neoncat

22july2013 said:

There are lots of questions that this service raises. For example, not all satellites are in polar orbits, so there may be a maximum latitude that Apple's service can cover. And there could be some latitudes that get better coverage than others.

I was curious about this too given how limited Globalstar's constellation is. I wish I could find the reference again, but I'm pretty certain Apple advises that the service won't work reliably above the 62nd parallel, which would include all of northern Canada, and most of Alaska. 

narwhal said:

This is a feature that other handset manufacturers and Google won't easily be able to copy. Who else would set up all the infrastructure required? Carrier Tmobile might get there, but I imagine their satellite plans will work best with iPhones that have satellite chips already.

Why would they? The infrastructure already exists. 

That Apple has incorporated simple PLB functions into a smartphone is noteworthy and laudable, but satellite SOS has been around for years. Those of us who are hikers and backcountry explorers have carried devices like the InReach, SPOT, Zoleo, etc for a while. They're small, have battery life measured in weeks, and often allow for more flexible communication (like arbitrary text messaging to any recipient, not just emergency SOS), but require their own monthly subscription, obviously. 

It will be interesting to see what Apple ends up charging for this service after the initial two years are up. Simple PLB devices (basically a big red SOS button with GPS and satellite connectivity) run around $10 a month, give or take. Once you get into a true satellite messenger like an InReach, costs can climb from $15 to $50 a month or more. If Apple expands their services' capabilities over time to include more robust messaging, it could be a very compelling alternative. Although I personally don't know that I'd want to rely on a comparatively fragile smartphone when I'm out in the boonies. But, YMMV.

And yes, it's worth noting that Apple went with Globalstar with its relatively small satellite constellation (and significant dead zones), versus a 100 percent coverage constellation like Iridium. That will hamper Apple's ability to expand it beyond North America (assuming they don't end up contracting with Iridium or Starlink down the line).

JP234 said:

Interning at Apple should be a dream come true for any tech-minded young person in the world.

Lots and lots of people go to work for Apple. I know several. They all speak fondly of the experience. Yet every single of one of them eventually left for something better for them, and all stayed there under 5 years. It's just a job, and it's just yet another massive tech company. They're interchangeable. There's nothing particularly special or unique about Apple's intern programs or their employment benefits. It all comes down to opportunity, and for a given engineer with a given skill set, that may lead to a dead end in one place and endless opportunity in another. That's what matters, not the logo on the door.

foregoneconclusion said:

AAA gaming is now the smaller market for revenue versus mobile gaming. If anything, Apple is ahead of the curve for making money from gaming versus AAA oriented companies. That's why you see Epic and Microsoft suddenly doing a full-court press of lawmakers and claiming that Apple's mobile operating systems are anti-competitive. They're the ones that are behind.  

Do you enjoy lowest common denominator Match 3 / loot box dynamics? If so, that’s great. Apple platforms are a paradise of said bottom feeding, extracting great big piles of money from people who are otherwise afraid of gaming and big old mean “gamers”. 

The rest of us won’t contribute one hot cent to that, even if it means we have a house full of Apple products…. except for the items we gsme
on. 

Not. one. penny. to the App Store for games. Not now, not ever, as long as it is made up of mobile gaming garbage. You may feel differently. 

foregoneconclusion said:

mark fearing said:

Apple is just not into gaming in the way Microsoft ETC. are. And they never will be.

The #1 market for gaming revenue is mobile, not PCs or consoles. It's bigger than console/PC gaming revenue COMBINED. Apple is doing just fine with their gaming approach.

So, are you happy with the gaming options on Apple devices, including the Mac? That's great. I don't presume to speak for Beats, but I know I'm not. I won't spend even a dollar on mobile games and do my gaming on consoles and a gaming PC. 

I despise this attitude that those of us who demand more should settle for less because it benefits Apple. I'll look out for my own interests, thank you.