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Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: TJ Spyke on April 14, 2013, 11:24:32 PM

Title: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 14, 2013, 11:24:32 PM
There is one for Android, so I thought maybe there could be a general thread on Apple news and discussion. I will start it off with general stuff.


Reports are that Apple will unveil iOS 7 at the 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference (iOS 5 was announced at the 2011 one, and iOS 6 at the 2012 one), which would mean a mid-August release at the earliest. It will supposedly be sleeker and more simple.

UK consumer watch dog the Office of Fair Trading is investigating Apple over the issue of in-app purchases in games aimed at children following a 300% increase in complaints about it from consumers (including a UK police officer who reported his own child for fraud after refused to refund $5,680 worth of in-app purchases his kid made). Although any ruling would only affect the UK, the size of the UK market could lead to any ruling to cause Apple to tighten rules on in-app purchases from childrens games.


Code in the beta version of OS X 10.8.4 suggest that future Mac's may support 802.11ac, the proposed next generation of wi-fi (currently its 802.11n). 802.11ac is not yet ratified by the IEEE (though its expected to do so by late 2013 or early 2014). It will provide a major bump in speed and performance, up to 1.3Gbpsm though it only uses the 5Ghz band and isnt as efficient at getting through solid objects like floors and walls.
[/size]
[/size]Apple has reportedly agreed to pay $53 million to settle a 2010 class action lawsuit regarding Apple refusing to honor warranties on iOS devices.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 01:05:40 AM
I just hope they make the drop-down menu more like the Android one. And for the love of all that is holy, give the next iPhone a fucking micro SD card slot. I'm tired of running out of room on iOS devices.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 15, 2013, 01:11:09 AM
I would love an SD card slot, but I think Apple likes forcing people to upgrade to a bigger model if they want more space. I hope that they bring back smaller options for the iPod Touch. I hate that the 5th gen iPod Touch only comes in 32GB and 64GB (4th gen let you get 8GB and 16GB), which means you have to spend at least $300 if you want a 5th gen iPod Touch.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 01:12:17 AM
I would love an SD card slot, but I think Apple likes forcing people to upgrade to a bigger model if they want more space. I hope that they bring back smaller options for the iPod Touch. I hate that the 5th gen iPod Touch only comes in 32GB and 64GB (4th gen let you get 8GB and 16GB), which means you have to spend at least $300 if you want a 5th gen iPod Touch.


Why would you want anything less?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 15, 2013, 01:15:18 AM
I want it as an option for affordability reasons. Not everyone who wants an iPod Touch can afford to shell out $300 ($324 after tax in New York) on one.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 01:24:09 AM
I want it as an option for affordability reasons. Not everyone who wants an iPod Touch can afford to shell out $300 ($324 after tax in New York) on one.


Then why not get the 4th Gen model? They are still being produced and sold alongside the 5th Gen, and are getting cheaper every month. I mean, just go to the refurbished Apple Store and you'll see what I mean:


http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod/ipod_touch


8GB for $150, 16GB for $170, and 32GB for $180. Not a bad deal, unless you REALLY want the better camera and bigger screen.



Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 15, 2013, 01:29:02 AM
It also helps future-proof for Apps since some games dont work for older iOS systems.

The 5th gen looks pretty good. I don't know, I just think Apple should give consumers choices.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 01:48:03 AM
I recently subscribed to iTunes Match, which I'm liking a lot. It makes managing music on my iOS devices a lot more streamlined than it was before.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 15, 2013, 02:02:30 AM
It doesn't matter what Apple does with iOS7. I'm going to buy the next iPhone anyway. I don't think it's better or worse than other phones. It suits my needs, I'm used to it, and all I really want now is 4G. The Blackberry Z10 intrigued me, but why bother? I'm going to use them exactly the same way. Might as well get the one that's supported by practically everything.

On a separate note, I hope the next iMac has a Retina Display. I've been meaning to get an iMac for a while now, but since Apple released the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, I figured I would wait. My MacBook Pro is still running well so I'm in no rush until Apple finally upgrades the iMac's screen.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 02:07:06 AM
I will also be buying the next iPhone, because I still have an iPhone 4. I was planning to get an iPhone 5 but was waiting until there was an untethered jailbreak for it, and then that took a lot longer than I expected and by that point I had other things I wanted to buy, and then I decided to wait for the next one.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 02:13:33 AM
My first smartphone will probably be the iPhone 5 once either the 5S is released or the 6 is.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 15, 2013, 08:31:17 AM
I've only seen one person with a 5th gen iPod Touch, they must not be selling that well.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 08:32:59 AM
I imagine the booming sales of smartphones have cut into the demand for a device like that.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 15, 2013, 12:50:06 PM
True, and I imagine Apple making the cheapest one $300 isn't helping either. Most people I knew with a iPod Touch had either the 8 or 16GB models.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 15, 2013, 02:18:50 PM
I go with price, for the most part. They still sell **** tons of 4th gen iPod Touch (I replace the screen of at least 10 a week), no one has ever brought in a 5th gen.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 02:29:44 PM
I'm hoping they start going down a lot in price because of this.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 15, 2013, 04:30:51 PM
Me too. My iPod Touch was stolen about a month ago. If i'm going to replace it, I would prefer 5th gen due to the improvements (like the camera being 5MP vs. just 0.8MP for 4th gen, Siri, faster processor, bigger screen, etc.)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 15, 2013, 04:43:11 PM
Wait the 4th Ge screen was only .8 MP? No wonder it looked like ****! And people were bitching about the DSi/3DS having a low quality camera...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 15, 2013, 05:56:06 PM
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mapo7wRWr31r2lzg6o1_500.jpg)

(http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/applemaps-castaway.jpg)

(http://imagehaul.com/thehauls/08d0c22d8b16a4d2dc73088aa9a18094.jpg)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cx0fMEM3OR4/SwVgkUL8wkI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/QCBOLXMwXsQ/s1600/Mac+Users.jpg)

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/28/article-1246801-08104204000005DC-764_634x448.jpg)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 15, 2013, 06:07:05 PM
Nailed it!
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 15, 2013, 07:12:28 PM
I was going to offer a rebuttal, but this is the same person who posted roughly 147 straight "SO OBLIVIOUS..." posts so clearly that would be a waste of time. Just once before I die I would like to see an Apple thread not descend into this nonsense. Just once. I feel like there's a better chance of me riding a unicorn into Atlantis.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 15, 2013, 07:23:17 PM
I was going to offer a rebuttal, but this is the same person who posted roughly 147 straight "SO OBLIVIOUS..." posts so clearly that would be a waste of time. Just once before I die I would like to see an Apple thread not descend into this nonsense. Just once. I feel like there's a better chance of me riding a unicorn into Atlantis.
the first three are legitimate criticisms of apple
the fourth one is basically a universal truth
the fifth one was a bit stretchy but... don't care
adrock, challenge accepted
 
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 07:27:38 PM
Saying the iPhone hasn't changed because Springboard is largely the same as it was in 2007 is beyond stupid.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 15, 2013, 08:46:30 PM
Saying the iPhone hasn't changed because Springboard sucks compared to the homescreen of any android device that runs 1.5 'cupcake'(released in 2009) or above is beyond stupid.
Fixed
:D
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 08:51:38 PM
I wouldn't say Springboard sucks next to an Android home screen, but then again that's a very subjective topic. I personally think the simplicity and clean design Apple has used since the beginning is better than a lot of what I've seen of Android. But again, subjective.

This OS wars bullshit, be it Windows vs. Mac or iOS vs. Android, is incredibly tiresome. Use what you like and don't be a douche to people who chose something different.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 15, 2013, 08:58:29 PM
I wouldn't say Springboard sucks next to an Android home screen, but then again that's a very subjective topic. I personally think the simplicity and clean design Apple has used since the beginning is better than a lot of what I've seen of Android. But again, subjective.

This OS wars bullshit, be it Windows vs. Mac or iOS vs. Android, is incredibly tiresome. Use what you like and don't be a douche to people who chose something different.
the Android homescreen simply offers more flexibility, that's the general thing here...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 15, 2013, 09:02:46 PM
Which is great, for some users.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 15, 2013, 09:04:54 PM
Which is great, for some users.
it's great for everyone, honestly android you can go with just endless screens of apps or you can do some unique things
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 15, 2013, 09:22:38 PM
Meh.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 15, 2013, 09:26:06 PM
This OS wars bullshit, be it Windows vs. Mac or iOS vs. Android, is incredibly tiresome. Use what you like and don't be a douche to people who chose something different.
I know, seriously. I don't know why it matters to people.

The operating system isn't even the main reason I originally chose an iPhone. It ranked highest on battery life. It's the same reason I bought a MacBook Pro. I'm sure that's not first on everyone's list. Some Android phones have beaten the iPhone on battery life since, but I've yet to be let down by my iPhone so I'm sticking with it until it does. The only reason I switched from Blackberry was because their browser was severely dated and youtube sucked on it. Those are most of what I use these things for. I don't care about things like the user interface as long as **** happens when I touch the screen.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 15, 2013, 09:37:19 PM
If we're just talking home screens, there is no comparison. At all. Unless you jailbreak.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2013, 10:47:21 PM
I do jailbreak, but still only modify the homescreen very little. Mostly just Springtomize to make it 5x5 instead of 4x4, and Gridlock to let me place icons anywhere on the grid and not just all next to each other in rows. There are lots of other home screen tweaks that would make mine closer to Android, and I have no desire for them.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 16, 2013, 02:08:54 PM
I get really sick of the type of bitching and flamebaiting that comes with these kinds of threads. Like Adrock said, I'd just like to have a discussion about Apple products without blatant fanboyism blanketing the conversation. Considering that many of you are hardcore Nintendo fans, you should know about fanboyism.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 03:19:13 PM
Sigh, I had high hopes when I started this thread. Instead of blaming the person who derailed the thread, lets get back on topic.

Any predictions on the iPhone 5S/possible new iPod Touch and iPads?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 16, 2013, 03:44:01 PM
Jony Ive doesn't have Scott Forstall's hard-on for skeuomorphism so that will likely be gone from iOS which is neat, but nothing to write home about. I think Apple will eventually move to a larger screen like 4.5 inches to appeal people who dig larger screens (I'd probably get it), but maybe next year. I'd be really surprised to see any major changes from the 5. It's a spec bump year. I'm also terrible at predicting things...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 05:25:56 PM
I think this will mostly be a spec bump year as well. I think I saw on WSJ that Apple was considering offering various sizes/price points for the iPhone. I don't really believe it, but I didn't believe in the iPad Mini either.

To be honest, owning an iPad makes me not want/need a larger screen phone. I honestly barely use the thing anymore beyond normal phone usage and some social media (but only when I'm commuting to work) (not driving). Having a smaller device makes it easier to fit in my pocket. Though I am looking forward to getting a "5S" or w/e Apple ends up calling it. A taller phone means it'll fit better in my suit jacket pockets.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on April 16, 2013, 05:33:36 PM
...
(but only when I'm not commuting to work) (not driving).
...
He Protesth to Much I think.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on April 16, 2013, 05:44:28 PM
I wouldn't say Springboard sucks next to an Android home screen, but then again that's a very subjective topic. I personally think the simplicity and clean design Apple has used since the beginning is better than a lot of what I've seen of Android. But again, subjective.

This OS wars bullshit, be it Windows vs. Mac or iOS vs. Android, is incredibly tiresome. Use what you like and don't be a douche to people who chose something different.

The Seattle Mariners are totally better than the Cleveland Racist Imageries...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 05:53:42 PM
Sigh, I had high hopes when I started this thread. Instead of blaming the person who derailed the thread, lets get back on topic.

Any predictions on the iPhone 5S/possible new iPod Touch and iPads?
its going to suck compared to android
i think their going to either:
a. introduce a new feature exclusive to the new device that was originally an app made by some software company for the current hardware that apple bought out and removed from the app store.

b. there going to introduce a new feature called NFC that was entirely created by apple and not these other guys that already have it and are about to get sued for copying a device that doesn't exist yet...

and it will come with a new patent infringement scanner so that now you can join in the battle against rectangles with rounded corners not made by Apple...:D :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 16, 2013, 06:06:23 PM
Yeah Apple sucks just like the Seattle Sounders.
Windows Phone and the Chicago Fire for life.
 
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 06:18:38 PM
pokepal, you are anti-Apple. That is fine, but it sounds like you are just trolling in this thread. And you realize that the Android OS was made by another company and then bought out by Google? Every hardware company has pretty much done this, but a innovative feature made by an unknown company.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 06:20:55 PM
how am i trolling i am just livening the discussion :D
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 16, 2013, 06:53:24 PM
Actually, no, you aren't. If you have nothing to continue the conversation with besides flamebait, maybe you should just remove yourself from the thread.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 16, 2013, 07:00:44 PM
pokepal, you are anti-Apple. That is fine, but it sounds like you are just trolling in this thread. And you realize that the Android OS was made by another company and then bought out by Google? Every hardware company has pretty much done this, but a innovative feature made by an unknown company.
The Android OS was nothing like it is now, but Google funded the original Android developers anyway.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 07:02:50 PM
I know it has evolved. My point was that almost every major tech company got their successful ideas from smaller companies that created the tech. They may have continued to refine and improve it, but they didnt come up with the idea. Sony has done it, Microsoft has, Apple has, Nintendo has.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 16, 2013, 07:21:23 PM
Didn't Nintendo invent the D-Pad?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 16, 2013, 08:15:04 PM
Yeah Apple sucks just like the Seattle Sounders.
Windows Phone and the Chicago Fire for life.
 

Hey, hey, you can say what you want about Apple products, but don't you go besmirching the fine name of the Seattle Sounders!
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 09:11:28 PM
Actually, no, you aren't. If you have nothing to continue the conversation with besides flamebait, maybe you should just remove yourself from the thread.
come now oblivion, turn that frown upside down :D
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 09:34:29 PM
...
(but only when I'm not commuting to work) (not driving).
...
He Protesth to Much I think.

You're right. There was an extra "not" in there. I fixed it. Thanks! +1
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 09:39:15 PM
pokepal is just trolling the thread. The rounded corners joke was maybe funny 3 years ago, but definitely not for the second time in one thread.

And making Siri exclusive to the 4S just gave that phone a gimmick. Nearly every phone has a gimmick nowadays. Can't be mad a company for trying to entice people to buy their products.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 16, 2013, 09:42:18 PM
Yeah Apple sucks just like the Seattle Sounders.
Windows Phone and the Chicago Fire for life.
 

Hey, hey, you can say what you want about Apple products, but don't you go besmirching the fine name of the Seattle Sounders!
Well were both at the bottom of  our divisions so there's that.
Also with out Apple android would have looked like a poor mans Blackberry 6.
 
But really shouldn't matter what you like when there are four big OSes that should fill every niche
ios
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/connieguglielmo/files/2012/09/iphone5.jpeg)
Android
(http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Nexus-4.jpg)
Windows Phone
(http://www.silicon.fr/wp-content/gallery/nokia-lumia-920/1200-lumia_920_black_fr.jpg)
Blackberry 10
(http://img.gadgetian.com/BlackBerry-Z10-Black-Front.jpg)
 
So why must we quarrel.
 
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 09:45:14 PM
Because I refuse to let Alicia Keys make decisions for me!
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 09:46:57 PM
Can BlackBerry be considered "big" anymore? It fell to 1.8% markertshare in 2012.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 09:47:30 PM
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb3em5r2ex1qz9zm3o1_500.jpg)
(http://rob.nu/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/843141629.jpg)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.sumofus.org/images/iphone-quote-final.png)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBj5tFQ_bIc/TpctUSyCq0I/AAAAAAAAEnA/khftAoD8ufU/s1600/how-to-use-siri-on-your-friends-iphone-21813-1318527095-13.jpg)
(http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/wp-content/foxconnspoof.jpg)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 09:48:47 PM
Yeah Apple sucks just like the Seattle Sounders.
Windows Phone and the Chicago Fire for life.
 

Hey, hey, you can say what you want about Apple products, but don't you go besmirching the fine name of the Seattle Sounders!
Well were both at the bottom of  our divisions so there's that.
Also with out Apple android would have looked like a poor mans Blackberry 6.
 
But really shouldn't matter what you like when there are four big OSes that should fill every niche
So why must we quarrel.
(http://milosparipovic.com/wp-content/uploads/iPooToilet.jpg)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 09:53:38 PM
-_-
More outdated and lame jokes. I am no stranger to derailing threads, but I also try to get them back on topic.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 10:04:35 PM
-_-
More outdated and lame jokes. I am no stranger to derailing threads, but I also try to get them back on topic.
these things have all come up in the past year, how are they outdated
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 16, 2013, 10:24:29 PM
TJ SAW THEM YESTERDAY THAT'S LIKE 40 YEARS ON THE INTERNET.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 16, 2013, 10:26:40 PM
Regarding the maps joke, it was ran into the ground very quickly. It was funny at first, but grew annoying after awhile (it's like how "Gangnam Style" was fun for like a month, then became annoying). The Foxconn situation has changed. The iPoo one is lame (and I have never seen a toilet with 2 buttons, so it doesnt even make sense). The Siri one was kind funny, but 2 years old joke and the guy holding the phone looks like an idiot because he just lets his friend do that.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 10:32:16 PM
Foxconn also made(?) the Wii and makes the Wii U. I guess Nintendo is bad guys too?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 10:33:27 PM
i will assume otherwise with foxconn, its happened repeatedly, but good night, i'm going to count the sheep
(http://global-4-lvs-colossus.opera-mini.net/hs27-08/28196/0/-1/a1652.phobos.apple.com/mzl.liyvjkfx.320x480-75.jpg)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 16, 2013, 10:35:26 PM
Assume what otherwise?

Edit: forgot to mention that the sweatshop reports were fake (http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/apple-economy/acclaimed-apple-critic-made-details).
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 10:36:29 PM
Foxconn also made(?) the Wii and makes the Wii U. I guess Nintendo is bad guys too?
nintendo actually launched an investigation themselves despite being mostly ignored while the media went after apple... don't know the full story on their end tho
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 16, 2013, 10:39:03 PM
Assume what otherwise?
im assuming that the foxconn situation hasn't been fully solved and that what happened then will happen again as time goes on.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 16, 2013, 11:28:25 PM
Pokepal, you're being extremely childish in this thread. We get it, you don't like Apple products. I don't care for Android myself, but you don't see me trolling and insulting everybody in the Android thread.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 17, 2013, 12:54:35 AM
Can BlackBerry be considered "big" anymore? It fell to 1.8% markertshare in 2012.
Does that count enterprise users? Also, is that worldwide marketshare or just US? I remember reading that they're still kicking ass in some territories. I know this is the Apple thread, but I'd like to discuss something related here. I tried the Z10 demo unit at Best Buy last week. Not bad, just three years too late (at least). I was already a Blackberry user; I would transitioned to Blackberry 10 by default.

Anyway, my 4S has been wonky lately. Sometimes the screen dims for no reason and I have to hit the power button to shut the screen off then on again. There are other weird things too. I'm not bemoaning these minor inconveniences. I can deal with it as long as my iPhone functions, but if it stops working, that greatly affects its resale value and we can't have that. Signing a new two-year contract nets me a brand new phone for free or close to it so I'm looking forward to the next iPhone sooner rather than later. I'm eligible for an upgrade in June.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 17, 2013, 01:00:14 AM
It's worldwide marketshare. And total sales. They might be doing slightly better in less developed countries, but overall they are not doing well. Some analysts think they could get back to about 5% in 2016 (largely based on the Z10 and Q10, I would assume), but even that is pretty low. I am glad they are making changes, but I agree with you that it may be too late.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 17, 2013, 09:21:25 AM
I go to school with a large Arab population, and they get phone service at our shop too. They all came here with BlackBerrys, they've mostly moved on to Galaxy S 3s and iPhones.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 17, 2013, 07:28:32 PM
Apple made a big grab at enterprise by introducing some key features a while back, and the tablet boom only helped them more in that space. Samsung is making a push, and I think it might work out for them. At one of my clients (tech start up) they were rolling out iPads left and right, at others (more mature employees) they really just want options.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 18, 2013, 12:33:27 AM
Apple shares fall to 16 month low (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/17/apple-shares-drop-to-16-month-low/)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 18, 2013, 02:30:14 AM
I care about Apple's stock price about as much as I care about Nintendo's, in that it's only relevant to me insofar as it affects the products they make.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 18, 2013, 07:27:57 AM
Dropping stock values are what got you guys the iPad mini.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 18, 2013, 07:50:56 AM
the way stock prices work it does not matter that much... marketshare is a much bigger thing which the iphone has been struggling with
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 18, 2013, 08:07:24 AM
i will say this, this patent war has gotten ridiculous, microsoft sued(and settled) with foxconn for MANUFACTURING android phones, Apple is likely continuing it's great crusade of justice against Samsung and the like, all the money going towards litigation could be going to innovation...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Sarail on April 18, 2013, 10:16:45 AM
Too many pencil pushers ruling the realm.

Die in a fire, I wish they would.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 18, 2013, 07:58:50 PM
The iPhone has been getting much more competition. As a single product line, it shouldn't have had so much market share next the plethora of Android devices to begin with.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on April 19, 2013, 05:39:52 AM
the way stock prices work it does not matter that much... marketshare is a much bigger thing which the iphone has been struggling with
(https://docs.google.com/a/technologizer.com/spreadsheet/oimg?key=0Apds7ufAnNw5dHhod1VMZDNGOWgtQVBLNmJ5M1ZwclE&oid=18&zx=bu5ij950o5bq)Look at them struggling! http://techland.time.com/2013/04/16/ios-vs-android/
Seriously, the only graphs where Android is dominating iOS is worldwide phone shipments because cheap asian knockoff brands are THROWING terrible plastic handsets at the third world. When it comes to making money and people actually using your device iOS is where it's at.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 19, 2013, 07:32:49 AM
That's enterprise, not total. Android has a massive lead in total install base. Just look at your link.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 19, 2013, 07:40:03 AM
And yet Apple still has a pretty significant lead in terms of software, because apparently most Android users don't buy apps. Probably because a lot of that market share is low-end models that are glorified feature phones.

Apple has the best software support and makes the most money; remind me again why their market share is a problem?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 19, 2013, 10:44:32 AM
Because their stock value has dropped to a 16-month low due to it's decrease.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 19, 2013, 11:02:16 AM
People who play the stock market are, by and large, idiots. I always like to talk about how similar Apple and Nintendo are, but this is one area in which they are very different. Nintendo is currently being knocked around by their shareholders, and Iwata's listening to them and trying to appease them. Apple, however, doesn't really give a **** what shareholders think, and rightly pretty much ignore the whole thing.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on April 20, 2013, 08:54:36 AM
Because their stock value has dropped to a 16-month low due to it's decrease.
A 16month low! OH NO! What are they now? Only the second most valuable company in the world?

Get some fucking perspective: The stock market is a JOKE. Nothing that happens there is connected to reality in the slightest but we are told that it is SO IMPORTANT because the 1%, the investment bankers are the ones that lose out when Apple falls 5%.

Apple's Q4 2012 earnings were THE HIGHEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND THE SECOND HIGHEST IN CORPORATE AMERICAN HISTORY EVER. The stock markets response? SELL SELL APPLE STOCK! Because they had been speculating on Apple actually making a BIGGER profit. The gazillion dollars or whatever that Apple pocketed was actually BELOW EXPECTATION because capitalists on Wall Street genuinely believe in ever exponential growth on this planet of finite resources. The Stock Market is bullshit and should never be used a tool to measure a company's fortunes or even the health of the economy. The REAL economy is Apple manufacturing and selling computers. The real economy is people exchanging money for goods and services. The fake economy is investment bankers speculating (ie. gambling) borrowed money on Wall Street.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 20, 2013, 09:21:38 AM
No need to lash out like that, I'm not an investor. But yes, the sales are what really help the (Chinese) economy.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 20, 2013, 01:14:23 PM
RAB, what happens in the stock market does effect most people. For one, many pensions and similar plans like 401(k)'s (which most people have) are managed and invested in stocks. Do you or someone you know have a pension? If so, they should pay attention to the stock market. It's true that most pensions funds focus on safe bets like government bonds (low risk, but low return), but they also invest in other stocks too. For example, the  California Public Employees' Retirement System has about $1.5 billion invested in commodities stocks. Back In October they had a little over $3 billion but sold about 55% after losing 8% a year for 5 years. The stock market DOES affect more people than you think.

There is also the point that when stock goes down, the company sometimes responds by doing stuff like firing workers (since it will result in a short term profit).
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 20, 2013, 03:02:35 PM
RAB, what happens in the stock market does effect most people. For one, many pensions and similar plans like 401(k)'s (which most people have) are managed and invested in stocks. Do you or someone you know have a pension? If so, they should pay attention to the stock market. It's true that most pensions funds focus on safe bets like government bonds (low risk, but low return), but they also invest in other stocks too. For example, the  California Public Employees' Retirement System has about $1.5 billion invested in commodities stocks. Back In October they had a little over $3 billion but sold about 55% after losing 8% a year for 5 years. The stock market DOES affect more people than you think.

There is also the point that when stock goes down, the company sometimes responds by doing stuff like firing workers (since it will result in a short term profit).
RAB, the opposite is true, if left unchecked it can bring down the entire economy down with it, but we should drop this before we start going politics
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 20, 2013, 03:06:28 PM
RAB, what happens in the stock market does effect most people. For one, many pensions and similar plans like 401(k)'s (which most people have) are managed and invested in stocks. Do you or someone you know have a pension? If so, they should pay attention to the stock market. It's true that most pensions funds focus on safe bets like government bonds (low risk, but low return), but they also invest in other stocks too. For example, the  California Public Employees' Retirement System has about $1.5 billion invested in commodities stocks. Back In October they had a little over $3 billion but sold about 55% after losing 8% a year for 5 years. The stock market DOES affect more people than you think.

There is also the point that when stock goes down, the company sometimes responds by doing stuff like firing workers (since it will result in a short term profit).
RAB, the opposite is true, if left unchecked it can bring down the entire economy down with it, but we should drop this before we start going politics


And a kid in high school knows everything, right? (Not saying I know stocks, I have no idea how that **** works). Also, I fail to see how stocks is politics. It's economy.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 20, 2013, 04:49:21 PM
RAB, what happens in the stock market does effect most people. For one, many pensions and similar plans like 401(k)'s (which most people have) are managed and invested in stocks. Do you or someone you know have a pension? If so, they should pay attention to the stock market. It's true that most pensions funds focus on safe bets like government bonds (low risk, but low return), but they also invest in other stocks too. For example, the  California Public Employees' Retirement System has about $1.5 billion invested in commodities stocks. Back In October they had a little over $3 billion but sold about 55% after losing 8% a year for 5 years. The stock market DOES affect more people than you think.

There is also the point that when stock goes down, the company sometimes responds by doing stuff like firing workers (since it will result in a short term profit).
RAB, the opposite is true, if left unchecked it can bring down the entire economy down with it, but we should drop this before we start going politics


And a kid in high school knows everything, right? (Not saying I know stocks, I have no idea how that **** works). Also, I fail to see how stocks is politics. It's economy.
and when the economy crashes(with or without the stock markets help) it becomes politics...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 20, 2013, 05:43:33 PM
Economics (of which the stock market is a function) is intertwined with politics. There's not really a solid border, but it's pretty hard to separate the two if you go too much beneath the surface. Tread lightly.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 20, 2013, 06:12:54 PM
says the moderator whos site constantly posts about nintendos quarterly losses...
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 20, 2013, 06:33:30 PM
Again, it's complicated. Talk just about Nintendo's financial situation and you're okay. But go more into higher level economic arguments and you start to get into political territory.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 20, 2013, 06:36:39 PM
i know i know but a chance to call you out as the hypocrite you are is priceless,
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on April 21, 2013, 07:24:56 PM
Wow....

Anyway, Microsoft is working on a smartwatch. Apple is working on a wristband. Google is working on glasses.

We will all soon be assimilated.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 21, 2013, 07:32:44 PM
google glass is the stupidest thing i have ever seen, it makes kinect look good
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 21, 2013, 07:39:13 PM
Why do you think Google Glass is stupid? It's actually useful, unlike Kinect. The only downside is that Google says anyone who sells, trades, or loans their pair to somebody will have their Google Glass service terminate (so if you want a pair, you have to be approved by them and buy a pair from them).
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 21, 2013, 07:41:39 PM
That's only for the developer version. Pretty sure the retail one will not.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: lolmonade on April 21, 2013, 07:56:50 PM
google glass is the stupidest thing i have ever seen, it makes kinect look good

I haven't read enough about the actual impressions of google glass, but I think the implications for a product like that becoming mass-market is very intriguing, and I do think wearable computing will eventually become the norm, if not at least widely available.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 21, 2013, 08:15:50 PM
1. the number of privacy problems that could come up is insane
2. i have yet to see some feature that could convince me that said risks are worth taking
3.(for lols) google glass in general bears an eerie resemblance of this for me :D
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 21, 2013, 08:34:13 PM
1. the number of privacy problems that could come up is insane
2. i have yet to see some feature that could convince me that said risks are worth taking
3.(for lols) google glass in general bears an eerie resemblance of this for me :D


LOL. If you think that you have any sort of privacy in today's world, and if you think that Glass is any different than what is already in place in terms of privacy and technology, you truly are an idio-a not so smart guy.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: lolmonade on April 21, 2013, 08:35:07 PM
1. the number of privacy problems that could come up is insane
2. i have yet to see some feature that could convince me that said risks are worth taking
3.(for lols) google glass in general bears an eerie resemblance of this for me :D

Do you have a smartphone?  People give A LOT of personal information on their smartphones, and I think the leap in security breach between the two might be overstated.

Don't take this as me saying I'm complicit in private business' continual mining of personal information, but I think that particular ship has sailed in some ways.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 21, 2013, 08:51:03 PM
yes to an extent it has sailed but i would like to keep what i have left,
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 21, 2013, 09:18:56 PM
yes to an extent it has sailed but i would like to keep what i have left,

Google Glass won't require you to give up any information that you don't already give up through other Google services. If you use any Google service (Gmail, YouTube, Google+, etc.), they already get the same amount of data Google Glass will give them.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 21, 2013, 09:30:52 PM
I think he's more worried about the video taking aspect of Glass, but it's a stupid thing to be worried about regardless.


...when did this turn into the Android thread? :P
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 21, 2013, 09:42:05 PM
Why do you think Google Glass is stupid? It's actually useful, unlike Kinect. The only downside is that Google says anyone who sells, trades, or loans their pair to somebody will have their Google Glass service terminate (so if you want a pair, you have to be approved by them and buy a pair from them).

How do you compare two very different products? Anyway my main thing against glass is that I have ti much tech as it is. Honestly I'd rather have a pebble infused with a smart watch more than glass.
I wonder how google plans to get developers on the glass train if they won't be able too charge for downloads or have Ads in applications.
 
I like the idea behind glass but I'd personally find more use in a well made smartwatch.
 
 
 
 
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2013, 04:55:56 AM
I like the idea behind glass but I'd personally find more use in a well made smartwatch.

Hell, I'm on board for both.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on April 22, 2013, 01:03:46 PM
I like the idea behind glass but I'd personally find more use in a well made smartwatch.

Hell, I'm on board for both.


Yep. I'm planning on getting Glass and Pebble, along with maybe a Note 2 or S3 something.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on April 22, 2013, 02:03:47 PM
I read the game informer interview with Wozniak recently and it reminded me of how Steve Jobs ripped off Steve Wozniak, I'm going to burn this thread to the ground!
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2013, 03:00:28 PM
Doesn't Woz deny that that happened?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 22, 2013, 03:04:40 PM
No, he just disputes how much Jobs screwed him out of. Assuming you are talking about Jobs works at Atari (Atari hired Jobs to do the Atari 2600 port of Breakout, Jobs asked his friend Wozniak to do the work for him and promised to give him half the money. Jobs took credit for the work but had lied to Wozniak about how much money he got from it. Wozniak only found out years later when he read a interview Jobs did). But even Wozniak says Jobs lied to him about how much money he owed Woz.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 22, 2013, 04:53:06 PM
I like the idea behind glass but I'd personally find more use in a well made smartwatch.

Hell, I'm on board for both.


Yep. I'm planning on getting Glass and Pebble, along with maybe a Note 2 or S3 something.

My next tech will probably be a Lumia 521 and a fitbit,
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2013, 07:21:36 PM
My next tech purchases are likely to be a new iPhone and a new iPad, as the ones I own date back to 2010, an eternity in the world of mobile devices, in an iPhone 4 and a first-gen iPad. The iPhone 4 actually still works pretty well, partially due to receiving a warranty replacement at some point in that span, but the first gen iPad is slow as hell and hopelessly out of date.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 22, 2013, 07:38:32 PM
My next tech purchases are likely to be a new iPhone and a new iPad, as the ones I own date back to 2010, an eternity in the world of mobile devices, in an iPhone 4 and a first-gen iPad. The iPhone 4 actually still works pretty well, partially due to receiving a warranty replacement at some point in that span, but the first gen iPad is slow as hell and hopelessly out of date.

You going the current models or plan to wait for the this years refresh?
Also need a mouse for my computer so i'll get the touch mouse probably before the fall semester starts,
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 22, 2013, 07:41:48 PM
You going the current models or plan to wait for the this years refresh?
I will also be buying the next iPhone, because I still have an iPhone 4. I was planning to get an iPhone 5 but was waiting until there was an untethered jailbreak for it, and then that took a lot longer than I expected and by that point I had other things I wanted to buy, and then I decided to wait for the next one.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2013, 07:46:58 PM
My next tech purchases are likely to be a new iPhone and a new iPad, as the ones I own date back to 2010, an eternity in the world of mobile devices, in an iPhone 4 and a first-gen iPad. The iPhone 4 actually still works pretty well, partially due to receiving a warranty replacement at some point in that span, but the first gen iPad is slow as hell and hopelessly out of date.

You going the current models or plan to wait for the this years refresh?
Also need a mouse for my computer so i'll get the touch mouse probably before the fall semester starts,

As Adrock quoted, I intend to wait for the next revision on each of them. And if by "touch mouse" you're referring to Apple's Magic Mouse, I don't recommend it. I love most of the things Apple makes, but there's always something I don't like about their mice. It's great in theory, combining the best aspects of a multitouch trackpad with a more traditional mouse, but it falls flat on both accounts in my experience.

If you just want it for simple things, it's fine, but if you want to use more than a few gestures it gets unwieldy, and doesn't always register properly. I bought a 10-button Logitech mouse and never looked back.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 22, 2013, 08:27:14 PM
I like the Apple mouse, but you can get a trackpad that works the same for less money. I never thought I'd prefer a trackpad over a mouse, but after using only laptops for so much I'm happy with either/or.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2013, 08:29:17 PM
Me hating on an Apple product, and Brandogg subsequently defending it. What the hell is going on in here?
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on April 22, 2013, 08:31:36 PM
(http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/everybody-panic-its-the-end-of-the-world.png)
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 22, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Not the apple mouse in particular just a mouse with Gestures, I love the trackpad on my asus and love Windows 8 gesture support but sometimes a mouse makes it easier to move and I want to play games.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 22, 2013, 09:17:58 PM
Whoa whoa whoa, I only said "like." I don't actually hate that many products that Apple makes (I hate their keyboard commands and one-button mice...yes I know you can set it to tap on the right for right click), I just prefer other devices...passionately.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on April 22, 2013, 09:43:39 PM
Apple trackpad gestures are the main reason I love osx. I still prefer windows because it's cheaper, but I've downloaded custom software just to mimic the apple gestures.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 22, 2013, 09:50:41 PM
Apple trackpad gestures are the main reason I love osx. I still prefer windows because it's cheaper, but I've downloaded custom software just to mimic the apple gestures.

windows 8 has them out of the box and they've completely changed how I use my computer.
Title: Re: Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on April 23, 2013, 12:10:35 AM
Doesn't Woz deny that that happened?
Woz denies that he felt cheated. I suppose even if he did he would jsut consul himself in his millions of dollars and celebrity status.
Title: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 23, 2013, 08:24:06 AM
Yeah, he's rich and even Apple haters tend to love him. What does he care what happened almost 40 years ago?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 11, 2013, 07:39:17 AM
I'm very happy with the announcements that came out of WWDC, even though a lot of the new features on both platforms were things I already have via jailbreak or other third party tweaks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on June 14, 2013, 10:07:31 PM
While I like what I've seen so far of iOS 7 (Control Center... finally), the Jony Ive Redesigns Things Tumblr is pretty excellent. I'm rather fond of this redesign of the dollar bill.
(http://i.imgur.com/OuP5jih.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 14, 2013, 11:31:58 PM
iOS 7 continues the proud tradition of taking things people with jailbroken phones can do through Cydia tweaks and implementing them in the OS proper. SBSettings (the inspiration for Control Center) was long overdue for that treatment.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on June 15, 2013, 12:37:11 PM
I like SOME of the changes in iOS 7, but I think changing the icons to look like somethings a kid would design is a bad idea and just looks ugly.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on June 15, 2013, 12:50:11 PM
I don't care, as long as its finally chaning the way it looks after six years.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on June 15, 2013, 01:03:39 PM
But if the previous look was GOOD, why change just for the sake of change?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on June 15, 2013, 01:46:24 PM
if all they did was change the icons i think they missed the point...

why dont you have widgets yet...
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 15, 2013, 04:10:36 PM
That's not all they did, it's just what TJ Spyke chose to complain about. They made a lot of other positive changes. As for widgets, I have my iPhone jailbroken and could have them if I wanted them, but I've never really been interested.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 15, 2013, 08:45:18 PM
The only widget I need is a weather one. Everything else can go kick rocks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 15, 2013, 10:28:22 PM
Email widgets are nice, calculators, Pandora/Slacker controls are nice (though I only use Google Music now). I honestly think the new icons look horrible, but that's really all I've seen of it. I'll try to be objective, but honestly it looks like Apple's given up (why?) and have decided to copy Microsoft and Samsung at the same time (which is very ironic), or MIUI (minus the widgets).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on June 15, 2013, 10:36:11 PM
The multitasking looked like WebOS to me.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 15, 2013, 10:47:56 PM
Email widgets are nice, calculators, Pandora/Slacker controls are nice (though I only use Google Music now). I honestly think the new icons look horrible, but that's really all I've seen of it. I'll try to be objective, but honestly it looks like Apple's given up (why?) and have decided to copy Microsoft and Samsung at the same time (which is very ironic), or MIUI (minus the widgets).

Some of those things are already in iOS in different forms. Music controls, for instance, are easily accessible in the multitasking bar. They've already shown Control Center to give quick access to the calculator. I'm not sure what an email widget would do that's any better than just having notifications and an app.

The multitasking looked like WebOS to me.

It's more like a jailbreak tweak I forget the name of. Like I said, that's where Apple steals from. They do the same thing in OS X with popular third party utilities. On there to have your app taken like that is called getting Sherlocked, after an early example of that behavior.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 15, 2013, 11:03:07 PM
I have my main email and my gmail widgets set up to take up a full page on my home page, it's convenient because I can just swipe and see all of my inbox at any time. I know you have music controls in the multitasking bar, but it's not as good as having a fully functional widget for Pandora or Slacker, etc in your notification bar or on your home screen, etc. I don't use either one anymore though, so meh. The Circles widget on my RAZR HD is incredibly useful though (it's on the Atrix HD and RAZR M too I believe).

I don't want to just hate on Apple though, and it's nice that they do make some minor improvements once a year,  but a non-jailbroken iOS device is still years behind Android or even arguably Windows Phone. It is nice for them that there are no fragmentation issues and you generally have the same experience as the next guy. I don't think they should have ever put iOS4 on the iPhone 3G though, it gets slowed down too much (same with Jelly Bean on my Xoom, sadly). Whited00r on a 3G is pretty cool.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 15, 2013, 11:15:49 PM
What is the circles widget? Is that social networking of some kind?

