The Brooks Review

Category: Links

  • Grandview

    A big thanks to this weeks sponsor: Grandview. I think what I [first wrote](https://brooksreview.net/2011/05/grandview/) about Grandview still rings true:

    >It’s not something that will make you focus better, or write better — it is a very unique app that is loads of fun to use. I have been testing the app for quite sometime now and have to say that I really do enjoy it — not for every writing moment — there are times though when it feels like the right tool for the job.

    It’s a clever little app and I really enjoy using it. Go get your copy and see for yourself, you can snag it in the [Mac App Store here](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grandview/id432436025?mt=12).

  • Phoenix Jones Stops Assault

    Camera guy to 911: “There’s a huge group of people fighting, pepper spray, super heroes…”

    God, I love Seattle.

  • Idiots Pay More

    The Technology Review on the valuation of Facebook:
    >More likely, however, is that the value of Facebook and other social media companies is being driven by the kind of group think that has characterised so many bubbles in the past. In these, it doesn’t matter to a trader what Facebook is really worth as long as he or she thinks some other idiot will pay more.

    Good article that breaks down why Facebook is likely overvalued.

  • ‘A Staggering Commitment’

    Horace Dediu:
    >What this level of spending implies is that iCloud (and Siri and iTunes) are expensive. They may seem ephemeral and even trivial as services, but they require a staggering commitment few can make. Apple made that commitment and they made it early on, before the first quarter billion users were even on the horizon.

    If accurate, this data shows just how much effort that Apple put into its cloud services this time around.

  • Asus’ Ultrabooks

    One look at the picture of that notebook and you have to think there will be a forthcoming lawsuit from Apple.

  • Groupon’s Business Model?

    Rita McGrath:

    >So, not only are we still left asking whether Groupon is beneficial to merchants, now it’s uncertain as to whether or not its business actually benefits the customer.

    Interesting that now it seems Groupon’s deals aren’t always “deals” — I wonder how many people really thought Groupon was around for the long haul?

  • Apple’s Continued Growth

    Dan Frommer:
    >In an informal flip through the Fortune 500 companies, the only industry that seems to come close to Apple’s current growth — at its size or larger — is the oil business. Chevron, for instance, is twice Apple’s size and is growing at the same rate.

    There will be a point when growing at the rate Apple current is will be very difficult — if not impossible — to achieve. Luckily, Apple seems to not be close to such a point.

  • The Air Force Says

    W.J. Hennigan reporting on [last weeks Predator Drone virus](https://brooksreview.net/2011/10/safety-first/):
    >The Air Force shot down those claims, saying the virus “in question is a credential stealer, not a keylogger, found routinely on computer networks and is considered more of a nuisance than an operational threat. It is not designed to transmit data or video, nor is it designed to corrupt data, files or programs on the infected computer.”

    *Guys, guys, calm down. They aren’t logging anything — they’re just stealing our top secret credentials. No big deal.*

    And later:

    >[…] Cook said the Air Force continues to strengthen cyber defenses, “using the latest anti-virus software and other methods to protect Air Force resources and assure our ability to execute Air Force missions.

    *Before we didn’t see the need to pay for this years version of Norton, but we now see why we need that. The update should be done in 3 mins and 37 seconds.*

  • Stanford Course Yields Touchscreen Braille Writer

    A very cool little video that shows off a piece of software meant to allow the blind to use tablets. I love stuff like this.

  • Verizon Is Now Monitoring Your Mobile Web Habits

    JR Raphael reporting on a new change to the Verizon privacy policy that all users are opted-in to by default:
    >This info includes the URLs of websites you visit over Verizon’s network and also your device’s location data. Some of those details may be shared with outside companies as well. Verizon says none of it will personally identify you.

    You should read the report and then opt-out.

  • Patent Enables Apple to Shut Down Any New Android Product in Australia

    Florian Mueller:

    >After today’s decision, I believe no company in the industry be able to launch any new Android-based touchscreen product in Australia anytime soon without incurring a high risk of another interim injunction. The two patents on which today’s ruling is based aren’t Galaxy Tab 10.1-specific at all. They will affect all Android-based smartphones and tablet computers, across all vendors.

    Oh, that can’t be a comfortable spot for Android handset makers.

  • iCloud – System Status

    It appears that iCloud — specifically iCloud email — is intermittently working for many users today. Looks like mostly too much traffic and it is buckling under the pressure. Here’s the link to the status page.

    Maybe MobileMe isn’t as distant a memory as we all hoped.

  • MacStories’ iOS 5: Tips, Tricks & Hidden Features

    Comprehensive, even a few that I didn’t know about. Good place to start off with the new OS.

  • Ulysses 2.1

    One of my favorite tools for research and multi-section writing just got better. Lion compatible and support for ePub exports are just two highlights of this update. It’s also cheaper than it was when I purchased it, now just $19.99 in the Mac App Store — it’s a bargain. ((Or it could have been free if you were following me on Twitter this morning — just sayin’.))

    If I was writing a book I wouldn’t bother with any other app — heck I’m not writing a book and I still love it.

  • OmniFocus Updated With iOS 5 Location Reminders

    What’s better than reminding you are a specific time? Reminding you when you are somewhere that you can actually do the task, that’s what.

  • Timeline WP

    Turn your WordPress site into a Facebook-like Timeline. Nifty.

  • The B&B Podcast – Episode 30: Today, Not Tomorrow

    >On this, the 30th episode, Shawn and Ben discuss iOS 5, iCloud, the iPhone 4S, and Steve Jobs. Also, Portland, Maine has a great AT&T network.

  • Apple Releases iOS 5

    You’d be foolish not to install this as soon as you can.

  • Gruber on Siri

    John Gruber:
    >I wouldn’t say I can’t live without Siri. But I can say that I don’t want to.

    I’m pumped.

  • Ryan Cash’s Favorite iOS 5 Tweak

    Ryan Cash:
    >With iOS 5, you can simply tap in the middle of the message area (when you’re in the half message/half keyboard screen), and slide down to reveal the full screen view.

    That is a nice touch.