MacX Media Management Bundle: $19.95

We have a deal for you on the MacX Media Management Bundle, a collection of Mac apps designed to help you encode and decode videos and move them to your iOS devices. It consists of MacX DVD Ripper Pro, MacX Video Converter Pro, and MacX MediaTrans, for $19.95

Google Maps for iOS Adds Turn-by-Turn Directions to Lock Screen Widget

Google updated its Google Maps app for iOS Monday. Version 4.30’s chief new feature is turn-by-turn directions on the lock screen courtesy of a Directions widget. With that widget, users can arrow through each direction in any active route from the lock screen or the Today view (swipe left on the Home Screen). Users can also send their location via Google Maps through iMessage. Both features give Google Maps a dramatically more integrated experience in iOS, erasing some of the pain points of not being the built-in Maps service for Apple’s mobile operating system. The Directions widget will need to be added to your lock screen, while the location feature is available through iMessage. The update is free, meaning you remain the product.

A Video Tribute to Carrie Fisher

The collective heartbreak when Carrie Fisher died in December was felt around the world. The Star Wars channel on YouTube has posted a wonderful «Tribute to Carrie Fisher» that is beyond delightful and amazing. It spans the decades of her involvement with Star Wars, including some outtakes, interviews, and scenes from the movies. Enjoy, and remember, if anyone asks: you were chopping onions.

Technical Evolution Can Leave Companies Behind That Caused it

Companies have to be careful about grand projects that don’t serve as a foundation, change rapidly, and sometimes incur legal difficulties. This week’s Particle Debris looks at how Google Book Search foundered from a lack of commitment and legal troubles, VRML morphed into purer VR, the strained evolution of tvOS, cute robots putting laborers out of work, the rapid evolution of self-driving cars, and how Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos plans to keep his company from a slow, painful demise. These are examples of how technical evolution can double back on the very companies that spawn it.

TMO Background Mode Interview with Computerworld Apple Holic Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans is a self-admitted Apple Holic who lives in the UK and writes terrific analysis of Apple for Computerworld.  He has a lot to say, and so he also has his own blog called Apple Must. Jonny is one of the most insightful technical journalists to cover Apple. His articles are always compelling and well researched. Amazingly, Jonny started off as road crew for rock & rolls bands. Pretty soon he was organizing and promoting events. The leaflets got more and more sophisticated, and that led him to realize his passion for writing. One day, a writing job opening at Macworld UK appeared, and he landed the gig. In the second segment we covered everything Apple, and Jonny’s informed perspectives really came out. You’ll want to hear what he has to say.