Google is killing off Android Things
From:
Google is killing off Android Things, its OS for IoT devices:
It wouldn’t be a “normal” year without Google killing off a service or platform
If anyone ever asks you why developers favour iOS over Android this is it, why should I invest my time and resources on a platform that has a habit of canning things a year or two in 🙁
Salesforce is acquiring workplace chat app Slack for $27.7 billion
From:
Salesforce is acquiring workplace chat app Slack for $27.7 billion – The Verge:
Cloud computing giant Salesforce is acquiring workplace chat app Slack, the two companies announced on Tuesday. … Salesforce is paying $27.7 billion for Slack
As someone who love’s, and lives in Slack all day this makes me nervous, on one hand this could be the backing and pressure release Slack needs to keep innovating, compete with Teams (and drive them), or it could be another of those Big Co. kills successful startup – please don’t break this.
Microsoft patents tech to see if you’re paying attention in that Teams call!
The system uses cameras, sensors, and software tools to determine, for example, “how much a participant contributes to a meeting vs performing other tasks (e.g., texting, checking email, browsing the Internet).”
From now on I think I’m going Camera’s off
Buy Local Tees Valley – Support local business this Christmas
From: Buy Local Tees Valley:
Shop local and online this Christmas with our online guide to businesses across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton offering fantastic products and services for you this year.
We all know it’s difficult, and all businesses have new challenges, but I love this idea so support it if you can.
Is it ready for Apple Silicon?
From https://isapplesiliconrea…:
The simplest websites are the best, and this one basically runs a traffic light system highlighting whether commonly used apps are ready or optimised for Apple Silicon yet
So if you’re thinking of investing in the new M1 chip (or buying me one) go here first.
I thought ‘Smart’ Homes were supposed to make life easier
While smart homes can be pretty convenient, they also require a certain type of never-ending vigilance.
— Read on gizmodo.com/im-tired-of-b…
A good read, partly snark at Google for their reputation of teasing end users with products and sun setting them, but the broader compatibility and ‘what if’ scenarios that can leave your ‘smart’ home dumber than ever if you’re unlucky
Huge revenue opportunity for new Arcus asset inspection module
To say it’s been a busy fortnight over at Askaris is an understatement, but a huge pat on the back to the Arcus product team I run for their work and support.
By being agile we’ve been able to implement a new inspection module that is already in the field and has created a new $1,000,000 pipeline for a key client
Well done team, take a breath, then we go again ????
Sketch is 10 years old and they have a Classic Mac flashback blog post to celebrate
Sketch — Part of your world: Why we’re proud to build a truly native Mac app:
Ten years after the first release of Sketch, a lot has changed. The design tools space has grown. Our amazing community has, too. Even macOS itself has evolved. But one thing has remained the same: our love for developing a truly native Mac app.
I use Sketch infrequently, I’m not a graphics guy, but it’s part of the tool chest for app icons and the ilk, and it works for me – but this is not about the app, or even that’s 10 years old (well done!) but just to share the genius of the Classic Mac flashback style of their blog post!
The new M1 based Apple Mac Mini as a developer machine – tempting ????
The Apple M1 chip takes our most versatile, do-it-all desktop into another dimension. With up to 3x faster CPU performance. Up to 6x faster graphics. And our most advanced
— www.apple.com/uk/mac-mini…
Like many of us work from home has become the new norm, so my (perfectly capable) primary development machine, a MacBook Pro, has become a desktop machine and rarely unplugged from the mains. So a desktop based machine may be on the cards going forward, traditionally better value, better cooling (runs faster) and better expansion.
The new M1 (Apple Silicon) based Mac Mini is probably not targeted at me, the more powerful ‘pro’ machines are a while off yet – but these (not yet validated) Geekbench scores are tempting me, 60% + performance differences in what’s effectively a middle of the road home user spec!
My current primary machine the 2018 i7 MacBook Pro vs the latest M1 powered Mac Mini
The sensible thing to do would be to hold on for the Pro chips – let’s see if I make it 🙂