I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
"People" don't make fun of folding mobile devices. Apple fans do. They make fun of every idea and feature that Android OEMs develop first ... right up until Apple copies it.
Being the first to market with a poorly designed device is not Apple's style. Need I remind you of those first to market failures by Android OEMs? That's what makes us laugh.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
"People" don't make fun of folding mobile devices. Apple fans do. They make fun of every idea and feature that Android OEMs develop first ... right up until Apple copies it.
Being the first to market with a poorly designed device is not Apple's style. Need I remind you of those first to market failures by Android OEMs? That's what makes us laugh.
Keep saying this and eventually people will get it.
I can only think of one thing that Apple got out first: the Watch.
Even that’s stretching it because once they announced it, the competition rushed out products without waiting to see what Apple had done first, which ties in with your point about being first to market with poorly-designed products.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
"People" don't make fun of folding mobile devices. Apple fans do. They make fun of every idea and feature that Android OEMs develop first ... right up until Apple copies it.
Being the first to market with a poorly designed device is not Apple's style. Need I remind you of those first to market failures by Android OEMs? That's what makes us laugh.
Even when not first to market, Apple has had its lemons but I suppose the term 'poorly designed' covers a wide range of products.
The one button hockey puck mouse was awful in every way and Apple stuck with it for years. The 'sunflower' iMac was basically a one off (a hinge with a computer and screen attached to it?), Cube (A cube with a computer on it ;-) ). The original one port MacBook (underpowered, inderported and expensive). Original MacBook Air which was prone to overheating, butterfly keyboard.
Then there are questionable design decisions that, with hindsight I'm sure the 'modern' Apple wished had never existed but at the time worked rather well (clamshell iBook complete with carry handle) or the ones that truly need to be erased from everyone's memory (Dalmatian iMac).
The good thing about Android phones is that very often 'concept phones' actually make it to market where they can get real world use and users are fully aware of potential pitfalls.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
There's no problem to solve because few people have need to fold their iPad in half to cram it into a smaller space. It's a gimmick, and one that has been implemented poorly to date. But implementing it well won't change the fact that no one needs a folding tablet.
I think the market will answer the question of how many people need a folding phone.
Currently I'm not perceiving a lack of interest or sales. I actually saw my first folding phone the other day - on the bus. In the hands of someone who could have passed as a housewife.
I'd love to fold my iPad Mini in half or fold open my current phone and run apps side by side, view photos on a bigger screen etc but prices are still to high for me.
The screen size of foldable iPhone 12 Max would be approximately the same as an iPad Mini (albeit with different dimensions - the foldable iPhone would be wider but shorter).
So.... Should the foldable iPhone 12 Max run iOS or iPadOS?
And, just for kicks, imagine it sporting a USB-4 port and driving a 4k monitor with an external keyboard and mouse.
Me thinks the lines between smart phones, tablets and laptops (even desktops) is getting ever murkier.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
There's no problem to solve because few people have need to fold their iPad in half to cram it into a smaller space. It's a gimmick, and one that has been implemented poorly to date. But implementing it well won't change the fact that no one needs a folding tablet.
I think the market will answer the question of how many people need a folding phone.
Currently I'm not perceiving a lack of interest or sales. I actually saw my first folding phone the other day - on the bus. In the hands of someone who could have passed as a housewife.
I'd love to fold my iPad Mini in half or fold open my current phone and run apps side by side, view photos on a bigger screen etc but prices are still to high for me.
The screen size of foldable iPhone 12 Max would be approximately the same as an iPad Mini (albeit with different dimensions - the foldable iPhone would be wider but shorter).
So.... Should the foldable iPhone 12 Max run iOS or iPadOS?
And, just for kicks, imagine it sporting a USB-4 port and driving a 4k monitor with an external keyboard and mouse.
Me thinks the lines between smart phones, tablets and laptops (even desktops) is getting ever murkier.
Definitely. I've always been a little miffed about Apple's decision to break the OS down into sub sections.
I would have gone for one OS that adapts to the hardware its sitting on.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
... Apple will adopt this technology after Samsung will have spent 4 years using feedback from customers and app developers refining it ...
So yeah, you can tell yourself that "Apple does other people's ideas better" but smartphone sales and Apple's own copying actions say otherwise.
You're essentially describing Samsung alpha testing products on consumers who paid full price to buy junk rushed to market before it's ready, so they can be "first."