I like the email widget. Being able to swipe to see your full inbox would be nice, but only a little better than just opening the app.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 15, 2013, 11:20:39 PM

It's not for social networking. I have a RAZR HD, but it has the same setup as the RAZR M in this video, it's a really good skin for Jelly Bean.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 15, 2013, 11:37:05 PM
Oh ok. The battery thing, while more detailed, seems redundant. The weather is something I would want. It's a nice looking interface.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on July 22, 2013, 11:51:56 AM
Have the next few days to myself with no work or school like all my friends. So i'm cleaning up my house and watching tech stuff as background noise.


I went to try the new itunes today and I was impressed at how streamlined everything was and how pretty stuff is.


As someone who's deep in Google's OS one of the biggest complaints I can level toward the comapny and Gplay right now.


-No Podcast solution. On Android the closest thing is pocketcasts. I want a program that syncs everything between my phone, tablet, and PC.


-Magazine support but no Newstand support. Not that big of a deal for me where are the newspapers. (Its being worked on but for whatever reason its been delayed)


-Google is all about online web apps with offline modes. For somethings like books and Google Drive it makes sense. But no way to pin music to chrome OS or my PC sucks badly. The addition of Packaged apps means they're learning but only one of google's main apps is a packaged one.


Downloading the WWDC 2013 stuff for a quick watch while I sweep and mop.





Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on July 22, 2013, 09:01:03 PM
i swear i am not trolling this thread (im saving that for the iphone 5s announcement) but lets actually talk about apple stuff

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/05/apple-was-ringmaster-in-conspiracy-to-fix-e-book-prices-us-says/ (http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/05/apple-was-ringmaster-in-conspiracy-to-fix-e-book-prices-us-says/)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on July 22, 2013, 10:04:49 PM
I use google books so any ibooks users want to comment on their prices.


ios 7 and OS X Mavericks look really great.
(http://osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ios-7-icons-homescreen.jpg)


(http://i0.wp.com/boygeniusreport.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ios-7-ipad1.jpg?w=618)
(https://devimages.apple.com.edgekey.net/osx/whats-new/images/main-macbook.jpg)


Makes me wonder what the next version of OSX looks like. I'm guessing more than the apps will take ques from ios 7.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on July 22, 2013, 10:40:31 PM
The icons for iOS 7 are ugly.

As for the prices of books on iBooks. Apple was butthurt that Amazon was getting all the sales for books, so they colluded with publishers to release books for higher prices on iBooks and then force Amazon to charge the same.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on July 22, 2013, 11:12:55 PM
Icons make the OS and these icons are really nice. The only one i'm not feeling is Gamecenter since the icon doesn't give any indication of what the application does.


I do see why someone wouldn't like the OS and its design principles.  Not as lame or boring as Blackberry 10.
(http://img.1mobile.com/web/screenshot/1/2/06ea06d7f88c77088cc6e0d0d40d78a9.png)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on July 22, 2013, 11:22:39 PM
Only the Safari iOS 7 icon looks meh to me. I like it the changes in general and am looking forward to the next iPhone. The battery on my 4S isn't great anymore. /first world problems

I can't really notice any major differences with Mavericks aesthetically. I think I'm still using Snow Leopard. I'm also looking forward to the next iMac, but I really want a Retina Screen. Hopefully, the rumors are true.

I'm still not fond of iTunes. I just don't enjoy using it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 22, 2013, 11:38:58 PM
I kind of like the new icons, but the problem is all (or most) of the non-OS icons are going to look very off (and do look very off) until the developers add their own Metro-inspired icons. And when developers start doing so, there are only so many icons you can make so simplistically while trying to make yours stand out. Basically they would look good as a launcher like on OSX, but I think they're pretty bland all over the screen like that. Apple did have to do something different though, bust most people that have come into the shop with iOS7 really hate it and want to get rid of it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on July 23, 2013, 01:37:30 AM
iOS7 is out now?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 23, 2013, 08:14:44 AM
The developer beta has been out for a while. We're probably still about a month and a half before the full release.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on July 23, 2013, 09:27:03 AM
Only the Safari iOS 7 icon looks meh to me. I like it the changes in general and am looking forward to the next iPhone. The battery on my 4S isn't great anymore. /first world problems

I can't really notice any major differences with Mavericks aesthetically. I think I'm still using Snow Leopard. I'm also looking forward to the next iMac, but I really want a Retina Screen. Hopefully, the rumors are true.

I'm still not fond of iTunes. I just don't enjoy using it.


With the exception of the ios 7 style logo Mavericks looks to be mostly feature updates and app UI updates. Stuff like better icloud support and getting rid of the skecumorpism out of the apple made apps.


Looking at the Page for it.



-ibooks for Mac (store/reading/cloud sync/multiple books open)
-Maps for Mac
-Calendar redesign
-Safari
-icloud keychain (think the password save stuff from chrome)
-multiple display support
-Notifications (the website stuff is impressive)
-New Finder updates
-






I kind of like the new icons, but the problem is all (or most) of the non-OS icons are going to look very off (and do look very off) until the developers add their own Metro-inspired icons. And when developers start doing so, there are only so many icons you can make so simplistically while trying to make yours stand out. Basically they would look good as a launcher like on OSX, but I think they're pretty bland all over the screen like that. Apple did have to do something different though, bust most people that have come into the shop with iOS7 really hate it and want to get rid of it.


I kind of agree. So far screenshots of the beta looks terrible with ios 7 clashing with the older one. I have the same problem on Android where the google's iconography is pretty awesome and goes with the OS elements, but not all third parties adhere to it.



Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on July 23, 2013, 11:35:01 AM
Still prefer Metro look and feel.  I like how everything snaps together and even the most detailed icons don't really look out of place because of the live tiles.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on August 09, 2013, 09:57:12 PM
Thinking about grabbing a new light-weight, long lasting notebook. Seriously considering the new Macbook Air with Haswell. Gets something ridiculous like 12 hours with constant use.

Cheapest I can find it for is 970 after tax. What do you guys think? Don't care if it's PC or Mac (though I am a fan of the multi-gesture support). Really just need something I can lug around town from meeting to meeting in a small messenger bag that cost less than a G.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 09, 2013, 11:32:04 PM
I haven't seen a new MacBook Air in a while, but I know the old ones were pretty gimped on specs (don't know if that matters). You could always go with a Chrome book, but I would recommend a Samsung branded Ultrabook.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 10, 2013, 03:42:15 AM
I'm pretty sure the newer MacBook Airs have better specs than the earlier ones, though with the model he's suggesting they'll be on the low end. I'd also suggest you consider a Chromebook. The battery life and specs wouldn't be as good but the Samsung one is a quarter of the price. I have a Chromebook (different model) and I like it a lot as a secondary machine that's extra-portable.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on August 10, 2013, 04:37:35 AM
Yeah you really should Stogi. It's just been updated and represents the best value Apple product (the rest of Apple's lineup desperately needs a refresh to be competitive.)

And yeah, Apple's laptops last forever. I've thinking of swapping my DVD drive out for a second HDD to get yet more life out of my seven year old MacBook Pro.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 10, 2013, 09:18:08 AM
RAB, you should definitely do that. I recently swapped out my 5 year old MacBook Pro's optical drive for an SSD which I now boot from and it's like a whole new computer. Everything's quicker and less frustrating. I got a USB DVD drive to go with it, but it's been almost a year and I still haven't taken it out of the box.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on August 10, 2013, 12:23:53 PM
Can you actually get some work done with a chromebook? I need to do some light photoshop work from time to time and I'd like to be able to have Reason on there to write music. Does chromebook support those applications?

Therr are quite a few heavy duty laptops on sale with way better speca than the Air but don't even come close to the portability. All lenovos except the thinkpad are pretty cheap right now. I could get a 4th gen i7 dual gpus an ssd and hdd as well as 1080p for 789. The only problem is it weighs 6 lbs and last max 4 hrs.

Decisions decisions
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 10, 2013, 01:55:31 PM
Yeah, that kind of thing is way out of a Chromebook's league. It sounds like your first instinct was right, a MacBook Air's the way to go.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on August 10, 2013, 09:00:39 PM
RAB, you should definitely do that. I recently swapped out my 5 year old MacBook Pro's optical drive for an SSD which I now boot from and it's like a whole new computer. Everything's quicker and less frustrating. I got a USB DVD drive to go with it, but it's been almost a year and I still haven't taken it out of the box.
:O Should I? I've been told that the SATA2 connection and the (lol) PATA connection that the DVD Drive has is too slow to experience any SSD pleasure from. Maybe I'll... maybe I'll put the SSD in the SATA2 slot and put the existing HDD intot eh DVD slot.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 10, 2013, 10:12:57 PM
Is that something that changed since then? I know I saw a massive improvement when I did it with mine, but maybe the tech changed in the intervening couple of years.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on August 12, 2013, 11:10:46 PM
So anyone got one of the new 13" Macbook Pro with a Retina display? It's pretty much as light and as small as the Air with the same specs except for the new Haswell processor. I was thinking of waiting for the refresh but right now I could get one as cheap as 1090 bucks. Only a hundred dollars more than the Air for a better screen (and slower, older processor/onboard GPU).

It doesn't last as long as the Air, thanks to Haswell, but it's pretty close.

So what do you guys think?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Gwellin on August 13, 2013, 01:30:59 AM
So anyone got one of the new 13" Macbook Pro with a Retina display?

I have the 15" Retina, and I love it. I got it early on, and happened to get a display with some pretty bad ghosting. I put up with it until two months ago, just 28 days from the end of my warranty, when I got around to having the display replaced—it was completely covered. That was only an early adopter problem, which was actually Samsung's fault.

Anyway, after having the computer for a year, I still love it. I had the previous MacBook Pro for four years before going Retina, though the optical drive died on that machine.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on August 13, 2013, 03:02:52 AM
Hmmm....thanks for your vote of confidence.

Well I decided to wait for the Macbook Pro refresh in October.  Something tells me if I still want the Air, it'll be cheaper.

Besides there are still several ultra books being released this fall and I wouls do myself a disservice if I didn't wait for them (although I am still leaning towards mac for several reasons).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Gwellin on August 13, 2013, 03:14:21 AM
A warning though, about the Retina MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. If you foresee the need for more RAM or hard disk space, upgrade it when you order. These models do not have self-upgradable RAM, and the SSDs are custom builds. Some might call it the price of ever slimming computers, but it is a bit of a let down to not have the option to upgrade your computer.

The storage space can be somewhat made up for, via SD card. I supported a nifty KickStarter called, well Nifty (http://theniftyminidrive.com/), which makes a Micro SD adaptor that sits flush with the body of all Mac SD card slot. Nothing's stopping you from using a standard SD, though it will stick out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 13, 2013, 03:56:44 AM
I'm going to buy a 15" Retina MacBook Pro once it has the option for a 1 TB SSD. Currently the max is something like 740 GB.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 13, 2013, 02:30:16 PM
Some might call it the price of ever slimming computers, but it is a bit of a let down to not have the option to upgrade your computer.

It's the price of buying an overpriced computer that costs hundreds of dollars more than a Windows computer with the same specs (and more games).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on August 13, 2013, 03:11:39 PM
Some might call it the price of ever slimming computers, but it is a bit of a let down to not have the option to upgrade your computer.

It's the price of buying an overpriced computer that costs hundreds of dollars more than a Windows computer with the same specs (and more games).
(http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000019566476-xa7kup-crop.jpg?5ffe3cd)
so you yell at me for bashing apple and wind up accusing me of trolling but then do it yourself...

at least you can't yell at me for posting this
(http://v.cdn.cad-comic.com/comics/cad-20060513-3b919.jpg)
seriously, theres making a comic to bash a product you don't like and there's making a comic to bash a product you don't like with style
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 13, 2013, 03:17:06 PM
I don't have a problem with Apple products. I love my iPad and loved my iPod Touch (before it was stolen). I just think they are seriously ovepriced.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Gwellin on August 13, 2013, 04:22:48 PM
Some might call it the price of ever slimming computers, but it is a bit of a let down to not have the option to upgrade your computer.
It's the price of buying an overpriced computer that costs hundreds of dollars more than a Windows computer with the same specs (and more games).

Without then intention of turning this in to a debate, I will give a few counterpoints.
So end of the day, the premium isn't too much higher than a Windows machine, when all factors are considered.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 13, 2013, 06:13:41 PM
Microsoft has finally gotten rid of the ridiculous different Windows OS packages though. $99 is still pretty pricey, but at least that's for the full OS now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Gwellin on August 13, 2013, 07:04:55 PM
Microsoft has finally gotten rid of the ridiculous different Windows OS packages though. $99 is still pretty pricey, but at least that's for the full OS now.
I stand corrected on that point. It's about bloody time they stopped that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on August 14, 2013, 01:36:38 AM
Some might call it the price of ever slimming computers, but it is a bit of a let down to not have the option to upgrade your computer.

It's the price of buying an overpriced computer that costs hundreds of dollars more than a Windows computer with the same specs (and more games).
(http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000019566476-xa7kup-crop.jpg?5ffe3cd)
so you yell at me for bashing apple and wind up accusing me of trolling but then do it yourself...

at least you can't yell at me for posting this
(http://v.cdn.cad-comic.com/comics/cad-20060513-3b919.jpg)
seriously, theres making a comic to bash a product you don't like and there's making a comic to bash a product you don't like with style


Tim Buckley isn't funny so there's that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: toddra on August 16, 2013, 12:34:28 PM
I know I said I was all anti Apple before but pro Ipod, well the school loaned me an iPad to use while I am enrolled and I am not anti iOS period. My iPhone has gotten to the point where I just want to throw it in the trash and get a *gasp* Windows Phone. but Apple did this to themselves they just are too gimmicky for their own good.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on August 16, 2013, 12:42:27 PM
iOS is pretty awful at least when compared to Android. Jailbreak or bust.

OSx however is fantastic.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: toddra on August 16, 2013, 12:51:23 PM
I disagree slightly, I hate Android as much, but that could be because my experience is limited to the failed GoogleTV which I regret daily for purchasing.


The school forces, *forces* me to use Mac OS and if not for that I would never touch anything Mac related ever again except to light it on fire.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 02, 2013, 09:35:14 PM
Finally, in order to deal with cheap Chinese iPhone knockoffs, Apple is releasing...their own cheap Chinese iPhone knockoff...

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/02/iphone-5c-glimpsed-in-different-colors/#continued (http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/02/iphone-5c-glimpsed-in-different-colors/#continued)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 02, 2013, 10:45:38 PM
Smart move.

It's for people who want Apple software but can't afford the Apple form.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Wah on September 02, 2013, 11:32:49 PM
should'nt this forum be closed down because spyke's gone? :'(
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 02, 2013, 11:58:59 PM
Smart move.

It's for people who want Apple software but can't afford the Apple form.

Apple has always sold older iPhone models as budget options, this is just an attempt to trick people into thinking they're not buying outdated hardware.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 03, 2013, 12:04:54 AM
this is just an attempt to trick people into thinking they're not buying outdated hardware.
but isn't that always what you get when you buy apple hardware :smug: (couldn't resist)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 03, 2013, 11:47:43 AM
Do they even sell iPod Touch 5th gens still? Last I saw the 4th gen was outselling it by large margins, I've only actually ever seen two 5th gens ever.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on September 03, 2013, 02:41:03 PM
Yep, they sure do.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 10, 2013, 01:52:21 PM
iPhone 5S announced, is iPhone 5.

iPhone 5C announced, is iPhone 5.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2013, 02:08:30 PM
Oh, Brandogg. You card.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2013, 03:14:23 PM
You clearly weren't paying attention, Brandogg, the iPhone 5S is 64 bit, which is twice as many bits as your puny Android phone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 10, 2013, 03:28:24 PM
I assume that's sarcasm. There are lots of 64-bit Android phones (well, a few)...but I don't have one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2013, 03:34:09 PM
I can't wait to browse the forums on 4G when I'm at work instead of this paltry bullshit 3G I've been suffering through for the past two years. I'm licking my lips in anticipation of procrastination via high speed Internet access. Perhaps I will download a new app. Just one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2013, 03:37:43 PM
Seriously, though, as someone who still has an iPhone 4 and already knew I was buying whatever they announced today, I'm happy with what they showed. I'll definitely be buying one as soon as possible.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2013, 05:17:05 PM
Most of my friends and coworkers upgrade their phones every other year. Some of them even upgrade to the previous year's model to save $100 or so. My one coworker recently specifically chose a Galaxy S3 instead of the Galaxy S4, her reasoning being "It's practically the same phone and I'm never going to use any of that new ****. I even turn 4G off." To each his/her own.

I only know of one person who upgrades every year. He always sells his current iPhone and iPad and gets the newer ones. I just don't see that as worth it. Every other year works really well for me so I'm probably on the S upgrade for the rest of my days. Besides lacking 4G, the main issue with my 4S is that the battery life isn't great anymore. I think Apple charges $100 to replace the battery. After a trade in and a new 2-year contract, I'm not spending that much more than that. Some programs have been crashing inexplicably every so often as well. The upgrade makes sense to me. As long as it lasts around two years, I'm comfortable with that.

Nothing Apple said during the announcement really mattered to me as a consumer. I already made up my mind to buy whatever Apple was releasing as I'm due for an upgrade. The improved camera simply means I'll be able to take higher quality pictures of my cats. I'm not really sure what a 64-bit processor means for my smartphone usage. I'm probably smartphoning wrong. I've heard some raging over the fingerprint reader even though the 5S isn't even the first phone to include one. And really, if you're worried that the NSA or law enforcement is going to track you or whatever, consider not committing crimes. I'm probably going to stick with a regular passcode (if I can) anyway.

I'm not sold on the new leather case for the 5S. I just wanted a bumper even though $30 was pretty outrageous. My 4S bumper is starting to wear down now, but it worked really well. I've dropped my phone so many times at the gym.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 10, 2013, 05:18:29 PM
I stand by my original statement: any phone is only good as the network it resides on.

2000 minutes, 5000 texts, unlimited 3G (DC-HSDPA, which is as fast as what americans get now on 4G), with free 4G-LTE to come from December and unlimited tethering? And it's less than $25/month?

Win win.

Having a new mangled superphone with 42.3 applebits is great but if i can't use most of the features outside because the network is so terrible i might as well stick to my old trusty Nokia.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on September 10, 2013, 09:11:23 PM
As was pointed out to me repeatedly on Twitter, you know what else was 64 bits? The JAGUAR.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 10, 2013, 09:31:29 PM
Y'all some lemmings buying whatever apple makes before you see it.

Enjoy the niceness of iOS but your going to be looking stupid when you go to use iWork and its all skewmorphic.

So you guys going to get the 5S or join the unwashed masses who are buying the 5c.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2013, 10:06:12 PM
Y'all some lemmings buying whatever apple makes before you see it.
It's an iPhone. If you've already owned one, you don't need to see the new one to know what you're getting. All smartphones allow me to do the one thing I really care to do: browse the Internet anywhere I have a signal. I'm sticking with the iPhone because it's already familiar to me and I'll stick with the brand until it fails to do what I need it to do. This isn't fanboyism. I want things and as long as Apple provides these services in a satisfactory way, I'll keep buying things from them. That's why I ditched Blackberry. Browsing and Youtube sucked on it even though I loved and still love that keyboard. I was a little apprehensive about picking an iPhone in 2011, but it worked out in the end.
Quote
Enjoy the niceness of iOS but your going to be looking stupid when you go to use iWork and its all skewmorphic.
Seriously? Who cares? It's free. Honestly, I didn't like iWork on OSX and went out of my way to buy Office for Mac (because I'm familiar with Office). However, iWork is free with a new iPhone. I may never use it, but I can't rightly bemoan optional programs I'm not paying for.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on September 10, 2013, 11:48:07 PM
I can't wait to browse the forums on 4G when I'm at work instead of this paltry bullshit 3G I've been suffering through for the past two years. I'm licking my lips in anticipation of procrastination via high speed Internet access. Perhaps I will download a new app. Just one.
Doesn't your work have WiFi?

As a 5 owner. I won't be updating this month. I have a strangely unresponsive phone at times but that's probably due to suffering a few knocks with it. I was surprised the 5C is a marginal improvement on the 5. I'm not sure they're really going to target the budget market with a phone costing AU$750. I was expecting a plastic version of the 4 but with lightning and the bigger screen.

For those of you that ARE upgrading, do you intend to use Apple's new trade in service? I think it sounds really good and just think, you're old phone will be resold in China and other emerging markets! You get a new phone, Apple get some money and poor people get a cheap smartphone! Everyone wins!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 11, 2013, 12:51:01 AM
Y'all some lemmings buying whatever apple makes before you see it.
It's an iPhone. If you've already owned one, you don't need to see the new one to know what you're getting. All smartphones allow me to do the one thing I really care to do: browse the Internet anywhere I have a signal. I'm sticking with the iPhone because it's already familiar to me and I'll stick with the brand until it fails to do what I need it to do. This isn't fanboyism. I want things and as long as Apple provides these services in a satisfactory way, I'll keep buying things from them. That's why I ditched Blackberry. Browsing and Youtube sucked on it even though I loved and still love that keyboard. I was a little apprehensive about picking an iPhone in 2011, but it worked out in the end.
Quote
Enjoy the niceness of iOS but your going to be looking stupid when you go to use iWork and its all skewmorphic.
Seriously? Who cares? It's free. Honestly, I didn't like iWork on OSX and went out of my way to buy Office for Mac (because I'm familiar with Office). However, iWork is free with a new iPhone. I may never use it, but I can't rightly bemoan optional programs I'm not paying for.


Joking.


Overall safe but nice upgrade.


5c>>>5s
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on September 11, 2013, 02:52:15 AM
NFC next year then huh?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 11, 2013, 07:27:01 AM
Joking.
I suggest better jokes.
Quote
5c>>>5s
I only get a new phone once every two years so I'm going to treat myself to the newest one. I really don't know what any of the specs mean, but I presume the extra power will help me out more in the long run, notably with next year's iOS 8 upgrade which is worth it to me.
NFC next year then huh?
I'm under the impression that NFC is simply one of those technologies that Apple refuses to support, like Blu Ray. If they wanted NFC in their devices, it'd be in there by now. It's not like 4G where they waited an extra year for the technology to mature. Apple could include NFC very easily if they wanted. I don't think I'd ever use it, but it's one of those things that comes up in conversation.

Also, sadly no, I don't have WiFi at work. They don't let us do anything fun here. If I did, I wouldn't be nearly as excited about 4G.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 11, 2013, 08:58:29 AM
NFC in iPad and iPhone would be nice for sellers who use the devices as Credit card readers.  Might prompt the tech to actually get supported.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 11, 2013, 05:15:03 PM
so apple honestly believes that a phone that costs $550 dollars w/o a contract can be classified as a budget model.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Natalka/CatLaughGIF-1.gif)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 11, 2013, 05:24:40 PM
I thought the 4S is supposed to be their budget model. It's zero dollars with a two year contract.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 11, 2013, 07:08:04 PM
I thought the 4S is supposed to be their budget model. It's zero dollars with a two year contract.


It is but the 5c was originally rumored to be apple's nexus 4 a good mid range device that was going to be $200-350 off contract. Was never going to happen when you look at the ipad mini.


On closer inspection I do like the silver 5s and the 5c looks a bit weird. Can the cases snap off or is a one piece phone like past models.


I have to say this is legitmatlly the first time where I can say there's a better deigned phne running Android.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 11, 2013, 08:41:35 PM
Clearly, the 5c isn't meant to be low budget. Apple isn't really a cost leader in anything. This (http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/10/apples-iphone-5c-isnt-low-cost/) sums up what the company seems to be going for nicely.

As another 4 owner, I knew I was buying the new iPhone this year (despite the temptation to switch to WP7) before anything was announced or rumored.  I like that I'm getting 64GB of storage, 4G, and better reception. That's what I wanted.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 11, 2013, 09:01:05 PM
The cases can break, but not very easily - but they are *incredibly* soft and will scratch, chip, and get bent out of shape very easily.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 19, 2013, 07:46:27 AM
I wasn't going to download iOS 7 since I plan on buying the 5S tomorrow, but I was prompted so whatever. Well, everyone and their mother was trying to get that update so it took forever. I kept trying to install until I passed out then I finally was able to verify the update around 10pm last night.

It's pretty much the same thing with more colors. Since I'm still using a 4S, performance is no different. Control Center is pretty awesome. I think Android has had that for ages, but hey, it's new to me. It's silly that You can change what's on Control Center. I really don't see myself using the fingerprint scanner when I get the 5S. I can finally move Newsstand to my "Useless Apps" folder since I'm not allowed to delete them outright. I did that immediately.

Ultimately, if you're use to iOS, you should be pretty comfortable here which I think was the entire point. I like the flatter icons though really, that doesn't matter as long as this thing does what I want it to do. I'm on NWR at work.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 19, 2013, 12:31:43 PM
Just changed a screen on an iPhone 4 running iOS7, it runs pretty badly on those.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 19, 2013, 01:48:24 PM
iOS 7 is currently Stone Cold Stunning my 4S battery. Repeatedly. It's almost two years old so I'm hoping the 5S will be better. Also, I really don't like how Safari goes back a page if I swipe to the left. Sometimes I'm just trying to swipe up/down and I'm doing so slightly diagonally and it goes back a page. I looked for an option to turn that off. No dice.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 19, 2013, 04:07:20 PM
Now it has that cool swipe to close an app feature that they stole from Android Palm.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 19, 2013, 09:27:49 PM
That was a great feature to steal. Palm had that right.

Got iOS7 on the iPad. I like it. It's pretty. Getting the 5S this weekend probably, so no point in updating the 4 I have now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 20, 2013, 09:25:59 AM
I was up at 3 this morning to order my 5S. I don't have an Apple Store locally and am going to be out of town this weekend, so I got mine online. I got the "Space Gray" (Black) model. I also really like iOS 7 so far. It's not a huge difference in UI, but I'm a fan. I have an iPhone 4, but haven't had any real problems with it on there. I've got an open Gazelle order and will be sending it off once my 5S arrives anyway.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 20, 2013, 10:31:23 AM
You'd probably get more money at GameStop, and definitely more on Craig's List. Gazelle is pretty terrible with their pricing.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 20, 2013, 10:32:14 AM
Just checked, GameStop gives a lot more money.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 20, 2013, 11:34:55 AM
I would have gotten $35 more if I traded my 4S at a Verizon store (per their email offer though I'm sure that's only if the stars aligned), but I went to Best Buy like I did for the 4S ($175 with the charger). It was pretty hassle free. I was third in line. They started taking people in a bit before 10am. They only had Verizon 16 GB and 32 GB 5S'sesses in space grey in stock which worked out for me but almost no one else in line. That was odd though I lucked out. The dude said they were sold out of all AT&T 5S models which is weird because the store wasn't open yet. Maybe in-store pick up. There's an AT&T store in the same plaza so perhaps that's why Best Buy was shorted. Anyway, the process of purchasing the phone took about half an hour.

As for the phone, it's essentially the same one I had except faster which is exactly what I wanted. I have to redownload all five of my apps. I'll live. I went to the Apple Store to buy the leather case and they said I had to wait in their ridiculous line so I nope'd the hell out of there. I'll try again after work. I should get my Best Skins Ever screen guard in the mail sometime next week. I'm still contemplating AppleCare Plus. I got it for the 4S then never used it once. I suppose it's nice for the peace of mind, but it's $100. Think of all the food I could spend that money on instead.

EDIT: Battery life with LTE on leaves much to be desired.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 20, 2013, 12:48:57 PM
Once again, and it seems to be this way with all phones now, the Verizon phone is the best option since it's factory unlocked from the start. Same with the Galaxy S 3 and 4, Note 2, LG G2.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 20, 2013, 04:19:40 PM
The more I use iOS 7, the more I like some of the subtle tweaks. I absolutely love Control Center. I know it's basically the same thing I've had before with the SBSettings jailbreak tweak, and I'm sure Android has had something like it forever, but it does everything I want it to. Music controls are more easily accessible both in use and on the lock screen. And I just plain like the new look, maybe just because it's been pretty similar for the five years I've used the operating system.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 20, 2013, 05:02:37 PM
Have you updated again to fix the lockscreen bypass? If not (assuming you have a lock code), turn on the screen, swipe up to ring up the control panel, tap the clock then hold down the power button until the "slide to turn off" pops up, hit cancel then quickly double tap the home button. Voila, access to all of your open apps.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 24, 2013, 09:51:26 AM
Finally got a chance to play with ios and it fixes all my problems I had with ios6 (mostly visual stuff). While my personal UI/OS of choice is Windows Phone I can still say without doubt that IOS 7 is the best looking user interface on the current market. I still think hardware wise that while I like the 5s the 5c was made more for the Software itself.

Still good time to be a mobile guy even if your in the small fanbase. Nearly every OS has good design and enough apps to satisfty most people. Only Platform I couldn't recommend is Blackberry 10 for a few reasons.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 24, 2013, 09:59:34 AM
Apple just refreshed the iMac line. No Retina Screen. Boo/hiss

I haven't been able to confirm if it comes with OSX Mavericks. That being the case, I feel like that's probably a no go. That would be one of the first things mentioned. Not sure if I'm going to get one now. My MacBook Pro's battery is suffering a bit, but the hardware itself seems fine for now. I just kind of wanted a desktop with a larger screen. I'll likely hold out for a Retina Screen whenever that happens.

EDIT: Apple's website says it comes with Mountain Lion. Weird timing. Mavericks is supposed to be out soon. Maybe they're launching it with MacPro.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 24, 2013, 10:56:59 AM
I'm guessing were getting another apple event next month with the ipad refresh and Mac Pro/Mavericks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 24, 2013, 03:44:14 PM
Historically, Apple has sometimes given a new OS update to people who bought new Macs recently for free. Since recent OS X releases have only been $20-30 I wouldn't be that concerned about it myself.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 24, 2013, 04:59:05 PM
No, insanolord, I want all things for free immediately and forever.

I read some rumors about an Apple event next month. It was supposed to be for the iPad and iMac. I suppose the iMac got a relatively quiet refresh since it's technically just a spec bump. I'm sure if there was a redesign or something more significant like a Retina Screen, Apple would have had a whole presentation and a video of Jony Ive talking about how beautiful it is in that British way of his.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 24, 2013, 05:17:27 PM
So are the iPods being ignored this year?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 24, 2013, 09:46:05 PM
They're being ignored by consumers, the new models at least.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Oblivion on September 24, 2013, 09:52:58 PM
Even though the new models are so damn sexy?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 24, 2013, 10:01:26 PM
Basically everyone in the target market for iPods has a smartphone now, which can do the same things. Not many want two separate devices to carry around.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 24, 2013, 10:53:01 PM
I considered getting an iPod Nano for the gym, but then I realized that I'm much happier keeping $150 so I'll just take my iPhone along and listen to the majesty of song on that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 24, 2013, 11:24:44 PM
They're being ignored by consumers, the new models at least.
That doesn't stop them from pushing the apple tv...
Or better yet the Mac :D
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on September 25, 2013, 09:35:37 PM
Basically everyone in the target market for iPods has a smartphone now, which can do the same things. Not many want two separate devices to carry around.

I wouldn't want to carry my smartphone if I was jogging, so the Shuffle or Nano can stay... and as someone who carries around like 90GB of podcasts, the Classic's been a lifesaver.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 25, 2013, 10:29:05 PM
There are certainly niche markets that are still well-served by the iPods, but probably not prominent enough for Apple to see it worth playing them up. They're there if you want them, but Apple's not going to put a lot of marketing behind them.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 27, 2013, 11:03:00 AM
I'm waiting for the iPhone Nano and iPhone Shuffle.

iPhone Shuffle is a phone in the Nano Shuffle Format with Bluetooth.
iPhone Nano same thing but with the Nano and social features.

Their is a market for ultra small phones.


Edit:


Wow, I haven't seen the new Nanos.  Someone beat them with the Ugly Stick.  Hi their white plastic thing.  Yeah that need to go and they go back to being all colored metal but, all it needs is phone things.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 27, 2013, 11:57:50 AM
What would you do with an iPhone Shuffle? I imagine there would be no screen and you can only dial random contacts. That sounds like a nightmare.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 27, 2013, 02:24:16 PM
What would you do with an iPhone Shuffle? I imagine there would be no screen and you can only dial random contacts. That sounds like a nightmare.
I prefaced it with the Nano shuffle body.  If you don't remember they made a Nano with the body of the Shuffle and an LCD screen instead of the dials.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 27, 2013, 06:33:31 PM
I got my 5S yesterday and so far I really like it. The fingerprint thing is pretty neat, if superfluous, and after having the same size screen on my 3G and 4 for 5 years the taller screen is going to take some getting used to. The best part so far is how much quicker everything works and loads compared to my iPhone 4.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 27, 2013, 10:43:34 PM
I haven't tried the fingerprint sensor and I doubt I ever will. The screen did take some getting used to and I still have an entire row of nothing. I could put something there like Google Maps, but I don't use it enough to justify moving it our of my Utilities folder. The only app I can see downloading the future is Mii Verse. I suppose I could get apps for my bank and credit card, but I usually do that stuff at home anyway. Otherwise, I have my browser, email, and youtube.

The 5S is really quick which is nice and it's noticeably lighter than the 4S. That caught me by surprise because I never really played around with the 5 so I had no idea how much weight Apple shaved off.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 28, 2013, 10:49:14 AM
I haven't tried the fingerprint sensor and I doubt I ever will. The screen did take some getting used to and I still have an entire row of nothing. I could put something there like Google Maps, but I don't use it enough to justify moving it our of my Utilities folder. The only app I can see downloading the future is Mii Verse. I suppose I could get apps for my bank and credit card, but I usually do that stuff at home anyway. Otherwise, I have my browser, email, and youtube.

The 5S is really quick which is nice and it's noticeably lighter than the 4S. That caught me by surprise because I never really played around with the 5 so I had no idea how much weight Apple shaved off.

So what apps do you use? Also you could put a bookmark to Miiverse like so.
(http://i.imgur.com/KLkX67Z.png)

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 15, 2013, 01:31:30 PM
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/10/appleevent1.png)


Anther apple event next week i'm guessing for the Mac and ipad product lines.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 15, 2013, 01:43:24 PM
They've been teasing the new Mac Pro for some time now, so it's gotta be there.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 15, 2013, 02:54:33 PM
My uncle got an Iphone 5s today in the mail. He's going to hit up the apple store today and than he wants me to help him out with itunes and showing him the ropes of the OS. ts going to be good to  finally play with ios 5 on a device that's not an old one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 02:29:52 PM
-Mavricks out today for free
-Macbook Pro and Air upgrades
-iwork and ilife get updates and now free for all new ios and mac users
-Mac Pro in december
-ipad air
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 22, 2013, 02:44:26 PM
iPad Mini costs more this year. No new Thunderbolt Display. Thanks, Obama.

Mavericks being free is pretty awesome. I'm contemplating the iMac which was updated a couple weeks ago, but I'm leaning towards waiting another year. If they updated the Thunderbolt Display, I would have considered that and a Mac Mini whenever the Mac Mini gets updated.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 22, 2013, 02:50:32 PM
My uncle got an Iphone 5s today in the mail. He's going to hit up the apple store today and than he wants me to help him out with itunes and showing him the ropes of the OS. ts going to be good to  finally play with ios 5 on a device that's not an old one.
i'm pretty sure you can't get ios 5 on the 5s
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on October 22, 2013, 03:08:04 PM
Dude....2 G's for a 15" Macbook Pro? Suck my balls.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on October 22, 2013, 03:21:41 PM
I'm sort of glad I skipped the last OSX upgrade if Maverick is actually free to all machines post 2007 like they said but, I'm wary on updating because my Wife hates iOS7 and its her machine.

Also $399 for an iPad Mini... I'm sure here thinks thats a find price but I rather have a PS4.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 22, 2013, 03:28:01 PM
Dude....2 G's for a 15" Macbook Pro? Suck my balls.
For realz. The entire MacBook Pro line makes no sense for me. I'd never need all that power in a laptop which I now know from experience. If I ever get another laptop again, the 13 inch MacBook Air is mighty attractive.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 04:13:09 PM
I also feel like apple has too many models at this point. I see no point in continuing the  ipad 2 and the ipad mini when you have the Air and Retina models out. I guess apple wants to keep the cost advatage but the ipad mini doesn't seem so great at $300 for $16 GB when the 2013 nexus 7 which has retina costs much less for both price points.


I feel apple might see diminishing returns with the cheaper models in the same way the 5c sales have been disapointing. I do like the addition of the larger storage sizes.


iwork just makes me wish google would redesign Google Drive to be much more in line with the Play apps.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 22, 2013, 04:34:25 PM
Apple is about to **** the bed.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 06:13:35 PM
Apple is about to **** the bed.


Not really. Despite how we fill Apple's going to clean up. The only reason I've (and i'm guessing the tech community in general) is that Apple hasn't introduced any new product lines in a long time. Apple is playing a game of refinement and it makes absolute sense.


Even as I showed my displeasure with the multiple ipads (ipad 2 lol), I understand why they're doing it. The big tech heads will buy the new new to be on the bleeding edge, while the rest will stick to the older product lines who's profit Margins are great for the company.


Still I feel that they have the best overall UI design, I feel that apple has bored me the most out of the big tech companies. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2013, 07:03:18 PM
Apple has sold a **** ton of iPhones, but their instocks have been pretty terrible. A lot of money is getting left on the table. I feel like having four iPad lines is gonna cause the same problem.


Also, did Apple keep the price of the iPad 2 the same?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on October 22, 2013, 07:20:21 PM
The 5c was simply not cheap enough to either differeniate it from the 5s and meet a mainstream price point for the middle market.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 07:31:04 PM
Apple has sold a **** ton of iPhones, but their instocks have been pretty terrible. A lot of money is getting left on the table. I feel like having four iPad lines is gonna cause the same problem.


Also, did Apple keep the price of the iPad 2 the same?


People will buy it because its comparatively cheaper and there may be stock shortages of the bigger models. If the 5c told use anything Apple doesn't care about making a cheap or budget, even if its going to lose them markets such as China.


If they did the Ipad Mini wouldn't be double the price of its main competitors, and Apple would be making a cheaper model Macbooks using the old plastic base.


Still Apple is still the best at bringing Hardware and UI design, as well as presentations. (Though I guess that's up to you as the big three  does different type of marketing campaigns.)


I look at Safari's design and get a bit Jealous when I feel that Chrome is a tad bit ugly. Customization non with standing I feel the taskbar chrome area in the broswer could be redone and be made more Angualr. (kind of like the mobile apps go figure. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2013, 07:33:53 PM
The 5c was simply not cheap enough to either differeniate it from the 5s and meet a mainstream price point for the middle market.

Yeah, the 5c kind of hit a "no man's land" of a market. Plus, the damn thing has two sizes, five color variants and 3 carriers (at launch, I think). That's 30 different models.

The 5s isn't much better at 27 variants (3x3x3).

Then you have to factor in T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 08:12:44 PM
why would they have to factor in T-mobile when they could make a phone that holds the LTE bands for all the carriers.  The new Nexus 7 has one variant with LTE bands for each of the carriers expect sprint.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2013, 08:39:19 PM
I was under the impression that Apple makes one for each (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint). Their availability seems based on the carrier, as in it's a factor.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2013, 09:03:43 PM
I was under the impression that Apple makes one for each (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint). Their availability seems based on the carrier, as in it's a factor.


