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Reuters report:
U.S. tech giant Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab has paid a Russian fine of 1.2 billion roubles ($13.65 million), imposed over the company’s alleged abuse of its dominant market position concerning in-app payments, Russia’s FAS antitrust agency said on Monday. Source: Apple pays $13.7 mln Russian fine, antitrust agency says | Reuters
It’s like paying a fine to an organized crime group. Utterly shocking that the West still helps this criminal government in its war efforts in Ukraine. I can’t wait to see Trump licking their butt when he’s back.
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Microsoft Office apps for the Apple Vision Pro? Really? Color me surprised. I’m not convinced by the typical productivity use case for the Apple Vision Pro. Judging from what I see, working with things (windows, palettes, etc.) suspended in space doesn’t feel natural. What does it bring that the desktop doesn’t provide? Visualization use cases, sure, though. Being able to manipulate 3D models is a big yes. Is working with a flat spreadsheet in 3D space great? What does it fix that the desktop couldn’t? Maybe the convenience of having the flat spreadsheet besides the 3D model is the right use case. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.
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Here’s a possible Apple Vision Pro use case: virtually walking in the street using Apple Maps in look-around mode. It seems it would be a great way to “visit” a city.
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Steve Jobs was incredible in bringing partners on board when launching a new platform. I wonder how different the launch of the Apple Vision Pro would be if he was still among us. Would we have more content available on day one? Or more apps? Even better: a real killer app? 🤔
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Brent Simmons on Apple:
Apple has just provided us all with a reminder. Just like the sixth finger in an AI-rendered hand, Apple’s policies for Distributing apps in the U.S. that provide an external purchase link are startlingly graceless and a jarring, but not surprising, reminder that Apple is not a real person and not worthy of your love. Source: inessential: Corporations Are Not To Be Loved
I do get the point, but if my dedication to Apple in the last 40 years isn’t love, is it “passion” without love?
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Is Buying a Car Easier Than Buying an Apple Vision Pro?
If Mark Gurman is correct, the rumored sale process for the Apple Vision Pro is rather complex and lengthy. Watching a 20-minute video to learn about a product indicates many things: Apple is nervous, and the product has a novel approach requiring potential customers’ education or training so that they fully “get the experience” before deciding to put the money on the table. Also, I guess someone willing to pay the high price merits some special attention, too. Continue reading →
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Since the Apple Vision Pro will be available starting in early February, I think any new iPad will come in March at the earliest.
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Dan Moyen, writing for MacWorld
The Vision Pro is a brand new platform with a brand new interaction method–so its release needs a new approach. Source: Vision Pro is already changing everything we know about Apple | Macworld
I’m glad to see that he agrees with my personal take on this already controversial product launch.
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If the 2024 iPad Pro pricing is what the rumors are referring to, ridiculously expensive, not counting the new Magic Keyboard that would be needed to replace mine, this might be the deal breaker for me. I might not upgrade1 at all and focus on my M2 MacBook Air. This would be sad because I like using the iPad a lot but can’t convince myself to settle for anything not pro. 😑🤷🏻♂️
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I’m currently using an “old” 11-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2. ↩︎
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Is Apple TV Really Improving With tvOS 17?
I’ve extensively used Apple TV (the physical device), Apple TV+ and the Apple TV app during the holidays to play music, videos, movies and series. One thing is clear: tvOS 17 is a regression in terms of usability, for me anyway. I especially don’t like the new left sidebar in the TV app. Navigating back to the home screen is cumbersome, requiring too many “<” back clicks. I often wonder if I’m in the Apple TV app or the Apple TV+ service. Continue reading →
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LLM on my iPhone? That sounds like a super interesting development. Suddenly, an iPhone with 1TB of storage might seem like a good buying decision, albeit expansive.
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Apple Working on Software Fix to Avoid U.S. Apple Watch Import Ban https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/18/apple-watch-import-ban-software-fix/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon
Honestly, the blood oxygen sensor on the Apple Watch isn’t very useful because of a lack of precision. I wouldn’t mind having it removed entirely.
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There is also a chance that the MagSafe charging for the iPad that we’re hearing about refers to a Mac-like magnetic charger rather than an iPhone-style magnetic charger. Apple is working on a more Mac-like aluminum Magic Keyboard for the 2024 iPad Pro launch, and the new iPads will also use the same M3 chips that are in the MacBook Pro. Source: Next iPad Pro Might Support MagSafe Charging - MacRumors
The next-gen iPad Pro looks more and more enticing by the day. A Mac-like MagSafe connector makes more sense to me. But I have a feeling this thing will be pricey!
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Contingent pricing for subscriptions on the App Store — a new feature that helps you attract and retain subscribers — lets you give customers a discounted subscription price as long as they’re actively subscribed to a different subscription.
It’s often better to change something in a position of strength, not weakness. That is a good preemptive move by Apple, IMO.
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Apple Pausing Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in U.S. Due to Patent Dispute https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/18/apple-pausing-series-9-ultra-2-sales-in-us/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon
Massive blow. We don’t get to see Apple stopping selling a product often.
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That could be a clever tool for developers to attract new customers and subscribers with the following change to the App Store. I’m all for it.
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I’m considering replacing/upgrading from an M1 Mac mini to the Mac Studio🤑. Upon looking at Apple’s Mac Studio website, I was surprised that the Mac Studio wasn’t yet updated to the M3 processor yet🤨. For some reason, I thought it was updated with the MacBook Pro this fall. I should have known better. 🤷🏻♂️ I’ll wait for the next update.
