A headline like, say, “Vision Pro Sales Are Exactly in Line With Expectations” is not going to hit people as a big story, but “Apple Sharply Scales Back Production of Vision Pro” does. It’s the same reason the classic “Man Bites Dog” grabs attention but “Dog Bites Man” does not.

Gruber’s critique of recent reporting on Vision Pro sales reminds us that “enrage to engage” is nothing new. Headlines have to draw people into the story, whether it’s in print or online, and whether its subject is politics or…tech financial data. I try to never forget that.

On the Vision Pro itself, I’m still intrigued and I hope Gruber is right that estimated sales figures are in line with Apple’s internal expectations because that would likely maintain momentum on the project. I did the in-store demo once and I was immediately enthralled. I left the store with my mind on fire about potential uses…and without a headset. I just can’t justify the price tag.

But, if Apple continues to move it forward, and the price comes down as a result, I can see myself buying one in the future.

tags: apple visionpro

posted by matt in Saturday, October 26, 2024

The idea of spatial computing is intriguing, but I’m not interested until using it requires no more than a pair of eyeglasses, which I’ve worn every day for decades now. I’m glad some will adopt the early ski mask versions, though. We need them to get to the eyeglasses stage of spatial computing.

I’m happy to wait.

tags: tech ai apple spatialcomputing

posted by matt in Monday, January 8, 2024

Unlike its competitors, Apple has strengths in two areas that are currently PR headaches for AI: privacy and the environment.

Another strength of Apple - coming from behind in a race to eventually lead the pack. They've done this in category after category over the years - laptops, MP3 players, Mobile phones. They might be in the process of doing it again with virtual reality / augmented reality / spatial computing.

Will they do the same come-from-behind-to-eventually-lead with AI? Possibly.

I do believe they're going to define a uniquely Apple lane in the AI race, and I'm happy about that. Privacy is everything, and Apple is the company I trust the most in that regard.

Monday should be interesting.

tags: apple tech ai

posted by matt in Thursday, June 6, 2024

I won't be upset it 1Password gets sherlocked, particularly if the forthcoming Apple passwords app allows sharing within a family. 1Password has become a bit frustrating to use lately. The Safari extension can never decide if it wants to work or not, and the interface is horrible.

tags: tech apple

posted by matt in Thursday, June 6, 2024

He also noted that a ChatGPT-like chatbot will be noticeably absent from Apple's upcoming AI features. Apple executives are said to have admitted that they're "playing catch-up" internally.

Sounds like we'll get some baby steps with AI in iOS 18. I look to see Apple turn its slower pace on AI into a positive at the upcoming WWDC, touting guardrails and privacy. I think that's a winning strategy, btw. Non-techie, "regular people" are intrigued by chatGPT right now, but they're also concerned and a little afraid. I think a turtle that provides comfort and allays fears wins this race, and I think that's exactly what Apple intends to do.

tags: ai tech apple

posted by matt in Sunday, May 19, 2024

This video from Cleo Abram is the most provocative thing I've seen about the Apple Vision Pro. It's a teleportation device, or at least will be once the technology improves. But here's the key - exploration of far away lands like a Star Trek landing party won't be its biggest impact. That will be fun and exciting, of course, but the bigger deal is the impact it will have on human relationships. Physical distance between people will become less of an impediment to human interaction. Indeed, it might become largely irrelevant. You won't be alone even though you live three states away from your kids. Or parents. Interactions with the Apple Vision Pro will feel like actual in-person visits. So much so that we'll think of them as such, unlike letters, phone calls, and even modern video calls.

And why stop with erasing the impediment of physical distance? Why not erase the impediment of time, too?

They look a bit ridiculous right now, but someday a future version of the Vision Pro, or a similar product, will be commonplace.

And it's going to be incredible.

tags: tech apple visionpro

postposted by matt in Monday, May 13, 2024

WWDC is going to be quite interesting this year, I think. Apple has been touting its focus on privacy lately, so an "on device" aspect to its AI feels natural. But it's also working with OpenAI, so a connected aspect must be in play, too. Will users have options? In a global setting...at each interaction?

tags: tech ai apple

posted by matt in Monday, May 13, 2024

"We believe in the transformative power and promise of AI, and we believe we have advantages that will differentiate us in this new era, including Apple's unique combination of seamless hardware, software, and services integration, groundbreaking Apple Silicon with our industry-leading neural engines, and our unwavering focus on privacy, which underpins everything we create."

