Apple developers mark a year of iPhone apps
Apple's success with iPhone applications wasn't preordained, but the company had a huge leg up on the competition with a hit device, a mature software platform, and the one of the biggest online stores on the planet."They had all three sitting there, and that's very difficult to create in this industry," said Travis Boatman, vice president of worldwide studios for EA Mobile, creator of iPhone games such as Spore and Sim City.But for all the work Apple has done to make the iPhone a success over the past year, its future lies in the hands of outside developers. When Apple CEO Steve Jobs and iPhone software head Scott Forstall first publicly described the parameters of the iPhone software development process a year ago, they set the stage for the stunning growth in iPhone applications that has allowed the iPhone and iPod Touch to become truly personal computers for both work and play.Apple has since made iPhone applications the centerpiece of its marketing campaign for the device, with pitches tailored to consumers and business users showing off the breadth and depth of iPhone applications. The rest of the industry has noticed; virtually every other major smartphone company is scrambling to set up their own App Store-like experience.Those companies have also learned a few things not to do from Apple, and iPhone developers have encountered more than a few headaches along the way, from a misguided nondisclosure agreement to confusing policies on App Store requirements.However, the rampant success of the platform has made it very easy for developers to focus on the positive. "If you would have asked me a year ago if I saw myself making $250,000 selling a fart app, I would have said, 'you're nuts'," said Joel Comm, CEO of Infomedia and iPhone zeitgeist application iFart Mobile.Tools for the jobIt seemed clear that Apple wasn't ready to let developers start playing with the iPhone in June 2007. The company was more concerned with meeting its June shipping deadline than making it accessible to developers, said Craig Hockenberry, principal/software engineer at Iconfactory, developer of popular iPhone applications such as Twitteriffic.Games such as EA Mobile's Spore are among the most popular iPhone and iPod Touch applications.EA MobileIn the months that followed, however, iPhone developers learned just how easy it was to create unofficial applications through the jailbreaking process. But an SDK was an inevitable move, and when Apple was finally ready to let the SDK loose in March 2008, Hockenberry said developers found a set of tools and technologies that borrowed much of the mature technology found in Mac OS X and brought it to the iPhone."From day 1, I was very impressed with the whole set of tools, and how easy it was to transfer from doing Mac software development to doing iPhone software development," Hockenberry said.Developers still faced a learning curve in appreciating the differences between developing for the constraints of a mobile platform and developing for a PC or Mac, but the close ties between the iPhone's OS X and Mac OS X made it much easier for developers to get started.Road to marketApple had a huge advantage when it came to distributing those iPhone applications. After all, bits are bits, whether they are songs, movies, or applications, and Apple was wise to work iPhone application distribution into a familiar framework already installed on millions of computers: iTunes.Apple also retained the exclusive right to distribute iPhone applications, which gave it a free hand in deciding which applications were suitable for the App Store, and which weren't. There are excellent reasons for taking that approach: as the recent tempest over rogue applications on Facebook shows, allowing developers unfettered access to your platform isn't always a good idea.However, Apple has used its hammerlock on distribution in confusing ways.Comm and Infomedia were all set to submit iFart Mobile to the App Store on the same day that a rival fart application, Pull My Finger, was rejected. So the company decided to hold off for a few weeks, eventually resubmitting the application only to be surprised when Apple, without further comment, accepted the application into an "In Review" category, or "iTunes purgatory," as Comm called it. It was later approved along with Pull My Finger, and for a period of time iFart Mobile was one of the best-selling applications on the App StoreThe point is that one day fart jokes were off limits on the App Store, and then another day, they were fine, and Apple never explained why. Comm doesn't really care now that the app has been downloaded over 400,000 times, but Apple's tight-fisted control of iPhone distribution is both a blessing and a curse to iPhone developers.On second thought....As with most massive endeavors, Apple made a few decisions over the past year over which, if the company ever discussed its business in public, it might acknowledge some regret. (As usual, Apple representatives declined requests to participate in this article.) Under the terms of Apple's iPhone developer NDA, knowledge-sharing events such as iPhone Dev Camp could have been imperiled.Andrew Mager/ZDNetPerhaps the single biggest mistake Apple made in a year of iPhone development was the decision to impose a nondisclosure agreement on developers, prohibiting them from discussing tips and tricks with their fellow developers under some misguided notion that this would enable competitors to get the scoop on the iPhone.Rather, all it did was frustrate developers who wasted their time trying to implement a certain function when a simpler fix could have been provided by a more experienced developer through a simple e-mail to a discussion list or a Twitter post. Hockenberry, who was particularly vocal when it came to expressing his distaste for the NDA, called Apple's decision to leave that in place following the July launch of the App Store "a low point" over the past year.Apple got the message in October, and now hosts evangelist talks and developer forums that let fellow iPhone owners connect with each other and share ways for improving their products.The company's other big mistake was in the number of resources it allocated to the App Store approval process. It was apparent right away that Apple's decision to vet every single iPhone application was a huge undertaking, but it's fair to say that no one--even Apple--correctly estimated the growth that would take place in this market.Unfortunately for Apple and developers, that growth quickly overwhelmed the people inside Apple responsible for processing application approvals and advising developers on development--one developer who wished to remain nameless even reported significant delays in getting their share of the revenue garnered by their application. The problem appears to be easing, but it's surprising that Apple failed to properly prepare for the success of its own strategy.The once and future appSo where can Apple improve the App Store and iPhone application experience for both developers and users? Here are four items on developer wish lists.• Demo applications: Right now, developers who want to entice iPhone or iPod Touch users to try their application tend to develop a free "lite" version of that application that expires or comes with limited functionality. Developers would prefer to have something similar to a downloadable game that's free to use for a while with all the bells and whistles, but can only be used beyond a certain point in time for a fee.• Genius for applications: Greg Yardley of Pinch Media came up with this one, explaining that "discovery right now is the biggest issue on the App Store." Yardley advises iPhone developers, and he reports that they would like to see Apple introduce something like the Genius feature--which recommends songs you might like based on your music library--for applications. "One of the biggest challenges that Apple's going to face is figuring out the best way to feature (thousand of application) on a screen that's 320 (pixels) by 480," he said.• Better promotional opportunities: EA's Boatman hopes Apple will decide to start promoting iPhone applications more aggressively on the main iTunes Store home page. Newly released music and movies tend to get top billing on that page, and a list of the Top 10 paid and free applications appears way, way down on the right hand side of the page. "It's a little like when you watch someone walk into a Border's book store, you don't start walking down the aisle reading each book spine" when you're looking for a new book, he said.• A real review system: My colleague Josh Lowensohn touched on this the other day. Right now, App Store reviews are a mess, based partly on the fact that the music review system carried over from the other parts of the iTunes Store doesn't make as much sense for software. Right-of-response and better sorting options could dramatically improve the chances of good developers being rewarded for making quality products, and of users finding the app that's right for them.iPhone and iPod Touch applications have changed the notion of how Apple and its customers perceive the devices; suddenly they are gaming consoles and medical diagnostic tools, instead of mere phones or music players. Still, Apple has taken a cautious approach to making decisions about the product that could be its profit engine for the next decade."They realize that every decision that they make is going to have long-term repercussions, and they aren't rushing to decisions," Hockenberry said. With competitors such as Research in Motion, Google, Microsoft, Palm, and Symbian gearing up to court developers with their own mobile application platforms, the solid foundation laid by Apple and its partners should ensure that as long as iPhones are popular, applications will flourish.
