TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-30: Offline Netflix and AirPods Alternatives

Netflix is now beginning to allow offline viewing for some content and Tim Cook suggests that he anticipates AirPods will ship in the next few weeks. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Dave Hamilton today to chat through all this… and more, including a few recommendations for AirPods alternatives that you can buy today.

Watch Nature Rage and Man Sprawl with Google Earth Timelapse

Google Earth Timelapse is «a global, zoomable video that lets you see how the Earth has changed over the past 32 years.» It’s not exactly new, but the project was just updated this week with new data and improved historical images. Head over to the Timelapse website, zoom into your favorite location, and watch the path of rivers change, glaciers melt, and cities spread from 1984 through 2016. It’s an incredible way to view the immense library of Google Earth’s satellite imagery.

Here's Why Computers Screw Up Color Blending

Blending colors on your computer typically doesn’t give the results you expect, meaning where they overlap ends up being some weird dark color. That’s because most apps take shortcuts with the math. MinutePhysics put together an awesome video explaining exactly what’s happening and why—and it’s totally worth watching. The downside is now all of the blur effects that are done wrong will really stand out. You’re welcome.

Mbeat PowerTone Mini Bluetooth Earpiece and Dual-Port Car Charger: $29.99

Our friends at Stack Commerce found us a very interesting device called Mbeat. It’s a car charger for your cigarette lighter (or auxiliary power outlet) with a Bluetooth earpiece. The device charges (and holds) the Bluetooth earpiece so you always have it with you in your car. It also has two USB ports for charging your iPhone or Android devices. I can’t recall seeing anything else like it. Mbeat is $29.99 through our deal, 24% off retail.

New Apple Campus 2.0 Flyover in 1080p

Check out the latest flyover video of Apple Campus 2.0, posted by Sexton Videography. It’s an HD tour of the so-called Spaceship HQ that shows just how far the architectural masterpiece has come. Complete with labels letting you know what you’re looking at, you can see side buildings, parking structures (with solar panels installed), landscaping, and how much of the main building has taken shape. It’s labeled «December 2016 Update,» but the video was posted November 25th. It’s a great tour. Adjust the resolution up to 1080p, as desired.

TMO Background Mode: Interview with DynAgility CTO Chuck Shotton

Chuck Shotton may be the CTO of DynAgility today, but he’s legendary in the Apple community for having created the original web server for the Mac back in 1992. That was when technical pros were working with the private Internet, years before it went public. The equally legendary Peter Lewis delivered an FTP server, so Chuck took a week and put together a free web server, MacHTTP 0.1 for System 7. Quickly, he had a maling list near 100,000. In 1993, more refined, MacHTTP became shareware, and Chuck’s mailbox was overflowing with money, more than his day job. Join me and listen as Chuck tells the awesome story of his career, MacHTTP, and his decision to release a brand new version for macOS Sierra! A student’s dream come true.

StallDesk on Kickstarter, Standing Desk Below $200

Check out StällDesk on Kickstarter. This project is for a standing desk made from high-quality—and very attractive—plywood called ApplePly. The retail price for this desk will be $199, but there are currently early bird funding options left at $129 that will get you one. The thing that first grabbed me about this desk is that it’s gorgeous. The shape is sleek and elegant, and the finish is beautiful. It’s adjustable, and you assemble/disassemble it without using screws. It’s also very strong, courtesy of ApplePly. Check out the project’s page for images of people standing on it. Also check out the closeup images of the StällDesk itself to see the fit and finish. The company is raising $20,000 for custom runs of ApplePly and new tooling, and the desks are being made in Colorado.