woz
Latest
Woz is hosting a livestream charity fundraiser for his 70th birthday
While Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak hasn’t worked for the company in an official capacity for more than 30 years, “Woz” is still beloved by many in the tech community. As such, it’s no surprise that when he celebrates his 70th birthday tomorrow, the internet is invited to celebrate along with him. Woz’s wife Janet has set up a virtual 70th birthday party to benefit the musician Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation. As most everything is in the era of COVID-19, the party will take place via a livestream on Twitch, Twitter and Woz’s b-day website.
Wax Woz is coming to Madame Tussauds in San Francisco
Step inside the Madame Tussauds in San Francisco and you'll find waxworks of Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg and other American icons. Steve Jobs is also present, but for many Apple fans there's something amiss about his model. The problem? There's no Steve Wozniak standing alongside him. Following a public competition to decide the next "tech innovator" waxwork, Madame Tussauds has agreed to immortalize the Apple cofounder next to his friend and fellow tech visionary. Woz now needs to visit the museum and conduct a two to three hour sitting, during which 250 measurements will be taken to ensure his model is accurate. Sculpting should take three to four months, and when the finished article is unveiled in the fall, Woz will be there for a quick side-by-side comparison. "I can't wait to see my figure next to Jobs – it'll be just like old times," he says.
Steve Wozniak calls Apple's legendary garage 'a bit of a myth'
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has never been shy to talk about the company he helped create, regardless of whatever the topic may be. Most recently, in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Wozniak touched briefly on a few topics from the early days of Apple, ranging from the vision of his long-time partner and friend, Steve Jobs, to how many Apple I and Apple II units were sold in the beginning. Wozniak was also asked a question regarding the legendary Apple garage, which has become known as the Cupertino firm's birthplace -- it's an iconic place, to say the least. To this, he said, "The garage is a bit of a myth."
Watch Steve Wozniak demo hotel keyless entry with the iPhone
Starwood Hotels has service called Starwood Preferred Guests which gives perks to people regularly frequent the chain. One of those perks is an iPhone app while allows members to book stays and then use their phone as a key to unlock their room. Members don't even need to check in at the desk at W, Aloft, or Element hotels. Just sign up from your phone, get your room number and use your phone as a key. SPG recently got Steve Wozniak to test out its mobile check-in solution and posted a video today of the experience. You can watch it below.
Working Apple I motherboard, vintage flag on auction
It's been a good week for Apple collectors. First two prototype iPhones show up on auction sites, and now a working Apple I motherboard and a vintage flag from the company's European headquarters are up on auction. British auction house Bonhams will put the board and the flag on the block as part of its "History of Science" auction, scheduled for October 22. The board was constructed by Woz himself and bears the number "01-0070". The flag is said to be in "fine condition." Both are expected fetch quite a sum, especially the board, which is estimated to bring as much as US$400,000.
Steve Wozniak thinks modern dependence on cloud services comes with a loss of security
In just a few short years cloud technology has revolutionized how society interacts with computers in ways not seen since the introduction of the hard drive. It allows us to share knowledge, quickly access troves of information without sacrificing space on our personal devices and even work with others in real time from thousands of miles away. But as the recent revelations regarding the NSA's domestic spying program have taught us, we should be careful about what information we share online, as the issue is simply going to get worse before it gets better. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak agrees, and spoke up about the issue at the recent Apps World North America convention. I think most companies, just like Apple, start out young and idealistic. But now all these companies are going to the cloud. And with the cloud you don't have any control. Specifically, he took issue with the lack of regulation in regard to how government agencies access the cloud. According to CNET, Wozniak used the example of old-school wiretapping to make his point. Once upon a time, you knew that the police or government could wiretap your phone if you were suspected of wrongdoing, but in the modern day, there isn't any clear distinction of what exactly is required to qualify as suspected wrongdoing. Wozniak is quoted as saying, "We're on a bad path in that direction." Online privacy and security have been major interests for the Apple co-founder for years. Wozniak provided initial funding for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to fight for computer users' digital rights. Today also happens to be The Day We Fight Back, a day of public protest against the NSA's mass spying programs. If you're interested in more information about the project head over to this website to learn more.