iPhone app goes topless
iPhone app goes topless
Update (June 26, 2009): Now that the dust has settled, Jim Dalrymple has a more complete picture of how and why this app was removed.Update: We initially reported that Apple had blocked the app, but it now appears that the developer's servers were simply overwhelmed (Apple's servers distribute the app, but the images themselves are pulled from the developer's server). We'll have further updates as the story continues to evolve.Back when Apple first launched its App Store, Steve Jobs showed a slide with six categories of apps that would be verboten: "Porn, privacy, bandwidth hog, illegal, malicious," and "unforeseen." Well, on Wednesday Apple allowed a developer to add nude models to the 17+ rated app "Hottest Girls," ushering in what may--or may not be--a new era for iPhone apps.When news of the nude images first leaked out, the Mac enthusiast site Macenstein proclaimed, "And then there was porn." The headline was followed by the rather titillating lede: "Today the iTunes app store became a man, having finally seen its first adult app. Meaning nudity. Meaning boobies."As noted, "Hottest Girls" ($1.99), carries Apple's 17+ rating (for "Frequent/Intense Sexual Content or Nudity.") and until recently only featured women in lingerie and bathing suits. But Hottest Girls' developer Allen Leung told bloggers Wednesday that, "We uploaded nude topless pics today. This is the first app to have nudity."Macenstein noted that the announcement rivaled "the first transmissions from the moon landing in importance."That was Wednesday. On Thursday, TechCrunch discovered that it couldn't download the application and immediately assumed Apple had blocked it. But it now appears there were just too many people trying to download the application at once.A note on the developer's Web site reads:"The Hottest Girls app is temporarily sold out. The server usage is extremely high because of the popularity of this app. Thus, by not distributing the app, we can prevent our servers from crashing. Customer satisfaction is more important to us than profits. Those who already have the app will still be able to use our app. To answer the question on everyone's mind: Yes, the topless images will still be there when it is sold again."Of course, this brings into question the whole notion of just what "porn" is--and isn't. In some parts of America, an app that boasts "completely naked pics" would be considered indecent, plain and simple. But in parts of Europe, well, Hottest Girls is just a day at the beach.What do you think? Is this good news? And how relaxed do you think Apple will be? Or is it just a matter of time before the company shuts down tawdry apps like this because it potentially damages its reputation?(Source: Macenstein via Gizmodo)Until recently, the Hottest Girls app just featured scantily clad models.
Update (June 26, 2009): Now that the dust has settled, Jim Dalrymple has a more complete picture of how and why this app was removed.Update: We initially reported that Apple had blocked the app, but it now appears that the developer's servers were simply overwhelmed (Apple's servers distribute the app, but the images themselves are pulled from the developer's server). We'll have further updates as the story continues to evolve.Back when Apple first launched its App Store, Steve Jobs showed a slide with six categories of apps that would be verboten: "Porn, privacy, bandwidth hog, illegal, malicious," and "unforeseen." Well, on Wednesday Apple allowed a developer to add nude models to the 17+ rated app "Hottest Girls," ushering in what may--or may not be--a new era for iPhone apps.When news of the nude images first leaked out, the Mac enthusiast site Macenstein proclaimed, "And then there was porn." The headline was followed by the rather titillating lede: "Today the iTunes app store became a man, having finally seen its first adult app. Meaning nudity. Meaning boobies."As noted, "Hottest Girls" ($1.99), carries Apple's 17+ rating (for "Frequent/Intense Sexual Content or Nudity.") and until recently only featured women in lingerie and bathing suits. But Hottest Girls' developer Allen Leung told bloggers Wednesday that, "We uploaded nude topless pics today. This is the first app to have nudity."Macenstein noted that the announcement rivaled "the first transmissions from the moon landing in importance."That was Wednesday. On Thursday, TechCrunch discovered that it couldn't download the application and immediately assumed Apple had blocked it. But it now appears there were just too many people trying to download the application at once.A note on the developer's Web site reads:"The Hottest Girls app is temporarily sold out. The server usage is extremely high because of the popularity of this app. Thus, by not distributing the app, we can prevent our servers from crashing. Customer satisfaction is more important to us than profits. Those who already have the app will still be able to use our app. To answer the question on everyone's mind: Yes, the topless images will still be there when it is sold again."Of course, this brings into question the whole notion of just what "porn" is--and isn't. In some parts of America, an app that boasts "completely naked pics" would be considered indecent, plain and simple. But in parts of Europe, well, Hottest Girls is just a day at the beach.What do you think? Is this good news? And how relaxed do you think Apple will be? Or is it just a matter of time before the company shuts down tawdry apps like this because it potentially damages its reputation?(Source: Macenstein via Gizmodo)Until recently, the Hottest Girls app just featured scantily clad models.
