darkvader

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darkvader
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  • 'iPhone 14' may have eSIM-only option, but it won't be universal

    darkvaderdarkvader
    I have no desire to go back to the bad old days of having to call support just to change phones.  eSIM is stupid.

    (I remember when US Cellular used to charge $25 every time you got a new phone, for the 'service' of typing in a new MEID.)
    williamlondon

  • New iPhone SE production starts in late January with May launch, claims leaker

    darkvaderdarkvader
    Really hoping for the 8+ form factor.  I'd like a bit faster phone, but I'm not giving up the home button, and I refuse to have that idiotic notch.
    williamlondonmike54

  • Compared: iPad mini vs Kindle Paperwhite

    darkvaderdarkvader
    It's interesting that there's no mention of the best e-reader:  A laptop.

    It's got a really nice feature that I really love for reading:  It doesn't need a separate stand to keep the screen in a comfortable orientation.  It's also got a much bigger screen than even the biggest iPad.  And it's got the Kindle app, the iBooks app, and your choice of any PDF reader you want.  It can also be used to strip the DRM from ebooks, letting you shift them to any format you like.

    It's been my e-reader of choice for decades.
    williamlondon

  • Compared: iPad mini vs Kindle Paperwhite

    darkvaderdarkvader
    I can't stand to look at e-ink.  No idea why, but it's instant eyestrain for me.

    I don't have problems reading text on a LCD screen (as long as it's not dark mode) and I'm good with actual paper.  But e-ink is just awful.

    williamlondon

  • Apple will allow alternative payment systems in South Korea App Store

    darkvaderdarkvader
    flydog said:
    darkvader said:
    I'm not surprised.  Apple's payment processing rates are highway robbery.

    But what REALLY needs to happen is opening the iPhone to allow app installation from any source of the user's choosing.  I'd have no problem with Apple charging 50% on their store if I could bypass it and install apps without it.
    Apple doesn't charge a "payment processing" fee.  It charges a comission, and in exchange for that comission Apple provides an IDE and SDKs, distributes and markets that apps, and processes payments from customers.  And in no way shape or form is 15% (or even 30%) "highway robbery," considering what it costs a developer to handle all that on their own. 

    It's not a "commission".  It's a payment processing fee.  Apple does NOTHING for in-app purchases beyond taking the money and telling the developer "you got a payment of $x for feature y".  The developer then handles everything else.  And yes, 15% is highway robbery, considering PayPal's cut for doing exactly the same thing is less than 3%, actual credit card merchant accounts charge even less.


    williamlondon