Bartz lights fire under Yahoo engineers
"We have good engineers but have to hire more and get them focused on the right stuff. It's probably the most important thing Yahoo's going to do to really become a big strong growing international company," Bartz said during a conference call to discuss the company's lackluster first-quarter results.Specifically, she said the company will hire engineers to bring Yahoo's major properties onto a unified global platform rather than its current variety of different systems for different countries. Today's scattered technology infrastructure has prevented Yahoo from adapting quickly and adding new features, especially outside the United States, she said.The choice shows Bartz isn't taking a quick-fix approach to Yahoo's problems. First comes engineering, then comes a better experience for Yahoo users, and only then comes the financial return. "All that investment will pay off, I believe, with more innovation, faster and better user engagement, and the stuff we need to be a hot site. If we're a hot site, the advertisers will follow," she said.And Bartz cautioned that the revamp isn't going to be complete soon."To fully globalize all our platform is probably a couple-year program," Bartz said. "You can't underestimate the past focus the company had on the U.S. market...The international properties almost had to fend for themselves."As an example, Bartz pointed to a revamped Yahoo Music site that opens up to content from YouTube, iTunes, Amazon, and other sites and lets Yahoo members share their music-related activity with their friends. That revamp wasn't possible internationally, she said.Venting frustrationDuring the call, Bartz generally stuck to her script, reining her characteristically salty language. But some of her frustration with Yahoo's sluggish pace shone through at the end of the hour-long call.Yahoo's engineering focus "was sort of scattered to the winds. There were engineers in almost every country, and way too many product people. We had one product management person for every three engineers," Bartz said. "We had a lot of people running around but nobody fucking doing anything!"Projects like the Yahoo Open Strategy have been more than a year in the making and only are arriving gradually. Yahoo is a big property, and changes necessarily come slowly as the company tries to figure out what works and doesn't as it tows its massive user base toward new technology, but meanwhile, rival Google touts its experimental "launch early, launch often" philosophy.Even as Google expands into telephone services, Web browsers, mobile phone operating systems, general-purpose cloud computing infrastructure, and any number of other projects, Bartz is keeping Yahoo focused on its core assets: a number of high-traffic Web properties.Bartz specifically pointed to Yahoo's home page, sports, news, finances, mail, search, mobile, and entertainment sites as the companies focus, saying the company will deliver a "wow experience for our users."Patience, patiencePatience could be hard to come by. Yahoo's first-quarter revenue, excluding commissions paid to partners, declined 14 percent from $1.352 billion to $1.156 billion.Yahoo's revenue is under pressure.YahooThe company was hurt by a variety of factors. Revenue from graphical "display" ads on Yahoo sites dropped 13 percent worldwide to $371 million, while revenue from search advertising dropped 3 percent to $399 million. Affiliate marketing revenue, a search-related category, declined 16 percent to $511 million.Revenue per search dropped along with the economy. "It's like online window shopping. People are grazing around, they're just not clicking through to buy," Bartz said.But online search remains key to Yahoo's future, Bartz said, though she declined to say whether it's necessary for the company to be a primary player or whether it would work if it's using another company's search results. Microsoft and Yahoo held many discussions in 2008 about such a partnership, with Microsoft taking over the business one option, and such talks appear to be on again according to All Things D and the Wall Street Journal."I'm well versed enough in the search business at yahoo to say it's absolutely critical to Yahoo. It's critical to our customers and partners that they have a combined search and display experience on the Internet. I haven't changed my position on that. Relative to anything else with Microsoft, I'm not going to comment," she said.Bartz also specifically touted one hybrid project, Yahoo's plan to bring branded display ads to search results, which today feature only text ads.In the long run, though, Bartz remains a believer in traditional display ads."Pulling back on brand advertising is a short-term solution that leads to long-term brand erosion," she said, and those with premium brands won't resort to just bidding for search keywords to preserve their brand.
Pandora station suggestions amp up personalization
Pandora station suggestions amp up personalization
For Pandora, it's personal. The Internet's top radio service said Wednesday it would launch personalized station recommendations in its mobile app. The feature suggests new station ideas based on your listening preferences as well as what the company knows from its data about other listeners' habits, which includes 35 billion bits of "thumbs up, thumbs down" feedback, the company said.Listeners will be offered up to six artist station recommendations in their station list and when they create or delete a station.Related storiesIs 'Avatar' giving you the blues?Car Tech Live 151:The best of the Detroit auto show (podcast)EMI licenses songs to new ad-supported siteOn Lego Pandora, everyone gets along just fineCarmakers, suppliers ready Sync rivalsIt's "marrying all the data about you with the data we know about the masses," said Dominic Paschel, Pandora vice president, speaking at a Needham investor conference. As of December, Pandora had 76.2 million active listeners and 1.58 billion listening hours across all platforms, and it comprises 8.6 percent of total US radio listening. The point of more personalization, like station recommendations, is to increase how much time each of the 76.2 million listeners spend tuning in. At the conference, Paschel said Pandora's model -- forsaking direct deals with labels to get its music instead through a license structure carved out by regulators -- means Pandora's market is fundamentally bigger. Subscription services like Beats and Spotify have higher licensing costs per track than Pandora, and that sets them up to rely on their ability to entice listeners to become paying subscribers. Pandora, on the other hand, turns to its free, ad-supported service as its big moneymaker. The audience size in the latter case is unfettered by getting listeners to cough up $10 a year, and so has the size advantage, he noted. Pandora faces increasing competition for Internet listeners, though. Giants like Apple and Google added new services like iTunes Radio and All Access last year, longtime players like Spotify and Slacker launched new features or shook things up with updates, and more are coming: Google is said to be rolling out another subscription service through YouTube next year, and Beats' paid subscription-only service is launching latter this month. Pandora, as always, reiterated Wednesday that it's listenership has risen unabated through all past rival introductions and will continue to do so as new competitors come to the market.
