Technology Apple

[dilla]

Wow. Today's Apple Keynote was a doozy. Really underwhelmed by the Mini. I don't care if it has the Retina display anymore, the $70 price bump just effectively eliminated it from consideration.

The Air, huh? How about that. Weight 1 pound, much thinner, smaller bezel. I like it. It's $500, though. And it's now got me conflicted with the $229 N7. Screen space is what I want now, I don't really care about portability. They are both portable, the N7 being "pocketable." But I don't need the latter as much anymore. But $270 more for it?

The big thing for the iPad is that it has a lot of free Apple software coming out with it now, including iWork, which would be a proper Office suite, as opposed to Documents to Go or whatever it was Android had. QuickOffice, I think. Then there's GarageBand and iPhoto that seem to be pretty cool too. It's web-based too, like Drive, so that's good.

I've tried comparing the Air to the 10.1, and it seems the 10.1 has the much better screen now (so Retina's charm is kinda of gone). But it's still going to be clunky to use given that there are few proper tablet apps for Android right now. I really don't want the N7 now, and it's all because I've realized I don't need a small tablet; I need a proper, full-size one. And I think the Air is what will give me that. But fuck, the damn iTunes not accepting all video file formats on it, so watching some lecture videos will be impossible if they are in FLV.
And then I'm back to thinking I'm forcing a tablet purchase right now and don't really need one.

Masta, did you get the Mavericks update? They're saying Haswell MBAs are now getting 12+ hours of battery life.

 

[masta247]

Android 4.4 should have a fully functional Office suite built in. I kinda like the new Mini, they fixed most things that were wrong with it, but it's way too expensive compared to what you're getting from the Android camp.
I wouldn't pay 500$ for any tablet at this point as well. You can get a full Windows 8.1 tablet with an attachable keyboard that makes it a fully functional laptop with Bay Trail (which rapes any ARM performance-wise) for 349$ with the new Asus Transformer T100. And a full MS Office suite included.
Sure, it's a great deal now but 10 new tablets will be out for Christmas and about 25 next year. All priced between 299$ and 399$, running full Windows 8.1 with Intel's Bay Trail, good IPS displays, attachable keyboards and Office included. You can run any Windows software on them, and many of them will dual-boot with Android with better performance than any ARM chip coming anytime soon.
I think the 10 inch Ipads are on their way out because of unreasonable pricing. It was acceptable a few years ago, not now. The first Nexus 7 changed the game and the market is way different now.

I didn't get the update yet. I'm getting 12+ hours with Mountain Lion, but I'll update eventually. Some very good upgrades under the hood, even though it adds bloat in form of a few unnecessary applications.

 

[dilla]

It's not automatic. You have to search the App Store for "Mavericks" and download it that way.

I've been using the Developer's Preview for about 5 months now and it definitely has been good to my battery life. The other features are not that big for me.

 

[masta247]

It's not automatic. You have to search the App Store for "Mavericks" and download it that way.

I've been using the Developer's Preview for about 5 months now and it definitely has been good to my battery life. The other features are not that big for me.

I'm downloading Mavericks and the free new iWork that comes with it. Fuck yeah. I like free software upgrades.

 

[dilla]

Microsoft better step its game up, software wise. No one wants even Win8 for free....

 

[masta247]

Microsoft better step its game up, software wise. No one wants even Win8 for free....

I agree. That's the reason I hate using new Windows devices - even if they're often very good, the OS just wastes it for me. I really tried, even tried Windows 8.1, and I just hate using it way too much. I really hope they do something good with Windows 9. I think they should ditch the 2 interfaces and make 1 desktop interface redesigned for touch operated devices that at the same time handles Windows programs and apps at the same time. If at that point it's not too late, I would probably switch back to Windows.

 

[Casey]

Android 4.3 already has integrated QuickOffice.

 

[dilla]

Android 4.3 already has integrated QuickOffice.

I am running CM10.2 and I do not see it.

Also, why integrate QuickOffice when Google has Drive?

 

[masta247]

w

I am running CM10.2 and I do not see it.

Also, why integrate QuickOffice when Google has Drive?

