Mobile and Portable Electronics

Originally posted by dadudemon
Hipsters often wear skinny jeans and buy Apple products in droves. The new phones are also larger which would not have presented problems for some people had they been the same size as the older models (meaning, more people are going to experience more stress on their phones than before because the phones are bigger).

Weakening your phone, greatly, does not seem like a good idea especially if it is going to be bigger.

It would be similar to Jeep making Jeep Wrangler with a support frame that is less than half as strong as a previous year's model and then people start scoffing when outdoorsmen start complaining about slight to moderate bends in the frame. Clearly, that is unacceptable. Sure, the Jeep may still drive just fine, but it's stupid to think the customer's should just suck it up.

A phone bending in your pocket is sounds exactly like a engineering design problem (not a manufacturing flaw) because phones spend a crap-ton of time in pockets.

I'm under the impression that his only happens with skinny jean wearing [hipsters]? Which tells me it's not really a manufacturing flaw. If this is happening a lot across regardless of the pants/pockets people wear, sure, I'd then blame Apple for putting out a subpar product.

Kudos on the automotive analogy.

Originally posted by Robtard
I'm under the impression that his only happens with skinny jean wearing [hipsters]?

Yes, it seems to be hitting those types the hardest because they are whining the loudest on the internet about it.

It is not limited to skinny jean wearers, though. Normal dudes and dudettes who put the phones in their back pocket and sit on their phones, experience this issue, too. That's understandable because there is probably far more than 70lbs being put on some of those phones by those hairy, sweaty asses.

Originally posted by Robtard
Which tells me it's not really a manufacturing flaw.

I don't think it is manufacturing flaw, either. Seems to be a design flaw: that's how they wanted it to be designed. I talk about that more, below.

Originally posted by Robtard
If this is happening a lot across regardless of the pants/pockets people wear, sure, I'd then blame Apple for putting out a subpar product.

In that case, I believe we agree. Their iPhone 5 was pretty ****ing stout. I remember when it came out, tech blogs talked about how strong, expensive, and sturdy it felt. Why they felt the need to deviate from that quality, I have no idea. This is a PR nightmare for Apple.

I think this time around, Apple cut too many corners. For probably less than $2 more per phone, they could have fixed the less-than-satisfactory weakness.

If the Galaxy Note doesn't fix the gap between the case and the screen bezel, you can bet your sweet ass I'll be all over Samsung. I'll skip the Note 4 if they don't fix it. 😐

This advert makes me cringe:

YouTube video

Based on how major electronic product lines work, in 2012, when this commercial was made, they already were working on the larger iPhone 6's. Based on SDLCs work for large corporations like these, they were already working on GUI-related iOS stuff that would fit on the larger screens and larger resolution.

This kind of cringe-worthy commercial is even more cringe-worthy if you realize they are pretty much making fun of themselves. Seems like satire when you realize they were already working on larger screens.

Edit - Also, I can't resist:

"According to a recent study conducted by Apple, the average hand size of adults has increased 37.5% in the past two years."

Edit 2 - Here is Apple's solution to the bigger screen (which almost makes up for the cringey commericial where it seems like they are making fun of themselves):

YouTube video

Not bad, right?

But...
YouTube video

Samsung already did it over a year ago...

Apple usually makes great phones that combine great ideas. Can't fault them for it. 🙂

Apple is definitely not above taking ideas and putting their own spin on it. Steve Jobs famously said "Good artists copy, great artists steal"

I suppose they consider Samsung's copying not to be putting its own spin on anything, but trying to recreate something pixel by pixel, as supported by the famous 100 page, side by side comparison that Samsung had for its designer internally. I personally am against any software patents, though.

Again, "#bendgate" is about perspective, obviously it is a trade off that Apple (possibly unwittingly) made. The question is whether it is a trade off consumers are willing to make. I personally would be. It doesn't seem to be a big deal in practice, as AsbestosFlaygon's link points out.

Not Mobile or Portable Electronics per se, but Consumer Electronics:

2013 April Fool's Joke
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2613504/microsoft-windows/microsoft-windows-microsoft-skips-too-good-windows-9-jumps-to-windows-10.html

2014 Actual Announcement
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/30/6868695/microsoft-windows-10-announced-official

Originally posted by Bardock42
Apple is definitely not above taking ideas and putting their own spin on it. Steve Jobs famously said "Good artists copy, great artists steal"

I definitely do not fault them for it. I like that about them. My entire business approach is very similar: I take great ideas and I make them better OR I come up with great ideas and I work with people to make them better. If I criticized Apple for doing the same thing I do, I would be a hypocrite and generally just a shitty person.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I suppose they consider Samsung's copying not to be putting its own spin on anything, but trying to recreate something pixel by pixel, as supported by the famous 100 page, side by side comparison that Samsung had for its designer internally. I personally am against any software patents, though.

