Apple’s WWDC Code of Conduct →

March 29, 2017 · 06:28

Apple displays its new Code of Conduct on their WWDC registration page:

Apple is committed to diversity and to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone. All attendees have the right to a safe and welcoming environment regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other attributes. In addition to treating others respectfully, please do not bring items with disrespectful, malicious, or sexually-oriented writing, images, or audio to the conference.

Apple reserves the right to refuse admittance to, or remove any person from WWDC (including from any WWDC events) at any time in its sole discretion with no refund, including but not limited to attendees behaving in an inappropriate, disorderly, disrespectful, or dangerous manner or failing to comply with these terms and conditions. All attendees must follow safety signage, instructions, and rules. If you have an experience that violates this code of conduct, visit Attendee Services and ask for a manager.

Refreshingly short, precise, clear, and no-nonsense. I’m just sad that these things have to even exist. They shouldn’t need to. We’re fundamentally all the same.


10.5″ iPad Pro Entering Limited Production, But Launch Remains Unclear →

March 28, 2017 · 11:36

Joe Rossignol:

At this point, however, it remains unclear whether the 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be announced later this spring, at WWDC 2017 in June, or in the fall or later, as rumors are lacking consensus.

If the 10.5″ iPad is going to showcase a new iPad design language, perhaps akin to the new iPhones, then I would assume it will debut in Autumn, along with or after the iPhones.


UK Government Renews Calls for WhatsApp Backdoor After London Attack →

March 27, 2017 · 12:13

James Vincent:

Following last week’s terrorist attack in London, the UK government has renewed a familiar campaign against digital encryption. Echoing criticisms made in 2015 by then prime minister David Cameron after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, UK home secretary Amber Rudd this weekend described the government’s inability to read messages on end-to-end encrypted messaging apps as “completely unacceptable.”

And so it begins… again. (Sigh.)


Dear B&O, I’m Still Waiting for a Pair of Wireless H6s →

March 27, 2017 · 11:46

Vlad Savov, writing for The Verge:

Speaking with B&O Tonmeister Geoff Martin (who’s responsible for tuning everything right up to the company’s $80-something-thousand BeoLab 90 speakers) this week, I asked directly if the company could produce a wireless H6. And he answered, just as directly: “yes.” The actual reason for why B&O Play doesn’t offer a wireless headphone tuned like the H6 is that its sound signature is too light on bass to be used in the noisy environments of an underground commute or a long flight. That’s why the wireless models that B&O Play does offer — the H7, H8, and H9 — have an extra slice of low-end rumble, with the intention being that they’ll sound their best when circumstances around the listener are less than ideal.

Dear B&O,

I have a pair of H6s, which I absolutely love1. I will continue waiting for a wireless version, despite your hesitation. Also, I don’t much care for the touch-controls on the current wireless line-up. Please make this happen.

Sincerely,

Many people

  1. Which I will upgrade to the 2nd Edition sooner or later.

Apple Has Acquired Workflow, a Powerful Automation Tool for iPad and iPhone →

March 23, 2017 · 08:54

Matthew Panzarino:

This is not a ‘pure acquihire’ in that Workflow — not just the talent — is being purchased in this deal. This makes sense and I’m glad to see it because Workflow itself was a prime meat example of how to find a need in the iOS ecosystem, tackle it in an interesting way and execute it with cleverness and attention to honoring the platform. Simply put it’s super smart, really well designed and works very well.

Wow! This is something I did not expect.

I use Workflow every single day and I just hope it won’t go away and will continue to be updated. I actually just used it to create this post.


Etihad Publishes Approved Onboard Item Rules for Flights to US

March 22, 2017 · 18:32

In an email, sent to their clients, Etihad informs:

Following a directive from US authorities, we have been advised that guests travelling to the United States from Abu Dhabi International Airport are not permitted to carry electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smart phone on board.

