Mashed Report

Top 10 of the World's Theme Parks Battle for Social Dominance

2012-08-15T21:40:47Z

Theme parks operators have a great synergy with social media.... keep coming up with cool stuff for people to play with and they will return billions of dollars in global word-of-mouth advertising.

According to the Travel and Leisure, the Magic Kingdom is still the world's No. 1 most popular theme park, with more than 17 million annual visitors. The others rounding out the list add up to tens of millions of additional annual visitors, clearly demonstrating just how big the market is when it comes to creating "WOW" experiences for families everywhere. Big experiences equal big returns and if you're not on the pulse of the social media universe, you don't exist as far as today's prospecting theme park customer is concerned.

Traditional marketing isn't as awesome as it used to be due to the evolution of DVR ad-skipping and online add blocking. Unlike most industries, theme parks have an ability to offset this problem by utilizing social media. Many theme park operators know this and are lucky enough to be in a business that simply needs to create something that people want to talk about and... BAM! A user-generated advertising campaign begins online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, worth millions that is measurable and much more valuable than any traditional ad dollar spent in the past.

With this global shift to a more connected society, theme parks are dropping some serious cash into the next best experience for their visitors to chat about. And the reason?... because people want something to enjoy with their families that offers a boat-load of awesome memories that can't be explained lightly, and have to be posted. By this, I mean the only true way to describe the experience requires status updates, pins, tags, tweets, and keeks on any and all social networks so that everyone knows how it felt at every moment of the experience. In a world of "likes" and "comments", the average amount of followers and friends in the social space, the return on the investment adds up quickly for theme park operators.

When you compare the social value created by these online socialites vs the cost of traditional advertising, it's easy to agree that now-a-days, there's a definite advantage to charming the "chatter" with the next best park experience. Justifying a crazy expense on a ride that takes you the highest, at the fastest speed, upside down, while spinning and diving underwater is a no-brainer. With the advancement of mobile technology and total connected people on the planet... the Socialverse has become the premier means of mass-communication for any smart theme park marketer.

A lame ride can be a deal-breaker in today's world, regardless of how much publicity a park spins. Anyone can quickly conduct research on whether or not the million-dollar, hyped publicity campaign they saw on TV is full of hot-air. In as little as 5minutes, users can read hundreds of status updates from other user experiences, watch actual reactions on YouTube, or scan hundreds of photos to decide whether or not they want to justify spending the lofty ticket price of $70+, or even the extra VIP "Cut-in-line" pass cost averaging another $100+ along with whatever travel costs they may have to spend.

Is it worth it? Well, if you check out the numbers below, the answer is absolutely! As long as theme parks can continue providing fun-times and freshly-themed experiences for its park visitors, they will enjoy the social perks of the connected world.

1) Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, FL

Annual Visitors: 17,142,000

In 2011, more than 17 million people visited the world's favorite theme park, eager for photos by iconic Cinderella's castle and a turn on rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. "It is what people think about when they think of Disney World," explains Deb Wills, founder of AllEars.Net. A Disney character parade cuts through the park and heads down Main Street, USA, every afternoon, and a fireworks spectacular lights up the sky many nights. The makeover of Fantasyland is the big news for 2012.

Disneyland Park (Photo: Greg Balfour Evans / Alamy)2) Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA

Annual Visitors: 16,140,000

Disney's original theme park, opened in 1955, comes in a close second to its significantly larger counterpart in Orlando. Disneyland can boast about some of Walt's best original rides as well as the newly revamped Disney California Adventure next door--all the more reason to book an Anaheim vacation.

Tokyo Disneyland (Photo: 2011 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)3) Tokyo Disneyland

Annual Visitors: 13,996,000

Though closed for a full month in 2011 following the tsunami, the 126-acre Japanese Disneyland still managed to pull in 14 million visitors. "It was a little bit surprising how strong this park did in the face of literal disaster," says Robert Niles of Theme Park Insider. But maybe locals needed that Disney magic more than ever.

Tokyo Disney Sea (Photo: 2011 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)4) Tokyo Disney Sea

Annual Visitors: 11,930,000

Attendance dropped 6 percent at Disney's unique marine-themed park, whose seven themed areas are replicas of some of the world's most scenic ports of call. Like Tokyo Disneyland, it was closed for a month in 2011 following Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Disneyland Paris (Photo: Marcos Veiga / Alamy)5) Disneyland, Disneyland Paris

Annual Visitors: 10,990,000

Europe's most popular theme park had a respectable 5 percent attendance bump amid a Continental recession. The park is heralding its 20th anniversary in 2012 with an elaborate nighttime light-and-sound show, a new carnival-style parade, and a meet-and-greet character train.

Epcot, Walt Disney World (Photo: Songquan Deng / Alamy)6) Epcot, Walt Disney World, FL

Annual Visitors: 10,825,000

Disney's futuristic- and international-themed park fell one position last year as its attendance flatlined at 10.8 million visitors. Expect a surge in numbers when the feverishly anticipated major renovation of Test Track is completed this fall. Other top attractions include Soarin' and Mission: SPACE.

