Leech 3 download manager

Sure, your browser can download. But does it let you easily accelerate downloads, limit bandwidth, download on a schedule, or execute rules to sort incoming downloaded files? Doubt it. And clearly, you’re not going to be able to quit that RAM-consuming monster of a browser until all your downloads are done.

I like the folks at Many Tricks. I think they make good software.

GoPro hires former Apple designer as VP of Design

A core member of Apple’s elite industrial design team for more than 20 years, Mr. Coster is credited for his contributions to a wide range of now iconic consumer electronics ranging from the iPhone 4 to the iPad wireless keyboard. He holds more than 500 design patents and several utility patents, and has been recognized by several international design organizations for his work.

I’m always interested to see how Apple designers do outside the Apple ecosystem.

New Kindle Oasis with leather charging cover

Amazon says it’s the thinnest and lightest Kindle ever. They also say it has the longest Kindle battery life–the included leather charging cover boosts battery to last months.

How a Japanese Pinball Maker Helped the FBI Crack the San Bernardino iPhone

Cellebrite Mobile Synchronization Ltd., the forensics unit of a little-known Japanese pinball company, is fast becoming the go-to guys when law enforcement needs to unlock smartphones. Its group chief executive officer has plans to keep the firm on the frontlines against terrorism.

Not a big surprise they have some of the world’s biggest law enforcement agencies as clients.

Teen interest in iPhone remains high

Juli Clover:

Teen interest in Apple’s iPhone continues to grow, according to data gathered by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster in the latest semiannual teen survey. 69 percent of teens surveyed own iPhones, up from 67 percent in the Fall 2015 survey. 75 percent of teens queried expect their next device to be an iPhone, up one percent from the previous survey.

This is very important. These are the people that Apple is relying on to purchase the iPhones of the future.

Pure CSS games

I’m always impressed with the things people can do with CSS.

Photos of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906

110 years ago next week, on April 18, 1906, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake centered near the city of San Francisco struck at 5:15 AM. The intense shaking toppled hundreds of buildings, but the resulting out-of-control fires were even more destructive.

Devastating.

[Via Kottke]

Gibson in financial trouble

There are signs that Gibson’s move to diversify isn’t working out as planned. Moody’s Investor Service has downgraded Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation) credit to junk status, and according to reports, the company has put up two of its Nashville warehouses for sale as a result.

Gibson has been in trouble for a long time. I’m not sure if they tried to buy their way out of it or tried to ignore it, but either way, it seems to be getting worse.

Ransomware

That case and others show how cyber-criminals have professionalized ransomware schemes, borrowing tactics from customer service or marketing, law enforcement officials and security firms say. Some players in the booming underworld employ graphic artists, call centers and technical support to streamline payment and data recovery, according to security firms that advise businesses on hacking threats.

I didn’t realize how “professional” these people have become.

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Apple’s Jay Blahnik, Christy Turlington Burns talk fitness at Boston Apple Store

Join Christy Turlington Burns, ultramarathoner Scott Jurek, and Heather Armstrong, founder of dooce.com, as they share their experiences training for the Boston Marathon. The group runs to raise awareness for Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization founded by Christy that is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere. Apple’s Jay Blahnik will moderate a Q&A about their shared passion for running and their experiences training with Apple Watch.

I’d like to sit in on that.

The Dalrymple Report with Merlin Mann: The Saddest Sentence

Jim and Merlin talk about TextExpander’s new business model, Apple Watch vs Fitbit, and more on voice UI.

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Links

Professional Logo Creation Kit Bundle with 500+ Elements – only $14!

Thanks to Mighty Deals for sponsoring The Loop this week.

Whether your own website needs a new logo or your clients are screaming for one, this Mighty Deal from Zeppelin Graphics is the perfect solution. This fantabulous mega bundle is really 3 Logo Creation Kits in 1! In total, you’ll get yourself more than 500 professional design elements to create your new logo. Each element is fully customizable thanks to the original PSD, AI and EPS files that let you change up the color, shape, size and more.

Smile posts TextExpander follow-up

Thank you to all of our customers who have offered feedback on the new TextExpander, and thank you again for your long-term support. In our enthusiasm to release, we missed some details we’d like to address here.

Tough day for the folks at Smile. I do love the people at this company.

The Loop Magazine app is dead

It is with tremendous sadness that I write this post today. I have tried to figure out a way for The Loop Magazine app to work on the App Store, for the last few months. It turns out, it just won’t. This morning, I removed the app from the App Store. […]

Professional Logo Creation Kit Bundle with 500+ Elements – only $14! [Sponsor]

Whether your own website needs a new logo or your clients are screaming for one, this Mighty Deal from Zeppelin Graphics is the perfect solution. This fantabulous mega bundle is really 3 Logo Creation Kits in 1! In total, you’ll get yourself more than 500 professional design elements to create your new logo. Each element is fully customizable thanks to the original PSD, AI and EPS files that let you change up the color, shape, size and more.

Siri security flaw grants access to Contacts and Photos without passcode

A newly discovered Siri search handling bug allows nefarious users to bypass passcode protected lock screens on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus handsets, granting easy access to Contacts and Photos data. The vulnerability is likely applicable only to a subset of devices, however.

That’s not good.