The company sold 7.4 million BlackBerry phones and 130,000 PlayBook tablets last quarter. Analysts on average predicted 6.9 million smartphones and 217,000 tablets. Apple, meanwhile, sold 5 million units of its latest iPhone in a single weekend.
Wow, that’s pitiful compared to the iPhone.
BuzzFeed:
Home decor for the inner nerd in all of us.
Come on, admit it. You’d like at least half of these in your own nerd pad, wouldn’t you? I love #2 but #6 would make me break the door down.
Stay classy Google.
I think that’s what Matthew Panzarino meant to say.
From hard-core shooters to amazingly fun casual games, thousands of quality Mac games are available for purchase and download. Explore the latest demos, dive into the best sellers, or check out the newest indie gems.
The beta is over and the final version is available for download.
Skip ahead to 1:15. Much respect drummer guy.
I want one of these. No, I want them all.
Those are impressive LTE speeds.
Jim Dalrymple and Dan Benjamin discuss the launch of the iPhone 5, its sale success, a redesigned Mac Pro, using an iPhone on the Verizon network, Corning’s relationship with Apple, WiFi issues with the iPhone 5, Billie Joe’s (of Green Day) breakdown at the IHeartRadio music festival, and buying the right amp.Sponsored by Igloo Software, Harvest (use code 5by5 for 50% off first month), Gazelle, and MailChimp.
Gruber lays out the timeline.
Marco Arment:
It’s easy for most of us around these parts to forget how badly technology still works for so many people. This is supposed to be the best we have today: an iPad, a routine OS update, an Apple Store, an automatic backup feature. But even the iPad, while easy to use for routine tasks, still shows its computer heritage in clunky, ugly, techie ways like software updates and restores. And while Apple Stores have a reputation for great service, there are enough counterexamples happening every day that I’m not sure how much longer that reputation will last.
Arment recounts some recent tribulations his elderly grandparents have suffered with a data migration facilitated with an Apple Genius at their local store. The story doesn’t knock Apple Stores or Geniuses, but it does highlight some of the issues that unsophisticated Apple product users (or as I like to think of them, muggles) still face with Apple technology.
Who knew that someone could jump on the Apple bashing bandwagon faster than David Pogue. Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. tried in his latest WSJ article.
Adario Strange for PCMag:
Google’s Eric Schmidt last year handed the CEO reigns over to co-founder Larry Page and became the firm’s executive director, but he has remained in the spotlight. This week Schmidt has been touring Asia to help introduce the Nexus 7 there, and during a stop in South Korea the normally staid executive loosened up with by dancing with Korean pop sensation Psy.
He dances like he just Schmidt his pants.
Don’t watch this at work. You just have to love Zakk.
Nice article from Chris Armstrong.
Bryan Bishop for The Verge:
Yesterday we reported on a vulnerability on Samsung phones that could allow a malicious website to wipe a user’s device, but new details are coming to light that indicate the issue extends beyond Samsung’s product line — and that the dialer in some versions of Android may by the cause.
We linked to a report on the vulnerability on Tuesday.
I don’t understand how some analysts could say the launch was disappointing.
Barnes & Noble on Wednesday took the wraps off two new models of its Nook e-reader, an Android-based tablet designed to go head to head with Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD and other inexpensive e-readers and tablets. The Nook HD and HD+ cost $199 and $269 respectively.
The HD is a 7-inch tablet with a 1440 x 900 pixel display. The $199 model comes with 8GB of built-in storage; a 16GB version is available for $229. The HD+ is Barnes & Noble has a 9.5-inch display capable of showing 1920 x 1280 pixels.
The HD+ is the first Nook have similar dimensions to the iPad, though its resolution is lower (the iPad’s is 2048 x 1536). The HD+ comes in 16 and 32GB models for $269 and $299 respectively.
Both units can be expanded with more storage capacity using microSD cards, and have built in 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth. Both run Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich.”
From 3D designer Peter Zigich.
Starting today, you can use Google Maps to find a sea turtle swimming among a school of fish, follow a manta ray and experience the reef at sunset—just as I did on my first dive in the Great Barrier Reef last year.
Nice.
OhGizmo!:
Admittedly, the thing is pretty awesome, if only because it’s so ridiculous looking. But it’s also sort of smart. It’s a pillow with an opening for your hands, and for your mouth and nose. Your eyes are covered and your head is cushioned whether you decide to plop your noggin down on your desk or sleep in the airplane.
I’ve always wanted a foolproof “Dork Detector” and, if you’re using/wearing this, there’s no doubt – you are an absolute dork!
The Globe and Mail:
“Who better to lead America than a country already leading America in so many ways?” is just the beginning of Canadian Brian Calvert’s case, made in a YouTube video, for why Americans should vote for Canada to run the U.S. this fall.A scrolling list of things Mr. Calvert argues Canadians do better include healthcare, human rights, and the employment rate – along with big foot sightings, lumberjack fashion and bear attacks.
Seriously, America. Why not let Canada govern you for a while? What’s the worse that could happen?
I must say, that sounds really easy.
Wired:
Usually, the only math required at a bar is tip calculation. But a new algorithm-based program from Miami company Drink Exchange makes ordering cocktails much like playing the stock market.If a particular concoction is popular, the software automatically raises its price. Conversely, the less popular a drink, the less it costs. Bar promotions (such as a sudden “market crash,” when all prices fall) affect prices minute to minute. Television screens and LED tickers display the prices so patrons can follow along—and throw elbows to get their orders in.The system is currently set up in 25 watering holes, and there are plans to be in 300 by year’s end.
Seriously? Would you do this? I don’t want to work this hard just to get a drink.
Not bad.
Relay G55 delivers tour-grade digital wireless in a compact, half-rack format—so you can enjoy wireless freedom without compromising your guitar tone.
I haven’t had a chance to try this system. I use an AKG wireless unit for my guitar.
We’re happy to announce the Facebook SDK 3.1 for iOS that adds support for the Facebook integration in iOS 6. This integration opens up new opportunities for mobile app developers as you can easily build the foundation for a social app, Facebook Login and sharing functionality, into your product.
Nice, I like that.
Congratulations to everyone at Pixelmator as they celebrate their fifth birthday and thanks for sponsoring The Loop.