Mobile phones and medical devices are permitted but larger items including laptops, tablets, cameras and e-readers will need to be placed into baggage that is checked in. This must be done at the start of your journey. The ban does not affect flights leaving from the US towards Abu Dhabi and beyond.

These new rules come into effect for flights to the US via Abu Dhabi, starting 25 March.

Any guests travelling to the UK via Abu Dhabi are not affected by the directive from the UK authorities.


More Details on the Aeroplane Laptop Travel Ban →

March 21, 2017 · 21:38

BBC UK:

The United States and United Kingdom have announced that laptops, e-readers and almost any other electronic device that is not a phone will be banned from cabin luggage on some flights.

The US rule only applies to 10 airports, but one of those is the world’s busiest international airport – Dubai International.

For more details, including a full list of countries and airports, see the original piece on BBC’s site.


US Forbids Any Device Larger Than Cellphone on Flights From 13 Countries →

March 20, 2017 · 22:00

Sam Thielman:

US authorities have required airlines from 13 nations to forbid passengers from carrying any electronic or electrical device larger than a cellphone.

The new edict was distributed in an email described as “confidential” from the US transportation safety administration (TSA) on Monday.

The requirement forbids passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, Kindles and even cameras larger than mobile phones into the cabin. All such devices must be checked.

Devices with lithium-ion batteries aren’t allowed in checked baggage as far as I know. So this is basically a ban on close to everything apart from cellphones. I know I won’t be visiting the US anytime soon, even though the ban will most probably not include my home country — I can’t bring myself to condone this sort of behaviour.


My Photography (26) — Sheikh Zayed Mosque, UAE, 2017

March 20, 2017 · 16:55

We had a 7-hour layover in Abu Dhabi, on our way back from the Seychelles, so naturally, we had to go see the city, with the Sheikh Zayed Mosque being our first stop. I still remember when I first saw the city over 30 years ago, basically, a village in the desert — the contrast is amazing — but this place of religion is simply stunning to behold.

Shot with Sony A7R II + FE 28 mm f/2: f/6.3, 119 s, ISO 100.


March 19, 2017 · 13:40

Just got back from our vacation, and as I sat down, I realised that I didn’t have to use my iPhone. iPad! Missed you so much!


My Photography (25) — Tail End of the Milky Way, Mahé, Seychelles, 2017

March 18, 2017 · 06:50

I waited 18 days and 18 nights to get this shot. I was planning to do a lot of night sky photography before arriving on Mahé and Praslin, but unfortunately, my plans were for nought. Firstly, the full moon was a huge problem — it was bright enough to cast a shadow. Secondly, the night sky was almost always covered with clouds, which usually dispersed in the morning. Lastly, there is a surprising amount of light pollution on the island — I did not expect this at all.

The shot above is unfortunately far from perfect — you can see one of the ends of the Milky Way on it. Had I waited for the centre of the Milky Way to rise above the horizon, the bright moon would have joined it, ruining the shot. Hope you like it nonetheless.

Shot with Sony A7R II + FE 28 mm f/2: f/2.8, 15 s, ISO 3200.


Swatch Developing Own Watch Operating System To Compete with Android Wear and watchOS →

March 16, 2017 · 17:54

Corinne Gretler:

Swatch Group AG said it’s developing an alternative to the iOS and Android operating systems for smartwatches as Switzerland’s largest maker of timepieces vies with Silicon Valley for control of consumers’ wrists.

The company’s Tissot brand will introduce a model around the end of 2018 that uses the Swiss-made system, which will also be able to connect small objects and wearables, Swatch Chief Executive Officer Nick Hayek said in an interview Thursday. The technology will need less battery power and it will protect data better, he said later at a press conference.

The problem with Swatch’s OS will be the same thing that limits Android Wear on iOS — no meaningful possibility to integrate with the iPhone. Android users could potentially benefit more from this, but I don’t see Swatch making any serious dent in the market in the near future.


