512 Pixels

I was scrolling through the Apple Watch Workout app the other day and realized there are a lot more options listed for tracking than I ever noticed.

In addition to some workout types I was surprised to see I was impressed and amused by the artwork used to depict them all. These little images also raise some questions:

• Is the little person doing water fitness actually drowning?
• Is lacrosse just racquetball, but done standing up? Is squash related?
• Who is tracking their sail boat trips on an Apple Watch?
• Do people hunt while standing in clouds?

This week on Liftoff:

Boeing’s Starliner issues run deeper than it first appeared, CHEOPS is operation and the Solar Orbiter is on its way to our start. That, and a look at the White House’s proposed NASA budget for 2021.

My thanks to our sponsor this week:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code LIFTOFF at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Today, I’m launching a new podcast with my much taller friend, Quinn Nelson of YouTube channel Snazzy Labs fame.

Flashback is a cumulation of our joint interest in why technology is the way that it is. This season on the podcast, we are looking at failed tech products to see what we can learn by studying their demises.

The first episode covers the Newton, Apple’s PDA product from the 1990s. Flashback will publish every other week, we have some wild tech stories in the works for future episodes.

Get subscribed to Flashback:

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This week on everyone’s favorite podcast based on random Wikipedia articles:

Before that was NASA, there was NACA. Its engineers did some wild stuff.

My thanks to our sponsor:

• Hullo: A simple, natural pillow designed for comfort. Try it for 60 days.

Last week, I linked to this blanket that features designs by Susan Kare. I ended up ordering one and have opened it over on Instagram. I’m going to work out a way to hang it in my studio.

Another week, another Q&A-style Apple support document:

I am trying to find an alternative to the Newton Connection Utility for the Newton OS 2.0. What software is available?

For importing or exporting data from third-party applications on your Macintosh or Microsoft Windows computer, the solution depends on what product you are trying to import or export from. For some applications you will need a utility specific to the desktop application (Now Synchronize or Lotus Notes). If you are transferring text to or from the Notepad, there are a variety of third-party solutions, for example DragNet, NoteThing, Slurpee, the Revelar Connection Utility, and X-Port. Slurpee connects to any desktop computer which supports a terminal emulator, X-Port connects to Windows and Macintosh computers.

The Newton 2.0 OS compatible Newton Connection Utility, available later in 1996 for both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh computers, will allow other applications to transfer data to and from your Apple MessagePad device.

FlightLogger is a favorite real-time flight tracking app for iOS and Android that provides up to the minute flight information that makes traveling effortless and worry-free.

This app stands out from the rest because of its clean, sleek, clutter-free design. FlightLogger users can track both their flights and their loved ones and get real-time alerts for any flight changes or delays. Sharing your flights is super easy.

The app is fully packed with distinct features such as email forwarding, ability to add trips with more than one flight, iCloud sync, Calendar sync, iMessage and Apple Watch apps, Today Widget plus light and dark theme mode for added convenience.

FlightLogger is free, but if you are a frequent flyer, you might want to check out FlightLogger premium with extra features for $1.99/month or $14.99/year.

Jonathan Morrison found out:

This week on Mac Power Users:

Family Sharing means that up to six people can share purchases, media and other Apple services. This week, David and Stephen walk through the features, how to set it up and the possible pitfalls of this Apple service.

Family Sharing was a bit of a mess when it launched, but today, it seems to be really solid, and works well for my family. Hopefully this episode will be helpful to a bunch of people considering making the jump.

My thanks to our sponsors:

• 1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don’t have to worry about that anymore.
• The Omni Group: We’re passionate about productivity for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
• Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
• Health IQ: Insurance for the Health Conscious. Save up to 41%. Take the quiz now to see if you qualify.

Jason Snell:

When I mentioned that I was trying to do a weekly chart on Six Colors, Stephen Hackett suggested a few charts that he’d like to see—some silly, some serious. I’m not sure where this one falls. Stephen was curious about how many Macs were released, historically, per year.

It’s a complicated concept. My first thought was to chat all Macs that have ever been alive at any given time, but that would require a level of research that I am not able to do today. Instead, I decided to focus on release years, and scoured the Macs by year page at EveryMac.com to generate a list.

Jason went through and after removing things Mac clones, Newtons and Duo Docks, he came up with this:

I love it.

My thanks to Timing for sponsoring 512 Pixels this week. It’s an automatic time tracking app for the Mac, that lets you stop guessing how you spend your time, and focus on doing your best work instead.

Mac OS 9 included a featured named Voiceprint, which allowed you to log in to your Mac with just a spoken phrase. It wasn’t great.

Apple didn’t even get the “My voice is my passport” reference right.