ElCapitan

So you are recommending a solution from the company (Google) that is a master at pilfering all information it possibly can get hold of about you? The company that gives you options to turn things off, yet collect the data just the same without telling you. Do you really think this option is FREE?

AI_lias said:

my guess is more streamlined monolithic body to be better stacked, or racked, separate graphics card than the built-in Intel graphics, and that's probably it (not eliminating all the useful ports qualifies as a pro feature nowadays, do that one also)

As the article mentions server farm managers, a better stackable/rackable body with better cooling might be a possibility. The current minis gets rather loud under processor load (and not even particularly high load), so for say a developer where it is used on the desktop, which is also mentioned, a machine that runs more quiet during a lengthy Xcode build would be an advantage. 

ihatescreennames said:

ElCapitan said:

I am sure they do, but I believe the governments around the world are better left to issue, control and withdraw passports, and not leave it to a US based company. 

What part of the article makes you believe Apple would be issuing, controlling and withdrawing passports? It clearly states the credentials would be verified by “an authority”. Apple is simply putting forth a system to make digital passports viable. 

Think of it in the same way as Apple Pay works. Apple doesn’t issue the credit cards or debit cards, that’s still the job of the banks or CC issuers. The transactions aren’t handled by Apple, either, your iPhone just facilitates the transaction. 

There is no doubt in my mind they can make it work technically, but that's beyond the point. 

It is time Apple and a few other of these companies are read the riot act on how to behave, and what functions of society to stay out of. 

I am sure they do, but I believe the governments around the world are better left to issue, control and withdraw passports, and not leave it to a US based company. 

Apple need to stick a finger in the ground and get back to what they used to do; design and manufacture computers people used to desire. 

The Knowledge Navigator movie predated the Newton launch with almost 6 years (produced in 1987), and was the inspiration for the Newton and later the iPad, that was first implemented as the iPhone.

If you watch the entire movie, there are functionality there that even the modern day combination of iPad and Siri can't perform. 

I worked in Apple product management at the time of the Newton launch, and had it in hand before it was presented to the public. We had very high hopes for the success of the little machine, but in practical use it had a number of shortcomings that Apple only was able to master with iOS.