Michael Mistretta explores how genius the new iTunes Genius feature really is:
Apple could easily add an average rating to every single track and album, based on millions of samples. Even more powerful, they can show only average ratings based on users with similar musical tastes as yours, further targeting your specific preferences.
I think they’re already doing this transparently with the Genius Sidebar. It’s my understanding that the recommendations are based on ratings of users with similar tastes (among other data). ✓
In case you’ve been curious, here’s a few projects I’ve been busy with:
- /library — A promo page dedicated to our new Library.
- Implemented jQuery and converted the carousel thingy on our homepage to use jCarousel.
- Whipped up a quick-fix for a processing error we had with our Groups registration form.
- blog.thecity.org — Moved and re-aligned Pastor Wendell’s blog.
- /big — A promo page for the next two weeks and beginning of the Anniversary year.
- /pwp — A promo page for our upcoming conference.
There is, of course, a common thread throughout all of those projects: ExpressionEngine, Blueprint CSS and jQuery. Without them there’s no way I would have been able to accomplish that list — in the 8 days I took.
Just in case you haven’t already heard/read/seen, a new browser is on the block: Google Chrome. I’ve been playing browsing with it for the past hour (via Parallels on my MacBook Pro) and I have to admit I haven’t been this impressed or excited about a piece of software since iTunes. ✓
Things touch 1.1 now supports syncing with its desktop counterpart. This is the update I was waiting for, so last night I pulled the trigger and purchased the app.
So far I’m very impressed. The sync feature requires that both the desktop and iPhone be on the same network — which is fine with me. The setup and continued usage is so seamless and simple that it makes me question why in the world we don’t have this feature with iTunes and “information” data.
Overall the Things experience is very pleasant and feels very Apple-like; much more so than OmniFocus.
If you’re looking for a GTD solution, take a look at the Things suite. ✓
Shaun forgot his V8 today. (Requires the latest version of Safari/WebKit.)
That is the coolest thing I’ve seen all week — which is saying a lot considering I saw The Dark Knight last night. ✓
The Survey has returned for 2008. I took it, and if you make the web, you should too. ✓
Admin Comments, a new ExpressionEngine plugin by Brian Warren that allows website visitors (and moderators with Super User status) to delete their comments. Very nice! ✓
Me, today:
Some idiot almost walked into a lady in the mall while looking down at his iPhone trying to text. Oh wait. That was me.
What I didn’t report was the short exchange I had with said lady: “Excuse me,” I said. “Excuse you,” she replied. Nice.
At least I’m not alone. (Via Blankenship.) ✓
The Belkin BreakFree cable is essentially a MagSafe-like adapter for quarter-inch audio heads — so why can’t we have this for our iPods and iPhones? There is big money to be made here, folks. Big money. ✓
Merlin Mann started up a discussion for iPhone app ideas and the floodgates opened.
I’d love to have a GPS- and Bluetooth-enabled phone settings app that would tell the iPhone to activate/disactivate call forwarding based on your location. For example, if you get poor or no signal where you live, you could pair the app with your home computer and every time you come home it would tell the iPhone to forward calls to your home phone.
Technically, I’m not sure this type of app would even work. First, there is very little (if any) documentation about the iPhone’s Bluetooth capabilities in the SDK. Second, even if hooks were provided, I think the app would have to be launched in order to perform any sort of action (such as setting call forwarding); which sort of defeats the purpose.
Anyway, some of the ideas in the comments on Merlin’s article are great. Take a look. Especially if you’re a developer. ✓
So I just got back from the local Apple Store (empty-handed thanks to their policy about requiring the primary account holder to be present, yadda yadda — don’t get me started), and I thought I’d post this bit of interesting info about people lining up for the iPhone 3G.
It seems that the lines (which, by the way, are still insanely long — I mean, does anyone else not see how absolutely crazy this is?) are less because of the overall demand and more because of the slow exercise of activating the device. An employee even told me they only had only two personnel assigned to the job of activations, and admitted that’s the reason for the long waits.
So are they spiting AT&T, or their customers, with that strategy? Two employees? Really, Apple? Do you realize what people are doing for these iPhone thingies?
The Joshua has launched a tasty new version of the NewSpring Church website. I’ve not yet clicked through it entirely (I mean, how dare they launch a new website while I’m on vacation?!), but so far I dig the simplified, organic navigation and the choice typography.
Well done, Joshua & Co. ✓
Tapulous’ Friend Book iPhone app is exactly the kind of creative approach I was hoping to see from third-party developers. The “handshake” feature should be built in to the Contacts app from Apple, but since it’s not Tapulous took advantage. ✓
Sean Sperte is Geek & Mild. His passion for technology and media, along with his interest in 
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