beowulfschmidt

danox said:

Apple has never had a interest in computer games of any type over the years….

Not completely true, but pretty darned close.  As much as a subset of Mac users would like the various Mac iterations to be better at gaming, the fact that Apple hasn't gone in that direction tells me that they don't feel like they need to do so.  The Mac isn't intended to be a gaming machine, and that lack of intent is deliberate.  In complete fairness to Apple, that strategy is working for them.  They're one of the richest companies in the world, without gaming.

As for this MS acquisition, MS has repeatedly stated that such acquisitions as this one are intended to bring exclusive content to platforms where game pass exists.  That's almost a direct quotation from Phil Spencer concerning the Zenimax buy.  They will obviously honor existing contractual obligations as part of the sale, and those include continued support for games contracted to be present on other platforms, e.g. Sony and Nintendo.  Those games that are not currently on other platforms will very likely remain exclusive, and new games from these studios will almost certainly be exclusive.  It remains to be seen whether new versions of existing games will be exclusive.  I could honestly see that one going either way, depending on the game.  Making, for instance, COD and Candy Crush exclusive seems like a really stupid move, but other games, not so stupid.

Fred257 said:

This will be a game changer ((literally)

Assuming it will actually run games, I don't disagree.  In order to actually run games, one or more of these things will likely need to happen:

• Apple will need to start caring about games other than those in the Arcade.
• Game developers will need to port their games to this device.
• Apple will need to make it compatible with existing VR platforms, e.g. Steam VR, Meta, Windows Mixed Reality, etc.

For me personally, and I know Apple's priorities don't match, and that's fine, unless I can play Elite Dangerous, Skyrim VR, and the new VR games, and possible VR adaptations of those games, likely to be coming out in the next few years, it's going to be a non-starter for me.

The other, and more likely IMO, possibility is that it because a must-have accessory for my work PC.  It's doubtful that my employer will invest in that particular possibility, unless it becomes obvious that it will be a cost savings.  It's even less likely that I would be allowed to connect such an accessory to my work machine.  Our security is so locked down that it took me three months to convince them to allow bluetooth connections other than the keyboard and mouse. 😕

macxpress said:

beowulfschmidt said:

AppleInsider said:

A more straightforward workaround, though, is to switch to Safari, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge.

Read on AppleInsider

It might be more straightforward, but for Windows users, one of those isn't available, and the other two suck donkey farts.

Workaround it is.

Then the proper workaround is to switch to a Mac and then use Safari. 

When a Mac will run Elite Dangerous VR and Skyrim VR without a lot of pain and expense, I'll consider it.

AppleInsider said:

A more straightforward workaround, though, is to switch to Safari, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge.

Read on AppleInsider

It might be more straightforward, but for Windows users, one of those isn't available, and the other two suck donkey farts.

Workaround it is.

kayess said:

mikeinca said:

You can also get rid of the bump by making the phone thicker, no new tech needed 

Would we accept a thicker phone? I think we would after a decade dedicated to thinness. I’m sure many disagree but I like my thicker Macbook Pro - it’s as elegant a new design in its way as what went before.  And with the iPhone, the extra space inside has potential. 

I would.  Especially if that thickness were used to increase battery life and/or longevity.  Erasing the camera bump by expanding the case might allow that.

That said, features, not style, are what will sell me on a new phone.  At the moment, my 11 is serving me well, though I'm going to need the battery replaced soon.  I'm looking forward to a new watch more than I am a new phone.