Opinion

Why I love the 11-inch MacBook Air

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 30, 2013

If you follow my rants on Let’s Talk iOS then you know that there’s a running joke about how many times I change my mind. In the last 2 years, I’ve switched from an iMac, MacBook Pro, another iMac, a MacBook Air, a Retina MacBook Pro and another MacBook Air. I don’t have to tell you that that’s insane, and probably not a healthy way to go about living your life.

But I’ve settled. I’ve settled on the machine for me. That machine is the 11" MacBook Air. It’s the MacBook with the exceptionally long battery life due to its Haswell processor. This — and trust me I would know — is the perfect computer for me. It’s probably the perfect computer for you as well; you just don’t realize it yet.

Why isn’t Apple allowing pre-orders for the iPhone 5s?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

In just about 4 hours, retailers around the globe will begin taking online pre-orders for the new iPhone 5c. And from then until Monday afternoon, tech watchers will be holding vigilant for any kind of word from Apple confirming the handset's success.

At least the company will have a clear picture of its performance this weekend, because as most of you know, it's decided not to make its flagship iPhone 5s available for pre-order. Folks will have to wait until next week to purchase the device online or in-store.

Of course, Apple hasn't offered any reason for why it's decided to go this route. But as you can imagine, there are a number of theories floating around the web. And on the eve of the 5c pre-order launch, we thought it'd be fun to take a look at some of them...

The misunderstood iPhone 5c

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

There weren't many surprises left yesterday during Apple's iPhone event where not one, but two devices were unveiled. There was of course the iPhone 5s, the new flagship device, and also the iPhone 5c, the rumored inexpensive iPhone aimed at emerging markets and first time smartphone buyers. At least that's what we all believed.

If we all knew early on what the iPhone 5c was going to look like, there was something we were not certain about: the pricing. With an estimated unsubsidized price tag of $450, the iPhone 5c was supposed to hit the sweet spot. It was not Samsung-cheap, but it was not iPhone-expensive either, making it the defacto budget iPhone Wall Street had been pushing for.

Wall Street had actually brainwashed us to believe that a cheaper iPhone was what Apple needed in markets where the company isn't doing as well as it should, such as China, and other parts of Asia, Russia, etc.

Whether Wall Street is right or not doesn't matter because, as always, Apple didn't let the money men dictate the company what to do. As always, Apple went Apple's way and unveiled a device that is everything but affordable. It sure is $100 less than the top of the line iPhone 5s, but starting at $549 off contract, the iPhone 5c is still $100 more expensive than our wildest expectations.

So what happened?

Apple’s stock had a nice little July, but why?

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2013

At the time of this writing, Apple's stock is hovering around $456 per share. While that's still painfully lower than its peak of $702 back in September of last year, it's a major improvement over the $398 per share low it hit last month. So what happened?

The truth is, APPL had a nice little July. After starting the month at $405, the stock spiked around the 23rd—the day it announced its 'disappointing' Q3 earnings—and has been on the rise since. But why? Are investors gaining confidence in Apple again?

Will the iPhone get its own Mac Pro moment?

Oliver Haslam ∙ July 7, 2013

There's no argument that the Mac Pro was in need of some love and in fact, we'd argue that it's been overdue some attention for quite some time now. We'd hoped that Apple would offer some signs that the Mac Pro was still in their hearts at this year's WWDC, but we never invisaged something like what Phil Schiller finally announced on-stage. It was a wow moment the likes of which we don't recall since the original iPhone introduction.

Which got us thinking.

With iPhones being released each year, and with leaks almost commonplace when it comes to Apple's suppliers, are we in danger of growing bored with Apple's iPhone? Perhaps more accurately, are we no longer capable of being surprised by a newly announced smartphone from Apple?

How much is too much for mobile games?

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

I was going to write this post when everything was raw, soon after the news had developed and the internet was awash with people seemingly frothing at the mouth. Frothing, apparently, for one of two reasons.

Firstly, we had the people frothing because "ZOMG, 20 dollars for an iPad game!!!!." Apparently anything the wrong side of free is just about the developers trying to squeeze money out of their hard work. Because, well, it's their living.

Then secondly, there were the polar opposites. People screaming back, apparently oblivious to the fact they were wasting their time, claiming that developers deserve to be paid and that free to play games have ruined the App Store, caused world hunger and possibly even kicked a kitten once.

The truth though, as is so often the case, is somewhere in-between...