For Pandora, it's personal. The Internet's top radio service said Wednesday it would launch personalized station recommendations in its mobile app. The feature suggests new station ideas based on your listening preferences as well as what the company knows from its data about other listeners' habits, which includes 35 billion bits of "thumbs up, thumbs down" feedback, the company said.Listeners will be offered up to six artist station recommendations in their station list and when they create or delete a station.Related storiesIs 'Avatar' giving you the blues?Car Tech Live 151:The best of the Detroit auto show (podcast)EMI licenses songs to new ad-supported siteOn Lego Pandora, everyone gets along just fineCarmakers, suppliers ready Sync rivalsIt's "marrying all the data about you with the data we know about the masses," said Dominic Paschel, Pandora vice president, speaking at a Needham investor conference. As of December, Pandora had 76.2 million active listeners and 1.58 billion listening hours across all platforms, and it comprises 8.6 percent of total US radio listening. The point of more personalization, like station recommendations, is to increase how much time each of the 76.2 million listeners spend tuning in. At the conference, Paschel said Pandora's model -- forsaking direct deals with labels to get its music instead through a license structure carved out by regulators -- means Pandora's market is fundamentally bigger. Subscription services like Beats and Spotify have higher licensing costs per track than Pandora, and that sets them up to rely on their ability to entice listeners to become paying subscribers. Pandora, on the other hand, turns to its free, ad-supported service as its big moneymaker. The audience size in the latter case is unfettered by getting listeners to cough up $10 a year, and so has the size advantage, he noted. Pandora faces increasing competition for Internet listeners, though. Giants like Apple and Google added new services like iTunes Radio and All Access last year, longtime players like Spotify and Slacker launched new features or shook things up with updates, and more are coming: Google is said to be rolling out another subscription service through YouTube next year, and Beats' paid subscription-only service is launching latter this month. Pandora, as always, reiterated Wednesday that it's listenership has risen unabated through all past rival introductions and will continue to do so as new competitors come to the market.
Cowon D2+ hands-on
Cowon D2+ hands-on
I just got my hands on the latest D2+ MP3 player from Cowon, which began shipping in the U.S. earlier this week. Unlike the multihued models available overseas, the U.S. version of the D2+ only comes in black (with a possibility of silver coming eventually), and is priced at $139 (8GB) and $179 (16GB). If you remember the original Cowon D2 from 2007, then the D2+ isn't going to seem like much of a shocker. The majority of the spec sheet features are the same: 2.5-inch QVGA resistive touch screen; music playback (MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG, WAV,APE), video (AVI, WMV), photos, FM radio, text reader, and voice recorder. Rated battery life is still the same, excellent 52 hours of audio and 10 hours of video. Dimensions, same. Buttons, same. Kickstand, USB port, SDHC slot...same, same, same.Fortunately, we were already big fans of the original D2, so Cowon didn't need to do much to keep us interested. The big news here is that Cowon upgraded the D2's already mind-blowing audio enhancement settings with the latest BBE+ technology (also included in the recent Cowon S9). I don't have an older D2 to compare against, but I can say subjectively that the sound really is fantastic, and I actually find the EQ and effect settings on the D2+ a little easier to navigate than on the S9--which emphasized presets over individual settings. The EQ on the D2+ also offers adjustable EQ frequency filters and bandwidth settings for the super-picky users, which I remember seeing on the S9 and Cowon O2, but not on the original D2.The graphic user interface on the Cowon D2+ has also been given a thorough polish, borrowing from the Cowon O2's cleaner, more modern looking icons and menus. I'll need a little more time with the D2+ to see if there have been any functional improvements to navigation and menus, but so far it just seems like a prettier-looking version of the D2's original (and practical) menu scheme.I do have some initial criticisms, though. First and foremost, there's no AAC audio support. I made this same complaint about the Cowon S9, but it seems even more relevant now that America's largest online music retailer (iTunes) sells its music in the AAC format and has ditched the DRM that once made songs incompatible with non-iPod devices. Don't get me wrong, I think iTunes should sell songs as MP3s just like the rest of the world (add an option for FLAC, while you're at it, Apple), but Zune, Sony, Samsung, and Creative have all seen the light on AAC, and Cowon should too. Another complaint I had of the Cowon S9 that I'll lay on the D2+ is support for h.264 videos. In the two years since the original D2, the worlds of online-video downloads and podcasts have exploded, and much of the content uses the iPod-compatible h.264 video format as a standard. If you could drag and drop this content onto the D2+ without tedious conversion, life would be sweet. For what it's worth, I was able to natively play the small-format XVID files offered over at Revision3.The third thing I noticed that I'm a little bummed about is that Cowon left off the metal accents that made the original D2 feel so classy and durable. Instead, the D2+ uses an all-plastic design that, frankly, feels just a little cheaper than the original D2. To make up for it, though, Cowon is selling a kit of metallic stickers (sold separately) to give your D2+ a little added *bling.* The decals are a fun idea (kinda), but it sure ain't metal.I'll have more thoughts to share next week. Until then, take a look at our Cowon D2+ photo gallery.
