By adding new maps and more FaceTime, iOS 6 hits major marks (updated)
CNET's review for the iPhone 5 is here! Make sure to check back and see our review of iOS 6 as soon as it becomes publicly available.Editors' note:This First Take was originally posted on June 11, 2012, at the time of the WWDC Keynote. We are updating this post with changes to the iOS announced today at the Apple event.During the Apple event today, the company announced the latest version of the operating system that powers its popular mobile devices. Scott Forstall, Apple's SVP of iOS, promises that iOS 6 will bring 200 new features, including tighter Facebook integration, an empowered Siri voice assistant, and the capability to conduct FaceTime calls over a cellular network. Yet, it's Apple's new Maps app that was easily the star of the show. Created by the company, the app finally adds turn-by-turn directions along with info cards for businesses, a "flyover mode" when searching for an address, and a full 3D satellite view that displays buildings, terrain, and landmarks. There will be much more, of course, but even at this early point it's clear that Apple has filled a few gaping holes on our iOS wish list. iOS 6 will become available on September 19 to the iPhone 3GS and later models and to second- and third-generation iPads. Note, however, that not all of the new features will be available for all iOS 6-compatible devices (more on that below). And, now, here's a breakdown of the features talked about today. The 5 arrives CNET's iPhone 5 reviewApple out to prove it's still kingPictures: Apple's big iPhone 5 revealHo-hum. iPhone 5 won't wow anyoneiPhone 5: No Steve Jobs, no sizzleiPhone 5: What we didn't getComparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 vs. Lumia 920Poll: Will you buy the iPhone 5?Apple springs leak - rumors were rightAn awful dock-connector changeApple shares up, down, then upStart your iOS 6 downloads September 19 Apple reworks, simplifies iTunesNew iPod Touch: Siri and a 4-inch screenNew Nano: Remembering the iPod MiniFull coverage: The iPhone 5 arrives SiriApple's voice assistant was the most talked-about feature (no pun intended) when the iPhone 4S debuted last fall. It could remind you of a meeting, answer trivia questions, and predict whether you needed to leave the house with an umbrella. Though in the following months some iPhone users have questioned just how effective Siri is, Apple is using iOS 6 to transform the feature from fun novelty into an integral method for interacting with the handset. Earlier iPhones still won't get Siri, but it is coming to the third-generation iPad.The most notable change is that Siri will now launch apps. Once you've launched some apps you'll be able to use Siri to perform some functions like updating your Facebook status or sending a tweet. Though it's unclear whether it will work with every title, this is a welcome addition, even if the list is small to start off. Siri delivering trivia is good for parties, but Siri actually helping you use your phone is much better. On the Galaxy S III Samsung offers a similar app called S-Voice. Jessica Dolcourt compared the two features here.Scott Forstall asks Siri, "Show me the best movies."Screenshot by James Martin/CNETOn that note, the new Eyes Free features brings Siri into your car. Forstall said that Apple is working with car manufacturers like Toyota, GM, Mercedes, BMW, Honda, and Audi to let you use Siri from the steering wheel. You'll get spoken alerts without the screen lighting up, but the car integration means that you'll be able to use Siri safely and without taking your hands off the wheel. Just remember that you'll have to wait longer than until fall for Eyes Free; Apple said its partners would complete integration for new vehicles within the next 12 months.Apple is also letting Siri hook in with more third-party services. Forstall showed how she'll be able to give sports trivia like a baseball player's batting average, tell you the score of a recent game, and display the start of the football season. It's pretty basic stuff, and it appears to come from Yahoo Sports. The integration with Yelp to show more information about local restaurants (like hours and cuisine type) isn't revolutionary, either, but we do like the tight integration with the OpenTable app (an exceedingly useful service if there ever was one). To make it happen when looking at a restaurant, just ask for reservations.The slick new features of Apple iOS 6 (p...See full gallery1 - 4 / 14NextPrevRotten Tomatoes gets some Siri love, as well. With your voice you can find films and showtimes, watch a trailer, and research individual actors. A very useful feature for those inevitable, "What else has she been in?" questions.The addition of language support for Spanish, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese means that Siri is now optimized for 15 countries. Of course, just how useful she can be in those places will depend on how well Apple can surface a database of local businesses. Yet, it's those little details that Apple remembers, so we imagine that the information will be extensive. But either way, letting more people use a feature is always a good move. And in China, it's a very big deal.Navigation Ever since the first iPhone launched five years ago, we've complained that Apple's handset lacks turn-by-turn directions, which is why finally getting them is such a big deal. Other phones have, after all, long offered the feature (it's pretty much a staple on Android), but Apple has a history of sitting on a feature until it gets it exactly right. And from what we saw today, the company is off to a good start. We liked the bird's-eye view that shows where you are at a given time, and that you get a preview of upcoming turns when two directional points are close together. On the whole, it appears to be very user-friendly. Siri will speak the directions as you go, and you can ask for directions without touching the phone. The Flyover mode looks like a lot of fun, though we admit its appeal doesn't extend much beyond the "wow" factor. Just keep in mind that Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will come only to the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2 or later. The 3D maps are flashy, too, and should make for a few hours of fun. That said, it will be best for the iPad unless Apple decides to grant our wish of a bigger display with the next iteration of the handset. Eminently useful will be the capability to rotate the vector-based maps with your fingers, the traffic information, and the info cards, which display vital details about points of interest.Again, Apple didn't invent all of these features, but it did make them unmistakably Apple. Of course, the biggest story here is that Apple has created its own maps app. We've been expecting some kind of a divorce from Google Maps, and from what we can tell this divorce will be pretty final. iOS 6 finally brings turn-by-turn navigation.James Martin/CNETFaceTimeWith iOS 6, you'll be able to make FaceTime calls over a cellular network, but only on the iPhone 4S and the most recent iPad. Sure, we'll take it, even if we're concerned about just how much data the app will use in an era in which unlimited data contracts are disappearing quickly. We're also concerned about the quality of the FaceTime experience over a 3G network. Indeed, as we understood it, that was the whole reason Apple restricted FaceTime to Wi-Fi when the feature debuted on the iPhone 4. As we now know, the new iPhone 5 will feature 4G LTE, obviating the need for FaceTime calls over cellular, but we have yet to see how the feature performs with only a cellular connection.On the other hand, we're totally pleased with Apple's decision to integrate your phone number with your Apple ID. So when you get a FaceTime call you could answer it on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Sometimes it's the little touches that really matter.Phone controlsShocking, I know, but the iPhone can make calls. And Apple reminded us of that fact by adding new features to the phone app. With iOS 6 you'll be able to reply to an incoming call with a text message or ask to receive a reminder about the call later. The former will be useful for when you're in a meeting or out for a meal. When using the latter option you can set the reminder to come at a specific time (like in an hour) or when you arrive or leave a specific location (like home or work).Another useful addition is a Do Not Disturb option that will block incoming calls while allowing texts and alerts through. You'll also be able to filter calls by group and set the phone to allow only the second call if someone rings twice within 3 minutes. Here again, we get small, but very welcome, tweaks. Hopefully, they point to a more sophisticated