I don't think they have done that since the 4S. The whole move to Nano-sim was to combat this in the first place.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 22, 2013, 09:53:17 PM
They're all the same phone. There are two versions of the iPhone 5 (3 if you count the patched "AT&T" version that runs on T-Mobile's network), but I'm pretty sure the 5C and 5S are all the same on the inside. All iPhone 4S were the same, just with hard-locked networks on Verizon and Sprint.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2013, 10:00:34 PM
Either way they're fucking sold out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 22, 2013, 10:07:37 PM
And their prices are fucking absurd. 128GB LTE iPad Air for $929? Even $629 for 16GB is a slap in the dick, but seriously 112GB costs $300? It's nice that you can have that much storage, but that's borderline ass-rape.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2013, 10:08:38 PM
Signing the terms of agreement counts as consent.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on October 23, 2013, 03:13:37 AM
So with the original iPad Mini now discontinued and the new one is now more expensive than before, Apple basically gave up trying to compete with the Nexus 7.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 23, 2013, 09:14:30 AM
Apple didn't discontinue the original iPad Mini. It's still available and they dropped the price $30. Apple probably could have dropped it even further, but they want people to buy the new one. It kind of reminds me of the 2DS for everyone except children. Sure, you could save some money, but paying a bit more gets you much better model. It's not a 1:1 comparison, but I think the mindset is the same.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 23, 2013, 10:15:20 AM
Apple didn't give up on competing with the Nexus 7. Apple just doesn't compete as a price leader.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on October 23, 2013, 10:19:38 AM
Frankly it was obvious Apple didn't have to compete on price when people thought iPads were consumer priced by the Wii U was astronomic.  They have at least another maybe 5 years they can milk the name but, if they don't have something exciting in that time its back to the Zealots for them.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 23, 2013, 10:49:28 AM
They'll just have to come up with another product line. I doubt it'll be the next iPad or even MacBook Air, but it'll be something. And it'll be pretty neat.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on October 23, 2013, 10:50:11 AM
They just haven't really shown that capability as of late.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 23, 2013, 11:07:54 AM
Yeah, especially not since Jobs died.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 23, 2013, 11:13:33 AM
Apple really hasn't needed a new product line until now. They've been getting by on the massive ios sales, ok mac sales, and diminshing returns from the ipad line. Its intresting we hear rumors each year of new Apple products but never see anything come to furition about an iwatch or iTV expect wait next year.




Apple has a much different product road map than Microsoft and Google. Apple has been focused on refinement and software all this year. They got ios 7 and Marvricks  out the door alongside updates to all their major apps with the expection of the prosumer stuff. The biggest news coming out of the door was Mavericks and the iwork/ilife suite becoming free and gaining collaboration. Its a simple statement of war at Google, trying to  squash their  free service advantage.


The move hurts microsoft even more and the only thing keeping them having the main office not be free is the fact that Office is still the biggest program in Enterprise.


The Only thing from apple I was suprised that didn't happen was a 4K retina display for the mac line. It was a bit odd to push how awesome the Mac Pro is for 4K graphics and high end performance but don't make a display to go along with it. (Okay it isn't that odd since the Mac Pro was only redesigned to appease the old faithful.)


Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on October 23, 2013, 11:16:26 AM
I really do like their over the top power wise tower redesign.  Its a cool machine on ever level that doesn't have a large place in this current world anymore.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 24, 2013, 08:20:20 AM
Seriously, the Mac Pro? Sure it will look cool for a few seconds, but that's one of the silliest designs I've ever seen. It looks like they're trying to pretend like Steve Jobs is still alive, and obviously his next idea would be a computer that looks like a giant soda can.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 24, 2013, 09:01:08 AM
Apple could have made it angular. Does it matter? If you're dropping $3000 or more on a workstation computer, you're probably not too concerned over aesthetics.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 29, 2013, 06:26:22 PM
How about that overpriced iPad Mini with Retina? $400 ripoff anyone? Good thing the original iPad Mini is only $250 on Apple's "certified refurbished" store.


Apple can easily sell their iPads and Macs at more affordable prices to attract a wider audience, but they still insist on catering to the trendy, upper middle-class crowd.


Good thing we have the high-end Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX as alternatives. Thanks Google and Amazon!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 29, 2013, 06:34:24 PM

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-ipad/ipad-mini-retina (http://store.apple.com/us/buy-ipad/ipad-mini-retina)


You have two color choices: "Space Gray" or "Silver"...or as human being call them "Black" and "White."
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 29, 2013, 06:48:41 PM
So is the $250 (Apple certified refurbished) iPad Mini a good deal?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 29, 2013, 06:50:54 PM
Apple really hasn't needed a new product line until now. They've been getting by on the massive ios sales, ok mac sales, and diminshing returns from the ipad line. Its intresting we hear rumors each year of new Apple products but never see anything come to furition about an iwatch or iTV expect wait next year.




Apple has a much different product road map than Microsoft and Google. Apple has been focused on refinement and software all this year. They got ios 7 and Marvricks  out the door alongside updates to all their major apps with the expection of the prosumer stuff. The biggest news coming out of the door was Mavericks and the iwork/ilife suite becoming free and gaining collaboration. Its a simple statement of war at Google, trying to  squash their  free service advantage.


The move hurts microsoft even more and the only thing keeping them having the main office not be free is the fact that Office is still the biggest program in Enterprise.


The Only thing from apple I was suprised that didn't happen was a 4K retina display for the mac line. It was a bit odd to push how awesome the Mac Pro is for 4K graphics and high end performance but don't make a display to go along with it. (Okay it isn't that odd since the Mac Pro was only redesigned to appease the old faithful.)


SkyDrive's Office Web Apps are free, and they're a good alternative to Google Docs. If the regular Office Suite was free as well, then Microsoft would get much more support from both consumers and businesses.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 29, 2013, 07:44:18 PM
You have two color choices: "Space Gray" or "Silver"...or as human being call them "Black" and "White."
It's not even that diverse. It's more like "Darker Silver" and "Silver." And it almost doesn't even matter because I have a case covering the "Space Gray" part of my phone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 29, 2013, 09:40:13 PM
I'm talking about the front though. Who the hell uses their iPad with the back facing them?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 29, 2013, 09:52:43 PM
I'm talking about the front though. Who the hell uses their iPad with the back facing them?
Well when I use an apple product of any kind I get the urge to pull out a hammer and smash it so....
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 29, 2013, 10:15:53 PM
I'm talking about the front though. Who the hell uses their iPad with the back facing them?
"Space Gray" and "Silver" are specifically referring to the finish on the back even though the bezel is black and white respectively. To answer your question: dipshits taking selfies with tablets.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 30, 2013, 12:24:24 AM
I love Apple products.  The software usually works great or better than I would expect, and their hardware is topnotch.  However, they do have a problem with over pricing their products.  Dropping the prices of their devices by $50-100 dollars would be a good start.  Or at least with their computer line, not raping the consumer with the hardware customization. 

I really want to get a Mac Book Pro, but I don't want to pay huge amounts of money for small amount of FLASH Memory.  If I get one I will get the 13 inch with a normal hard drive and Super Drive...but actually this isn't even what I want.  What I want is a FLASH DRIVE and a Disk Hard Drive.  But that option doesn't even exist.  Why?  I dunno...it seems silly.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on June 03, 2014, 12:48:02 PM
So thoughts on the WWDC and  all its annoucments.


Mac OSX Yosmite
(http://images.apple.com/osx/preview/images/overview_design_hero.jpg)




Looks to be a good update for people in the Apple ecosystem though alot of it seemed to be playing catch up or co-oping other stuff.


Cloud Drive looks to finally be getting a good first party solution to the cloud,


The Phone calls thing is similar to Google Voice but its going to be supported unlike Voice.


The SMS is something that's really awesome looking, its not native in google or microsoft but there are ways to hack around it.


Handoff seems really good if your in the eco system and is something that google can't really reproduce and wil take microsoft some time.


Instant Hotspot holy **** that's awesome.


Overall its a nice update that focuses on bringing its platforms closer together with out alienating the userbase like microsoft did.


(http://images.apple.com/osx/preview/mac-and-ios/images/mac_and_ios_mac_ios.jpg)




I really love the desgin of Yosmite/IOS 8 and I hope it cracks down hard on google starting to update all of their application and website apps at the same time. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 03, 2014, 03:16:30 PM
It looks like they are trying to keep customers from leaving iOS. I think mobile OS'es are getting to a point where soon there will be almost nothing left to do, but i was surprised at how small the changes are, and that essentially everything they're adding has been in Android, Windows Phone, or even BlackBerry for a long time now.


For OSX - I don't use it (technically I do have a VM on my Windows laptop), so I can't really have an opinion. I do not like the new icons at all, though. I would only ever consider getting a Mac if I wanted to develop for iOS, but I would mainly still run Windows on it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on June 03, 2014, 05:14:02 PM
I like OSX and I'm probably getting the iMac refresh later this year, but none of these changes really affect me. I'm just buying a new computer because I want a new computer and the battery on my MacBook Pro holds much less of a charge now.

I don't really see the iOS changes really affecting the way I use my iPhone. Most (all?) of the changes seemed pretty minimal. I'm sticking with the ecosystem because I already know how to use it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2014, 05:16:13 AM
It doesn't seem like too many major upgrades are coming to iOS, which is good for me since it means I won't be tempted to upgrade early and lose my jailbreak.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on June 04, 2014, 10:00:03 AM
The most interesting thing for me that came out of this is the Swift programming language which looks to be interesting.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 04, 2014, 10:34:24 AM
Swift could be interesting. It looks a lot like the love child of Python and Haskell, and I'm no fan of Haskell. On one hand, if it's really easy and less error-prone to use, then it will be great, but I like how easy it is to port between C++, Java, C#, etc.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on June 04, 2014, 10:36:59 AM
Most interesting thing to me is how iOS and the other mobile operating systems are making most small productivity apps useless by taking those features are making them native. I used to be a guy who had a separate weather app but these days I just push up or swipe to Google now for most relevant infomatio n, for finding things near me I use now and maps, and I moved from.drop box a long time ago.


I do sort of love how Apple has solved the condrum of having a phone, tablet, and a computer. Everything connects together but your phone by far is still the center of all of it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 04, 2014, 03:11:27 PM
At this point, almost all of the benefits of jailbreaking (aside from using my unlimited data in a wi-fi hotspot) are gonna be in iOS natively. 

I think the message/calling thing will work great for me personally.  My ex-girlfriend used to hate seeing me tweet while not answering my phone because my phone is in another room while I'm on my computer.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2014, 03:13:57 PM
At this point, almost all of the benefits of jailbreaking (aside from using my unlimited data in a wi-fi hotspot) are gonna be in iOS natively.

I wouldn't go that far; there are still plenty of things I can get via jailbreak and not any other way, though the list is certainly shrinking.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 04, 2014, 03:17:38 PM
Well, for me, I got a lot of it in the control center.  The weather widget in the pull down menu thing is helpful, but I can use siri.

There's still more stuff I'd like, but I don't use my phone for as much as I used to, so the things I may have wanted before aren't as major anymore.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2014, 03:21:43 PM
Yeah, Control Center was huge. They haven't even bothered to update SBSettings (the jailbreak tweak it's largely plagiarized from) since its introduction. Even just what they've shown of iOS 8 takes away another half dozen or so tweaks. Still, there's always going to be stuff Apple won't do. I'd be pretty shocked if we ever got something like Activator through the vanilla OS, or at least anything nearly as full-featured.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 04, 2014, 03:29:36 PM
We'll never get anything as thorough or customizable, but I'm sure Apple will put out something similar.  Hopefully, the next iPhones will make use of the bevels so I don't keep hitting the space bar when I want to access the control center.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2014, 03:49:31 PM
"Thorough and customizable" is like the whole point of Activator, though. A half-assed, limited version of it would be pointless.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on June 04, 2014, 04:49:27 PM
What's Activator?


I was kind of hoping that apple would show off they're take on a newsreader or something other than rss. I stil use an RSS reader but even with things like pulse, flipboard, or google currents I feel no one has really showed the evoulution of that technology.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 04, 2014, 04:59:44 PM
HTC's Blinkfeed is pretty cool. Flipboard is just flat out annoying.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2014, 05:00:50 PM
Activator is a jailbreak tweak that allows you to trigger various actions by different gestures or behaviors. For instance, I have mine set so when I plug in headphones a little menu pops up with different apps I might want to use to listen to audio. It's got tons of different options for things you can do and ways you can trigger them.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on June 04, 2014, 08:41:28 PM
This update to ios 8 really looks like what ios 7 should have been, except they spent all their time redesigning the look and feel of all their apps.  That takes time and effort, and good for them for spending the time to do it.  Now we have the true refinement of the os with 8. 

These operating systems are getting quite complex, and are already basically doing anything and everything most casual users need them to do.  So I am hoping that ios 8 just fixes most of the bugs that ios 7 has...like video memory cached getting stuck and not releasing. 

I am also excited for the new Maverick.  To me it seems also to be more focused on refinement than truly new features...but again the OS already does so much, so that is understandable.  I am getting a new mac sometime this year...I am just waiting to see which model I want. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: marvel_moviefan_2012 on August 18, 2014, 12:06:41 AM
What I want is an iPod Classic. Do they still make that line if so what are my best bets for finding a good one? I noticed Game Stop sells them used now but I am skeptical about buying used Apple products as every i-product I have owned has failed on me for no damn good reason.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on August 18, 2014, 09:57:32 AM
Still sold on Apple's website or in an Apple store.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on August 18, 2014, 01:16:28 PM
So we expecting the wearable and a TV solution at the next iphone event?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 18, 2014, 01:21:03 PM
People seem to be, but they expected them the last few times as well. Apple making a phone was rumored for years before it came to be, and the same with tablets. They're not afraid to hold off until they've got a version of it they really like.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 07, 2014, 09:03:48 AM
http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/06/working-next-gen-iphone-leaked/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000602

iPhone 6 photos (videos in the comments). Wow, mind = blown. They added incredible new features, including *another* row of icons. RIP, iPhone design team, apparently you died many years ago.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 07, 2014, 08:36:22 PM
I am not sure what they can add to an iPhone that is is meaningful at all. Eye tracking 3D? Holograms? Sub derma implant? Laser pointer? Kinfe and fork? Seriouly the expectations people have are so over blown to the point its coming back to itself.

I waited until the 5s to get one for the fingerprint scanner since fucking around with passwords everytime I want to use the phone is a pet peeve of mine. Very happy with it. Gave it a good, hard run yesterday running the battery down to 2% and the milage is pretty damn good.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 07, 2014, 11:00:57 PM
The next big thing I could see on the iphone is doing what that concept Mozilla phone did with a screen and keyboard projection.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 07, 2014, 11:35:14 PM
They could add NFC, i mean if apple decided to adopt NFC it would push it to being adopted by most retailers. Beyond that I'd like to see a new design scheme. I really like the the 5c design in comparison to he pretty boring flapship model. The straight black is pretty sexy.
(http://cnet2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/2013/11/19/38eedf21-67d7-11e3-a665-14feb5ca9861/0adbabc07d7b88adab394f9caf380ad0/combined.jpg)


But looking at samsung's annoucments at IFA, I can see why Apple doesn't bother, only Nokia and HTC really are making interesting looking phones these days and even both of those comapines are just briging out refined versions of the One and Lumia 900.


So were only expecting 5S successor, 5C successor, and a new bigger model. No apple TV or smartwatch updates.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 07, 2014, 11:45:03 PM
Since they're coming out with a watch next year, the iPhone 6 basically has to have NFC. Every retailer (or nearly every retailer) already has NFC though, since credit cards have used it for years. I don't give a poop anyway, I'll never own an iPhone, but I'm just shocked they haven't ever added widgets or anything to the home screen. If those screens and videos are real though, then HTC must be flattered that Apple is still copying their design.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 08, 2014, 06:25:31 AM
I really don't see the appeal of home screen widgets. I've had my various iPhones jailbroken for most of the time I've had them, so I have that possibility open to me, but I've never cared enough to try. It's quick and easy to get to that information and functionality without cluttering up the home screen.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 08, 2014, 09:19:36 AM
Other than small tweaks, innovating the phone is foolish. We pretty much know what it needs to be; a decently sized screen, fast processor/graphics, lots of ram, and a very good camera. Waterproofing, stronger screens, NFC, fingerprint scanner and the like are extras that people will want but that's really the realm of innovation we need. There doesn't need to be an upheaval.

Apple would never do this, but I really hope they would. They could grab both the high-end tablet market and the low-end tablet market if they followed in ASUS's lead and made a tablet-shell. Their iPads could still reign supreme with designers and retailers country-wide, while those that simply want a bigger screen can pay for it as well. The iPhone 6 is surely going to be a computational beast, so making a tablet-shell where it uses that processor speed in a bigger form would be incredibly popular.

That is the future. As much as Apple would love to keep them separate, it is the trend and they have to face it at some point. Will it also replace low-end laptops? Probably. It's pretty much inevitable unless the way we work changes drastically.

Apple has some rough years ahead if they don't seize the opportunity to make it theirs. Their iPad sales are already declining as cheaper models that do exactly the same thing garner more support and attention. Their phones are being beaten to every innovate punch by phone manufacturers who also sell them cheaper. The only pillar that is not in trouble are their laptops and that's because of the Air; i.e. the best all-around laptop ever made. And sure, you can point to the stock market as proof they are doing alright, but the stock-market is short-sighted.

So start the CPU-in-your-pocket trend. Everyone's trying their best to do it first, but it really hasn't taken off yet. Remember why your a business in the first place. It was not about money after all.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 08, 2014, 12:25:25 PM
I honestly am still sort of miffed by how we have not gotten a lot of MacBook Air level of laptops.  Surface 3 with a keyboard cover is probably the closes.  The Air can take a lot of abuse because of its lack of moving parts and strong case.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 08, 2014, 12:29:54 PM
clearly the best way to compete in today's market is to sue the competition (http://fortune.com/2014/08/27/judge-denied-apple-block-samsung-sales/)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 08, 2014, 12:36:31 PM
The endless back and forth of lawsuits isn't going to stop until/unless we see significant patent reform. As it is, these companies kind of have to do this.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 08, 2014, 01:07:05 PM
Coming from Android Widgets really don't serve much of a purpose since the notification bar has become so advanced on the various platforms. I still like Live Tiles from Windows Phone since they're the app icon itself, but widgets just suck up more battery power and don't have a cohesive look so they end up being a hot mess.

I hope the apple and Microsoft smartwatches  take note from Android wear and ignore being circular or even rectangle. (though I guess the problem with Android wear isn't the size dimensions rather than its not its own thing rather being an extenstion to Google Now.)
(http://media.gadgetblog.it/2/26c/smartband-apple-nike-620x350.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 08, 2014, 02:54:17 PM
I honestly am still sort of miffed by how we have not gotten a lot of MacBook Air level of laptops.  Surface 3 with a keyboard cover is probably the closes.  The Air can take a lot of abuse because of its lack of moving parts and strong case.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-macbook-air-2012-vs-asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-the-rematch (http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-macbook-air-2012-vs-asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-the-rematch)

That's from 2 years ago, ASUS makes plenty of Macbook Air-style laptops, and they typically are always more powerful and cheaper than the Macbook Air.


I replaced the DC jack in one for someone a couple weeks ago, it's a really nice laptop.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 08, 2014, 03:25:28 PM
Lenvoo makes some really good Thinkpads in the X1 line.
The Zenbook series by Asus is really good.
The Dell XPS 13.
The S7 from Acer.


None of these products are really advertised since Apple owns the high end market and no one seems interested in a high end laptop from anyone else without bloatware.

Its going to be a interesting time in tech, with the apple event tomorrow, Windows 9 on the 30th, the Blackberry Passport and the next big Android/nexus updates next month.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 08, 2014, 03:46:11 PM
the apple event tomorrow, Windows 9 on the 30th, the Blackberry Passport and the next big Android/nexus updates next month.

One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong.

Seriously, Blackberry? Did we all fall into a time portal back to 2003 and I didn't notice?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 08, 2014, 04:17:37 PM
Looking at those wearables, they have completely missed the point. Sure, their nice to look at but wearing something isn't about using or receiving information faster from your phone, it's about becoming human again. I know how counterproductive that sounds. "Using more technology to become more human?" But that's the reality. That's what will sell.

There are first adopters who are all about the innovation of wearables. People that wear Pebbles come to mind. But how many people are going to buy a bracelet or watch that does nothing new? An extension of your phone isn't a selling point. People are too connected as it is. Having your phone on your wrist will only exacerbate the problem.

So what should they add to make it sell? What should it do that your phone can't? Apple has health in mind and I think that's a brilliant start. Having your health checked everyday by simply putting on your watch or bracelet is a good idea for you and your doctor. Having data that you can show your doctor or even have an app alert you when it detects an irregularity is actually useful. It could potentially save your life. And saving your life will sell.

Another idea, and this maybe a little creepy, but how about recording at a moments notice? Maybe that's an app issue and not hardware, but I have yet to see anything related to voice other than control. Even creepier but cooler, how about having it always listen into your conversations and parce summaries of what you and your friend(s) were talking about? Like a personal stenographer. I would use this all the time but only if it was extremely casual, hence why only a wearable could do this. Google or whomever could then take this information and guess what you may need next. For instance, if I'm talking to someone and we agree to meet Tuesday for lunch, it would ask if I would like to add that to my calendar. It could remember **** you forgot to remember yourself. But even cooler though, is if I'm able to search through past conversations. That would be incredible. There are so many professionals that would love this.

So Health and Retaining information....what else could there be?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 08, 2014, 06:48:49 PM
I look forward to the Windows 9 event as there is no way they didn't jack that **** up. Laughs will be have.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 08, 2014, 07:58:54 PM
Why do you say that, all the rumors are sounding really good improving on 8 and adding new features

-No mixed mash OS what Windows looks like depends on what device you use. If your on a tablet yu get the Start Screen, if your on a traditional PC you get the start menu
-Windows Store Applications are now windowed but can still go full screen if you wish.
-Charms are gone (boooo), for some new sort of Navigation systemm,
-Notification center as well as Cortana Integration
-shared intergration between phone, TV, and desktop like apple showed at this past WWDC
-Eco-system wide update emcompassing windows, windows phone, xbox one, and probably the wearable.

All sounds pretty cool.

I wonder if the wearable will come in two flavor's one ore expensive and classy one emulating a more elegant time piece, and another one cheaper but being more styled like a G-shock and is paired with the 6c.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 09, 2014, 12:13:17 AM
It's Microsoft. There has been nothing in the last couple of years that they haven't touched and turned into ****.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2014, 01:13:52 AM
How much time do you think they'll devote to Kinect for Windows?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 08:14:00 AM
It's Microsoft. There has been nothing in the last couple of years that they haven't touched and turned into ****.

I wouldn't say that at all. I mean I've liked most of their product slate it just seems that being a combination of Logistical issues, late to the market, and being ahead at times.

For example Metro is pretty damn awesome but upon release was too different from the social norm, but now near flat with minimal focus on shadows and Gradients. But a lot of people tend to hate that trend while I love it

For all the horse **** about the Xbox One being always online, and how every one jumped to the whole PS$ no DRM movement, no one bats an eye that Destiny is always online, likewise no one seems to be batting an eye at the slew of always online games being announced or single player games with an always online portion a la watchdogs.


I have to say I think I realize the problem with the Moto X and Android Wear after the first tech shine faded away. I don't really want a smartwatch no matter what it can do, I'd much rather have a fitness band like a fitbit or one like the apple mock-up I posted above.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 09, 2014, 09:58:00 AM
Metro was and is still, straight up wrong. It is obnoxious, dysfunctional and not fit for purpose. It was a sad attempt to ape existing mobile OS interfaces and shoving them where they don't belong. If Apple tried the same thing, I would have told them to go **** themselves with it. Apple experimented with Metro type interface back in OS 6 with things like simple launcher, but found nobody used it, it got in the way, a waste of resources and was superfluous.

The ongoing Xbone debacle is more than the DRM issue. It's weaker, more expensive, incomplete, ill-conceived, poorly engineered, effectively gameless, shockingly bad "Marketing" which was a declaration of war on consumers, a waste of cash for everybody involved. It's so bad, it's haemorrhaging former exclusives.

Destiny is so over-hyped it is going to collapse on itself as the shallow mess it is. Its pedigree was never that strong. Destiny? Who give a ****, not me. Watch Dogs almost bombed online or no online, the underlying game just wasn't there. Destiny is another Watch dog. Like with more and more releases, more hype than game.

I wouldn't say that at all. I mean I've liked most of their product slate it just seems that being a combination of Logistical issues, late to the market, and being ahead at times.
Translated: They fucked up. Repeatedly. As for being "Ahead at times", complete bullshit. You are either on time or you are not assuming whatever the you are doing even works.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 09, 2014, 10:02:16 AM
so Metro copied existing mobile interfaces but Android is completely original? Get off your hate train.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 10:19:51 AM
He didn't say Android is completely original, nor was that even implied. That isn't even a logical line of reasoning. If I say I like chocolate, I'm not also saying I hate vanilla with that statement.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 10:33:49 AM
Windows 8 is the most infuriating OS I've dealt with ever. My cousin recently bought a computer with it pre-installed and she wanted my help installing everything she needed. Wow, what a bitch that was. I ended up completely wiping the computer and installing Windows 7.

No one with a computer wants to see an app screen first. I could careless if the computer is touchscreen. NO ONE WANTS TO SEE IT. It's just terrible. As are the gestures. You don't understand how many times I've accidentally beckoned the app screen. Fucking awful.

Why can't they just copy Apple? Their OS can piss me off from time to time, but mostly, it's genius. Especially the touchpad. Speaking of which, why do all MS computers have such a shitty touchpad? It's like made out of a bumpy plastic that has NO traction at all. It's god awful when simply using it to point and even worse when trying any gestures like scrolling. How is this still a problem?

Anyway, I hope MS comes correct with 9.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 10:58:48 AM
Apple computers are on the upper teir of the market. Never really have any problem with my Asus laptop but I mostly use the touchscreen and gestures on the touchpad. 

How could you possibly have trouble installing anything on a OS that is Windows 7 + tablet wankery. Also I'm sure the average user wouldn't mind apps on the home screen. You could give your average user a iPad with a keyboard and that would meet the computing needs of most.

Any who I'm excited for the fact that apple will finally make NFC payments and health items popular meaning even though I'm rocking android I should still benefit.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 11:50:06 AM
Just install Classic Shell, then your Windows 8 is basically a much more secure Windows 7.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 12:43:16 PM
Apple has successful got the fashion/style crowd to come in during the biggest month for the fashion industry by far.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bnvqCV1rXBU/VA8n4qZDktI/AAAAAAAAJr8/E7QfncXl-dQ/w547-h71-no/Screenshot%2B2014-09-09%2B09.16.11.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/HWwPqAc.png)

It has too more than a watch right,  I've been wondering if we might see some new models of beats.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 12:54:13 PM
Apparently Anna Wintour is at the event which would be crazy.


Starts in a few minutes.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 01:18:59 PM
http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/09/apple-unveils-the-4-7-inch-iphone-6/ (http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/09/apple-unveils-the-4-7-inch-iphone-6/)

"iPhone 6 Plus" is the 4.7" version with...~720p screen. Don't worry, next year's iPhone 6S Plus S" will catch up with last year's mainstream displays.


Sorry, the regular iPhone 6 is 1340 x 730 (or something like that) and the 5.5" iPhone Galaxy Note is 1080p.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 01:28:17 PM
I'm on the S upgrade cycle so no iPhone for me this year. Once again, I'll be upgrading to a larger sized screen. I think 4.7" is where I draw the line. I have small, baby girl hands.

In any case, I'm reading Ars Technica's LiveBlog. Nothing announced so far is boner inducing which I expected. Until these phones from any company let me fly or travel through time, they're all just smartphones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 01:43:12 PM
Watching it now. Never watched it before, but I'm interested in the wearables. So far...really nothing amazing.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 01:44:23 PM
Yawn.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 01:45:07 PM
Now with Google Wallet NFC Payment!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 01:48:25 PM
hahaha what a STUPID VIDEO. Was that really so hard?

EDIT: "Entirely new payment process." Really? I've been doing this at Starbucks for a full year.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 01:55:18 PM
An Apple user using a McDonald's drive-thru....there's a joke in there somewhere.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 01:56:38 PM
Yawn.
This is baffling. You're usually so pumped for Apple product announcements.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 01:59:10 PM
I will say they made it look easier than Google Wallet. But Google Wallet is still far more powerful in the sense that I can send money from one person to another. Apple Pay doesn't do that.

EDIT: Wearable incoming...Please don't **** it up.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 02:00:28 PM
I'm honestly just waiting to laugh at the price of the Apple Watch.

/grabs popcorn
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 02:03:26 PM
I don't hate everything about Apple. I would buy a MacBook Pro if they had a number pad, but instead they go with the most monumental waste of surface area of any computer.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 02:06:55 PM
Macbook keyboards are by far my favorite but I've never needed a number pad.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 02:12:00 PM
I like my Samsung 7 Series's keyboard. I can't even bear the thought of not having a number pad. How else am I supposed to play Mortal Kombat 2 during class if I can't map the buttons to 7, 9, 5, 1, and 3?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 02:13:20 PM
And the watch looks stupid. Motorola and LG are the only ones that get it. To be fair I have no interest in any smart watch, and never will until they aren't so god damned bulky. Even then I probably would never want one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 02:16:24 PM
Finally, Apple has invented time and a means of keeping track of it. Much innovation. So wow.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 02:17:35 PM
Amazingly it was only minutes after they invented 4.7" and 5.5" phones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 02:28:53 PM
Wow....they failed when it came to Health. Heartbeat monitor and pedometer? Keeping track of your heart while exercising is probably nearly impossible since you need to be still for the light sensor to work. Fail. You can't show general knowledge of your heartbeat or walking/running distance to your doctor. He's gonna have to stress test you regardless. Again a fail.

The only thing I like is the paired connection. Where I can share simple things I draw or write or even my heartbeat. That's actually quite...human. It uses technology to further my human interactions. That's what we need.

EDIT: Pfffffffffff $350 bucks? Jebus titty fucking christ.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 02:43:31 PM
I'm honestly just waiting to laugh at the price of the Apple Watch.

/grabs popcorn
$349...
(http://i.imgur.com/ruskdAC.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 02:48:14 PM
Wow that's insane.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 09, 2014, 03:21:08 PM
So with Apple's latest press conference, I believe Silicon Valley is at a stand-still. There really is nothing coming from this new era of innovation. It's quite sad really.

Reaching into my front pocket rather than my back pocket an innovation it does not make.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 09, 2014, 04:00:35 PM
£749 ($1200!!!!!) for a 128gb iPhone 6+.

INSANE.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 05:36:34 PM
And Apple shares drop after all these announcements.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 05:54:30 PM

I like the new look of the phones but none of these announcements really do anything for me. The biggest features by far are mobile payments and Apple Pay. Apple Pay has been done for a few years now through Google Wallet, and as for mobile payments its the biggest thing of the show, but none of these places will be apple payment exclusive so thank you apple for giving me more topions on android.


I face palmed when they used the Apple Watch with two hands in the demo, if that isn't the biggest indicator that you've fucked up than i don't what is.


The Watch looks okay depending on the band, but honesty its not taht removed from what samsung was doing. The having two different watches makes a bit of sense, but it seems that sport is better of the two. The fitness stuff has me intrested, but I'm hoping Google Fit is as good as healthkit.


But its weird the overall Watch UI doesn't mesh well with what Apple has done with IOS 8 and  OSX Yosemite. It comes off looking weird and rushed.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2014, 06:59:26 PM
Yeah the new phones look like the 5th and 6th gen iPod Touch, which looks better than the iPhone 5 and 5S (though I think the 5C looks better than those two as well). They do also, however, look very much like what HTC has been doing for years now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2014, 07:40:16 PM
They look like iPhones to me. "Oh, look, the edges are curved." Fine, they're still just iPhones. That isn't meant as praise nor condemnation.

I'm curious what the expectations are from the people calling for innovation. What are you hoping for? I suppose it's one of those you-don't-know-you-want-something-until-you-see-it type deals. The post-Blackberry era of smartphones (e.g. real smartphones) is less than a decade old and we've come extremely far. The amount of things that are rammed into these things is remarkable. I just can't imagine anything in the foreseeable future that's really going to change my life.

My opinion of the iPhone 6 is that I don't need one. I'm not **** talking the phone. I just have last year's model which is fine. I just can't get excited to upgrade every year based on the additions and performance boosts. For me, upgrading every other year has worked out wonderfully. I told my coworker today that it feels like I pay $300 (before trade-in) for a new battery because I don't really notice much difference in how I use these things. The 5S's big addition was TouchID and I haven't used it once. And I'm completely okay with it. My iPhone already does everything I want it to. I feel like all they can really do at this point is refine was is already offered.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2014, 08:36:51 PM
I've also got a 5S, so I'll probably be waiting for next year's revision. Still not sold on the larger size, but we'll see. As an owner of a Pebble I'm clearly interested in smartwatches, but I'll have to see more before I jump to Apple's.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 08:53:27 PM
i'm confused about the naming convention. The sport is the smaller model, yet you can get a sport branded mdel for the 42mm version. I think the smaller one with the sport band looks the best.


The apple website got a makeover as well.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 09, 2014, 09:24:30 PM
I am with Adrock. These are phones. I am not sure what people are expecting.

That said, I use the hell out of Touch ID.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 09:31:18 PM
I am with Adrock. These are phones. I am not sure what people are expecting.

That said, I use the hell out of Touch ID.


I was expecting the second coming of Christ in the form of a phone. Overall a nice update for someone in the apple eco-system. I'm most excited for mobile payments.

I'm hoping we see a major change for the Macbook hardware at some point.


I'm still hoping that we see a major shi
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2014, 09:44:07 PM
I'll be really interested to see what the jailbreak community does with the watch. That'll probably be what gets me to buy one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 09:55:57 PM

Have to say i'm surprised there  isn't a very low end model to pair with the 5c taking ques from the old ipod nano.


But its funny that this is nothing but Android Wear for the apple eco-system and much better hardware. It seems to be doing the same thing but Apple Watch has a extra step of interactivity and complexity like a standalone device, yet it needs to be slaved to a Iphone like Android Wear is too Android.


I think the Asus Zenwatch looks good.
(http://cdn.androidpolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/nexus2cee_wm__DSC5272.jpg)

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2014, 10:18:35 PM
Completely unrelated to today's announcement, my mom got a new computer and in about three clicks I was able to fully restore it from a Time Machine backup. Great example of Apple's "it just works" design philosophy.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on September 09, 2014, 10:27:58 PM
The best product Apple sold (http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/ipod-classic-is-dead-and-the-30-pin-connector-along-with-it/) has been discontinued and replaced with something that has less space, is a fair bit bulkier, and will cost me either $950 or $400 + 2 more years of my life.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 09, 2014, 10:39:57 PM
RIP Ipod Classic.


So I just finished watching the keynote and Man the tone couldn't figure out if wanted to be Williamsburg hipster or more mainstream pop culture anymore. The Apple Watch section was very classic apple in the way it was revealed and marketed, but the NFC Ad and the bit with bono was microsoft tier level bad.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 09, 2014, 11:15:22 PM
Death of the iPod Classic is probably the biggest news of the day.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 10, 2014, 12:06:47 PM
Looks worse in non rendered pictures.
(http://i.imgur.com/7NlLWlRl.jpg)


Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 10, 2014, 12:18:09 PM
That first one as Silver wouldn't be bad.  I'm hoping Microsoft comes through with there watch and blows this out of the water.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 10, 2014, 02:39:57 PM
These are phones. I am not sure what people are expecting.

These are the two most backward thinking sentences I've ever read. Replace "phones" with literally anything else technological and you'll see what I mean.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 10, 2014, 02:46:28 PM
To tell you the truth thinking about it a little more.  I was hoping more for a beyond just a tethering watch.  I was hoping for a watch that was the phone.  Like an iPhone Nano.

It could have a wrist band that you could use when you take it off to be the speaker and microphone.  Then there also be Blue-Tooth.

It wouldn't be able to run all the the things that an iPhone could but, it do your music, gps, etc.  pretty much what the Nano could.  I also have NFC in it so it could do the touch to pay.

Personally most of my need that would fit.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 10, 2014, 03:18:19 PM
The watch is impractical for a huge host of applications. Sure you can see who texted you but how often are you gonna reply with a wink? You'll still need to take out your phone to answer damn-near all of your texts. They did not make the screen big enough and able to detach from your wrist in order to make quick, but specific replies possible.

Furthermore, it is not stand alone. The most touted feature is Fitness, but you're gonna have to put your phone somewhere. And there's no way in hell some chick with short shorts is gonna cram a phone into those or strap it to her arm with a watch on the other. That's ridiculous.

It's a fashion statement. That's it. It's barely more convenient for VERY few things than taking out your phone is, and it doesn't stand alone. It's, again, impractical.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2014, 03:23:49 PM
You couldn't pack all the tech and functionality of a smartphone into the form factor of a watch and have enough battery capacity to last more than about 45 minutes.


The watch is impractical for a huge host of applications. Sure you can see who texted you but how often are you gonna reply with a wink? You'll still need to take out your phone to answer damn-near all of your texts. They did not make the screen big enough and able to detach from your wrist in order to make quick, but specific replies possible.

Furthermore, it is not stand alone. The most touted feature is Fitness, but you're gonna have to put your phone somewhere. And there's no way in hell some chick with short shorts is gonna cram a phone into those or strap it to her arm with a watch on the other. That's ridiculous.

It's a fashion statement. That's it. It's barely more convenient for VERY few things than taking out your phone is, and it doesn't stand alone. It's, again, impractical.


Having used a Pebble for close to a year now, I find it to be very useful, and Apple's watch should offer considerably more functionality. Quickly checking notifications and controlling my music, while somewhat superfluous, is something I really like having,
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 10, 2014, 03:24:51 PM
Half of the appeal of a smartwatch is being able to swipe around with it and pretend that you're James Bond.

But that half isn't worth 175$
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2014, 03:30:06 PM
It's a limited appeal thing, certainly, though you'd have said the same thing about smartphones a decade ago.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 10, 2014, 03:44:23 PM
I don't text.  I'm in the Donut whole of time where Texting doesn't really appeal.  I'm not young or old enough.

When I was in High School I figured we have Cellphones that size of Credit cards about 5-6 years ago.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 10, 2014, 03:48:02 PM
Looks worse in non rendered pictures.
(http://i.imgur.com/7NlLWlRl.jpg)

Indeed, very unattractive. Looks like a toy out of a quarter machine with a $100 band on it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2014, 11:40:38 PM
I don't think it looks terrible. Might be a little thick, but I don't think I've seen a picture of someone actually wearing it.

My main problem is the price, especially for something that requires a separate product for some of its touted functionality. It'd be nice to have while running. However, I would find some other solution to this (like just taking along my iPhone) and put that $349 towards something else I don't need but want much more like an iPad Mini.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 11, 2014, 02:17:37 PM
Its not any thicker looking than your standard Men's Macho watch.  In fact it may be thinner.  It looks a little big for a women's watch.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 12, 2014, 05:20:26 PM
Nice write up by ars comparing Android Wear to the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is a mini smartphone while Android Wear is a notification platform. But man those Watch UI looks really bad at times, and it depend on what task both watches are doin about the functionality.\

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/09/smartwatch-wars-the-apple-watch-versus-android-wear-in-screenshots/#image-10

(http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/home.jpg)
(http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/weather.jpg)




Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 12, 2014, 07:14:35 PM
I was honestly expecting them to make the OS look something like the 6-7th gen ipod nanos with the clock face serving as a lock screen.
(http://jetcityninja.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/nanowatch.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 12, 2014, 07:48:58 PM
I'll likely end up getting one of the watches. I'm fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem, have been pretty much all my life, an early tech adopter, and the current owner of a Pebble. I'm not sure I could possibly be more in the demographic for the thing than I already am. And while I love my Pebble, there's a limit to what the tech and especially the development support can do for it. Apple throwing its support behind the thing will bring far more other developers onboard than the Pebble could ever hope for.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 12, 2014, 08:14:32 PM
I was expecting a low end version of the smartwatch to be pretty much the ipod nano with the band, but apple doesn't seem interested in the lower market tier.




