Researchers Say Pokémon GO Has Caused 145,000 Traffic Accidents

Two professors from Purdue University have published a study (via Gizmodo) that suggests Pokémon GO has caused as many as 145,000 traffic accidents. The study, titled Death by Pokémon GO was based on statistics from one county in Indiana between March 1st, 2015, and November 30th, 2016. Pokémon GO was released in July of 2016, earning some 100 million downloads in its first month alone. The game was the breakout hit for augmented reality, and millions of fans scoured the city and countrysides looking for Pokémon to capture for fighting. The study found an increase in traffic accidents corresponding to the increase in players, as well as a corresponding decrease as the game waned. They specifically attributed a half million dollars in vehicle damage, 31 accidents, and two deaths in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to the game. Scaling the data upwards to encompass the whole  professors offered «speculative» findings that the game led to more than 145,000 accidents, 29,000 injuries, and 256 deaths, and that was just in a five month period. Which is interesting considering that augmented reality is just getting going. Society has a long period of adjustment coming as we learn how to deal with both augmented and virtual realities being a daily part of our lives.

Playing Your Movies, Migrating Your Data, Managing Permissions – Mac Geek Gab 685

Cold weather (in the Northern Hemisphere, that is!) means lots of people are staying home playing movies, and your geeks are here to help out with that. Our Southern Hemisphere friends are vacationing, and all that travel means playing movies on the airplane, too, so… we all need this! That’s not all, though. Heck, that’s not even most! APFS on rotational drives, permissions for your files, battery apps for your iPhone and much, much more are included, as well. Press play and enjoy as Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun take you on an infotainment adventure. You’ll learn at least four new things!

TMO Background Mode Interview with Former TUAW Editor Michael T. Rose

Michael T. Rose is currently a Principle Solution Engineer at Salesforce.com. But you may know him best as a writer, editor and podcaster at The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) from 2006 until its untimely demise in 2014. He also hosts the Aftershow podcast with Kelly Guimont. Michael studied English at Carnegie Mellon University, but his first job after graduation (at P.ink America) took him down a technical path that endures today. Later, he worked for Entertainment Weekly as well as Life Magazines in New York where he also became interested in improvisational theater. He also does stand-up comedy in his spare time. At the Unofficial Apple Weblog, Michael worked with a notable group of writers who, along with him, are legendary. Listen in as Michael tells his unique story about his technical work, acting and writing.

The Miserable State of UI, HomePod Under Achieving, and Future Man - Pop.0 ep.21

We’ve had more than 30 years of mainstream GUI computer systems, and somehow user interfaces are still miserably bad. Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit also talk about Bloomberg’s report that said HomePod will focus on music even though the world is clamoring for an Apple home voice assistant. This week’s look at pop culture includes Future Man, a Hulu original they both like. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)

Apple Taps Sam Smith in 'Sway' Holiday Commercial for AirPods

Apple has a new holiday commercial out called Sway. The spot channels the feeling of Christmas without overtly mentioning that specific holiday, with a sound track by Sam Smith («Palace»). It’s a subtle promotion of AirPods featuring two young dancers who meet and metaphorically fall in love. She gives him one of her AirPods, and they then dance and sway through the snow sharing the same song. The tag line is «move someone this holiday.» What do you think?

FRESHeBUDS Pro Magnetic Bluetooth Earbuds: $20.36

Check out the FRESHeBUDS Pro Magnetic Bluetooth Earbuds. They’re water and sweat resistant, and automatically pair to your phone when pulled apart so you don’t have to go through any setup. They fully charge in 90 minutes, and offer up to 10 hours of playback. You can get them for $23.95 through our deal, but coupon code BFRIDAY20 will get you another 20% off for a final price of $20.36.