Apple will come to market with devices like iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, where consumers and particularly the peanut gallery don't yet know fully what the use case will be, but that's different than foisting crappy, untested gear on their customers to see how quickly they break it. iPhone wasn't the first smartphone, but it worked well and completely changed the market and consumer expectations. Google and Samsung followed that lead by copying Apple, not the other way around. Before iPhone, Blackberry and Palm Pilots were the industry standards. Apple did indeed take the best of those concepts and roll them into a better combined device, and soon after subsumed Garmin and TomTom as well. Likewise, iPad came out to naysayers who didn't see a need for something between a phone and a notebook computer, but the thing worked well and took off, with others coming behind with copies. Fitbits and a few smartwatches already existed when Apple Watch came out. The Peanut Gallery just said nobody wears watches since they have a smartphone in their pocket, and nobody would pay more to have a Fitbit built into a watch, etc, etc. Now everybody has one, and others are copying it.
So yeah, Samsung comes out with a new, not-ready-for-primetime feature like a phone with a folding display, but the world isn't chasing behind to copy that. Apple certainly isn't going to add that feature unless there's both a clear reason for it beyond being a new bell and whistle, and also the ability to implement the idea without it being a defect and damage liability. Samsung has a folding phone, but is anyone really clamoring for that?
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
... Apple will adopt this technology after Samsung will have spent 4 years using feedback from customers and app developers refining it ...
So yeah, you can tell yourself that "Apple does other people's ideas better" but smartphone sales and Apple's own copying actions say otherwise.
You're essentially describing Samsung alpha testing products on consumers who paid full price to buy junk rushed to market before it's ready, so they can be "first."
Apple will come to market with devices like iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, where consumers and particularly the peanut gallery don't yet know fully what the use case will be, but that's different than foisting crappy, untested gear on their customers to see how quickly they break it. iPhone wasn't the first smartphone, but it worked well and completely changed the market and consumer expectations. Google and Samsung followed that lead by copying Apple, not the other way around. Before iPhone, Blackberry and Palm Pilots were the industry standards. Apple did indeed take the best of those concepts and roll them into a better combined device, and soon after subsumed Garmin and TomTom as well. Likewise, iPad came out to naysayers who didn't see a need for something between a phone and a notebook computer, but the thing worked well and took off, with others coming behind with copies. Fitbits and a few smartwatches already existed when Apple Watch came out. The Peanut Gallery just said nobody wears watches since they have a smartphone in their pocket, and nobody would pay more to have a Fitbit built into a watch, etc, etc. Now everybody has one, and others are copying it.
So yeah, Samsung comes out with a new, not-ready-for-primetime feature like a phone with a folding display, but the world isn't chasing behind to copy that. Apple certainly isn't going to add that feature unless there's both a clear reason for it beyond being a new bell and whistle, and also the ability to implement the idea without it being a defect and damage liability. Samsung has a folding phone, but is anyone really clamoring for that?
For first generation products, both Samsung and Huawei hit the ground running. Reviews have largely supported that and there hasn't been massive blowback due to design or durability issues. Samsung's fiasco over review units had a lot to do with not labelling the units correctly. Many reviewers tried to peel off an element shouldn't have been peeled off. Since the retail products hit the market there haven't been any real (as in widespread) issues. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the design of the first fold but we are going to get designs for all tastes.
Competitors haven't been able to get to market - yet - because of cost issues but prices are coming down and when they can engineer the phones they will.
As per this rumour, Apple will be using a Samsung screen. The technology will improve. That's the name of the game, and the more companies in the game, the better, but there has to be a first generation product. We are now approaching third generation and of course, things will be better. No amount of lab testing can substitute real world experience.
I know people like to make fun of folding mobile devices, I think the problem is that it hasn’t been done well yet. I assume a well thought out and a well done folding device that is durable could be awesome.
I would be glad Apple is working on it—I want to see what they come up with when the technology is there to make it to Apple’s standards.
There's no problem to solve because few people have need to fold their iPad in half to cram it into a smaller space. It's a gimmick, and one that has been implemented poorly to date. But implementing it well won't change the fact that no one needs a folding tablet.
I think the market will answer the question of how many people need a folding phone.
Currently I'm not perceiving a lack of interest or sales. I actually saw my first folding phone the other day - on the bus. In the hands of someone who could have passed as a housewife.
I'd love to fold my iPad Mini in half or fold open my current phone and run apps side by side, view photos on a bigger screen etc but prices are still to high for me.
