Lava Lamps are the bee’s knees. It is known. And in this episode, Bryan and Jeff discuss how they make the perfect random number generator. They also look at how eclipse watching is an excellent window into what would happen in a disaster, and discuss the Bitcoin fork that resulted in Bitcoin Cash being created.
Bryan Chaffin
Bryan Chaffin is the cofounder of The Mac Observer and currently serves as Afternoon Editor. He has contributed to MacAddict and MacFormat magazines, and co-authored the last two updates of iPad and iPad Pro for Dummies with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus and Ed Baig. You can find out more about Bryan at his personal site, GeekTells, or find his Twitter link below.
Articles by Bryan Chaffin
Apple Tests Web Payment Requests in Safari Technology Preview 38
This release tests out Payment Requests for Web Payments, and adds support for phonetic names in Apple Pay.
Nisus Writer Pro: $39
We have a deal on Nisus Writer Pro 2.1.5, a writing app for Mac. It features customizable tool pallets, assignable keyboard shortcuts, the ability to open and save in Word file format, and more. It’s $39 through us.
Apple Moves Some Safari Extensions to Mac App Store
Apple launched a new Safari Extensions section on the Mac App Store this week. Currently there are 27 Safari Extensions on the MAS, a mix of free and for-fee Extensions. The original Safari Extensions Gallery website is still available, too, though, where you can find every Extension available. There wasn’t a lot of information released with the Mac App Store addition, and we don’t yet know if Apple plans to move all of them. Safari Extensions add hooks into apps, services, and other features into Apple’s Safari browser. Many are free—especially app companions—while others come with a (small) price tag.
Tim Cook Offers Thoughts for Sailors Lost on USS John S. McCain, and Those Who Serve
While the search continues, the remains of some of those sailors were reported found Tuesday morning.
Prizmo 3 Scanning for Mac: $29.99
We have a deal for you on Prizmo 3 Scanning for Mac. It will scan, allow you to edit, and built-in optical character recognition (OCR). You can use your smartphone as your scanner, too. It’s $29.99 through us.
Apple Seeds watchOS 4 Developer Beta 7 (15R5365a) to Developers
Apple didn’t include patch notes for the release, but as with other operating systems in Apple’s developer beta program, each seed is a mix of bug fixes, tweaks, and various stages of feature rollouts.
Apple Releases iOS 11 Developer Beta 7 (15A5362a)
The update is available for developers with compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models.
Apple Seeds macOS High Sierra Developer Beta 7 Build (17A352a)
Monday’s release continues an accelerated release cycle, as the last round of developer betas hit just one week ago.
Apple Seeds tvOS 11 Developer Beta 7 (15J5369a)
Along with iOS 11 beta 7, macOS High Sierra beta 7, and watchOS 4 beta 7, Apple released tvOS 11 developer beta 7 (XX) on Monday.
Apple I Originally Gifted by the Two Steves Going Up for Auction
Another Apple I computer is going up for auction, according to BusinessInsider (via 9to5Mac). This one was gifted to its original owner—Adam Schoolsky—by his friends Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. It also includes an Apple I cassette interface card, a drawing from Apple cofounder Ron Wayne, and a prank flier made by Messrs. Schoolsky and Wozniak for the 1977 West Coast Computer Faire. All of those things makes this auction a little special from other Apple I auctions, but it will also be a charity auction by CharityBuzz, the folks who auction off those coffee dates with Apple execs. Proceeds benefit FAIRS, a nonprofit that develops amateur and emergency radio services in developing countries. CharityBuzz hasn’t listed the auction yet.
PSA: Scam Phone Call Claims to Be from 'Apple Support'
People are being telephoned by scammers claiming to be from “Apple Support,” “Apple Inc.,” or a local Apple Store.
That Time Apple Hid This Job Posting Deep in Its Website
If you wanted the job, your interview began before you ever applied.
1Voice Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones: $22.99
We have a deal for you on a pair of 1Voice Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones. They have up to 5 hours of playtime, and they’re $22.99 through us.
