5 hours to the “One More Thing” Event

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This is finally it.

T minus 5 hours before what is likely the last Apple event of 2020, and will likely be the most significant one for at least the next decade, Apple’s November 2020 event, titled “One More Thing”, the exact words that Steve Jobs use repeatedly to introduce the new, shiny, and most promising Apple products in his legendary keynotes.

We know that the introduction of the first Apple Silicon Macs will be highlight of the event. That Macs will now get new architecture for the first time in fifteen years has to get many people excited, enough for Cult of Mac to write a shit piece just to capitalize on the heightened interest.

The original switch to Intel

When Apple first announced the switch to Intel processors back in 2005, rumors of the switch had already been making the rounds for months, but it still came as a big surprise when Steve Jobs announced it at WWDC that year.

Apple had to make the jump then. IBM, who was making the PowerPC G5 chips for Apple, sucked big time in developing CPUs with both the clock speeds needed for Macs to keep up with the competition, as well as with the thermal requirements to put them in what will eventually become the best selling Macs, the iMac and the portable Mac laptops. Intel was the best in the industry then, and their roadmap offered a solution for Apple, so they took it and switched everyone to Intel. That the architecture change resulting in an initial boost of people buying Macs because they can run Windows on them was just a decent bonus.

Intel today = IBM of yesteryear

The Intel today is the IBM of yesteryear. Intel suck. Delays, fabrication issues and the lack of processing gains are just some of the massive problems facing Intel and the whole x86 computing industry today. The best in the industry today is Apple, and their chips are years ahead of everyone else’s. So Apple have to make the jump again, this time to Apple’s own processors.

No more Boot Camp?

With this jump Macs will likely lose the ability to run Windows via the Boot Camp utility, but it is likely not important in today’s world. Unlike a decade ago, mankind have adapted to the usage of multiple operating systems across various platforms, and the people who originally bought Macs all those years ago to run Windows on them have all now switched to using macOS, likely exclusively. People will buy Apple Silicon Macs for what they are, Macs. That the architecture change this time bringing about the ability to run apps from the best computing platform in the world, iOS, is too, just a decent bonus.

MacBook Air? MacBook Pro?

Apple has traditionally made the early release of their most popular Macs during an architectural change a priority, and in 2006 the 15-inch MacBook Pro was the first Intel Mac released to the world. Today’s Apple sell a lot more 13-inch MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs than their 16-inchers, so it is not surprising that the rumor mill believes the two 13-inchers will be the first Apple Silicon Macs (let us ignore the Mac Mini dev kit) announced tonight. Their affordability will likely ensure big sales numbers as well.

I cannot imagine anything other than great success for the Apple Silicon Macs.

The ExFAT Podcast Episode 2: November Sales and One More mini Thing

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Ryu and Dan comes back once again to talk about the multiple sales events going on in November, including the massive Apple Watch sales ongoing at Amazon. Then it shifted to Anker chargers, iPhone accessories and Ryu’s iPhone 12 mini preorder. Both give their predictions and wants for Apple’s November 2020 event, titled “One More Thing”.

If you are a new listener, the ExFAT podcast is available to listen and subscribe on the following platforms;

P.S. Changed the embedded player to Apple Podcasts the day Apple announced the embedded player feature.

iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max Unboxing Videos

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Today the embargo for the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max has finally been lifted, and all the big shot Youtube channels have released their unboxing videos. Having preordered the iPhone 12 mini, I am excited to see the first impression videos of the mini, and it sure does not disappoint.

The Verge, who are usually pretty anti-Apple, says that the 12 Pro Max has the best smartphone camera.

And of course iJustine and Rene Ritchie with their really well-done unboxings.

Then of course we have the guys who really know cameras, Jonathan Morrison(@toldtoday) and Peter McKinnon.

Apple introduces iPhone 12 Studio

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Seriously?

This is created in the style of the Apple Watch Studio, where you can “build” your perfect Apple Watch case and band combination, and then purchase it straight from Apple.

