Mossberg: The Disappearing Computer

Walt Mossberg’s final column.

This is my last weekly column for The Verge and Recode — the last weekly column I plan to write anywhere. I’ve been doing these almost every week since 1991, starting at the Wall Street Journal, and during that time, I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know the makers of the tech revolution, and to ruminate — and sometimes to fulminate — about their creations.

Now, as I prepare to retire at the end of that very long and world-changing stretch, it seems appropriate to ponder the sweep of consumer technology in that period, and what we can expect next.

05.27.2017Tagged with:    

How the Beatles Wrote ‘A Day in the Life’

After John’s reprise, the orchestra returns for an even greater swelling of sound. It was like something blowing up, a tremendous wreck, the explosion of a gun inside a car. And then, after all the chaos and destruction, what next? George Harrison had suggested a fade to humming. But it didn’t work. Paul thought that the song needed firmer resolution. Three Steinway pianos and a harmonium were rolled into action, and at every keyboard the players were instructed to hit the single chord of E major simultaneously and hard, with the sustain foot pedal down, letting it carry as long as possible. There were nine takes. The tone is so big, so capacious and resonant because Martin and Emerick thought to put the recorder on half speed. It’s the sound of peace.

A look back at the creation of the final song on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

05.22.2017Tagged with:    

Arrested Development, Season 5

Netflix is bringing Arrested Development back for a fifth season in 2018. The entire cast is returning, and it sounds like the scheduling problems that hampered season four won’t be an issue this time.

05.18.2017Tagged with:    

Horseshoe Pond

Horseshoe Pond, May 2017

05.09.2017Tagged with:    

Blade Runner 2049 Trailer

Here’s hoping it’s as good as it looks (and it looks gorgeous).

05.08.2017Tagged with: