If you've ever bought inexpensive cables or other accessories from Monoprice.com and wondered how they can sell them so cheaply, BuzzFeed has a great little story this week on how the company does what it does so well, and how it's expanding beyond the low-cost cables that have earned it such loyal fans. But there's plenty more you might have missed on Tuesday, so take a few minutes and get caught up, won't you?
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Apple's public relations department may be trying just a wee bit harder to get the word out, if a seemingly minor press release about the debut of iOS 6.1 last week is any indication. The move marks the first time the company has done such a thing for a non-major operating system release -- especially one not tied to a new piece of hardware (128GB iPad aside, of course). But the company also appears to be loosening up behind the scenes as well, with reporters receiving "more favorable third-party reports" from Cupertino, including five since the beginning of the year. The report gives credit to CEO Tim Cook for the subtle changes at a time when investors are punishing Apple for slow growth and flattening profits at a time when competition is stepping up its game -- but time will tell if these PR moves are a coincidence or part of Apple's new world order.
Social photo service Instagram announced in a blog post Tuesday that it was moving beyond the mobile apps that have made it wildly successful with the ability to browse Instagram feeds on the web. "Your Instagram Feed on the web functions much like it does on your mobile phone," Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom notes. "You can browse through the latest photos of people whom you follow with updates as people post new photos. Like photos by double clicking on them or pressing the like button. Or, engage in a conversation around a photo with inline commenting. Simply put, we’ve brought a simple, powerful, and beautiful Instagram browsing experience to the web." Unfortunately, the feed is all about browsing -- users can't upload from the web (at least not yet), instead keeping the focus on mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Remember the days of $50 or even $100 HDMI cables? Those insane prices may have sent you scouring the internet in search of something cheaper, a search that probably landed you right into the loving arms of Monoprice.com. A profile of the company published on BuzzFeed this week takes a look at how Monoprice is attempting to expand beyond low-cost HDMI cables and other electronics accessories with the goal of pricing them at least 50 percent below what other retailers would -- a trick that has gained the company a loyal following for an what many still wouldn't consider a household name. While such a move leaves low-margin electronics such as HDTVs, laptops and smartphones off the table, the company is finding success with high-end monitors from Korea and other Asian suppliers, complete with warranty and return policy -- a move that has helped the internet-only company grow between 25 and 35 percent each year, likely at the expense of brick-and-mortar retailers such as Best Buy.
Independent publishers often have a hard time getting their work before the eyes of the public, but Apple is now making it just a wee bit easier for iBookstore authors with a new "Breakout Books" section just for them. "Find the next reading sensation with this hand-picked collection of books from emerging talents," the description reads. "All are independently published and have earned high ratings from customers like you." Apple promises to rotate new titles frequently as "they begin taking off," so be sure to bookmark the link and check back often (link opens in iTunes).
Ninjas are by their very nature thin, but Zephyr Games decided to make theirs more on the obese side -- but that's what makes Legend of Fat Ninja so fun! Currently free through Thursday in partnership with Appoday, this normally $1.99 physics game combines the skill-based gameplay of Angry Birds with the arcade scoring and chaining mechanics of pinball and point-based games. Launch Fat Ninja into the next level, then direct his movements by tapping in the direction you want him to attack. Can you keep enemy ninjas from reaching his noodle stand and defeat the resident chef in order to steal his famous ingredient?
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(Image courtesy of BuzzFeed)
choiceweb
February 06, 2013 at 11:33am
Interesting story about Monoprice. They're a great resource for cables. I wouldn't be that sad if they helped close a few Best Buys.
