Quick Takes: Apple's Ecosystem Explained, Crumb-Resistant MacBook Keyboards, and More

[Coconut Bean]

I like MKBHD but I didn’t really agree with his point here.
He openly admits to carrying two phones daily, if android is worth stepping out the eco system why is carrying two phones required?

Im a heavy phone, smart watch and tablet user with a large photo library (8000 images and counting) in the cloud, also subscribed to Apple Music, I did try Spotify but at the same cost I couldn’t see any benefit to stepping out of my existing iTunes library. A moderate Mac user and have an Apple TV and HomePod as they complimented what I already have.
I will admit I couldn’t really switch out of the eco system if I wanted to but I see no advantage to having a less well integrated system anyway.

Well, he is a tech reviewer and his audience is interested both in Android and iOS. There are some videos of his, when he goes through what apps he uses and so on. Some apps/services might be better to use on specific platforms, if I remember correctly he says that Snapchat, Facebook live streaming, Instagram etc. has been easier to use on iOS.

That said, there are many people including me not using iOS devices, but Google's alternatives out of free choice. Am I stuck in that ecosystem? In some way, yes. It is after all a decision between cost/benefit (and to some degree personal preference).

As a contribution to general topic: Some people here seem to dislike the way MKBHD talks about hooks. Yes, Apple does amazing hardware and services, but especially the services require at least two devices (from Apple) to function (see Continuity, iCloud, W1-chip etc). I like when he describe the ecosystem as a wall. Apple's inventions rarely make it out from the ecosystem in the original version, and Apple's offerings are often not fully compatible with Android, Windows etc.

An counter argument or alternative explanation is of course they don't control the hardware and don't want to compromise user experience by opening up the standards, and that might be the case. But the end result is the same, an enclosed ecosystem where you are "forced" to buy in, stay in and keep buying in.

 

[a0me]

He’s actually a terrible tech reviewer. I have no clue how he got so popular. He’s generic and super biased.

Super biased? He has an iPhone X as a daily driver and he does all is work using MacBook Pros, Mac Pro and a recently maxed out iMac Pro. I don't see how just because he's not an hard-core Apple believer makes him "biased."

 

[mgauss7]

In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.

Friday, March 9

Apple's ecosystem explained: YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee explains why Apple's ecosystem of products and services is so strong. He also advises against becoming too locked into just one ecosystem.

Commentary: A good example of the strength of Apple's ecosystem is iMessage and its coveted blue message bubbles, which have essentially become a status symbol. As silly as it may sound, there are a countless number of tweets that mock green bubbles, which is the color Apple uses to display standard text messages.

AAPL sets all-time high closing price of $179.98: The previous record was $179.26, set on January 18, 2018. Apple's overall all-time high remains $180.62, set during intraday trading on February 28, 2018. AAPL has been on the rise since bottoming out at $150.24 on February 9 amid a wider stock market selloff.

Commentary: Apple shares have technically traded for higher prices, but today's record high factors in multiple stock splits, including a 7-for-1 split in 2014. Apple's market cap now hovers around the $915 billion mark.

Timing of Apple's rumored March event: Apple typically invites the media to its special events roughly 10 to 12 days beforehand, so if there is a March event on its agenda, then we'll likely hear about it soon.
2015: Thursday, February 26 invites -> Monday, March 9 event
2016: Thursday, March 10 invites -> Monday, March 21 event
2017: No event.
2018: Thursday, March 15 invites -> Monday, March 26 event (?)
Commentary: The big question is whether Apple will hold a media event or make its announcements via press releases as it did last year. Rumored products that could debut this month include a new iPhone SE, lower-priced 9.7-inch iPad and MacBook Air models, and the AirPower charging mat, along with iOS 11.3.

Other Reading:
Swift is now the world's tenth most used programming language, tied with Objective-C, according to analyst firm RedMonk's analysis of GitHub and Stack Overflow data. Apple's open source programming language was released at WWDC in June 2014.

