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Linked List: June 3, 2007

Sunday, 3 June 2007

Three iPhone commercials from Apple, which began airing on TV tonight. Release date: June 29. These are great ads — music, photos, video, flick-to-scroll, Google Maps integration, and, of course, answering and initiating phone calls. It all looks simple, obvious, and very fun. No other cell phone is advertised by showing off the user interface.

These ads are low on hype and high on showing how the iPhone actually works, and they clearly focus on reasons why you might want one. They make me think the iPhone is going to be the next Wii — they’re going to sell them as fast as they can make them for months to come.

Small print on the “Only on the new AT&T” screen reads: “Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan.”

The Social Norm of Leaving the Toilet Seat Down ★

Game theory economic analysis by Hammad Siddiqi:

We find that the social norm of leaving the toilet seat down is inefficient. However, to our dismay, we also find that the social norm of always leaving the toilet seat down after use is not only a Nash equilibrium in pure strategies but is also trembling-hand perfect. So, we can complain all we like, but this norm is not likely to go away.

(Thanks to reader David Magda.)

Donate Software for the Pan-Mass Challenge ★

Seth Dillingham is looking for software developers willing to contribute software licenses to be auctioned off for charity:

All proceeds will be donated to the Pan-Mass Challenge, and in turn to the Jimmy Fund, for the research and treatment of cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Pan-Mass Challenge is one of the most efficient charities in the world (over 99% of all rider-raised funds are passed through directly to the Jimmy Fund).

Daring Fireball T-Shirt Spotted on CBS Sunday Morning ★

During CBS Sunday Morning’s segment on Maker Faire, they showed a woman in the audience wearing a DF t-shirt.