Linked List: September 15, 2016

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Variable Fonts, a New Kind of Font for Flexible Design ★

Tim Brown, head of typography for Adobe:

Just minutes ago, at the ATypI conference in Warsaw, the world was introduced to a new kind of font: a variable font. Jointly developed by Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, a variable font is, as John Hudson put it, “a single font file that behaves like multiple fonts”. Imagine a single font file gaining an infinite flexibility of weight, width, and other attributes without also gaining file size — and imagine what this means for design.

This looks great. I was a big fan of Adobe’s Multiple Master typefaces back in the ’90s, but they never really took off.

How Samsung Botched Its Galaxy Note 7 Recall ★

Georgia Wells, John D. Mckinnon, and Yun-Hee Kim, reporting for the WSJ:

In announcing the recall, however, experts say, the South Korean company neglected to first coordinate with safety authorities in the U.S. According to U.S. law, the CPSC must be notified within 24 hours after a safety risk has been identified, and recall announcements are generally then carried out jointly.

The U.S. agency didn’t issue a statement until Sept. 9, a week after Samsung’s initial announcement.

“This is completely unusual; companies just don’t issue recalls without the CPSC,” says Pamela Gilbert, a partner with Washington’s Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca LLP and a former executive director of the CPSC.

Samsung should have just ripped the band-aid off in one motion, and officially recalled all Note 7 units immediately. None of this nonsense about issuing a software update that limits the devices to a 60 percent charge. Just take them all back.

The official recall was issued today. It should have been issued two weeks ago.

NPD: Bluetooth Capable Headphone Sales Surpass Non-Bluetooth Sales ★

The leader, ranked by dollar sales: Beats.

Apple’s iPhone 7 Will Be Super Limited in Stores and All Jet Black and Plus Models Are Sold Out ★

Matthew Panzarino, TechCrunch:

Apple has issued a statement tonight that is essentially setting expectations for those who hoped they’d be able to walk into an Apple store on Friday and pick themselves up an iPhone. The statement makes it clear that all iPhones will be in short supply for walk-in customers without a reservation.

The statement also indicates that Apple’s jet black iPhones and all iPhone 7 plus models in all colors have sold out completely in the initial online ordering period and that no inventory will be available.

Yep, that’s right, if you want an iPhone in jet black, just order it online and wait — you won’t find one in stores.

Imagine how much better the iPhone 7 would be selling if it had some cutting-edge design.

Getting Music Onto Apple Watch ★

Joanna Stern (“Apple Watch Series 2 Review: Still Not a ‘Need,’ Finally a ‘Want’”):

Toggling through songs on my watch was far easier than getting them on there in the first place. Even after an hour on the phone with an AppleCare rep, I’m not entirely sure how I got the Apple Music playlist to wirelessly sync. Apple says it is actively working to fix this issue, but it illustrates the bigger problem of relying on a device with no cellular connectivity. I’d rather be able to stream music — and call people in an emergency.

Extra points for including an audio recording of the water eject beeps.

Lauren Goode, The Verge:

For whatever reason, I’ve had trouble syncing my iTunes to the Watch, which can support up to 2 GB of music. I can’t say I’m remotely surprised that I encountered something problematic with iTunes. A spokesperson for Apple said the company is aware that this may affect some people and is actively working to solve it.

With the combination of AirPods and GPS (for iPhone-free running and cycling), you’d think the company that invented the iPod would have made it really easy to get the music you want onto your Apple Watch.