This time on Flashback, my podcast with Quinn Nelson on which we talk about tech history:
In an effort to keep Microsoft from controlling the PC software industry, in the 1980s, IBM created OS/2, an operating system meant to give its computers a competitive advantage. Unable to do this alone, Big Blue turned to an unlikely company to help build it.
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Alex Vadukul, writing at The New York Times:
In 1974, his small New York-based design firm, Danne & Blackburn, was barely a year old and eager for a big project when he and his partner, Richard Danne, were approached by the Federal Graphics Improvement Program to rebrand NASA’s classic logo, which depicted a patriotic red chevron soaring across the stars. Known as “the meatball,” it wasn’t exactly cutting edge, instead evoking a vintage sensibility of space travel seen in science-fiction comics like Buck Rogers. With the eyes of the world suddenly upon the agency in 1969 after the moon landing, NASA wanted to embrace a modern image.
On a special episode of Liftoff, Jason Snell and I got to interview Ron Moore, co-creator, writer and producer of For All Mankind. Topics covered include the challenges writing for a parallel timeline and a bit about episode 1 of the new season after a spoiler warning is given.
This was a real joy to put together, and I’m excited to share it. Go check it out!
The Apple TV app comes to the $50 streaming device just in time for season 2 of For All Mankind to start tomorrow.
This week on the show:
Stephen refuses to be pigeonholed, Federico talks about how MagSafe could be used on new accessories and Myke doesn’t want to talk about folding iPhones, but then does. Also on the list of topics: failing Apple watches, #GreenGate and blankets.
On Connected Pro, the fight between Apple and users who want to customize their home screens is discussed, then a name of an old website is lost to time.
Apple released watchOS 7.3.1 on Monday, and it could help fix an issue that prevents some Apple Watch Series 5 or SE smartwatches from charging while in the battery-saving Power Reserve Mode. But even the software update might not fix the issue, according to Apple. If it doesn’t, the company will repair your watch for free.
To check if your Apple Watch is affected by this issue, place your watch on the charger that you normally use, then wait at least 30 minutes.
While the MagSafe power adapter is designed to travel with your Mac notebook, some ways of using it can contribute to the fraying or breaking of cables. The MagSafe adapter, like any other metal wire or cable, is subject to becoming weak or brittle if repeatedly bent in the same spot. Follow these recommendations to reduce the likelihood of damaging the adapter.
I still really miss MagSafe. USB-C charging may be convenient, but it’s not as nice.
I got the chance to sit down and chat with Charlie Chapman on his excellent podcast, Launched. We spoke about 512 Pixels, Relay FM and our work with St. Jude.
25 years ago, Apple introduced software named Newton Press:
Using an easy drag-and-drop method, Newton Press users can create electronic reference documents or Newton books from files on a Mac OS-based personal computer. These books are created by simply dropping files onto the Newton Press icon on the Macintosh, which automatically formats the document so it can be viewed on a Newton Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) such as the MessagePad. Newton Press supports a variety of word processing, text, or graphics documents supported by the Claris XTND technology for the Mac OS.
Apple has launched a new podcast to coincide with season two of For All Mankind, which debuts on AppleTV+ on Friday.1 It is hosted by Krys Marshall, who plays astronaut Danielle Poole on the show, and will offer a behind-the-scene look at the show. Oddly, the podcast is coming out every other week, even though the show will be weekly.
I’m really excited about this season of the show. Keep an eye on Liftoff, the space podcast I do with Jason Snell.. Later this week, we’ll be posting an interview with someone involved in the show.
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