Category: Columns
Further On Apple’s latest iterations The Spy notes that Apple parts suppliers have been notifying shareholders of massive reductions in their order books. Stocks have fallen, and Apple shares in turn have led the whole premium high tech stock sector into a deep downward spiral. Indeed at this writing, Apples market cap, having lost some 20% was below that of Microsoft for the first time in many moons. Should anyone be astonished? Christmas buying season is well advanced and Apple…
James and John at RetroMacCast have been busy boys this past week with the release of two episodes of the RetroMacCast podcast. Episodes 482 and 483 have both been released and are available for your listening pleasure. In Episode 482, James and John discuss eBay finds: Macintosh brochure, prototype TechStep, and Macintosh Picasso dealer sign. They talk with Derek from Macintosh Folklore Radio, and news includes an upcoming Apple Event, and the Apple Museum Cafe. In Episode 483, they look…
by Rick Sutcliffe Technology News and Views Since 1983 November 2018 Apple’s latest iterations are anything but Halloween scary, much less insanely great. Rather they are mere steps along an already well-worn path of mediocrity–by dint of a loyal installed base temporarily insanely profitable in a strictly stock value-enhancing way, but not industry-leading in any sense. Consider: Phones The Spy opined on these last month. Apple tweaked its line somewhat, but debuted no groundbreaking technologies in either hardware or software….
by Rick Sutcliffe Apple’s new introductions this month are the iPhoneXR and XS, plus the Watch series 4. The latter is becoming more interesting with each new generation, and smart watches seem to have found their principal niche as fitness assistants. The Spy notes, however, that some insurance companies are offering special rates for customers who give them ongoing access to their watch data. Like many things in modern technology this has its advantages–reduced premiums presumably for people who stay…
By Rick Sutcliffe Last month The Spy detailed issues with his university-owned mid-2015 MacBook Pro. He had thought nothing of the fact that the keys were beginning to imprint on the screen (it could be wiped clean), but when he realized that the machine would no longer stand on its own four feet, but was wobbling unsteadily on a bump in the lower case, he realize it had the dreaded swollen battery condition. So in some trepidation (a first timer…
The Eaten By A Grue podcast, episode number 22 has been released. The EBAG podcast, which is run by Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston, endeavor to lead the listeners through the Infocom game CutThroats this episode. Set sail for Hardscrabble Island, where sly divers vie for sunken treasure. Can Kevin and Carrington avoid the dangers of the deep long enough to enjoy the game? Don’t hold your breath. To listen to the Eaten By A Grue podcast, go to their…
We’re announcing the availability of the Tome of Copy Protection Errata. Anyone who purchased the Tome of Copy Protection prior to August 21, 2018 will find this errata useful. This errata is based on dozens of hours of discussion between a number of members of the Apple II community and author Lane Roathe. Additional credit goes to Antoine Vignau of Brutal Deluxe Software for his tireless attempts to ensure that everything was covered alongside Brian Wiser of A.P.P.L.E. The Tome…
The “Eaten by a Grue” podcast, run by Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston, has announced the release of two new episodes of their popular Infocom based podcast. Two, yes TWO, new episodes of the #EatenByAGrue podcast are posted today, both recorded at @KansasFest https://t.co/Bqla5rpw7K #a2kfest #interactivefiction — Kevin Savetz (@KevinSavetz) August 7, 2018 The two new episodes, #19 and #20 cover the game Rollercoaster, the very first game to use the Laserdisk and the Infocom Non-Interacive releases including their production…
By Rick Sutcliffe Record Breaking Heat in numerous parts of the world has been a staple of the news for several recent years, including 2018. Shifting weather patterns and a steady general temperature increase have combined to see some locales with record-breaking heat waves and produce devastating wildfires, most notably in Canada Greece, and the western U.S. But weather and fires are not the only hot topics. Apple has a long history of heat problems with its devices. The switch…
The RetroMacCast Episode 274 is now available on the RetroMacCast website. This episode includes discussions on: The latest interesting eBay finds including an Apple organizer, 2c flat panel collection, and brass paperweight. Discussions about General Magic, and news includes World Emoji Day, Apple employee #345, and using a IIsi today. You can hear Episode 274 as well as all of the RetroMacCast podcast episodes on the RMC website at: http://retromaccast.ning.com/
