Susan Kare a independent artist/graphic designer who created a lot of the Mac OS icons now collaborates with “Path” (a social network site and App) to create stickers for their users. While I was growing up I remember the “happy face Mac” icon the best, the GUI (graphic user interface) on the Mac OS has always been ahead of the game. In my opinion innovation and creativeness have to go together, that is why the Mac OS is so easy to use and elegant to look at.

Thank you Susan for your mark in history,

LfL

Read Susan’s Q&A here

So, Apple purchases yet another company, nothing new. Apple purchases a location bases services company to improve their Maps application and everyone (ok only some critics) comes out of the woodwork to Slam (yes the pun is intentional) Apple.

Look, I am an Apple lover but I can see their flaws. I do not live in a world were I think Apple can do no wrong, however people need to allow Apple to make good on their failure. Purchasing WifiSlam is a way they can compete and improve on Maps. I have been reading a lot of articles that state things like: “this acquisition won’t beat Google” or mentioning how Apple Maps was a drastic failure, but I think this is a step in the right direction. I found out that WiFiSlam uses different technology (other than Cellular) to use it’s locating services that allow triangulation of mobile devices.

Read more here (google search)

LfL

Some new technology is on the horizon, it is called the MYO!

The armband lets you control your Mac or Windows computer and other devices wirelessly.

The MYO works out of the box with things you already have – like your Mac or Windows PC. You can control presentations, video, content, games, browse the web, create music, edit videos, and so much more. And developers are dreaming of new, exciting ways to use MYO every day. The MYO is whole new way to interact with technology.

This device works via BlueTooth and muscle motion sensory and incorporates “one size fits all” mentality.

The Woz has endorsed the product to some extent with the following quote posted on MYO’s website

“Very cool and impressive. I hope this finds its way into our future soon.” – Steve Wozniak

It looks like this device will become a success but I have a couple questions.

1. What is this device made of? I have done internet searches and read the compnay’s website and did not find an answer.
2. Do we need another permanent fixture (well some what permanent) that accepts radio transmissions/frequencies to our bodies?

As my brother-in-law said having a device that accepts radio waves on your body will be like cigarettes, fifty years from now everyone will say “what were they idiots?” Everyone should have known that is bad for you.

Just to name a few other “permanent” fixtures:

• Smart phones
• Tablets
• Keyless car entry fobs
• and soon to be Google Glass! (the developers are suggesting glasses you wear that can “map” an inside environment, to do this the glasses would connect to wi-fi or cellular and upload images taken by the camera mounted in the glasses.)

Apple has a patent for a sling style bracelet/wristwatch with outside communication protocols such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (maybe even cellular) connections. Some could speculate a device to compete with Google’s Project Glass and Google software Goggles.

Because Apple has no official name for this project there is no confirmed product or use. But the rumors are out there.

For a look at the patent please click here

LfL

As you might have been reading, Java is still extremely vulnerable and I do not recommend anyone to run Java (in any OS).

To make sure Java is turned off follow these instructions.

Open Safari

Click on the word “Safari” on the top left

Then click on the word “Preferences”

Click on the “Security” tab

Uncheck “Java” ticker

You can leave the “Javascript” ticker checked as Java and Javascript are completely different. If you want to know how and why click here to go to HTMLgoodies website as they have the best description.

Here is a short video of the instructions above:

Here is the link about the update click here

“This release updates the Apple-provided system Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_41 for Mac OS X v10.6.

On systems that have not already installed Java for Mac OS X 10.6 update 9 or later, this update will configure web browsers to not automatically run Java applets. You may re-enable Java applets by clicking the region labeled “Inactive plug-in” on a webpage. If no applets have been run for an extended period of time, the Java web plug-in will deactivate.”

After reading a post on MacRumors I could not help feeling a little excited that Apple might be getting into the T.V. market. But does the speculation of one person merit my happiness? I will let you be the judge. Please click on the following posts and comment if I should be happy.

MacRumors initial post

Horace Dediu (an Apple analysis investigation)

We all love Apple products and services, but when they are wrong we all feel a little more violated because we expect more from Apple Inc. than other companies products and services. Trying to answer that question would be a much longer post that would need to include marketing, psychological and advertising professionals. I can how ever help you report to Apple when you find errors with an address, pin is incorrect, place does not exist or you can even type what the issue is; in the all new maps apps in iOS6.

I wanted to give some thanks to ThemeID and Esha Upadhyay. I build the website for Our Celina Secondary PTA and was having some trouble with some by-law issues and weblinks.

It is “publicly known” that if something is free you give credit to the author and this is where my problem is. I needed to remove the footer link on the Responsive theme for wordpress and ThemeID does not have instructions for this. I know why, and I agree however I needed this to be removed. After some internet searches I came across Esha Upadhyay site with instructions how to remove the information from the footer.php file. This was a blessing because I did not have to redo the whole website. Our Celina Secondary PTA website is working in the background until the PTA Board approves the site, but for now I can start the thank you’s to ThemeID and Esha.

Thanks,
LfL

While I am waiting a few thoughts are going through my head.

1. why am I up… it is just a phone, right?

2. Google’s website has nothing on Apple’s at this moment

3. It is past 2:01am PST why is the Apple Store not open

4. It really sucks I had to use FireFox… Because Safari has a problem of holding onto cache

5. My refresh button is officially broken

6. Which one do I get? black or white…

7. This is most I have been on FaceBook since I have been a registered…

8. I wonder if Pat and Richelle are up?

Okay it is ordered now. I can go back to bed.

LfL

This is the longest an Apple service has been down and even I (an extreme Apple fan) an getting annoyed. For those of you who do not know Apple system status states that only 1.1% of users are affected. According to CFO Peter Oppenheimer (article from TechCrunch) back in Q3 of Apple fiscal year 2012 iCloud had 150 million users, so doing rough math 1,650,000 users can not access iCloud.

I spoke with Apple Tech support (1800-APL-CARE) and all they say is they are aware of the issue and apologize. My feeling on this is that with the Apple Media Event today the iCloud issue might be second priority. Apple is hosting the event at Yerba Center for the Atrs.

To watch the Apple Event live feed from MacRumors click here

To watch the Apple Event live feed from Ars Technica click here

To watch the Apple Event live feed from 9to5Mac click here

To watch the Apple Event live feed from Engadget click here

Thanks,
LfL