Explain more of this. I don't quite know what you're trying to say. What are you talking about with the 100 page side by side comparison? I am not being facetious or trying to look for an argument; I genuinely don't know what you're trying to say.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Again, "#bendgate" is about perspective, obviously it is a trade off that Apple (possibly unwittingly) made. The question is whether it is a trade off consumers are willing to make. I personally would be. It doesn't seem to be a big deal in practice, as AsbestosFlaygon's link points out.

Bendgate does not affect me, at all. If or when I buy the bigger iPhone plus, I will buy a cover. I ALWAYS buy phone covers the day of my purchase. Here's why: I am rough and tough with my mobile electronics. It would be foolish of me not to get a cover. My iPhone 5, which I got last year, had an otterbox they same day I got the phone...from the same store, at the same time I got the phone...

Sure, I spent $50 on the otterbox cover but it is worth it.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Not Mobile or Portable Electronics per se, but Consumer Electronics:

2013 April Fool's Joke
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2613504/microsoft-windows/microsoft-windows-microsoft-skips-too-good-windows-9-jumps-to-windows-10.html

2014 Actual Announcement
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/30/6868695/microsoft-windows-10-announced-official

This...this is incredible. I remember that prank, too. Why I didn't remember it when they announced it, yesterday, I have no idea.

Also, I was thinking about posting the Windows 10 announcement but since it was not mobile or portable electronics, I decided to forgo it.

Originally posted by dadudemon
I definitely do not fault them for it. I like that about them. My entire business approach is very similar: I take great ideas and I make them better OR I come up with great ideas and I work with people to make them better. If I criticized Apple for doing the same thing I do, I would be a hypocrite and generally just a shitty person.

Yeah, there's a pretty cool video series on that topic: Everything is a Remix

Originally posted by dadudemon
Explain more of this. I don't quite know what you're trying to say. What are you talking about with the 100 page side by side comparison? I am not being facetious or trying to look for an argument; I genuinely don't know what you're trying to say.

I am referencing this document, that came to light during the Apple/Samsung trial (the one with the initial billion dollar judgment against Samsung)

Originally posted by dadudemon
Bendgate does not affect me, at all. If or when I buy the bigger iPhone plus, I will buy a cover. I ALWAYS buy phone covers the day of my purchase. Here's why: I am rough and tough with my mobile electronics. It would be foolish of me not to get a cover. My iPhone 5, which I got last year, had an otterbox they same day I got the phone...from the same store, at the same time I got the phone...

Sure, I spent $50 on the otterbox cover but it is worth it.

I always buy cases as well, I just feel more comfortable with them. Not sure whether I mentioned it, but I am going to get the Safe Wallet case, when they come out for the iPhone 6 in the next couple months. I am very excited about trying that, I hope I can eliminate carrying a wallet altogether.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I always buy cases as well, I just feel more comfortable with them. Not sure whether I mentioned it, but I am going to get the Safe Wallet case, when they come out for the iPhone 6 in the next couple months. I am very excited about trying that, I hope I can eliminate carrying a wallet altogether.

I like that, might just get one of those if I do get the 5. Not having a wallet would be nice.

More on the Apple Watch: http://www.ablogtowatch.com/apple-watch-hands-on-review/

Really interesting piece. And the guy who wrote it was also on a podcast (which is also very interesting)

http://www.resolvepodcast.com/episodes/2014/9/30/apple-watch-the-21st-century-wristwatch

I'm getting really excited about the Apple Watch.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Yeah, there's a pretty cool video series on that topic: Everything is a Remix

Seen it...but it is a good point.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I am referencing this document, that came to light during the Apple/Samsung trial (the one with the initial billion dollar judgment against Samsung)

I know exactly what you're referencing but I am not sure how it fits into context with what we were talking about, exactly. I see a vague similarity but it is just not clicking for me.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I always buy cases as well, I just feel more comfortable with them. Not sure whether I mentioned it, but I am going to get the Safe Wallet case, when they come out for the iPhone 6 in the next couple months. I am very excited about trying that, I hope I can eliminate carrying a wallet altogether.

That's a cool feech. I want it, too.

Originally posted by dadudemon

I know exactly what you're referencing but I am not sure how it fits into context with what we were talking about, exactly. I see a vague similarity but it is just not clicking for me.

Hmm, I guess I think a lot of Samsung's copying is more exact, 1 to 1 copying, rather than taking inspiration and improving upon it. Which I find gross, but don't think should be illegal.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Hmm, I guess I think a lot of Samsung's copying is more exact, 1 to 1 copying, rather than taking inspiration and improving upon it. Which I find gross, but don't think should be illegal.