QuickOffice is like a full Office package that is built in. Drive doesn't come preinstalled on most (all?) devices. Drive's primary functionality for its app is cloud storage. Quick Office is a complete office file editor.

 

[dilla]

But I don't see it in 4.3. Is it only on stock ROMs and not CM?

 

[Casey]

I think the new Nexus 7 is the first device that has it integrated. I remember that I didn't have to install it.

Someone on Reddit confirmed that it is a system app now with this screenshot:

 

[masta247]

Oh it also became a free app now on Google Play for all Android devices. I just checked. I think it's related to them lately acquiring QuickOffice.

 

[dilla]

Oh it also became a free app now on Google Play for all Android devices. I just checked. I think it's related to them lately acquiring QuickOffice.

That last part seems to ring a bell. They did acquire these guys, I think. That is probably it.

 

[Casey]

Anyone know when the 2014 MacBook Air is coming out? I am interested to see where they go with it, whether they make it a touchscreen or whatever. Seems like the competing Windows Ultrabooks all have touchscreens now.

I really want Apple to show some personality with Tim Cook at the helm. At the moment, they're still running the company the way that Steve Jobs did. That needs to change, pronto, or they will stagnate.

Too bad they didn't make Woz the CEO. Now there's a guy I respect.

 

[dilla]

I don't think touchscreen happens any time soon. You never know with Apple products, but even the rumors don't seem to mention touchscreens for the MBA.

I think the MBA finally gets the Retina display in the next update, but not much else, feature wise.

Have touchscreen note/ultrabooks actually taken off? I used a few Win8 ones at Best Buy and they were not a fun experience. I think Apple stays away from the touchscreen, at least on the MBA, because it may cannibalize iPad sales.

Isn't the iPad rumored to get a 12" brother too?

 

[masta247]

The touchscreen Windows ultrabooks sell worse than Windows laptops ever did. People don't like Windows 8 in general and touchscreen ultrabooks also didn't catch on. Imho they are inconvenient to use.
Now convertible tablets are another thing - they'll likely replace touchscreen ultrabooks entirely and for a reason - they have a potential to be cool and convenient to use while performing decently - the game started with the release of Bay Trail.

I don't see Macbook Air coming with a touchscreen. Especially after Apple stated the iOS and MacOS are not going to merge. It's hard to say what the new Air is going to bring. It's still a year of Haswell, as Broadwell will not be out until late 2014/early 2015 and will not be a huge upgrade. Maybe at that time the Air gets a retina, but only if Broadwell comes out with a much more efficient GPU since otherwise Air's battery life would degrade vastly (there's a chance since Broadwell is basically an even further shrinked Haswell).
I think the 2013 Macbook Air was a huge upgrade and there's hardly much Apple can do with it at this point. Still most Windows laptops don't run Haswell, Air has had it since mid last year and competing laptops are just coming out now. My bet is Apple are satisfied with the current Air and so are people buying them. If Apple's smart - they'll release an updated Air late 2014 /early 2015 with Broadwell and a retina screen if Broadwell's GPU makes it possible not to murder the battery too fast.

 

[dilla]

The touchscreen Windows ultrabooks sell worse than Windows laptops ever did. People don't like Windows 8 in general and touchscreen ultrabooks also didn't catch on. Imho they are inconvenient to use.
Now convertible tablets are another thing - they'll likely replace touchscreen ultrabooks entirely and for a reason - they have a potential to be cool and convenient to use while performing decently - the game started with the release of Bay Trail.

I don't see Macbook Air coming with a touchscreen. Especially after Apple stated the iOS and MacOS are not going to merge. It's hard to say what the new Air is going to bring. It's still a year of Haswell, as Broadwell will not be out until late 2014/early 2015 and will not be a huge upgrade. Maybe at that time the Air gets a retina, but only if Broadwell comes out with a much more efficient GPU since otherwise Air's battery life would degrade vastly (there's a chance since Broadwell is basically an even further shrinked Haswell).
I think the 2013 Macbook Air was a huge upgrade and there's hardly much Apple can do with it at this point. Still most Windows laptops don't run Haswell, Air has had it since mid last year and competing laptops are just coming out now. My bet is Apple are satisfied with the current Air and so are people buying them. If Apple's smart - they'll release an updated Air late 2014 /early 2015 with Broadwell and a retina screen if Broadwell's GPU makes it possible not to murder the battery too fast.