address book for current and future iPhones that will let you organize caller groups and set different levels of access for each. That's one area where the iPhone needs to catch up.E-mailOn a somewhat related note, iOS 6 adds a '"VIP" option in which you'll get an alert when e-mails arrive from your chosen contacts. That's not a bad option for when you're playing hooky from work, but still want to respond to inquiries from your boss. (This feature won't come to the iPhone 3GS.) Best of all, though, is the option to add photos directly into e-mail after you start typing them. Frankly, Apple should be embarrassed that it took years to add such a simple function to the e-mail app, particularly since it's existed on the text-messaging side for so long. Huzzah.With Passbook, users can aggregate their loyalty cards on their iPhones.James Martin/CNETPassbookWith Passbook, you can store and quickly access electronic versions of your admission tickets, airline or train boarding passes, merchant loyalty cards, and coupons all in one place. This feature will be for iPhone models only. Forstall called it, "the simplest way to get all your passes in one place." On the whole, it does appear to be pretty simple. The clean interface stack shows a list of all your passes, which you can open to see the necessary bar codes and QR codes. The feature will alert you to changes to time-based events (like a flight delay or gate change) and it can use location to sense when you're near a merchant and display the necessary card even when the lock screen is on. Finally, when you delete a card it will be virtually "shredded" on the screen.Though unexpected, Passbook is intriguing and we suspect that it could serve as a convenient way to organize your passes and cards instead of having them scattered around in different apps and e-mails. We also can't help but wonder if it points to NFC features in the new iPhone and if it spells doom for some app developers. Another question is how will it compete with Google Wallet?Facebook integrationAfter iOS 5's tight Twitter integration last year, iOS 6 does the same with Facebook. You can post pictures and video directly to your account without using the Facebook app. Safari will get the same treatment, so you can share a link with just a couple of clicks. As mentioned previously, you'll be able to use Siri to post status updates and you'll see better syncing between your device and Facebook photos, calendar, events, and birthdays. Lastly, you'll be able to "like" apps, television shows, and movies in the iTunes App Store. Of all the new features, this is the one that excites us the least. A recent upgrade to the Facebook app has made it much faster and easier to use and anyone without a Facebook account (they exist!) simply won't care. But having Facebook accessible from the photo library to quickly post photos and the ability to post a status from several apps will surely be useful for Facebook fans. And the added ability to pull friends and birthdays into your Contact list and Calendar on your iPhone is definitely handy (though it could make your contact list much bigger.) Hopefully, the added integration won't encourage your already attention-seeking friends to overshare even more.Shared photo streamsThe photo stream in iOS 5 let you set your devices to share photos with other iOS devices on the same account, but a handy new feature in iOS 6 makes it easy to share photos with friends and family as well. Now you'll be able to select photos you would like to share, touch the share button, and send them to as many contacts as you want. Recipients who are also on iOS devices or use Mountain Lion on the Mac will be able to view them right away in Photos or iPhoto. Those who are not using Apple hardware will be able to view your photos in a Web browser. Apple has also added the ability to "Like" and comment on shared photos. This iOS 6 feature works on both Wi-Fi and cellular connections.SafariRounding out the list are a few new features for Safari. You can view a Web page in full-screen when using landscape mode, cache a Web page and save it for reading later even when you're offline, and share photo streams. The addition of iCloud Tabs means you'll be able to pick up where you left off on any device. So if you started reading something on your iPad, you could continue to read the same Web page on your iPhone or MacBook (running Mountain Lion) later simply by hitting a button. These changes continue to follow the overall theme of keeping you connected across all devices. A longer list of iOS 6 features.James Martin/CNETConclusionWith 200 new features in iOS 6, there are a lot more tweaks and enhancements than we talked about here. Some of the features revealed on the big screen at the event showed a "lost mode" that will let you send a number to a lost phone for displaying on the screen, in-app content purchases, Game Center challenges, multiple e-mail signatures, redesigned stores, Game Center Friends from Facebook, and custom vibrations for alerts. For now, though, we're pleased that Apple added some of the most-wanted features that have plagued us for a long time. Naturally, we're disappointed that not every feature will come to every iOS-compatible device, but Apple has never been shy about forcing customers to upgrade. Indeed, iOS has always been evolving and with its latest version Apple continues to give us something sharp, powerful, and exceedingly easy to use.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
Quiet riot on Spotify as band pays for free tour with silent album
Quiet riot on Spotify as band pays for free tour with silent album
There's a quiet riot happening on Spotify. Silence is gold for a band that's urging fans to continually play an album of total silence, earning royalties to fund a tour of free shows.Sleepify by LA funk band Vulfpeck consists of ten 30-second tracks of complete silence. The idea is that fans put the album on repeat and repair to bed, the tracks repeating all night thus racking up the plays and raking in royalties for the band. The boys in Vulfpeck reckon they earn around 0.5 cents per play and around $4 for your night's spinning. So far each track has spun around 3,000 times.It isn't just a cash grab, though, as Vulfpeck plan to use the money raised to fund a tour this autumn consisting only of free shows. Spotify data will also be used to schedule the tour, taking the tour bus to locales where the most people have been listening to the band. It's a similar method to that employed by heavy metal heavyweights Iron Maiden, who have made millions by bringing daughters to the slaughter in places where people are pirating their music.'Clever stunt'Spotify calls Sleepify "a clever stunt" but admits, "We prefer Vulfpeck's earlier albums. Sleepify seems derivative of John Cage's work," referring to Cage's infamous silent work 4′33″, composed in 1952. "Please don't 'shuffle' sleepify," saysthe band. "I know this might come off snobbish, but we spent a lot of time on track order." Vulfpeck also clarifies that, "Z is a single. The following tracks (Zz, Zzz, Zzzz ... etc) are remixes of Z."For me, Z and Zzzzzzz are the standout tracks, while Zzzz deftly underscores the original track's notes of tension and creeping unease before the album settles back into the relaxed groove with the fuzzy stylings of Zzzzz. Just as things are getting too laid-back, the bristling Zzzzzzzzz provides a welcome shot of adrenaline to proceedings before Zzzzzzzzzz rounds things out with a suitably epic denouement. My only complaint is that with just ten tracks on the album, I was left wanting more. Four stars!As an audiophile, I strongly suggest you listen to Sleepify on a decent stereo to really tease out the nuances of the tracks.Royalties and recordsSpotify users listened to 4.5 billion hours of music in 2013, with the Sweden and UK-based streaming company claiming it's paid out more than more than $1 billion in royalties since launching in 2009. You can see how payments work at the Spotify Artists site, launched as a belated reaction to controversy over royalty amounts. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has been one of Spotify's most vocal critics, pulling his solo and non-Radiohead projects from the service last year. If you want to share the wealth with some of Spotify's less successful contributors, you can listen to the 4 million songs that have never been played with Forgotify.Ways of gaming Spotify, iTunes and other services include flooding them with music. Musician Matt Farley has earned literally some dollars posting short tracks under 60 different names, writing 20 songs a day and packing each album with up to 100 songs. One of his wizard wheezes is to record birthday or prom-related songs hundreds of times with different names substituted in.