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What is different here is that while the Apple Watch Studio is necessary if you do not want the default case and band combos Apple provides on its Watch page, every option in the iPhone 12 Studio, with the exception of the iPhone 12 itself, is an add-on or an optional purchase. You need to choose an Apple Watch band to go along with your Watch purchase, as they are sold as a bundle. But you do not have to buy Apple’s first party cases, and definitely not Apple’s MagSafe wallet, which is widely ridiculed since its introduction.

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Is the iPhone 12 Studio necessary? Definitely not. But rather than purchasing your chosen combination of iPhone 12+case+MagSafe Wallet outright, the options to export your ideal combination to someone else may be the hint they need from you to get you your early Christmas present.

Try it out on your iPhone now.

I preordered the iPhone 12 mini

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Hopefully I did not make a mistake. Mistakes are expensive.

Coming from half a decade of the biggest iPhones, it will likely be hard to adjust. But as I look to rid myself of my addiction to using bunker rings for phones, a physically smaller phone is necessary.

And I really prefer the Blue more than Pacific “Teal” (Blue).

Now there is the issue of replacing my 8 Plus with the mini as my everyday phone. FaceID is a bitch in 2020 after all. Maybe it is time to train FaceID to recognize my masked appearance.

I don’t know if I should buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 12 mini

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IMG_1833At the Apple Store looking at the accessories for the iPhone 12.

Less than 24 hours from Preorder Day, I am facing a dilemma – should I buy the 12 mini or should I go ahead and go straight for a 12 Pro Max?

The Plus size iPhones

I have always been using the plus size phones, ever since the 6s Plus came out. They have been hard to control one handed, and thus I have always stuck bunker rings on the back of the iPhone cases to make them usable. Simply put, I cannot control any of the iPhones today without a bunker ring. That is also why I have not been utilising wireless charging for the iPhones since the 8 Plus, as the bunker rings were preventing the iPhones from getting a proper charge.

The Pro Max is really heavy

The plus size phones also used to be thinner and lighter during the 6 Plus to 8 Plus era, but beginning with the Xs Max, they have grown in both absolute size and weight. The 11 Pro Max is now so heavy that when I am using the phone in bed, it always feels like my hand/finger is going to break from holding the phone up above my face. According to Apple, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has the exact same weight as the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Finally the return of a mini iPhone

This year, due to the introduction of the iPhone 12 mini, I had made up my mind to try out the smaller phone at launch, with the idea that if I do not like it, I can always let go of the 12 mini some months later, and get a 12 Pro Max at a lower price from alternative resale channels then.

iPhone 12 Pro component shortages?

However, today’s news that Apple is having issues locating enough components for the iPhone 12 Pros (and likely the Pro Max, since they share similar components) now make me wonder if I have made the correct decision to preorder the 12 mini tomorrow. Maybe I should just go ahead and order the Pro Max first tomorrow and only switch to a 12 mini in a few months if I do not like it?

Upgrade later? Downgrade later?

I have always preferred to have the 512GB version of the Pro Max, but however, I can not afford Apple’s MSRP for that particular model. Preordering tomorrow will mean that I have to settle for the 256GB, and might regret my decision in a few months. Also, as the prices of the Pro models are a lot higher, their value also drop quite a bit more in the resale channels after some time, compared to the regular models. Downgrading from a 12 Pro Max to a 12 mini runs the chance that I will likely lose more money overall than if I upgrade from a 12 mini to a 12 Pro Max after a few months. And money is important in a year where I am jobless. Seriously I should not even be buying the iPhone 12, but this is the only time of the year when I am the happiest, and saving up to purchase the yearly iPhone is one of the main drivers keeping me sane from work (and for this year, from COVID-19). So I really want one.

But I still do not know what I want.

Apple AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues (Recall)

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Are you having ANY of the following issues with either;

  1. Cracking or static sounds that increase in loud environments

  2. Active Noise Cancelling not working properly, such as a loss of bass or an increase in background sounds

for your AirPods Pro?

You are in luck. Apple announced a recall for such issues, for all AirPods manufactured before October 2020, so literally everyone who has bought a pair of AirPods Pro so far are likely covered.

