It’s all about context, which this infograph shows.

In this new world, we are not the weird hippies holding on to our obscure computers and even more obscure software titles. Talking about iPad apps in line at Starbucks isn’t weird anymore.

Apple has entered the mainstream culture, and on its coattails, we’re able to enjoy being invited to sit at the cool table.

Yes, there will always be idiot bloggers and ill-informed pundits clamorous for page views. I think as time marches on, writers who preach on the impending implosion of Apple will be held in the same regard as the sidewalk preacher claiming the world will end unless you repent and tithe.

Let’s ignore those crazy kids and party.

It’s this sort of quality of post from The Verge that makes the need to visit any other tech news site pretty limited.

Here are some excellent ideas for new year photography projects.

If you have an iPhone and are new photography enthusiast, why not try a 365 day photography project based on #fromwhereistand on Instagram?

Not much more I can say than congratulations; it’s more than deserved for his contribution to the industry.

Want to brush up on your info of the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, try here.

If you haven’t heard of Mike Matas before then this is a great time to familiarise yourself with his latest piece of photographic artwork, titled “1 Week In Japan”. This stop-motion film was created using nearly 4000 images accompanied with music from Patrick Brooks.

Mikes primary skill as a user interface designer has shown by working at such companies as the Omni Group, Apple & on the Nest thermostat. After creating & publishing Al Gore’s interactive book for the iPad [which later won an Apple Design Award] under his co-founded company, Push Pop Press, he now works at Facebook after an acquisition in Auguest 2011.

With all of this, it’s Mike stunning photography and short movies that inspire me the most; I don’t think I could limit myself to one favourite from his site mikematas.com, but to list a few are, the Deer photoghraph, Summer Corn, Tree, The Family Reunion set, Spring Break #5, My Cooking Diary trailer, and without a doubt including the 1 Week In Japan video.

I’m sure it’ll be pretty interesting what comes out of any project that Mike is currently working on at Facebook or wherever else he ends up.

Happy Holidays from Apple.

Stephen Hackett of the excellent site 512 Pixels runs down why looks aren’t everything when it comes to apps.

Stamped, your gentle colour scheme with bold highlights is easy on the eyes, but highlights just the right things. You’ve got just the right feel about you.

Path, you are — without a doubt in my mind — the best-looking, funnest iOS app I’ve ever used. Seriously, every app developer should download you and user your UI and UX conventions in their own apps.

You are both great apps, as well. You’re controls are easy to use, yet playful. The custom parts of your UIs are simply fantastic.
But here’s the thing — I’m booting you from my iPhone.

I couldn’t agree more with his statements; Path specifically is without a doubt the most beautifully designed iPhone app I’ve seen to date, this even extends to the beautiful web snapshot you get from a post when sharing it outside Path. This element also let’s people who aren’t connected to your Path comment on the shared post, such a smart idea that some other apps could find use in. All of this adds up to an amazing user experience when using the app, but I have the same question as Stephen, when do I use it?

Path, I already have apps to share photos and status updates with online friends. Twitter and Instagram beat you to the punch for how I share things online.

This is exactly the issue for me, “how I share things online”. Close friends and family I will call, text or email. Other friends, they’re all on Facebook and Path isn’t going to change that; if I need to talk to one of those, I’ll message them direct on Facebook. When it comes to sharing links, photos or quick insights to my day, I use Twitter and Instagram. There’s nothing I’d want to share outside of close friends & family that I would mind sharing with the world. That’s why for me Path is a strange place in the middle and no matter how beautiful that place is, if there’s nothing to do, I won’t be visiting.