November 2011
The Glif and Glif+ [Sponsor] Nov 30, 2011
My thanks to Studio Neat for sponsoring the RSS feed this week. The iPhone 4S has an amazing camera. This is undisputed. What the iPhone lacks, however, is a tripod thread for mounting it to a tripod. Enter the Glif. … (More)
iPhone 4S Transparent Rear Panels Nov 29, 2011
For those who would prefer to see the battery rather than the Apple logo. (Via The Verge.)
A Palm-Sized, Cube-Shaped, Cloud-Powered Thermal Printer With an Adorable Pair of Feet and a Cute Face Nov 29, 2011
Over at Fast Co. Design, John Pavlus wrote a brief profile of BERG and their just-announced Little Printer. Pavlus says, “Think of it like Flipboard, but without the screen.”
The Reports of Windows Phone Lacking in Apps Are Greatly Exaggerated Nov 29, 2011
It’s always great to read posts from people who use their devices in real life and have their reasons for why they like it. Such is the case with Geof Harries and his Windows Phone phone. Geof is right that … (More)
Little Printer Nov 29, 2011
Shipping in 2012, the Little Printer is a living room device that prints personalized, mini-newspapers on paper the size of a grocery store receipt. What a clever idea. (Via Kottke.)
Sizing the Legible Letter Nov 28, 2011
For his guest post on the Typekit blog, Ethan Marcotte wrote one of the clearest explanations on the differences and uses of pixel, em, and rem for setting your site’s font-size. Next redesign, I’m switching from pixels to rems.
If Only WP7 Had More Apps Nov 28, 2011
Matthew Panzarino’s wrote a very positive review of the Lumia 800 and its Windows Phone 7 software. Matthew would switch to the Lumia 800 from his iPhone if it weren’t for WP7′s lack of several of his “killer” iPhone apps … (More)
How to Sell a Snowblower Nov 28, 2011
“Do you like shoveling snow? Then stop reading this and go back to your pushups and granola because you are not someone that I want to talk to.”
Hidden Habits of Ineffective People Nov 28, 2011
This post on Quora by Chris Wake provides some food for thought. I think Chris’s list of “habits” isn’t completely accurate, but they certainly serve as red flags to help assess if you’re not quite as productive as you think … (More)
“I Wrote Every Day” Nov 28, 2011
Om Malik reflects on the past 10 years of blogging. I don’t think there is a better word of advice than to show up every day.
Copycats Nov 27, 2011
A fantastic article by Matt Legend Gemmell: When you see a mature product that’s somehow managed to innovate (to be “new” whilst balancing all the constraints and annoyances of the existing problem), it becomes almost impossible to see how you … (More)
Brew Methods Nov 26, 2011
Exactly what it says on the tin. Brew Methods is a collection of links to coffee brewing methods. Including Aeropress, french press, pour over, siphon, stove top, etc. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to deviate from the daily grind … (More)
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipie (From the Pumpkin) Nov 24, 2011
About 5 Thanksgivings ago I decided to make pumpkin pie from scratch (using real pumpkins, not canned). I love pumpkin pie, and this recipe turned out so absolutely delicious that it’s become a tradition. Happy Thanksgiving.
Lego Ornaments Nov 23, 2011
Putting up a Christmas Tree this weekend? Got a bazillion Legos in a tub somewhere? Perfect. Use Chris McVeigh’s instructions to make some Lego ornaments for that tree (including some Star Wars themed ornaments). (Via Amy Smith.)
Instacast for iPad Nov 23, 2011
Instacast HD just released today. I’ve been beta testing it since the beginning and I think it’s fantastic. If you listen to many podcasts and you have an iPad, you ought to get Instacast HD. Ben Brooks wrote a quick … (More)
CaptureNotes [Sponsor] Nov 23, 2011
My Thanks to CaptureNotes for sponsoring the RSS feed this week. CaptureNotes 2 is more than just a note-taking app for the iPad. It lets you record audio while you type. While there might be other apps that let you … (More)
The 2011 Tools and Toys Christmas Catalog Nov 22, 2011
Forty-seven of the finest gift suggestions you’ll find.
Stamped Nov 22, 2011
I love the concept of this brand-new iPhone app slash social network. Primarily because it’s so darn simple. You pick something, such as food, a movie, an album, whatever, and you stamp it. Your stamp is your way of approving … (More)
Brett Terpstra’s Initial Impressions of the Nest Thermostat Nov 21, 2011
Brett likes it. Tony Fadell and his team took one of the least-interesting home utility devices and turned it into something worth writing home about. (Via Ben Brooks.)
In Exchange With Shawn Blanc Nov 19, 2011
Shadoe Huard interviewed me over Skype yesterday. We talked my journey of taking this site full time, and about writing in general.
Lunchbox Locker Nov 18, 2011
It’s episode 35 of The B&B Podcast and we’re talking about Jeeps, off-roading, Kindles, Readability and supporting indie writers, and more.
