JX2 Development

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Joe Fedorowicz

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Quick Thoughts on iOS 8

While you can gleam all the details of Apple’s new iOS 8 mobile operating system from links like this one, this one and this one, here are a few thoughts after just 12 hours on the beta.

 

  1. The best changes in my opinion are with Messages. Specifically, things like including all of the media between you and another person really make finding that sent picture easy. Other great stuff includes being able to name your group texts, excuse yourself from said group texts and quickly fire off recently taken pictures to your friends. The “coolest” feature might be what I’d like to call “Quick Voicemail”, which allows you to easily send an audio message to a person or group of people. Those people can easily respond. I still haven’t figured out the actual point of this, but you can do the same thing with videos and pictures as well. Finally, you can now respond to a message right from the notification, probably the biggest time saver. It is still a little glitchy with the beta, but this will be the most used feature, I’d bet.
  2. The most handy small feature to me is definitely the double-click to show recent contacts. This will save me a ton of time as I call my wife, Jared and like two other people. That is it. Apple does all of these things without it being a major change, as the contact pictures appear right above open apps when you get to that screen.
  3. Speaking of Apps, I have been having some problems with certain Apps on the beta. I’ve read that some have had the same issues while others have not. Namely, Facebook refuses to open. I also had problems with Safari, but they were fixed with a Cookies and Cache clear. Apple does not allow developers to update their Apps for iOS 8 until the Golden Master comes out, and that will likely be in late August.
  4. There are some other things that came down. Like the “Quick Type” system, which predicts your next word and gives you the chance to hit it. We’ll see how it evolves with my typing prowess, but right now it just slows me down. The Handoff system, which allows you to go from iOS to OS X and back, transferring documents, emails and websites quickly, was working. What I could not figure out was how to easily do this AND use Touch ID when moving to Mobile. It was just a clunky move, in my opinion.
  5. I’m not going to talk about Health because Health isn’t usable yet. Sure, you can enter height and weight, and certain data points, but the true usefulness will come with apps that sync with it.

 

I’ll be back with more later.

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I want my Apple TV gaming console

I’ve covered a lot of Apple products in the last week, like CarPlay and the new iPhone screens. Jared talked about the AppleTV in his blog post a week ago, even mentioning the topic of my post today, gaming. Here is what he said:

Look for gaming to be an added feature.  Candy Crush on a 50 inch HD screen!  Use your iPad or iPhone as a controller as the game plays on your TV.

There have been many reports Apple TV gaming in the last few weeks, like this one, this one, this one and this one. If you don’t have time to click on those non-descriptive links, they all hint to Apple adding a gaming sector to their living room set-top box. I’ve owned a console during every generation since 1995, when I had a Super Nintendo system towards the end of it’s run. I got the N64 for Christmas, had a Sega Genesis, a Dreamcast (albeit late in it’s doomed tenure), a PS2, a PS3 and an XBOX 360 (I never had an original XBOX because I was still a Nintendo-fanboy).

The WiiU fell short for many.
The WiiU fell short for many.

I owned a Wii near launch and played it for awhile. I thought the Wii was revolutionary and fun. It came out when I was in college, so a case of beer can make any simple WiiSports game fun. Nintendo’s next attempt, the WiiU, fell short for me. I didn’t understand the controller with the screen and there were no games that made me have to buy it. That, coupled with the fact that Nintendo has fallen behind as far as tech goes, and I am probably never going to own the U.

But if all can be believed about Apple’s movement towards gaming on their next TV device, I will be the first in line. I don’t need 120fps rates or even “life-like” graphics, but instead like story lines and gameplay. I am a devotee to the Zelda series and the Ocarina of Time iteration remains as my favorite video game of all time. I think I’ve run through it a dozen times. The first time through, I made it a three-mont affair, grabbing all the available tools and weapons, while finishing all of the side quests.

Why do I think Apple’s gaming sector will bring back these feelings? Well, there is Pixar, which will always be connected to Apple as they share the same c0-founder. There is also Disney, also connected to Cupertino by way of stock ownership and similarities of Boards. These two companies, Pixar and Disney, have been crafting eloquent stories for the better part of two decades. While primarily geared for children, the deft understanding of plot and character building, something by which great games are made, is abundant amongst the creative staffs of both.

Finally, I think that Apple is smart regarding content. The App Store is chock full of gaming choices, I would argue that it is too full. Candy Crush clones and games with the word “Flappy” in them are plentiful, and weaving through all of the bad choices can be painstaking. There are 1.5 million apps in the App Store, far too many if they were all games.

I don’t think this will be the direction that the Apple TV goes in. I’m not going to say that indie developers will be held out, I just think there will be a larger fee associated with submitting a game. This should limit the choice, but enhance the quality. And when it comes to competing with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo on console gaming, a fight that I believe Apple wants, quality will be key.

After all this, I’m secretly hoping that we’ll start seeing back catalog games on a new Apple TV. I’d love to play Ocarina of Time again, on my 50-inch flat screen and will gladly pay $10 or so for the opportunity to do this. The question is how will this come about and will content providers play ball? It is the same fight that always seems to exist with Apple. They can build it, but will it be supported.

Luckily, AAPL usually wins.

 

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Here’s to CarPlay not being resigned to the rich and famous

CarPlay
The Apple CarPlay system will mimic the iPhone, but be catered to those on the road. (Apple.com)

I spoke the other day about Tesla’s Model E, and how it could revolutionize car buying by bringing a technology to the masses that is currently for the wealthy at the moment. On that same day, Apple announced their CarPlay system, which was previously referred to as “iOS in the Car.” The integration would “iPhone-icize” the touchscreen interfaces that have become standard in most new cars, allowing for a deeper experience for the driving iPhone user.

Immediately, videos began to surface of carmakers showcasing CarPlay in their new automobiles. Volvo says the tech will be introduced in their XC90 model. Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari have also uploaded youtube videos of their interfaces built into their fancy cars. On the CarPlay website, Apple lists those three makers along with Jaguar, Honda and Hyundai as “available in 2014.” Neither Honda nor Hyundai has commented on the model at press time.

I own a Mazda2. At the time (October 2011), it was the cost-effective way to get myself in a new car. Today, I am on the verge of shopping again, this time for a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra or an American mid-size sedan. My question is this:

Will the car I buy have, whether standard or as an option, access to the new CarPlay interface?

The XC90 version looks fantastic, but the starting price for the large Volvo SUV is $40,000. The Mercedes-Benz in question, the S-Class, starts at $92,000. The Ferrari costs twice as much as my house.

While Honda and Hyundai could come out today and say that they are putting CarPlay in their Civics and Elantras or all of their cars, I am going to guess that the new toy will not be available to the mass-market at start. Apple is careful at over-saturation and if carmakers can charge a premium for a feature that most people want (and who wouldn’t want an iPhone inspired interface in their car), they are going to do so.

So while I am excited that this feature is out there and Apple continues to expand it’s footprint on the technology world, I am hesitant to think that, barring a MegaMillions win or late-Aunt I’ve never met, I’m not going to be able to enjoy these new toys.

Prove me wrong car makers, please prove me wrong.