Nostalgic gamers rejoice, for Nintendo is bringing back its classic console as the mini Super NES Classic console system. It will come with 21 games like Super Mario World, F-ZERO, Final Fantasy III, Earthbound, Super Mario Kart, and Star Fox 2, which was previously unreleased. Nintendo will launch the mini SNES Classic Edition on September 29th for US$79.99. Just like the NES Classic, it will have an HDMI port so you can hook it up directly to your TV. Hopefully Nintendo learned its lesson when it released the NES Classic, which was hard to come by because of limited stock and was discontinued earlier this year. When September finally comes around, it wouldn’t be surprising if the SNES Classic is quickly sold out.
TMO Background Mode Interview with TekRevue Founder Jim Tanous
Jim Tanous is the founder of the TekRevue website. That’s where you’ll find a wealth of technical articles and reviews for Apple, PC and Linux products. He’s also a regular contributor and editor here at The Mac Observer. Jim was always interested in computer technology, even from age seven. There was no computer at home when he was growing up, but his elementary school had Apple IIs, and he learned the BASIC language. However, Jim’s father was an attorney, and Jim thought, all the way into his second year of law school, that he would become an attorney also. Then one day, he realized that he wasn’t enjoying himself. That, in turn led, by his account, to becoming an Apple Genius. Tune in to find out how he made that grand leap.
[Background Mode will return on July 10.]
Powrtabs Disposable Battery Chargers: $19.99
A battery backup is practically essential for iPhone owners on the go, but what happens if your portable charger is drained? The Powrtabs Disposable Battery Charger aims to fix that problem with, well, disposable battery charger packs. Each pack is rated at 1,000 mAh so you’ll get about a four hour boost off one. They’re made from recycled materials and designed to be thrown away once they’re used. You can pick up a five pack for Lightning connector iPhones for US$19.99 with TMO’s deal—that’s 19% off the recular $24.95 price.
Google to End Gmail Scanning, Nike's AR Shoe Promotion - TMO Daily Observations 2017-06-26
Jeff Butts and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet sort out exactly what Google’s plan to stop scanning our Gmail accounts really means, plus they take a look at Nike’s new augmented reality shoe promotion scheme.
Former Apple Execs Discuss the Origins of the iPhone
As part of the iPhone’s 10th Anniversary this month, The Wall Street Journal has published a short video which looks at how this revolutionary device came to be. How the iPhone Was Born: Inside Stories of Missteps and Triumphs features interviews with three Apple employees key to the device’s development: Tony Fadell, Greg Christie, and Scott Forstall. Topics include how Apple originally envisioned the iPhone, the range of initial prototype designs, and what it was like to work under pressure from Steve Jobs.
Oh...Snap! – Mac Geek Gab 663
Proper use of a catchall address, external MacBook and MacBook Pro batteries, granular controls on the volume slider, GPS in Airplane mode, and making an old trackball with with Sierra are just the way this show begins. Listen in for much, much more… and feel free to send your questions in, too!
How to Start a Campfire With a Plastic Sandwich Bag and Water
This video isn’t conventional computer tech. And yet’s immensely technical, invoking a principle of physics. Gotta love that. And so, if you’re camping, don’t have matches, can’t find a flinty rock and can’t get your campfire started for a cold night to come, here’s a really cool demo. What you need is some pulverized wood, a clear plastic sandwich bag, and some water from a nearby stream. Or your cooler. Sound impossible, Mr. MacGyver? Check it out.
AirVinyl Designs Skins for AirPods Case Video Review
AirVinyl Designs Skins are an easy an inexpensive way to customize your AirPods charging case, and Abhi Sirothia lets you know if they’re worth your time in this video review.
Smarter Coffee Brews How You Want, When You Want
There are smart coffee makers, and then there’s Smarter Coffee. This coffee maker is so smart it can start brewing when you round the bend home from your morning jog. With the explosion in app-enabled appliances and smart home technology, it’s not too surprising. With Smarter Coffee, you can use the app or start brewing with a command to Alexa. That’s not all, though — the coffee maker has a built-in bean grinder. It will grind your beans to the perfect consistence, then brew your coffee just the way you like it. Connect Smarter Coffee to a fitness tracker. The coffee maker will start brewing when you near home after your jog or evening commute. Finally, the coffee maker tells you, through the app, how much water is in the reservoir. If you want to set it to brew eight cups of coffee, you’ll know right away if you need to add more water.
The Big Swift Playgrounds Show - TMO Daily Observations 2017-06-23
John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet take a look at the state of Swift Playgrounds, how it fits into the whole coding environment, and if it qualifies as real programming.
