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iPhone 5 review

engadget.com

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Re: iPhone 5 review

#21

Post by dakrisht »

w1ntermute wrote: post #12

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a sea…

Going with Maps over Google Maps is one of the worst regressions I've seen in an OS/Software in a long time. Google Map's is simply brilliant, the de-facto standard, always being improved, flawless in a sense and these guys go with their own mapping software. It really blows my mind. I'm thinking it's simple arrogance on the iOS teams part (perhaps management as well). I've read many stories of how big of an asshole Scott Forstall is and I believe them.

Apple is a great company and their really driving themselves into the ground (well, maybe not yet) with all these frivolous patent troll lawsuits (claiming shape patents, suing a grocery store in Eastern Europe), Sandboxing app, rigorous Nazi-like App store tactics (they claim quality here, yeah my ass, there are probably 300,000 of the 500,00 apps which are pure garbage). It's got to end somewhere.

Anyway, back to Maps. It's a bad move, I've been playing with Maps on iOS6 since the first Beta, I don't know what they're thinking (or even if they're thinking) and it shows the character of that company.

The lightning adaptor is also bullshit - since now everyone will have to spend $100s on adaptors and new chargers. The 24-pin, while dated, worked and was just fine. I haven't played with the new connector yet - but it looks to me like it's easy to disconnect. I remember the older 24-pin connectors had clamps so to speak on the side to lock them in place and the current ones do a good job of staying put. This connector seems very fragile and flimsy and I see it disconnecting all over the place. Again, can't make this call until I play with the device.

It's the same logic with the "new" MagSafe 2 connector. Get outta here. The Mag Safe was just fine. There was nothing wrong with (aside from maybe, the ridiculous price tag). $30 for an adapter is obscene. These things cost $1.99 to produce in China (probably less) and Apple is simply milking the fanboys and corporate "we don't care we'll buy anything Apple because it looks cool" clients. I would know, I'm the one buying $100k of Apple products every year for the company I used to work for. It's really something.

BTW, the iPhone 5 is the iPhone 4Stretched. Bigger screen and a A6 process. Come on. The 4S has an A5X, I bet the performance benchmarks are negligible between the two. Software and the placebo-effect will do a hell of a job convincing the normal user that it "feels faster."

They could have done a lot more with this phone, they didn't because they didn't have to. I don't blame them.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#22

Post by wahnfrieden »

mburshteyn wrote: post #19
w1ntermute wrote: post #12

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a sea…

So, everyone who downloads iOS6 onto their iPhone 4/4S will have to live with this "upgrade"?

Yes.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#23

Post by dakrisht »

mburshteyn wrote: post #19
w1ntermute wrote: post #12

> But, [Maps] isn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android. The biggest drawback is the unfortunate lack of public transportation directions. If you haven't quite mastered New York City's subway system, you won't get any help from your iPhone 5. Curiously, the app offers to give you public transportation directions, but should you choose that option it pops you straight into the App Store with a sea…

So, everyone who downloads iOS6 onto their iPhone 4/4S will have to live with this "upgrade"?

Yes. However, Google will be releasing a Google Maps app shortly to replace the crap that is Apple Maps.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#24

Post by inportb »

macrael wrote: post #6
hack_edu wrote: post #5

The more I see that Lightning port, I can't help but wonder why they didn't just do the obvious and go for micro USB. I'm wholly confident Apple could design the highest of quality micro USB connector to satisfy even the biggest of haters that claim its too flimsy while silencing the constant gripe of obsolescence.

Another reason might be that they pipe analog audio out of it? I don't know much about hardware, would it have been possible to use the standard micro USB connector and still provide those features? From the article: > the adapter will provide the power and analog audio that the vast majority of docks and accessories (and cars) in the world need

With an adapter, sure. My G1 has a small adapter that accepts a 3.5mm jack and plugs into the phone's micro-usb port.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#25

Post by w1ntermute »

IanDrake wrote: post #18

I don't understand why the back isn't all glass or all aluminum. The two seams on the back don't appear to be functional or visually appealing. Can anyone explain what the deal is?

