Books I've Read This Week

Amped by Daniel H. Wilson is an interesting novel and the second one I've read from Mr. Wilson. In a near future America, we see a growing amount of discontent between the pure humans and amplified humans or amps. In Wilson's world technology has progressed to such a degree that people are grafted with computers that solve common medical problems like bad eyesight or epileptic seizures. A political party emerges to basically discriminate against the Amped humans. There certainly is a parallel between what is going on in the novel and the discrimination against South African runner Oscar Pistorius. The novel is full of very interesting ideas and I recommend it as a good thought provoking read.

Tapworthy: Designing Great iPhone Apps by Josh Clark may be focused on developing iPhone applications but there is a lot of great cross over advice for mobile developers. It really helps developers understand the design of good touch interfaces, how to give your app a personality, common touch gestures and the importance of a good icon.