All for one and one for all.Twitter debuts live 360-degree video posts powered by Periscope: "With the new feature rolling out today, users can view and interact with live 360-degree footage directly in the Twitter or Periscope apps. "
2016-12-29
Twitter debuts live 360-degree video posts powered by Periscope
2016-12-18
Stoicism: Silicon Valley tech workers are reading Ryan Holiday to use an ancient philosophy as a life hack — Quartz
Be stoic, of course, and check the stock price on your Apple Watch.Stoicism: Silicon Valley tech workers are reading Ryan Holiday to use an ancient philosophy as a life hack — Quartz: "to give a simple overview, Stoicism advocates developing four virtues: courage, temperance (namely self-control), justice (which they saw as treating all others with fairness), and having the practical wisdom to navigate complicated situations. "
2016-12-16
Twitter iOS app integrates Periscope-based live video, Instagram adds bookmarking support
Twitter is so undervalued. You don't see any other mobile apps toppling world governments or breaking critical news stories. Yeah, it's about Flappy Bird and Khardashian selfies, riiiiight.Twitter iOS app integrates Periscope-based live video, Instagram adds bookmarking support: "Though Twitter previously supported live video, until today tapping on a button simply redirected people to the separate Periscope app. Now users can tap a "live" icon when composing a tweet and broadcasting will start from within Twitter, complete with normal Periscope features like hearts and comments, and links on Twitter timelines."/p>
2016-12-12
Silicon Valley Owes Its Success To This Tech Genius You’ve Never Heard Of | Smart News | Smithsonian
So long and thanks for all the fish.Silicon Valley Owes Its Success To This Tech Genius You’ve Never Heard Of | Smart News | Smithsonian: "Born on this day in 1927, Noyce was responsible for a number of computer firsts: he was instrumental to inventing the microchip, he co-founded Intel and he played an important part in lobbying Washington on behalf of Silicon Valley. All this, and he even mentored Apple founder Steve Jobs, writes Leslie Berlin in The Man Behind the Microchip: Robert Noyce and the Invention of Silicon Valley. "
2016-12-09
A decade later, ad team behind iconic 'Get a Mac' campaign recounts development & production
Dang!A decade later, ad team behind iconic 'Get a Mac' campaign recounts development & production: "Stars John Hodgman, Justin Long and the ad team responsible for Apple's 'Mac vs. PC' campaign —launched in conjunction with the Intel Mac —recently got together and talked about the evolution of the concept, other celebrity ad campaigns proposed and scuttled, and the difficulties of working with perfectionist Steve Jobs."
2016-12-07
Google says it’ll be fully powered by renewable energy in 2017 | Ars Technica
That's a lot of green and a lot of green.Google says it’ll be fully powered by renewable energy in 2017 | Ars Technica: "Google has announced it will power its entire global operations using energy from renewable sources next year."
Casio’s new 1.9-megapixel camera is designed to be used in the dark - The Verge
C'est la bon!Casio’s new 1.9-megapixel camera is designed to be used in the dark - The Verge: "Casio has announced the Exilim FR110H, a new rugged action camera with a 1.9-megapixel sensor. Yep, we’re nearly into 2017 and people are still releasing cameras with less resolution than the original iPhone. But Casio has its reasons — fewer pixels means bigger pixels, all other things being equal, which should make for better low-light performance. And the FR110H is designed entirely around nighttime shooting, capturing 1080p video or stills at a maximum ISO of 51200."
2016-12-01
Amazon, Seagate launch external hard drive that syncs to cloud | ZDNet
What could go wrong?Amazon, Seagate launch external hard drive that syncs to cloud | ZDNet: "Seagate and Amazon partnered for the release of the Seagate Duet, an external hard drive that also syncs to the cloud. It's now available to pre-order for $99 with one free year of Amazon Drive Unlimited Storage, a $59 value."
2016-11-24
Man recovers working iPhone 4 from bottom of Pennsylvania lake
True stories of mystery and danger!Man recovers working iPhone 4 from bottom of Pennsylvania lake: "The revival of Guntrum's iPhone 4 is all the more unusual because the iPhone 7, released just this September, is only Apple's first model to be marketed as water-resistant. That suggests that the Otterbox case was entirely responsible for safeguarding Guntrum's device."
2016-11-23
Amazon acquired patents, employees from Biba, reportedly plans new video chat service | TechCrunch
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Skype time.Amazon acquired patents, employees from Biba, reportedly plans new video chat service | TechCrunch: "Amazon’s purchases of Twitch and Elemental Technologies appear to be only two parts of a bigger strategy at the company to move deeper into video services through acquisition. Last year, the marketplace and cloud computing giant also quietly acquired a startup out of San Francisco called Biba Systems, which develops and operates video messaging apps aimed at business users. "
2016-11-21
Developer brings classic FPS Doom to Touch Bar on Apple's MacBook Pro
Why do dogs lick themselves? Because they can.Developer brings classic FPS Doom to Touch Bar on Apple's MacBook Pro: "In an unusual proof of its versatility, one developer has managed to get id Software's original Doom running on the new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar."
2016-11-15
Microsoft leaks Visual Studio for Mac, then scrubs the news • The Register
Brave new world.Microsoft leaks Visual Studio for Mac, then scrubs the news • The Register: "Microsoft Visual Studio, or something like it, will soon be available for macOS, a shift that reflects the company's effort to be more open toward non-Windows technology."
2016-11-11
Arrival proves that first contact movies can still blow your mind | Ars Technica
Looks great, ma!Arrival proves that first contact movies can still blow your mind | Ars Technica: "Arrival is the riveting, slow-burn story of an alien encounter that's satisfyingly complex. Instead of showing how we blow up the buggers, this movie poses a difficult question: how would we communicate with seemingly peaceful aliens whose language is as impenetrable as whalesong? The welcome surprise is that Arrival explores the answers without shying away from the reality of how linguistics work, as well as the geopolitical consequences of first contact."
2016-11-10
PlayStation 4 Pro review: You’re gonna want a 4K TV | Ars Technica
PlayStation 4 Pro review: You’re gonna want a 4K TV | Ars TechnicaThe PlayStation 4 Pro is different. As you might already know from our coverage, the Pro represents more of a split in the current era of the PS4 rather than a clean break from what came before. Sony has taken pains to point out that every console game it creates or licenses for the foreseeable future will run on both the PS4 and the PS4 Pro, making them essentially one "platform" from a software perspective.Generation four. I never give up!
2016-11-09
Twitter Meltdown: Record 75 Million Tweets on Election Night - Breitbart
Hard to believe that the tech stalwarts are too stupid to buy this 100% mindshare future of trending news. Less is more! Viva la revolution!Twitter Meltdown: Record 75 Million Tweets on Election Night - Breitbart: "Twitter has smashed its previous record of tweets for an American election night, with 75 million tweets being sent throughout the night."
The desktop is not dead say web developers
Essential.The desktop is not dead say web developers: "According to 80 percent of web developers, desktop applications are absolutely essential, and 93 percent say web technologies are critical to their strategy for desktop and mobile."
2016-11-07
Apple hires talent, buys technology from bankrupt streaming music startup Omnifone
One man's garbage is another man's treasure. Buy low, sell high.Apple hires talent, buys technology from bankrupt streaming music startup Omnifone: "Apple recently hired a handful of former employees and purchased key technology from defunct streaming music startup Omnifone, a report said Monday, clearing up rumors suggesting Apple acquired the now bankrupt company earlier this year. "
2016-11-05
NES Mini teardowns have begun, chips identified | Ars Technica
Love for the 1980s.NES Mini teardowns have begun, chips identified | Ars Technica: "That might seem ridiculous for a system designed to emulate 35-year-old console hardware, but these days, it's possible this overpowered SoC may have been the most affordable, suitable chip that could be produced quickly and at scale for a new device. "
2016-11-04
Accessories to crime: Facial recog defeated by wacky paper glasses • The Register
But can you handle the social pressure from the outfit?Accessories to crime: Facial recog defeated by wacky paper glasses • The Register: "Researchers armed with some nifty algorithms and a set of paper glasses frames have found a way to trick facial recognition systems.
Users can either evade being recognized – or more interestingly, impersonate another individual – with up to at least 80 per cent success rate, the researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill boasted."
How a money man helped Steve Jobs turn Pixar into a powerhouse
Content is king.How a money man helped Steve Jobs turn Pixar into a powerhouse: "In the early ’90s, Pixar was in the middle of creating its first movie, Toy Story, but the company was in disarray. It was bleeding cash and floundering around looking for a business model."
2016-10-31
Led by Air & mini, Apple's iPad grows lead in shrinking global tablet market
Much prefer the pad to the phone. Hopefully this will prevent Apple from discontinuing the Mac line in favor of iPad.Led by Air & mini, Apple's iPad grows lead in shrinking global tablet market: "No new iPads were announced at last week's press event. Apple could be waiting for the spring —taking a cue from the 9.7-inch iPad Pro launch earlier this year —but has also de-emphasized the iPad in general, since sales have been on the decline for many quarters."
2016-10-29
First look: Apple's new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
First look: Apple's new MacBook Pro with Touch BarOverall, we found Apple's Touch Bar solution much more intuitive than a full-fledged touchscreen display. It's easier to rest your hands on the trackpad and Touch Bar than constantly reaching up to interact with a screen interface.I think a trackpad had the same features of the Touch Bar would be more useful. Two axes are better than one when it comes to interaction.
