The Talk Show With John Gruber
382: ‘What’s Happening‽’, With Craig Hockenberry
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Foldable phones are thicker and less pocket-friendly compared to regular phones, making them inconvenient.
- The current state of foldable phones does not justify their investment due to limited advantages.
- Foldable phones lack portability and convenience with increased thickness, bulky designs, and limited dust resistance.
- The drawbacks of foldable phones, such as increased thickness and inconvenience, outweigh their advantages.
Deep dives
Foldable phones lack appeal due to size and inconvenience
Foldable phones, like the Samsung flip and fold models, offer a larger screen when unfolded, but their thickness and inconvenience outweigh the benefits. With their current design, they are much thicker than regular phones, making them less pocket-friendly. Additionally, the process of unfolding each time to use the larger screen can be cumbersome and unappealing. The lack of dust resistance is also a drawback, as it restricts usage in certain environments, such as the beach. Overall, the current state of foldable phones does not offer enough appeal to make them a preferable choice for most users.
The limited advantages of foldable phones
Despite the advancements in foldable phone technology, such as improved hinges and larger screens, their advantages are limited. While the larger screen size when unfolded can be beneficial for certain tasks, the added thickness when folded makes them less portable and impractical for everyday use. Moreover, the current trade-offs in terms of dust resistance and potential inconvenience of unfolding before each use do not justify the investment for many users. As such, the appeal of foldable phones remains limited and may not outweigh the convenience and practicality of regular smartphones.
Why foldable phones fail to impress
Foldable phones, such as the Samsung models, may offer a larger screen size, but their drawbacks outweigh their benefits. With increased thickness, bulky designs, and limited dust resistance, these phones lack the portability and convenience that users expect from their smartphones. Additionally, the need to unfold the phone every time to access the larger screen can be inconvenient. Overall, the current state of foldable phones fails to impress with their size, inconvenience, and limited advantages.
The drawbacks of foldable phones
While foldable phones have improved screen size capabilities when unfolded, their drawbacks impact their appeal. The increased thickness and lack of dust resistance make them less portable and durable for everyday use. Furthermore, the inconvenience of unfolding the phone each time to access the larger screen may deter users from adopting this technology. Overall, these limitations outweigh the advantages, making foldable phones less desirable for many consumers.
Impressive Auto Correct and Autocomplete Feature in iOS 17
One of the standout features of iOS 17 is the improved auto correct and autocomplete functionality. The new system, driven by AI, offers highly accurate suggestions for words or phrases as you type. It excels at predicting the most contextually relevant word completion, saving time and reducing errors. The autocomplete feature is particularly impressive, allowing you to effortlessly select the desired word, often just by hitting the spacebar. This update represents a significant improvement in the iOS keyboard experience and is one of the most notable enhancements to the platform since its inception.
Exciting Potential and Interactivity of Lock Screen Widgets
Lock screen widgets in iOS 17 have taken a major leap forward in terms of both functionality and interactivity. Unlike previous versions, where widgets were essentially static, iOS 17 allows users to engage with widgets directly on the lock screen. With a simple tap or swipe, you can perform actions, such as starting a radio station, without unlocking your device or launching the corresponding app. This new level of interactivity enhances the convenience and accessibility of widgets, making them an even more integral part of the iOS user experience.
Absence of Twitter's App from Editor's Choice Awards
In an unexpected turn of events, Twitter's app, which was previously awarded an Editor's Choice distinction in the App Store, has had the honor revoked. The app's absence from the list of Editor's Choice selections is notable, given the prestige and impact such recognition holds in the developer community. It highlights the challenges Twitter faces in maintaining a positive perception as it navigates ongoing controversies and platform issues. The removal of this accolade further exemplifies how quickly sentiment and perceptions can change within the app ecosystem.
Craig Hockenberry, the special guest with the special fleshy palms, returns to the show. Topics include Twitter/X, foldable phones, and our favorite features in iOS 17 now that it’s in public beta.
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Links:
- Craig’s weekend fun: updating Twitter’s “How to Tweet” support document to “How to X”. Surprisingly funny.
- Adam Sandler’s “Ode to My Car”:
- “Car honk” radio-friendly version, which really is even funnier than the album version.
- Album version, replete with cuss words.
- The Iconfactory.
- Triode: “The best way to enjoy all of your favorite Internet radio stations wherever you go.”
- The rest of their excellent lineup of apps.
- Furbo, Craig’s blog.
- Morton Downey Jr., “trash TV” pioneer.
- Studio Neat’s Material Docks, perfect for the upcoming Standby mode in iOS 17.
This episode of The Talk Show was edited by Caleb Sexton.
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