fastasleep

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fastasleep
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  • Apple debuts third-generation Apple Pencil with USB-C charging

    dewme said:
    So hang on.  It’s WORSE than Apple Pencil 2 in every way?  Am I missing something?
    Yes, you’re missing that it’s only $79, compared to the $129 of the 2nd gen. You get to choose, it’s not replacing the 2nd gen.
    The 2nd gen pencil dips down to $89 on occasion, which still keeps it in the running. I'd be looking for Black Friday deals if you're making a price based decision. Of course now that the new version is out it may dip even lower, perhaps to $59 or so.

    I got the AP2 when it was at the $89 price point and I'm still trying to like it, but it's still more of a novelty for me than a go-to tool. I've been trying for a very long time to find an electronic replacement for my numerous notepads, but nothing so far has felt natural enough to give the old paper & pen the boot. Writing on glass, even with a nib that has some resistance, combined with the weight and delicate nature of an iPad or tablet of any sort has always been an impediment to me making the switch. Old habits die hard.  
    You could try one of the paper-like textured screen covers for iPad, like this one (which also comes with a pen-like tip): 
    dewmewatto_cobra
  • Apple debuts third-generation Apple Pencil with USB-C charging

    Removing pressure sensitivity is a dumb move. Sure, a lot of people do not need it. But some people may not even think about it until they *try* doing things with the Pencil that they need pressure sensitivity for, then wish they had it. It's basic functionality that adds not only tools for artists, but can be used for all sorts of other interactivity beyond painting/drawing. And, if you buy an iPad that doesn't have magnetic charging, you can only get pressure sensitivity by buying the shitty 1st gen Pencil. This smacks of a bean counter choice that degrades the product line and makes it more confusing for no reason other than to hit a price point still with a huge margin. Maybe it will make more sense once the next wave of iPads (and possibly the Pencil Pro with interchangeable tips) arrives, but as usual the timing with this rollout just muddies everything for the time being.
    watto_cobra
  • Apple's climate change efforts far exceed rivals, says environmental report

    toddzrx said:
    tht said:
    hexclock said:
    chasm said:
    I like technology companies (and their suppliers) that work to make sure the planet is still livable for me and future generations.
    Perhaps you are not aware of the enormous increase in mining we will need in order to live the renewable energy dream, and the environmental toll it will take, along with the problem of disposing of all these spent batteries, solar panels, and turbine blades in the future. 
    It’s just not as cut and dried as they make it seem. 

    No, you were misinformed. Fossil fuel waste is about 3 orders of magnitude more than renewables, at least. That's not 3x, that's 1000x more. Here is an example comparing coal ash waste to solar panel waste for the next 30 years.



    The biggest issue is not shown. If it is was just solid waste, people would just deal with it. But burning fossil fuels releases CO2 into the atmosphere and that will cause the atmosphere to heat up. That heat will transfer to the oceans, lakes and land and heat them up. If we continue on a path of burning fossil fuels, it will threaten our current cultures and political states, and there is a possibility of threatening humanity itself.

    Also not shown as that wind turbines and solar panels will increasing become recyclable. A lot of municipal waste is compostable and will degrade. The e-waste can be mined. Even the plastic has a chance of being composted and degraded properly, but coal ash? It's just going to sit there, lifeless, waiting on the toxicity and radioactive chemicals to leech and dilute into the surrounding environment. CO2 in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels? The worst part. Those are thousand year problems without human treatment of some kind.

    Batteries will be recycled. PV panels will be recycled. Carbon-fiber wind turbine blades are inert solid waste, but even with that, there will eventually be ways to recycle them.

    Really, renewables is a gigantic improvement over fossil fuels, especially solar+PV. The waste is solid, most of the product can be recycled, and just not having the gaseous and solid waste from fossil fuels will be a big boon for public health and the vitality of society.
    Great talking points and graphics; terrible science. Go back and learn some physics. An all electric and renewable future is a complete pipe dream. 
    There was a time when people didn't believe you could travel faster than horseback or your face would get ripped off.
    NoGodsNoMasterswatto_cobra
  • 'Total War: Pharaoh' transports gamers to the Bronze Age on macOS

    Based on a quick web search, the Hittite empire appears to be the current territory of Turkey+Syria+Lebanon, while Canaan was the current territory of Israel+Lebanon. I hope there are no Hittites or Canaanites here who are offended by this approximation.
    lol what.
    NoGodsNoMasterswatto_cobraHonkers
  • Epic takes its 'Fortnite' fight with Apple to the Supreme Court

    nizzard said:
    I'll be happy with Epic finally goes out of business. 
    I wouldn't be. Unreal Engine is pretty essential.
    darkvaderwatto_cobra