John has been taking his time to further ponder Apple’s High Sierra root access debacle and now shares his thoughts.
Editorial
Photos and Thoughts from Opening Day at Apple Park Visitor Center
Bryan Chaffin stopped by the Apple Park Visitor Center, took some pics, bought a shirt, and talked to folks on opening day. Here are some of those photos and thoughts on this delightful place.
Tim Berners-Lee Wants Your Help in Protecting Net Neutrality from Ajit Pai's FCC
Internet-inventor Tim Berners-Lee has written an editorial for USA Today asking Americans to help save the Internet from an irresponsible vote on Net Neutrality expected from the FCC.
Apple TV 4K Didn't Do Much to Fix Awful Siri Remote
Apple had an opportunity for a fresh start with the Apple TV 4K’s Siri remote and flubbed it.
Hey Apple, I Liked Browsing for iPhone Apps on My Mac
Taking away the ability to browse iOS apps on Macs and PCs is a step backward for users, and those backward steps are annoying as @&#%!
5 Reasons to Buy Apple Watch Series 3
It might not have seemed like it during the keynote, but Apple Watch Series 3 has quite a few new features that are must-haves for Jeff Butts and many others.
Thoughts on the New Apple TV 4K and What's Next
Apple got behind the curve while the 4K/UHD revolution was taking place. Now it’s time for some serious catch-up work.
The iPhone 8 Could Soon Usher in Eye-Tracking Ads
Aside from ARKit, another API that Apple released to developers this summer is a Vision API which can “identify faces, detect features, and classify scenes in images and video.”
10% of the Internet Is Encrypted with Lava Lamps
Bryan Chaffin loves Lava Lamps and used to own a half dozen of them, but who knew they could be one of the keys to encryption?
Apple Just Built the App Store Icon from Popsicle Sticks
I’m not sure what message Apple wants to deliver with the new App Store icon, but I see popsicle sticks.
Three Real World Practical Uses for Arduino
Jeff Butts has spent quite a few sleepless nights working with Arduino, ever since he got his Sparkfun Inventor’s Kit, and has some great insight on practical ways you can put the programmable logic board to work.
Here's How to Turn Your Neighbor's Amazon Echo into a Remote Listening Device
MWR Labs was able to open a first generation Amazon Echo and add permanent code to the firmware that streamed live audio from the always-listening microphones to remote services.
The Day Steve Jobs Launched the iPod and Changed Apple Forever
The iPod showed Apple that it could be more than just a conventional computer company, and that changed everything.
A Bold Move for Apple: MacBook Air 2 for Education
An affordable notebook Mac for Middle and High School education sets the world on its heels.
Dear Apple, Please Don't Give Up on iBooks in iOS 11
Improvements to iBooks in iOS 11 I’d like to see include barcode scanning and book playlists.
No, the iMac Pro Apple Tax Isn't a Real Thing
The suggested pricing for the fully-upgraded iMac Pro, if it’s accurate, is just business as usual.
How AIs, like Siri, Could Become Our Proxy Shoppers
People of means don’t spin their wheels on frustrating shopping expeditions, however, AIs could be the equalizer for the rest of us.
John Oliver Makes It Easier to Comment on FCC Effort to Gut Net Neutrality
The FCC under Chairman Ajit Pai did its best to bury the mechanism for publicly commenting on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to gut net neutrality. Fortunately, comedian and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver made it easy.
Apple is Converting Mac Pro From a Fad to a Monster Graphics Platform
In 2008, the venerable cheese grater Mac Pro was designed for Apple customers who needed high end performance and expandability. In 2013, Apple shifted gears and saw the Mac Pro as an iconic desktop system with great performance if one shared the company’s vision for both industrial design and OpenCL. Now, it appears that Apple sees the Mac Pro as a platform that will support its future initiatives. Can Apple hold to that pattern? That abiding faith in high end computation and visualization? A new trademark filing suggests Apple now sees the light.
Apple Should Think Differently about Suing over 'Tick Different'
Apple is heading to court again, this time to battle watchmaker rival Swatch over its use of the “Tick Different” slogan. Jeff Butts thinks there’s a definite similarity between Swatch’s catch phrase and Cupertino’s “Think Different,” but that the fight is best left alone.
Apple, Why Don't You Want Folks Sending Secure Emails on iOS?
A slogan that has been attributed to Apple products for years is “It just works.” Why isn’t that the case with sending secure emails in iOS Mail? Jeff Butts is frustrated by this, and makes his argument that Apple should fix this long-standing problem once and for all.
iPhone SE 2017 Another Example of Apple Doing Less and Less with More and More
In the midst of me-too products unveiled Tuesday, Apple kept iPhone SE available, but eliminated the embarrassing 16GB storage option on the device. The move falls squarely in the middle of conflicting rumors that Apple would either upgrade it or kill it, and it’s also another example of Apple doing less and less with more and more.
Why the iPad mini is On Its Deathbed
A long time ago in this galaxy, Steve Jobs thought the 7-inch class iPad would be a bad idea. There wouldn’t be enough room to create great apps, he said. The rest of the tablet market jumped in anyway, and Apple just had to follow. Think education. But Mr. Jobs was right. The 7.9-inch experience wasn’t that great for anything but iOS. Phablets arrived. And so, John ponders the demise of Apple’s iPad mini.
PSA: Don't Charge Your iPhones in the Bath
Folks, don’t charge your iPhones or iPads (or other smartphones, if that’s your thing) in the bath. While most people likely understand that, London’s The Daily Mail reported that Richard Bull from Ealing in west London died of accidental electrocution while charging his iPhone in the tub.