How to enter and exit Apple Watch power reserve mode

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OS X Daily:

With Power Reserve Mode enabled, Apple Watch will cease all functions except a limited onscreen clock display. While you can enter Power Reserve at any time, this is not something you’d probably use for fun since it disables basically all features of Apple Watch like fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring, messaging, notifications, etc. With that said, it’s an incredibly effective way to continue to use the Apple Watch as a time-telling device in situations when it would otherwise run out of battery.

Good to know how to do this.

Hypnotic video of milling metals

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[VIDEO] There’s something magical about watching a machine cut through metal like butter, forming a velvety smooth curve. Video in the main Loop post.

My first 3 months on the iMessage App Store

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iOS developer Genady Okrain writes about his experience making money (or not) developing an iMessage app. Cutting to the chase:

As you can see the iMessage App Store was very promising at the beginning but nowadays it is somehow abandoned. This led me to release the app as an iOS app with an iMessage extension, and it is much more successful than just the iMessage app.

Interesting read. Not easy to make a living as an indie app developer.

My 2 cents: Articles like this are good input for folks just getting started, trying to sort out the best direction to take.

Unicode progress bars

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Not exactly sure where I’d ever use these, but I love design exploration and definitely enjoyed playing with this. I could see this as an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.

Twitter is replacing the Moments tab with a new Explore tab

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I do think the explore tab is a step in the right direction, though what’s missing is the ability to customize it or, tipping the cap to AI, for Twitter to learn the areas that interest you.

As is, there’s a top 20 “Trending Now” list and a seemingly structureless “Today’s Moments” list. To me, these could easily be blended together into a single interface, perhaps with the ability to favorite things you like, and reorder the list by hottest trending topics, chronologically, or by preference.

I love Twitter, both for communicating with the folks I follow and who follow me, and for keeping up to date on the larger Twitterverse. So much potential. And such a valuable resource, if we can get it right.

How to eliminate drop shadows in macOS screenshots

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Got into a nice Twitter discussion this morning about screen shot technique. Make your way through the responses for some solid tips.

The linked Tidbits article (from 2015 but still fresh) covers two important points: How to disable drop shadows for all screen shots as well as a really nice technique to add a border to a screenshot. Good stuff, worth a look.

UPDATE: This Useful Mac post is a great article that offers a bit more detail on screen shooting. Includes this super helpful hint when using ⌘⇧4 to take your screenshot. Press the spacebar to take a screenshot of a specific window, then hold option before clicking a window to eliminate the drop-shadow. [H/T Mark Boszko]

How to download a Windows disk image for free

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OS X Daily:

Did you know you can download a Windows 10 disc image free from Microsoft? This is seemingly little known, but yes you can download a complete legitimate Windows 10 ISO without registering or even having a product key, and you can install and run the entirety of Windows 10 using the image too.

I have not done this, but good to know, especially if you want to do a Boot Camp install to run a single application or test. Bookmark and pass along.

Apply for credentials to attend the next SpaceX launch

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NASA:

Social media users are invited to apply for credentials to attend the launch of the Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon cargo spacecraft with to the International Space Station. The launch from Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is currently targeted for no earlier than February 2017. The exact launch date and time still are under review. This will be the first cargo mission launched from Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A, where numerous Apollo and space shuttle missions lifted off.

If your passion is to communicate and engage the world via social media, then this is the event for you! Seize the opportunity to be on the front line to blog, tweet or Instagram everything about SpaceX’s tenth commercial resupply mission to the space station. The rocket will deliver several tons of supplies, including new science experiments and technology research.

A maximum of 50 social media users will be selected to attend this two-day event.

Yes, please!

Dan Aykroyd’s tribute to Carrie Fisher

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Dan Aykroyd, writing about his romantic relationship with Carrie Fisher:

While in Chicago we obtained blood tests for compatibility from an East Indian female doctor. Contemplating marriage, I gave Carrie a sapphire ring and subsequently in the romance she gave me a Donald Roller Wilson oil painting of a monkey in a blue dress next to a tiny floating pencil, which I kept for years until it began to frighten my children.

The writeup is a bit bizarre, but really captures something of Carrie’s spirit.

Apple said to join Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Facebook in AI best practices group

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From the partnership page:

In support of the mission to benefit people and society, the Partnership on AI intends to conduct research, organize discussions, share insights, provide thought leadership, consult with relevant third parties, respond to questions from the public and media, and create educational material that advance the understanding of AI technologies including machine perception, learning, and automated reasoning.

As much as we’ve learned about artificial intelligence, we’re still on the steepest part of the learning curve. We’re still working out the mechanics, just barely touching on the important philosophical issues.

Glad to hear news that Apple looks to be joining this group. Keep an eye on the partner page. You’ll know this is a done deal when Apple’s name joins the list.

On the likelihood of losing your AirPods

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John Gruber’s take on the care of something easily losable. Some great anecdotes.

I absolutely agree with this take. I am much more careful about my iPhone, much more aware that I take it with me, treat it more gingerly and safely, than I do just about anything else I carry.

In case your metronome breaks

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[VIDEO] She starts slow, then gets into the rhythm, so watch through to the end. Wish I could play like this. Video on the main Loop post.

All about Apple File System – Make a backup before you install iOS 10.3 beta

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Apple has announced that iOS 10.3, just released as a first beta, will automatically migrate your data to Apple File System (APFS). APFS is already part of macOS Sierra, but in a limited form.

Make a backup before you install the iOS 10.3 beta. And hop over to the main Loop post for some resources to learn more about APFS.

How much has that Mac been used?