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World (Photo: M. Timothy O'Keefe / Alamy)7) Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, FL

Annual Visitors: 9,783,000

This 500-acre homage to Africa is by far the largest of all Disney theme parks, re-creating a lush jungle area and savanna that is home to 1,700 animals from 250 species. The Expedition Everest coaster and Kilimanjaro Safaris often attract the biggest crowds.

Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World (Photo: M. Jeremy Pembrey / Alamy)8) Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, FL

Annual Visitors: 9,699,000

Disney's entertainment-themed park claimed the No. 8 spot for the second year running. Much of the credit goes to favorite thrill rides Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, not to mention stunt-filled shows like "Lights, Motors, Action!"

Universal Studios Japan (Photo: Photo Japan / Alamy)9) Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Annual Visitors: 8,500,000

A chockablock calendar of 10th-anniversary events in 2011 helped secure the No. 9 spot for Universal's Japanese park, which mixes the best elements from its Orlando and Hollywood counterparts and features crowd-pleasing rides (Jaws) and shows ("Shrek's 4-D Adventure"). Watch for attendance to skyrocket when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in 2014.

Islands of Adventure (Photo: stephen searle / Alamy)10) Islands of Adventure, UniversalOrlando, FL

Annual Visitors: 7,674,000

Catapulting ahead of Disney California Adventure and into the top 10 for the first time has given Universal execs newfound bragging rights. And with an expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the works, don't expect attendance to slacken anytime soon.

Sony Website & Customer Accounts Hit with New Wave of Attacks

2011-05-23T04:44:18Z

Sony just can't seem to catch a break. After locking down and overhauling its online services due to a cyber attack that revealed the personal information of over 100 million account holders -- and fixing a snafu in its password reset system -- Sony is under the gun once again. Both a major Sony homepage and Sony's Japanese internet service division have now been victimized.

According to a warning from security firm F-Secure, Sony's Thai website was hacked and used to trick unsuspecting visitors into handing over personal information to a fraudulent Italian credit card company. Sony was notified of the unauthorized activity and is taking action to rectify the problem. On a much more serious note, Sony's Japan-based So-Net internet was reportedly breached, with the hackers making off with over 100,000 yen (roughly $1,200) of account holder funds. The company is currently investigating that breach, but has reportedly found no evidence that any personal information was obtained by the attackers.

At this time, it doesn't appear that the attacks are directly connected to the network breach that brought the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment (which just came back online today) to a halt late last month. However, Sony is most definitely in the public eye, as customers begin to question what people and services should have access to their vital information.

Source - Yahoo News

5 Things You Need to Know about the iPad 2 Launch

2011-03-03T17:44:29Z

It's the day after Apple's iPad 2 announcement, and by now you know the new device has two cameras and is thinner faster and lighter than the original. But are you ready for Friday, March 11, when the iPad 2 will go on sale? Apple's original iPad drew big crowds during its U.S. and international launches, and the iPad 2 promises more of the same. With that in mind, here's a quick look at some of things you need to know before braving the crowds next Friday.

iPad 2 Highlights

Apple's second-generation iPad features a 1GHz A5 dual-core processor, front- and rear-facing cameras, up to 1080p video out support via HDMI, a 9.7-inch screen with 1024-by-768 resolution, 10 hours of battery life, an accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope, and separate GSM (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) 3G connectivity options.

No preorders

Apple is not accepting preorders for the iPad 2, probably because the new tablet is set for release in just over a week on Friday, March 11. If you're hoping to get an iPad 2 on launch day, expect to be standing in long lines at the Apple Store. The iPad 2 launches at 5 p.m. local time on March 11.

Not just the Apple Store

Even though you may have to stand in line to get an iPad 2, you may have better luck getting your hands on the new tablet at third-party retailers. Best Buy's website says it will have the iPad 2 on March 11, and a tipster told 9-to-5 Mac that the iPad 2 has been added to the inventory systems for Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. It's not clear whether the 3G iPad 2 models will be available at Verizon and AT&T retail stores on March 11 as well. So far, Apple has only said the iPad 2 will be available at apple.com, Apple retail stores and "select Apple Authorized Resellers."

HDMI for all, sort of

Apple's Digital AV Adapter with an HDMI out port and Apple 30-pin connector doesn't just work with the iPad 2, but also the original iPad, iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod Touch. The bad news is only the iPad 2 can support 1080p video out, the other devices only support up to 720p high definition resolution. Movies play at 720p for all devices including the iPad 2, according to Apple.

