European Union Wants to Control Apple

Governments telling manufacturers what to do and forcing it upon them? I hope Apple stops selling iPhones / iPads in Europe. This is getting absurd as Apple has already created a lightning to micro USB adapter to comply with a law passed a few years ago. I mean, how do a bunch of bureaucrats even come up with this sh*t. Are they designers? Im sure there are much other matters at hand like their troubling economy.

This isn't the first time the European Union has sought to impose a charger standard on manufactures. In 2009, the Commission reached a voluntary agreement with 10 mobile phone manufacturers to adopt the micro-USB charge and sync interface as the industry standard. Apple signed the agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, but has not replaced its 30-pin or 8-pin chargers.

Thursday's vote means this formerly voluntary agreement is no longer voluntary. For Apple, with proprietary chargers that factor into the optimization of the iPhone design, this law raises some troubling concerns. Apple already sells iPhone micro-USB adaptors, and perhaps it could start including them with new iPhones as a workaround.

via TUAW

A Thorough Review of the iPhone 5c

An awesome review by Rene Ritchie at iMore. Worth the read if you don't want to go full iPhone 5s or just love great writing.

The iPhone 5c, it turns out, wasn't a pure budget play at all. It's play was pure pop.

The 2013 iPhone 5c may sport mostly 2012 iPhone 5 guts, and it may sit in that same $100 off slot, but the first time, it's a first-class member of the product lineup.

I'll admit it, I like the iPhone 5c more than I thought I would. After using it non-stop last weekend, I missed it when I switched to the iPhone 5s. I missed its color. I missed its feel. The iPhone 5s screams premium, all gorgeously metallic and scorchingly fast. But the iPhone 5c really is fun. When I put it down, that's what I missed. And when I switched back to it on alternate days, that's what I enjoyed.

via iMore

Forcing Technology on Pilots

A company looking for a "good" deal implements a technology that's unproven and has been lacking in support. I wonder how much money is really involved in this deal. I know that the pilots aren't too thrilled that the company wants to reinvent the wheel.

"In less than two years, Delta cockpits will be paperless as we roll-out the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet running Windows 8.1 RT as our company-issued device," the airline alerted its employees recently. "The 757/767 fleet will be the first to make the transition with the 777, 747 and MD88 as fast followers. Look for an announcement from Delta and Microsoft in the coming days about our partnership on the initiative."

via Windows IT Pro

Selling your stuff?

From everyday's hassle free Gazelle to sometimes can be creepy craigslist, everyone is all about getting the bets bang for their used item. As new entrant to the market, Sold is here to make it that much easier for us all. Check them out! They just released an app for Android and has had an iOS app since their launch in April.

Sold. Launch Film from Sold. on Vimeo.

If you missed it a couple of months ago, Techcrunch first reported Sold back in April here.

update: the first item I put up on Sold was a pair of Tokidoki Sol Republic Headphones that retail for $120 and the offer I got was $53.  Seems reasonable for a "no hassle" sale, but I'm thinking that it's utility is worth more.  It's actually unopened as well.  Once you receive an offer, in my case 72 hours later, you have 24 hours to accept and being the transfer.  I have 12 left to decide.

Surface Pro 2 or Retina MacBook Pro 15"

Microsoft can't be serious, right?

Therefore, to pick up the flagship Surface Pro 2 SKU, along with the hardware that Microsoft is building for the extension of its use inside the corporate realm, you will spend three dollars under the $2,200 mark. That’s a high price.

via TechCrunch

120 fps in your Pocket

This demonstration is reason enough. Created by Rishi Kaneria, this video shows you just how awesome what you can do with 120 frames per second in your pocket. Also, it matches the GoPro Hero 3.

iPhone 5s Test Footage - 120 fps from Rishi Kaneria on Vimeo.

Here's Apple's video demonstration on the iPhone 5s camera capabilities. http://youtu.be/kK0_OVn_uxA

I originally titled this article "iPhone 5s...OMG I WANT" but thought that was too crazy. It's late.

