512 Pixels

On the front page of the Mac App Store, Apple is highlighting three apps that have been “Enhanced for OS X Lion.”

In the featured app section at the top of the page, two more apps show off their newly-learned tricks like Versions and more.

As Lion’s install base continues to grow, apps without these types of features will feel more and more dated. Clearly, Apple recognizes this, and is pushing Mac developers toward including these new features in their applications. Doing so is good for Apple and its customers.

One of the world’s richest men, in a guest column for the New York Times:

I have worked with investors for 60 years and I have yet to see anyone — not even when capital gains rates were 39.9 percent in 1976–77 — shy away from a sensible investment because of the tax rate on the potential gain. People invest to make money, and potential taxes have never scared them off. And to those who argue that higher rates hurt job creation, I would note that a net of nearly 40 million jobs were added between 1980 and 2000. You know what’s happened since then: lower tax rates and far lower job creation.

Wait, it didn’t trickle down?

[via Daring Fireball]

From Google’s investor page:

The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, “Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

This could be the start of a fundamental shift in Google’s strategy with Android. Until now, the company has made a few “Google phones” — such as the Nexus S — with partners, and have allowed other companies to go crazy with Android.

The reason for this was simple enough — Google couldn’t do hardware.

But now, with this acquisition, this isn’t true anymore. It raises lots of questions.

Will Motorola-built phones ship with stock Android? Will Motoblur be folded into Android? Will HTC and others still have access to updates as quickly as Motorola-built phones?

The biggest question, however is this — did Google just spend a ton of money to acquire Motorola Mobility for its portfolio of patents? (My guess is yes.)

Whatever the answers to these questions are, Google’s claim that Android is “open” is simply harder and harder to believe.

Elana Zak:

Here’s another headline to add to the almost never-ending news stories about Google and the Associated Press. But this time, instead of bickering over licensing agreements and the like, the two companies have decided to team up and help student digital journalists. They just announced the AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship, a new national scholarship program “targeted to individual students creating innovative projects that further the ideals of digital journalism.”

Six $20,000 scholarships will be awarded to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students for the 2012–13 academic year. The Online News Association will monitor the program and the scholars will be selected in Spring 2012.

I won’t lie. While I expect this phone to be a flop, that UI is quite pretty. Given Fusion Garage’s track record, however, I’m not going to get my hopes up on this thing being functional.

The International fire truck may be my favorite.

Apple’s new headquarters looks as well-designed as the company’s products.

Shadoe Huard, in his reply to my piece from the other day:

Social standards and norms are constantly evolving and the inclusion of technology is a part of this evolution. Part of the shock may be how social interactions are shifting from physical space to the more abstract and formless space of the web.

Dr. Drang:

It seems like every Mac-related site I visit or subscribe to is spending more time telling my how much money Apple is making and less time telling me how I can make better use of my Macs and iPhone. A little cheerleading is fine, but I don’t need to see daily stories about how Apple is dominating this sector or that. The smartphone marketshare battle with Android, for instance, has absolutely no effect on how I use my iPhone or how I live my life.

Buy a shirt; feed Shawn’s growing family.

I am happy to announce that I am a new member of the excellent Read & Trust network.

Read & Trust aims to be the best resource for readers who are looking for more writers like the ones they love. Some of the biggest names in this space are present on the Read and Trust membership page, including Shawn Blanc, Ben Brooks and others.

I have become friends with many of these guys over the last few years, and I am honored to have Forkbombr listed alongside their work.

Read & Trust is more than just a directory of awesome people, though. The weekly newsletter is simply fantastic. It includes unique content from network members on topics like creativity, beverages, fear and more. Content that isn’t available anywhere else.

Now’s the time to join, dear Forkbombr readers, since my first edition is coming up next week.

Mac Rumors had the above image created based on knowledge gleaned from leaked iPhone cases floating around.

While I think the whole mockup thing is over the top, I also think this is a pretty good looking device. If it is real.