Apple

Apple buying McLaren would make perfect sense

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Jordan Golson, writing for The Verge:

An acquisition would give Apple a small but significant carmaker that has enormous amounts of technological expertise in building drivetrains, vehicle control systems, and navigating complicated supplier-OEM relationships. McLaren also has significant experience working with advanced materials like carbon composites, aluminum, and carbon fiber.

It’s a small but important firm, best known for its sports cars — it sold 1,654 road cars in 2015 — and its Formula One team. But the company is much more than just a car manufacturer. The 5,000 employees of the McLaren Technology Group work across six different divisions including automotive, racing, marketing, and as an automotive supplier for race teams and high-end performance cars.

McLaren has quietly been growing its consulting division as well. McLaren Applied Technologies works with firms across a number of industries — both automotive and otherwise — to provide R&D and technology expertise behind the scenes. McLaren is privately owned and one of the smallest independent carmakers, making an acquisition logistically simpler.

I am a big fan of McLaren and of Formula One. McLaren represents automotive state of the art, one of the few firms with the technological prowess to compete at the Formula One level, no easy task. Formula One lays out strict regulations for the design of every competing car, and changes those rules every season, requiring competitors to redesign a race car, sometimes from scratch, every year.

On the flip side, McLaren makes and sells vehicles you can buy (if you’ve got the wherewithal) and drive on the street. They’ve got invaluable experience with the automotive supply chain, and they have the kind of industry relationships that an Apple auto effort would benefit from.

I’ve long said supported the notion of Apple buying Formula One, en toto, purely as a brand play and investment. But buying McLaren makes even more sense. They’d have cherry picked just the right player, a rising star in the Formula One world with an old school brand.

David Pogue walkthrough of the new Messages interface

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The tone of this walkthrough is very beginner, but bear with. Spend 5 minutes with Pogue and you’ll quickly get your arms around all the major new features that come with the new iOS 10 Messages rewrite.

iPhone scratches and aging gracefully

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Thomas Ricker, writing for The Verge:

The wood on the stairs in my newly renovated house is starting to divot and wear under heavy use. At first — for the briefest of moments — I was annoyed as I imagined my daughter’s “princess heels” and my son’s football cleats plodding up the steps in violation of our strict no-shoes-in-the-house policy. Then I remembered Starck’s lesson. The subtle scarring I see is created by the process that transforms a house into a home; imperfections forged by my children, themselves transforming into adults. Those stairs, disfigured as they are, fulfill their purpose of supporting my family on their daily journey through this world. Now when I look at the stairs I see a beautiful story.

He also quotes from this 2011 essay on design by Remy Labesque, a defense of well-worn gadgets:

Aging with dignity is a criteria designers should recognize in their efforts. I’m thinking of a future when products are designed not for the brief moment when they are new, but for when they have been aged to perfection.

We’ve got a table in our house that my wife and I bought when we got married, our first major purchase together. It’s a fine piece of furniture and has served us as our kitchen table for many years.

The surface of the table is well worn, scarred by sharp edges. An imprint of a phillips screw from a carelessly placed box, a patina of paint and sparkly glitter, and countless gouges from children and cats, mar the table’s surface. But I would argue that those imperfections make the table, give it a distinct well-worn beauty, and in no way take away from the iconic look of the table design.

Take a look at the images at the top of Labesque’s Frog Design post, the one showing both a well-worn iPhone and a similarly worn Canon point-and-click camera. Which wears its patina of wear better? To me, no question, that iPhone, with all its scratches and imperfections, is still a thing of beauty.

John Gruber on the iPhone and iconic design

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Just after the September 7th iPhone event, Farhad Manjoo wrote a piece for the New York Times titled, provocatively, “What’s Really Missing From the New iPhone: Cutting-Edge Design”.

An aside: I complained about the Times coverage of that event here.

In his direct response, Gruber walks a very reasoned line, focused on the meaning of design. A fascinating read.

At its core:

Here’s the genius of the black and (especially) jet black iPhones 7. In a very seductive way, they look like something new and desirable. And at the same time, they are instantly recognizable as iPhones. That is what Manjoo and similar-minded I’m-bored-with-Apple’s-designs don’t get. With a highly successful product and brand, new versions need to strike a balance between familiarity, the foundations of the brand, and hot newness. The bored-with-Apple crowd just wants the hot newness.

Absolutely right. Iconic design requires recognizability. A Porsche, an Eames lounge chair, and an iPhone are all iconic designs, all instantly recognizable.

That jet black finish is hot newness, but wrapped around an iconic design.

