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Broadband is more important to Americans than cable
In the same way that WhatsApp has caused the number of text messages to fall, it looks as if cable is now less important than broadband in American homes. For the first time, the number of households that pay for a high speed internet connection has exceeded those who get their daily fix of news from CNN. The stats come from TV-industry analysts Leichtman Research, which is claiming that there are 49,915,000 broadband users in the country, squeaking ahead of the 49,910,000 who subscribe to cable TV. Naturally, we're sure that almost all of those people are paying for both services right now, but it might not be long before cord-cutting starts to make a dent in those figures. After all, services like HBO Go, NFL Now and Simpsons World may currently require online users to have a cable subscription, but we bet it won't always be that way.
Which iPhone 6 rumor do you believe the most? [Poll]
With less than a month left before Apple will allegedly release the next-generation iPhone, rumors are running rampant. TUAW is doing a good job of keeping rumors out of the headlines; we'll see the actual devices soon enough. Of the rumored features of the upcoming iPhones, which do you think is the most plausible? Be sure to leave comments if you have your own thoughts about features that may -- or may not -- make it into the iPhone 6. Which iPhone 6 rumor do you believe the most?
Leaderboard: What the heck is Guild Wars 2's Pale Tree?
Since Guild Wars 2's humble beginnings, players have been debating the exact nature of the seemingly benevolent Pale Tree, an entity who has acted as a mother to the playable Sylvari race. Season two of the living world story has been throwing more fuel on this particular fire with almost every chapter, and this week's release of The Dragon's Reach: Part Two is no exception. Since ArenaNet has announced a mid-season break in the story, it seems like a good time to cast our votes once and for all and ensure bragging rights for those of us who turn out to be correct. What's your favorite explanation for the existence of the Pale Tree? Click past the break to vote (but be warned that while this poll is spoiler-free, the comments may not be)!
Choose My Adventure: Firefall is finally a real game
Forgive me, Massively readers, for I have sinned. It has been six months since my last Choose My Adventure. Luckily, absolution is readily available via a 50-pound desktop computer, a mostly stable internet connection powered by one of the most hated companies in the United States, and three or four Hail Proudmoores. In summary: I have stared into the face of an eternal offline purgatory, clenched my teeth, and growled, "Not today." No, today I'm going to play Firefall. And you're coming with me.
Making a case for App Store curation
With over 1.2 million applications to choose from, it's hard to dispute that the App Store suffers from a discoverability problem. The degree to which the problem needs urgent addressing from Apple, however, remains an ongoing debate amongst developers and tech observers. Yesterday, former Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassee published a post making the case for App Store curation. Instead of using algorithms to sort and promote the apps that you permit on your shelves, why not assign a small group of adepts to create and shepherd an App Store Guide, with sections such as Productivity, Photography, Education, and so on. Within each section, this team of respected but unnamed (and so "ungiftable") critics will review the best-in-class apps. Moreover, they'll offer seasoned opinions on must-have features, UI aesthetics, and tips and tricks. A weekly newsletter will identify notable new titles, respond to counter-opinions, perhaps present a developer profile, footnote the occasional errata and mea culpa... The result will be a more intelligible App Store that makes iOS users happier. It's an interesting idea, but one that seemingly ignores what a colossal undertaking across-the-board curation would entail. I'll have an opposing viewpoint piece up soon, but in the meantime, if you're pro- or anti-Apple getting into the app curation game in a major way, feel free to take our poll and speak up in the comments below. Be sure to share your poll answer with your friends using the Facebook and Twitter share buttons on the poll. Should Apple do a better job of curating the App Store?
How many apps do you have on your Mac? [Poll]
Yesterday we asked readers how many apps they had installed on their iPhones. Out of the almost 1,100 responses, a majority of readers (38%) said that they had over 500 apps! Comments ranged from "I have 16 apps and I rarely use those" to "I have over a thousand", but I find it fascinating that our readership is so app-happy. You're going to love TUAW's new emphasis on app reviews... Today we're going back to Apple's roots and asking how many apps you have on your Mac. Although it's not exactly precise, if we all use the methodology of going into our Applications folder (Finder, Go > Applications, then use the number of items listed as your count) we'll get a pretty decent idea of just how many (or few) apps the average TUAW reader has installed on his or her Mac. As an example, I have 125 items in my Applications folder. If you have more than one Mac -- and who doesn't? -- be sure to answer the poll once for each Mac. If you have any comments, feel free to leave 'em in the comments section of this post. How many apps are installed on your Mac?
How many apps are installed on your iPhone? [Poll]
Some of us just can't get enough of free and paid apps. If you happen to launch Settings on your iPhone, go to General, and then tap About, you can scroll down a bit and see just how many applications you have installed. I currently have 243 -- how about you? How many apps are installed on your iPhone? (Settings > General > About > Applications)
Poll: What home devices would you like to have controlled by HomeKit?
At WWDC 2014, Apple announced a new developer framework called HomeKit. The idea behind HomeKit is to provide a common way for home automation devices -- the so-called "Internet of Things" -- to be controlled from iOS devices. We've seen everything from home hubs to app-controlled slow cookers so far. What would you like to be able to control with a tap from your iPhone or iPad? What home devices would you like to have controlled by Apple's HomeKit?
