Category: Apple

in search of Steve Jobs

On By Rick McIn Apple, product complaints1 Comment

The night before flying out of San Jose airport I tried to hunt down Steve.

Wanted to ask him what he was smoking the day he decided not to add a USB port to the iPad.

NOT that I’m questioning his Buddha wisdom. … There must be some good reason for him so inconveniencing millions.

I’ll keep writing a cheque to Revenue Canada each year … and a much larger cheque to Steve Jobs 🙂 proud that he’s willing to take my money.

Though I checked most of his regular hangouts, I didn’t find the Steve.

editing .MTS files on Apple

On By Rick McIn Apple1 Comment

I’ve been frustrated trying to edit video from a Canon XA10 camcorder.

The default file format is .MTS.

Unfortunately iMovie 9 does not import that format.

The GOOD NEWS — iMovie 11 does import that format. With my next MacBook Air, I should be able to import.

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MacBook Pro with Retina

On By Rick McIn AppleLeave a comment

I’m extremely happy with my MacBook Air.

But Johnny Ives and crew are trying to tempt me into the new $2,229+ Pro.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… I’ll likely stick with the $1000 Air next time around. 😦

details on their latest, greatest products – Pogue – An Explanation of the News From Apple

visiting Foxconn

On By Rick McIn AppleLeave a comment

Marketplace investigates Foxconn, the massive Chinese company that makes products for Apple, Samsung and the rest.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Rob Schmitz was the guy who exposed the fabrications of high-profile critic Mike Daisey. Apple invited him into Foxxconn to get the real story.

(via Daring Fireball)

Tweetbot – twitter client for iPhone

On By Rick McIn Apple, gymnasticsLeave a comment

If you don’t use twitter, I recommend you stay away.

But it’s actually the best way to stay on top of what’s happening at LIVE events. Useful for me at big gymnastics competitions, for example.

On my Mac I usually use the standard Twitter app by Twitter.

But the most popular client for the iPhone is Tweetbot $2.99. Much more powerful.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Twitter is here to stay, I think. Once people start tweeting by voice, it’s going to be overwhelming.

If Apple bought the company, it might even get popular with the masses.

This American Life – RETRACTION

On By Rick McIn Apple, audiocasts, ethicsLeave a comment

This guy’s a liar. Or is he just taking artistic license?

This weekend, esteemed radio program “This American Life” aired “Retraction” — a stunning refutation of its most popular episode ever — “Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory“, which aired on January 6.

A “Marketplace” investigation has revealed that Mike Daisey fabricated or exaggerated aspects of the stage play upon which the segment is based. …

The crimes of the Chinese, Foxconn, Mike Daisey and ourselves

It’s a fascinating story. But the most interesting aspect of all is how superbly This American Life handled the retraction. I listened to the hour long show twice.

TAL – 460:RETRACTION

If you’ve no time to listen to hour long podcasts, here’s a quick summary:

‘This American Life’ Issues Stunning Retraction On Show Critical Of Apple, Foxconn

This will go down as one of the best examples ever of how media should handle stories later proven to be untrue.

It’s fair to the liar. Well done Ira Glass.

Journalism lives.

WiFi iPad is best

On By Rick McIn AppleLeave a comment

If you’re lining up (like Woz) for the new iPad, I’d recommend you NOT opt for the Wi-Fi + 4G version. Get the WiFi only.

Why?

Check this post on The Verge – The new iPad is a beautiful reminder of how stupid data plans are
.

Facetime only works over WiFi, as just one example of the idiocy.

TelCos put “arbitrary restrictions on your data which don’t make any sense”.

Why don’t they simply sell all data at the same speed for some price?

e.g. $__ / Gig.

I have no idea. Some competitor needs arise to steal massive market share from the likes of Verizon, AT&T and the rest.

my iPad 2

On By Rick McIn AppleLeave a comment

The “new iPad” was announced this week. As usual, The Onion nailed it.

The high definition screen will ensure that millions more will be rushing out of the Apple Store.

I’m a laptop guy. But momentum is against me. The new iPhoto app for iPad is much better than iPhoto on the desktop.

Actually, I do have an iPad 2. A loaner from Doug Davis. And I find myself using it more and more. It is better for a few things — videotaping at Gymnastics training, for one.

Within a couple of years I’ll likely be using an iPad with wireless keyboard.

Should I get a dribble accessory like this guy?

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

On By Rick McIn Apple, internet, product endorsementsLeave a comment

ANDY IHNATKO is one of the biggest Mac advocates. Yet he loves Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

With the Metro user interface, they’ve created a simple and beautiful design language that’s relevant to a broad range of devices and to the ways that people use computers in the second decade of the 21st century. …

Metro is all about reducing the screen to the absolute minimum of visual noise necessary to do the thing the user has chosen to do at a given moment. There’s no overlapping windows and no menus or toolbars. When you launch a Metro-based word processor, your document occupies the whole screen. …

Windows 8 and Metro show true multiplatform OS promise

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The “sharing” options is superb.

Task Manager is brilliant. 🙂

Even simpler than Mac. Congratulations Microsoft.

Verge has a more detailed review.

hottest app – Clear

On By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsements2 Comments

I bought this. And I don’t even like gesture interfaces.

It’s pretty cool. And the top selling app right now.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo..

http://vimeo.com/35693267

Clear is designed to help you manage your life without adding clutter. It’s a beautifully-designed, gesturally-driven app that we’ve created to improve on a pencil and notepad for flexibly keeping quick, simple todo lists.

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