2016-10-27
Microsoft debuts Surface Studio all-in-one PC, refreshes high-end Surface Book
If you saw how Windows 1.0 became Windows XP, you should never bet against Microsoft. Plus, I think Seattle is a more civilized place than the Bay Area, which has become a kind of apartheid divided by those who own stock options and those that don't.Microsoft debuts Surface Studio all-in-one PC, refreshes high-end Surface Book: "Alongside the 28-inch all-in-one Surface Studio PC, Microsoft's new Surface Book i7 announced Wednesday is said to triple the performance of the current high-end 13-inch MacBook Pro."
2016-10-25
Scientists say signals from certain stars are “probably aliens” | TechCrunch
And think of the nonsense that we're broadcasting into space. The Bachelor, for instance.Scientists say signals from certain stars are “probably aliens” | TechCrunch: "Scientists writing in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific have found unusual signals emanating from a group of stars that are “signals probably from extraterrestrial intelligence.” "
Apple earns $46.9B in revenue on sales of 45.5M iPhones, edging market expectations
I don't know what magical unicorn fantasy you live in, because these numbers sound great to an iOS/macOS developer. Sales go up and down, but the total users is cumulative and increasing. Wah-tai!Apple earns $46.9B in revenue on sales of 45.5M iPhones, edging market expectations: "Revenue for the quarter reached $46.9 billion, down from $51.5 billion a year ago, but also ahead of market consensus that Thomson Reuters pegged at $46.89. Earnings per share came in at $1.67, also slightly ahead of Wall Street's expectation of $1.65."
2016-10-22
Apple's October 27th event is reportedly all about laptops
Can I get a yay men?Apple's October 27th event is reportedly all about laptops: "analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who has a mostly good track record for Apple rumors) now expects that the October 27th media gathering will focus solely on MacBooks. "
Google Pixel gets torn asunder by iFixit | Ars Technica
Such a terrific and informative site, iFixit.Google Pixel gets torn asunder by iFixit | Ars Technica: "The phone earned a 6 out of 10 for repairability. On the plus side, iFixit found many modular components that can be easily replaced, along with an easily-removable battery and a single screw size. It cited the fragile display and clip-in mid-frame as items that will slow down any would-be phone repairers.
The pictures are always the best part; see the Pixel XL stripped down over at iFixit.
The possible ninth planet could explain a tilt in the Sun | Ars Technica
Increasingly accurate calculations once again reveal that "known" assumptions are invalid. What other sacred cows of science are nearing their end-of-life? Surely the timeline of world civilization is next...The possible ninth planet could explain a tilt in the Sun | Ars Technica: "Calling it Planet 9, they suggested it could be over 10 times Earth's mass and so far out it takes 20,000 years to complete one orbit. Planet 9, they speculated, has a lopsided orbit that's tilted relative to the other planets and much closer to the Sun on one side."
2016-10-20
LEGO rolls out Macs in the workplace to meet growing employee demand
It's a play date.LEGO rolls out Macs in the workplace to meet growing employee demand: "LEGO, founded in 1932, has modernized its IT infrastructure by integrating Mac and iOS devices into its corporate environment using Jamf's Apple device management solution."
IBM deploying 1,300 Macs per week, Apple users need much less support than PC counterparts
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.IBM deploying 1,300 Macs per week, Apple users need much less support than PC counterparts: "According to data provided by IBM, and collated by JAMF, IBM has deployed over 90,000 Macs since June 1, 2015. In the same time frame, it also has distributed over 48,000 iPads, and more than 81,000 iPhones to employees."
2016-10-16
TFW an obituary you wrote five years ago goes viral | Ars Technica
If you removed C and the standard C library from the public domain, the entire modern world would grind to a halt. Everything from embedded devices, to internet routers and home computers. Kaput.TFW an obituary you wrote five years ago goes viral | Ars Technica: "At the time, I noted, "Ritchie has shaped our world in much more fundamental ways than Steve Jobs or Bill Gates have. What sets him apart from them is that he did it all not in a quest for wealth or fame, but just out of intellectual curiosity." That sort of intellectual curiosity gets numbed by social media sometimes—just as it has become marginalized by popular culture, along with many things of the intellectual variety."
2016-10-11
Samsung halts Galaxy Note 7 sales, tells users to stop using device
There is no question that Samsung is a manufacturing powerhouse. And also that competition brings out the best in competitors. I think there's a difference between out-innovating your competition and just copying someone else's work for your own profit. Is this karma? Certainly looks that way.Samsung halts Galaxy Note 7 sales, tells users to stop using device: "Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 is in the throes of death. The Korean tech giant on Monday halted global sales of its latest phablet phone, issuing a statement telling owners to power down and stop using the handset as it could pose a safety hazard. "
Is 5-hour Energy better than coffee? Depends on which state you’re in | Ars Technica
This product is not just superior to coffee, it's vastly superior to coffee. If you want to really see how well it works, drink half a 5hr with half of a 1l bottle of Smartwater. The effect is synergistic. Aids in focus, concentration, willpower. Hard to describe all the benefits.Is 5-hour Energy better than coffee? Depends on which state you’re in | Ars Technica: "Two years ago, the attorneys general from Oregon and Washington filed nearly identical lawsuits in their states alleging that 5-hour Energy ads deceived consumers by suggesting the shots are superior to coffee and recommended by doctors. In the last few days, the verdicts came in—and they’re completely opposite."
2016-10-08
Developer Feral Interactive dishes on Apple Metal graphics pros and cons
A little of both might be a better approach, seeing as how you rode OpenGL from 2001 to 2015 and took every advantage of it.Developer Feral Interactive dishes on Apple Metal graphics pros and cons: "Apple hasn't updated its OpenGL implementation for some time, as a result of the shift to Metal. At present, Apple's non-Metal OpenGL API remains at version 4.1 dated to around 2010, with the current version being 4.5, which was released in 2014. Wood confirmed that "necessary features" were missing from Apple's OpenGL, which prevented the release of racing title "F1 2015" for the Mac."
2016-10-06
Google 'screwed over' its non-millennials – now they can all fight back • The Register
A fairly obvious and simple explanation why Android can't even get copy and paste working correctly. The employees are too young to remember how copy and paste are actually supposed to work.Google 'screwed over' its non-millennials – now they can all fight back • The Register: "By certifying the case, the court allows the plaintiffs to take on Google's legal might as a combined force, rather than individually. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of a favorable settlement from Cali-based Google.
The complaint, originally filed in April of 2015, claims that Google discriminates against job candidates over the age of 40 when screening them. The suit accuses Google of violating the US Age Discrimination in Employment Act."
Google's Pixel XL priced like Apple's iPhone 7 Plus but is half as fast, lacks many key features
Half the phone for the same price, what a proposition!Google's Pixel XL priced like Apple's iPhone 7 Plus but is half as fast, lacks many key features: "In a departure from previous Nexus phones that aimed to deliver Android on a budget, Google's HTC-built Pixel XL demands Apple's price, starting at $769 for the 32-gigabyte version. It offers the same 128-gigabyte option for $100 more, but lacks the largest 256-gigabyte storage tier available on iPhone 7 Plus."
2016-10-03
New iPad Pro refresh rumors point to new 'iPad mini Pro,' True Tone across the line
The rumor mill grinds out fresh pepper.New iPad Pro refresh rumors point to new 'iPad mini Pro,' True Tone across the line: "The rumor mills are starting to churn in advance of a future iPad refresh, with the latest pointing to an iPad mini expanding into the "Pro" lineup, the mid-size iPad Pro growing a bit, True Tone on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and microphone advances across the entire line"
Apple to house 1,400 employees at London's restored Battersea Power Station starting in 2021
Perfect location for the information revolution to be housed in the seat of the industrial revolution. What say, gunner?Apple to house 1,400 employees at London's restored Battersea Power Station starting in 2021: "Consolidating a number of offices around London, Apple plans to open a new British headquarters inside an iconic decommissioned power station on the south bank of the River Thames."
2016-10-02
October brings new Macs and MacBook Pros, this week on The CultCast | Cult of Mac
October brings new Macs and MacBook Pros, this week on The CultCast | Cult of Macreports point to a big Mac event coming in October!That's what I'm talking about!
2016-09-29
The CW launches Apple TV app, no cable login required
Another victory for the cord-cutter generation.The CW launches Apple TV app, no cable login required: "Adding to an already successful mobile app offering, television network The CW updated both its iOS and tvOS apps on Thursday with new features like AirPlay support and the ability to stream shows without a cable login. "
2016-09-27
Programmable chips turning Azure into a supercomputing powerhouse | Ars Technica
MSFT rolls out some cool tech.Programmable chips turning Azure into a supercomputing powerhouse | Ars Technica: "That PCIe interface is shared with the virtual machines directly, giving the virtual machines the power to send and receive network traffic without having to bounce it through the host first. The result? Azure virtual machines can push 25 gigabits per second of network traffic, with a latency of 100 microseconds. That's a tenfold latency improvement and can be done without demanding any host CPU resources."
DJI launches ultraportable iOS-connected Mavic Pro camera drone for $999
Amazeballs!DJI launches ultraportable iOS-connected Mavic Pro camera drone for $999: "DJI's hardware and software also allow autopilot and auto-follow capabilities not seen in the GoPro Karma. Using a connected iPhone to select a subject, DJI's ActiveTrack technology can follow, lead, or track alongside objects including people, bicyclists, cars, boats, and animals.
2016-09-25
2016-09-24
Snapchat announces Spectacles video-recording sunglasses, available this fall for $130
Snapchat announces Spectacles video-recording sunglasses, available this fall for $130Snap, Inc., the company formerly known as Snapchat, on Friday announced its first hardware product in Spectacles, a $130 pair of sunglasses with an embedded camera that captures 10-second point-of-view video clips at the tap of a button.Take that, Google glass.
