light to the world. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$2.99(Credit: Realore)Viking Saga: The Cursed RingWe love a good resource management game, and Realore does some great ones based in history and legend. In Viking Saga: The Cursed Ring, the King has been cursed by, well, a ring, and you have to travel to and settle in new lands, building small towns, feeding your workers and bringing in resources to keep moving onward to find the villain Loki. Each level provides several challenges, such as building houses, clearing obstacles and collecting money. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: Free (Android, full game available via IAP); AU$5.49(Credit: Ludosity)Card City NightsTrailerAfter Adventure Time Card Wars, we really wanted to see an IAP-free CCG; and this offering from Ludosity, the team behind the excellent Legend of Zelda spoof Ittle Dew, is balm to our souls. Once you have purchased the game, there are no further payments â€" not even for booster packs. The game also features a bunch of characters and fantasy tropes, as well as Ludosity's own wicked brand of cutting humour. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$2.20 (Android); AU$0.99 (iOS)(Credit: Spiderweb Software)Avadon 2: The CorruptionTrailerYou really can't beat a good, old-fashioned isometric dungeon-crawler. Avadon 2: The Corruption picks up where Avadon: The Black Fortress left off, and it's everything we love about an old-school fantasy RPG: five different character classes for replayability; a sprawling, epic storyline; multiple endings; a bunch of optional side quests and secrets; and loot. So much loot. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$10.49(Credit: Bithack)PrincipiaTrailerPhysics and engineering puzzler Principia is a little bit more cerebral than your usual "move A to B" style of game. In the game, you have to move a little robot to a specific place. It starts off pretty small â€" building bridges and placing directional pads â€" but quickly moves on to more complex engineering, such as building robots and other machines, and complex Rube Goldberg-style mechanisms.Platform: Android (lite version available); iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$3.89 (Android); AU$4.49 (iOS)(Credit: Skoobie Games)Blue EdenTrailerWe don't think we've ever played a game quite like Blue Eden. You control a school of blue surgeonfish, navigating the perils of the coral reef: feeding, predators, migration and breeding. It's quite lovely, and each element of the fish's lives has a different gameplay mechanic. Educational and fun! Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$0.99(Credit: Crescent Moon Games)Coldfire KeepTrailerWant your dungeon crawling a little more on the immediate side? Crescent Moon Games' Coldfire Keep is full of monsters and treasure â€" all from a first-person, 3D perspective. You control a team of four, venturing into the depths to destroy the evil that lurks within â€" and collect all the shiny, shiny loots, of course. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$5.49(Credit: Creatiu Lab)StubiesTrailerStubies is eye-catching: it has cute, colourful little characters and very polished graphics, looking like quite a sweet little time-waster. Looks, however, can be deceiving: although it starts pretty easy, Stubies gets very hard, very quickly. The titular Stubies are colourful little block-headed characters that meander across your screen. The aim is to match them up in same-coloured pairs, removing them. You do this by changing their direction, which often means factoring in timing it so that their paths cross at exactly the right time. There is no penalty for differently coloured Stubies bumping into each other, but add in a few other elements â€" such as holes in the floor, obstacles and powered Stubies â€" and the gameplay rapidly becomes more frantic, complicated and utterly mad. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$0.99(Credit: Steph Thirion)Eliss InfinityTrailerLaunched five years ago, Eliss was one of the more prominent early "arty" arcade games for iOS. Eliss Infinity continues the gameplay. Set to a gorgeous ambient soundtrack, the aim is to match correctly sized and coloured cells to their portals. Cells can be split or joined, but only with other cells of the same colour â€" if cells of different colours touch, it depletes your life meter; since cells will spawn on top of each other, you have to act relatively quickly to keep things moving. It's a wonderfully satisfying experience. Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$2.99(Credit: DotEmu)R-Type IITrailerR-Type has been floating around on iTunes and Google Play for a while now, on and off (there was some messiness when developer DotEmu's contract with Electronic Arts expired). The series of side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups holds a rightful place in the hearts of many gamers, and it's high time the 1989 sequel made its way across to new platforms too. It's been rebuilt and optimised for mobile, with two different customisable control modes, three difficulty settings (although why you'd want to play on easy mode is anyone's guess), and support for third-party controllers â€" while maintaining the classic graphics and gameplay we know and love. