The iPhone 16 is here — but it's not finished

Update: 2024-09-10

Digest

The episode begins with a discussion of the Apple event, noting the unusual vibe and the presence of a younger, more visual crowd. The hosts then delve into the new features of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, highlighting the camera control button, action button, and "visual intelligence" capabilities. They also discuss the "fusion camera" concept and its implications. The conversation then shifts to the theme of AI in the new iPhones, focusing on the camera control button and Apple's "visual intelligence" features. The hosts debate the future of the iPhone, considering the addition of physical buttons, the persistence of the charging port, and the increasing emphasis on customization and AI features. They also discuss the Apple Intelligence features, their release timeline, and their potential impact on the user experience. The episode then moves on to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, highlighting the camera upgrades and the lack of specific battery life information. The hosts express frustration with Apple's vague battery life claims and discuss the processor upgrades, noting that the performance gains are not significant. They also touch upon the increased RAM in the new models. The conversation then shifts to the new AirPods models, including the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. They highlight the hearing aid functionality in the AirPods Pro 2 and its potential impact on the market. The discussion revolves around the new AirPods Pro with Adaptive Noise Cancellation, questioning whether Apple can successfully integrate advanced features into existing products. The group debates the effectiveness of noise cancellation in open-ear headphones and the potential impact on the user experience. The conversation shifts to Apple's product skews and the pricing of AirPods. The group discusses the potential for the new AirPods Pro with Adaptive Noise Cancellation to become a more widely appealing option at $179, but acknowledges the limitations of the fit and its impact on user experience. The discussion delves into the history of Apple's earpods and AirPods, highlighting the company's claims of extensive testing and design iterations to achieve a universal fit. The group shares personal experiences with the fit of different AirPods models and acknowledges the challenges of finding a comfortable and secure fit for all users. The conversation explores the reasons behind the popularity of AirPods Pro, attributing it to factors like the "Pro" branding, noise cancellation, and a perceived sense of security in the fit. The group discusses the common perception of regular AirPods as being prone to falling out, even for those who find them comfortable. The discussion moves to the new Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2, highlighting the iterative design changes and the introduction of a black color option for both models. The group discusses the significance of the thinner design and the new sleep apnea detection feature, questioning its potential impact on user experience. The conversation focuses on the faster charging feature of the new Apple Watch Series 10 and its potential to address battery life concerns. The group discusses the trade-offs between screen size, brightness, and battery life, and expresses concerns about the potential impact of the thinner design on battery performance. The discussion shifts to Apple's screen technology, highlighting the new one-nit brightness feature on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. The group discusses the significance of this feature for reducing blue light exposure and improving sleep quality. The conversation also touches on the wide-angle OLED display on the Apple Watch Series 10 and its potential benefits for viewing angles. The conversation focuses on the new black color option for the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2, discussing its potential appeal to consumers. The group shares their opinions on the design and finish of the black models, considering factors like scratch resistance and fingerprint visibility. The discussion centers on the Apple Watch Series 10 and whether it represents a significant upgrade for existing users. The group identifies the bigger screen, faster charging, and sleep apnea detection as potential reasons for upgrading, but acknowledges that the changes may not be substantial enough for all users. The conversation shifts to Apple's upcoming software updates, including iOS 18 and the integration of Apple Intelligence features. The group discusses the potential impact of these updates on the user experience and the challenges of reviewing devices with features that are not yet fully implemented. The discussion reflects on the overall perception of the iPhone 16 launch, with the group acknowledging the sense of "boredom" surrounding the iterative updates. The conversation explores the reasons behind this perception, including the lack of groundbreaking features and the focus on software updates that are not yet fully realized. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the importance of software in Apple's product strategy and the company's reliance on software updates to drive innovation. The group reflects on the challenges of evaluating products with features that are not yet fully implemented and the potential for future updates to enhance the user experience.

Outlines