I just got my hands on the latest D2+ MP3 player from Cowon, which began shipping in the U.S. earlier this week. Unlike the multihued models available overseas, the U.S. version of the D2+ only comes in black (with a possibility of silver coming eventually), and is priced at $139 (8GB) and $179 (16GB). If you remember the original Cowon D2 from 2007, then the D2+ isn't going to seem like much of a shocker. The majority of the spec sheet features are the same: 2.5-inch QVGA resistive touch screen; music playback (MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG, WAV,APE), video (AVI, WMV), photos, FM radio, text reader, and voice recorder. Rated battery life is still the same, excellent 52 hours of audio and 10 hours of video. Dimensions, same. Buttons, same. Kickstand, USB port, SDHC slot...same, same, same.Fortunately, we were already big fans of the original D2, so Cowon didn't need to do much to keep us interested. The big news here is that Cowon upgraded the D2's already mind-blowing audio enhancement settings with the latest BBE+ technology (also included in the recent Cowon S9). I don't have an older D2 to compare against, but I can say subjectively that the sound really is fantastic, and I actually find the EQ and effect settings on the D2+ a little easier to navigate than on the S9--which emphasized presets over individual settings. The EQ on the D2+ also offers adjustable EQ frequency filters and bandwidth settings for the super-picky users, which I remember seeing on the S9 and Cowon O2, but not on the original D2.The graphic user interface on the Cowon D2+ has also been given a thorough polish, borrowing from the Cowon O2's cleaner, more modern looking icons and menus. I'll need a little more time with the D2+ to see if there have been any functional improvements to navigation and menus, but so far it just seems like a prettier-looking version of the D2's original (and practical) menu scheme.I do have some initial criticisms, though. First and foremost, there's no AAC audio support. I made this same complaint about the Cowon S9, but it seems even more relevant now that America's largest online music retailer (iTunes) sells its music in the AAC format and has ditched the DRM that once made songs incompatible with non-iPod devices. Don't get me wrong, I think iTunes should sell songs as MP3s just like the rest of the world (add an option for FLAC, while you're at it, Apple), but Zune, Sony, Samsung, and Creative have all seen the light on AAC, and Cowon should too. Another complaint I had of the Cowon S9 that I'll lay on the D2+ is support for h.264 videos. In the two years since the original D2, the worlds of online-video downloads and podcasts have exploded, and much of the content uses the iPod-compatible h.264 video format as a standard. If you could drag and drop this content onto the D2+ without tedious conversion, life would be sweet. For what it's worth, I was able to natively play the small-format XVID files offered over at Revision3.The third thing I noticed that I'm a little bummed about is that Cowon left off the metal accents that made the original D2 feel so classy and durable. Instead, the D2+ uses an all-plastic design that, frankly, feels just a little cheaper than the original D2. To make up for it, though, Cowon is selling a kit of metallic stickers (sold separately) to give your D2+ a little added *bling.* The decals are a fun idea (kinda), but it sure ain't metal.I'll have more thoughts to share next week. Until then, take a look at our Cowon D2+ photo gallery.
The 404 542- Where the babysitter's on fire (podcast)
The 404 542: Where the babysitter's on fire (podcast)
A lot of critics accuse The 404 of resorting to juvenile humor for cheap laughs, and even if that's absolutely true, we've never had an actual 14 year old call us out on it...until this morning, when young Daniel showed up at the CNET office! Dedicated 404 listeners will remember Daniel as the kid who got robbed for hisiPhone, so he joins us on today's episode as a junior podcaster to tell his story. And don't worry--his mother is fully aware of his location.Daniel is visibly excited about the first topic of discussion, a silly list of women who are hot for no reason other than the fact that they're wearing big headphones, riding old-fashioned bicycles, or (in our minds), simply glancing in our general direction.We're all quickly learning that teenagers today have so much more to worry about than we did in the '90s. For example, a lot of young people are developing carpal tunnel syndrome from too much text messaging! Sixteen-year-old Annie Levitz from Illinois recently developed CP in her hands from sending up to 4,000 text messages a month and now must wear two protective braces on her wrists to prevent further injury. Thankfully, she told ABC News, she's slowly weening herself off the addiction. Last month, she cut the number of texts down to 2,000.Thanks again to Daniel for making us feel super old! Just kidding, buddy--hope you had fun, good luck with the Palm Pre Plus, and we'll let you know when we scrounge up enough change to hire an intern. ;)EPISODE 542PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
A lot of critics accuse The 404 of resorting to juvenile humor for cheap laughs, and even if that's absolutely true, we've never had an actual 14 year old call us out on it...until this morning, when young Daniel showed up at the CNET office! Dedicated 404 listeners will remember Daniel as the kid who got robbed for hisiPhone, so he joins us on today's episode as a junior podcaster to tell his story. And don't worry--his mother is fully aware of his location.Daniel is visibly excited about the first topic of discussion, a silly list of women who are hot for no reason other than the fact that they're wearing big headphones, riding old-fashioned bicycles, or (in our minds), simply glancing in our general direction.We're all quickly learning that teenagers today have so much more to worry about than we did in the '90s. For example, a lot of young people are developing carpal tunnel syndrome from too much text messaging! Sixteen-year-old Annie Levitz from Illinois recently developed CP in her hands from sending up to 4,000 text messages a month and now must wear two protective braces on her wrists to prevent further injury. Thankfully, she told ABC News, she's slowly weening herself off the addiction. Last month, she cut the number of texts down to 2,000.Thanks again to Daniel for making us feel super old! Just kidding, buddy--hope you had fun, good luck with the Palm Pre Plus, and we'll let you know when we scrounge up enough change to hire an intern. ;)EPISODE 542PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Music start-ups- Think of listeners first
Music start-ups: Think of listeners first
MySpace Music has apparently moved to fix a lot of these problems, and when I checked the site today for the new Neil Young album "Fork in the Road"--available there as an exclusive until April 7--I found it to be fine for the task at hand. Then again, why couldn't Neil have posted these songs on his own Web site? If it weren't an exclusive, I'm not sure I'd think to check MySpace first, or at all, to hear these songs.I think a similar problem hampered Microsoft's September 2006 launch of the first Zune player. Its most interesting differentiating factor from the market-leading iPod was its built in Wi-Fi connection. But the only thing users could do with it was transfer songs to one another, and those songs could only be played three times or for three days before they expired. In other words, Microsoft gave up too much control over its one differentiating feature to content owners. Better to go back to the drawing board and launch stronger with things like Wi-Fi connectivity to the Marketplace than to draw the ire of customers and scorn of reviewers and end up stuck with a tainted brand for the next few years. (The latest Zune software and service are pretty cool, but nobody knows it--just check out the comments every time I post about Zune.)Like I told an entrepreneur I met at South by Southwest who was asking me for guidelines for the next big music start-up: concentrate on helping music listeners solve a problem, or do something they couldn't do before. Frame your company around listeners, not artists, not venues, not managers, not promoters, not labels. Listeners. iPod: lets you carry thousands of songs with you. iTunes: makes it easy to get songs from CDs onto your computer and iPod. Pandora: gives you the "surprise" element of radio, but tuned more to your taste. Shazam: figures out what song's playing right now. Yes, it's possible to build a viable business catering to artists, particularly the emerging "middle class" who would be happy to to sell tens of thousands instead of tens of millions of albums. But there are a lot more listeners than artists, and they're willing to spend money--or at least look at advertisements--if you help them do something they couldn't do before.Follow Matt on Twitter