Pebble and any other new comers to the market is pretty much fucked. If your an apple user your obviously going to go toward the Apple Watch, and if your deep in the Google eco-system like me, than its time to grab an Android Wear device.  Really Pebble needs to start working their support for Windows phone and Blackberry.


I have to say I really like the design of the new iphone's and hoping that this may be the year we get a newly designed Mac line. The more rounded edges go much better with the ios 8 UX, and this was evident by the 5c last year.


(http://cdn3.pcadvisor.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3436742/iphone_6_release_date.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 12, 2014, 08:40:15 PM
Oh, they're back to making phones out of something other then glass that might as well come out of the box scratched with a band of cheap aluminum? Wonderful.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 14, 2014, 07:26:56 PM
using the combined power of Apple Maps and Watch (http://gizmodo.com/apple-watch-will-give-you-a-buzz-when-its-time-to-turn-1632557384) (seriously, is that what we're calling it guys? Really?) you can set your course and when you reach your turn the watch will vibrate telling you to turn.

So for example if you need to get to a local subway just keep walking untill it buzzes and let your Watch guide you on your-oh?

Hmmm.... It seems you turned right into oncoming traffic, I suppose that was always on the cards given that it's Apple Maps we're referring to... man that is just a mess there...
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on September 14, 2014, 07:59:58 PM
Apple Maps may still not be as good as google maps.  But seriously they are improving it every month, and most of the problems people were having are disappearing.  I think its a pretty low blow to continue to bash them over it. 

Was Maps original release a bone-headed decision.  OF COURSE!!!  The software wasn't ready.  But now Apple has been doing just about everything it can to correct that mistake. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 14, 2014, 08:29:00 PM
That's why you gotta make fun of it now. Soon enough they'll have fixed everything and I won't have that material anymore.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 14, 2014, 10:31:52 PM
Apple Maps still gives me trouble sometimes.  I tried using once, and it sent me somewhere completely unrelated to what I put it.  I copied the address into Google Maps, and it knew where I was going.  I'll admit that it has been pretty good sometimes, though; only occasionally giving me screwy directions.  However, not having transit directions makes it utterly worthless as my default app for directions. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 14, 2014, 11:24:00 PM
Maps will never be as good as Google maps for the simple fact that apple not only came to the party late but isn't as intrusive as Google is with data. Its one of the things that separates the watches for me, Android Wear just makes so much more sense due to the deep Google Now integration.


A few thing's I was surprised about coming out of the event.


-I'm surprised that Beats Music hasn't been pushed more in its marketing or even rebranded.


-Yo Apple **** U2, make Dr.Dre's only job to be finishing and releasing detox.


-I'm surprised the 5c didn't get a upgrade at least taking the 5S inards, touch ID and nfc and putting it in a 5C case.


It seems like most of my apple heavy friends are already prepping to upgrade even if its backorded.


rumor mill time.


The Apple Watch Edition model will cost around $1,200 when it releases.


http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/12/gold-apple-watch-1200/


Apple has a Ultra slim notebook coming in 2015 that will have mutiple color schemes. I wonder if this could mean a actual hardware refresh away from the current look of imacs.


http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/11/ultra-slim-macbook-colors/





Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 15, 2014, 08:54:04 AM
The Apple Watch [18-Karat Gold] Edition model will cost around $1,200 when it releases.
(http://i.imgur.com/a1DTXmN.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 16, 2014, 09:59:25 AM
iPhone fans get ready for all those features the only feature that NFC will be used for (at least for now) - Apple Pay.

http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/16/nfc-on-iphone-6-limited-to-apple-pay/ (http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/16/nfc-on-iphone-6-limited-to-apple-pay/)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 16, 2014, 11:49:03 AM
What else is there, really? Unless Activision wanted to use it for Skylanders or something what real, prqctical use is there for that tech? (That's an honest question, maybe I'm missing something.)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 16, 2014, 02:28:28 PM
What else is there, really? Unless Activision wanted to use it for Skylanders or something what real, prqctical use is there for that tech? (That's an honest question, maybe I'm missing something.)


Home and vehicle automation but most of that can be done wirelessly, connecting to speakers, and just laying with stuff like NFC tags.


Honestly other than thinking around or DIY apple Pay is really the biggest use case for nfc.


Paypal are already on defense
(http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/paypal-e28093-we-the-people-ad.jpg)




I'm an android guy but seeing apple pay and Passbook out do Google Wallet is pretty sad when Google should be far ahead of the game with this.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 16, 2014, 02:31:40 PM
Windows had it integrated to the last OS for phone and you could never use it like that because of no support.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 16, 2014, 06:12:24 PM
You could use it for syncing music across phones (like playing the same song at the same time on the Galaxy S phones), sending photos, etc. Sure a lot can be done with Bluetooth or WiFi but whatever.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 24, 2014, 09:05:52 AM
You're putting in your pocket wrong. You're wearing the wrong pants. No, you're building your phones wrong.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus bend in your pocket

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/24/bendgate-anger-as-iphone-6-users-discover-gadgets-bend-in-their-pockets-4879747/

To be fair, the 5 and 5S bend pretty easily as well, though not as easily as the 6 series.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 24, 2014, 09:46:36 AM
You're putting in your pocket wrong. You're wearing the wrong pants. No, you're building your phones wrong.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus bend in your pocket

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/24/bendgate-anger-as-iphone-6-users-discover-gadgets-bend-in-their-pockets-4879747/

To be fair, the 5 and 5S bend pretty easily as well, though not as easily as the 6 series.

You're wearing your leg fat wrong?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 24, 2014, 10:00:04 AM
The first picture is a terrible lead in. It looks like the dude is trying to break the phone in half. It reminds of the episode of The Simpsons where a saleswoman is trying to show Homer and Marge how easily Maggie can open up a container of hazardous materials. She takes a random bottle from under the sink but has trouble opening it so she runs it under water and bangs it against the edge of the counter (it ends up being Similac Baby Formula).

If this is a widespread problem, I wonder how this ever got past testing. Pockets are typically where people put their phones, unless you have a purse or you're one of those weiners who uses a belt case. In any case, hopefully Apple figures this out for the 6S so I don't have to deal with this.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on September 24, 2014, 10:34:17 AM
To me this seems like a byproduct of Apple's insane desire to have something too thin, and too light.  You know what Apple.  I would rather have my device made with thicker metal and not bend.  I would rather know my device is not going to break or be damaged by regular use. 

This is coming from someone that loves Apple products.  But you know what…I am still a firm believer that you shouldn't HAVE to case your electronic devices to protect them.  Durability should always be a primary concern with portables.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 24, 2014, 12:18:30 PM
Maybe this will put an end to the skinny jeans fad.

We should be grateful.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 24, 2014, 12:36:53 PM
Your phone should not bend like that under any type of normal use, period.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 24, 2014, 03:01:49 PM
We here at apple have decided that there is no reason for your iphone (http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/09/24/apples-ios-801-update-breaks-cellular-connectivity-touch-id-support-for-many-users) to operate as a phone so we decided to remove that feature for our user's convenience. Also you're holding it wrong.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 24, 2014, 04:08:57 PM
Honestly who makes calls on their phone anyway? Funny thing though, predictably, when I mentioned the whole iPhone 6 bends when you put it in your pocket thing, the iPhone owners at my work were like "yeah but they're wearing their pants too tight."
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 24, 2014, 04:43:50 PM
Maybe this will put an end to the skinny jeans fad.

We should be grateful.

Skinny Jeans are only bad if you aren't built for them or suck at styling.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 24, 2014, 05:15:15 PM
The problem is that so many people **** on Apple for all kinds of irrelevant bullshit, and now when there's real legitimate reason to criticize it doesn't carry the same weight. It's like Ian Sane complaining about Nintendo; he's got real good points some of the time, but it's drowned out by everything else.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 24, 2014, 05:35:03 PM
Apparently the 6 plus is even more 'bendable' then the regular one. It's sorta like taking the exact same design and making it bigger isn't such a good idea.

So last year we had #scuffgate and this year we have #bendgate, next year is the iphone 6s going to just spontaneously combust or what's the deal here.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 24, 2014, 11:04:53 PM
Who would think a large, thin sheet of aluminum would be malleable?

If Steve Jobs had just put his head on that robot body, we wouldn't have to deal with this B.S.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: broodwars on September 24, 2014, 11:17:42 PM
I'd like to thank Apple for now making my day job even more of a nightmare than it already was, especially since Apple's not likely to take these phones back due to "physical damage" voiding the warranty if they don't have Apple Care. Nice to see Apple's let their software incompetence seep into their hardware now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 24, 2014, 11:20:57 PM
Broodwars, at a certain point you need to either stop complaining about the idiots your job puts you in contact with or get a new one.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 24, 2014, 11:27:13 PM
No one would have jobs if it was that simple.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: broodwars on September 24, 2014, 11:28:25 PM
Broodwars, at a certain point you need to either stop complaining about the idiots your job puts you in contact with or get a new one.

*shrugs* This one's not on them, though. Apple failed this one on a fundamental design level. Seriously, did their stress testing for an extremely large phone not include pockets and other such places?  I'll gladly call out the morons I have to deal with every day on their wondrous ability to defy Darwin, but at this point I can't blame anyone who manages to break a 6 this way, especially since my OnePlusOne is about the same size as the 6+, has weathered my pocket without any issue, and is $300+ cheaper without a contract.

What I'm not looking forward to is having to tell all these people that Apple ****ed them over. And considering Apple's only now acknowledging the power button and battery issues of the 5, I expect Apple will do their best to stall on taking any measures to correct this issue.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 25, 2014, 02:50:38 AM
Maybe this will put an end to the skinny jeans fad.

We should be grateful.

This is the most important and accurate point on the internet.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 16, 2014, 02:15:46 PM
iMac with Retina Display!
(http://i.imgur.com/NCA2Xrg.jpg)
No 21.5-inch model and it's $2500. Never mind.

****.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 16, 2014, 02:21:02 PM
I know apple is usually on the high end of the product scale, but I love how all these tech companies have pulled surface pro's of late announcing cool looking stuff that just isn't priced in the successful product range.


I really thought Apple was going to announce redesgins of the Mac line to go with Yosemite and maybe bring back the colored macs. Also no Apple TV update either.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 16, 2014, 08:35:46 PM
Well they did upgrade one part of their mac lineup.  The Retina iMac is their Prosumer brand computer.  They are wanting it to be somewhere in the middle.  It is a beautiful machine, but expensive. 

I wish they would make a new Macbook, but I guess they want the Air to be that inexpensive consumer brand, but it just isn't inexpensive enough.  If I get a new laptop it will be the old pro, because their prices are too expensive for the static state memory.  They should have a fusion drive option available.  I think if I was Apple I would make a new Mac Book and let it be kinda "retro" Let it include a Super Drive DVD or upgrade it to Blu-Ray, a Fusion Drive Hard Drive, and don't really stress ultra thin design too much.  Retina could also be dropped and reserved for the Pros. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 16, 2014, 09:15:09 PM
On one hand the Mac Mini being $500 puts some steam back into the train of getting an affordable Macbook in the future, but I think the 5C under preforming (I don't know how when I see the model everywhere) put the hold on what ever plans Apple had for a mid to low range macbook.


I'm still surprised that the 5C didn't get an update to give it NFC, the apple TV is still  a pretty terrible product. Other than that I have to say the apple eco-system looks pretty great. I don't expect Microsoft to do anything to rival it soon, and google still needs to get more android apps onto chrome.


I have to wonder how big of an impact will NFC and apple Pay now being mainstream will have on Square. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 16, 2014, 11:36:29 PM
To me the lowend mac mini would be my Apple TV.

I think Apple probably thinks it is catering to both ends with the Pro and the air.  My problem is...Mac really hasn't addressed how people use their notebook computers, because they have such low storage options in their low-end lines. 

I want enough memory to house my photo library, music library, and some movies on my device.  Either give me that with an optional Fusion drive, or give us a setup with a small SSD drive for the OS and programs, and then a regular drive for storage.  Just please give us options.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 17, 2014, 12:18:31 PM
Even in the high end storage is limited. My new MacBook Pro, which is largely top-of-the-line, has just 512 GB of storage. Since I don't move it around a ton it's fine to have an external drive to supplement that, but it's still kind of annoying.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 17, 2014, 04:13:55 PM
You can buy a 4KTV and a better Windows desktop for less money.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 17, 2014, 04:30:55 PM
Yeah, but then you'd have 20% less K.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 17, 2014, 11:17:38 PM
But probably at least 20% more $. And way more storage space.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2014, 02:56:39 AM
Storage is cheap these days, though. If you're ponying up the cash for one of those the cost of a decent external drive is negligible.

Since this is the Apple thread I'll also mention that I upgraded to Yosemite tonight and it's kind of weird. Mostly just aesthetic stuff I've run into so far, but it's different enough to be somewhat jarring.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 18, 2014, 05:22:17 AM
I am think about getting the old Mac Pro 2013 model with a nice sized hard drive, and then replace the super drive with a ssd drive, and reload OS on it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 18, 2014, 09:13:13 PM
So apple brahs, how are you guys liking the new iphones, ios8, and Yosemite so far.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2014, 06:53:24 AM
I don't have a new iPhone, and I don't have iOS 8 because I don't want to lose my jailbreak. Yosemite seems neat enough.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 19, 2014, 09:49:44 AM
I played around with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at a store. They seemed fine though the 6 Plus felt unwieldy.

iOS 8 seems to have more problems than previous versions of iOS. Safari and Facebook occasionally close for no reason (they did before, but it's more frequent now) and I had to do a full restore because the music app was completely messed up after upgrading to iOS 8. For example, if I was listening to Artist X and I went to listen to Artist Y, it would still display Artist X's songs, but when I chose any song, it would play one of Artist Y's songs. I've never had this many issues with an iOS upgrade before. It works better after restoring. However, I still can't scroll to highlight text; I can only highlight what is shown in the text field. In any case, it still functions well most of the time though I hope 8.1 fixes the issues.

I'm not sure when I'll upgrade to Yosemite. I just upgraded to Mavericks a few months ago (I haven't noticed many differences though it's slower than Snow Leopard likely due to the age of my MacBook Pro) so I may wait until Apple releases some updates and it's stabler. I expect a 21.5" iMac with Retina Display next year when Intel finally releases Broadwell or even Skylake. That said, I don't know how long my MacBook Pro will see heavy use so I may not even bother.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 21, 2014, 03:00:09 AM
Well ****, now it looks like I have to upgrade to iOS 8, since apparently iCloud syncing doesn't work across Yosemite-to-iOS 7. With every new iOS release they cut out a lot of the reason to jailbreak, but there's still stuff I'm going to miss and it I'm kind of pissed that I didn't realize that before getting Yosemite.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 21, 2014, 08:19:23 AM
Its nice to have keyboard customization part of the stock OS now, though it naturally doesn't work as well as it did, even using the keyboard from the same developer as the one I used before. Also, autocorrect seems way, way worse than it used to be.

EDIT: Man, this is way more complicated than it needs to be, which is usually the exact opposite of an Apple problem.

EDIT: Goddammit I hate this thing. Leave it to Apple to outright steal functionality everyone else has had forever and completely **** it up.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 21, 2014, 08:50:12 AM
Welcome to the new world order.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on October 21, 2014, 08:57:35 AM
So apple even copied androids problems this time around. By chance may the problem be that your using older hardware?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 21, 2014, 09:25:55 AM
I doubt that. This is pretty clearly a software problem, and I'm using reasonably recent hardware (iPad 4/iPhone 5S). Like I said, I've been using the third-party Cydia keyboard made by the same exact guys right up until now with zero issues, and this has just been a mess. I might chalk it up to a bug in the early version of the OS, but this is fucking 8.1.

I'm not knocking Apple for cribbing from jailbreakers/Android, that's what I want and expect them to do, I just want them to do it in a less shitty way, as they usually have in the past.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on October 21, 2014, 06:30:34 PM
They totally screwed up iOS8 and 801 - battery drained from 100% to 53% in 24 hours when left on airplane mode for the ENTIRE TIME! - and 802 styill seems wobbly.

Someone installed 8.1 today and its crashed their phone, requiring a restore from iTunes and then - after four hours - it reinstalled but then erased all their iMessages from July onwards.

It just works, apparently.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 21, 2014, 10:36:08 PM
You know I haven't run into any problems with the new ios and I am running an ipad 2.

The only annoyance I have is that videos get stuck in the memory when streaming and you have to completely download them to delete them.  I really find it a stupid problem and I have no idea why Apple hasn't fixed it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 22, 2014, 12:00:10 AM
Because they would rather you buy an iPad Air Mini 3.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 22, 2014, 12:27:20 AM
Perhaps, but I am running ios 8.  So, that isn't the problem.  It is an os problem...not hardware. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 22, 2014, 05:39:55 AM
I'm hating this less as I use it more. I've dropped the third party keyboards entirely but am enjoying the predictive functionality.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 22, 2014, 07:08:46 AM
And just after I get all pissed off about this, a jailbreak for iOS 8/8.1 emerges.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 31, 2014, 10:37:51 PM
In case anyone was wondering, the iOS 8 jailbreak is now to the point where it works without too much hassle. A lot of things still haven't been updated to support it, but some are, including the best reason to jailbreak, Activator.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 11, 2014, 08:45:38 PM
In what may be the least practically-useful hack in recent memory, a Chinese hacker managed to install Windows 98 on an iPhone 6+ (http://www.iphonehacks.com/2014/11/windows-98-installed-iphone-6-plus.html).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on March 11, 2015, 04:18:46 PM
So thoughts on this week's big apple News.


Apple TV is $69 and has exclusive HBO NOW for the next three months.
(http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2015/03/10/ap588374162278_wide-16e5dfc778a501db89baced72fde543d460c842f-s800-c85.jpg)


Research Kit is a thing and is OPEN SOURCE!
(https://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/researchkit.png)


Apple Watch is coming out, and apple failed to show any compelling reason for it outside of the fitness features and passive stuff.


Plus the new Macbook.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on March 11, 2015, 05:20:35 PM
I'd be more interested in Apple Watch if the price was lower. Otherwise, I know well enough to avoid the first version of any new product line.

I was surprised Apple TV didn't get a refresh though the price cut was nice.

The new MacBooks were the most interesting bit of the event to me. I understand the lack of an SD Card slot and ports were space saving measures in the new 12-inch MacBook, but that leaves it in a weird middle ground. In many instances, I can see people moving down to MacBook Air or up to MacBook Pro. The 13-inch Air is less than a pound heavier. The 13-inch Pro is less than a pound and a half heavier. It's also the same price as the 12-inch MacBook with a larger retina screen and better battery life. The 13-inch Pro has almost all the benefits of the 12-inch MacBook besides the new keyboard. Wait a year and it'll probably have that too. It is exciting to see Apple pushing USB Type-C in the 12-inch MacBook though it's a shame there's only one port and it's weird there's no Thunderbolt 2 port considering Apple keeps trying to convince people to care about it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on March 11, 2015, 10:02:04 PM
I've been thinking about upgrading for a while.  I have a 2nd Gen currently, but alway thought a new version would come out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on March 11, 2015, 10:28:27 PM
The new Macbook is a waste of a product line. It's a **** computer attached to a beautiful screen that is too expensive. They could have simply updated the Air, a far more competent computer, with a Retina display and it would continue to be the greatest laptop of all time.

I have no idea what they were thinking. And now this has me concerned that instead of making the Air a more capable yet still very transportable laptop, they'll make it stupid light and stupid dumb for no god damn reason.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on March 11, 2015, 11:01:13 PM
But at least you can buy that $10,000 watch band. I continue to not like basically everything that Apple makes. I wish I could say it was out of some type of anti-Apple fanboyism, but I genuinely do not like most of their products.

I did see a pathetic ripoff of the iMac by HP at Best Buy the other day though. I would actually like one of those (running Windows).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on March 11, 2015, 11:34:45 PM
The new Macbook is a waste of a product line. It's a **** computer attached to a beautiful screen that is too expensive. They could have simply updated the Air, a far more competent computer, with a Retina display and it would continue to be the greatest laptop of all time.

I have no idea what they were thinking. And now this has me concerned that instead of making the Air a more capable yet still very transportable laptop, they'll make it stupid light and stupid dumb for no god damn reason.


Its the iosfication and streamlining of their Mac brand of products. Many users don't mind how simple todays tech can be. I have a friend who bought an Ipad for his photography work and uses the SD card reader adapter. It also helps that a lot of people especially the average non apple Power user is pushing toward cloud and wireless pretty quickly.


Its not just from a hardware level but Apple has killed off most of their power user apps and have simplified all their apps, and left all their pro apps with the exception of Final Cut to die.




That said the Macbook is a  damn good looking machine, and apple is banking on how sexy it looks and the color schemes too sell the device which it will. Expect this to replace the Macbook Air within the year and their just be two products in the Macbook line. The Macbook which needs expensive add-on's for ports and the expensive Macbook Pro which will be at a premium.




Apple wants to be a lifestyle/Luxury brand and its evident by their current product line and look. They're great looking products but apple has given up any protest of wanting the lower end of the market. (which ironically would do much more to push Healthkit and Researchkit forward).


As for your talk of beefing of the Air, my guess is that was their initial plan plan was to beef up the Air and have it be the flagship model, however once the 5c flopped Apple backtracked and went another route. If the 5c would have been the successful my guess if we would have gotten a plastic multi-color macbook for $799-$899 to complement their product line.


I'm mostly surprised that we didn't get any major update on the Apple TV.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on March 11, 2015, 11:51:16 PM
Dude...the Macbook Air is not cheap. Yet somehow it's cheaper than their new line. If this is a plan to raise all their lines prices, then that's a dick move that no one should support.

If the Macbook is supposed to be the new Air, then at least make it as powerful as the Air and with the same amount of battery life or people (at least those who are looking for the best bang for their buck) will skip it in favor of an Air.

If it were me, I would have kept the Airs the way the are, adding and making things sleeker overtime. I would have made the newest Macbook's the same as the Pro's in terms of specs, while trying to slim down their form factor a bit. And I would have made the Pro's ridiculously powerful, basically making it the type of computer that will handle your compressions or compiling of any kind quickly yet is somehow still decently light and lasts a long time.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 12, 2015, 12:40:22 AM
The Apple Watch looks cool, but not enough for me to cancel my Pebble Time pledge. Especially not for this one; I learned a while ago never to buy the first iteration of any Apple product.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: famicomplicated on March 12, 2015, 03:31:35 AM
Anyone else want an iPod Touch 6, based on the iPhone 6 body?
If they did a "plus" version, they could just called it an iPad Nano.

Basically, I want a video/photo camera that has a large enough screen but small enough to put in my pocket.
Because, everyone looks like an idiot taking a video with an iPad, am I right?


Also, it's weird that they haven't updated the iPod range for like 2 years.
If the iPhone 7 comes out, and Apple are still selling an iTouch 5 for full price, I may explode.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on March 12, 2015, 07:03:12 AM
I want a 128GB iPod Touch 6 since buying the similar spec'd iPhone is now over $1000 outright here and the Classic is toast (Jobs have mercy on its soul).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on March 12, 2015, 09:44:19 AM
The iPod line is basically being retired at this point, it was moved into "other" projects last year (as opposed to being a headline topic like the iPhone) so i doubt anything else will happen with it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 12, 2015, 09:41:30 PM
I think they are going to phase out the Air Brand, and just have Macbook and Pro again. 

I really hate the design, because I should not have to be required to buy and carry adapters to use a portable computer.  Compromise is part of having a portable computer, but too much compromise is stupid.

I didn't like what they did with Air, and I don't like the direction they are moving with all their lines.  The stupid obsession with being lighter has to stop.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on March 12, 2015, 09:44:51 PM
Apple's marketing has made people start to think less options equal a better experience. Two things that sort of irk me, is Apple pushing wireless so much when none of they're phone or Tablets has wirless charging. i'm also surprised there's no Touch ID on the new macs.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 12, 2015, 09:49:53 PM
I like simplistic.  And the new Macbook works, except that only having a single port makes no sense.  It requires additional purchases immediately.

I know that it requires a computer to be bigger, but I like the idea of a computer that just works where and however I need it.  That means using the most common ports currently available and used in the world today...until that changes keep them.

Right now, I need USB to plug into any computer or use any mouse that might be available where I am.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on March 12, 2015, 10:08:36 PM
More ports really wouldn't require the computer to be bigger. Maybe just a hair thicker, but Jesus Christ - no one is buying a Macbook Air out of necessity. It's not like you're only allowed to use a laptop that fits in a manila envelope or something.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: famicomplicated on March 13, 2015, 02:54:32 AM
I think most "pros on the go" would be fine with a little bit of thickness if it meant it had all the ports they needed.

I guess with tablets now becoming the norm, in terms of portable computing, they are basically making the MacBook into a "super-powered iPad with a keyboard".

The OSX/iOS merge is already happening, so it kind of makes sense.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on March 16, 2015, 10:38:38 PM
I just actually watched a video preview of the new Macbook, and it looks like a downgrade of the previous model in every possible way, at least on paper. I honestly can't believe that Apple is the most valuable company in the world, or even in the top 10.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on April 08, 2015, 06:27:27 PM


    Apple Watch reviews are out and most headlines and tweets from the tech press are showering it with praise while the actual reviews actually the reflection of a far more average product.

I'm reading the Verge review right now which is actually well written even if they go too far into the graphic design department. Also despite featuring their sister sites i'm not sure how I feel about the  pimping of Eater and Racked in their review, though Racked makes sense as their segment was about the Apple Pay methods.

I did like this blurb about what makes a Wearable a good product.

Quote
In order to be successful, any given piece of wearable technology has to be useful the entire time it’s on your body. Prescription glasses sit on your face, but improve your vision all the time, so they’re successful. Sunglasses sit on your face and make you look cooler all the time, so they’re successful. Google Glass sits on your face, but mostly does nothing, so it’s a failure. It’s a simple formula

It seems that when the Apple Watch is good its really nice and convenient to use but because of the slow Processor, Lack of GPS and Native apps for the majority of its tasks you have to Wonder why not just use an Iphone. The Apple Pay use seems like the biggest selling point and even that is just taking a few seconds off of your shopping experience. The Video that the verge does with Racked actually goes into pretty interesting direction about the Apple Watch as a fashion item so to speak. So far in its relation to fashion we've only been seeing technology guys commenting on it what they beleive apple is trying to do so its refreshing to get the reactions from a non tech blogger in the other big space Apple wants. I also noticed how the watch can go from looking great to ugly based upon what band it has on. When using the Sport band the band curves into the edges of the Watch to make it seem less like stone while the Looped Band makes it look like a digi pet.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 08, 2015, 06:39:19 PM
It will be a good way to identify people who are tools.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 08, 2015, 06:43:22 PM
Personally, I don't get the point of smart watches.

Apparently, neither does Apple.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on April 08, 2015, 08:58:03 PM
I think the rankings go tool, power tool, and tool that can buy and sell you on a whim so don't bother fucking with them.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on April 08, 2015, 09:10:18 PM
It will be a good way to identify people who are tools.
HAHAHA

But seriously, nobody "Gets" smart watches. They are all products without a purpose heavily restricted by form factor.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on April 08, 2015, 09:36:29 PM
Yosemite update is available today, and the new photos app is officially launched. 

I am really curious to see how it works.  Everything I have read has said it is better than iphoto but nowhere near as nice as Aperture.  I am OK with that.  At any rate, I am looking forward to the eventual plug-ins that make backing up to 3rd party cloud support easier.   
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 08, 2015, 10:41:29 PM
Vox has a pretty article regarding Apple Watch. (http://www.vox.com/2015/4/8/8369773/apple-watch-reviews)

While the reviews may not be very positive, history shows that Apple could still have a hit on its hands... eventually. Apple has made the best smartwatch even if it still isn't very good at what it's meant to do.

Granted, I still don't want one, I still don't care, and I probably never will on both counts even if the third or fourth generation is awesome. Regardless, I wouldn't bet against Apple at this point. Good for Apple. I'm more interested in an iPod Touch refresh. iPhone 6S Plus will be too big for running (flip-flopped on the Plus model, battery life matters to me). This is pretty much my solution.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on April 08, 2015, 11:23:16 PM
Well, if I remember correctly...the iphone wasn't great at what it did when it was released the first time either. 

I think Apple is entering the market with a good, albeit overpriced watch for what the technology can do now.  However, what the technology can do now is pretty limited...and Apple limits it more, by making it trapped in the Apple infrastructure. 

This seems like a companion product than a product that could survive on its own, and that is a problem in my eyes. 
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on April 08, 2015, 11:34:22 PM
At first I thought that this would make people more human, i.e. less distracted by technology. Having a smaller screen where you can only view and reply with short messages seems like the best way to stop people from laying their phones at the lunch table and checking them periodically. But now I think they'll do the exact opposite. I think people will become so fucking distracted now that they can look at another screen almost instantly.

Still, not all people are technological douchebags, but that still doesn't make the watch useful. I've given a few ideas in this thread before so I won't rewrite my thoughts. I will say this though......you still need your phone. It doesn't work without your phone and that's why it sucks. I don't know about you, but I would like to leave my expensive 600 dollar phone at home when I don't truly need it and take my watch as my main mode of communications. You can't even leave your phone at home when you're going for a run.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on April 08, 2015, 11:49:54 PM
At first I thought that this would make people more human, i.e. less distracted by technology. Having a smaller screen where you can only view and reply with short messages seems like the best way to stop people from laying their phones at the lunch table and checking them periodically. But now I think they'll do the exact opposite. I think people will become so fucking distracted now that they can look at another screen almost instantly.

Still, not all people are technological douchebags, but that still doesn't make the watch useful. I've given a few ideas in this thread before so I won't rewrite my thoughts. I will say this though......you still need your phone. It doesn't work without your phone and that's why it sucks. I don't know about you, but I would like to leave my expensive 600 dollar phone at home when I don't truly need it and take my watch as my main mode of communications. You can't even leave your phone at home when you're going for a run.

I live in South Korea, and basically everyone is 24/7 staring at their phones.  They messaging, gaming, watching live TV, doing everything except making calls on their phones.  It is crazy.  I have seen couples sitting at a coffee shop doing nothing but message and be next to each other. 

Human interaction in this society is down to a new low.  And yet, I still can't deny how extremely useful smart phones and this technology is, in our daily life.  You really do have to try to manage the bad with the great good.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 09, 2015, 09:17:20 AM
So far still happy with my decision to stick with Pebble.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on April 09, 2015, 11:00:15 AM
Well, if I remember correctly...the iphone wasn't great at what it did when it was released the first time either.

It wasn't really good a phone stuff.  I remember sending pictures being a big one. And that wasn't worked out for a while.  The other things it did, it did pretty well.  Interface was good; the apps worked; it was also an iPod.  But eventually, they caught up to some standards, set new ones, (fell behind on newer standards), and made it work.

With a smart watch, I still don't think anyone knows where it's going, and everyone is just throwing **** at the wall until something sticks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: famicomplicated on April 12, 2015, 11:03:57 PM
Someone on the IGN UK podcast said something that really rang true for me.
"The reason why I'm not interested in a smart watch (apple or otherwise) is that a watch is something that should be forever, something you pass on to your kids, not something you upgrade every 2 years with a contract."

I totally agree.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on April 13, 2015, 08:59:43 AM
"Something you hide in your ass when you're behind enemy lines in Vietnam."
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on April 13, 2015, 07:02:06 PM
Could use that like button right about now.

(Y)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on July 15, 2015, 12:13:36 PM
Apple completely refreshed the iPod Touch line for the first time since September 2012 (and probably for the last time) with a 64-bit A8 CPU, 8MP camera, M8 motion coprocessor, and 128GB option for all 37 people actually still interested in the iPod line.

I'm very surprised that there's a 32GB option which is the one I'll be picking up in that nice, new blue color. I'm not running with an (eventual) iPhone 6S Plus in my pocket so the iPod Touch with the running app I have is a great solution. Everything is coming up Milhouse.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on July 15, 2015, 02:47:07 PM
That actually sounds like a useful product for that exact reason.  Maybe also as something you can keep in the car to load up with tunes and podcasts for road trips.

I might consider getting one.  I keep music on my phone, but it was stolen recently.  Having something to keep in the car would prevent me from being in the situation I'm in now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on July 15, 2015, 07:58:23 PM
As much as I'd prefer a 320GB Classic, I might have gone in for a 128GB Touch if it wasn't five hundred bucks here. #ThanksHarper
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on July 16, 2015, 01:04:51 AM
Apple completely refreshed the iPod Touch line for the first time since September 2012 (and probably for the last time) with a 64-bit A8 CPU, 8MP camera, M8 motion coprocessor, and 128GB option for all 37 people actually still interested in the iPod line.

I'm very surprised that there's a 32GB option which is the one I'll be picking up in that nice, new blue color. I'm not running with an (eventual) iPhone 6S Plus in my pocket so the iPod Touch with the running app I have is a great solution. Everything is coming up Milhouse.

I am considering getting one of these.  I need something to drop all my music on and carry with him.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: famicomplicated on July 16, 2015, 10:51:23 AM
New iPod Touches. FINALLY.

Shame they're not in the iPhone 6 shell, but the faster processor will do just fine.

I might get one to further prolong me not getting a Smartphone!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 26, 2015, 08:58:12 AM
So what did everyone think of the past apple event. I'm thinking of going all Apple next year and i'm alittle bummed I grabbed a Nexus 6 this past may instead of an Iphone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Nile Boogie Returns on September 26, 2015, 11:03:20 AM
So what did everyone think of the past apple event. I'm thinking of going all Apple next year and i'm alittle bummed I grabbed a Nexus 6 this past may instead of an Iphone.




As a Apple fan since the a long while ago, I can say none of the new stuff excites me really...although I kinda want a new iPod touch.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 26, 2015, 12:44:20 PM
It was very iterative and some of it was repackaging of concepts from the early days of PDA.  Just no real wow factor.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 26, 2015, 02:30:49 PM
So what did everyone think of the past apple event. I'm thinking of going all Apple next year and i'm alittle bummed I grabbed a Nexus 6 this past may instead of an Iphone.

Sell it to me. I'm trying to switch carriers to Project Fi.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 26, 2015, 03:18:50 PM
I'm probably going to buy an iPhone 6S as I've had a 5S since launch and it's seen better days, particularly in terms of battery life, but I'm holding off a bit to see what will come in terms of an iOS 9 jailbreak.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 26, 2015, 05:00:07 PM
I don't see the point of force touch or whatever it is unless it's on a tablet and you're drawing. Videos as pictures and pictures as videos? That doesn't make any sense. It's called a video and a screenshot. It's nothing new...except now instead of hitting "play" you just keep touching the screen.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 26, 2015, 05:01:26 PM
To be fair, I'm not impressed by just about anything anymore. I think smart phones have peaked at this point. Everything from now on will just be gimmicks like force touch.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Nile Boogie Returns on September 26, 2015, 08:47:16 PM
To be fair, I'm not impressed by just about anything anymore. I think smart phones have peaked at this point. Everything from now on will just be gimmicks like force touch.

It's not just you, we're to the point were something has to be new. 6 months old is 8 months behind the curve. Lets just hope game consoles don't follow suit.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 27, 2015, 12:11:48 AM
LOOK AT HOW THIN AND SHINY OUR NEW PHONE IS!

Sadly to make it so thin and shiny we had to cut out a few minor features that nobody cares about like waterproofing and expandable memory, we also had to make the battery smaller but you can always get it re- ok I guess you can't do that now...

*murmers of dissatisfaction and frustration heard in the crowd*

BUT LOOK AT HOW THIN AND SHINY WE MADE IT!!!!

*everyone in crowd rushes off to buy six of them*
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 27, 2015, 10:44:23 AM
I'm undecided on upgrading. I only really care about the extra RAM and to a lesser extent, the larger screen size. I cracked my screen and used one of my Apple Care replacements in May. I apparently tripped the moisture sensor on my original 5S so I got an entirely different 5S. I can hold on to it for another year even if the trade-in value drops significantly if you don't trade within a month or two of the new model.

To complicate things further, my two-year contract is up in October and I got an email from Verizon stating that signing a new two-year contract nets me $300 trade-in value for my 5S toward a new phone, not a subsidized phone. That's stupid so no thanks. I'm planning on switching to Verizon's 3GB no contract plan which saves me around $20 before taking the cost of the phone into account. I can buy the new iPhone outright or I can sign up for Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program and get a new phone every year. I don't need a new phone every year, but it's the same price. I don't like opening credit cards though.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: famicomplicated on September 27, 2015, 10:46:14 AM
Anyone notice how the iCloud notes functionality won't work until El Capitan comes out?
Why even have it as an option if the OS isn't even out yet!?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 27, 2015, 10:50:58 AM
Just stop buying iPhones. The price has gotten extremely ridiculous...same with Galaxy phones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 27, 2015, 11:40:00 AM
Nah, I'm going to keep buying iPhones because I like the ecosystem and I'm too lazy to learn a new one. iOS suits my needs, and I'll continue using until it doesn't.

I don't particularly care about the new stuff any of these companies introduce, at least for the first generation they're available. I rarely use Siri, use Waze instead of Apple Maps, and still haven't used Touch ID. I heard it's super-fast on the 6S so I'll consider trying it on the next iPhone I own. 3D Touch doesn't excite me right now. Once app developers start adding that functionality to their apps, maybe there will be some merit to 3D Touch. Until then, ehh, it's just there and I'd probably only bring up the alt menus accidentally.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 27, 2015, 01:06:35 PM
The ecosystem is the main reason I want to switch and wished I grabbed the 6+ this past may. I want an ecosystem where everything just works and it seems that Google and Microsoft just aren't interested in proper Desktop, Mobile, and Tablet support.

We should have another upgrade on my family's plan next September so I'll def upgrade to the 7.

As for innovation Isnt 3D touch just a variant of the force sltouch stuff on Macbooks.

I do like stuff like Siri and Google Now but more for the mini Personal assistant and location textual items and not the voice features.

IPad Pro is such a weird half step product and seems at odds with its own marketing and niche.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 27, 2015, 08:18:20 PM
The main thing provoking me to upgrade is the fact that the refurbished iPhone I have has some issues.  The new iPhones don't excite me much.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 27, 2015, 09:27:23 PM
Yeah, for me it's just the fact that it's been two years since I got one and I feel like it's time to upgrade, not because of anything specific in the new one. Then again, when I bought my current 5S there wasn't anything specific about it that really excited me either. I never really used Touch ID or any of that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 27, 2015, 09:57:54 PM
Touch ID is fantastic. It doesn't work too well when the finger is wet though. It's more than fast enough on a 5s so I don't know what others are on about.

Siri gets used for basic stuff like asking for the time when waking up or setting timers or asking for the weather. Using it to set up appointments is a little too far for it though as there are too many little details that can go wrong most of the time. But iOS 9 Siri is an improvement on 8 as it picks up on mistakes better instead of executing everything wholesale mistakes and all.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 27, 2015, 10:52:24 PM
It works fine, I just don't use it. I don't keep my phone locked, just a few specific apps, so I don't have much use for it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 27, 2015, 11:20:38 PM
Touch ID is fantastic. It doesn't work too well when the finger is wet though. It's more than fast enough on a 5s so I don't know what others are on about.
You're probably referring to me in a weird, passive aggressive way though I didn't say it wasn't fast enough. I said I haven't tried it so I have no idea one way or another. I recently watched a 6S review lauding Touch ID's speed which reminded me it exists. That said, I may finally try it.