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I went to Apple Orchard today to get my AirPods Pro exchanged, and as usual the process is smooth and fast. Check-in, sit at the table, genius comes and did an inspection of my AirPods Pro, and promptly exchanged them after a short chat.

Do you have any problems with your AirPods Pro? Get them exchanged today! Remember to book an appointment on Apple’s site or using the Apple Support app first as it is unlikely you will be able to get a same-day appointment if you try to do a walk-in.

If you are instead aiming to buy a full size set of headphones, rumors are that Apple might announce something known as the “AirPods Studio” during their November event.

Are you going to buy the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max? [Poll]

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Four more days to the preorder of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, likely the two most coveted phones of the iPhone 12 launch. Have you already purchased an iPhone 12/Pro? Or are you waiting to see how small the iPhone 12 mini is or the improvements of the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s cameras?

I will love to run a poll.

Screenshot! Opens new window to actual poll!Click on the screenshot above to open the poll page.

For the time being, with regards to the popularity of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro in Singapore, the 12 Pro is way more popular than the regular 12, according to street information. The 12 Pro is, after all, a lot more phone for just a little bit more money. The 12 Pro is out of stock everywhere, but you can still find the regular 12 in ample stock if you know where to look.

And right before the 12 mini and 12 Pro Max reach us on the 13th of November, Apple will hold its third event in three months, titled “One More Thing”, on the 10th of November (11th November Singapore Time). Apple is likely to announce their first Macs running on the new Apple Silicon.

Apple Watch Series 6 (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum and Blue Aluminum Unboxings

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Thanks to a friend, I am able to do the PRODUCT(RED) unboxing. The blue watch I had purchased when the watch was first announced, but subsequently returned when the bundled band did not fit into the watch’s slots.

The PRODUCT(RED) Series 6

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The Blue Series 6

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The blue watch is very dark

I first unboxed it in a indoor environment with only artificial lighting available, and at first sight I did not like it. In most less than idea lighting, you will not be able to tell the Blue watch from the Space Grey watch. The shade of blue on the watch looks pretty nice if you are in strong, bright lighting, but for most other situations, the blue watch is going to look very understated. If that is what you are going for, the blue watch is worth considering. However, I went to the Apple Store to take a look at the PRODUCT(RED) watch when it was just out, and the blue just looked really dull next to the bright and shiny thing that is the PRODUCT(RED) watch, even in Apple Store lighting.

Band pairing is an art

Unlike the relatively safe colours out for the Apple Watch so far, the blue and PRODUCT(RED) watches will NOT look nice when paired with certain watch band colours. If you made a bad pairing, everyone is going to know that you have no taste. However, for those who are either band savvy or just plan to use the bundled band, you are going to be just fine.

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Nah.

Public Service Announcement regarding the geniune Apple Sport Bands this year

…and especially this season. I was first made aware of this issue when the bundled Deep Navy sport band did not fit into my blue Series 6, and I had to return the watch. After much discussions with fellow genuine ‘Apple Watch Band masketeers’ online, we discovered that the quality control of the sport bands are extremely lacking this year, especially for the bands announced with the Series 6 and SE. The two main complaints are either the band is too thin and can not lock into place when slot into the watch, or the band is too thick and cannot even fit into the slots in the first place. There are cases where only one or two (out of three) of the sport band parts in the box have this issue, so for now the advice is to buy directly from Apple where you get the choice of returning or a direct swap (within 14 days from purchase) if you find such issues. If you buy in store and try it on there and then, you can get an immediate swap if the bands do not fit.

Cannot afford a new Apple Watch this year? Dying to find out if your Apple Watch Series 2, 1 and 0 can pair with iOS 14 phones? Find out..

Apple announces November 2020 event, titled “One More Thing”

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Apple just announced their November 2020 event, titled “One More Thing”, for November 10th (November 11th Singapore Time).

The event will be streamed live on November 10th, 2020, at 10am Pacific Time. That is November 11th, 2am in Singapore Time, one hour later than the usual event timing.

Apple has not used its “One More Thing” tagline for a very long time, so I am pretty excited for this. Apple Silicon Macs will likely be announced, and I can not wait to buy one.

Also, Jon Prosser is wrong again.