AppleMagazine #179

Apple CEO Tim Cook is joining a long list of magnates promising to give away most of the wealth that they amass during their careers. Cook mentioned his intentions in a story about him published Thursday by Fortune magazine. After paying for the college education of his 10-year-old nephew, Cook says he will donate the rest of his money to philanthropic causes. Apple Inc. declined to comment Friday. The charitable commitment echoes pledges made by other executives far richer than Cook, who is 54. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison are among more than 120 wealthy people and families who have announced they will give away their fortunes. Gates, Buffett and Ellison each have a net worth of at least $54 billion…

Microsoft is making a cheaper version of its Surface Pro 3 tablet computer in an effort to reach students and budget-conscious families. Graphic artists, engineers and finance professionals needing to run complex software might still want the company’s higher-end Pro 3, said Dennis Meinhardt, director of program management for Surface. But the Surface 3 should be good for everyday tasks, he said, and brings the Pro 3’s premium feel to a device that will be affordable to more people. Here’s what you need to know. PRICE Priced at $499 (vs $799 to $1,949 for the Pro 3), the new tablet has a slightly smaller screen - 10.8 inches rather than 12 - a slower processor, and less flexible kickstand - just three angles rather than unlimited positions. A version with…

LATEST SERIES TIPPED TO PREMIERE ON HBO NOW Few fantasy TV dramas have captured the popular imagination quite like Game of Thrones. The HBO series is adapted from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels, and is filmed on location in various spots around the world, from the United States, Morocco and Iceland to Spain, Croatia and Northern Ireland. It has also attracted staggering viewer numbers. As the fifth series primes itself for an April 12 premiere amid rumors that it will coincide with the launch of the HBO NOW streaming service, we ask: how and why has it become such a phenomenon? Game of Thrones is set at the end of a decade-long summer on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, and draws upon…

When vandals sliced a fiber-optic cable in the Arizona desert last month, they did more than time-warp thousands of people back to an era before computers, credit cards or even phones. They exposed a glaring vulnerability in the nation’s Internet infrastructure: no backup systems in many places. Because Internet service is largely unregulated by the federal government and the states, decisions about network reliability are left to the service providers. Industry analysts say these companies generally do not build alternative routes, or redundancies, unless they believe it is worthwhile financially. The result: While most major metropolitan areas in the U.S. have backup systems, some smaller cities and many rural areas do not. “The more rural the location, the more likely that there’s only one road in and out of that…

NEW SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE RUMORED FOR 2015 The Apple TV digital media player has always had a slightly curious place in the Cupertino giant's hardware range. There has been such a device since 2007, and it is presently in its third generation - albeit, a generation that has not seen a significant update for three years. The microconsole has also long been likened to a "hobby" by Apple executives, and yet, bigger plans seem to be afoot - including a subscription service and possible 4K content. There has been talk of Apple TV taking on a bigger role within the company for many years now, but there had been few stirrings in terms of actual announcements until, at the firm's most recent March 9 keynote, a price drop from $99 to $69 was…

Spotify is coming to the PlayStation, replacing Sony’s own Music Unlimited service, as the company continues to expand the game console into an entertainment hub beyond video games. Spotify hits the PlayStation 3 and 4 on Monday, with a new app adapted for large television screens. Sony says partnering with Spotify expands its music service to 41 countries, rather than the 19 available with Music Unlimited, and offers better tools for playlists and music discovery. PlayStation users have long been able to watch DVDs and stream Netflix, Amazon and YouTube shows with the console. Just two weeks ago, Sony launched an online television service, PlayStation Vue, offering more than 50 over-the-air and cable channels starting at $50 a month. Spotify has 60 million active users worldwide, including 15 million paid…