Macworld: What HDR means for iPhone photos.

As long as the effect is mild. Tweakability would be nice.

ars technica: Hands-on photos, observations of new iPods, Apple TV.

”Additionally, there will be no software update to bring the new features to older Apple TVs. Older Apple TVs will continue to work as they have been working up to this point, and they will continue to be able to purchase movies and TV shows even though the new Apple TV is rental-only.” This is why I remain chary of buying Apple’s newer products; the Newton effect. Not all of us have bottomless pockets.

NY Times: Print or Pixels? Publishers Strive to Advance Both.

”Auriane and Sebastien de Halleux are at sharp odds over ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,’ but not about the plot. The problem is that she prefers the book version, while he reads it on his iPad. And in this literary dispute, the couple says, it’s ne’er the twain shall meet.”

CNet: For 99 cents, Amazon sells shows, Apple rents them.

”As an eagle-eyed CNET reader noted, Amazon is selling some TV shows for the same price that Apple plans to charge for rentals ...” Ruh-roh.  It’s the television equivalent of workflow that will count here ... call it ‘viewflow.’

Macintouch: SuperMax Mac Clone Review.

Fast. Not cheap. Fast.

Rob Galbraith DPI: Zoom H1 audio recorder now shipping for US$99.

”Despite its small size it incorporates many of the features of the popular (and larger) H4N, ones that should make it suitable for capturing sound alongside digital SLR video.”

NY Times: For Digital Artists, Apps Provide New Palette.

”Beginning last January, Mr. Snibbe dusted off some of his old code and got to work. He has since released three mobile applications — Bubble Harp, Antograph and Gravilux — and has become one of the first artists to make it big in the iTunes app store. All told, his three apps have been downloaded over 400,000 times.”

ars technica, Hands-on: Motorola’s Droid 2 sequel is a worthy update.

” It sounds like a DJ remixing a recording of R2-D2 being eaten by a Bantha. My father, who picked up a Droid 2 the day after launch, mistakenly thought that the phone’s speaker was broken the first time he heard the ringtone, because it was inconceivable to him that a properly-functioning device would emit such a horrifying cacophony.” Well-written!

BIT-101: Kindle and iPad Displays: Up close and personal.

Kindle performs well here. Yet I’m more attracted to the iPad display, given the two. Strange. I’ve only seen a Gen 1 Kindle; I’ll have to kick the tires on one of the newer ones.

Slate: Why e-readers like the Amazon Kindle will soon cost less than $100.

Yes, we’ve known for a while that the ‘inkjet printer sales model’ would be best for e-books. $12.99 for an e-book? Ouch.

Gizmodo: Motorola Droid 2 Officially Announced, Pre-Sale Starts Tomorrow on Verizon.

Just FYI.

DP Review: Intuitfocus HF-IF1 hands-free follow-focus system system for DSLRs.

“The difficulty in achieving a sharp, accurate image, without the need for an assistant or ‘focus puller’ is the reason for the development of the Intuitfocus system. The aim of the IF is to assist the camera operator to focus or zoom the objective in manual mode, in on a tripod, dolly, crane, rig or a Steadicam without touching the camera’s lens!” About time.

Slate: Digital publishing levels the playing field for small publishers.

”Reports that the Wylie Agency—among others—is launching an online imprint, that Amazon’s e-book sales outpaced print sales, and that its digital sales will surpass paperback ones in the next nine to 12 months underscore a new reality: the age of the publisher-turned-digital-curator.” I’m predicting printed books eventually having the same downward arc as photographic film ... and it makes me extremely sad to say that.

BBC News: Can technology be more inclusive for the elderly?

Sir Stirling Moss embraces technology.

Macintouch Review: Magic Trackpad vs. Bamboo Touch.

No clear preference between the two.

vowe dot net: The Magic Trackpad has arrived.

”Yes, you can have both the mouse and the trackpad attached and alternate using them.” Thanks for that bit of info ... I wondered.

Wall Street Journal: What Weeks of Real Usage Reveals About the iPhone 4.

Mixed bag, but overall positive.  More hits to AT&T, than anything else.

PDN: Apple Unveils New Mac Pro Workstation With Up to 12 Processing Cores.

”For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD for the ultimate in reliability and lightning fast performance.” Wowza ... new object of desire.

CNet: Who needs a pilot? Not Farnborough’s UAVs.

Given this evidence, I assume the market’s exploded.

ars technica: Hardcovers fall behind Kindle sales at Amazon.

If so, I wonder where they are.  I’m not seeing them at coffeeshops here yet.  Anyone else?

Guardian.UK: The art of slow reading.

”If you’re reading this article in print, chances are you’ll only get through half of what I’ve written. And if you’re reading this online, you might not even finish a fifth.”

Picked up a new client …

who is heavily into iPad. Some may think it ironic, given my pro/con viewpoints of late ... but it looks like I’ll have to invest in one sooner than later. Apple fans are officially allowed to laugh in my face now. 

Bloomberg: Apple Engineer Told Jobs IPhone Antenna Might Cut Calls.

”Last year, Ruben Caballero, a senior engineer and antenna expert, informed Apple’s management the device’s design may hurt reception, said the person, who is not authorized to speak on Apple’s behalf and asked not to be identified. A carrier partner also raised concerns about the antenna before the device’s June 24 release, according to another person familiar with the situation.” Another information point to consider.

Gizmodo: Soon Eye-Tracking Technology Will Reveal If You’re Lying.

”The researchers determined that lying requires more work than telling the truth, so they look for indications that the subject is working hard. For example, a person who is being dishonest may have dilated pupils and take longer to read and answer the questions.” Completely stupid and assinine. Why? It means stutterers like myself will be assumed to be lying. We work damned hard to be fluent ALL THE TIME — you IDIOTS. 

With my luck, Homeland Security will adopt this, and I’ll end up in Guantanamo.

NY Times: iPod Oblivion.

”It is a near trance-like state people can apparently enter while using mobile phones, MP3 players or electronic personal organisers.” A fellow gym member poked me in the arm the other week, and asked me to stop slamming weights ... something I never normally do. The iPod just zones me the hell out. I stay attentive to form and propriety, now that I’ve been called out as ‘one of those weight smashers.’