Also Updated in Tech

Amazon updated their line of Kindles, Microsoft launched their new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 line and Sony released new Walkmans. (wait... people still use Walkmans?) My takes:

Amazon Kindle:

They are all beautiful devices especially at the new entry-level price of $139 for the Kindle Fire HD.  Unfortunately, I still love reading on the Kindle Paperwhite but for only and additional $20, it's tempting especially to those that are without a tablet and are love the Amazon ecosystem.

At $229, the brand new 7" Kindle FIre HDX is directly competing with Google's Nexus 7.  The screen is rated at an amazing 323 ppi! Once again, if Amazon is your jam, this might be the goto tablet but if you find yourself wanting to directly interact more with the Android system, then the 2013 Nexus 7 is still the best bet.

Microsoft Surface 2:

I want to like them.  I was really impressed with the build quality of the Surface Rt & Pro Gen 1 but as with Gen 2, I still find them too expensive when coupled with a keyboard.  The touchscreen is nice and Microsoft is making leaps and bounds in advancing the Windows 8 system and ecosystem.  I'm still confused on its identity especially with the fact that the pricing model on the Surface Pro 2 brings it inline with the MacBook Air.

The bump in resolution is much welcomed.  The two position kickstand and longer battery life is also a plus.

I have no idea why the new commercials are comparing the Surface RT to an iPad.  They are different tablets for different users.  And I still hate RT.  I mean I guess iOS is a trimmed down OS X but it's not necessarily a bastardised version. If they included Windows 8.1 throughout the lineup, I think it'd help their fragmentation issues.  Because of that, I'm all for the Pro model but then again, the increase in price negates it's as an option.  $899???

Sony

I'm always curious on to who uses Walkmans, but if you want Hi-Res music playback, then I guess Sony is a pretty good bet. At $760, that's a little steep. I'm too lazy right now and don't think this will really interest most of you so I'll just link directly to Engadget's write-up here.

New iMacs (2013)

Updated yesterday and available today online or in stores starting at $1299, Apple quietly updated their popular consumer iMacs. Just thought you might want to know.  A few highlights include Intel Haswell quad-core processors throughout the line, 8GB memory and a 1TB hard drive, updated wi-fi specifications to include 802.11ac and an updated Fusion drive clocking in 50% faster than the previous iteration.  I'd love a 27" but I think I'm going to wait one more month to see what Apple does with their MacBook Pro line.  Here's hoping to TouchID!

CUPERTINO, California—September 24, 2013—Apple® today updated iMac® with fourth generation Intel quad-core processors, new graphics, next generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options. The updated iMac brings the latest technology to the stunningly thin design and gorgeous display of the world’s leading all-in-one desktop.

Why Rent a Router?

Okay, there are a couple of reasons and excuses that people come up with renting a router from a cable company, but after a year, you'd be paying for a reasonably great router that you could have owned.  You might be able to return it whenever it goes bad but that's a rarity.  In fact, I still have one of the original 802.11b routers from 2000 that I used alongside my Ti PowerBook G4 Gigabit Ethernet. So back to the topic at hand.  Once again, I'd have to recommend Apple's Airport Express for those that want something easy and sweet.  The setup is a dream, the wireless printing options and AirPlay option make it an easy go to for those invest within the Apple ecosystem.  If you feel like stepping it up a bit more for Time Capsule / backup capability, the Airport Extreme is another good best.  Just my two cents.

If you're the type to nerd out, install DD-WRT or other choice firmwares and tweak the router out to its max performance, the world is your oyster.  The Wirecutter recommends the ASUS RT-66u but it currently on a hold due to the onslaught of 802.11ac routers flooding the market.  The price will eventually come down too so hold up a bit if you're looking to pull the trigger.

I ended up Kickstarting one bad ass router and can't wait to get my hands on it.  It's called the Almond+ 802.11ac by Securifi who also hold the #1 spot on Amazon for their Almond.

