This new Nokia Lumia 920 ad is amazing.
posts
Power Users, Eh?⇢
Jacqui Cheng:
OS X 10.9 will reportedly focus on the so-called “power user,” according to sources speaking to 9to5Mac. The release, code-named “Cabernet,” isn’t expected to significantly overhaul how the operating system functions, but will reportedly bring over more iOS features that could benefit OS X.
What might those features be? According to 9to5Mac’s sources, Apple has been “testing a new multi-tasking system” that’s similar to the app-switcher within iOS. “The multitasking feature will be functional for applications in the background, according to this person. Additionally, Apple could use app-pausing technologies from iOS to pause background application processes in OS X,” the site wrote, though apparently it’s unclear whether this feature will make the official 10.9 release.
Closing the Book⇢
Aaron Mahnke:
To that end, the April edition of the Read & Trust Magazine is the last issue we publish for the foreseeable future. The group itself is still alive and thriving, and we have lots of great ideas in the works for the coming year. Right now, though, my energy is required elsewhere, so for the moment all regular publications will be put on hold.
When in Atlanta last month together, Aaron and I discussed this at great length. Props to Aaron for seeing that and doing the hardest thing when it comes to projects: saying goodbye when the time is right.
29 Hours⇢
Dean Takahashi:
Inside the building is a data center full of humming servers — double the size that the company used in the past — that would be considered one of the top 25 supercomputers in the world. The 2,000 computers have more than 24,000 cores. The data center is like the beating heart behind the movie’s technology.
Even with all of that computing might, it still takes 29 hours to render a single frame of Monsters University, according to supervising technical director Sanjay Bakshi.
Wish: Granted
Last Friday, our son Josiah was granted his wish: to go to Florida and see where Mickey Mouse lives.
Before being hurled in to the world of pediatric cancer, I thought Make-A-Wish just sent kids who were dying on trips, but in reality, they serve any family whose child has a life-threatening medical condition. While Josiah is stable, he’s not out of the woods.
The group has met the wishes of more than 250,000 children around the world. It’s crazy to be a part of that number now.
Enthusiasts
On a recent episode of my podcast CMD+SPACE, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Coulton. On this episode we spoke about some of his recent projects and a little about his history in creating music—pioneering some of the methods of crowd support that we have today.
During this episode we were attempting to try and describe the nature of his audience. On the whole they tend to be quite geeky or nerdy, but Jonathan wanted to avoid these terms. The best description we were able to come up with instead was, ‘enthusiasts’.
Community
On the day I started OneThirtySeven, Stephen Hackett wrote one of the most touching articles in memory. Reflecting upon his parenthood, his son, and the struggles he and his wife have both faced, he wrote a letter addressed to his children and published it, importantly, on his technology-centric weblog.
For some, I suspect the notion of posting such an intimate, personal, and revealing piece of prose on such a public and well-read forum would be daunting. Perhaps even ill-fitting. Stephen shared the deepest of his fears — as he has done innumerable times both before and after this specific day — and he offered himself up for your collective thoughts.
The 512 Podcast 060 - A Whole Bunch of First Blind Dates⇢
With Stephen on vacation this week, Myke is joined by Shawn Blanc. They discuss WWDC and how 2013 could pan out for Apple.
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On Apple’s Q2 2013 Results⇢
Here are some of my key takeaways from this quarter, from the eyes of a consumer with no real insight:
- 19 million iPads sold in this quarter alone, up from 11.8 million this time last year. I think at this point we are truly in a tablet market, in which desktop computers are sold—not the other way around. The majority is shifting.
- It would potentially seem that profits are down – even though revenue is up – due to the fact that the profit margins on the iPad mini are tighter (and they sold more of these than the full size). Imagine where this would be if Apple had felt forced to shrink their margins even further, to meet the price-point we all felt they should.
- Horace Dediu tweeted that “Revenues per Mac were $1378, highest since 2008.” I find this number insane and very smart. I feel like Apple would be aware that the work they are doing with their iOS products, could be cannibalizing potential Mac sales by making the most of the margins they are effectively combatting that.
- “Our teams are working on new hardware, software, and services that we can’t wait to introduce this Fall and throughout 2014.” Even though it’s obvious that Tim Cook would have said something like this, I cant help but feel better now that he has.
- Apple will also be entering a new product category this year. OMG iCAR!
It wasn’t a hit all-round this quarter, but I don’t believe Apple are doomed. Of course they’re not. I shall look forward to the next quarter — the same as I always do — with my eyes on the most exciting company in tech.
On Ridiculous Apple Earnings Link-Bait⇢
Only Apple earnings days could cause such disgusting link-bait articles. The NME ( New Musical Express) has just posted this story, detailing how Apple may post a loss in profits today.
I mean, seriously? I know that iTunes sells music, but does this really fit the beat of a music magazine’s news website?
Buckle up everyone, it’s going that be that sort of day.
This is a guest post by Myke Hurley, as Stephen and his family are on a much-needed break.
Letting The Numbers Go⇢
As those who visit the site can see, it now reads “This is Pat Dryburgh.” This is who I am; this is what I love, what I hate, what inspires me, what challenges me, the questions I am asking myself and the answers I’m discovering. I could go and scour the internet again to fill another “Top 10 Best Websites with a Green Background and Sans Serif Type” post, but that’s not me.
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