Just a guess, but could it be to alleviate previous reception issues?

Re: iPhone 5 review

#26

Post by dakrisht »

fingerprinter wrote: post #15

I have zero desire to upgrade to iPhone 5. At this point, I can't see anything that would compel me to plunk down any money for the device over what I have now (iPhone 4). That being said, if I had a free upgrade, I'd take it, but I wouldn't pay any money for it. I'd actually be more interested in a new iPad (please call it the iPad 4...'The New iPad' is a ridiciously stupid name) with a better processor for playing…

@fingerprinter - couldn't agree more with your comments.

I'm surprised they didn't release a smaller iPad to compete with the new Kindle Fire HD, which looks pretty damn good actually.

Check out my post above this one on my thoughts on Apple.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#27

Post by dakrisht »

zobzu wrote: post #16
kyleslattery wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This post explains that a little bit: http://brockerhoff.net/blog/2012/09/13/boom-2/ Essentially, his conclusion is that micro USB can't support everything Apple wants the connector to do.

I disagree with all the points of the article you linked. I guess most android users with a micro usb port can disagree just the same. I charge at 2A and it's not burning. Yes you read right. Many modify their chargers to charge at 2A. Also most computers charge them at 0.5A as it's the standard (yes, some charge at 1A). There no function micro USB cannot do due to less pins, because its 100% digital. But then, those…

Lightning is another scam product from Apple to sell more accessories and fatten their margins. Just like MagSafe 2. Garbage.

Re: iPhone 5 review

#28

Post by wahnfrieden »

macrael wrote: post #6
hack_edu wrote: post #5

The more I see that Lightning port, I can't help but wonder why they didn't just do the obvious and go for micro USB. I'm wholly confident Apple could design the highest of quality micro USB connector to satisfy even the biggest of haters that claim its too flimsy while silencing the constant gripe of obsolescence.

Another reason might be that they pipe analog audio out of it? I don't know much about hardware, would it have been possible to use the standard micro USB connector and still provide those features? From the article: > the adapter will provide the power and analog audio that the vast majority of docks and accessories (and cars) in the world need

They don't. They no longer pipe audio out through the dock connector, you have to plug in a headphone cable, or the external device has to have its own DAC (ala the giant adapter they have now).

Re: iPhone 5 review

#29

Post by dakrisht »

w1ntermute wrote: post #25
IanDrake wrote: post #18

I don't understand why the back isn't all glass or all aluminum. The two seams on the back don't appear to be functional or visually appealing. Can anyone explain what the deal is?

Just a guess, but could it be to alleviate previous reception issues?

Interesting point.

I fully agree with the OP here, the back looks bad. I don't get it. The all-glass back on the 4S was really nice. Had a certain allure and design sense to it.

Apple this time around:

Tim Cook: "Hey Jony, let's make the back uglier by anodizing the steel and let's see how many we can sell before we release the 5S next year."

Jony Ive: "Alright Tim, I bet we'll sell more than the 4S with an uglier case, you're on"

Re: iPhone 5 review

#30

Post by bryanlarsen »

aik wrote: post #17
bryanlarsen wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, comparisons with the 920 or GSIII are interesting to those who are watching the market, but frankly only comparisons to previous iPhones are useful. Nowadays iPhones and flagship Androids have gotten good enough that the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems.

>> the pain of switching ecosystems far outweighs any benefit to be gained by switching ecosystems. Not sure I agree. Most people I know ended up with their phone because that's what was popular at the time, or because it was pushed into their face, or it was reasonably inexpensive, or it was what their company handed out. They use it, play games, might use a specific app here and there, and might use the more advanc…

I'm also thinking in terms of familiarity. For me, I get frustrated whenever I use an iPhone because there's no back button. I also get frustrated whenever I need to change any sort of setting on my wife's iPhone.
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