2016-09-23
Twitter takeover being considered by Google, Salesforce, other tech firms - report
Twitter is an important media outlet for free speech, even when it censors and I hope Google shepherds it into a rosy future.Twitter takeover being considered by Google, Salesforce, other tech firms - report: "everal major tech corporations — Google and Salesforce among them — have allegedly expressed in buying Twitter, as much for the data the social network generates as its actual media revenue. "
2016-09-22
First Apple stock certificate awarded to Steve Jobs on sale for $195,000
Glad I'm not John Sculley.First Apple stock certificate awarded to Steve Jobs on sale for $195,000: "As told by Zimet, shortly after the ouster in 1985, Sculley called for Jobs' office to be cleared out. The certificate on sale today was dumped in the trash along with other paraphernalia, but an industrious employee recovered the document and kept it for 31 years."
2016-09-21
macOS 10.12 Sierra: The Ars Technica review | Ars Technica
SteveJ would never concede the desktop to Windoze. Ever.macOS 10.12 Sierra: The Ars Technica review | Ars Technica: "It has been a long time since the Mac was Apple's favorite child, and there are places in Sierra (like the Messages app) where it clearly feels like Mac users are getting a second-tier experience compared to people on iOS. Add in the Mac’s stale, aging hardware lineup and Apple’s total lack of communication about it, and there seem to be real problems for the Mac as a platform."
2016-09-20
Nikon takes aim at GoPro with new KeyMission line of iPhone-connected action cameras
A rapidly emerging field.Nikon takes aim at GoPro with new KeyMission line of iPhone-connected action cameras: "Nikon announced its first three action cameras on Monday ahead of this week's Photokina expo in Germany, looking to claim share of a field largely dominated by GoPro. "
2016-09-17
Black & Jet Black: Unboxing the new iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus with Lightning headphones
Black & Jet Black: Unboxing the new iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus with Lightning headphonesThe new Black and Jet Black (above) options are front-to-back black with nearly invisible black seams that join the top and bottom to the middle (allowing radio signals through the aluminum case).You've been unboxed.
2016-09-16
Snowden’s bias is blatant—but Gordon-Levitt makes its message powerful | Ars Technica
Did you get the memo?Snowden’s bias is blatant—but Gordon-Levitt makes its message powerful | Ars Technica: "The first major film event about Edward Snowden did not come this year thanks to Director Oliver Stone. Instead, it came in the form of Citizenfour, the deserving winner of the 2015 Academy Award for Best Documentary."
Apple Watch Series 2 teardown reveals high capacity battery
Apple Watch Series 2 teardown reveals high capacity batterySeries 2 comes with a higher capacity battery to handle the power needs of thirsty circuitry like a new GPS radio and brighter OLED display. The 38mm version gutted by iFixit comes with a 273 mAh cell, up from the original's 205 mAh unit.Speak for yourself.
2016-09-14
Shares of AAPL surge as hype builds for Friday's iPhone 7, Apple Watch Series 2 launches
When I get excited, I burst into flames...Shares of AAPL surge as hype builds for Friday's iPhone 7, Apple Watch Series 2 launches: "T-Mobile CEO John Legere said on Monday that preorders for the iPhone 7 at his carrier are four times greater than the iPhone 6 launch"
2016-09-13
Apple launches iOS 10, tvOS 10 & watchOS 3
Launched in time for lunching. Lunch launch!Apple launches iOS 10, tvOS 10 & watchOS 3: "Apple on Tuesday made available iOS 10 for iPads, iPhones, and the iPod touch bringing mass enhancements to messages, Maps, Siri, Photos, Apple Music, News, and more. "
2016-09-11
The 50-Year Mission reveals the egomania and idealism that built Star Trek | Ars Technica
The 50-Year Mission reveals the egomania and idealism that built Star Trek | Ars TechnicaThe Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek (UK), edited by Mark Altman and Edward Gross, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the oral history of the franchise, from its earliest gleamings in 1964 to Star Trek Beyond in 2016. The two volumes, clocking in at over 1,700 pages, are overstuffed and prone to clutter and repetition, but they also have some fascinatingly honest assessments of Trek’s history from the people who were there.Nerd out!
2016-09-09
IBM lifts lid, unleashes Linux-based x86 killer on unsuspecting world • The Register
IBM, once the leader in proprietary computing, bets big on Linux, the little unix that could.IBM lifts lid, unleashes Linux-based x86 killer on unsuspecting world • The Register: "HPC Blog IBM is mounting its strongest challenge yet to x86 hegemony with the unveiling of its spanking new Linux based S822LC system. What makes this system different is that it’s based on a new processor/motherboard configuration, complete with a sporty NVIDIA NVLink connector."
Video: Hands-on with waterproof Apple Watch Series 2 with GPS, white ceramic Edition
I like the Nike design a lot. GPS is a must in my books. Hopefully it's as accurate as the Polar V800 which is high on my radar based on GPS accuracy reviews. I'm hopeful because the iPhone 5 ranked highly in the same tests.Video: Hands-on with waterproof Apple Watch Series 2 with GPS, white ceramic Edition: "The new Apple Watch Series 2 boasts a faster processor, GPS radio, waterproof design, support for swim tracking, and a new high-end white ceramic Edition casing. AppleInsider offers a closer look at the second-generation wearable device."
2016-09-07
What Apple fans really want: New MacBook Pros
Mac = Create. iPad = consume. Consumers are fickle.What Apple fans really want: New MacBook Pros: "The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are set to take the stage at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium tomorrow, but what Apple fanboys really want today is some new MacBooks.
Cult of Mac polled more than 2,000 readers and found that while 31 percent are most excited about the iPhone 7 Plus with its dual-lens camera, another 31 percent are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of new MacBook Pros."
2016-09-06
Report: Huawei is building a successor to the Nexus 7 | Ars Technica
Especially important with the latest Android OTA update turning the Nex7 into a slug.Report: Huawei is building a successor to the Nexus 7 | Ars Technica: "Perennial product leaker Evan Blass claims that a new Google tablet is on the way. Huawei will apparently be building a 7-inch tablet for Google, making the device a follow-up to the Nexus 7. Blass says the device is due out before the end of the year."
2016-09-03
Inside the 2016 MacBook Pro -- CPU choices
Dang, guys, what is up with dat?Inside the 2016 MacBook Pro -- CPU choices: "Apple is bleeding Mac users, mostly from the content producing side from lack of updates because of the infrequent updates. The loss and overall market perception of the Mac lines for professionals has gotten so bad, that HP's line of workstations was promoted with a network access function to allow macOS users left in the dust to do "heavy lifting" remotely."
OpenOffice, after years of neglect, could shut down | Ars Technica
Things that go hmmm in the night...OpenOffice, after years of neglect, could shut down | Ars Technica: "OpenOffice, once the premier open source alternative to Microsoft Office, could be shut down because there aren't enough developers to update the office suite. Project leaders are particularly worried about their ability to fix security problems."
2016-08-31
Mossberg: Steve Jobs continued work on Apple television set after resignation
It's a mixture of Mozart and Bach, I call it Mach.Mossberg: Steve Jobs continued work on Apple television set after resignation: "'Well, it's television...I think we figured out a way to do it, and it's going to be fantastic. I want you to come out, in a few months, and I want to show it to you.'""
2016-08-30
Apple to debut standalone 5K monitor, MacBook Air refresh, 'pro' iPad software features, report says
Think more secretly.Apple to debut standalone 5K monitor, MacBook Air refresh, 'pro' iPad software features, report says: "Apple is working to release a fresh batch of Mac hardware including a standalone 5K display made in partnership with LG, MacBook Air and iMac refreshes, and new iPad Pro software catering to professional users, according to a report on Monday. "
2016-08-29
Mr. Robot’s tech guru: “My job is to outsmart this hive of geniuses” | Ars Technica
Art imitates life.Mr. Robot’s tech guru: “My job is to outsmart this hive of geniuses” | Ars Technica: "Mr. Robot staff writer and technical producer Kor Adana doesn't sleep much (four and a half hours is realistic while in the midst of production). Part of that comes from sheer volume of work. Adana holds the high-profile role of coming up with the show's famed hacks. He's involved in everything from generating an idea and recruiting consultants through the feasibility testing and onscreen portrayal. The entire process can take three or four months for a mere three or four seconds on-screen. "
Vale, LOGO creator Seymour Papert, who taught us that code can be creative play • The Register
That's what I'm talking about blinky.Vale, LOGO creator Seymour Papert, who taught us that code can be creative play • The Register: "Just over a decade ago some clever folks in Italy put together the Arduino, a credit-card sized board powered via USB and programmed with an IDE that borrows a lot from Processing, a programming language designed to make it easy to write interactive applications. As soon as I heard about Arduino, I ordered one, and not very long after Arduino number 435 arrived, I had it blinking an LED - the ‘Hello, World’ of hardware."
2016-08-27
As emoji grow more popular, the “language” also risks fragmentation | Ars Technica
A whole new level to "you misunderstood my text message."As emoji grow more popular, the “language” also risks fragmentation | Ars Technica: "Emoji have become important. They’ve permeated our conversations and our messaging apps and our popular culture to a degree that no one could have anticipated just a few years ago, and when your phone or computer gets an update, new emoji are often featured prominently in the release notes or even announced in their own press releases.
That the “language” is so universal and recognizable is due in large part to the Unicode Consortium, the group of major tech companies in charge of defining and approving new emoji (and dozens of other character sets, besides)."
2016-08-25
Apple may be working on a Snapchat-like video app for 2017 | Ars Technica
This doesn't sound like Snapchat at all.Apple may be working on a Snapchat-like video app for 2017 | Ars Technica: "The video app sounds a lot like Snapchat in terms of features: users can record a video and then apply filters to it, doodle, or place text over it, and then send it to friends via the contact list or existing social networks like Twitter."
