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This is Canada

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This is so funny. And all of it is absolutely true.

PDFpen: the powerful, all-purpose PDF editing tool from Smile [Sponsor]

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If you need to do anything with PDFs, you need PDFpen. You can add a signature, make changes, correct typos–and that’s only the beginning.

Got a scanned document? PDFpen includes OCR so you can convert that scan into text that can be searched, copied, and corrected. Concerned about sharing sensitive info such as tax ID numbers? PDFpen can perform redaction, removing the stuff you want to keep private. You can even export your PDFs to Microsoft Word format for sharing or editing.

Buy PDFpen for $60 in the Mac App Store or directly from Smile. If you need advanced features, such as auto form creation or document permission settings, get PDFpenPro. Find out more.

Netflix, world-wide expansion, and pirate guidance

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Netflix is a fantastic story. They started by shipping physical DVDs about 15 years ago, then moved heavily into streaming. Over the past few years, Netflix has moved into more than 40 countries, sometimes building custom content for a specific region (Norway’s Lilyhammer is a good example). How do they make the decision on what content to purchase?

This week Netflix rolled out its service in the Netherlands and the company’s Vice President of Content Acquisition, Kelly Merryman, says that their offering is partly based on what shows do well on BitTorrent networks and other pirate sites.

“With the purchase of series, we look at what does well on piracy sites,” Merryman told Tweakers.

One of the shows that Netflix acquired the rights to in the Netherlands is Prison Break, since it is heavily pirated locally. “Prison Break is exceptionally popular on piracy sites,” Merryman says.

Here’s an interview with Reed Hastings. It’s from a Dutch site, but the interview is in English. To skip the intro, jump to :30.

Voila Screen Capture Tool for Mac

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I’d like to thank Voila – Screen Capture Tool from Global Delight for sponsoring this week’s RSS feed on The Loop. Capture your Mac screen, create amazing demos and tutorials and upload them with Voila.

With Voila, you can easily take different types of screenshots, edit and share images, webpages or notes on your Mac.

Organize your captures in smart collection folders or access it from multiple devices using your Dropbox or Evernote account. Record screencasts, webinars and videos for your project or store them for future reference. You can also mail your captures directly from the app with just a few clicks.

Global Delight is running a ‘Back To School’ campaign till end of September where Voila is available for 50% discount. You can grab a copy for just $14.99 which is otherwise $29.99

Give it a Try! Download the app now and enjoy 15 day Free Trial.

Amplified: Manatee Gray

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Jim and Dan discuss the Apple event, and Jim’s hands-on experience with the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s.

Sponsored by Hover (use code DANSENTME for 10% off), Shutterstock (use code DANSENTME9 for 25% off), and Squarespace (use code DANSENTME9 for 20% off).

Reeder 2

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There is nothing better to read your RSS feeds than Reeder. I love this app.

The Loop Magazine Issue 10: The new iPhones are here

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In this issue, Jim Dalrymple talks about his experience with the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s at Apple’s event; Jim also discuss the iTunes Festival being held in London, England this month; Christopher Russell looks at how iPads help in education; Matt Gemmell remembers retro gaming consoles; and Tom Ellis gives you some tips on what you need to make music on your Mac.

“Us too”, said Samsung

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Here’s a quote from Samsung Mobile boss Shin Jong-kyun:

“Not in the shortest time. But yes, our next smartphones will have 64-bit processing functionality,” Shin said, adding he followed the media coverage of Apple’s new iPhone.

I’m sure, in context, this is a reasonable response to a reasonable question. But as soon as I read this quote, in my mind, I heard the followup, “and fingerprint scanning, too, we’ll have that, too.”

Just me?

Girls in tech

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Worthwhile read, especially if you have a daughter interested in technology.

