Poll

Poll: did you upgrade to iOS 8?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 17, 2014

iOS 8 released today and with it came not only plenty new features, but also the usual assortment of teething issues which — as is the norm in the software industry — happen to plague other vendors' software, too.

For example, a last-minute bug discovered in the HealthKit framework has prompted Apple to pull all HealthKit apps from the App Store this morning until the issue is fixed via a software update due by the end of this month.

Aside from this inconvenience, iOS 8 has also been found to slow down older devices such as the three-year-old iPhone 4s.

I'm sure readers will discover their favorite issues with iOS 8 just by scanning their RSS feed and keeping a close eye on conversations on Twitter, Facebook and other social media channels.

But here's the thing: it's all part of the Apple folklore. Early adopters certainly don't mind being part of it, even if it means coping with unforeseen issues, unexpected crashes, broken apps and other problems.

The question is, are you an iOS 8 holdout or an early adopter?.

Poll: which iPhone 6 are you?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 12, 2014

Apple last midnight started accepting pre-orders for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.

The handset is scheduled to start shipping to customers next Friday, a week from today, September 19.

Already reports are coming in that the 5.5-inch model is in short supply (as expected), with all iPhone 6 models said to be selling out across Germany and United Kingdom. Elsewhere, the sought-after device remains in high demand.

Unfortunately, accessibility and transactional issues with the Online Apple Store are persisting and spoiling the fun for some people: chances are you, too, had to jump through hoops before reserving yours. With that in mind, we'd want to learn which iPhone model, colorway and storage SKU ended up in your shopping basket.

So, which iPhone 6 did you buy?

Poll: will you pre-order or buy your iPhone 6 in store?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2014

Apple will start accepting pre-orders for the newly-introduced iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus tomorrow, September 12, a full week before the device is scheduled to land on store shelves the next Friday, September 19.

Busy folks may opt to have their phones delivered to their doorsteps while others may prefer the excitement of launch day festivities and mingling with like-minded fans at one of Apple's brick and mortar stores.

Are you going to pre-order your iPhone 6 from the comfort or your home or will you waltz inside your nearest carrier or Apple Store on September 19 at 8am?

Poll: what should Apple name the new iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 9, 2014

As we count down the remaining hours before Apple kicks off its exciting media event at 10am PT / 1pm ET, a lot of confusion has risen as to what kind of moniker the company might adopt for its next iPhone model which the press dubbed the iPhone 6.

Now, rumors have pointed to a bunch of different names for the handset, ranging from a clean “iPhone” and ”iPhone 6” to the highly dubious branding schemes such as “iPhone L”, “iPhone Air”, “iPhone Pro” and even ”iPhone+”.

This is your chance to voice your opinion. You'll find a non-scientific poll after the break asking you what you think Apple should call its next iPhone so cast your vote and join us in comments.

Poll: is leaked iPhone 6 design too Android-ish?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 7, 2014

With 48 hours until Apple's big reveal, we've by now seen our fair share of leaked footage showing off a nearly-assembled 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a new iOS 8 Passbook icon with a credit card pictogram on top.

There's also that fresh clip out of China making the rounds this morning, giving us our best look yet at purported iPhone 6 design and the smoothness of iOS 8 running on the device. Still, there's no denying that all some folks can muster after seeing these videos is Android.

I guess you could make an argument that the iPhone 6 design aesthetics are reminiscent of some high-end Android handsets from the likes of HTC and others. On the other hand, there are only so many ways to design a bar phone.

What are your feelings on the matter? Is the leaked iPhone 6 design too Android-ish for your tastes? And has the handset lost the design language that made it uniquely an iPhone, do you think?

Poll: would you use iPhone 6 as your iWallet?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

A flurry of reports in recent days from the likes of Re/code, Wired, Financial Times, Bloomberg and The Information have pointed to Apple eyeing a pay-by-touch iPhone technology by partnering with some of the world's biggest payment processors and credit card companies like AmEx, MasterCard and Visa.

The mobile payment feature is thought to involve technologies such as NFC and Touch ID and tap into a pool of more than the 800 million iTunes accounts with credit cards on file.

The question is, do you see yourself using the iPhone 6 as your wallet? Or, maybe you're the type of person who prefers sticking to plastic and good ol' cash?

Poll: can Apple wearable survive with a $400 price tag?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 30, 2014

Unnamed sources Saturday afternoon told Re/code that Apple's top dogs “have discussed charging around $400” for a rumored wearable device, which may or may not end up being called the iWatch.

Sources also mentioned “a range of prices for different models,” giving hope that price-sensitive consumers may be permitted to choose between lower-priced models.