Apple signs Universal Music to iCloud
Apple signs Universal Music to iCloud
The agreement means Apple now has the rights to offer recordings from all of the major labels. In addition, Apple has reached agreements with some of the large music publishers, the sources said. Apple announced Tuesday that it would unveil a long-anticipated service called iCloud on June 6 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Apple did not disclose whether iCloud would include any music features, but we do know that Apple managers have sought for more than a year to create a music feature for the service. Details about the agreements are few, but here's how the revenue from iCloud's music service will be split, according to the sources: the labels will get 58 percent and publishers will receive 12 percent. Apple will take 30 percent. Streaming will not be available on Monday but will be offered soon, the sources said. They added that an Apple digital locker will store only music purchased at iTunes. The company is said to have plans to store songs acquired from outside iTunes sometime in the future. A year ago, when Apple first discussed a cloud-music service with the labels, creating digital shelves for people to store all their songs was part of Apple's vision.Related links• Apple still trying to land films, TV shows for iCloud• Apple's iCloud launch portends music• Was Napster or iTunes more influential?Obtaining rights from Universal Music, home of such acts as Lady Gaga, U2, and Kanye West, gave Apple the final piece of the puzzle as far as recording rights are concerned. When it comes to publishing and performance rights, Apple still has more deals to negotiate, and at this point it appears the talks will go to the wire. According to The New York Times, Apple has penned publishing deals with Universal Music Publishing and Sony/ATV, the publishing arms of Universal and Sony and the two largest record companies. The Times reports that EMI and Warner/Chappell have yet to reach an agreement.Apple, the country's dominate music distributor, is setting up to be a major player in cloud computing, the name given when Internet users complete computing chores via a third-party's servers instead of their PC. Cloud music is supposed to be the format that succeeds the CD and digital download.Consumers will have the final say, but so far much of the music industry as well as Apple, Amazon, and Google appear to be making big cloud bets. Amazon and Google have each debuted their own cloud services. What makes Apple's different is that it will be the first among the big three to offer licensed music. This is supposed to give Apple much more flexibility in terms of what it can offer consumers. Apple's iCloud will be much more than a music service. On Tuesday, CNET reported that in recent weeks Apple has raced to license movies and TV shows from Hollywood film studios and TV networks. Apple, however, faces more obstacles in licensing video for iCloud. The hold-up is due in part to exclusive licensing arrangements that some of the studios have entered into with HBO.Nonetheless, expect to see the iCloud come with more than just music features--if not on Monday--than sometime in the future.
The agreement means Apple now has the rights to offer recordings from all of the major labels. In addition, Apple has reached agreements with some of the large music publishers, the sources said. Apple announced Tuesday that it would unveil a long-anticipated service called iCloud on June 6 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Apple did not disclose whether iCloud would include any music features, but we do know that Apple managers have sought for more than a year to create a music feature for the service. Details about the agreements are few, but here's how the revenue from iCloud's music service will be split, according to the sources: the labels will get 58 percent and publishers will receive 12 percent. Apple will take 30 percent. Streaming will not be available on Monday but will be offered soon, the sources said. They added that an Apple digital locker will store only music purchased at iTunes. The company is said to have plans to store songs acquired from outside iTunes sometime in the future. A year ago, when Apple first discussed a cloud-music service with the labels, creating digital shelves for people to store all their songs was part of Apple's vision.Related links• Apple still trying to land films, TV shows for iCloud• Apple's iCloud launch portends music• Was Napster or iTunes more influential?Obtaining rights from Universal Music, home of such acts as Lady Gaga, U2, and Kanye West, gave Apple the final piece of the puzzle as far as recording rights are concerned. When it comes to publishing and performance rights, Apple still has more deals to negotiate, and at this point it appears the talks will go to the wire. According to The New York Times, Apple has penned publishing deals with Universal Music Publishing and Sony/ATV, the publishing arms of Universal and Sony and the two largest record companies. The Times reports that EMI and Warner/Chappell have yet to reach an agreement.Apple, the country's dominate music distributor, is setting up to be a major player in cloud computing, the name given when Internet users complete computing chores via a third-party's servers instead of their PC. Cloud music is supposed to be the format that succeeds the CD and digital download.Consumers will have the final say, but so far much of the music industry as well as Apple, Amazon, and Google appear to be making big cloud bets. Amazon and Google have each debuted their own cloud services. What makes Apple's different is that it will be the first among the big three to offer licensed music. This is supposed to give Apple much more flexibility in terms of what it can offer consumers. Apple's iCloud will be much more than a music service. On Tuesday, CNET reported that in recent weeks Apple has raced to license movies and TV shows from Hollywood film studios and TV networks. Apple, however, faces more obstacles in licensing video for iCloud. The hold-up is due in part to exclusive licensing arrangements that some of the studios have entered into with HBO.Nonetheless, expect to see the iCloud come with more than just music features--if not on Monday--than sometime in the future.
Sneak peek- VW's next gen infotainment system
Sneak peek: VW's next gen infotainment system
Volkswagen infotainment system sneak peek...See full gallery1 - 4 / 4NextPrevFar from corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, the engineers at Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) take advantage of their proximity to high-tech companies such as Apple, Intel, and Google to develop new infotainment systems and interfaces for VW cars. We got a look at ERL's latest work, a system developed with Intel called the Global Open Research Infotainment Architecture, or GLORIA. ERL Senior Engineer Eric Jensen walked us through the latest interface built on GLORIA. The test system we saw relied on a touch screen for all input, although a production system might use some hard buttons on the edges of the screen. But unlike standard touchscreen applications, this system allows for multitouch, making gesture control, similar to that used on the iPhone, possible. Jensen demonstrated tracing a lower-case 'h' with his fingertip on the display, which caused the system to bring up the home screen. Similarly, tracing an 'n' brought up the navigation screen.In this development stage, the system had applications for navigation and music, but Jensen explained that it could serve as a platform for third-party developers to build useful widgets that could be installed by the end user. This model would be similar to how iPhone owners can load apps from iTunes.Jensen pointed out that most automotive interface designers believe voice command will be the ultimate control paradigm, but until natural language processing advances, touch screens make the most sense. The system we saw was under heavy development, and would probably find its way into a production car in three years, at the earliest.
