Check out this Intelligence Squared debate on Net Neutrality. I love the Intelligence Squared show, which I listen to on KQED in the Bay Area. This episode hasn’t aired yet, but the video format is up on YouTube now. It features former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Mozilla Chairwoman Mitchell Baker arguing for the motion “Preserve Net Neutrality.” Arguing against the motion is Michael Katz, former Chief Economist of the FCC and Nick Gillespie, editor of Reason magazine. Here’s the interesting thing, but warning, because it contains spoilers. Those arguing against the motion—i.e. arguing to end Net Neutrality—won the debate. What that means is they shifted more opinions in the audience, who voted before and after the debate. But, those arguing to preserve Net Neutrality carried majority support before and after the debate. If you’ve been wanting to hear reasoned arguments on this topic, this is something you’ll want to watch or listen to. Mind you, those arguing against the motion are just plain wrong, but it’s a great discussion.
Quick Apple Video Tip on Managing Multiple Emails on iPad
Check out this video tip from Apple on working with multiple emails at a time on iPad. This is a new feature to me, and I bet for a lot of other people, too. The short version is that you can use the handle at the top of an email you’re writing to drag it down to the bottom of your screen, where it stays docked. That allows you to peruse your inbox. If you have just one docked email, tapping it brings it back up. If you have more than one, it gives you a Safari tab-like view to pick the one you want. It’s a nifty feature. Oh, and it works in portrait and landscape mode.
IK Multimedia Ships iRig Stomp I/O
IK Multimedia announced Thursday that iRig Stomp I/O is now available. Announced during NAMM in January, this device is a essentially a pedal board for use with IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube. It features four switches, an expression pedal, a built-in preamp, phantom power for microphones, a built-in USB audio interface, a combo input jack for line, instrument or mic input, and balanced stereo output. It will work with both iPhone and iPad, but it’s big enough for an iPad, giving you more screen to see when the device sits on the floor at your feet. It’s MFi-certified, priced at US$/€299.99, and shipping.
How to Increase Your iPhone's Memory from 16GB to 128GB
Let’s say you want more storage in your iPhone. No problem, if you get the right flash memory chip, have the right gear to duplicate what’s on the original, and are confident with your soldering skills. Strange Parts did just that, and it worked! Check out their video to see the whole process.
Apple's iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition Commercial, Music by Sofi Tukker
Apple has a spot out to promote the new iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition. It’s very…red, with a soundtrack by Sofi Tukker, “That’s It (I’m Crazy).” This isn’t the kind of commercial likely to get a lot of TV airtime, but it’s racking up views on YouTube (224,000 and counting, after just a few hours).
Read, Listen to Tim Cook's Interview with Kara Swisher
Re/code posted an audio recording of Kara Swisher’s interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as a transcript. It was posted to YouTube for a couple of days until it was taken down, making both of these methods the only way you’re likely to be able to consume the video in its entirety. This is the uncut interview, too, and Re/code said it, “includes new material that didn’t air on TV, such as more on Apple’s education efforts, manufacturing, immigration and Cook’s advice to his younger self.”
Disney Teases Us with New Solo: A Star Wars Story Trailer
Han Solo has always been a scoundrel, and the new Solo: A Star Wars Story is out to make sure we remember that. The new trailer has Han, Chewie, Lando, the Millennium Falcon, rocket trains, and more. Disney explores the life of young Han Solo in this movie, shows us how he meets Lando Calrissian, and most likely shows how to complete the Kessel Run in only 12 parsecs. Solo: A Star Wars Story will be in theaters on May 25th.
iTunes Launches 'Build Your Collection' Movie Promo Under $8
Apple launched a new movie promo on iTunes called Build Your Collection. It features hundreds of movies, all under US$8 and many at $4.99. Bullitt, Battle Royale, The Goonies, Empire Records, Risky Business, Beetlejuice, The Matrix, and newer movies like Black Swan, The Revenant, plus many more. They’re broken down into categories, including: Drama, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, and Romance. Unfortunately, the prices are only listed once you click through to an individual movie, but they’re all under $8 and I can’t wait to rewatch Bullitt.
Apple + Education Home Page Redesign
Apple did a rare redesign for its home page Tuesday, one featuring the education themes of its Chicago EdTech media event. It utilizes a a version of the Apple logo drawn with Apple Pencil on iPad. During the media event, Apple showed slides with the same kind of imagery, including sketches of the presenters and other announcements. Apple used the event to announce new education software and a new iPad aimed at education, including support for Apple Pencil.