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$2.70 (Android); AU$1.99 (iOS)(Credit: Selosoft)Running QuestTrailerI'm going to be honest about this game. It's buggy. The touch controls don't always work. The voice acting isn't great and the animation is wooden. But I still can't stop playing the danged thing. It's a runner (not endless, since you can catch and kill the final boss) based on a fantasy premise: you're chasing a goblin who's stolen something and threatened the realm, and you dash along destroying enemies, collecting gold to buy power-ups and orbs to use abilities. It's very easy to see where fixes can be applied, and I hope developer Selosoft gets around to that, because there are a lot of things the game does right: fun gameplay, IAP that is completely optional, collectible weapons and armour and a new setting for the runner genre.Platform: iPhone and iPadPrice: AU$1.99(Credit: AppXplore)Caveboy EscapeTrailerPlenty of match titles see you swapping or moving the tiles or rows-and-columns, but Caveboy Escape is a little bit different. You have to move the Caveboy to the exit â€" but he can only advance by stepping across lots of three of the same tile type. This leads to some tricky circumnavigation, as well as needing to plan ahead â€" and for some extra spice in the mix, you can only get three stars if you manage to beat the clock. Platform: Android; iPhone and iPadPrice: Free(Credit: Ivan Zanotti's MyMadness Works)NothingElseCreepy point-and-click game NothingElse, by the creator of Imscared: A Pixelated Nightmare, follows Phillip, a young boy with a troubled family who just wants to escape into a good book for a while. However, he finds himself instead descending into a weird, surreal sort of nightmare, trying to find his way out. For a relatively short eight-bit game, it certainly doesn't skimp on the creepy â€" creator Ivan Zanotti is a master of minimalist horror. Platform: AndroidPrice: Free
Pentagon, State Department OK social-network use
Pentagon, State Department OK social-network use
Anna Chapman, one of the Russian spies who were recently deported, opened accounts on Facebook and a Russian-language site called Odnoklassniki, though it's unclear whether she used them for anything more intriguing than posting photographs of herself posing in front of the Statue of Liberty.Alec Ross, a senior advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is an active user of Twitter, with about 288,000 followers. The department also has created YouTube, Flickr, and Facebook accounts and distributes podcasts through iTunes. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking U.S. military officer, sends out messages as "TheJointStaff" on Twitter.A February 2010 memorandum (PDF) from the Pentagon says that while the military will "continue to deny access to sites" that are pornographic or gambling-related, "limited personal use of federal government resources" to access social networks is authorized as long as it doesn't interfere with official duties.Before establishing an official Defense Department presence on a social-networking Web site, the memorandum says, it must be approved by the appropriate commander. Once it's set up, the account must use "official DoD and command seals and logos as well as other official command-identifying material," include a link to the organization's official Web site, and be "actively monitored and evaluated" for compliance with security requirements or other "objectionable" use.Not all federal agencies permit employees to visit social-networking sites at work. Some agencies have blocked them altogether, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, citing workplace concerns of proper use, bandwidth, and security. (Remember the Transportation Security Administration's ban, now rescinded, on Web sites with "controversial opinions" earlier this month? Or how the House of Representatives voted this month to require porn-blocking on all federally-funded networks?)"We have a Facebook page," one Department of Homeland Security told The New York Times last year. "But we don't allow people to look at Facebook in the office. So we have to go home to use it. I find this bizarre."A May 2010 report (PDF) written by Lt. Col. Michelle Barrett in the Office of the Secretary of Defense concludes that: "Adversaries of the United States are also logging in to use and mine social media sites in search of ammunition for their cause against Western democracies and in the hunt for methods of engagement on the informational battlefield."But the U.S. military's efforts have been limited by varying Web policies, including ones that conflict with each other. Last year, the Marines banned access to all social-networking sites, while the Army lifted its restrictions. (The Marines Corps policy was rescinded in February 2010.)Barrett calls for the creation of a "unified set of rules" that would apply across the military, saying that enemies of the United States are already using social media to promote propaganda and the military must respond in kind if it doesn't want lies to spread. "Social media gives American service members the opportunity and capability to tell their story and can at the same time decrease the enemy's credibility should they choose to distort the truth of that same story," she says.