Read Gruber’s post. It resonates.

Six Colors macOS Sierra review

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Jason Snell and Dan Moren pulled together a terrific walk through of macOS Sierra.

One tiny nit, concerning Siri:

Activating Siri brings up a floating window with an audio waveform, and then displays the results of your query in that same window. (You can choose what microphone Siri uses, and whether Siri speaks its results aloud, in the new Siri pane in the System Preferences app.)

When Siri returns answers to your requests in that floating window, that’s not the end of the story. You can drag and drop, or copy and paste, results into other apps, Many results also come with a plus icon in the top right corner, allowing you to pin them to the top of the Today view inside Notification Center.

And:

This leads to a few uncomfortable situations. Even Apple’s demos show off that if you say something like, “search the web for pictures of old computers,” it will provide you with an awesome collection of images—any of which you can drag anywhere and drop into something like a document or presentation.

My 2 cents here, this is a web issue, not an Apple issue. You could make the same issue with a simple Google Images search. Your copyright obligations have not changed.

Note also that Jason did have sporadic issues unlocking his Mac using his Apple Watch. Not sure if other folks are having this problem but, for me, the Apple Watch unlock has been bulletproof. The only time it fails is when I turn Bluetooth off on my phone or my Mac, both of these BT connections are required for this chain of unlock to work.

But I digress. Read the review. It’s worth your time. Jason and Dan are terrific writers and the review is both informative and incredibly easy to absorb.

Tumblr brings Live Photos to the web

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With the teaser headline, What happens next? Click and hold to find out!, Tumblr brought Apple’s Live Photos format to the web.

Whenever you see that famous Live Photo icon, click and hold to make them swing.

Tumblr was the first third-party app to support Live Photos—you could even GIF ’em. Now we’re the first to support them on the web. And! We’re open sourcing the javascript library for any webmaster to use: GitHub and npm.

Also interesting:

We’re also working on an Android version for you.

How to create a bootable macOS Sierra USB drive

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Mihăiță Bamburic talks you through the process of downloading the installer from the Mac App Store and either using Disk Utility and Terminal to create a bootable Sierra USB drive, or using 3rd party utility DiskMaker X to do the same. Worth having one of these drives around.

Apple consolidating Luxembourg operations to Cork, Ireland

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From Apple’s email this afternoon:

As of September 25, 2016, iTunes S.à r.l. will complete its merger with Apple Distribution International in Cork, Ireland and will relocate its business from Luxembourg to Cork in early 2017.

Apple has been operating in Ireland since 1980 and now employs nearly 6,000 people. As we continue to expand our operations in Cork, we are moving our iTunes business there and will support content stores for more than 100 countries from our campus at Hollyhill.

This move was originally announced back in June. From this 2012 article in the New York Times:

Luxembourg has just half a million residents. But when customers across Europe, Africa or the Middle East — and potentially elsewhere — download a song, television show or app, the sale is recorded in this small country, according to current and former executives. In 2011, iTunes S.à r.l.’s revenue exceeded $1 billion, according to an Apple executive, representing roughly 20 percent of iTunes’s worldwide sales.

Obviously, that information is dated, but it gives a sense of the importance Luxembourg operations have to Apple. Not clear how this will impact Apple’s current tax negotiations with the European Commission.

macOS Sierra now available for free

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Apple® today announced that macOS™ Sierra, the latest major release of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, is now available as a free update. macOS Sierra brings Siri® to the Mac® with intelligent and helpful features users know and love from iPhone® and iPad®, along with all-new capabilities designed specifically for use on the desktop. Features like Universal Clipboard, iCloud® Desktop and Documents, Auto Unlock and Apple Pay® on the web help your Mac work even better with other Apple devices. And Photos gets an update with a new Memories feature that automatically creates curated collections of your favorite photos and videos.

I’ve been using Sierra since mid-summer and it’s been very solid, and improving over time. This is a great update for macOS.

Be sure to check out our earlier post on things to do before you install.

Apple’s jet black iPhone 7 Plus perfect storm

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In yesterday’s Barrons blog:

The most bullish note today is from John Donovan and Steve Mullane of BlueFin Research Partners, who had written on the topic a week ago.

The authors today write that Apple is “frantically asking component suppliers to pull in deliveries in a mad rush to deliver incremental iPhone 7 units by year end,” citing higher-than-expected for the new device.