The mirroring effect where you can view the iPad 2's display on an HDTV and the tablet itself at the same time is also only available on Apple's new device. The mirroring feature allows you to easily display and control PowerPoint-style presentations using the iPad 2. It's not clear what kind of HDMI out functionality you will have on the original iPad and other iOS devices. The Digital AV Adapter sells for $40 and will be available soon.

iPad clearance

If you've had your eye on the iPad, but were reluctant to fork over $500 for the device, then now's your chance to get Apple's first-generation tablet. You can get the original iPad models for $100 off right now in Apple's clearance section. You can grab the 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad for $400 or the 32GB version for $500, and the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad is $530.

Dual dilemma

If you want an iPad 2 with 3G connectivity, you're going to have to choose between a GSM device on AT&T or a CDMA tablet on Verizon. The iPad 2 does not have dual-mode functionality.

Netflix raises curtain on iPhone instant streaming

2010-09-20T14:05:20Z

Netflix execs have been teasing us for months about an instant streaming app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Indeed, they've been promising it for so long that I'd pretty much forgotten about it. Until now.

Netflix took the wraps off its new app -- or, to be more precise, its newly updated iPad app, which is now "universal" for use with the iPhone and iPod Touch -- early Thursday, a couple of months after officially announcing the app and just a week before the expected arrival of a spiffy new iPod Touch.

Free for use if you're a Netflix subscriber (memberships start at $8.99 a month), the app lets you stream more than 20,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix's "Watch Instantly" library. As with other versions of the Netflix app (available on all three of the big gaming consoles, several HDTVs and Blu-ray players, various set-top boxes, and -- of course -- the iPad), you can pick up a video from where you left off on another device; browse various movie genres and customized categories; or search for a specific title.

You can also add movies to your "instant" queue, delete them, or give individual titles a star rating. I'd also been hoping for the ability to manage your DVD queue from the Netflix app, but nope -- can't do it. (There are several third-party iPhone apps that will let you tweak your Netflix DVD queue, though, including the free PhoneFlicks and Flixster apps.)

Movies and TV shows are streamable over the Netflix app via both Wi-Fi and 3G, and for the most part, videos looked smooth and sharp -- if pretty small -- on my iPhone 4's Retina display, at least over Wi-Fi. When I switched over to 3G (with four out of five bars of AT&T reception), though, the trouble began, with videos pausing every few seconds for buffering.

Then again, AT&T reception is terrible in my neighborhood, so you may have a better experience depending on your location (and indeed, some early user reviews say they've been streaming over 3G with few hiccups). But if you're signed up for one of AT&T's capped data plans, keep in mind that streaming video is a quick way to blow through your monthly allotment of 3G data.

Another note: The new Netflix app doesn't appear to be optimized for fast-app switching under iOS 4, meaning that if you switch to another app midmovie, the Netflix app will restart once you come back to it. At least you'll pick up your video right where you left off, but expect to wait several seconds for your movie to rebuffer.

Otherwise, pretty nice -- and as I mentioned earlier, the newly updated Netflix app arrives just in time for Apple's "special event" next week, where we'll probably ("probably" being the key word here) get a new iPod Touch with an improved display -- perfect for watching videos -- dual cameras, and more.

Meanwhile, what's the deal with the expected Netflix app for Android? Good question. Something seems to be brewing, based on the help-wanted ads that Netflix has posted for Android developers in the past few months, but for now, the wait continues.

-- Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.

Apple to end free case offer for iPhone 4 on Sept. 30

2010-09-20T14:00:53Z

Claiming that the iPhone 4's infamous "death grip" problem is "even smaller than we originally thought," Apple announced Friday that it would end its offer of free cases for all iPhone 4 owners by the end of the month.

After that, says the notice on Apple's Web site (which was first spotted by The Loop's Jim Dalrymple), users who are still having reception problems with the new iPhone can call the AppleCare hotline to "request" a free case, although it's not clear if you'll get one automatically by doing so.

During a July press briefing convened in the wake of widespread complaints of reception problems on the revamped iPhone, which boasts an external stainless-steel band that doubles as an antenna, Steve Jobs promised to hand out free iPhone 4 cases, including Apple's own Bumper case, to all owners of the new handset.

At the time, Jobs said the offer would run until Sept. 30, and that Apple would "re-evaluate" the deadline as it approached. Looks like the top dogs at Apple decided that there weren't enough lingering complaints to extend the offer.

For the record, Apple's full statement reads:

We now know that the iPhone 4 antenna attenuation issue is even smaller than we originally thought. A small percentage of iPhone 4 users need a case, and we want to continue providing them a Bumper case for free. For everyone else, we are discontinuing the free case program on all iPhone 4s sold after September 30, 2010. We are also returning to our normal returns policy for all iPhone 4s sold after September 30. Users experiencing antenna issues should call AppleCare to request a free Bumper case.

The iPhone 4's reception problems were ultimately narrowed down to a thin, black stripe on the lower left side of the handset, which marks the separation between the two segments of the external antenna. Wireless experts theorized that the iPhone's reception could dip when a user bridges the gap between the segments while holding the phone in his or her hand.

