One of the more interesting debates in the nerd community is around how Apple views itself. Is it a software company that happens to make hardware? Is it a device manufacturer that also offers sort of crappy cloud services? Is it all just a ruse to sell music and apps?
Instead of making things up as we go, I think Apple can speak for itself — and as it just so happens, it has.
This week, 5by5’s most intrepid trio (hi mom!) are back at it, discussing Beats Music, Myke’s iPad and the original Macintosh. Come for the Beats, stay for creepy 1980s Apple music videos.
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Apple PR:
Apple today announced iBooks Textbooks and iTunes U Course Manager are expanding into new markets across Asia, Latin America, Europe and elsewhere around the world. iBooks Textbooks bring Multi-Touch textbooks with dynamic, current and interactive content to teachers and students in 51 countries now including Brazil, Italy and Japan; and iTunes U Course Manager, available in 70 countries now including Russia, Thailand and Malaysia, allows educators to create and distribute courses for their own classrooms, or share them publicly, on the iTunes U app.
Under the “bad” list:
These seem like some big drawbacks, and some things the makers would have gotten right…
Casey Johnston at Ars Technica:
During an interview at the DLD Conference in Munich on Monday, Nest CEO Tony Fadell said that the company will make all future privacy policy changes under Google opt-in and that it will be transparent about those changes. Fadell’s statement follows Google’s acquisition of Nest, a smart home products company, for $3.2 billion, which has raised some questions about how Google might put the company—and its data—to use.
Dan Levine:
A blogger is entitled to the same free speech protections as a traditional journalist and cannot be liable for defamation unless she acted negligently, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday.
While the case in question is Obsidian Finance Group, LLC v. Cox, this decision could have big implications for 21st century writers.
This week, Myke and Federico explore the possibility of an iPad pro and the different routes Apple could take to build this mythical product. They also discussing Polygon’s Game of the Year awards and what games they guys have been playing recently.
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Nilay Patel is angry, and we should be, too.
Federico Viticci has strung together all the rumors about a bigger iPad, and thought about what a bigger tablet from Apple could offer.
In his article, Mr. Smooth Hands outlines two possible ways Apple could define a “pro” tablet:
While I do think Apple will probably ship a larger iPad at some point, I don’t think that the company would add substantial software features to it that would be exclusive to the form factor.
John Siracusa:
Geekdom is not a club; it’s a destination, open to anyone who wants to put in the time and effort to travel there. And if someone lacks the opportunity to get there, we geeks should help in any way we can. Take a new friend to a meetup or convention. Donate your old games, movies, comics, and toys. Be welcoming. Sharing your enthusiasm is part of being a geek.
Tony Fadell, in an interview with Nilay Patel:
Our privacy policy stays exactly our privacy policy, that doesn’t change, and at this point any production integration or anything, that’s totally premature. There’s all kind of HSR and legal implications. There are no plans. Like I said, iOS and Android, we’re going to be committed to both platforms.
I sure hope that remains the case. I will say this: after reading this interview, I’m less worried about Nest disappearing.
Google is buying Nest for $3.2 billion:
Larry Page, CEO of Google, said: “Nest’s founders, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family. They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now–thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!”