2016-08-24
From The Wirecutter: The best uninterruptible power supply (UPS) | Ars Technica
From The Wirecutter: The best uninterruptible power supply (UPS) | Ars TechnicaAfter researching more than two dozen models, interviewing experts, and having an electrical engineer test our top candidates, we found that the CyberPower CP685AVR is the best uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for people who want to keep a home network running during a blackout of an hour or less.Nor is it expensive.
A cheap, easy way to add 200GB of storage to your MacBook
Nice.A cheap, easy way to add 200GB of storage to your MacBook: "We could all use an extra couple hundred gigs of space on our MacBook, but no one is excited about having a bulky and expensive external drive sticking out of their computer. Hence the appeal of Nifty’s MiniDrive, which seamlessly adds up to 200GB to your MacBook without altering the laptop’s sleek profile."
2016-08-23
Fujitsu: Why we chose 64-bit ARM over SPARC for our exascale super • The Register
I enjoyed a dinner of HotChips back in 2005. Was a fun trip.Fujitsu: Why we chose 64-bit ARM over SPARC for our exascale super • The Register: "Hot Chips Fujitsu chose 64-bit ARM CPU cores for its upcoming exascale supercomputer for two reasons: Linux and the ability to customize its own processors.
Today in Apple history: OS X Jaguar roars onto Mac
Seems like yesterday I was diving into CoreGraphics for the first time.Today in Apple history: OS X Jaguar roars onto Mac: "The object-oriented, UNIX-based OS X was one of the biggest things Steve Jobs brought to Apple after his return, building on the NeXTSTEP operating system he had developed while running NeXT. "
2016-08-18
Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac released with macOS Sierra support, Toolbox app
WinXP SP2 forever!Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac released with macOS Sierra support, Toolbox app: "Virtualization software Parallels on Thursday issued its latest release, Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac, with a host of new features including support for Apple's upcoming macOS Sierra, a standalone Toolbox app and performance improvements."
2016-08-16
FaceTime video chat competitor Google Duo released for iOS, Android
Not sure it's a competitor to FaceTime, which only runs on Apple platforms. More like a competitor to Skype which is platform-agnostic.FaceTime video chat competitor Google Duo released for iOS, Android: "Google Duo was announced in May, and is cross-platform between iOS and Android. No Google account is necessary — connections are made between users' phone numbers after a one-time SMS verification."
2016-08-12
Apple thought to be seeking vast expanses of office space in Seattle
I can already hear the talent suction from MSFT & AMZN.Apple thought to be seeking vast expanses of office space in Seattle: "Real estate companies in the Pacific Northwest are allegedly "buzzing" that a large California business, presumably Apple, is eyeing Seattle for potential expansion."
2016-08-05
The developer died 14 years ago, here's a print out of his source code • The Register
Truth is stranger than fiction and enterprise computing is difficult but not for the reasons most people think.The developer died 14 years ago, here's a print out of his source code • The Register: "The developer died 14 years ago, here's a print out of his source code">
2016-08-04
New alleged 'iPhone 7' pictures surface, show installed Apple test software
New alleged 'iPhone 7' pictures surface, show installed Apple test softwareApple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone in September, in line with its usual annual release schedule. One rumor has suggested that preorders for the device could begin on Sept. 9, ahead of an official launch a few weeks later.Of all things being alleged in the press, this one is most comforting.
Time Warner buys 10% stake in Hulu, will offer live streams of TNT, TBS, CNN, more
Hulu we hardly knew you.Time Warner buys 10% stake in Hulu, will offer live streams of TNT, TBS, CNN, more: "Time Warner's Turner networks — including TNT and TBS — will be available in live streaming form on Hulu in early 2017, thanks to a $583 million deal between the two companies."
2016-08-03
App Store billings reached all-time high in July, $50B paid out to developers
That's a chunk of change.App Store billings reached all-time high in July, $50B paid out to developers: "...congratulating App Store developers, who have now earned more than $50 billion since Apple's software sales platform launched in 2008. No figures were discussed beyond the massive payout number. "
2016-07-30
Who is John Galt?
Manipulation:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-28/stiglitz-calls-apple-s-profit-reporting-in-ireland-a-fraud
Response:
http://www.cultofmac.com/440244/tim-cook-to-host-fundraiser-for-hillary-clinton/
You can be sure that many other companies in the military-industrial complex have similar tax arrangements. Probably with the same tax attorneys and corporate counsel.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-28/stiglitz-calls-apple-s-profit-reporting-in-ireland-a-fraud
Response:
http://www.cultofmac.com/440244/tim-cook-to-host-fundraiser-for-hillary-clinton/
You can be sure that many other companies in the military-industrial complex have similar tax arrangements. Probably with the same tax attorneys and corporate counsel.
2016-07-29
Apple bolsters 'Project Titan' self-driving software team with former QNX CEO
QNX, probably the best embedded OS ever developed.Apple bolsters 'Project Titan' self-driving software team with former QNX CEO: "Dan Dodge, founder and former CEO of QNX, left BlackBerry for Apple earlier this year, according to Bloomberg. Sources indicated that Dodge works on Apple's "Project Titan" electric vehicle team, which is under the supervision of Bob Mansfield, a hardware engineer and former executive at the company."
2016-07-28
Apple has sold more than 1 billion iPhones
Helluvalotta ARM chips. Robot Army.Apple has sold more than 1 billion iPhones: "Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone," Cook said. "We never set out to make the most, but we've always set out to make the best products that make a difference. Thank you to everyone at Apple for helping change the world every day."
2016-07-21
Windows surprisingly strong in Microsoft’s $20.6B fourth quarter | Ars Technica
The king is dead, long live the king!Windows surprisingly strong in Microsoft’s $20.6B fourth quarter | Ars Technica: "The non-Pro Windows revenue, representing consumer sales, was up a substantial 27 percent; this outpaced the moribund consumer PC market and was helped by a skew toward more expensive licenses."
2016-07-15
Latest iOS 10 beta enables support for live broadcasting
Turns out that XPC (fka as Distributed Objects buffed with some security tweaks) is going to revolutionize iOS. I'm sure that's exactly what the architects of DO at NeXTSTEP had in mind when they made it.Latest iOS 10 beta enables support for live broadcasting: "At WWDC Apple introduced ReplayKit, a framework that will support both live broadcasting and saving videos for later viewing and sharing. The technology is primarily gaming-oriented, reflecting the popularity of games on broadcast-ready services like Twitch and YouTube.">
2016-07-08
LucasArts’ long lost, 30-year-old MMO is now preserved on Github | Ars Technica
"You can't say 'hello', I wrote 'hello'."LucasArts’ long lost, 30-year-old MMO is now preserved on Github | Ars Technica: "The revived Habitat could also set important legal precedents. As Handy points out, the game's mere existence "has already been used to invalidate software patents around massively multiplayer online gaming.""
2016-07-02
Review: Garmin's Fenix 3 HR is an iOS-connected smartwatch for fitness fanatics
Can't wait to get one of these! Somebody did their customer research well.Review: Garmin's Fenix 3 HR is an iOS-connected smartwatch for fitness fanatics: "Garmin's highest-end smartwatch in some ways sets a gold standard for fitness trackers, but for the layman, it can be simultaneously overwhelming and lacking in creature comforts."
2016-06-30
“Nothing’s gone wrong with Theranos… Consumers love it,” says investor | Ars Technica
I'm inclined to believe Mr. Draper, but I do believe that Applied Proteomics is the future of medical testing. Thanks TEDMED! I'd love to do this at my local Walgreens, at your earliest convenience.“Nothing’s gone wrong with Theranos… Consumers love it,” says investor | Ars Technica: "In recent months, medical testing company Theranos has been slammed by media reports and federal inspections that say its blood testing devices don’t work. Amid the revelations, the company’s president stepped down, Theranos voided or corrected tens of thousands of blood test results, and Walgreens dumped its arrangement. Theranos now faces hefty federal sanctions, criminal charges, and several lawsuits from ex-customers. It has seen its valuation drop from $9 billion to just $800 million."
2016-06-24
Surface 3 stocks dwindling as Microsoft plans system’s demise | Ars Technica
Surface 3 stocks dwindling as Microsoft plans system’s demise | Ars TechnicaThe Atom x7 processors in Surface 3, using the Airmont core, were originally due to be replaced by the "Broxton" family with a new Goldmont core. But earlier this year, Intel cancelled some of its planned Broxton processors as it scaled back its investment in phone and tablet components.ARM is the little engine that could. And did.
2016-06-19
Microsoft tests new tool to remove OEM crapware | Ars Technica
Love this!Microsoft tests new tool to remove OEM crapware | Ars Technica: "Currently available only for Windows Insiders, the new tool fetches a copy of Windows online and performs a clean installation. The only option is whether or not you want to preserve your personal data. Any other software that's installed will be blown away, including the various applications and utilities that OEMs continue to bundle with their systems."
2016-06-17
AppleInsider podcast talks to former Apple evangelist Matt Sephton, wraps up WWDC
AppleInsider podcast talks to former Apple evangelist Matt Sephton, wraps up WWDCThis week on the AppleInsider former Apple technology evangelist Matt Sephton joins Victor to talk about his perspective on the week's WWDC news and shares a Steve Jobs story. Mikey chimes in with his favorite upcoming iOS 10, macOS, watchOS 3 and tvOS features.Tonight, on Inside Apple!
Snapchat's response to stealing artwork - Business Insider
Apparently nobody told these artists to register their work at the US Copyright Office and thereby be entitled to statutory damages of $40,000USD per infringement. Stolen art wouldn't seem like such a bargain then, would it?Snapchat's response to stealing artwork - Business Insider: "Snapchat has responded to allegations that it stole artwork for its selfie filters and other graphics."
