Some changes in store for the new year that effect all of us who ride and drive, has Apple fallen behind in innovation? A special Christmas installment of The Binge.
The Ride: New laws about cell phones, lane splitting and recalls
Every year California rolls out a slew of new laws affecting drivers. Here's a summary of a few of the more significant ones.
Use of Electronic Wireless Devices (AB 1785)
Basically, this means you can no longer hold a cell phone while driving. The law says you must use some kind of mount, either on the dash or windshield, that holds the phone without obscuring your view. Plus, under the new law you can only use a single swipe or tap to turn features on and off. No texting, please.
Motorcycle Lane Splitting (AB 51)
This one doesn't really change anything. It just codifies a practice drivers see everyday - motorcyclists driving between lanes of cars. The law also directs the CHP to develop guidelines for safe lane splitting.
Vehicle Safety Recalls (AB 287)
Millions of California cars and trucks have been issued recall notices, but owners are too often unaware. This law requires the DMV to include recall notices and advisories one the annual registration renewals they send out to every car owner. It also prohibits rental car companies from renting out recalled vehicles until they've been repaired.
Background Checks of Drivers of Transportation Network Companies (AB 1289)
This requires ride hail companies, like Lyft and Uber, to perform background checks on drivers. It prohibits hiring drivers with certain criminal convictions, including assault, battery, domestic violence, and driving under the influence.
Click the blue bar above to listen to the full interview.
When will we see the return of the Mac?
What happened to the Mac? Over the past few years Apple has focused lots innovation on the iPhone, the iPad and the Apple Watch, but those cutting-edge computers that users were once so passionate about...they're kinda languishing.
There haven't been too many updates to them in recent years, so now longtime fans of the Mac are wondering...have we been forgotten?
Mark Gurman covers Apple and consumer technology for Bloomberg and he's been writing about this issue.
To hear the entire conversation between Gurman and host Libby Denkmann click on the audio embedded at the top of this post.
New book 'Void' explores the mysterious physics of empty space
Nothingness. It sounds pretty bleak. For scientists, the physics of nothing is actually pretty exciting. In fact, some say that it's critical to understanding the very nature of the universe.
The new book, "Void: The Strange Physics of Nothing" explores history, theories, and the possible scientific importance of unlocking the mystery of empty space.
Take Two's A Martinez spoke with the book's author, James Weatherall. He's a professor of Logic and Philosophy of Science at the University of California, Irvine.
Highlights
The idea behind "Void":
One of the things I'm very interested in is how science can provide insight in to the big philosophical questions. And I think how we understand what the world would be like if there were nothing in it— what it would mean for there to be nothing in the world... and understanding what physics does say is important to the old philosophical project.
Defining "nothing" in physics:
I think about it in terms of what space and time are like. What our modern physical theories tell us about the structure of empty space over time.
I think one of the striking things especially about 20th century physical theories like Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and Quantum Field Theory— which is the theory underlying particle physics— is that in both of these theories, what we would ordinarily mean by nothing or emptiness or something like that, isn't really possible in the theory. Or at least isn't the only possibility in the theory. Perhaps more interestingly though, is that in these two theories, what nothingness or empty space is like are really radically different from one another. We don't have a single conception of empty space that I think makes sense across all of our modern physical theories.
The practical applications:
The sorts of things that I talk about in the book are not going to lead to building a better mouse trap. These are fundamental issues in modern physics. But the fact is, the kind of physical theories that these ideas come out of like General Relativity and like Quantum Field Theory, turn out to be essential for ordinary technological applications. For instance, GPS systems wouldn't work if we didn't understand General Relativity. It turns out, General Relativity is essential for getting GPS to work. And built into General Relativity is this conception of what the world would be like if there were no matter. So, it's maybe a step or two away but fundamental physical theory is essential, I would say to ordinary technical applications.
*Quotes edited for clarity
To hear the full interview, click the blue media player above.
State of Affairs: Electoral College, CA vs. Trump, and the 2018 race for governor
On this week's State of Affairs, the 2016 presidential election is finally final after this week's Electoral College vote, California public schools are urged to declare themselves "safe havens" for undocumented students, and an embassy opens in Moscow for California?
, Politics Reporter for The Los Angeles Times, and
, Senior Writer for Politico's California Playbook, joined Take Two for our weekly look at government and politics in the Golden State.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue media player above.
3 suicides in 3 months raise alarm at Fresno high school
On the morning of December 15th, a student from Clovis West High School was found dead at home. The teen's death was ruled a suicide.
Adding to the shock of the news for parents and fellow students was the fact that it wasn't the first— or even the second— death by suicide at Clovis West this year.
Now some say the deaths are symptoms of a larger problem in Fresno County.