Volkswagen infotainment system sneak peek...See full gallery1 - 4 / 4NextPrevFar from corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, the engineers at Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) take advantage of their proximity to high-tech companies such as Apple, Intel, and Google to develop new infotainment systems and interfaces for VW cars. We got a look at ERL's latest work, a system developed with Intel called the Global Open Research Infotainment Architecture, or GLORIA. ERL Senior Engineer Eric Jensen walked us through the latest interface built on GLORIA. The test system we saw relied on a touch screen for all input, although a production system might use some hard buttons on the edges of the screen. But unlike standard touchscreen applications, this system allows for multitouch, making gesture control, similar to that used on the iPhone, possible. Jensen demonstrated tracing a lower-case 'h' with his fingertip on the display, which caused the system to bring up the home screen. Similarly, tracing an 'n' brought up the navigation screen.In this development stage, the system had applications for navigation and music, but Jensen explained that it could serve as a platform for third-party developers to build useful widgets that could be installed by the end user. This model would be similar to how iPhone owners can load apps from iTunes.Jensen pointed out that most automotive interface designers believe voice command will be the ultimate control paradigm, but until natural language processing advances, touch screens make the most sense. The system we saw was under heavy development, and would probably find its way into a production car in three years, at the earliest.
Improve iPhone backup and restore times by managing your Camera Roll
Improve iPhone backup and restore times by managing your Camera Roll
The iPhone Camera Roll can cause increased backup and restore times in iTunes if not properly managed. It's easy to mismanage the Camera Roll if you--like me--use it store media for showing later to friends or family. Apple did not intend the Roll to be used this way, however, and recommends that users use the Photo app, instead, for storing media you plan on showing off later.Per this support document, whenever you sync or perform a restore in iTunes, the app creates a backup of the contents of your iPhone. The more pictures, screen snapshots, or video you have stored on the Camera Roll, the longer a backup or restore takes.The solution to the problem is easy: Make sure that you regularly import the contents of your Camera Roll, delete that content, then sync the content that you must have in your pocket back to the iPhone using iTunes. I had nearly 200 media files in my iPhone 3GS Camera Roll and deleted all of these after syncing and importing using iPhoto on my Mac. I used iTunes to restore content that I needed into the Photo app and I saw an immediate decrease in the time it took my iPhone to back up. Apple provides detailed information on performing these tasks in their support document for Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.Moving Wiener dog photos and videos of my new puppy to the Photo app from the iPhone Camera Roll improved my backup times.David MartinThis simple housecleaning effort will reduce the number of media files in your Camera Roll and significantly improve backup and restore times in iTunes. It certainly did for me and it is possible that properly managing your Camera Roll would resolve the issue I wrote about previously where users were plagued by missing photos on their iPhones.It remains to be seen whether iTunes 9, annouced today, will help resolve this problem in a more elegant manner. Stay tuned.
The iPhone Camera Roll can cause increased backup and restore times in iTunes if not properly managed. It's easy to mismanage the Camera Roll if you--like me--use it store media for showing later to friends or family. Apple did not intend the Roll to be used this way, however, and recommends that users use the Photo app, instead, for storing media you plan on showing off later.Per this support document, whenever you sync or perform a restore in iTunes, the app creates a backup of the contents of your iPhone. The more pictures, screen snapshots, or video you have stored on the Camera Roll, the longer a backup or restore takes.The solution to the problem is easy: Make sure that you regularly import the contents of your Camera Roll, delete that content, then sync the content that you must have in your pocket back to the iPhone using iTunes. I had nearly 200 media files in my iPhone 3GS Camera Roll and deleted all of these after syncing and importing using iPhoto on my Mac. I used iTunes to restore content that I needed into the Photo app and I saw an immediate decrease in the time it took my iPhone to back up. Apple provides detailed information on performing these tasks in their support document for Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.Moving Wiener dog photos and videos of my new puppy to the Photo app from the iPhone Camera Roll improved my backup times.David MartinThis simple housecleaning effort will reduce the number of media files in your Camera Roll and significantly improve backup and restore times in iTunes. It certainly did for me and it is possible that properly managing your Camera Roll would resolve the issue I wrote about previously where users were plagued by missing photos on their iPhones.It remains to be seen whether iTunes 9, annouced today, will help resolve this problem in a more elegant manner. Stay tuned.
U.S. Patent Office withdraws refusal of iPad Mini trademark
U.S. Patent Office withdraws refusal of iPad Mini trademark
Apple should now be able to win custody of the "iPad Mini" trademark as long as it adds a disclaimer to its application.In a letter apparently sent to Apple last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said Apple would need to make it clear that it seeks only to trademark the term "iPad Mini" and not the actual word "mini." Such a disclaimer would ensure that other companies could add the word "mini" to their own product names."Applicant must disclaim the descriptive wording 'mini' apart from the mark as shown because it merely describes a quality, characteristic, or feature of applicant's goods," the USPTO said.The alleged letter was obtained and posted online by MacRumors.Last month, the USPTO denied Apple's request to trademark the "iPad Mini," name arguing that the word "mini" simply describes a product sold in a miniature format.The ball is now in Apple's court. To avoid losing the trademark application, the company must respond to the USPTO's letter within the next six months. And as long as Apple adds the disclaimer, it apparently shouldn't run into any further trouble obtaining the trademark. Withdrawal of "iPad Mini" Trademark Refusal posted by MacRumors(Via MacRumors)
Apple should now be able to win custody of the "iPad Mini" trademark as long as it adds a disclaimer to its application.In a letter apparently sent to Apple last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said Apple would need to make it clear that it seeks only to trademark the term "iPad Mini" and not the actual word "mini." Such a disclaimer would ensure that other companies could add the word "mini" to their own product names."Applicant must disclaim the descriptive wording 'mini' apart from the mark as shown because it merely describes a quality, characteristic, or feature of applicant's goods," the USPTO said.The alleged letter was obtained and posted online by MacRumors.Last month, the USPTO denied Apple's request to trademark the "iPad Mini," name arguing that the word "mini" simply describes a product sold in a miniature format.The ball is now in Apple's court. To avoid losing the trademark application, the company must respond to the USPTO's letter within the next six months. And as long as Apple adds the disclaimer, it apparently shouldn't run into any further trouble obtaining the trademark. Withdrawal of "iPad Mini" Trademark Refusal posted by MacRumors(Via MacRumors)
Two new lawsuits for Apple- a photograph and an Avril Lavigne song
Two new lawsuits for Apple: a photograph and an Avril Lavigne song
