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Apple releases 2009 proxy statement
Yesterday, Apple released a proxy statement detailing the financial compensation that executives enjoy as part of their participation on the board of directors. Steve Jobs retained his $1 salary for 2008, but has over 5.5 million shares of Apple stock, which is worth over $500 million on paper. Jobs is worth about $5.7 billion, thanks largely to the fact that he's Disney's largest individual shareholder. Fidelity Investments continues to be Apple's largest investor with over 46 million shares of stock. There are five shareholder proposals up for voting this time around: Proposal 1 asks to re-elect the board of directors, consisting of Steve Jobs, William Campbell, Millard Drexler, Al Gore, Andrea Jung, Arthur Levinson, Eric Schmidt, and Jerry York. Proposal 2 asks for more transparency surrounding Apple's political contributions. Proposal 3 asks the company to adopt a statement supporting universal health care for everyone, and not just employees. Proposal 4 asks the company to release a report on corporate strategies surrounding climate change and greenhouse gas emissions before July. Proposal 5 asks to adopt a policy that gives shareholders more input on executive compensation. (Thanks, Scott!) The board of directors, perhaps not surprisingly, recommends approving the first proposal, and rejecting the other four. The proxy statement is available from Apple's Investor Relations website, and will not be mailed to shareholders unless requested. [Via MacDailyNews.]
She said yes, and I thank the Tuskarr
It's Christmas morning. Winter's Veil sprinkles snow over the idyllic mountains near Ironforge while gnomes frolic across the battlegrounds. Everyone is working to get With A Little Helper from my Friends. Most of us have the good sense to sleep in late. Some of us, however, have big plans. With the aid of a homemade Christmas card, featuring my own gnomified dwarf Warrior and a Tuskarr fishermen, I popped The Question to my dearly beloved Draenei Priest (and sometimes Nelf Druid). She said yes, which was precisely the result I was hoping to get. Here's how it went down. Sitting by the tree, I asked her to wear a blindfold for a moment. Working quickly, inspired by a Tuskarr quest, I sprinkled Swedish Fish down the hallway. Then, I removed the blinder, handing her the home-made Christmas card. On the front was a screenshot (above) of my dwarf completing the quest The Way to His Heart... and on the inside it said "Follow your heart ... and the fish." She followed the trail of gummy fish to where I'd hung a necklace strung with the proxy ring. (Since this is the second time at bat for both of us, she wanted to help pick out the ring.) And voila, I had the best Christmas ever.
Homebrew proposal culminates in 'Bejeweled' wedding
You've probably all but forgotten about a story we ran way back in March in which one Bernie Peng used a homebrew version of Bejeweled to propose to his girlfriend of three years. Well, Bejeweled publisher PopCap didn't forget about the proposal, helping to make the couple's wedding this Saturday an unforgettable affair.According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, PopCap chipped in $1,000 for decorations ($500 of which went to a Nintendo DS-shaped cake) and $5,000 for free copies of Bejeweled that were given to all 250 guests. "There are good ways and bad ways to hack software and to us, this is a good way," said PopCap spokesman Garth Chouteau. After a honeymoon in Bali, the happy, nerdy couple will also get a guided tour of Popcap's Seattle headquarters.
Forum Post of the Day: Setting the mood
We've asked before where people would like to live or vacation in Azeroth, and have gotten a surprising variety of responses. There are many lovely, scenic, and adventurous places that would be fantastic to visit. But is there anywhere you'd like to go on a date? Sildurcausius of EU-Arathor (who needs an easier name to spell) asked on the EU-General forums where he should take his girl on a date in WoW. He said that he's bought a tux and some fireworks for the occasion. Amazingly enough, the responses offered some great suggestions: Delilan of Nordrassil, "On the cliffs at Hinterlands is very preeeetty at sunset on a clear day..And feels like a romantic sorta place.." (followed by "Cant believe I just typed that") Nyala of Steamwheedle Cartel, "In Feralas, the Twin Colossals. There is an npc near them that will teleport you to the top of one of the colossals. At the top is an npc who sells parachutes that allow you to jump down safely." Erinys of Vashj, "The view from the hunting lodge balcony in loch modan is pretty especially at sunset and sunrise." Thundernut of Quel'Thalas, "Perpetual autumn, very nice trees here. The sky is an orange/pinkish glow at night. If you like water an island in the bay of storms also gives a pretty view.