The best way to register a lot of images all at once is by registering a collection.
Credit Suisse predicts Apple stock 'super cycle' on strength of all-glass 2017 iPhone
Ooh lala.Credit Suisse predicts Apple stock 'super cycle' on strength of all-glass 2017 iPhone: "Analysts on Wall Street are increasingly expecting an incremental iPhone hardware update this year, which has led some to turn their sights to a rumored 2017 handset revamp in hopes of pushing Apple stock to new heights."
2016-06-16
Safari 10 dumps Flash, Java, Silverlight, QuickTime in the trash • The Register
So long old friend (tm).
Safari 10 dumps Flash, Java, Silverlight, QuickTime in the trash • The Register: "Java, Silverlight and QuickTime are also on the Safari 10 end-of-life list, which along with why-are-you-still-using Flash are going to be excluded from the as-shipped navigator.plugins and navigator.mimeTypes files.">
2016-06-13
Some low hanging fruit for Apple to pick at WWDC 2016
I think Snapchat has proved once and for all it's not about the chrome, it's about the customer.Some low hanging fruit for Apple to pick at WWDC 2016: "As this candy colored appearance grew old, Apple again shifted toward neutral greys and complex, photorealistic icons. iOS started out in 2007 with richly beveled photorealistic icons with gloss and sheen and reflections. By 2013, this had not only grown somewhat old fashioned looking, but would also be hard to maintain as iOS began making efforts to support resolution independence. "
2016-06-09
Google’s 3D sensing Project Tango tech finally lands in a consumer phone [Update] | Ars Technica
With every new sensor smartphones add, a new industry is born.Google’s 3D sensing Project Tango tech finally lands in a consumer phone [Update] | Ars Technica: "One of the more interesting uses was as a measuring tape. The 3D sensing is so precise that it allows you to pick two points on a plane, and it will give you a readout in centimeters. You can make and save 3D volumetric measurements, which is a feature we haven't seen in a smartphone before."
2016-06-08
Apple is making big changes to the App Store under Phil Schiller’s lead | Ars Technica
Plenty of great Apple developer news in this article.Apple is making big changes to the App Store under Phil Schiller’s lead | Ars Technica: "We're a few days out from the WWDC keynote, but Apple is already making some announcements. Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller was put in charge of the App Store back in December, and today he sat down with The Loop's Jim Dalrymple to detail his first major changes to the App Store.
GNU cryptocurrency aims at 'the mainstream economy not the black market' • The Register
When GNU farts, hackers listen.GNU cryptocurrency aims at 'the mainstream economy not the black market' • The Register: "GNU and an outfit called “Inria” have released Alpha code – version 0.0.0 to be precise – of an anonymous-but-taxable electronic payments system they say is “a currency for the mainstream economy, and not the black market.”"
2016-06-07
Verizon could rule the ’90s cyberscape as owner of both AOL and Yahoo | Ars Technica
Turns out the most important part of being a successful Google executive is being at Google.Verizon could rule the ’90s cyberscape as owner of both AOL and Yahoo | Ars Technica: "Verizon is submitting a $3 billion (£2 billion) bid to purchase Yahoo's core Internet business, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites an anonymous source. Though at least one more round of bidding is expected, Verizon is reportedly the leading contender."
2016-06-06
Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' video catalog gets 8 new videos
How about a series of Made entirely on a Mac? Only a masochist would choose to edit on a mobile device.Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' video catalog gets 8 new videos: "In a friendly reminder that iPhone is the world's most popular digital camera, Apple on Monday added eight new user videos to its "Shot on iPhone" series, highlighting the handset's ability to capture high-quality footage in the most challenging environments."
NASA's Eyes: Eyes on Juno
Eyes on Jupiter.NASA's Eyes: Eyes on Juno: "After a journey of more than 5 years, the Juno spacecraft is ready for its detailed look at Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system. "
2016-06-01
Xiaomi’s path to the West gets a little easier with Microsoft patent deal | Ars Technica
Could be a big win. Maybe a Xiaomi Windows phone is next!Xiaomi’s path to the West gets a little easier with Microsoft patent deal | Ars Technica: "Xiaomi and Microsoft have announced a deal that will move the companies a little closer together, while giving Xiaomi a slightly less treacherous path for expansion into Western markets. Xiaomi is buying some Microsoft patents, and the two companies have inked a cross-licensing deal for patents, and, like many vendors, Xiaomi is committing to bundle Microsoft apps on its Android phones."
2016-05-31
WeChat is more than a messaging app, it might be a mobile OS
His kung fu is very strong.WeChat is more than a messaging app, it might be a mobile OS: "China's WeChat is a messaging app tha offers just about everything, from text messaging to instant payments. It's a monster, with mote than 1 billion registered users. "
2016-05-30
In China, you pay with cash or Alipay
This escrow "business" is the future of ecommerce.In China, you pay with cash or Alipay: "App name: Alipay (Zhifubao) What it is: Almost-universal Paypal Owned by: Alibaba Group and its founder Jack Ma What it does: Allows you to pay for anything, anywhere. Special sauce: No transaction fees and an escrow service to verify goods before you pay"
2016-05-29
The Windows Phone story: From hope to dusty abandonware • The Register
Windows Phone is dead, you know, just like how Apple was pronounced dead by Rolling Stone back in the late 1990s. Not only does Microsoft now have a Phone OS and a phone hardware division, they also have the best cross-platform mobile tools in existence: Xamarin. Windows Phone is dead, long live Windows Phone.The Windows Phone story: From hope to dusty abandonware • The Register: "Spring cleaning the other day, my wife found a Windows wristband. It was in a box where ten year old 4MB MMC cards went to die, along with paperclips, odd screws and a lot of dust. Keep or chuck? Chuck, I said, before looking closer, and realising that it was a time capsule buried in another era: a USB drive with press materials on it.">
2016-05-28
Anticipating WWDC 2016: What's in store for Apple's Macs and OS X
More importantly, it's important to me. This is all about me, me, me!Anticipating WWDC 2016: What's in store for Apple's Macs and OS X: "Apple has sold far more iOS devices than Macs over the past several years, but as a $20 billion business, the Mac platform remains extremely important to the company. "
Op-ed: Oracle attorney says Google’s court victory might kill the GPL | Ars Technica
No wait, I'm the defender of the GPL! This was a pro-bono case from top to bottom.Op-ed: Oracle attorney says Google’s court victory might kill the GPL | Ars Technica: "If that narrative becomes the law of the land, you can kiss GPL (general public license) goodbye. "
2016-05-26
Google staves off Oracle code copyright claim
Giving a tentative yay for this but not because I like Java. Without the ability to re-implement declared APIs, there would be no Mono Project, no GNU LIBC and a whole host of other reimplementaions of pre-existing library code.Google staves off Oracle code copyright claim: "Putting an end to a contentious trial, a jury on Thursday found that Google's implementation of 37 Java APIs in Android represented fair use — rebuffing complaints by Java's nominal owner, Oracle."
2016-05-25
Apple supplier Foxconn replaces 60,000 workers with robots
Hello Skynet! Robots building always-connected UNIX devices. Need I say more?Apple supplier Foxconn replaces 60,000 workers with robots: "Apple's primary manufacturing partner, Foxconn, has replaced 60,000 people with robots at a single factory in Kunshan, China, a report said on Wednesday."
2016-05-24
Adonit ships new Pixel stylus to compete with Apple Pencil
Tough sailing ahead, good luck guys!Adonit ships new Pixel stylus to compete with Apple Pencil: "One of the most important improvements is predictive touch, which should boost accuracy and reduce latency, two of the main perks of choosing Apple's stylus. The Pixel also has 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, offset correction, and palm rejection in supported apps. Full feature support must be implemented by app developers using a provided SDK — compatible apps so far include titles like Astropad and Autodesk SketchBook."
Touch ID, OLED touch bar to highlight thinner MacBook Pro models in Q4
More of the worst design; when ideas that are great concepts for mobile are incredulously stapled onto the Mac. Among the worst iOS features ever introduced on the Desktop: notifications which interrupt your train of thought to tell you some irrelevant and highly distracting "information" that you never asked for. My favorite feature of 10.8 is that notifications can only be disabled by removing the appropriate framework from the /System/Library folder. That works quite well.Touch ID, OLED touch bar to highlight thinner MacBook Pro models in Q4: "Specifically, Kuo believes Apple plans to introduce a Touch ID fingerprint reader into the new MacBook Pro chassis, which if true will be the first non-iOS implementation of the biometric security system."
2016-05-23
Apple, Maine Department of Education working to swap 'toy' iPads for MacBooks
OTOH, a MacBook could change your life by raising your IQ.Apple, Maine Department of Education working to swap 'toy' iPads for MacBooks: "The Maine Department of Education is working with Apple to give some schools the option of trading in classroom-based iPads for new MacBooks at no cost, as teachers have found the tablets "provide no educational function in the classroom.""
To halt smartphone slide, Samsung rewrites playbook
It's adapt or die and they adapted.Cover Stories on Flipboard: "We've now gotten to a point where we can secure a baseline profit even if the market stagnates, so long as we don't make a bad mistake," said Kim Gae-youn, vice president in charge of Samsung's smartphone product planning. "I'm confident we can hold our ground."