During the original "Antennagate" press conference, Jobs -- who'd earlier drawn fire for suggesting to a handful of iPhone 4 users over e-mail that they could avoid reception problems if they'd "just avoid holding it that way" -- defended the iPhone 4's design, calling the handset "perhaps the best product we've ever made at Apple," and he also showed videos of other top-drawer smartphones losing reception when they were held the "wrong" way (much to the annoyance of the singled-out manufacturers, by the way).

But Jobs allowed that perhaps the spike in reception complaints was because only a fraction of customers were leaving new stores with cases (which were hard to find at the time). Hence, the limited-time offer of free cases for one and all.

Jobs also promised Apple would waive the standard 10 percent restocking fee for returned iPhone 4's, but Apple's statement Friday says that Cupertino will be "returning to our normal returns policy" after Sept. 30.

Despite the "death grip" drama, sales of the iPhone 4 have been strong, with Apple and AT&T stores consistently sold out over the summer and the online Apple store still showing a three-week wait time for new orders. That said, a recent survey suggested that iPhone sales may have taken a hit due to the "Antennagate" brouhaha.

So, do you agree with Apple's decision to end its free case program at the end of the month?

The Loop: Apple to discontinue free iPhone Bumper Case program on Sept. 30

-- Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News.

Is Apple eyeing newspaper subscriptions for the App Store?

2010-09-20T13:54:03Z

Newspapers and tablet PCs sound like a match made in heaven, and publishers are understandably eager to boost sagging revenue by launching iPad-friendly versions of their respective rags. So guess who reportedly wants to help -- for a piece of the action?

Nothing's confirmed yet, but the San Jose Mercury News claims that Apple may be looking to launch an App Store-based subscription plan for newspapers that would involve taking a 30 percent cut of subscription revenue and a 40-percent cut of the ads (which, I'm guessing, would be served by by Apple's new iAd mobile advertising platform).

Industry sources tell the Merc that Apple (which has yet to comment on the story) would also offer an opt-in system for subscribers to share their demographic information with the newspaper -- information that's "vital" to selling ads, according to the Mercury News article.

A few newspapers have already launched iPad apps that require paid subscriptions, such as the Wall Street Journal ($3.99 a week) and the Financial Times (which, at $4.25/week, happens to boast one of the nicest, easiest-to-read newspaper apps I've seen for the iPad yet), while other publications are taking more of a wait-and-see approach. The New York Times, for example, has a free "Editors' Choice" app for the iPad with a limited amount of content, with a full-on paid edition expected once the Times erects a pay wall for its website.

But while an Apple-managed subscription plan for newspapers could entice more dailies to go the App Store way, newspaper publishers are said to be balking at the (supposedly) high price of admission. According to the San Jose Mercury News, publishers might be willing to pay a fee for working with Apple on digital subscriptions, but they're "not happy" with Apple's idea of a 30 percent cut of subscription fees and an even larger share of the ads.

And then there's the issue of print editions of newspapers, with one analyst quoted by the Mercury News noting that publishers are afraid readers will drop their print subscriptions in favor of digital "too quickly" without "a comparable growth in advertisement revenue" from digital and tablet versions. Indeed, according to the article, newspaper publishers had been thinking they'd serve up iPad apps in a bundled deal with their regular print subscriptions, presumably to keep the revenue from print ads flowing smoothly.

Well, speaking purely for myself here, I can understand newspaper publishers being wary of forking over 30 and 40 percent shares of their subscription and advertising revenue. They're nuts, however, if they think they're going to sell me an iPad version of the paper plus the print edition. I'm sure there are plenty of newspaper readers who still get a rolled-up paper tossed on their doorstep every morning at 4 a.m., but personally, I haven't had an actual print newspaper subscription in years, and I'm not interested in going back. But hey -- that's just me.

For now, anyway, all the App Store newspaper subscription talk is academic, given there's still no official word from Apple about such a plan, and I'm sure there won't be until when -- or if -- the plan is actually hatched.

So, would you subscribe to the tablet version of a national or local paper through the App Store -- or, say, through the Android Market, if that were an option? And would you want the print edition bundled with the tablet version?

San Jose Mercury News: Apple to announce subscription plan for newspapers

Graphics Giant ATI To Be Re-branded

2010-09-01T09:17:30Z

When it comes to discrete PC graphics, there are really only two choices. You can go with nVidia or you can go with ATI. Each has their strong points, and it's been an all-out brawl between the two when it comes to processing power, frames per second (FPS), driver support, and features.

Well, starting in 2011 you can't choose ATI anymore.

Back in October 2006, CPU giant AMD merged with ATI. Starting at the end of this year, all future ATI hardware will be re-branded as AMD parts.

I can't say this is a surprise, really. Many people thought (as I did) that AMD would have re-branded ATI immediately after the purchase. I'm actually kinda surprised it took this long. AMD might not have the name-recognition that Intel does, sure, but it's still a huge name in processors. Perhaps they just thought that ATI was a better name at the time.