Azio Mechanical Keyboard Marries Retro Looks and Backlit Keys [Update on Mac Support]
I spotted the Azio mechanical keyboard as a sponsored post in my Instagram feed last night, and I thought it was super cool. Originally funded on Indiegogo for more than $388,000, the Azio keyboard is shipping now. The one shown in the image below is the Azio Retro Classic BT (for Bluetooth), with a USB version available, too. It’s not quite steampunk, but it’s close, and there are several other styles, too. There are also also different color options for each model. There are also models with modern key shapes, and some much cheaper entry-level models, but I love this typewriter feel on the Retro Classic. It’s priced at $189 for USB and $219 for Bluetooth. The video is from the original Indiegogo campaign. [2nd Update: Azio told me that the Bluetooth version supports the Mac and comes with replaceable keys. The USB version is Windows only. – Bryan] [3rd Update: I’ve now published an Azio Retro Classic BT Mac review].
IK Multimedia Ships Leslie Rotary Speaker Amp Models
IK Multimedia shipped AmpliTube Leslie and T-RackS Leslie on Thursday. Announced in January, these are amp models for the famous Lesli rotary speakers. I love a great guitar sound coming through a Leslie, having played in a band that used one. And, of course, A Hammond B3…man, I love a Leslie! Anyhoo, this software package for AmpliTube and T-RackS include: Leslie Type 147, 122, 122A; Leslie 3300w, Leslie G-37, Leslie Studio 12. It also includes five Leslie amp models, including: Leslie Type 147, Leslie Type 122 – vintage tube model; Leslie Type 122A – new tube model; Leslie 3300w – new hybrid amp, and the Leslie G-37/Studio 12 – new hybrid amp. The AmpliTube and T-RackS apps are US$99.99 each, or you can get both for $149.99. They’re available now. The promo video below gives a nice overview of what they can do.
iPhone X 'Fly Market' Commercial: Song, Dance, Face ID, and Apple Pay
Apple has a new spot out, and I love it. It’s called Fly Market, and it features a young man dancing through a street market using Apple Pay and Face ID on his iPhone X to buy clothes and a present for his mom. The song is “Back Pocket” by Vulfpeck, a great tune. This commercial has charisma, and I love the imagery—I think it’s great. I’d love to hear what you think.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi in 2 Minutes and LEGO
How long does it take to watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi? Only a couple minutes, if you watch LEGO Star Wars: The Last Jedi in 2 Minutes. It’s almost like watching the actual movie, except that it’s a lot shorter and narrated by a pretty awesome kid. The video is on the official Star Wars YouTube channel and is a really fun take on the latest movie from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Three Star Trek Technologies That May Soon Be Within Reach
Rich Smith, at The Motley Fool, is enthusiastic about a new book by Dr. Ethan Siegel, a Lewis & Clark College astrophysics professor, called Treknology. In that book, Dr SIegel describes some Star Trek technologies that we could see in our lifetime. Namely, transparent aluminum (oxynitride), deflector shields and tractor beams. The book is cool and author Smith’s essay about it is also cool.
Apple Maps Adds Transit Directions for West Virginia
Apple Maps added support for transit directions in West Virginia this week, as first noted by AppleInsider. The directions included below are transit directions within the city of Charleston, WV. Support for this area isn’t listed on the Apple Maps feature list, yet, but they are live now. Our screenshot was taken early evening, Monday.
Causes of Mac Decay, Apple Store (aka DMV), Jony Hates Forstall Jazz? - Pop.0 Ep.33
In this TMO video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit discuss the causes of Mac decay and whether Apple Store is the new DMV. They also discuss an idea that’s been on social media lately, that Johnny was out to get Scott Forstall. They cap the show with a couple of show picks. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
Steve Jobs's 1973 Job Application Sells for $174,757
The 1973 job application from a young feller named “Steve Jobs” sold at auction for a whopping $174,757 Thursday. That’s more than a lot of Apple I computers sell for, and generally speaking what mathematicians call “a lot of money.” According to RR Auction, “The winning bidder was an internet entrepreneur from London who wishes to remain anonymous.” Congrats to the unnamed winner! I think this application/questionnaire is an interesting piece of memorabilia. The original auction listing is gone, but there’s a new Past Auction description of the lot available. You can also see a larger image from the application in our original coverage.
