As Apple enters in more uncharted territories for them, I expect more controversies. A bunch of world-class designers imagining new stuff creates a fertile set of conditions. We are in exciting times again.

Notes of interest from watching iPhone Duo reviews

I watched many iPhone Duo video reviews for you. In no particular order, these are my notes.

  • The return of Touch ID in lieu of Face ID received negative feedback. People don’t like changes like this. It is seen as a step back. I disagree. It’s not the end of the world.
  • I feel a level of excitement about the iPhone that It’s been lacking for a long time… it feels even higher than for the iPhone Air. Many reviewers say the iPhone X was the last time they felt this excited.
  • The iPhone Duo is a very polished product for a version 1.0 for Apple. But some reviewers feel it’s a polished prototype.
  • Right-handed users are the target of this phone.
  • The right-positioned Dock might auto-hide in a future iteration of iOS, so the screen real estate feels less cramped.
  • Many issues can be fixed with a few software updates.
  • It seems obvious Apple will extend the camera plateau to include more hardware capabilities like Face ID.
  • A Pro chip without the Pro cameras.
  • Many third-party apps aren’t optimized for the iPhone Duo, which reduces the device’s value proposition. Next year, though, it will be a thing of the past.
  • Many issues can be fixed with a few software updates.
  • The nano-texture inner screen gets praise, but the texture reduces contrast. Photography enthusiasts might not be thrilled.
  • Opinions differ on the image quality of the FaceTime camera on the inner display.
  • The crease is not an issue, but there is a groove, for sure.
  • Multitasking on the inner display really feels like the future of what multitasking on the iPad must become.
  • About the outer display: it’s like having an iPhone 5 in a Pro Max world.
  • There are so many different ways to use and interact with the iPhone Duo; it makes the learning curve a little daunting.
  • The iPhone Duo experience cries out for software design tweaks and improvements in the next few iOS releases.
  • Reviewers seem to rediscover the iPad software experience in some ways while reviewing the Duo. Weird.
  • The iPhone Duo is the heaviest iPhone ever, heavier than the Pro Max!
  • It’s not for photography enthusiasts. Even for 2000$. The lack of a telephoto lens is a major drawback.
  • Using a case on the iPhone Duo is odd but mandatory for such an expensive device?
  • The iPhone Duo might be the modern version of the first MacBook Air: a device full of compromises but also full of potential.
  • Using the outer screen is where most compromises show up, but using the inner screen is where things feel incomplete due to the lack of third-party support; that should improve over time.
  • Reviewers recognize Apple’s design prowess but also lament the lack of Face ID.
  • The iPhone Duo might create a new wave of support for the iPad, as developers are working to adapt their apps for the Duo, which requires dynamic resizing of their apps.

Surprising lack of singularity

How can eight YouTubers create nearly identical HomeView commentary video thumbnails? Are they following a code of conduct? Is this AI suggestion slop? A few YouTubers go a little bit more imaginative than others, though. Fascinating. Found on Ben Thompson’s blog, in a blog post with an X.com embed1.

  1. I don’t link directly to x.com by principle. ↩︎

A sick guy

According to U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia “has been fine on Ukraine” and “hasn’t been doing much” to the country it has been attempting to violently conquer for over a decade.

“Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven’t been doing much,” Trump told reporters on Oct. 19.

This guy is sick. There is no other sound way of putting it. Are the mid-terms the cause of his behaviour?

This is how I use my iPhone these days… As a photographer who likes B&W photography, because colors can be distracting when telling a story, I find calmness in this setup.

The Hidden Potential of Apple Invites

I had a funny idea today. After updating the Apple Invites app, I wondered whether it could be used to create a photo-sharing space for a small group of people, since its features rely on iCloud services. It seems to have everything you need: a welcome page, albums, links to external websites, and options for managing guests and comments. I created a fake invitation to test the RSVP process from start to finish, and I have to say that signing up seems to be the weak point for now. An Apple Account isn’t required, but at first glance, that isn’t very clear. Apple Invites is iPhone-only, so there’s no iPad or web version for content managers. Too bad. Yet, something to think about.

Micro.blog > Ghost

My Ghost subscription is up for renewal in mid-November. Even on the lowest tier, it’s rather expensive at $300 US. It’s tempting to compare Ghost’s value proposition with Micro.blog’s. Ghost is heavily leaning toward newsletters. I’m not using Ghost enough because I share longer pieces there, which are harder to come by. There is no contest: Micro.blog wins at two-thirds the price.

Ordered, now patiently waiting

I ordered HomeView and should receive it by the end of November. It feels like a long wait for a device like this, but I’ll be travelling for much of that time. Lukewarm reception didn’t change my mind. I’ve always wanted something like this, a device that isn’t managed like an iPad or iPhone. If my experience with it is good, I’ll probably get one for my home office, too. And no, I don’t have the busy daily life the HomeView ad portrays.