The Talk Show With John Gruber
361: ‘A Fit of Pique’, With Federico Viticci
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Apple executives read and value media coverage, including critiques.
- Reviewers should prioritize readers and provide honest assessments.
- Tim Cook has a personal and warm side despite his public persona.
- Base model iPad offers good value despite lacking some premium features.
- The iPad lineup is currently confusing and may require future clarifications.
Deep dives
Tim Cook's Warm and Personal Side: A Surprising Conversation
During a private meeting with the author, Tim Cook showed a warm and personal side. He engaged in a five-minute conversation discussing the author's article on using the iPhone to recover from a serious health problem. Cook expressed his gratitude for users demanding more from Apple and emphasized their commitment to quality and care. This encounter revealed a different side of Tim Cook, one that was kind, attentive, and genuinely interested in the story.
Apple Executives Read and Care About Media Coverage
Multiple encounters with Apple executives, including Tim Cook and Phil Schiller, have demonstrated that they read and pay attention to media coverage and online blogs, including articles critical of their products. This shows that they are aware of the positive and negative feedback and value the opinions of users and reviewers.
Balancing Honest Criticism and Integrity
While the thought of executives reading critical articles may cross a reviewer's mind, it's important to prioritize readers and maintain honesty. Reviewers must not be swayed by potential reactions but strive to provide accurate assessments of products. The focus should remain on readers, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of products with integrity.
The Detached Persona of Tim Cook
Despite Tim Cook's detached public persona, there have been instances where he revealed a personal, warm demeanor. Anecdotes from encounters with Cook demonstrate that his public image does not reflect his genuine engagement and interest in conversations. It is a reminder that public figures often have different sides to their personalities.
The new base model iPad is surprisingly good
The base model iPad is more impressive than expected, offering a great value for its price. While it lacks some premium features like a laminated display and wide color gamut, it still performs well and is a solid choice for portable media consumption.
The confusion in the iPad lineup
The iPad lineup currently feels a bit confusing due to ongoing transitions and changes. The role of the 11-inch iPad Pro seems uncertain, as it may struggle to justify its position with strong competition from the base model iPad and iPad Air. However, the lineup is fluid, and future developments may clarify the purpose of each model.
The iPad Pro's spec bump and surprising features
The iPad Pro received a spec bump and introduced the Apple Pencil hover feature, making it a pleasant tablet experience. However, the lack of landscape camera and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil may disappoint some users.
The need for clear branding and maintaining the Apple image
The inclusion of certain categories of ads on the App Store, such as gambling and adult chat apps, has raised concerns about Apple's commitment to its brand image. While ads may be profitable for Apple, they can be in direct opposition to the premium, safe, and elegant experience that Apple strives for in its products. Maintaining brand value and goodwill may be more important than short-term profits.
Main Idea 1
The podcast episode discusses the usability and limitations of Stage Manager in iPadOS 16. The host acknowledges that while some people find Stage Manager to be sufficient, others, including power users like Jason Snell and Chris Lattner, have expressed dissatisfaction with its functionality. The discussion highlights the fact that the lack of clear terminology and developer support for Stage Manager reflects the concept's current muddled and incomplete state. The podcast suggests that Apple should dedicate more time and effort to refining Stage Manager, addressing issues like app optimization for window environments and the need for better names and consistent terminology.
Main Idea 2
Additionally, the podcast recognizes that Stage Manager's announcement and subsequent reversal of being exclusive to M1 and later iPad Pro models led to rushed development and hindered the conceptual and technical progress of the feature. It is suggested that Apple should have taken more time to thoroughly develop and test Stage Manager before shipping it in its current state. The podcast highlights the need for ongoing progress and improvement in subsequent updates of iPadOS 16 to address the inherent limitations and usability issues of Stage Manager, rather than making users wait until the next major release in iPadOS 17.
Federico Viticci returns to the show to talk about iPads, Stage Manager, and Apple’s ill-considered foray into expanding ads in the App Store.
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Links:
- Tell us what you really think, Federico: “Stage Manager in iPadOS 16: At the Intersection of Bugs, Missing Features, and Flawed Design”.
- Chris Lawley on Stage Manager.
- Federico on the new iPads.
- Yours truly on the same new iPads.
- Federico on attending his first Apple media event in person, back in 2015.
This episode of The Talk Show was edited by Caleb Sexton.
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