Super Smash Betrothal Brawl
Brian Klima decided to propose to his girlfriend -- if not in style, then at least in a style. Rather than doing something as silly as speaking words to her, he designed a Super Smash Bros. Brawl stage in the shape of the words "MARRY ME?" He left the game running, then turned the TV off so the stage would be the first thing his girlfriend saw when she turned it back on.Luckily for Brian, he happens to be with the one woman in the world who would find this charming, as she accepted the proposal. They haven't picked a location for the wedding yet, but we're thinking Skyworld. The registry will be set up with a "very high" item drop percentage.
Viva Pinata proposer tying the knot today with game-themed cake
We all had our hearts warmed last year when we heard of David Rosowski's delightful approach to nuptial queries -- the young man proposed to his girlfriend Jenn by sending her a diamond and question-popping note in Viva Piñata, immediately following up with a bended knee and a real-life rock. Nearly seven months later, their wedding day has come, and after trading vows upon a cruise ship, the two will chow down on a matrimonial pastry topped with a Horstachio and a veiled Pretztail (two of the game's more recognizable papier-mâché critters). You can watch their big day unfold on David's YouTube channel, if you have nothing better to do this Saturday morning. We here at Joystiq HQ won't be in virtual attendance, but we'd still like to wish David and Jenn a long and happy marriage, full of fulfilled romance requirements and bushels of joy candy. [Thanks, jimmcq.]
iPhone marriage proposal warms even the cynical heart
Maybe we just turn a bit sentimental during the holiday season, but damn it, we'll admit to getting a little choked up over reader Claude M's well-planned, uber-geeky proposal to his girlfriend -- even if his method of choice did happen to employ the totally overexposed iPhone. Being the romantic fellow that he is, Claude spent what must have been numerous hours producing a video proposal in the style of those ubiquitous commercials -- as you can see after the break -- and then screened it for his sweetheart (probably on his or her you-know-what) while they were strolling around the area where they'd first met in college. We'd like to congratulate the happy couple -- she said yes, duh -- and encourage them to race over to our Christmas contest post, where they have decent odds of scoring a pair of round trip tickets for the honeymoon.
Real ID gets shot down by Maine legislature
Although it has been a tick since we've heard anything substantial on the proposed Real ID card set to take the place of individual state drivers' licenses, it seems like Maine legislature has had their wheels turning (and fists curled) for a good bit. While a majority of lawmakers have simply given a whimsical thumbs-up to the potentially voyeuristic plan, the folks in Maine seem to think the invasion of privacy (not to mention the $185 million in implementation cost for the state) is downright lame. Shenna Bellows of the Maine Civil Liberties Union derided the presumably RFID-based Real IDs as "a one-stop shop for identity thieves," and it was noted that several other states (like New Hampshire, Georgia, and Montana) just might bust out their true feelings on the matter now that Maine has broken the collective silence. Of course, Maine hasn't completely gone loopy and opted out of the process just yet, as the current protest is simply filed as a "resolution," but backers seem fairly serious in their attempts to "protect the people of Maine from just this sort of dangerous federal mandate." So, what about that iris database you guys are building, hmm?[Via Wired]
It's official: San Francisco to get free WiFi blanket courtesy of Google / EarthLink
Ah Google, where would we be without you? Instead of answering that, we'll just say that the search giant (and future world dominator?) has landed yet another smile-eliciting deal, and this time it's the San Franciscans getting the spoils. While the deal between the city of San Francisco and Google / EarthLink has been brewing for quite some time, city officials have (finally) "finalized a contract that will enable EarthLink to build a citywide wireless network and allow Google to provide free internet access." With an estimated one million or so folks to benefit from the implementation, things are looking good if you've been itching for everywhere-WiFi and happen to live in SF, and while EarthLink still plans on offering a "fee-based premium service," Google is looking out for the little guy by dishing out the free stuff. Apparently, no hard pricing figures nor rollout dates have been set just yet, but things should start moving along relatively soon if Google has anything to do with it, as a statement released by the company stated its intent to "to see the service go live as soon as possible" -- now that's what we're talking about. [Warning: PDF Link][Via CNET]
Podcasting PSP-style
One of my favorite things about the 2.80 firmware is its ability to download video podcasts. While visiting podOmatic, a sudden realization came into my mind: we can make our own podcast! (And so can you at podOmatic-- check it out, awesome site.) People have told us to make a PSP-compatible version of PSP Fanboy, but isn't a podcast so much better?Here's my proposal. The podcast will feature: A weekly audio show featuring Chris and myself, reviewing the best of PSP news. Why read when we can READ FOR YOU!!! Downloadable videos highlighting the best video content of the week. Maybe some more content/collaboration from Joystiq & the other Fanboy sites. (DS Fanboy VS. PSP Fanboy podcast? Bring it on!) And of course, it's all compatible with your PSP. So, vote in the poll above and then give us your comments below. With enough enthusiasm and support from you guys, it might be a reality! PSP Fanboy podcast? Hellz yeah! My 133t 1.5 PSP can't podcast, noobs! What's a podcast? You guys hate the PSP so much, it would be like listening to DS Fanboy.
