iPad Pro and the toaster-fridge

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In 2012 Tim Cook answered a question about merging OS X and iOS by saying:

“You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those aren’t going to be pleasing to the user.”

This year, at the BoxWorks conference, Cook was again questioned about whether OS X and iOS would merge. His response was similar:

“We don’t believe in having one operating system for PC and mobile…We think it subtracts from both, and you don’t get the best experience from either. We’re very much focused on two.”

The philosophy behind these statements is, of course, that the best user experience comes when the software is perfectly suited for the form of the device it will be running on. Devices intended to be put in one hand or two hands or on a lap or on a desk are radically different. Cook’s argument is that this requires that the OS itself be suited to the form of the device. Apple has consistently refused to make toaster-fridges. With one glaring exception: iPad. Continue reading →

Watchscreen: Binyamin Goldman, journalist and CEO of BZG, Inc.

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In this watchscreen series, I ask someone to share their watchscreen, examining how they’re using Apple Watch, what apps are useful, and any tips or tricks they have. This week, I’ve asked Binyamin Goldman (Twitter, Blog) to share his screen.

Goldman-head

Binyamin is a technology journalist who writes for WatchAware,  whose articles have been featured by The Verge, and who is behind the Apple In series on Medium. He’s also the founder & CEO of BZG, Inc, an app development company behind apps like Coherence. I’ve enjoyed reading his thoughts and think you will as well!

So, Binyamin, show us your watchscreen! Continue reading →

Watchscreen: Jonathan Norman of TheAppleFancast

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Each week, I ask someone to share their watchscreen, examining how they’re using Apple Watch, what apps are useful, and tips or tricks they have. This week, I’ve asked Jonathan Norman (Twitter) to share his screen. Jonathan uses a variety of HomeKit & HealthKit-enabled devices with his Apple Watch and he also writes at TheAppleFancast, a site that examines Apple from the perspective of different fans (and the site that hosted my thoughts on Apple Watch a few weeks ago).

So, Jonathan, show us your watchscreen! Continue reading →

Watchscreen: Conrad Kramer, developer of Workflow

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Each week, I ask someone to share their watchscreen, examining how they’re using Apple Watch, what apps are useful, and tips or tricks they have. This week, I’ve asked Conrad Kramer (Twitter) to share his screen.

Kramer-head

Conrad is one of the young and brilliant developers behind Workflow, winner of a 2015 Apple Design Award, as well as the excellent (but less well-known) DeskConnect. Workflow is the most powerful iOS app I’ve ever used as it has the power to automate repetitive tasks and link tasks together to do things that simply wouldn’t be possible otherwise. He and the Workflow team have been hard at work prepping their upcoming update for iOS 9 and watchOS 2, but he was kind enough to take time to answer some questions for me.

So, Conrad, show us your watchscreen! Continue reading →

Thoughts on Apple Watch at The Apple Fancast

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This week, I was featured in a discussion on Apple Watch over at The Apple Fancast. It’s an interesting discussion that ranges from how I’m using Apple Watch to whether I see a role for complications, glances, and apps on the device to what I’d like to see improved and changed. There’s a lot in the piece and I think you’ll find it worthwhile. Check it out! Continue reading →

Watchscreen: Jan Dawson, tech analyst with JackDaw Research and TechPinions

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Each week, I ask someone to share their watchscreen, examining how they’re using Apple Watch, what apps are useful, and tips or tricks they have. This week, I’ve asked Jan Dawson (Twitter, Blog, Company) to share his screen.

Dawson-head

Jan has been a technology analysts for thirteen years, having founded the Jackdaw technology research & consulting firm, writes actively for Techpinions, appears on the highly recommend Techpinions podcast, co-hosts the new and excellent Beyond Devices podcast, and writes frequently at his personal site, BeyondDevic.es. His thoughts are always insightful, full of perspective from years of following the technology industry yet matched with a perceptive understanding of the human side of technology. I’m excited to see his perspective on Apple Watch!

So, Jan, show us your watchscreen! Continue reading →

App Recommendation: Overcast podcast player

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OvercastEvery so often, I recommend an app that I think belongs on anyone’s iPhone or Apple Watch. Today I’m recommending Overcast, the hands-down best podcast player I’ve ever seen or used. For years, I had used Apple’s podcast player and was relatively happy with it. But as I listened to more podcasts and the syncing got increasingly worse, I looked for another player–and I am so glad I did because of how good it is. Continue reading →

My answers to Apple’s Apple Watch survey

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Today I received an email from Apple asking for my feedback on my Apple Watch purchase. Partway through the survey, I decided to copy some of my answers and post them here so you can see some of the things I would change or some frustrations I have with the device. While I’ve written positively about Apple Watch in general and love the device, that’s not to say there aren’t some frustrations. Here are some of my answers: Continue reading →