Fresh on Designspiration
So original and inside baseball on the Pantone front.Fresh on Designspiration: "Artist Nick Smith Presents NSFW Modern"
2016-05-22
From drone racers to pinball: Maker Faire Bay Area 2016 doesn’t disappoint | Ars Technica
Lord of the things!From drone racers to pinball: Maker Faire Bay Area 2016 doesn’t disappoint | Ars Technica: "SAN MATEO, Calif.—Maker Faire never gets old. While we only scratched the surface after a 90 minute walk through the fairgrounds, the drone racing was the coolest thing that we saw on Friday afternoon. Every 10 minutes, a few drone pilots would sit with headsets and zoom their aircraft through a netted raceway, replete with an illuminated track. (Check the video below!)"
iFixit 64 Bit Driver Kit | StackSocial
Torx on that!iFixit 64 Bit Driver Kit | StackSocial: "Constantly taking your favorite gadgets in for quick repairs can get pricey. With 64 purpose-driven screwdriver bits curated from thousands of repair guides, you can take quick repairs into your own hands and save major cash. Armed with an Ergonomic Aluminum Handle, this is the all-encompassing kit to solve all "
2016-05-19
I/O 2016: Google launches Android N beta with speed boosts, VR hooks & iOS-drawn improvements
Does this mean that iOS' haptic feedback is drawn from Microsoft? I, too, can butcher the language for my own Machiavellian purposes.I/O 2016: Google launches Android N beta with speed boosts, VR hooks & iOS-drawn improvements: "Borrowing from iOS, users will be able to quick-reply to messages from notifications. "
2016-05-18
Sun’s head of Java sales: Android was “devastating” | Ars Technica
Another way of looking at Java: a crappy interpreted language with a bunch of class libraries loosely based on the designs of practically everything that came before it.Sun’s head of Java sales: Android was “devastating” | Ars Technica: "'Java's not an operating system,' Civjan answered. 'Java's a platform.'
Civjan also acknowledged that despite the declining revenue, he was able to hit all his revenue targets while at Sun."
Java ME is best described as a hilarious joke.
2016-05-17
3 IT skills that boost pay 22 percent - Business Insider
I wonder what the pay boost is for finding bugs in the Scala compiler that make Scala unsuitable for production work?3 IT skills that boost pay 22 percent - Business Insider: "Scala, worth a 21.8% pay boost: Scala is a programming language that stands for 'scalable language' that has been experiencing a surge in popularity recently."
42 launches in the US - Business Insider
Here's the latest trend in paternalistic white ageism!42 launches in the US - Business Insider: "A radical French technology school funded by $100 million from billionaire entrepreneur Xavier Niel is coming to Silicon Valley, and has plans to grow to 10,000 students in the next five years."
IBM's optical storage is 50 times faster than flash
Coming any day now. Like when I first heard about flash storage in 1983.IBM's optical storage is 50 times faster than flash: "Flash storage is too slow for your device's main memory, but RAM is expensive and volatile. Thanks to a breakthrough from IBM, phase-change memory (PCM) might one day replace them both."
Microsoft releases Windows 10 preview for Raspberry Pi 3 • The Register
Strategic thinking at it's best.Microsoft releases Windows 10 preview for Raspberry Pi 3 • The Register: "Microsoft's keen to be associated with the Pi mission of teaching computing to kiddies. But Redmond also has its own interests to advance, namely that that Windows 10 IoT Core provides hooks a-plenty to Azure, with the cloudy service offering all sorts of as-a-services that thing-makers can use to collect and crunch data."
2016-05-16
The unreal price of old Apple tech and our Lust List of the gadgets we covet on The CultCast | Cult of Mac
20 years from now, the most significant thing about the "mint condition iPad2 for sale on craiglist" will be the nag screens for iOS 9. I guess that'll be nostalgia for the millennials. To think that Apple once lampooned Microsoft for annoying popup boxes. I guess one man's annoying is another man's timely reminder.The unreal price of old Apple tech and our Lust List of the gadgets we covet on The CultCast | Cult of Mac: "This week, on The CultCast: Apple aims to end music downloads; you can now live stream your aerial drone flights to iDevices worldwide; staggering facts about who’s making money in the app store; creators of Siri demo an even smarter AI; the ridiculous resale value of old Apple tech; and we reveal our Lust List of the gadgets we’re currently coveting."
Unfortunately, despite the nags, iOS 9 won't install correctly then because the Apple servers will no longer be around to certify the OS upgrade. The good news is there will be a Linux distro that runs perfectly and includes a GPL iOS 8 emulator written by a disgruntled Apple employee.
When the EMP pulse takes out all the Silicon Valley data centers, I'll be running my collection of Snow Leopard-era MacBook Pros from a CD hardcopy. The dystopian futurist in me is waiting for the OTA upgrade that bricks every mobile device at once and the resultant class action lawsuit(s).
2016-05-15
Despite Q2 sales dip, Apple's Macs, iPad and iPhone continue to outperform the industry
Three percent of a big number is still a big number.Despite Q2 sales dip, Apple's Macs, iPad and iPhone continue to outperform the industry: "Over the past quarter, reports from all over have been belaboring the idea that Apple is on the edge of crisis because its iPhone sales—which represent the majority of its business—declined year-over-year and because China—its brightest growth territory—similarly turned in disappointing sales numbers across the board."
2016-05-14
Who Will Debunk The Debunkers? | FiveThirtyEight
Nothing succeeds like bad science. The PR industry has known that for at least 75 years.Who Will Debunk The Debunkers? | FiveThirtyEight: "In 2012, network scientist and data theorist Samuel Arbesman published a disturbing thesis: What we think of as established knowledge decays over time. According to his book ‘The Half-Life of Facts,’ certain kinds of propositions that may seem bulletproof today will be forgotten by next Tuesday; one’s reality can end up out of date. Take, for example, the story of Popeye and his spinach."
After three weeks in China, it's clear Beijing is Silicon Valley's only true competitor - Recode
Bye-bye god complex. And "Ethics? What does that mean?"After three weeks in China, it's clear Beijing is Silicon Valley's only true competitor - Recode: "Beijing will be the only true competitor to Silicon Valley in the next 10 years."
2016-05-12
Uber drivers waiting in villages near Heathrow cause 'huge distress' | Technology | The Guardian
As the world turns.Uber drivers waiting in villages near Heathrow cause 'huge distress' | Technology | The Guardian: "Instead, Heathrow has announced it is planning to build a waiting area capable of holding about 800 private hire vehicles on the airport’s northern perimeter road."
2016-05-11
Lower MacBook sales push Apple down to sixth place in laptop marketshare
Maybe it's time to rethink that strategy of making jewelry and go back to making computers. I like that new rose gold model, it'll make a great gift for a Silicon Valley trophy wife. That's a market of at least 100. Hmmm, add the oligopolists. Now we're up to 500. Let's call it a Facebook appliance and be done with it.Lower MacBook sales push Apple down to sixth place in laptop marketshare: "A drop in MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air shipments year-over-year likewise resulted in Apple losing share in the world's declining laptop market, according to March-quarter research data."
2016-05-10
Star pupil finds lost Mayan city by studying ancient charts of the night sky from his bedroom
A more interesting question is how a "primitive culture" could lay out geometrically precise arrangements of buildings (mapping star positions) across uneven terrain. Maybe they had help with an aerial view.Star pupil finds lost Mayan city by studying ancient charts of the night sky from his bedroom: "‘I was really surprised and excited when I realised that the most brilliant stars of the constellations matched the largest Maya cities,’ he told the Journal de Montréal."
Amazon makes jump into self-published videos with Amazon Video Direct
The advantage that YouTube has is that it's everywhere. Prime Video isn't even in Canada.Amazon makes jump into self-published videos with Amazon Video Direct: "Some of the partners already enrolled in Video Direct include Conde Nast, HowStuffWorks, The Guardian, Mattel, Machinima, Samuel Goldwyn Films, and Journeyman Pictures."
2016-05-09
Apple remains no. 1 PC maker, despite falling Mac sales
If only there weren't so many vendors.Apple remains no. 1 PC maker, despite falling Mac sales: "Apple has once again been named the No. 1 seller of PCs, based on shipments of just over 14 million units in the first three months of 2016."
2016-05-08
Atom Text Editor, Hackable and Portable
The intro video is hilarious.Atom: " Atom is a text editor that's modern, approachable, yet hackable to the core—a tool you can customize to do anything but also use productively without ever touching a config file."
2016-05-07
A Cult of Mac exclusive deal on an amazing light field camera.
A Cult of Mac exclusive deal on an amazing light field camera.Hot Deal.
Thanks to the Illum, we may need to reconsider what the word “picture” means. Lytro’s game-changing camera takes “living images” that can be refocused and explored in 3-D, like some kind of precursor to a hologram.
2016-05-06
Snopes declares Apple Music deletion fears 'mostly false'
Unfortunately, "mostly false" is a self-contradictory statement. It only needs to be true once to suck. And if it's true under some conditions, it's probably true for a lot of people. Because a small percentage of a very large number is still a large number.Snopes declares Apple Music deletion fears 'mostly false': "According to Snopes, the rumors we’ve heard are ‘Mostly False.’ But here’s what that means."
2016-05-04
I, Cringely Equity crowdfunding finally arrives May 15th: curb your enthusiasm - I, Cringely
I, Cringely Equity crowdfunding finally arrives May 15th: curb your enthusiasm - I, Cringely: "But equity crowd funding under Title III of the Act — crowd funding for regular investors — was controversial from the start, which may help explain why it has taken so long to happen. Once the Act was signed into law in April, 2012 the issue of potential fraud took center stage. Equity crowd funding with its necessarily relaxed reporting and investor qualification requirements looked to some people like a scam in the making. Having barely survived the financial crisis of 2008 promulgated by huge financial institutions, were we ready to do it all over again but this time at the mercy of Internet-based scam artists? "It's imperative that Wall Street continues to dominate the market for securities fraud.
