Category Archives: Technology

Technology

Rumors kill current devices!

You cannot buy the latest Samsung Galaxy S7 without hearing talks of the S8 — you can’t purchase a new Apple Watch without hearing rumors for the Apple Watch 3 and so on.  When are we going to learn to appreciate the devices that currently help us out in our daily lives rather than wish them away with rumor after rumor?  A rumor is exactly that, a rumor — it could come true or it could all be a pipe-dream that is often created by those simply looking for page clicks (yes, you know who you are and you should be ashamed of yourself!).
For example, typing “iPhone 8” into Google search yields the following text and image-based results:
Sure, we are all excited about what the future holds for all of our favorite technological gadgets; however, if we never sit down to be thankful for what we currently have we face an even bigger problem — being forever dissatisfied and letdown.
In short, live in the now and enjoy your devices while you have them!
Technology

USB Type C is a mess

USB Type C may be the “future” as many tech giants may say (cough…Apple) — I say it’s a mess.  Standardization is essentially nonexistent, cables are frying and destroying hardware, on Macbooks some adapters cause WiFi to go out…but this is our “future”?
I don’t think so.
USB Type C, the standard that really isn’t a standard because companies don’t have it figured out yet.  If they did, it would be everywhere and every company would’ve already bought in.  Type C, at the moment, is a forced upgrade and a premature retirement of the old standard — sure it can do so many things with one port; however, there is a trade-off for the CURRENT day — dongles.
oprahdongle
What is a dongle you ask?  A dongle is an “in-between” connector that is used to connect one type of port to another.  While these offer a great deal of utility allowing one port to adapt to another, it is also an unsightly mess and becomes a hassle in case you have too many and increases your chances of losing one when you need it most.  I know we are going for simplicity here, but when tech just isn’t there to support it, it just isn’t there — we cannot force all peripherals to suddenly become USB Type C simply because we purchased a device with it on-board.
There are options people — many devices with plenty of ports ready for you to use.  There is not one company that can force you use something that you do not want to or doesn’t meet your needs.  In the end, we need to speak up and if these billion dollar companies put out a product that we don’t like — vote with your dollars, or lack thereof.
Technology

Upset about the new MacBook Pro? Move On.

MacBook Pro fans and professionals alike are raving about the lack of “Pro” inside of the new Apple MacBook Pro.  The complaints range from a lack of ports to use of old CPU architecture and even too little RAM.  Additionally, Apple has worked in conjunction with LG to create new beautiful 5K displays that are sold at a remarkable price.  Let’s all be honest here, Apple would be selling these SAME displays for $300-500 more — you should be happy — but you aren’t because you want an Apple logo on it.
Too bad!!
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This is one of the first times that after an Apple event there has been this amount of backlash from the core supporters.  The interesting thing is that there are other machines on the market, without an Apple logo (gasp), that can get good work done, have all the RAM you want and have more input ports that you could ask for.  Apple is transitioning itself and essentially showing the world that it is the iPhone company — all of their latest feats and improvements have been geared toward the mobile space.  Of course, we hope that they haven’t forgotten about the professional segment; however, while releasing new laptops that only feature USB type C input makes many wonder.  Additionally, those who edit photo or video could easily put 16GB of RAM into a chokehold.
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Late 2016 MacBook Pro Touchbar.
Move on.  It is time.  Apple makes excellent hardware, but fortunately for us — there are other OEMs out there that cater to your needs.  Other companies like Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, HP and more are creating machines that have great displays, lots of RAM and (you guessed it) more than just USB type C.  If you feel shut out because of the latest release from Apple, vote with your dollars and do not buy the hardware.  Simple.  Don’t be the person who spends $2500 on a spec’d out MacBook Pro and be dissatisfied with many things and have to carry dongle after dongle to get work done.  That isn’t an “it just works mentality”.
Just move on.
Technology

#ChargeGate is NOT a thing

Let’s talk about what is sweeping Twitter and YouTube — ChargeGate — yes, another “gate” for us to become consumed with.  The issue here is that people are upset at the charging speed of the iPhone — but the charging speed has not changed (as in, yes, it’s slow we all know that).  Some YouTubers have noted that the larger charging brick included with the iPads will charge the device faster — of course it will if it’s spitting out a higher voltage.  (No links to videos or articles describing this will be linked, as it is a subject that those reporting it are truly reaching.)
iPhoneCharging.jpg
Some key facts here are unavoidable:
  • Larger charger will charge the iPhone quicker
  • iPhones typically have good battery life that usually don’t require “topping off”
This view may sound terrible to some, but if you need to charge your phone multiple times per day, you may simply be using it too much.  However, we have those that are true power users that need longevity in their battery — which you can get from the iPhone 6S Plus and 7 Plus devices.
Technology

Introducing Microsoft Surface Studio

True power, form and function — Microsoft has been giving us all three since the advent of the very first Microsoft Surface.  Sometimes misunderstood by some, but the value of this category is truly unmatched and unrivaled in many ways.  Yes, friends, our buddies in Redmond have not forgotten about the Pro market.
Desktop, redefined.
(Source: Surface, YouTube)
This product is truly a creative professional’s dream (if you’re a creative and this doesn’t make you tingle… please, rewatch the video).  This is not a product defined by apps, cute emojis or messaging effects, this product is defined by the amount of work you can get done, the different amount of tasks that can be completed and more.  The Surface Studio features a 28 inch PixelDense display that allows for user input right on the screen.  In addition, the Surface Pen staple is standard here with an all new Surface Dial that can be used in many actions across the OS — from changing songs, manipulating color palettes or diving layer by layer into an image using Microsoft Paint 3D.  Note that the Surface Dial will be included with the Surface Studio for a limited time, then will have to be bought separated at $99.  The display on the Surface Studio is entirely unique and will fold down to 20 degrees to allow for input by the user.  One could see this being used by designers, architects and more.
Microsoft Surface Studio declined to 20 degrees.
Microsoft Surface Studio declined to 20 degrees.

Bottom line:  The Microsoft Surface Studio is a big deal.  In a time where many of us in the tech community believe the only companies can innovate are Apple and Google, Microsoft continues to show us that although they’ve been late to the game, the products they are delivering are top notch, work well together and are helping to drive and shape the industry.  One thing that must be noted is that professionals have not been forgotten — way to go, Microsoft.