Tag Archives: Apple

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

Apple’s New tablet — iPad 2017

Let’s talk about the new iPad from Apple. 
So what we’ve got here is a case of a new tablet brought to us by Apple that is not an iPad Pro but at the same time it does have a lot of unique qualities. For example, this tablet’s best and most forefront quality is it’s price, starting at $329. This tablet is in the perfect position to take on the education market and be a perfect entry-level tablet for consumers of media and internet services.

Source: Gizmag

Next, let’s talk about look. It’s earily similar to ghosts of iPad past; however, this time around — it’s thicker, packing a larger battery and a non-laminated display. Will this make a difference you ask? To most users no and at this price point; you probably shouldn’t be that picky anyway. This tablet is designed as a perfect “gateway drug” to tablet computing and it’s bound to get many first time buyers hooked.

Technology

How a “story” sells a product

We’ve all been there, captivated and enthralled in a newly released product ad from our favorite technology company that says “buy me now!!” — we gladly whip our our credit cards and make a purchase.  But what pushes us to do this?  The story that the company tells us as to WHY we need it, HOW it can be useful in our lives and WHO is the target audience is very important and without a story products don’t get sold or if they are successful they do not get the recognition that they are due.
What is this called?  It’s called story-telling marketing, which is a story-focused approach to your marketing and brand building.
Who’s been leading the charge in technology?  None other than Apple, others are trying to get better; however, do I need to point you to the iPhone introduction in 2007?
Can I also point you to AirBnb, who consistently preaches a customer first theology?
Want to hear an even deeper breakdown of story-telling marketing and more?  Subscribe to my podcast, Whaddup Tech on iTunes and other podcast apps or listen here.
Bottom line: Stories sell products and just by looking at two very successful companies that use these methods — the consumers are hooked.
Technology

Apple Supply Chain Woes

Apple announces a new product and they tell the world that it’ll be available by a certain date.  That day comes and goes with NO product in the consumers hands; yet, even when it does release, it’s in such small and limited qualities that they might as well not released it at all.  This has been a thorn in Apple’s side for sometime.  iPhone 7, AirPods, iPad Pro 12.9″ accessories and I’m sure the list will go on — although we don’t want it to.
supply-chain-infographic
What has happened to the supply chain of arguably the most valuable company in the world?  It behooves me that an entity with this much money in the bank cannot produce the quantity of products and accurately predict demand at this point.  Let’s just hope that in the future, Apple will get better with delivering their products on time rather than keeping consumers waiting for unforeseen reasons.  What’s worse is that people wait around like another product cannot do the job or get the product after waiting then incessantly complain about it.
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.