Michael Gartenberg is currently the analyst in residence for iMore.com. Before that, he spent three years as Apple’s Senior Director of Product Marketing, reporting directly to Senior VP Phil Schiller. In his second appearance on Background Mode, we caught up on the latest news and things we couldn’t get to last summer. Michael told me about the nuances of being an Apple marketing manager and Apple’s different marketing groups. He explained how one just has to already know what to do as an Apple employee. Then he discussed his fondness for the iPhone SE and delved into its sales numbers and merits. Finally, we moved on Apple’s October 2016 «Hello Again» event, explored the new MacBook Pro, computer touch philosophy and the Microsoft Surface Studio impact. Michael tells a joke.
Why iOS 10.3 Isn't Going to Trash Your iPhone's Data - TMO Daily Observations 2017-03-13
Is iOS 10.3 going to destroy all the data on your iPhone? Spoiler: No, it isn’t. Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to explain what’s really going on with the transition to APFS in iOS 10.3, plus Jeff goes out on a limb and says the iPhone 8 will have a flat display with curved edges, just like the iPhone 7.
Block Your Webcams with These Magnetic Covers
We have a very timely deal for you today on Nope Webcam Covers. If you want something more elegant than Stickies or tape to cover your webcams, Nope Webcam Covers stick to your Mac and rotate to cover your webcam when you aren’t using it. For $14.99, you’ll get two Nope and four Nope Minis, and you can choose your finish (Gunmetal, Silver, or Silver and Gunmetal). Check out the details on the deal listing.
More Mac Tips Than You Can Shake a Stick At – Mac Geek Gab 648
Manage your 3rd-party external «Retina» display, use custom icons for each mounted volume, use private browsing to keep your various Google accounts from conflicting, and move your Dock to make better use of your screen real estate. Folks, that’s just the tips section of this week’s episode. Listen for much, much more!
JP Morgan Buys CurrentC Technology for the Lawls
Then there was CurrentC and its parent company MCX. This was the company that was going to larn Apple a lesson with its so-called «Apple Pay.» Wait, you don’t remember that? That could be because CurrentC was a big phat failure predicated on what retailers wanted rather than what consumers want. Enter Wall Street giant JPMorgan. That company bought a stake in MCX in August of 2016—because it was doing so well, I suppose. And on Friday, the bank announced it had purchased what’s left of MCX’s technology, its FinTech payment technology. Again, because it’s so awesome. JP Morgan plans to add FinTech to Chase Pay, its own soon-to-be-erstwhile mobile payment platform. Or maybe I’m just cynical. Either way…?
Understanding Retina and HiDPI Resolutions for Mere Mortals- TMO Daily Observations 2017-03-10
Retina and HiDPI displays, scaling, resolution… It all gets confusing pretty quickly, so Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to explain what they mean and how they impact what you see on screen. Dave also explains WiFi throughput terms and dives into the Tough Bar MacBook Pro’s wireless network antennas.
13-inch Retina 2016 MacBook Pro Available on Apple's Refurbished Store
If you’re looking to save some money on a 2016-model Retina MacBook Pro Apple has some available on its refurbished store. Right now 13-inch non-Touch Bar models are available, but inventory is limited. Last night you could pick up a Space Gray 2.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 model with 16 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD for US$2,209, which is $390 off its regular $2,599 price tag. Today, the Space Gray 2.0 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 model with 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD is still available for $1,269, or $230 off its normal $1,499 price. Odds are they’ll go fast, so don’t procrastinate if you need one now.
Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones: $69.99
We have a deal for you today on the Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones. These minimalist, solid wood headphones feature proprietary drivers with Neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils. They also don’t artificially boost the bass. You can get them through us for $69.99, some 64% off retail.
That Time Steve Jobs Taught Guy Kawasaki a Life Lesson
Then there was that time the late Steve Jobs taught Guy Kawasaki a life lesson. It comes in the form of a Quora answer posted by Guy Kawasaki and republished by The Huffington Post. In it, he talks about the time Steve Jobs walked up to him with a nameless companion and asked a question about a company. Mr. Kawasaki rattled off his negative opinion of that company, and Steve Jobs then introduced him to his companion, the CEO of that company. «Thank you, Steve.» ? There was a lesson in that incident, though, and I think it makes a very good read. So go read it.
Asypr Bringing InnerSpace Game of Exploration to Mac
Aspyr announced Thursday that it will be bringing InnerSpace to the Mac. InnerSpace is an exploration game where players, «soar through the skies and dive through the oceans, and the secrets of Inverse will reveal themselves.» Players can also uncover artifacts throughout the game world that upgrade your vehicle and reveal clues about past civilizations. I’m writing about it today because I think it’s gorgeous. Initially crowdfunded through KickStarter, Aspyr is partnering with the developers to bring it to both PlayStation 4 and Steam (for Mac and Linux). Pricing hasn’t been announced, and the game is expected later this year.
