Jet.com

Marc Lore, founder of Jet.com, says he's figured out a technological way to undercut Amazon.com and now he has his sights set on disrupting the market leader's business model.

Lore sold his previous company Quidsi, which operates Diapers.com and Soap.com, to Amazon in 2010 for $545 million.

Jet.com, which formally launches in April, has a current valuation of $600 million and has already acquired some $140 million in financing, led by Bain Capital.

On Jet.com "you can basically buy anything online at the lowest prices, 10 to 15 percent below [what] you find anywhere else," because you'll see prices drop in in real time, potentially saving hundreds of thousands a year, Lore said in an interview Friday.

When a shopper adds a particular product to their cart, the site will lower the prices of other products that are close in proximity to the selected product's warehouse. Membership will cost $50 a year and orders over $35 will automatically ship for free.

some of my fonts look funny

after I did a Vista update.

Here's the info

I did the following updates and now my fonts look different and bad.

(edit, turns out it was this specific update:)

KB3013455

I made no other changes to the computer, only these updates.

Some fonts seem the same as before, such as the fonts in the task bar. Others are weird, like the text I am typing right now is variably too fat or too skinny, with jags and dots, like it was printed with a messed up old typewriter or something...  Most of the fonts on this web page look messed up. The main fonts on wikipedia look clear, but larger (and maybe a different font) than they used to, but the menus and side bars look horrible and jaggy like this text here. It also effects my text editor program (it's not only a web browser thing).

***

I also have a Vista SP2 machine with fonts nearly unreadable after applying today's Ms patches.

I uninstalled "Security Update for Windows Vista (KB3013455)" which impacted TrueType fonts (MS15-010) and my issue is resolved.

Fonts are readable, once again.

iWork

Apple has stepped up its efforts to hit its two biggest rivals — Microsoft and Google — where it hurts.
Apple has opened up a public beta that allows anyone, PC or Mac, to use the cloud version of its office productivity suite, iWork, free via a browser.

You'll need an Apple ID, and Apple is now allowing anyone to create one — no Apple device needed. Just point your browser to beta.icloud.com.

IWork includes the standard set of office apps: word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. The cloud version lets multiple people work on a document at the same time, as they can with Google Apps or with Microsoft's cloud apps OneDrive (the freebie version) or Office365 (the paid version).

Apple describes its cloud version of iWorks like this:

Just log in from your browser on your Mac or PC and launch the app you want to use. All the documents you create will be saved in iCloud, and any changes you make will automatically appear in the iWork apps on your iOS devices and your Mac. Your work will always be available at iCloud.com, so you can access your documents anywhere.

The ability to use iWork from a PC on the web is the latest step in Apple's push to make its Office apps a real alternative to MS Office or Google Apps.

IWork was launched in 2005 as a reaction to Microsoft Office for the Mac. Microsoft often treated the Mac version as a second-class citizen, with users having to wait months or longer for updates that were first released in the Windows version.

Apple sold iWork for $79. Later, Apple sold the individual apps on its Apple store for $20 apiece for the Mac versions and $10 each for the iOS version.

In 2013, after all-but-ignoring iWork for years, Apple suddenly updated it and announced it was giving it away free to anyone who bought a new Apple device or updated to a new operating system. Apple launched a cloud version then, too, but you could create an Apple ID login only on an Apple device, like a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Apple isn't giving away just the apps, either. The cloud apps let you open and edit Microsoft Office documents, too.

We recently reported on Google's plans to nab 80% of Microsoft Office customers away from Microsoft.

It looks as if Apple is following a similar game plan.

iCar?

The Apple Watch comes out in April. But, could the company’s next potentially revolutionary product be called the Apple Car? Or, the iMobile?

Apple is reportedly looking to add an electric car to its list of revolutionary products. The tech giant has apparently put “several hundred” of its employees to work on a secret project to develop its own branded electric automobile, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites anonymous sources.

The WSJ sources claim the project is code-named “Titan” and that early designs show a vehicle that looks similar to a minivan. Apple is in the early stages of development and, assuming the project isn’t scrapped at some point, it could still be many years before the tech giant unveils the vehicle at one of its much-hyped product events.

