This week’s Music Monday goes out to one of our close associates at ATAM Productions with the release of ATAM 007 which is the single Telepathic by the new artist firewire.

This artist is actually part of the group Massaad + Garland that we’ve covered before. Go check them out!

From the record label homepage:

This song was written in 2010 while firewire was working on music for film scores. It never was selected for anything at the time, but now has been released for your listening pleasure.

You can listen to a preview on SoundCloud below or buy it on iTunes etc

Hidden away within a torrent of updates and announcements at Apple’s WWDC 2012 was the news that they are discontinuing the 17-inch MacBook Pro (a machine which I am writing this post on!) I am a lover and user of this desktop replacement laptop.

Do you realize what this discontinuation means? If the logic board fries on this laptop while writing this post it will never even exist!
All joking aside the 17-inch MacBook Pro’s disappearance is a little more than a personal problem, its a community problem.

While the laptop has traditionally been unpopular with consumers, professionals and special users require this type of computer. Anyone that wanted (or required) a (slightly) portable, powerful desktop equivalent computer have been relying on this class of laptop since the PowerBook G4 first appeared, which Wikipedia lists as January 2003. There simply isn’t enough screen real estate on a 15 inch to have a bunch of windows and dialogue boxes open.

While there was no official announcement/obituary both the online store and retail stores are completely lacking that model. Maybe Apple will reintroduce the grand-daddy of all Mac laptops at some point, but this will be a significant technical hurdle today.

If the device were to exist it would certainly come equipped with a Retina display, as on the current 15 model that was announced. Today that resolution on a 17-inch MBP would be equivalent to 3840×2400 resolution, which would require additional technical hurdle to be solved (since the new OS X uses up sampling to create a high-quality image). Basically one pixel of screen coordinate becomes 4 pixels since it is doubling the pixel density.

Great TED talk discussing why certain new legislation might not be such a great idea.

Do we need to stop being good analytical thinkers because we’re dealing with technology? I don’t think so and I’m always wary for misleading analysis.

I recently read a five point article online from Information Week supporting their earlier criticism on the Apple Obsolescence Debate (something one doesn’t experience if you’re upgrading constantly I guess)

The main part that irked me was the subtitle “More Analysis Please, Fanboys” which the article failed to provide. . .

You can look up the original article here below I have provided the titles and my analysis

1. MobileMe vs. iCloud.
This argument regards web services, this is like Google dictating the system requirements for gmail, assuming gmail had some new upgrade coming.

Also, I think its a fair move for Apple to force the transition, iCloud is now a free service, yet it requires billions of dollars of investment and infrastructure. This may not be the best solution for enterprise. Thats not what they’re trying to do though!

Apple can’t keep supporting MobileMe and my feeling is that on a programming level the calendar “object” is being changed to no longer include reminders since this will be a separate app in future releases.

I’m not sure I agree with using a free service for your vital info like contacts and contacts; if it doesn’t work you can’t complain to anybody. And by the way, what IT service was using MobileMe / iCloud?!?!

Overall my experience with it so far has been pretty great so if one day iCloud stops serving my needs I haven’t paid anything for it. I could always implement some other solution.

2. Dock rumour.
Difficult to address the significance of this point since it hasn’t occurred, but if (or when) they do remove the dock connector it will be the first time they changed it for ages.

I agree with the comments that the current dock port has been around a long time. I just hope that if/when Apple changes the dock, it delivers the promised value.

My feeling is that they are waiting until induction-charging technology is developed to the point where there is no need for a cable at all. The latest iOS introduced wifi-sync for devices which is the first step.

3. Conflict Of Interest.
I’m certain he doesn’t have a conflict of interest, but he has limited his analysis to less salient points. I feel he’s over blown the importance of iCloud transition especially considering he’s comparing a paid service ($99 a year) to a free service with paid advantages (more GB)

4. Lifecycle.
Absolutely, this is a valid criticism. They are a for-profit technology company that isn’t going bankrupt, expect to pay for that in the product and stock, and expect loud-mouthed fools the champion it because its the premium choice. But in fairness they deliver a solid product, they’re trying to innovate at a pace thats faster than usual.

5. Our “Inflammatory” Headline.
C’mon its a news post, he’s allowed to have inflammatory headlines, and besides its usually the editors choice.

That wraps up my thoughts and opinions.

Do you disagree in any way? Continue the discussion below

A DI box, or a direct injection box is an audio device that allows you to plug instruments into an audio system. I was going to create a video to cover the basics but I came across a very good description that gets into the nitty gritty details about how the direct injection box would work.

This video goes into describing the differences between Active and Passive DI boxes, why you would choose one or the other, and also the basic setup for the device.

I often use my DI box in the thru mode in order to record my guitar dry while still sending a signal to my amp.

freqControl.com – How To Use a Direct box from freqControl on Vimeo.