March 16, 2017 · 16:52

I love Twitter, but if anything happens to it, I will lose all my tweets — I’m still waiting for my archive, which I ‘ordered’ many months ago — so I’m considering microblogging here on Infinite Diaries instead. My inspiration for this post format comes from Manton Reece of course.


My Photography (23) — The Most Beautiful Beach in the World, Curieuse, Seychelles, 2017

March 15, 2017 · 16:27

Having spent two weeks over here, I have been fortunate enough to see many beaches on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and Curieuse. All of them are beautiful in their own way, but the southern beach on the last of the aforementioned islands is my favourite — calm and peaceful, with crystal clear waters, lazy and colourful fish… It’s as close to perfect as I could imagine.

Shot with Sony A7R II + FE 28 mm f/2: f/8, 1/640 s, ISO 100.


Jonathan Zdziarski Is Joining Apple’s Security Team →

March 14, 2017 · 17:48

Jonathan Zdziarski:

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a position with Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture team, and am very excited to be working with a group of like minded individuals so passionate about protecting the security and privacy of others.

Congratulations! I do hope that he'll still be around on Twitter and keep on posting.


10.5-inch iPad to be Announced at Apple Event in Early April →

March 14, 2017 · 14:19

Benjamin Mayo:

Following leaks about as-yet-unannounced iPad device identifiers, Digitimes is today reporting that Apple has moved up production plans for a new 10.5 inch iPad to this month, and will unveil the new iPad at a product event in ‘early April’.

I seriously doubt Digitimes has a single source inside Apple, which is where event decisions are made. The supply chain has nothing to do with them. I’m willing to bet it’s speculation, perhaps based on Apple’s orders, and it might turn out to be true, but it’s speculation nonetheless.


The Girl in the Spider’s Web Without Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig →

March 14, 2017 · 13:44

Brian Truitt:

Lisbeth Salander, the punk hacker anti-heroine from the late Stieg Larsson’s Millennium book series, is returning to the big screen in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, scheduled to hit cinemas October 5, 2018. But Dragon Tattoo stars Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig won’t be returning as Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist. A new cast is being picked for the adaptation directed by Fede Alvarez (…)

“Lisbeth Salander is the kind of character any director dreams of bringing to life,” the filmmaker said. “We’ve got a great script and now comes the most fun part – finding our Lisbeth.”

I was skeptical of the movies with Mara and Craig after reading the books. But I watched them. They weren’t as good, but the casting was near perfect, especially Rooney Mara, playing Lisbeth. I’m sure Fede Alvarez will have a lot of fun looking for a new Lisbeth, but I won’t be enjoying his final work, unfortunately — don’t want to spoil the previous films.


My Photography (22) — Giant 80-Year-Old Tortoise, Curieuse, Seychelles, 2017

March 13, 2017 · 16:19

Giant tortoises can be found on two islands (that I know of) in the Seychelles — on La Digue in a closed off park and running wild (not the perfect phrasing, but you know what I mean) on the small island of Curieuse. They can be fed with various leaves and other shrubs that grow on the island and are quiet friendly. Just don’t put your fingers in their mouths — they will bite it (off?).

Shot with Sony A7R II + FE 28 mm f/2: f/2.8, 1/800 s, ISO 100.


My Photography (21) — Panorama of Eden Island as Seen From Mahé, Seychelles (100+ MP)

March 12, 2017 · 18:44

We took the scenic route through one of mountain passes on Mahé today, the one second closest to the capital city of Victoria. Since my Sony FE 28 mm wasn’t wide enough to capture the scene above, I decided to try to make a panorama, consisting of 12 individual shots. It came out better than I expected and has around 102 MP after cropping.

Since the JPG at full resolution weighs in at almost 100 MB, you can view the original on 500px. I also posted a 100% crop after the break below.

Shot with Sony A7R II + FE 28 mm f/2: f/8, 1/250 s, ISO 100. Total of 12 shots.

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