Apple

Turning down Steve Jobs

This video came out last year, around the 3rd anniversary of Steve’s death. I came across it a few days ago, thought it was appropriate timing and and interesting anecdote. Not sure what the lesson is here, but definitely feels like a parable.

Significant update to content blocker list

A while back, I started a master list of Safari content blockers (at least the ones I found). Over the weekend, Carlos Oliveira and I banged around a few ideas and Carlos edited the list, adding 2 codes to each entry. One code indicates whether a content blocker is free, the second code indicates whether the content blocker supports an editable white list (turn off blocking for specific sites).

Please take a look at the list, ping me if you spot any errors or missing blockers. The link remains the same.

Jean-Louis Gassée: Steve Jobs, memories and legacy

In today’s Monday Note, Jean-Louis penned a beautiful remembrance of the anniversary of Steve’s passing, combined with some insightful thoughts on what Apple has become, is becoming. A thoughtful read.

Elon Musk, Apple-hating, and the Apple Watch

There’s been a lot of press the past few days about Elon Musk and some pointed barbs he threw Apple’s way. Read on for specifics and one particular comment that I can’t disagree with more.

Apple Is Said to Deactivate Its News App in China

Paul Mozur and Katie Benner, writing for The New York Times:

Apple has disabled its news app in China, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, the most recent sign of how difficult it can be for foreign companies to manage the strict rules governing media and online expression there.

Your iPhone’s secret codes

I found this fascinating. A set of numbers you dial to access hidden features of your phone or enable/disable specific functionality.

iPhone’s slow and steady disruption of health care

The iPhone is a remarkable device, even if all it did was put the things you do every day into the palm of your hand.

But over time, Apple and the iPhone have slowly changed the nature of healthcare. There’s a specific device that brought this to mind. It’s not the first and not the last, but it’s emblematic of the sea change Apple is helping bring about.

AT&T flips the switch on WiFi calling

If AT&T is your carrier, you find yourself with a poor cell signal but with solid access to WiFi, WiFi calling is for you. It won’t eat up your data plan and your signal will go from nonexistent to excellent.

The state of Apple Pay

Fantastic writeup by Graham Spencer, writing for MacStories.net, on the progress and sticking points of global adoption of Apple Pay.

Thoughts on picking an iOS ad blocker

I’ve been maintaining a list of Safari ad blockers (the list is up to 25 now). As a natural consequence, people have been asking me to recommend an ad blocker, or at least tell them what I use.

Given that I’ve not done an extensive study of ad blockers, rather pick one over the other, I thought I’d share my thoughts on a path to consider when picking one for yourself. Read on…

Jony Ive remembers Steve Jobs

Jony Ive, speaking at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit, on a panel with Director J.J. Abrams and producer Brian Grazer, talks about his memory of Steve Jobs.

Apple is doomed

Go back four years to 2011, and HTC was the world’s biggest phone maker, the writing was on the wall for Apple. Doomed again.

What’s worse than paid app updates?

Dan Edwards, writing for Medium:

Recently Tweetbot 4 was released as a cross-platform update that’ll work on iPad & iPhone. Right now (at 50% off), it’s a $4.99/£3.99 app. Regardless of whether you bought the old Tweetbot recently, or at all.

Some people were pretty angry about this

This is inside out thinking. Read on for more.

When the Steve Jobs movie came calling

Scott Knaster, aside from being an aspiring actor, professional Mad Magazine collector, and wonderfully entertaining writer, was actually once an Apple employee, back when the Mac was being born (1983-1990).

Read on for his experience providing background for the new Steve Jobs movie.