Opinion

Apple Music almost has me sold on Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos

Evan Selleck ∙ June 12, 2021

I can still remember what it was like hauling around a portable CD player with me everywhere I went back in my high school days. That was before MP3s really took off. Forking over money for some worthwhile headphones was worth it back then, maybe even more so than it is today for most use cases. But that digital takeover was inevitable, and, eventually, I was hauling around all sorts of different MP3 players instead of that CD player.

What do you want to see Apple announce at WWDC?

Evan Selleck ∙ June 5, 2021

It's that time of year again. We're just a few days away from Apple executives (and probably a few others) talking about what's next for its major platforms at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. And, as usual, there's a lot of expectations swirling around the company.

Has an iPad replaced your Mac?

Evan Selleck ∙ May 29, 2021

I have very down-to-earth goals for an iPad mini: I just want to use it to read books. And that form factor is still my favorite iPad size to date. But even I know my aspirations for the small tablet are insane.

Because while the iPad mini is a great tool to use Apple Books on, even if it has a dated LCD screen, that price tag makes it an outrageous eReader. And this is when someone would say, well, it's an iPad. You can use it for more than just an eReader, and that's the real appeal. And that person would be right!

How often do you watch movies and TV shows on your iPad Pro?

Evan Selleck ∙ May 22, 2021

We expect the new device that's replacing our current one to be better in some way or another. Some reason to justify the upgrade. Some category of products are better at this than others, and some companies are better than others. But, the general rule of thumb is present across the board: make my new thing better than the last.

Do you use Control Center on your Mac?

Evan Selleck ∙ May 15, 2021

With the release of macOS 11 Big Sur, Apple welcomed a primarily iOS-focused feature to the desktop: Control Center. Now that it's been available for a few months, it's time to get your thoughts.

Should Apple offer trade-ins for the original 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard?

Evan Selleck ∙ May 8, 2021

There are some great alternative options when it comes to cases for the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. But, if you prefer Apple's Magic Keyboard, the company has a new one of those, too. Which, at one point, sounded like the only option for folks getting the new large tablet -- even if they owned the old model.

Want a second carrier for your iPhone that won’t break the bank? Try Visible by Verizon Wireless

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 4, 2021

It wasn’t long ago that I shared my personal experience with using the Google Fi cellular service as a secondary carrier on my iPhone. But my curiosity pertaining to a dual carrier setup on my iPhone led to me to research several other Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and you can probably take a few accurate guesses as to where that rabbit hole took me.

Upon being blown away by Google Fi’s cellular reception and data speeds, I decided to drop AT&T as my primary carrier and switch over to T-Mobile. To those asking why – the T-Mobile network powers Google Fi in my region, and the un-carrier provided an enticing offer after announcing its new truly unlimited Magenta MAX plan earlier this year for a fraction of what I was paying AT&T.

Do you live that dongle life?

Evan Selleck ∙ May 1, 2021

Dongle. Dongles. It's one of those words that if you say it enough times, it starts to lose its meaning. And yet, for some companies looking to drum up a competitive spirit against Apple, those dongles are an important factor.

How do you like the chin on the new iMac?

Evan Selleck ∙ April 25, 2021

The iMac has not always had a chin. But it's certainly had one for many, many years now. So many, in fact, that the chin might be one of the most recognizable elements of an iMac for some people.

When’s the last time you used an Android phone?

Evan Selleck ∙ April 17, 2021

Earlier this month, Samsung launched something called "iTest." It's a way for iPhone owners to try out Samsung's version of Android, right on their device.

Are you locked into the Apple ecosystem because of iMessage?

Evan Selleck ∙ April 10, 2021

Ecosystems aren't new. And companies trying to "lock" customers into them isn't, either. Companies want retention, customers that stick around. Finding ways to make that happen is crucial. And yet, some people still appear be shocked by this.

It’s about time we get a rugged Apple Watch

Evan Selleck ∙ April 3, 2021

The vision for the Apple Watch has changed quite a bit since its debut all those years ago. No longer this symbol of flamboyancy and extravagance (despite its price tag), the Apple Watch is about being helpful. So it's about time Apple started looking at a more rugged design.