Also: Intel’s CEO retiring in May; Cisco acquires Meraki.
Early builds of Apple’s upcoming OS X10.9 include Siri and Maps integration [9 TO 5 MAC]
In addition to that, Apple plans to integrate its so-far criticized and controversial mapping service into OS X as a framework for developers, according to people familiar with early testing. Like on iOS devices, if the feature moves past early testing, developers will be able to embed a map into their applications for the Mac App Store.
Intel’s CEO Otellini to retire in May [CNNMONEY]
No successor to Otellini was named. The company said its board of directors will consider both internal and external candidates for the position.
“I’ve been privileged to lead one of the world’s greatest companies,” Otellini said in a written statement. “After almost four decades with the company and eight years as CEO, it’s time to move on and transfer Intel’s helm to a new generation of leadership.”
Steve Jobs’ yacht gives insights into his design process [CNET]
But that was just the beginning of the design process with Jobs. Starck goes on to say that he and Jobs would spend one day every six weeks, from 2007 until his death in 2011, going over refinements “Millimetre by millimetre. Detail by detail.”
Cisco acquires Meraki [SEQUOIA CAPITAL]
Six years ago Sanjit, John and Hans saw our Wi-Fi world before many others. Meraki offered smaller wireless ISPs a complete package to roll-out wireless networks without a lot of time, money or expertise. It gave upstart ISPs a way to enter new markets and disrupt existing ones. The benefits were obvious: the ability to scale without wires, low cost of entry, ease of use, and network analysis tools to help operators maximize revenue from their small networks.
What I really think about Facebook [MARK CUBAN WEBLOG]
This is from their page on Newsfeed, Engagement and Promoted Posts: ”In this way, we can keep news feed an engaging service where people come to get the information that is most interesting to them.” FB believes that their news feed is an engaging information source. They seem to really, really want to make sure that you get the information that is most engaging to you. I honestly didn’t know this.
This has to be a good thing, right? What could possibly be wrong with wanting to improve engagement? What could possibly be wrong with optimizing their news and information feeds? IMHO, everything. Defining engagement by clicks, likes, shares, unlikes and reporting works for Google’s search engine, I don’t believe it works for a social network.
The bubble is over: e-commerce startup valuations are imploding [BUSINESS INSIDER]
After pouring more money into retail startups in the third quarter than in any period since the dot-com bust in 2000, venture capitalists concerned over the formation of an e-commerce bubble are balking at deals they consider overpriced. The valuations in recent funding rounds and executive exits suggest investors are no longer willing to sink cash into online stores that don’t have proven growth prospects.
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