Apple (AAPL) did not comment on the WSJ article, nor did it comment on a Financial Times report earlier in the day that said the company had hired a team of auto technology and design experts. FT noted the possibility that Apple could simply have brought on the team to work on its in-car entertainment platform, CarPlay.

Electric cars represent a very small, but rapidly growing, segment of the U.S. auto industry. Almost 120,000 of the plug-in vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year -- a 23% bump from 2013 and 128% more than the previous year. Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors TSLA is one of the best known purveyors of electric cars, but leading automakers such as General Motors GM, Nissan NSANY and Toyota TM all produce popular electric models.

Apple’s tech rival, Google GOOG, has also taken steps to enter the auto industry, though the online search company is working to develop a driverless car. Google is also currently rumored to be working on developing a ride-hailing service that could rival Uber.

RadioShack declares bankruptcy

[2/5/15] RadioShack Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday after reaching a deal to sell as many as 2,400 of its stores to hedge fund Standard General.

Under the deal, Standard General, which led a rescue loan for RadioShack last year, would acquire between 1,500 and 2,400 RadioShack stores and partner with wireless operator Sprint Corp. to operate as many as 1,750 of them, RadioShack said Thursday.

The bankruptcy filing caps a long decline for a 94-year-old brand that was once considered the go-to place for new technology. By the 21st century, a company that made billions of dollars each year selling niche products like CB radios and portable music players proved ill-equipped to make money in the smartphone era.

[2/3/15] Amazon is reportedly in discussion with RadioShack to buy some of the company's brick-and-mortar stores after the troubled electronics chain files for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bloomberg says that the Seattle-based e-commerce giant is considering using the stores as showrooms for its hardware, and as pick-up and drop-off centers for items purchased online. Both Amazon and Radio Shack declined to comment on the situation, but two people apparently familiar with the matter said that Amazon may use the locations to give people a chance to try its growing range of hardware, including its range of Kindle tablets, its Fire smartphone, and its new Echo speaker.

[2/2/15]  Inside RadioShack’s Slow-Motion Collapse
How did the electronics retailer go broke? Gradually, then all at once

[2/2/15] (Reuters) - Troubled electronics retailer RadioShack Corp is preparing to shut down the chain in a bankruptcy deal that would see half the stores taken over by Sprint Corp, Bloomberg News reported, citing people with knowledge of the discussions.

The rest of the stores would close down, Bloomberg said. (bloom.bg/16aNrZw)

Sprint and RadioShack have also had talks about co-branding the stores, Bloomberg reported, citing two anonymous sources.

Another bidder could yet emerge to buy RadioShack and continue operating the 94-year-old chain, Bloomberg said.

iOS 7 / iOS 8

[9/13/14] With iOS 8 coming out soon, I suppose it's time to upgrade from iOS 6 to iOS 8 on my iPad mini.

The problem is that I don't have enough space on iPad to upgrade.

The upgrade requires at least 3.9 GB in storage and currently I have 2.7 GB available (and 11.0 GB used).  Over half of the 11.0 GB used is photos and videos from the camera (5.8 GB).

OK, let's start deleting apps.

Zynga Poker HD is 93.7 MB.  Delete.  That brings it 2.8 GB.
Family Feud & Friends.  87.3 MB.  Delete.  2.9 GB available.
Words!  141 MB.  Delete.  3.0 GB available.
Distro (which is a magazine).  158 MB (141 MB of which is data).  Delete.  3.2 GB available.
Podcasts 59.4 MB.  Let's delete the Mad Money episodes.  OK, I kept 3.  WTH, it's up to 81.8 MB.  Ah, delete the whole thing.  Still 3.2 GB available.
Star Advertiser.  272 MB.  I have 3 issues downloaded.  Let's delete one of them.  Now there's 273 MB used.  What's going on?  Ah.  Delete the whole thing.  3.5 GB.  Progress.
Yahoo Fantasy.  84.5 GB.  Delete.  Still 3.5 GB.
Dailymotion 13.3 MB.  Not much.  But delete anyway.  3.6 GB.
Dumb Ways To Die.  Only 37.6 MB.  I hate to do it, but delete.  Still 3.6.
Angry Birds 280 MB.  Haven't played it in a while.  Delete.  3.9 GB!

