Linked List: January 20, 2011

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Verizon iPhone Commercial 

Nice.

On Google, and Evil 

John August, on being approached to write a screenplay about Google:

The producer wanted to focus on the early days, which is understandable: it’s an underdog story, with scrappy geniuses inventing the future. He was particularly keen on Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” philosophy.

I jumped in: “And then, of course, the second act is about how they become evil despite themselves. It’s like Animal Farm. The pigs make all these noble rules, and then systematically subvert them.”

Crickets. I won’t be writing the Google movie.

The WSJ on Google’s Management Change 

The WSJ:

In a conference call, Mr. Schmidt said the three had been making decisions together, but it was a slow process. The new organization is expected to streamline things by “elevating me and having Larry running things day to day,” Mr. Schmidt said.

Sounds to me like they elevated him right out of the building.

Eric Schmidt Steps Down as Google CEO, Larry Page Takes Over 

Google, in its quarterly finance announcement:

  • Starting from April 4, Larry Page, Google Co-Founder, will take charge of Google’s day-to-day operations as Chief Executive Officer.

  • Sergey Brin, Google Co-Founder, will devote his energy to strategic projects, in particular working on new products.

  • Eric Schmidt will assume the role of Executive Chairman, focusing externally on deals, partnerships, customers and broader business relationships, government outreach and technology thought leadership — all of which are increasingly important given Google’s global reach. Internally, he will continue to act as an advisor to Larry and Sergey.

Does this signal a change in direction, or was it in the works all along? (My guess: a change in direction.)

Update: Blog post by Eric Schmidt announcing the change. What is “technology thought leadership”?

‘Apple Reaches for Greatness Without Apology’ 

A reader at Andrew Sullivan’s The Dish, on Apple’s singular status:

Then there is this: Apple reaches for greatness without apology. Market share and profitability are important only as outcomes. They are not its purpose, which is to achieve the “insanely great.” It is as if they are on an ongoing Grail quest. (As Professor Henry Jones said to Indiana: “The search for the Grail is the search for the Divine in all of us.”)

Gabrielle Giffords Standing Up and Using iPad 

Reuters:

Just 12 days after she was shot in the head, U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords can stand with assistance, has tried to speak and is using an iPad, doctors and her husband said on Thursday.

Sounds like an Onion headline, but it’s true. Unbelievable.

Rob Flaherty’s iPad View Source Bookmarklet 

Handy when developing mobile-optimized layouts. (I’m using it now, to investigate a recent problem where DF looks way too small, sometimes, on the iPad.)

Apple ‘Screwing’ iPhones Out of DIY Repair 

No one can resist a “screw” pun.

Update: To solve this grievous problem, you can buy a $10 screwdriver set from the people reporting the problem.