'Bitcoin Guru' Andreas Antonopoulos Appears Before Canadian Senate →

I've been meaning to link to this one for a few days. Antonopoulos appeared before the Canadian Senate on October 8th. CoinDesk:

A decentralized system, Antonopoulos suggested, is actually more secure. Unlike ‘pull system’ credit card transactions where customers trusted merchants with full access to their accounts, bitcoin’s ‘push system’ left control with users.

Bitcoin transactions could be sent in the clear and unencrypted over open networks without fear of compromise, which allowed the infrastructure to be open to any participant or software application without vetting, authorization or identification.

Contrary to popular belief, he added, bitcoin is not unregulated. It is “regulated by mathematical algorithm” and puts core security functions into its users’ hands.

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin is a documentary was released a few days ago on October 10th. I just bought a copy from Vimeo. Here's the trailer:

Apple's Jony Ive on the Lessons He Learned From Steve Jobs

I particularly like the anecdote at the end of this short clip.

Tesla Just Announced a Supercar →

Yep.

The Verge:

The top speed of the P85D is undoubtedly limited to something that won't send you violently hurtling into another dimension, but let me say it on no uncertain terms: its quoted 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds is solidly in supercar territory.

Also, below is the video of Musk unveiling the new Model S P85D. Musk is impressive, in a very casual way, in his presentation style. I don't follow the auto industry very closely, other than recently with Tesla, but I don't think this is how most car companies unveil their new models. Tesla appears to be following the Apple model of announcements. Apple used to announce things at industry events, but has taken all its events private over the past several years. Tesla is not a car company. It's a technology company that happens to make cars.

Tesla Unveils Souped-Up Model S With All-Wheel Drive and Autopilot →

Elon Musk:

This car is nuts, it’s like taking off from a carrier deck. It’s just bananas, it’s like having your own personal roller coaster.

The new Tesla Model S P85D includes corrective lane assist, adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking and it can actually park itself. You can get out of the car, and it will park itself in the garage. That's what Musk said. Oh, and it will go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.2 seconds. I don't know a whole lot, but that sounds pretty fast. Wow. Oh yeah, and the all-wheel drive is supposed to make it more appealing to us Canadians.

Done. Where do I sign? 

How to Install iOS 8 Over-the-Air Update If You're Having Storage Issues →

Further to the prior post, John Gruber links to a great Apple support document to help people upgrade to iOS 8. I agree with his suggestion:

Apple should provide a link to this support document when alerting users that they don’t have enough space to install an iOS update. It’s really quite helpful.

Storage Space is the Real Reason for iOS 8's Adoption Rate Stalling

As I mentioned yesterday, I believe that the huge space requirements to install the iOS 8 OTA update are the real reason adoption has slowed.

John Gruber believes the same thing. Gruber, on Daring Fireball today:

This is a serious problem for Apple, because all those 16 GB devices (let alone the 8 GB ones) aren’t going to suddenly gain more free storage space on their own. A lot of these devices might never get updated to iOS 8, but would if the OTA software worked. Unless they can rejigger the OTA software update to require less free space, iOS 8’s adoption rate might lag permanently.

Agreed.

Apple Announces Media Event for October 16 →

As rumoured a few days ago, Apple will hold an event on October 16th. They are expected to announce new iPads, maybe new Macs, and definitely a release date for OS X Yosemite. Also, we may see some more details on Apple Pay. It was supposed to go live in October. 

I'm sure the speculation is in full effect on what the invite's hint means this time: "It's been way too long". 

Jerry Seinfeld's Clio Acceptance Speech

Just watch it. You won't be disappointed. Wow.

[via Marco.org]

iOS 8 Adoption Slows Following 8.0.1 Debacle and Storage Issus →

The Verge:

Apple’s own App Store support page reveals that 47 percent of all active devices are running iOS 8, an increase of only one percentage point from two weeks ago.

I would be willing to bet that the storage issues are a bigger hurdle for the average user than the mess that was 8.0.1, but the bad release is definitely playing a part, too. I know at least a few people who still haven't updated to iOS 8 because their device doesn't have the 3-5GB of storage required to install the update and are too lazy to make room or connect their phone to iTunes. 

Tesla About to Announce an All-Wheel Drive Model S →

Re/code:

Tesla is expected to introduce an all-wheel drive version of its Model S sedan, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Tesla calls this feature “dual motor,” which may answer what Chief Executive Elon Musk was referring to in a cryptic tweet last week.

The Palo Alto, Calif., electric car maker’s co-founder posted an image of a vehicle partially obscured by an opening garage door, alongside the date Oct. 9 and the tease: “About to unveil the D and something else.”

I'm probably a few years away from even being close to being able to afford a Tesla, but I'm definitely interested. And, if they're adding all-wheel-drive to the Model S sedan—as well as including it in the upcoming Model X SUV—it will make for a tough decision. I like the company, and I would feel good about driving an all-electric vehicle without feeling like I was sacrificing anything at all in the way of performance or range. They are gorgeous, technologically advanced, safe, and environmentally-friendly cars.

I would need to do some more heavy number crunching on fuel vs. electricity, but I think my SUV (including fuel) would work out to very similar monthly numbers as a mid-range Tesla model. At least, that's what I'm trying to tell myself. 

