Since Apple is busy re-arranging deck chairs rather than actually making a new product, the least they can do is fix their wacked-out product naming scheme. John Kheit has some ideas on taming those names and modernizing Apple’s approach.
Columns & Opinions
Twitter Will Let Users Block @Mentions from Strangers
Twitter announced Thursday a new set of controls that allows users to not see @mentions from strangers. The move is being viewed as a response to Twitter trolls, though it’s more of a mask than a fix. When enabled, incoming mentions from people you don’t follow simply won’t be shown.
Apple Retail Drops 'Store' and I Think I Like It
Apple is in the process of rebranding its fleet of Apple Stores to a fleet of just Apple. The company is removing the word “Store” from those locations, turning them from retail outlets to outposts of the company itself. Bryan Chaffin thinks this is splendid
A Clever Microsoft Ad Gets to the Heart of Apple's Fuzzy iPad Message
The early iPads were a sensation. It seemed that Steve Jobs had brought forth the successor to the Mac. However, things have not gone as planned with the iPad, and Apple is scrambling to construct a clearer branding and imperative for the iPad. Even Microsoft senses the difficulty and has poked fun at Apple’s newfound toaster-fridge mentality.
Warren Buffett Buys 5.41 Million Shares of $AAPL
Warren Buffett bought some 5.41 million shares of Apple during the June quarter, according to regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment cost more than half a billion dollars, and represents a 55% increase in Berkshire Hathaway’s stake in Apple.
Don't Install Point Zero Releases
Dr. Mac always advises his friends and family not to install the first release of ANY new operating system, contending that it’s safer to wait for the inevitable “point-one” release (or even the point-two release), before pulling the trigger.
Samsung Pay Transaction Tokens Can Be Intercepted, But It's All Cool, Bro
An interesting story is developing around Samsung Pay: the first part is that transaction tokens can be intercepted; and the second part is that Samsung calls this an “acceptable risk” because it’s hard to do.
Tim Cook's Apple Ambitions Include Health Care and 'Everything Part of Your Life'
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s ambitions are big, probably bigger than any of us realize. In a much talked-about interview with Rick Tetzeli (Becoming Steve Jobs) for Fast Company, Mr. Cook hinted that Apple wants to make a big play in health care. He also said, “Our strategy is to help you in every part of your life that we can.”
What Happens when Apple's Strategies Conflict with Apple Values?
Apple CEO Tim Cook has staked out Apple’s values clearly and strongly. Aside from its pursuit of great technology, Apple has value statements on Accessibility, Education, the Environment, Inclusion and Diversity, Privacy, and Supplier Responsibility. But what happens when Apple’s strategies conflict with those values?
Eventually, AI Agents Will Put Even Authors Out of Work
Computers play better chess than humans. They can be instructed on how to do detailed manufacturing, beyond the abilities of humans. They shrewdly buy and sell stock. They can read medical literature and aid in the treatment of disease. It won’t be long before even the last bastion of the human mind, creative writing, will be replaced by AI agents. John looks at the trend line.