MySpace Music has apparently moved to fix a lot of these problems, and when I checked the site today for the new Neil Young album "Fork in the Road"--available there as an exclusive until April 7--I found it to be fine for the task at hand. Then again, why couldn't Neil have posted these songs on his own Web site? If it weren't an exclusive, I'm not sure I'd think to check MySpace first, or at all, to hear these songs.I think a similar problem hampered Microsoft's September 2006 launch of the first Zune player. Its most interesting differentiating factor from the market-leading iPod was its built in Wi-Fi connection. But the only thing users could do with it was transfer songs to one another, and those songs could only be played three times or for three days before they expired. In other words, Microsoft gave up too much control over its one differentiating feature to content owners. Better to go back to the drawing board and launch stronger with things like Wi-Fi connectivity to the Marketplace than to draw the ire of customers and scorn of reviewers and end up stuck with a tainted brand for the next few years. (The latest Zune software and service are pretty cool, but nobody knows it--just check out the comments every time I post about Zune.)Like I told an entrepreneur I met at South by Southwest who was asking me for guidelines for the next big music start-up: concentrate on helping music listeners solve a problem, or do something they couldn't do before. Frame your company around listeners, not artists, not venues, not managers, not promoters, not labels. Listeners. iPod: lets you carry thousands of songs with you. iTunes: makes it easy to get songs from CDs onto your computer and iPod. Pandora: gives you the "surprise" element of radio, but tuned more to your taste. Shazam: figures out what song's playing right now. Yes, it's possible to build a viable business catering to artists, particularly the emerging "middle class" who would be happy to to sell tens of thousands instead of tens of millions of albums. But there are a lot more listeners than artists, and they're willing to spend money--or at least look at advertisements--if you help them do something they couldn't do before.Follow Matt on Twitter
iPhone 5 tweeted about more than Galaxy S4 -- at launch
iPhone 5 tweeted about more than Galaxy S4 -- at launch
A recent analysis of Twitter activity during the debut of Apple and Samsung's latest smartphones shows a wide difference in how much both products were mentioned.That study, done by Investing Analytics, showed that the iPhone 5 was mentioned in more than five times the number of tweets than the Galaxy S4 on the day of and the day after their respective unveilings. "We believe a Twitter analysis of tweets about the iPhone 5 launch compared to the Galaxy S4 launch demonstrates that the iPhone continues to hold more mass appeal with consumers," said Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster in a note about the data set. "We believe this demonstrates that while interest in the Galaxy S4 is growing, Apple continues to hold a meaningful lead as the smartphone with the broadest consumer appeal," he added.Related storiesSamsung unveils the Galaxy S4T-Mobile finally gets the iPhoneHands-on with Samsung's Galaxy S4 (pictures)The actual tally during that time period was about 2.4 million tweets about the iPhone 5, whereas Samsung's Galaxy S4 racked up around 440,000. Even so, Munster says the majority of the tweets about Samsung's product (81 percent) were positive, up from the iPhone 5's 73 percent.Of course, whether all this is a precursor to the strength of Samsung's S4 sales is totally unclear. Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 5 last September, whereas Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S4 at an event in New York earlier this month. Samsung's device, which is a follow-up to the popular Galaxy S3, sports a higher-resolution 5-inch display, faster processor, and better cameras and battery than its predecessor. The device goes on sale in the U.K. next month, with other markets to follow.
A recent analysis of Twitter activity during the debut of Apple and Samsung's latest smartphones shows a wide difference in how much both products were mentioned.That study, done by Investing Analytics, showed that the iPhone 5 was mentioned in more than five times the number of tweets than the Galaxy S4 on the day of and the day after their respective unveilings. "We believe a Twitter analysis of tweets about the iPhone 5 launch compared to the Galaxy S4 launch demonstrates that the iPhone continues to hold more mass appeal with consumers," said Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster in a note about the data set. "We believe this demonstrates that while interest in the Galaxy S4 is growing, Apple continues to hold a meaningful lead as the smartphone with the broadest consumer appeal," he added.Related storiesSamsung unveils the Galaxy S4T-Mobile finally gets the iPhoneHands-on with Samsung's Galaxy S4 (pictures)The actual tally during that time period was about 2.4 million tweets about the iPhone 5, whereas Samsung's Galaxy S4 racked up around 440,000. Even so, Munster says the majority of the tweets about Samsung's product (81 percent) were positive, up from the iPhone 5's 73 percent.Of course, whether all this is a precursor to the strength of Samsung's S4 sales is totally unclear. Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 5 last September, whereas Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S4 at an event in New York earlier this month. Samsung's device, which is a follow-up to the popular Galaxy S3, sports a higher-resolution 5-inch display, faster processor, and better cameras and battery than its predecessor. The device goes on sale in the U.K. next month, with other markets to follow.
iPhone 5 to debut Oct. 4, ATD says
iPhone 5 to debut Oct. 4, ATD says
Apple will debut its iPhone 5 on October 4, with new Chief Executive Tim Cook leading the show, All Things Digital reported today.The report, citing unnamed sources close to the situation, said the new iPhone itself would go on sale "within a few weeks" of the announcement.Rumors have swirled for months about when exactly the new iPhone would arrive, with October looking increasingly likely.The iPhone 5 carries tremendous significance for Apple. The company faces mounting pressure from the Android realm, with a confusing array of budget-minded and high-end models, but Apple chooses to put many its eggs in many fewer baskets. That's worked out well for the iPhone 4, though, which has attained mainstream success.The iPhone 4 has held up well under the competitive pressure. But with the breakneck pace of the smartphone market bringing higher-speed LTE networks, larger displays, NFC payments, and other features, Apple's flagship phone is starting to look a bit long in the tooth.The iPhone is important for many other companies besides Apple. Manufacturer Foxconn is said to be making 150,000 iPhone 5 models a day. Accessory makers, too, are champing at the bit, as exhibited by Case-Mate's premature publication of apparent iPhone 5 cases.Purported cases for the iPhone show a possible tapered back compared to the blockier iPhone 4 design.Case-Mate/BGRUpdated at 4:36 a.m. PT to add further background and to correct the launch date in the headline..
