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#5: Art Gallery of Dongles

May 25th, 2017 · 58 minutes

Microsoft is back in the news with another updated device, the topic of on-campus daycare in Silicon Valley raises questions about work/life balance, and patent trolls have been dealt a big blow by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Guest Starring: James Thomson and Lisa Schmeiser


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Links and Show Notes

Meet the new Surface Pro - Microsoft

Microsoft's new Surface Pro doesn't stray far from the previous generation, but adds support for a better pen and LTE, and can be ordered in a fanless configuration with some processors.

Microsoft's new Surface Pro has 13.5 hours of battery life and LTE option - The Verge

It is available for pre-order now and ships on June 15.

Microsoft has created a Surface USB-C dongle for ‘people who love dongles’ - The Verge

The Surface packs a USB A port, but it can be added via dongle. Which is the most ironic thing to happen to USB ever.

Apple’s New Campus: An Exclusive Look Inside the Mothership - WIRED

Apple Park will hold 12,000 employees in a scenic setting just minutes from its current headquarters in Cupertino, CA.

Apple's new $5 billion Apple Park campus has a 100,000-square-foot gym and no daycare - Quartz

The 175-acre campus is complete with a gym, cafeteria, theatre and parking, but lacks a childcare center.

The secret to Patagonia’s success? Keeping moms and onsite child care and paid parental leave - Quartz

Patagonia’s campus feature childcare, which has helped the company retain employees who have children.

Apple names Denise Young Smith as VP of diversity and inclusion - TechCrunch

Smith previously served as head of worldwide human resources at Apple for three years, and has been involved in diversity programs at Apple for years. In her new role, Smith will report directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Mossberg: The Disappearing Computer - The Verge

Writing weekly on technology since 1991, Mossberg's swan song is a column about the future of tech changing from gadgets on our desks and in our pockets to being part of the world around us.

Supreme Court Ends Texas’ Grip On Patent Cases - Electronic Frontier Foundation

In TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods, the court ruled that patent owners can sue corporate defendants only in districts where the defendant is incorporated or has committed acts of infringement and has a regular and established place of business.

Why it matters that patent trolls won’t be able to force their cases in Texas - Recode

In 1999, 14 patent cases were filed in the Eastern District of Texas. By 2015, that number grew to more than 2,500.

Cloudflare Increases Bounty to Kill Patent Troll Blackbird - Fortune.com

In response to a claim filed last month by a so-called patent troll, Cloudflare responded with a counter-attack including a $50,000 public bounty for help to destroy the troll's patents.

Long Live the MP3 - Six Colors

One of the companies who held patents covering some uses of the MP3 format has terminated its licensing program because its patents have run out. They are claiming the format is dead, but the truth is that MP3 may experience a renaissance.

OpenDyslexic - Free, OpenSource Dyslexia Typeface

OpenDyslexic is a new open source font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia.

Moom 3.2.8 released - Many Tricks

Many Tricks updated its Moom application to work around a patent owner's complaint.

Lisa Schmeiser (@lschmeiser) - Twitter
James Thomson (@jamesthomson) - Twitter