![Magic Trackpad [023-365; 01-23-11].jpg](https://media.512pixels.net/wp-content/uploads/S3/Magic-Trackpad-023-365-01-23-1111.jpg)
Even though I wrote a negative review of the Magic Trackpad, we have one at home now, since my wife really liked it.
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Keep it Classy, HP
Joel Mackey, on HP’s unfortunate habit of backdating warranties on computers:
If HP Computer does this to every single customer, or heck even if they just do this to 10% of their customers do you realize how much money they’re saving? They could be saving millions in warranty repair and service issues. Just systematically reduce people’s warranty by 6 months and you save millions. Brilliant!
Man, I love OEMs.
It’s a Wonderful Lie
I recognize that users don’t care about computers. The computer is a means to an end for them: a presentation to solicit more grant money, or a program to investigate a new computational method, or just simply sending a nice note to their family. They don’t want to “use the computer” so much as do something that the computer itself facilitates. I’m the same with with cars: I don’t want to know how an internal combustion engine works or know how to change my oil or in any other way become an automotive expert — I just want to drive to the grocery store!
‘You Can’t Put a Price on That’
What’s more, I remembered why I use Apple products in the first place. Sure there are a million choices in the PC (Windows/Android) world. I can make things look this way or that. I can download this or that utility. I can use this or that hardware. But really, I don’t want to. I want my phone to be done when I buy it. I want to know what it does, and how I’m going to do it. I don’t want to scour message boards for help when I’m in over my head.
‘You Will Look Really Stupid...’
On Google and Schmidt
In a conference call, Mr. Schmidt said the three had been making decisions together, but it was a slow process. The new organization is expected to streamline things by “elevating me and having Larry running things day to day,” Mr. Schmidt said.
Google has had an unbelievable run under Schmidt, but the company’s services and products feel more and more fragmented and half-baked. Hopefully, this change will be a good one. I think it will be.
It Begins
On Gawker, AppleInsider and Tim Cook
Gawker has published a lengthy look at Apple’s COO titled “Meet Apple’s New Boss, The Most Powerful Gay Man in Silicon Valley.”
Apple Insider linked to it yesterday, quoting large chunks of the original story.
Personally, I don’t give a shit about Tim Cook’s orientation. What I do care about is privacy and respect. This time around, the Internet seems to be okay not prying too far into Steve Jobs’ health, so Tim Cook seems to be the target of choice.
iPhone Vs. Newton #pastblast
Rory Reid at CNET UK back in 2009:
The Newton may be old and dusty, but it still shows the young pretenders a thing or too. The iPhone is a superior device in many ways, we’ll admit, but when it comes to sheer innovation, the Apple Newton MessagePad is a true pioneer. Long live the king.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Newton since I bought one in 2004 to use at college. While I had to sell my 2100 to pay off my wife’s engagement ring, I still dust off my eMate 300 pretty often to play with it.
On Managing Nerds #pastblast
Rands recent post on managing nerds is great. I’ve got a copy printed in the hanging folder where I keep my staff’s HR paperwork.
The Sculley Interview #pastblast
The lengthy interview between John Sculley and Leander Kahney is a must-read for anyone who cares about Apple’s history.
On the Helvetica Documentary #pastblast
This evening I watched “Helvetica: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit.” I was, admittedly, rather skeptical about whether I would enjoy a film about a type face; truth be told, I didn’t think it would be particularly interesting. On the contrary, it was one of the best films I’ve seen in some time.
I too loved the film, but I foolishly tried making my wife watch it with me. She got up and went to bed about 15 minutes after it started.