Digital TV converter coupons: Who gets them and how much?
There's been a lot of concern over the upcoming digital broadcast conversion and how it will affect those who currently get TV via over-the-air broadcast and haven't upgraded to sets with digital tuners. Under the proposal recently submitted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, only homes that do not have cable or satellite TV currently would be eligible for coupons to reduce the price of two boxes by $40 each. That might not seem fair to people who have say, one cable TV and that one TV in the basement/attic that you could always use to watch the game on Sunday if need be. Luckily if you disagree with the proposal -- which you can read in its entirety here -- they are inviting public comment.Check out the FAQ for info on how to make your voice heard, much like us they will publish your comments on the website for all to see. Sort of makes you wonder why the government doesn't just start up a blog for this kind of thing.
She said yes!
Remember the dude that proposed via Apple's time lapse video outside the new Fifth Avenue Apple Store? Kottke.org received an email from his fiancé, Uschi Lang. That's right, she said yes! James, that's the name of the man in the photo, had been meaning to drop the big question for months before he had an idea when he was waiting with Uschi outside the Apple Store. He sneaked back whilst she was sleeping and stood in front of the camera for 15 minutes with his proposal signs to ensure that the time lapse would pick him up. A few days later James led Uschi down a row of candles leading up to his G5 and showed her the video and of course, she said yes. Congratulations you two!Now, about that row of candles leading up to his Mac. Is it normal to do that when you're not proposing? What?! I'm just asking...
More on the Boston Apple Store
This story has almost as much drama as Apple's recent legal battle. Apple is planning on putting a new flagship store in Boston, Ma. The design initially proposed to Boston's Back Bay Architectural Committee (BBAC) was shot down (the BBAC didn't like its contemporary look). Next, a rumor surfaced that Apple may move into the building on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury street that currently houses the Virgin Mega Store, thereby thwarting the BBAC's complaints by taking over a pre-existing building.Today, the Boston Herald is reporting that Apple has proposed a revamped design for the original Boylston Street location (currently the Copy Cop across the street from the Prudential building). This new design supposedly features a circular staircase, rooftop garden and all-glass facade. Apple has stated that the only option is for them to demolish the existing building and start over, as fixing up the existing structure would add six months and nearly $3 million to their schedule.Can't we all agree and just get this thing built already? I'm dying to check it out![Via ifoAppleStore]
iProposal: Getting hitched via iPod
With less than a week until Valentine's Day, your favorite (unofficial) Apple bloggers are in a sentimental mood. Or perhaps we're just still swooning over that cool gestures video. Either way, we were thinking about all of those wacky proposals you sometimes see on TV, in which a lovelorn young man rents out the Goodyear Blimp or some such craziness. Then it hit us: What about a proposal via iPod? Arguably they're the hottest gift around. Wouldn't you rather receive a 60GB iPod than a diamond ring? I sure would. So, is it possible that someone, somewhere, sometime may have popped the big question with a shiny rectangle of plastic and metal?Wonder no more, because it looks like it has happened. How sweet. Good luck, you crazy kids! So, what's your romantic iPod story?[Via Very Big Design]