Did you end up selling your Air finally, or were you happy with it?

 

[Pittsey]

If Masta still owns the Air... Then my theory is proven 100%. Masta only backs what he owns...!

 

[dilla]

If Masta still owns the Air... Then my theory is proven 100%. Masta only backs what he owns...!

Well, anyone as knowledgeable as he is about tech would probably back what they own because they feel they've made an informed decision in choosing that particular product. I don't really hear him, or anyone really, talk shit about a product but instead he just compares them all together and chooses the one that fits him best.

Prior to the S4, I think he had a shitty, old Samsung phone running 2.1, or something. And he made do with that for a while, but still praised other phones.

I think you're just mad he didn't give as much praise to the N5 as you would have wanted him to.

But he did praise it. He just likes his S4 more.

On another note, does anyone use SetCPU anymore? I use CM and it has a built in governor, but I am unable to set parameters for when the screen is off or when battery gets to a certain point. So I'm thinking about going back to SetCPU and seeing if that helps my battery life.

Otherwise after reading Masta say that TouchWiz actually gives better battery life and takes better pictures due to the drivers CM does not have access to, I'm willing to give it a shot while rooted.

 

[masta247]

If Masta still owns the Air... Then my theory is proven 100%. Masta only backs what he owns...!

I think my dislike for Apple was well known in here and the struggle to buy the Air was one of the biggest ones I had, which was also documented here. What finally pushed me was my disappointment with Windows 8.
The 2013 Macbook Ari is a great piece of hardware, however. I still have some issues with MacOS, but there's no denying the Air is probably the most balanced ultrabook out there - it was also the only one with Haswell when I was buying it, and it's a pretty revolutionary architecture.
That's why I bought it, it's not like I'm praising it because I have it.
I always like buying the most reasonable piece of hardware when buying electronics so accidentally I'm praising things I own, even though there are things I praise without owning. Contrary to my "Samsung love" you seem to believe in, the only Samsung product I have is their phone.

Back to the MBA, sure now there are high series Samsungs, the Lenovo Yoga or even really nice Sony Vaio series but.. they're not selling well for a reason. They never come in such complete packages and they're made for Windows 8, which also isn't popular for a reason. There's no coincidence Sony are selling their Vaio division and Samsung considers quitting making laptops.

Well, anyone as knowledgeable as he is about tech would probably back what they own because they feel they've made an informed decision in choosing that particular product. I don't really hear him, or anyone really, talk shit about a product but instead he just compares them all together and chooses the one that fits him best.

Prior to the S4, I think he had a shitty, old Samsung phone running 2.1, or something. And he made do with that for a while, but still praised other phones.

I think you're just mad he didn't give as much praise to the N5 as you would have wanted him to.

But he did praise it. He just likes his S4 more.

On another note, does anyone use SetCPU anymore? I use CM and it has a built in governor, but I am unable to set parameters for when the screen is off or when battery gets to a certain point. So I'm thinking about going back to SetCPU and seeing if that helps my battery life.

Otherwise after reading Masta say that TouchWiz actually gives better battery life and takes better pictures due to the drivers CM does not have access to, I'm willing to give it a shot while rooted.

Thanks a lot. Prior to the S4 I actually had a Sony Ericsson - the Xperia Arc. I could've bought the S2, but I made a decision of not buying the "mainstream" phone on purpose, even though I was aware of the fact that it was technically better. At that point Android wasn't optimized for dual core and there was no reason to believe it'll be anytime soon, and the Xperia Arc just looked cooler.
Earlier I had a Samsung phone with Bada and a shitty Samsung Android and I was giving it a lot of crap for having software bugs and as a matter of fact, at that point I wasn't even a fan of Android at all. I just wanted to try it and thought the UI experience and many software design solutions were pretty bad and not intuitive at all, but it had potential.
They made a long way since then though, and hate it or love it, since the very first Galaxy S, Samsung had the most well-balanced and technically cutting edge Android smartphones every year. That's why they were selling so well.