There's a quiet riot happening on Spotify. Silence is gold for a band that's urging fans to continually play an album of total silence, earning royalties to fund a tour of free shows.Sleepify by LA funk band Vulfpeck consists of ten 30-second tracks of complete silence. The idea is that fans put the album on repeat and repair to bed, the tracks repeating all night thus racking up the plays and raking in royalties for the band. The boys in Vulfpeck reckon they earn around 0.5 cents per play and around $4 for your night's spinning. So far each track has spun around 3,000 times.It isn't just a cash grab, though, as Vulfpeck plan to use the money raised to fund a tour this autumn consisting only of free shows. Spotify data will also be used to schedule the tour, taking the tour bus to locales where the most people have been listening to the band. It's a similar method to that employed by heavy metal heavyweights Iron Maiden, who have made millions by bringing daughters to the slaughter in places where people are pirating their music.'Clever stunt'Spotify calls Sleepify "a clever stunt" but admits, "We prefer Vulfpeck's earlier albums. Sleepify seems derivative of John Cage's work," referring to Cage's infamous silent work 4′33″, composed in 1952. "Please don't 'shuffle' sleepify," saysthe band. "I know this might come off snobbish, but we spent a lot of time on track order." Vulfpeck also clarifies that, "Z is a single. The following tracks (Zz, Zzz, Zzzz ... etc) are remixes of Z."For me, Z and Zzzzzzz are the standout tracks, while Zzzz deftly underscores the original track's notes of tension and creeping unease before the album settles back into the relaxed groove with the fuzzy stylings of Zzzzz. Just as things are getting too laid-back, the bristling Zzzzzzzzz provides a welcome shot of adrenaline to proceedings before Zzzzzzzzzz rounds things out with a suitably epic denouement. My only complaint is that with just ten tracks on the album, I was left wanting more. Four stars!As an audiophile, I strongly suggest you listen to Sleepify on a decent stereo to really tease out the nuances of the tracks.Royalties and recordsSpotify users listened to 4.5 billion hours of music in 2013, with the Sweden and UK-based streaming company claiming it's paid out more than more than $1 billion in royalties since launching in 2009. You can see how payments work at the Spotify Artists site, launched as a belated reaction to controversy over royalty amounts. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has been one of Spotify's most vocal critics, pulling his solo and non-Radiohead projects from the service last year. If you want to share the wealth with some of Spotify's less successful contributors, you can listen to the 4 million songs that have never been played with Forgotify.Ways of gaming Spotify, iTunes and other services include flooding them with music. Musician Matt Farley has earned literally some dollars posting short tracks under 60 different names, writing 20 songs a day and packing each album with up to 100 songs. One of his wizard wheezes is to record birthday or prom-related songs hundreds of times with different names substituted in.
eJamming helps virtual bands meet online
eJamming helps virtual bands meet online
The magic behind the scenes, Glueckman says, is a compression technology that "thins the audio data so it can be shoved through broadband pipes but still sound pleasing to a musicians ear."Geographically-dispersed musicians can also turn eJamming into a virtual recording studio, he said. "The really cool thing is that their performances can be recorded locally in full fidelity," he said. "Then you later can exchange a time-stamped full-fidelity track based on these local versions. [Mixed together] you get a better-than-CD-quality recording of the jam session."Traditionally, even when multiple musicians are recording together in the same room (multi-tracking), there are often problems with latency if the system recording the tracks doesn't have enough memory or compute power. The thought of pushing such huge files in real-time over the Internet sounds like a pipe dream at the speed of most connections.But Glueckman insists that eJamming's compression technology, coupled with software that synchronizes audio streams in real-time, means that musicians can hear each other performing in high quality audio (at least as rich as MP3) across the Internet.It does, of course, require some decent recording gear at each end, works better with MIDI-interface sounds than actual stereo audio tracks, and requires very high broadband speeds to ensure the latency issue doesn't plague the process. But with both home recording technology and broadband connectivity continually dropping in price, it might not be long before the technology is available to even the most humble of home studios.Glueckman says eJamming eventually intends to bring the magic of live performance to fans dispersed across the web. At the end of the quarter, his company will launch 'jamcast' - an opportunity for acts to stream a live performance to any computer, mobile internet device or smart phone connected to the web."The excitement of live performance is liberated from the venue," Glueckman said.A jamcast, he said, would be particularly fruitful for those acts that have developed relatively small fan bases that are distributed globally using social networking sites like Myspace or e-commerce sites like iTunes. A broadcast of their performance might be far more viable than a tour.At present, eJamming's revenue model is charging a (roughly eight to ten dollar) monthly subscription to use eJamming's technology.With Jamcast, both the musicians and eJamming will be able to share the revenue gained from from paid subscribers to a performance.
