andrewj5790

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andrewj5790
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  • Rumor: Apple's trio of new iPads may not launch until second half of 2017

    andrewj5790andrewj5790
    DigiTimes? Ignore...
    Rayz2016netmage[Deleted User]

  • Apple to offer 32GB of desktop RAM in top-end 2017 MacBook Pro, 16GB for 12" MacBook

    andrewj5790andrewj5790
    Applefanaticbecomingbewildered said:
    Watch them charge $2,000 extra just for the memory too. Crooks!
    Except that's preposterous and you know it.
    williamlondonredgeminipa

  • Is Apple getting Siri-ous in the face of Amazon's Alexa Echo?

    andrewj5790andrewj5790
    thadgarrison said:
    Regardless of how the technologies affect the bottom lines of each company, Apple does have catching up to do with the quality of the Siri experience compared to both Google and Amazon. Siri feels very restrictive compared to competitors, requiring more precise phrasing to get an adequate answer. The other two feel more freeform and conversational, particularly Google Now.

    One reason behind this is that Google/Amazon are not afraid to use customer data to bolster AI learning, which will potentially allow them to stay ahead of Apple. Apple has painted themselves into a corner a bit by being so loud and proud about customer privacy. While their stance on privacy is obviously highly respectable, the reality is that AI software needs real world input to improve and Google/Amazon (particularly Google) are in a position that may offer exponential rather than incremental improvements.

    I'd also like to point out this bad assumption in your article:
    "In contrast, moving from iOS devices and the rest of Apple's platform to new hardware running a different ecosystem, just to access another voice assistant, is a much more difficult transition for users to make."

    At least in the case of Alexa, nothing is further from the truth. I was given an Echo Dot as an unexpected Xmas present and found it delightfully easy to use. It has quickly replaced "Hey Siri" as my go-to for voice control of lights and common questions like weather. The fight here might not be about which technology makes the most money, but which voice service gets the most mind share first, becoming the "Google" or "Kleenex" of voice assistance.
    Let us know when you buy an amazon phone and computer (or a droid and a pc), just to better utilize Alexa. That's what dan meant by moving away from apple's ecosystem. We have an Alexa and her recognition of my commands is about 15% better than Siri, meaning we have to try twice or more times to accomplish something multiple times a week, but just slightly less than with Siri, and that's with amazon having a big cylinder with many mics at its disposal.
    calijay-twilliamlondonlostkiwiwatto_cobraargonaut

  • The best Bluetooth earbud alternatives to Apple AirPods

    andrewj5790andrewj5790
    I find this interesting. All Apple blogs are doing these stories about AirPod alternatives. The only one here that is an actual alternative are the Powerbeats. Only one of the others actually have the battery life of AirPods. None of the others have the easy pair, and switching. The only reason I can actually think of to consider any of these is if the AirPods don't fit in your ear. Only two of these are cheaper. I guess I just don't understand...
    calitokyojimu

  • OWC's USB-C DEC docks under Apple's MacBook Pro, adds legacy ports and storage

    andrewj5790andrewj5790
    thedba said:
    jsmythe00 said:
    Damn....you're paying to upgrade to the latest tech...which then requires you to purchase legacy tech to make your product functional. 

    Apple is great at most of the few things it does. This isn't one of them. 
    Or this is one of many solutions out there that support your legacy tech. All you have to do is choose which one is right for you. 
    But if you really are attached to all  your old equipment, maybe you should not be purchasing new tech. 

    If Apple were to do focus groups and listen to all naysayers, then the new MBP's would have at least one of each of the following
    1) Firewire
    2) Ethernet
    3) VGA
    4) USB-A
    5) SD card slot
    6) HDMI
    7) Thunderbolt 2 / Display port
    8) Magsafe
    9) Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
    10) CD/DVD drive
    11) Toslink
    12) 3.5mm Analog jack
    13) Lightning
    Thank you for your reasonable post! Not many around these days... Though, you forgot, 14)Floppy Drive and 15) pinned mouse and keyboard connectors instead of that horrid new USB junk
    ai46StrangeDaysravnorodomwatto_cobraSoliDaekwanuraharawlymsnype719