Tim Cook Discusses Steve Jobs, Apple’s Rivals, and Calls Apple Watch ‘The First Modern Smartwatch’
In an exclusive interview with Fast Company, Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses a wide range of topics with interviewer Rick Tetzeli, from Steve Jobs’ ongoing legacy within the company to the mixed reception of the Apple Watch over the last few weeks.
Cook notes the different angles Apple took in developing ways to interact with the Apple Watch, thinking of it as its own piece of technology and not just another smartphone or tablet.
He continues that most of the companies that have made smartwatches in recent years “haven’t thought that through”, resulting in lesser and more cumbersome products.
We weren’t first on the MP3 player; we weren’t first on the tablet; we weren’t first on the smartphone. But we were arguably the first modern smartphone, and we will be the first modern smartwatch—the first one that matters.
People didn’t realize they had to have an iPod, and they really didn’t realize they had to have the iPhone. And the iPad was totally panned. Critics asked, “Why do you need this?” Honestly, I don’t think anything revolutionary that we have done was predicted to be a hit when released. It was only in retrospect that people could see its value. Maybe this will be received the same way.
Cook goes on to state that Jobs’ greatest contribution to Apple was the culture he created during his years there, calling the late Apple CEO, “The best teacher I ever had by far.” Out of that culture came a sense of community and collaboration amongst the company’s various departments, a critical element of Apple’s continued success, and one that keeps them a step above the competition, according to Cook.
We’ve turned up the volume on collaboration because it’s so clear that in order for us to be incredibly successful we have to be the best collaborators in the world. The magic of Apple, from a product point of view, happens at this intersection of hardware, software, and services. It’s that intersection. Without collaboration, you get a Windows product. There’s a company that pumps out an operating system, another that does some hardware, and yet another that does something else. That’s what’s now happening in Android land. Put it all together and it doesn’t score high on the user experience.
When asked about the possibility of “cracks” appearing in Apple’s ever-expanding ecosystem of devices and operating systems, Cook remains adamant that the company will always strive for success and satisfaction in what it does.
“It’s not that it’s not doable, it’s that we’re human sometimes, and we make an error,” Cook said. “I don’t have a goal of becoming inhuman, but I do have a goal of not having any errors.” Part of this strive for near-perfection brought about the company’s boldness in making sometimes harsh, but necessary decisions, which companies like Microsoft were afraid to make, according to Cook.
Part of the reason Microsoft ran into an issue was that they didn’t want to walk away from legacy stuff.
Apple has always had the discipline to make the bold decision to walk away. We walked away from the floppy disk when that was popular with many users. Instead of doing things in the more traditional way of diversifying and minimizing risk, we took out the optical drive, which some people loved. We changed our connector, even though many people loved the 30-pin connector. Some of these things were not popular for quite a while. But you have to be willing to lose sight of the shore and go. We still do that.
The full interview is well worth a read, as Cook discusses topics like his excitement for the under-construction Apple Campus 2 and daily usage of his own personal Apple Watch. He even comments on the still-untouched office of the “irreplaceable” Steve Jobs, noting hesitancy to visit the room soon after Steve’s passing, but a growing appreciation of the space as time has passed.
When asked whether he would ever do anything with the office, like take it for himself, Cook remained steadfast in leaving it the way it was when Jobs passed. “His name should still be on the door,” Cook remarked. “That’s just the way it should be. That’s what felt right to me.”
Apple in Talks With Discovery and Viacom Over Streaming TV Service
Discovery and Viacom are in discussions with Apple to be included in its rumored streaming TV service, reports The Wall Street Journal. The partnerships could see mid-tier channels such as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon available through the subscription-based service on devices including the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Apple is planning to launch a streaming TV service anchored by American networks ABC, CBS and Fox. The rumored service would offer a lightweight package of about 25 channels for between $30 to $40 per month. Apple is expected to announce the service at WWDC in June ahead of a September launch, according to the report.
Rumors of Apple working on a streaming TV service have circulated since at least 2009, when it was reported that CBS and Walt Disney were considering participating in the web-based service. Later reports indicated that Apple had ambitious plans to launch the service in the second half of 2012, but those plans have yet to materialize nearly three years later, likely due to roadblocks with content providers.
What would make people switch from iPhone to Galaxy S6? A lower price, apparently
There’s a lot that Android enthusiasts don’t like about the new Samsung Galaxy S6 – its lack of microSD slot immediately springs to mind as well as its lack of removeable battery. The list is exhaustive, as it usually is, but in the bigger picture where Samsung is doing battle with Apple for top dog […]
The post What would make people switch from iPhone to Galaxy S6? A lower price, apparently appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Apple is reportedly willing to share viewing data to clinch TV deals
Apple is apparently bending over backwards to make sure that its oft-rumored streaming TV service gets off the ground. New York Post sources claim that the company is willing to share viewer data with the networks, including demographics and viewing habits, if it means getting channels ahead of its service’s reported fall launch. It’s not clear just how much info broadcasters would get, although there’s talk of letting them run ads if they don’t think the subscription fees are enough.
