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.
Terminator-like art
Very cool.
Mastered for iTunes: It’s about quality music for the customer
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
The LIFE Notebook
Unchanged since 1951.
Condensed fonts
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.
Video streaming eats up data plan; smashing iPad with hammer will break it
The Wall Street Journal has an article today that profiles a user that was surprised his data plan was used up by streaming video to his iPad. […]
Microsoft bans purchases of Macs and iPads
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
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
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.
Randy Rhoads died 30 years ago
It was 30 years ago yesterday that Randy died.
A Kickstarter project to buy Kickstarter
Brilliant.
[Via Jim Coudal]
John Gruber on Mike Daisey
Daisey impugned the integrity of Apple — and the journalism of ABC News — in order to work people up regarding problems that don’t exist. This only served to draw attention away from the labor, health, and environmental issues in Apple’s Asian supply chain that do exist.
Great read from John.
Consumer Reports: From bagels to iPads
Consumer reports is at it again, this time the organization is trying to torpedo Apple’s new iPad.
I say “torpedo” because it seems to me Consumer Reports has an agenda playing out here. I would think that would be to get as much press as possible and the way to achieve that is to find a problem with the iPad 3. […]
Apple should sue Mike Daisey and give the money to Chinese workers
Mike Daisey has done an immeasurable amount of damage to Apple with his lies over the past couple of years. While I doubt Apple will seek any compensation, I don’t see why Daisey should be allowed to profit. […]
Middle school science with iPad temperatures
John Gruber on these heat tests going around today:
As Alex Dedalus points out on Twitter, to say this is a crap headline is give crap headlines a bad name.
This is great stuff.
Basil: A smart recipe book for iPad
Because Basil organizes your recipes for you, you can spend more time cooking rather than organizing them. Each new recipe is tagged with its main ingredients, and adding cuisine and meal type is fast too, so your recipes are always organized. You can find just the recipe you’re looking for by sorting according to cuisine type, meal type, or main ingredients. Or you can just search them, using full-text search.
Great looking app. Best of luck to Kyle on the launch.
Apple responds to supposed iPad heat issues
There have been a couple of stories on the Internet in the past few days that say the iPad runs a bit hotter than its predecessor. Apple on Tuesday responded. “The new iPad delivers a stunning Retina display, A5X chip, … Continued
Apple packaging
Anthony Kay:
But with Apple things are different. They don’t just use an ugly cardboard box with their logo and a few stickers slapped on it. They actually give a great deal of thought to the design of the box itself. They think about what it looks like on the shelf, how it presents the contents to the purchaser, and what the experience will be like when you open it.
Exactly right. The Apple experience begins at the store when the product is still on the shelf.
Innovator’s Dilemma
Simon Ly:
Essentially it turns around Apple’s complete willingness to destroy its own revenues. It built a phone that destroyed it’s major source of revenue, the iPod. It built Macbook Airs that have now disrupted another major source of revenue, their Macbook Pros. It built the iPad, which is already beginning to disrupt the Macbook itself.
Apple also killed off the iPod mini at the height of its popularity and introduced the iPod nano in its place. That completely disrupted the competition because at that time they were all trying to copy the mini.
The user designer disease
The disease is a designer killer. It’s a skills killer and most importantly it’s an imagination killer. Like the chicken pox, the “user design” disease is something we all need to get in order to become healthy, happy designers.
QR codes on business cards
I’m not a big QR code user, but I can see how this would be useful for some people.
Design landing pages
Having knowledge on how to create an effective landing page can increase the number of site visitors that take the desired action of the web page. Lets discuss factors and considerations that can lead to a better landing page design.
Boombotix wireless speakers for iPhone and iPod
The BB2 wireless speaker fuses Japanese urban design with mobile audio in a truly portable package. All Boombots are rechargeable, loud as &@*%, and durable enough to withstand the abuse of your lifestyle, guaranteed.