Apple Leaks Go Back Almost 30 Years (Video)
Generally speaking, the only secrets Apple can keep any more are products developed and manufactured internally. Put another way, some software and the Mac Pro. But Apple has always leaked like a sieve. Enter this video from 1988 found and digitized by Fast Company. It’s a news broadcast from a local San Francisco television station interviewing David Bunnell, editor for a now-defunct publication called Macintosh Today. He went on to found PC Magazine, PC World, and Macworld, but back at Macintosh Today, he had just scooped Apple with a story about the not-yet announced Mac Portable (or Luggable, as it was nicknamed). His story was based on a 160-page document his magazine got its hands on. 160 pages! I suppose this is proof that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile Wireless Service Nationwide
Just in case you were thinking to yourself, “Hey, Comcast doesn’t have a big enough footprint in my life,” I’ve got good news for you. The media behemoth announced Friday that Xfinity Mobile is launching nationwide in the U.S. Comcast commercials ask, “It makes you wonder: shouldn’t we get our phones and internet from the same company?” Quick response: no it doesn’t and how on earth does that make sense? Anyhoo…it’s $45 per line per month for unlimited data or $12 per month per GB of data.
10% of the Internet Is Encrypted with Lava Lamps
Bryan Chaffin loves Lava Lamps and used to own a half dozen of them, but who knew they could be one of the keys to encryption?
Formula One 2017 for Mac with Same Day Release as Windows on August 25th
Feral Interactive announced Friday that Formula One 2017 will be released on August 25th, with a same-day release for Mac and PC. The game, created by Codemasters, offers a stunning Formula One racing experience. In addition to the trailer below, Codemasters released a 26 minute, unedited gameplay video that is just unbelievable. The game features a Research 7 Development tree, the ability to tune the cars, a career mode, and off-track activities. The game will be available through Feral and Steam for US$59.95, with a Mac App Store version coming later for $49.99. System requirements haven’t published, but are likely to be steep. If you’re a racing game enthusiast, it’ll be worth it.
iKlips Wizard Is 3-in-1 Lightning, microSD, and USB 3.1 Connector
Check out the iKlips Wizard, a 3-in-1 cable with Lightning, microSD, and USB 3.1 connectors. It lets you transfer files between Macs, PCs, iOS devices, and Android devices. It’s $59 through us.
Blockchain.info Launches Online Ethereum Wallet
Users will find new tabs for Bitcoin and Ether on the online wallet, whether or not they have Ether or have generated Ethereum addresses.
CASA USB-C 6-Port Hub: $79.99
Check out the CASA USB-C 6-Port Hub with two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, plus HDMI, ethernet, and SD card reader. It’s US$79.99 through us.
New Apple Music Carpool Karaoke Teasers for Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Ariana Grande, Seth McFarlane
Teasers hint at a Game of Thrones attraction cameo, as well as a past with a french horn.
Eclipse Tips, AR Needs Eyeware, and No Apple Television Set - ACM 424
The eclipse is coming, and Bryan and Jeff have some tips for viewing it. They also explore practical limitations on augmented reality (AR) without the help of specialized eyeware. For a bookend, they deconstruct a new rumor about a supposed Apple television set. Spoiler, it ain’t happening.
BioShock Remastered Coming to macOS - Here Are the Macs That Will Run It
Feral Interactive announced that BioShock Remastered is coming to macOS on August 22nd. The Remastered version of BioShock brings the Art Deco first person shooter to 1080p, but you’re going to need a Mac from 2013 or later to run it. Feral announced requirements today, including: all 21.5” iMacs since late 2013 (1GB Nvidia GT 750M Models are not officially supported); all 27” iMacs since late 2013 (1GB Nvidia GT 755M Models are not officially supported); all 13” MacBook Pros since late 2016; all 15” MacBook Pros since late 2013, and all Mac Pros since late 2013. The company said that Late 2012 iMac models with 2GB Nvidia 680MX graphics cards are also supported. The game will play on 2012 and other 2013 Macs, as well, but aren’t officially supported. BioShock Remastered will be priced at $19.99 through Feral and Steam, and a Mac App Store will be released “shortly afterwards.”