No matter what, Apple would be breaking from tradition to grant this kind of access to its customer base. The company often likes to brag about how it doesn’t share your data, and once told magazine publishers that they couldn’t collect subscriber details unless they asked readers directly. If the rumor is at all true, though, it suggests that Apple is willing to make exceptions if it can prevent rivals like PlayStation Vue or Sling TV from getting an early lead.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Apple
Source: New York Post
Apple Releases Safari 8.0.4 With Stability and Security Improvements [Mac Blog]
Apple today released Safari 8.0.4 for OS X Yosemite, bringing stability and security improvements to the browser. Apple has also released Safari 7.1.4 and Safari 6.2.4 for Mavericks and Mountain Lion users, respectively.
In addition to bringing stability improvements, the update fixes vulnerabilities in WebKit, which could allow a malicious website to unexpectedly terminate an application or execute code. It also fixes an interface inconsistency in Safari that could have allowed attackers to misrepresent URLs.
WebKit
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to an
unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
Description: Multiple memory corruption issues existed in WebKit.
These issues were addressed through improved memory handling.WebKit
Impact: Inconsistent user interface may prevent users from
discerning a phishing attack
Description: A user interface inconsistency existed in Safari that allowed an attacker to misrepresent the URL. This issue was addressed through improved user interface consistency checks.
Today’s 8.0.4 release comes several months after the release of Safari 8.0.3, which was bundled into the OS X 10.10.2 update in January. The new Safari builds can be downloaded through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
Apple Luring TV Content Partners With Promises of Data Sharing
Apple is having more luck getting content partners to participate in its upcoming streaming service by promising to share data with them, reports the New York Post. News of Apple’s most recent streaming television plans surfaced yesterday, after The Wall Street Journal reported the company was in talks with programmers like CBS, Disney, and Fox for a service that may launch in June.
Apple has struggled to create a streaming service for several years, but has continually run into problems negotiating deals with cable companies and content providers who are reluctant to disrupt existing streams of revenue. According to the New York Post, Apple is planning to share details on who viewers are, what is watched, and when it is watched in order to tempt content providers to participate in the streaming service. Apple is also said to be allowing content providers to have a significant amount of control over the service, letting, for example, providers decide when to air ads.
By dangling the “data carrot,” Apple is offering something that traditional cable companies, Amazon and Netflix have refused to hand over to programmers.
The tech giant is playing unusually nice in an attempt to catch up to rivals such as Sony and Dish’s SlingTV, which are fast building similar slimmed-down channel packages without a cable TV subscription.
Apple once had very ambitious plans for a streaming television service, which it envisioned would offer channels a la carte, but ongoing problems reaching deals with providers have caused it to scale back on its ambitions. When establishing iTunes Radio, Apple made concessions on pricing in order to get deals signed, and it’s likely the company is willing to make some sacrifices to get its television service off the ground.
Today’s report should be read with caution, as handing over user data to third-party programmers is something of an unusual move for Apple. The company has gone to great lengths to assure customers that it collects limited data whenever possible. Tim Cook has, on multiple occasions, stated “You are not our product” when speaking on user privacy.
We believe customers have a right to privacy, and the vast majority of customers don’t want people knowing everything about them. When you make a purchase, we make a little bit of money. It’s very simple, very straightforward. You are not our product, that’s our product.
Apple is said to be planning to unveil the streaming television service at WWDC, with a launch coming in the fall. Pricing has not yet been finalized, but the service, which will include approximately 25 channels, could cost between $30 and $40.
Deals are still in the works and have not been agreed upon, so launch timing of the service could shift in the future.
Facebook Messenger App for iOS Gains Money Transfer Feature [iOS Blog]
Facebook today announced a new feature for its Facebook Messenger app for iOS — money transfers. It’s now possible for Facebook Messenger users to send and receive money right within the app, letting Facebook compete with other money sending services like Venmo and Paypal.
The new money sending feature is free to use. Sending a friend a payment can be done by tapping the “$” icon located on top of the keyboard, which is also where stickers are accessed and photos are inserted. After tapping the icon, enter the amount to send, tap “Pay” in the top right corner of the app, and add a debit card (Visa or MasterCard) to make the payment.
Receiving money can be done by opening the conversation from the friend who sent the money and adding a debit card to accept the money. Funds are transferred immediately when sent through the app, but it can take one to three business days for the money to be made available.
Facebook says that it uses multiple layers of software and hardware to protect its payment systems, and on iOS, the app can be secured with Touch ID.
According to Facebook, the new money sending feature will be rolling out over the coming months in the United States. The Facebook Messenger app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Nomad’s ‘Pod’ Battery Provides Four Full Charges for Apple Watch [iOS Blog]
Accessory manufacturer Nomad today revealed the Pod, a mobile battery and cable management device that promises to provide the upcoming Apple Watch with up to four full charges, no doubt aimed at users unsure of the Watch’s confirmed 18-hour lifespan (via TechCrunch).
