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Dreaming in a “Sky Full of Stars”
Coldplay is really good at playing warm tributes.
In similar fashion to their 2012 tribute to the late Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys during a show at the Hollywood Bowl, Coldplay showed their respect and admiration to the life of the inspirational Gene Wilder at a recent show.
The visual of confetti stars falling to the tune of “Pure Imagination” is a genuinely nice tribute by the band from across the pond. Sometimes, simplicity can speak volumes and this is one of those moments. What’s incredible is that those two words will forever be linked to the late Gene Wilder, bringing a smile to the face of anybody that hears the magical phrase.
As it turns out, any ticket bought to see a Gene Wilder movie was a golden ticket.
Would They Sell a Bad Apple?
Can Apple hear the critics now?
Speculation, as is the permanent protocol with tech and lifestyle giant Apple, has been building with the release of the iPhone 7 this September. Rumor of a dual camera has been an intriguing, potentially exciting new feature. Then there are rumors that the iPhone 7 will be the thinnest iPhone yet.
Here’s where Apple’s well-oiled rumor mill experiences some friction.
And from a familiar, beloved source, no less. He goes by “The Woz.”
“I would not use Bluetooth … I don’t like wireless,” he said. “I have cars where you can plug in the music, or go through Bluetooth, and Bluetooth just sounds so flat for the same music. He added, “If there’s a Bluetooth 2 that has higher bandwidth and better quality, that sounds like real music, I would use it. But we’ll see.”
–Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak / “The Woz”
The rumor is that Apple is going to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7.
Wireless headphones are gradually increasing in availability and improving in quality, but the wireless innovation for music listening hasn’t reached everyone by any stretch of the imagination. Currently, I can turn my Bluetooth on my iPhone and listen to music in my car from my iPhone and it works well. It’s important to note, though, that there is still a headphone jack for a wired connection. Bluetooth and a wired connection can and does co-exist in harmony.
The question is whether a thinner phone frame and disappearing headphone jack is worth irritating consumers and dedicated fans in the uncertain and still fragile post-Steve Jobs era?
The Apple Watch is a fun invention, but we live in a world in which most consumers will choose an iPhone or an Apple Watch. The functionality is strikingly similar, as was the design to promote a synchronized front. The point is that Apple consumers and followers haven’t experienced that “wow” moment the late Steve Jobs seemed to deliver with regularity. If Tim Cook’s Apple (which has made positive changes towards increased philanthropy pledges, as one example) makes the conscious decision to design and release an iPhone that doesn’t feel and sound like the revolutionary iPhone we all fell in love with, then the fragile standing of Apple’s superiority may take a slight hit.
Not a major hit, but in the aforementioned fragile post-Steve Jobs era at Apple, the last thing Mr. Cook and Co. want is to trend downward at any angle.
If only there was a way to remain connected to its celebrated past…
A Short Time Ago in a Front Yard in Close, Close Proximity…
Some people question the power of movies. Some people even question Huey Lewis and the News over the power of love.
But what about the power of love towards movies?
Legendary composer John Williams has produced some of the most (if not the most) iconic soundtracks to many of the most beloved movies of all-time. This includes Star Wars, as brilliantly played on the trumpet by the young boy in the video outside the house of Mr. Williams. The first Star Wars movie (Episode IV) changed the world back in 1977. The kid in the video is 13 year-old Bryce Hayashi. He wasn’t even born in the same century as Episode IV, and yet, there he was playing the famous anthem of the opening crawl 39 years later in 2016.
To get praise from John Williams himself, that’s movie magic right there.
The Sweet Sound of Eureka
Randomness is a wonderful thing.
Occasionally, the gift of randomly stumbling onto something completely out of the blue can pay enormous dividends. Perhaps “stumbling” isn’t the best word…”slashing” sounds better.
Today is one of those days.
Slash (birth name is Saul Hudson) is a living legend and icon, famous for his trademark curly black hair, black top hat and black aviator shades.
Oh, and he riffs on the guitar from time-to-time.
Slash’s talent is visionary and his wisdom is equally enlightening. Watching a documentary (Slash: Raised on the Sunset Strip) about his life growing up on the Strip is a must-see for anybody even mildly interested in the rock scene in LA. Some of music’s biggest names during the past 30 years explained their experiences and personal connections with this crazy good musician dedicated to his craft.
His musical portfolio, and persona, will survive the test of time. Slash is among a special collection of rock stars that will inspire future musicians to pick up an instrument in a music shop as opposed to a laptop (or enter a nationally televised singing competition) to make music that connects with people on a deeply personal level.
On that note…
Randomness: The gift that keeps on giving.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 