Plex on Xbox One Makes Streaming Your Movie Library Easy and Elegant →

Today Plex released an app for Xbox One. If you haven't heard of Plex, you should really check it out. I'm a user, and it's great. It has apps to stream content to all my devices at home or when travelling. 

The Verge:

When setting up Plex Media Server on a PC or Mac, you just point it to wherever your media is stored, and it'll automatically pull in high-res artwork, descriptions, cast information, and ratings. It's basically effortless; Plex organizes all your stuff and puts a beautiful user interface on top of everything. Once it's set up, you can watch your content using Plex apps across smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, and now video game consoles.

Facebook Messenger May Soon Allow You Send Money to Friends →

TechCrunch has come across some yet-unannounced features, thanks to a Stanford computer science student:

Messenger’s payment option lets users send money in a message similar to how they can send a photo. Users can add a debit card in Messenger, or use one they already have on file with Facebook. An in-app pincode also exists for added security around payments.

Check out the article. They've got screenshots, too. Could the long-rumoured Bitcoin integration play into this as well?

Elon Musk Believes Colonizing Mars Will Save Humanity →

The Verge:

[…]Musk says that he's fighting to colonize Mars not for aspirational purposes or advances in R&D that could be used here on earth, but because he feels he must do all he can to keep the flame of humanity alive. "I think we have a duty to maintain the light of consciousness, to make sure it continues into the future," he says, adding that he thinks the reason we haven't found other intelligent species might be because there "are a whole lot of dead, one-planet civilizations" strewn across the universe.

One of the smartest guys on the planet believes that we should colonize Mars as a way of preserving the human race. With the way we're destroying our own planet, it would be hard to argue that we're seriously limiting our future on Earth and need to start thinking of a plan B. I'd love to have a beer with Musk and pick his brain on this one. 

I said earlier today that Tesla is one of my two favourite companies, and Musk is obviously a big part of that. His vision is about bettering the world and humanity, and his companies actively work toward those goals. The most advanced electric cars in the world and private space travel are two steps in the right direction for the environment and humanity. 

Elon Musk Says Tesla Cars Will Be Capable of "Autopilot" 90 Percent of the Time by Next Year →

Elon Musk was interviewed by CNNMoney, and he had some pretty interesting things to say:

Autonomous cars will definitely be a reality. A Tesla car next year will probably be 90 percent capable of autopilot. Like, so 90 percent of your miles can be on auto. For sure highway travel.

On how it will work:

With a combination of various sensors. You combine cameras with image recognition with radar and long-range ultrasonics, that'll do it. Other car companies will follow.

On whether Tesla will be the leader in the autonomous car space:

Of course. I mean, Tesla's a Silicon Valley company. If we're not the leader, shame on us.

Tesla really is doing some amazing things, and Musk is just so cool. Tesla is definitely in my top two favourite companies. I love what they're doing.

Apple's Marc Newson Designs "Revolutionary" Draft Beer Machine for Heineken →

Marc Newson, speaking to Dezeen:

The obvious and easy analogy would be Nespresso.

It looks just like a Mac Pro turned on its side with a tap on the end. I need one of these.

Dezeen explains how the unit works:

It can be filled with pressurised modules that hold two litres of beer, called Torps, that can be ordered to contain a number of different types of brew from Heineken's collection of brands. These are inserted horizontally into a circular compartment in the centre of the machine. A handle on the front twists to open and re-seal the device.

[via The Loop]

First Apple CarPlay Systems Arrive Courtesy of Pioneer →

The Verge:

Pioneer is now the first aftermarket manufacturer to support Apple CarPlay with the release of new firmware for its NEX in-dash receivers. The 2014 NEX series ranges in price from $700 to $1,400. Pioneer also announced a new $600 AppRadio 4 with big 6.2-inch capacitive touchscreen and support for both CarPlay and MirrorLink, thus making it compatible with iOS devices and handsets from Nokia, Samsung, and others.

A little rich for my blood right now. I've got to take a look to see if it's compatible with my car, too, but I don't see an easy way to find that out on Pioneer's site. The in-dash screen on my car right now really sucks, but I wouldn't want to lose my back-up camera compatibility (first world problems). It's just too good of a feature.

Apple Will Hold iPad Event on October 16 →

According to Re/code, it will be a much more intimate event held at the Town Hall on Apple's Cupertino campus.

[UPDATE] Strange that it's on a Thursday. Most Apple events are Tuesdays, and then the product(s) got on sale 10 days later on a Friday. 

Predicting Bitcoin's Next Price Rise →

Daniel Mark Harrison, writing for CoinDesk:

Rising volumes and declining prices do not naturally come together since when an asset is being more heavily sold than it is bought, buyers typically stay away from the market until there are no more sellers left.

While illegal in many regulated markets, price support is not prohibited in bitcoin’s case since the asset is widely unregulated. If carried out for only short spaces of time the practice can be cathartic in that it introduces needed liquidity to exchange floors.

Interesting read. There are lots of different theories on what's driving the price down in spite of higher volumes on the exchanges and expanding adoption. 

Apple Released iOS 8.0.2 Last Night →

After the disaster that was iOS 8.0.1, Apple has taken another crack at releasing an update. This one fixes bugs from 8.0 and also the connectivity and Touch ID issues introduced in iOS 8.0.1.

Looks safe so far. I installed it last night with no issues.