From the referenced BlueFin report:

Demand for the jet black model has been red hot, with speculators in China paying as much as $2,300 according to our checks. Last week we mentioned an almost TMZ-like reporting environment surrounding the Samsung Note 7 saga. The videos of autombiles catching fire while airports and TSA posting warnings about the Galaxy Note 7 will not fade from consumers memory anytime soon, in our view. AAPL is primed to swoop in and take full advantage and is pressuring the entire component base in an effort to ensure product is at the ready.

Samsung’s stumble, the double camera, and a hot new jet black finish created a perfect storm for Apple.

CNET’s ultimate Apple iPhone quiz

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Ultimate? No. But interesting? Yes. I found a few of these questions to be challenging. And one of the answers was just plain wrong. See if you can spot the error. It’s me being picky, but I think you’ll agree the proffered answer is technically wrong.

Update: There are actually two errors. One was obvious and current, and one goes back a ways. Head over to the comments for the reveal.

Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus pre-orders shipping sooner than expected

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Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors:

Many customers who pre-ordered a Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus received shipping estimates ranging into October and November, but it appears Apple is working hard to overcome supply constraints and get shipments out earlier than expected.

Starting this morning, MacRumors began hearing reports from customers who originally had deliveries scheduled for a month or two out but will now be receiving their devices over the course of the next few days.

No early delivery love for my iPhone 7 Plus, at least not yet. Holding out hope, though. Glad to see this bit of news.

Find your missing Apple Watch

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Andrew Leavitt, writing for 17 Orbits:

Starting in 2010 Mobile Me enabled you to hunt down your missing iPhone (or iPad) with the Find My iPhone app. In 2011 OSX Lion added ‘Find My Mac’ to the mix. Beginning this week watchOs 3 enables iCloud to locate your misplaced Apple Watch.

And:

Until now real-time geolocation was only possible if your missing Apple Watch and iPhone were in Bluetooth range or on the same WiFi network. Since the watch does not have its own cellular signal that would seem to limit location tracking to within 10 meters or your home WiFi. Once out of range, however, iCloud now kicks in and reports the watch’s present location by GPS or WiFi triangulation. If the watch is turned off the last known location is reported. Accuracy is enhanced because the Apple Watch can still connect to previously known WiFi on its own (even when phone is physically far away).

Read the post and give it a try. You can track your Apple Watch (along with all your other Apple devices) and play a never ending (until you tap Dismiss) sound on your Apple Watch. Great for finding it when it slid between the couch cushions or when you are challenged, unwillingly, to a morning game of find your gear.

Before you install macOS Sierra

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Theoretically, sometime later today, Apple will officially release macOS Sierra. One way to tell is to fire up the Mac App Store. I suspect Apple will make it big and obvious, with macOS Sierra presence right there on the front page. You can also type macOS Sierra in the search field or tap on the Updates tab to see what’s new.

[Read the main post for thoughts on getting ready…]

What’s new in the Maps app for iOS 10

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Serenity Caldwell digs into the iOS 10 Maps app, focusing on the new look, search improvements, directions, and finding your parked car. Definitely worth a read.

Jean-Louis Gassée: Apple’s debt to bloggers

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Jean-Louis Gassée, writing for Monday Note:

For months, tech bloggers declared that the upcoming iPhone 7 would be boring, lacking creativity, a flop waiting to happen. “So unless something crazy happens in the next few months, the iPhone 7 will look and feel a lot like the 6s.”

Steve Kovach, The iPhone 7 is going to be boring, Tech Insider

And:

Unprayed for but a godsend nonetheless, the months of deprecation lowered expectations for the unborn iPhone 7. One could say that the pundits did for Apple what the company should have done on its own: Underpromise as an easy path to overdelivery.

With this response to Steve Kovach:

Yes, something crazy did happen, and it was right under your nose: The widely rumored dual camera. Apple did underpromise and overdeliver, after all…

Great piece by Jean-Louis, covering Steve Jobs’ rollout of the original iPhone, the resulting devastation of the camera market, and other musings.

iPhone 7 vs Galaxy S7 in deep water test

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[VIDEO] This is a pretty cool test. No spoilers, save to say that the phones were dropped several times, at successive depths, until the final drop to 35 feet. Suffice it to say, this is way more water exposure than most folks will subject their phones to, but good to know how they fare.

My iPhone 7 Plus is emitting noise from its logic board

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Stephen Hackett, writing for 512 Pixels:

As my iPhone 7 Plus was restoring from iCloud, I thought I noticed some sound. After picking the device up from my desk, it was clear the sounds are coming from back of the phone, possibly from the CPU. It seems to get worse if the iPhone is under load. It’s loud enough to be heard even if the iPhone is just sitting on the table. I don’t have to put it up to my ear to hear it.

