These renders seem to suggest a flat iPhone similar to the 4. My personal favourite iPhone design is the 4, followed by the original and then the X, so I'll be really happy if the 4 design makes its return.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
Ha! No, I was being serious.
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
(Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
I don't have a grandson, but if I did, I wouldn't be buying any $1000+ phone and giving it to them and then getting it back for me to use after 2 years.
I'd get them an SE, and then I would rather buy myself a brand new iPhone 14 in 2 years from now.
After a decade as an accountant & financial analyst then a couple decades as a programmer & systems analyst I tend to base decisions objectively based on need, functionality and cost-benefit.
In this case, he uses his phone for much more than I do -- particularly video type stuff. And, he has (so far) taken excellent care of his Apple equipment. And, now that Apple offers Theft & loss coverage as an option with AppleCare+ most of my concerns are covered.
So, the biggest hurdle is his mom who gets all huffy if he has a better phone that she does -- but she has enough money to afford anything she wants so I don't let that slow me up (too much).
So, that brings me back to my original decision points on whether to get him a 12 or 12-Pro:
"For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:
1) Will this
be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my
grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it
down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to
pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've
heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary
features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough
difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost
of the base model."
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
Regular Desktop Mode - as it is now - without requiring an internet connection, opens up new options for when you don't have your full OS to hand and allows you a more optimised experience for a large screen.
Both Huawei and Samsung have had this functionality for years and now Google is plumbing it into regular Android so clearly it has been a success.
I see no good reason for it not to be a possibility for Apple.
You bring up several interesting points that must have tech CTO's wondering where to head their company -- because each pulls in a competing direction:
-- The coming of 5G (especially in countries that make it pervasive without huge holes in coverage*) enables improved cloud services that expand flexibility and power.
-- Decreased costs of fast storage argue against cloud based services in favor of personal computing
-- Increased power to smartphone processors will enable them to challenge desktop and even cloud based processors.
I don't think we will see the tech industry choosing any one, single path but instead it will be spreading out to cover all of those potential paths.
So, I think that, yes, we will be seeing smartphone powered laptops -- maybe not from Apple who tends to narrow focuses, but we will be seeing them. And we will definitely be seeing more 5G powered laptops taking advantage of 5G where it has been made available.
The winners will be us, world consumers of tech.
* 5G is another area that the U.S. is falling behind in because, by relying on unregulated for-profit industry to supply it, it mostly provides profit for their shareholders while leaving the nation to fall behind with out-dated infrastructure. Meanwhile, other nations more centrally focused can expand their infrastructures to enable future growth and development.
I will be content with my XS for a few more years. No need to throw away another $1000 when my current device works perfectly.
Who throws their used, but still working phones away? You trade them in, sell them, hand them down. There's always value to be had.
Of course, I knew you meant that is what you would do without stating it. It's always a net upgrade cost unless yours just dies/breaks/is lost/stolen, etc.
Now that Apple has enabled customers to extend AppleCare+ (with an option for theft & loss coverage) indefinitely, the "dies/breaks/is lost/stolen" is no longer a reason for replacement. I pay $6.00 a month to cover my iPhone 7. Really the only reasons now to replace a phone are: obsolescence of the old or appeal of the new. And again, the winners are Apple's customers.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
You should probably stop laughing and start encouraging your government to get off its dead ass and start investing in infrastructure to insure its future.
Every organization, whether public or private, needs to invest in itself if it wants to survive. Those that do not invest are left behind. Those who invest most wisely win the race.
These renders seem to suggest a flat iPhone similar to the 4. My personal favourite iPhone design is the 4, followed by the original and then the X, so I'll be really happy if the 4 design makes its return.
.... Or. better yet: The 4's form factor with the X's screen. That's a BIG two thumbs up!
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
Ha! No, I was being serious.
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
Yes, but only in those countries who exploit it.
The skepticism here in the U.S. is that, because we have turned our future over to the care of private corporations more interested in stock buybacks than future development -- particularly that of the nation -- that 5G will never meet its promise. And, sadly, they are probably correct.
The future is only available to those who reach out to embrace it. The rest become a technological rust belt.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
Ha! No, I was being serious.
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
Apple remains a somewhat US centric company. There is little chance that 5G in the US will have much impact for at least several years. US carriers are not going to offer service that can replace WiFi and home internet any time soon. They are too nearsighted and greedy for that. They are going to try to raise prices not make their service more universal. That means Apple is not going to focus on changing their networking model any time soon either.