The first suit, filed on May 25 in a San Francisco court, names Apple only peripherally. James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar, the members of a 1970s band called the Rubinoos, allege that Canadian singerLavigne's recent single "Girlfriend" borrowed a bit too liberally from their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." Gangwer and Dunbar have charged Lavigne, her songwriter and her labels Almo Music and RCA Records in the suit, as well as Apple because it publishes and hosts the digital version of the song in its iTunes Store.The second suit, filed June 27 in a Boulder, Colo., court, could be a bit more serious for Apple. It charges the company with copyright violation over the easily recognized "wall of images" used in promotional materials and advertisements for its Apple TV media center, alleging that a photographer's intellectual property was compromised. The imagery in the Apple TV ad, the suit says, is remarkably similar to an artistic image snapped by professional photographer Louie Psihoyos, who counts a high-profile stint at National Geographic and portraits of tech luminaries like Bill Gates and Larry Ellison among his resume highlights.Louie Psihoyos' photograph, which bears a striking resemblance to AppleTV's promotional shots--minus the AppleTV in the center.Louie PsihoyosThe complaint says Apple had been in negotiations with Psihoyos to use the image but that Apple had retreated from the talks and proceeded to use the photograph anyway, potentially depriving Psihoyos of profits.Apple representatives did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
The first suit, filed on May 25 in a San Francisco court, names Apple only peripherally. James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar, the members of a 1970s band called the Rubinoos, allege that Canadian singerLavigne's recent single "Girlfriend" borrowed a bit too liberally from their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." Gangwer and Dunbar have charged Lavigne, her songwriter and her labels Almo Music and RCA Records in the suit, as well as Apple because it publishes and hosts the digital version of the song in its iTunes Store.The second suit, filed June 27 in a Boulder, Colo., court, could be a bit more serious for Apple. It charges the company with copyright violation over the easily recognized "wall of images" used in promotional materials and advertisements for its Apple TV media center, alleging that a photographer's intellectual property was compromised. The imagery in the Apple TV ad, the suit says, is remarkably similar to an artistic image snapped by professional photographer Louie Psihoyos, who counts a high-profile stint at National Geographic and portraits of tech luminaries like Bill Gates and Larry Ellison among his resume highlights.Louie Psihoyos' photograph, which bears a striking resemblance to AppleTV's promotional shots--minus the AppleTV in the center.Louie PsihoyosThe complaint says Apple had been in negotiations with Psihoyos to use the image but that Apple had retreated from the talks and proceeded to use the photograph anyway, potentially depriving Psihoyos of profits.Apple representatives did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
AT&T's off-contract iPhone 5 can be unlocked with an easy reset
AT&T's off-contract iPhone 5 can be unlocked with an easy reset
One would think that if you bought an iPhone 5 at full price and off-contract that it would already be unlocked. Apparently, that is only partially correct.While Verizon sells Apple's next-generation smartphone at full price already unlocked out of the box, that is apparently not the case with AT&T. Normally, AT&T customers who opt to pay the full $649 price instead of agreeing to a two-year contract for a subsidized iPhone must follow a lengthy process to get handset unlocked.Those AT&T customers must fill out a Web form, send a fax to AT&T, and wait as long as a week for word on whether it will allow the device to be unlocked.However, it now appears that unsubsidized AT&T iPhones ship unlocked and that off-contract customers can save a lot of hassle and time by simply restoring the device in iTunes.This little bypass was first reported by Tech Crunch, which says it confirmed the process with AT&T technical support and successfully reset an iPhone 5 with a T-Mobile SIM card, getting the usual unlock message: "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked."iPhone users can confirm the unlock by swapping in another GSM-compatible SIM card, Tech Crunch's Romain Dillet explained:After receiving the notification my new iPhone was unlocked, I cut a micro-SIM card into the shape of a nano-SIM by using the AT&T SIM card that was already in the iPhone 5 as a guide. The most difficult part was to make it narrower so that you can close the tiny nano-SIM tray, though some have reported that this step may be optional. In a couple of seconds, the iPhone was able to pick up the T-Mobile network, and calls and EDGE data connectivity worked as expected.CNET has not had the opportunity to independently verify that the reset process unlocks the phone, but the iTunes reset is necessary during an AT&T-approved unlock as well. It's unknown why AT&T would make customers go through the trouble of filing a request with the carrier when it could easily perform the process itself, or post the instructions online.CNET has contacted AT&T for comment and will update this report when we learn more.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
One would think that if you bought an iPhone 5 at full price and off-contract that it would already be unlocked. Apparently, that is only partially correct.While Verizon sells Apple's next-generation smartphone at full price already unlocked out of the box, that is apparently not the case with AT&T. Normally, AT&T customers who opt to pay the full $649 price instead of agreeing to a two-year contract for a subsidized iPhone must follow a lengthy process to get handset unlocked.Those AT&T customers must fill out a Web form, send a fax to AT&T, and wait as long as a week for word on whether it will allow the device to be unlocked.However, it now appears that unsubsidized AT&T iPhones ship unlocked and that off-contract customers can save a lot of hassle and time by simply restoring the device in iTunes.This little bypass was first reported by Tech Crunch, which says it confirmed the process with AT&T technical support and successfully reset an iPhone 5 with a T-Mobile SIM card, getting the usual unlock message: "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked."iPhone users can confirm the unlock by swapping in another GSM-compatible SIM card, Tech Crunch's Romain Dillet explained:After receiving the notification my new iPhone was unlocked, I cut a micro-SIM card into the shape of a nano-SIM by using the AT&T SIM card that was already in the iPhone 5 as a guide. The most difficult part was to make it narrower so that you can close the tiny nano-SIM tray, though some have reported that this step may be optional. In a couple of seconds, the iPhone was able to pick up the T-Mobile network, and calls and EDGE data connectivity worked as expected.CNET has not had the opportunity to independently verify that the reset process unlocks the phone, but the iTunes reset is necessary during an AT&T-approved unlock as well. It's unknown why AT&T would make customers go through the trouble of filing a request with the carrier when it could easily perform the process itself, or post the instructions online.CNET has contacted AT&T for comment and will update this report when we learn more.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
AT&T steps up 850MHz spectrum upgrade for enhanced 3G
AT&T steps up 850MHz spectrum upgrade for enhanced 3G
AT&T has taken a lot of flack from iPhone users about the trouble its network has handling the iPhone's data-heavy needs. AT&T's network has been blamed repeatedly for poor call quality and dropped calls as well as for a rash of iTunes App Store rejections that included apps like Qik (where live streaming was a no-show) and Slingplayer (which isn't allowed to sling anything over 3G).Now, AT&T has stepped up its activation of its 850MHz spectrum service, which should improve 3G coverage in metropolitan areas. AT&T expects the project to be completed over the course of a year, and Mobiledia has reported that AT&T has started the much-anticipated upgrade in Atlanta this week. (A visit to AT&T's corporate Web site confirms the Atlanta upgrade and previous improvements over the summer in Fresno, Calif., Las Vegas, San Diego, and Stockton, Calif., but the site does not mention its time line for 850MHz network upgrades in other urban areas.)Atlanta's AT&T customers will be served by the addition of 540 cell sites that will increase network capacity and coverage, resulting in "improved quality and in-building coverage." These new cell sites will operate alongside the old, 1,900MHz spectrum cell sites.Keith Holmes, AT&T's vice president and general manager, said "We're enhancing our network every day to help customers do more with and get more from their wireless connections."TechCrunch has also reported AT&T service improvements in the SoMa district of San Francisco.The activation of the enhanced network is good news, but is it to little too late or even enough? Have you seen improved AT&T service in your area? Let us know in the comments.
