Excellence is Everywhere.
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Google added voice recognition to its iPhone search app. It’s better than Apple’s own Siri. It’s faster and more accurate. It won’t do everything Siri does, but it is impressive.
You launch the Google app and tap the microphone. Say something…
As you speak, your words appear in near real time. When you’re done speaking, Google gives you search results.
This should be a much-needed kick in the ass for Apple to quickly improve Siri. Now that Apple CEO Tim Cook has restructured Apple’s leadership, I expect Siri to see rapid improvements over the next 6-12 months. Google surprised everyone with this feature.
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A major executive shakeup occurred at Apple today; and that was a great thing.
Scott Forstall is leaving the company next year. He had been with Apple since 1997, previously working with Steve Jobs at NeXT. He has been instrumental in OSX, iOS, Siri and Apple Maps. It has been speculated that the failure of Siri and Apple Maps was the cause of his departure. Another speculation is his brash executive style that led many to believe he thought he was Steve Jobs.
John Browett was brought in nine months ago to run the retail division after Ron Johnson left to run JC Penney. It was not a popular hiring. He used to be the CEO of British retailer, Dixon’s and its customer service left a lot to be desired. Apple stores are renowned for their customer service. Tim Cook hired him and realized it was a mistake. The retail division is now reporting directly to Mr. Cook. He understands how important the stores are to Apple’s revenue. He needs to look long and hard for a suitable exec to run the stores, or he can bring back Ron Johnson.
CEO Tim Cook is putting is own stamp on Apple after Jobs’s passing. He has changed the executive leadership of Apple in a major way. He has now combined the iOS and OS X development teams under Federighi. That is a major indication that both operating systems will converge at some point. It also means a more unifying design theme between the two.
Jony Ive was originally the design chief for hardware. His role has expanded to software. He now controls the design of Appel’s entire ecosystem, from Macs to iPhones, iPads, iPods, OS X, and iOS. I see major changes in the look and feel of iOS in the coming months.
Bob Mansfield was scheduled to retire a few months ago but is now heading up a new division called, Technologies. This encompasses all mobile hardware and semiconductors. This is very important as Apple has been focusing on its own semiconductor design and manufacturing. I expect big things to come out of this division with respects to mobile chip design.
The point is, change is good. This kind of change was needed at Apple. This kind of change is needed at a great many companies. Mr. Cook recognized that Apple’s reputation for quality and “it just works” was slipping after the release of Siri and Maps. It felt like the burning ambition of Steve Jobs fizzled out. This change is just what Apple needed to rekindle that ambition to create revolutionary products.
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Amazon Bloodbath After Hours As Suddenly “Earnings Matter” Once Again | ZeroHedge.
Compare Amazon’s loss against Apple’s profit. Even though Apple missed estimates, Apple is still hugely profitable. Amazon sells its Kindle at cost. There is no profit. They intend to make money on Kindle content. Apple makes a profit on both the hardware and content. Apple has the highest profit margins in the business. That is why Apple’s share price is ~$600 and Amazon’s is ~$225.
Profit is important. Profit is what keeps you in business. If you go into business without the intent of making a profit, you won’t be in business for long. Amazon has stayed in business for years because it is profitable on it’s core business: selling stuff. Amazon is making a mistake trying to compete against Apple by thinking it can be profitable selling content while selling the hardware as a loss-leader. Apple knows better. They don’t skimp on the hardware and they can sell at a slight premium, while still being highly price competitive. Profit margins are built into the design and engineering of every product. And it helps they take 30% on each content sale.
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Review: Surface RT, Microsofts bid for a thing of its own | PCWorld.
In light of today’s Apple iPad mini event, PCWorld gives a thorough review of Microsoft’s Surface tablet. It is a generally positive review. The hardware is solid and the build quality is top-notch. Where it fails is in the apps, or lack there of. While there is a dearth of major apps like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, Microsoft’s own apps are sorely lacking in functionality. That will be addressed in future updates but to not have a solid set of core apps out the gate is a misstep on Microsoft’s part. It seems they are trying to get this thing out as quickly as possible to compete with the iPad and Android tablets before the Christmas season. This isn’t just a Microsoft issue. Apple and Google have released software before it’s time, but Microsoft is betting the farm on the Surface and Windows 8/RT. They need to get it right out the door.
