Apple china fact fiction journalism theatre.
Form, function, sustainable, and now adding working conditions and journalism to getting good product to market equation. via grist [RK]
Apple to pay dividend and buy back some stock.
Apple not only world’s most trustworthy brand but now most valuable. via bloomberg news {RK]
Different apple logo observed at ipad3 event.
apple logo steals some buzz from new ipad3 launch.
the rainbow logo ( 1976 – 1998 ) was designed by rob janoff. the last logo change was in 2003 per wired.
the yerba buena center for the arts in san francisco, where wednesday’s event took place.
1976 apple logo on a 2011 apple product
[ real story behind ‘think different‘ ] [ don’t make it cute ] [ apple doin logo motion ]
Apple mulling it's $90 billion.
Apple mulling over what to do with its $90 billion. via washington post. [RK]
Apple, design sets new bar.
iPhone and iPad kicking butt via wsj [RK]
Mr. jonathon ive becomes sir jonathon ive.
apple’s jonathan ive is knighted sir ive. via unbeige [RK]
Architect luis pons designs “chapel.”
“Chapel” an organically shaped, meditation chamber designed by architect Luis Pons is part of Inventory 02: Soul Does Matter, an exhibition showcasing the work of a provocative group of designers who embrace the concept of limited production manufacturing. The exhibition, which attracted a lot of attention during Art Basel Miami Beach, will be on view in the Buena Vista Building, 189 NE 39 Street #120, in the Miami Design District through 19 December 2011.
“Chapel” offers a relaxed interior for one to four people and is pre-programmed by the facilitator to support the users’ individual needs during daily sessions. Upon entry users experience a period of meditation, during which the chapel’s integrated lighting, sound, and aroma therapeutic scent systems are set to create a calming atmosphere. Meditation is followed by activation of the video-conferencing mode, during which users engage in a two-way communication with an energy expert via the Chapel’s Internet connected state-of-the-art video conferencing system. Sessions close with the Chapel returning once again to a meditation atmosphere for a period of time. When users leave the Chapel low-level lighting gently illuminates the interior until the next session begins.
“In the Chapel we leave the distractions and chatter of the everyday world behind. Here we are able to embrace and enhance our ability to reconnect to the energy source that is within ourselves and always available in the universe,” says Pons. “The chapel’s organic shape is a symbol of life itself. Like a cocoon, it is a source of, and protective space for, birth, rebirth, renewal, and growth.”
The 18’ x 12’ x 9’ structure is fabricated from 69 elliptical panels crafted from translucent white fabric that was custom designed, creating a soft oval interior space. This interior space sits on an oval platform made of acrylic light cast cotton. A custom designed sofa bench offering seating for up to four people inside the Chapel is oriented toward a 42” audio/video LED display with integrated speakers. The audio/visual system includes an Apple Mac mini control processor and computer, an HD web camera with a microphone, and an iPod Touch. A high-performance LED lighting system can be programmed to bathe the interior in various lighting schemes.
[ about the exhibition ]
Curated by Thais Fontenelle, Soul Does Matter is the second exhibition from Inventory and features an array of design objects in a range of mediums and disciplines. The show is presented with the intent to explore themes centered on the interplay between the material and the intangible personality of design objects. The highly disparate limited edition pieces that comprise the show reflect the unique visions and worldviews of their respective designers yet unify around the shared theme.
Grace digital eco terra waterproof speaker dock.
This dock with speakers features a water and dirt resistant design, can run on batteries or plug into an AC outlet. It’s also submersible and it floats.
Price: $170 usd
producer: grace digital
Logitech boombox for ipad.
Use your tablet or smartphone as a touch screen player and remote control that streams stereo audio to your Wireless Boombox. Add a little boom to any room | or outside. [ logitech | $149.99 usd ]
[ technical ]
>wireless audio: Bluetooth® (A2DP)
>3” laser-tuned neodymium drivers:2
>½” neodymium tweeters: 2
>2” passive radiators: 4
>rechargeable battery: Nickel-metal hydride
>battery life: 6 hours**
>auxiliary input: 3.5 mm (cable included)
What people want in a tablet computer. Infographic.
the bigger a black circle is, the more that subject was searched for. the darker the color in nodes branching off, the more intense the search activity was. >click to enlarge
Tablet computers by now are sufficiently evolved with a diverse and experienced user-base to glean what people expect, like and want from them. Here’s an infographic generated via Google on what people are interested in and searching for.
The infographic suggests people don’t seem to care much about speed, screen size, or memory. Precisely the tech specs marketeers pitch with most gadgets today. That said, the memory vs storage can be construed as the same thing to non-techies: people may want the option for more “memory” to capture movies and music that require processing power hence why the battery is important. Regarding screen size, the tablet size offerings do not vary more than two-three inches. But size is indeed a factor for those who use both a smart phone and a tablet, we much prefer the tablet. A tablet offers a larger visual presentation but people what something compact too.
I’m surprised that price isn’t in here. Looking at non-iPad offerings there’s a big drop-off in price for a vast majority of the tablets. Interestingly, we don’t see lines in front of retailers offering the cheaper tablets.
If Steve Jobs were still here this might not be said this way at this time: he’s hugely responsible for getting a whole lot of people to pony up. We’re reminded in an article that an Apple smart TV could have been in the works and may in fact be coming. The article makes note that Apple and Jobs have a record of taking existing technologies and redesigning them with an emphasis on visual simplicity, enabling users to play songs, open applications and make calls with the click of a mouse or the swipe of a finger — with little technical knowledge required.
Along with price I wonder why age isn’t factored in as a great many older users have jumped many generations of desktop computers to enjoy the simplicity of playing with and using the tablets. Maybe we also need an infographic showing who’s interested and buying the tablet computer.
The infographic reminds us that a survey, a focus group, is the wrong process to generate a great idea by just asking people. Jobs said, “It’s not the consumer’s job to know what they want.” Finally, it does not go unnoticed, we couldn’t get this infographic without the wonder of Google.
The tablet research was conducted by design and branding agency, Method, and commissioned by Dell. Read the following links for other opinions. [ co. design ] [ visualizing.org ] [ chicago tribune ]