iPhone X vs. Pixel 2: Portrait selfies

Apple’s TrueDepth camera features multiple sensors to create a depth map in real time on the iPhone X. Google’s solution relies entirely on machine learning and an impressive single camera to accomplish the same effect on the Pixel 2. Here’s a look at how these two methods compare!

There is no doubt how important selfies are to smartphone owners these days.

Recreating the Apple Watch breathe animation in CSS

The Apple Watch comes with a stock app called Breathe that reminds you to, um, breathe. There’s actually more to it than that, but the thought of needing a reminder to breathe makes me giggle. The point is, the app has this kinda awesome interface with a nice animation.

Very nice.

Apple removes Skype from China App Store

Apple Inc said on Tuesday it has removed several apps including Skype, Microsoft Corp’s internet phone call and messaging service, from its app store in China after the country’s government pointed to violations of local laws.

Apple has to abide by the laws of the countries it operates in.

AC/DC’s Malcolm Young dies

Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young.

I’m just so sad about Malcolm. He was the greatest rhythm guitarist of all time and wrote some of the most recognizable riffs in Rock. You will be missed, Malcolm.

Apple delays release of HomePod until early 2018

An Apple spokesperson:

“We can’t wait for people to experience HomePod, Apple’s breakthrough wireless speaker for the home, but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK and Australia in early 2018.”

I’m disappointed that HomePod won’t be released, but if it’s not ready, Apple is making the right decision. I would rather wait for a couple of months than have a product that’s not working properly.

Prevent click track bleeding when recording

We have all, at some point, recorded the perfect vocal, acoustic guitar or drum track only to discover an audible click has split into the microphone from the performer’s headphones.

This is one of the most annoying things ever when recording. There are a few decent tips here to help solve the problem.

Airbnb acquires Accomable

Airbnb said on Thursday it acquired London startup Accomable to expand home-renting opportunities for people with disabilities, the latest expansion as Airbnb grows its global travel business.

With Airbnb’s money, they should be able to build out the Accomable business.

Apple explains on-device face detection

Apple started using deep learning for face detection in iOS 10. With the release of the Vision framework, developers can now use this technology and many other computer vision algorithms in their apps. We faced significant challenges in developing the framework so that we could preserve user privacy and run efficiently on-device. This article discusses these challenges and describes the face detection algorithm.

The newest post from Apple’s Machine Learning Journal.

Universal Audio plug-ins vs analog hardware

This is exactly why I use Universal Audio in my recording and mixes. What they do is so exacting, it’s difficult to tell the plug-in from the actual hardware unit. Watch this video.

Universal Audio releases new plug-ins

I can tell you that I’m really excited about the latest release from Universal Audio. They have always been the top plug-in maker for me, but this one goes above and beyond. Here’s what’s included:

  • Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor
  • Dytronics Tri-Stereo Chorus
  • Gallien-Krueger® 800RB Bass Amp
  • Ocean Way Microphone Collection
  • Marshall Plexi Classic (FREE for Apollo owners)

Excuse me while I go download and play for the rest of the day.

Create simple button fades with CSS

Sometimes I just enjoy knowing that things like this can be done. I love that coders and designers keep pushing things, sometimes in a simple way.

The $85,000 desk

I love some of the things Tina Roth Eisenberg finds on the Web, but I couldn’t afford to buy this one.

Apple to help India develop anti-spam app

Apple Inc has agreed to give limited help to the Indian government to develop an anti-spam mobile application for its iOS platform, after refusing to do so based on privacy concerns, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters.

Apple didn’t want the government to have its customer’s call and text logs. Apparently the app they are helping to develop will have limited capabilities.

Review of Google’s Pixel Buds: Not good

Chris Davies did a great review of Google’s new wireless headphones, Pixel Buds. He went through all of the main features and compared them to Apple’s AirPods, a product I know much more about.

Apple’s Holiday Gift Guide

Apple put out its yearly holiday gift guide to help you choose the perfect present for your family and friends.

Control Sonos from the Pandora iOS app

Pandora, the largest streaming music provider in the U.S., and Sonos, the wireless home sound system, today launched new ways for listeners to control their music on Sonos within Pandora’s award-winning mobile app. Listeners can now control Sonos directly through the Pandora mobile app and command Pandora stations with voice commands via Alexa. The new experience also includes support for Premium, Pandora’s on-demand service launched earlier this year.

Just tried this and it worked great. Why can’t Apple do this? HomePod, I guess. I am looking forward to getting one of those.

Lyft comes to Canada

Our passports are packed and we’re crossing the border. Before you know it, Lyft will be coming to you live in Toronto. We’ve been looking forward to taking our brand of ridesharing international for some time, and we’re super pumped to share this with our close friends up north.

Lyft is a great service and the one I use all the time. This is a good first step to expand Lyft’s reach.

YouTube causing battery drain in iOS

YouTube has confirmed it is working to resolve a bug in its mobile app that causes significant battery drain on Apple devices, even when the app is running in the background.

Definitely something to keep on an eye on until it gets fixed.

Google faces antitrust investigation in Missouri

Josh Hawley, a Republican seeking to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in next year’s elections, announced at a press conference that he issued an investigative subpoena to Google. He expressed concern over the accuracy of the company’s privacy policy, allegations it misappropriated content from rivals and claims it demoted competitors’ websites in search results.

The first thing I wondered is if Reuters put the first line in because they think this is a political move. Regardless, Google will have to answer the charges.

iPhone X follow-up thoughts

I mentioned when I wrote my iPhone X first look last week that I would follow-up with some more thoughts once I’ve had a chance to use the phone for a little while. Well, here it is. […]

The facts about Apple’s tax payments

Apple believes every company has a responsibility to pay its taxes, and as the largest taxpayer in the world, Apple pays every dollar it owes in every country around the world. We’re proud of the economic contributions we make to the countries and communities where we do business.

With all of the misinformation out there, Apple felt the need to set the record straight about taxes.

Supreme Court rejects Samsung appeal of patent loss to Apple

The justices left in place a 2016 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that upheld a verdict that found South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd had infringed Apple Inc’s patents on several popular features of the California-based company’s iPhone. Those included slide-to-unlock, autocorrect and quick links, which automatically turn information like addresses and phone numbers into links.

Stop stealing and pay the money.

Final Cut Pro X, Swift among fastest-growing skills for freelancers

Upwork, the largest freelancing website, today released its newest quarterly index of the hottest skills in the U.S. freelance job market. The Upwork Skills Index ranks the site’s 20 fastest-growing skills and is part of a quarterly series that sheds light on new and emerging skills freelancers are providing. This comes on the heels of the “Freelancing in America: 2017” study, the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. independent workforce, which found that 57.3 million Americans (36 percent of the U.S. workforce) freelanced in the past year and also predicts that the majority of the U.S. workforce will freelance within a decade.

This is pretty interesting data because it comes from a freelance website. Demand for Final Cut Pro grew more than 200 percent year-over-year, while Swift grew 100 percent.

Apple releases GarageBand 2.3 for iOS

Apple on Wednesday released a major update for GarageBand, bringing compatibility with the iPhone X, new instruments, sounds, and a brand-new Sound Library. […]