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iMore:
Tim Cook recently said that 60 percent of customers on an iPhone 5s or earlier have not yet upgraded to an iPhone 6 or later. When we polled our readership late last year, a majority of our readers told us they were happy with the current sizes — almost 58%.
Whether Apple does this in the spring or not, it certainly makes sense for the company to serve the end of the market that doesn’t need or want one of the ginormous iPhone 6 variations.
Bloomberg:
It’s a way of creating a connection, even if it’s superficial. If users click like on a post about the Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts, they feel as if they’ve done something to help. (In January, Sandberg went so far as to suggest that likes could help defeat Islamic State: By posting positive messages on the terror group’s Facebook pages, users could somehow drown out the hate.) Liking someone’s photo is an awkwardness-free way to make contact with someone you haven’t seen in years. Alternatives to like will let Facebook users be a little more thoughtful, or at least seem to be, without having to try very hard.
I think that “without trying too hard” is the sad key to the Like button. Regardless, the article is an interesting look behind the scenes at Facebook and the massive amount of discussion and thought that goes into something seemingly so simple and obvious.
Popular Mechanics:
It was supposed to be one of the greatest achievements in the history of the United States space program.A civilian—a schoolteacher, an emissary of the hope for tomorrow—was going to space. Christa McAuliffe, a thirty-seven-year-old mother of two from Concord, New Hampshire, had been selected from eleven thousand entrants to NASA’s Teacher in Space contest. She became a symbol of optimism and progress amid Cold War tension. And the rest of the shuttle crew was itself a representation of the strength of American society: Gregory Jarvis, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Michael Smith, and Commander Dick Scobee. Two women, one of them Jewish. An African- American. An Asian-American. They were the most diverse group of astronauts NASA ever assembled.
On the morning of January 28, 1986, despite concerns within NASA and among others working on the launch that the weather was too cold, the shuttle Challenger blasted off. Seventy-three seconds later, it broke apart in long, grotesque fingers of white smoke in the sky above Cape Canaveral, Florida.
While it was thirty years ago today, I still remember it vividly. I had turned the TV on specifically to watch the launch. I never missed one. I loved watching any kind of NASA launch and had since I was a kid. After Challenger, I never watched another one.
The Atlantic:
“It’s really strange that only humans have chins,” says James Pampush from Duke University. “When we’re looking at things that are uniquely human, we can’t look to big brains or bipedalism because our extinct relatives had those. But they didn’t have chins. That makes this immediately relevant to everyone.”Indeed, except in rare cases involving birth defects, everyone has chins. Sure, some people have less pronounced ones than others, perhaps because their lower jaws are small or they have more flesh around the area. But if you peeled back that flesh and exposed their jawbones—and maybe don’t do that—you’d still see a chin.
So, why do chins exist?
In the category of “things I wasn’t expecting to think about today”, I would put high on the list, “Why do human beings have chins?” It’s actually a very interesting article and, spoiler alert, scientists really don’t know why.
CNBC:
Cramer thinks the brand loyalty for Apple is so great customers won’t switch to another company. So maybe Apple doesn’t need to worry about peaking phone sales. Maybe it just needs to keep selling more devices, and let the service stream do the talking.“By this time next year, it wouldn’t shock me if that service revenue number becomes the key metric, especially with the iPhone 7 right around the corner,” Cramer said.
I find Cramer physically hard to listen to (his voice is like finger nails on a blackboard to me) and I’m not going to give him a pass on his late realization of the importance of brand loyalty when it comes to Apple, but the piece and the video have some interesting thoughts as to why analysts can’t seem to get their heads around Apple and why they seemingly treat Apple so harshly. I don’t know if his conclusion that service revenue will be a key metric in the future is correct but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Apple today announced a voluntary recall of AC wall plug adapters designed for use in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Continental Europe, New Zealand and South Korea. In very rare cases, affected Apple two-prong wall plug adapters may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched. These wall plug adapters shipped with Mac® and certain iOS devices between 2003 and 2015 and were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. Apple is aware of 12 incidents worldwide. […]
Talon Torres:
…(it) had been launched at six times Earth’s escape velocity. That’s one hundred fifty thousand miles per hour. Forty-five miles per second. Nine times faster than the Space Shuttle, six times faster than the fastest moon rockets. Faster than the Voyager spacecraft, which, having reached over 35000 miles per hour, are now leaving the solar system and have for years been claimed to be the fastest man-made objects ever. To which I now say: Pshaw and poppycock…So somewhere in the New Mexico desert, unknown and unmourned, lies an American relic, a piece of history like no other: the fastest man-made object ever.
I have no idea who the writer is but it’s a great story and the answer will surprise you. The amount of energey required is mindboggling. Thanks to John Molloy for the link.
John Gruber captures perfectly the problem with comparing Twitter to Facebook
Kerris is well known in Silicon Valley for her job as one of the top public relations and communications staffers at Apple. She was in the running for the top job at the tech giant, which went to Steve Dowling, after the departure of Katie Cotton.