Marvel Gives Us Another Avengers: Infinity War Trailer Before the April 27 Premiere
Avengers: Infinity War is coming a week early on April 27th and Marvel is ramping up the hype with another trailer. This time we get to see more of the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Black Panther’s Wakanda working together to stop Thanos from getting all of the Infinity Stones and taking over the universe. If the movie holds up to the trailer, the ten-year build up to this point will have been worth the wait.
Astronaut Twin Study Finds Space Travel Can Alter DNA
A new study based on astronauts Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly—identical twins—found that space travel can alter DNA, at least the way we’re doing space travel now. The study found that 7% of Scott Kelly’s DNA did not return to normal after a one-year mission in space. Gizmodo noted that the change is epigenetic in nature, rather than simply genetic. It’s the way Mr. Kelly’s genes are expressed, not the genes themselves, otherwise he would now be a new species. Important semantics aside, the changes were thought to be caused by “oxygen-deprivation stress, increased inflammation, and dramatic nutrient shifts that affect gene expression,” according to CNN. It’s important to both understand and solve these kinds of issues when it comes to prolonged space flight, travel to Mars, and other space-related activities, and the Kellys being part of this study will pay untold dividends towards that understanding. The video below on the topic is from NBC.
Wave on Indiegogo, a Wearable MIDI Controller
Check out Wave, a device I think has a real future. It’s a wearable MIDI controller in the form of a ring. If you watch the video, you’ll see that it can act almost like a Theramin, by turning motion into data. It also has buttons you can tap with your thumb, and you can trigger samples by tapping on a surface. Wave is currently a little big, but I can easily see this kind of technology bringing marked innovation to live performances and leading to all kinds of unforeseen ways to make, shape, and effect music. This company said Wave has been in development for three years, has been tested by hundreds of musicians, and has been used live on stage. The Indiegogo campaign is for taking Wave to manufacturing. They’ve already surpassed their $30,000 goal, having raised more than $46,000 with 21 days to go.
This Wearable Helicopter Would Help You Jump
Check out Lunavity, a sort of wearable helicopter that’s supposed to help you jump. Right off the bat, I don’t believe in this product—it’s never, ever going to be a thing. But it’s cool. More importantly, it’s the kind of absurd product idea whose research could eventually lead to unimagined products and ideas sometime in the future. It’s also an innovative approach to tackling both mobility challenges and enhanced mobility, even if no one is going to wear one of these things around. Ever. In a million years. But check it out anyway!
PCalc, a Terrific Calculator App for iOS, is Apple's App of the Day
The best iOS calculator I’ve ever used is PCalc from James Thomson (TLA Systems).. By best, I don’t mean just good looks. I mean computational expertise imbued in an app that can be trusted to always get the answer right based on numerical analysis principles. PCalc is also a lot of fun, has a boatload of options in the settings, and even has an RPN mode for those who grew up with RPN on Hewlett Packard calculators. It’s Apple’s App Of The day, so head on over and get the best designed calculator money can buy. It also has watchOS support.
Behold the Mitsubishi Fidget Spinner that Spins for a Record 24 Minutes
OK, confession: I love high-end fidget spinners. I have several, including my most recent, which is made from Tungsten. Fine. I’m a dork. Or an overgrown kid, whatever, I love these beautifully-machined mechanical devices. I got a 10 minute spin out of one of my spinners—once—and I’m giddy when I can get 8 minutes. Well, the folks at automobile, airplane, boat Japanese behemoth Mitsubishi would laugh at that because they made a spinner that claimed the new Guinness record of 24 minutes and 46.34 seconds, according to The Kids Should See This (via Gizmodo). That’s just crazy, and what’s crazier is that they had 50 (well-paid) people spend 6 months making it! Don’t worry, though, because you’ll be able to buy one of these puppies for about US$450. OK, I hear you, sure, that’s, like, a ton of money for a spinner, but I’ve seen vanity spinners that cost way more! One way or another, I think this is way cool, and kudos to the Mitsubishi Suits who held up a spinner with one finger for more than 20 minutes. That’s a long time to hold anything in a stationary position, but they would have gotten better spin times holding it vertical between two fingers, just saying.
The Trailer for 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' Dropped - Watch It Here
The trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald—the next film from the Harry Potter universe—has dropped. And it looks great! The sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the new film continues the adventures of Newt Scamander, who is in the services of the handsome young Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore (played by Jude Law). This is all happening in the 1920s, remember. The trailer indicates the film will more deeply focus on the anti-fascist themes that have always been part of the Potter universe, and seem all the more relevant today. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is set to debut on November 16th, 2018, and I can’t wait!