Dan’s Microblog

If I find something interesting, I usually post it here. These are just short posts usually related to Apple and tech, but not always. Follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter.

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Dan Wassink

Inside the iPhone Repair Ecosystem: Where Do Replacement Parts Come From and Can You Trust Them? – Mac Rumors

An interesting look into the iPhone Repair Ecosystem. Personally I always recommend going to Apple, but if you are in a pinch or can’t go to Apple for any reason, this article shows why you want to do your research on repair facilities. Some are better than others.

Inside the iPhone Repair Ecosystem: Where Do Replacement Parts Come From and Can You Trust Them? – Mac Rumors:

It’s a good idea to ask repair shops to tell you about where they get their components from. The repair shops that we spoke to were forthcoming about their suppliers and the components they’re using in repairs. All of the repair shops stressed the importance of a good supplier relationship, vetting the supplies, trial and error to get the best components, and in some cases, even having a quality control team overseas with suppliers.

iPhoneAn iPhone with an original display (right) and a replacement display (left) via Disc Depot

Dan Wassink

Above Avalon: Apple’s Growth Story

This article mentions wearables, or Apple Watches as part of Apple’s growth. I couldn’t agree more. The press likes to talk about iPhones, but take a look around, you’ll see a lot of Apple Watches too. I was in Zoup a couple weeks ago and half the people there had an Apple Watch from what I could tell. I can’t say Zoup was full, but it wasn’t empty either. I was at a local bar a few weeks with my brother, again, half the people at the bar, and the bar wasn’t empty, had Apple Watches.

Above Avalon: Apple’s Growth Story:

Apple is on a roll. The company is seeing record high iPhone ASPs, strong momentum with Services, and a wearables platform connecting with the mass market. Revenue growth has accelerated for the past seven quarters. Apple’s growth story has returned with a vengeance.

Dan Wassink

Google watches your movements, like it or not

It’s even hitting our local paper.

Google watches your movements, like it or not:

Google says that prevents the company from remembering where you’ve been. Its support page states: “You can turn off Location History at any time. With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored.”

But this isn’t true. Even with Location History paused, some Google apps automatically store time-stamped location data without asking. (It’s possible, although laborious, to delete it.)

google privacy

Dan Wassink

If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel – A tediously accurate map of the solar system

If you love space, like I do, I highly recommend checking out this site. It gives a nice demonstration of the vast space out there and what is between our planets. Spoiler alert: A whole lot of nothing.

If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel – A tediously accurate map of the solar system:

Screen Shot 2018 08 13 at 6 03 42 PM

Dan Wassink

Group FaceTime delayed until later this fall – Six Colors

Group FaceTime delayed until later this fall – Six Colors:

As first noticed by developer Guilherme Rambo, Apple has removed Group FaceTime from the versions of the iOS 12 and macOS Mojave betas released today, with release notes saying that the feature will instead “ship in a future software update later this fall.”

macOS Hidden Treasures: Secrets of the System Preferences Window – TidBITS

Some great tips here!

macOS Hidden Treasures: Secrets of the System Preferences Window – TidBITS:

When the Search field is inactive (the magnifying glass and Search label are grayed-out and centered in the field), type one or more letters to specify a target pane; a quick animation outlines it in blue, and pressing the Space bar opens it.

If the System Preferences icon is in your Dock, press (click-and-hold, rather than just click) it, and choose the pane you want from the menu.

NewImage

Dan Wassink

Disney Imagineering has created autonomous robot stunt doubles | TechCrunch

I’ve always been a fan of Disney and my dream job as a kid was working in their imagineering department. They continue to this day to not disappoint me.

Disney Imagineering has created autonomous robot stunt doubles | TechCrunch:

That’s where the Stuntronics project comes in. Built out of a research experiment called Stickman, which we covered a few months ago, Stuntronics are autonomous, self-correcting aerial performers that make on-the-go corrections to nail high-flying stunts every time. Basically robotic stuntpeople, hence the name.

Dan Wassink

Apple Pay Gains Momentum With Estimated 250 Million Users

Apple Pay Gains Momentum With Estimated 250 Million Users, 200% Transaction Growth Predicted Next Year – Mac Rumors:

An estimated 31 percent of iPhone users have made a purchase with Apple Pay in the past year, up from 25 percent a year ago, according to a new Apple Pay estimates shared today by Loup Ventures analyst Gene Munster.

NewImage

Dan Wassink

Apple pushes GiveBack program with trade-ins

Apple pushes GiveBack program with trade-ins now worth instant credit toward new iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac | 9to5Mac:

Apple rebranded its reuse and recycling trade-in program earlier this year as “Apple GiveBack.” Now, customers buying new devices on Apple’s website can use a trade-in to instantly offset the cost.