There is… a lot of news to get to. More than I usually go through in any given day, but I’ll try to keep a couple of them short. Here are a few of the tech news stories I’ve found interesting over the last few days.
Apple Releases iOS 15, WatchOS 8, and Safari 15
Lumping all the Apple news into one blub here, as it’s a number of things, most fairly small. First off, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 have been released to the masses. This year’s update for Apple’s portable platforms is a relatively small one, especially for iPhone. This is even more true with some of the larger features, like SharePlay, not available at launch. Other features with noting are live text, which can take text out of pictures, and is a very useful feature Android users have been enjoying for years, and a refined do not disturb mode called “focus mode” which lets users configure their phones to look and behave differently depending on location or time of day. Otherwise, this is a fairly minor update.
iPadOS 15 is a bigger update this year, with widgets now being available on the iPad homscreen instead of a sidebar, and the app library that debuted in iOS 14 coming to iPad a year late. Multitaking on the iPad gets better with more discoverable controls, but no functional improvements. There is also a new quick note feature that lets apple pencil users easily swipe in from a bottom corner of the screen to bring up a new notes in Apple’s notes app. Good stuff on the iPad this year.
Sarari 15 was released for MacOS today as well, brining the updated browser to the current version of the Mac. Most of Safari’s controversial changes shown off in June have been rolled back because they were not good, and this is now mostly a visual refresh of the browser. It looks nice enough.
WatchOS 8 was also released.
https://sixcolors.com/post/2021/09/review-ios-15-does-a-lot-with-a-little/
iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Reviews have hit
Lastly, reviews of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro line have hit. iPhone 13 can be easily summed up as better battery life, a better camera, though still missing the telephoto lens. This is very much a minor update, though the better battery life is appreciated. iPhone 13 Pro brings even better cameras, including that telephoto lens, better battery life, and a the 120hz pro motion display. Whether an extra camera lens and the 120hz display is worth $400 is an open question. I firmly believe the only reason the iPhone 13 lacks a telephoto lens is because for most people, that’s the biggest difference. I personally use telephoto much more than ultrawide, and would value that. But this is very much a minor update to both the iPhone lines. If you have an iPhone 12, there is little reason to upgrade. If you have an iPhone 11 (which is still sold by Apple today), there probably still isn’t a reason to upgrade. But something older than an iPhone 11, and this will feel like a pretty big leap.
https://www.theverge.com/22684033/apple-iphone-13-pro-max-review
https://www.theverge.com/22684421/apple-iphone-13-mini-review
Activision Blizzard’s Chief Legal Officer Resigns
Continuing to follow the saga of the lawsuits against Activision Blizzard, the company’s Chief Legal Officer is has resigned. I have nothing really new to add here, except to say that this is still far from over.
Amazon Launches new Kindle Paperwhite, Finally with USB-C
Amazon last updated its most popular e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite, in 2018. An e-reader isn’t something that really needs a yearly update, but the paperwhite was getting long in the tooth, especially with the fact that it still charged with the now all but extinct MicroUSB port. The new Kindle Paperwhite has a larger display, 6.8 inches vs 6 inches, and finally charges via the USB-C standard. The larger display also has an adjustable colour temperature, so the light doesn’t have to be blue. There is also a new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition which brings qi wireless charging, an auto dimming light, where the base model requires manual brightness adjustment, and more storage.
One thing that is missing is a cellular model. Amazon has traditionally sold a model of the paperwhite that comes with free cellular connectivity for syncing and buying books without a wifi connection. My ancient 2011 era Kindle Paperwhite has that connectivity, and I really appreciated it when I was travelling, especially not needing to connect to wifi to sync reading progress. That cellular model appears exclusive to the more expensive Kindle Oasis now. I’d miss that feature, but it probably wasn’t a huge seller.
The Kindle Paperwhite is available for pre-order for $150 in Canada, and the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition can be pre-ordered for $210. I won’t be running to pick up one of these, but if I ever get to go on a holiday that takes me to a beach again, it’ll be on my shopping list. The battery on my previously mentioned 10 year old Kindle paperwhite is starting to go, so I will eventually need a replacement.
Amazon Comes Clean on Banning Brands from its Platform For Terms of Service Violations
I’ve been following this story for a few months, with several brands disappearing from Amazon without an official explanation from the company. It had been speculated that the companies were violating Amazon’s terms of service, mostly around trying to pay users to leave favorable reviews. This week, Amazon has taken the lid off of these brands being taken down, and has said that it has removed over 600 brands from several companies from its platform for terms of service violation, chiefly around those paid reviews.
https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/17/22680269/amazon-ban-chinese-brands-review-abuse-fraud-policy
Roku Announces New Streaming Stick and RokuOS 10.5
Roku’s newest hardware is a $70 streaming stick capable of 4k HDR video playback. The new streaming stick 4k also includes Roku’s voice remote, a higher end remote that is an optional accessory on most of Roku’s other products. I’m personally not a huge fan of Roku’s software. It badly needs an overhaul, but if you are familiar with the Roku platform, this looks like a solid update.
Speaking of Roku’s Softare, RokuOS 10.5 will start rolling out soon to all compatible Roku streaming devices and Roku branded TV’s. It brings some imrpvovements to voice search, playing audio through the roku app on a connected smartphone, and several smaller tweaks. It is not the bigger update I would be hoping for, but again, if you use a Roku Device, this will likely bring some improvements to you.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/09/20/new-roku-device-revamped-streaming-stick-4k/
Ikea’s Push into Smart Home and Gaming Continues With New Products
Ikea has a bunch of new products in collaboration with ASUS meant for gamers. First released in China earlier this year, some of these products are little more than repackaged versions of existing Ikea products like desks and chairs, while others are just your standard Ikea faire of cheaper versions of existing products, like a ring light or a smartphone stand. I’m not running out to buy anything from this right away, but it’s interesting to see Ikea try to capture a bit of a different demographic here.
Ikea’s more interesting product is a new qi wireless charger that it says you can mount under a desk, or other piece of furniture. If you have a thin enough table/desk top, this qi charger can be mounted to the underside, allowing a phone to charge wirelessly while sitting directly above it. Assuming this works well enough, it looks like it’ll be a pretty clean and elegant option for a wireless charger, though it only supports 5W wireless charging, and the table top must be less than a quarter of an inch thick, so most nicer furniture need not apply.
Apple Finally Begins Selling Refurbished iPhones in Canada
Apple has frustratingly not offered refurbished iPhones in Canada, until now. The company has added a refurbished iPhone section to its website, where a refurbished iPhone 11 can be had for $580, which is $100 less than the current price of that phone. Apple refurbished phones are a great option, as the company generally replaces the phone’s battery, and offers a standard 1 year warranty on the phones. The phones are also in like new condition, so you’re not going to be getting one with significant damage or something that looks like it has been abused for years.
For someone who wants an iPhone but also wants to save a bit of money, this is a great option, and Apple is one of the few companies that sells refurbished products directly as like new devices.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/09/21/refurbished-iphones-finally-available-on-apples-canadian-website/