Apple will debut its iPhone 5 on October 4, with new Chief Executive Tim Cook leading the show, All Things Digital reported today.The report, citing unnamed sources close to the situation, said the new iPhone itself would go on sale "within a few weeks" of the announcement.Rumors have swirled for months about when exactly the new iPhone would arrive, with October looking increasingly likely.The iPhone 5 carries tremendous significance for Apple. The company faces mounting pressure from the Android realm, with a confusing array of budget-minded and high-end models, but Apple chooses to put many its eggs in many fewer baskets. That's worked out well for the iPhone 4, though, which has attained mainstream success.The iPhone 4 has held up well under the competitive pressure. But with the breakneck pace of the smartphone market bringing higher-speed LTE networks, larger displays, NFC payments, and other features, Apple's flagship phone is starting to look a bit long in the tooth.The iPhone is important for many other companies besides Apple. Manufacturer Foxconn is said to be making 150,000 iPhone 5 models a day. Accessory makers, too, are champing at the bit, as exhibited by Case-Mate's premature publication of apparent iPhone 5 cases.Purported cases for the iPhone show a possible tapered back compared to the blockier iPhone 4 design.Case-Mate/BGRUpdated at 4:36 a.m. PT to add further background and to correct the launch date in the headline..
iPhone 5 slated for September or October-
iPhone 5 slated for September or October?
Dueling rumors about the iPhone 5 now point to a new edition of Apple's flagship as launching either in late September or in October, take your pick.Rumor No. 1 is calling for the iPhone's debut in late September, according to Gizmodo, which cited an e-mail allegedly from an AT&T employee.In the e-mail, the employee said that AT&T is denying any vacations requested during the last two weeks of September "due to an event blackout." The person claims that the only time this is done is during an iPhone release.The folks at Gizmodo say this time frame jibes with previous rumors, but as with all such rumors, people should take them with huge spoonfuls of salt.Rumor No. 2 instead is pointing to an October launch date.In a story meant to squash the AT&T employee e-mail report, AllThingsD quoted its own source who said "I don't know why AT&T's calling for all hands on deck those weeks, but it's not for an iPhone launch." The source "with knowledge of the plans" offered no other details beyond pegging October for the iPhone's unveiling.As the next-generation iPhone gears up for its expected launch, the rumor mill has been heating up even more intensely. A story last week from China Times claimed that Apple is prepping to release the phone in the second week of September. At the same time, another story said that Apple and AT&T were both gearing up their employees for a possible September iPhone launch.Though it seems likely that a new iPhone will debut this fall, exactly when it will appear is still anybody's guess. Those of you curious about the ongoing timeline of iPhone rumors can check out CNET's iPhone rumor roundup.
Dueling rumors about the iPhone 5 now point to a new edition of Apple's flagship as launching either in late September or in October, take your pick.Rumor No. 1 is calling for the iPhone's debut in late September, according to Gizmodo, which cited an e-mail allegedly from an AT&T employee.In the e-mail, the employee said that AT&T is denying any vacations requested during the last two weeks of September "due to an event blackout." The person claims that the only time this is done is during an iPhone release.The folks at Gizmodo say this time frame jibes with previous rumors, but as with all such rumors, people should take them with huge spoonfuls of salt.Rumor No. 2 instead is pointing to an October launch date.In a story meant to squash the AT&T employee e-mail report, AllThingsD quoted its own source who said "I don't know why AT&T's calling for all hands on deck those weeks, but it's not for an iPhone launch." The source "with knowledge of the plans" offered no other details beyond pegging October for the iPhone's unveiling.As the next-generation iPhone gears up for its expected launch, the rumor mill has been heating up even more intensely. A story last week from China Times claimed that Apple is prepping to release the phone in the second week of September. At the same time, another story said that Apple and AT&T were both gearing up their employees for a possible September iPhone launch.Though it seems likely that a new iPhone will debut this fall, exactly when it will appear is still anybody's guess. Those of you curious about the ongoing timeline of iPhone rumors can check out CNET's iPhone rumor roundup.
iPhone 5 ship times shorten for first time
iPhone 5 ship times shorten for first time
The wait for iPhone 5 purchases to ship has shortened by a full week today, nearly two months after the product's initial release.New buyers from Apple's online store now face a two- to three-week wait before their phones ship, down from the three to four weeks that began stacking up in the days after pre-orders for the device began in mid-September, MacRumors notes. The iPhone 5 launched in nine countries, including the U.S. and Europe, on September 21, and a week later in an additional 22 countries. During Apple's quarterly earnings call last month, the company noted that it was "working very hard" to replenish its supply of the devices, and that it had "significantly" improved its output of what CEO Tim Cook described as "the largest volume ramp in Apple's history." The improvement in shipping times is still considerably longer than what consumers face when purchasing the iPhone from one of Apple's carrier partners. A report last week from research firm BTIG showed that new buyers can expect about a week's delay before devices ship.Perhaps of note, the wait time remains longer than the wait for Apple's iPad Mini, which was released at the beginning of the month, and maintains a two-week ship time. Apple sold about two-thirds as many iPads (including the iPad Mini, the fourth-generation iPad, and the iPad 2) in the trio's opening weekend as it did iPhone 5s in September. MacRumors points out that today's decrease also happened a full month sooner than it did for ship times for last year's iPhone 4S.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
The wait for iPhone 5 purchases to ship has shortened by a full week today, nearly two months after the product's initial release.New buyers from Apple's online store now face a two- to three-week wait before their phones ship, down from the three to four weeks that began stacking up in the days after pre-orders for the device began in mid-September, MacRumors notes. The iPhone 5 launched in nine countries, including the U.S. and Europe, on September 21, and a week later in an additional 22 countries. During Apple's quarterly earnings call last month, the company noted that it was "working very hard" to replenish its supply of the devices, and that it had "significantly" improved its output of what CEO Tim Cook described as "the largest volume ramp in Apple's history." The improvement in shipping times is still considerably longer than what consumers face when purchasing the iPhone from one of Apple's carrier partners. A report last week from research firm BTIG showed that new buyers can expect about a week's delay before devices ship.Perhaps of note, the wait time remains longer than the wait for Apple's iPad Mini, which was released at the beginning of the month, and maintains a two-week ship time. Apple sold about two-thirds as many iPads (including the iPad Mini, the fourth-generation iPad, and the iPad 2) in the trio's opening weekend as it did iPhone 5s in September. MacRumors points out that today's decrease also happened a full month sooner than it did for ship times for last year's iPhone 4S.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