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Mac King Fu:

Knowing how much a Mac has actually been used by its owner can be very useful if you’re buying pre-owned. A Mac three years old that’s been used very infrequently could be a better purchase than a two-year old Mac that’s been left running 24/7, for example.

While physical condition of the Mac gives a clue, you can garner some further clues by a little software probing. It’s not entirely accurate, and comes with substantial caveats, but could be worth a try.

Very interesting read. I definitely learned a few things about the myriad of data in the System Profile app. Useful if you are buying, also useful if you are selling.

Note that option-clicking on Apple > System Information… is a shortcut, bypassing the more traditional Apple > About This Mac menu item.

Ford plucks new brand chief from Apple

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Automotive News:

Ford Motor Co. has hired a former Apple marketing official to be vice president and chief brand officer, a new position created as the company focuses on new mobility services.

Musa Tariq, 34, will begin his role Jan. 30. As Ford’s brand officer, he’ll work with marketing, communications and company leaders across the globe to build the brand.

Some high profile poaching, first from Tesla, now from Ford. Sign of corporate stress, or normal pendulum swing?

Every OS X and macOS release date

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This is one of those posts that you file away, bookmark with future reference in mind. Nice job by Rob Griffiths.

Curiosity finds a meteorite on the surface of Mars

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Amazing find. Take a look at both the image at the beginning of the post, as well as the zoomed in image towards the middle. The latter gives a better sense of the surface of the meteorite. Very cool.

AI and the path to creating jingles and pop hits

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Alex Marshall, writing for the New York Times, pulled together a fascinating piece, a bit of a survey of the current state of artificial intelligence and songwriting.

My 2 cents: All of this music is on the wrong side of the uncanny valley, but it is definitely getting closer. And I do think it will get there. Which is a scary proposition, given how difficult it already is for humans to make a living as musicians.

Apple patent details modular Apple Watch accessories disguised as bracelet links

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Mikey Campbell, Apple Insider:

Apple on Tuesday was granted a patent detailing a modular accessories system for Apple Watch that disguises electrical components like batteries, biometric sensors, solar cells and more as links in the wearable’s metal band.

Great concept, though this concept is inherently limited to link-style Apple Watch bands. No way to add accessories to sports, nylon bands, for example.

Qualcomm, Apple, and iPhone margin grab

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Some fascinating stuff from Bloomberg and Recode on the rift between the government, Apple, and Qualcomm. Tap through to the main Loop post for the details.

How to set the time ahead on your Apple Watch

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There are people (I’m looking at you, my dear wife) who love to set their clocks and watches ahead a few minutes to make sure they won’t be late.

Well, there must be enough of these people, since Apple has baked that capability into the Apple Watch settings. If this appeals to you, or you know someone with that particular bent, read the post for the details.

Game review: Yuri

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I have become a big fan of John Voorhees’ game reviews for MacStories. If John points out an iOS game, I’ll inevitably end up loving it.

This one, Yuri, looks like another winner. Thanks, John.

Apple Inc: A pre-mortem

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The linked article is a detailed criticism of Apple, and ends with this quote from Phil Schiller, from his appearance on John Gruber’s WWDC Talk Show, back in June of 2015:

We don’t need to be told how great we are, and how big we are. It’s not about that, and we don’t want it to become about that. It’s not about P/Es, and it’s not about market value. I mean, sure, the finance team has to worry about that. But for the rest of us, it’s about: Are we making the best product? Do people love what we do? Is it changing lives? And if it isn’t, then beat us up until it is.

Take some time to read the whole piece. There are some common themes (notably, the way Apple approaches UX and content discovery), and the sense is that the author is truly trying to help spot problems, rather than (as the title suggests), point to Apple’s inevitable doom.

Qualcomm’s official comment on Apple’s $1B lawsuit

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On Friday, we reported on Apple’s billion dollar Qualcomm lawsuit.

Qualcomm has since released this official comment:

“While we are still in the process of reviewing the complaint in detail, it is quite clear that Apple’s claims are baseless. Apple has intentionally mischaracterized our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing program. Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomm’s business in various jurisdictions around the world, as reflected in the recent KFTC decision and FTC complaint, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information. We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apple’s practices and a robust examination of the merits,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel, Qualcomm Incorporated.

Fighting through the court of public opinion.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey explains @POTUS account snafu

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There was a bit of a snafu on Friday, as people found themselves following both the @POTUS account (the official account of the President of the United States) and the @POTUS44 account (the account specific to the 44th administration).

This would typically not be that big a deal, just unfollow the account you don’t want to follow, but clearly these are not normal times, and this issue rose to the CEO level.

Regardless of how you feel about the story notability, the thread Jack Dorsey started is an interesting read, for the comments on this specific situation and the details on @POTUS transition.

Foxconn considers $7bn US display facility with Apple

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Debbie Wu, Nikkei Asian Review:

Key iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry is mulling a joint investment with Apple topping $7 billion for a highly automated display facility in the U.S., Chairman Terry Gou said Sunday.

Note that Hon Hai Precision Industry, Ltd, trades as Foxconn. They are one and the same.

And:

“Apple is willing to invest in the facility together because they need the [panels] as well,” Gou told reporters after the company’s annual year-end party in the Nankang district of Taipei. The U.S. production site eventually would create 30,000 to 50,000 jobs, the Taiwanese tycoon said.

And:

In addition to the proposed display facility, Gou said Foxconn plans a new molding facility in the U.S., with the state of Pennsylvania a possible site following investment discussions with local officials.

And:

Gou also said Smart Technologies, a Foxconn-controlled interactive display startup based in Canada, may move south of the border now that U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled his intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Very interesting. This seems just the beginning of the evolution of Apple’s production process.