Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak Discuss USB-C on iPhone, iMessage on Android, Lack of iPadOS Calculator App, Pace of Innovation, and More

[MacRumors]

At the Wall Street Journal's Tech Live event, Apple's Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak talked about a wide range of topics, including USB-C on iPhone, why iPadOS still lacks a calculator app, iMessage on Android, and more.

The EU is forcing many consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, to move to USB-C by the end of 2024. The new rule will directly impact Apple, which still uses the Lightning connector on the iPhone and AirPods. Speaking today at the event, Joswiak said Apple will "have to comply" with the new rule, indirectly confirming the iPhone will switch to USB-C in the future. Reports suggest Apple is testing USB-C on iPhone 15 models destined for release next fall.

Federighi and Joswiak spoke about the pace of innovation on the iPhone, including whether or not smartphones have become boring and if the iPhone needs an update every year. "People are very excited by the new iPhones," Joswiak said, referencing new features on the iPhone 14 Pro, including the new 48-megapixel camera and Dynamic Island. "We always have a ton of stuff that we've got to get out," Federighi said. "We've been working on things for years and years, and there are a pipeline of things we believe that will better help our customers."

Speaking about why iPadOS still lacks a native calculator app, Joswiak said, "There are a ton of them. Go to the App Store." "I use third-party apps," he continued when pressed by the Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern on what the two executives do when they want to calculate something on their iPads.

Federighi and Joswiak were also asked about the lack of iMessage on Android and Apple's reasoning behind keeping iMessage exclusive to Apple devices. Federighi was asked about an email he sent in 2013 where he said, "I'm concerned iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones."

"I'm not aware of it shipping," Federighi jokingly said in response to the question. "If we're going to enter a market and go down the road of building an application, we have to be in it in a way that's going to make a difference, that we'll have a lot of customers, and have a great experience," Federighi said.

"If we just shipped an app that really didn't get critical mass on other platforms, what it would have accomplished is it would have held us back in innovating in all the ways we want to innovate in Messages for our customers and wouldn't have accomplished much at all in any other way," Federighi explained. iMessage on Android seemed like a "throwaway" that "was not going to serve the world," he concluded.

During their interview, Federighi and Joswiak also spoke about Apple's transition to Apple silicon on the Mac, Apple's stance on privacy, and Apple's return to in-person work and the controversy around it. The full 35-minute interview can be watched through a replay of the live stream on the Wall Street Journal's Twitter account.

Article Link: Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak Discuss USB-C on iPhone, iMessage on Android, Lack of iPadOS Calculator App, Pace of Innovation, and More

 

[maternidad]

we have to be in it in a way that's going to make a difference, that we'll have a lot of customers, and have a great experience," Federighi said, implying Apple does not feel iMessage on Android would make a difference, have a lot of users, or be a great experience.

thank you MacRumors for clarifying

 

[temende]

I feel like most of these answers were pretty predictable/straightforward. Unfortunately that's just how most interviews with Apple execs go.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The interview was very straight forward and they were being very careful what to say and not to say.

Only Craig Federighi can save Apple. He is our only hope. He must be saved at all costs.

 

[james2538]

"If we're going to enter a market and go down the road of building an application, we have to be in it in a way that's going to make a difference, that we'll have a lot of customers, and have a great experience," Federighi said, implying Apple does not feel iMessage on Android would make a difference, have a lot of users, or be a great experience.

I mean just be honest, it's what you said in 2013:

Federighi was asked about an email he sent in 2013 where he said, "I'm concerned iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones."

iMessage is one of the few things keeping me locked in Apple's ecosystem, like I'm sure it is for others.

Federighi and Joz spoke about the pace of innovation on the iPhone, including whether or not smartphones have become boring and if the iPhone needs an update every year. "People are very excited by the new iPhones," Joz said, referencing new features on the iPhone 14 Pro, including the new 48MP camera and Dynamic Island.

Honestly, Apple might be better served by taking the iPad, iPhone, and Watch off a yearly update cycle. The latest iPad Pros, iPhone 14 and Watch Series 8 just weren't that impressive.

At the very least it would be a lot better if iOS/iPad/Watch OS wasn't tied to their respective hardware releases. I feel like we'd see better quality feature updates that weren't quite as buggy. macOS for instance seemed a lot more stable back in the Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion days when the releases were years apart from each other.

 

[mj1108]

including whether or not smartphones have become boring and if the iPhone needs an update every year.

Maybe they should try to release every 2 years.....but at the end of the day it's all about $$$$.

 

[Ghost31]

​

Speaking about why iPadOS still lacks a native calculator app, Joz said, "there are a ton of them. Go to the App Store." "I use third-party apps," he continued when pressed by the Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern on what the two executives do when they want to calculate something on their iPad.

Ha! Yeah ok. by this logic, why the hell did they finally add a weather app when there’s so many weather apps on the App Store?

 

[BreakingKayfabe]

Speaking about why iPadOS still lacks a native calculator app, Joz said, "there are a ton of them. Go to the App Store." "I use third-party apps," he continued when pressed by the Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern on what the two executives do when they want to calculate something on their iPad.