AT&T has taken a lot of flack from iPhone users about the trouble its network has handling the iPhone's data-heavy needs. AT&T's network has been blamed repeatedly for poor call quality and dropped calls as well as for a rash of iTunes App Store rejections that included apps like Qik (where live streaming was a no-show) and Slingplayer (which isn't allowed to sling anything over 3G).Now, AT&T has stepped up its activation of its 850MHz spectrum service, which should improve 3G coverage in metropolitan areas. AT&T expects the project to be completed over the course of a year, and Mobiledia has reported that AT&T has started the much-anticipated upgrade in Atlanta this week. (A visit to AT&T's corporate Web site confirms the Atlanta upgrade and previous improvements over the summer in Fresno, Calif., Las Vegas, San Diego, and Stockton, Calif., but the site does not mention its time line for 850MHz network upgrades in other urban areas.)Atlanta's AT&T customers will be served by the addition of 540 cell sites that will increase network capacity and coverage, resulting in "improved quality and in-building coverage." These new cell sites will operate alongside the old, 1,900MHz spectrum cell sites.Keith Holmes, AT&T's vice president and general manager, said "We're enhancing our network every day to help customers do more with and get more from their wireless connections."TechCrunch has also reported AT&T service improvements in the SoMa district of San Francisco.The activation of the enhanced network is good news, but is it to little too late or even enough? Have you seen improved AT&T service in your area? Let us know in the comments.
Apple releases iOS 6.1.1 to fix iPhone 4S issues
Apple releases iOS 6.1.1 to fix iPhone 4S issues
Apple has put out a supplemental update to iOS 6.1 for iPhone 4S owners following issues with cellular performance. iOS 6.1.1, which was released to developers last Wednesday, went out to iPhone 4S owners as a free update this afternoon. In the release notes, Apple says the update "fixes an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability for iPhone 4S." The update did not go out to owners on other iOS devices, including newer versions of the iPhone, or cellular-enabled models of the iPad. Apple's release of iOS 6.1 near the end of January brought 4G LTE support for more carriers on Apple's newest devices, along with a feature that lets users purchase movie tickets from Fandango after finding showtimes using Siri. Apple also returned the option for iTunes Match subscribers to download individual songs from iCloud.Other changes included new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.Despite a quick uptake by iOS users, iOS 6.1 has been the cause of headaches for some companies, including phone carrier Vodafone. Last week the company sent a message to its subscribers, urging them not to update to Apple's latest because of "difficulty in connecting to the network to make or receive calls or texts or to connect to the Internet."Along with the Vodafone message, there were also some logging issues discovered between Apple's Mail app and Microsoft Exchange, forcing some corporate IT departments to outright block iOS 6.1 devices from accessing company e-mail.
Apple has put out a supplemental update to iOS 6.1 for iPhone 4S owners following issues with cellular performance. iOS 6.1.1, which was released to developers last Wednesday, went out to iPhone 4S owners as a free update this afternoon. In the release notes, Apple says the update "fixes an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability for iPhone 4S." The update did not go out to owners on other iOS devices, including newer versions of the iPhone, or cellular-enabled models of the iPad. Apple's release of iOS 6.1 near the end of January brought 4G LTE support for more carriers on Apple's newest devices, along with a feature that lets users purchase movie tickets from Fandango after finding showtimes using Siri. Apple also returned the option for iTunes Match subscribers to download individual songs from iCloud.Other changes included new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.Despite a quick uptake by iOS users, iOS 6.1 has been the cause of headaches for some companies, including phone carrier Vodafone. Last week the company sent a message to its subscribers, urging them not to update to Apple's latest because of "difficulty in connecting to the network to make or receive calls or texts or to connect to the Internet."Along with the Vodafone message, there were also some logging issues discovered between Apple's Mail app and Microsoft Exchange, forcing some corporate IT departments to outright block iOS 6.1 devices from accessing company e-mail.
Apple releases iOS 6.0.2 to fix Wi-Fi issue
Apple releases iOS 6.0.2 to fix Wi-Fi issue
Apple today released another minor update to iOS 6 that promises to fix a Wi-Fi issue affecting its newest devices.The software, which went out this morning to the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, says simply that it "fixes a bug that could impact Wi-Fi." No additional features or security fixes are part of the update, according to the company's release notes.The update comes just a day after Apple gave developers a fourth beta of iOS 6.1. That software, which is expected by the end of the year, or shortly thereafter, brings new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, ticket purchases through Fandango in Siri, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.Apple did not include specifics on which Wi-Fi issue the update addressed. Users have complained about a number of things, from poor reception to dropped connections.To install the update it appears that users must currently go through Apple's iTunes software. Users report, and CNET has confirmed, that attempting to receive the update through iOS' built-in updating tool results in an error message that says the device is unable to check for any updates. Apple's last update to iOS 6 was iOS 6.0.1 on November 1. That software fixed a handful of bugs, including one that kept iPhone 5 users from installing over-the-air software updates. It also fixed an issue with lines appearing on the software keyboard, and a bug that deleted meetings from calendars when accepting an invitation.
