As many of you know, Apple X is coming out next month. So one of the biggest features if Face ID: Apple X only unlocks if it matches your facial features. But this…ahem…selling point could be it’s downfall. Apple Face ID causes problems right before release.
So now, reports say Apple has to change their manufacturing and promotion game. They need to produce more senors quicker. They’re panicking because they may not have enough iPhone X’s even for the first weekend. In fact, such shortages can last for months. That’s not good for the IT support/smartphone giant.
So you must understand, making such cutting edge technology for millions of phone isn’t as easy as it looks. Not even for Apple. Take the dot projector, which is a critical part of the Face ID sensor. They need certain components to to come up with a 3D map of your face. The other problem is Apple’s strict requirements for such tools. If they don’t meet standards, they can’t be used in the device. End of discussion. However, combine it with rigorous iPhone X production. This is not a good combo. In order to increase production, Apple is lowering standards, testing less modules. So basically, there could be more iPhone X’s to go out, but it will the Apple Face ID feature may not live up to the hype.
I wonder will it even matter. Here in our Boston computer service shop, not too many customers or staff members are excited about the iPhone X. This is especially true compared to previous iPhone releases.? Now they’re forcing iPhone X customers to choose. Do you want more phones with less quality, or do you want more quality, with less phone to choose from? It sounds to me the mighty Apple bit off more than they could chew this time. They underestimated how difficult this kind of technology can be. Do you even want an iPhone X at all?
There’s good news and bad news about Samsung. So first, the good news: Samsung is having a Q3 2017 of the ages! Then the bad news: Oh-Hyun Kwon, the CEO and Vice-Chairman, resigned. It’s Samsung…best of times…worst of times.
Furthermore, as Kwon exited, he said his soon to be former company was in a huge crisis on all sides. He also called for new leadership. I find this funny because 2017 is a fairly good year for Samsung, at lest financially. They reported great first and second quarter profits, and have a strong third quarter to boast about. In fact, it could double that of Q3 2016. On the surface, they truly overcame the the Galaxy S7 debacle of 2016.
But let’s not pop the champagne yet. This smartphone company has legal and social problems. In 2017, Vice-Chairman Jay W. Lee was found guilty of bribery and perjury. They say he paid people off in order for political favors. They also say he gave $36 million in order to win merger support. In August, a South Korean court sentenced him to five years in prison. But Samsung officials elected him as a CEO in 2012. Now, he’s leaving. In a statement, he said he can no longer put off his resignation. Kwon also called for new, young leadership that can roll with IT support’s rapidly changing industry.
This really is Samsung…best of times…worst of times. It’s amazing how they are in the midst of a one of the greatest comebacks in IT service history. But they’re also in the midst of one of the biggest scandals in smartphone history. So how does this happen? First of all, I’m happy Samsung overcame their fiasco. The things they endured last year could have put any company under. It almost did. So if they can overcome that, then can’t they overcome this latest scandal?
How many parents worry about their kids being on smartphones too much? I’m sure there are many, but one app is doing something about it. Here is to Kudos: Teaching kids to respect smartphones.
They made this app for children ages 8-13. So this app teaches kids of this age group to be responsible social media citizens. It also has around the clock moderation.? And they seem to be on their way. They moved to Silicon Valley, at a time many IT service companies are leaving. They also have help from Disney and Pixar, as well as over 5.7 million from capitalist investors.
A Norwegian man named?Vidar Hestaas invented Kudos. It started when Hestaas caught his 7 year-old son used his older sister’s Snapchat and Instagram. The son did this because he’s too young to use them; the minimum age is 13. So he invented Kudos not only to let younger kids use apps, but to teach them how to communicate with dignity and to be safe. In fact, the 7-year old encouraged him to make the app. Hestaas insists kids, and parents, keep a positive atmosphere. For example, they appoint ambassadors for those who model good social media behavior. They also have humans and software monitoring activity 24/7, reporting activity to parents.
Now I know what some of you are going to say. “Children that age are too young to use smartphones”. Maybe that was true in 2010. But today’s 13-year-old was born in 2004. They probably can’t even remember a time without smart devices. And you know today’s 8-year-old certainly doesn’t. So whether we like it or not, smartphone is here today. We’ve told people that in our computer service shop. So since it’s here, we need to teach pre-teens responsibility and accountability. We also need to teach them smartphones can be used for good, not evil. Then teach them to use it for good, instead of evil. I know many parents are concerned with bullying, especially in today’s social-political hostile climate. But how cool would it be if today’s 8-13 year olds were the first generation to stamp out online bullying and online hatred? Could Kudos lead the way?
It’s an argument many in computer repair have. We even have it in our Boston computer service shop. So do you prefer Apple or Samsung? Furthermore yet, iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy 8: Which is better?
