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Macworld's Jason Snell on the failings of digital calendars
For most of us, calendars are the cornerstone of our work and personal schedules. Though we own "smart" phones, the apps we use to track our days are still relatively dumb, argues Jason Snell of Macworld. In a lengthy article, Snell asks why calendars aren't more like a personal assistant -- smart enough to manage your schedule, not just pencil in dates and times. He brings up his own schedule which is filled with meetings and seemingly no breaks. An assistant would notice his meeting overload and pencil in free time accordingly. Snell doesn't offer any solutions to the problems facing calendars. He just brings up those areas that are weaknesses and asks people for suggestions on how developers can make our calendars become an intelligent management tool. You can join in the conversation at Macworld's website. Developers should join as well -- you could gain some insight into what people are clamoring for in their calendar apps.
Disrupt panel discusses iPhone 5 launch
The best of the best in the Apple world took to the stage last week during TechCrunch Disrupt to talk about the iPhone 5. Hosted by TechCrunch's Darrell Etherington, the round table of Apple experts include Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Tim Stevens of Engadget, Jason Snell of Macworld and TechCrunch columnist MG Siegler. If you haven't already, you should definitely take the time to listen to their conversation, which is available on TechCrunch's website. It's filled with insight about the iPhone 5 and Apple's position in the smartphone marketplace.
Macworld Industry Forum: Jason Snell on how Apple does it
News from Macworld Expo, all week at TUAW. At the Macworld 2011 industry forum this morning, Jason Snell, the editorial director of Macworld magazine, talked about "how Apple does it." His first point was that Apple is not just Steve Jobs. Steve created a great management team that just doesn't get enough press. Regardless of what happens with Steve, Snell says, Apple will do fine. Apple has an uncanny sense of timing. It doesn't get everything first but, when it does, it does it right. The Rio was one of the first MP3 players, but it wasn't until the introduction of the iPod that the market took off. Apple knows to get rid of things when their time is past, like floppy drives, FireWire in some devices and optical discs (now on the way out, see the MacBook Air). A lot of people don't like these decisions when they happen, but Apple really doesn't care; the leadership of the company feels so strongly about it that it continues to make those moves anyway.
Macworld 2010: The lowdown from Macworld's Jason Snell
Nobody was safe from the hot seat in our Macworld Expo booth, including Macworld magazine's fearless leader, editorial director Jason Snell. We caught up with him shortly before the five-man iPad panel event and got his impressions of the 'new' Expo. Thanks to Jason for joining us & sharing his perspective! image courtesy Macworld
Apple rejects Macworld iPhone Superguide from App Store... for using the word 'iPhone'
The iPhone App Store's arbitrary and inconsistent approval process continues to baffle and annoy on every level, as Macworld Editor-in-Chief Jason Snell just had his iPhone book rejected... for using the word "iPhone" in the title. Apparently Apple doesn't like app names or icons to include the word iPhone or images of the iPhone -- which arguably makes sense on some level -- but you'd think a freaking iPhone reference manual would warrant an exception, wouldn't you? Making matters worse, it appears that one Mr. David Pogue didn't have this problem, as his iPhone: The Missing Manual was approved with title and icon intact. Sigh. Phil Schiller -- deploy!
Macworld clears up confusion around iPhone 'charge cycles'
In addition to confirming a widespread bug in the iPhone's charging meter, an Apple representative spoke with Macworld's Jason Snell to clear up some confusion surrounding the term 'charge cycle.' A lot of media outlets and iPhone haters are running a little too far with Apple's rating on the iPhone battery of '400 charge cycles,' assuming that, after plugging the phone in 400 times to charge up, the battery is dead or useless. As Snell states in his article, this couldn't be farther from the truth.To summarize: a charge cycle is defined as draining the battery and charging it back up - not simply plugging in to top off when you get home from work. According to Snell, charing your iPhone's battery up 25% is equivalent of spending 25% of a charge cycle - not the entire cycle. Further, after 400 charge cycles the battery is in absolutely no way dead or useless, nor is it in need of a warranty replacement or support from AppleCare. After those 400 cycles the battery's total capacity simply drops to about 80%, just like an iPod and many other lithium-based batteries. In other words: unless you're completely draining your battery every day and charging it back up completely every night, you shouldn't have anything to worry about for the life of your iPhone.While it may still be a bummer for some ultra-mobile users that the iPhone's battery isn't user-replaceable on the fly, it should still offer plenty of juice for the typical user's habits for many years to come.[via Daring Fireball]
Jason Snell spends a week with Apple TV
Jason Snell, Macworld Editorial Director, has spent the last week with an Apple TV and shares with us his thoughts. Why am I linking to yet another Apple TV review, you wonder? You see, Jason previously had a Mac mini hooked up to his HDTV, so he compares that experience with that offered by Apple's latest electronic gizmo. Which one wins? The Apple TV wins for a number of reasons, though the key point seems to be: the Apple TV was designed to work with a TV, the Mac mini not so much.Anyone out there replace their TV bound Mac mini with an Apple TV? How is it working out?
Macworld on what you need to know about iTV
We may not know when Apple will be shipping the iTV, or what it will be called, or what all it can do, but that won't stop us from talking about it. I mean, we know even less about the iPhone and lots of Mac websites parrot on about that ad nauseum (TUAW being no exception).Jason Snell and Dan Frakes, of Macworld, have written up a guide to thats the things that we know (and can infer) about the forthcoming iTV. Now, they say that the iTV doesn't seem to have a hard drive but a certain Disney employee disagrees. I suppose we'll know as soon as Apple posts some more info about this puppy.The only thing I want to know is: when can I order one?
Macworld's first look at the MacBook
Jason Snell gets to play with all the cool toys. I suppose it doesn't hurt when you're paid to do it (when is AOL going to get me a MacBook, huh?). Anyway, Jason has put together another one of his patented 'first looks' for the MacBook (he got one of each hue). Jason says there are two things people with either love or hate: the glossy screen and the new keyboard.Based on the pictures I am digging the new keyboard, but I will reserve judgment until I actually pound a few keys (since when I am on my Mac I tend to be typing something).
