The podcast covers topics such as phone cases and cables, a persistent bug on Mac Pro, managing open windows, iPhone overheating, rumors of a low-cost MacBook, laptops and gaming, the future of thin phones, and an app that creates dark mode for websites.
The podcast discusses a bug where window dragging becomes slow and laggy when multiple users are logged into a Mac, impacting the user experience and requiring Apple's attention for a fix.
The assumption that smartphones will become extremely thin may be limited due to factors such as the need for camera optics, longer battery life, and powerful hardware.
Despite the practical considerations, there is still room for improvement in the traditional phone form factor to make devices lighter, thinner, and more flexible.
The podcast explores the preference between light and dark themes in software, highlighting the cool factor and eye strain reduction of dark mode while expressing a personal preference for light mode.
Deep dives
Bug report filed to Apple regarding laggy and jumpy window dragging
The podcast episode discusses a bug the speaker encountered where window dragging became slow and laggy when two or more users were logged into a Mac. The bug could be easily reproduced by opening multiple windows and dragging one of them. This issue was not limited to a specific Mac model and occurred with various mice, both wired and wireless. The severity of the bug was dependent on the number of windows and the type of mouse used. The speaker filed a bug report with Apple, providing detailed steps to reproduce the issue and urging them to fix it.
Challenges of reproducing the bug, multiple users and window count
The speaker explains that reproducing the bug required having at least two users logged into the Mac and opening a sizable number of windows. They noted that different mice and Mac models affected the severity of the bug. While some users may not encounter the bug due to their usage habits, others, like the speaker, frequently have multiple users logged in and more than 25 windows open. The speaker expressed frustration that Apple might dismiss the bug because it primarily affects a specific use case and configuration, but emphasizes that it is an operating system issue that needs to be resolved.
Bug affects various input devices and Apple needs to address it
The bug impacts not only wired and wireless mice but also trackpads. It occurs irrespective of the number of background processes or system load. The speaker expressed disappointment in the lack of response from Apple and hopes they will take the bug seriously after being provided with thorough reproduction steps. The speaker suggests that Apple should investigate the issue's root cause rather than expecting users to alter their habits or device setup to avoid the bug. They argue that Apple should prioritize fixing the bug for all users, even if it is more prevalent in specific use cases.
Speaker's persistence in addressing the bug and urging Apple to take action
Despite the bug affecting their day-to-day usage, the speaker continued to investigate and document the issue. They filed multiple bug reports with Apple, consistently refining their titles and reproduction steps. The speaker expressed concern that Apple might downplay the issue due to their personal setup or the belief that users would not encounter it with fewer windows. However, they stressed the need for Apple to address the bug, which impacts the user experience and should not require users to work around it or modify their workflow.
The Future of Smartphone Thickness and Limitations
While there is a popular assumption that smartphones will become incredibly thin in the future, it is important to consider the physical and practical limitations that may prevent this from happening. Apple and other smartphone manufacturers have not shown a strong desire to significantly reduce the thickness of their devices in recent years, instead opting for a range of thicknesses that hover around 7 to 8 millimeters. This suggests that there may be limitations to how thin smartphones can realistically become.
One factor to consider is the need for camera optics. As the demand for better smartphone cameras continues to rise, the size of camera modules increases as well. This often results in camera bumps and the need to turn optics sideways to fit them into the device. This emphasis on camera performance and optics may restrict the ability to make smartphones significantly thinner.
Additionally, users prioritize longer battery life and powerful hardware in their smartphones. These factors contribute to the overall thickness of the device, as larger batteries and powerful components require physical space. As a result, there may be little market pressure to make smartphones thinner at the expense of battery life and performance.
Looking ahead, it is unlikely that smartphones will continue to become substantially thinner in the foreseeable future. The demand for larger screens, better cameras, and longer battery life suggests that manufacturers will focus on these areas rather than aggressive thinning of the device. While sci-fi depictions often show impossibly thin and sleek devices, real-world limitations make it unlikely that smartphones will reach such extremes.
Thinness and Lightness of Phones
The podcast explores the idea that there is still room for improvement in the traditional phone form factor in terms of being lighter, thinner, and more flexible. The speaker discusses how the pursuit of thinness is still worth pursuing, as it would make phones more comfortable to hold and carry around. While there are practical considerations such as the need for a minimum thickness for comfortable grip and battery limitations, advancements in camera technology and battery technology could potentially allow for thinner and lighter phones in the future.
Light and Dark Mode Preferences
The podcast episode also touches upon the preference between light and dark themes in software. The hosts discuss that some people prefer dark mode due to its cool factor and its ability to reduce eye strain in dim environments. However, they also mention their personal preference for light mode, citing the familiarity of light background with dark text resembling a book or a sheet of paper. They acknowledge that dark mode may be more popular among younger generations, but for the hosts, light mode remains the preferred choice in most applications on their devices.