OK, now there's room!

Let's try for a little more.

iBooks has 297 MB. 244 MB of which is documents and data.  I wonder if I can just delete some of the books downloaded?  Well, that didn't work for Podcasts and Star Advertiser.  Let's try anyway.

500 Must Have Apps 2012 Edition.  Hey now down to 212 MB.  I see it's still on my purchased books and I can download it again if I want.  There's a Credit Suisse report that got in there somehow.  Delete.  Now up to 224 MB.  WTH.  Hmm.  Somehow it got downloaded again?  Delete it again.

Delete iPad at Work.  Now down to 114 MB!  With 4.0 GB available.

NBA Game Time.  Well, it's not NBA season yet.  71.5 MB.  Delete.  4.1 GB available.

That's enough for now.  I didn't even to delete any photos or videos.  But maybe I will anyway.

[9/17/14]  The day is getting closer.  I deleted one photo.  Still 4.1 GB available.

Hawaii Weather Now.  25.1 MB.  Still 4.1 GB.

Let's manually back up the photos (even though they're supposed to be backed up in OneDrive already).  I see my last transfer transferred through 8/14/13.  That's over one year ago!

let's go through some photos

0546 - my poop 1720 K
0543 - Charlie under the fence 1780 K
0529 - Donna cutting ma's toenails 1696 K
0517 - Sanford's house 1731 K
0488 - ma eating pasta at Donna's house

Crap!  Now it says IOS 8.0 is available.  And cannot be installed because it says it requires at least 6.1 GB in free space.  I should have updated to IOS 7.0 yesterday.  Now I have to clear out 2.0 GB more.

Well, I'll wait.  The servers are likely to be overloaded today.

We'll see when I actually install IOS 8 now.  Maybe when 8.1 comes out..

[9/18/14] According to this, you can do it without deleting.  (Though the instructions are for the iPhone.)

[11/3/14] I think it's time (again) to try to upgrade to IOS 8, because 8.1 is out and too many of my apps (like CBS and NBA) don't work on IOS 6.    The problem is now I'm down to 3.7 GB.

Let's try deleting some photos/videos.  First check to see if they're backed up.  Funny, the OneDrive back saves the videos as MP4 files while the videos I transferred directly via the cable to the computer are saved as MOV files.  The MP4 play very poorly on VLC.  The MOV files play a little better on QuickTime, but still choppy.  Don't know why.  They play more smoothly on the ipad.

Delete
IMG_0034 (5/7/13) (Kimo munching on his Bonz).  48MB Still 3.7.
0047 (5/12/13) - Ma snoozing on couch 945K.
0056 (5/19/13) - Alvin cutting chicken 68 MB (still haven't found that knife)  Still 3.7
0060 (5/25/13) - Christie and Alvin play volleyball with Beach Ball at Emily's party.  52 MB.  3.8 MB.

OK good enough.  The update supposedly requires 1.5 GB.  Supposedly you can do it using iTunes without having to clear out as much space.

OK, fire up itunes.  I have version 11.0.2.26.  It was supposed prompt to update to the latest version, but didn't.  It did the first time.  Maybe because it's partially still in memory?  Don't see it in task manager.

OK, it should ask when I plug in the ipad, then launch itunes.  Plug in ipad.

OK, took a little while to get connected.  Since I'm connected, I'll backup the files I didn't back up previously (as to have a double backup since it's supposed to be backed up to OneDrive anyway).  Wasn't much more.

OK, start up itunes.

I see the little ipad button toward the top right.  So that means the ipad was detected.  And am prompted to install the iCloud control panel.  I dunno.  Remind me later.

OK. nothing is happening.

Click on the ipad button in itunes.

There you go.  It says I have iOS 6.1.3.  A newer version of the iPad software is available (version 8.1).  To update your iPad with the latest software, click Update.

Here goes.  Click Update.

A new iPad software version (8.1) is available, but requires iTunes 12.0.1.  Would you like to download iTunes 12.0.1. now?  [yes]  click the Download iTunes button.  An Apple Software Update dialog appears (in my task bar or whatever it is you call that thing at the bottom).  Click on that.  It gives me the option to also update Safari and QuickTime.  I'll just go for iTunes now.  iTunes 12.0.1 is 108.87 MB.  Click the button "Install 1 item" at the bottom right.

