This fortnight, Jason and I talk about NEEMO, newly-discovered exoplanets and the Parker Solar Probe.
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Connected #147: I Wish We Could Be Friends in Real Life⇢
This week on Connected: HomeKit changes coming in iOS 11, our approaches to running betas and Business Chat in iMessage.
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How Apple Deals With Leaks⇢
This story by William Turton at the Outline shows how much work Apple is doing to keep things secret. The Outline received a copy of an internal training session:
The briefing, titled “Stopping Leakers - Keeping Confidential at Apple,” was led by Director of Global Security David Rice, Director of Worldwide Investigations Lee Freedman, and Jenny Hubbert, who works on the Global Security communications and training team.
According to the hour-long presentation, Apple’s Global Security team employs an undisclosed number of investigators around the world to prevent information from reaching competitors, counterfeiters, and the press, as well as hunt down the source when leaks do occur. Some of these investigators have previously worked at U.S. intelligence agencies like the National Security Administration (NSA), law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, and in the U.S. military.
10.5-inch iPad Pro Impressions
I’ve had my 10.5" iPad Pro for just about a week now, and while I’m not really ready to a full review of it, I do have a bunch of miscellaneous thoughts I wanted to share:
- The additional screen size is nice, but it’s not a game-changer. As Federico wrote, if you are a 12.9" iPad Pro user, this probably isn’t for you. The experience is very much like that of the 9.7" model.
- The 120Hz refresh rate makes me feel super weird. I got queasy after about 15 minutes of use. Any time something scrolled, it was like my brain was vibrating. Thankfully, there’s an Accessibility setting to cap the screen at 60 framers per second. While this is perhaps the headline feature of this iPad, I’m still going to keep the device for the speed and ability to run three apps under iOS 11.
- Fast charging is really nice to have, but Apple should include the required charger in the box.
- The revised Smart Keyboard, while not much wider than the one that I have on my old 9.7" iPad Pro, is just larger enough to make a real difference in typing. I feel a lot more comfortable with it than I did the old one.
- The camera is much improved. LOL, I don’t take photos with my iPad.
- This thing is just begging for iOS 11 to be installed on it.
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Road ID for Apple Watch⇢
David Sparks shared a page to Road ID’s Apple Watch product.
If you aren’t familiar, Road ID makes identification meant to be worn during a run or bike ride. I’ve had one for years in case I’m involved in an accident when working out alone and someone needs to know about my basic health or contact my spouse. I have worn it on the opposite wrist of my Apple Watch, but now I won’t have to.
Google Backup and Sync
Google is about to replace both its Drive and Photos Uploader app for the Mac with one new application.
The new program will allow users to sync Drive folders and file with their Macs, but also backup the contents of their local disks to Google Drive. I don’t think I’ll use either of those features, but if it improves the reliability of the Google Photos Uploader, I’m in.
Apple’s Previous Home Stereo Attempt⇢
In my MacStories column this month, I dusted off my iPod Hi-Fi:
While I don’t use mine day-to-day, I do break it out sometimes, and the thing still sounds great, 11 years after it was introduced.
The HomePod is set to take the Hi-Fi’s legacy and extend it in our age of voice assistants and cloud-connected devices. It trades an iPod dock for Apple Music, and an IR remote for Siri.
Unboxing Beige Macs⇢
I recently received two beige Macs: a Performa 6400 and a Power Macintosh G3. I decided they deserved an unboxing video:
This is my first project in 4K, thanks to my new-to-me Sony a7R II. It is in an incredible camera and I look forward to doing more with it.
Kbase Article of the Week: iPod Hi-Fi: How to extend battery life⇢
If the battery life in your iPod Hi-Fi has you down, this article may be helpful.
Connected #146: Dubbed Dub Dub Follow Up⇢
Recovering from San Jose, the boys wade through an ocean of follow up, then talk about the new iPads and review Planet of the Apps.
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- Incapsula: Secure and accelerate your website. Connected listeners get one month free.
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Some Sweet Mail.app Plugins⇢
Over on The Sweet Setup, I’ve rounded up a bunch of plugins you should know about if you use macOS’ default email client.