2016-05-02
From Paintbox to PC: How London became the home of Hollywood VFX | Ars Technica
From Paintbox to PC: How London became the home of Hollywood VFX | Ars Technica: "For 12 years, McGee worked out of this room, painting onto the screen, his eyes left bloodshot and burning from the smoke as runners dashed in and out to empty overflowing ashtrays. It was a painstaking process; the Quantel Paintbox and its pressure-sensitive stylus were groundbreaking pieces of technology when they were released in 1981, but they had their limitations. "Kickin' it old school in London.
2016-04-29
PS4 boosts Sony to first full-year profit in three years | Ars Technica
PS4 boosts Sony to first full-year profit in three years | Ars TechnicaSony shipped 17.7 million PlayStation 4 consoles over the fiscal year ended March 31, bringing the total number of consoles shipped to an impressive 40 million. The strength of the PS4 helped Sony to reach its first full-year profit in three years, bringing in ¥ 147.8 billion (£936 million, $1.36 billion).Their entertainment division, which is actually quite frugal, is also profitable. May they live on to make more top notch television! Nothing worse than big networks that make crappy content.
2016-04-27
Dell spinoff SecureWorks' Wall Street debut didn't provide much hope for stalled tech IPO market - Silicon Valley Business Journal
Dell spinoff SecureWorks' Wall Street debut didn't provide much hope for stalled tech IPO market - Silicon Valley Business JournalLast week's tepid SecureWorks IPO didn't provide a sense of security for other tech companies who hope to go public this year.Except of course, that secure computing is more or less a necessary requirement for the future of everything. Like Wall Street knows anything except churning clients for commission.
2016-04-26
iPhone sales fall to 51.2M, Apple earns $50.6B in revenue in disappointing March quarter
iPhone sales fall to 51.2M, Apple earns $50.6B in revenue in disappointing March quarter Apple's second fiscal quarter of 2016 officially marks the first time ever that iPhone sales saw a year-over-year decline, as the company shipped 51.2 million handsets on its way to $50.6 billion in total sales.I suppose it's never too late to go after Windows on the desktop. Plenty of cashmoola in that pile. It's easy to get distracting wasting time squashing Flipboard like a bug when you're having trouble competing with Microsoft.
2016-04-25
Review: The 2016 Retina MacBook is a faster version of the same machine | Ars Technica
Review: The 2016 Retina MacBook is a faster version of the same machine | Ars Technica: "The growing number of USB Type-C accessories and peripherals can also help partially mitigate the port problem. Acer, for instance, will sell you a monitor that can pass power, USB data, and a display signal to your MacBook through a single cable."Sounds elegant, or, nobody will ever need more than 640KB of RAM.
Apple taps Touch ID, 4K video in new iPhone 6s ads
Apple taps Touch ID, 4K video in new iPhone 6s ads: "While one is fairly straightforward and informative, the other is kind of … out there. We’re not entirely sure what to do with it, really. The entire Cult of Mac staff just watched it and had no words. But we really can’t stay mad at Neil Patrick Harris, who shows up at the end."I'm for anything by Neil Patrick Harris who used the golden buzzer for PIFF, indicating his classy tastes and extremely good judgement.
A year with the Apple Watch: What works, what doesn’t, and what lies ahead? | Ars Technica
A year with the Apple Watch: What works, what doesn’t, and what lies ahead? | Ars TechnicaAbout a year ago, Apple announced and released its first Apple Watch. The long-rumored product was Apple’s first all-new product category since the iPad and its first under CEO Tim Cook. To say that expectations were high would be an understatement.Baby steps.
2016-04-24
Siri & Liam star in Apple's new Earth Day TV ad
Siri & Liam star in Apple's new Earth Day TV adMarking Earth Day, Apple on Friday debuted a new TV commercial, using Siri to promote its custom-designed recycling robot — Liam — and its branding as an environmentally-responsible company.Born, as they were, in the North Sea.
2016-04-23
'Silicon Valley' EP Alec Berg Tells How Ex-Twitter CEO Dick Costolo Made the Show Even Better
'Silicon Valley' EP Alec Berg Tells How Ex-Twitter CEO Dick Costolo Made the Show Even BetterThis year, one of those people was ex-Twitter CEO Dick Costolo — “a fan of the show,” Berg said — who actually sat in on the writer’s room one day a week. He kept the guys honest, which is usually good, though sometimes bad.The only mistake twitter made was trying to be Instagram.
2016-04-22
Amazon expands $50 Fire tablet lineup with new colors, offers 16GB model for $70
Amazon expands $50 Fire tablet lineup with new colors, offers 16GB model for $70: "Amazon has expanded its budget-priced tablet lineup, offering the $50 Fire in new magenta, blue and tangerine colors, and also launching a 16-gigabyte version priced at $70 [updated]"Selling razor blades (content), not razors (devices) may actually be the killer tablet app.
2016-04-21
Microsoft’s $20.5B quarter: Office up, Surface up, cloud booming | Ars Technica
Microsoft’s $20.5B quarter: Office up, Surface up, cloud booming | Ars TechnicaSurface revenue looked better; it was about $1.1 billion, up 56 percent year-on-year, driven by Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. Gaming revenue grew 6 percent in constant currency, with 11 percent increase in game revenue partially offset by reduced revenue from hardware sales. Xbox Live users are up year-on-year to 46 million, but sequentially this is actually a decline; last quarter, Microsoft had 48 million monthly active Xbox Live users.
I think you'd actually have to be a complete moron to disregard the chances of success for the Surface. Look at the XBox. Literally, Nintendo had a 20 year head start. Did it make a difference? Not really. Microsoft is adapting. Is Apple adapting? Can't quite tell. It more looks like they're reshaping themselves as a high end jewelry brand. Let's see how that pans out. I can't think of one Apple fan who buys their hardware because it matches their Manolo Blahniks. But I'm probably wrong. And I think teenagers are actually very, very smart and change technology platforms and apps effortlessly. iPhone today, Galaxy tomorrow. It's the old fogies who need the iPad to be kind of a reliably simplistic brain-dead Mac. Kids can learn Raspberry Pi. They haven't accepted the assault of self-limitation quite yet.
Wait, did someone say dumb terminal? Thin client?
I'd love to write apps in ObjC on the Surface and for the Surface. Almost. There.
Bill Gurley says Silicon Valley's unicorn fantasy is collapsing in on itself — Quartz
Bill Gurley says Silicon Valley's unicorn fantasy is collapsing in on itself — Quartz: "Top tech dealmaker Bill Gurley has a dire message for Silicon Valley: The unicorn fantasy is unraveling. Fast."It's amazing to think that these VC's lived through the dot com bust of 2000 and learned nothing.
2016-04-19
Apple launches new 12" MacBooks with Intel Skylake CPUs, rose gold color & longer battery life
Apple launches new 12" MacBooks with Intel Skylake CPUs, rose gold color & longer battery lifeThe new MacBook also comes in a rose gold color option, mimicking Apple's iPhone and iPad product lineups. Like the first-generation MacBook, the ultraportable notebook has a 12-inch Retina display, full-size keyboard, Force Touch trackpad, and a single USB-C port for charging and syncing, all packed into a 2-pound frame that is just 13.1 millimeters thin.O Daeng!
2016-04-18
Apple runs secret car lab in Berlin with 15-20 employees, report says
Apple runs secret car lab in Berlin with 15-20 employees, report saysAdding to rampant rumor and speculation surrounding Apple's "Project Titan" automotive initiative, a new report claims the company is operating a secret car lab out of Germany's capital city tasked with imagining, and realizing, vehicles of the future.Das is gut. AAPL ist International.
2016-04-16
Apple taps Surface Pro hinge maker for super-thin MacBooks
Apple taps Surface Pro hinge maker for super-thin MacBooks: "Apple has hit up the makers of the ultra-tiny hinges used for the Microsoft Surface Pro to come and work on its next-gen MacBooks, which will launch in the second half of 2016."Competition is usually good for everyone.
Rumor: Ultrathin MacBook update coming in second half of 2016, will feature redesigned hinge
Rumor: Ultrathin MacBook update coming in second half of 2016, will feature redesigned hinge: "Apple is allegedly planning to update its ultraportable MacBook with Retina display in the second half of 2016, featuring a new screen hing design made from metal injection molding, according to a new supply chain report."My hing is better than your hing.
2016-04-14
UK soccer star Raheem Sterling close to signing six-figure Apple endorsement deal
UK soccer star Raheem Sterling close to signing six-figure Apple endorsement deal: "A winger with U.K. soccer club Manchester City, Raheem Sterling, is nearing a lucrative deal to endorse Apple devices, a report said on Thursday."Now that app developers are working for free, let's be sure and pay the people who are important to the survival of a platform.
2016-04-11
Lytro's first pro movie camera is designed for visual effects magic
Lytro's first pro movie camera is designed for visual effects magicWhile there are plenty of advanced digital movie cameras, most of them aren't really designed for the modern realities of movie making, where computer-generated effects are seemingly ubiquitous.Game changer. It's the new Panavision.
Apple grows to 7.4% of worldwide PC market as Windows continues to cede share to the Mac
Apple grows to 7.4% of worldwide PC market as Windows continues to cede share to the MacApple continued to grow overall Mac marketshare during the March quarter as most leading Windows PC makers suffered significant setbacks, according to the latest research data from Gartner and IDC.One day, all this will be yours!
2016-04-07
Ex-EPA scientist publishes Wyoming fracking study that agency abandoned | Ars Technica
Ex-EPA scientist publishes Wyoming fracking study that agency abandoned | Ars TechnicaControversy ensued, and the EPA withdrew from the investigation before the report was ever finalized, giving the state of Wyoming control.It's that ostrich head-in-the-sand thing, literally.
