lorin schultz

512ke said:

[...] I hope Apple's entry into this space doesn't require to to subscribe to Apple Music in order to offer a robust song selection. 

My experience with my new Apple TV 4K has me worried about the HomePod.

My Apple TV completely ignores my local library. Despite an episode of a show I requested being on the Home Shared Mac, the Apple TV brought up an offer to buy it on the iTunes Store.

I have a few hundred movies and over 3000 TV episodes ripped from DVD and Blu-Ray, plus hundreds of videos we shot and edited ourselves, all loaded into a Mac dedicated to serving them up to the TV in the living room. I can still access them by manually navigating to them via the "Computers" icon on the Apple TV home screen, but the fact that Siri doesn't recognize them makes me wonder if I'll be able to conveniently use the HomePod to play my local library.

Soli said:

[...] edit: I see "lorin schultz" states it's coming for their other titles, too. I assume this was stated in a tweet yesterday.

I read that in an AI story:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/12/20/amazon-support-document-clarifies-51-stereo-coming-soon-to-apple-tv-nfl-only-on-newer-units

cgWerks said:

Which one do you have? One of the issues with the MBP (and laptops) has often been noise that gets picked up easily in recordings, podcasts, etc.

Late 2016 15" 2.9 i7 460. In the past I wouldn't have even considered having a computer in the same room as the mics. With this one I might. And with 2TB of the world's fastest solid-state storage on board, I can record for hours without external storage.

StrangeDays said:

Using terms like that makes you appear to be a troll.

Even just a cursory look at my posting history would have dispelled that notion. My motivation was not to just strip up shit -- I think people who derive enjoyment from that are sociopathic -- but to encourage writing that is less congratulatory and more evaluative.

StrangeDays said:

[...] DED isn’t a zealot, he’s a columnist and he backs up his conclusions with reasoning and facts.

In my opinion, Mr. Dilger backs up his conclusions with facts the same way a corporate communications or political spokesperson does. He seems to begin with the conclusion then constructs the factual argument to support the premise. One doesn't have to dislike Apple to question fawning praise that dismisses and derides alternative viewpoints and preferences. I like Apple, and usually even agree with Mr. Dilger's assessments. I'm just suspicious of any commentary that doesn't allow for the existence of valid use cases outside Apple's design and that tries to pre-emptively quiet differing views.

StrangeDays said:

[...] This upsets those who struggle with reasoning, fatcs, and the conclusion that Apple’s products are usually better. 

Actually, in my case, it's upsetting because the reasoning and facts are limited to supporting the thesis that Apple's way is always the right way. It's tacitly insulting to anyone with other ideas. I agree that Apple's products are usually better than alternatives, but:

1. Sometimes they're not. From time to time, someone else makes something that's better than what Apple offers. Recognizing and acknowledging those cases provides users with information that may better guide their choices and provide feedback to Apple.

2. As you've pointed out yourself, design decisions are rarely "right" or "wrong." There are usually many variables that have to be considered, and despite the best intentions and efforts of the designers, some of those choices are going to conflict with the way some users like to work. The fact that the choice was made by Apple does not make it unassailable or render those considerations invalid.

3. Starting from a presumption of Apple's infallibility makes it impossible to imagine ways they could be even better. If a problem (or, let's call it an "imperfection") is discussed openly, positive thinkers will come up with a solution. When any viewpoint that isn't on-board with Apple's approach is considered heretical the path to improvement is closed.

StrangeDays said:

[...] Your “calling him out” just demonstrates that you struggle with these things, and or the job of a columnist. 

I'm not a journalist myself, but I do work among them. Much of what I've written here is based on my observations of what they do. But perhaps there's a difference between a journalist and a columnist? Maybe objectivity isn't in DED's job description.

Anyway, bottom line, my objection to praise prose isn't based on disliking Apple or lack of reasoning. Just the opposite. I like Apple a lot, and I know from experience that some of its products have imperfections, in the form of both features that appear to be wildly divisive and some "unexpected behaviours." Basic reasoning tells us that there are no absolutes. I don't expect or want articles that focus on flaws, but when article after article dismisses any notion of there ever being a problem or equally valid alternative approaches, I stop taking the author seriously. That's all.

I wonder if Canadians are waiting until after December 1 to buy ANY phone, as carriers will no longer be allowed to lock them as of that date?

Apparently the carriers will also be required to unlock any previously locked device for free after that date (if I understand the new rules correctly), so it doesn't really matter when one buys it, but waiting a month eliminates the hassle.