Most likely forcing their hands now, is AMD's upcoming Fusion technology. What fusion does, is takes the processing power of a CPU, and ties it in with the GPU (graphics processing unit) in a single package. Chances are they wanted the AMD name front and center on anything related to the CPU market. I can understand that. AMD has spent a lot of time and money making a name for themselves against Intel, now they want to show off how much they've accomplished with the new tech.

From the AMD Fusion website:

AMD Fusion is a new approach to processor design and software development, delivering powerful CPU and GPU capabilities for HD, 3D and data-intensive workloads in a single-die processor called an APU. APUs combine high-performance serial and parallel processing cores with other special-purpose hardware accelerators, enabling breakthroughs in visual computing, security, performance-per-watt and device form factor. Software developers, utilizing AMD drivers, libraries and either the ATI Stream SDK2 or the Microsoft DirectCompute API, can enhance the user experience and speed application performance by developing applications that fully utilize the unique compute power of the AMD Fusion™ Family of APUs and AMD discrete GPUs.

Expected in the second half of 2011, it sounds like this tech is going to mostly be aimed at pre-built desktop PCs (dells, HPs, and the like), as well as the notebook/netbook and tablet markets. More specific application announcements are expected in early 2011.

Will Apple redesign iPhone antenna for Verizon? Don't count on it

2010-08-19T14:48:32Z

One of the comments I hear most frequently about the Verizon iPhone -- ahem, the rumored Verizon iPhone -- is that people seem to think it'll come with an all-new antenna that's free of "death grip" problems. Well, think again, one wireless expert says.

Spencer Webb of AntennaSys was one of the first experts to note that "shorting" the two metal segments of the iPhone 4's external antenna by touching them with your hand (which tends to happen when you're holding the phone during a call) could degrade the handset's reception, and now he's telling Computerworld that he believes there are both "business and technical" reasons for Apple to stick to its guns with the iPhone's controversial, stainless-steel antenna band.

Besides the fact that an iPhone for Verizon (which is still little more than a rumor, needless to say) wouldn't need an antenna redesign for operation on a CDMA cellular network (Verizon is a CDMA carrier, while AT&T runs on GSM technology), there's no easy way to insulate or otherwise protect the iPhone 4's external antenna from coming into contact with the human hand, Webb says in the Computerworld story.

That's not to say that Apple won't eventually come up with a solution, but for now, the antenna band is "architecturally fixed in the design, and it would take [Apple] a while to make whatever the design is," Webb noted to Computerworld's Gregg Keizer.

Well, what about some kind of coating or insulation for the exposed antenna band? Unlikely, Webb guesses, adding that there's "no coating that's thick enough to make a difference."

The "death grip" saga began even before the iPhone 4 officially went on sale, with users complaining that the handset lost reception while being held, especially when touching a tiny gap in the lower-left side of the phone that separates the two segments of the external antenna band.

It took weeks for Apple to address the complaints, first blaming the iPhone's reception display (a software patch tweaked the iPhone's "formula" for calculating how many bars of reception to display but did nothing to improve reception) before trotting out Steve Jobs himself to defend the antenna design.

Jobs announced that Apple would hand out free cases to iPhone 4 users to help improve reception, but while he apologized to anyone who felt they'd suffered reception problems and admitted that Apple isn't perfect, he also called the iPhone 4 "perhaps the best product" that Apple ever made and showed videos of other smartphones with apparent "death grip" issues (much to the annoyance of Samsung, RIM, and other phone makers).

Indeed, it's Jobs' performance last month that makes me believe that an upcoming Verizon iPhone -- if we do in fact get one early next year -- will arrive with exactly the same antenna design as on the current iPhone 4. (Same goes for the long-delayed white iPhone, which conspiracy theorists believe is undergoing antenna tweaks at Apple HQ.) Yes, Sir Steve acquiesced to demands for free cases for every iPhone 4, but he didn't look defeated or apologetic to me; if anything, he seemed exasperated, with a look on his face that seemed to say, "If free cases will make you happy, fine -- here you go."

Releasing a new Verizon iPhone or white iPhone 4 with a radically redesigned (or even marginally tweaked) antenna would be tantamount to admitting something went wrong with the "original" iPhone 4, and I just don't see that happening. Sure, Apple may eventually come out with an all-new iPhone design, but I'm in agreement with Webb that it won't happen for at least a couple of (face-saving) years, not in a few months.

All this is to say that if you're waiting for the white iPhone 4 or a Verizon iPhone because you're hoping for an improved antenna, well ... I wouldn't count on it.

Note: What about Verizon's plans for a fourth-generation LTE network, you ask -- might that involve an all-new antenna? Perhaps, but remember that even though Verizon's LTE launch is just months away, it could take years for 4G networks to spread to a substantial portion of the wireless population, and I seriously doubt Apple would release an LTE-ready iPhone that would only work for a small fraction of its user base. That's my guess, anyway.

