Brian T. Nakamoto

Apple Responds To Congressional Privacy Caucus

The day before Apple reported their best fiscal quarter evar (sic), Representatives Ed Markey and Joe Barton released Apple's response (PDF) to their questions (PDF) about the company's privacy policy. (Note to Rep. Markey: You might want to post a privacy policy for your own site.) Like the "antennagate" hysteria, concerns about Apple's June 21st update to their privacy policy are overblown.

One interesting factoid was revealed by this Congressional inquiry. In order for a device such as an iPhone to more quickly pinpoint its location, Apple now maintains its own GPS-based map of cell towers and Wi-Fi access points. Devices running an operating system prior to iPhone OS 3.2 still rely on Skynet and Skyhook Wireless to provide similar functionality if location-based services are enabled. It turns out Google and Skyhook are the unspecified "partners" referred to in Apple's privacy policy.

The Stuff of Legend

The Stuff of Legend is a richly drawn, dark toy story about an alternate reality quest to rescue a boy from the boogeyman. This Comics reader is eagerly awaiting the iPad version of the latest installment released last week…

P.S. It would also be nice to get new books of The Walking Dead, which is currently languishing at digital Issue #71.

Target up & up Cotton Swabs

Target's up & up cotton swabs are half the cost of Q-tips, but they seem to contain half the cotton at their tips. On the plus side, their paper stems are comparatively sturdy unlike some store or generic brands that use skimpy plastic sticks. It's interesting that most cotton swabs still seem to be made in the U.S.A. Indeed, as the world's largest exporter of raw cotton (at least as of 2007), it's probably still cost effective to make the versatile American buds here.

Inception

Inception is an engrossing Christopher Nolan movie about people skilled at sharing and manipulating dreams via a device that resembles a portable blood dialysis machine. Leonardo DiCaprio plays one such expert who assembles a team for one final job that will reunite him with his children. Of course, the risky mission requires a level of dream manipulation that has never been done before. This film could be considered Nolan's masterpiece considering that it reportedly took him over eight years to write the original script.

iPhone 4 Press Conference

Apple held a rare press conference yesterday to elaborate on the letter they published a couple of weeks ago. In short, any smartphone's antennas will be affected by how its user holds it, a problem exacerbated by a software bug (fixed by iOS 4.0.1 Software Update). The media is blowing the so-called "Death Grip" problem way out of proportion!

Steve said less than 0.55% of iPhone 4 users have called about an antenna or reception problem. He also reported that Apple has sold 3 million of the new iPhones since they went on sale 3 weeks ago. That's a relatively small number of people who have a problem, especially compared to the low 7.5% malfunction rate (PDF) of iPhones sold in the 2 years before the iPhone 4. This iPhone 4 user actually gets better signal than the iPhone 3G S when not gripping its weak spot!

The good news is that anyone who still does not believe that Apple thoroughly tested the iPhone's antennas can return their undamaged iPhone 4 to receive a full refund. Apple will also be giving away free Bumpers beginning next week. (Anyone who already bought a Bumper will get a full refund.) Protecting one's iPhone 4 with a case also helps to reduce signal attenuation caused by direct hand contact with its antennas. Hopefully, everyone can be happy now…

Crossfire Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron in a music video + fighting ninjas = awesome! (The song by the dude from The Killers is okay too.) Would have embedded the aforementioned music video directly in this post, but Vevo has disabled sharing in the official video stream! It seems that Sony, Universal, and their Arabian friends have still not learned that it would be trivial to embed one of a bazillion unofficial video streams. Ergo, why not encourage people to use the official one?!

Old Spice Stinks Up The Net

Who knew former wannabe Oakland Raider, Isaiah Mustafa, would go on to become a legendary pitchman for P&G? Wieden+Kennedy has successfully taken their Old Spice campaign viral by personally responding to fans on YouTube. Unlike BK's strange and creepy Crispin Porter campaigns like the subservient chicken, W+K's Old Spice guy is actually kinda funny. One wonders how many more ladies are buying Old Spice products for their manly men because of these ads…

Digg v4 Beta

The fourth major version of Digg is pretty dope! Links can automagically and instantly be dugg. The new Digg more actively encourages people to follow friends, and lets sites auto-submit their stories via RSS. During a time when Digg wannabes struggle to thrive, it's nice to see Digg introduce new improvements to remain relevant.

Square Trade Warranty For iPhone

Decided to cover the iPhone 4 with a 2-year extended and accidental damage warranty from SquareTrade. At $150 ($99 + $50 deductible), it's about what it cost to replace the iPhone 3G S screen. Who knows how much a new Retina Display will cost… Square Trade covers accidental damage—but not a lost or stolen iPhone—for $80 more than AppleCare. The latter only covers defects albeit does include technical phone support.

Aria Rooms at CityCenter

Finally had an opportunity to book a room in the CityCenter centerpiece, Aria Hotel and Casino. Following MGM Grand tradition, it can be quite a trek from the elevator to the RFID-coded front door of one's room. Each one features a Control4 Suite System that can perform cool tasks like open the curtains at a preset time, but also has a frustratingly slow UI response time from the TV remote. The corded touchscreen picture frame provides better control for everything except the TV, as they're an onscreen representation of the physical TV remote.

There's an Apple Dock connector for one's iPod or iPhone, but it's perplexingly a female 30-pin input! A USB port is available to charge an iPhone 4, but it won't pass through audio. Fortunately, there's a mini-stero jack among the plethora of ports on the Control4 I/O panel that also includes female HDMI and VGA ports. Technological awkwardness throughout the room is matched only by poor design choices such as a closet that is sized perfectly for an unfolded luggage valet by itself, but not when accompanied by a mounted ironing board afterthought. Quirks aside, the newness and location of Aria's rooms make them a reasonable option among MGM's properties in Las Vegas for those seeking the latest functional amenities in a standard guest room.