The magic behind the scenes, Glueckman says, is a compression technology that "thins the audio data so it can be shoved through broadband pipes but still sound pleasing to a musicians ear."Geographically-dispersed musicians can also turn eJamming into a virtual recording studio, he said. "The really cool thing is that their performances can be recorded locally in full fidelity," he said. "Then you later can exchange a time-stamped full-fidelity track based on these local versions. [Mixed together] you get a better-than-CD-quality recording of the jam session."Traditionally, even when multiple musicians are recording together in the same room (multi-tracking), there are often problems with latency if the system recording the tracks doesn't have enough memory or compute power. The thought of pushing such huge files in real-time over the Internet sounds like a pipe dream at the speed of most connections.But Glueckman insists that eJamming's compression technology, coupled with software that synchronizes audio streams in real-time, means that musicians can hear each other performing in high quality audio (at least as rich as MP3) across the Internet.It does, of course, require some decent recording gear at each end, works better with MIDI-interface sounds than actual stereo audio tracks, and requires very high broadband speeds to ensure the latency issue doesn't plague the process. But with both home recording technology and broadband connectivity continually dropping in price, it might not be long before the technology is available to even the most humble of home studios.Glueckman says eJamming eventually intends to bring the magic of live performance to fans dispersed across the web. At the end of the quarter, his company will launch 'jamcast' - an opportunity for acts to stream a live performance to any computer, mobile internet device or smart phone connected to the web."The excitement of live performance is liberated from the venue," Glueckman said.A jamcast, he said, would be particularly fruitful for those acts that have developed relatively small fan bases that are distributed globally using social networking sites like Myspace or e-commerce sites like iTunes. A broadcast of their performance might be far more viable than a tour.At present, eJamming's revenue model is charging a (roughly eight to ten dollar) monthly subscription to use eJamming's technology.With Jamcast, both the musicians and eJamming will be able to share the revenue gained from from paid subscribers to a performance.
The 404 662- Where dude, where's my remote fart app- (podcast)
The 404 662: Where dude, where's my remote fart app? (podcast)
The results of the study were shown to 35 women to determine the sexual attraction associated to eight specific body movements including the neck, trunk, left shoulder, left wrist, and the speed of movement in the right knee. They also generated two videos to illustrate good dancing and bad dancing.According to their findings, the good doctor believes that the majority of good dance qualities were influenced the most by various movements in the neck and trunk section of the male body. In other words: don't be a stiff dancer; fluid movements and confidence seem to be the No. 1 attraction according to Molly and Caroline, and as it turns out, Wilson and I obviously have a lot to learn!Finally, we turn our attention to the real stuff white people like, at least according to data aggregated from profile information on the popular online dating site OKCupid.com. We should note that this information is based on 526,000 randomly selected OkCupid users and absolutely does not reflect our personal opinions. That said, the study presents compelling information about both sexes and their respective ethnicities. For example, white women tend to lean toward escapist hobbies like bonfires, boating, horseback riding, and thunderstorms, despite living in largely metropolitan cities. In contrast, Asian men typically choose "simple" as an accurate self-description and specifically state their exact country of origin, as opposed to just writing "Asian." Not surprisingly, Asian men also list "software developer," "mechanical engineer," and "surfing the Net" as common hobbies. Guilty as charged, I suppose.Tune in to hear the rest of OkCupid's observations, with some of our own thrown in for good measure. And our apologies to everyone that got a "voice mail full" message yesterday--the line is cleared, so feel free to leave us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET (2638) for a chance to make it on our show!Episode 662Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
The results of the study were shown to 35 women to determine the sexual attraction associated to eight specific body movements including the neck, trunk, left shoulder, left wrist, and the speed of movement in the right knee. They also generated two videos to illustrate good dancing and bad dancing.According to their findings, the good doctor believes that the majority of good dance qualities were influenced the most by various movements in the neck and trunk section of the male body. In other words: don't be a stiff dancer; fluid movements and confidence seem to be the No. 1 attraction according to Molly and Caroline, and as it turns out, Wilson and I obviously have a lot to learn!Finally, we turn our attention to the real stuff white people like, at least according to data aggregated from profile information on the popular online dating site OKCupid.com. We should note that this information is based on 526,000 randomly selected OkCupid users and absolutely does not reflect our personal opinions. That said, the study presents compelling information about both sexes and their respective ethnicities. For example, white women tend to lean toward escapist hobbies like bonfires, boating, horseback riding, and thunderstorms, despite living in largely metropolitan cities. In contrast, Asian men typically choose "simple" as an accurate self-description and specifically state their exact country of origin, as opposed to just writing "Asian." Not surprisingly, Asian men also list "software developer," "mechanical engineer," and "surfing the Net" as common hobbies. Guilty as charged, I suppose.Tune in to hear the rest of OkCupid's observations, with some of our own thrown in for good measure. And our apologies to everyone that got a "voice mail full" message yesterday--the line is cleared, so feel free to leave us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET (2638) for a chance to make it on our show!Episode 662Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
NextGuide for iPad tries to bridge gap between live, streaming TV
NextGuide for iPad tries to bridge gap between live, streaming TV
Whether the Apple TV undergoes a full transformation into something representing the future of television, a number of apps are attempting to take us there today. Live TV and the increasing number of streaming-video apps on iOS present a seemingly unbridgeable gulf, but apps like Dijit's NextGuide are doing their best to synthesize the experience.Much like TV Guide's recently updated app, NextGuide is a mix of standard TV listings, social recommendations, and direct hooks to launch streaming-video apps with the content you're looking for. The layout and discovery of shows is based on tiles and genres, split into various categories. Once shows are found, watch alerts can be set to show new episodes. Much like apps such as Fanhattan, you can also look for particular shows and discover which particular streaming services may already have the show you're looking for.Browsing channels via NextGuide: A different, tile-based system.DijitDijit previously launched an app called Dijit Remote, a universal remote that works along with the Griffin Beacon IR-blasting accessory. NextGuide isn't so much a remote as a viewing accessory. The linked-to video services supported so far include Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes (not streaming, but links to the available shows for purchase or rental). Hopefully more services will open up, such as HBO Go, and free services like Crackle. The challenge with video streaming via apps is the fractured landscape of the available content across those services, and keeping track of where episodes of a given season of "30 Rock" are can be enough to make you buy a DVD box set. If apps like NextGuide (and TV Guide and Fanhattan) can help, then I'm all for it. The question is, which service is better? That remains to be seen.NextGuide is free and currently available in the App Store. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try.
