We live in a world where science fiction is hardly fiction at all.
posts
Evernote for Pebble introduced⇢
The Pebble has come a long way since I reviewed it a year ago, and while a lot of the new enhancements are nice, this is pretty exciting.
On an OS X redesign⇢
John Gruber, linking to this article on Macworld:
What this piece made clear for me is that (a) something similar is going to happen to Mac OS X, almost certainly this year; but (b) there’s no way to look at iOS 7 and predict what a corresponding refresh for Mac OS X will look like. Maybe the only things I’ll predict are lots of white backgrounds, and Helvetica Neue as the system font.
On saving Columbia⇢
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster is a dark chapter in NASA’s history, and many asked if things could have ended differently.
Lee Hutchinson at Ars has put together an amazing feature attempting to answer that question.
45 Minutes in Traffic⇢
Myke and I take a trip through the show’s Inbox, then discuss CarPlay and experiment with using FaceTime Audio to record the podcast.
Sponsored by lynda.com and Squarespace (use code TALLYHO3 for 10% off)
On the future of the 13-inch MacBook Pro⇢
Jeff Gamet at The Mac Observer:
Apple’s non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro will be discontinued later this year, bringing an end to the non-Retina MacBook Pro line, and built-in optical drives in any Mac model. If the sources sharing the information are correct, that will leave just the MacBook Air without a high resolution Retina Display.
News of the planned product end come via sources speaking with DigiTimes. While DigiTimes doesn’t always have the most reliable of sources, they are correct even if they have the timing wrong. Apple will discontinue the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro at some point.
iPod your BMW⇢
Apple PR, back in 2004:
Apple and BMW Group today announced the BMW iPod Adapter, the first seamless integration between iPod and a car audio system. The new system developed by Apple and BMW enables drivers to seamlessly use their iPod in BMW’s 3 Series, Z4 Roadster, X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and MINI Cooper by simply plugging their iPod into a cable located in the car’s glove compartment. With the iPod safely located in the glove compartment and powered by the car’s battery, drivers can now enjoy high fidelity sound through their car’s stereo system and control their iPod using the standard buttons on their BMW or MINI steering wheel.
RSS Sponsor: the CreativeLabs AXX 200⇢
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The AXX 200 is a Bluetooth wireless speaker + Sound Blaster audio processor. This means a portable wireless speaker with power for real-time audio enhancement.
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- Make a call. Listen to music. AXX 200 intelligently adjusts the audio settings for you.
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- A wireless speaker that automatically cancels out noise during voice calls. For real.
It’s for work, it’s for play.
When Siri met Ferrari⇢
Matt Brian has a great look at Apple’s new CarPlay technology.
While the demo is great, who gives it is interesting as well. It’s the only Apple product demo I can think of given by a non-executive in years.
Podcasting Wars: Skype Vs. FaceTime Audio
While FaceTime Audio was introduced with iOS 7, with OS X 10.9.2, Apple added audio-only calls to the desktop FaceTime application.
I — like many other podcasters — have thought about trying to harness Apple’s service to record shows, as opposed to the venerable solution, Skype.
FaceTime Audio only supports calls with two people, so it isn’t helpful for podcasts like mine, but it is possible to capture the incoming and outgoing audio fairly easily.
CarPlay⇢
Apple today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri without distraction. Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.
Tim Cook Vs. the NCPPR⇢
The whole Mac Observer piece about today’s Apple shareholder meeting is worth the read, but this is the most exciting part, in which Tim Cook tangles with a representative from the National Center for Public Policy Research:
“When we work on making our devices accessible by the blind,” he said, “I don’t consider the bloody ROI.” He said that the same thing about environmental issues, worker safety, and other areas where Apple is a leader.