Shawn gets it right.
Year: 2012
Predditors →
Shame on Reddit. Seriously.
70Decibels Turns One →
Myke Hurley:
Exactly one year ago today, I announced the launch of the 70Decibels Podcast Network via this blog post. It was a huge day for me as it was the culmination of many months of work and planning. That day wasn’t chosen for any special reason; it was just the first day after I had put the finishing touches to the website.
I was honored when Myke first invited me to be on The Bro Show. While our first project is retired, I love doing our weekly show together. Myke is one of my closest friends, and I couldn’t be happier for him today.
Microsoft Limiting Flash in IE 10 on Windows RT and ‘New Windows UI’ →
Microsoft:
While any site can play Flash content in Internet Explorer 10 for the desktop, only sites that are on the Compatibility View (CV) list for Flash can play Flash content within Internet Explorer 10 in the the new Windows UI. We place sites with Flash content on the CV list if doing so delivers the best user experience in Internet Explorer 10 with those sites. For example, how responsive is the content to touch? Does it work well with the onscreen keyboard, or affect battery life? Do visual prompts comply with the Windows Store app user experience guidelines? Sites that rely on capabilities (for example, rollover events and peer-to-peer (P2P) functionality) that are not supported within Windows UX guidelines for Windows Store apps, and don’t degrade gracefully in their absence, are better off running in Internet Explorer 10 for the desktop with Flash.
But Apple was still wrong not to support Flash with iOS, right?
Pebble Hits Pre-Production →
Eric Migicovsky:
Pebble is not in mass production yet. These sample Pebbles are from an early pre-production test build. We only turned the assembly line on for one day to test the process.
The watch isn’t shipping yet, but hey, I entered to win a t-shirt!
On ‘The Magazine’ →
Marco Arment:
Introducing The Magazine: a modern iOS Newsstand publication for geeks like us that’s loosely about technology, but also gives tech writers a venue to explore other topics that like-minded geeks might find interesting.
The Magazine’s introductory article explains it in detail, but here’s the short version: the same way Build and Analyze is for developers but not always about development, The Magazine is for geeks like us and will often, but not always, be about technology.
Great writing, in a modern and flexible format. This is a must-have.
Bounce →
Apple’s new iPod ad really reminds me of the time when the iPod was the company’s focus.
On the eMac →
Thomas Brand:
To understand the eMac you have to understand Apple’s technology choices in early 2002. The iMac G3 had all but been phased out with a special “education only” model remaining in circulation. The new iMac G4, with its flat panel display, had just been released, but starting at $1,499 it was too expensive for the education market. There were also questions about the new iMac G4’s design. With its delicate display, adjustable neck, and external speakers was it too fragile for classrooms full of children. Many people were worried Apple was moving away from its educational roots, and would have no compatible desktop offering for the Fall 2002 semester.3
The eMac was Apple’s answers to these concerns. Released in April 2002, it brought the power of a G4 processor and the durability of a 17 inch CRT display to the reliable iMac G3 form factor.
The eMac is one of those machines that Apple didn’t only create to meet a need in its market, but one that they did so with technology they already had on the shelf.
‘A Quiet Day’ →
Philip Elmer-DeWitt:
I have to take the fall for passing along the rumor — apparently false — that invitations were set to go out on Oct. 10 for an iPad mini unveiling on Oct. 17.
Given that the last three invites I’ve received from Apple Special Events arrived in my inbox before 12:01 p.m. Eastern, I had already almost given up hope when, at 12:08 p.m., I got this tweet from The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple — a blogger with sources within Apple:I think I’ll take a break and go get some lunch. It’s a quiet day.
Rumors often break hearts.
On the iPod nano
Here’s the thing: you can’t really write a review of the new iPod nano. What is there to say? It is a small slab of aluminum with a multitouch screen that plays music files exactly as well as every iPod before it.
That is to say, it plays MP3 and AAC files extremely well. It also does a handful of other things, but all of them are secondary to playing back MP3 and AAC files, which, as I’ve mentioned, the iPod nano does really well. Hey, you can go through a ponderous syncing process and then look at photos on the iPod nano’s 2.5-inch screen! That’s cool, but really you’re going to use it to play MP3 and AAC files. Check it out — you can listen to podcasts! Guess what — they download as MP3 and AAC files. Maybe you’re super sporty and you’ll use it to track your workouts with the Nike+ feature? Sure, but it’s all terribly boring unless you have a collection of MP3 and AAC files to listen to while you run.
Files. Managing files. Endless files, in formats. Remember files? With file extensions? And sizes and bad metadata and missing cover art and all those weirdo checkboxes in iTunes that make compilation albums either go together or not go together or maybe make tracks appear in seemingly random order throughout your huge list of music files? Using the seventh-generation iPod nano in 2012 involves taking a trip back to a world in which files really matter. Files, man. Files in iTunes. You want to listen to music with an iPod nano? Then you better get ready to open iTunes and plug in a cable and transfer some hot nasty files. It’s like taking a time machine to 2010, before Apple itself started pushing everyone away from files and towards iCloud.
Forgive the long blockquote, but I thought it was a great bit of writing, and something worth thinking about.
Patel’s point is that the Nano — and the method used to get music on it — feels old compared to things like Spotify and iTunes Match. In large part, I agree with him. People are growing more and more comfortable with non-USB-based methods of syncing content, and the Nano sticks out like a sore thumb in this regard.
Plus, the do-it-all 4th-generation iPod touch can be had for just $50 more.
(That said, I do think people who workout with music still buy Nanos in droves, despite the touch controls.)
So, do other dedicated devices make sense in an iPhone world?
I have a Kindle Paperwhite for reading and a Canon S100 and taking photos. My iPhone (and iPad, for that matter) can be used for these tasks, but I use these dedicated devices because they do a better job than my iOS devices at these particular things.
I’m just not sure the Nano is better at playing music than an iOS device.
On the Yoga →
Does anyone actually want systems like this?
Ballmer Publishes Shareholder Letter →
The Microsoft CEO:
In all our work with partners and on our own devices, we will focus relentlessly on delivering delightful, seamless experiences across hardware, software and services. This means as we, with our partners, develop new Windows devices we’ll build in services people want. Further, as we develop and update our consumer services, we’ll do so in ways that take full advantage of hardware advances, that complement one another and that unify all the devices people use daily. So right out of the box, a customer will get a stunning device that is connected to unique communications, productivity and entertainment services from Microsoft as well as access to great services and applications from our partners and developers around the world.
What company does the phrase “seamless experiences across hardware, software and services” remind you of?