Whether the Apple TV undergoes a full transformation into something representing the future of television, a number of apps are attempting to take us there today. Live TV and the increasing number of streaming-video apps on iOS present a seemingly unbridgeable gulf, but apps like Dijit's NextGuide are doing their best to synthesize the experience.Much like TV Guide's recently updated app, NextGuide is a mix of standard TV listings, social recommendations, and direct hooks to launch streaming-video apps with the content you're looking for. The layout and discovery of shows is based on tiles and genres, split into various categories. Once shows are found, watch alerts can be set to show new episodes. Much like apps such as Fanhattan, you can also look for particular shows and discover which particular streaming services may already have the show you're looking for.Browsing channels via NextGuide: A different, tile-based system.DijitDijit previously launched an app called Dijit Remote, a universal remote that works along with the Griffin Beacon IR-blasting accessory. NextGuide isn't so much a remote as a viewing accessory. The linked-to video services supported so far include Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes (not streaming, but links to the available shows for purchase or rental). Hopefully more services will open up, such as HBO Go, and free services like Crackle. The challenge with video streaming via apps is the fractured landscape of the available content across those services, and keeping track of where episodes of a given season of "30 Rock" are can be enough to make you buy a DVD box set. If apps like NextGuide (and TV Guide and Fanhattan) can help, then I'm all for it. The question is, which service is better? That remains to be seen.NextGuide is free and currently available in the App Store. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try.
Disable iOS 8's 'Suggested Apps' feature
Disable iOS 8's 'Suggested Apps' feature
One of the creepiest parts of iOS 8 is its app suggestion feature. This new feature uses your current location to determine if there's a nearby venue or business who has an iOS app in the App Store. If it determines an app is likely relevant based on your current location, it will discreetly recommend the app to you on your lock screen.30 tips every new iOS 8 user should knowSee full gallery1 - 4 / 31NextPrevFor some, this new feature is going to be more of a nuisance than anything else. Naturally, Apple has provided a means to disable the feature that's otherwise on by default.The App Store icon on a lock screen indicates an app suggestion is available from the App Store.Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNETSimply go into the Settings app where you should find and select "iTunes & App Store" from the list of options.Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll find two switches; one allows for alerts from apps you currently have installed, the other for alerts from the App Store. Slide one or both switches to the off position based on your personal taste.Turning either on can lead to some pretty intrusive results. When you're near a Starbucks you'll notice a small Starbucks app icon in the lower-left corner of your lock screen. Tapping on the icon doesn't offer much, but touching and sliding it up (like the gesture used to launch the Camera on the lock screen) will either launch the app on your device, or take you to the App Store where you can download the app.While testing iOS 8, I've had random apps ranging from Frontier Airlines while at an airport, to King Soopers alert me when I was near one of its many locations in my area. In both instances, I had neither app installed, so instead of the app's icon on my lock screen, I found the generic App Store icon to be an indicator for launching the App Store.For more helpful iOS 8 tips, be sure to check out our complete guide to iOS 8.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
One of the creepiest parts of iOS 8 is its app suggestion feature. This new feature uses your current location to determine if there's a nearby venue or business who has an iOS app in the App Store. If it determines an app is likely relevant based on your current location, it will discreetly recommend the app to you on your lock screen.30 tips every new iOS 8 user should knowSee full gallery1 - 4 / 31NextPrevFor some, this new feature is going to be more of a nuisance than anything else. Naturally, Apple has provided a means to disable the feature that's otherwise on by default.The App Store icon on a lock screen indicates an app suggestion is available from the App Store.Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNETSimply go into the Settings app where you should find and select "iTunes & App Store" from the list of options.Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll find two switches; one allows for alerts from apps you currently have installed, the other for alerts from the App Store. Slide one or both switches to the off position based on your personal taste.Turning either on can lead to some pretty intrusive results. When you're near a Starbucks you'll notice a small Starbucks app icon in the lower-left corner of your lock screen. Tapping on the icon doesn't offer much, but touching and sliding it up (like the gesture used to launch the Camera on the lock screen) will either launch the app on your device, or take you to the App Store where you can download the app.While testing iOS 8, I've had random apps ranging from Frontier Airlines while at an airport, to King Soopers alert me when I was near one of its many locations in my area. In both instances, I had neither app installed, so instead of the app's icon on my lock screen, I found the generic App Store icon to be an indicator for launching the App Store.For more helpful iOS 8 tips, be sure to check out our complete guide to iOS 8.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
Direct video download coming to Apple iPhone and iPod Touch-
Direct video download coming to Apple iPhone and iPod Touch?
According to the report, the ad supposedly led to a place that pointed to some movie and TV show listings. The listings were broken down by genre, and although titles were listed, none would work when accessed. Movies by genreOpen Salon | TV Shows by genreOpen SalonThe Wrestler movie downloadingOpen Salon | The Wrestler - download failsOpen SalonThis story took an interesting turn last Friday when AppleInsider reported via its post, "Apple briefs staff on wireless iPhone movie and TV downloads," that the ability to download video-based media directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch via Wi-Fi and 3G might really be coming. Their story adds some weight to the Open Salon rumor by stating:AppleInsider has learned from people familiar with Apple's training program that new self-guided training materials being distributed to familiarize AppleCare agents with the features of iPhone 3.0 software "definitely covered" the ability to directly download movies and TV shows on the device itself, rather than just syncing video content through iTunes.Considering all this information--and that AT&T says it has been working diligently to deliver a better and faster performing 3G network--it does seem feasible that Apple and AT&T may have worked out issues surrounding direct video downloads, just as they did previously with music downloads.Still, the rumors don't quite square with AT&T's refusal to allow SlingPlayer to work on its 3G network, supposedly because of the bandwidth the player would require.What do you think? Would you be interested in being able to directly download TV or movies to your iPhone or iPod Touch? If Apple and AT&T allow direct downloads, should AT&T's SlingPlayer policy change?Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
