Max Savin

[msavin]

Bigger iPhone Screen without Fragmentation: Here's How

Yes, Apple can make the iPhone screen bigger without fragmentation There are two criteria they'd need to meet:

1- Maintain a DPI of over 300 to preserve Retina brand

2- Provide backward compatibility with pre-existing apps

Here's how they can do it: 

Step 1: Double the current resolution

    Step 2: Spread out the pixels

Step 3: Capitalize

This lets Apple keep compatibility with all previous apps, and give some developers the edge of developing for the larger screen. Much like the transition we experienced when the iPhone 4 came out.

Tim Cook said that they have to wait for the right time.  The time will be right once 400+ DPI screens become viable for production at Apple's scale.

[msavin]

DigitalOcean wiped my server because of $6.22 (UPDATED)

I decided to take a bet on a young company about six months ago. DigitalOcean had cheap, scalable servers, a supposedly knowledgeable staff and have been on their for some time since graduating TechStars.

Yesterday, my server was suspended over a $6.22 balance, which upon noticing, I paid off. I then went into the admin panel to power my server back-up, but could not find the button anywhere. It took me a few moments to realize that my virtual server had been deleted. 

I emailed their staff, and here was their response:

Warning about an outstanding balance and the destruction of your server are two very different things. They didn't even apologize. I've been using different hosts since I was 16 and never had any experience like this. Now, three websites, tons of projects, and months of edits and content is gone. If you're hosting with these guys, make sure to back up your data externally constantly. 

UPDATE: After some emails, they managed to pull an image of my server and I was able to restore it. That was a big relief!

[msavin]

Apple Fan on iOS 7

This is coming from an Apple fan. I really admire the confidence that Apple's leadership displayed at today's keynote. I love the new Mac Pro, OS X, and other tweaks they added. However, the iOS 7 re-design left me feeling a bit unsettled, some of the reasons why I outlined below: 

The home screen needs help. When I saw it, it looked like something you'd find in a jailbreak store. I've never modified my home screen because I could never find a better version of it, and this is not it. 

What's up wit that settings icon by the way? It has so much going on and looks nothing like a cog. 

Link #1: http://ianstormtaylor.com/design-tip-never-use-black/

There is a lack of visual hierarchy

Ive mentions in the talk how the different layers provide a visual hierarchy. It makes sense. But on an app screen basis, absolutely not. 

  The Signal Indicator  I like how Apple did away with the carrier name but the 5 dots looks a bit awkward. If they're going to reinvent the whole thing, I'd just go for three dots. One dot for low service, two dots for ok, three dots for none, and no dots for none. 

Ive Has No Software-Design Experience

It clearly shows in the design/polish of the new interface. It's not that great, and I'm not sure how Apple's designers let this stuff go. On the other hand, Ive has no pre-concieved notions on digital design, so it could be interesting to see where he ends up.

Are they removing Steve's touch?

Some design changes didn't seem necessary (or, like improvements). It just looked like changes. Also, Apple was only 1 cat away from OS 11. Why did they stop, and why Maverick? It's especially corny since Apple is lost their "rebel" image. 

  Ive was pretty gutsy in redesigning the entire OS considering he comes from a hardware design angle. I think the device and software look should match, and maybe that will become more apparent with future device releases. For now, it looks like a big experiment, and I hope it evolves for the best.