Yearly Archives: 2012

Creepy Google

Written by

TNW:

The patent discusses the technology to analyze the background noise during your phone call and serve up ads for you based on the environmental conditions Google picks up on. Yeah, that’s creepy.

Don’t be evil.

[Via Ben Brooks]

Microsoft says Windows Phone will outsell Apple in China

Written by

Bloomberg:

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world’s largest software maker, said its Windows Phone operating system will propel it past Apple Inc. (AAPL) in China’s smartphone market as its partners release devices costing as little as $158.

Microsoft is losing its mind. Maybe they’ll hold another mock funeral for the iPhone because that worked so good for their iPod strategy.

Commodore Amiga Mini PC unveiled

Written by

Engadget:

While not much of a looker, this box houses a potent 3.5GHz Core i7-2700k CPU, 16GB of DDR3 memory, NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 430 (1GB), a WiFi radio and a 1TB HDD that can be swapped out for a 300GB or 600GB solid state drive.

Mastered for iTunes: It’s about quality music for the customer

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I’ve been listening to quite a few new tracks from iTunes under Apple’s new “Mastered for iTunes” program. This is something Apple voluntarily started to help improve the audio quality of the music we download from iTunes. From my perspective, it’s great, but Apple has received some self-indulgent criticism in some circles. […]

New petition asks Change.org to retract its petition against Apple

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The original petition is based on the testimony of Mike Daisey which has been shown to be primarily fabrications and fantasy. The power and efficacy of Change.org is diminished by allowing petitions that are based on lies.Apple is already doing more for worker rights in China than any just about any other IT company that deals with Chinese suppliers and they have been acting responsibly since well before anyone else took notice.

I kid you not people, this shit just writes itself.

Microsoft tablet freezes during Windows 8 stage demo

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Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system might have a new look – but it certainly has something in common with previous versions of the operating system.During a demonstration of the new ‘Metro’ tablet control system, a demonstration unit ‘froze’.

Giving users a taste of what they’re in for.

China surpasses U.S. iOS and Android activations

Written by

Arnold Kim:

Mobile analytics company Flurry reports that activation of new iOS and Android devices in China has surpassed the U.S. for the first time.

We all knew this was going to be a huge market.

iPhoto for iPad, iPhone hits 1 million users in less than 10 days

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Apple told me today that its newest iOS app, iPhoto, hit 1 million users in less than 10 days after its release. It’s important to note that figure is users, not downloads. It quite possible that one user downloaded the app multiple times, but Apple isn’t counting that, only the unique users. […]

Fender upgrades the American Standard series

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Fender’s acclaimed American Standard series guitars and basses have been upgraded for 2012, resulting in the latest iterations of the company’s four archetypal instruments—the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass guitars. They’re the same great best-selling go-to instruments they’ve always been, and now feature Fender Custom Shop pickups, as well as other distinctive new design touches.

I’d take a Strat.

Using Universal Audio’s Console app

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In this in-depth video, Apollo Product Manager, Lev Perrey, explains the three main sections and all features found within the Apollo High-Resolution Interface’s companion Console Application. Topics covered include the Input, Aux, and Monitor Sections — as well as inserting/removing plug-ins, resizing the window, setting up dedicated headphone mixes, and more.

I can’t wait to start using this.

Flash-centric misconceptions of HTML5

Written by

Webdesigner Depot:

As developers, we have our own set of misguided beliefs about a certain technology, but as we begin to use that technology we are able to understand what it is all about, its usage, and its scope.

If it can be done on HTML5, then I’ll consider it.

Condensed fonts

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Condensed variations of most fonts should be used sparingly or avoided altogether in most design projects with blocks of text. Although there are a wide-range of excuses to use them there is a simple reason why you should not: Condensed fonts can be very hard to read.

Microsoft bans purchases of Macs and iPads

Written by

Mary Jo Foley:

Microsoft’s Sales, Marketing, Services, IT, & Operations Group (SMSG) may be putting in place a policy to prevent employees from using corporate funds to buy Macs and iPads.

Makes sense. If you’re going to make users suffer, why not force employees to suffer too.

American storytelling, American compromise

Written by

Mark Willis:

The stories we tell ourselves; the compromises we make to live as we do. What’s the real cost of living in our modern American culture? I’d argue, “looking ourselves square in the face.”

Drum Werks XXI Reggae

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The goal with this reggae collection was to capture the essence of the reggae drummers of the 70’s who set the standard for the elusive reggae feel and styles. Add this to more contemporary artists and groove derivations and you get a truly unique collection of live acoustic reggae drum loops.

My favorite company for real drum loops.