Apple is arriving late to the generative AI party and is bringing a different approach with it. Sound familiar? This is how the company came to dominate portable music players, smartphones, earbuds, tablets, laptops, etc. The strategy doesn't always work (think cars), but I'm betting it will in AI.

tags: tech ai apple

posted by matt in Thursday, May 2, 2024

Hey, look at that...someone else that shares my opinion on Apple's FineWoven case and wallet. I actually like mine, and am a bit sad to see Apple abandon the material so soon after launching it (although it looks like we'll get one more round of FineWoven cases and wallets for the forthcoming iPhone 16.

Change is hard.

tags: tech apple

posted by matt in Tuesday, April 30, 2024

I've never understood the disdain people have for Apple's FineWoven case and wallet. True, scratches leave a lasting impression, but, in my experience, the material has held up quite well. I've got a case and wallet on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and really like both. The edges on the wallet have worn down to give a patina of sorts. There's a small "permanent" scratch or two, but they haven't weakened the structure of the thing at all and, honestly, seem to add to the overall weathered look. I really have no complaints, other than colors, etc.

I'll be sad to see them go if the reports of their demise end up being accurate.

tags: apple

posted by matt in Tuesday, April 23, 2024

"This change, the report explains, will help GM 'capture more data on how consumers drive and charge EVs.'"

Future GM owners just became the product.

Our next vehicle will have CarPlay, which means it won't be a GM.

tags: tech apple ev

posted by matt in Friday, March 31, 2023

Renee and I might have stumbled upon an unexpected use for AirTags — training a dog to stop barking. Teddy is a constant barker when he's outside. He barks at everything — joggers, bikers, leaves, even the political sign out neighbor recently installed.

He escaped from the backyard a couple weeks ago. Luckily, he ran right to the front porch, but we thought it would make sense to put an AirTag in his collar so we could locate him if he ever got away from us.

Testing it out this morning, Renee hit the "Play Sound" feature, which makes the AirTag chime a bit to help you locate it when it's nearby you. With his AirTag chirping, Teddy immediately took notice, stopped in his tracks, and did the tilted head thing. Hmmmm. Maybe a simple ping to his AirTag will stop a barking episode? We'll see....

tags: dog apple airtag

postposted by matt in Sunday, October 10, 2021

Cinematic Mode on the iPhone 13, in the hands of a professional videographer but without any other equipment, is impressive. Not perfect, but impressive for sure. And this is the first go...it will certainly get even better over time.

tags: apple iphone tech video

posted by matt in Thursday, September 23, 2021

The impact of the Apple Watch and other wearables on health and health care is only beginning to be understood. "We observed strong positive correlations between the Apple Watch device and commercial oximeters when evaluating heart rate measurements...and oximetry measurements...."

tags: health apple tech

posted by matt in Thursday, September 23, 2021

People might want to continue wearing masks after the pandemic ends...for reasons not related to the virus.

tags: facebook apple ar

posted by matt in Saturday, February 27, 2021

Phones with foldable displays are a technical challenge. Engineers love a challenge. That doesn't mean customers want the solution. I think Apple is smartly feigning interest here, letting others waste time on the puzzle.

tags: apple tech

posted by matt in Saturday, February 27, 2021

Dark Sky seems to be a bit out of whack. Apparently we're going to get 16-26 inches of snow today...while there's only a single hour that has a significant probability for precipitation (and even that's less than 50%). I've noticed this happen several times during the recent snow storm that crossed the country. They still can't beat the local weatherman during storms!

tags: weather tech apple

photo posted by matt in Thursday, February 18, 2021

Social distancing reminder stickers on the floor outside the Apple store in Toledo, OH. (Matt Buchanan/Toledo, OH)

My mind saw the social distancing reminders on the floor outside the Apple store as 'Do I Do' and now I can't unsee it.

tags: apple socialdistancing

photo posted by matt in Friday, October 23, 2020