Oddly Apple Heavy with bugfixes and product reviews. But we also have a new streaming stick from Google and an extremely confusing device from Logitech. Let’s dive in.
iOS 16.0.2 Fixes Vibrating Camera And Copy/Paste Bugs
Apple originally said that the fix to the iPhone 14 Pro camera bug that caused the main camera to literally vibrate when being used in 3rd party apps would be released next week. The company actually beat their own timeline for that, and 16.0.2 resolves that rather embarrassing and amusing bug. Also fixed in this update was a bug that caused security prompts every time a user wanted to copy and paste some text. At least they got resolved quickly.
Chromecast With Google TV HD Announced, Released
Google released the Chromecast with Google TV two years ago now, and that product has had mixed reviews over time, mostly about it being underpowered and with not enough storage. However, unlike the original Chromeast devices, Chromecast with Google TV has a full Smart TV user interface and a remote, meaning users do not need a smartphone to control it. Google’s new model is even less powerful, but aimed at 1080p TV’s and not 4k. Perhaps that will allow it to perform better. The Chromecast With Google TV HD is also inexpensive at just $40, which is a big advantage to those with older TV’s looking for a streaming device from Google with a remote.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/09/22/chromecast-hd-with-google-tv-available-now/
PlutoTV Coming To Canada in December
PlutoTV is another name in the Free, Ad Supported TV (FAST) model. The idea behind FAST services is that there is no subscription fee, but there are ads in the videos, no unlike traditional TV. There are a few examples of FAST services in Canada, like Samsung TV+ and Roku TV channels. PlutoTV will be the next entry in Canada, launching on December 1st. In Canada PlutoTV is partnering with Corus Entertainment (the owner of Global TV) to provide content, and is looks like much of the content on Pluto will come from properties that Corus Entertainment owns the rights to in Canada.
We’ll see what kind of library we get in December.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/09/22/pluto-tv-coming-to-canada-in-december/
Logitech Thinks It Can Sell A Cloud Gaming Handheld for $400
Handheld Gaming Devices are all the rage, with the Valve Steam Deck making a true, cost effective handheld gaming PC. There are other niche players as well, often charging much more than the $500 base cost of the Steam Deck.
Now Logitech has come to the table with a unique take on the idea. The G Cloud Gaming Handheld is essentially a small android tablet with a 1080p display and a controller attached to it. Instead of playing PC games, it is designed primarily to play games from cloud gaming services, with Xbox Cloud gaming and GeForce Now supported at launch. The limited processing power of the Snapdragon 710 at it’s core means this will not be playing high end games, and is much less powerful than the new 5 year old Nintendo Switch. This is only meant to play streaming games.
And it costs $400. The device makes almost no sense at this price point. For $100 more you can get an actual handheld PC in the steam deck that can use those streaming services…. And play games locally.
I like the idea of a handheld device for streaming games. $400 ain’t it.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/09/21/logitech-g-cloud-gaming-handheld-october-launch/
Microsoft Plans Event On October 12th To Unveil New Surface Devices
Microsoft hasn’t updated any of it’s Surface lineup in a year, with some of the products in its catalog offering hardware that is two generations old. So a refresh of most of the Surface line is desperately needed. And it looks like that refresh is coming on October 12th. Bring on the surfaces.
Apple Watch Ultra Reviews
The Apple Watch Ultra reviews have hit. It seems like an interesting device, but very much not for everyone. For anyone who likes big watches, it looks fine. But as for its attempt to be a true rugged watch for the extreme uses cases, the reviews all find that to be a much more aspirational goal than a realistic one. That really does seem like Apple’s M.O. And that continues with this $1100 watch.
https://www.theverge.com/23363948/apple-watch-ultra-review-rugged-smartwatch-gps
Airpods Pro 2 Reviews
The last product from Apple’s September event is the AirPods Pro 2, and reviews generally praise the headphones for being solid upgrades from the original models, and worth buying for first time buyers, but not necessarily for those who already have the original model.
https://www.engadget.com/airpods-pro-review-second-generation-130048218.html