» ‘The Bump’
Ben Brooks on the iPhone 6 images on Apple’s site that don’t show the camera rim:
If you are embarassed about the bump then don’t have it, but if you have a bump I think you need to own the bump.
As far as bumps go, it’s better than this travesty but if it’s an actual thing on the phone, you’ve gotta show it. And some of the side view pictures don’t show it at all.
» ‘Why Apple Pay could be the mobile-payment system you’ll actually use’
Rich Mogull explains Apple Pay. Basically, like I’ve said, it’s like Disney’s MagicPass but in the non-magical kingdom of the real world.
» ‘Comments on Apple “newest” digital device’
Plus ça change.
» Accidental Car Podcast
On this week’s edition of Turning This Car Around, we continue talking about the back to school season and also cars because why not?
Macworld to end print run, lays off most of staff
Many of my friends at Macworld either left or were laid off today. The online publication will continue with Chris Breen and a couple of other staff members and freelancers such as myself.
I have a stack of Macworld magazines in my office, including the first one I was mentioned in and the first one I contributed to. It was, along with National Geographic, one of the last print magazines I still subscribed to. Back in the day I got Macworld, MacUser and MacAddict. It is indeed the end of an auspicious era.
I want to thank Jason Snell who was kind enough to take an interest in Crazy Apple Rumors, which got me writing a small collection of jokes for their back page about 10 years ago and would eventually lead to me being a Senior Contributor, a title I have taken great pride in. I also want to thank Dan Moren who has mostly been my editor and who is a good friend. I selfishly hope both stay in the Apple world so I can see them every year at at least one event or another (I guess it’s unclear what, if anything, this means for the Macworld/iWorld trade show). My thanks also to Serenity Caldwell (who, I understand, is moving on but staying in the community) and the Dans Miller and Frakes for their occasional edits and Phil Michaels for having me on the Pundit Showdown, where I once won over Paul Kafasis, even though I didn’t actually beat him. Turns out the whole thing was rigged. Who knew?
My best wishes to all these people and the other staff members. They’re all very talented and great to work with.
» ‘We help people get stuff done’
The Verge:
Microsoft is nearing a deal to buy Mojang AB,
Minecraft is huge for the Xbox. This will be an interesting test of whether or not Microsoft is a company that lets its stuff run on all kinds of platforms. We know how much they love Java.
Seriously, if they screw this up they will be hated for a million years.
» The new iPhone lineup
Interesting things to note:
- No 32 GB iPhone 6 models. $100 more than the base 16 GB gets you 64 GB. This is great for me because I was going to get the 32 GB model, but I find it odd. I wouldn’t be surprised is there’s a quiet refresh in 6 months that bumps the 16 GB model up to 32. Partly because of the second thing to note.
- The 32 GB iPhone 5s is listed for $149. The 32 GB iPhone 5c that occupied that spot in the lineup had been $199.
- The iPhone 5c slides down to “free” (with contract) with only an 8 GB option. Eventually, I think that will get bumped up to 16 GB with bumps to 32 for all the other 16 GB models and a bump to 64 for the 32 GB 5s and maybe back to $199. 16 GB really is the new 8 GB.
I see these odd price points as Apple’s way of milking the 8 GB and 16 GB base models a little longer while admitting that times have changed. On the other hand, now you have more incentive to pay more for the $299 iPhone 6 and they push you for $50 extra for a 32 GB 5s. Maybe that’s all they’re after.
» Apple Watch
It’s a nice enough looking “smartwatch” if not a terrific looking watch. But the bands are what really make it shine. They’re also going to make Apple’s bottom line shine. Having a smaller, 1.5-inch model goes a long way to alleviate the “can of tuna on your wrist” effect.
The software has some great touches. I am not enthused about the notifications part as I’ve said but payments and fitness are both there (although it’s unclear how verification works with payments — TouchID or do the sensors on the back of the watch do something similar?). With first release products I usually get the low end model on the assumption that the early refinements could be dramatic.
UPDATE: Rene Ritchie says payment on the Watch works with a passcode and skin contact. The passcode unlocks the device and it stays unlocked until skin contact is broken.
» Apple Announces Apple Pay
Cha-ching. This is some serious grease in the skids of Apple’s ecosystem which in this analogy is a tank, I guess.
» ‘Reddit user made famous off celeb nude photos wants his privacy back’
From the “you can’t make this stuff up” files.