Linked List: June 22, 2018

Friday, 22 June 2018

Apple Launches Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro 

New Apple support document:

Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
  • Letters or characters do not appear
  • Key(s) feel “sticky” or do not respond in a consistent manner

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard.

If you’ve paid for service that seems like it should have been covered by this program, you should get in touch with Apple.

Gurman on AirPower 

Mark Gurman, in a Bloomberg piece headlined “Why Apple’s AirPower Wireless Charger Is Taking So Long to Make”:

An executive at an Apple partner that manufactures third-party wireless chargers for iPhones, who asked not to be identified, said the multi-device charging mechanism is challenging to build because it likely requires different sized charging components for the three types of devices, which would all overlap across the mat.

The AirPower charger is also more advanced than the current competition because it includes a custom Apple chip running a stripped down version of the iOS mobile operating system to conduct on-device power management and pairing with devices. Apple engineers have also been working to squash bugs related to the on-board firmware, according to the people familiar. They asked not to be identified discussing a product that hasn’t been released yet.

Why in the world did they announce this last September when they clearly still aren’t close to shipping it today? Also: Gurman’s story doesn’t answer the question, other than saying “It’s a complicated product”.

Rolling Stone Profiles Johnny Depp 

Stephen Rodrick, writing for Rolling Stone:

“My son had to hear about how his old man lost all his money from kids at school, that’s not right,” says Depp. He rubs his eyes with his tobacco-stained hands. He says one of the proudest moments of his life was when Jack said he’d started a band and Depp asked what they were called.

“The kid says ‘Clown Boner.’” Depp smiles proudly. “We don’t need a paternity test. That’s my kid.”