I applaud Microsoft for pulling their head out of the Window and designing a brand new interface for tablets and mobile devices. They have rested on their laurels for far too long and now they are playing catch up. Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen. Their merging of the Metro interface and the standard Windows desktop is a mistake, in my opinion, as recent reviews of Windows 8 has indicated. The learning curve is very steep when it should be intuitive. If users cannot get past the learning curve, Windows 8 will fail.
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Time management is a skill and an art form. There are many different ways to manage your time and be more productive. I’ve tried many. I found using reminders to be one of the most productive time management techniques. I use Apple’s Reminders app on my iPad, iPhone and Mac for all of my tasks that do not require a specific time of completion, other than a specific day. I also use reminders to create new habits and get rid of bad habits, like “Don’t be lazy”, and “Don’t procrastinate”, and “Don’t talk over people and say um and ah.”
Try reminders and see how more productive you can become.
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As you may have noticed, I have started posting short videos on a variety of subjects. I’ve been wanting to do videos for a while and I’m happy I finally started to do it. I found that the loft in my house where my studio resides was the perfect place to record. I use the built-in HD camera in my Thunderbolt display for video and the built-in mic on my MacBook Pro. It work well, though it will get better over time. I’m working on improving the audio with a USB microphone.
I’ll continue to write posts that I feel require a more detailed analysis. Sometimes, the written word is the best way to explain a topic. I’ll be doing more videos to gain more viewers and readers thanks to the power and reach of YouTube. I feel I can provide you with more timely information and tips through my videos. I hope you like them and I’ll continue to record them. Please send me all of your comments and critiques.
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You can no longer feign ignorance in a world of ubiquitous information. Just Google it!
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I use a number of tools and applications to write this blog, write my books, publish photos, music and video. I don’t use a large number of tools, I like to keep things simple. While I like to try new apps and services to see if it will help me increase my output, I keep coming back to my tried and true tools.
I run an Apple shop. I’m an Apple fanboy. I’ve been one since playing on an Apple II back in the 1979. I use a MacBook Pro, an iMac, an iPad 2 and an iPhone 4s. I don’t have a video camera. I use the built-in cameras on my devices. For music composition, I have an M-Audio Oxygen 49 keyboard, M-Audio speakers and an Alesis mixer.
When I’m writing for the blog and I’m on my MacBook Pro or iMac, I use WordPress on Safari. It’s a rich text editor and a breeze to use. I can upload media files, format text, and edit HTML directly. It’s the fastest way to write a post. I’m writing this post right now using WordPress on Safari. If I’m on my iPad or iPhone, I use the WordPress app.
For long-form writing I use Apple Pages and iCloud. I can write a piece on my laptop and it will instantly be available on my iPad, iMac and iPhone. Syncing via iCloud gives me the freedom to write nearly anywhere I have an internet connection. I’ve recently started using Apple iBooks Author to format my ebooks.
Photos are managed with iPhoto. If I need to do major photo editing, I use Adobe Photoshop. Video is recorded and edited with iMovie on the desktop and iOS devices. For music and audio, I use Logic 9 Pro. I’ve been a Logic user for many years and it is one of the best tools to write and record professional-sounding music and podcasts. If I’m mobile and need to record something, I use Apple’s Garageband app.
My productivity tools are simple. Apple’s Reminders, Notes, Messages, Mail, Calendar and Contacts. I used to use Evernote exclusively, but Notes has taken over. Documents are mainly stored in iCloud, but I still use Google Drive and Microsoft SkyDrive.
That is pretty much it. My tools help me be more productive and efficient. My data is always with me, no matter where I am. It’s quite liberating being able to work anywhere in the world, though I don’t stray too far from my home unless I’m traveling.
What tools do you use? What is your workflow?
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Apple’s iPhone 5 Made of Metallic Glass and Arrives in October – Forbes.
An interesting analysis from a metals expert on the much-rumored iPhone 5, due to arrive in October.
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I am a 20-year information technology professional specializing in Macintosh enterprise technologies, systems integration, documentation and project management. I took an interest in personal development many years ago as an outlet for continuous improvement. Anyone can achieve anything they want if they really believe in themselves. Oh yes, I love scotch and cigars.
