macgui

Apple won't use Nvidia until Nvidia lets Apple right the drivers (and possibly firmware?). And Nvidia at present won't let that happen.

Apple knows who's business they want. They demonstrate it with every product they make. Whether or not they have something in the works that might be a xMac is unknown to mere mortals. I'd like to see something, but I am not hopeful.

hexclock said:

“The updated Air and Mini models are largely performance upgrades, with few feature or cosmetic changes. Non-processor enhancements include True Tone displays, up to 256 gigabytes of storage, and first-generation Apple Pencil support.”

Maybe new features are few, but the ability to draw directly on the screen with the pencil is a huge upgrade, imo. 

I was hoping the new mini would support the Pencil and expected it would get a non-laminated screen. That it got both the pencil and a kept laminated screen is huge for me. That and the processor upgrade are more than enough to tip the scales for me. 

An interesting aspect of the Pencil 2 is that because it charges wirelessly off the iPads Pro, it apparently can suck an iPP near dry, staying charged. I don't know if this is the case if the iPP is fully powered off.

This is typical of Apple, spending more time on polish (not Polish) than on substance. I'll trade functionality over pretty 99% of the time.

I think Apple is spending Siri time unwisely. Siri being able to say 'I don't know how to do that' in a very lifelike voice isn't a plus, in my book.

Personally, if I could pick any voice, I'd want her to have a Scottish brogue, a Southern lilt, or an Irish accent. But I don't care if she sounded like she was from Manchester or Wales, as long as she could do a lot more than the current repertoire.  No offence to anybody from Manchester or Wales. (Snide Sean Locke grousing.)

beowulfschmidt said:

The cynic in me suspects the VA will shortly be in a position of "be careful what you ask for" with regard to medical records.  It might reveal some things they'd rather not be known about the standard of care in VA hospitals across the country.

On the other hand, if it improves the quality of care veterans are receiving, I'm all for it.

Disclaimer: I am a veteran who eschews the VA in favor of my employer's health care, which, even though it costs more, is miles and miles better than the VA.

Same here, especially the eschewing the VA for my own health provider. The quality of VA care is uneven at best and shameful at worst. Many vets I've know didn't have that option and had to rely on the VA. For most of them, it wasn't pretty.

Apple proper hasn't extolled the benefits of this case as reviews like this have.

Phil248's use case alludes to a problem with batteries in general- the more frequently they drop to low capacity, the sooner charge cycles eat up their longevity. 

Keeping the phone's battery constantly charged while the battery case handles the first line of defense is brilliant, and tech you don't get with third-party battery cases.

As for the looks, there's not much that can be done about that and still have a very functional case. Covering the antennas means the phone works harder to find a signal, and generates more heat, which isn't good for either battery. The Apple case avoids that. I have no issue at all with the aesthetics.

The only issue I have with this new version is the same as that of X owners — there's none for my phone, the SE. 

Apple, make one and take my money! (I know it won't happen, but that was a little cathartic.)