When you’ve by no means met an Apple fanboy, let me introduce you to … me. For the previous 14 years, I’ve purchased numerous Apple merchandise. iPods, iPhones, Apple Watches, AppleTVs, Mac Studios, MacBook Execs. You identify it, I’ve in all probability purchased it, or at the very least used it.
And there’s a superb motive for that. Apple stuff simply works. It’s simple to go from machine to machine and know what to anticipate.
So when Apple introduced its September “Far Out” occasion, I used to be excited, as I normally am. However after a variety of bulletins that included the brand new iPhone 14 collection, right here’s why I gained’t be upgrading my “archaic” iPhone 12. And why you would possibly wish to rethink your buy, too.
The place Apple faltered
1. Lack of innovation
For some time now, there’s been a scarcity of innovation popping out of Cupertino. Evidently as an alternative of bringing new merchandise to market (with a number of exceptions, just like the Apple Watch), Apple has taken what different corporations are doing and is just bettering on them to make the options higher.
The All the time-On Show, as an illustration, has been in Android telephones for years. A 48-megapixel sensor? Once more, high-resolution cellphone cameras have been round for some time.
Take a look at what Samsung, Google and Sony are doing. They’ve higher sensors and extra highly effective computational algorithms. Heck, Sony’s Xperia line is really ground-breaking in the case of images, generally rivaling what you will get with their common cameras (and dealing with them for an awesome expertise, too). And Samsung’s ISOCELL sensor? Wow. Simply wow. It takes low-light and element to an entire completely different stage.
2. Deep Fusion is absolutely simply Apple’s model of HDR
Now, I applaud Apple for getting out of utilizing “HDR” as a lot because it has previously. HDR has a foul connotation with it, however that normally facilities across the “HDR look,” not the method of mixing bracketed photos to create an HDR picture.
Deep Fusion, as Apple describes it “merges the perfect pixels from a number of exposures into one phenomenal photograph.”
So, how precisely is that completely different than HDR?
3. New options that may not be totally baked
Whereas watching the keynote, I noticed that one in all Apple’s core options they have been pushing — Motion Mode for video — didn’t precisely work completely. It was nonetheless shaky. Positive, it considerably reduces the shakiness, and it has its use circumstances. However why couldn’t Apple enhance on this much more, by means of machine studying?
And for many who want a real “motion mode,” wouldn’t they depend on one thing extra possible, like a GoPro, as an alternative?
4. The place are the groundbreaking options?
When the iPhone 13 Professional was introduced final 12 months, there have been some actually groundbreaking options in that cellphone. Cinematic Mode lifted the talents of the iPhone’s video system to new heights. Macro Mode made it simpler than ever to seize up-close objects.
However this 12 months, there appears to not be that massive, groundbreaking characteristic that can change the sport for therefore many. This feels extra like an iPhone 13.5, moderately than an iPhone 14.
One of many rumors concerning the iPhone 14 Professional was that it was going to have some sort of astro mode. Which lots of smartphones have already got. However there was no point out of this within the keynote, regardless of the “Far Out” identify of the occasion eluding to this closely. It might’ve been nice to see Apple’s implementation of this, and put one thing like OM Digital Options’ Starry Sky AF characteristic within a smartphone. However we’re saved ready as soon as extra.
5. Dynamic Island is cool, however who got here up with that identify?!?
Alright, so this may not be a motive why I gained’t purchase the iPhone 14. The Dynamic Island characteristic, which principally turns the pill-shaped space on the high of the iPhone 14 Professional telephones right into a mini notification space, is cool. There’s lots of potential right here. But when that’s your main characteristic … and you provide you with the cheesiest identify for it ever? That’s not sufficient to entice me.
Why Apple continues to be my go-to for tech
Regardless of my emotions concerning the iPhone 14, Apple will proceed to be my go-to for tech. The Apple Watch Collection 8 — in addition to the Apple Watch Extremely — is in a league of its personal. No smartwatch comes near Apple’s dominance on this house, and the brand new options added are actually welcome to many.
Apple computer systems “simply work.” My Mac Studio has been my final dream machine since I first received it, and continues to be my suggestion for inventive execs.
Apple HomeKit is essentially the most privacy-centric of all of the sensible dwelling ecosystems on the market. It really works nice.
However for the principle motive that my Apple tech “simply works,” that’s the rationale why I gained’t be upgrading my iPhone 12. Hopefully subsequent 12 months Apple can push the boundaries a bit extra, as a result of this 12 months’s lineup is a critical let-down.
What do you suppose? Is Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup sufficient to get you to improve? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
