Yearly Archives: 2012

Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde

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Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde are two of the greatest guitarist ever. They both write catchy riffs and they can play really fast solos, but that’s not what makes them great for me. […]

Follow the leader

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Ben Bajarin:

Creating something new or unique is not terribly difficult. I’ve got great ideas for all kinds of unique products that no one wants but me. Creating something new, unique, different, and innovative that garners mass market success is EXTREMELY difficult and more interestingly EXTREMELY rare. The fundamental challenge and to a degree fear around innovation is that you create something the market does not want. This at its core is the reason why it is easier to follow the leader than blaze a new trail.

Samsung’s win while losing

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In a blog post, Robert Scoble said while Samsung will take a big PR hit and lose $1 billion, it was worth it to copy Apple because it vaulted the company ahead of other smartphone rivals. Samsung also sells an … Continued

The innovation argument

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One of the popular arguments making its way around the Internet since Apple won its patent infringement lawsuit over Samsung is that the verdict will stifle innovation in the mobile industry. I don’t buy it. […]

I kid you not, Samsung actually said this

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Samsung in a memo to employees after losing to Apple:

History has shown there has yet to be a company that has won the hearts and minds of consumers and achieved continuous growth, when its primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation.

By innovation, do they mean blatantly copying Apple?

Thermonuclear

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I’ve seen a number of comments around the Internet about how Apple didn’t exactly go “Thermonuclear” in its win against Samsung. There’s an important point to remember — Steve Jobs wasn’t talking about Samsung, he was talking about Google. […]

Google not worried about Samsung verdict

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Google’s statement on Apple’s landslide win:

The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don’t relate to the core Android operating system, and several are being re-examined by the US Patent Office. The mobile industry is moving fast and all players — including newcomers — are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don’t want anything to limit that.

I wouldn’t get too comfortable.

Karma’s a bitch Samsung

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In the wake of the $1.05 billion verdict delivered Friday in the widely watched U.S. intellectual-property case won by Apple Inc. and lost by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Samsung was battered in Korea Exchange trading Monday, with its share price sinking by more than 7 percent as of Sunday at 11 p.m. EDT.The giant South Korean technology firm shed about $12 billion in market capitalization as a result of the rout, which came on significant volume (i.e., more than double the three-month average).

Canadian National Canthem

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I don’t see any igloos. Clearly this must have been filmed in the National Hut of Government.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on moon, dies at age 82

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NBC News:

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, died Saturday, weeks after heart surgery and days after his 82nd birthday.Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, and he radioed back to Earth the historic news of “one giant leap for mankind.” He spent nearly three hours walking on the moon with fellow astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

Sad day.

Tim’s Cook’s memo to Apple employees

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Today was an important day for Apple and for innovators everywhere.Many of you have been closely following the trial against Samsung in San Jose for the past few weeks. We chose legal action very reluctantly and only after repeatedly asking Samsung to stop copying our work. For us this lawsuit has always been about something much more important than patents or money. It’s about values. We value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. And we do this to delight our customers, not for competitors to flagrantly copy.

An important day indeed.

Juror speaks

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“We didn’t want to give carte blanche to a company, by any name, to infringe someone else’s intellectual property,” Hogan told Reuters a day after the verdict was delivered.

Good for them.

Using Mac App Store in other parts of the world

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Karan Varindani:

At least in this part of the world, buying from the Mac App Store isn’t a preference. It’s the only way. There are very few apps on my Mac that haven’t been bought from the App Store, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

I never really considered this before. Without credit cards, it’s not really possible to purchase apps from the developer, so people use Gift Cards to stock up their iTunes account.

Samsung responds to being bitch slapped

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Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer,” Samsung said in a statement. “It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.

“Samsung will continue to innovate?” I’d be satisfied with starting to innovate.

Apple responds to Samsung verdict

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A jury on Friday found in favor of Apple in its patent infringement case against Samsung. After finding that Samsung willfully infringed a number of patents, the jury awarded Apple $1 billion in damages. […]

When a game goes too far

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Jeff Scott:

Promoting violence between political parties while using the presidential candidates as fighters in the game is disrespectful. Possibly even dangerous considering the current extremely heightened anger between real-life political parties. It’s irresponsible for Rock the Vote! to attach their name to this and degrading for a well respected game development house like Chair Entertainment to release it.

The goofiest thing you’ll learn to do today – make a “Dollar Bill Shirt”

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When I was a kid, I had a fascination with origami but like so many things I’m fascinated by, I could never master it. But the instructions to make this “Dollar Bill Shirt” look easy enough that even I can do it. The site also has instructions on how to make a “Dollar Shirt (with cuffs) and Pants” and even a “Dollar Bill Digital Camera”!

Amplified: Texas Justice

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This week, Dan and Jim discuss a potential release date for the next iPhone, Mat Honan of Wired’s hacking experience and Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec, the company’s current host of lawsuits, vintage guitars, and more!Sponsored by Hover (use coupon DANSENTME for 10% off), Igloo Software, and Sourcebits.