MyAppleMenu

The Pricey-Computers Edition Sunday, September 9, 2018

Everything You Should Do Before—And After—You Lose Your Phone, by David Nield, Wired

It's an unfortunate fact that the pricey pocket computers we carry around with us at all times are prime targets for thieves—as well as very easy to leave behind in subway cars or on coffee shop tables. Now that we all rely on our smartphones for so much, having one stolen or misplaced can feel like the end of the world. But it doesn't have to be, not quite. Here are the preparations you can take before the worst happens, and what to do if it does.

New iPhones Aim For Momentum In Sputtering Smartphone Market, by AFP

"There is nothing in their product line-up that isn't working for them in the premium segment of the market, so there is no imperative for them to break that mold," NPD analyst Stephen Baker said of Apple likely sticking with modest improvements in new iPhones this year.

"They gobble up most of the profits. I don't think they are under any pressure at all."

How I Use Alfred To Become A More Efficient macOS User, by Bradley Chambers, 9to5Mac

If I had to sum up Alfred into one sentence, it would be: It’s macOS spotlight on steroids.

Apple Faces Trump’s Ire After Company Says Its Products Would Be Hurt By Tariffs, by Tony Romm, Washington Post

In a tweet, Trump said there's an “easy solution” to Apple's potential woes that also came with a tax break: “Make your products in the United States instead of China. Start building new plants now. Exciting!"

Apple declined to comment on the president's tweet.

Decentralisation: The Next Big Step For The World Wide Web, by Zoë Corbyn, The Guardian

The story that broke earlier last month that Google would again cooperate with Chinese authorities to run a censored version of its search engine, something the tech giant has neither confirmed nor denied, had ironic timing. The same day, a group of 800 web builders and others – among them Tim Berners-Lee, who created the world wide web – were meeting in San Francisco to discuss a grand idea to circumvent internet gatekeepers like Google and Facebook. The event they had gathered for was the Decentralised Web Summit, held from 31 July to 2 August, and hosted by the Internet Archive. The proponents of the so-called decentralised web – or DWeb – want a new, better web where the entire planet’s population can communicate without having to rely on big companies that amass our data for profit and make it easier for governments to conduct surveillance. And its proponents have got projects and apps that are beginning to function, funding that is flowing and social momentum behind them. In light of the Snowden revelations and Cambridge Analytica scandal, public concerns around spying and privacy have grown. And more people have heard about the DWeb thanks to the television comedy Silicon Valley, whose main character recently pivoted his startup to try and build this “new internet”.

Bottom of the Page

Today, I restored the Photos library from my backup, after repeated attempts by the Photos app to repair its library had failed.

My confidence level of this particular Apple software has dropped quite a bit, though. And I'll definitely be opening my eyes wide to see if there are any suitable altneratives for me.

(I don't think I've lost any photos or videos.)

~

Just finished reading: The Caledonian Gambit by Dan Moren. I've rather enjoyed the author's sense of humor in the various podcasts that I do listen to, which is the main reason I picked up this book. I'm glad I wasn't disappointed.

Just finished reading: Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. I've first encountered the author's work with The Paying Guest, and I enjoyed her work so much that I've been slowly working my way through her previous books. I've finally reached the Ms Waters' debut novel, and I'm so glad with this journey.

~

I've more than enough things to read. I've more than enough things to listen. And I've more than enough things to watch.

~

Thanks for reading.