Anyway, I tried 3D Touch at the Apple Store today. I don't really see myself using that much. Also, apparently, my two-year contract was up this month, not next so I switched to the 3GB no contract plan today. The 64GB Space Gray models are all sold out around me so that gives me some time to decide if I want to upgrade this year. I'm leaning toward upgrading to the 6S, and buying it outright. I think it's a good model to upgrade to since Apple finally bumped up the RAM and it doesn't do that often. The screen sizes seem set as well. If I hold onto any iPhone for an extra year, 6S makes more sense than the 5S.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 28, 2015, 01:05:15 AM
Does anyone want to speculate what the next new phone will look like..

At some point soon, someone is going to make this iphone or the latest samsung look like prehistoric garbage. And I'm wondering what you guys think that might be. I have my own ideas, but I'd like to hear yours first.

As for the iphone 6s, there is no reason why a phone should be that expensive unless you can use it as a work station. It's also buttery smooth and thin, so dropping it is almost guaranteed unless you get a case, which is ironic considering the reason for making it thin in the first place.

As for the interface, there's only so far you can go with touch on a glass surface. Until they're able to make things feel rough or smooth or feel like it's bulging or dimpled, basically allowing you to operate the phone while not looking at it, it's not going to matter how you operate a phone while looking at it. It's all just tiny tweaks. And until they have a conference where their showing someone buying clothes through their phone and actually feeling the fabric first, everything will still be a small improvement in UI.

Pressure sensitivity is a novel idea, but simply having it on the screen pretty much just makes it a third button. Just another way to 'click'. If they actually put it to use on say...the entire phone, like I could squeeze it to silence an incoming phone call or simply letting the phone know exactly how I'm holding it and where my fingers are, that's a unique source of real time information that could be used for a host of ideas, including a more accurate tilt sensor, using the sides as shoulder buttons for games, triggering a panic button by squeezing hard, and knowing if you're left or right hand on the fly. Maybe Apple, in true Apple fashion, will slowly roll out improvements. Consumers and loyalists don't need much to buy a new phone after all, but I still think it's a wasted opportunity to 'wow' the industry.

The gif images are cool and pointless. It's cool that it's automatic, yet how can you share it. Unless it's being sent to another iphone, no one is going to be able to trigger the animation. Still I like the idea of recording video and photos simultaneously, and switching from either one on the fly. Hopefully someone cracks it and allows you to record more than a second, since the average gif is 5x longer than that.

The iPad pro is the fucking stupidest thing I've ever seen...unless they give to elementary students. That's the only way it would be useful. The real iPad pro should be a desk/workstation, where you can draft projects on a giant touchable screen. If you've ever seen Black Mirror, they have an episode where a chick is working at a tilted desk, drawing on it with a variety of tools to digitally draft illustrations for a children's book. That's the iPad pro. Otherwise, the other iPad's are still extremely useless in a way that owner's actively have to make excuses to use it. Especially now that their price is so high that getting a Macbook Air, still the best laptop ever, would be the wiser choice.

The apple TV was easily the best part of the conference. They finally changed that fucking remote, which we all hated, yet you'd still want a keyboard in some cases. It's great that their bringing games to the system and even wiser that they're allowing third parties to bring controllers to it. That's bloody brilliant. I remember talking about how Nintendo needed a system that was lighting fast and played games right away. Apple TV is pretty much that system. Give it one more upgrade, making it as powerful as say a ps3 or wiiU and it could spell trouble for the games industry. Especially because you can bring any controller you want to it.

Overall a C-. An A would be revealing an nano-sized iphone, that fits on your keychain and is generally indestructible/waterproof, and sends a signal to a 'shell' phone that is little more than a screen and hardware inputs/outputs and can be very cheaply replaced.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 28, 2015, 03:23:35 AM
Just stop buying iPhones. The price has gotten extremely ridiculous...same with Galaxy phones.

Bingo. Each year the price of the flagship Galaxy devices and iPhones continue to creep upwards.

6S 16gb: £539.
6 16gb: £459.
5S 16gb: £379.

These constant shifting upwards of prices basically means i'll be buying a Motorola or a Nexus.

COOL NEW FEATURE! *adds £50 to the price*
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Nile Boogie Returns on September 28, 2015, 11:16:36 AM
Does anyone want to speculate what the next new phone will look like..


Sharp transparent flex igzo screen shaped like a soda can...and I'm not even joking.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 29, 2015, 04:45:52 AM
Does anyone want to speculate what the next new phone will look like..

At some point soon, someone is going to make this iphone or the latest samsung look like prehistoric garbage.
I'd argue right now that blackberry of all companies *dumps 5 gallons of ice water on head to ensure this is actually happening* is dangerously close to that.

(http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/9a39cc8c6041849d96f3ebf5ea78cbd5/202552204/blackberry-venice-tinhte.jpg)

Quote from:  Ars Technia
Android OEMs have been in a race to the bottom, cutting costs everywhere they can and axing features like SD card slots, hardware keyboards, camera buttons, and everything else. Blackberry obviously isn't falling in with the current Android OEM groupthink, and that makes the Priv one of the more exciting devices to come along in some time. We're excited about a Blackberry device. What year is it?

Also apparently that keyboard is in some way also able to function as a capacitive trackpad type thing, which apparently was a well loved feature by the 6 or so people who bought the Blackberry 10 phone that had that same feature.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on September 29, 2015, 07:16:51 AM
If that runs stock Android or something approximating it... I might buy it.

(As it is, leaning OnePlus Two or Moto X).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 29, 2015, 10:23:53 AM
Does anyone want to speculate what the next new phone will look like..

At some point soon, someone is going to make this iphone or the latest samsung look like prehistoric garbage.
I'd argue right now that blackberry of all companies *dumps 5 gallons of ice water on head to ensure this is actually happening* is dangerously close to that.

(http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/9a39cc8c6041849d96f3ebf5ea78cbd5/202552204/blackberry-venice-tinhte.jpg)

Quote from:  Ars Technia
Android OEMs have been in a race to the bottom, cutting costs everywhere they can and axing features like SD card slots, hardware keyboards, camera buttons, and everything else. Blackberry obviously isn't falling in with the current Android OEM groupthink, and that makes the Priv one of the more exciting devices to come along in some time. We're excited about a Blackberry device. What year is it?

Also apparently that keyboard is in some way also able to function as a capacitive trackpad type thing, which apparently was a well loved feature by the 6 or so people who bought the Blackberry 10 phone that had that same feature.

I'm looking at that phone on face value and it's exactly the opposite of what I was talking about.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: shingi_70 on September 29, 2015, 03:41:14 PM
That BlackBerry phone looks like a nice desgin circa 2007. No one gives a **** about physcial keyboards anymore sadley.

Also I wouldnt call removing SD cards a race to bottom when only flagship devices are getting rid of them and its mostly just to get phones thinner and do you can subscribe to apple, Google, and Microsoft's various music and cloud storage devices.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 29, 2015, 05:57:38 PM
I'm also a TouchID fan.  Having my work email on my phone requires me to have a complex password, so not having to type it in was a big draw for me.  Also, more apps are using it which I really enjoy.  Especially when I just want to do something quickly.  I feel more in and out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Ceric on September 29, 2015, 07:33:42 PM
Window Phones can use a physical keyboard.  The initial batch had a few that did.  Surprised that not one kept it as a business phone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 30, 2015, 06:27:08 PM
I installed OS X 10.11 El Capitan and so far so good, although I had to disable the new System Integrity Protection stuff until a couple of my main apps update. It's supposed to be mostly an under the hood improvement, a Snow Leopard kind of release, and it does feel somewhat snappier so far, although that might be a bit of a placebo.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 30, 2015, 06:32:30 PM
There are business Windows Phones. The managers at my work place have them (HTC One M8) as their company-issued phones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 12, 2015, 09:22:40 PM
I finally tracked down an iPhone 6S Plus. I had to drive down to Deleware to get it, but not paying sales tax is always a bonus. I bought the phone outright which apparently, doesn't happen often because the Best Buy associate was shocked when I told her (and she offered Verizon's installment plan twice even though she doesn't get commission, as far as I know) then her coworkers were shocked when she told them. I hit a snag with my credit card. Shopping for such expensive electronics in another state set off all kinds of red flags so I ended up having to call the number on the back of my card. I could have just used my Best Buy card, but I wanted the reward points and I didn't really have any other plans today. My card got locked because Best Buy didn't do the purchase and trade-in on the same transaction. It had something to do with deactivating the 5S and activating the 6S or something. She sold me the 6S Plus then traded the 5S which was put on a gift card. Then, Best Buy (as four other people got involved) "returned" the 6S only to sell it back to me minus the trade-in credit. My credit card company spazzed at all the unorthodox transactions. It got sorted out in the end. By the way, I got $165 in trade-in credit. I'm sure I could have gotten more if I wasn't lazy and looked around a bit.

Anyway, I like the phone and right now I'm thinking of keeping it for three years even though that will likely change once the 7S is announced. Since I'm off contract, I won't have to wait next time. Also, I'm still getting used to the size, but it is much easier to type on. I've noticed that I don't make as many mistakes on the larger screen. It's just a little unweildy so far.

Semi-related: Apple Maps got me home. I usually use Waze, but I opted not to have Best Buy transfer my stuff because I originally just wanted to get out of there and I backed up my phone last night.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 14, 2015, 08:51:53 AM
An iOS 9 jailbreak was just unexpecteely released. It's going to be a little bit longer before I can afford to buy a 6S, but hopefully not so long that it comes with a new version of the OS that won't work with that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on February 06, 2016, 12:42:15 PM
I just got one of the new 4th generation AppleTVs, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed. Now that Apple's actually taking the thing seriously, with a real OS and app store, they've got themselves a pretty nifty device.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on February 06, 2016, 03:19:50 PM
I'm actually really excited to get one of those.  I have a 2nd gen and have been putting off getting a third gen since they came since there were always the rumors of a new one being "right around the corner".

What really bugged me were the rumors that Apple was still "trying to figure out TV" when the answer was in front of them the whole time with a natural progression of a device they already made.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on February 06, 2016, 11:55:27 PM
The last one I had was a 2nd gen too, and this one is such a massive improvement over that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on February 07, 2016, 12:21:29 PM
The OS looks pretty good, and it's impressive to see stuff like Guitar Hero Live. I wish Nvidia would pressure Activision to release that for the Shield Android TV as well, it would probably sell better on that system.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2016, 06:29:01 PM
What are everyone's thoughts on Apple's keynote earlier this week?

People are freaking out about Apple ditching the headphone jack. Lenovo beat Apple a few months ago, and I read there are Chinese-only OEMs that have already done this. I'm not particularly happy about it. However, Apple has been right about kicking old standards to the curb in favor of emerging or just flat-out better, more modern technology so many times that it's hard for me to really make a compelling argument that this will be the time it's wrong. To name a few: floppy disks, parallel port, optical discs, and Adobe Flash. I wish wireless headphones were more reliable, but maybe a company as big as Apple backing the move away from the headphone jack is what the industry needs to make further advancements faster.

At the same time, $160 for Airpods can swiftly get the **** out of my face. I won't and never will buy those particularly at the price. I think there are better options (e.g. Audio-Technica).

In any case, I keep iPhones for two years so it isn't time for me to upgrade. The upgrades are minimal if you have the previous year's model but probably worth it for anyone who using an iPhone 6 or older. I read speculation that Apple went with a modest upgrade this year because it's planning to go all out with a complete revamp for the iPhone's 10 year anniversary next year. Not sure I buy that. I mean, behind all the headphone jack controversy, Apple also ditched the mechanical Home button. That's a fairly radical change that I don't think is getting the attention it deserves. I will upgrade next year.

I'll consider an Apple Watch once my iPod Touch dies and the watch can play music independently of the phone. I'm waiting for the Apple to announce the new iMac. My MacBook Pro is on its last legs. The battery barely holds a charge and the hardware chokes on Spotify, Chrome, and Word running at the same time.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2016, 06:39:41 PM
Apple has a tendency to ditch technology standards just far enough ahead of everybody else to cause problems, though you could argue that them taking that first leap pushed new tech enough to get everybody else onboard with the idea. I bought a 6S earlier in the year because my 5S was on its last legs, so this doesn't affect me in the short term. By the time I'm in the market for another one I imagine a lot of things will have worked themselves out.

As for the watch, I was hoping for an improvement in battery life. I currently use a Pebble Time, and while I realize Apple will never be able to make it last that long, I was hoping for at least a full day. I'm still considering one, as it offers a significant jump in capabilities and developer support, but Apple could have gotten me to buy one right away and they didn't.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 09, 2016, 06:56:15 PM

People are freaking out about Apple ditching the headphone jack. Lenovo beat Apple a few months ago, and I read there are Chinese-only OEMs that have already done this. I'm not particularly happy about it. However, Apple has been right about kicking old standards to the curb in favor of emerging or just flat-out better, more modern technology so many times that it's hard for me to really make a compelling argument that this will be the time it's wrong. To name a few: floppy disks, parallel port, optical discs, and Adobe Flash.

Adobe Flash is still around, isn't?  I didn't think Apple had completely finished killing it off (which they should).  But Apple also tried to make the lightning port a thing over the USB 3.0.  I remember them pushing that over 3.0 when they announced the laptop I eventually ended up buying.  They ended up letting that fight go.  Still, you almost have to trust Apple on this one with that track record.

I didn't watch the keynote because work reasons.  Did Apple tout the lightning port as providing more fidelity?  Because during the rumor storm, I remember a video about how the lightning headphones actually gave better sound quality.  Something about hardware in the headphones themselves or something.  Do the wired headphones come with that?  From the reactions I saw, it didn't seem like Apple talked about the wired earpods much at all.

While we're still on the subject, I don't think I can upgrade my phone until I upgrade my car.  Unless apple sells a dongle that lets me charge my phone and use headphones.  I use the aux cable in my car (no bluetooth), and I often need to charge it while on the road.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 09, 2016, 07:21:29 PM
Adobe Flash is still around in a manner of speaking, but all major browsers use HTML5 by default. For all intents and purposes, Flash is dead.

Do you mean Lightning or Thunderbolt? Apple uses Lightning in iOS devices for more control. I don't believe Apple ever intended for Thunderbolt to replace USB. It was a faster alternative. Apple likes playing around with technologically superior proprietary ports that gain no traction because most people don't want to trade convenience and cost effectiveness for performance. USB is good enough for most people. I'd really like USB 3.1 Generation 2 support in the new iMac though that's looking significantly unlikely. Intel won't have a CPU that natively supports USB 3.1 Generation 2 until Kaby Lake. The new iMac will probably still use Skylake so I'm likely SOL.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 09, 2016, 07:30:25 PM
He must mean Thunderbolt. My MacBook Pro has 2 USB ports and 2 Thunderbolt ports, and there are times I'd kill for even 3 USB and 1 Thunderbolt.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 09, 2016, 07:38:50 PM
Definitely meant thunderbolt.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 09, 2016, 07:45:21 PM
Update: the solution to my woes: (http://i.imgur.com/RXof78S.jpg)

Still, that's gonna be at least $30, right?

UPDATE: Forty dollars, you guys! (https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/08/belkin-iphone-7-lightning-headphone-charging-dongle/?sr_source=Twitter)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 10, 2016, 02:01:22 PM
Apple is out of ideas. People saying they did a modest update in order to have something special for next year are kidding themselves. And anyone who buys an iphone 7 while owning an iphone 6 needs their head examined. The changes between the two are so minimal, so...boring really. How is Tim Cook still the CEO? Oh that's right, Apple fans will buy anything. Steve Jobs would be pissed.

What was Apple's last innovation? Does anyone remember? I use to think Apple's only relevant product was the Air, but now there are way better PC laptops, including Dell's, that blow it out of the water AND are much cheaper. They do still have the best TV box though...so I'll give them that.

I had an iphone 4 long ago and I've been waiting to get back on the Apple train. Not this year.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 10, 2016, 05:01:00 PM
I think most people's expectation Vs reality is getting too far out of skew when It comes to Apple. Given the maturity of the products there isn't really anywhere to go.

As for Laptops, you have to deal with the mess that is Windows 10/8/7, so pick your poison. Fixed an older Samsung laptop a week or so back, got ransomedwared(Or so says the owner) but the data was backed up so I did a wipe since the recovery software was busted. I couldn't reinstall the recovery software even with their admin tools. If it was an Apple Laptop I wouldn't even have to worry about it and wouldn't even needed a disk/usb. The Apple software in this space is not remotely flashy, it's all in the background.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 10, 2016, 05:05:14 PM
I don't understand not getting an iPhone 7 because it's not different enough from the iPhone 6s.  Especially if your last iPhone was a 4.

iPhones are as iterative as they are expensive, which is why most sane people only buy the new one every few years.  But Apple thrives on its crazies, which is coincidentally how most smartphone games get by.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2016, 06:03:19 PM
1. Everyone has run out of ideas.

2. Every yearly phone is iterative.

3. Every company thrives on its devoted fanbase.

It's weird how Apple gets singled out for these things. I don't remember the last time I was wowed by a smartphone including Apple's. I think that says more about me and my first world problems than anything else. My first iPhone was the 4s so maybe that one when I could watch YouTube on a mobile device without everything looking and sounding like it was being recorded on a potato. I transitioned from Blackberry to something that better suited my lifestyle (e.g. taking pictures of my cat, watching videos instead of being a productive member of society). What can any OEM really add to these things that is going to impress the pants off people? Everything within reason has been added. They're being advanced as fast as technology can allow them to. They're as thin as they can be without snapping in half. There's very little room for pure innovation so we'll have to "settle" for iteration. Until a company figures out a way to shoot holograms at my eyes, smartphones are just a thing in my life that makes it more convenient. I just never understood how weirdly competitive and condescending people can be about the devices other people use.

Same goes for home computers. I'm going to buy an iMac because the MacBook Pro I've had for six and a half years ceases to function in the manner I want it to. It had a good run. I got my money's worth. I've never had a PC that lasted anywhere near as long. Apple added the thing I wanted two years ago (e.g. a higher resolution display), and that wasn't even innovative. It was the natural next step of displays. I have an anti-Apple friend who says Apple dumbs things down. You know what? Good. I like macOS. I want that to be as simple as possible. He says I can build a computer for less money. Sure, I could, but I'm not going to. I'm literally never going to build my own computer. I'll buy an iMac because it does what I need it to do in the manner I prefer to do it in (e.g. buying a well-made computer that will last for over six years).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 10, 2016, 06:57:43 PM
My sister is still running a 2009 Macbook and will more than likely keep running it for another 5 years now that it has a SSD. No Laptop is Nintendo tough, but OSX is streamlined enough that I could do remote tech support for her on the other side of the world over the Skype and save her data. If it was a Windows laptop I would have written the whole lot off for a clean wipe.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 10, 2016, 10:13:38 PM
I don't understand not getting an iPhone 7 because it's not different enough from the iPhone 6s.  Especially if your last iPhone was a 4.

iPhones are as iterative as they are expensive, which is why most sane people only buy the new one every few years.  But Apple thrives on its crazies, which is coincidentally how most smartphone games get by.

The iPhone 4 was the best of its class back in the day (only beaten by my favorite phone of all time, the Nokai e71). But since then, they've been consistently worse than their competitors. The iphone 4s? That years biggest feature was Siri. No, thank you. The iPhone 5? Samsung dropped the Note 2, and it was that phone that Apple would eventually steal from with iPhone 6+. The 5s and 5c? The 5s almost had me upgrade until I found Sony's Z1 compact. The Z1 was waterproof, had an excellent camera, expandable memory, dual GSM and CDMA bands and it last two days easy. The 6? The best phone on the market still to this day came out right after the 6 in 2014, the Sony Z3 compact. If you had a Z1 though, there was no need to upgrade. The 6s? See my answer for the 6.

Now we have the iPhone 7 and it's no better than the 6s.

Who's out of ideas? Certainly Apple is, possibly Samsung, and we'll see about Google. Speaking of which, Google is absolutely killing it in terms of software. Look up the 'Allo' and 'Duo'. Easily the most impressive text and calling apps in years.

As for hardware, while major companies are taking the easy way out because of their fanbase, there's still plenty of innovation to be had. How about making your phone indestructible? Caterpillar has been doing it for ages. Or maybe give it a laptop dock like that Motorola Atrix from years ago? Phones are incredibly snappy now, and with the addition of USB-C the dock could link to extra ram, a GPU and HDD. How about adding hardware security features? I, for one, would like a switch that encrypts my phone on the fly. What about putting a screen on the front and an e-ink screen on the back like the yotaphone? It's an interesting way to save battery life when reading something longer than an article or checking your notifications. How about fitting a bluetooth earpiece in the phone? It wouldn't be used for music, just for talking. You could make a portion of the phone a bit bigger and have it slot in and out. This is probably the only way to make earpieces popular. How about making the phone feel pressure when squeezed? I'm surprised this hasn't already happened. The first thing you do when your phone rings at an inappropriate time is squeeze the whole phone as you look for the side button. There's so many applications you can make based off this one sensor alone. For instance, you could program it to open your camera app and start recording video and call an emergency contact or the police if you squeeze it really hard for a consistent amount of time. How about making the phone two separate entities, one part is the phone, the other how you view and manipulate your phone? I already mentioned this idea somewhere on this forum. If this hasn't been done by 2020, then I'm starting a kickstarter. Separating the phone into two parts gives you freedom to innovate on both parts separately (a redundant statement, I know). For the actual phone, you could make it indestructible considering there wouldn't be a large screen on it anymore and have it attach to a key-chain or something. For the screen (or how you manipulate your phone), just imagine how slim you could make it when all there is a screen, touch sensors, a battery and an antenna. But I digress. How about adding a whole host of scientific sensors that can tell the humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, the air quality, and if the phone is waterproof, maybe a sensor to analyze the chemicals in your water?


And those are just off the top of my head (except for the separating phones bit). if I worked for a multi-national billion dollar business, I'm sure I'd come up with something better than an iphone 7.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 10, 2016, 11:21:18 PM
I like how the other fruit company is the one that released a high end smartphone with an interesting design gimmick in the past year.

(http://cdn.mobilesyrup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/PrivGif1.gif)

Talk about role reversal.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on September 11, 2016, 12:29:09 AM
BlackBerry is a mess. A big, fat mess.
/airhorn

Disclaimer: The author of this post worked for BlackBerry during the glory days and rampantly regrets it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 11, 2016, 12:59:19 AM
I had a read through your list/paragraph Stogi and every entry is either redundant, already implemented without your knowledge, stupid, unworkable or are niche case. You have to take the current form factor and usage in mind.

iPhones and other smart phones like it are for 90% use cases in their class. The other 10% make do or are looking for the wrong tool. You can't slap everything in one phone, they have to prioritise what's doable and what people actually want. Some features might be mutually exclusive. Apple and Co are desperate to give you some exclusive super awesome feature with their phone but the technology is mature. That's how it is.

It's not like people can't expand their phones with other devices via USB ports to gather data for other applications, but for your average urban user how useful is an built-in air sensor going to be in their pants unless your measuring a specific sort of wind?

I am sure these days remote weather station have a really cheap low power consumption cellphone attached to process and send the small bits of data. No-one sane would buy a top end phone to do that kind of job and any heavy lifting would be done on the central server not at the sensor. Hell, a raspberry Pi and a generic cell radio would work.

If you want to know what actual failure looks like have a look at Microsoft work on tablets and phones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 11, 2016, 04:17:56 AM
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I had a read through your list/paragraph Stogi and every entry is either redundant, already implemented without your knowledge, stupid, unworkable or are niche case. You have to take the current form factor and usage in mind.

Don't be foolish. Of course some of those ideas have already happened. That is the reason why I suggested it and even named the phones on which they appeared. The point I was making was Apple's slow pace in adopting features people already respond well too. The larger screen, waterproofing, and NFC.  Those ideas were already well-liked and well done, yet it took Apple several generations to adopt them. So why not speed up the process? Point in case, the front facing camera was introduced way back in 2003 but Apple didn't implement it till the iPhone 4.

And I'm curious what you think is unworkable and stupid? My last suggestion for scientific sensors was just me brainstorming (because it's fun), but why not? The iPhone 6 already has a barometer; keep adding more.

And did I not take into consideration the form factor? All the ideas could be done in a candy bar shape. But it shouldn't matter and neither should usage. Both will drastically change in this decade. The iPhones have looked pretty much the same for the past 10 years. Is it hard to imagine it may change or do you see yourself using the same looking phone 10 years from now? And will you interact with it the same way? I gave you a solution to change the look of the phone right now in a very doable way with mature technology that would be both innovative and exciting, but you dismissed it, which makes me think you don't actually know what is doable right now.

One thing I didn't understand from Apple at their press conferencing is the lightning port. Switching to lightning is not a bad idea, but USB-C was on the table. What was worse was their explanation of the sudden change. Take Goofle for a moment. They have had USB-C in their phones for a year now (and they still have the headphone jack). Now they did it for a reason and they made it clear. You get a significant boost in recharging speeds, and it's future proof. When Apple mentioned their shift, they used the word "courage", which is ridiculous. I have no doubt in my mind that Google is working on a Nexus dock using their connection, something that could do what I mentioned in my previous post. That is not the case with Apple.


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iPhones and other smart phones like it are for 90% use cases in their class. The other 10% make do or are looking for the wrong tool. You can't slap everything in one phone, they have to prioritise what's doable and what people actually want. Some features might be mutually exclusive.

Where's the space between slapping everything in it and putting the least effort possible per iteration? And just because you would use it only 10% of the time doesn't mean it shouldn't exist. With that train of thought, NFC wouldn't exist and still shouldn't exist. I assume you have a 6s. How often do you use the 3D touch? I'm curious. And would you do away with it if it's less than 10% of your total phone usage?

Bottom line is, I look towards Apple for some genuinely interesting ideas, ,ideas that make me excited for future possibilities. And while I make fun of Siri, what since then has Apple actually brought to the table? Where is that finesse, that obvious invention that no one has thought about? Why is it left up to other companies to pave the way forward. What I'm asking is, why is Apple so timid?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 11, 2016, 07:47:20 AM
I have a 5s if that makes a difference and no, I am not getting a new phone.

As I said before, all the companies are looking for some sort of feature to sell to the market. If they think it is viable and useful to you they would include it into a phone. No matter how big your brainstorm is they have had 1000's of people doing the same thing and actually built it in a prototype or already pushed out as a product.

You don't seem to understand the term "Mature technology". There isn't really anywhere for the technology to go or space to innovate. You keep asking for the next dumb-phone to smart phone explosion, but that isn't going to happen again for the foreseeable future unless someone figures out how to make a Futurerama EyePhone. At that point phones become obsolete and you're talking abut transhumanisim.

To take one of your examples, if you could shrink a mass spectrometer down to something that was phone size that would be a great thing for the scientific community, but it would be a worthless feature to build into a phone. Such a thing would be an accessory or a dedicated device as Joe Public would have no reason to ever use such a thing.

You wanted to know what idea you had I found the dumbest? A button to encrypt your phone on the fly. Why you think this should be a thing escapes me. Even in brain storming you give an idea quick sniff test before committing it.

It's dumb because there is no reason for the phone to not be encrypted at all times. Go ask the FBI about it when they were begging Apple to get into the phone. Having a button toggle would defeat the purpose of encryption and how it works. Not only that you already have a function similar to it but the thought never occurred to you that every time you unlock your phone you are partially "Decrypting" a layer by gaining access.

What you want to design is a "Lock" button and what's this? What is this button on the top right of my iPhone....

Second in line is the squeeze phone. There is no way you're not going to accidentally squeeze too hard activating something. Also we already have a far better solution called buttons, you know, the ones on the side of your phone.

Third, I guess you never heard of bluetooth ear pieces.. invented back at least the year 2000.

If you want to complain go ahead, just don't jot down streams of conciousness again, anywhere.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 11, 2016, 02:43:05 PM
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You wanted to know what idea you had I found the dumbest? A button to encrypt your phone on the fly. Why you think this should be a thing escapes me. Even in brain storming you give an idea quick sniff test before committing it.

You thought that one was stupid? I thought that was at least decent. You made me do a google search to see if it exists, and searching for a hardware switch to lock down your phone and encrypt your calls and messages (on top of what is already encrypted obviously) brings up this: http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/31/11818358/sirin-labs-solarin-privacy-smartphone-hands-on-photos (http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/31/11818358/sirin-labs-solarin-privacy-smartphone-hands-on-photos)

It looks like an awful phone (16000 for a shitty Android phone?) but there's no denying that's a neat feature. Being able to lock down your phone with hardware may not be useful to people like us. To the makers of the Blackphone and their customers, however, they might want to take notice.


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You don't seem to understand the term "Mature technology". There isn't really anywhere for the technology to go or space to innovate. You keep asking for the next dumb-phone to smart phone explosion, but that isn't going to happen again for the foreseeable future unless someone figures out how to make a Futurerama EyePhone. At that point phones become obsolete and you're talking abut transhumanisim.



Again...I gave an example of a space you could innovate in now. We have the technology to split our phones in two today; the guts and the display. The potential for following this idea is extraordinary. I could have several configurations of screens to choose from, selecting and switching on the fly, yet my phone stays the same. I could break or lose my screen, yet still have my phone. I could borrow someone else's screen, pair it with my phone, and have all of my information present. I could send out the same information to multiple screens with my one phone. I could control multiple screens at once. And it goes on and on.


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To take one of your examples, if you could shrink a mass spectrometer down to something that was phone size that would be a great thing for the scientific community, but it would be a worthless feature to build into a phone. Such a thing would be an accessory or a dedicated device as Joe Public would have no reason to ever use such a thing.


Okay, weird example, but I'll use it. If we could shrink down a mass spectrometer to 1/32 of the phone size, then we should include it. Joe the Public (why are you hating on the public?) may not find an immediate use for it, but a clever developer coupled the spectrometer with the camera and made a real-life pokedex capable of telling you what you're looking at with greater specificity and what it's made out of. Genius.


The point is, while these features may sound ridiculous to you, the fact is if everyone had it, the amount of information you could receive and use is incredibly beneficial. Let's again take the barometer for example. Because it's built into every iPhone since the 6 (and several lines of Androids), it allowed a developer to create a real-time, crowd-sourced weather forecasting application that gives you very accurate data based on your exact location. You can know when the rain will start and stop down to the minute on you specifically.


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Second in line is the squeeze phone. There is no way you're not going to accidentally squeeze too hard activating something. Also we already have a far better solution called buttons, you know, the ones on the side of your phone.


Again, you fail to see the usefulness in this space because of an inability to look past current hardware features.


Putting pressure on a phone is very different from squeezing it, especially if the phone can learn where you're most likely to place your fingers and how hard you can squeeze. Furthermore, different actions can arise by where I squeeze, how many fingers I use to squeeze, and if I'm squeezing with my left or right hand. Please explain to me how a button can provide this level of sensory input?


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Third, I guess you never heard of bluetooth ear pieces.. invented back at least the year 2000.


And that's why you see them everywhere, right?


People can't be bothered with them at the moment. And still, holding up a phone to your ear for long conversations is tedious. Most people opt to have their headphones on in those situations or use their speaker-phone setting. I'm offering a third solution, place an earpiece in the phone itself. The speaker and microphone don't need to be great, only functional. What's more important is that it needs to be immediately accessible. I suggest you search 'tiniest bluetooth earpiece'. I think you'd be surprised by how many people would be excited by this feature.


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As I said before, all the companies are looking for some sort of feature to sell to the market. If they think it is viable and useful to you they would include it into a phone. No matter how big your brainstorm is they have had 1000's of people doing the same thing and actually built it in a prototype or already pushed out as a product.


And that product is an iPhone 7. Obviously, something is wrong here.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 11, 2016, 07:09:42 PM
Holy **** you actually think you are better than 1000's of people actually dedicated to designing phones.

1. You have no idea how encryption works, stop it. If you want extra security features you use self deleting messaging apps and/or encrypted data links not some butchered $16000 phone. There are a range of software solutions that already solved that problem.

2. Now you got 2+ bits of a phone running around your pocket with 2+ batteries to content with with the additional power consumption of radio links. The radio part of a phone is small even when you include the antenna. That's why it isn't some second attachment or standalone box. You can have your silly non-functionality right now if you have an iPod touch and a dumb phone. You can test it out yourself right now by carrying a useless object of your choosing along with you phone and see how that works out for you.

Have a look at how far smart watches have taken off. I have yet to see someone have one let alone use it.

3. Including a feature for the sake of including one drives up the price. Things with such niche purpose is always better off as an separate device. No one outside of those specialists would use it as the data is worthless to your average person. What happens if the sensor costs the same as the previous full size one that runs into the tens 1000 dollars? Are we still including that just because we can?

The barometer isn't used for what you think it does. It acts as another GPS "satellite" to give you a more accurate fix as to where you are. GPS sucks when giving you elevation data. It can place you on the surface of Earth within the meter but elevation error is measured in hundreds of meters if not more. That's why when getting a GPS coordinate it never gives you an elevation. Even with a barometer I wouldn't trust the height information as it wouldn't be calibrated properly.

Crowd sourcing barometer data wouldn't be useful as the barometer wouldn't know what the specific nature of where it is at. Inside a small building the pressure difference might be 1 or 2 (30-60 feet height difference!)points but if you go into a high rise the error increases. If you go into a pressurised building like a skyscraper the data is worthless. Long streets with building on both sides would give you false data. All this is assuming people would be willing to part with this information at their expense.

There far more to weather than local pressure differences and I bet that developer is BS by reselling you data from other weather services.

4. A squeeze phone is a too inaccurate of an input. Do you know how much force you unconsciously hold a controller or steering wheel? Do you know how much your grip changes as you move or balance yourself? Have you ever thought about why the Gamecube controller trigger has so much travel? or why no one uses the two button sensitivity of the PS controller? Think how inaccurate motion controls are.

What happens if you forget to lock your phone before you put it into your pocket? There be some epic butt dialling, hope 911 doesn't show up. You already scoff at Siri which can be pretty imprecise at times and you want to apply the grip equivalent to the outside of your phone.

5. Did you not watch Apple's press conference when they offered wireless ear buds? Have you had a look at the minimum size of ear buds have to be? People don't want phones to be that bulky.

Most people don't use a wireless ear piece not because it isn't available but because it is too inconvenient and fiddly and people don't want to be carrying around another piece of equipment especially one with another battery they have to keep an eye on with a short life. It's 2 part phone redux. I followed links on Google and they suck.

It isn't that I don't have an "Imagination", it is that I filter it through reality before I spew it out on paper. Please self filter more. The lack of self filtering is why we end up with dumb gimmick kickstarters that fail. You're not "innovating" anything, you're just spewing **** out. Do your Kickstarter now, see how far you get.

There is no point in continuing this discussion as you're going to continue your manic rant and I am no longer going to invest anymore energy trying to talk you down. I shouldn't have tried in the first place and just let you ramble on. I regret this waste of energy now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 11, 2016, 11:40:34 PM
How often do you use the 3D touch? I'm curious. And would you do away with it if it's less than 10% of your total phone usage?

I have a 6s, and I use the 3D touch quite a bit.  A lot of apps have been implementing it.  It isn't really "ground breaking", but it has some novel usage cases.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 12, 2016, 01:40:52 AM
Holy **** you actually think you are better than 1000's of people actually dedicated to designing phones.

Maybe not all of them ;) . I wonder why you are taking this so personally. You obviously see no reason to upgrade from your 5s. Is that a financial decision or do you agree with me that Apple is out of ideas? And if you do, then why are you defending them when I point out other companies are innovating in the same field?


You instead placed the onus on me, the consumer, instead of a company worth billions and asked me to innovate, so I did. And then you picked apart my ideas as if I had been working on cell phones my entire life.


The simple truth is you are just as disappointed with Apple as I am. Come to terms with it.


And now I have an attachment to my ideas so I'm going to defend them :D . It's your right to **** right off if you don't like where this is headed or continue the discussion and maybe add some of your own ideas on how Apple could innovate?


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1. You have no idea how encryption works, stop it. If you want extra security features you use self deleting messaging apps and/or encrypted data links not some butchered $16000 phone. There are a range of software solutions that already solved that problem.

You are right about that! I am curious though. Why is a hardware lock such a bad idea for a phone or any electronic?


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2. Now you got 2+ bits of a phone running around your pocket with 2+ batteries to content with with the additional power consumption of radio links. The radio part of a phone is small even when you include the antenna. That's why it isn't some second attachment or standalone box. You can have your silly non-functionality right now if you have an iPod touch and a dumb phone. You can test it out yourself right now by carrying a useless object of your choosing along with you phone and see how that works out for you.


Well let's see. I got my wallet in my back left. My phone in my front right. My front left pocket are my keys and my back left is empty. Sure why not! :D


Useless or not that "thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA)" can take a beating while the phone you have right now cannot. Your phone also can't last for more than 18 hours, but that "thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA)", without a screen, could potentially last a week. Also that "thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA)" could be the size of your credit card and eventually the size of your apartment dongle.


At the same time, your "phone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21x7KObESV0)" now costs about 50 bucks to replace. So don't worry if you break it, burn it, flush it, lose it, toss it over a cliff, microwave it, get mugged, etc. You can stop into your nearest gas station and pick up a new one. There are about 10x^10 different variations to choose from. Some have large speakers. Some have better cameras. Some have a joystick and buttons. Whatever floats your boat. Oh there's also one that floats. Buy one, two, or three. And since it doesn't have a "phone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21x7KObESV0)" in it, there's a large battery in there, making it last a week as well.



Oh I almost forgot. There's neat feature about that "thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QKqFPRZSA)" BTW. You can pop it in your computer monitor at home (you know the one that houses a GPU, RAM, and an HDD?) and use a keyboard and mouse to peruse the web, work, or play games. Don't worry though, you can still make calls from your "phone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21x7KObESV0)". That is, unless you want to facetime with your monitor instead?

And I will kickstart it if I doesn't happen in the next 4 years for the absolute **** of it.

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Have a look at how far smart watches have taken off. I have yet to see someone have one let alone use it.

Hahaha. I was the first person to **** on smart watches. They're an awful idea, at least right now. Still, I do think I can make it better ;) . If it were a little bigger, more rectangular and there was someway to take it off your wrist without undoing the strap (maybe a swivel lock), you could probably text on it, and that'd be enough to make it popular.

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3. Including a feature for the sake of including one drives up the price. Things with such niche purpose is always better off as an separate device. No one outside of those specialists would use it as the data is worthless to your average person. What happens if the sensor costs the same as the previous full size one that runs into the tens 1000 dollars? Are we still including that just because we can?

Well of course there's a cost/benefit analysis you'd do. This is a fake business we're talking about. The point I was making is you'd probably not add it if it costs pennies on the dollar because it serves no immediate purpose to you, and therefore Joe the Public (starting to love that name) won't have anything to do with it. As CEO of my fake company, I have more faith in Joe.

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The barometer isn't used for what you think it does. It acts as another GPS "satellite" to give you a more accurate fix as to where you are. GPS sucks when giving you elevation data. It can place you on the surface of Earth within the meter but elevation error is measured in hundreds of meters if not more. That's why when getting a GPS coordinate it never gives you an elevation. Even with a barometer I wouldn't trust the height information as it wouldn't be calibrated properly.