Rory Appleton, a metro reporter with the Fresno Bee, joined Take Two to explain.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue media player above.
Offbeat Christmas specials to binge on this season
The holidays are a great time to relax, connect with family and reflect on all the positive things that have happened in the past year ... but once you're done with that, what's next?
How about watching some offbeat holiday fare?
Every month we take a look at all of the options you have to stream, from Hulu and Netflix to Amazon Prime, HBO Now and Showtime Anytime. Our very own
has some great Christmas-themed picks.
1. Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (Netflix)
In 19988, Pee Wee's Christmas Special was released. It was based on the Saturday-morning children's program Pee-wee's Playhouse.
The hilarious show featured everyone from Cher to Whoopi Goldberg and even Lawrence Fishburn, yes that Lawrence Fishburn in his role as Cowboy Curtis.
http://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/legacy/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/CURTIS.jpg
2. Bojack Horseman Christmas Special (Netflix)
For those who might be a bit more cynical and Scrooge-like about this time of year, well there's the animated series Bojack Horseman. The show is about a washed up sitcom star, voiced by Will Arnett, who also is a horse.
3. Black Mirror - White Christmas (Netflix)
In 2015 the recent British Twilight Zone type series Black Mirror did an excellent Christmas episode. White Christmas features Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall being stuck in the frozen tundra working at a remote outpostIn a mysterious and remote snowy outpost. They share an interesting Christmas meal together, swapping creepy tales of their earlier lives in the outside world.
4. Doctor Who - Last Christmas (Amazon Prime)
Sci Fi fans are rejoicing because almost all the Dr. Who Christmas Specials are currently streaming. So whether you prefer Matt Smith or David Tennant or even the latest Doctor – Peter Capaldi – they are all available like wrapped presents under the tree.
In the special, Last Christmas, the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is reunited with his companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) as they must save a North Pole science base from creatures called dream crabs. Who helps out? None other than Santa Claus himself!
Mark Jordan Legan is a writer living in Los Angeles ... if you want to catch up on past installments of The Binge, click here.
Your guide to dining out in LA during the Christmas weekend
While cozying up with dinner and a movie on Christmas day sounds lovely, some of you might be itching to go out and enjoy a holiday away from cooking and cleaning.
Lucky for you there are lots of good restaurant options out there and Kate Wertheimer knows a lot of them.
She's an editor with Time Out Los Angeles and she spoke with Libby Denkmann about some options.
1. Brunch
"In Beverly Hills, Georgie is going to be having an all-day buffet. It actually goes from noon to 9 p.m. and they're going to have traditional Christmas and Hanukkah fare along with rolling champagne cocktail carts and complimentary hot chocolate with D.I.Y. toppings which sounds pretty fun.
Also, Public Kitchen and Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will be having brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., they're going to have big prime rib and rack of lamb carving stations and they will also have bottomless mimosas. Lots of bubbly flowing on Christmas morning."
2. Top Dinner picks
"The Front Yard in Studio City is going to be having a great Christmas buffet with dishes like roasted leg of lamb, roasted winter veggies, sage bread and blueberry ricotta cheesecake, just a really hearty, wintery menu, it sounds great.
In Westwood, Tuck Room Tavern is offering a four-course meal. They're going to have brown-butter gnocchi, roasted beet and citrus salad, herb-crusted prime rib and your choice of either dark chocolate Buche de Noel or apple tart."
3. Who is serving up the best latkes and other traditional fare?
"In my opinion, you can't go wrong with classic delis, I love Langer's, Nate N Al's is really great. But Joan's on Third also does a really wonderful seasonal latke dish. It's on their catering menu, it's a dozen latkes served with homemade vanilla bean applesauce and sour cream. You need to order it ahead, but it's totally worth it even if you just eat all of them yourself. They're delicious."
4. Best bang for your buck.
"If you're looking for something more traditionally festive, The Pikey in Hollywood is offering a really reasonable Christmas Day dinner including ham or goose breast with chestnuts, a sausage-stuffed onion, roast potatoes and stuffed cabbage all for just $40 per person. It's a ton of food so it's a great deal...
There's also tons of amazing, affordable ethnic restaurants that should be open on Christmas. My pick would probably be some dumplings or Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley..."
5. Best places outside of L.A.
"Watertable in Huntington Beach will have options like roasted goose again, gorgonzola and walnut ravioli and a brie and cranberry relish crostini, which sounds amazing. Also an endless supply of white cheddar and thyme biscuits, so very delicious option there.
Also Mar'sel at Terranea in Ranchos Palos Verdes they're going to be having a five-course dinner with dishes like sunchoke bisque with truffle butter and pappardelle pasta with lobster and burrata, and they'll be serving a dessert of peppermint cheesecake for a little festive touch. And that's a beautiful setting, too, overlooking the ocean..."