steve jobs – Signature9

From Edison’s Phonograph to Jobs’ iPod: How Design Brought Music to the Masses

YM Ousley — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:06:14 +0000

This post is also available as part of Effen Vodka’s Defining Style series

The iMac may have signaled a new, design driven direction for Apple on Steve Jobs’ return to the company, but it’s the iPod that set the company on a path to market dominance. It led to the iPhone (arguably, the device that made smartphones cool for the masses) which led to the iPad, which is (at least for the moment) the only tablet device that’s managed to gain significant traction with consumers.

Innovation is often credited to the first version of something new, but design is the unspoken element that makes the difference between the product that’s first and the product people care about.Â For more than a century, there hasn’t been a better example of design driving innovation than the devices that brought music to the masses.

From Edison’s phonograph to Jobs’ iPod, here’s a look at the devices that have driven innovation through the art of design.

Thomas Edison’s Phonograph

Thomas Edison’s phonograph wasn’t the first device to record soundÂ , but it was the first that could play them back. The one working invention prior to the phonograph – the phonautograph, only created visual representations of sound. You can thank Edison for the fact that you’re able to listen to music, rather than watch it on a fancy transcription machine.

Alexander Graham Bell and Emile Berliner’s Wax

Originally recorded on tin-foil horizontal cylinders (imagine an imprinted Coke can), engineers at Alexander Graham Bell’s Volta Laboratory improved upon the sound quality of Edison’s phonograph by replacing the tin cylinders with ones coated in wax. A year after Bell was granted the patent for recording in wax, and named the invention the graphophone. It was a German inventor named Emile Berliner, however, who created the modern record disc as part of his gramophone system, seen as a key development in the modern music industry. Bell’s design improvement made recordings better to listen to, Berliner’s made them accessible.

The Victrola

The design of the records themselves were an improvement, but the phonographs used to play them largely stayed the same until the Victrola. For purely aesthetic reasons, the Victrola was the first record player to conceal the horn in an effort to make the players blend in, as opposed to standing out. Cabinets with gold trim and expensive wood made them best selling luxury items of the early 1900s.

Steve Jobs Is Dead, Long Live Steve Jobs

YM Ousley — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:52:59 +0000

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything â€” all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” – Steve Jobs

Even as someone who is staunchly a PC, it’s difficult not to be touched by the death of Steve Jobs. Though not unexpected – less than a month ago Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple for health reasons, Jobs’ passing is the formal end of an era that many hoped would not come for just a bit longer.

While he didn’t top rich lists like Bill Gates, there is perhaps no one in Silicon Valley who was more admired. Before Apple’s biggest hits were some substantial misses, but Jobs held firm to his vision and developed a cult following that few CEOs have been able to match. Yes, Jobs changed what we expect of technology, but more than that he changed what we expect of a business leader.

Involved with products down to the detail, unwavering about exactly how they should look, function and feel, Jobs was uncompromising when it came to his vision. And for that he’ll always have a place of one of this generation’s greatest visionaries. Some question where Apple will go without Jobs at the helm. While Bill Gates still tops the list of the world’s richest people, on any given day Apple is the world’s 1st or 2nd most valuable company. For as deeply as he was involved with Apple products, in his own way Jobs created, left, returned to and revitalized a company that will serve as a legacy larger than one man.

In 15 years, he encouraged us to think different, and always offered one more thing to get excited about. Steve Jobs was 56.

American Apparel CEO Dov Charney Is Like Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos, According to Dov Charney

YM Ousley — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:07:47 +0000

In an interview with the New York Post, American Apparel CEO Dov Charney likens his current situation (his current situation being that the company is on number 7 or 8 of its 9 lives) to that of Apple or Amazon.

“People didn’t believe in Amazon for many years, but it ended up changing the way Americans shop,” he says. “People didn’t believe in Apple — they thought it was a fringe computer company, but it ended up changing the way people listen to music, and changing what daily life feels like worldwide.”

Given that Charney has made it abundantly clear that he won’t be leaving his leadership role at American Apparel, we can infer that he sees himself as the Jeff Bezos or Steve Jobs of the clothing industry.

Well, all of the companies start with the letter A, but that’s as far as we got with the comparison. While we’re pretty sure it will be some time before you see illustrated nudes pitching Apple, the latest investors to save American Apparel from bankruptcy are confident in Charney as head of the company, and the company’s less controversial practices.

A representative from Essentia Equity, one of the Canadian companies who injected capital into the company, cited a weak US dollar, rising Chinese labor costs and increasing transportation costs as reasons why they invested in the company, one of the few American mass market retailers who still manufactures the bulk of their products in the US.

