Technology

WWDC 2017 Keynote Wrap-up

It has finally happened, a 2 hour long presentation started and completed by CEO Tim Cook.   It was an extremely important day that will certainly set the foundation for hopefully an excellent year from Apple in it’s first public press conference of the year.  Apple started perhaps it’s best WWDC in recent years with an inspired video showing us the dependence we have on great technology around us, then fully showing throughout the keynote how they will help propel us into the future with new technology to help make our lives easier, more productive and efficient.

Source: Apple

Cook noted in the opening that there were 6 very important things that they wanted to share with us this year.  They are:

tvOS

We finally have Amazon Prime Video!  It seems that whoever was holding this deal up finally let it go through.  Note, there were no talks of 4K Apple TV models, additional controllers or a redesign of it’s terrible remote (gasp).

watchOS

watchOS 4 will be released later this year, with new watchfaces from Toy Story, personalized Siri watchfaces, an enhanced workout app (Apple’s workout app, is phenomenal).  Additionally, Apple Watch enabled gym equipment will be rolling out that will sync data between watch and the equipment via NFC.  Finally, what has long been rumored to come to watch is Continuous Glucose monitoring from Dexcom — it is here.

Source: TechCrunch

macOS

The latest version macOS High Sierra is all about “deep technologies” that will help propel the OS into the future including refinements to Safari with “Intelligent Tracking Prevention” so that your data isn’t constantly seeping into this information blackhole we know as the web.  Updates to Mail, which takes up 35% less space, including a great split view for easier composition.  Photos includes updates that allows you to name subjects of found in your photos, which syncs securely across all of your Apple devices.  Additionally, Apple is doubling down on VR with full support for external GPUs with a developer kit that can be bought directly from the company.

However, all of mac updates couldn’t end on the software level, right?  There is a refresh afoot with updated iMac all sporting new 7th-generation Intel Core “Kaby Lake” processors and top of the line displays.  Additionally, the nrefreshed models will have new memory configurations with up to 32GB on the 21.5″ and 64GB on the 27″ models respectively, Apple’s super-fast Fusion drive on 27″ models and all iMac receiving 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Lastly for macOS updates…. iMac Pro — that’s right.  This is simply the most powerful Mac ever built (isn’t it always) ;however, in all seriousness, this machine is an absolute monster, starting at $4999 — it is worth it and availabile in December 2017.  The machine can be maxed out with an 18-core Intel Xeon chip, Radeon Vega graphics and up to 128GB ECC memory.

Source: Apple

iOS

iOS 11 will be arriving this fall with a vengeance.  This update is poised to answer questions, increase functionality and push the envelope even further for your devices.  iMessage in iCloud will allow secure syncing off your messages between all of your Apple hardware.  Apple Pay will now support person-to-person payments, something long rumoured — this functionality will live inside of the iMessage app.  Changes to Control Center are also afoot, say goodbye to the two page configuration with a new fully customizable Control Center that you access by swiping up from the bottom of the screen like we do today.

iPad Pro

Let’s talk about productivity on iPad Pro — this is the most monumental update that iOS has seen and most of the updates reside on the iPad Pro starting with a dock that is similar to macOS, which recognizes apps you use often and brings those into view as well.  True drag and drop between applications that has been added, which means that apps will truly be able to interact with each other besides the usual share sheets that are presented to users.

Source: 9to5Mac

The changes to the OS is exactly what pro users have been clamoring for for years.  We’ve seen Android tablets try to make a dent, the Surface from Microsoft does an excellent job; however, it is still laptop first — this is the first instance that we’ve seen a touch first operating system truly because capable of professional grade work.  iPad Pro has been taking steps in the right direction here and it is safe to say with iOS 11 — the dream has finally been realized.

HomePod

Alexa, Google Home — these have been around; however, Apple had to create a speaker of it’s own for the Apple faithful, it is HomePod (it’s a terrible name, let’s just be honest).  Touted as being a revolutionary speaker that is encapsulated in the description:  “Immersive hi-fi audio. All the music you love. And the intelligence of Siri.”  The key here is that Siri has to improve, Apple is touting lots of hardware enabled AI — so fingers crossed for improved Siri, which will greatly enhance this product.

Source: Apple

The speaker is music focused with a seven tweeter array and a 4″ subwoofer that is spatially aware so that you get the best sound possible.  Siri is also incorporated into the device allowing you to ask questions and more.  Additionally, HomeKit enabled devices will be able to be controlled from the device as well from the comfort of your couch.

