Two-Paragraph Tuesday: Apple Slices

Apple had a slew of new product announcements from the Steve Jobs Theater at the new Apple Campus. The Apple Watch 3 (with LTE), Apple TV 4K, iPhone 8/8+, and iPhone X (with Face ID) were all on the docket. My initial impression is that the new devices are impressive entries/updates to the Apple product lineup, and I think the ability to wirelessly charge the new Apple Watches, iPhones, and AirPods will prove to be very popular (the devices use the Qi wireless charging standard, and Apple will be releasing a new AirPower charging mat next year). 

I am interested in the Apple TV 4K because, as a cord cutter, those little hockey-puck-like devices are the lifeblood of our viewing experience. The ability to stream 4K is a long sought-after feature on the unit (and, as a courtesy, Apple will automatically upgrade the HD content you have with them to 4K when available), and the faster processor (an A10X) may mean game content will improve as well.

Stay tuned for more information on Apple's new products on this blog in the coming weeks! 

Previous post: "'The Wrath of Khan' Set to Screen at Aksarben Cinema" 

The Headphone Conundrum

So...Apple introduced the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus today (along with a new Apple Watch).

I love Apple product announcements. I'm a total fan. I've never owned a computer that wasn't a Macintosh.

But -- like many others -- I've wondered if Apple has lost its way since the passing of Steve Jobs.

Don't get me wrong, they have continued to release superb products, but some of their decisions have left me feeling "whelmed"...

Take, for example, the decision to omit the 3.5 mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 lineup.

It's not the fact that the jack is gone that bothers me so much. Rather, it is the fact that they don't include a pair of their new wireless AirPod headphones.

The AirPods look kinda cool. They "pause" what you are listening to when you take them out of your ear, for example. The complete rundown of features can be found here: http://www.apple.com/airpods/

They would make a terrific companion to the slick looking new phones. If they were included with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it would make the new iPhones a total home run -- a must-buy for millions of aficionados.

I realize it was probably cost prohibitive to provide the wireless headphones with the phone.

But the new iPhones ship with a set of corded EarPods. Since there is no headphone jack, it plugs into the Lightning port at the bottom of the iPhone (there is also an included adapter if you want to use headphones that use the "old school" 3.5 mm jack).

Great...fine...no problem. Except using headphones with the Lightning port means you can't listen to music while you charge your iPhone.

Unless, of course, you buy a set of the $159 wireless AirPods (and they aren't even available until a month after the iPhone 7 is released), or another pair of bluetooth headphones.

Apple Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller quipped something to the effect that 3.5 mm headphone jacks are basically relics of the past.

Then why release an iPhone with corded headphones at all?

(And if you read my post on wiring an old attic antenna to tune in HD broadcasts, you'll know that I don't necessarily mind old technology.)

Steve Wozniak (the guy who invented the first Apple Computer) warned against removing the headphone jack in iPhones:
http://www.afr.com/technology/mobiles-and-tablets/apple/steve-wozniak-says-apple-must-fix-iphone-7-bluetooth-or-revive-its-headphone-jack-20160821-gqxwsg

The other interesting decision by Apple was to eliminate the "Space Grey" color from the iPhone lineup and add the color "Jet Black" (which is glossy) and "Black" (which has a matte finish). 

The "Jet Black" phone is limited to the 128GB and 256GB models of the 7 and 7 Plus.

The "Black" model is available in all configurations.

According to an article on MacRumors.com, the "Jet Black" model can show fine micro-abrasions with use. http://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/07/apple-jet-black-fine-micro-abrasions/

The new iPhone models will be available in "Silver," "Gold," "Rose Gold," "Black" and "Jet Black."

Regardless of the color choices and lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus look like terrific phones (the 7 Plus has two cameras -- a wide-angle and telephoto camera that work in conjunction for better pictures).

Full specs of the new iPhones can be found here: http://www.apple.com/iphone-7/

One More Thing...

(Remember when Steve Jobs used to say that in his presentations...then announce some new and exciting morsel of information?)

Apple's new "spaceship" campus is edging closer to completion. Here is a cool drone video of the property:

Read yesterday's blog post: A Shooting, A Ballcap, and a Hardware Store