American Apparel’s Los Angeles factory has reportedly recovered most of the productivity it lost after forced layoffs after an mmigration violation. If nothing else, this seems to be consistent with what Charney told us last year, when he insisted that the company would continue to hire in spite of financial challenges.

With the sexual harassment allegations that repeatedly arise against Charney, the provocative ads that define the company, and the repeated brushes with bankruptcy it’s easy to write American Apparel off. As we’ve noted, to do so would mean the loss of some good business practices as well though. We’re not sure if American Apparel is the next Amazon or Apple, we’re definitely not sure about Charney as the next Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos; but the economic conditions noted by Essentia are real, and Charney’s determination remains solid. Whether that will be enough for American Apparel to capitalize on remains to be seen.

Everything iPad 2: Hands On, Reviewed, Analyzed, Where to Buy

YM Ousley — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:20:05 +0000

Yesterday was the big day when that mysterious “2” invitation was confirmed to be for an event launching the iPad 2. Okay, so it wasn’t that mysterious, but there was one surprise. Notably, it was that Steve Jobs delivered the presentation. Though the stock price of Apple spiked on Jobs’ appearance, many financial analysts are saying it actually created more confusion that relief. For many people, Steve Jobs is Apple. This is of course not true: Apple has thousands of employees, Jobs is a very important one, but by no means the only one. Still, the thought of Apple without Jobs, who has been dealing with an undisclosed medical condition believed to be cancer, is feared by investors who’ve been demanding a succession plan.

While the iPad 2 is thinner, faster and presumably shinier than the original iPad, there weren’t too many seriously groundbreaking features, so Jobs’ appearance may have been a way to make up for that. Some believe an iPad 3 will be here before year’s end (Apple calls 2011 the “year of the iPad 2” so take that as their rebuttal), so it may also be the extra bit of star power needed to push people off the fence.

In case the actual features and reviews are what you’re really interested in though, here’s a roundup of everything iPad 2.

iPad 2 First Hands On {Engadget}

“This thing is insanely fast. We’re not joking — it’s blazingly fast. Everything the iPad 2 does feels like it’s on turbo. We’re uploading a video of the some evidence of this, you’ll be appropriately stunned.”

Visit Engadget for additional videos and closeups.

Why Steve Jobs Emceed Another iPad Pep Rally {Fast Company}

“For manyÂ Apple-gazers, the most notable aspect of Wednesdayâ€s iPad 2 launch wasnâ€t any particular feature of the upgraded device. Nor was it the fact that Apple was launching a v2 less than 12 months after it unveiled the first version of its new tablet; it was the command performance by the person who made it: CEO Steve Jobs.”

iPad 2: All the Details {Gizmodo}

“Contrary to the rumors, the new iPad 2 has been improved a lot internally. Faster processor, faster graphics, HDMI Full HD output, the 720p HD camera on the back, the frontal VGA camera… it’s quite a new beast.”

Apple announces redesigned iPad 2: A5 CPU, 2 cameras, ships March 11 {Apple Insider}

“The new iPad 2 will be available in two colors — black and white — and will be available on both AT&T and Verizon 3G networks from day one. It also sports the same 10-hour battery life. A new accessory cable will also offer mirrored HDMI video out to HDTVs for 1080p high-definition output. The $39 cable allows users to charge their iPad while using the video out feature. Another accessory announced by Apple is a magnetic “smart cover,” which covers the front of the device. Covering the front of the device automatically locks the device, while taking it off will unlock it. Microfibers on the screen cover are said to clean the iPad 2 display, while magnets will automatically align the cover on the screen.”

iPad 2 will be at Best Buy at launch (Update: Sams Club+Walmart) {9 to 5 Mac}

“In case you want to sit in the parking lot of a Best Buy rather than the parking lot of an Apple Store: Best Buy will have iPad 2 at launch. Â Wooo!”

What was MIA from the big iPad announcements today? {TUAW}

“Life is not all about fawning over every move Apple makes (despite what it feels like some days). As I step outside the Reality Distortion Field, there were some things I wanted to see Apple include.”

iPad 2 Rollout Leads to Massive Deflation in Secondary Market {Mashable}

“If youâ€re planning to trade in your old iPad for a shiny new iPad 2, you arenâ€t alone. In the hours after the iPad 2 announcement, thousands of iPad users have headed for the web to sell off their tablets of yesteryear. This frenzy â€” coupled with Appleâ€s decision to drop the price of the original iPad to help clear out inventory â€” has had a drastic impact on the secondary market. That makes this a prime opportunity for savvy buyers to get a good deal on last yearâ€s iPad.”