Steve Wozniak thinks Apple should build an Android smartphone
Yes, folks, this is real life. In an interview with Wired, at the Apps World North America conference, Steve Wozniak revealed his belief that Apple should create a phone using Google's Android operating system. According to him, "There's nothing that would keep Apple out of the Android market as a secondary phone market ... We could play in two arenas at the same time." As Wired's Mat Honan notes, the idea of such a handset wouldn't be technically impossible, but anyone who's familiar with the Apple of today knows that the chances of this actually happening are slim to none. "We [Apple] could compete very well. People like the precious looks of stylings and manufacturing that we do in our product compared to the other Android offerings," Wozniak stated during the interview. Of course, this isn't the first time (and very likely won't be the last) in which the great, legendary Woz has spoken openly about his thoughts on Apple- and Android-related affairs -- still, it's always interesting to hear his perspective on the tech industry. Wozniak also spoke to Wired about the film Her, Moore's Law and even why he thinks the Cupertino company has yet to release a smartwatch or TV. You can check out the full interview right here.
Steve Wozniak headlining Apps World Europe in London on October 23rd
iOS developers in and around London might want to take note: Steve Wozniak will be the keynote speaker for Apps World Europe on October 23rd. Apps World Europe is now in its 4th year and is quickly becoming the conference of choice for mobile developers in Europe. The two day event sees over 8,000 developers, mobile marketers, mobile operators, device manufacturers, platform owners and industry professionals meet for workshops and discussions. Of notable interest this year will be a heavy focus on iOS 7, its hundreds of new features, thousands of new APIs, and brand new look. In announcing his keynote role, the Woz said. "I'm delighted to be speaking at Apps World, sharing my experience of 30 years in the mobile and computing industry, as well as learning from and feeding off the passion and enthusiasm of the app developer community in attendance." In addition to Wozniak, leaders from Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Shazam, the BBC, and dozens more will be in attendance to share their latest thoughts about mobile. Apps World Europe takes place from October 22nd-23rd at Earls Court 2, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA. Tickets can be purchased here. And if you're an iOS developer who's going, I'll be wandering around both days, so give me a tweet during the event if you'd like to share what you're up to.
Woz, Wigginton videos surface in 1984 user group talk treasure trove
TUAW reader Vince Patton provided us with several links to videos that he's uploading to YouTube. Patton's father had saved a VHS tape of a talk made by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to the Denver Apple Pi computer club at the Colorado School of Mines on October 4, 1984, which Vince uncovered and is digitizing, cleaning up and uploading to YouTube for posterity. Among the gems on Patton's YouTube channel is Woz leading the attendees in the "Pledge of Apple Allegiance," which you can watch below. Another fascinating bit shows Randy Wigginton, Apple employee No. 6 and a key member of the original Macintosh team, telling the story of how the Finder software couldn't even copy a disk just four hours before the deadline for shipping the initial Mac software. Many thanks to Patton for doing such an incredible job of preserving these wonderful pieces of Apple history.