According to the report, the ad supposedly led to a place that pointed to some movie and TV show listings. The listings were broken down by genre, and although titles were listed, none would work when accessed. Movies by genreOpen Salon | TV Shows by genreOpen SalonThe Wrestler movie downloadingOpen Salon | The Wrestler - download failsOpen SalonThis story took an interesting turn last Friday when AppleInsider reported via its post, "Apple briefs staff on wireless iPhone movie and TV downloads," that the ability to download video-based media directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch via Wi-Fi and 3G might really be coming. Their story adds some weight to the Open Salon rumor by stating:AppleInsider has learned from people familiar with Apple's training program that new self-guided training materials being distributed to familiarize AppleCare agents with the features of iPhone 3.0 software "definitely covered" the ability to directly download movies and TV shows on the device itself, rather than just syncing video content through iTunes.Considering all this information--and that AT&T says it has been working diligently to deliver a better and faster performing 3G network--it does seem feasible that Apple and AT&T may have worked out issues surrounding direct video downloads, just as they did previously with music downloads.Still, the rumors don't quite square with AT&T's refusal to allow SlingPlayer to work on its 3G network, supposedly because of the bandwidth the player would require.What do you think? Would you be interested in being able to directly download TV or movies to your iPhone or iPod Touch? If Apple and AT&T allow direct downloads, should AT&T's SlingPlayer policy change?Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Production said to begin soon on both iPhone 6 models
Production said to begin soon on both iPhone 6 models
Large-scale production of both next-generation iPhone models is imminent, according to reports from Asia. Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision, aka Foxconn, will begin production of the 4.7-inch version of the rumored iPhone 6 next week, while the 5.5-inch model should see production kick off during the second week of August, Reuters reported, citing local Chinese media. A separate report from a China state-run news service said Hon Hai is slated to hire 100,000 workers at its "mainland facilities" to make the phone, according to Reuters.Pegatron, another Taiwan-based contract manufacturer, has begun to recruit "over 10,000 workers," according to the above Taiwan-based report.Related storiesCNET's iPhone 6 rumor roundupIf the reports are accurate, the production schedule would fit a rumored September launch of the new Apple phone. The report, however, doesn't address a series of rumors about production problems with the larger, phablet-class 5.5-inch model.Reports earlier in the week said the 5.5-incher would be delayed. In that report, respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may not launch by the end of 2014, or may launch after October in very limited quantities. Both models are expected to be extremely thin, by iPhone standards, rivaling the thinness of the iPod Touch. This has led to sticky production issues for both models but especially for the 5.5-inch device, according to Kuo. Other rumored new features for the iPhone 6 include an improved camera and larger-capacity flash storage.iPod Touch: the iPhone 6 is expected to boast a thickness similar to the ultrathin iPod Touch.Apple
Large-scale production of both next-generation iPhone models is imminent, according to reports from Asia. Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision, aka Foxconn, will begin production of the 4.7-inch version of the rumored iPhone 6 next week, while the 5.5-inch model should see production kick off during the second week of August, Reuters reported, citing local Chinese media. A separate report from a China state-run news service said Hon Hai is slated to hire 100,000 workers at its "mainland facilities" to make the phone, according to Reuters.Pegatron, another Taiwan-based contract manufacturer, has begun to recruit "over 10,000 workers," according to the above Taiwan-based report.Related storiesCNET's iPhone 6 rumor roundupIf the reports are accurate, the production schedule would fit a rumored September launch of the new Apple phone. The report, however, doesn't address a series of rumors about production problems with the larger, phablet-class 5.5-inch model.Reports earlier in the week said the 5.5-incher would be delayed. In that report, respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may not launch by the end of 2014, or may launch after October in very limited quantities. Both models are expected to be extremely thin, by iPhone standards, rivaling the thinness of the iPod Touch. This has led to sticky production issues for both models but especially for the 5.5-inch device, according to Kuo. Other rumored new features for the iPhone 6 include an improved camera and larger-capacity flash storage.iPod Touch: the iPhone 6 is expected to boast a thickness similar to the ultrathin iPod Touch.Apple
Pro, con iPad opinions run the gamut
Pro, con iPad opinions run the gamut
Comments were varied, running the gamut from readers who thought the device was redundant and/or impractical to those who thought it to be a worthy purchase. Here's a sampling, pro and con: Hard to justify:"I love Apple products....However I can't justify purchasing this device...A novelty product." Steamroller: "Apple haters, technical scowlers, squinters, and grouches--eat your hearts out because the IPad is going to take over the world."Productivity versus consumption:"My home computer will suffice for the number crunching, code compiling and media encoding needs. The iPad will be my encyclopedia, mailbox, newspaper, library, music jukebox, video player for the home and on the go."Regression: "People are paying for something that does less than what we've been doing before...Because we want to be able to do two things at once (multitasking)...that makes us nerds?" Better than a Kindle: "Much as I hate to admit it, I'm likely to be an early adopter as soon as the 3G arrives...I have to read & review a lot of academic papers on the go. Not a great use for a laptop, iPhone is too small, notetaking on the Kindle (and PDF handling) way too limited."Useless: "The more i read about the iPad, the more it angers me...its SO useless. a 500 dollar + device, for really really bad reasons. High end netbooks, that can do multitudes more, are cheaper.I can't wait till more people realize how bad this device is, and it plummets." Apple allure: "One glaringly obvious reason is missing from this list. 'Because it's from apple.' Like apple, hate it, or anything in between, you still have to recognize...brand loyalists who would buy any product Steve Jobs waved in front of their faces because it was the latest greatest thing."
Comments were varied, running the gamut from readers who thought the device was redundant and/or impractical to those who thought it to be a worthy purchase. Here's a sampling, pro and con: Hard to justify:"I love Apple products....However I can't justify purchasing this device...A novelty product." Steamroller: "Apple haters, technical scowlers, squinters, and grouches--eat your hearts out because the IPad is going to take over the world."Productivity versus consumption:"My home computer will suffice for the number crunching, code compiling and media encoding needs. The iPad will be my encyclopedia, mailbox, newspaper, library, music jukebox, video player for the home and on the go."Regression: "People are paying for something that does less than what we've been doing before...Because we want to be able to do two things at once (multitasking)...that makes us nerds?" Better than a Kindle: "Much as I hate to admit it, I'm likely to be an early adopter as soon as the 3G arrives...I have to read & review a lot of academic papers on the go. Not a great use for a laptop, iPhone is too small, notetaking on the Kindle (and PDF handling) way too limited."Useless: "The more i read about the iPad, the more it angers me...its SO useless. a 500 dollar + device, for really really bad reasons. High end netbooks, that can do multitudes more, are cheaper.I can't wait till more people realize how bad this device is, and it plummets." Apple allure: "One glaringly obvious reason is missing from this list. 'Because it's from apple.' Like apple, hate it, or anything in between, you still have to recognize...brand loyalists who would buy any product Steve Jobs waved in front of their faces because it was the latest greatest thing."
Privacy dilemma for developers- Apple to the rescue-
Privacy dilemma for developers: Apple to the rescue?