Downloading xx.xx MB / 32.90 MB.  Why only 32.90?  Maybe they'll be further downloads after this?  Yep.  Now doing a 10.0 MB download.  Now 65.9 MB..

To finish installing the software, you need to restart your computer.  Click Yes to restart now or No if you plan to manually restart later.  No.

Let's close down this browser and manually restart.

Back to iTunes.  Now the icon for the iPad is on the upper left area.  And a dialog box appears.  A new iPad software version (8.1) is available for the iPad "Mike's Pad".  Would you like to download and update your iPad now?  Cancel / Download and Update / Download only.

I think I'll cancel for now, since I gotta leave soon and don't know how long this will take.

I'll do it when I come back.

***

OK, let's do it.  Download and update.

There are purchased items on the iPad "Mike's Pad" that have not been transferred to your iTunes library.  You should transfer these items to your iTunes library before updating this iPad.  Are you sure you want to continue?

Continue or Cancel.  OK.  Cancel.

What to do?

Look here.

Solution:
1) Before you can transfer the purchases you need to Authorise the computer (do this from the Store menu)
2) Once the computer is authorised, then you can transfer the purchases (File->Devices->Transfer...)

OK, let's go File, Devices, Transfer purchases from Mike's Pad.  Whatever that does.

Waiting for sync to start.

Now it's copying Candy Crush, CBS, and I guess all my apps, 47 of them (or around there).

OK, that's done.  Took several minutes.

OK, click on the iPad icon again.

Update.  Still get the same message.  Let's exit iTunes.

Restart iTunes.  Click the iPad icon.  Get the message A new iPad software version (8.1) is available....

Download and Update.  Same message again about purchased items.  Cancel this time.

No, actually I want to continue.  Back to the iPad icon.  Click on Update.  Click on Continue.

iTunes will update your iPad iOS 8.1 and will verify the update with Apple.  Click the Update button.

Some stuff to read: this release includes new features... Next  Next.  Agree.

iTunes is downloading a software update for this iPad and will install it when the download is complete.

Downloading 1 item.  iPad Software Update (60 minutes remaining)

wait...

iTunes is preparing to update the software on this iPad.

Backing up "Mike's Pad" ...

verifying updated iPad software...

iTunes is updating the software on this iPad  (in the iPad mini window)

updating iPad software... (in the window at the top)

verifying updated iPad software...

Your iPad has been updated.

goes back to iTunes main screen

Do you want to allow this computer to access information on "Mike's Pad"?

If you don't allow access, you will not be able to manage or sync your iPad with this computer.

Continue

To allow access, please respond on your iPad...

Look at iPad.  It's black with a white Apple and a line below it.

Press the button.  It says Hola or something, then blanked out again.

Try again.  Said Hello and slide to continue

Update Completed
Your iPad was updated successfully.  There are just a few more steps to follow, and then you're done!

Continue

Dialog box:
Trust This Computer?
Your settings and data will be accessible from this computer when connected

Trust or Don't Trust   tap Trust

OK, dialog box on iTunes went away

Tap Continue on iPad

Location Services
Enable Location Services
Disable Location Services

Enable

to finish setting up iCloud, enter the Apple
ID password for kulasoft@gmail.com

Terms and Conditions
Agree

Another dialog box with Terms and Conditions
Agree

Updating iCloud settings

iCloud Drive

store your files in Cloud and access them anytime on all your devices

Note: you will not be able to access documents currently stored in iCloud on your other devices until they are also upgraded to iOS 8 or OS X Yosemite

Upgrade to iCloude Drive
Not Now

Not Now

Are you sure you don't want to upgrade to iCloud Drive?

Continue

Find My iPad

Fnd My iPad now includes Activation Lock, a feature designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPad if you ever lose it.

Your password will be required before anyone can turn off Find My iPad, sign out of iCloud and reactivae your iPad.

Continue

Create a Passcode
A passcode protects your data and is used to unlock iPad

Don't add passcode

Are you sure you don't want to use a Passcode?