I ask this because they did a test between Apple’s iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy 8. They wanted to see who has the best smartphone camera. They used DxO Mark for the tests. That’s a non-bias source for testing cameras and phones from all walks of life. So iPhone 8 leads the smartphone game, huh? Not if you ask the good people of DxO Mark. Because both phones tied, getting a score of? 94. Some also say the Galaxy 8 beat the iPhone 8 in certain ways.
The Galaxy 8 beat the iPhone 8 in color and auto-focus. It also beat Apple in zoom. Furthermore, Galaxy 8’s low-light photos showed better details, and makes less noise. However, I check out the prices. The iPhone 8 does have a small edge. The iPhone 8 will cost you $699, while Samsung Galaxy S8 cost you $725.00. That is if you buy it on their respective websites. Also, the iPhone 8 might be better if you shoot in brightness. But lets’ be honest. How many rooms do you take pictures in dark or in less light?
Well, I write this because the iPhone X is coming out. So is the Samsung Pixel 2. Now I understand not everyone will rush to get these new phones. At least I hope not. Who will win between the iPhone X and Samsung Pixel 2? A lot of people will move to the next phone based on their experiences with the last smartphone. A lot of people truly believe Apple is the see all and know all of IT support and technology. I don’t believe that.? But some do, and that’s their prerogative. Personally, I’m glad Samsung, if not beat, Apple in it’s own game. What do you think of iPhone 8 vs Galaxy 8?
Yesterday was Apple’s big conference. They did talk about things as planned. But some things threw me in a loop. So let’s look at Apple’s curveballs and upcoming products.
Obviously, we expected a new iPhone to come out. But few expected the iPhone X, (just call it iPhone 10). We expected the screen would take up most of the front, leaving little room for anything else. Many iPhone owners like it that way. However, I wonder how many expected a cut out at the top. This allows for front facing cameras and sensors. Furthermore, those cameras, sensors, and cut out top are there for a reason.
That reason is Face ID. Most of us knew it would be an option to unlock your phone. But here’s another one of Apple’s curveballs: it’s the only way?to unlock your phone. There will be no home home button, no more password, no more Touch ID. This is also the first time iPhone, or any smartphone, did this. You’ll also need Face ID to make Apple Pay purchases. There were rumors that Face ID will help you make great emojis. It looks like that will come true. Then there are the new iWatches. We expected there would be more cellular than the old ones. But another one of Apple’s curveballs…this one is totally cellular. That means your new iWatch will have the same functions as your iPhone…without your iPhone.
The iPhone X will start at $999. The 256GB iPhone X will start at $1,099. The pre-orders start on October 27; the shipping starts at November 3. Or, you can hang out in long lines for hours and be the first in your neighborhood to get the iPhone X. Can you hint the sarcasm there??Nobody in our Boston computer service shop bombarded us with iPhone X questions. That’s a good sign (can you tell how cynical I am of Apple yet?) ?But I’m sorry…this Face ID is reason enough for me not to get the iPhone X. I know everybody is worried about cyber security and rightfully so. But is Face ID the right answer? Or are we a step closer to a monster we don’t want?
So Apple maniacs, it’s about that time again. On September 12, they will celebrate and unveil iPhone 8 and other Apple products. But you many not have to wait that long. It seems we have iPhone 8 secrets.
Let’s talk about Face ID. Apparently, somebody leaked the cartoon of how this will work. Also, it looks like you will need several angles of Face ID to unlock your phone. For instance, you will probably need a whole facial shot, then a profile shot. But it gets better (depending on who you ask). Because some computer tech insiders say the top iPhone 8’s won’t even have home button, or Touch ID. So it looks like it’s either Face ID, or look to buy another phone.
I talked about the Air Pods and how they seem to be Apple’s next big thing. In fact, they seem to be IT support’s next big thing. Rumor has it the charger is outside the carrying case. Therefore, one can check their iPod wireless power immediately. Then there are the emojis. It seems like you can use face recognition and voice technology to create your own emoji. They can reflect your mood at any time. I’m guessing they can talk, too. We’ll see.
So there are some iPhone 8 secrets. However, I can’t stress this enough. This is just speculation. So if this isn’t true, don’t came banging on our Boston computer service shop door all ticked off. The conference is at 10am Pacific Time (1 pm Eastern, 12 noon central, 11 am mountain) on Tuesday, September 12. It will take place at Steve Jobs theater at Apple headquarters in Cupertino , California. I’m not an Apple fan, but I’m especially interested in this Face ID. Will it provide more security, at a time when so many worry about cyber security? Or will it be just an unnecessary avoidance that will cause more worry?
Here at Computer Geeks, our thoughts, vibes and prayers are with everyone in the path of Hurricane Irma. Be safe out there.