Anna Chapman, one of the Russian spies who were recently deported, opened accounts on Facebook and a Russian-language site called Odnoklassniki, though it's unclear whether she used them for anything more intriguing than posting photographs of herself posing in front of the Statue of Liberty.Alec Ross, a senior advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is an active user of Twitter, with about 288,000 followers. The department also has created YouTube, Flickr, and Facebook accounts and distributes podcasts through iTunes. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking U.S. military officer, sends out messages as "TheJointStaff" on Twitter.A February 2010 memorandum (PDF) from the Pentagon says that while the military will "continue to deny access to sites" that are pornographic or gambling-related, "limited personal use of federal government resources" to access social networks is authorized as long as it doesn't interfere with official duties.Before establishing an official Defense Department presence on a social-networking Web site, the memorandum says, it must be approved by the appropriate commander. Once it's set up, the account must use "official DoD and command seals and logos as well as other official command-identifying material," include a link to the organization's official Web site, and be "actively monitored and evaluated" for compliance with security requirements or other "objectionable" use.Not all federal agencies permit employees to visit social-networking sites at work. Some agencies have blocked them altogether, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, citing workplace concerns of proper use, bandwidth, and security. (Remember the Transportation Security Administration's ban, now rescinded, on Web sites with "controversial opinions" earlier this month? Or how the House of Representatives voted this month to require porn-blocking on all federally-funded networks?)"We have a Facebook page," one Department of Homeland Security told The New York Times last year. "But we don't allow people to look at Facebook in the office. So we have to go home to use it. I find this bizarre."A May 2010 report (PDF) written by Lt. Col. Michelle Barrett in the Office of the Secretary of Defense concludes that: "Adversaries of the United States are also logging in to use and mine social media sites in search of ammunition for their cause against Western democracies and in the hunt for methods of engagement on the informational battlefield."But the U.S. military's efforts have been limited by varying Web policies, including ones that conflict with each other. Last year, the Marines banned access to all social-networking sites, while the Army lifted its restrictions. (The Marines Corps policy was rescinded in February 2010.)Barrett calls for the creation of a "unified set of rules" that would apply across the military, saying that enemies of the United States are already using social media to promote propaganda and the military must respond in kind if it doesn't want lies to spread. "Social media gives American service members the opportunity and capability to tell their story and can at the same time decrease the enemy's credibility should they choose to distort the truth of that same story," she says.
Nero Move it- The Rosetta Stone for digital media-
Nero Move it: The Rosetta Stone for digital media?
It's fairly easy to use iTunes to get music, photos, and video onto your iPod. But what if you've got a video that you didn't buy on the iTunes Store? Or you want to get those files onto a PSP--or a Nokia phone? How about getting 6-megapixel photos from your camera to your Sony Ericsson Walkman phone? It's for those sort of digital back-and-forths that Nero's created Move it. The new Windows software lets you transfer most digital photos, audio, and video files between a variety of portable devices using your PC as the middleman.According to Nero, Move it will offer compatibility with a wide range of devices including the iPod and the PSP. The aim is to make transfers as close to plug-and-play as possible--to that end, the software will automatically convert and transcode files to preoptimized formats and resolutions as necessary. Also of note: Move it can interface with online social networks and sharing sites such as MySpace and YouTube. (Nero is pledging free downloadable updates that will add interoperability with more devices and services.)Notably, Move it is only compatible with DRM-free files. Don't expect to use it for ripping DVDs or transferring iTunes Store videos to non-Apple products. There are plenty of commercial and freeware programs around that do exactly the same sort of thing. (Check out Format Factory, for instance.) But Nero's hoping that Move it's ease of use and wide-ranging compatibility will set it apart in the mass market. The software will soon be available in two forms: as a shrink-wrapped box in stores for $50, or as a download for $40. My questions to you: Would you consider Move it as a worthwhile addition to your digital toolbox? Perhaps more importantly: do you think Move it would be recommendable to your non-techie friends? Or do you have a suggested freeware alternative?