Kerris retired from Apple, but she would be a great addition to Twitter if they can get her.
The New York Times:
Let’s get this out of the way first: Despite what you may have heard, the iPhone is not dying. Neither, by extension, is Apple.It’s true that in an earnings report on Tuesday, after weeks of speculation by Wall Street that iPhone sales would finally hit a peak, Apple confirmed the news: IPhone sales grew at their lowest-ever rate in the last quarter. And the company projected total sales of as much as $53 billion in the current quarter that ends in March, which would be a decline of 8.6 percent from last year and Apple’s first revenue drop in more than a decade.
But if Apple is now hitting a plateau, it’s important to remember that it’s one of the loftiest plateaus in the history of business. The $18.4 billion profit that Apple reported on Tuesday is the most ever earned by any company in a single quarter.
It’s necessary to start with these caveats because people have a tendency to react strongly, almost apoplectically, to any suggestion of weakness on Apple’s part.
Yesterday’s earnings report followed the usual script – Apple announces amazing numbers and everyone says, “Yeah, but what’s next!?” I think Apple Executives and The Board of Directors look past the stock price at a much longer time frame. This allows them to, if not ignore the rending of garments, at least keep it in perspective. Apple is still, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a very succesful company.
The Wirecutter with an up-to-date survey of AA rechargeables. Good info.
iMore transcribed the call, along with all the analyst questions, and answers from Tim Cook and Luca Maestri.
Apple on Tuesday announced record quarterly revenue of $75.9 billion and record quarterly net income of $18.4 billion.
“Our team delivered Apple’s biggest quarter ever, thanks to the world’s most innovative products and all-time record sales of iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple TV,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The growth of our Services business accelerated during the quarter to produce record results, and our installed base recently crossed a major milestone of one billion active devices.”
Blair Bunting:
There was once a time when men flew a jet that tore the air apart, nearly revealing the physics that had served only to hold it together. It was an aircraft that screamed as quietly as the night, flying for almost ten years before it was even known to exist. To many, it is considered the greatest aircraft innovation ever gave us; it is the SR-71 Blackbird.I was not among those fortunate to see it fly, my viewership of this spectical (sic) is, and will always be, limited to History Channel documentaries with the sound cranked to 11. However, I could not help but feel the sense of awe when stepping out of the van at Beal Air Force Base and the PA officer saying, “here is your SR-71, Mr. Bunting.”
Even after all of these years, it is still the most magnificent airplane I’ve ever seen. I remember the day it buzzed the city of Vancouver to promote the local airshow. I was literally standing in awe, mouth agape, as it flew by.
Wired:
It’s odd when you think about it. Records are archaic technology, a format that is not at all portable and subject to all manner of degradation, from scratches and skips to pops and clicks, if it isn’t properly and lovingly cared for. But audiophiles insist vinyl offers superior sound. We’ll stay out of that debate, but you have to admit it is pretty cool how vinyl works.There’s a process to it that borders on artistry, something Wiper—who loves records—discovered during a visit to Record Industry, a pressing plant in the in the Dutch city of Haarlem. The British photographer followed every step in the process, from making the master to pressing the wax to shrink-wrapping the finished product. “Seeing how it’s done really makes you realize how amazingly clever this old-fashioned technology is,” he says.
The process of creating the actual vinyl record is fascinating. The slide show included with the story makes me wish for a video of the incredibly detailed process. Almost makes me want to buy vinyl again. Almost.
During the first half of the AFC title game in Denver, the Patriots’ Microsoft Surface tablets stopped working. According to CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn, “Patriots coaches did not have access” to the tablets during the Broncos’ second scoring drive. At the time, Washburn reported that some, but not all of them, were working.
Shocking.
Four senior Twitter executives are leaving the media company, CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted late Sunday night, the biggest leadership changes since Dorsey returned as chief executive as he struggles to revive the company’s growth.
I’m not sure what’s next for Twitter, but they’ve lost their way in recent years.
The New York Times:
In this always-on, always-connected world, what good is a Fitbit with no GPS or an iPad that can’t connect to the cloud?Hint: Ask President Obama.
Mr. Obama is the first true gadget geek to occupy the Oval Office, and yet his eagerness to take part in the personal technology revolution is hampered by the secrecy and security challenges that are daily requirements of his job.
The President is obviously a fan of technology but the demands of the office dictate what he can use and how he can use it. Contrary to the opinion of some web sites, President Obama doesn’t “diss” Apple by not using their products. He’s constrained from using them because of their capabilities.
This week, Jim and Merlin are joined by special guest, Ira Cary Blanco to talk about Ira’s work with Samson Technologies, including some great tips on choosing a microphone—as well as diving into how Ira uses technology to train for Ironman Triathlons.
The boys also run through the big updates to GarageBand for iOS and the amazing new Music Memos app.
Plus, the usual assortment of #heytdr and some great recommendations.
Brought to you by Braintree. The Dalrymple Report listeners get their first $50,000 in transactions fee-free.
Native access to cloud storage without sync?
