Tag: Apple

How Apple Could Bring Back the Glory to the iPhone?

As soon as the iPhone 11 series of iPhones hit the shelves in September, rumors about the next iPhones hit the rumor mill, like the new offerings don’t at all tickle the fancy of most people, the normal iPhone users and tech bloggers (and vloggers) alike. After all, except for the triple rear camera configuration, not much has changed in the design department from the previous iPhone.

MacRumors suggests there will still remain 3 varieties of the iPhone next year, and following this year’s naming convention, they’ll be called the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, shunning away from the S-intermediary name.

iMore is saying Apple might bring back the metal frame just like that in the iPhone 4. That metal frame is iconic. I used to own an iPhone 4, and I loved it. I would have kept using that phone if not for its outdated specs.

The iconic iPhone 4

According to SBD, there is a good chance that the new iPhone generation brings in a 3D camera. I wonder if Apple will once again lead the innovation in the smartphone arena with this feature, if ever this comes to fruition.

Of course, we can’t ignore the obvious — 5G connectivity. Telcos might not be ready with the widespread connectivity given their current infrastructure, but Apple wouldn’t want to wait that long to keep in line.

For me, though, I liked the idea of a metal frame iPhone. Also, what kept the iPhone ahead of its competition in the past, in my opinion, is the idea of One iPhone to rule them all. I mean, if you get an iPhone, you get the iPhone. If you’re a little short in your budget, you get the older earlier versions.

Lastly, the price. It’s hard for me to stomach paying for a phone for more than $1,000. With how the market received the iPhone 11 series prices, as reflected in their sales figure, Apple should know better next time.

Microsoft is the new Apple

Microsoft recently introduced a bunch of computer and phone (yes, a phone) line up. They certainly stole the spotlight from Apple and Samsung at how these announcements are being done. I’m quite sure they are now the brand to beat in the months to come.

Apps are better designed in iOS than in Android

Before I bought my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7-inch, T819), I totally forgot taking into consideration the fact that apps are usually better designed in iOS than in Android.

Not that I totally screwed up in my decision, of course, there are other important factors that I considered, the topmost being the price.

But to give you an example of how apps are better designed in iOS than in Android, take a look at the screenshots of probably the most go-to app for every smartphone and/or tablet owners, Facebook.

In landscape modes, here’s the Facebook app in my old iPad 2:

facebook-app-on-an-ipad

Facebook iOS app on my iPad 2 (Landscape mode)

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Evernote’s New Pricing Plans

Evernote revealed a couple of weeks ago that they’re changing their pricing plans:

Beginning today, the prices for our Plus and Premium tiers will change for new subscriptions, and access from Evernote Basic accounts will be limited to two devices.

So, for Basic accounts like mine, I’m now limited to accessing my Evernote notes in up to 2 devices. Although Evernote‘s regional pricing plans for the Philippines offer a much lower price at PHP550 per year (roughly less than $12/yr.) for the Evernote Plus account, I’m not too keen on paying for something that I can actually get for free in other services. Continue reading

We need 3D Touch capability in Downcast app too

Now that the Castro podcast app has gone free, I was able to take it for a spin, and I was impressed by its 3D Touch capability, so that you can instantaneously launch and play your favorite podcast channel (or playlist, perhaps?) straight from the home screen.

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3D Touch for Castro podcast app in action

Thus, I’m contemplating of switching to this app instead of my go-to app for podcasts — Downcast. So, here’s a challenge to the developers of Downcast — update your app to integrate 3D Touch, and you can keep me as your loyal user/customer/endorser.

Unleash the beast within the iPhone 6s Plus

iPhone 6s Plus

The iPhone 6s Plus standing proud while on display at iSwitch in Bonifacio High Street

Two years and my iPhone 5s still appeared to be on top of its game. Yet, it was time to upgrade — to catch up with the latest and greatest. I’m pretty sure there’s nowhere else to look but towards the direction of the iPhone 6s Plus.

One week with the iPhone 6s Plus and these are my first impressions, especially when compared to my old but tried and trusted iPhone 5s: Continue reading

Make Space for iPad Pro — the 12.9-inch Apple tablet

Stayed really late last night to watch the Apple Event on my Apple TV. After the boring discussions about the Apple Watch, Tim Cook eventually introduced the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad Pro during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2015. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad Pro during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2015. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

At 12.9-inch diagonal size, the screen is much like most laptops there currently are in the market. I surmise it is now positioned to take on the laptop market this time. That is, if those who consider replacing their work laptop with the iPad Pro are not deterred by the idea of expending additional dough for the Smart Keyboard and/or Apple Pencil.

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Here’s Hoping for an iPod Touch 128GB

Apple quietly drops iPod Classic from its online store.

iPod Classic

I do have an iPod Classic I bought in mid-2007. It was my first Apple product purchase. I don’t recall what Gen it was, but it was the 80GB version. Although software and hardware indicate it needs to retire, I can’t let go of it just yet because my Music Library in my iTunes alone is worth around 50GB, which can’t fit the 64GB iPod Touches and iPhones especially when scores of apps are already installed. Continue reading