Pod2g: Apple could open up iOS by releasing alternate firmware for developers

Cody Lee ∙ May 31, 2013

Earlier this week, Tim Cook turned some heads when he told folks at the D11 conference that they could expect Apple to "open up more" in the future, in regards to 3rd party developers. The company, as you well know, currently rules iOS with an iron fist.

Unsurprisingly, Cook's comment has sparked some speculation in the jailbreak community, on what Apple's plans might be for opening up iOS more. And earlier today, Pod2g weighed in, and he thinks it could do it by releasing alternate firmware...

Apple was right, widgets just ain’t cool

Oliver Haslam ∙ April 6, 2013

Without a doubt, one of the biggest differences between iOS and Android is its fundamental handling of information. Google decided to allow widgets onto a phone's Home screen so that, theoretically, users would have the information they need right at their fingertips. Apple, on the other hand, has doggedly stuck to its guns over the years, with iOS remaining a collection of app icons rather than live widgets.

Over the years there have been plenty of arguments amongst those in the tech community as to which was the best way to go. Android users will repeatedly point to widgets as one of the main reasons they prefer their phones over the iPhone or even one of the Windows Phone handsets. Sitting halfway between iOS and Android, Windows Phone features live tiles that offer up information from the phone's Home screen a la widgets, but that's just not enough for some. It's widgets or nothing, man, and that's the way it is.

But iOS users can have their cake and eat it. They can have widgets on their home screens just like Android users, whilst still having that iPhone they so love. But the real question is: should they? Even if they should, I'd argue that fewer people actually would than we might think...

As expected, the Dream JB is a fake – updated

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Okay, I'll bite. Again.

Yesterday I called out the developer of "Dream JB" for promising to bring a jailbreak to the iPhone 5 when he knew good and well that he couldn't fulfill that promise.

Understandably, a lot of readers were miffed that I had the audacity to dash their hopes for a jailbreak. We've waited a long time for a jailbreak for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5, so it didn't really surprise me when I was labeled a pessimist, although I was surprised a bit that my journalistic integrity was questioned. Fair enough, I was pretty positive that in due time this "jailbreak" would be exposed for what it really was.

Due time came today.

As I stated, I too wish for a jailbreak, it's in my best interest to have one...but I and many others saw through this for what it was — a fake. Now the developer has released a video showcasing his fake work. And although it's a pretty ambitious job of fakery, at the end of the day it's still fake.

Making the case for going case-less

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

I decided to go completely case-less. Most of you guys probably think I already do that, since I never have a case on my devices when I'm filming a new video.

But that, as it turns out, hasn't been so. I used to only keep my iPhone nude for aesthetic purposes on film. As soon as I hit the shutter release on my camera to stop filming, back in the case she went.

Then I read something that changed my perspective on things. After seeing this post by John Gruber, I started thinking. Why are we so obsessed with encapsulating our devices in protective covering? Aren't we ridding ourselves of the pleasure of using it as it was intended and designed to be used?

I decided to embark on an experiment. One that could prove costly, but at the same time provide me with a since of liberation. I was going to go case-less...

Apple customer loyalty rate falls for first time, but why?

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

A report by Strategy Analytics yesterday claims that Apple's customer loyalty fell for the first time since records began, which may come as a surprise with huge lines and waiting lists abound for the latest releases of the iPhone and iPad.

The report tells that when asked, 88% of US customers said that they were likely to buy another iPhone at upgrade time, which is down from the 93% that claimed the same thing last time around. It's a similar story in Europe, with a result of 75% being well down from the previous year's 88%.

While any company should be happy with a loyalty rate of 88%, why is Apple seeing a reduction in customer loyalty? That's the real question I think we should be asking...

Shake ups and shufflings: some thoughts on the new Apple

Sébastien Page ∙ October 30, 2012

If there's one thing that really came as a surprise this month, it's certainly not the iPad mini, or any other product announcement, but the executives shake up and shuffling at Apple. SVP of Retail John Browett is gone, and that's a good thing, and really, hardly a surprise. The biggest surprise was that he was hired in the first place. The real bombshell in yesterday's abrupt announcement is the departure of SVP of iOS Software, Scott Forstall.

Although it was the biggest kick, Apple's press release also told us that Ive would now be in charge of Human Interface (aka everything design), iOS and OS X groups are now one, Maps and Siri are now part of the Internet Services unit, and Mansfield will lead the new Technologies group.

Now that we've gathered a little more information about the news and that I've had time to really soak it in, I'd like to share my thoughts on the situation, and what it all means for the new Apple...