Follow the link if you want to hear the hissing for yourself.

I’ve heard from several other people with similar experiences, and others who are saying past iOS devices have displayed this issue. I’ve handled more devices than most, and haven’t come across this.

I’m not saying this is some widespread problem; I just wanted to share my experience with others who may be having it too.

I’ve never heard of this sort of thing before. The only self-moving part inside the iPhone is the taptic engine, and that wouldn’t make a hissing noise. Is this a big deal? Definitely for Stephen, since he’s got to jump through the hoops to replace his phone.

For the rest of us? I don’t get the sense this is a widespread issue. And if it’s true that this has happened with previous models, sounds like a manufacturing defect, a sporadic issue at best.

As to me? I’ve still got my phone on order, not changing a thing.

10 cool little things to try in iOS 10

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This is a nice little collection, definitely worth a read. My favorite is to tell Siri:

Show me pictures of my cats

Obviously, you’ll want to replace “my cats” with something that makes sense for you. This was a bit hit-or-miss for me, but I like the direction. Asking Siri to search for cats worked flawlessly for me. Other searches were way off or prompted Siri to turn to the web, which was not what I intended.

But this one also worked flawlessly:

Show me pictures of food

I had no idea I took so many pictures of stuff I like to eat. And now I’m hungry.

NeXT-era Steve Jobs photos

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This is a small collection of 8 NeXT-era photos, each with a detailed caption. I thought these were worth a look.

My favorite is this one, taken in Palo Alto in 1986.

Here’s that caption:

NeXT design director Eddie Lee said that Steve had a way of “smiling shit at you” when he was getting mad. His head would go down and he’d make this sort of uncomfortable half smile, and you knew you were about to get crushed. Decisions in early team meetings such as this one were fraught with tension because the team was writing its business plan as it went along. One pivotal decision made was to build both the hardware and the software for the NeXT computer, a vastly harder prospect than their original idea to build only software. While still shaping every detail of NeXT in early 1986, Steve also had the incredible foresight to recognize that something amazing was happening with digital animation at Lucasfilm. He capitalized a new spin-off company with $10 million of his own money. They named it Pixar.

He looks so very young.

The iFixit iPhone 7 Plus teardown

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A few things really struck me while making my way through this teardown of the iPhone 7 Plus.

The iPhone cover/display flips to the side, like opening a book. Good to know this if you ever plan to open yours.

The edge of the iPhone cover is rimmed with a caulk-like adhesive, which acts like a gasket to keep liquids out, aid waterproofing (water-resistancing?)

The iPhone is filled with lots of tri-point screws, similar to the ones used inside the Apple Watch.

Finally, I found this to be an incredibly good looking design, at least to my untrained eye. Good stuff.

Apple surveying users about the headphone jack on their MacBook Pros

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Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors:

In recent weeks, Apple has been sending out surveys to users asking about MacBook Pro features, most notably the headphone jack. A survey question shared by MacRumors reader Blake asks “Do you ever use the headphone port on your MacBook Pro with Retina display?”

There are several other reports on Twitter from users who have been asked similar questions about the headphone jack, suggesting Apple is exploring the removal of the headphone jack in a future version of the MacBook Pro.

If there is a MacBook Pro update coming this year, I suspect it will have a headphone jack. This sort of market research would typically be done during the design phase, not in preparation for product rollout. I suspect the headphone jack will, ultimately, go away, as wireless becomes the standard. On the iPhone 7, waterproofing and case real estate are often quoted as two driving reasons for the removal of the headphone jack. Neither of these is a big issue for the MacBook Pro.

How to add an app to your Apple Watch dock

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The dock is new to watchOS 3. This lays out the process of adding apps to the dock. Pretty simple, but worth walking through the process. Removal is just as easy – click the “-” instead of the “+”.

100+ new iPhone and iPad features in iOS 10

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This is a monster of a post, with a wealth of detail, lots of images and embedded videos. I’m bookmarking this one (I already made my way through it) so I can search it later. Well done.

iPhone 7 worldwide launch day

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CNET covers Apple’s iPhone 7 launch at various locations around the world. Even with the news that there would be no iPhone 7 Plus and no iPhone 7’s in Jet Black, there were still plenty of people in line, perhaps hoping against hope that those shortage announcements were not true.

As to the shortages, there seems to be two complementary explanations: One is due to the extra time required to achieve the jet black finish using a technique Jony Ive refers to as “rotational 3D polishing.”

The second issue is apparent supply chain constraints for the iPhone 7 Plus dual camera, which requires more precision and calibration during assembly.