iPhone 5 ship time drops to two weeks
iPhone 5 ship time drops to two weeks
iPhone 5 buyers now face a wait of just two weeks when ordering the new phone via Apple's online store.This latest estimate follows a drop to two to three weeks around November 12. Prior to that, buyers had been looking at a ship time of three to four weeks since preorders for the new iPhone kicked off in mid-September.The declining wait time shows that the supply of the iPhone 5 is slowly starting to catch up with demand, despite manufacturing challenges.An official with iPhone supplier Foxconn told The Wall Street Journal last month that making the new phone light and thin is "very complicated." Referring to the iPhone 5 as the "most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled," the official said at the time that factory workers were still learning how to build it. But he did add that employees were starting to get better at making the phone.Related storiesiPhone 5 reviewiPhone 5 ship times shorten for first timeWhy the iPhone 5 is in short supplyiPhone 5 reservation system goes liveOf course, people who want the new iPhone sooner than two weeks have other options beyond Apple's Web-based store.The company offers an online reservation system in which you can preorder the phone between 10 p.m and 4 a.m. each night and then pick it from your local Apple Store the following day.Buyers may also find a shorter wait time by purchasing through another retail outlet or one of the iPhone's three U.S. carriers. In September, I ordered the iPhone 5 through Verizon Wireless and was given an estimated ship time of one month. Instead, the new phone arrived in about a week and a half.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
iPhone 5 buyers now face a wait of just two weeks when ordering the new phone via Apple's online store.This latest estimate follows a drop to two to three weeks around November 12. Prior to that, buyers had been looking at a ship time of three to four weeks since preorders for the new iPhone kicked off in mid-September.The declining wait time shows that the supply of the iPhone 5 is slowly starting to catch up with demand, despite manufacturing challenges.An official with iPhone supplier Foxconn told The Wall Street Journal last month that making the new phone light and thin is "very complicated." Referring to the iPhone 5 as the "most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled," the official said at the time that factory workers were still learning how to build it. But he did add that employees were starting to get better at making the phone.Related storiesiPhone 5 reviewiPhone 5 ship times shorten for first timeWhy the iPhone 5 is in short supplyiPhone 5 reservation system goes liveOf course, people who want the new iPhone sooner than two weeks have other options beyond Apple's Web-based store.The company offers an online reservation system in which you can preorder the phone between 10 p.m and 4 a.m. each night and then pick it from your local Apple Store the following day.Buyers may also find a shorter wait time by purchasing through another retail outlet or one of the iPhone's three U.S. carriers. In September, I ordered the iPhone 5 through Verizon Wireless and was given an estimated ship time of one month. Instead, the new phone arrived in about a week and a half.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
iPhone 4S- Available in-store 'by reservation only'
iPhone 4S: Available in-store 'by reservation only'
The iPhone 4S is now available to retail-store customers "by reservation only," an indication that the hot-selling phone is likely in short supply. Apple has asked would-be buyers to use a reservation system to request a unit the night before before heading to the company's retail stores.The new system, picked up by MacRumors earlier today, lets buyers pick out one of Apple's 18 iPhone 4S variants, then request that the company holds the unit so they can come in to complete the purchase. The system doesn't open up each day until 9 p.m. Pacific time, with in-store pickup available the following day. Apple employed a reservation system from the get go with last year's iPhone 4 and iPad launches. In the iPhone 4's case, that it resulted in a launch with multiple lines, whereas with the 4S launch last Friday, there was just one line and no reservations offered. With this year's iPad 2 launch, Apple moved to a similar reservation system shortly after units became scarce, suggesting the same thing's now going on with the company's new phone.The iPhone 4S has been the Apple's fastest selling product to date. Earlier today, the company announced it hassold more than 4 million units in three days since launch, more than twice the number of handsets as last year's iPhone 4 release. Customers can still buy it through Apple's online store, but there's a wait time of "1-2 weeks" in the U.S. for all models on all carriers, giving those who wish to buy it in-store a potential leg up on waiting. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on if the new policy keeps walk-in buyers from purchasing a device without a reservation.
The iPhone 4S is now available to retail-store customers "by reservation only," an indication that the hot-selling phone is likely in short supply. Apple has asked would-be buyers to use a reservation system to request a unit the night before before heading to the company's retail stores.The new system, picked up by MacRumors earlier today, lets buyers pick out one of Apple's 18 iPhone 4S variants, then request that the company holds the unit so they can come in to complete the purchase. The system doesn't open up each day until 9 p.m. Pacific time, with in-store pickup available the following day. Apple employed a reservation system from the get go with last year's iPhone 4 and iPad launches. In the iPhone 4's case, that it resulted in a launch with multiple lines, whereas with the 4S launch last Friday, there was just one line and no reservations offered. With this year's iPad 2 launch, Apple moved to a similar reservation system shortly after units became scarce, suggesting the same thing's now going on with the company's new phone.The iPhone 4S has been the Apple's fastest selling product to date. Earlier today, the company announced it hassold more than 4 million units in three days since launch, more than twice the number of handsets as last year's iPhone 4 release. Customers can still buy it through Apple's online store, but there's a wait time of "1-2 weeks" in the U.S. for all models on all carriers, giving those who wish to buy it in-store a potential leg up on waiting. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on if the new policy keeps walk-in buyers from purchasing a device without a reservation.