It's fairly easy to use iTunes to get music, photos, and video onto your iPod. But what if you've got a video that you didn't buy on the iTunes Store? Or you want to get those files onto a PSP--or a Nokia phone? How about getting 6-megapixel photos from your camera to your Sony Ericsson Walkman phone? It's for those sort of digital back-and-forths that Nero's created Move it. The new Windows software lets you transfer most digital photos, audio, and video files between a variety of portable devices using your PC as the middleman.According to Nero, Move it will offer compatibility with a wide range of devices including the iPod and the PSP. The aim is to make transfers as close to plug-and-play as possible--to that end, the software will automatically convert and transcode files to preoptimized formats and resolutions as necessary. Also of note: Move it can interface with online social networks and sharing sites such as MySpace and YouTube. (Nero is pledging free downloadable updates that will add interoperability with more devices and services.)Notably, Move it is only compatible with DRM-free files. Don't expect to use it for ripping DVDs or transferring iTunes Store videos to non-Apple products. There are plenty of commercial and freeware programs around that do exactly the same sort of thing. (Check out Format Factory, for instance.) But Nero's hoping that Move it's ease of use and wide-ranging compatibility will set it apart in the mass market. The software will soon be available in two forms: as a shrink-wrapped box in stores for $50, or as a download for $40. My questions to you: Would you consider Move it as a worthwhile addition to your digital toolbox? Perhaps more importantly: do you think Move it would be recommendable to your non-techie friends? Or do you have a suggested freeware alternative?
Judge tells Apple and HTC to start talking settlement
Judge tells Apple and HTC to start talking settlement
Apple and HTC need to make up.At least, that's according to the U.S. District Court of Delaware, which ordered the two companies to discuss a potential settlement. The talks would be moderated by Judge Sherry Fallon, Foss Patents reported today.The order comes after two key HTC smartphones, the Evo 4G LTE and the One X, were barred from coming into the U.S. as a result of the companies' ongoing dispute. The embargo was related to a U.S. International Trade Commission ruling from last year over a data tapping patent, which HTC was supposed to have removed at this point. Related storiesAnalysts predict bold growth for Google AndroidHTC expecting sales turnaround with new lineupHTC's next super phones waiting in the wingsThe 411: Sorry, no Chocolate for youWanted at Google: Nexus One phone support Courts have increasingly pushed companies to opt for the settlement talk route, rather than drag out an exhaustive legal battle over patents. Apple and HTC's legal fight has been among the longest; HTC was the first Android partner that Apple sued.According to the order, Apple and HTC must send parties with the authority to act on behalf of their respective companies, although it's unclear who will attend the talks, according to Foss Patents. While the companies are expected to talk in good faith, it's unlikely a settlement will be reached, Foss Patents' Florian Mueller said. While the ITC case has been decided, there are several outstanding lawsuits still going through multiple courts around the world. Related video: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 and HTC need to make up.At least, that's according to the U.S. District Court of Delaware, which ordered the two companies to discuss a potential settlement. The talks would be moderated by Judge Sherry Fallon, Foss Patents reported today.The order comes after two key HTC smartphones, the Evo 4G LTE and the One X, were barred from coming into the U.S. as a result of the companies' ongoing dispute. The embargo was related to a U.S. International Trade Commission ruling from last year over a data tapping patent, which HTC was supposed to have removed at this point. Related storiesAnalysts predict bold growth for Google AndroidHTC expecting sales turnaround with new lineupHTC's next super phones waiting in the wingsThe 411: Sorry, no Chocolate for youWanted at Google: Nexus One phone support Courts have increasingly pushed companies to opt for the settlement talk route, rather than drag out an exhaustive legal battle over patents. Apple and HTC's legal fight has been among the longest; HTC was the first Android partner that Apple sued.According to the order, Apple and HTC must send parties with the authority to act on behalf of their respective companies, although it's unclear who will attend the talks, according to Foss Patents. While the companies are expected to talk in good faith, it's unlikely a settlement will be reached, Foss Patents' Florian Mueller said. While the ITC case has been decided, there are several outstanding lawsuits still going through multiple courts around the world. Related video: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
