Linked List: December 5, 2012

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

Erica Ogg Interviews Loren Brichter 

Erica Ogg:

He built his own version of the user interface framework, the software that sits right above the graphics processor on an iOS device. Apple creates that for developers — it was completely unnecessary for him to do this. But this is the kind of thing he considers “fun.”

“It’s insane,” he admitted. “But I wanted to experiment with different ways of driving graphics.… Apple’s [UIKit] is the best, but I wanted to try.” The experiment was a resounding success — and now has a million guinea pigs testing his code via Letterpress. And, he said, “there have been zero issues” with what he built.

Some New iMacs Marked as Being ‘Assembled in USA’ 

Can’t wait for the NYT’s front-page story on this for their “iEconomy” story. Holding my breath.

Android’s Back Button 

My least favorite thing about both Android and Windows Phone is the system-wide Back button design pattern. Ron Amadeo of Android Police has a good piece here illustrating how confusing and frustrating it can be. Every time I spend time with an Android phone this drives me nuts. Windows Phone seems a little more predictable, but I still think iOS has this right: let each app provide its own internal navigation between screens, and let the system provide a way to switch quickly between recently used apps.

When it does exactly what you expect, the system-wide Back button is convenient. But when it doesn’t, it’s maddening. With iOS, switching back to the previous app requires something more than a single tap (double-press Home then tap in switcher bar, or the four-finger swipe), but it’s never confusing and never takes you somewhere unexpected.

(Via Jim Seth.)

The ‘Mad Men’ Economic Miracle 

Adam Davidson, writing for the NYT:

This business model, perhaps as much as artistic creativity, is responsible for TV’s current golden age. Networks have effectively entered into a quality war. Basic-cable channels have to broadcast shows that are so good that audiences will go nuts when denied them. Pay-TV channels, which kick-started this economic model, are compelled to make shows that are even better. And somehow, they all seem to be making insane amounts of money. This year, NBC Universal’s cable operations are expected to bring in around $5 billion, half of which is profit. Viacom’s revenue will be more than $8 billion, with 49 percent profit. Apple had one of its best years ever in 2012, but its profit margin is expected to be only 37 percent, which is still well above its 23 percent average over the past five years. An auto company would be thrilled with something in the high single digits.

What I love is that it’s entirely predicated on producing better and better shows. It’s profitable and the art is great.

Rethinking the iPhone Lockscreen 

Interesting ideas from Brent Caswell. Unlike most iOS lockscreen mockups I’ve seen, this feels properly iOS-y. (Via Jim Dalrymple.)

Apple and Google; Design and Web Services 

Patrick Gibson:

My friend and co-worker Tom has a thesis about Apple’s biggest problem: Google is getting better at design faster than Apple is getting better at web services.

Update: The problem, I agree with. But Gibson’s proposed solution is a bit preposterous.

‘Always’ 

Brian Stoffel, writing for The Motley Fool:

I think that, at less than 10 times expected earnings for 2013, Apple is a good buy.

Finally, we have Whole Foods. I know that many people think the stock looks pretty pricey, and with it currently at 37 times earnings, I don’t blame them for thinking so. But consider this simple maxim: The highest-quality companies will always trade for a premium.

Curious use of “always” given the preceding paragraph, no?