Livingston said it took Kik "just a few days" to modify the app to be more transparent. Not only did new alerts tell users that their address book would be uploaded, but a secondary confirmation, if you opted out, reminded them that the whole point of the app was to make connections. "Are you sure?" the pop-up asks. "You will have to add each of your friends manually."Other companies use hashing or encryption to protect address book privacy. Localmind CEO Lenny Rachitsky,for example (see Localmind gooses location-advice service) told me that "We hashed all address book data and sent it over SSL." So not only were users' address books not human-readable on the Localmind servers, but the transmission of the data was encrypted on the way there. You are not your userThe challenge for developers is to recognize that data that one person doesn't care about may be of life-or-death import to another. That's why being deliberate when it comes to data practices is a good idea. But deliberation slows you down.And that's why the platform companies, like Apple, Google, and Facebook, have to moderate developers eager to have their app suck up data first, and ask questions later. This has already happened with location data to a much greater extent than it does with address data. And Google, at least, does block Android apps from accessing address books without user permission. Facebook provides social matching as a service to developers who use that social network--so Facebook-reliant apps don't actually get the address books.Apple has been behind in this. It relied on policy to protect address books. That policy, clearly, has failed. And it failed a long time ago.
Livingston said it took Kik "just a few days" to modify the app to be more transparent. Not only did new alerts tell users that their address book would be uploaded, but a secondary confirmation, if you opted out, reminded them that the whole point of the app was to make connections. "Are you sure?" the pop-up asks. "You will have to add each of your friends manually."Other companies use hashing or encryption to protect address book privacy. Localmind CEO Lenny Rachitsky,for example (see Localmind gooses location-advice service) told me that "We hashed all address book data and sent it over SSL." So not only were users' address books not human-readable on the Localmind servers, but the transmission of the data was encrypted on the way there. You are not your userThe challenge for developers is to recognize that data that one person doesn't care about may be of life-or-death import to another. That's why being deliberate when it comes to data practices is a good idea. But deliberation slows you down.And that's why the platform companies, like Apple, Google, and Facebook, have to moderate developers eager to have their app suck up data first, and ask questions later. This has already happened with location data to a much greater extent than it does with address data. And Google, at least, does block Android apps from accessing address books without user permission. Facebook provides social matching as a service to developers who use that social network--so Facebook-reliant apps don't actually get the address books.Apple has been behind in this. It relied on policy to protect address books. That policy, clearly, has failed. And it failed a long time ago.
Price breaks get steeper on MacBook Air, Pro
Price breaks get steeper on MacBook Air, Pro
Meanwhile, MacMall now lists the same model for $938.94. (Note as of Tuesday night there had been an "instant discount" of $28.17, dropping it to $910.77 at MacMall, but that extra discount had been discontinued as of this morning.) And the 13.3-inch MacBook Air with a Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz processor, 2GB of memory, and a 128GB flash drive is$1,234.99 at MacMall and $1,247.65 at Mac Connection. Apple's price is $1,299. Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro has seen even deeper price cuts this month.The model with the 2.2GHz Intel "Sandy Bridge" Core i7 processor, 4GB Memory, and 750GB hard disk drive is selling for $2,320 at MacMall. The same MacBook Pro is $2,279.95 at Mac Connection. Best Buy has it on sale for $2,359.99.That model is being sold by Apple for $2,499.99.A 15.4-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.2GHz Core i7 Processor, 4GB Memory, and a 750GB hard drive is $2,059.99 at MacMall. Apple sells the model for $2,199. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is also being sold at a slight discount.A model with a Core i7 processor is selling for $1,415.94 at MacMall and $1,424.99 at Best Buy.Apple lists the model for $1,499. The 13.3-inch white MacBook is on sale for $939, down from $999 at Best Buy. All of this comes against the backdrop of an imminent refresh of Apple's MacBook Air lineup.On Monday, part numbers for the upcoming Airs leaked. Part of that report also referred to new Mac Pros, but 9to5Mac now says that they "have determined" that part numbers cited previously are not new Mac Pros but instead are numbers for an upgraded white MacBook and new Mac mini line.
Meanwhile, MacMall now lists the same model for $938.94. (Note as of Tuesday night there had been an "instant discount" of $28.17, dropping it to $910.77 at MacMall, but that extra discount had been discontinued as of this morning.) And the 13.3-inch MacBook Air with a Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz processor, 2GB of memory, and a 128GB flash drive is$1,234.99 at MacMall and $1,247.65 at Mac Connection. Apple's price is $1,299. Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro has seen even deeper price cuts this month.The model with the 2.2GHz Intel "Sandy Bridge" Core i7 processor, 4GB Memory, and 750GB hard disk drive is selling for $2,320 at MacMall. The same MacBook Pro is $2,279.95 at Mac Connection. Best Buy has it on sale for $2,359.99.That model is being sold by Apple for $2,499.99.A 15.4-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.2GHz Core i7 Processor, 4GB Memory, and a 750GB hard drive is $2,059.99 at MacMall. Apple sells the model for $2,199. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is also being sold at a slight discount.A model with a Core i7 processor is selling for $1,415.94 at MacMall and $1,424.99 at Best Buy.Apple lists the model for $1,499. The 13.3-inch white MacBook is on sale for $939, down from $999 at Best Buy. All of this comes against the backdrop of an imminent refresh of Apple's MacBook Air lineup.On Monday, part numbers for the upcoming Airs leaked. Part of that report also referred to new Mac Pros, but 9to5Mac now says that they "have determined" that part numbers cited previously are not new Mac Pros but instead are numbers for an upgraded white MacBook and new Mac mini line.
Possible iPad 3 glitch- Hi-res apps may hit 3G download limits
Possible iPad 3 glitch: Hi-res apps may hit 3G download limits
The high-resolution "retina display" expected on the next iPad should make users happy--but may present challenges for developers.As detailed today by The Next Web, the higher resolution display will increase the pixel count and size of graphics used in iPad apps designed for the new screen.With some apps doubling in size, developers may bump into an Apple-imposed limitation that prevents the download of apps larger than 20 megabytes over 3G. Downloading over a Wi-Fi connection would still be an option, but users who need an app with no Wi-Fi available would be out of luck.The restriction would pose more of a problem for apps that include both iPhone and iPad versions, since iPhone users are more likely to download an app on the go. Apps with a dedicated iPhone version obviously wouldn't be affected. And apps geared just for the iPad would be safe, at least among tablet users who have only Wi-Fi.Sales could go down for many app developers if all iPad users were restricted to downloading their programs via Wi-Fi, TNW noted.Related storiesWhy the iPad 3 could be in short supplyApple iPad 3: What to expectiPad 3 rumor roundupIf a high-resolution iPad does debut next week, Apple has the option to bump up the 3G download limit.But data cited by TNW noted that the limit would need to be upped by around 273 percent, putting it close to 60 MB.A 2,048-by-1,536-pixel Retina Display has long been a rumored feature for the next iPad. And the tablet's potential name may be a further clue. Part listings leaked by case makers revealed that the next iPad could actually be dubbed the iPad HD, according to Gizmodo.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment. But we should know more at Apple's press event on March 7.