Verizon Customers Eager for iPhone

2010-08-17T15:38:16Z

The Verizon iPhone is still speculation, but a survey says the arrival of a CDMA iPhone would steal a sizeable chunk of AT&T and Sprint customers. Over half of current Verizon customers say they intend to get an iPhone with the carrier, while almost a quarter of AT&T iPhone customers would jump ship in frustration of network quality, the survey from Morpace Omnibus says.

Morpace Omnibus' poll of 1000 American consumers claims that more than half of all Verizon subscribers are likely to buy an iPhone on the carrier's network. The survey also shows that 23 percent of current AT&T customers would go for a Verizon iPhone, 22 percent of current Sprint customers, and 20 percent of T-Mobile customers.

Faced with a mass exodus of iPhone users, Verizon's network could crumble under the pressure, just like AT&T. The Morpace Omnibus study highlights concerns that Verizon's network faces the same difficulties handling bandwidth demands. Also, if Verizon begins to carry the iPhone, it would "drastically impact" the purchase of other phones (read Android phones), the study says.

Despite eager Verizon (and AT&T) customers, an iPhone on Verizon is not confirmed. For two years analysts have speculated that Apple would release a CDMA version of the iPhone that would work with Verizon's network. The latest information places the launch of the CDMA iPhone next January, and says a prototype is in testing stages.

The unsubstantiated speculation around a Verizon iPhone hasn't stopped customers hoping for an alternative to AT&T's exclusive iPhone deal. AT&T's network is crumbling under the pressure of heavy iPhone data use, and progress to improve the network is steady, but slow.

The pressure is now on Apple and Verizon to put out a CDMA iPhone. The findings of the Morpace Omnibus survey second the results of another survey from ChangeWave earlier this year, which polled 4,000 US consumers and found that 53 percent of Verizon subscribers were craving for an iPhone on the carrier's network.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Smokes Wii, Sony's PS3 Closes Ranks

2010-08-17T15:31:23Z

The Wii may be tumbling at last, as Microsoft's Xbox 360 outpaced it by several hundreds thousand units in NPD Group's July 2010 retail sales. The games industry was steady, year-on-year, losing a few points in software and accessory sales but gaining notably in hardware sales.

Overall video games revenue totaled $847 million, a nominal 1 percent decline from last July's $851 million. Software sales were down 8 percent to $403 million and game accessories dipped 2 percent to $129 million, but games hardware rose 12 percent to $314 million, not doubt bolstered by Microsoft's new slimline Xbox 360.

Here's July 2010 hardware, compared to July 2009.

444k - Xbox 360 (+54%)398k - Nintendo DS (-26%)254k - Wii (+0%)216k - PlayStation 3 (+44%)84k - PSP (-32%)

Both Microsoft and Sony are sitting pretty this month in terms of year-on-year sales, but Microsoft has the most to crow about, surging past both the Wii and Nintendo DS. According to NPD, the Xbox 360 is on top for the first time since September 2007, when Halo 3 launched.

And look at how close Sony came to pulling ahead of the Wii. With PlayStation Move and Xbox 360 Kinect coming in just a few months (and nothing to speak of on Nintendo's plate, save for Goldeneye and Donkey Kong Country) it's hard to imagine the Wii pulling out of third place this holiday season.

And here's July 2010 software.

368k - NCAA Football 11 (Xbox 360)299k - NCAA Football 11 (PS3)209k - Crackdown 2 (Xbox 360)193k - Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)142k - LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (DS)

Notice how much closer multi-platform sales seem to be moving here. This year, the spread's 69,000 units. Last July, the spread between Xbox 360 and PS3 sales of NCAA Football 10 was 140,000 units, or double.

Slotting 6 through 10, respectively, were Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360), LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii), Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS), New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360).

NPD notes that LEGO Harry Potter, which debuted in June, "bested its intro month sales...of 355k," though it was released in late June.

"In over a month at retail, it has already sold enough to put it just outside of the top 20 games year-to-date," says NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

All that, and not a drop of Felix Felicis quaffed.

How to Spot Facebook Scams Like 'Dislike' Button on Facebook

2010-08-17T15:14:23Z

Like many scams on Facebook, the "Dislike" button succeeded because people are gullible. Here's how to not become one of those people.

Looking at Sophos' report on the Facebook "Dislike" button, which has reportedly spread virally through the social network, I noticed a pattern consistent with several other scams. Recognize these red flags, and you won't be fooled again.

First, it helps to have a pinch of skepticism when your friend posts an uncharacteristic status update. Did your old college drinking buddy just write "OMG Justin Bieber trying to flirt" on his Facebook wall? (Click on the image at left to see what to look for.) For that matter, is "OMG" out of character for your grown friends and family? A little bit of common sense always helps.

