rob cerrato's blog

[robcerrato]

New Apple Display to come?

Lately hopes for a refreshed Cinema Display have looked dismal in the wake of discontinuation rumors. In addition to this Apple partnered with LG to make USB-C optimized display for their newly released line of laptops. However, recently Apple has come out to say it is working on a new Mac Pro and a “Pro Display” to go with it. Maybe Apple has reconsidered dropping its display line after apparent problems with the LG display? Either way, it would seem Apple is not entirely out of the display game after all. A while back I wrote about what I thought could happen with a new Cinema Display, so here is an update to that.

Likely design and features

iMac edge-thin profile design - Seems obvious at this point.

5K Retina Resolution - Again, obvious for pro users.

Internal Speakers and iSight camera - Standard on the Cinema line, but invaluable after using a number of non-apple displays 

USB-C - Probably 4 ports. At this point Apple isn’t really fucking with any other kinds of ports. Sad because I miss how smart and easy Magsafe was. I get the potential for one cord-to-rule-them-all out weighs the convenience of Magsafe, but not if you have to adapt to everything in current professional eco-systems.

Wish-list super awesome requests Apple should do

Integrated Airplay - I have one screen in my tiny apartment. I realize this isn’t most peoples situation but I need a display that I can work on AND use for entertainment. Streaming audio or video from your phone or laptop would be so convenient. SO CONVENIENT.

Wireless Charging - Imagine never having to plug in or re-change the batteries in your keyboard or mouse? Imagine setting your iPhone near your screen and having it charge wirelessly. Apple a has made some wireless charging patents and its rumored the next iPhone will have this as a feature. Wireless charging could really tie the room together.

Other Ports - Anything other than USB-C seems SUPER unlikely at this point, but hey I can dream right? Most offices/everything network with Ethernet ports. Eventually everyone will work on wifi, but until that shining day in the future IT WOULD BE NICE not to have to adapt to do NON-wireless networking. Headphone/Optical out would be cool for people with speaker setups, I’m looking at you audiophiles. 

Height Adjustability - I know Apple isn’t about too many moving parts, but they are a little low and most people elevate the cinema displays to put them at eye level. Pain in my neck.

I hope Apple does in fact follow through on releasing a new display. I still use the last Cinema Display Apple released and it remains the best display I’ve ever used.

[robcerrato]

Damn #apple. get your life.

[robcerrato]

Alex Numerar Desk - IKEA Hackers

Materials: ALEX Drawer unit, LERBERG Trestle, Numerar countertop A pretty simple desk “hack” for those who like a longer/wooden alternative to the standard Ikea desktop options. The nice part of this project is there is no cutting, drilling or sawing necessary to complete it. Simply follow the ALEX and LERBERG assembly instructions then lay your [&hellip

IKEA hackers published my office desk build. Its not much of a hack but I think it is the best desk you can make at IKEA!

[robcerrato]

I think it looks awesome!

[bravecadet]

Michael Kagen

[robcerrato]

New Apple Retina Cinema Display

I’ve been waiting a while to write this post, hoping Apple would beat me to the punch. Alas, it has been nearly 4 years since Apple refreshed their cinema display line, making it one of their most neglected products. Hopefully a refresh is in the works and coming soon, but in the meantime here is what I would like to see from an updated Apple display.

Features

iMac edge-thin profile design - When the cinema display was first released, it mirrored the iMac design of that time. Current iMacs have slimmed down to a sharp modern profile and we should expect the same from the cinema line. Keep things looking consistent, ya know?

5K Retina Resolution - Most “professional” displays available today are 4k resolution (3840 X 2160), leaving the cinema display (2560 x 1440) pretty far behind. On the contrary, Apple’s Latest iMac is a monster 5k Retina screen (5120 × 2880). Either a 4k or 5k Retina screen seems most likely for the next release. I would take either.

Internal Speakers and iSight camera - Standard on the old cinema display.

USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 - Apple recently introduce the USB-C on its super thin Macbooks. The port can provide a charging power, data transfer and display output. Sort of the last cable you will ever need... hopefully. I expect to see this USB-C on more mac laptops in the future, however it might be early to put it on the cinema display.

Ports - When Apple unveiled their new thunderbolt standard there weren't many hub options for converting down to older standards like firewire. This made the display feel like a better buy since you were getting a $300 thunderbolt Hub wrapped into the cost of your display. A new display should be no different. I would expect:

2 USB 3.0 - For external hard drives and peripheral devices 

1-2 Thunterbolt 3 - For external monitors and external hard drives (both daisy chain-able)

1 Ethernet - Old school but still a common standard for professional use

1 Firewire 800 - This one may be least likely of all of the ports. Used primarily for external hard drives, this port is probably being phased out for the more common USB 3.0 or the faster thunderbolt.

