Apple updates Dictation for Mac users in OS X Mavericks

Apple updates Dictation for Mac users in OS X Mavericks: “One of the lesser known features of Mavericks is an upgrade to the Dictation Software,” Daryl McCartney reports for Amsys. “In 10.8 Dictation was available but required an internet connection so that it could contact Apple Servers to translate speech to text.”
“In Mavericks, Apple have added Enhanced Dictation which is a worthwhile initial 490MB approximate download which gives you the ability to have offline Dictation,” McCartney reports. “Even better, the translation is almost instant and because it is done locally you can live edit the dictated speech.”

McCartney reports, “Unlike dictation in 10.8, when using enhanced dictation, you aren’t limited to a 30 second recording.”

First official new Mac Pro sold sets all-time record for most expensive personal computer at $977,000

First official new Mac Pro sold sets all-time record for most expensive personal computer at $977,000: “Apple is known for making history by inventing the future, but even its designer could not have predicted a new record shattered on Saturday as a special one-off red version of the new Mac Pro (which is not officially available for sale yet) was sold at a charity fundraising auction for $977,000 — an all-time record for the priciest personal computer ever made or sold,” Electronista reports.

Aldous Huxley: the prophet of our brave new digital dystopia | John Naughton | Comment is free | The Guardian

Aldous Huxley: the prophet of our brave new digital dystopia | John Naughton | Comment is free | The Guardian: It is set in the London of the distant future – AD 2540 – and describes a fictional society inspired by two things: Huxley's imaginative extrapolation of scientific and social trends; and his first visit to the US, in which he was struck by how a population could apparently be rendered docile by advertising and retail therapy.

Apple dives deeper into designing and inventing robots, other manufacturing tech

Apple dives deeper into designing and inventing robots, other manufacturing tech: “Apple is putting a record $10.5 billion to work in new technology — from assembly robots to milling machines — that consumers will never see,” Adam Satariano reports for Bloomberg News.
“To get a jump on rivals such as Samsung Electronics and lay the groundwork for new products, Apple is spending more on the machines that do the behind-the-scenes work of mass producing iPhones, iPads and other gadgets,” Satariano reports “That includes equipment to polish the new iPhone 5c’s colorful plastic, laser and milling machines to carve the MacBook’s aluminum body and testing gear for the iPhone and iPad camera lens, said people with knowledge of its manufacturing methods.”

Windows 1.0, where it all began - CNET News

Windows 1.0, where it all began (PICTURES (TILES!!))- CNET News: Microsoft Windows 1.0, seen here, was released in November 1985. Unfortunately for Microsoft, it failed to inspire -- especially when compared with the more user-friendly graphical user interface developed by Apple for the Macintosh.

Interactive Dylan video takes surreal roll through TV land

Interactive Dylan video takes surreal roll through TV land: Cutting-edge new video for the 1965 Bob Dylan song "Like a Rolling Stone" lets you flip through TV channels as a host of recognizable characters lip-synch their way through the iconic song.

For Your Pleasure: 10 essential “lesser known” Roxy Music tracks selected by Michael Bracewell – The Vinyl Factory

For Your Pleasure: 10 essential “lesser known” Roxy Music tracks selected by Michael Bracewell – The Vinyl Factory: So, with the extended Roxy discography reaching in all directions, we asked Michael Bracewell to take stock and delve into the band’s essential back-catalogue to introduce ten “lesser known”, but nonetheless essential, Roxy Music tracks and the records where you can find them.

When We First Met – The Infinity Stones | Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources

When We First Met – The Infinity Stones | Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources: The soul gem was first introduced in Marvel Premiere #1, when Roy Thomas and Gil Kane first gave us Warlock. The High Evolutionary just gives it to him…

Obama May Have Twitter, But Lincoln Was the First President to Go Viral | Underwire | Wired.com

Obama May Have Twitter, But Lincoln Was the First President to Go Viral | Underwire | Wired.com: “Lincoln was a master political strategist. He truly understood what it took to get the message out to the people,” said Schnall. ”He knew the speech would be telegraphed across the nation; within 48 hours every newspaper as far as California had printed the speech straight on the front page, which is exactly what he was aiming for. He was using the media of communication in different ways than a president had ever done before.”

Google Play Music makes its debut in Apple's App Store

Google Play Music makes its debut in Apple's App Store: The application allows people to listen to the millions of songs in its library, as well as upload up to 20,000 of the user's own songs to the service for access elsewhere.

Apple's New Manufacturing Partner, GT Advanced, Uses Particle Accelerator to Cut Sapphire Glass Production Costs

Apple's New Manufacturing Partner, GT Advanced, Uses Particle Accelerator to Cut Sapphire Glass Production Costs: "A particle accelerator bombards these wafers with hydrogen ions, and with exacting control of the voltage of the accelerator, the hydrogen ions accumulate precisely 20 micrometers from the surface of each wafer. A robotic arm then transports the wafers to a furnace where the ions expand into hydrogen gas, which cause the 20-micrometer-thick layer to shear off."

PerfectTablePlan 5.1.4 - Create a seating plan for your wedding, party, or event. (Demo)

PerfectTablePlan 5.1.4 - Create a seating plan for your wedding, party, or event. (Demo): PerfectTablePlan is the easiest way to create a seating plan for your wedding, party, or event.
Import existing guests lists, experiment with table sizes and shapes and assign guests to seats with a single mouse click.

No more fiddling with scraps of paper!

Flipboard expands into mobile commerce with catalog feature

Flipboard expands into mobile commerce with catalog feature: The social magazine app has broadened its commerce ambitions with a new catalog section, letting users and brands alike curate products with price tags and purchase links.

"Daredevil" Leads Marvel & Netflix Multiple Live-Action Show Deal

"Daredevil" Leads Marvel & Netflix Multiple Live-Action Show Deal: Marvel and Netflix have announced five all-new live-action series, beginning with "Daredevil" and culminating with "The Defenders."

Comics A.M. - Investor Group Buys Majority Stake in Crunchyroll

Comics A.M. - Investor Group Buys Majority Stake in Crunchyroll: Anime and manga site Crunchyroll sells majority stake to Chernin Group! A look at new online comics site Believed Behavior! Dark Horse has 750,000 copies of "Berserk" in print! Plus more!