Crowd sourcing barometer data wouldn't be useful as the barometer wouldn't know what the specific nature of where it is at. Inside a small building the pressure difference might be 1 or 2 (30-60 feet height difference!)points but if you go into a high rise the error increases. If you go into a pressurised building like a skyscraper the data is worthless. Long streets with building on both sides would give you false data. All this is assuming people would be willing to part with this information at their expense.

There far more to weather than local pressure differences and I bet that developer is BS by reselling you data from other weather services.

I am aware it's used for location purposes as well. I am also aware people (Joe) wouldn't send data when they're inside their homes, similarly to people not sending traffic info to Waze when their not driving.


Your point about the unpredictability or faulty data becomes moot when you add several million data points. And that's what I'm suggesting, and that's what these developers are doing.


And people are willing to part with information if it benefits their lives. There's countless examples of that already.


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4. A squeeze phone is a too inaccurate of an input. Do you know how much force you unconsciously hold a controller or steering wheel? Do you know how much your grip changes as you move or balance yourself? Have you ever thought about why the Gamecube controller trigger has so much travel? or why no one uses the two button sensitivity of the PS controller? Think how inaccurate motion controls are.

What happens if you forget to lock your phone before you put it into your pocket? There be some epic butt dialling, hope 911 doesn't show up. You already scoff at Siri which can be pretty imprecise at times and you want to apply the grip equivalent to the outside of your phone.


I wasn't thinking the whole phone was squeezable like a chew toy or something, just the sides, so sitting on it wouldn't do anything. Still, your point is well taken. Maybe there should be a sensor on the back in case you sit on it. You could program the phone to fart. And that, my friends, are how great ideas are born.


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5. Did you not watch Apple's press conference when they offered wireless ear buds? Have you had a look at the minimum size of ear buds have to be? People don't want phones to be that bulky.

Most people don't use a wireless ear piece not because it isn't available but because it is too inconvenient and fiddly and people don't want to be carrying around another piece of equipment especially one with another battery they have to keep an eye on with a short life. It's 2 part phone redux. I followed links on Google and they suck.



You're right. I don't see Apples earbuds being popular either. Maybe if they somehow had them come out of the phone instead.


Fake CEO time: I'd ask my engineering team to make an earpiece that looks like a stylus when you pull it from the phone, but bends when placed around your ear for a snug fit.

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It isn't that I don't have an "Imagination", it is that I filter it through reality before I spew it out on paper. Please self filter more. The lack of self filtering is why we end up with dumb gimmick kickstarters that fail. You're not "innovating" anything, you're just spewing **** out. Do your Kickstarter now, see how far you get.


(http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Farnsworth_b33f0c_3007940.jpg)


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There is no point in continuing this discussion as you're going to continue your manic rant and I am no longer going to invest anymore energy trying to talk you down. I shouldn't have tried in the first place and just let you ramble on. I regret this waste of energy now.


Eh...I'll give you my first post...It was a bit ranty. The others? Those, my friend, were responses.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 12, 2016, 05:23:47 AM
I am no disappointed. I simply recognize we are at a technological end point for what we can do with a smart phone for the foreseeable future.

If someone steals your phone or goes after your data having a physical lock isn't going to stop them. The phone being encrypted is.

Your two part phone has absolutely nothing innovative a about it, in fact it is anti-innovative. Buy a burner phone, those things can idle for a week at a time, get a small tablet and you have virtually exactly the same functionality. You are basically trying to undo the smart phone. It's dumb. I don't know about you, but $50 isn't money you tag to throw away.

If you want a specific higher functionality you buy that specific device. Buy a boombox if you want bigger speakers. Buy a full size camera if you want higher quality pictures. Buy a Vita or N3DS if you want joystick / gaming. Google tried to make a component phone and failed.

Why would I want to compute on a phone when I have a desktop at home and I can cloud sync just about anything I want between them?

Kickstart it now if you are so sure docking a phone to a monitor is a thing. Just do it, why wait 4 years. DOOO IITTT.

If they make smart watches any bigger you might as well just slap the phone on to your wrist.

How would you statistically cull or average out all this bad information that is also moving around? You have no idea whether the sensor is broken or what it's local conditions are or it's calibration or it's height, what about sensor holes?. Then you have to get people to opt-in and have a system in place to process the massive amount of data needed to predict weather. Then you need a **** load of other data you aren't getting from the single points of data from the phones. It would be garbage in, garbage out. That developer you keep alluding to is full of ****.

Thanks for making everyone dumb by linking that quote and yeah I seen that episode and yes it is still a cartoon. Having an imagination is great and all but you still go to make it work for it to mean something.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 12, 2016, 12:56:31 PM
I am no disappointed. I simply recognize we are at a technological end point for what we can do with a smart phone for the foreseeable future.

And this is our main point of contention.

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Your two part phone has absolutely nothing innovative a about it, in fact it is anti-innovative. Buy a burner phone, those things can idle for a week at a time, get a small tablet and you have virtually exactly the same functionality. You are basically trying to undo the smart phone. It's dumb. I don't know about you, but $50 isn't money you tag to throw away.

If you want a specific higher functionality you buy that specific device. Buy a boombox if you want bigger speakers. Buy a full size camera if you want higher quality pictures. Buy a Vita or N3DS if you want joystick / gaming. Google tried to make a component phone and failed.

Why would I want to compute on a phone when I have a desktop at home and I can cloud sync just about anything I want between them?

Kickstart it now if you are so sure docking a phone to a monitor is a thing. Just do it, why wait 4 years. DOOO IITTT.

I have too much on my plate as it is to produce a slick video and prototype.


This is not a phone. This is not a tablet. This is your computer in your pocket. This is the CPU that runs your desktop, your laptop, your tablet, your phone, your watch, and any other electronics that needs a speedy processor.


Desktops are overkill for most people, yet people do like a larger screen to look at. Should they buy a desktop for a screen? Shall I buy a laptop and hook up a monitor instead? Does this not make my laptop a component?


Speaking of which, laptops that provide serious processing power are overkill as well. Most people can get by with running Office and a browser, yet are forced to pay for CPU for the luxury of a keyboard, a decent OS, a larger HDD and a bigger screen.


When people purchase tablets, they simply want a bigger screen, but again, it's a packaged deal. Furthermore, companies ask them to pay a premium when they want to connect to data towers, to attach the tablet to their cell plan, or even worse, purchase a new cell service plan all together. I have a perfectly good cell plan in my pocket (and don't get me started on tethering fees).


When buying a new phone, the least important feature in most customers eyes is the marginally faster CPU. It's usually the better camera, the waterproofing, bigger battery, etc., yet they are subjected to extraordinary prices each year because it's a packaged deal.


And your smartwatch is already compartmentalized.


If you're content with paying exuberant prices year to year, upgrade to upgrade, that is your prerogative. I see things differently. I see a culture of minuscule upgrades and large price tags. And I'm sick of it. These are not instruments, where having two is better than having one; this is hermit crab technology, where we dispense of one and climb into a new one.


That is why the idea of upgrading one thing, the computer in your pocket, rather than several is a damn good idea. If we live in a world of hermit crab technology, might as well act like it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 12, 2016, 10:34:00 PM
I think you just described the Asus PadFone with extra steps.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 13, 2016, 01:50:25 AM
(http://cdn.funnyisms.com/ec72baba-fa0d-4e32-befa-f2d29310d609.jpg)

Pretty much. The Motorola Atrix is also similar to what I'm proposing.


The problem those phones encountered is compatibility. They are the only phones capable of using their respective docks. Phones within the same company or even later versions of the same line can't fit properly. And that's probably why they failed to catch on. It's still a good idea, however.


But you bring up an interesting point. I proposed a wireless link between the computer in your pocket (CIYP) and your "phone", so I don't know why it couldn't work with a tablet. And with the invention of USB-C, you could connect a cord to your monitor or laptop to access the gpu, ram, and HDD. So, you're right. You could use your phone now in all these situations, so why the extra step?

And my response is the same as earlier. There's several advantages to separating the CPU from everything else:

1. The main advantage is not having to continually buy your processor. Things will become substantially cheaper from that step alone.

2. You can build it to withstand a great amount of damage, insuring it lasts a long time,.

3. Batteries would last drastically longer for your CIYP, your phone, and your devices, since you'll essentially have two working together.

4. Damaging your phone or cracking the screen will become a much less troublesome affair as it is easily replaced.

5. You could standardize the shape of the CIYP to fit inside your devices rather than connect by a cord.

6. And while your CIYP is docked with a device, you'll still be able to interact with your phone. You won't trade functionality like the padfone and atrix.

7. You could begin to make the CIYP smaller and smaller through the generations.

8. You could begin to experiment with the design of the phone without needing to worry where the CPU will fit in. Batteries and screens are the major factors in phones looking similar, but at least we took one thing out of the equation.

This is helpful. If I ever Kickstart this idea, I'll look back on this.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 13, 2016, 01:59:53 AM
I have too much on my plate as it is to produce a slick video and prototype.
If you think this is such a good idea you really should do it now, if not you're full of ****. If I am wrong you make millions of dollars, if I am right you lose $10,000s dollars, get mocked and get beaten to the market anyway as nickmitch pointed out or by the sea of after market parts.

You're not solving anything. You are creating more problems and creating worse devices that cannot function on it's own and you're not saving any money. Instead of carrying your just your phone you are now always carrying 2+ devices. How big do you envision this "CPU" to be? Processing power, size, weight, power consumption, form factor and heat do not combine. You have to pick and choose.

It is why we have dedicated devices. I don't see how tying every other device to a single point of failure is helping anything. Take a Camera, instead of having a swappable memory card and batteries you are at the mercy of the device with the lowest battery life aka your "CPU". You can even switch off digital displays with cameras saving power by shooting old school.

Have a look at Ouya that tried to take mobile components and turn them into a console. It failed. The engineering realities of a console and a mobile device are mutually exclusive.

The point of the Smart Phone is to be good enough, a jack of all trades. If you want better you buy that dedicated device. If I, personally buy a new phone now it it would simply be a display of wealth not utility.

You can buy a CPU retail for $50 and now your desktop can run on it's own with more power than your cellular "CPU"
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=500&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#prodlista (http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=500&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#prodlista)

If you want a phone that last all week but a burner phone. If you want bigger speakers buy an after market speaker dock or a $2 male to male cable. Buy a Camera if you are serious about taking photos, even the cheapest one will out-perform the best phone camera. If you want to find the pH of something get litmus test stripes.

A fully dedicated device will always be better than a smart phone or what you are trying to sell.

Post edit: Your CIYP is another incompatible piece of tech. I have also made the thread dumber yet again by posting a cartoon and missing the point of the message.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 13, 2016, 01:29:01 PM
The problem those phones encountered is compatibility. They are the only phones capable of using their respective docks. Phones within the same company or even later versions of the same line can't fit properly. And that's probably why they failed to catch on. It's still a good idea, however.

The only way that docking works is if one piece of hardware is designed to fit into another.  The phone has to be specifically designed for that purpose.  You can make it work otherwise. You can give every phone in you make the same form factor, otherwise you're just making the same phone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 13, 2016, 03:46:54 PM

The problem those phones encountered is compatibility. They are the only phones capable of using their respective docks. Phones within the same company or even later versions of the same line can't fit properly. And that's probably why they failed to catch on. It's still a good idea, however.


The only way that docking works is if one piece of hardware is designed to fit into another.  The phone has to be specifically designed for that purpose.  You can make it work otherwise. You can give every phone in you make the same form factor, otherwise you're just making the same phone.


Did you mean to say "You can't give every phone the same form factor."? If so, that is the problem I was alluding towards. It is the reason why I listed several ways you could "dock" without physically locking in your device. And wasn't that the point you were trying make? That docking your phone was unnecessary to achieve the same results and that you didn't need an extra step?

I gave several examples why it is important to still separate the hardware of the phone from its screen, one of them being the ability to standardize the CIYP with universal docking in mind (at least within the same company). This leaves your phone to be as different as you'd like.


I have too much on my plate as it is to produce a slick video and prototype.
If you think this is such a good idea you really should do it now, if not you're full of ****. If I am wrong you make millions of dollars, if I am right you lose $10,000s dollars, get mocked and get beaten to the market anyway as nickmitch pointed out or by the sea of after market parts.



I'm not trying to delude you or safeguard my ego. I don't have the time to invest fully into this idea. I wish I did because I don't like to half-ass anything. Still, maybe instead of using the 15 minutes it takes to reply to you, I could start drawing some models :D . My buddy does have a 3D printer come to think of it.


Quote

You're not solving anything. You are creating more problems and creating worse devices that cannot function on it's own and you're not saving any money. Instead of carrying your just your phone you are now always carrying 2+ devices. How big do you envision this "CPU" to be? Processing power, size, weight, power consumption, form factor and heat do not combine. You have to pick and choose.



What I'm attempting to solve is the price, of all your devices, their overall utility, their durability, their longevity, and the stagnation and complicit nature of iterations the market has subjected us to.


I imagine the first model of the CIYP being no larger than a small wallet with future models increasingly becoming smaller. I envision in 15 years time the CIYP becoming the size of a key fob.


And I'm not sure where you get the "2+" devices. What is the plus for? If you're talking about a smartwatch, you're not really carrying it, are you? Besides, your CIYP may one day be small enough to replace your watch.

Quote

It is why we have dedicated devices. I don't see how tying every other device to a single point of failure is helping anything. Take a Camera, instead of having a swappable memory card and batteries you are at the mercy of the device with the lowest battery life aka your "CPU". You can even switch off digital displays with cameras saving power by shooting old school.
Have a look at Ouya that tried to take mobile components and turn them into a console. It failed. The engineering realities of a console and a mobile device are mutually exclusive.



I think you mistook me. When I said "better camera", I meant a better camera than other models of phones. I'm not trying to replace your DSLR. I'm not trying to replace the laptop or desktop where you edit 500mb photos either. In fact, I'm not trying to replace anything dedicated at all. The examples I gave earlier are in comparison to phones as they are now; ie "better speakers" means better speakers than phones today.


To your other points, having your CIYP and the device it is connected to each have a battery can guarantee you'll have longer battery life than any device today. And you can still have swap-able memory in any of your devices. I'm pretty sure I mentioned your laptop and monitor even having a dedicated HDD.



Quote

The point of the Smart Phone is to be good enough, a jack of all trades. If you want better you buy that dedicated device. If I, personally buy a new phone now it it would simply be a display of wealth not utility.



Completely agree.


Quote

You can buy a CPU retail for $50 and now your desktop can run on it's own with more power than your cellular "CPU"
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=500&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#prodlista (http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=500&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#prodlista)



Ok, but I'd still have to buy these processors again and again and again, or else what would run my phone, laptop and tablet? And unfortunately, when I decide to upgrade it, I can't buy it once either. I'll have to buy it again and again and again, for my phone, laptop and tablet.


Quote

If you want a phone that last all week but a burner phone. If you want bigger speakers buy an after market speaker dock or a $2 male to male cable. Buy a Camera if you are serious about taking photos, even the cheapest one will out-perform the best phone camera. If you want to find the pH of something get litmus test stripes.

A fully dedicated device will always be better than a smart phone or what you are trying to sell.



Can my burner phone that lasts an entire week run Uber? Can it run any apps at all?


And I've already replied to your other points.

Quote

Post edit: Your CIYP is another incompatible piece of tech. I have also made the thread dumber yet again by posting a cartoon and missing the point of the message.




Now you hate Rick and Morty too? Nickmitch said "but with extra steps." Inconsequential reference made.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 13, 2016, 10:25:47 PM
You still haven't solved anything.

You are still trying to devolve the Smart phone, that's it. Google tried already and failed. By extracting the CPU you are trying to do the same thing.

Even it you made the CPU, you now have a 100 other products you have to engineer to be compatible in a hostile market since you don't have any partners. You say your CPU gets smaller over time, each time you shrink everything else becomes incompatible. If you go wireless link now you're back to 2+ items to carry around. You never dealt with the issues that limit any processor other than hand waving it and talking ****. Have a look at actual processors, see how they are mounted, how much power draw, heat, how big they are, what application that are driving.

You are no liberalising anything. All these companies aren't in some cartel to sell you package deals, they just found the best way to put everything to gather. Most of the time tech is evolutionary and alliterative. The trend has been to place a CPU/SOC into everything including Fridges, appliances, houses, with data linking everything with or without wires, not to extract the CPU. If your detached camera isn't better than a DSLR and only marginally better than a phone why not buy the DSLR? The camera on the phone gets used because it is convenient, it's good enough for most. The companies sell a better camera with a new phone because they need to produce some sort of market differentiation and as part of the alliterative process.

Go look at Raspberry Pi, look at the size you need for the PCB board you need to fit all the associated chips that need to go with the CPU. You still need to slap a battery on it and contend with how weak the processor is, it is simply not powerful enough to drive anything other than very basic applications or act as a semi-embedded processor. The cheapest goes for $5 retail. At that price you might as well stick it them in everything. The other dumb thing is that you still need to put some sort of processor into these devices you talk about.

There are no cost saving to be had by removing the CPU. Let me say this again.

Google already tried and found it was a dumb idea. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/3115812/android/google-will-not-make-project-ara-modular-smartphone.html) They have near unlimited money, manpower knowledge and tools. You're are not envisioning any sort of massive explosive shift, it's not even some sort of niche, you are going backwards.

https://www.cnet.com/news/google-project-ara-hands-on-rafa-camargo-interview-modular-phones/

Quote
           But the new Project Ara isn't designed to let you swap out core components like the processor. Now they're all built right in.
 "When we did our user studies, what we found is that most users don't care about modularizing the core functions," Camargo explains. "They expect them all to be there, to always work and to be consistent."
           "Our initial prototype was modularizing everything...just to find out users didn't care," he adds.
 So instead of letting you build your own future-proof phone, the new Ara is about giving you a phone with mix-and-match features you can't get anywhere else.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 04:04:16 AM
You still haven't solved anything.

You are still trying to devolve the Smart phone, that's it. Google tried already and failed. By extracting the CPU you are trying to do the same thing.

Right, they tried to make a phone modular, one where you can hotswap out pieces of the phone with presumably better, newer parts. This is not my idea. In fact, it's the opposite of my idea. And if you read carefully, it's apparent their failure makes my idea even more viable.

Quote
Even it you made the CPU, you now have a 100 other products you have to engineer to be compatible in a hostile market since you don't have any partners. You say your CPU gets smaller over time, each time you shrink everything else becomes incompatible. If you go wireless link now you're back to 2+ items to carry around. You never dealt with the issues that limit any processor other than hand waving it and talking ****. Have a look at actual processors, see how they are mounted, how much power draw, heat, how big they are, what application that are driving.


Right, because I am a person. I'm not a billion dollar conglomeration with legions of fans and political capital to partner with almost anyone.


Unlike phones today, the CIYP would shrink (or change) every generation and not every iteration. If it's really a problem, I'm sure someone could devise an adapter for backwards compatibility. It'd be pretty easy to make.

I still don't know where you're getting the plus in "2+", but I'm not concerned. The wireless link between your phone and CIYP is necessary, otherwise you'd have to make every phone dock with the CIYP making them look similar. This is the opposite of what I'm going for.

Quote
You are no liberalising anything. All these companies aren't in some cartel to sell you package deals, they just found the best way to put everything to gather.Most of the time tech is evolutionary and alliterative. The trend has been to place a CPU/SOC into everything including Fridges, appliances, houses, with data linking everything with or without wires, not to extract the CPU.

Right. And the CIYP will communicate with them all.

Quote
If your detached camera isn't better than a DSLR and only marginally better than a phone why not buy the DSLR? The camera on the phone gets used because it is convenient, it's good enough for most. The companies sell a better camera with a new phone because they need to produce some sort of market differentiation and as part of the alliterative process.

I'm not sure where you got a "detached camera" from anything I've said. I said that if the most important thing about your phone is a camera, when you go buy a phone to link to your CIYP (because maybe you cracked the screen), pick the one with the best camera. There's sure to be a lot of options once I partner up with other major international companies.


Quote
Go look at Raspberry Pi, look at the size you need for the PCB board you need to fit all the associated chips that need to go with the CPU. You still need to slap a battery on it and contend with how weak the processor is, it is simply not powerful enough to drive anything other than very basic applications or act as a semi-embedded processor. The cheapest goes for $5 retail. At that price you might as well stick it them in everything. The other dumb thing is that you still need to put some sort of processor into these devices you talk about.


Right, and the most sophisticated chips on the planet (and even in your phone) have to be at least the size of a Pi.


You continually miss my point. If it weren't for the way you look at information, ie a screen, your phone could be smaller than it is, possibly even much smaller. Can we at least agree on that?


Quote
There are no cost saving to be had by removing the CPU. Let me say this again.


First of all, this is an entire computer you're removing. When I said CPU, I misspoke. Definitions are important, so let's be clear about what I'm proposing. Second of all, this computer will run a host of different devices, saving you the cost of having to buy stand-alone units. And before you say it, this will not replace dedicated devices.


Quote

Google already tried and found it was a dumb idea. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/3115812/android/google-will-not-make-project-ara-modular-smartphone.html) They have near unlimited money, manpower knowledge and tools. You're are not envisioning any sort of massive explosive shift, it's not even some sort of niche, you are going backwards.

https://www.cnet.com/news/google-project-ara-hands-on-rafa-camargo-interview-modular-phones/ (https://www.cnet.com/news/google-project-ara-hands-on-rafa-camargo-interview-modular-phones/)

Quote
           But the new Project Ara isn't designed to let you swap out core components like the processor. Now they're all built right in.
 "When we did our user studies, what we found is that most users don't care about modularizing the core functions," Camargo explains. "They expect them all to be there, to always work and to be consistent."
           "Our initial prototype was modularizing everything...just to find out users didn't care," he adds.
 So instead of letting you build your own future-proof phone, the new Ara is about giving you a phone with mix-and-match features you can't get anywhere else.


Except Google never tried my idea. It's right there in the text what people expected to work. And that's exactly what I'd be offering, except instead of adding on a camera or better screen, you'd buy a phone that has those features.


I feel like I need to draw this out for you. I'll be back with images.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 05:17:19 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/npchuAq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OCA1iVJ.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 05:26:12 AM
Rough and dirty, but do you get it now?

You'll need this little block to power all your devices. But it's worth it. Instead of buying a laptop, monitor and phone, you'll be buying a touchscreen, a screen with a keyboard attached to it, and a large screen that sits pretty on a desk. They'll work just fine for things like Office, browsing, watching netflix, playing simple games and calling. But if you ever feel the need to upgrade the speed of your devices, just upgrade your CIYP and everything else becomes faster.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 15, 2016, 09:15:52 AM
HAhah. Your CPU doesn't have an interface. You have to carry it and your interface ie 2+ items. You are still trying to devolve the Smart phone.

You literally don't have a single idea with the engineering limitations you have to play with. Your not saving any money, you're just creating inconvenience and weak links in the chain because now I have a minimum of 2 things I have to keep an eye on, two batteries, two loose items, two charge levels, radio links. You still have to put a processor into whatever your wireless device it to poll the interface, process in/outgoing signals and do whatever device specific processing needs done.

You can already talk you your house etc with a smart phone you can't do that with your CIYP because itself doesn't have an interface. Your CIYP is a glorified pants warmer.

Our technological devices are the way they are because they have to be that way dictated by engineering, ergonomics, work flow and countless other considerations. Smart phones are a pain to repair not because the companies want more dollars from you, it is because you wanted this form factor and to give you that form factor along with all these other features they have to be build that way.

If your idea made any sense Apple or anybody else would have jumped onto it. People want things that just work, you are doing the very opposite.

If you want to do your idea which is really really dumb if you haven't noticed, I would do it in software with a USB cable/bluetooth. Your CPU is still your smart phone but with a data link to your device of choice it extends your phone to it. This is something that is suppose to be done via software not some hardware boondgles. It is done via sharing data not centralising the processor.

By doing it in hardware you now have to make every other single piece of hardware to go with it. You are not going to get any hardware partners as only you would believe in this. If any of those companies thought it would be a good idea they would have beaten you to the market like a redhead step child. You are still full of ****.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on September 15, 2016, 10:09:58 AM
client - server!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 15, 2016, 10:26:16 AM
client - server!
Yeah, you got to have full independent system on each end for it to work. Even dumb terminals have some processor powerful enough to receive the video signal and to poll the mouse and keyboard to send back to the server.

Stogie never answers the very basic engineering questions. It's all magic pixie dust.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Fatty The Hutt on September 15, 2016, 11:30:05 AM
Stogi = Phileas Fogg
oohhboy = The Reform Club

ShyGuy = Passepartout?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 03:14:27 PM
Holy ****! He finally understands it. Well done, everyone! We did it! We actually did it! Time to go home and **** our wives or husbands.

HAhah. Your CPU doesn't have an interface. You have to carry it and your interface ie 2+ items. You are still trying to devolve the Smart phone.


It has an interface. There are buttons and lights on it :D .


And call it what you what, but the smart phone today is flawed and needs to be reexamined. There's a whole economy based on fixing phones and yet there's tablets in India being made for pennies on the gram. Do you not see the problem here? You're being complicit in a culture that builds beautiful phones that you have to put a case on because it can't survive a measly three foot drop. And god help you if you do crack the screen of your phone. Even if it works, society doesn't want to see that ugly ****, so you gotta buy a new phone. But unfortunately, you can't even salvage the most expensive parts and place it into your new phone (like Google was thinking), so your cracked screen phone has become entirely useless.


But please tell me how "the cartel" isn't trying to screw us over.



Quote
You literally don't have a single idea with the engineering limitations you have to play with. Your not saving any money, you're just creating inconvenience and weak links in the chain because now I have a minimum of 2 things I have to keep an eye on, two batteries, two loose items, two charge levels, radio links. You still have to put a processor into whatever your wireless device it to poll the interface, process in/outgoing signals and do whatever device specific processing needs done.


I may not know the exact engineering needed, but I am smart enough to recognize this idea already in play in the world. A smartwatch uses this exact technology and Wii U used a variant.


Right, people are such idiots they can't possibly keep track of another item they may need to charge. Luckily, their devices will last days now and not hours ;) .


And in 15 years it's not going to matter when everything will charge wirelessly (not on a pad but wirelessly).

Quote
You can already talk you your house etc with a smart phone you can't do that with your CIYP because itself doesn't have an interface. Your CIYP is a glorified pants warmer.


CIYP can have every interface imaginable.


Quote
Our technological devices are the way they are because they have to be that way dictated by engineering, ergonomics, work flow and countless other considerations. Smart phones are a pain to repair not because the companies want more dollars from you, it is because you wanted this form factor and to give you that form factor along with all these other features they have to be build that way.

Speak for yourself. I want a flip phone, one that flips vertically not horizontally.


You've been tricked, buddy. Companies could give a **** about you, they just want your money. There are countless ways to fortify your phone, but there's more money in selling beauty and fragility. And unfortunately, you love it almost enough not to put a case on it.

We're stuck with this form factor because of the limitations of the screen and battery. We haven't invented a high-res bendable screen or a bendable and/or tiny high-capacity battery. Soon though.

Quote
If your idea made any sense Apple or anybody else would have jumped onto it. People want things that just work, you are doing the very opposite.


No, I don't think they would. Their making a mint being iterative because of people like you who agree that we've exhausted all our ideas for the foreseeable future.

Quote
If you want to do your idea which is really really dumb if you haven't noticed, I would do it in software with a USB cable/bluetooth. Your CPU is still your smart phone but with a data link to your device of choice it extends your phone to it. This is something that is suppose to be done via software not some hardware boondgles. It is done via sharing data not centralising the processor.


I've already thought about that several posts ago. You should read it. It's good. Oh, while you're there, I also gave several reasons why you would still want to separate the computer from your phone.


Quote
By doing it in hardware you now have to make every other single piece of hardware to go with it. You are not going to get any hardware partners as only you would believe in this. If any of those companies thought it would be a good idea they would have beaten you to the market like a redhead step child. You are still full of ****.



Again, I'm not a CEO in charge of a billion dollar multi-national company, but I believe if I were, I wouldn't partner with anyone. I'd build my own dock-monitor and dock-laptop.


And no, they really wouldn't come out with this idea because there's no reason to be risky in a space that is compliant with iterative ideas.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 03:22:28 PM
Stogi = Phileas Fogg
oohhboy = The Reform Club

ShyGuy = Passepartout?

Apt. :D
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on September 15, 2016, 05:59:21 PM
client - server!

Thank you. That's exactly what it is.

client - server!
Yeah, you got to have full independent system on each end for it to work. Even dumb terminals have some processor powerful enough to receive the video signal and to poll the mouse and keyboard to send back to the server.

Stogie never answers the very basic engineering questions. It's all magic pixie dust.

Magic pixie dust? It's the same idea as a smartwatch! A smartwatch is fed information from your phone and you send input back to your phone through your watch. Now expand that idea to your phone and CIYP. That's it. That's the idea.

You can disagree with my idea, and I welcome any criticism, but you can't disagree with something you don't understand.

To put it as simply as possibly. I want to make a computer that fits in your pocket. It will provide information to your phone and devices. Your phone and devices are how you view and manipulate that information.

In this context, you should think of your phone as a mouse with a screen. Something that is wirelessly attached to a computer and you are using the touchscreen and buttons to access, view and change information. It doesn't process information, it doesn't do anything your computer would handle, it simply sends input to your computer.

Taking the main computer from your devices and placing it into a separate form allows for some interesting ideas:

One, you could use a whole host of devices, even other people's, with one centralized computer.
Two, your devices can be made to be much cheaper since they don't do any computational heavy-lifting themselves (an example of this can be seen with the explosion of incredibly cheap smartwatches).
Three, you can upgrade "the specs" of all your devices with one upgrade to your computer.
Four, you will be able to use multiple devices at once, even multiple phones.
Five, lacking a screen (although it may feature a tiny e-ink screen), your computer's battery life will be substantially longer than any of your devices today. And your devices will also have a substantially longer battery life as they, again, don't do any sort of "heavy-lifting". Also, with the removal of the main computer from your devices, you would be able to fit a larger battery.
Six, your computer could become smaller and smaller, even fitting onto a key fob.
Seven, your devices can focus on features rather than computational power.
Eight, your computer could be made to be almost indestructible.
Nine, your computer will be standardized to be able to dock with any your devices.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on September 15, 2016, 08:02:20 PM
I haven't read Around the World in 80 Days since I was a young'n!

Client Server is valid. These things go in cycles. Most of the things people do on computing devices is server side todays anyway. It's called the Internet!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 15, 2016, 08:20:03 PM
Answer this one simple engineering question: What are you going to do with the heat? If you can't answer this properly you will remain full of ****.

Phones and tables aren't sold and made by the gram..... They are relatively cheap in India because compared to our usual their tablets are too slow or limited for our wants and needs. They have traded everything else for a low price similair to One Laptop per Child, they are not for you and I.

Smart watches don't use this technology as you are describing. Smart watches have enough processing power to function as it's own device, it is just that the data it holds is slaved to the phone. The phone does very little.

What you are doing isn't a server client, it's a dumb terminal, they are very different technologies. That list contains actual engineering information other than wishful thinking.

I will say this again, you are not liberalising anything, it's bullshit in your head, it doesn't make sense. You are not some economic freedom fighter. Just because you say so with all your magics doesn't be reality doesn't ensure.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on September 15, 2016, 08:29:40 PM
Has this been brought up?

http://www.news18.com/news/tech/this-dumb-terminal-turns-your-android-phone-into-a-full-fledged-laptop-1273336.html
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 15, 2016, 08:59:04 PM
Has this been brought up?

http://www.news18.com/news/tech/this-dumb-terminal-turns-your-android-phone-into-a-full-fledged-laptop-1273336.html (http://www.news18.com/news/tech/this-dumb-terminal-turns-your-android-phone-into-a-full-fledged-laptop-1273336.html)
I told him that is how I would do it if I was going to do something like it.

If you want to do your idea which is really really dumb if you haven't noticed, I would do it in software with a USB cable/bluetooth. Your CPU is still your smart phone but with a data link to your device of choice it extends your phone to it. This is something that is suppose to be done via software not some hardware boondgles. It is done via sharing data not centralising the processor.

By doing it in hardware you now have to make every other single piece of hardware to go with it. You are not going to get any hardware partners as only you would believe in this. If any of those companies thought it would be a good idea they would have beaten you to the market like a redhead step child. You are still full of ****.

You can do the desktop equivalent now using the USB port to display video on a monitor and a bluetooth keyboard. It's also something no one does. Thats half a laptop is that in a mobile form factor. It is the return of the netbook but with none of the guts. It's not really a dumb terminal, it's a phone dock without the dock.

I you read the first sentence this is not a product meant for us but the implementation makes sense.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Fatty The Hutt on September 16, 2016, 11:15:23 AM
Stogi's idea sounds analogous to the "Cloud" everyone keeps blathering on about (at my work they do, anyway). All (most) of the processing power for your applications and executables happens outside of the device you are working on, delivered through the internet via "cloud". Stogi's plan is analogous except the cloud is in your pocket
So, Stogi, re-brand CIYP from "Computer in your Pocket" (too 90s) to "Cloud in your Pocket (soo 2016 and teh sexeh!) It'll sell like gangbusters, I tells ya!

And yeah yeah, it's not a 1:1 analogy, you aren't linking servers in your pocket and ramping up/down based on demand, and co-mingling clients, and charging fees based on consumption, and on and on...I get all that. I was just drawing comparisons.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 16, 2016, 03:59:24 PM
I plan on upgrading my new iMac's memory to 32 GB. Is that overkill?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 16, 2016, 08:27:31 PM
I have 32GB, it is pretty overkill outside of some applications, but I regretted my last build when I skimped on the RAM and had to upgrade later at a substantial price increase and speed penalty. Just get for as much as you can fit on the board. The absolute minimum these day is 8GB, anything less and you user experience starts suffering regardless of operating system ince you start doing more than the basics.

But the biggest upgrade you can get these days is an SSD. Even with a suboptimal amount of RAM an SSD will make you system fly until you run out of RAM.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 16, 2016, 08:54:25 PM
SSD is definitely a huge upgrade. My current MacBook Pro came with one, but I upgraded my previous one from a regular hard drive to SSD and that alone made things so much quicker.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 17, 2016, 08:45:38 AM
We've apparently reached the point where there is nothing new you can do with a phone, so it's time to start taking away some of the things it can do.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 17, 2016, 12:48:09 PM
We've apparently reached the point where there is nothing new you can do with a phone, so it's time to start taking away some of the things it can do.

And then add back that functionality with dongles.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 17, 2016, 01:55:56 PM
We've apparently reached the point where there is nothing new you can do with a phone, so
1. it's time to start taking away some of the things it can do.

2. And then add back that functionality with dongles.

3. ? ? ?
4. Profit!!!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 30, 2016, 06:55:11 PM
Son of a whore, Apple didn't announce a new iMac. Apparently, that is being announced in January presumably so Apple can get Kaby Lake in there. Fine. I've been meaning to restart my comic, but I've been waiting until to get a new Mac. A few more months won't kill me.

That Touch Bar though. I was thinking of getting a MacBook Pro as well, but not for $2400. I can wait for the price to go down on the new, redesigned models.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 30, 2016, 09:32:34 PM
I am kinda disappointed with these updates.  But I will live.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 31, 2016, 12:21:04 PM
Touch Bar looks like one of those "great in theory" ideas.  But yeah, that price is way too high.  They need to do something about that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: supermario2k on November 01, 2016, 01:56:23 PM
I am not all that familiar with Mac, I use one at work and outside of work stuff, I hate it. I love it for work stuff though I tried using InDesign on my Windows machine after getting used to the Mac and I felt like throwing my laptop at the wall ten minutes in. So in some ways I am coming around.

We can't afford new Mac's the ones we have are running, 10.6.8 and we can't update them any further. I don't know what that equates to though, Vista, XP, 8, ME?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 01, 2016, 03:16:39 PM
10.6 (Snow Leopard) was originally released in 2009, so it's quite old, though there are people who prefer it to more modern versions.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on November 01, 2016, 07:32:33 PM
Apple has been adding pointless things to their OS which if you decide to use it, CAN make a difference, but it is something that takes time and isn't instantly understandable why it is useful.  The fact is Operating Systems have pretty much become as sophisticated as we need them.  So all you can do is add gimmicks to the experience.  Some gimmicks like touch screens, pencil control, multi-touch pad do help the experience and worth while additions.  Others are not so much.  The jury is out on this Touch Bar.  I has the potential to be very cool, and it looks like an experimental step to something bigger and more advanced.  I really like those e-ink Keyboards for true innovation.  It would actually turn the entire keyboard into whatever you need it to be.  However, this e-ink bar, which I am sure will be useful in some applications just doesn't seem that compelling. 

Also I wish Apple would reconsider their ideals on weight and thinness.  To me they should focus on 2 different markets.  The Consumer market which weight, thinness and battery life are important.  Having fewer ports is OK here, but the Macbook should have had the 4 ports that the Macbook Pro has now. 

And a Professional model that sacrifices thinness but adds legacy ports (HDMI, SD Card, ect...) and bigger battery.  I don't think any professional is going to say you know what.  I was going to buy the new Pro computer, but it is just too thick and too heavy.  However, I do know professionals that will say, the new pro sacrifices ports and battery life and higher RAM for appearance...and that is just not acceptable.  Ever.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on June 05, 2017, 08:45:28 PM
I'm waiting for an iMac update
I like the new iMac, but I have to wait for next year's model
I've been meaning to get an iMac for a while now
I'm also looking forward to the next iMac, but I really want a Retina Screen.
I'm contemplating the iMac which was updated a couple weeks ago, but I'm leaning towards waiting another year.
I'm probably getting the iMac refresh later this year, but none of these changes really affect me.
I'm waiting for the Apple to announce the new iMac. My MacBook Pro is on its last legs.
I'm going to buy an iMac because the MacBook Pro I've had for six and a half years ceases to function in the manner I want it to. It had a good run. I got my money's worth.
Jebus...............

While I think it'd be funny to keep pushing this off, I'm finally pulling the trigger on buying an iMac. I know, I know. You'll believe it when you see it.

I selectively quoted myself above. I almost always held off due to lack of money though the last couple refreshes, I was waiting for an extra feature. However, I've been debt free since March 2016 and I got a fairly substantial promotion in January. The one thing I wanted was an SSD standard. The Fusion Drive is now standard since Apple, for some reason, still fucks with that on its desktops. I guess if I really want the SSD I can customize it on Apple's website. I'm more likely to just deal with it and drive down to Delaware to save on taxes. I'll put what I'm saving on taxes toward more RAM.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on June 05, 2017, 09:13:56 PM
Congrats on the debt repayment and promotion!

I'm pretty interested in AirPlay 2, whatever that does/means.  I've been worried AirPlay was dead for some time now.

I think I'll also get an iMac to eventually replace my MacBook Pro.  I really just need a tablet for my casual browsing habits.  I don't need to sit on my couch with a laptop.  But I guess I'll need a nice desk area first. #LeSigh
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 05, 2017, 09:35:17 PM
Yay, Apple invented a speaker that does things...oh wait. At least they're finally reaching the market of people who want an Amazon Echo, but also want to pay twice as much money for it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on June 05, 2017, 10:06:52 PM
Congrats on the debt repayment and promotion!
Thanks!
Yay, Apple invented a speaker that does things...oh wait. At least they're finally reaching the market of people who want an Amazon Echo, but also want to pay twice as much money for it.
I'm not interested in that entire product category. Maybe when I buy a house or just have money to throw at extraneous things. I read that HomePod addresses the main issue with both Amazon Echo and Google Home: the speaker. I guess if you're going to charge more than double, you have to have something to show for it. I'm not really sure that's good enough.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 06, 2017, 12:02:21 AM
Spoiler alert: it's not.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on July 19, 2017, 10:49:41 PM
I bought an iMac about a month ago (finally!). I originally bought the middle tier 27" model and exchanged the Apple Magic Mouse II for the Magic Trackpad and the regular Magic Keyboard for the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. The Apple Store clerk gave me the student discount because I'm charming and good-looking so I saved an extra $100. When I brought it home, I realized the screen was unnecessarily large for my needs so I drove back down to Delaware to exchange it for the highest tier 21.5" model. It was a difference of about $500, but three different Apple Store clerks couldn't figure out the exchange (I also returned the Magic Trackpad because come on...). They messed up thus I saved an extra $80. I figured the money I saved could be put toward an iPad Pro.

