The Pursuit of Happiness

This post today isn’t going to be very technical in nature. Every once in a while you read something that’s very simple in concept, but not always obvious. Even though it should be. How often do we ask ourselves just how happy we are? And after asking that question, ask why?

Dan Kim posted an update to his blog today reflecting on this topic. The reason I found it is because it relates to a recent career decision to, as he says, ‘write code again’. Combine that with a happy home life and things are good.

I’m not exactly where I want to be in life, but I’m very happy as well. I can also relate to the importance of writing something down. For me, I think it’s the reason I started this blog and have been making an attempt to use the Day One app regularly.

It’s hard to believe, but this blog will be one year old in less than a week. I know there are very few followers, but I don’t really care. This is for me. I look back on everything I’ve written and linked to, and it’s hard to believe I did that.

How are you doing? If the answer is ‘not good’, what would it take to change it.

Demoing @Tweetbot

Seriously, you're using an iPhone and you can't buy a great Twitter app that costs all of $2.99? Thanks to Bryan M. Wolfe, writing today for AppAdvice, we all get to see the amusing way Tapbots came up with for dealing with the problem.

A Better Clipboard

After a number of years with Apple's implementation of multitasking on iOS, it feels like it's about time for some improvements. Kontra takes a look at the issue today on his blog. I like some of his ideas. I don't want real multitasking that will detract from battery life or make things feel laggy, but the idea of a system to make it easier to bounce between apps is intriguing and exciting.

Foreign & Domestic

There has been talk over the last couple months about Apple's plans to bring some Mac manufacturing back to the United States. Asymco's Horace Dediu takes a look today at their plans to do the opposite with their new Apple Store builds. Given the growth opportunities for Apple in foreign markets, the build out can't take place soon enough.

Really fascinating stuff.

Silence Spam Callers

This is a great tip from David Smith for dealing with unwanted spam callers on iOS. I implemented this concept a couple years ago, but can't remember or find the source for the idea. It has worked great for me and I bet you'll love the idea as well.

Hat tip to The Loop

iPad 5 Case?

It has often been the case that new Apple device designs are revealed by case designers who take chances by manufacturing cases according to inside information. MacRumors has a story today about a case for the rumored iPad 5. The design is very much in keeping with previously rumored iPad 5 case photos showing the device to be much more iPad mini like. Time will tell if there's truth here.

An iOS App + Talent

I'm a big movie fan. I'm one of those people who can watch the same movie over, and over and over again. Much like many people listen to music. The UK Mail Online has a fascinating story today about the documentary 'Searching For Sugar Man'. The movie itself is fantastic and I highly recommend it if you like touching, quirky stories.

What's so interesting about the making of the movie, and the reason I'm writing about it on a blog focused on technology, is the behind the scenes story about the filmmaker's financial struggle and how they overcame it.

Let's just say, if it wasn't for the existence of an iOS app called 8mm Vintage Camera, the film might not have been finished.

It's more true now than ever. While the tools keep getting better and better, there's no substitute for talent. That's proven by these talented men who produced an Academy Award nominated film, in part, with their phones.

Less Expensive iPhone More Lucrative?

There has been a lot of speculation about a lower cost iPhone this year. Much of what has been written has been incredibly stupid. iMore's Rene Ritchie takes a nice look at the issue in a recent post. What makes this post particularly interesting is the approach.

There's a compelling argument to be made that a lower priced iPhone may make Apple more money than continuing to offer previous models for low subsidized prices. It's an argument I hadn't given any thought to before reading Rene's post.

Check it out.

Art Levinson Speaks

Apple board chairman Art Levinson gave a speech at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He talked about a range of topics that included the boards role on Apple products and his good friend Steve Jobs. CNN Money has a nice recap on their website.

"I'm still not to the point where I walk into that boardroom and don't miss Steve."

For someone who's been a part of Apple as long as Art has, I can only imagine how difficult it is to adjust.

Copying Apple

Horace Dediu asks something interesting of other companies, with a very tongue-in-cheek question. It's something I've often wondered myself. My two answers to the question are: 1) Because other companies don't care as much as Apple and 2) It's really hard.