James and John have released the latest rendition of their RetroMacCast podcast. This time around, they take a look at a host of new items including The Latest eBay finds: NeXT brochure, pallet of Apple stuff, and TechStep. A chat with Noah Leon about Love Notes to Newton A variety of news items including MacBook Pro updates, General Magic, and cross-stitch Control Panel. To listen to this edition of the RetroMacCast or other older editions, check out their website at:…
First mentioned here back in 2005, and oft referenced since, the Spy’s Fourth Law: Marketshare lags mindshare by two to five years. has proven a robust marketplace staple, applicable to both entire technology companies and individual products. On the way to becoming the global technology giant, Apple earned mindshare with meticulously designed and executed hardware and software. Not everything Apple did was truly innovative, but their products worked better, lasted longer, won people over, made friends who then bought their…
James and John have released the 466th episode of the RetroMacCast Podcast. In this episode, they discuss a host of items including: eBay finds: six-color Apple poster, Woz-autographed floppy, and a Peach Apple II clone. They delve into the Takky Mac, and news includes Susan Kare, the end of Airport, and Hap’s prototype collection. To listen to the RetroMacCast podcast, check out their website at: http://retromaccast.libsyn.com/rmc-episode-466-takky?tdest_id=159182
The Spy’s garden is kinda dusty these days, as this past month has been the driest May on record here in the West of the frozen North. Apple has its own problem with dust–in its MacBook Pro keyboard switches. Seems once it accumulates sufficiently, the butterfly switches cease functioning. Good thing the Spy thought of that possibility and bought a JCPAL keyboard overlay when his machine was new. True, the extra printed information was one motivation, but he’d had dust…
May 2018 The Spy has oft noted the old proverb “He who dies with the most toys wins”, and responds with “Wins what?” But in any manufacturing space, and confined to this life only, the company making the most toys wins-at least for a while, at least for the immediate bottom line. At one time, this was IBM, but that venerable corporation, which could once have bought Apple Corp. for $1B, ditched its small computer line and tried to reinvent…
The 462nd edition of the RetroMacCast Podcast has been released. In this episode, James and John discuss eBay finds: WWDC pins, original Apple logo banner, and Apple Pacific mug. John gets his Mac ROM-inator working, and news includes Hap’s prototype auctions, and Sosumi. To listen to the RetroMacCast episodes, check out their website at: http://retromaccast.ning.com/
For those of you who havent heard it yet, the latest Eaten by a Grue podcast will give you a wonderful insight into the Infocom game, Bureaucracy. According to the posting on the main menu for this episode, To listen to this episode, fill out form GRU3 using a #2 pencil and send it by postal mail no later than 8AM yesterday. Be sure to submit all forms in triplicate, in person, and in ink. To listen to the latest…
The Spy notes and passes on verbatim with little comment (it is its own commentary) the following advertisement: Is your target audience completely persuaded? Let Vologda Analytica do it for you. Our extensive data sets and state-of-the-art algorithms can analyze any target population and build your campaign. Whether your product is political, household or industrial goods, or your services, our techniques have proven effective with a wide variety of clients and situations and will work in yours as well. We…
Adam Christianson has released the 649th episode of his MacCast. This episode covers a myriad of macintosh topics including: Next announcements from Apple. Apple buys Texture magazine service. Apple updates MFi program. iPhone ‘upgrade’ cycle likely to stay flat. Quick follow-up stuff. Apple’s parental controls. Don’t use Markup to cover up. Understanding your Mac’s sleep modes. To listen to Episofe #649 of The MacCast or to hear other episodes, go to the The MacCast website at: http://www.maccast.com/
Adam Christianson has released episode 647 of his MacCast podcast. This episode includes a variety of Macintosh related topics including: iCloud on Google servers, not a surprise. More iPhone X Plus details. Two security firms claim to have iOS 11 cracks. Apple’s audio products are doing well. Apple Video adds M. Night Shyamalan series. Battery replacement times get longer. Avoid “Apple” phishing emails. Apple Watch track winter activities. A ‘lower priced’ Macbook Air? FileVault 2 clarification. Dealing with finicky FaceID….