Garrick Van Buren’s First Impressions of the Kindle Fire Nov 16, 2011
Nearly all the Kindle Fire reviews I read on the larger tech sites were relatively negative. Garrick, however, is an actual customer who got his Fire not as a review unit but as a device which he intends to use. … (More)
Textastic [Sponsor] Nov 16, 2011
My Thanks to Textastic for sponsoring the RSS feed this week. Who says the iPad is only for consumption? Textastic brings the power of a desktop text, code, and markup editor to the iPad. Textastic supports syntax highlighting of more … (More)
It’s Not That Kind of Tablet Nov 16, 2011
Jon Phillips’ review of the Kindle Fire for Wired: Is it tablet that people will grab again and again for web browsing, book and magazine reading, casual gaming, and more? No. It’s not that kind of tablet. I have read … (More)
“A Dangerous Comparison” Nov 16, 2011
David Pogue on the Kindle Fire: You feel that $200 price tag with every swipe of your finger. He loves the two new E Ink Kindles, though.
Andy Ihnatko’s Apple TV Speculations Nov 16, 2011
Andy Ihnatko thinks an Apple Television won’t be a full-on TV set, but a significant evolution of the current $99 Apple TV box: I keep rounding back to simple math: $99 Apple TV + $$ HDTV of the user’s choice … (More)
Every Apple Storefront Nov 14, 2011
Here’s where I’ve stood in line on more than one occasion. (Via MG Siegler.)
Joshua Topolsky’s Kindle Fire Review Nov 14, 2011
A cohesive OS, 8GB of onboard storage, lightweight but plain hardware, a great shopping experience, and long battery life. All in all the Kindle Fire sounds like a pretty good tablet for a very good price. See also: the Verge’s … (More)
Kindle Touch Shipping a Week Early Nov 13, 2011
I just got an email from Amazon letting me know that my Kindle Touch would be arriving early this week instead of next. The Kindle Fire is also shipping this week. If you haven’t pre-ordered yours yet, do so using … (More)
Speaking of the Honor System Nov 11, 2011
John Gruber, back in 2007, wrote about the pre-orders of Leopard via his Amazon affiliate links and the breakdown between single-license copies and family packs. Nearly a third of the sales John saw of OS X were for the family … (More)
“Basically, it’s just the honor system right now.” Nov 11, 2011
Garrett Murray’s experience of Apple’s new EasyPay system: Apple is, at least for now, choosing customer convenience over easy security. It reminds me of the old days when OS X was sold as physical media in a box and the … (More)
Old and Unread Nov 11, 2011
This week on The B&B Podcast, Ben and I talk about the Jawbone UP that I have had since Monday, email management and email bankruptcy, the lack of a logo on Ben’s site, and more.
Top 10 Things to Do in Colorado Before You Die Nov 9, 2011
A valid list for sure — I’ve done all but three (which is embarrassing to admit in public) — but I am wary about just how native the person who wrote this list is. I mean, how does skiing Colorado … (More)
The Extraordinary Revolution of Media Choice Nov 9, 2011
Seth Godin: In a world where everything is a click away, and in a world where everyone can have their own YouTube channel, ten blogs and a thousand email accounts… the only thing that’s scarce is attention.
A Sans-Flash Web Future Nov 9, 2011
Dan Frommer: But the reality is that the mobile browser is the future of the web. So anyone who is using Flash today for anything should start working on a plan to eventually stop using it. This is another reason … (More)
Everybody Wins Nov 9, 2011
John Gruber: Apple didn’t win. Everybody won. Flash hasn’t been superseded in mobile by any sort of Apple technology. It’s been superseded by truly open web technologies. Dumping Flash will make Android better, it will make BlackBerrys better, it will … (More)
An Excuse of a Feature Nov 9, 2011
Matt Alexander writing at The Loop on why mobile Flash was never as great as advertised: Hardware manufacturers continue to tout Mobile Flash’s relevance. Best Buy clerks try to sell you on the advantages of Flash over sans-Flash platforms. Ads … (More)
What Comes After the MacBook Air? Nov 8, 2011
Speaking of the MacBook Air, Erica Ogg speculates on what possible ways everyone’s favorite laptop can be advanced now that it is already so thin, so fast, and so affordable: It’s very hard to get much thinner than the Air … (More)
A Marvel of Brute Strength Nov 8, 2011
Ben Brooks on the difference between the hardware experiences of the iMac and the MacBook Air compared to the Mac Pro: As I think about everything that Apple stands for with its design and goals, I can’t help but suspect … (More)
Georgia and Verdana go Pro Nov 8, 2011
The beloved, screen-friendly fonts, Georgia and Verdana, have been officially expanded upon. The new versions have been extended to 20 styles each and are officially ready for print. This is great news. Georgia and Verdana are lovely, and print designers … (More)
“I’ll know it when I see it.” Nov 8, 2011
Based on the biography, Malcolm Gladwell profiles Steve Jobs as a tweaker. Jobs had an amazing ability to take things that had been built or invented or designed already and tweak them into something far better than the original.
Random Fact of the Day Nov 8, 2011
If a MacBook Air were as inefficient as a computer from 1991, its battery would last a mere 2.5 seconds.