Woz predicts that in 2013, iOS devices are headed to work
Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak often appears here on the pages of TUAW for doing some silly things like joking around with Stephen Colbert or starring in an iOS game. But the man's still got a great mind (and a lot of experience with technology), so when he makes some predictions for 2013 over in Forbes, it's worth giving him a listen. Woz's main theme seems to be business technology -- specifically how that field is trending more and more away from standard beige box desktop PCs and much more towards personal smartphones, tablets and other such devices. Woz says that the cloud will continue to be a big trend next year, and that will extend to businesses using smartphones and tablets more and more in the workplace. Finally the software and hardware on mobile devices is catching up to the growing need businesspeople have to make good use of the powerful computers they carry in their pockets. Businesses have already seen a "BYOD" (bring your own device) trend in the workplace, where employees are increasingly using their personally owned iPads and iPhones for work. Woz says that will continue, as businesses will have to balance issues like security and productivity with the comprehensive customization and portability that smartphone and tablet devices offer. That's some good insight right there, and Woz should know: the guy carries like 10 different smartphones. We've already seen businesses making good use of iOS devices, and it makes sense that 2013 would bring that trend even more into the forefront. [via Slashdot]
Steve Wozniak to co-star with Danny Trejo in iOS action game, we hope there's a Segway level (update: Woz fills us in)
No, it doesn't entirely make sense to us, either. And yet, here it is: Apple co-founder (and Segway enthusiast) Steve Wozniak is going to feature in an iOS game with action star Danny Trejo. ITN FLIX's and React Games' lengthily-worded Danny Trejo's Vengeance (Woz With A Coz) will have Woz trying to rescue his wife with Trejo's help, plowing through enemies with guns and, naturally, machetes. We're working to find out just what prompted the use of Woz's image for an out-of-character role -- other than an attempt at drumming up press for the game's Thanksgiving launch and a somewhat related 2013 movie, of course. There's no telling whether the title will be as fun as its concept is outlandish, although we might be swayed if Vengeance goes full circle with Woz and includes a Breakout mini-game. Update: We got in touch with Woz, who notes that both he and his wife Janet offered themselves on a volunteer basis for the game, including voice work. A friend who knows the producer recommended the involvement, he says. As to how well it plays? While Woz can't say much before the game arrives, his top-level view is that it's "entertaining and FUN." That piques our interest, at least a bit.
Woz discusses what he'd change about Apple
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently did a Q&A over on Slashdot, and Gizmodo has boiled down his answers into five things he'd change about Apple today. There's a little bit of putting thoughts in Wozniak's head here, as he wasn't specifically talking about what he would change. Still, he does have some good insight, and in a few interesting ways, his ideas about what Apple is doing lately do seem to differ from what the company thinks. For example, Woz believes iTunes should be ported to Android; he says bringing iTunes to Windows created a huge market for Apple, and porting iTunes and its various stores to other mobile OSes would grow that market as well. Woz also believes Apple should back off of the lawsuits a bit, especially when (or if) it impedes Apple's own innovations. Woz also suggests that Apple aim for a big influx of younger talent right now, when the company's future is so important. As for Woz himself re-joining Apple in any official capacity, even he agrees that he and the company have grown apart. "Apple is very complex," he says, adding that "I like personal simplicity. I like to do what I'm good at, which is enjoying technology." Woz says he would go to Apple to help out if ever called upon, but honestly, we'd agree that he's happier just enjoying what's out there at this point.
Woz: Apple Maps flaws 'not that severe'
Steve Wozniak, aka Woz, was in Sydney Australia when he noted that, while Apple's Maps were "disappointing," he felt the problem has been blown out of proportion. Of course, Sydney happens to have flyover support, whereas London does not. It should also be noted that Woz carries more than one phone with him at a time, so if Apple fails him his Android devices pick up the slack, which seems to be exactly what happened when he tried to get somewhere and Maps on his iPhone 5 failed.
Pink feather boa time! Fusion-io throws surprise birthday party for Woz
Apple co-founder and legend Steve Wozniak won't officially turn 62 until August 11, but that wasn't enough to keep flash memory tech company Fusion-io from holding a surprise birthday party for him last night. Ina Fried from AllThingsD was in attendance and provided a photo record of the event. Woz is the chief scientist for Fusion-io as well as an investor, and AllThingsD reports that the party was held at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art, and that pink feather boas and noisemakers were handed out to the attendees. The party for Woz remained secret despite Woz's wife allegedly needing to delete a "drunk text or tweet" from his pocketful of devices. Fusion-io also used the party as a vehicle to announce its ION Data Accelerator software, which is used to improve server speeds by optimizing flash memory processes. The software is being tested by Apple and Facebook. [via AppleInsider] #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Woz's backpack brings new meaning to "overpacking"
If you were a genius who helped create the first Apple computer and have since then been able to pretty much do whatever you want, wouldn't you carry around a crowded backpack as well? Steve Wozniak has listed out just what he happens to carry around on his back every day, and the entire list (via Gizmodo) is something to behold: Almost ten iPhones and iPod touches, two iPads, countless adapters and cables for everything, multiple Game Boys, multiple earplugs and headphones, too many cards to even list, and pens, laser pointers, accessories and clip on lights, and everything else (although a few items are carried by his wife). It's a wonder the man is still standing given how much technology he's carrying around in that backpack everywhere. Here's the question I have, however: Just what kind of backpack is this? I can barely fit all of my technology in a huge shoulder bag when I go out on assignment, and I'm not carrying a fourth of the stuff that Woz is. I'm more curious about what he holds all of this stuff (and how he's able to haul it all around) than what's in there.