Apple today released another minor update to iOS 6 that promises to fix a Wi-Fi issue affecting its newest devices.The software, which went out this morning to the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, says simply that it "fixes a bug that could impact Wi-Fi." No additional features or security fixes are part of the update, according to the company's release notes.The update comes just a day after Apple gave developers a fourth beta of iOS 6.1. That software, which is expected by the end of the year, or shortly thereafter, brings new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, ticket purchases through Fandango in Siri, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.Apple did not include specifics on which Wi-Fi issue the update addressed. Users have complained about a number of things, from poor reception to dropped connections.To install the update it appears that users must currently go through Apple's iTunes software. Users report, and CNET has confirmed, that attempting to receive the update through iOS' built-in updating tool results in an error message that says the device is unable to check for any updates. Apple's last update to iOS 6 was iOS 6.0.1 on November 1. That software fixed a handful of bugs, including one that kept iPhone 5 users from installing over-the-air software updates. It also fixed an issue with lines appearing on the software keyboard, and a bug that deleted meetings from calendars when accepting an invitation.
Apple releases iOS 6.1 with additional LTE support
Apple releases iOS 6.1 with additional LTE support
After five beta test versions, Apple today released iOS 6.1, the first major update to iOS 6 since September.The software, which went out this morning as an over-the-air update as well as a download through iTunes, brings a few new minor features, along with bug fixes.Chief among the new features is 4G LTE support for more carriers, along with a feature that lets users purchase movie tickets from Fandango after finding showtimes using Siri. Apple also returned the option for iTunes Match subscribers to download individual songs from iCloud, something that was quietly removed in a previous software release. CNETOn the privacy side, the update also adds an option to reset Apple's advertising identifier option, the "non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier" feature added as part of iOS 6. Other, minor changes in iOS 6.1 include new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.The update comes less than two days after the release of a fifth beta version of iOS 6.1, which Apple oddly put out to developers during the weekend. Apple's last update to iOS 6 was iOS 6.0.2 in mid-December. That software, which went out to users only on Apple's newest devices, fixed a handful of bugs, including one that kept iPhone 5 users from installing over-the-air software updates. It also fixed an issue with lines appearing on the software keyboard, and a bug that deleted meetings from calendars when accepting an invitation.
After five beta test versions, Apple today released iOS 6.1, the first major update to iOS 6 since September.The software, which went out this morning as an over-the-air update as well as a download through iTunes, brings a few new minor features, along with bug fixes.Chief among the new features is 4G LTE support for more carriers, along with a feature that lets users purchase movie tickets from Fandango after finding showtimes using Siri. Apple also returned the option for iTunes Match subscribers to download individual songs from iCloud, something that was quietly removed in a previous software release. CNETOn the privacy side, the update also adds an option to reset Apple's advertising identifier option, the "non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier" feature added as part of iOS 6. Other, minor changes in iOS 6.1 include new boarding pass behavior in Apple's Passbook software, tweaks to Safari, reworked music playback controls from the lock screen, and a back-end change in Apple's mapping software.The update comes less than two days after the release of a fifth beta version of iOS 6.1, which Apple oddly put out to developers during the weekend. Apple's last update to iOS 6 was iOS 6.0.2 in mid-December. That software, which went out to users only on Apple's newest devices, fixed a handful of bugs, including one that kept iPhone 5 users from installing over-the-air software updates. It also fixed an issue with lines appearing on the software keyboard, and a bug that deleted meetings from calendars when accepting an invitation.
Apple releases fourth beta of iOS 7 to developers
Apple releases fourth beta of iOS 7 to developers
Apple's rolled out another beta version of iOS 7 to developers, its fourth so far.The software went out to developers Monday morning, though was originally anticipated for a release last week. The release was believed to be delayed given downtime of Apple's developer site, which is still coming back online following a security breach earlier this month. Per Apple's mysterious change log, the software brings "bug fixes and improvements." More specifically, the company's made some changes to the look and feel of the lock screen, camera and call functions. BGR has posted a full change log here.The software is under closer watch than previous iOS releases. iOS 7 brings an overhauled design for every part of the operating system, while remaining largely the same in terms of functionality. Onlookers are expecting a few more changes before it's finalized. Related storiesiOS 7 beta 3 brings bug fixes, other improvementsiOS 7 beta points to slow-mo cam feature in next iPhoneApple pitches iOS 7 features to schools, businessesThe public release of the software is scheduled for this fall. As a frame of reference, last year's iOS 6 went through five betas before it was released to consumers. Signs Apple intended to released the software appeared earlier Monday, with download links to the new build briefly appearing on Apple's developer site. Separately, BGR reported Monday that Apple's planning on two more developer betas, with a golden master (the version that's released to the public) planned for September. Updated at 11:08 a.m. PT to note some of the changes.
Apple's rolled out another beta version of iOS 7 to developers, its fourth so far.The software went out to developers Monday morning, though was originally anticipated for a release last week. The release was believed to be delayed given downtime of Apple's developer site, which is still coming back online following a security breach earlier this month. Per Apple's mysterious change log, the software brings "bug fixes and improvements." More specifically, the company's made some changes to the look and feel of the lock screen, camera and call functions. BGR has posted a full change log here.The software is under closer watch than previous iOS releases. iOS 7 brings an overhauled design for every part of the operating system, while remaining largely the same in terms of functionality. Onlookers are expecting a few more changes before it's finalized. Related storiesiOS 7 beta 3 brings bug fixes, other improvementsiOS 7 beta points to slow-mo cam feature in next iPhoneApple pitches iOS 7 features to schools, businessesThe public release of the software is scheduled for this fall. As a frame of reference, last year's iOS 6 went through five betas before it was released to consumers. Signs Apple intended to released the software appeared earlier Monday, with download links to the new build briefly appearing on Apple's developer site. Separately, BGR reported Monday that Apple's planning on two more developer betas, with a golden master (the version that's released to the public) planned for September. Updated at 11:08 a.m. PT to note some of the changes.
