I’m super excited about this year’s iPhone announcements. It’s probably because I’m getting one of them1. I try to skip one or two iterations. I went from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 Pro, then to the iPhone 13 Pro, and now the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’m looking forward to these improvements: the cameras2 and battery life3. Sure, the Dynamic Island will be cool. Oh, and USB-C, finally4! Continue reading →

This week, Apple will release its latest iPhone models. I’m excited. It will be an exercise of balance between news consumption, analysis and writing. It’s the perfect mix for a stressful week. 😟 Learn why in this podcast episode. Links My iPhone 11 Pro review: “From iPhone 7 to iPhone 11 Pro: The Return of Delights” My iPhone 13 Pro review: “Upgrading From the iPhone 11 Pro to iPhone 13 Pro — the Love Story Continues” Transcript Continue reading →

What a strange move by Apple. This website made by Apple promotes first-party apps for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc. Why? Why now? I would understand in the context of being forced to allow third-party App Stores. Apple reminding people about their apps while people are getting excited by side-loading and third-party App Stores would make sense. Is Apple up to something here? They usually plan for the long run. Continue reading →

Apple is reportedly developing a low-cost MacBook series to compete with Chromebook models in the education sector that could be released as early as the second half of 2024, according to industry sources. Source: Apple mulls low-cost MacBook, say sources

Remember when people and tech pundits pressed Apple to create a Netbook? Apple responded with an 11-inch MacBook (2008) Air and an iPad (2010). I hope they skip trying to make a low-cost MacBook and keep improving on the current iPad story instead. That being said, I understand Chromebooks are giving Apple a hard time in education. 🥵

Matte black MacBook again makes an appearance in an Apple patent Source: Matte black MacBook again referenced in an Apple patent

I would pay a little extra for a fingerprint-free matte black MacBook Air. 🤗

Eventually, in a few weeks, I’ll have to decide if I go with the 256GB storage tier or the next level up: 512GB¹. If I to future my purchase of the 15 Ultra, I’ll probably have to go with the latter.

This is going to be about the iPhone, mostly. The iPhone 15, to be more precise. Of course. Apple will probably talk a lot about the A17 because of its new 3nm manufacturing process, ensuring some battery power savings while bringing faster processing. This will be welcomed for an always-on display device since the iPhone 14 Pro performance in that respect is not as good as it used to be. Continue reading →

While writing my next edition of the Friday Notes newsletter (#107), I realized that writing has never been a one-stretch thing for me. It takes countless writing iterations before getting things done. In this episode, I share my anxieties 😰 about writing in general ✍🏻. Plus, a few words about my expectations for the upcoming Apple Event “Wonderlust”! 👀 Links Jean-Louis Gassée’s “Monday Note” newsletter https://mondaynote.com/. Be Inc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be_Inc. Transcript Continue reading →

I’m really looking forward to the iPhone 15 Ultra👀. Coming from the iPhone 13 Pro, I skipped the 14 Pro1; I expect the camera improvements to be tangible. The telephoto lens could see the most significant improvements driving sales of the Ultra to new territories2. Using a periscope architecture, telephoto could jump from 3x to 6x or more. This could be the last thing that makes me sell my Nikon D7503. Continue reading →

Bad weather 🌧️ means time to the coffee shop for creative work ☕ 👨🏻‍💻 on my next YouTube video about Craft YouTube Integration. I paid a visit to the Apple Store to get my iPhone screen replaced 🛠️. I came out without a replacement; learn why in this episode available on Apple’s Podcast. 👀 Transcript Continue reading →

Poll: 1️⃣ iPhone 15 Ultra or 2️⃣ iPhone 15 Pro Ultra? ¹

My gut feeling is that if Apple really is going to use the Ultra, it would be tied to the Pro moniker, otherwise this would create confusion.

Snell, Gruber, Birchler, and I all agree about the iPad’s limits. When we hit one of its limits, it becomes a reason to reconsider. When I started using the MacBook Air, it was when I accepted the simple fact that I would be more productive on the Mac than on the iPad. I love the iPad. This is the device I bring with me on travel, but I do know perfectly that some tasks will need to wait until I return home.

A Eulogy for Dark Sky, a Data Visualization Masterpiece The design of Dark Sky was so wonderful that I could understand the shape of the weather at a glance, even from a zoomed out view of the app. Great analysis of the now-defunct Dark Sky weather app. I’m a bit late on that one. I don’t remember using Dark Sky because I think it wasn’t working in Canada. I’m not sure about this. Continue reading →

Am I alone who happens to get the iPhone keyboard displayed on the iPad instead of the full-size keyboard? My wife experienced the same thing many times. We don’t know how to make this thing revert to the normal size keyboard. Easy to make it disappear, but when it comes back, it’s still the small version. Very annoying to type on this.

I’m probably the only one, but I liked the Touch Bar on my 2017 MacBook Pro at work. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Tempted to install macOS Sonoma Beta 6 on my shiny new 15-inch MacBook Air… I like to be at the cutting edge of software releases… on iPhone, iPad, Watch and Apple TV, betas have been rock solid for me so far (the worst is the iPad). Any advice here besides “you’re mileage may vary”, “go ahead at your own risk”, etc.?

This week, I am getting an appointment for a screen replacement on my iPhone 13 Pro (under my paid AppleCare warranty). Three highly visible scratches are bugging me big time: the trade-in value is reduced by 485 CAN$ (at the worst timing possible: iPhone 15 Ultra is approaching😩), and I always focus on the scratches when looking at my iPhone screen. 🫣 AppleCare can be a good investment.

I’d love to buy one of these, simply because it’s a great object of art and design.

Happy 25th anniversary, iMac! As I started documenting in my series about remembering every Mac I ever owned, in 1998, I wasn’t invested in Apple’s ecosystem at all. I was a “PC” guy because of my job. Right before the iMac came out, I got rid of my Power Mac 7100 in 1996. I barely saw the iMac in stores or public spaces where a computer was made available for things like web surfing. Continue reading →

I just went through the complete process of an Apple Trade-In for the return of my “old” 13-inch MacBook Air after getting my brand new 15-inch MacBook Air. I’m super impressed by the logistics behind all of it and how the user (me) is guided in the process. The final step was to cancel the AppleCare+ that I originally bought with my old device. Took a 5 min call from somewhere in Texas. Continue reading →