The high-resolution "retina display" expected on the next iPad should make users happy--but may present challenges for developers.As detailed today by The Next Web, the higher resolution display will increase the pixel count and size of graphics used in iPad apps designed for the new screen.With some apps doubling in size, developers may bump into an Apple-imposed limitation that prevents the download of apps larger than 20 megabytes over 3G. Downloading over a Wi-Fi connection would still be an option, but users who need an app with no Wi-Fi available would be out of luck.The restriction would pose more of a problem for apps that include both iPhone and iPad versions, since iPhone users are more likely to download an app on the go. Apps with a dedicated iPhone version obviously wouldn't be affected. And apps geared just for the iPad would be safe, at least among tablet users who have only Wi-Fi.Sales could go down for many app developers if all iPad users were restricted to downloading their programs via Wi-Fi, TNW noted.Related storiesWhy the iPad 3 could be in short supplyApple iPad 3: What to expectiPad 3 rumor roundupIf a high-resolution iPad does debut next week, Apple has the option to bump up the 3G download limit.But data cited by TNW noted that the limit would need to be upped by around 273 percent, putting it close to 60 MB.A 2,048-by-1,536-pixel Retina Display has long been a rumored feature for the next iPad. And the tablet's potential name may be a further clue. Part listings leaked by case makers revealed that the next iPad could actually be dubbed the iPad HD, according to Gizmodo.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment. But we should know more at Apple's press event on March 7.
The Last Sci-fi Blog: The 'RoboCop' Remake Is Almost a Really Good Movie
(We;re going to get into spoilers for the new RoboCop almost immediately, so if that will bother you, feel free to turn back now.) There;s a scene relatively earlyin Jose Padilha;s remake of RoboCop that left me legitimately shaken. Police officer Alex Murphy, gruesomely disfigured in a car bombing that was supposed to take his life, has been sold to the robotics company Omnicorp, which transforms him into the future of law enforcement. But Murphy had no say in any of this -- one moment, he;s in pain on his driveway and the next, he;s waking up in a facility wearing some kind of metal suit. Or at least he thinks it;s a suit. When he demands to know what;s left of him, Gary Oldman;s sympathetic scientist shows him. First, his robotic legs are removed. Then his arms. Then most of his abdomen. By the end, the only parts of Alex Murphy that remain are a face, a digitally enhanced brain, a throat and a handful of organs, all contained in a transparent core. Upon seeing what;s become of him, Murphy asks to die. This was the moment where I thought RoboCop 2014 was going evolve from a competent remake into something special. The original film makes it clear significant portions of Murphy;s body were removed to transform him into a law enforcement cyborg, but the remake makes sure you know that our hero has literally had his humanity cut away. The fact that it;s presented so clinically and cleanly only adds to the sheer terror of the situation. It;s science fiction body horror at its best, a scene that would make David Cronenberg grin. The new RoboCop is a film sets out to expose the horror and indignities that await humanity in a world where we hand the tools of violence and justice over to machines and this scene is a pitch-perfect examination of modern science gone horribly awry. If only there were more scenes like this. Despite flashes of brilliance, Padilha;s RoboCop feels compromised in every scene, like the talented Brazilian filmmaker was trying to direct while wrapped in studio-imposed Saran Wrap. Padilha probably understood better than anyone that a RoboCop remake would have to do something completely wild and different if it wanted to win people over and there are glimpses of a grander, smarter, darker vision. Those glimpses are wedged into a generic action movie with a screenplay that;s ultimately more about a hero reconnecting with his adorable tyke of a son than exploring the moral grayness of robotic warfare. Paul Verehoeven;s RoboCop avoids cliches by cutting anything remotely touchy-feely out of the story instantly, using constant brutality to isolate its hero, make his desire for vengeance stronger and make the goofy satire of the film feel even ickier and unpleasant. Not so much with the remake. With its PG-13 rating and family subplot, this is a science fiction action film made for family audiences. Hell, RoboCop himself fires a powerful taser instead of a gun. The screenplay feels like everyone sat around and actively looked for ways to add convention to something supremely unconventional. Verehoeven;s movie is wild and angry. Padilha;s is boilerplate and occasionally ticked off. What would have happened if Padilha had total creative freedom on this film? I imagine we would have gotten more scenes like the opening sequence, where robots patrol the streets of Tehran, scanning civilians and engaging suicide bombers. Like the best moments in the film, this plays out more like a horror movie than an action movie. Although Samuel L. Jackson;s right-wing TV personality approves of what he sees, the film itself does not. The massive ED-209s and their smaller companions are shot with menace and when they scan men, women and children to see if they;re a threat, Padilha makes sure that we see the terror in their eyes. It;s unpleasant and more importantly, it;s a mirror. If the original RoboCop presented a terrifying vision of ;80s corporate greed and excess, the remake wants us to consider American foreign policy. When a hulking robot executes a young kid holding a knife, it stings. A person wouldn;t have done that. It;s not subtle stuff, but it doesn;t need to be. As a franchise, RoboCop has always been about delivering its politics with the force of a sledgehammer. But then we move onto some generic rogue cop antics. And a boring gunfight. And an Alex Murphy execution that feels woefully sanitized compared to the unforgettable original film. When Murphy goes on the warpath in the ;87 version, it;s with entirely justified anger -- he wants to get the sons of bitches who made him hurt and scream before they killed him. The clean, mostly off-camera car bomb in the remake feels like it represents the film;s problems as a whole. It takes something awful but doesn;t go far enough to make us truly feel how awful it is. It goes halfway when it should be going for the throat. When it does go for the throat, RoboCop 2014 flirts with being a really, really good movie. There;s something special and unique to our era lurking in here. It;s a shame it couldn;t escape.
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