Linked List: June 12, 2012

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Which iOS 6 Features Work on Which Devices ★

Weird that the iPhone 3GS doesn’t get features like VIP List, Offline Reading List, or Shared Photo Stream. None of them seem the least bit performance constrained.

Ping’s Future ★

John Paczkowski says Ping is dead:

Sources close to the company say that Ping, which still exists today in iTunes 10.6.3, will be gone with the software’s next major release, likely scheduled for this fall. And at that point Apple’s social networking offerings will shift to Twitter and new partner Facebook entirely.

I was under the impression that Ping was in more of a “we don’t know what we’re going to do about it” state, not a “yeah, we’re killing it” state. For example, Ping is still there in the iTunes app in the iOS 6 beta — but, it doesn’t work.

I don’t think anyone would be surprised if Ping goes away after Mountain Lion and iOS 6 both ship, and I know Paczkowski has good sources, but I don’t think Apple has made that decision yet.

iOS 6 Features You Might Have Missed ★

Nice rundown by Lex Friedman. So many details.

VR-Zone: Microsoft Is Charging Tablet OEMs $85 for Windows RT ★

Theo Valich, VR-Zone:

During our meetings with multiple vendors on the Computex Taipei, we were talking about pricing options for taking the Windows RT route instead of (free) Android from Google. While it was rumored that Microsoft decided to change their ways and offer a price of about 35 dollars – the reality is that Windows RT will cost staggering USD$80-95 dollars, with $85 being the most commonly quoted price.

I find this hard to believe. How could these tablets be price competitive with the iPad if it costs $85 for Windows alone?

The Mac’s Mid-Life Crisis ★

MG Siegler:

So the Mac line, like myself, is in this awkward in-between stage. I love my Air, but I want this new Pro. Meanwhile, I need to replace my iMac, and based on the rumors, I thought I was going to be able to do that today. But, well, nope.

Maybe I ditch my iMac in favor of this new MacBook Pro. I like the idea, but I will miss the larger monitor. I could buy a Cinema Display but — incredibly — it’s actually lower resolution than this new Pro screen. What would be the point of that? (And you know that upgrade is coming down the line as well.)

Couldn’t agree more. I’m spoiled by the extreme portability of an 11-inch Air, but this new MacBook Pro is clearly the nicest Mac ever made. It’s a hard decision.

Jason Snell: Hands on With the Retina MacBook Pro ★

Matches my day one thoughts exactly.

Mac Pro: Not Dead Yet ★

Tim Cook, in an email to a customer complaining about yesterday’s very minor Mac Pro speed bump:

Thanks for your email. Our Pro customers like you are really important to us. Although we didn’t have a chance to talk about a new Mac Pro at today’s event, don’t worry as we’re working on something really great for later next year. We also updated the current model today.

From the Archive: Daring Fireball Live at Macworld Expo 2007 ★

Five years ago, I did a live podcast on the show floor at Macworld Expo 2007, just a few hours after Steve Jobs had unveiled the original iPhone. My guest was Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser. We talked about the iPhone’s user interface, HiDPI Macs, and Panic’s apps.

Later today, Cabel will be my guest on a live episode of The Talk Show here in San Francisco, after the second day of WWDC. Our topics, funnily enough, will likely be the same.