Some days I feel like ditching Apple

[epicrayban]

While there's certainly some validity to the article, it also strikes me as sort of 'click-baity'. I think the ability to recharge the Pencil directly from an iDevice without the need for another cable/cradle/dock is actually a great design--it's the equivalent of having prongs pop out of your smartphone that allow you to directly plug it into a wall outlet, then disappear from view entirely when not needed. If it took longer than 15 seconds to get a few more hours of use, I could see more concern but come on--15 secs is what we're talking about. Lie your iPad down if it's that concerning. The mouse--yeah, agree not a great design in regards to recharging but again, it's designed to last much longer than a single day on a charge so just plug it in when you're done for the day. The design in fact seems very much like Apple because including a charging port on the end that would allow it to be charged ruin the sleek, flowing contours. Form over function--not a foreign concept to Apple. The keyboard case also seems quite nit picky. Yes, Microsoft's type case lie's flat but it also isn't responsible for holding the SP4 upright. Apple chose to reduce the device size by not including an integrated kickstand--allowing the smart keyboard to lie perfectly flat would require an entire redesign of the iPP--so they should redesign the core product from the ground up to accommodate an accessory. And the hump in the keyboard is quite subtle.

Now the battery case--there are no excuses for that abomination. There is no functional advantage that can explain away the hideous design. There is no 'beauty in they eye of the beholder' here. Other's have already done the battery case and have done it far better, with nicer aesthetics, and of course at a better price. This product truly is a bit confounding and I'm quite surprised Apple released it.

Apparently the case was designed around patents that mophie holds.

 

[tbayrgs]

Apparently the case was designed around patents that mophie holds.

Well, if that's the best you can do, don't do it. Seriously one of the worst designs from Apple that I can ever recall seeing.

 

[epicrayban]

Well, if that's the best you can do, don't do it. Seriously one of the worst designs from Apple that I can ever recall seeing.

It doesn't help that Apple knows if they slap their logo on it, it will sell well, even if it's ugly and overpriced. But maybe they won't get away with it so well this time given the negative reviews...?

Their base allows them to do this, something I've argued will be detrimental in the long run. It is why I say those certain Apple fans are the worse kind of Apple fans, but you already know my story.

 

[C DM]

Well, if that's the best you can do, don't do it. Seriously one of the worst designs from Apple that I can ever recall seeing.

And that's subjective. Something you don't like you don't have to buy while someone else might like it and buy it. Apple will see if there's enough demand for it over time.

 

[tbayrgs]

It doesn't help that Apple knows if they slap their logo on it, it will sell well, even if it's ugly and overpriced. But maybe they won't get away with it so well this time given the negative reviews...?

Their base allows them to do this, something I've argued will be detrimental in the long run. It is why I say those certain Apple fans are the worse kind of Apple fans, but you already know my story.

If Apple can shoehorn all the battery they did into the Macbook with that fancy layering/tiers, why on Earth can't they do the same in this case? It seriously looks like a standard Apple iPhone case just swallowed one of the rectangular removable batteries from an older Samsung smartphone, like a snake that just had a meal.


Eats this:



And you get this:

 

[epicrayban]

And that's subjective. Something you don't like you don't have to buy while someone else might like it and buy it. Apple will see if there's enough demand for it over time.

If it's truly all subjective, then why do we bother discussing design at all? Why do we regard Apple as the leader in designing tech? This history and title cannot be ignored. Apple is often regarded as the leader in design, and in many instances, they're correct (I just bought a new Thunderbolt display at home in part due to its features, and in part due to its gorgeous and clean design).

If you don't feel like having a discussion about design because it's all subjective, why participate? You're free to, of course, but it's detracting from our current conversation. There is an objective and subjective point of discussion when it comes to all things; we're attempting to have an objective one. When it comes time for individual users to decide whether they want to buy it, whether they like it, etc. or not, that's when you can discuss subjectivity. And when that conversation happens, I'll be with you.

 

[Blaze4G]

Isn't time the real test? You can voice any opinion you want, dislike their products and not buy any...but if their products are successful they will keep designing them as they want. And we'll , maybe not all of us, will be here discussing this.

A product being successful due to high sales does not equal a great design.

 

[epicrayban]

A product being successful due to high sales does not equal a great design.

Exactly.

It's why when people discuss the strengths of Android, they don't point to "look at all of Android's marketshare." Who cares? Unless you want to talk about who has most market share, how does market share equate to Android being good or better? Sure, there's some correlation, but it's not always relevant or linear.

In other words, Apple fans like i7guy are using "Apple makes the most profits" or "sells the most" as a shield to any criticism of Apple. As if sales somehow explains away their shortcomings. That's a dangerous game to play, as I've argued for a long time. It allows Apple to get away with things like this:

Do we really have to wait for sales figures to decide whether something is designed well or not? That's absurd. What quantifiable number must an item reach before it passes that threshold of "good design" anyway? Selling 100? Selling 1,000? Selling one million? Who decides that?

The Note 5 sold/is selling pretty darn well. Yet, i7guy will argue tooth and nail that the S-pen slot is "bad design." There's no need to reply to someone who clearly shows his hands with his own posts. His bias is demonstrable even using his own criteria.

 

[lowendlinux]

Like I said in the main thread I don't think it looks bad and I'll bet it makes the phone fit better in the hand the battery bump looks like it'd fit nicely in the pocket of the hand.

 

[epicrayban]

Like I said in the main thread I don't think it looks bad and I'll bet it makes the phone fit better in the hand the battery bump looks like it'd fit nicely in the pocket of the hand.

