Challenges of an Apple without Jobs

Stunning and sad news today as Steve Jobs announced he is stepping down as CEO of Apple. While he will continue as Chairman of the Board, the move most likely signals health complications following treatment for a neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor, first diagnosed in 2004, and a liver transplant in 2009.

Wilson Rothman writes about the Challenges of an Apple without Jobs and encapsulates the unique, imaginary vision and "disruptive continuity" that made Jobs the most formidable force in the technology industry. The article is a must read for understanding the secret of his success and the prospects for the company he founded.

Apple's iCloud faces consumer confusion over 'cloud computing'

As Apple plans to push its iCloud service to consumers this fall, a new survey has found that most people don't even know what the term "cloud computing" means.

Do YOU know what cloud computing means for YOU?

If not, read it all!

Swede tried to build nuclear reactor in his kitchen

From here:

A Swedish man was arrested after he tried to build a nuclear reactor in his kitchen and documented his efforts on the Internet, authorities and the man said Thursday.

Richard Handl, 31, from Angelholm in southern Sweden, gathered materials including smoke detectors, clock and watch hands and via purchases on the Internet.

"I was just curious to see if it was possible, it is just a hobby," said Handl, currently unemployed but previously a worker in a ventilation systems factory.

He documented his efforts on a blog and his Facebook page.

He got as far as mixing some ingredients on a cooker -- americum, radium, beryllium and 96 percent sulphuric acid.

"The boiling explosion was about 3 or 4 months ago and the police came two weeks ago," he said.

After the incident, which he tagged "The Meltdown" on his blog, he said he "cleaned up the mess on the cooker and then I bought some more radium and continued the experiment."

The Radiation Safety Authority said in a statement the authorities raided Handl's flat on July 20 after hearing that he was handling nuclear materials in an unsafe way.

"There were no raised levels of radiation in the apartment and the neighbors were not exposed to radiation," research chief Leif Moberg said in the statement.

Handl reported the raid laconically on his website, writing "Project canceled!"

He was detained and shortly after freed. "I am still a suspect for crime against the radiation safety law," he said.

"It is just a hobby," the man says. Someone needs to teach this guy the meaning of "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!"

Why Windows 8 Might Fail

From my favorite technology columnist, John C. Dvorak:

...the fear I and others have regarding Windows 8 is that Microsoft never seems to understand modern interfaces and constantly gets things wrong to the point that people react poorly.

[...]

This is the difference between a company run by a visionary and a company run by functional businessmen with no vision or self-confidence. It explains why Microsoft cannot really innovate.

Read it all.

You might also like to read: Will Windows 8 Kill Microsoft?

Xbox addict 'dies from blood clot'

From here:

The family of a budding computer programmer have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the health risks of playing online computer games after their son died following a marathon session on his Xbox.

A post-mortem revealed that 20-year-old Chris Staniforth -- who was offered a place to study Game Design at Leicester University -- was killed by a pulmonary embolism, which can occur if someone sits in the same position for several hours.

Xbox 360 controller Deep vein thrombosis normally affects passengers on long-haul flights, but medical experts fear youngsters who spend hours glued to their consoles might also be at risk and have urged them to take regular breaks.

Read it all.