Steve Wozniak reveals contents of his backpack, has a lot of stuff
This is what happens when you're someone who co-founded Apple.
Woz wants a Surface
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak spoke at a recent conference in Chile, and perhaps the most interesting thing he said was that he is looking forward to Microsoft's new Surface tablet. Yes, there's something about Microsoft's consumer-focused attempt at making a tablet computer (maybe the case with a keyboard or the built-in stand) that has caught Woz's eye. And he says that not only do Microsoft's latest offerings "have such a strikingly good visual appearance," but Woz also joked that maybe "Steve Jobs came back reincarnated at Microsoft." We don't know about that one, but obviously Woz was joking around. And the fact that Woz wants a device that seems aimed at directly competing with Apple isn't new at all -- even when the iPhone was brand new, Woz was happy to carry around at least three iPhones and a few smartphones besides. What can we say -- the guy likes the latest and greatest tech, no matter who's making it. As he says, "I prefer to judge things I really know and not just what I've read about."
Rare video of Woz from 1984 talking about computing, joining Apple and the Mac
Reader Sarah Bailey of the North East Ohio Apple Corps sent us the video below of Steve Wozniak talking about the then-new Macintosh and lots of other Apple (and early computing) lore when he visited the Cleveland Apple club back in 1984. It's always great to see these old videos digitized for posterity, and this one is chock full of Apple stories. The video is nearly two hours long, so grab a snack, get comfy and settle in for a slice of computing history. 1984 Steve Wozniak visit to NEOAC from NEOAC MUG on Vimeo.
Apple I fetches $374.5K at Sotheby's auction, Steve Jobs Atari note goes for $27.5K
Here's an update for all the collectors of vintage Apple Computer-wares out there. If you'll recall, it was a few weeks back when Sotheby's announced it would auction off an Apple 1 motherboard, cassette interface and its BASIC programming manual, originally set to fetch upwards of $180,000. Just this week, the hand-built piece of computing history from 1976 was sold to one lucky phone bidder for an even more massive $374,500. As Apple Insider notes, the computer is one of six that's accounted for out of 50 that are likely still out there -- ensuring these will only remain for folks with deep pockets indeed. Past that, a hand-written note from Steve Jobs during his time at Atari was also on the auction block, garnering $27,500 even though it was only estimated to sell for less than half that price. Knowing the cost of collecting a premiere piece (arguably) from the fruits of Woz and Jobs, it certainly makes that new MacBook Pro with Retina display seem like a grand bargain in comparison. Details at the links below.
Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth
Attention Apple lovers: here's your chance to get your hands on an original piece of company history, but the past has proven that you better have a lot of extra cash lying around. Sotheby's auction house is offering a working Apple I computer, which is the original design that was built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak back in 1976 -- by hand. It's expected to fetch between $140,000 - 180,000, and those dollars buy you a mobo, cassette interface and the original BASIC manual to get you programming partying like it's 1979. This isn't the first Apple I to hit the auction block, but with only 200 of the things in existence, the winning bidder will join the upper echelon of Apple enthusiasts. So, if you've got cash to burn and fancy yourself the ultimate fanboy, head on down to the source link for the full details. [Thanks, Deepa]