Now that you're skeptical, take a look at the Facebook status update in question. At the bottom, you'll see time elapsed since post was written and how it was delivered. So if a post comes from the web, it says "via Facebook." and if it's an update on someone's Mafia Wars progress, it says "via Mafia Wars Game."

With the "Dislike" button, the source is "The Official Dislike Button," and with another recent scam about a student attacking his teacher, the source was "Student vs Teacher." Do these messages really need their own apps for sending out messages? Facebook's "Like" button doesn't have its own app, so a genuine "Dislike" button shouldn't be using one, either.

And a video of "Worst McDs Customer" certainly shouldn't have its own delivery method for status updates, either. (Click the image at right for an example.) Questioning what comes after "via" is especially important if clicking on a link within someone's status update takes you directly to an app installation page.

Finally, some apps will give themselves away by sending you away from Facebook to an external website. The "Dislike" scam, for instance, would send people to sites such as fbdislikeit.info. This is the biggest giveaway of them all. Any time you're sent to an external website to install something on Facebook, use extreme caution and never install anything from a source you don't trust -- especially when the source claims to be "official.

The good news about this particular group of scams is that they aren't that harmful, and you can undo the damage by removing the application from Facebook's "Application Settings" page. But at that point, everyone will know you've been had.

Blackberry Torch Already Pricecut 50%

2010-08-17T11:10:26Z

Research In Motion (RIM) the creator of the blackberry series of smartphones has cut the price on its latest offering by HALF.

The new BlackBerry Torch 9800 was originally $199 with a 2 year AT&T contract, but now it's been busted down to $99 with a 2 year. It seems that the phones just aren't selling. With lukewarm reviews of the handset, even though it's the newest model, combined with AT&T's general Hate-On for its customers (it's like a hard-on, but hateful), the newest model is a tough sell.

The new Blackberry 6 OS adds some features like touch screens, but since they're just playing catch-up to Android and the iPhone. I don't think anyone is going to be switching from either of those to move to a blackberry for features they already have.

I can see that if you're using this in a business capacity, and already have entrenched software for the blackberry, that you'd be hesitant to upgrade to a Droid-based system. But since RIM has only 3.4% of the current smartphone market, I would think that they'd try a little harder. The ONLY thing they seem to have going for them right now is vendor-entrenchment.

It seems that the Android-based phones will probably be the corporate choice in the near future. Its enormous customization abilities should be valuable to large companies looking to tailor the phones specifically to their needs. RIM would do well to learn from Android in this case.

If the Torch had been released to a broader consumer base, not just AT&T, they might have had some additional sales. But if you're like me, you probably are avoiding AT&T service whenever possible. It's the reason I don't own an iPhone right now. Well, that, and the lackluster iPhone 4. Should the iPhone eventually find its way onto another carrier (Verizon, Sprint, Tmobile, etc) I'd reconsider. Personally, I prefer Android. I like to use my phone the way I want, not how Apple wants.

It should be noted that the AT&T website still shows the Torch for $199. So if you want the lower price, try amazon.com or other dealers instead.

Apple Upgrading iPad, Releasing 7-inch Model in 2011 [RUMOR]

2010-08-11T18:00:51Z

Apple is upgrading its 9.7-inch iPad with a faster ARM processor and is releasing a smaller 7-inch iPad in 2011, according to rumors. Digitimes reports that Apple is set to launch "an upgraded 9.7-inch iPad adopting a new ARM Cortex-A9-based processor and 512MB RAM in the first quarter of 2011." Apple is also prepping "a 7-inch iPad using the Cortex-A9 processor and an IPS panel with a resolution of 1024×768."

What's the New Technology?

The original iPad sported an A4 processor that Apple created on its own. If Digitimes' rumors are true, Apple will switch to the latest ARM technology and integrate the Cortex-A9. ARM boosted the Cortex-A9's processor speed up to 2GHz last year, which could make the iPad a seriously powerful device. The new processor also draws less power, thus improving the iPad's so-so battery life.

The second update is the reuse of IPS (in-plane switching) panel technology for the iPad's screen. In July, Digitimes claimed that Apple was switching to OLED screens for the newest iPads ... that story has apparently changed. IPS is a great kind of LCD for the iPad, as it gives the iPad an impressive wide viewing-angle of up to 178 degrees, whereas other LCD technologies tend to have narrower viewing angles, especially in the vertical direction. Plus it's less expensive than OLED, allowing Apple to cut iPad prices.

What About the Pricing Structure?

A 7-inch iPad will likely cost a lot less than its first-generation brethren, as Apple is known for slashing product prices as the technology evolves. Fast Company notes this business trend by reminding readers about the original $500 to $600 iPhone that had no native apps. Then came the $200 cheaper 3G model with native app support. Then came the 3GS that had the same price as the 3G upon its debut but a faster processor, which knocked the 3G's price down to $100. Fast Company also says that people who buy first-generation Apple products are "suckers" and "lemmings with no self-control and excessive disposable income." Ouch -- but possibly true.