The Pod houses a small but powerful 1,800 mAh battery as the source of the four full charges claim, but added USB and USB-C ports mean virtually any device powered by either USB connectors can find charge from the unit. Still, the Pod’s specifically designed functionality, housing a base aimed at organizing the Watch’s MagSafe charge cable, means Nomad is definitely targeting early adopters of Apple’s upcoming wearable.
The company is also known for the NomadClip, which houses a USB and smartphone charger in its small carabiner frame, and even announced an Apple Watch stand of its own. Although pre-orders are open, as TechCrunch points out, Nomad is still awaiting a few specifications from Apple before going into production.
Nomad says it’s been in communication with Apple, and is simply awaiting the final physical dimensions of the Apple Watch charger to it can get the Pod to production. Of course, you could always just use existing power banks with the cable to achieve the same results, but Nomad’s design gets points for space-saving creativity.
Many well-known accessory manufacturers have announced products for the Apple Watch recently, including Griffin, Pad and Quill, and Twelve South. Those announcements mainly focused on docks and stands for the wrist-worn device, with not much revealed in the vein of a mobile battery solution for the wearable akin to the Nomad Pod save for the Reserve Strap, which aims to keep the Apple Watch charged while still on the wrist.
The Nomad Pod will come in Silver, Space Grey, and Matte Black Plastic, costing those interested $59.99 upon pre-ordering on the company’s official website. Nomad says the devices will begin shipping on June 15 and notes that only 5,000 units are planned to be made for the first run of the mobile charging pod.
Google Now Manually Reviews Play Store Submissions, Approval Times Still Faster Than App Store
Google on Tuesday announced two changes to the Play Store that it hopes will result in an improved experience for both developers and users. The first is a new review process where apps submitted for approval are manually reviewed by a team of employees at Google before the software is published on the Play Store. Google claims it began manually reviewing apps several months ago, with no noticeable change in approval times during the rollout.
The move to human reviewers marks a significant change for the Play Store, as the ability for developers to have apps go through a quick and automatic review process was a major differentiating factor over Apple’s tedious review process for the App Store on iPhone and iPad. Nevertheless, Google says it will continue to help developers get their apps published on the Play Store within hours of submission, rather than days or weeks.
Apple has been rather controlling and inconsistent at times in regards to enforcing its App Store review guidelines over the years. Last month, for example, the iPhone maker began rejecting apps with violent screenshots for infringing upon a long-standing review guideline. Developers also face long waits with Apple, as the average approval times for apps is roughly six days for the App Store and seven days for the Mac App Store.
The second improvement is the introduction of an age-based rating system for apps and games on the Play Store, based on official rating authorities such as the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in the United States, Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) in Europe and Classification Board in Australia. Territories with no specific rating authority will display age-based, generic ratings for apps.
“Today we’re introducing a new age-based rating system for apps and games on Google Play. We know that people in different countries have different ideas about what content is appropriate for kids, teens and adults, so today’s announcement will help developers better label their apps for the right audience. Consistent with industry best practices, this change will give developers an easy way to communicate familiar and locally relevant content ratings to their users and help improve app discovery and engagement by letting people choose content that is right for them.”
Google encourages developers to visit the Developer Console and fill out a content rating questionnaire to ensure that their apps remain available on the Play Store. Apps without a completed questionnaire will be listed as unrated and, starting in May, all apps and updates submitted to the Play Store will require a completed questionnaire before being published on the Play Store.
Michael Fassbender Depicted as Steve Jobs in New Movie Set Poster
Filming has progressed on the upcoming Steve Jobs movie starring Michael Fassbender, and a few weeks ago, film crews were spotted at the San Francisco Opera House. As of yesterday, hundreds of extras were hired to take part in a scene and a few photos leaked, giving us details on what’s being filmed at the location.
The scene being filmed in the Opera House appears to be the 1988 unveiling of the NeXT Computer, the first computer developed by Steve Jobs after he left Apple. A movie prop poster hung on one of the walls in the Opera House depicts Michael Fassbender as Jobs, posing with the NeXT Computer, which was often referred to as “The Cube” due to its shape.
Image via Instagram user seannung
Back in 1988, the unveiling of the NeXT Computer took place at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, which is located across the street from the Opera House. It is not clear why filming is taking place at the Opera Hall, but scenes will also be filmed at the Symphony Hall, according to reports. Filming in the area will continue until April.
Steve Jobs’ NeXT event was a huge gala and it marked the first time Jobs had appeared in public in many years. Descriptions of the event called it a showy affair with “all the subtlety of a Hollywood premiere.” Jobs himself was described as working the crowd “like an entertainer.”
In addition to being spotted in a promotional poster, Fassbender also had his photo snapped outside the Opera Hall by a fan, still dressed in his Steve Jobs garb. At that time, Jobs favored a simple white button down shirt and dress pants, which is what Fassbender wears in the image.
Image via Instagram user raqu31
The Steve Jobs movie starring Michael Fassbender as Jobs and Seth Rogen as Wozniak was penned by Aaron Sorkin and is being directed by Danny Boyle. Jeff Daniels, Kate Winslet, and Katherine Waterston all have roles in the film. The movie is set to be released in theaters on Friday, October 9, 2015.
AIVAnet 