We don't really know if such a device exits and it doesn't help that Re/code didn't mention where an entry-level model might start at so this is all pure speculation, but we still want to hear what you think about this rumor.

Will the rumored $400 price tag price Apple out of the market or can the firm get away with charging a premium for a superb wearable experience, do you think?

Poll: would you consider a larger iPad?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2014

Tuesday, unnamed sources told Bloomberg that Apple has been gearing up to introduce a larger 12.9-inch iPad early next year.

For what it's worth, the story contradicts a March report by the mostly unreliable DigiTimes which claimed the project had been put on hold over various developmental issues.

Compared to the 9.7-inch iPad Air, the rumored device — dubbed by the press the 'iPad Pro' — would offer a significantly bigger canvas for your apps, media and content. At the same time, a 12.9-inch iPad would be just a hair smaller than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and significantly bigger — 3 inches bigger to be exact — than the iPad Air.

So, who wants a giant iPad?

Poll: is Apple wearable going to unmask itself come September 9?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2014

With Apple's September 9 event now official, the speculation game can begin, again.

And with a rumored Apple wearable device ostensibly in tow for the big reveal alongside a pair of new iPhones — or that's at least what Re/code's John Paczkowski has learned from sources — the time is right to hear your thoughts on the matter.

So, is Apple going to announce a wearable device at the event, do you think? Context: an “Apple wearable” may not necessarily stand for a “smartwatch” per se — or denote an ”iWatch” at all, as the media has tentatively dubbed the elusive wrist-worn gizmo.

Go ahead, cast your vote after the break and then join us in comments for a healthy discussion from some wildly different perspectives, hopefully.

Poll: would you pay extra for sapphire-screened iPhone 6?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

That sapphire has become the smartphone industry's latest new buzzword can be attributed to Apple. The Cupertino company has confirmed dropping north of $500 million for the procurement of cutting-edge furnaces and other sophisticated equipment needed for its new sapphire plant, the world's largest.

That facility is located in Mesa, Arizona and run on Apple's behalf by a company called GT Advanced Technologies.

Moreover, GT's scientists have created a process called Hyperion 4 Ion Implanter to help mass-produce sapphire at affordable prices. Now, it's been rumored for months that Apple, which holds a patent for ‘Sapphire Laminates,’ will protect the iPhone 6's screen with ultra-thin sheets made from the precious gemstone.

With sapphire's hardness being second only to diamond, such a device would feature a virtually unbreakable screen. And with an estimated 20 percent of all broken iPhones suffering from smashed displays, sapphire could protect your pricey investment in case of accidental drops.

Analysts caution that a high-end feature like a sapphire-strengthened screen could easily translate into a premium price. Which brings me to my question of the day: would you be willing to pay extra for an iPhone 6 with a sapphire screen?

Poll: would you buy a notebook, a tablet, a phone and a watch?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

We're living in a multi-device world. Taking into account the never-ending stream of both existing form factors and new-category products, small wonder that the line is blurring.

I'm of course referring to ultra-thin notebooks, smartphones, tablets and wearables that perform functions of smartwatches, fitness trackers, health bands and what not.

But do we really need all this hardware in our lives? And even more to the point, can anyone in today's multi-screen world safely do without owning all types of mobile gear?

That's the question I'd like to pose in today's poll. Assuming you have enough spare cash lying around somewhere, would buying a notebook, a tablet, a smartphone and a watch benefit your mobile computing, do you think?

Poll: will you buy iPhone 6 full price or subsidized?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 19, 2014

When Apple finally announces the iPhone 6 next month, I myself will be most certainly watching Tim Cook's pricing slide with great intent. There have been plenty of rumors indicating that Apple could actually hike iPhone 6 prices across the board.

Assuming the rumors are true, like most people I won't be happy about this change, though it won't discourage me from buying the handset.

The more suspicious watchers postulated that only higher-end models would command a premium. For instance, The Wall Street Journal just recently said that only the "more-expensive models" would get sapphire displays due to high production costs.

In the United States, T-Mobile is the only major carrier that fully separates device cost (fully paid upfront or via twelve zero-interest monthly installments) from wireless service plans. With other operators such as Verizon, the subsidy cost is not cut out of your wireless bill after your service agreement is over and your device has been fully paid off.

Which brings me to my question of the day: will you be getting your very own iPhone 6 unsubsidized, paying the full price of the handset upfront? Or, perhaps you'd be willing to commit your soul to a carrier for another 12/24 months, all over again, just to be able to pay the lowest possible hardware price at the time of your purchase?...