Join us now for Tim Cook's chat from D10
Join us now for Tim Cook's chat from D10
Tim Cook, right, sits with All Things D conference founders Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.Editor's note: This live blog of Apple CEO Tim Cook's talk at D10 is ongoing. Click below to join in the live blog. Or click here for a story on what he's covered so far.Set your smartphone alarm: CNET will be on the scene to bring you all the news and details from Apple CEO Tim Cook's chat at the D10 conference, which kicks off tonight around 6:30 p.m. PT. The stage is set.The public interview will be Cook's second in recent months. In mid-February, Cook appeared at the Goldman Sachs' annual Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco to discuss worker safety, financials, products, and Apple's culture. Tonight's chat is expected to touch on a similarly broad range of topics.Cook's predecessor, Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs, attended the D conference series in previous years. At the fifth D conference, Jobs shared the stage with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. Unlike other companies, Apple has never used the opportunity to launch a product. The same is expected tonight. Apple's own annual developers conference is kicking off in just a few weeks, and that's where Apple has said it will show off "the future" of OS X and iOS.We'll be liveblogging Cook's appearance at D10 in this post. Come back at 6:30 p.m. PT for live text and photos.Editors' note: The original, bare-bones version of this story was posted today at 4 a.m. PT.
Tim Cook, right, sits with All Things D conference founders Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.Editor's note: This live blog of Apple CEO Tim Cook's talk at D10 is ongoing. Click below to join in the live blog. Or click here for a story on what he's covered so far.Set your smartphone alarm: CNET will be on the scene to bring you all the news and details from Apple CEO Tim Cook's chat at the D10 conference, which kicks off tonight around 6:30 p.m. PT. The stage is set.The public interview will be Cook's second in recent months. In mid-February, Cook appeared at the Goldman Sachs' annual Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco to discuss worker safety, financials, products, and Apple's culture. Tonight's chat is expected to touch on a similarly broad range of topics.Cook's predecessor, Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs, attended the D conference series in previous years. At the fifth D conference, Jobs shared the stage with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. Unlike other companies, Apple has never used the opportunity to launch a product. The same is expected tonight. Apple's own annual developers conference is kicking off in just a few weeks, and that's where Apple has said it will show off "the future" of OS X and iOS.We'll be liveblogging Cook's appearance at D10 in this post. Come back at 6:30 p.m. PT for live text and photos.Editors' note: The original, bare-bones version of this story was posted today at 4 a.m. PT.
'Jobs' biopic starring Ashton Kutcher to hit theaters April 19
'Jobs' biopic starring Ashton Kutcher to hit theaters April 19
The Steve Jobs biopic starring Ashton Kutcher will open in theaters on April 19, the movie's distributor announced today.The indie film, which is set to debut Friday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, covers Jobs' life during the years 1971 through 2000 -- a time frame that includes the founding of Apple, as well as his ouster, the formation of Next and Pixar, and then Jobs' return to the company when Apple acquired Next.The movie should not be confused with a separate production penned by "The Social Network" and "The West Wing" writer Aaron Sorkin. That movie is said to be based on Walter Isaacson's biography, while "Jobs" is based on widely available information. Related storiesPatents suggest stylus; Mode-based interface customizationWhat the tech industry can learn from Detroit20 percent of Brits thinks Steve Jobs is a soccer playerPrincipal photography on "Jobs" began at Jobs' childhood home in Los Altos, Calif., in June. Photos from the production have since leaked out, showing Kutcher and others in character.Along with Kutcher, the movie also stars Matthew Modine as former Apple CEO John Sculley, Josh Gad as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and "The Help" star Ahna O'Reilly playing Chris-Ann Brennan, Jobs' girlfriend, and the mother of his daughter Lisa. Other additions include J.K. Simmons and Kevin Dunn, who will play venture capitalist Arthur Rock and former Apple CEO Gil Amelio, respectively.Steve Jobs at Apple: A retrospective (pi...See full gallery1 - 4 / 27NextPrev
