reading PDFs on an iPad mini

On May 10, 2013May 10, 2013 By Rick McIn Apple, audiocasts, booksLeave a comment

I’ve pretty much given up reading long form, preferring aural. Audio books. Audiocasts.

But when I had an original screenplay to review, I tried reading it on iPad.

Seems iBooks is the best app.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Why don’t apps have a required HELP function?

I had to experiment to discover the various swipe functions for navigation.

Anyway … it worked great. I may try an entire book on Mini next.

related – I get the entire issue of Economist magazine in audio podcast format. Weekly. Free.

Apple iPhoto is a mess

On May 10, 2013May 8, 2013 By Rick McIn Apple, photos, product complaintsLeave a comment

In the beginning, I organized my digital photos using ACDSee.

And it was good.

Soon they dropped support for Mac.

And I was sad. 😦

iPhoto sorta worked. It became my default. And had some good features.

Happily :-), Warren convinced me to buy a flickr Pro account. Long ago.

I uploaded the best of the best.

…

In 2013 my 35,000 photos on flickr is my core database of pics.

flickr

Here’s my #1 most popular photo.

I use it as an icon for @GymCoaching

200 most popular

I have at least 50,000 more photos, not on flickr. Scattered over multiple defunct Apple devices. And backup hard drives.

Peter Nixey details how Apple bungled photo management, over the years:

Dear Apple, let’s talk about photos

switching from Apple to Google

On March 23, 2013March 14, 2013 By Rick McIn Apple, GoogleLeave a comment

Jeff Jarvis is one of the most important Google pundits.

He used Apple hardware, Google software.

Until now.

Jeff:

… I have transitioned fully from my iPhone, iPad, and Mac and functioned fully for a few months with Android, Chrome, and services from Gmail to Google Calendar to Google Now to ~~Google Reader~~ on my Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Chromebook and now Chromebook Pixel. …

read more – Living the Google life

Almost.

He still needs Skype, now owned by Microsoft. And has to switch to Ubuntu to use it.

I’ve still got a few good years left with Apple. Then — like most of their current fans — I’ll be switching over to Google.

There’s no way the locked down Apple platform cam compete against the more open Google platform long term.

Something will make me jump. Perhaps Google Glass. Or an Android device from which I can connect to the internet from anywhere in the wilds of the world.

The main alternative is Microsoft. Pretty cool in 2013.

I’d choke to death on humble pie if ever switching to MS.

REI Quantum Daypack

On January 6, 2013January 4, 2013 By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsementsLeave a comment

So far, so good. I’m liking it.

Carries up to a 16 in. laptop in a padded, suspended pocket.

The suspended pocket is critical in a laptop briefcase — otherwise you could impact metal simply by dropping the case on the Floor.

REI – details

Boss – Kelsey Grammer

On December 20, 2012 By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsements, TVLeave a comment

Intense.

Boss is an American political drama television serial … Kelsey Grammer as Tom Kane, the mayor of Chicago, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies, a degenerative neurological disorder. …

The first season premiered on October 21, 2011, and the second season premiered on August 17, 2012. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’ve always liked Kelsey Grammer. This is his best work yet. He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Martin Donovan is fantastic as Ezra Stone. Kathleen Robertson is … fascinating … as Kitty O’Neill.

Sadly the show was cancelled after season 2. But there’s talk of a film that would finish the story line.

This was the first TV series I’ve ever purchased from iTunes.

the NEXT big thing

On November 18, 2012November 18, 2012 By Rick McIn Apple, internetLeave a comment

Wearable computers.

How about a voice controlled watch synched to your smart phone.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

How many millions of those would Apple sell?

… It’s only a concept at this point. 🙂

(via Mashable)

This iSiri Smartwatch Concept Would Be Apple’s Most Radical Product Yet [Video]

bringing manufacturing back …

On October 12, 2012October 12, 2012 By Rick McIn Apple, education, government, product endorsements, robotsLeave a comment

Apple once manufactured in the USA.

Almost everything, in 2012, is now made overseas.

Steve Jobs famously told Obama, “Those jobs aren’t coming back.”

Even at that time, I thought Steve was wrong. Sooner or later the difference in wages will diminish enough to start bringing manufacturing plants back to the richest nations.

Trade embargoes could speed that up. But better would be using technology like Baxter …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… Affordably priced ($22,000), versatile and safe enough to work shoulder-to-shoulder with people, Baxter robots redefine how small, mid-size and large domestic manufacturers use automation to compete with manufacturers in low-cost regions of the world.

Baxter can’t build an iPhone yet, but it won’t be long.

(via Mashable)

Apple bungled the Smart Watch

On September 22, 2012September 20, 2012 By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsements, things getting worse1 Comment

… There was a glimmer of hope a year ago, when Apple updated the previous watch-sized iPod nano with new clock displays and even began selling nano watch bands in its retail stores. The nano wasn’t a very good watch, but the potential was blindingly obvious — it was Bluetooth and a connectivity protocol away from being the ultimate iPhone accessory. It felt like a brewing revolution in wearable computing …

… Instead there’s the new iPod nano.

It is a cautious step towards familiar price points and predictable sales numbers down a path of declining revenues, not a risky first step towards a revolutionary new platform. Worst of all, it’s not even a compelling product. Take away the multitouch screen and it might as well be a Samsung Yepp from 2007. It runs a goofy proprietary OS, comes in just one storage size, doesn’t support apps or popular next-generation music services like Spotify or Pandora, and generally makes no case for existing in a world where most teenagers get their music from YouTube. Anyone thinking about spending $149 on the iPod nano should tap-dance on street corners until they make the extra $50 it takes to buy the entry-level iPod touch instead. …

The Verge