A passcode secures your iPad and is needed to use ApplePay and iCloud Keychain.

Continue or Add Passcode

Continue

Welcome to iPad

Get Started

get to the main screen.  Hey it sort of has the same background as before, but the icons look more cartoony now.

Spotlight Has Moved
Searching iPad is easier than ever with iOS8.  Swipe down from any home screen to access Spotlight.

Dismiss

OK, ready to play with iOS 8

check usage available.  2.4 GB

Try the CBS app.

Sorry, this app is no longer supported.

delete the app

Delete CBS
Deleting CBS will also delete all of its data
Delete
2.5 GB available

Wow 1,861 message in mail

let's take a look

Facebook goes in, tries to load, but then exits, delete the app / I'll try to reinstall it later.

freecell animation seems a little jerky

photos are now automatically organized by date and location.  Before you didn't even know that date.

Netflix captions look worse.  Smaller.  It turns out it's using general system captions which can be changed from the iPad settings.  But changing the font larger makes it too big.  This is a big step back in my book.

[11/5/14]  Let's look through my apps to see what I can delete.  I currently have 2.8 GB available.

Let's delete Jack Pad.  I can always reinstall it if I ever wind up playing You Don't Know Jack on the Fire TV again.  Still 2.8 GB.

Last Screen
Educreations.  I'll keep this for now.
Fit Brains.  I'll keep this for now too.
Candy Crush.  Maybe I'll start from scratch.  Delete.  2.9 GB.
FreeCell (Brainium version).  Since I've won 253 in a row, I'll keep this as I don't want to start from 0.
GameCenter is built in.

Third Screen

Roku.  Let's see if this works on my HD.  Can't access it because I changed my router and it's not connected to my network.  And I can't connect it right now because my regular Roku controller isn't working on it.  So I will have to switch back to my previous router.

iBooks.  Built in.
Newstand.  Built in.

Go Comics. Delete for now.  I can always reinstall.  2.9 GB.
Dilbert.  Keep.
Fox Sports Go.  Delete.  I'll reinstall.  2.9 GB.
Watch ESPN.  Delete.  I'll reinstall.  2.9 GB.
ESPN 1420.  Delete.  I'll reinstall.  2.9 GB.
TD Trader.  I don't really need this since CNBC now works with Time Warner Cable.  Delete.  2.9 GB.
Bloomberg TV.  Delete.  I can reinstall.  2.9 GB.
CBS News.  Delete.  2.9 GB.

Wait.  I was looking at Storage, Manage Storage.  And it showed that messages are taking up 352 MB.  Photos and Camera is taking up 5.7 GB.  And I see there's a way delete individual photos and videos from Messages.  Anyway, when I cam back I see that I now have 3.1 GB available.

Continue on.

Hawaii News Now.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.

Second Screen

Tips.  Built in.
Podcasts.  Built in.
YouTube.  Keep.
Viki.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
Yidio.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
HBO Go.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
History.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
HGTV.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.

3.4 GB

CNBC.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
Today.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
TWC TV.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
PBS.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
NBC.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
Watch ABC.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
But I really don't need ABC and NBC since their shows are on Hulu+

3.7 GB

VUDU player.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
Amazon Instant Video.  Delete.  I can reinstall later.
WTH.  Let's delete Youtube.  I will reinstall later.
Crackle.  Delete.  I will reinstall later.

go to Manage Storage, then back to storage to update space available.  3.9 GB.

WTH.  Let's wipe out more.

OneDrive.  I can reinstall later.
Match Dots (by Icemochi).  I can always start from scratch.
Educreations.  I can reinstall.
Fit Brains.  I can reinstall and start from scratch.
Roku.  I can reinstall.
Dilbert.  I can reinstall.

4.2 GB.

Hulu Plus.  I will reinstall.
Netflix.  I will reinstall.

4.3 GB.

Drive (Google Drive).  I can reinstall.
Google Maps.  Delete.

4.4 GB

What's left?  Chrome.  I can reinstall.

4.8 GB

OK, that's every app except for freecell.

WTH. let's delete freecell.  4.9 GB

OK, everything's deleted that's deleteable.