The Steve Jobs biopic starring Ashton Kutcher will open in theaters on April 19, the movie's distributor announced today.The indie film, which is set to debut Friday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, covers Jobs' life during the years 1971 through 2000 -- a time frame that includes the founding of Apple, as well as his ouster, the formation of Next and Pixar, and then Jobs' return to the company when Apple acquired Next.The movie should not be confused with a separate production penned by "The Social Network" and "The West Wing" writer Aaron Sorkin. That movie is said to be based on Walter Isaacson's biography, while "Jobs" is based on widely available information. Related storiesPatents suggest stylus; Mode-based interface customizationWhat the tech industry can learn from Detroit20 percent of Brits thinks Steve Jobs is a soccer playerPrincipal photography on "Jobs" began at Jobs' childhood home in Los Altos, Calif., in June. Photos from the production have since leaked out, showing Kutcher and others in character.Along with Kutcher, the movie also stars Matthew Modine as former Apple CEO John Sculley, Josh Gad as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and "The Help" star Ahna O'Reilly playing Chris-Ann Brennan, Jobs' girlfriend, and the mother of his daughter Lisa. Other additions include J.K. Simmons and Kevin Dunn, who will play venture capitalist Arthur Rock and former Apple CEO Gil Amelio, respectively.Steve Jobs at Apple: A retrospective (pi...See full gallery1 - 4 / 27NextPrev
Job posting hints at mid-August iPhone 5 release
Job posting hints at mid-August iPhone 5 release
Our CNET UK colleagues have a juicy find today. It centers around job postings for an influx of temporary workers to help sell Apple's iPhone, right around when the iPhone 5 is expected to hit.The post--there are several in various regions around the U.K.--seeks an "Apple iPhone sales specialist" to work for two and a half months in Apple retail stores beginning in mid-August for what recruiter Gekko calls "an exciting project": "Our client, Apple, one of the largest consumer electronic hardware and software companies in the world are seeking full-time iPhone Sales Staff for an exciting project to work 5 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday) for the period 16th August - 29th October within key retail stores," the posting reads. Gekko notes that those who get the gig need to attend a four-day "training event" during the second week of August, presumably to be briefed on any new product information. Apple has released a new iPhone every year since unleashing the original model on June 29, 2007. The latest, the iPhone 4, is now more than a year old, andmultiple reports of Apple delivering a next-generation version of the handset have pointed to a release in the August/September time frame. It's worth noting that the iPhone 4 was released in the U.S. and the U.K. on the same day last year. Alongside new hardware, another key release to expect in the fall is iOS 5, the next version of the system software that powers the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Apple this week delivered the third beta of that software to developers so they can ready their apps ahead of a public release.
Our CNET UK colleagues have a juicy find today. It centers around job postings for an influx of temporary workers to help sell Apple's iPhone, right around when the iPhone 5 is expected to hit.The post--there are several in various regions around the U.K.--seeks an "Apple iPhone sales specialist" to work for two and a half months in Apple retail stores beginning in mid-August for what recruiter Gekko calls "an exciting project": "Our client, Apple, one of the largest consumer electronic hardware and software companies in the world are seeking full-time iPhone Sales Staff for an exciting project to work 5 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday) for the period 16th August - 29th October within key retail stores," the posting reads. Gekko notes that those who get the gig need to attend a four-day "training event" during the second week of August, presumably to be briefed on any new product information. Apple has released a new iPhone every year since unleashing the original model on June 29, 2007. The latest, the iPhone 4, is now more than a year old, andmultiple reports of Apple delivering a next-generation version of the handset have pointed to a release in the August/September time frame. It's worth noting that the iPhone 4 was released in the U.S. and the U.K. on the same day last year. Alongside new hardware, another key release to expect in the fall is iOS 5, the next version of the system software that powers the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Apple this week delivered the third beta of that software to developers so they can ready their apps ahead of a public release.
