Spotify spent close to $340 million on its recent purchases of Gimlet and Anchor, making a good return for investors.
Faulty iPad Behind New Jersey Apartment Fire
Apple is being sued because a faulty iPad battery caused a New Jersey apartment fire in 2017, killing the occupant.
This AI Tool Scares the Crap Out of Elon Musk
OpenAI, an AI research institute cofounded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman, built an AI text generator that its creators worry is dangerous.
Jack Clark, policy director at OpenAI, says that example shows how technology like this might shake up the processes behind online disinformation or trolling, some of which already use some form of automation. “As costs of producing text fall, we may see behaviors of bad actors alter,” he says.
Based on the examples I think it’s safe to say this AI would pass the Turing Test.
Allstate's iCracked Purchase Could be a Win For Consumers
Insurance company Allstate’s purchase of repair firm iCracked Tuesday confirmed its position as a key player in the right to repair movement. Malcolm Owen on AppleInsider commented that the deal could help Allstate speed up device repairs claims process. In the future, customers may only have to be without a phone for hours, not days.
At the same time as bolstering its consumer offerings, acquiring iCracked also makes Allstate a major force in the right to repair movement in the United States, due to its business involving third-party repairs. Repair.org executive director Gay Gordon-Byrne confirmed to Motherboard the outfit has already loaned a lobbyist to assist the push for legislation in New Hampshire. The purchase is already being seen as a positive for the movement, with iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens claiming “I’m optimistic that this partnership will elevate the visibility of the work that we’re doing together.
Apple's 2018 Conflict Minerals Report
As part of Apple’s commitment to supplier responsibility the company has released its 2018 conflict minerals report.
It's Not Just Amazon - Lots of Residents Don't Want a Tech Giant as Their Neighbour
This week, Amazon scrapped plans for a New York headquarters. However, it is not just in Queens where local residents don’t want a tech giant setting up a campus. As Rick Noak pointed out in the Washington Post, there is growing opposition from people in Berlin, Melbourne, and Dublin to tech firms expanding in their cities. In Melbourne, the opposition is to an Apple flagship store. They may be thousands of miles apart, but residents in these cities share some coming concerns.
Tech companies bring in small armies of workers but these are rarely recruited from the neighborhoods in question and the new arrivals drive up prices for locals. There is also often opposition to the companies on ideological grounds or simply the fact that a global corporation is taking over key parts of beloved neighborhoods. While city leaders may love the new additions, residents don’t.
Why I (Still) Love Mac User Groups
In this week’s episode (#318 for those keeping track) Dr. Mac explains why he loves Apple User Groups and why you’re missing out if you’re not part of one.
Do You Cover Your Webcam Lens With a Sticky Note?
There is a certain practice, born, perhaps, of obsolete data and just plain paranoia. People place a sticky note over their Mac’s webcam when not in use. Is this a valid, efficacious practice? There are even commercial products that have a nicer look to them. John Gruber digs into the practice and the technology both old and new. There’s a lot to learn in this column by John. Check it out.
Apple Infrastructure, Attention to Details, Apple Car/AR/Glasses, with John Martellaro - ACM 501
Does Apple have the infrastructure it needs for a cohesive future? Once that seemed clear, but Bryan Chaffin and guest-host John Martellaro say it’s become harder to see, if so. They then pivot to how augmented reality will figure into Apple’s future plans and products. They cap the show by weighing Apple’s ability to pay attention to details as the company grows.
ProBASE X Laptop/Monitor/iMac Stand Features Drawer, Hub with 6 Ports: $144.99
We have a deal on the ProBASE X Laptop/Monitor/iMac stand. This jet black stand features a storage drawer on the left and a 6-port hub on the right. It connects to your computer via USB 3.0, and for output, it has two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, a MicroSD card slot, an ethernet port (10/100/1000Mbps), and a QuickCharge port. This device is $144.99 through our deal, 8% off retail.