HomePod, in depth.

Source: TechnoBuffalo

Available December 2017 for $249.

My top video synopsis picks follow:

Overall condensed

Source: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

Overall lengthy

Source: The Verge

Hardware focused

Source: Dave Lee

iOS 11

Source: Krystal Key

TLDR

Apple’s strategy of creating the entry level device (eg. MacBook, iPad) then creating the more prosumer to professional grade device with enhanced feature-sets (eg. MacBook Pro, iMac Pro and iPad Pro) is showcasing the future of Apple here and giving consumers two clear paths that they can take based upon need.

iOS 11 and iPad are the winners of WWDC 2017.

Technology

Allbirds, Shoes for techies!!

There’s a new cool shoe in town that’s sweeping an area of the country known for tech, meet Allbirds.  Reviewed by BuzzFeed and countless others on the internet — here’s my take of the Allbirds Wool Runner.

Comfort

They are touted as being the most comfortable shoe and I must admit, they are pretty darn comfortable.  These shoes will be absolutely perfect for offices, with the soft wool cushioning every step while your at home or walking about downtown and more.  Although the runners are made of wool, they are still very breathable and your feet do not feel overly warm in them.

Allbirds Wool Runners.

Style

One word, simple.  The simplicity of this shoe is the center of it’s elegance.  They look great and pair with just about any style of dress from casual to business casual given the right color.

Reception

These shoes are known as the eco-friendly wonder of the shoe world (similar to Tom’s), these shoes are built with purpose, for a purpose and I’m all in.  As quoted from the co-CEO and co-founder Tim Brown, they aimed to create “comfortable, functional, simple footwear.”

Go Allbirds!!  Get your own pair here!!

Allbirds packaging.
Mobile Operating Systems, Software, Technology

Samsung Galaxy S8 — Quick Look

Android fans, Samsung fans, everywhere unite!  The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are two fantastic devices that will have you saying “take my money”.  What are some of the main draws to this device?  Is it the curved display?  Is it the thinness of the design?  Is it the camera?  It’s actually all of these characteristics and more.

Design

Galaxy S8 takes on an incremental approach in it’s design scheme and is fully embracing its edge display, Samsung touts this as the “Infinity Display”, which leaves little bezel at the top and bottom of the device.  Essentially, you’re either looking at a 5.8 or 6.2″ massive screen.  But what is truly different about this?  These large devices fit inside of other smartphones with larger bezels like the Google Pixel or iPhone 7 Plus; however, the Galaxy S8 devices are a bit narrower making them potentially easier to pocket and hold.

IMG_0101
Front of Galaxy S8.

Hardware

What’s the best camera that money can buy?  That’s right, the one that’s with you.  A camera that is always with you is the one built into your smartphone and the Galaxy S8 camera will not disappoint in one bit.  During my hands-on time with the device (in a local Best Buy) pictures turned out crystal clear and vibrant, which is a usual of most Samsung devices — very pleasant to look at although not the most true to life.  The stock Samsung camera app had absolutely no shutter lag and captured images within an instant of touching the button.  Speaking of buttons, there is no more home button on the latest flagship device with Samsung finally switching to on screen buttons marking a big step forward and aligning the company more with the modern Google design language for devices.  Although the home button is no longer physical, the user will receive haptic feedback when it is pressed on the screen.  (Cool note about the button is that the square that triggers the home action moves around on the screen slightly, unbeknownst to users, to avoid burn in on the screen, nice huh?)

IMG_0102.jpg
Rear of the Galaxy S8, highlighting the camera and the fingerprint sensor.

Since the home button is virtualized, that means that the fingerprint sensor needed to move and in this iteration of the device, it lands itself next to the camera.  This was not the best design decision, as even someone with larger hands has a difficult time reaching the correct spot on the back of the device to activate it.  A giveaway at this fact is because Samsung built technology into the camera to understand when there are extra smudges on it (likely because users are trying to access the fingerprint scanner).  Most Android OEMs either keep the home button on the front or move the sensor altogether to the back middle of the device, which is simply more ergonomic and looks a lot better.

View the complete specifications of these new devices here.