There was a big fallout from the iPhone price cuts too -- something Apple will want to avoid if it overhauls the iPad pricing structure. In 2007 Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone would be $200 cheaper, setting off a slew of protests. A lawsuit was even filed over the price cuts. So if Apple wants to reduce prices on its iPad line, it better do so carefully, as early adopters have a tendency to lash out.

How Reliable Is the Source?

Digitimes is known for Apple rumors, some of which have proven blatantly false. Last November it claimed that the Apple tablet would have a $2,000 price tag. It's also worth noting that Digitimes is quoting its own internal source -- Digitimes' senior research analyst Mingchi Kuo -- therefore, it could be creating its own news and hype.

Digitimes also mentions that the oft-mentioned Verizon iPhone will be revealed at CES 2011. For more on these persistent Verizon iPhone rumors, check out my colleague Ian Paul's analysis of that situation.

iPhone Apps for your Home Entertainment System

2010-08-11T17:51:43Z

Home entertainment systems just aren't what they used to be. Which is a good thing because it means technology has only been advancing, thus getting better and better; but when you've been kind of a Luddite for years like I have, returning to the home entertainment world is almost like learning a new language.

What do all these terms mean? How many various ways can I watch television, and on how many different devices? A long farewell to VCRs and televisions with manual dials. Hello new home entertainment system with state-of-the-art features and pitch-perfect sound. I think I'm going to like it here.

Home Theater + Bonus (99 cents)

The Home Theater + Bonus iPhone app is essentially an eBook that teaches you the secrets of creating your own home movie theater, "like the rich and famous!" First, learn why you should have your own theater system - going out to the movies is expensive, and the food's better at home! Then read about the evolution of the home theater system, how to choose a system that works for you, and what the home theaters "in-a-box" option is all about. (I am now completely sold on this one, as it's easy to understand and, literally, comes in one box.) But after all this, we're still just getting started. Keep reading to find out how to create an affordable solution to purchasing a HES, various options of what kind to get, step-by-step instructions on how to assemble whatever you get, tips of installation and setup and even more. This app is a bargain at 99 cents.

Home Theater Glossary (99 cents)

At first overwhelmed by all the hugely unfamiliar terms, I quickly remembered the point of the Home Theater Glossary app - to help guide you through the alien territory that is home theater language. Cruise through the alphabet unleashing piles and heaps of unknown terminology for each letter. An MP3, I can handle, but TDS, an abbreviation for time delay spectrometry; and Hz also referred to as Hertz, meaning cycles per second (cps) or pitch, I could never have navigated without this helpful glossary.

DVD Previews (99 cents)

Trying to decide what DVDs you would like to own, and which ones you'd rather save for Netflix? Even if you'd just like help deciding what to see in the theater, and what to wait to see until it's out on DVD, DVD Previews is your app. Scan (via your iPhone camera) or manually enter in the UPC code for the DVD in question. (There are Web sites where you can access DVD UPC codes, or try hanging around a video store.) Once the app locates your movie, it connects you to trailers and previews almost instantly. If you would like to purchase your film of choice, click "where to buy," and the app takes you shopping via the Internet.

LocateTV (Free)

LocateTV is a straight-forward iPhone app. First, type in your country and ZIP code, and up comes a list of television service providers. Then, a list of seasons starting soon. Curb Your Enthusiasm starts soon, as does The Rachel Zoe Project; and if I want to watch something right now, I can see Curious George on PBS and HealthBeat Brooklyn on BCAT. You can also search for shows via network and day of the week (within the current week). Plus, if there's a particular channel you dislike, or you would like to narrow down your search, you can adjust your settings.

Media Mate (99 cents)

Media Mate is so current - it's "your guide to the latest media releases" - that the first thing this app does when you open it is load this week's new products. There are release calendars for books, DVDs, games and music that start a few weeks back and go through about a month away. The downside is the app only announces very well-known releases, so if your best friend just published a book or came out with a new video game, you probably won't read about it here.

Apple Gives App Store Bulk Discounts to Schools

2010-08-11T17:31:13Z

Apple this week rolled out a new initiative offering discounts for schools that buy iOS apps in bulk. The deal is the latest in Apple's long history of outreach to educators, a strong potential user base for the iPad.

"We're pleased to announce the App Store Volume Purchase Program. Education institutions in the United States now have a new way to purchase your apps in volume for distribution to their students and faculty," Apple said. "You can also elect to offer special education pricing on your app when purchased in volume."

The exact details of the program are only available to registered Apple developers.

The company has reportedly been pushing the educational potential of the device since before the tablet was even unveiled. As Information Week points out. Apple has even gone so far as to hire a former textbook publishing executive to help with its education store.

Apple is letting app developers opt into the volume pricing deal.