Maybe in 5-10 years something like 5G will change how Americans use network services but given the history of US carriers, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
It's my understanding that 120Hz only maters for Pencil to drawing applications as the human eye will hardly notice a difference otherwise. It's to eliminate the milliseconds of delay since our eyes are trained to focus on real-time swift drawing visuals. It eliminates the "dragging" effect we see when drawing on screens.
This could mean OPTIONAL Pencil(Mini Pencil?) support.
DISCLAIMER: NO this does not invalidate Steve's philosophies and it's OPTIONAL. Plus Steve Jobs died years ago so it's not like he green-lit this.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
Regular Desktop Mode - as it is now - without requiring an internet connection, opens up new options for when you don't have your full OS to hand and allows you a more optimised experience for a large screen.
Both Huawei and Samsung have had this functionality for years and now Google is plumbing it into regular Android so clearly it has been a success.
I see no good reason for it not to be a possibility for Apple.
APPLE DOESN'T CARE. Where do you get this idea that Apple gives a shit what the knockoffs are doing? And why do you keep repeating it?
(Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
I don't have a grandson, but if I did, I wouldn't be buying any $1000+ phone and giving it to them and then getting it back for me to use after 2 years.
I'd get them an SE, and then I would rather buy myself a brand new iPhone 14 in 2 years from now.
After a decade as an accountant & financial analyst then a couple decades as a programmer & systems analyst I tend to base decisions objectively based on need, functionality and cost-benefit.
In this case, he uses his phone for much more than I do -- particularly video type stuff. And, he has (so far) taken excellent care of his Apple equipment. And, now that Apple offers Theft & loss coverage as an option with AppleCare+ most of my concerns are covered.
So, the biggest hurdle is his mom who gets all huffy if he has a better phone that she does -- but she has enough money to afford anything she wants so I don't let that slow me up (too much).
So, that brings me back to my original decision points on whether to get him a 12 or 12-Pro:
"For me, it boils down to just 2 questions:
1) Will this
be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my
grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it
down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to
pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've
heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary
features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough
difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost
of the base model."
You're obviously thinking this through, so you know what you're doing and you'll make the right choice based on your thought process.
It's my understanding that 120Hz only maters for Pencil to drawing applications as the human eye will hardly notice a difference otherwise. It's to eliminate the milliseconds of delay since our eyes are trained to focus on real-time swift drawing visuals. It eliminates the "dragging" effect we see when drawing on screens.
This could mean OPTIONAL Pencil(Mini Pencil?) support.
DISCLAIMER: NO this does not invalidate Steve's philosophies and it's OPTIONAL. Plus Steve Jobs died years ago so it's not like he green-lit this.
I've been using it for years on my iPad Pro, and I don't think that I have super human eyes, just average human eyes, and I do notice the difference in day to day usage.
Just a simple thing like scrolling through a web page or swiping through apps is smoother. I have the Apple pencil too, but it's not just intended for that.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
Ha! No, I was being serious.
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
You should probably stop laughing and start encouraging your government to get off its dead ass and start investing in infrastructure to insure its future.
Every organization, whether public or private, needs to invest in itself if it wants to survive. Those that do not invest are left behind. Those who invest most wisely win the race.
Avon - If 5G actually lives up to it's promise I have no doubt you are correct. My largest skepticism is with the claims of 5G capabilities. Without exception, any time a new technology has been promised and introduced in the last 20 years it has taken longer to arrive and fallen short of the promises. Theoretical capabilities from the technical specifications and laboratory conditions are one thing, but the real world is another. Between physical issues and limitations caused by how the infrastructure is deployed real-world capabilities of 5G remain to be seen. Maybe I'm just overly cynical., and I would be happy to be wrong on this, but statements like the one I bolded seem like blind, naive optimism.
GeorgeB - you are correct that we need to invest in our infrastructure (and many other areas.) As far as encouraging my government, I plan on doing that in November.
1) Will this be a phone I could live with for the next 4-5 years? (Actually, my grandson would have it for the first two of those years then hand it down)
2) Will the additional features be enough to get me to pay the premium for the 12-Pro over the 12? The last rumors I've heard are that both will have OLED screens and 5G. So for the primary features (quality screen and communications) there won't be enough difference to support the existing $400 premium -- 2/3's over the cost of the base model.
One interesting feature though might be that smart connector on the side. Yes, it might be for the Apple pencil and that would be nice. But, it could also be used to connect to a clam-shell laptop void of motherboard, RAM and CPU and consisting of screen, keyboard, trackpad, external battery and possibly external GPU. It could also serve as a hub with power connector and Thunderbolt ports. Now that would be nice. Really nice.
