November 12, 2012
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Action-shooter “Halo 4,” released last Tuesday, is on its way to reaching $300 million in global sales in its first week, making it the biggest launch in the decade-old Halo franchise’s history, the company said.
I love my Xbox, but never got into Halo. Still this is one product in Microsoft’s arsenal that is hugely successful.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
I still have not tried in-flight Wi-Fi. Every time I fly they tell me it’s not available on that flight or it’s broken.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
As you might expect, I’m a “less is more” kind of guy. I don’t understand how some sites think the busy design works for its readers/customers.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
I downloaded this over the weekend and love it.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Matt Alexander on what’s he’s learned after his first year of writing.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
The NEW Squier Strat Guitar with USB & iOS Connectivity gives you a huge range of tones and all the features you expect from Fender—plus the convenience of direct connection to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. The Squier Strat with USB & iOS Connectivity is available exclusively at the Apple Store.
Good for Fender for doing this.
[Via 9to5 Mac]
Written by Jim Dalrymple
3Ders.org (via Gizmodo):
“Propshop commissioned us to build three plastic models of the Aston Martin DB5. We could have easily printed the legendary sports car in one piece at a scale of 1:3 using our high-end VX4000 printer, which can build moulds and models in dimensions of up to eight cubic metres. But the British model builders were pursuing a different approach. To ensure that the Aston Martin was as true to detail as possible, and for the purpose of integrating numerous functions into the film models, they decided on an assembly consisting of a total of 18 individual components. The entire body is based on a steel frame, almost identical to how vehicles were assembled in the past,” says voxeljet CEO Dr. Ingo Ederer.
So Voxeljet actually printed individual car components to replicate the vintage Aston Martin DB5 that meets its untimely end in Skyfall. Even then, though, it wasn’t cheap – one of the surviving models was auctioned off for $100,000.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
This week I spoke to Jason Bonfig, merchant vice president for computing at Best Buy. Bonfig told me that Best Buy has invested 50,000 hours worth of training to bring employees up to speed.
Very smart move by Microsoft and Best Buy. Microsoft must have known that people would be confused by the new interface, so to combat that they have experts on hand to make it all seem very simple.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Shawn Blanc is searching for a new camera. I’m still satisfied with my iPhone — it’s always with me and takes great photos.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Q brings over 25 new features installed, tested and managed as a free platform update to all Igloo customers.
Igloo users can now post blogs, wiki articles, documents and status updates right from their email. Igloo has also developed a brand-new calendar that integrates with your intranet and your desktop calendar applications. Q also adds a smart search that finds relevant content and displays it instantly and inline. Igloo has also introduced the ability to find and @mention users from any content entry field.
Igloo is trying to make work a better place. A recent IDC report states “… Igloo had the best overall solution capability rating from respondents.” IDC placed Igloo in the Major Players category for enterprise social software. You can download a complimentary copy of the report from Igloo .
Get an intranet you’ll actually like. Try Igloo.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
“Samsung Electronics recently asked Apple for a significant price raise in (the mobile processor known as) application processor,” the person was quoted as saying in the report. “Apple first disapproved it, but finding no replacement supplier, it accepted the (increase.)”
Samsung gets caught stealing Apple’s designs, so they raise the price of the chips by 20 percent.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
The sad part is most people don’t expect much from RIM with these new devices. I can’t imagine the reception will be positive and I think this is the company’s last stand.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Mr. Ballmer declined to give exact figures for sales of Microsoft’s 1 1/2-pound tablet computer, introduced Oct. 26 to compete with Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) highly successful iPad.
Apple sold 3 million iPads in three days.
November 10, 2012
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Ella-raye Dickens for DesignModo:
When people ask me to describe the importance of web design – I often compare it to the front cover of a book. As with a book – you often judge the content inside on the front cover – whether you consciously intend to or not.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Rob Pegoraro has both devices and is deciding which one he’ll return.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
I know people hate them, but they make millions of dollars and sell out concerts everywhere.
Written by Jim Dalrymple

Thanks to Doxie for sponsoring The Loop’s RSS feed this week.
Just announced: Doxie One, the easy new way to go paperless for just $149.
Doxie One scans your paper – simply, automatically, and with no computer required. To scan, just push the button and insert your sheet. Doxie scans anywhere with a simple, elegant design.
When you’re ready to organize, sync scans to your Mac or iPad, just like a digital camera. Doxie’s elegant Mac app creates multi-page searchable PDFs you can save or send to Evernote, Dropbox, or via iMessage. Doxie even works with your iPad with both Apple’s Lightning and 30-pin SD Card Reader accessories.
Reserve your new Doxie One today – just $149.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
I don’t own a V guitar, but the King series looks nice.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Trash Apple and then start buying the stock when it falls. Come on.
November 9, 2012
Written by Jim Dalrymple
An interesting distinction.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
“When you take down almost everything, it becomes a disease.”
That’s the category I would fall into. I think mine comes from doing so many live updates over the years though. When you are trying to quote people all the time, the need to get everything is important.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Horace Dediu:
If stores did not show any effect of poor management, then why was Browett fired? I suspect it had mostly to do with a mis-match of understanding of the job the stores are hired to do by consumers and by Apple itself. The company treats the stores as a sales channel but also as a communications channel with its customers.
A complete and total mismatch.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
I setup Pocket on my Mac and iPhone1 and I really like what I see so far. It’s interesting that even though the company has a Mac app available, I actually like using the Web site more. I think it’s probably because most of the things I save are from Reeder or Web browser, so I’m already there. Switching to the app just seems like an extra step for me. But that’s the way I work, everyone is different.
Written by Jim Dalrymple
Macworld’s Jim Galbraith puts the new Mac mini through some tests.