In some ways, it helps keep the phone thin, too. I guess.

 

[lowendlinux]

In some ways, it helps keep the phone thin, too. I guess.

The pursuit of thin is why we have battery cases in the first place. I think pretty much all phones need a sammich and some grip

 

[Renzatic]

The magic mouse can be designed better. Apple just chose not to.

This is par for the course for Apple as far as I'm concerned. They make great computers, okay keyboard, and mice designs that'd make me slap someone, were it not for the horrible wrist pain.

 

[C DM]

If it's truly all subjective, then why do we bother discussing design at all? Why do we regard Apple as the leader in designing tech? This history and title cannot be ignored. Apple is often regarded as the leader in design, and in many instances, they're correct (I just bought a new Thunderbolt display at home in part due to its features, and in part due to its gorgeous and clean design).

If you don't feel like having a discussion about design because it's all subjective, why participate? You're free to, of course, but it's detracting from our current conversation. There is an objective and subjective point of discussion when it comes to all things; we're attempting to have an objective one. When it comes time for individual users to decide whether they want to buy it, whether they like it, etc. or not, that's when you can discuss subjectivity. And when that conversation happens, I'll be with you.

And what I said was to say that just because someone doesn't like something subjective it doesn't mean that it just shouldn't be made as there can very well be people who would like it or be fine with it for what they need. What's the issue with that again?

 

[epicrayban]

This is par for the course for Apple as far as I'm concerned. They make great computers, okay keyboard, and mice designs that'd make me slap someone, were it not for the horrible wrist pain.

I personally hate their mouses. Anytime I buy an iMac, I always have it exchanged out for a trackpad. And even then, I sell the trackpad online because I use my Logitiech MX mouse, which is INFINITELY better.

I always swap out their wireless keyboards for the wired one with the numberpad, too. I wish they'd make a wireless one with the numpad.

 

[I7guy]

A product being successful due to high sales does not equal a great design.

By whose yardstick? Certainly not an anonymous Internet forum or some internet blog.

 

[Robisan]

BTW, it's 2015 and oSX still doesn't have native support for multi-button mice. Just sayin'...

 

[Robisan]

When I use my banks app on my Note 4 or Note Edge, I get a warning that the swype keyboard is not secure and that my password could be compromised. I don't get that warning on iOS using my banks app.

No expert and could be wrong, but wouldn't any keyboard that collects typed input for predictive typing be, by definition, insecure?

 

[epicrayban]

BTW, it's 2015 and oSX still doesn't have native support for multi-button mice. Just sayin'...

They believe in the trackpad. Which for laptops, is superb. I love my rMBP and MBA trackpads.

For desktop use, I go with the MX Logitech mouse.

 

[Blaze4G]

By whose yardstick? Certainly not an anonymous Internet forum or some internet blog.

So I assume you agree that the galaxy s5, s4, s3 etc were great designs since they sold so much. Htc m9 horrible design since they sold so little.

 

[Radon87000]

Isn't time the real test? You can voice any opinion you want, dislike their products and not buy any...but if their products are successful they will keep designing them as they want. And we'll , maybe not all of us, will be here discussing this.

So you are okay with it if they keep making the iPhone thinner for 5 hour battery life?Because I know for a fact these iPhones will still sell like hotcakes

 

[Radon87000]

So I assume you agree that the galaxy s5, s4, s3 etc were great designs since they sold so much. Htc m9 horrible design since they sold so little.

And Justin Bieber has the best music tracks

 

[I7guy]

So you are okay with it if they keep making the iPhone thinner for 5 hour battery life?Because I know for a fact these iPhones will still sell like hotcakes

Isn't 5 hours sot Around the time that manufacturers aim for? And by the way you are asking rhetorical questions are you! because you are suggesting things I never said.

 

[Radon87000]

Isn't 5 hours sot Around the time that manufacturers aim for? And by the way you are asking rhetorical questions are you! because you are suggesting things I never said.

You keep bringing up sales as a measure of quality and satisfaction which is not the case.5 hour battery life is pathetic when phones like Note 5 and Nexus 6P and Xperia Z5 last 2 days

 

[Robisan]

They believe in the trackpad. Which for laptops, is superb. I love my rMBP and MBA trackpads.

For desktop use, I go with the MX Logitech mouse.

Right. But once again, it's Apple's way or the highway. Sure their trackpads are good but some people still prefer a mouse when it's practical. You know, options, freedom, adult decisions, etc. Everything Apple abhors.

Plugging my 5-button Logitech M510 natively on my rMBP was a cluster...k. No support for the forward/back buttons. Jerky, non-smooth pointer control. Virtually unusable. Only a third party BetterTouchTool app remedied the problems. Coming from Windows it was a shock that in 2013 (when I got it) the rMBP could not natively support basic usability/functions of major maker mouse.

 

[epicrayban]

Right. But once again, it's Apple's way or the highway. Sure their trackpads are good but some people still prefer a mouse when it's practical. You know, options, freedom, adult decisions, etc. Everything Apple abhors.

Plugging my 5-button Logitech M510 natively on my rMBP was a cluster...k. No support for the forward/back buttons. Jerky, non-smooth pointer control. Virtually unusable. Only a third party BetterTouchTool app remedied the problems. Coming from Windows it was a shock that in 2013 (when I got it) the rMBP could not natively support basic usability/functions of major maker mouse.

You need the Logitech software. Free online. Everything works perfectly with my mx on every osx machine I have once I got that installed and picked my button layout etc.