Japan's NTT Docomo, China Telecom said to get next iPhones
Japan's NTT Docomo, China Telecom said to get next iPhones
Two large overseas carriers are said to be getting Apple's next iPhones ahead of next week's anticipated unveiling of those devices.Japan's NTT Docomo, which owns more than half of that country's wireless subscribers, plans to sell Apple's next iPhone for the first time, according to Nikkei (subscription required). Citing sources, the news outlet says the Japanese carrier will begin selling Apple's next iPhone as soon as it's released, following up on a previous report that the devices would go on sale in Japan on September 20.Apple already sells the iPhone through local carriers SoftBank and KDDI in the country, but has not reached any deals with NTT Docomo. An NTT Docomo executive last week noted that if the carrier were to sell the device, it wouldn't be before September 10, when Apple is holding its media event.Separately, China Telecom, which already carries the iPhone, may have let slip that it will be in the first group of launch partners. The carrier posted a message noting it will offer the iPhone 5S and 5C, and gave customers an option to pre-order the devices in return for a gift bag. The posting was up briefly before being pulled down, and was spotted by Chinese site TechWeb. Apple is holding its press event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, where the company is expected to unveil both devices. CNET will be there to bring you all the news. Stay tuned for more details on how to watch.
Two large overseas carriers are said to be getting Apple's next iPhones ahead of next week's anticipated unveiling of those devices.Japan's NTT Docomo, which owns more than half of that country's wireless subscribers, plans to sell Apple's next iPhone for the first time, according to Nikkei (subscription required). Citing sources, the news outlet says the Japanese carrier will begin selling Apple's next iPhone as soon as it's released, following up on a previous report that the devices would go on sale in Japan on September 20.Apple already sells the iPhone through local carriers SoftBank and KDDI in the country, but has not reached any deals with NTT Docomo. An NTT Docomo executive last week noted that if the carrier were to sell the device, it wouldn't be before September 10, when Apple is holding its media event.Separately, China Telecom, which already carries the iPhone, may have let slip that it will be in the first group of launch partners. The carrier posted a message noting it will offer the iPhone 5S and 5C, and gave customers an option to pre-order the devices in return for a gift bag. The posting was up briefly before being pulled down, and was spotted by Chinese site TechWeb. Apple is holding its press event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, where the company is expected to unveil both devices. CNET will be there to bring you all the news. Stay tuned for more details on how to watch.
Apple patent application hints at future health-related plans
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published a new patent application from Apple focused on fitness.Dubbed "Wrist Pedometer Step Detection," the patent application describes "optimizations for detecting steps" for when a pedometer is worn on the wrist. AppleInsider earlier reported on the patent.Although pedometers are nothing new, Apple's method for detecting steps is actually somewhat sophisticated. The technology analyzes "peak-to-peak threshold" to determine when a person takes a step. Based on the time elapsed between those thresholds, it can infer when another step was taken, according to the patent application. The technology can also automatically determine whether the pedometer is being worn on the wrist.Rumors have been swirling, suggesting Apple is at work on health-related products and could be announcing new devices and software this year. As one might expect, given Apple's history, the company hasn't shared any plans on that. Still, this latest patent adds a bit more credence to those rumors and suggests Apple might soon jump into the health fray.If and when that happens, Apple will be met with serious competition. Several companies have already developed wrist-worn devices that can track your steps, including the Nike Fuelband, the Fitbit Force, and the upcoming Samsung Gear Fit.
Apple partner Foxconn invests $210M in new plant
Apple's primary manufacturing partner, Foxconn, will invest $210 million to build a new factory in October, according to China Daily. The facility will be in China's eastern Jiangsu province and specifically serve Apple, local authorities told the publication on Monday. Related storiesApple, Dell, HP looking into Foxconn factory suicidesBuzz Out Loud 1237: Facebook privacy hangover (podcast)Buzz Out Loud 1238: Smell the light? (podcast) The growing popularity of Apple's products have driven suppliers such as Foxconn to expand their facilities to meet demand. Foxconn and Apple have faced criticism for the treatment of factory workers and the condition of the facilities. Apple and Foxconn have both vowed to improve conditions at Foxconn's factories.The plant will cover an area of 40,000 square meters and employ 35,800 workers, China Daily reported. In addition, the annual output value of the plan will reach $949 million to $1.1 billion, while the import and export value will be $55.8 million. It's unclear which components or products the factory will make. CNET contacted Foxconn and Apple for comment. We'll update the story once they respond.
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