Apple rejects satire app Joyful Executions
Apple rejects satire app Joyful Executions
Apple's hard line on political satire apps --especially when they deal in even the most cartoony violence -- has brought down another hopeful called Joyful Executions, a parody game in which users execute North Korean dissidents by firing squad to appease The Divine Leader. The app's creator, Norwegian studio 8-bit Underpants, approached the subject with seemingly good intentions, as is the case with most violent yet satirical games, like the removed iOS title Sweatshop and the rejected app Endgame: Syria. The developer expresses on the game's Web site that Joyful Executions is meant to highlight how gamers ignore controversial subjects that are presented through the lens of gamification and to shed light on North Korean propaganda efforts directed specifically at children. Still, that wasn't enough to satisfy Apple, who rejected the game after a month of apparent deliberation due to paragraph 16.1 of the App Store guidelines that bars apps that present "excessively objectionable or crude content," the game's sole developer Frank Nordstrom told PocketGamer. Clause 15.3 -- which bars apps that solely target a specific race, country, government, or corporation -- may also have come into play with Apple's rejection. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.The game was submitted to both the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store on July 15, and 8-bit Underpants only received notification of its iOS rejection Tuesday. As for the actual mechanics behind Joyful Executions, users play as Kim Bok Kyong, the head of a four-man firing squad in charge of dispatching enemies with a variety of methods while under the clock. It's not a visually realistic game by any means, but the gore when mixed with its context make for an undoubtedly touchy subject. The game is still available on the Google Play Store, while a toned down update to the rejected iOS version called Little Girl's Training Edition will be making its way to Apple's App Store later this month. This Apple-friendly edition will remove blood and replace the enemies with dolls. So much for the power of satire.
Apple's hard line on political satire apps --especially when they deal in even the most cartoony violence -- has brought down another hopeful called Joyful Executions, a parody game in which users execute North Korean dissidents by firing squad to appease The Divine Leader. The app's creator, Norwegian studio 8-bit Underpants, approached the subject with seemingly good intentions, as is the case with most violent yet satirical games, like the removed iOS title Sweatshop and the rejected app Endgame: Syria. The developer expresses on the game's Web site that Joyful Executions is meant to highlight how gamers ignore controversial subjects that are presented through the lens of gamification and to shed light on North Korean propaganda efforts directed specifically at children. Still, that wasn't enough to satisfy Apple, who rejected the game after a month of apparent deliberation due to paragraph 16.1 of the App Store guidelines that bars apps that present "excessively objectionable or crude content," the game's sole developer Frank Nordstrom told PocketGamer. Clause 15.3 -- which bars apps that solely target a specific race, country, government, or corporation -- may also have come into play with Apple's rejection. CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.The game was submitted to both the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store on July 15, and 8-bit Underpants only received notification of its iOS rejection Tuesday. As for the actual mechanics behind Joyful Executions, users play as Kim Bok Kyong, the head of a four-man firing squad in charge of dispatching enemies with a variety of methods while under the clock. It's not a visually realistic game by any means, but the gore when mixed with its context make for an undoubtedly touchy subject. The game is still available on the Google Play Store, while a toned down update to the rejected iOS version called Little Girl's Training Edition will be making its way to Apple's App Store later this month. This Apple-friendly edition will remove blood and replace the enemies with dolls. So much for the power of satire.
Why 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Is This Year's Best Blockbuster
If there;s one thing almost all of this year;s big movies have in common, it;s that they tend to care way more about spectacle than they do character. Whether it;s villains who aren;t clearly defined (Star Trek Into Darkness, Thor: The Dark World), stone-cold action sequences that wipe out entire cities with little remorse (Man of Steel, Pacific Rim) or regurgitated storylines (Olympus Has Fallen, White House Down), the blockbusters of 2013 have been, for the most part, fun, engaging and entertaining, but kinda empty. A lot of skin on those bones, but not much meat. So here comes The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the third part two of the month (Thor 2, The Best Man Holiday), and a follow-up to The Hunger Games, which was good, not great. But The Hunger Games coughed up lots of dollars, and along the way Hollywood realized that this was now the young adult (or YA) franchise to beat. They;d need to step up their game for the sequel, but with Twilight and Harry Potter out of the way, the Hunger Gamesfranchise was primed to conquer and ready to lift off. With Catching Fire, it will not only secure its spot at the top of the YA movie-adaptation charts, but it may also go down as one of the best sequels we;ve seen in a long time.Running a balsy 146 minutes (can teenagers even go that long without checking their phones?), Catching Fire spreads its mockingjay wings and takes its time, coloring in many of the lines it missed in the first movie. We see more of the 12 Districts, as well as the posh elite living in a Capital that;s clearly obsessed with 1980;s dress wear. We get to watch Donald Sutherland chew enormous amounts of scenery as the franchise;s despicable villain, President Snow. We meet an eclectic group of past Hunger Games winners who are forced to compete once again (the great Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer among them), and get to spend more time watching Stanley Tucci steal every scene he;s in as the corny and charismatic Ryan Seacrest-like host of the Hunger Games, Caesar.It;s like an awesome episode of Survivor All-Stars, except the stakes are so much bigger. They;re not trying to win money, they;re trying to win their freedom. The first installment alluded to an uprising, but this one heads straight to its door and knocks loudly. The entire thing just pops. The characters are more well defined, and the action is better choreographed, but really it;s all about Jennifer Lawrence. Now that she;s got some more big-screen, big-pressure experience under her belt, the girl absolutely conquers her role with force and conviction. Dare I say this girl is... on fire?There are a lot of big names and pretty faces in this cast, but Lawrence commands the screen like a general, shifting with ease between beauty, vulnerability, heartbreak and sheer anger. She is this film;s everything. Not only is her Katniss on the verge of becoming a revolutionary, but her performance should also help revolutionize the way female characters are treated in big-budget blockbusters. More leaders, less sidekicks. More ass kickers, less love interests. More of everything starring Jennifer Lawrence, please.Yes, she;s that good.But so is the movie. Catching Fire is this year;s best blockbuster because it has characters, not caricatures. It has this tremendous emotional depth to it, and that;s something not many franchises even attempt to touch. Where others are giving their all to massive, never-before-attempted action sequences, Catching Fire carefully massages its drama, teasing you with romance, despair, humor and ferociousness, but never giving you too much of one thing. And even though there are plenty of moments from the first film that play out again in the second, Catching Fire makes them feel fresh and adds additional layers to each one so that your experience watching it evolves alongside the characters and their motivations.When you;re watching, you feel like it all means something. Because the first half of the movie is purely driven by its characters, you;re fully invested in the non-stop action that dominates the second half. I could tell you more about the plot, but if you read the book you already know what happens. And if you haven;t read the book, let the movie surprise you. Even though much of its success can be attributed to its source material, this is a sequel that also learned from its previous mistakes. Gone is the shaky cam that plagued The Hunger Games, and a higher budget means this thing looks pretty damn good. From the gnarly effects inside the arena to the hauntingly beautiful shots high above tree tops, this isn;t a movie that simply wants to satisfy its fanbase -- it;s a movie that wants to be one of the best you;ve seen this year, period.The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November
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