ajmas

libertyforall said:

It is pretty doubtful Apple will release a 5G capable iPhone in 2018 or 2019, given Apple's past delayed approach to a variety of new technologies...

If history is to go by, then they will do so when both the chips can be had in large enough quantities and when the chips are at a certain power draw. Two things that were issues in the original 4G chips apple used were: not supporting all variations of 4G is across the globe; being too power hungry. 

It is sometimes better to be late to the game, but with a solution that is better thought out than everyone who has gone before. 2019 in this case sounds like a reasonable release date for 5G on iPhone. 

sellerington said:

Here in the UK companies like Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk provide smart tv boxes that are far more capable than  TV. I have difficulty justifying buying an  TV when I receive a free box that can record multiple channels at once as well as access Netflix and download or stream movies from the provider. I can’t see any UK provider offering  TV in place of their own tv boxes.

For recording functionality you may be right. For everything else they are all solvable by providing a software solution, in this case an app for the AppleTV.

My provider (Bell Canada), which provides an IPTV solution, provides an app that allows me to watch all the channels they offer, their on-demand content and even offers PVR functionality (the latter being in beta). So, with the right software any hardware can be you cable client. In France, Free.fr even allows you to use your PC for this. 

Any company that demands you use their hardware exclusively, is very quickly going to look out of touch. 

Sounds like a solid option.

There are people who will complain about the price, but if tasks are completed at least twice as fast, then that is one less bottle neck in productivity. The real cost is the human element waiting on the computer to finish its task. More work done means better value for the business.

If this is a home purchase, then it is a fun luxury for the person who can afford it, depending on how they plan to use it.   

Sounds like something reasonable, though I think congress would likely need to create a legal requirement for this, just like 911? Even it can't be done in current phones, regulation could make it happen in future models. Apple and other manufacturers would work out the engineering if they were mandated to, otherwise unless there is a business reason to do so, then probably won't?

For the bicycle side of things how good is local infrastructure for cyclists?

Hopefully Apple's bike parking takes a leaf from some of the projects in the Netherlands, such as this one: https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/utrechts-indoor-bicycle-parking-facility/

Also, is the local city improving infrastructure for alternative transport? Thinking public transit and bicycles