Any system that uses this protocol will be able to confirm if a USB-C port or cable is authentic as soon as a connection is made.
New Trailer Reveals Stranger Things 3 will Air on Netflix on July 4th
In the early hours of January 1st, 2019, Netflix dropped the latest trailer and date announcement for series 3 of Stranger Things. It features Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and a host of clues hidden in some code. It also reveals that the setting for the latest series will be summer 1985 and that Stranger Things 3 will land on July 4th, 2019.
Former Apple Engineer Unveils Project Erasmus
Project Erasmus is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. Created by former Apple engineer Bob Burrough, it’s a UI concept where elements on the screen are lit by the environment. For example, software toggles and menu bars develop drop shadows and highlights based on light sources in the room. He does this by attaching an Olloclip wide angle lens to capture the light, then the software renders that light as a scene. This is real-time rendering and it makes elements on the screen appear as physical objects.
Start 2019 With the Superman 80th Anniversary Collection
Apple is welcoming 2019 with some iTunes movie deals, including the Superman 80th Anniversary Collection.
iPhone XR was a Christmas Best Seller
iPhone XR was a Christmas best seller this year, along with iPads. Analytics data show the iPad 6th gen had an activation increase of 219%, and the 11-inch iPad Pro came in second at 125%.
In order to achieve this, we examined our vast mobile data over Christmas this year, looking specifically at the volume of new devices that entered the market. As a reminder, this data only consists of devices that users activated for the first time and began using apps in.
On one hand we have news saying the iPhone XR was a failure, and on the other hand we find that the iPhone XS and XR have close to the same market share. Now, that doesn’t mean much if the iPhone XS share is low too, but the news seems to be focused on the iPhone XR specifically as the poster child for Apple doom.
Internet founding father Larry Roberts dies aged 81
One of the internet’s founding fathers, Larry Roberts, sadly passed away over the holiday season. Dr. Roberts pioneered packet switching technology and went on to become the Chief Scientist on the ARPANET project. He also had success in the private sector. Dr. Roberts died on 26 December 2018 after suffering a heart attack, aged 81, The Register paid tribute:
After studying electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completing his PhD, Roberts implemented a packet-switched link for his uni. In 1966, he was appointed chief scientist for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – and put in charge of its embryonic ARPANET. He worked with packet-switching theorist Lawrence Kleinrock to create the project’s first working network of four computers connected to each other in 1969.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Astrophysicist Dr. Jill Tarter
Jill is a Ph.D. astrophysicist known for her work in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. She’s the former director of the Center for SETI Research (2000-2012) and Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy at USC until 2014. Currently, she’s Chair Emeritus for SETI Research at the SETI Institute.
I asked Jill about how she got started with computers as well as astrophysics, her Ph.D. work and how she became involved with SETI. Then we delved into some of the broader issues of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, including the Drake equation, searching for ET technosignatures, searching with the right technologies, and what the social perspectives might be of an advanced, spacefaring civilization that survived its aggressive phase. Jill is an expert on SETI, and you’ll enjoy her awesome insights.
App Death Match in The Colosseum – Mac Geek Gab 742
Properly sharing Contacts? Check. Managing Mobile Applications Folder? Check. Scanning Bluetooth Devices? Check. Securing Your Certificates? Check. Choosing the best router? Check. All of this and more in Mac Geek Gab 742. MGG Forever!
Wishing You a Happy New Year in 2019!
With 2018 behind us and CES is only a couple days away, The Mac Observer is taking off Monday and Tuesday off to catch our breath and get ready for 2019. We’ll be back with our regular daily new coverage, analysis, and podcasts on Wednesday, January 2nd. We’ll also be on location at CES 2019 to bring you the latest on this year’s tech. Rest up, and get ready for another exciting year!
The Pornification of Software and Grading Apple's 2018 Products with John Kheit - ACM 494
Bryan Chaffin is joined by John Kheit to discuss what Mr. Kheit calls the pornification of software. They also look back at and grade Apple’s new product releases in 2018. It being these two, they are surprisingly upbeat, while still being cranky as can be.