Oh. That's what you meant. See, I totally did not pick that up from what you were talking about. In fact, it looked like you were saying the opposite and implying Samsung is better at innovating because they build stuff, from the ground up, pixel by pixel (which made no sense even out of context...because software stuff is not built from the ground up, pixel by pixel).

http://techcrunch.com/2014/09/30/samsung-galaxy-note-4-suffering-from-gapgate/

”The reported issue does not impact the functionality or quality of the Galaxy Note 4,” an official Samsung spokesperson told us. “We assure our customers that all Galaxy Note 4 units meet our strict manufacturing and quality control standards.”

Pathetic excuse by Samsung.
Fix your shit, please.

This time around, I shall be waiting for the Sony Xperia Z3X instead.

YouTube video

This video (starts at the 1 minute mark, there's an ad before) compares how fast these phones are starting a couple of apps, going back to the homescreen, and the restarting them. The iPhone 6 (despite considerably less RAM) does a lot better than the M8 and the S5. tbh, that's also been my experience, iPhones are just faster in the way that counts, real life usage.

Originally posted by Bardock42
The iPhone 6 (despite considerably less RAM) does a lot better than the M8 and the S5. tbh, that's also been my experience, iPhones are just faster in the way that counts, real life usage.

iOS and Android have very different ways of running apps.
iOS automagically exits the app when you press the home button, but in Android, some apps/processes still run in the background until you close the task completely in the task manager. These running processes consume RAM which affects the overall performance of the device.

It should be noted to the video link you posted above, that the S5 and One M8 both run a larger, higher resolution display with a higher pixel count. Hence there will be slowdowns.

The Touchwiz/SenseUI overlay bogs it down as well (vanilla Android is less cluttered and runs the VM faster).

There's a technique to make Android faster. Just turn off all the animations in Developer Options (no root needed), and it will be just about as fast as iPhone.

Hmm, that's not exactly correct anymore. iOS actually has a similar multitasking to Android. Apps do not exit when you press the home button, unless the phone runs out of memory, in which case it closes an app that's running in the background. It does limit what apps can do in the background, which is part of why apps are more efficient on iOS. What the video shows, is that iOS is better (and more efficient) at keeping states in RAM, which is why these apps open faster. Photoshop in particular had to be reloaded on the M8, while it was still available running in the background in iOS. This is even though the iPhone 6 only has 1GB of RAM, while the Android devices have 2GB, I believe.

You are correct that they have bigger, higher resolution displays, that's a trade off they decided to make, and it's definitely part of why, even though Android phones often have spec wise better CPUs their real world usage is more sluggish (Only part of it, there's many other reasons, for example the skins that you mentioned, but also the whole architecture of Android, there's a reason why Google has said their next version Android OS will eliminate the sluggishness and close the gap to iOS every Google IO for the last 3 years at least (Project Butter, Project Svelte, etc.)

It would be interesting to see a comparison of the two phones and others with the iPhone 6 Plus, which has a 1080p screen as well.

Originally posted by Bardock42
YouTube video

This video (starts at the 1 minute mark, there's an ad before) compares how fast these phones are starting a couple of apps, going back to the homescreen, and the restarting them. The iPhone 6 (despite considerably less RAM) does a lot better than the M8 and the S5. tbh, that's also been my experience, iPhones are just faster in the way that counts, real life usage.

Looks like Android is getting lazy with their OS handling. Meaning, it looks like it is relying on the copious amounts of RAM to be able to switch through all of those apps so easily but it ends up getting full and it has to close down tasks. Not sure what iOS does differently but it looks like it is killing those apps faster (because it has no choice: not enough RAM to just keep stacking all those apps on each other).

I see the benefit of keeping all of those apps open in RAM: you can pick up where you left off. I notice this on my Note 3 compared to my iPhone.

You're right: Apple optimizes in the right places which is why I think they put out a good mobile phone product.

Originally posted by AsbestosFlaygon
The speed/performance depend on the settings and the way the apps run through the OS.

iOS and Android have very different ways of running apps.
iOS automagically exits the app when you press the home button, but in Android, some apps/processes still run in the background until you close the task completely in the task manager. These running processes consume RAM which affects the overall performance of the device.

It should be noted to the video link you posted above, that the S5 and One M8 both run a larger, higher resolution display with a higher pixel count. Hence there will be slowdowns.

The Touchwiz/SenseUI overlay bogs it down as well (vanilla Android is less cluttered and runs the VM faster).

There's a technique to make Android faster. Just turn off all the animations in Developer Options (no root needed), and it will be just about as fast as iPhone.

I would like to see a current and rooted Android phone that has had the bloatware removed. 🙂

But, the video comparison is more real world because the vast majority of users are not going to root their android phone and remove crap.

The test shows that the iPhone is actually better at stacking apps in RAM, even though it has less of it. It has to reload fewer apps than the other two, and that's partly why it picks off much faster. The only thing that had to be reloaded (i.e. was not in RAM) was the tab in the browser (and that was the case for the S5 and the M8 as well)