As predicted by myself and many others. This was to be expected given the situation the world finds itself in right now and is certainly the right decision. Apple tries to put a brave face on it saying, “This June, WWDC20 brings a completely new online experience to millions of talented and creative developers around the world.”
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Spanish Flu: a warning from history
There are lessons from 1918 to be learned here.
Today at Apple sessions suspended at all US stores due to coronavirus precautions
I wonder how long it will be or how worse it will get before Apple closes North American stores?
DeepFake of Willem Dafoe as Hannibal Lecter
This is frighteningly well done.
Apple Music signs new multiyear deals with world’s largest record labels
Speculation is that this will kill any bundling options Apple has for Music.
Apple reopens all 42 China stores after virus closures
A bit of good news amongst all the bad.
N.C.A.A. basketball tournaments canceled amid coronavirus outbreak
This popped up on my phone as I was reading “Why hasn’t America canceled sports yet?” Maybe they will.
MLB cancels spring training, delays 2020 season
Following a call with the 30 clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. today announced that MLB has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic. This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans.
MLB will continue to evaluate ongoing events leading up to the start of the season. Guidance related to daily operations and workouts will be relayed to Clubs in the coming days. As of 4 p.m. ET today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been cancelled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Ariz., have been postponed indefinitely.
Events are falling like Dominos. I still believe this is the most prudent action for everyone.
NHL pauses season due to coronavirus
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman:
“In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019-20 season beginning with tonight’s games.
“The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures. However, following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus — and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point — it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time.
“We will continue to monitor all the appropriate medical advice, and we will encourage our players and other members of the NHL community to take all reasonable precautions — including by self-quarantine, where appropriate. Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup. Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy.”
It’s the best policy right now.
The Apple Watch won but TAG Heuer is keeping a certain kind of smartwatch alive
Good luck. I’ve always been a fan of TAG Heuer’s design but I can’t afford an Apple Watch let alone a TAG Heuer with prices starting at £1,495 ($1,883 US) for the stainless steel model and £1,950 ($2,456 US) for titanium. But they do look good.
NBA suspends season after idiot player jokes about COVID-19, then tests positive
The NHL has also suspended its season. With the 2020 Major League Baseball season scheduled to begin on March 26, what do you think the odds are of Opening Day actually happening on that date?
Beastie Boys Story trailer for Apple TV+
I was never a Beastie Boys fan but I’ll definitely watch this documentary about them.
Coronavirus divides tech workers into the ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ sick
And it’s not just tech workers. Give a thought to the folk working in the service industries – hotel staff, fast food workers, waiters – people who rely on not only hourly wages but are required to show up in physical locations to receive those wages. And many of them have little to no benefits, medical or otherwise.
Twitter orders all employees worldwide to work from home
We’ve gone from “Hey would you mind….” to “please do this…” to “Holy crap just stay home!”
Ideal glass would explain why glass exists at all
I had no idea there was any such thing as “ideal glass” and the line, “Glass is a liquid in suspended animation” kind of blew my mind. It’s one of those things you know but didn’t know.
Study: People are more willing to share their data if they’ll be paid for it
I never give up accurate data without getting something in return. You want me to fill out your survey? Pay me. No, not enter me into a draw. Straight up PAY ME.
This is what it’s like to be in control of the most powerful weapons on the planet
This is an awesome and terrifying responsibility. Granted, it’s a puff piece but there are interesting tibits in it.
We built a database of over 500 iPhones cops have tried to unlock
The cat and mouse game between Apple and law enforcement continues.
Apple signs open letter voicing opposition to new legislation targeting LGBTQ community
Apple has been very clear on its stance with regard to this issue.
Apple closes all 17 stores in Italy amid Coronavirus pandemic
Italy has been devastated by the spread of the virus.
Coronavirus Tech Handbook
Lots of information here including models and forecasting, fighting misinformation, and tools for scientists.
Sorry, but working from home is overrated
As usual, the New York Times makes pronouncements and assumptions not applicable to “most people.” I’ve worked from home for 26+ years. No, it’s not for everyone but many, many people can and should make it work.
The best pixel editor for macOS? Affinity Photo
Saying the best pixel editor on the Mac isn’t Photoshop is a bold statement.
Searching for cheap flights? Now is the time to book if you’re willing to take a risk
More good news/bad news. Airfare out of Vancouver is often ridiculously expensive but right now, flights to NYC are under $230. Very tempting.
Is the iPad Pro ready for real photo editing? I ditched my MacBook to find out
As always, it depends on your needs. Personally, I could certainly do 50% of my editing on an iPad Pro in the field but I’d still have/want to come back to a 27″ iMac to finish. YMMV
AirPods Pro “Snap”
If AirPods Pro actually worked like this, I’d never turn Transparency mode off.
China demand for e-learning bites into Apple’s iPad supply
This is a real good news/bad news situation for Apple – sales are up but they can’t meet demand for the same reason sales are up.
Amazon, Apple, Google lead tech coronavirus White House meeting
Hopefully, real action can come out of this meeting and not just photo ops.
Apple News adds a special coverage section for tracking the coronavirus outbreak
Is this only for US-based users of Apple News (not Apple News+)? I don’t see any such banner at the top of my News app on the desktop or on iOS.
The art and craft of scientific glassblowing
I’ve always loved watching glassblowing but had never thought about the need for specialty scientific glass.