iPhone 4 teardown reveals $188 cost to build
iPhone 4 teardown reveals $188 cost to build
The parts used to construct the iPhone 4 cost about $187.51, according to a teardown analysis conducted by research firm iSuppli.iSuppli dissected a 16GB iPhone 4, which went on sale Thursday, and estimated the cost of each component based on the manufacturer and volume. iSuppli's analysis is only an estimate because Apple is able to negotiate costs with each manufacturer. It also does not include how much Apple spent on shipping and labor to build the phone, or advertising, software development, and patent licensing."Over the years, the iPhone has generally tended to hover in the $170-$180 cost range because Apple seems to be trying to hit some kind of budget," iSuppli's Kevin Keller told BusinessWeek.The iPhone 3GS teardown a year ago revealed a build cost of $178.96. The Nexus One, built by HTC, was estimated in January to have cost $174.15.The higher costs for the iPhone 4 are because of two specific parts new to this year's model. The "retina display," which Steve Jobs called the most important component of the phone, is also the most expensive. iSuppli says each display, likely built by LG, costs $28.50.The new gyroscope chip, thought to be supplied by STMicroelectronics, costs $2.60 each. The phone's Apple-designed A4 processor, which was built by Samsung, costs $10.75 each. The retail price of the 16GB phone without a wireless contract is $599. AT&T subsidizes much of that cost to the consumer when he or she signs a two-year contract and the price drops to $199. AT&T is also thought to pay Apple for each phone as part of its exclusive agreement, though neither company has disclosed the amount.
The parts used to construct the iPhone 4 cost about $187.51, according to a teardown analysis conducted by research firm iSuppli.iSuppli dissected a 16GB iPhone 4, which went on sale Thursday, and estimated the cost of each component based on the manufacturer and volume. iSuppli's analysis is only an estimate because Apple is able to negotiate costs with each manufacturer. It also does not include how much Apple spent on shipping and labor to build the phone, or advertising, software development, and patent licensing."Over the years, the iPhone has generally tended to hover in the $170-$180 cost range because Apple seems to be trying to hit some kind of budget," iSuppli's Kevin Keller told BusinessWeek.The iPhone 3GS teardown a year ago revealed a build cost of $178.96. The Nexus One, built by HTC, was estimated in January to have cost $174.15.The higher costs for the iPhone 4 are because of two specific parts new to this year's model. The "retina display," which Steve Jobs called the most important component of the phone, is also the most expensive. iSuppli says each display, likely built by LG, costs $28.50.The new gyroscope chip, thought to be supplied by STMicroelectronics, costs $2.60 each. The phone's Apple-designed A4 processor, which was built by Samsung, costs $10.75 each. The retail price of the 16GB phone without a wireless contract is $599. AT&T subsidizes much of that cost to the consumer when he or she signs a two-year contract and the price drops to $199. AT&T is also thought to pay Apple for each phone as part of its exclusive agreement, though neither company has disclosed the amount.
iPhone 4 production reportedly resurrected for 3 markets
iPhone 4 production reportedly resurrected for 3 markets
Apple has reportedly resumed production of the discontinued iPhone 4, but only for three countries.The smartphone, which was retired last September, has gone back into production for customers in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, according to an Economic Times report. Citing three unidentified senior executives, the report said the move is aimed at recouping market share lost to Samsung in countries where Apple did not have budget-conscious handsets.Recent iPhone 4 shipments in India bear December manufacture dates, according to the report, which noted that this is the first time that Apple has resurrected production of a discontinued handset. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.The iPhone 4 was discontinued with the release of the iPhone 5S and 5C last year. However, the 5S starts at the high price of 53,500 rupees ($870), and Apple offers no phone in the sub-30,000 rupee category, according to The Times. The iPhone 5C, which starts at nearly 37,000 rupees, has failed to generate much demand.The Economic Times reported last month that Apple was getting ready to relaunch the 8GB iPhone 4 in India for 15,000 rupees, down from its original price of 26,500 rupees. The move highlights the importance of the India market, where Apple has lost market share to Samsung.Samsung dominates the India smartphone market, capturing 33 percent in the third quarter of 2013, according to researcher IDC. Apple's portion of the market didn't crack IDC's list of top 5 vendors, the lowest of which came in at 4.7 percent, IDC reported.
Apple has reportedly resumed production of the discontinued iPhone 4, but only for three countries.The smartphone, which was retired last September, has gone back into production for customers in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, according to an Economic Times report. Citing three unidentified senior executives, the report said the move is aimed at recouping market share lost to Samsung in countries where Apple did not have budget-conscious handsets.Recent iPhone 4 shipments in India bear December manufacture dates, according to the report, which noted that this is the first time that Apple has resurrected production of a discontinued handset. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.The iPhone 4 was discontinued with the release of the iPhone 5S and 5C last year. However, the 5S starts at the high price of 53,500 rupees ($870), and Apple offers no phone in the sub-30,000 rupee category, according to The Times. The iPhone 5C, which starts at nearly 37,000 rupees, has failed to generate much demand.The Economic Times reported last month that Apple was getting ready to relaunch the 8GB iPhone 4 in India for 15,000 rupees, down from its original price of 26,500 rupees. The move highlights the importance of the India market, where Apple has lost market share to Samsung.Samsung dominates the India smartphone market, capturing 33 percent in the third quarter of 2013, according to researcher IDC. Apple's portion of the market didn't crack IDC's list of top 5 vendors, the lowest of which came in at 4.7 percent, IDC reported.