Compatible Smartphones
NexDock works with smartphones with “desktop mode” feature.
Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones already support “desktop mode” and it is coming to many other phones with upcoming Android Q (V.10) update.
Apple isn't going to do this. The best you can expect is to be able to plug an iPhone in to an external monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard with trackpad.
It's really a silly niche to be considering, iPhone apps don't translate well to the desktop, so Apple won't do it, and for the record, there is the iPad family, or various MacBook models.
Thunderbolt has been absorbed into USB 4.0, so expect to externalize GPU and other devices in the distant future, but I don't see the iPhone ever getting this capability.
Obviously it's not for everyone but if you are naming a phone as 'pro' there is no reason it can't be useful to many even if it is still a niche.
Options are somewhat limited as the device is still a phone (not a full blown Windows) but options are good and if you don't have a computer to hand it can make life easier.
Samsung's system originally required a special dock and cable. Huawei's (debuted about three years ago) eliminated the need for a dock and the special cable and used standard cables instead. Later they made it wireless. The phone can be used as a trackpad (and now a keyboard I believe)
Given how CPU and WiFi speeds have got much faster since then, I wouldn't rule it out for an iPhone. I think it would be a great feature.
It isn't going to happen with an iPhone. Just because it could be done, doesn't make it a good idea, and it has been tried, over and over again, with limited success.
With the availability of ARM class desktop SOC's to power notebook at even lower cost than Intel, this will remain a niche market, but more importantly, a desktop gives you quite a bit more TDP to work with, and that translates to much better performance, and the experience of a desktop OS is much superior to a phone OS on a desktop device.
This is, in fact, the Toaster Fridge that we were warned about.
It's not designed to replace a desktop OS.
That said, I don't know where things could go in the future and in the case of Apple they already have control of the OS.
It is worth noting that only two years ago Huawei announced its Cloud PC system to give Chinese users a Desktop Mode which actually used Windows 10 via the cloud (using Huawei's Desktop Fusion Cloud Service Servers) Obviously good connections were a must for it to be workable but we already know that 5G will resolve all connection issues for such services. In theory Apple could take remote desktops to a new level and fully integrate them into iPhones.
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that.
Ha! No, I was being serious.
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
Apple remains a somewhat US centric company. There is little chance that 5G in the US will have much impact for at least several years. US carriers are not going to offer service that can replace WiFi and home internet any time soon. They are too nearsighted and greedy for that. They are going to try to raise prices not make their service more universal. That means Apple is not going to focus on changing their networking model any time soon either.
Maybe in 5-10 years something like 5G will change how Americans use network services but given the history of US carriers, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
No, Apple is global and Europe and China & Asia are valuable markets to them.
So, their technical targets will remain those countries that are keeping up with modern technology -- not the laggards.
Comments
I know you remain skeptical but I am pretty optimistic that the faster speed, lower latency and QoS could really transform this kind of use case.
You bring up several interesting points that must have tech CTO's wondering where to head their company -- because each pulls in a competing direction:
* 5G is another area that the U.S. is falling behind in because, by relying on unregulated for-profit industry to supply it, it mostly provides profit for their shareholders while leaving the nation to fall behind with out-dated infrastructure. Meanwhile, other nations more centrally focused can expand their infrastructures to enable future growth and development.
Now that Apple has enabled customers to extend AppleCare+ (with an option for theft & loss coverage) indefinitely, the "dies/breaks/is lost/stolen" is no longer a reason for replacement. I pay $6.00 a month to cover my iPhone 7. Really the only reasons now to replace a phone are: obsolescence of the old or appeal of the new. And again, the winners are Apple's customers.
.... Or. better yet: The 4's form factor with the X's screen. That's a BIG two thumbs up!
This could mean OPTIONAL Pencil(Mini Pencil?) support.
DISCLAIMER:
NO this does not invalidate Steve's philosophies and it's OPTIONAL. Plus Steve Jobs died years ago so it's not like he green-lit this.
APPLE DOESN'T CARE. Where do you get this idea that Apple gives a shit what the knockoffs are doing? And why do you keep repeating it?
Just a simple thing like scrolling through a web page or swiping through apps is smoother. I have the Apple pencil too, but it's not just intended for that.
Some games also support it.
GeorgeB - you are correct that we need to invest in our infrastructure (and many other areas.) As far as encouraging my government, I plan on doing that in November.