I hope Apple addresses this ‘issue’ with this same attitude. The complaints about a lack of a native calculator app on the iPad is tired. There are plenty of options.

 

[JPack]

"I'm concerned iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove [an] obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones."

You can replace "iMessage" with Lightning, MagSafe, App Store, Apple Pay, and a number of other features. Let's be honest, some of these are clearly intended to build a garden.

 

[senttoschool]

You can replace "iMessage" with Lightning, MagSafe, App Store, Apple Pay, and a number of other features. Let's be honest, some of these are clearly intended to build a garden.

A good business creates moats.

Every business strive to do this.

 

[Jensend]

I hope Apple addresses this ‘issue’ with this same attitude. The complaints about a lack of a native calculator app on the iPad is tired. There are plenty of options.

I’d like one that is in a floating window, like the quick notes feature. Can’t do that with a third party app.

 

[840quadra]

Queued to listen to this tomorrow. Curious their response to these topics.

 

[Villarrealadrian]

Just put it on the iphone already you guys will continue being rich!!

 

[ratspg]

Ha! Yeah ok. by this logic, why the hell did they finally add a weather app when there’s so many weather apps on the App Store?

By this logic why do we have a calculator app on the iPhone? If we could just go grab one from the App Store? Lol. Hilarious the excuses they have.

 

[erikkfi]

I don’t even care if they put iMessage on Android but that Federighi answer is pretty close to nonsensical. How does someone so glaringly inarticulate get to become Everyone’s Favorite Apple Executive?

 

[Robert.Walter]

The interview was very straight forward and they were being very careful what to say and not to say.

Only Craig Federighi can save Apple. He is our only hope. He must be saved at all costs.

I have to say that the responses on calculator and iMessage could have been scripted by the product management team in consultation with the advertising and public relations teams.

They were predictable and in the case of iMessage, ultimately designed to deflect while sounding high minded.

I’m no fan of what’s app but I always feel iMessage which I prefer is always playing catch-up.

As to calculator, there is no calculator on iPad because apple wants you to buy an iPhone too.

 

[Zero.Hedge]

Now let iPhone 15 Pro work with external displays over USB-C, full resolution - no mirroring

 

[tomsop]

“Federighi and Joz spoke about the pace of innovation on the iPhone, including whether or not smartphones have become boring and if the iPhone needs an update every year. "People are very excited by the new iPhones," Joz said, referencing new features on the iPhone 14 Pro, including the new 48MP camera and Dynamic Island. "We always have a ton of stuff that we've got to get out," Federighi said. "We've been working on things for years and years, and there are a pipeline of things we believe that will better help our customers."

Typical corporate spin. If people were excited over the latest phones they would be selling more of them than in past years- remember the days people would camp out to get in line or you would not bother to get up at 5am to oder on day of the release and that would mean you would not get your iphone for about a month? Those days are gone because the Iphone is no longer innovating at a pace to keep excitement. I got the 11 and saw no real need to upgrade for 3 years until Iphone 14. I am also a macrumors reader so I know firsthand the pace of meaningul updates is falling. The ton of stuff in the pipeline Craig is referring to is a bunch of small beans. We want big beans. Also, noticed that the newest releases of IOS 16 and Mac OS Ventura did not produce any real interesting wallpapers - they are really dropping the ball here. Stupid answer on the calculator missing in Ipad. It is there in IOS 16. Come on.

 

[senttoschool]

remember the days people would camp out to get in line or you would not bother to get up at 5am to oder on day of the release and that would mean you would not get your iphone for about a month?

They camped out in line for the iPhone 6. What was so innovative about the iPhone 6 except a bigger screen?

The truth is, phones are basically commodities now. Everyone has one. No phone is ever exciting enough to camp out for. Also, people found out that it's far easier and better to just pre-order and then do a pick up/ship than to camp in line.

 

[yabeweb]

There are tons of calculator app…. Well there are tons of weather app too.

what a lame reply

 

[blazerunner]

I wonder how Craig Federighi feels about lying through his teeth? If only someone called him out on it.

 

[tomsop]

I’d like one that is in a floating window, like the quick notes feature. Can’t do that with a third party app.

that is an excellent idea. Don’t forget that you can do calculations in spotlight or search but not the same as punching numbers on an image of a calculator and easier to do it that way too.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I wonder how Craig Federighi feels about lying through his teeth? If only someone called him out on it.

I thought he felt very uncomfortable. During the whole interview process, he was feeling wishy-washy.

 

[exoticSpice]

"there are a ton of them. Go to the App Store." "I use third-party apps," he continued when pressed by the Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern on what the two executives do when they want to calculate something on their iPad.

wow what a response. its stupid

 

[Jessica Lares]

There's lots of room for different calculator apps. Some people prefer the basic +-*/, others benefit from something like Soulver which is like a piece of scratch paper. PCalc is fully customizable to however you want it.

The problem with the Dark Sky API was that it was meant to be used alongside like a home automation app where things happened when it became these set of conditions, or like giving you the forecast in a todo app, but a lot of developers just made endless weather apps, which is why it made sense for Apple to just buy it out, discourage the third-party apps, and let it go back to being what it was designed for all along but still give people the weather app we wanted.