The screen size of foldable iPhone 12 Max would be approximately the same as an iPad Mini (albeit with different dimensions - the foldable iPhone would be wider but shorter).
So.... Should the foldable iPhone 12 Max run iOS or iPadOS?
And, just for kicks, imagine it sporting a USB-4 port and driving a 4k monitor with an external keyboard and mouse.
Me thinks the lines between smart phones, tablets and laptops (even desktops) is getting ever murkier.
Definitely. I've always been a little miffed about Apple's decision to break the OS down into sub sections.
I would have gone for one OS that adapts to the hardware its sitting on.
The "Jack of all trades and master of none" approach?
That's always been the basic justification for specialization.
But the flip side of it is that hardware platforms, as they become increasingly powerful, begin to merge into one (Remember when you bought a desktop for power and a laptop if you wanted something mobile?). So, as the distinction between hardware platforms blurs, perhaps the distinctions between software platforms needs to follow suit.
One could argue that iPhones are meant for quick, simple, day-to-day type tasks while iPads are meant for more heavy duty uses. But, when the screen size limitation of iPhones is removed, then that distinction will become increasingly less likely. Likewise, the functional distinction between iPads and MacBooks continues to disappear.
Yesterday I bought a case for my grandson's iPad Gen 6 that has a keyboard and trackpad embedded. At this point, from his perspective of Cyberschool, the iPad is actually MORE powerful than his MacBook because, while the iPad can do everything his MacBook can do, the MacBook won't let him do graphing or solve math equations with a "paper and pencil" type function. The iPad's only limitation is screen size (9.7" vs 13.3")
So, how is this not a laptop? (It's only limitation is its operating system!)
So, I agree: Increasingly separate and segregated operating systems will soon begin to be a weakness of the Apple product lines rather than their strength.
p.s. As an extension of that line of thinking: If Apple can sell an iPad for $329 then why not a MacBook with a similar processor for a similar price?
Comments
The one button hockey puck mouse was awful in every way and Apple stuck with it for years. The 'sunflower' iMac was basically a one off (a hinge with a computer and screen attached to it?), Cube (A cube with a computer on it ;-) ). The original one port MacBook (underpowered, inderported and expensive). Original MacBook Air which was prone to overheating, butterfly keyboard.
Then there are questionable design decisions that, with hindsight I'm sure the 'modern' Apple wished had never existed but at the time worked rather well (clamshell iBook complete with carry handle) or the ones that truly need to be erased from everyone's memory (Dalmatian iMac).
The good thing about Android phones is that very often 'concept phones' actually make it to market where they can get real world use and users are fully aware of potential pitfalls.
I would have gone for one OS that adapts to the hardware its sitting on.
Apple will come to market with devices like iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, where consumers and particularly the peanut gallery don't yet know fully what the use case will be, but that's different than foisting crappy, untested gear on their customers to see how quickly they break it. iPhone wasn't the first smartphone, but it worked well and completely changed the market and consumer expectations. Google and Samsung followed that lead by copying Apple, not the other way around. Before iPhone, Blackberry and Palm Pilots were the industry standards. Apple did indeed take the best of those concepts and roll them into a better combined device, and soon after subsumed Garmin and TomTom as well. Likewise, iPad came out to naysayers who didn't see a need for something between a phone and a notebook computer, but the thing worked well and took off, with others coming behind with copies. Fitbits and a few smartwatches already existed when Apple Watch came out. The Peanut Gallery just said nobody wears watches since they have a smartphone in their pocket, and nobody would pay more to have a Fitbit built into a watch, etc, etc. Now everybody has one, and others are copying it.
So yeah, Samsung comes out with a new, not-ready-for-primetime feature like a phone with a folding display, but the world isn't chasing behind to copy that. Apple certainly isn't going to add that feature unless there's both a clear reason for it beyond being a new bell and whistle, and also the ability to implement the idea without it being a defect and damage liability. Samsung has a folding phone, but is anyone really clamoring for that?
Competitors haven't been able to get to market - yet - because of cost issues but prices are coming down and when they can engineer the phones they will.
As per this rumour, Apple will be using a Samsung screen. The technology will improve. That's the name of the game, and the more companies in the game, the better, but there has to be a first generation product. We are now approaching third generation and of course, things will be better. No amount of lab testing can substitute real world experience.
We might even see a tri-fold screen.
The "Jack of all trades and master of none" approach?