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Hard drives could get scarce: Apple, analysts

The humble hard disk drive may become a more precious commodity in the coming months, according to analysts and Apple.

Apple CEO Tim Cook made this very clear this week in the company's earnings conference call, referring to the impact of the floods in Thailand. "Like many others, we source many components from Thailand and have multiple factories that supply these components. There are several factories that are currently not operable, and the recovery timeline for these factories is not known at this point," he said.

Cook continued. "We would say that our primary exposure is … Read more

Fondue and fry too

Some appliances provide a means to prepare a wide variety of foods. Consider the myriad possibilities for meals from the oven, stovetop, or even the microwave and it becomes apparent that their use in daily life is rich and varied. The flip side to that coin is that there are plenty of appliances that are capable of only doing one thing, such as deep-fry foods or keep a pot of fondue happily bubbling away. But when two features are combined, then the resultant fusion can lead to something more than the sum of its parts.

Providing a means to deep-fry … Read more

The 404 920: Where we're on a 7-second delay (podcast)

Wilson's out sick today so CNET Labs' Joseph Kaminski fills in with a 7-second delay, just in case.

Today we're discussing the controversial details of Steve Jobs' use of psychedelic drugs, what's being taught at Cupertino's Apple University, pre-crime becoming a reality, and this morning's speedbumps for iPhone 4S preorders.

The 404 Digest for Episode 920

Pre-crime might become a reality. Unlocked iPhone 4S coming in November. Galaxy Nexus launch delayed due to Jobs' death. Sprint to cover 120M people with 4G LTE next year (scoop). Did dropping acid make Steve Jobs more creative? Steve Jobs' virtual DNA to be fostered in Apple University. Superman fan turns to surgery to become Man of Steel. Florida school district taking attendance by scanning students' fingers. Google-designed Nikes prove Google has no taste. Fear abounds in images from Nightmares Fear Factory.

Episode 920 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 919: Where we say farewell to someone insanely great (podcast)

Today's episode of The 404 Podcast runs a little shorter than usual, but we spend the show talking about Steve Jobs and how he directly affected each of our careers in technology.

We'll also talk about former Gizmodo Editor Brian Lam's heartfelt letter of regret regarding the lost iPhone 4 and his interactions with the former Apple CEO, and show a few ways that New York is commemorating Steve Jobs.

The 404 Digest for Episode 919

CNET's full coverage of the passing of Steve Jobs. Statement from the President on the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve testing Photo Booth filters in 2005. Former Gizmodo Editor Brian Lam remembers Steve Jobs.

Episode 919 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

An Apple without Steve Jobs

commentary When Apple co-founder Steve Jobs stepped down from his role as CEO two months ago, the immediate question "was what happens to Apple next?" With Jobs' passing yesterday, the company now faces that scenario.

From an outsider's perspective, the near-term seems clear. The company says it has a succession plan, which it enacted in August at Jobs' request, installing Tim Cook as CEO. The company also has a new iPhone--its hottest money making product--launching next week, followed a week later with what is likely to be another record setting quarter.

But what people wonder about is … Read more

Tim Cook's memo to Apple employees about Jobs

Here's the full text of the e-mail Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to his employees about the passing of Steve Jobs today.

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation … Read more

The 404 918: Where a phone by any other name would smell as sweet (podcast)

The band is back together again, just in time for the release of the Apple iPhone 4S. Like everyone else in the first world, we have our share of complaints, but to whine about its aesthetics is to downplay the exciting changes to iOS 5, so we'll try to keep it posi without coming off as fanboiz.

We'll review CNET's First Take of the iPhone 4S at the start of the episode, beginning with a pedestrian explanation of its network connectivity options, and go over some of the more exciting features about iOS 5, things like Newsstand, iCloud with Find My Friends, Cards, and a new AppleCare+ accidental protection package.

And just to explore the playful side of yesterday's announcements, we'll tell you why Japanese customers are chuckling at the name Siri and show you a Steve Jobs Soundboard that could offer useful buying suggestions for potential upgraders.

After the first bathroom break, we'll move onto the general tech stories of the day, including a money dispute that could finally kill "The Simpsons" after 23 seasons, Google's first adult daycare center, a batch of rereleased Disney movies in 3D, and NASA seeking applicants for its next astronaut class in 2013.

The 404 Digest for Episode 918

CNET's complete coverage of the Apple iPhone 4S. Get $200 back for your iPhone 4. Money dispute may end 'Simpsons' Google opens first retail store for Chromebooks. Seriously, Apple? In Japan, Siri fans bottom jokes.

Are Disney's 3D rereleases helping people change their minds about 3D? NASA seeking applicants for next astronaut candidate class. Bathroom break 1: Nancy Grace might have farted on last night's Dancing With the Stars. Bathroom break 2: The Museum of Obselete Objects Presents: The Fax Machine.

Episode 918 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Apple's hard new reality: Elvis has left the house

Maxwell Smart would have been proud.

Despite a cascade of increasingly frenetic rumors in the run up to Tuesday's iPhone announcement, Apple maintained its own unflappable version of the cone of silence, refusing to respond to the rumor mill until last week with a bare-bones confirmation that yes, we will host an iPhone event on October 4 and no, that's all we have to say about the matter until then.

Turns out Apple had no need to fill in the blanks. Others had been doing that job for them all summer.

Even in an industry where rumors dominate … Read more

What to expect from Apple's iPhone event

After a lengthier than usual wait, tomorrow we get the next iPhone.

The burning question, of course, is how much of an update it will be. The iPhone 4 was a big step up from its predecessor, the 3GS, which itself was basically the iPhone 3G with a better camera and speedier insides. The iPhone 4 did the camera and speed tricks again, while changing up the outside and adding a considerably sharper screen.

Will the iPhone 5 represent a tuning of an already tried-and-true device? Or will the longer wait result in something that's noticeably new? Those questions … Read more