Leaderboard: Firefall vs. Defiance vs. Destiny
Shooters are certainly in vogue at the moment, what with last week's Firefall launch, this week's Defiance Silicon Valley expansion launch, and next month's colossally expensive Destiny launch. Come to think of it, those three titles are probably worth pitting against one another, wouldn't you agree? So, how about it Massively shooter fans? If you had to pick one of those three titles as your go-to gunplay fix, which would it be? Vote after the cut! Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!
Foursquare wants to be the mayor of personalized local search
About three months ago, Foursquare announced that it would be splitting its app in two. It launched Swarm for check-ins and everything social, while the main titular offering would focus on being a customized discovery and recommendation engine -- which is what CEO and co-founder Dennis Crowley wanted Foursquare to be all along. Today, the company finally unveiled the brand-new, reimagined Foursquare it teased last week, sporting a new, visually enticing design replete with superhero-inspired logo. And though I've only had a brief amount of time with the app so far, I'm convinced that Foursquare's bet to go all-in on personalized local search might actually pay off.
Sprint reportedly withdraws its bid to buy T-Mobile (updated)
Softbank-owned Sprint has reportedly changed its mind about buying T-Mobile US, according to the Wall Street Journal. It seems a bit surprising, given the amount of time and energy Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son has put into pursuing the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the US -- committing to buy the company for as much as $40 billion. That said, the alleged reasons behind the decision to withdraw a bid make sense: Sprint faces too much of a challenge getting the deal over the necessary regulatory hurdles. The company likely came to this conclusion after a long series of meetings with government officials, who reportedly expressed concern that such a deal would take a toll on competition in the US wireless industry. Sprint declined to comment, but the Journal reports that the carrier plans to make an announcement early tomorrow.
What photo/video features would you like to see in future iPhones?
Every year, it seems like the photo and video features of our iPhones get just a little bit better. We'd like to know what you think would be the best possible feature to add to future iPhones. Take the poll, and be sure to share your answer with your friends on Twitter or Facebook. What photo/video features would you like to see built into future iPhones?
What improvements would you like to see in AirPlay?
What improvement would you like to see with AirPlay?
President Obama signs cellphone unlocking bill into law
After getting the approval of both the House and the Senate, the US cellphone unlocking bill needed just one more signature to remove the carrier-swapping restriction. Today, President Barack Obama signed the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act into law, making it once again legal for smartphone owners to unlock their device without direct permission from the carrier it's locked to. If you'll recall, the effort began as a petition, and is what the White House is calling "an example of democracy at its best." Should you be in need of refresher on the finer points, we explain the whole thing right here. [Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]
Battle of the Airs: MacBook or iPad?
If you had just enough money to buy one or the other, would you buy a MacBook Air or an iPad Air?
TUAW Poll: Would you buy a Retina MacBook Air?
Apple still hasn't released a Retina display MacBook Air. Would you buy one?
Leaderboard: Which dead MMO is your favorite?
Since Vanguard is closing down this week, I'm in sort of a morbid mood. Sorry. Anyhow, today's Leaderboard poll will tread some unfamiliar territory when it comes to pitting MMOs against one another, mainly because all of these MMOs are dead. Vote for your favorite past the cut!
What you need to know about card skimming
"Skimming" is a blanket term used when referencing a crime where you take small amounts of money. It literally means to take cash off the top, as if money were the sweet cream floating atop a cauldron of lesser riches. Fifty years ago, skimming might have meant stealing a handful of dollars from your employer, or even millions in elaborate scams we've seen in countless Hollywood films. Today's skimming, however, employs tricks and hardware that are absurdly complex and yet sneaky enough to elude detection. Unless you know what to look for, of course. Today's world of skimming is high-tech, and it wants your credit card and banking info. Though we can't help you catch every conceivable method that crooks are using to try to rip you off, being armed with a bit of knowledge on the topic could save you major hassle down the road. No matter what you take away form this read, at a minimum you'll never look at an ATM or POS terminal the same way again.
Choose My Adventure: Hunting for trouble (and riches) in ArcheAge
Bouncing between alpha and beta has hindered progress in ArcheAge for Massively's MJ, but it hasn't diminished the fun. As per last week's vote, she spent the past weekend in beta, checking out life on the other continent as an Elf. Now, with the next beta a whole week away, it's back to alpha life as a Firran. But that doesn't mean it's a lonely life! MJ found a spot for her little farm and has been raising some goslings as she continues her crafting and trade exploits. And there's also this thing about joining a guild... we're sure she could find some more trouble to get into with friends. Perhaps she'll even finally make it to prison! Join us live at 7:00 p.m. for MJ's final two-hour CMA Live adventure. Game: ArcheAge Host: MJ Guthrie Date: Friday, July 55th, 2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT Enjoy our Stream Team video below.
What would make you run out and buy an Apple-branded smartwatch?
What one feature would make you run out and buy an Apple-branded smartwatch?