It took me a bit to find the following post:

I haven't been able to justify the whole tablet market. I can't see why I would ever need one. They don't seem to do anything more than a smartphone can besides have a larger display and they're too limiting to be a laptop replacement. I'm not buying the whole post-PC era. It sounds like something Apple made up to sell a giant iPod Touch. If I really, really wanted/needed an ultra portable computing product, I'd probably buy a Macbook Air. The 11" model is about one pound heavier and it's a full-fledged computer. As a secondary on-the-go/convenience computer, it seems to get the job done better than any tablet ever could.
Ha, lulz...

I'm willing to eat half-crow on that post. I bought the iPad Pro because Apple released a nice (albeit unsurprisingly expensive) keyboard. I was never a fan of touchscreen typing. And while I realize there have been bluetooth keyboards since forever, they added a lot of bulk which I didn't like. It seemed to go against the very idea of a tablet's portability. I wasn't really interested in a tablet until I could use one as a laptop replacement, "a secondary on-the-go/convenience computer" while still taking advantage of a tablet's extra portability over a laptop. The iMac is my primary productivity device. I can take the iPad Pro to the SO's place (she has the original iPad which barely functions and no TV) and get some light work done or putz around on the internet.

The iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard, 29w power adapter, and a USB-C Lightning cable came out to like $875 so a little over $400 cheaper than the recently updated MacBook. I realize the MacBook Air is $999, but the iPad Pro with the accessories I bought were still cheaper, and it has a better screen and greater portability. Overall, I like it. The iPad Pro does exactly what I need to though I read its real worth lies in iOS 11. I'm probably going to pass on the Apple Pencil.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 13, 2017, 08:54:49 AM
iPhone X is tempting though I'm not sure I'll be able to track one down. I've been saving credit card points since I bought my TV in July 2014 and I just hit $1000 with my latest payment. That softens the blow of how insanely expensive the X is. Part of me thinks the 5.8 inch screen is overkill especially since I have an iPad Pro.

Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular intrigues me, but I think it's still too pricey (#AppleProblems). I have to inquire how cellular works. Do I need an additional plan? Presumably, I wouldn't be using both phone and watch at the same time due to a lack of additional hands.

I literally couldn't give fewer fucks about Apple TV.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 13, 2017, 09:02:54 AM
The Apple TV is a great piece of hardware, definitely my preferred set top media device (watching The Simpsons through it as I type this). I haven't seen anything that would make me want to buy the new one, though, as I don't have a 4K TV or any media that would take advantage of it.

I'm probably going to buy one of the new Apple Watches, though. I've been a Pebble user for a long time, but they got bought out and discontinued and my current one's on its last legs right now battery-wise to the point it's barely more than an Apple Watch's. Not sure I need the one with the direct cell connection, but the Wi-Fi only one isn't that much cheaper, so I may end up going that way.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 13, 2017, 09:22:55 AM
I think Apple has finally given up on trying to be original. To be fair, there's not much left to be done with a phone that isn't done already, but they introduced absolutely nothing new. The Essential Phone already has edge-to-edge display, Samsung has been doing face unlock for years and also got rid of buttons, wireless charging has been around for years. Maybe they'll bring AR mainstream...but do we really need a bunch of idiots chasing things that aren't there?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 13, 2017, 09:48:14 AM
Maybe they'll bring AR mainstream...but do we really need a bunch of idiots chasing things that aren't there?

There's a Pokemon Go joke here somewhere.

Anyway, I think the most interesting thing Apple announced was that 4K content wouldn't see an additional price premium.  Making it the same as their HD premium with free upgrades is pretty cool. 


Edit: Wanted to add that the main reasons I think that pricing thing is the most interested is that it 1) all the phone rumors checked out; 2) Apple just "caught up" to all the recent phone innovations; 3) makes them seem to be invested in getting people to jump to 4K.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 13, 2017, 10:18:49 AM
Yeah not price gouging for 4K is nice. Honestly a movie is a movie, all versions should cost the same. Perhaps this will get Google to change their prices, which are absurd.

I almost made a Pokemon Go reference but I don't know if people still play that :/
#outoftouch
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 13, 2017, 11:29:40 AM
I play it pretty regularly.  They've added one of those systems that rewards you for playing it everyday.  Also they've been rolling out legendaries all summer and that looks to be continuing into the fall.  In fact, the game has seen a lot of changes this year with the addition of Johto Pokemon, revamps of the gym system, new Pokestops, and new items.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 14, 2017, 08:47:30 AM
Data plan details for Apple Watch:
Verizon: $10 per month, $30 activation fee
AT&T: $10 per month, $25 activation fee
T-Mobile: $10 per month, no activation fee
Sprint: $10 per month if you sign up for auto-pay, $15 per month for all both of you who haven't signed up for auto-pay yet, no activation fee

$10 seems high for something that probably uses less data and typically isn't used at the same time as a phone. I suppose one could stream video from their phone and text on a watch or hand the phone off to their child while putzing around on their watch. I still think the likeliest scenario is using one or the other. $5 would have been better, and honestly, I feel like this is one of those things that T-Mobile CEO, John Legere, eventually adds on as a perk to being on T-Mobile's network.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward iPhone 8 Plus. I'm not sold on FaceID yet. I like TouchID. I don't have to look at my phone to use it, and I think it's something Apple will reintegrate once it can figure out how to reliably implement it into the screen.
The Apple TV is a great piece of hardware, definitely my preferred set top media device
I'm sure it is. I meant no disrespect. Something like Chromecast fits my needs more. I stream Game of Thrones, basically end of list. How often do you use your Apple TV?
I think Apple has finally given up on trying to be original. To be fair, there's not much left to be done with a phone that isn't done already, but they introduced absolutely nothing new.
Isn't Apple's approach refining rather than being wholly original? Even the original iPhone was just Better-Blackberry, as reductive as that sounds. I think Apple gets more credit for originality than it often deserves, not that it's never original. Apple will tweak an idea to the point where it's usable and easy. I imagine most companies can probably get pretty close to offering Apple level quality and ease of use before Apple even considers taking a shot at it; they're just not ballsy enough to charge what Apple does. Like all things, if you want better stuff, it's going to cost you extra.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 14, 2017, 09:23:47 AM
Apple is nor completely innovative or copy pasta. Apple tends to "Perfect" a product naturally charging more for the privilege whether you agree this is true or not.

The original iPhone was a blackberry of sorts in a way that it was a "More" BB and did meet resistance from people who wanted a physical keyboard however the phone was so much more expansive and usable than the BB which was something I used one for quite a while. When I finally switched I asked myself why the hell did I use this piece of junk for so long?! BB would have never made an iPhone as it's company was anchored by the keyboard which at the time was something of an incumbent advantage.

It used the extra screen space that you could never could had otherwise and understanding the work flow was done in minutes as in a way it was so desktop like with the icons. There was also the unity of the UI something Andriod to this day doesn't have. If I switched the language on an Andriod and came back I would not know how to change it back because the position didn't make sense but on the iPhone you knew it was as it was placed logically for someone who use computing devices alot.

They took a bunch of different ideas and made it work as something cohesive and solved problems people didn't think they had. Nobody knew they needed a smart phone until it existed. It is one of the few times that when someone built it people really did come.

Sometimes they miss like the hand blocking the antenna but you have to admit they hit it out of the park more often than not.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on September 14, 2017, 10:09:04 AM
I like the iPhone X, but the idea of it being £999 ($1300) here while being $999 US (£740) there is an instant turn off.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 01, 2017, 02:42:47 PM
I broke down and bought one of the new Apple Watches since my Pebble Time is on its last legs and discontinued. I went with the standard model instead of the cellular one, since I can't think of a situation where I wouldn't have my phone with me anyway and it doesn't seem worth the extra cost for the hypothetical usefulness.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on November 01, 2017, 09:45:47 PM
So how is it working out for ou? Or are waiting to use it more before giving your two cents?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 01, 2017, 10:17:23 PM
I just ordered it today, so I haven't actually gotten to use it yet. It was supposed to be two-day shipping but then I got the notification that it's actually going to get here tomorrow. I'll post some impressions then, but I'm sure I'll like it given how much I've loved my Pebble watches and how many more apps and features this will have.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 03, 2017, 07:27:41 PM
So after about a day and a half with my Apple Watch I'm pretty happy with it so far. Something I didn't realize is that while Apple advertises an 18 hour battery life, it's actually way longer than that. I obviously haven't had the time to put it through any real tests, but based on what I've seen so far a full charge will last easily more than twice that long. Obviously that will come down over time, but it's pretty great.

The interface works really well, I really like how much can be done with the digital crown. I went with the 38 mm model instead of the 42 mm one, and I'm very happy with that decision as it's very usable without being too big. App support is great, though it took some searching to find a few things that had all the features I was looking for.

The only thing I don't like is that I no longer get different alert tones for different apps, with every notification producing the same chime. Hopefully an option to just mirror the same sounds I would have gotten before can get patched in at some point, but I can live with that for now considering how much I like everything else.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: ShyGuy on November 04, 2017, 12:15:01 PM
Hey I got a joke!

How do you milk a sheep?









Slap an iPhone X label on it and charge a thousand bucks
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 04, 2017, 01:51:05 PM
Alternatively you can apparently get by with just an apple watch label. :smug:
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on November 06, 2017, 09:09:18 AM
Did anyone get an iPhone X?

Personally, I wasn’t appalled by the price. Just to be clear, iPhone X is expensive, but I get it. Apple included technology that no other company put into a phone before (smaller Kinect, or facial recognition that measures depth so you can’t trick it with a photograph) and priced it accordingly. The technology isn’t new though maybe the engineering is. I have no doubts that if Google, Samsung, etc. wanted, they, too, could have put it on a flagship phone if they thought they could get away with increasing the price to cover the associated cost. Was I going to pay $200 more for that technology? I decided pretty early that I wasn’t.

On Saturday, I upgraded from my iPhone 6S Plus to iPhone 8 Plus and my girlfriend’s iPhone 5 to iPhone 8 as an early early holiday present. I picked literally the worst weekend to do this, but it just happened to be our first free weekend in over a month. Still, we managed to get in and out of Delaware pretty quickly. “Are you looking for the iPhone X?” was the question of the day, coupled with a look bracing to tell me some bad news. I told every Apple employee I wanted none of the iPhone X launch nonsense and was met with a sigh of relief.

Based on reviews I’ve read and watched, the main mark against the iPhone 8 (Plus) is that it looks like the previous three generations. Granted, it does though I file that under “W” for “Who gives a ****?” I don’t prescribe to using electronics as a statement or status symbol. While browsing Amazon for cases, some user reviews stated they were upset that the Apple logo wasn’t visible so that’s apparently still a thing. I ordered cases and screen protectors from Anker, all less than $10 each.

I’m very happy with my upgrade which was a calculated decision. I figure this year or next may be the last for the traditional home button with Touch ID before Apple goes all in with the notch due to solving the manufacturing bottlenecks. I want Face ID technology to improve before making that jump. Ideally, I want Touch ID integrated into the screen too. I like buying phones outright and I generally adhere to a two-year upgrade cycle so I’m on a good timeline. I’ll see what happens in the next couple years, and hopefully, by the time I buy a new flagship iPhone with Face ID in 2019, it won’t be $1000 anymore.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on November 06, 2017, 10:49:47 AM
I am sitting happy with my 5s which got a massive life extension by being a 64bit processor.

I don't buy something new for the sake of something new or status. If it is broken, too obsolete, has a super amazing feature that helps me, super mega cool, you know for reason that have some sort of substance to it.

If you want to blow your money on a yearly upgrade cycle whatever just don't expect me to elevate your social stature.

I will get new iPhone one day..
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Plugabugz on November 08, 2017, 11:51:44 AM
I am sitting happy with my 5s which got a massive life extension by being a 64bit processor.

While my 5C was end of life'd by being a 32 bit one. I'm tempted to get an SE to replace it at this point (or just drop out from iPhone's entirely and bring my Nexus 6 out of retirement as "the podcast phone")
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 03, 2018, 07:54:53 PM
So, about a week ago I started having issues with the charging port on my iPhone 6S. I'd plug it in and it would only charge with the cable plugged in a certain way, and that could be easily upset. And since I'd been thinking about upgrading soon anyway I decided to take that as a sign I should do it now. And since I've never been one to make sane and reasonable purchasing decisions, as of tonight I am a proud owner of an iPhone X.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on May 03, 2018, 10:29:48 PM
Hey I got a joke!

How do you milk a sheep?









Slap an iPhone X label on it and charge a thousand bucks

And since I've never been one to make sane and reasonable purchasing decisions, as of tonight I am a proud owner of an iPhone X.

Well whaddya know.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 03, 2018, 10:34:13 PM
It's probably not worth what I paid for it but I'm very happy with it so far. The screen is simply stunning, and it's really amazing how well and how quickly Face ID works. It's a really nice piece of hardware.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on May 04, 2018, 02:10:34 AM
The insane choice would have been to either buying some $50 Chinese phone or a Windows phone.

My phone paired with a blue tooth car stereo head deck is great. Just hop into the car and the audio starts where you left off from. Speaking of which, why do built in or discreet car nav still exist in a world where just about any phone can do the same? If a car manufacture offered it for free I wouldn't take it. If they offered to shove an SNES, N64 or PSX for free sure, I would take that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 04, 2018, 07:30:42 AM
Replaced the screen on an iPhone 7 2 days ago. What a pain in the ass. Apple sucks. They've now now invented (at least) two different new types of screws for use in their phones, just to prevent people from repairing their own devices.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on May 04, 2018, 10:03:33 AM
Say what you want about Steve Jobs personally but back then Apple gave a **** about customer service even if they started to make repairs harder. Tim Cook has not been a good thing for the company.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: segagamersteph on May 13, 2018, 01:56:30 PM
I watched a Johnny Carson skit on YouTube where Adam and Eve got a divorce over his being sick of eating apples. Does that count?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 12, 2018, 06:11:10 PM
So, uh. Apple had their thing today.

iPhone Tennis: Now in Gold!
iPhone Tennis Max: Bigger than ever!
iPhone Tenor: Six! Count 'em! Six colors!
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: oohhboy on September 12, 2018, 08:05:31 PM
Jesus! That is a super good way to price yourself out of the market. Congratulations for convincing me to hold off buying a new phone for another year or two.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shorty McNostril on September 12, 2018, 10:07:04 PM
I priced a PC that I could get for about $60 less than what Apple are asking for the Xs Max 512.


AMD Ryzen 7 2700 Processor cooled by the Baronkase's integrated AIO cooler,
ASUS Prime B350M-A Motherboard,
ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 Turbo 8GB graphics card,
16GB Team T-Force Delta RGB memory,
Samsung 970 EVO 250GB M.2 NVMe SSD,
Seagate 7200RPM 2TB hard drive,
Deepcool Baronkase AIO Liquid Cooled Case,
Windows 10
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 12, 2018, 11:19:43 PM
I’m mildly interested in the Apple Watch as I was since last year with Series 3. I’m holding out for a sleep monitor because I apparently toss and turn a lot. Maybe this will be the new iMac for me where I spend a literal half decade talking about and not buying an Apple Watch.

The prices, as expected, are still clownfuck lunacy.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 12, 2018, 11:42:49 PM
Having recently bought an iPhone X and Apple Watch Series 3 I wasn't really interested in this year's iterations, and nothing they showed changed that. The larger screen on the new watch is nice, but I can wait for Series 5 to upgrade.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 13, 2018, 07:12:31 AM
If you pay $1500 for a phone, you're a moron. Period.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 13, 2018, 09:02:51 AM
Good thing the 512 GB iPhone Xs Max is only $1449. What a time for savvy consumerism.

That price is also clownfuck lunacy. I upgraded in November so I’ll worry about begrudgingly giving up the Home button next year. I like the size of my current phone so naturally, I lean toward the Max. $1099 is pretty obscene to me even with a trade in knocking it down a couple hundred doll-hairs.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 13, 2018, 04:20:40 PM
iPhone XS, more like iPhone eXceSsively priced, amirite?

also apparently apple has courageously opted not to include a dongle with a headphone jack in their thousand dollar phone.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 13, 2018, 05:03:22 PM
Good thing the 512 GB iPhone Xs Max is only $1449. What a time for savvy consumerism.

That price is also clownfuck lunacy. I upgraded in November so I’ll worry about begrudgingly giving up the Home button next year. I like the size of my current phone so naturally, I lean toward the Max. $1099 is pretty obscene to me even with a trade in knocking it down a couple hundred doll-hairs.

I don't miss the home button one bit. I've gotten so used to the gestures that it'd be weird to go back, and being able to quickly switch between apps with a swipe is great.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 13, 2018, 05:12:26 PM
That’s encouraging.

How’s the Apple Watch? How often do you use it for things you normally would have taken your phone out for?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 13, 2018, 06:00:25 PM
My main thing with the watch is notifications, where it's handy to see with a quick glance what an email is or the like. I also love it for quick audio controls. One thing I use it a lot for is setting quick timers for things, which I do more now considering how convenient it is to quickly set it than I used to when I had to pull out the phone. I don't really use it to its fullest in some ways because I've never really gotten into using Siri for things, which the watch is great for.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 13, 2018, 07:19:08 PM
The whole smartwatch thing is so weird to me. what I like about the watch I have right now it that it's completely mechanical. no battery to worry about whatsoever, no fuss, no maintenance, it just works. I don't have to plug it in at night or worry about it at all. The smartwatch feels like the antithesis of that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 16, 2018, 12:32:41 AM
This is a really well done video and I really think everyone should watch it, regardless of their opinion on apple as a company.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 17, 2018, 04:54:48 PM
I recently got an Apple Watch.  Like Insano, I like it for the notifications.  I feel a lot less guilty about scrolling through notifications on my watch than I do about pulling out my phone.  Definitely helps in meetings, especially when my phone is buzzing and I couldn't really check why.

Pokepal, before this I was a mechanical watch person.  I had a couple fun, digital watches too.  The transition has been interesting.  I got the Apple Watch right after my main watch lost a link somehow and I've been too busy to chase down a replacement link.  I had another watch go missing before that, so my options were getting limited.  I never thought I needed one before, but it's pretty nice to have.  The charging I also don't mind since I used to wear a fitbit, but it's basically the same as plugging in your phone, except it's ok if you forget since it lasts like 2 days.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 02, 2018, 03:28:15 AM

Apparently the way to become America's first trillion dollar company is to not QA test anything.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 17, 2018, 10:16:52 PM
This is a really well done video filmed in 2018 about someone complaining that a ten year old computer breaks.
Compelling.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 17, 2018, 11:39:10 PM
You should check out Louis Rossman's channel. That's just one example. Apple is shady to the max, I will never purchase anything they produce.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 17, 2018, 11:43:35 PM
This is a really well done video filmed in 2018 about someone complaining that a ten year old computer breaks.
Compelling.
I'm just going to leave this here:

1:01 - A1226/A1260 2007-2008 Macbook GPU failures, warranty service refusal
2:21 - A1226/A1260 2007-2008 Macbook Pro hinge/frame problem
3:16 - A1286 Macbook Pro - the "Unibody" myth, glued together pieces fall apart
4:58 - A1286/A1297 MCP power circuit failure due to poor buck converter design: C7771 issue
6:01 - iPhone 4 cellular placement fail
7:12 - iPhone 5 power button problem
7:27 - A1286 2010 Macbook Pro GPU kernel panics due to same buck converter defect from 2008/2009(this gives you a hint that apple engineers doesn't give a crap about engineering good products, same design flaw for three straight years)
10:04 - A1286 2011 Macbook Pro GPU failure, Apple gets sued over not addressing problem.
11:43 - Apple gives out badly refurbished boards as warranty replacements for 2011 GPU failures.
13:06 - 2012 Retina Macbook Pro: another motherboard issue (U8900), due to poor soldering/manufacturing method on the GPU buck converter.
14:46 - Mac Pro GPU failure (again).
16:27 - iPhone 6/6+ touchscreen issue due to structural issue.
18:23 - SSD soldered straight into the motherboard+ chip that would kill the macbook, because a power line would short out to ground when the chip dies.
20:18 - 2016 Macbook keyboard reliability issue.
21:52 - 2016 Macbook Battery failure issue.
22:50 - A1278 Macbook Pro SATA cable failures(yes, really).

Now to be clear, stuff breaks. That's how technology works. My issue (and the issue presented in the video) isn't so much that Apple releases stuff that can break, it's that Apple's customer service will often try to weasel itself out of actually having to fix it even though a lot of this stuff is ultimately Apple's fault.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 18, 2018, 09:12:10 AM
Perhaps this is anecdotal. I’ve always had excellent customer service from Apple via call or at an Apple Store. Once over the phone, we got disconnected, and they called me back. Customer service from other companies have done that since, but the first time that happened was with Apple.

The MacBook Pro I bought in 2010 is slow as hell by today’s standards, but it still works. By comparison, the hard drive on my HP laptop in college **** itself in less than a year then the whole thing died a few years after that. The screen on my previous work HP laptop had to be replaced. Again, is that anecdotal? My preference would be to not use HP laptops. When it is my choice, I don’t. When my employer gives me one to use, I deal with it. I got an entirely new one about a month ago. So far so good, but we’ll see where it stands in a year.

Anyway, I’m not going to watch that video. The truth is if you already have an ax to grind about a thing and you actively search for confirmation bias videos, you’ll find them. For almost a decade, Apple products have been great for me. Maybe I’m the outlier on the bell curve. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ll keep using Apple products until they stop meeting my needs. Any sort of productivity/putzing around machine will get you from point A to point B. Use the ones that work best for you. That said, it isn’t particularly constructive by any measure to drive by an Apple thread to dunk on Apple.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 18, 2018, 09:31:28 AM
But Adrock! Don't you know that some of the GPUs in the 2010 Macbooks fail! Apple are fraudulent! Just because yours didn't and I've only had three components die in 25 years doesn't mean they aren't guilty of selling inferior products.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 18, 2018, 03:54:34 PM
Remember when they admitted to slowing down "old" phones and telling people "you're holding it wrong" when they lost service by simply using their phone? Watch the video where they tell the lady her MacBook is basically toast and she needs at least a new motherboard and probably a new LCD, and instead she should just buy a new one, when the problem is just a bent pin on her LCD cable fixed in seconds.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 18, 2018, 07:10:38 PM
Apparently Apple is going to keep on digging.

For BnM (https://youtu.be/AVL65qwBGnw)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 30, 2018, 10:11:25 PM
New Apple things announced today:

MacBook Air finally gets a retina screen. Mac Mini refresh. iPad Pro ditches the Lightning connector. Second generation Apple Pencil pairs automatically and charges wirelessly.

I was interested in the MacBook Air until Apple announced the price. I was really hoping for $999. Weird that Apple didn’t also refresh the MacBook. It’s $100 more for a larger SSD in the base model but worse specs than the new MacBook Air.

The iPad getting USB-C was rumored for a while, but I was still really surprised to see it happen and mildly surprised Apple didn’t go full Thunderbolt 3. It’ll be difficult for Apple to justify keeping the Lightning connector in the iPhone next year. Apple gonna Apple so...

Tech companies have been dragging their feet with USB-C for years. Microsoft just refreshed the surface line without USB-C. The world really needs to get on that train. A lot of blame falls on Apple. It shouldn’t, but it does. iPhone is ubiquitous enough to really push adoption along at a much higher rate. The MacBook line has been entirely Thunderbolt 3 for a while now, but Apple was still fucking around with Lightning.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Shaymin on October 30, 2018, 10:57:41 PM
Mac Mini refresh

what
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 31, 2018, 12:57:18 PM
Apple makes too much on lightning to 3.5mm dongles to ditch the lightning port.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 31, 2018, 01:18:33 PM
I saw the usb-c on the iPad Pro and wondered when the iPhones will switch over. I don’t think think it’ll be in the next model or the next model’s s-model. But after that, who knows?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 31, 2018, 01:27:23 PM
Knowing Apple they probably did it so they could sell a usb C to lightning adapter to people who use lightning accessories with their IPad.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 31, 2018, 02:14:24 PM
Yes because the only obvious way to increase revenue on a $800 device is to artificially inflate the attach rate on a $10 dongle.

Correction: $20.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 31, 2018, 03:55:41 PM
Apparently it is. (https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/24/dongle-top-seller-apple-best-buy/)

I suspect that apple will milk the lightning to 3.5mm sales for as long as they can before finally switching to USB C.

I work at Walmart and we can't keep dongles in stock at all. They sell out way faster than we can get them.

Honestly if anyone thinks I'm wrong: Why do you think Apple took out the headphone jack on the iPhone 7?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 31, 2018, 05:41:58 PM
Honestly if anyone thinks I'm wrong: Why do you think Apple took out the headphone jack on the iPhone 7?
While the 3.5 mm version debuted in the early 1960s, it's based on 19th century technology, and by the time iPhone 7 launched, it hadn't advanced in decades. Hardware designers have to work around it because it takes up space, and in a device a thin as smartphones have become, that causes problems when they're tasked with trying to cram more and more things into it.

Apple wasn't even the first company to ditch the connector. As far as modern smartphones, some Chinese OEM beat Apple to the punch by several months. The 3.5 mm port is technology that desperately needed to be put to pasture long before 2016. I didn't love the idea of giving up the port, but I understood it. However, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that Apple didn't benefit from it. Abandoning old technology was the point; selling a bunch of dongles was a bonus. I kind of hate the dongle because it's slowing progress. If wireless is the future, stop giving people training wheels.

Apple absolutely should embrace USB-C because it's better than Lightning. Apple makes a lot of money on the MFi Program so I have my doubts. Still, iPad Pro ditching Lightning in favor of USB-C is a step in the right direction.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 31, 2018, 07:22:42 PM
Considering how much **** BlackBerry was able to cram into the Priv I just can't buy the "There isn't enough space" argument.

(http://innov8tiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BlackBerry-Priv.png)

For a little over 2mm more thickness than the iPhone 7 you get a headphone jack and a full qwerty keyboard.

Also this comparison to the iPhone 7 plus is really amusing to me.

(http://phoneinf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DSC01577-1024x683.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 31, 2018, 07:28:44 PM
Apparently it is. (https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/24/dongle-top-seller-apple-best-buy/)

I suspect that apple will milk the lightning to 3.5mm sales for as long as they can before finally switching to USB C.

I work at Walmart and we can't keep dongles in stock at all. They sell out way faster than we can get them.

Honestly if anyone thinks I'm wrong: Why do you think Apple took out the headphone jack on the iPhone 7?

I guess that's cool for Best Buy? Meanwhile, the dongle sales roll up into accessories, which itself rolls up into "Other Products" (along with Apple Watch, Beats Headphones, and other stuff) and that makes up 7% of Apple's revenue (https://www.statista.com/statistics/382260/segments-share-revenue-of-apple/).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 31, 2018, 07:58:01 PM
Considering how much **** BlackBerry was able to cram into the Priv I just can't buy the "There isn't enough space" argument.
2 mm of depth over the height and width of the Priv is a lot of area you're downplaying because you have an ax to grind. And iPhone 7 included technology the Priv didn't (e.g. Taptic Engine, fingerprint reader etc). Also, notice how I didn't say "there isn't enough space." I very specifically said, "Hardware designers have to work around it because it takes up space." I didn't even specify Apple; this applies to hardware designers at any OEM. Any designer can include the 3.5 mm port now. The point is not including the headphone jack means that's space they just have now.

The 3.5 mm auxiliary connector is based on technology from 1878. That was literally 140 years ago. At some point, we have to let it go. Apple gets all manner of **** for this despite not being first and other OEMs following suit like a year later. The Pixel 2 doesn't have a headphone jack. The Pixel 3 didn't bring it back. There are rumors Samsung is ditching it next year. It's ridiculous we're even having this conversation right now. You were going to hand wave away anything I said anyway.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 31, 2018, 09:25:44 PM
So what is this amazing technology that is going to replace the 3.5mm jack? Because as somebody who has used Bluetooth headsets for about a decade now that certainly isn't it. There is a simplicity to just plugging in your headphones directly into your phone and not having to deal with pairing or the headset not playing your music because it's only connected via phone audio for some reason so you have to either turn the headset off or you have to turn Bluetooth off on your phone. Most likely you will have to do both multiple times before it connects properly.

Most customers don't have the patience to deal with that ****. It's as simple as that.

Now if the headphone jack was being replaced by some other type of functionality (like maybe a second USB C port, that would honestly be more useful than a built in 3.5mm jack AND take up less space.) I wouldn't mind it so much but that's not what's happening.

Considering how much **** BlackBerry was able to cram into the Priv I just can't buy the "There isn't enough space" argument.
2 mm of depth over the height and width of the Priv is a lot of area you're downplaying.
No, it really isn't. 2 mm converts to 0.0787402 inches. That's nothing. I will never understand the obsession that phone manufacturers have with thinness. What matters is how comfortable the phone is to use and what kind of functionality is contained within, not that next years Galaxy S11 is thin enough to give somebody a paperclip.

Edit: The thing is, and I'll get into this more sometime, is that nobody seems to be making the phone I want anymore, and to be honest that includes the BlackBerry/TCL partnership thing that's going on now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 31, 2018, 10:03:57 PM
So what is this amazing technology that is going to replace the 3.5mm jack?
Anecdotally, I have not had a problem with bluetooth headphones. I use it every time I go to the gym. I turn on bluetooth, my iPhone remembers the headphones, and I hold a button to pair it. That takes five seconds. The only downside for me is remembering I have to keep it charged which is why I previously said I didn't love the idea of giving up the headphone jack. Like all things, there are pros and cons.

I'm not really interested in arguing personal experience. If you don't like bluetooth, I'm not going to try to change your mind.
Quote
No, it really isn't. 2 mm converts to 0.0787402 inches. That's nothing.
You just converted millimeters to inches. I'm referring to volume (L x W x H). That's a lot of room to work with considering how small everything has to be to fit into devices this small.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 17, 2018, 01:10:24 PM
So fair warning to anyone who got the new iPad Pro: Apparently Apple beat Samsung to the punch and created the first Tablet with a foldable screen.


I can only hope that the comments on that video become half as entertaining as the time he snapped a Nexus 6P in half and than did it again to piss off the Google fanboys.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on November 19, 2018, 08:44:06 PM
Vicious and cruel video.

And it's just your bluetooth headset that sucks Pokepal. Wireless audio is fine and has been fine for years and doesn't involve tanged cords. Airpods are like magic. they always pair to my iMac, MBA and iPhone and they always seem to know which one I'm listening to.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 19, 2018, 09:13:44 PM
It's Bluetooth.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 19, 2018, 09:22:14 PM
Vicious and cruel video.
Not as vicious and cruel as charging $1000 for something that can break that easily due to a hardware fault and than charging an arm and a leg to get it officially repaired while you are actively trying to prevent third party repairs of your devices altogether. (https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/4/17938820/apple-macbook-pro-imac-pro-third-party-repair-lock-out-software)

Now that's vicious and cruel.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on November 20, 2018, 08:48:55 AM
That video is so f-ing stupid. Dude is actively trying to break the iPad. In what situation would the average person ever need to do that? Most things can be broken if enough force it applied. If I slash my tires, I can’t blame Michelin for supposedly making faulty tires. I’m not supposed to be slashing my tires so if I do, that’s on me. When used appropriately, these things will work as expected.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on November 20, 2018, 06:54:45 PM
Adrock:  The waste on the internet frustrates me.  When you see people actively destroying products that are expensive and made from limited resources in the world just for clicks is annoying.  It makes it more frustrating when you think, the money wasted just to break an iPad Pro could have been donated to help people. 

That said, I think he was trying to show that Apple's design choices are making the iPad Pro vulnerable to breaking with minor stress.  The video does tell us though how much force he used though.  It seems to me to actually be a video to ultimately sell the protective covers he was advertising on the video, which means he is not being that honest to the audience.

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 21, 2018, 04:55:18 AM
It seems to me to actually be a video to ultimately sell the protective covers he was advertising on the video, which means he is not being that honest to the audience.
Actually those are skins. there is absolutely no structural reinforcement to them. They can probably protect the ipad from scratches pretty well though and it's pretty easy to infer that's what he was talking about.

He also does videos on repairs of smart devices and the one on the back glass repair for the newer iPhones is really interesting because of what an absolute nightmare it is to do (it's widely believed that apple themselves just replace the entire chassis.)

Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on November 21, 2018, 11:42:46 AM
Good to know my iPhone can survive extreme temperatures.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 21, 2018, 09:24:08 PM
Also there are some really entertaining comments on the Ipad video if you dig a little for them.

Vicious and cruel video.

And it's just your bluetooth headset that sucks Pokepal. Wireless audio is fine and has been fine for years and doesn't involve tanged cords. Airpods are like magic. they always pair to my iMac, MBA and iPhone and they always seem to know which one I'm listening to.
The headset I'm using is a Bose soundlink headset. it's stupidly high end, costed an arm and a leg to get at the time, is also capable of connecting through a 3.5mm connection through an adapter for Nintendo stuff, and I can guarantee you that it isn't the problem here.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on November 24, 2018, 07:36:03 PM
Bose
Terrible brand. Bloody hell, you troll up an Apple thread and then turn around and confess to fully swallowing Bose's premium sound for boomers nonsense. My Bose Soundlink Mini broke exactly 2 months out of warranty. The support lady blamed me for not charging it properly and wanted $129 for a repair. It's absolutely your headphones.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 24, 2018, 08:06:51 PM
I've used multiple other headsets with the exact same problems though. If airpods work well than that's great, but based on my experience they're the outlier and not the norm.

And to be clear they were a gift, they've also lasted around 4 years now and they're still going strong. Probably wouldn't do bose again because of the price but still.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 10, 2019, 02:51:33 PM
Pretty aggressive pricing for both Apple Arcade and AppleTV: $4.99 per month for each. And if you buy a new Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you get one year of AppleTV included. Not a bad deal. Granted, I still don’t particularly care because I just signed up for three years of Disney+ for even less, and it already has content I want. However, I am admittedly impressed with the pricing because most analysts had AppleTV at $9.99 per month.

The other announcements weren’t especially interesting to me. This year’s iPhone was hella leaked months ago. For the first time, I’m going to hang onto my current iPhone for an extra year because next year is expected to be a major refresh year. I’ll probably have the battery replaced on my iPhone 8. I’m also holding off on the Apple Watch Series 5 since I want to get one at the same time as a new iPhone so I guess I’m stuck with this custom title for another year.

I was hoping for a MacBook Pro refresh. It got a spec update in June, but there are rumors that Apple plans to refresh the line again in late 2019, returning to scissor-switch keyboards but with reinforced keys. I’m not fucking with that butterfly keyboard nonsense Apple has been trying to make happen for like four years now. My last MacBook Pro still turns on and works (just hella slow now), and I want that kind of durability.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2019, 04:39:41 PM
I'm probably holding out for next year's iPhone as well. I've still got the X, which I've been extremely happy with. As for AppleTV+, I'm not that interested in another streaming service even at that price, but they're making a series based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, which are my favorite sci-fi novels ever, so I'm sure I'll cave and get it for that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 10, 2019, 09:18:44 PM
I for one am shocked that Apple has decided to stick with making probably **** tons of money on Lightning adapters and accessories instead of switching to USB C like some pundits thought they would for some reason.

Also, that 11 pro's camera setup looks like a metroid.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 10, 2019, 10:09:21 PM
Apple was an early adopter of USC-C on the Mac side of things, so I'm a little surprised they haven't taken iPhone and iPad that way as well.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: ejamer on September 10, 2019, 10:41:32 PM
... they're making a series based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, which are my favorite sci-fi novels ever, so I'm sure I'll cave and get it for that.

Nice! I was wondering earlier in the day what content Apple TV might have to make me care about another streaming service - frankly, there is more content on any one service than I have time to watch. However, if there is something really cool like this, I might be in for a month to binge my way through.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 11, 2019, 11:34:39 PM
I'm also not interested in the new iPhone lineup.  I'm surprised the baseline model is more based on the XR than the XS, but I guess the 11 Pro is more XS.

I currently have a XR, so I'm in no rush.  But if next year is the redesign year, then the year after would be where I'd normally strike.  However, I'm back in school so my phone budget ain't what it used to be.

Glad to see prices are trending back down a bit?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 11, 2019, 11:56:48 PM
Apparently 3D touch is being phased out which is a real shame. I feel like the only way that was ever going to take off is if Apple had been willing to license it out to other manufacturers. Basically as long as that tech was exclusive to Apple devices it was always pretty much doomed.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 12, 2019, 12:00:21 AM
3D Touch was such a good feature.  I honestly miss having it.  Wasn't sure I would since I didn't use it all the time, but those times when I would've used it really stand out now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 12, 2019, 08:04:37 PM
Apparently they couldn't get it right on the iPad so thought it best to keep the user experience consistent. Long touch provides the same functionality.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 12, 2019, 11:57:31 PM
I don't like long touch.  I seem to be triggering it accidentally a lot, even when I don't even realize I'm making contact with the screen.  Honestly, I'd probably turn it off if I didn't need it to delete/rearrange apps.  Or if I knew how.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 13, 2019, 12:03:04 AM
I was having issues with activating it accidentally as well, so I went into Settings > Accessibility > Touch > 3D & Haptic Touch and switched Touch Duration from Fast to Slow. That way it's still there if I need it but harder to do accidentally.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 13, 2019, 12:56:48 AM
Nice! Thanks!  I tried to search for it for couldn't find it. :^/  Hopefully this will help.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 26, 2019, 09:41:06 AM
I dont like how often im triggering the swipe keyboard
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 26, 2019, 12:58:08 PM
I prefer swipe keyboards, and use gboard. I didn't realize that apple added swipe to the default keyboard. That's a big plus for me since time and again I have issues with gboard either not loading when it should be or not being an option at random times.

I'm also typing this on a touch screen keyboard that I just realized has it too. I was actually struggling to type until I just tried it. It's this a common feature now ?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 26, 2019, 09:11:51 PM
Or you can be an old fogey like me and rock a physical keyboard in 2019.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 27, 2019, 01:35:49 PM
Honestly, I like swipe more than I liked physical keyboards I felt like my thumbs bumped into each other, and it's easier to type one handed with swipe.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 27, 2019, 02:23:13 PM
(https://cdn57.androidauthority.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Fxtec-Pro-1-angle-view-open-840x473.jpg)

Where's the fun in that when you can take your chances with a London-based startup because it's literally the only slider to come out in almost four years.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 28, 2019, 12:19:15 AM
Touché. Putting all your faith in startups is the most exciting way to live. Just ask SoftBank.

Though I'm honestly surprised the demand is that low.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 28, 2019, 12:47:30 AM
There is still interest, it's just that attempts to cater to that demand have either been halfhearted (see phones like the LG mach) or incompetently handled (The Blackberry Priv falls in that category).
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 29, 2019, 09:54:48 AM
AirPods Pro shipping 10/30 for $249.