Just Bought An iPad? Head Back To The Apple Store With A Quickness For A $100 Rebate {CrunchGear}

“Did you just buy an iPad? Why? Donâ€t you pay attention to the Internet? Anyway, if you bought an iPad between now and February 16 you can still pop back to the Apple Store to get a $100 rebate on your recently purchased frisbee.”

Louis Vuitton Beirut, Balding Gracefully, $250 Billion Counterfeits: Monday Morning Brief

YM Ousley — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:48:04 +0000

In case you didn’t know, the Brief is where we round up interesting stories from around the web that we may not be able to cover in depth. No formulas, no algorithms, just hand picked headlines that catch our attention as we go about our daily research. Here’s your Monday morning roundup of the best of the best from last week.

In case you didn’t know, the Brief is where we round up interestingÂ stories from around the web that we may not be able to cover in depth.Â No formulas, no algorithms, just hand picked headlines that catch ourÂ attention as we go about our daily research. Here’s your Monday morning roundup of the best of the best from last week.

Style

It’s A Droid, It’s A Phone, It’s Superphone!

Vanessa Quirk — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:56:08 +0000

Steve Jobs may very well be quivering in his boots – or, more likely, in his turtle neck – right about now.

Google announced to the world today what happens when they and HTC (a company that makes all those Android running smartphones) come together.

Answer? They make one sweet phone.

The Nexus One, Google's foray into the world of smartphones.

The Nexus One,Â publicly released today, is Google’s answer to the iPhone.Â This sleek piece of machinery doesn’t just look as sexy as the iPhone; it’s faster, lighter, and isn’t tethered to AT&T. You can buy the phone through T-Mobile for a discounted price ($180 with a 2 year contract) or unlocked at $530 – making the Nexus OneÂ slightly cheaper than most of its smartphone competitors.

Add into the mix the fact that it’s got a whole bunch of Google goodies (Google Mail, Maps) one touch away, cutting-edge software (Google Voice, Live Wallpaper), and some killer hardware (a 480 x 800 OLED capacitive touch screen and aÂ 5 MegaPixel Camera) and you’ve got yourself a serious contender in the smartphone race.

This is the “it” phone of the moment (the one all those tech geeks and plugged-inÂ multitaskersÂ are practically slobbering over), but will the Nexus One appeal to the iPhone/App loving masses? Could it topple the house that Jobs built? Only time will tell.

Jeans – the New Power Play?

KS Frazier — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:23:37 +0000

In the early 1950s jeans were synonymous with youthful rebels such asÂ James Dean and Marlon Brando. They were the working man’s jean turned angst uniform. Through the 60s bell bottoms, 70s punk rock, 80s hair bands and 90s grunge garb, jeans have been a staple protest against “the man.” Today’s designer jeans have begun to mitigate the harsh generalization of the workers jeans, so it’s not surprising to see world leaders and power players such as Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy playing up to what is being named “power jeans”.

It may be a new sight from the familiar suit and casual trousers, but isn’t it about time the jean made its way into high-profile situations? Everyone has a pair, we all dress it up when we can- to keep it chic but stay casual and comfortable. The truth behind this” trend” is that these political leaders are of the generation where jeans were the staple. They idealized James Dean they wanted to emanate Marlon Brando, they have grown out of the rebellious culture jeans personified but denim is changingÂ into new and wearable work attire because of their long-standing popularity, they are growing with the generation

Who better to exemplify the growing acceptance of jeans than Steve Jobs of Apple, the poster boy for today’s power jeans. Synonymous with innovation, the tech world has become weary of the casual slack. “When someone shows up to an interview or meeting in anything other than jeans, it shows inexperience and a lack of confidence,” says Andrew Dumont, vice president of marketing for text-messaging company Tatango.

The workers pant and rebel attire has become a symbol of strength, if worn appropriately for age and occasion. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev keeps the fit and cut simple, paired with a solid shoe and blazer. Though our own President may have been chastised for his “dad jeans” seen nationwide when throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game, we all know from his now famous college photosÂ and sleek appearances otherwise, he has the ability to bring justice to the power jeans.

Read the full story{Wall Street Journal}

steve jobs – Signature9

From Edison’s Phonograph to Jobs’ iPod: How Design Brought Music to the Masses

Thomas Edison’s Phonograph

Alexander Graham Bell and Emile Berliner’s Wax

The Victrola

Steve Jobs Is Dead, Long Live Steve Jobs

American Apparel CEO Dov Charney Is Like Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos, According to Dov Charney

Everything iPad 2: Hands On, Reviewed, Analyzed, Where to Buy

Louis Vuitton Beirut, Balding Gracefully, $250 Billion Counterfeits: Monday Morning Brief

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It’s A Droid, It’s A Phone, It’s Superphone!

Jeans – the New Power Play?