What's left?

Mail  Messages Camera  Photos  Photo Booth
Contacts  Maps  iTunes Store  App Store (which still has a 24 beside it) Videos
Music Notes Reminders Calendar Clock
Settings FaceTime

Podcasts  Tips

Newstand iBooks

Game Center

What's taking up space?

Photos & Camera 5.7 GB
Messages 352 MB
Mail 148 MB
ibooks 42.1 MB
Safari 15.3 MB
Contacts 3.7 MB
Calendars & Reminders 1.8 MB
Podcasts 1.1 MB

Used 7.8 GB
Available 4.9 GB

So even if I had deleted all my apps, I still wouldn't have had room to update iOS via wifi.

Went to look at Podcasts, browsed a little, saw nothing saved, exited.  Now it's taking up 5.8 MB.

Remove web site data from Safari.  Now down to 561 KB.

Now to start adding back..

Hulu Plus
CNBC.  Oddly when you put the video into fullscreen mode, it rotates to portrait instead of landscape mode.  So you have to turn your iPad upright to view the video which is smaller than it should be.

Still at 4.9 GB

Added Netflix back in the evening.  The captions are smaller than with the previous version.  You can change the size by in the system-wide options, but then it's too big.  So I went to a custom font and changed to a larger font.  It's a little bigger, but still a little small.  You have to turn off the override.  Oddly the color doesn't change on Netflix.  It's still white.  It looks better on Hulu.  Bigger size, golden color.  But all caps.

[Later I see the caption size changes on Netflix depending on the show.  On Justice League it's fairly large and in all-caps.  On Continuum, it's fairly small and in upper and lower case.  On Arrow, it's in-between and in all-caps.  I guess I'll guess used to it, but I still like the captions better in the older version which were uniform and in yellow (IIRC).]

Roku (9.0 MB).  For some reason, the official app from Roku doesn't show up in the App Store search, but you can find it by searching for Roku app in Safari.  It comes up as Roku on the App Store on iTunes.

4.8 GB

Install Fox Sports GO (29.8 MB) and Watch ESPN (18.3 MB).  Now down to 4.7 GB.  Noticed Watch ESPN is not supported by DirecTV.

Notice that Fox Sports didn't carry the NFL game on Sunday, even though in previous weeks I was able to view it (before the upgrade to iOS 8).  There was some quick message saying the NFL games wouldn't be available for iPhone.  But it's supposed to be available on desktop and tablets.

Added CBS (38.7 MB) and FX Now (88.1 MB).  4.5 GB (it was 4.6 GB at first so I guess something else took up more space.)

[11/15/14]  Install Tunein Radio so I could listen to the UH football game.  Now down to 4.3 GB.   Tune in is 54.2 MB (checking 11/19/14 it's down to 41.5 MB?), so something else took up the .2 GB.  Messages are 383 MB.  Mail is 281 MB.

[11/29/14] updated to iOS 8.1.1.  Added TWC TV (27.6 GB), so I could show Cheryl Anne.  Somehow up to 4.4 GB.  Photos & Camera 5.7 GB.  Messages down to 353 MB.  Mail up to 304 MB.

Let me add HBO Go (to watch Batman Begins for example).   35.9 MB.  Still at 4.4 GB available.

[12/17/14] added CBS Sports (44.7 MB) to see what I could see (they had college basketball but not the NFL).  Added back freecell (21.0 MB) to occupy my time at jury duty.  Only 3.7 GB available.  Photos and Camera still at 5.7 GB.  IOS 8.1.2 is 457 MB.  Messages down to 352 MB.  Mail up to 331 MB.  FX Now up to 108 MB.  Hulu Plus is 86.8 MB.  HBO Go is up to 49.8 MB.  CBS up to 44.7 MB.  Didn't realize the size of the apps would vary.

Anyway now going to install iOS 8.1.2 which has already been downloaded.

After the update, 4.2 GB available.

[12/1/15]  upgraded iOS 8.1.3.  And a couple more apps.  NBC Live Extra since they're going to show the Super Bowl.  And TWC SportsNet since they show the Lakers game.  The Lakers feed was unsatisfactory with a lot of buffering and pauses.