Jim will be in the room

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As if anyone needs reminding, today is the big day. Apple is holding their media event on campus at 1pm ET/10am PT. Jim will be in the room. Stay tune for more from Jim throughout the day. Very exciting!

iWatch and where Samsung went wrong with Galaxy Gear

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We don’t know for sure if Apple is working on a product called the iWatch, but even the hint that they were sent Samsung on a quest to be Apple to market with it. Samsung won the race, but they made several fatal flaws that could cost them dearly. […]

Billings Pro for Mac, iPhone and iPad

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I’d like to thank Marketcircle for sponsoring this week’s RSS feed on The Loop. Send professional, detailed invoices and get paid sooner with Billings Pro for Mac, iPhone and soon iPad.

Easily capture all your billable time using the convenient time tracker on Mac and iPhone.

Organize your time, mileage, expenses and products using projects. Generate invoices for clients with multiple projects or generate invoices on a per project basis. You can also send recurring invoices, statements and estimates to your clients.

Automatically synchronize between all your Macs, iPhones and iPads as an individual user or as a team of users.

You can also get notified when Billings Pro for iPad is available.

Intermission: Pause and rewind live audio

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With Intermission, you can jump back and replay something you missed, then resume live playback. Use it to pause any audio while you take a call, answer the door, or use the restroom. You can even pause streaming audio on services like Pandora, iTunes Radio, or Spotify to build a buffer, then skip right past the ads and songs you don’t want to hear!

Another great looking app from Rogue Amoeba.

Writing On The iPad: Text Automation with Editorial

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An extended edition of an article originally published on MacStories.net, “Writing On The iPad: Text Automation with Editorial” contains an in-depth review and detailed guide to Editorial, a revolutionary Markdown text editor for iPad with unique automation features. After reading this book, you’ll have a new perspective on what is possible to accomplish on an iPad with Markdown and text automation.

A new book from Federico Viticci.

Google’s Motorola a convicted patent troll

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A federal jury yesterday rendered a verdict that makes Google (Motorola) a convicted patent troll. It has been found to have breached the duty of good faith and fair dealing flowing from Motorola’s FRAND licensing pledges to standard-setting organizations. None of the companies typically described as trolls have actually been convicted of similarly unlawful conduct.

Ouch.

Galaxy Gear

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It seems unimaginative to me. I don’t know, I just expected more.

Changing household demographics

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This infographic shows households by type, 1970-2012. The most notable trend is the number of married couples with children, which dropped from 40.3% to 19.6%. Interesting.

iTunes Festival: Sigur Rós

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Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós performed at the iTunes Festival in London last night to a packed house. I had an opportunity to speak with the band before the show about the festival and its importance. […]

Billings Pro for Mac, iPhone and iPad [Sponsor]

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Send professional, detailed invoices and get paid sooner with Billings Pro for Mac, iPhone and soon iPad.

Easily capture all your billable time using the convenient time tracker on Mac and iPhone.

Organize your time, mileage, expenses and products using projects. Generate invoices for clients with multiple projects or generate invoices on a per project basis. You can also send recurring invoices, statements and estimates to your clients.

Automatically synchronize between all your Macs, iPhones and iPads as an individual user or as a team of users.

You can also get notified when Billings Pro for iPad is available.

Microsoft, Nokia deal is a bad idea

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Om Malik:

Microsoft’s legacy as a PC monopoly holder made it incapable of handling the fast changing, rapidly shifting post-mobile world. And now for the next year Microsoft will be distracted by integrating the two companies — all at a time when Samsung will be releasing a barrage of new phones, Google will be improving on Moto X and Android and, lest anyone forget, Apple will have a trick or two up its sleeve. Oh, by the way, there is that other Seattle-based company: Amazon has been quietly working on its own phones and has plans to take on the current smartphone establishment. And they don’t even care about making a profit — they just want marketshare.

That’s probably just how the next year will play out.

Amplified live from iTunes Festival in London today

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I’m in London today and will be attending the opening show at the iTunes Festival, featuring Lady Gaga. Dan Benjamin and I will be doing a special Amplified podcast at 2:00 pm ET before the concert starts. You can join us live to hear about the festival.