I was at Facebook’s local office earlier this week and saw a poster to the effect of “It’s better to launch than to be perfect”. Now, I can think of many examples where this approach is just dangerous, but naturally it’s different when a capable company like Facebook says it (when was the last time the site went down for a day?). For a while now, I’ve had the idea of putting out a catch-up newsletter on weekends. Somehow, I started drafting one up this week. Call it a beta. Do subscribe here, and we’ll see if this thing gets anywhere near perfect.
Thanks to YJ Soon for his kind assistance with this issue.
★☆ THE ROUND DOWN ☆★
“A Condescending Publication for Those Who Slept Through the Week”
Issue #1 v2
Tech
Apple vs. Samsung
The patent trial of the year saw closing comments from both sides this week, and although a verdict in the somewhat esoteric case was not expected to be reached by a jury of nine regular people in just 3 days, that’s exactly what happened: in Apple’s favor. Samsung will now appeal the $1bn damages owed for their “slavish copying” of the iPhone’s software, hardware, and trade dress design.
Jury Awards $1 Billion to Apple in Samsung Patent Case
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From the If-You-Can’t-Beat-‘Em Dept
Smartphones have all but replaced the traditional digital camera for most consumers, and Nikon’s latest compact camera got the memo. Powered by the Android Gingerbread OS, with a large touchscreen on the rear, it’s really a modern mobile device with better optics. Or, given Android’s openness, a camera that’s just as likely as you to pick up an infection on holiday.
Nikon Launches Its First “Smartphamera,” the Nikon Coolpix S800c With Android OS
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We Save Photos on Our PCs, But Not Blog Posts
Have you gone all-in on the personal cloud? Surely the thought of all your stuff just vanishing has crossed your mind. Dave “Father of RSS” Winer reminds us that blogs, too, are impermanent. If you love what you post, don’t rely on a Google or WordPress to pay your publishing fees forever. It’s good advice, take it from someone who has Posterous sites circling the sink. The newly-refreshed Squarespace.com looks like a good option.
The Web is Socialist, But It’s Not a Family
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Culture
Do You Know Where Pop Music Comes From?
Those sticky summery earworms: you’ll still hear them everywhere, but now they’re being chosen and propelled into the charts by Facebooking young ‘uns as much as the suits from Big Radio. We’ll spare you the obligatory Call Me Maybe pun.
The New Rise of a Summer Hit: Tweet It Maybe
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YouTube Pick
Dayum! A Tasty Burger Review in Song
Speaking of summer hits, the Gregory Brothers’ “Dayum” is another instant left-of-mainstream classic in the tradition of their “Double Rainbow Song”. This video takes an enthusiastic burger review (shot in the parking lot of a Five Guys) and turns it into an anthem for double-cheese supersizing.
OH MY DAYUM
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Top Tweets
@danielpunkass: Apple celebrates $1 Billion award from Samsung by misplacing it in $100 Billion pile.
@FrescoJesus: MY FACE!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FACE!!!!!! (Context)
@thewaveparticle: When I was little, I asked what my dad did at the office. He tried to explain, but I couldn’t understand him. Now, the tables are turned.
@om: Random observation: if you have to use the phrase “quadrant” to describe your policies, you are no longer a consumer company. (Context)
@willowbl00: I like to shout “have you tried polyamory” at the screen during love-dramas.
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Wood for the Read Later Fire
You’ll Never Be Chinese — Prospect Magazine
Death and taxes. You know how the saying goes. I’d like to add a third certainty: you’ll never become Chinese, no matter how hard you try, or want to, or think you ought to. I wanted to be Chinese, once. I don’t mean I wanted to wear a silk jacket and cotton slippers, or a Mao suit and cap and dye my hair black and proclaim that blowing your nose in a handkerchief is disgusting. I wanted China to be the place where I made a career and lived my life. For the past 16 years it has been precisely that. But now I will be leaving.
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THE END.
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