Super Killer Features

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth integration - Used primarily for peripheral devices, having wireless built into your monitor could mean pairing mice and keyboards to a cinema display location. This is useful for laptop users who moved back and forth to different work stations. Additionally, having built in wireless with mean the ability to stream audio and video to the display via Apple’s AirPlay. 

Height adjustable stand - Apple is not known for adding moving parts to their products. I still think this would be a great feature because all too often I see these displays sitting on monitor stands or stacks of paper. Yuk.

Inductive charging - I would like to see this feature integrated into all of Apple's products. Imagine never having to change the batteries on your wireless mouse or keyboard. Imagine charging your phone whenever it is near your work station display. 

1 HDMI input - Pie-in-the-sky! This would allow a cable/dvd/gaming/set-top-box connection for your computer setup. Maybe not the rumored Apple Television, but not far off. Maybe it would have a built in tuner, I don't know...

Built-in Apple TV Os - Maybe this feature falls under the HDMI input, but It would be cool if the cinema display had some stand alone functionality. Having integrated AppleTV features would be enough to stop me from owning an actual smart TV with cable...

Headphone/Optical out - If a user has a speaker setup or headphones they like to keep at the desk, having this port on the display means not having to plug-in or un-plug the setup every time the laptop (or desktop) is removed. Its a convenience thing.

When all is said and done, my thunderbolt cinema display is by far the best monitor I have ever owned. The design and functionality pair seamlessly with my Mac laptops. That said, the potential for new Apple displays is even better. I hope to see a new one soon! 

Do you agree with my vision? What features would you like to see in the new cinema display?

[theverge]

THE VERGE REVIEW OF ANIMALS — STARRING: THE GIANT WATER BUG

“Nature is, above all, profligate,” says Annie Dillard. “Nature will try anything once.”

[theycantalk]

Shark Rescue 

[marc]

This is perfection.

[trashtrash2015]

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Sorry I’m a roll today #quartzcomposer #trashtrash #robot #vj #livevisuals #joshuadelorimier

[sine-cinematography]

Stalker (1979) - Wide shots

Andreï Tarkovski / Aleksandr Kniajinski / Gueorgui Rerberg

[sine-cinematography]

Stalker (1979) - Doors, windows and framing

Andreï Tarkovski / Aleksandr Kniajinski / Gueorgui Rerberg

[theverge]

This display uses magnetic ferrofluid (developed by NASA) to tell time, and it’s utterly mesmerizing.

At first, the inky blobs that form the digital clockface on Zelf Koelman’s Ferollic display look almost like living creatures. They pulse and dart and jump, leaving little droplets in their wake before forming into lines, patterns, and finally numbers.

[thepsychedelicward-deactivated2]

[brittonius]

Work by hexeosis

[robcerrato]

AIAIAI's New Modular Headphones Can Be Customized 360 Different Ways

aiaiai comes out with another sure to be hit. This company can do no wrong.

[robcerrato]

Author Spotlight with Gerri Leen

Gerri Leen lives in Northern Virginia and originally hails from Seattle. She has stories and poems published or accepted in: Escape Pod, Grimdark, Spellbound, Sword and Sorceress XXIII, Spinetinglers, and She Nailed a Stake Through His Head: Tales of Biblical Terror, among others. When she’s not writing, she volunteers at a local animal rescue and is editing an anthology, A Quiet Shelter There, which will benefit homeless animals and is due out in 2015 from Hadley Rille Books. See more at www.gerrileen.com. Paying Old Debts, by Gerri Leen can be found in  Anthology I: A Collection of 8 Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories. It's a science fiction story exploring the fascinating interplay between a sex robot assassin's sentience and programming.    More information about  Paying Old Debts and  Anthology I, including e-bookstore links and samples, can be found  here..

[robcerrato]

Author Spotlight with Dominic Dulley

Dominic Dulley lives with his wife and two children in the shadow of Warwick Castle, where he is losing a war of attrition with his ‘to be read’ pile. When he isn’t writing or editing short stories and novels, he can be found reading about writing, planning what to write next, or browsing Pinterest and deviantART for inspiration. His fiction has recently appeared in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine, with more to come in Stupefying Stories and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. He is an active member of the British Science Fiction Association and Critters.org, has a masters degree in computer science and a private pilot’s licence, and enjoys his guitar playing far more than anyone unfortunate enough to be listening. You can enjoy his deep and insightful tweets about writing and other nonsense by following @DBDulley. Washout, by Dominic Dulley can be found in  Anthology I: A Collection of 8 Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories. It's a science fiction story about the powerful bond between a girl and her spacecraft, and how she copes with the unexpected.   More information about Washout and  Anthology I, including e-bookstore links and samples, can be found  here..