Minimalism Doesn't Favor Nintendo

Jon Gruber of Daring Fireball brought up valuable points in his latest rebuttal in the ongoing Nintendo vs. RIM Blackberry saga. I'd like to highlight these two sentences where I agree heavily.

Today, though, someone deciding to buy a dedicated handheld game device is, more likely than not, deciding whether to buy something to carry in addition to the mobile device they already carry everywhere.

The App Store is, practically speaking, an infinite source of new games.

I bought Nintendo's Wii U out of impulse and somewhat regretfully so. I haven't powered up the system since the initial update and have yet to buy any games.  The last time I felt that way about a console was Playstation's PSP.  It was deemed "portable" but I found it bulky when it came to bringing more than a few games plus extra batteries. Fast forward just a few months later, I ended up only bringing a single game, no battery, then eventually only used it as a media device until I purchased Apple's iPhone 3G.  Prior to that, I was using both my Palm Treo 650 and PSP.  Chargers in tote, it was a lot to bring on my person especially when I would only access the PSP at the hotels or on the plane commuting back and forth.

I have yet to buy a Nintendo 3DS/3DSXL (I wouldn't actually consider the 2DS) only because, when it comes down to it, I don't want to carry anything more than I already do. I've been considering it for a while now but my current lifestyle of being an airline pilot who commutes from San Diego to Atlanta Dallas on a weekly basis is best when paired with minimalism.  Two bags; one for lunch the other for clothing.  To further establish the fact that I don't need one,  75% of my gaming is on an iOS device.  It's on me, it's with me wherever I go, and it's quick and dirty.  No power-up loading times or lag.  It's instant gratification.  I wish only the best for Nintendo and I truly am rooting for them.

Jumping thoughts, when it comes to consoles / dedicated gaming, I don't foresee any regret in the near future with Sony's latest Playstation 4. Heck, I might even get a Vita (not sure on the OLED version vs. the LCD one) if it means I can play remotely and have access to my PS4!  Yea, I reserved one and will be there at midnight at the local Best Buy.

Looking for an iPhone 5s in Store?

I just check not a few seconds ago and you can pick up in store / reserve your Apple iPhone 5s available at North County Fair and Fashion Valley in the 32GB Space Gray for AT&T!  The White 64GB AT&T is also available at NCF.  Are you upgrading? update: all three Space Gray models in the 32GB variant are available from all three carriers AT&T, Sprint or Verizon.  It is unknown why the unlocked / T-Mobile / contract-free version is listed as unavailable at the moment when using Apple's online reservation system.  Still no Golds available in any form or fashion.

update 2 @ 12:22am 24 Sept: looks like Apple has just stopped the "Personal Pickup" option on their website for the iPhone 5s but the iPhone 5c option is still available.

update 3 @ 15:56 27 Sept via 9to5mac:

Apple will restore the Personal Pickup option for the iPhone 5s as soon as this upcoming Monday, September 30th.

iPhone Are Selling... Duh

Setting a new record year after year and people still saying that Apple's not doing well?

Apple® today announced it has sold a record-breaking nine million new iPhone® 5s and iPhone 5c models, just three days after the launch of the new iPhones on September 20

via Apple

An "Easy" Way to Break Through Apple's TouchID

Someone who really wants to first steal your phone, then go through the following ordeal really needs the information that you protected. Also, still better than a four-digit pin. Of course, we are currently seeing other reasons to not use TouchID as some areas of jurisdictions can force you give up your fingerprint when you are arrested. Here's some advice, don't do anything stupid.

First, the fingerprint of the enroled user is photographed with 2400 dpi resolution. The resulting image is then cleaned up, inverted and laser printed with 1200 dpi onto transparent sheet with a thick toner setting. Finally, pink latex milk or white woodglue is smeared into the pattern created by the toner onto the transparent sheet. After it cures, the thin latex sheet is lifted from the sheet, breathed on to make it a tiny bit moist and then placed onto the sensor to unlock the phone. This process has been used with minor refinements and variations against the vast majority of fingerprint sensors on the market.

via Chaos Computer Club