Why Rounded Corners are Easier on the Eyes Nov 8, 2011
Anthony Tseng on why rounded-corner rectangles in Web design are attractive, and it’s not just because they’re a current design trend.
Gimmicks Nov 8, 2011
Dustin Curtis: One of the major manufacturers—Motorola, HTC, Samsung, anyone—needs to sit down their designers and engineers in the same room for a very long time to think about every aspect of the mobile experience, and then just build a … (More)
Tip for Consolidating Your Calendars Nov 7, 2011
Up until a week ago I still had all my leftover calendars from my past job. I had unique calendars for: meetings, misc, personal, open work time, and travel. Having a different color for each time of calendar event was … (More)
Koombea [Sponsor] Nov 7, 2011
My Thanks to Koombea for sponsoring the RSS feed this week. Koombea is a full service design and development shop that specializes in making web and mobile apps. For the past 4 years, we’ve been using agile methodologies to build … (More)
The Verge’s Jawbone UP Review Nov 7, 2011
Nice, comprehensive review of the UP by Thomas Ricker. His summary assessment is about the same as Shawn Walls: nice hardware, clever activity and sleep tracking, but poor software. Fortunately, the software is the easiest part to fix, and can … (More)
Shawn Wall’s Jawbone UP Review Nov 7, 2011
Shawn Wall was able to pick up a Jawbone UP on Saturday at his local Apple store. If I had known they were out a day early I could have saved myself several hours yesterday afternoon driving around Kansas City … (More)
Egg Freckles Reviews Pixelmator 2.0 Nov 5, 2011
Thomas Brand: I like to think of Pixelmator as the version of Photoshop Adobe would have made if they still cared about designing great creative software for the Mac.
The Knife Maker Nov 4, 2011
The latest Made By Hand video is so good: Writer turned knife maker Joel Bukiewicz of Cut Brooklyn talks about the human element of craft, and the potential for a skill to mature into an art.
A Show Nov 4, 2011
On this week’s episode of The B&B Podcast Ben and I talk about the new site design of The Verge, iPhone battery chargers, and other mysteries.
Sandwich Interview Nov 4, 2011
Dan Frommer’s latest in his “Creators” series of interviews is with the sharply-dressed Adam Lisagor.
Daylight Saving Time Explained Nov 4, 2011
One thing I do know about Daylight Saving Time is that in the Fall, when I get an extra hour of sleep, I am a happy camper.
UP by Jawbone Nov 3, 2011
Jawbone’s contribution to the “personal health tracking device” market is now officially on sale. I have had my eye on the UP ever since it was announced months and months ago. On last week’s episode of The B&B Podcast, Ben … (More)
Side by Side Screenshots: Gmail App for iPhone vs Gmail’s Mobile Site Nov 2, 2011
A substantial reason why the native iOS Gmail app is so poor is that it’s just a web view of their mobile friendly Gmail site wrapped in a native app.
Google Releases Gmail App for iOS Nov 2, 2011
So I go upstairs to make some eggs and by the time I come back to my computer the Gmail app had been released and nearly the whole Internet has already determined it’s a piece of junk. That was anticlimactic.
Billings Pro [Sponsor] Nov 2, 2011
Billings Pro is a multi-user time tracking and invoicing solution for the Mac and iPhone, that includes a Web app for timekeepers. With Marketcircle Cloud you get the Mac and iPhone experience with the convenience of the Web. Let us … (More)
One Hundred and Forty Characters Nov 2, 2011
A Twitter / photography project by Chris Floyd, One Hundred & Forty Characters is 140 portraits of folks that Chris follows on Twitter and the folks that they follow. You can read more about the project on Floyd’s interview with … (More)
iOS as Anti-Distraction Software Nov 2, 2011
Something Ryan Cumley mentioned in the aforelinked article about using his iPad as his work setup was not just that he was able to get most tasks done on his iPad, but that working from the iPad was noticeably less … (More)
Not Your Standard C-Level Setup Nov 2, 2011
Ryan Cumley runs an online business, Numbers For Startups. He went to the local coffee shop one day to work and realized his wife had taken the car with the laptop and so all he had was his iPad. A … (More)
Email Addresses It Would Be Really Annoying to Give Out Over the Phone Nov 2, 2011
Speaking of giving out your email over the phone…
Saying Your Email Address Over the Phone Nov 2, 2011
Matthias McGregor intentionally set up his email address so it would easy to give out over the phone or in person. Clever. It’s like a custom short URL, except this one is for those times when you have to tell … (More)
The $150,000 Icon Bronco Nov 1, 2011
Drew Phillips profiles Icon 4×4′s new, gorgeous, amazing, drool-worthy, custom rebuild of the Ford Bronco. (Via 512 Pixels.)
Crafting the Blue Marble Nov 1, 2011
Robert Simmon shares how he and his NASA colleague, Reto Stöckli, made the image of Earth which Apple picked to be the default Lock Screen wallpaper on the iPhone. The image is based on 10,000 satellite scenes and is inspired … (More)
Wolfram and Siri Nov 1, 2011
Some great use-cases demonstrating just how helpful Siri’s integration with Wolfram|Alpha actually is.
