• Google To Announce Music Cloud Service At Google I/O Conference Today

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, Cloud, Featured, google, Rants & Raves, Rumors 1 Response

    It seems as though Google is going to launch Google Music today at it’s annual Google I/O developer conference. and why Google rushed it out is only to beat Apple and keep up with Amazon Cloud Service.

    Google will be taking the same approach to streaming music as Amazon. This means that they will not have a master copy, but rather they will have the user upload their library. AKA, Google has no licenses with the record labels.

    Google’s service is rumored to be flash only, so no iOS devices or Android devices running anything lower than 2.2. would run it. Google is going to launch this as an invite-only beta for Google I/O attendees, Motorola Xoom owners, as well as people who want to sign up for a beta. remember, No “official” announcement has been made yet.

    We will wait now for Apple to launch their licensed, and more secure, cloud that is rumored to also have video, photos, contacts, calendars, etc. which expected to be shown off at WWDC 2011 on June 6th!

  • Apple’s New Data Center to Run iOS 5 Voice Recognition Powered by Nuance Technologies

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, News, Rumors, Tech. No Responses

    Another view of Apple’s relationship with Nuance Communications offered up tonight by TechCrunch and this time claiming that, having dug into the ties between both companies more deeply, Apple could already be using Nuance technology in its yet-to-officially-open North Carolina data center.

    In digging into the information about the relationship between the two companies, we had heard that Apple might actually already be using Nuance technology in their new (but yet to be officially opened) massive data center in North Carolina. Since then, we’ve gotten multiple independent confirmations that this is indeed the case. And yes, this is said to be the keystone of a partnership that Apple is likely to announce with Nuance at WWDC next month.

    More specifically, we’re hearing that Apple is running Nuance software – and possibly some of their hardware – in this new data center. Why? A few reasons. First, Apple will be able to process this voice information for iOS users faster. Second, it will prevent this data from going through third-party servers. And third, by running it on their own stack, Apple can build on top of the technology, and improve upon it as they see fit.

    Nuance technology, which already used to power personal assistant Siri, is expected to be “a big part” of iOS 5, reportedly set for introduction at Apple’s software-centric Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off June 6.

  • Apple Surpasses Google as World’s Most Valuable Brand

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, google, Microsoft, News, Rants & Raves, Tech. No Responses

    Apple has overtaken Google as the world’s most valuable brand, ending a four-year reign by the Internet search leader, according to a new study by global brands agency Millward Brown. Apple’s brand is now worth $153 billion, almost half Apple’s market capitalization, says the annual BrandZ study of the world’s top 100 brands.

    Apple’s portfolio of coveted consumer goods propelled it past Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable technology company last year.

    Peter Walshe, global brands director of Millward Brown, says Apple’s meticulous attention to detail, along with an increasing presence of its gadgets in corporate environments, have allowed it to behave differently from other consumer-electronics makers and went on to say:

    Apple is breaking the rules in terms of its pricing model. It’s doing what luxury brands do, where the higher price the brand is, the more it seems to underpin and reinforce the desire. Obviously, it has to be allied to great products and a great experience, and Apple has nurtured that.

    Other Top-100 list companies including: Apple (1), Google (2), IBM (3), Microsoft (5), AT&T (7), Coca-Cola (6), McDonalds (4). Facebook entered the top 100 at number 35 and No. 10 spot on the top tech brands with a brand valued at $19.1 billion. Here is top tech brands list:

    Download Full Millward Brown’s 2011 BrandZ study – PDF 11.8MB

    [Via Reuters]

  • All 66 Mac vs PC Campaign Ads

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, commercials, Featured, Funny, Humor, Microsoft, Parody No Responses

    The Mac vs PC Campaign ads were some of the most entertaining advertisements on TV with John Hodgman (being a PC) and Justin Long (being a Mac). Unfortunately Apple pulled the plug on the fun last year. However, Adweek has compiled all 66 ads for your viewing pleasure. and they are ordered chronologically. All 66 ads were directed by Phil Morrison of Epoch Films for TBWA Media Arts Lab.


    1. Better / May 2006.
    2. iLife / May 2006.
    3. Network / May 2006.

    4. Restarting / May 2006.
    5. Viruses / May 2006.
    6. Wall street Journal / May 2006.

    7. Out of the Box / June 2006.
    8. Toché / June 2006.
    9. Work vs. Home / June 2006.

    10. Accident / August 2006.
    11. Angel vs. Devil / August 2006.
    12. Trust Mac / August 2006.

    13. Better Results / October 2006.
    14. Counselor / October 2006.
    15. Self-pity / October 2006.

    16. Gift Exchange / November 2006.
    17. Meant for Work / November 2006.
    18. Sales Pitch / November 2006.

    19. Goodwill / December 2006.
    20. Sabotage /January 2007.
    21. Surgery / January 2007.

    22. tech Support / January 2007.
    23. Security / February 2007.
    24. Computer cart / April 2007.

    25. Flashback / April 2007.
    26. Stuffed / April 2007.
    27. Choose a Vista / May 2007.

    28. Genius / May 2007.
    29. Party is Over / May 2007.
    30. Boxer / November 2007.

    31. Podium / November 2007.
    32. PR Lady / November 2007.
    33. Misprint / December 2007.

    Note: Part 2 (the remaining 33 vids) will be posted soon