HOW THE EPA LINKED “FRACKING” TO CONTAMINATED WELL WATER
An investigation by the US Environmental Protection Agency at a site in … One of the EPA scientists leading the investigation, Dominic DiGiulio, subsequently took a job at Stanford University. Along with Stanford colleague Rob Jackson, DiGiulio has tabulated all the EPA data that was sitting in scientific limbo—DiGiulio even went as far as using a Freedom of Information Act request to access EPA data from a couple of water samples that weren’t published.
All that data now has a home in the form of a paper published in Environmental Science & Technology. The end result? The researchers stand by the EPA team’s original conclusions.
Facebook doubles down on live streaming with new features for groups, events, and interactivity
Facebook doubles down on live streaming with new features for groups, events, and interactivityIt seems as if the revolution will be streamed, as social networking behemoth Facebook has chosen to drastically expand its live streaming features to make streams more interactive, easier to share, and more discoverable.I stream, you stream, we all stream for live stream.
2016-04-05
Review: iOS flash drive makes sharing data simple
Review: iOS flash drive makes sharing data simple: "We’ve all been using flash drives on our Macs for ages, ever since Apple dropped the disk drives from its computer lineup.Simplicity. Obvious. Why did it take so long?
iPhones and iPads don’t have a USB port, so it’s hard to use the same external thumb drives on the go.
The new Xtra Drive from Naztech is the best of both worlds, providing a single microSD card-based solution that has both a USB and a Lightning connector that will let me back up and transfer files from my iOS device to any computer."
2016-04-04
New teardown reveals iPhone SE contains display identical to iPhone 5s, larger battery
New teardown reveals iPhone SE contains display identical to iPhone 5s, larger batteryAccording to the report, Apple appears to be using more off-the-shelf components than expected in its 4-inch form factor revamp. In particular, iFixit installed an iPhone 5s display into iPhone SE, finding the older model panel fits and functions perfectly in Apple's new device. Also interchangeable with iPhone 5s are the iPhone SE's loudspeaker, SIM card tray and vibration motor.The whole scoop and nothing but the scoop, so help me gawd.
2016-04-01
Xamarin for Everyone | Xamarin Blog
Xamarin for Everyone | Xamarin BlogVisual Studio now includes Xamarin As of today, we are including Xamarin in Visual Studio at no extra cost.Microsoft continues to understand developer needs better than anyone.
2016-03-29
9.7-inch iPad Pro review: What makes something “Pro” anyway? | Ars Technica
9.7-inch iPad Pro review: What makes something “Pro” anyway? | Ars TechnicaIf you’re Apple, how do you decide what constitutes a “Pro” device? Is it in the specs? Usually Pro products are faster and offer more storage and RAM than their non-Pro counterparts. Is it something special about the hardware and software?You tell me.
2016-03-23
Cult of Android - Can Samsung's new Galaxy S7 convert a hardcore iPhone fan? | Cult of Android
Cult of Android - Can Samsung's new Galaxy S7 convert a hardcore iPhone fan? | Cult of Android "To change this, I set myself the challenge of using Android and the S7 for a week as my primary smartphone. Check out the video down below to see how it worked out."Personally, I think it takes 6 months of daily use to really make a transition to Android. That's my experience with dual use of Nexus7 and iPad.
2016-03-21
Hands-on: Apple's new 9.7-inch iPad Pro
Hands-on: Apple's new 9.7-inch iPad Pro Preorders for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro start on Thursday, with the 32-gigabyte model going for $599, 128-gigabyte model for $699 and a new 256-gigabyte configuration selling for $799. Additionally, Apple is introducing a rose gold color to go along with the usual space grey, gold and silver options.Ta da!
2016-03-19
Newly identified bacteria cleans up common plastic | Ars Technica
Newly identified bacteria cleans up common plastic | Ars Technica "PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic with good mechanical, barrier, and optical properties. Bottles for water and soft drinks are just a couple of PET's many, many uses. PET is a polyester compound with a high aromatic content, which makes it chemically inert. As a result, it is typically considered resistant to microbial degradation, although certain fungi grow on a mineral medium containing PET. Roughly 56 million tons of PET are produced each year, and a lot of that ends up in the environment."It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.
A history of the Amiga, part 9: The Video Toaster | Ars Technica
A history of the Amiga, part 9: The Video Toaster | Ars Technica "When Jenison read about the capabilities of the Amiga in the August 1985 issue of Byte, he went straight down to the nearest Commodore dealer and bought the first Amiga 1000 that came in. He immediately created a product called DigiView that was a simple video capture device. It would take snapshots of a single frame of video and save it to a floppy disc in the Amiga’s 4096-color HAM mode."No way!
2016-03-18
What to expect from Apple's March 21 'let us loop you in' event
What to expect from Apple's March 21 'let us loop you in' event Whether it's branded as an iPad Air or iPad Pro, Apple is also expected to introduce a new 9.7-inch iPad that will serve as the successor to the iPad Air 2, which first launched in 2014.New iPad forthcoming.
2016-03-12
16 years later, Blizzard is still patching Diablo II | Ars Technica
16 years later, Blizzard is still patching Diablo II | Ars Technica "These days, you're lucky if some games from certain big publishers get a year or two of post-launch online support before they're unceremoniously dropped. And then there's Diablo II. Blizzard issued a new version 1.14 patch for the nearly 16-year-old game Thursday, five years after the game was last officially updated (not to mention, four years since the game's sequel launched with its own attendant post-release problems and patches)"This is my kind of software company, but it's sad to think that this is the ecosystem of the modern OS.
2016-03-10
Will the iPhone SE be slow? Everything we know about Apple's 4-inch iPhone
iPhone SE: Everything we know about Apple's 4-inch iPhone Will the iPhone SE be slow? No. Apple reportedly plans to toss in some pretty impressive hardware to draw in more buyers. The iPhone SE will pack the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The A9 processor is a speedy piece of silicon: It’s 70 percent faster at CPU tasks than the A8 processor found in the iPhone 6, while GPU performance is 90 percent faster.Hahaha, won't be slow. But the software may be rushed.
2016-03-04
AppleInsider podcast interviews iMovie creator Glenn Reid about Steve Jobs, Internet-connected laundry
AppleInsider podcast interviews iMovie creator Glenn Reid about Steve Jobs, Internet-connected laundry AppleInsider's Victor Marks spoke with Reid, who shared with us what it takes to ship a product, some reflections on Steve Jobs and Randy Ubillos, why the way we launder our clothes is stupid, and why the man who quit working for Steve Jobs three times is the right person to fix it.One of my all-time favorite programs, iMovie. Use it almost every day!
2016-03-03
Oculus founder says no Mac support coming until Apple builds 'good' system with better graphics
Oculus founder says no Mac support coming until Apple builds 'good' system with better graphics So if they prioritize higher-end GPUs like they used to for a while back in the day, we'd love to support Mac. But right now, there's just not a single machine out there that supports it.Um, ouch.
2016-02-26
Ah iOS Mail
Form follows function. Is it too much to ask? Oh, how elegant the smooth, sexy, keyframed transitions from portrait to landscape. Swooshing frames that go hither and yon like special effects in a movie. Unfortunately, iOS mail is totally useless on some basic level, Eudora for Windows (circa 1997) is so vastly superior, it boggles the mind. Today, I typed the name of one of my email contacts into the search bar. I happen to know that my inbox contains over 50 messages from this contact. Number of search results? ZERO. I know: let's completely rewrite the OS for the next version. For the marketing dept and wallstreet. Can't let them down.
Naturally, this hilarity is only underscored and punctuated by the swarms of yellow journalists who will write effusive and praising stories about same. Because they want a free iPad in April. I'm sure this is a sustainable business model.
Naturally, this hilarity is only underscored and punctuated by the swarms of yellow journalists who will write effusive and praising stories about same. Because they want a free iPad in April. I'm sure this is a sustainable business model.
2016-02-24
Microsoft acquires Xamarin - Business Insider
Microsoft acquires Xamarin - Business Insider "Microsoft has purchased Xamarin, a startup that helps developers write apps once and have them work on any smartphone or operating system, according to an official blog entry."Could be great, could be the end of Xamarin's write once, run everywhere# platform.
2016-02-22
How the FBI could use acid and lasers to access data stored on seized iPhone | Ars Technica
How the FBI could use acid and lasers to access data stored on seized iPhone | Ars Technica "In 2010, for instance, hardware hacker Chris Tarnovsky developed an attack that completely cracked the microcontroller used to lock down the Xbox 360 game console. His technique used an electron microscope called a focused ion beam workstation (then priced at $250,000 for a used model) that allowed him to view the chip in the nanometer scale. He could then manipulate its individual wires using microscopic needles."I think the FBI should hire Chris.
2016-02-20
Marvell agrees to pay record-breaking $750M to university to end patent lawsuit | Ars Technica
Marvell agrees to pay record-breaking $750M to university to end patent lawsuit | Ars Technica: "'There is broad consensus across the university that we should dedicate a substantial majority of this resource to helping qualified students afford a Carnegie Mellon education, helping all students succeed while they are here, and enriching the student experience,' wrote Suresh. "It's a mixture of Mozart and Bach, I call it Mach!
2016-02-18
Apple pulls back the curtain on its secretive chip development operation
Apple pulls back the curtain on its secretive chip development operation To make it work, Apple operates a smattering of secret, unmarked laboratories around Silicon Valley. In some, custom Mac Minis stress test new chip designs to ferret out any weaknesses; others are de facto datacenters where next-generation chips are made available for software teams to test against.If they're testing new chips on Mac Minis, I think it's safe to assume there's a version of OS X that runs on ARM? Am I right? Bueller? Anyone?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)