ExpanDrive is a virtual drive that connects to cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google, Box, OneDrive, Amazon, SFTP and more. Access and manage files within Finder or edit them using your favorite apps like Photoshop or Sublime Text.
Save 20% today using the coupon LOOP20.
The Concert 88 Camera system features the camera mountable CR88V Micro Wireless Receiver with a removable shoe mount adapter, as well as a belt clip for strap mounting. For maximum convenience, the CR88V offers 12 hours of battery life from a single removable rechargeable lithium ion battery (two included). A battery level indicator lets you know when to swap in the backup. The receiver also offers a 1/8″ headphone monitor output with dedicated level control.
I’m heading over to see this later today, but it looks like a cool product if you’re doing reporting on the go.
Across the board, the Z Series Headphones feature lightweight components with a low-profile, over-ear fit and a stylish look. The entire line features ample cushioning for maximum comfort, highlighted by the genuine lambskin ear pads on the Z55 and Z45 models. Sonically, the headphones achieve wide, yet balanced and detailed sound fields ideal for critical studio monitoring. Their closed-back design provides effective sound isolation for recording by limiting unwanted background noise and signal bleed.
I used these during the last Dalrymple Report podcast and loved them. The sound was crisp and clear, and they were really comfortable.
For more than 40 years, Yamaha has developed industry-leading synthesizers, from the revolutionary DX7 in the 1980s to the renowned Motif series – one of the best-selling synthesizers of all time. Now, Yamaha raises the bar again with Montage. Montage, available in 61-, 76- and 88-key configurations, features the Motion Control Synthesizer Engine, a powerful and intuitive way to interact with and control sound.
I never thought I’d see Motif get replaced, but Yamaha did quite a job with the Montage. This is an impressive synth.
Inspired by raw power and performance, Revstar’s sound is as unique and bold as its aesthetic. Working to evoke a visceral, unbridled power and an individual, organic tone that is made possible only by considering every detail, Yamaha’s engineers chose materials carefully and designed custom pickups to make sure Revstar sounds as stunning as it looks.
I had a demo of these guitars today and I must say, I was impressed. They have a presence in look and feel that many guitars are missing these days. They aren’t heavy, but they are solid when you play them. I wouldn’t hesitate adding one of these to my collection.
With the TouchFlow Operation interface optimized for touch panel control, experienced engineers as well as newcomers to the field will find it easier than ever to achieve the ideal mix. Recallable D-PRE™ preamplifiers support sound quality that will satisfy the most discerning professional ears, while advanced live recording features and seamless operation with high-performance I/O racks give these compact digital mixers capabilities that make them outstanding choices for a wide range of applications. Experience the intuitive control and creative freedom that a truly evolved digital console can provide.
Yamaha made these mixers as foolproof as possible. They have a touchscreen display and a ton of presets preconfigured for each instrument in the band. You can also use an iPad to configure settings away from the mixer, so you can go onstage or anywhere in the room and check your sound. If I was going to buy a mixer today, I’d take a serious look at the TF series.
Record and compose music in studio quality on your laptop or iPad with the UR22mkII. With outstanding audio and build quality for its price class, the UR22mkII combines choice components with advanced connectivity and flexible I/O options to offer a full-on mobile production platform.
I love what Yamaha does with their new interfaces, making them compatible with iOS and Mac. I had a look at this today and it was impressive.
Anandtech:
Overall, the iPad Pro has proven to be a very different experience for me than previous iPads. The design is definitely familiar, with the same industrial design and general feel as previous iPads scaled up to a 12.9” form factor.On the SoC side, we’re finally seeing a major player in ARM SoCs directly competing with Intel on their home ground of sorts, and the results are at least somewhat shocking. Despite a handicap on process node, the CPU of the A9X isn’t all that far off from Skylake Core M. And while A9X can’t go toe-to-toe, Apple is for the first time capable of reaching Intel’s level for some workloads. Otherwise on the GPU side, Apple arguably bests Intel.
Here is the incredibly detailed iPad Pro review you’ve been waiting for.
Appleinsider:
A peek at the schedule of Pope Francis has revealed that the head of the Catholic Church met with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook on Friday, though what the two discussed remains a mystery.Carol Glatz of the National Catholic Reporter snapped a picture of the Pope’s schedule on Friday, revealing that the pontiff had a meeting scheduled with Cook at 11:30 a.m. local time. Tom Cheshire of Sky News later confirmed that the meeting took place, as highlighted by Business Insider.
Cook’s meeting with His Holiness comes one week after Pope Francis met with Eric Schmidt, CEO of Apple rival Alphabet.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall of that meeting.
Bloomberg:
Apple received $1 billion from its rival in 2014, according to a transcript of court proceedings from Oracle Corp.’s copyright lawsuit against Google. The search engine giant has an agreement with Apple that gives the iPhone maker a percentage of the revenue Google generates through the Apple device, an attorney for Oracle said at a Jan. 14 hearing in federal court.
Considering how valuable that piece of virtual property is, I bet Google thinks they got a bargain in the deal.