Linked List: February 13, 2012

Monday, 13 February 2012

Ed Bott: Why Windows on ARM Has a Desktop ★

Ed Bott:

Why Windows Explorer? Because the new Metro style environment doesn’t have a full-strength file manager.

But why not write a file manager using Metro? Same for the decision to include both the desktop and Metro versions of IE — if the desktop version of IE has certain essential features, why not just add those features to the Metro version?

I still don’t get it.

Samsung Doesn’t Think Apple Can Compete in the TV Market ★

Brian Ford hears echoes of former Palm CEO Ed Colligan in Samsung’s pooh-poohing of the potential threat of Apple TV sets.

Cancel or Allow Overload ★

Justin Williams:

When we are overwhelmed or confused, we either leave the situation or just blindly access whatever it is. Do you ever read the end user license agreement for iTunes before you click the “Agree” button? Probably not, because it’s an overwhelming amount of tiny text. The same can be said for complex permissions and access dialogs. If you put too much in the face of the user, they will likely disregard it and say yes to get into the product itself.

Maybe the answer to the iOS address book situation is to require the user to grant explicit permission through a dialog box, but it’s not a slam-dunk decision. Every dialog box has a cost.

The Differences Between Intel and ARM Processors ★

Fun nerdy piece by John Brownlee for Cult of Mac:

Is ARM really a threat to Intel? Yes, absolutely, and especially as we transition into Apple’s Post-PC world. But there is next to no chance Apple will replace Intel chips for ARM-based ones any time in the next five years. In fact, there’s a good chance the exact opposite could be true, and Intel chips will be powering our iPhones and iPads by then. Here’s why.