Software & Interface

Samsung has done an excellent job fine tuning the software that comes loaded on their latest flagship device.  The S8 and S8+ come with your standard set of Google apps and Samsung preloaded goodies, and this year the software and interface is it’s lightest yet.  No, I didn’t go into the settings and check how many non-stock apps were installed; their ROM is still not the lightest, but overall feel is much improved from previous years.  From the settings app, to the notification shade the overall user-experience is much lighter and closer to stock, as Samsung has seemed to have taken cues from the complaints of many users over the years.

Bottom Line

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is in elite company here and is certainly one the best built, looking and performing smartphones currently on the market.  Featuring an all new “infinity” display that offers more view-able real estate (although, this new display curves around the edges, it’s still unclear what actual function it serves in other circumstances in the OS) than most other devices on the market.  If you’re up for an upgrade and you’re interested in a new thin, light device with excellent performance — check out the latest offerings from Samsung with it’s S8 and S8+.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 6S Plus — Worth It?

Let’s face it, although Apple wants you to buy each iPhone every year, most consumers simply don’t — but there are some year over year upgrades worth the Apple tax?  In some cases yes and overall the iPhone 7 Plus is the perfect incremental upgrade to it’s successor.
(Source: Apple)
Water Resistance
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are rated IP67 under IEC standard 60529 — making it splash, water and dust resistant — a first for an iPhone.  Although the 6S and 6S Plus do not have the official IP67 rating, tests have shown that it is largely unfazed by water.  What do all of these numbers mean?  Simple.  Rain storm and need to make a quick call — your phone will survive.  Dunking your phone (accidentally) into the toilet — your phone will survive.  Taking your phone to a beach — your phone will survive (Note: salt water is not good for any smartphone).  These are just a few of the circumstances that bringing your phone to is now something that you need not worry about.
Dual Cameras
The camera on the iPhone has always been the industry standard even when other smartphone cameras pull more pleasing images at times (Samsung Galaxy devices and Google Pixel).  This phone is no different, the iPhone 7 Plus with it’s dual lens setup takes gorgeous pictures at 12 megapixels and has a telephoto lens that allows you to crop in without losing any quality (usually you use digital zoom, which creates a grainier image).  Additionally, Apple touts it’s latest software miracle in “Portrait Mode”, which is only available on the iPhone 7 Plus and this creates a stunning bokeh effect that when done properly blurs the background of the image and leaves focus on the subject almost flawlessly.
Enhanced Screen Quality
With the iPhone 7 Plus the screen quality is upped from the previous years model.  Looking at the display, you can immediately notice the difference in any object that you seen on the screen.
2024ABCC-28AE-4CC9-96C7-0CB8618D6BFB.jpg
Left: iPhone 7 Plus, Right: iPhone 6S Plus
Stereo Speakers
Every phone should have stereo speakers!!  That’s right — after this device is is unacceptable for a device to be released without stereo speakers.  On all previous models of iPhone, it has featured a single downward facing speaker.  Now in addition to the downward facing the earpiece is additionally a speaker — which gives a much fuller sound that the previous models.  You would think that an additional speaker doesn’t make a big difference but it does and the entire device illuminates with sound.
(Source: DHTV – Dan)
Speedier Processor
A10 Fusion, this new processor in the iPhones 7 are noted by researchers as blowing away the competition and upon release is the fastest SoC put into a phone.  Day to day, it’s tough too tell how snappy the device is, as iOS devices have and maintain high performance consistently.
Taptic Home-Button
Literally my favorite part of the device!  Upon my first hands-on with an iPhone 7 and 7 Plus I was taken back by the taptic button and it not being a button, being more of a circular trackpad.  I must say that it is phenomenal.  Removing a physical home button from the device removes yet another potential point of failure since the old button was mechanical.  The new home button is a miniature force touch track pad that simulates a click, whose sensitivity can be changed through settings.  Additionally, there are taptics (vibrations) that occur all throughout the operating system of the new devices, which further heightens the experiences of iPhone 7.  Examples are scrolling through calenders, clearing all notifications and more just feel different and more immersive on these new devices.
(Source: 9to5 Mac)
Overall
I know what you want to hear…  Are the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus worthy upgrades?  Yes and no.  Cameras are driving factors in smartphone purchases and if you want class leading camera performance (the non-plus model gets OIS this year) it’s worthy.  In addition, having the latest and greatest gives you the new A10 Fusion SoC with peace of mind that the device will be able to handle the latest round of even more demanding apps.
However, if you’re looking for an all new redesign then no.  However, if you have a 6S or 6S Plus and you get the 7 or 7 Plus, you will not be disappointed in this great device.

Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.