iPhone 4 owners can legally get Siri, know-how required
iPhone 4 owners can legally get Siri, know-how required
If you own an iPhone 4 and really want Siri on it, a new update has paved the way for you to get your wish.Apple yesterday launched a new version of its iOS 5.0.1 update that, according to well-known iPhone hacker MuscleNerd, leaves the platform's RAM disks unencrypted. Because of that, those with a little technical know-how can write a script to extract from the software update all the files needed to bring the virtual personal assistant to the iPhone 4.Apple's update can be automatically downloaded to devices that currently aren't running iOS 5.0.1. Those who are already running the software version will need to download the revised iOS 5.0.1 update from Apple's direct link. Related storiesSiri now flirting with older iPhones--for realDeveloper ports Siri to iPhone 3GSTweaked iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S released; Apple TV 4.4.4 alsoThe new method for getting Siri onto the iPhone 4 stands in stark contrast to the other methods folks have used to run the software, including obtaining an iPhone 4S' unique identifier and so-called "validation tokens." Those methods have been viewed as potentially dangerous, since Apple likely wouldn't take kindly to users obtaining another device's files. This new method, on the other hand, uses the user's device files, leaving no doubt of its legality.Exactly why Apple left ramdisks unencrypted in its latest iOS update is unknown at this point, and it should be interesting to see if they're back to being encrypted in iOS 5.1. But until then, folks hoping to run Siri on the iPhone 4 can download the new iOS 5.0.1 update and get started.(Via Cult of Mac)
If you own an iPhone 4 and really want Siri on it, a new update has paved the way for you to get your wish.Apple yesterday launched a new version of its iOS 5.0.1 update that, according to well-known iPhone hacker MuscleNerd, leaves the platform's RAM disks unencrypted. Because of that, those with a little technical know-how can write a script to extract from the software update all the files needed to bring the virtual personal assistant to the iPhone 4.Apple's update can be automatically downloaded to devices that currently aren't running iOS 5.0.1. Those who are already running the software version will need to download the revised iOS 5.0.1 update from Apple's direct link. Related storiesSiri now flirting with older iPhones--for realDeveloper ports Siri to iPhone 3GSTweaked iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S released; Apple TV 4.4.4 alsoThe new method for getting Siri onto the iPhone 4 stands in stark contrast to the other methods folks have used to run the software, including obtaining an iPhone 4S' unique identifier and so-called "validation tokens." Those methods have been viewed as potentially dangerous, since Apple likely wouldn't take kindly to users obtaining another device's files. This new method, on the other hand, uses the user's device files, leaving no doubt of its legality.Exactly why Apple left ramdisks unencrypted in its latest iOS update is unknown at this point, and it should be interesting to see if they're back to being encrypted in iOS 5.1. But until then, folks hoping to run Siri on the iPhone 4 can download the new iOS 5.0.1 update and get started.(Via Cult of Mac)
iPhone 4 signal bar software fix now out
iPhone 4 signal bar software fix now out
Apple made good on its promise of a software update for the iPhone 4. On Thursday the company released iOS 4.0.1, an update to the iPhone's operating system that was introduced just over three weeks ago.The update contains bug fixes and improvements for "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display." iOS 4.0.1 is compatible only with the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4.This is the update that two weeks ago Apple said was coming. In an open letter at that time, Apple said that the problem some people are having with reception and bandwidth dropping off when gripping the iPhone 4 in a certain way is linked to software that incorrectly displays the phone's signal bars. The update was promised to make the signal bars display more accurately and more clearly. Apple released a beta version of iOS 4.1to developers only on Wednesday that also appeared to include the same restructured formula for displaying signal strength bars.It's not clear, however, that thesignal bar display has anything to do with the iPhone 4's much-discussed antenna "death grip" issue. The antenna problem appears to be hardware-related (the antenna is integrated into the metal strip running around the exterior of the phone), and whether the signal bars are displaying incorrectly wouldn't affect whether a call is actually dropped or a signal is lost.We'll know more on Friday, when Apple is planning to hold a press conference further addressing the iPhone 4.
Apple made good on its promise of a software update for the iPhone 4. On Thursday the company released iOS 4.0.1, an update to the iPhone's operating system that was introduced just over three weeks ago.The update contains bug fixes and improvements for "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display." iOS 4.0.1 is compatible only with the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4.This is the update that two weeks ago Apple said was coming. In an open letter at that time, Apple said that the problem some people are having with reception and bandwidth dropping off when gripping the iPhone 4 in a certain way is linked to software that incorrectly displays the phone's signal bars. The update was promised to make the signal bars display more accurately and more clearly. Apple released a beta version of iOS 4.1to developers only on Wednesday that also appeared to include the same restructured formula for displaying signal strength bars.It's not clear, however, that thesignal bar display has anything to do with the iPhone 4's much-discussed antenna "death grip" issue. The antenna problem appears to be hardware-related (the antenna is integrated into the metal strip running around the exterior of the phone), and whether the signal bars are displaying incorrectly wouldn't affect whether a call is actually dropped or a signal is lost.We'll know more on Friday, when Apple is planning to hold a press conference further addressing the iPhone 4.
Apple may sell iPhone 4 in India to kick-start sales
Apple reportedly is prepping to relaunch the budget-conscious 8GB iPhone 4 in India in an attempt to revive lagging smartphone sales.To reach more buyers, Apple will cut the cost of the iPhone 4 to 15,000 Indian rupees ($243) from the original price of 26,500 rupees ($431), The Economic Times said on Tuesday, citing information from Apple's top four trade partners in India. After launching in the country three years ago, the iPhone 4 was retired when the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, and 5S debuted. However, the 5S starts at the high price of 53,500 rupees ($870), and Apple offers no phone in the sub-30,000 rupee category, according to The Times. Demand for the lower-cost 5C has failed to meet expectations."Apple's iPhone 4 8GB model used to rank amongst the top three selling models by unit sales and fight neck and neck with Samsung, but with its exit the company lost much ground," a senior executive at a top electronic retail told The Times.However, Apple faces an uphill battle competing against Samsung, to which it has lost market share in India. Apple's slice of the smartphone market hit a high of 4 percent around a year ago before sinking to 1.4 percent last October, The Times said. Over the same period, Samsung's share surged from 33 percent to 42 percent.
Apple may open Grand Central store this month
Apple's long-rumored Grand Central Terminal store in New York, currently under construction, could be open by the end of November, a new report claims.According to Apple rumor site 9to5Mac, the iPhone maker has been putting its employees through "Core" training at a hotel in Times Square, and it could open the store as early as "the Saturday before Black Friday." If true, that would mean that the store would open on November 19. Related LinksApple's newly renovated NYC 'cube' to reopen tomorrowGrand Central Apple retail store awaits approvalBird's eye view: Grand Central Terminal's best-kept secretsIt is worth noting, however, that Apple has yet to confirm that it is even opening a Grand Central Terminal store, let alone announce its grand opening. That said, over the last several weeks, images and even videos have been cropping up on the Web showing the store under construction, seeming to indicate that the opening is imminent.Reports of Apple planning to open a Grand Central Terminal store cropped up over the summer, when CNN reported that Apple had submitted plans for the spot with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board. According to The Wall Street Journal, which also reported on the rumor, the space spans over 23,000 square feet and will cost Apple $1.1 million per year to rent.Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.
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