512 Pixels

This morning, Apple announced three new ResearchKit projects:

• Autism: Duke University and Duke Medicine are launching “Autism & Beyond” for parents with concerns about autism and other developmental issues. The Duke research team is looking at whether the front-facing camera on an iPhone can be used to detect signs of developmental issues at a much younger age. The app uses novel emotion detection algorithms to measure a child’s reaction to videos shown on iPhone. Duke is partnering with Peking University in China and other international partners to conduct the study.

• Epilepsy: The EpiWatch app developed by Johns Hopkins is the first study of its kind to be conducted with Apple Watch using ResearchKit. The study will test whether the wearable sensors included in Apple Watch can be used to detect the onset and duration of seizures. During the first phase of this study, researchers will use a custom complication on the Apple Watch to provide patients with one-touch access to trigger the custom watch app to capture accelerometer and heart rate sensor data to capture the digital signature of their seizure and send an alert to a loved one. The app will keep a log of all seizures and the participant’s responsiveness during the event. The app also helps participants manage their disorder by tracking their medication adherence and by screening for side effects, while allowing participants to compare their condition with others in the research study.

• Melanoma: Oregon Health & Science University is studying whether digital images taken on an iPhone can be used to learn about mole growth and melanoma risks and could help people better manage skin health by photographing and measuring mole size over time. Research participants will be able to document mole changes and share them directly with health professionals, and researchers will be able to capture images from tens of thousands of iPhone users around the globe to help create detection algorithms which can be used in future studies to potentially screen for melanoma.

My oldest son has seizures on a regular basis, so I’ll be keeping my eye on that one, for sure.

Gary ran ifo Apple Store, the website to keep up with Apple retail news. A while back, he announced he was shuttering the site to spend more time with family and friends.

Gary died on Sunday the 11th, after a battle with brain cancer. I’ll miss Gary and his writing, and wish his wife, son and family all the best.

I like Square. I use a bunch of their services in running the non-Relay part of my business and have never had any issues. Coming from a world of pain when I used PayPal more, that’s a win in my book.

Computer Show is a new series from Sandwich Video. Adam Lisagor showed the first episode at XOXO and it was amazing. You need to go watch these.

One thing I love about this film is the attention to detail, and how the art feels futuristic, but not fantastical. These graphics are definitely a huge part of the look and feel of The Martian.

This week on Connected:

Federico butchers many languages and uses a smaller phone, Myke orders a new iMac and I get upset about hard drives.

My thanks to these sponsors:

• Braintree: Code for easy, online payments. Get your first $50,000 in transactions fee-free.
• Igloo: An intranet you’ll actually like, free for up to 10 people.
• Fracture: Photos printed in vivid color directly on glass. Use code ‘CONNECTED’ to get 15% off

Which iPod models support the iPod Hi-Fi?

iPod Hi-Fi supports all iPod models (iPod sold separately). iPod models with a dock connector are supported with the integrated dock, while iPod models that do not have a dock connector need to be connected to the audio input port using a 3.5 mm stereo miniplug. iPod models connected through the dock have enhanced support for the remote. Newer iPod models, like iPod nano or Fifth Generation iPod, support additional features when connected through the dock.

On today’s episode of Upgrade, Jason talks to Myke about all of Apple’s new hardware, which he’s been busy reviewing.

Big day over at Apple:

There’s a new 21.5-inch Retina 4K iMac. It sits at the top of the 21.5-inch line. The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display has also been updated. The non-Retina 27-inch machine is gone.

Apple’s still shipping 1TB, 5400rpm hard drives in the base models of each Retina iMac, which is frustrating. I really wish that the company would go all-SSD, at least on the more expensive 27-inch machine.

Note that the 21.5-inch machines still don’t ship with Intel’s Skylake chipsets. Word has it that the chipsets with the integrated graphics Apple wanted aren’t available yet. The 27-inch models do ship with Skylake, though.

Don’t miss this “iMac: Then and Now” page. I know it made me smile.

iMac - Then and Now http://t.co/fhT10LfOPN pic.twitter.com/kBl2zfxC74

— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) October 13, 2015

The Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse and wireless Magic Keyboard have all been revamped as well. They all have internal, rechargeable batteries now, ditching AAs forever. They charge (and pair with your Mac) when plugged in with a Lightning cable.

Mercifully, the keyboard eschews the MacBook’s new low-travel keyboard, according to Jason Snell. The whole package is smaller and flatter. I type using the keyboard Apple just replaced, and have ordered one of these to take for a spin.

I don’t use a Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse, but the former got a big update today, including support for Force Touch.

These new accessories, and the new iMacs, can be ordered today, and are shipping this week.

At ismh HQ this morning: Don’t order an iMac. Don’t order an iMac. Don’t order an iMac. Don’t order an iMac. Don’t order an iMac. Don’t orde

— Stephen Hackett (@ismh) October 13, 2015

Remember all those Apollo images released the other day? Someone has made a fun stop motion film out of them. I love the remixes and creative stuff people do with data like this library of photos.

For The Record is a new podcast from Tim Smith about the personal struggles of successful, creative people.

Humans, like you and I, normally end up talking about things that are going well in our life. But behind this persona that we all try to project, there are stories of failure, family, and money.

These conversations usually involve things we don’t want to admit to. Usually because either our past or our present is a bit embarrassing. It’s not easy owning up to situations we maybe didn’t handle the right way.

But let’s be honest, these mistakes make us who we are, and inform the decisions we make. Often, these so-called failures lead to us being better people; patient, empathetic, forgiving, and kind.

And that’s what this show is all about. You’ll hear stories from all types of people who’ve made mistakes, and are wiser because of them. Some of them, you’ll know as the creators of something you love. Others, the show will introduce to you for the first time.

For The Record is a show about the people behind some of our favorite things. Or, as Myke would say, favourite.

You can find the show in Overcast, Pocket Casts, iTunes, or on Twitter as @hearftr.

Episode 5 of Liftoff wasn’t due until Monday, but Jason and I got excited after talking about The Martian and posted it early. It’s spoiler-ish, but we warn before crossing that line.

My thanks to these two sponsors:

• Luminos: A fantastic astronomy app, 10 years in the making! Now with an Apple Watch app for skygazing!
• Ting: Mobile that makes sense. Get $25 off a new device or $25 in Ting credit, by signing up at http://liftoff.ting.com.