For BNM (https://youtu.be/_JOsUhrrxeg)

I recently lost my last Bluetooth headphones from SoundPEATS and bought a new pair from Anker. I spent about $40 on them (vs $22 for the old pair). They get the job done. There’s just no f-ing way I’m dropping $249 on headphones considering my clumsiness and propensity for losing things.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 29, 2019, 01:20:08 PM
Yeah, unless it's some $20 thing that i can take with me, I want a full headset. It's less likely to get lost, it probably has better sound quality than the airpods*, and I can get features like an option for a 3.5mm connection that Apple can only dream of.

*This of course is ignoring the possibility that Apple is really digging into some dark magic when it comes to sound quality on the airpods.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 29, 2019, 02:43:19 PM
Yeah, unless it's some $20 thing that i can take with me, I want a full headset.
I get it, and I do have decent noise canceling, over the ear headphones that I use at home (TaoTronics, on sale for $40). For the gym, I’m not going to be that guy.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 29, 2019, 02:47:00 PM
I like my current airpods. Haven't lost them yet. But $250 is just way too much. The sound quality in the current model is ok, and the main feature they're touting is the noise cancellation and waterproofing? I'd need more emphasis on sound quality from the marketing. Also marketing above "it's available now!".
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on December 13, 2019, 09:19:26 PM
I have an Apple power adapter and Lightning to USB-C cable. I was charging my iPhone then unplugged the cable and immediately plugged it into my iPad. The following message pop-up appears on my IPad:

“This accessory may not be supported.”

I eventually got it to work. That’s... really f-ing stupid though.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on December 15, 2019, 11:48:00 AM
Yeah, the plugs and cables are all universal. . .until they're not.  There could be some dust and debris in the port though.  That happened to one of phones before and I just had to clean it out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on January 19, 2020, 03:59:02 PM
Due to a combination of some leftover Christmas money and an Amazon sale, I finally broke down and bought AirPods. So far I like them, particularly how well they're integrated with the system. I'd had some cheap generic bluetooth headphones before and I love how these just automatically kick in when I put them in.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 16, 2020, 03:16:43 AM
I just ordered an Apple Watch Series 6 after the event today, although I should have done it earlier in the day because it's not scheduled to arrive until the 30th. I'm currently using a Series 3, so this should be a big upgrade for me. I'm definitely looking forward to the always-on display they introduced in last year's model.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 17, 2020, 05:32:41 AM
I'm interested in upgrading, but not really compelled to just yet.  However, with iOS 14, I was forced to upgrade my WatchOS which I couldn't do prior because there wasn't enough space on it.  Deleting all the apps that I could didn't help.  So, I had to do a factory reset.  It's updating now.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 17, 2020, 06:09:06 AM
I’m having the same issue with mine. It says it’s full even though the apps only seem to be taking up a small amount of space. I’d do the reset but I figure I can just hold out a couple weeks and get the update with the new hardware.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 17, 2020, 10:30:15 PM
Pretty sure I'm getting the Apple Watch this year despite the main reason I wanted one was for the gym, and there's no way I'm going back to the gym any time soon (i.e. enclosed space full of recycled air, mofos not wearing masks). I want my Apple Watch upgrades to coincide with the iPhone which is usually every two years. I didn't pre-order the Apple Watch. I'll just pick it up when I buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max (or whatever it's called).

I'm mentally preparing for iPhone to still have a Lightning port even though iPad Air now has USB-C.

Does anyone use Apple's service apps? I don't really care about iCloud or Apple Arcade, but Apple One might be something to explore because Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ interest me. I currently use Spotify and have been considering updating to Premium for quite a while now. It doesn't matter to me how I get my music so I could move to Apple Music. At that point, I'd be getting the other apps in the Premier bundle.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 18, 2020, 02:06:56 AM
I use Apple Music, which I like a lot. I've bounced between several different music streaming services over the years, but I think I like Apple Music best, especially with how well it integrates with Apple devices.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 20, 2020, 04:04:47 PM
I use Apple Music as well.  iTunes housed all my music in the before time, and it's pretty much all moved with me since.  Like Insanolord, I like that it integrates with all my apple devices (specifically the Apple TV and Homepod).  I don't want to listen to commercials when I listen to music, so free options like Spotify and Pandora don't interest me.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on September 21, 2020, 08:18:19 AM
Pretty sure I'm getting the Apple Watch this year despite the main reason I wanted one was for the gym, and there's no way I'm going back to the gym any time soon (i.e. enclosed space full of recycled air, mofos not wearing masks). I want my Apple Watch upgrades to coincide with the iPhone which is usually every two years. I didn't pre-order the Apple Watch. I'll just pick it up when I buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max (or whatever it's called).

I'm mentally preparing for iPhone to still have a Lightning port even though iPad Air now has USB-C.

Does anyone use Apple's service apps? I don't really care about iCloud or Apple Arcade, but Apple One might be something to explore because Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ interest me. I currently use Spotify and have been considering updating to Premium for quite a while now. It doesn't matter to me how I get my music so I could move to Apple Music. At that point, I'd be getting the other apps in the Premier bundle.
Well good news is that you'll get 3 months of Fitness+ with your Apple Watch so that should give you a good idea if it's worth bundling with everything else.
Apple Music is great, I can't speak to the otehr ones but there are a few nice games on Apple Arcade that would cost a fair bit to buy individually on Switch, I've only heard bad things about Apple News+.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 25, 2020, 11:36:35 PM
My watch got here today, and my first impression is I'm surprised by how much bigger the screen seems. In one of the last few models they moved from 38 mm and 42 mm to 40 mm and 44 mm, with the body staying the same size but the screen covering more of the face with less of a bezel. 2 mm doesn't seem like a lot, but it feels like a big jump.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 16, 2020, 08:44:42 AM
And after trying and trying to get an Xbox Series X preorder and coming up short, I got my iPhone 12 Pro preordered quickly and painlessly. Yet again, Apple > Microsoft.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 18, 2020, 01:32:47 AM
The color palette and the lack of a plug really turned me off during the iPhone 12 reveal. The color more than anything since I already wasn't leaning towards buying one anyway.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2020, 02:57:12 AM
I was still on an iPhone X, so I was pretty set on getting one this year. Never cared much about the colors and I've got a thousand of those little power adapter blocks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 19, 2020, 11:22:26 PM
Do you have the type-c blocks?  I literally have none, except for one of those covert Switch docks.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2020, 11:40:21 PM
That's true, all my various things use regular USB. Most of my devices are usually plugged into larger setups that don't have USB C ports on them, though, so I doubt I'll be using the cable that comes with the phone anytime soon.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 20, 2020, 12:41:24 AM
Yeah, that's kind of the annoying part of the whole thing.  Apple removing 2 accessories because they presume you have plenty of them and it's better for the environment.  But then they package an accessory that you can't use.  If you want to use it, you need to buy a separate plug, which will probably waste more packaging that Apple will save, so the environment suffers.  It also puts an unnecessary hurdle between the consumer and a marketed feature of the device: fast charging.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 20, 2020, 12:59:41 AM
I think they're trying to push people toward the MagSafe wireless charging thing. I'd definitely be interested in fast charging, since I've loved having that on my new Apple Watch, but that allows it even with a regular USB plug, which it comes with.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 20, 2020, 01:14:07 AM
I thought the fast charge needed a higher output than the standard bricks provide.  Also, I thought I saw the MagSafe charger Apple is selling uses type-c and not type-a.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 20, 2020, 01:56:13 AM
I should inform this thread that I bought myself the latest and final intel iMac 27inch. I got the stock CPU/GPU but with 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM.
Overall I'm really pleased with it. I know these 5k screens have been around for quite some time now but it truly is incredible having all these screen real estate. On the other hand, I haven't used a desktop Mac regularly since... well since the old CRT iMacs really. In that time I had forgotten how fucking horrible APple's mice are. I've bought a white Razor DeathAdder to plug in instead but I'm wishing I had ordered one of those oversize trackpads instead.

It also means I now have a USB-c out port in case I ever bought a new iPhone but Dad just rang to say he wants to get a 12 Mini and is offering me his SE2 so I'll probably just take that since it's only a few months old.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 20, 2020, 04:28:07 AM
I'd really like to get a new MacBook Pro before they move away from Intel but I'm not sure I'll have the money for it. I've got a 2014 model right now, and it's still pretty good since it was the absolute best one you could buy at the time, but it's showing its age in places.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 20, 2020, 10:00:06 PM
I don't really need to upgrade my iPhone this year, but I skipped last year too. I'm primarily concerned about battery life as my iPhone 8 needs to be charged a couple times a day now. At the same time, I'm mostly at home and not returning to the office until sometime next year so it isn't as if I'm often far from an outlet. I've also noticed some lag when texting (sometimes takes a second or two for words to appear). I couldn't give fewer fucks about 5G. 120Hz refresh rate would have been nice this year, but I only notice it on my iPad Pro when I'm paying attention. I think it's mostly for the Apple Pencil anyway which I don't use or have.

I've been trying to figure out which case to buy. I'm between Apple's silicone case, Mous Limitless 3.0, and Caudabe Sheath. I'm leaning toward the Limitless 3.0. I'm open to recommendations. I used an Anker Karapax on iPhone 8. It seems Anker has been out of the phone case/screen protector game since 2017.

Yeah, that's kind of the annoying part of the whole thing.  Apple removing 2 accessories because they presume you have plenty of them and it's better for the environment.  But then they package an accessory that you can't use.  If you want to use it, you need to buy a separate plug, which will probably waste more packaging that Apple will save, so the environment suffers.  It also puts an unnecessary hurdle between the consumer and a marketed feature of the device: fast charging.
Full disclosure: I fall into the category of people who don't need an included power adapter. I bought Apple's USB-C 29w power adapter in 2017 for the iPad Pro which also came with a USB-A 12w power adapter. I previously bought a 12w power adapter in 2015 for my iPhone 6S.

That said, I'm still of the mindset that an at least 18w power adapter should have been included with the entire iPhone 12 line this year. I have no doubt Apple actually cares about the environment (though, to be fair, it also likes to brag about caring about the environment). However, as you alluded to, Apple had been encouraging people to buy a higher wattage power adapter for years. As of last year, Apple included a 5w power adapter with every iPhone since forever except the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max which included an 18w power adapter. On a 5w power adapter, the iPhone 11 Pro Max apparently takes about three and a half hours to charge.

Apple not including a power adapter with the iPhone 12 line is almost defensible. Everyone upgrading from a previous generation iPhone already has a method to charge an iPhone. The included Lightning-to-USB-C cable is there mostly for anyone new to the ecosystem. Chances are, most people have access to at least one USB-C port. No one needs a power adapter; it's just infinitely more convenient. Still, if removing the power adapter was the plan, it really should have been a three to four year plan that started with including a higher wattage power adapter for a few generations and switching to USB-C years ago. I know, I've been thumping that card for years. Apple could have helped standardize USB-C in like 2015, and I'm still salty about it.

Anti-Apple folk have been quick to point out greed. Maybe? That's hardly exclusive to Apple. Samsung is trolling Apple again but will probably drop the power adapter in the next year or two. The real savings are in shipping as the boxes are like half the height now. I don't think Lightning licensing fees are really a primary motivator here. First, Apple has actually reduced the cost of licensing fees over the years. Second, Apple's endgame here seems to be to nix Lightning altogether and going port-less which would partially explain its refusal to embrace USB-C. The iPad gets USB-C because it's supposed to be a computer. Fine. Maybe that three to four year plan starts now to ultimately phase out Lightning, giving Apple's hardware engineers a little more internal space to work with.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 21, 2020, 12:14:11 AM
Yeah, that's kind of the annoying part of the whole thing.  Apple removing 2 accessories because they presume you have plenty of them and it's better for the environment.  But then they package an accessory that you can't use.  If you want to use it, you need to buy a separate plug, which will probably waste more packaging that Apple will save, so the environment suffers.  It also puts an unnecessary hurdle between the consumer and a marketed feature of the device: fast charging.
Full disclosure: I fall into the category of people who don't need an included power adapter. I bought Apple's USB-C 29w power adapter in 2017 for the iPad Pro which also came with a USB-A 12w power adapter. I previously bought a 12w power adapter in 2015 for my iPhone 6S.

That said, I'm still of the mindset that an at least 18w power adapter should have been included with the entire iPhone 12 line this year. I have no doubt Apple actually cares about the environment (though, to be fair, it also likes to brag about caring about the environment). However, as you alluded to, Apple had been encouraging people to buy a higher wattage power adapter for years. As of last year, Apple included a 5w power adapter with every iPhone since forever except the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max which included an 18w power adapter. On a 5w power adapter, the iPhone 11 Pro Max apparently takes about three and a half hours to charge.

Their "encourage people to buy" was problematic when they could've had the better brick in the box with the 2018 iPhones (or earlier), but chose not to.  3.5 hours is pretty quick, but it's kind of a pain to know that would always be better if you spend more than you already have after you've spent ~$1000.

Quote
Apple not including a power adapter with the iPhone 12 line is almost defensible. Everyone upgrading from a previous generation iPhone already has a method to charge an iPhone. The included Lightning-to-USB-C cable is there mostly for anyone new to the ecosystem. Chances are, most people have access to at least one USB-C port. No one needs a power adapter; it's just infinitely more convenient.

Having a way to charge your iPhone is fine, but I still don't have the best way to charge my iPhone, not out of the box.  I personally don't have ay free type-c ports.  My laptop has one, and I use it to connect to a dock, which doesn't have any.  My only other type-c plug is a Switch travel adapter.  I've never had a reason to invest in having them either.  Heck, I just bought some surge protectors with type-a ports on them.

It's certainly not a "need" but it would've been great for Apple to include one.  That way, I could buy a MagSafe charger or any other new charging accessory without needing to buy a plug.  Which, I'd need to do.

Quote
Still, if removing the power adapter was the plan, it really should have been a three to four year plan that started with including a higher wattage power adapter for a few generations and switching to USB-C years ago. I know, I've been thumping that card for years. Apple could have helped standardize USB-C in like 2015, and I'm still salty about it.

I agree that it should've been a multi-year plan and that the plan should've started years ago. I'm also salty about Apple not supporting type-c in 2015.  I could've replaced some of my type-a plugs gradually, but now that'll be something I end up putting off until absolutely necessary.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 21, 2020, 12:17:14 AM
I don't really need to upgrade my iPhone this year, but I skipped last year too. I'm primarily concerned about battery life as my iPhone 8 needs to be charged a couple times a day now. At the same time, I'm mostly at home and not returning to the office until sometime next year so it isn't as if I'm often far from an outlet. I've also noticed some lag when texting (sometimes takes a second or two for words to appear). I couldn't give fewer fucks about 5G. 120Hz refresh rate would have been nice this year, but I only notice it on my iPad Pro when I'm paying attention. I think it's mostly for the Apple Pencil anyway which I don't use or have.

I've been trying to figure out which case to buy. I'm between Apple's silicone case, Mous Limitless 3.0, and Caudabe Sheath. I'm leaning toward the Limitless 3.0. I'm open to recommendations. I used an Anker Karapax on iPhone 8. It seems Anker has been out of the phone case/screen protector game since 2017.

Yeah, that's kind of the annoying part of the whole thing.  Apple removing 2 accessories because they presume you have plenty of them and it's better for the environment.  But then they package an accessory that you can't use.  If you want to use it, you need to buy a separate plug, which will probably waste more packaging that Apple will save, so the environment suffers.  It also puts an unnecessary hurdle between the consumer and a marketed feature of the device: fast charging.
Full disclosure: I fall into the category of people who don't need an included power adapter. I bought Apple's USB-C 29w power adapter in 2017 for the iPad Pro which also came with a USB-A 12w power adapter. I previously bought a 12w power adapter in 2015 for my iPhone 6S.

That said, I'm still of the mindset that an at least 18w power adapter should have been included with the entire iPhone 12 line this year. I have no doubt Apple actually cares about the environment (though, to be fair, it also likes to brag about caring about the environment). However, as you alluded to, Apple had been encouraging people to buy a higher wattage power adapter for years. As of last year, Apple included a 5w power adapter with every iPhone since forever except the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max which included an 18w power adapter. On a 5w power adapter, the iPhone 11 Pro Max apparently takes about three and a half hours to charge.

Apple not including a power adapter with the iPhone 12 line is almost defensible. Everyone upgrading from a previous generation iPhone already has a method to charge an iPhone. The included Lightning-to-USB-C cable is there mostly for anyone new to the ecosystem. Chances are, most people have access to at least one USB-C port. No one needs a power adapter; it's just infinitely more convenient. Still, if removing the power adapter was the plan, it really should have been a three to four year plan that started with including a higher wattage power adapter for a few generations and switching to USB-C years ago. I know, I've been thumping that card for years. Apple could have helped standardize USB-C in like 2015, and I'm still salty about it.

Anti-Apple folk have been quick to point out greed. Maybe? That's hardly exclusive to Apple. Samsung is trolling Apple again but will probably drop the power adapter in the next year or two. The real savings are in shipping as the boxes are like half the height now. I don't think Lightning licensing fees are really a primary motivator here. First, Apple has actually reduced the cost of licensing fees over the years. Second, Apple's endgame here seems to be to nix Lightning altogether and going port-less which would partially explain its refusal to embrace USB-C. The iPad gets USB-C because it's supposed to be a computer. Fine. Maybe that three to four year plan starts now to ultimately phase out Lightning, giving Apple's hardware engineers a little more internal space to work with.

I do think you're right that Apple's long term plan is to not have a port at all and that's why they haven't bothered to switch to USB-C. They introduced the Mag-Safe setup this year, they'll work the kinks out of it for a bit, and then in two years that's the only way to connect to it.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 21, 2020, 12:18:26 AM
It better be 100% water proof by then.  If I can't have hours long facetime calls underwater, then what is the point??
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on October 22, 2020, 10:27:02 AM
Regarding the environmental impact of not including the charger: This is less about packaging waste (Apple packaging is predominantly cardboard therefore recyclable/compostable) or even the excess unused chargers. It's about the size of the package. The iPhone 12 box is less than half the volume of the iPhone 11 box. That means they can physically fit twice as many of them in a single shipping container/truck/pallet etc. In a way, it's half the carbon emissions in transport costs and that's a big deal when they're planning on selling ~100,000,000 of these.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 22, 2020, 07:47:20 PM
That's a fair point.  But how much of that is offset by an increase in sales of a plug?  That box is a different size and shape so the packing logistics change quite a bit.  And if consumers go to third parties, now those 3rd parties are revving up production and shipping to fill a demand Apple created.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 23, 2020, 12:32:31 AM
Yes, this seems like one of those, look we are doing a good thing, without weighing in the unintended consequences.  Apple is kinda good/bad at doing this.  Getting rid of the headphone jack caused a new market of headphones, which can't be good for the environment.  Now this.  I get wanting to save the environment, but if this was my first apple product or first handphone it would turn me away that I couldn't charge it easily outside the box without another purchase.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on November 02, 2020, 03:15:58 PM
Questions for anyone who has an Apple Watch (just insanolord?):

1. What size did you get? I have tiny, baby wrists, but the 40mm Apple Watch looks small. I didn’t get to try it on because Best Buy and Target have them wrapped around a stand dealie.

2. Do you have the GPS only model or the GPS and cellular model? How do you like it? I’m considering getting the GPS and cellular model and only having the plan when I can actually use it (still not back to the gym). $100 extra is steep though especially when the SE GPS and cellular model is $50 more. $10 per month for the plan is also 😒. I read that you currently can’t stream Spotify with the GPS and cellular model (but that’s in beta) so I’d have to sign up for Apple Music if I want to leave my phone at home or in the car. Not sure if I can download music from Spotify to the Apple Watch.

3. Do you use a screen protector and/case? I’ll probably get both because I’m clumsy. Just curious how often others bang their wrists against things.

4. Have you tried the solo loop? I’m leaning toward that band.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 02, 2020, 05:57:10 PM
1. I currently have the 44 mm version of the series 6, but I’ve had 38 mm and 42 mm versions of older models in the past. The smaller ones are still perfectly usable, but the extra space, even if it’s just a few mm, is nice.

2. I don’t have the cellular model, since I can’t think of any times where I’m really going to use it and not have my phone with me.

3. I had a case on my old one, but I haven’t yet bought one for my new one, and I’m kind of tempted to keep it that way.

4. I haven’t explored any of the fancy bands, right now I’m just using a third-party leather band I got on Amazon.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on November 02, 2020, 11:15:32 PM
1. Series 3, 42mm. It feels about right on my wrist.  It's small, but the UI makes efficient use of the space, wouldn't mind going larger.  I have medium/large hands.

2. GPS only. Same boat as insano.

3. Started with no case.  Bumped into a concrete wall and cracked it.  Got a case after that, but it started holding sweat inside the case (gross), so I ditched it.

4. Have not.  I primarily use Apple's athletic band, but I also have some 3rd party leather ones.  If I were to upgrade, I'd definitely like to try the loop, but I'd have to try the sizes out.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on November 03, 2020, 07:28:56 PM
Thanks for the responses!

Did either of you get Applecare+ for Apple Watch or iPhone? I always got Applecare+ with the iPhone, but it rubbed me the wrong way on the iPhone 8 Plus. There was some burn in on the screen (top left corner where the cellular bars are), and it wasn't covered. I flat out told the Apple Store clerk, "I don't know why I paid for Applecare+ then..." I cracked the screen once ever on the iPhone 5S. Hardly seems worth it now especially with the case and screen protector I already bought for the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

I committed to 44mm since I bought a case (RhinoShield CrashGuard NX) and screen protector (Flolab NanoArmour) for that size. A YouTube tech reviewer I like (MobileReviewsEh) recommended both. The NanoArmour causes mild sensitivity issues so I think the larger screen might be useful for that. The CrashGuard NX leaves the entire Apple Watch back exposed which prevents (or at least greatly reduces) sweat and grime from getting caught between the case and the watch. I don't know if RhinoShield makes the CrashGuard NX for the Series 3. It cost me about $18 after shipping and a 10% discount code. Might be something to look into, nickmitch.

I'm leaning toward the GPS only model as I'm having trouble justifying the cost of the GPS and cellular model, both entry and monthly plan. My use case is very situational: literally the gym and running, neither of which is happening right now. Before quarantine, I was taking my phone with me when working out. The iPhone 12 Pro Max dimensions are pretty close to my current iPhone 8 Plus (slightly taller and heavier) so I have an idea of what to expect. The Mous Limitless 3.0 case is definitely bulkier than my current case.

I'm definitely getting a solo loop as the included band. I'm considering an extra Sport Loop, but they're hella expensive. I suppose if I'm already spending nearly $1700 on a new phone, watch, and accessories for both, I should stop complaining about an extra $50. No idea what I'll get for the iPhone 8 Plus trade-in, but I expect under $100 as it's three years old.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on November 06, 2020, 12:23:17 AM
1. I have the 38mm Gen 2 watch. I prefer the smaller size and I am also a wristlet.

2. GPS only, would love cellular just for the ability to listen to music while exercising without my phone.

3. No although I might consider a screen protector in the future.

4. I haven't tried it, I'm actually a little sceptical about how long it will hold it's stretches since you'll be taking it on an off each day to charge. I have a Nike sport band and a Milanese stainless steel band. Both I highly recommend.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on December 25, 2020, 06:34:11 PM
I ordered the iPhone 12 Pro Max through Apple's website which had a T-Mobile special promotion with a trade-in. I got that earlier this week: $226.80 for my iPhone 8 Plus then a $150 e-gift card from T-Mobile. I don't believe I would have gotten all that had I traded in at the Apple Store so I guess it worked out.

Anyway, I've been using the iPhone 12 Pro Max for about two and a half weeks. It took a few days to get used to the gestures as I kept moving my thumb to press the non-existent Home button. The only notable thoughts I have are:
Otherwise, it's an iPhone. It does what I need it to do, and the learning curve for the post-Home button functionality was not steep. I'm trying to take better care of this iPhone as I will not be buying AppleCare+ this time. I opted for the Mous Limitless 3.0 case which has been great. Also, I read that it's better to charge at 24w or under. Since working from home, I was charging the iPhone 8 Plus primarily with the 29w power adapter. I bought some new 20w power adapters.

The Apple Watch Series 6 has been mostly extraneous so far as I only bought it to be on the same timeline as the iPhone (which I plan to keep for three years from now on), and I'm not returning to the gym any time soon. It's fine though. I'm glad I opted for the 44 mm. The hand washing timer dealie doesn't always work so I still just sing happy birthday to my one cat then my other cat. I highly recommend the RhinoShield CrashGuard NX case. The way it's shaped as not held dirt and grime.

I was in the market for a new MacBook Pro, but COVID-19 threw a wrench in those plans. I wanted to do some writing at the library or a cafe. I'll kick the can down the road until more apps natively support Apple's ARM-based M-series SOC. I'm thinking 2022 for the MacBrook Pro and 2023 for the iMac. It's hard to believe it's already been three and a half years since I bought my current one. Just marching toward the sweet release of death.

The AirPods Max had been rumored for a while. I thought it would be under $400. I mean, I wouldn't have bought one anyway, but my guess was $399, not $549. Wrong again, idiot. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBkqI7EQp0A)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on December 26, 2020, 10:33:03 PM
If you're having trouble with Face ID failures you can try disabling Require Attention for Face ID in Settings. It's quicker and more reliable that way, though it is theoretically easier to fool.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on December 28, 2020, 11:51:50 AM
Thanks for the responses!

Did either of you get Applecare+ for Apple Watch or iPhone?

I did not. My Apple Watch was a gift, and I missed the window to get the Applecare plan.  I will say that I did regret it after cracking the screen, but other than that I've had no issues, particularly none that would've sent me to the Apple Store.  The physical repair was kinda expensive (to the point where I considered buying a new one instead, but decided to save the money), and there aren't a ton of 3rd party options.  Now, I will say that I walked pretty hard into a concrete wall, which is not something I did twice.  The Apple Store person also said there was water damage, but I'm not sure if it was from the crack or something else.  I think I've swam with it on since the repair, so I think that's fine.

The Apple Watch Series 6 has been mostly extraneous so far as I only bought it to be on the same timeline as the iPhone (which I plan to keep for three years from now on), and I'm not returning to the gym any time soon.

I like using the watch with Fitness Boxing and Ring Fit Adventure (and Just Dance).  The "Fitness Gaming" option works well there.  The watch really helps me stay motivated to do my at-home Switch workouts.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 20, 2021, 02:42:13 PM
Lots of new Apple things today.

AirTags finally got officially announced after being rumored for 37 years. They're also cheaper than I thought they'd be ($30 for one) though still $10 more than I want them to be. I would have bought one for my keys prior to March 2020. Due to my own negligence and someone breaking into my car, I keep my key fob dealie in a faraday case (which is then placed in a faraday box when I'm home). Out of habit, I always know where my keys are so I probably don't need this.

Something something Apple Card something.

I signed up for the one year free trial of AppleTV+ and have yet to actually watch anything. I keep forgetting it exists. AppleTV got an update with 4K. The new remote looks neat-o.

Nice to see the iMac get its first real redesign in forever. Looks good though the white bezel is a bit surprising. Four USB C ports is kind of weak. I don't like that Apple placed the Ethernet port on the power brick. Then again, I don't and like will never use the Ethernet port so 🤷‍♀️.

I bought my iMac in July 2017. I'm sticking to a five year upgrade cycle since that was about how long my first MacBook Pro lasted before it started feeling slow/dated for my usage. I've noticed some instances in which my current iMac is like "Bruh, I don't have enough RAM to do what you're asking me to do." Google Chrome eats a lot of resources. Microsoft Office is also hella slow to start up. I will upgrade next year. For realsies (barring getting fired or something). It'll be 2022 before we know it so I'll just be over here contemplating my mortality until then.

Apple was frustratingly vague on details of the new Magic Keyboard, Magic TrackPad, and Magic Mouse. Do they still charge via Lightning? How much do they cost? I like the keypad so I'm particularly curious how much extra that is.

The new iPad Pro is about as expected. I'm in the market for a new iPad since I shattered the screen on my iPad Pro a couple months ago. Replacing the screen costs like $400 so I might as well just upgrade. 12.9" is too big so I'm eyeing up that 11" model. I don't care about Liquid Retina XDR. I don't know how that would benefit me for my purposes though I will (finally) benefit from ProMotion. I was hoping for an Apple Pencil 3 announcement. I would like to get back into drawing/revisit my comic (comedy, not superhero... maybe some superhero) instead of merely talking about it so this is as good a time as any try the Apple Pencil. Maybe that will be announced at the fall Apple Event. I'm sure the Apple Pencil 2 is fine for my needs. I'm just a mark for new things.

I'm hoping libraries open up again soon. I meant to buy a new MacBook Pro last year. It worked out. I might have bought one right before Apple switched to the ARM-based M1 chip. If Apple finally redesigns the MacBook line this year, I'll doubly benefit.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 24, 2021, 08:18:41 PM
From the sound of it they are redesigning the MacBook Pro for the new models that will be launching later this year. They're bringing back MagSafe for the power adapter as well as dedicated HDMI and SD card ports. I've been planning to buy one of those once they come out for a while now, my MacBook is a 2014 model, and while it was the absolute best one you could buy at the time, it's definitely showing its age. I was originally going to buy an Intel one before they stopped making them, but the M1 impressions have been so good I decided to go with that.

Quote
I signed up for the one year free trial of AppleTV+ and have yet to actually watch anything. I keep forgetting it exists.

Watch Ted Lasso. That's not just me being a soccer fan, it's really good and definitely the best thing on there. Mythic Quest is pretty good too.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on April 27, 2021, 03:28:13 AM
Quote
I signed up for the one year free trial of AppleTV+ and have yet to actually watch anything. I keep forgetting it exists.

Watch Ted Lasso. That's not just me being a soccer fan, it's really good and definitely the best thing on there. Mythic Quest is pretty good too.
Ted Lasso is like... it's a sitcom where they forgot to make it funny but did make it warm and fuzzy.

What i found most fascinating about the Spring Loaded event is that Apple are now basically selling the exact same hardware, the M1, in 4 different form factors. Is this the future of personal computing?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 27, 2021, 03:04:47 PM
What i found most fascinating about the Spring Loaded event is that Apple are now basically selling the exact same hardware, the M1, in 4 different form factors. Is this the future of personal computing?

The upcoming MacBook Pro is supposed to be running on a more powerful version of it, dubbed the M1X. I think they'll be spread out more over time, it's just this way now because this is the very start of Apple using their own processors.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on April 27, 2021, 04:47:12 PM
Apparently, Apple’s M2 chip has entered production and will ship as soon as July (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/04/report-apples-m2-chip-has-entered-production-and-will-ship-as-soon-as-july/).

My guess is the X-variant of Apple's M-series chips is the plan for the company's desktop computers; it may have gotten disrupted by *broadly gestures at 2020/2021*. Also, isn't there currently a chip shortage? Is it possible that could affect things?

Ted Lasso is on the list. It's the only thing on AppleTV+ I've heard of. RABicle's assessment is interesting. I'll keep that in mind.

insanolord, what MacBook Pro are you eyeballing? If Apple finally releases the 14" model, that will probably be what I get. The MacBook Air is also an option though I remember feeling that the extra cost was worth upgrading to the Pro. We'll see if that holds up later this year.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 27, 2021, 05:00:51 PM
I'm looking at the 16" model. My current one is 15", and I wouldn't mind going slightly bigger.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Stogi on May 17, 2021, 06:34:59 PM
I've wanted a Macbook for years but I will not buy a laptop without a touchscreen. It's far too useful.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: RABicle on July 06, 2021, 09:40:08 AM
iPad
I've wanted a Macbook for years but I will not buy a laptop without a touchscreen. It's far too useful.
iPad Pro with magic keyboard?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on July 08, 2021, 07:04:50 PM
I'm absolutely shocked that touchscreens haven't really taken off on Laptops. It seems like a no brainer.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 09, 2021, 12:06:13 AM
Touch screen and mouse cursor are very different interfaces. Microsoft tried to merge the two and it didn’t really work. Apple’s been pretty insistent on keeping them separate, although things like making iOS apps run on Apple Silicon Macs kind of muddies that.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on September 24, 2021, 02:15:52 PM
I haven't shopped for charging blocks in a while so all of mine are type A.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on September 25, 2021, 06:01:21 PM
Do you have the type-c blocks?  I literally have none, except for one of those covert Switch docks.

Do you have the type-c blocks?  I literally have none, except for one of those covert Switch docks.

???
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on September 25, 2021, 07:15:20 PM
Do you have the type-c blocks?  I literally have none, except for one of those covert Switch docks.

Do you have the type-c blocks?  I literally have none, except for one of those covert Switch docks.

???
(https://i.ibb.co/3yK1x5Y/B25906-C6-F3-A1-4-EED-AB3-A-F57-FFB8-A3-DCD.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 01, 2021, 08:54:34 PM
So apparently the EU is mandating that everything uses a common charging standard.

Bye bye Lightning.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 01, 2021, 10:42:43 PM
I assume they'll b going with USB-C, which is totally standard and has zero compatibility issues.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 02, 2021, 02:38:57 AM
I worked the returns desk for about two years and every day you'd get at least four to five people exchanging USB C chargers for lightning cables or Micro-USB cables because they don't know how to buy chargers for their phones. It got old after a while. USB C isn't perfect, but with how stupid some people are with buying technology, standardization is a hell of an improvement.

Even though I don't work that job anymore and I have more than enough tech literacy to buy my own chargers, it's extremely gratifying to see that **** come closer to an end.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 18, 2021, 01:37:26 PM
These mofos put a notch on a laptop screen. It's silliness on paper, but in most instances that screen area is merely empty in the Menu Bar. I don't hate it.

Apple finally brought back Magsafe and ditched the Touch Bar that no one liked or used. I'm posting this before seeing the price. I expect it to be LOL.

EDIT: The 16" is $2499. The 14" is $1999. Ehh...
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2021, 04:24:50 PM
I ordered a 16" model a couple hours after the event and the ship date was already pushed back to early December. Sometimes Apple's conservative with those and it ends up coming earlier, but in the current situation I'm not expecting that.

EDIT: The notch has me thinking, though. I'm one of those people with a ton of things in my menu bar, so I'm probably going to have to make some cuts there. I'm already debating what's necessary and what can go in the Bartender menu.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 18, 2021, 11:43:25 PM
The notch was a weird choice. A smaller bezel would've made more sense to me, but maybe that's why my market cap never even got close to one trillion.

I did like that they made the things thicker and heavier in order to put more ports on them. Chasing thinness and lightness at the expense of usability was stupid.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2021, 11:47:41 PM
I did like that they made the things thicker and heavier in order to put more ports on them. Chasing thinness and lightness at the expense of usability was stupid.

That makes sense as a trade-off for the MacBook Air, where ultra portability is the selling point, but on something you're calling "Pro" it's the right call to go with more ports.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 18, 2021, 11:57:11 PM
I did like that they made the things thicker and heavier in order to put more ports on them. Chasing thinness and lightness at the expense of usability was stupid.

That makes sense as a trade-off for the MacBook Air, where ultra portability is the selling point, but on something you're calling "Pro" it's the right call to go with more ports.

Agreed. The fact that the 2016 model had 4 usb-c ports only was a mistake.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on October 19, 2021, 12:46:20 AM
So I heard Apple really... Stepped it up a notch with their laptop design.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2021, 01:27:31 AM
So I heard Apple really... Stepped it up a notch with their laptop design.

It took you this long to come up with the lamest fucking joke?
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on October 19, 2021, 01:53:50 AM
So I heard Apple really... Stepped it up a notch with their laptop design.

Um, excuse me. A publication of ill repute called and requested that you take this post down due to a copyright claim on their recent headline.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2021, 02:34:04 AM
My order has switched from saying December 2-9 to November 17-24, so I guess I was right to think they might have been being overly conservative.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on October 19, 2021, 04:25:34 PM
insanolord, did you customize your 16” MacBook Pro? If so, what did you add?

I’m leaning toward the standard 14” model. The last MacBook Pro I bought was a 15” model in 2010 so a slightly smaller screen probably won’t kill me especially with the higher resolution and other advancements. In terms of hardware specs, the MacBook Air would be enough for my needs in a second computer. However, I want the SD Card slot and HDMI port (the significantly improved specs should help it last longer as well). The $500 savings and lower weight are the primary decision points for me.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2021, 04:37:12 PM
I bumped it up to the lower Max chip, the 10 core with a 24-core GPU, with 32 GB of RAM and the 1 TB SSD. It's a lot of money, but I figure this is going to last me for a while, with my current one being 7 years old.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 15, 2021, 01:20:58 PM
My new MacBook Pro got here today. I've only had it for a couple hours, but my first impression is it's very nice. Apple really streamlines the process of moving from one Mac to another, I was able to unplug the drive with my Time Machine backup from my old one and import it to the new one really easily, but there's still a fair amount of work involved in finishing the setup.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on May 15, 2022, 08:02:40 PM
Apple is reportedly testing iPhones with USB-C (https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/13/23071044/apple-tests-usb-c-iphone-lightning-european-union-eu)

This would be great because I'm on a personal three-year upgrade cycle and 2023 is my next upgrade year.

2022 if Apple embraced USB-C for iPhones seven years ago:
(https://i.ibb.co/VLn6NS9/The-World-If-meme.jpg)
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 15, 2022, 08:18:41 PM
I'm a little surprised they're not just dropping the port entirely. It's kind of weird how Apple is so willing to change ports and stuff on the Mac side of things, where they were an early adopter of USB-C, but they've dragged their feet on this.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: nickmitch on May 16, 2022, 03:10:00 PM
They've been insanely resistant to this for so long. But now that they're not even including plugs with their phones, they've almost completely run out of excuses.

I'm personally trying to upgrade my phone this year, so the news that 2023 is the earliest is somewhat aggravating.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: Adrock on November 11, 2022, 07:08:37 PM
Recently snagged a new iPad Pro. I passed on last year's refresh as I was playing chicken with Apple on mini-LED on the 11" model as well as the rumored Apple Pencil 3rd Generation. Amazon had the 2nd Generation on sale for $90 (MSRP $129.99). If a new Apple Pencil was released, it'd be more expensive than the current one so I decided to finally pull the trigger.

Bought a screen protector that I immediately messed up. The adhesive was exposed for maybe two seconds, and I managed to get THREE hairs under it. I don't even... Screen protectors apparently affect drawing with the Apple Pencil so I will use that to feel better about the $21 I wasted.

Most reviews dunked on this year's refresh being largely a spec bump. I simply cannot understand that as valid criticism that every reviewer brought up. How many people upgrade every year? The last time I bought an iPad was in 2017, and I probably wouldn't have upgraded yet had I not busted the screen last year.

Anyway, Apple appears to have quietly delayed the M2 MacBook Pro refresh to March 2023. I'm planning to upgrade that too though so many expenditures weirdly landed in October. The delay will give me more time to save some money and credit card points. I'm still on the fence over 14" vs 16". insanolord, how's the 16" model? Is it too big? How does it compare to the old 15" model? I plan to take it places.

I did recently buy a Windows 11 laptop for my console hacking projects which likely won't leave the house often/ever. Let me tell you, friends, it has been a while since I felt this stupid futzing with modern electronics. Maybe a story for another thread.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 11, 2022, 10:02:35 PM
The 16" model isn't that much bigger than my old 15" one, partially because the bezel's smaller so the bigger screen eats into that instead of expanding the whole unit that much. It doesn't feel that different to me. If you felt comfortable taking a 15" model places I think you'd be fine.

I'm tempted to buy a new iPad myself, as my current one is getting old, and more pressingly, running out of storage. I'm just not sure whether I want to upgrade that or my Apple Watch next.
Title: Re: Um, Apple thread
Post by: pokepal148 on November 17, 2022, 03:17:58 PM
My current laptop does something similar. Most laptops still have relatively large bezels so it is pretty easy to cram a bigger screen in there without making the laptop itself larger.