Archives for April, 2010

Apple has posted a Steve Jobs authored document discussing their stance on Adobe Flash, in particular why they decided not to include it:

• Steve Jobs: Thoughts on Flash

We know from painful experience that letting a third party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps and hinders the enhancement and progress of the platform. If developers grow dependent on third party development libraries and tools, they can only take advantage of platform enhancements if and when the third party chooses to adopt the new features. We cannot be at the mercy of a third party deciding if and when they will make our enhancements available to our developers.

I just received a bogus Apple App Store order confirmation email containing an Order Status link that points to (a presumably compromised) guitar store web site. I can only assume that clicking on the link will take me to a faked form where the low-life scammer will try to steal credit card or other information. Here is what the message looked like:

This is a fake! When I hover the mouse cursor over the Order Status link for a few seconds I see that it points to a web site named best-guitar.net rather than Apple, which is a pretty big hint that’s it’s not legitimate. I’ve never received a notification from Apple’s App Store that looks like this so that raised alarm bells as well.

Be aware that this and similar scams are making the rounds.

Apple showed off some of the new additions to iPhone OS version 4 due to ship this Summer. It sports over 100 new user features such as: create playlists, 5x digital zoom, tap to focus on video, gift apps, geotagging, places in the photo app, change the homescreen wallpaper and bluetooth keyboards.

Apple choose to highlight 7 key “tent-pole” features at today’s preview event:

• Multi-tasking (running multiple apps)!
• Folders on the app screens!
• Enhanced email (including a unified in-box)!
• iBooks for the iPhone and iPod touch
• Enterprise business features (data protection, et al.)
• Game Center (similar to Xbox Live)
• iAd mobile advertising

Details can be found in various liveblogs from today’s event:

• engadget: Live from Apple’s iPhone OS 4 event!
• ars technica: Ars Technica liveblog of Apple’s iPhone 4.0 event

Topic

Assistive Technology

When

Friday, April 9th 2010, 7:30pm – 10:00pm

Who

Judy Branin

Where

Room M129, Building M, ACCC Mays Landing Campus

Judy will report on a recent educational conference she attended on Assistive Technology and demonstrate some of the many features built into the Mac Operating System which will be of use and interest to the disabled population and many of us too – so if you find yourself reaching for a magnifying glass to view your computer screen – don?t miss this meeting.

Presentation topics may change so be sure to verify on the day of the meeting. Got questions you’d like to have answered? Feel free to post them as comments before the meeting so the presenters have a chance to prepare.

Time’s web site is featuring an article by Stephen Fry that’s ostensibly about the iPad but is essentially an unapologetic Mac fanboy’s account of a journey to the Mothership:

• The iPad Launch: Can Steve Jobs Do It Again?

Mr. Fry lays claim to being the second person in Britain to own an Apple Macintosh (Douglas Adams being the first) so his fanboy credentials are bone fide.