Apple has applied to patent a crumb-resistant keyboard: The patent application describes a MacBook keyboard with mechanisms that prevent contaminant ingress, which is a fancy way of saying dirt and crumbs. This could involve the use of "brushes, wipers, or flaps" that block gaps around key caps.
For more Apple news and rumors coverage, visit our Front Page, Mac Blog, and iOS Blog. Also visit our forums to join in the discussion.

Article Link: Quick Takes: Apple's Ecosystem Explained, Crumb-Resistant MacBook Keyboards, and More

You use android? Is that like the Samsung fridge? Amazon sells 80 types of TP (toilet paper).

 

[ksec]

There is always that group of people that insists keyboard X (where X is the IBM PC, Macintosh Extended Keyboard II, or whatever) is the greatest keyboard ever made. The current MBP keyboard is definitely different for the first week you have it, but it is by no means terrible. In fact it is a very nice keyboard. Only the choice of the large left-right arrow keys leaves one wanting.

Not in any previous Mac. This is not about greatest Keyboard, or whatever. It is a keyboard that is love and hated most. And by professionals like developers that uses keyboard more then other pros which may be using mouse more.

 

[Tapiture]

Name one Android phone that doesn’t get slower over time due to battery degradation. Time to move on from this nonsense. Apple has made it right. Samsung would never offer an apology, just exploding batteries.
[doublepost=1520767012][/doublepost]
It makes absolutely no sense that you are comparing cross-platform software like Google docs to iPhone hardware accessories like the HomePod and watch. And you more or less disprove the walled garden by indicating that Google’s products work just fine with Apple’s. So if I can use Samsung gear and an iPhone, where’s the wall? Is the wall around the HomePod and watch? Because those are accessories, and there are plenty of Android-only accessories such as Android Auto, so let’s not have a double standard please.
[doublepost=1520767623][/doublepost]I’m really getting tired of this walled garden myth. There is nothing tying anyone to Apple’s products if they don’t like them. How is an enhancement a detriment? Why WOULDNT Apple make its own products compatible and complementary? It would make a lot less sense if they didn’t. Is Android incompatible with ChromeOS? No. And yet that’s not a “walled garden”? I will concede that the watch and HomePod cannot be used with other products, but why would you want to? They are marketed as accessories for Apple’s existing products, not standalone devices. Would you complain about bmw rims not fitting a Toyota vehicle? Do you complain that a hamburger bun doesn’t work well with a hotdog? Come on people. It is very easy for someone to own an iPhone, an android tablet and a windows computer. No problem. Is it going to be as good as having All-Apple products or all-Microsoft products? Of course not. Different companies. It is laughable that Apple’s attempts to improve user experience across multiple products is seen as a problem rather than a tremendous benefit.

I disagree with your analogies, I think even you realize they don’t make any sense. Apple closely filters what is allowed to enter their system. They are a far cry away from Android, which is incredibly open, even to a fault, allowing buggy and bloated apps to go on their App Store. Apple, on the other hand, carefully curates apps to put on their store and even rejects them for no reason other than that a foreign government wants them to. I’m not criticizing Apple for this, and Marques in the video isn’t either. We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, but for some people it can be frustrating. For others, it works well.

I personally experience the downsides of their walls. I thought the Google Pixel XL might be enticing, but I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, so I’m just going to make that a paperweight?

If I had an S8 and thought the iPhone looked enticing, but had a nice Samsung Gear 3, I could easily switch to iPhone and keep the Gear and just flip a switch in the settings that lets it work with iPhone.

 

[nt5672]

Not getting locked into the Apple ecosystem is very easy. Just don't ever buy a movie or TV show on iTunes, don't use Apple Music, and don't buy a Home Pod. . . . .

Yep, I used to buy anything that Apple sold first before considering another brand. Not any more, I'm tired of poorly performing software, features disappearing, products not being updated, lack of concern for my data where I want it, silly bugs, forced use (ok continuous reminders) to use iCould, iTunes focus on Apple Music (and not my music), lack of dependable hardware or software strategy, proliferation of dongles, filtering users access with their own political correctness, thinness, lack of battery capacity, etc.

So you are right, I don't buy Apple Music, TV Shows, or use a Home Pod (or Siri). I will never let myself get locked into Apple's drive to force its world view on me through its music, news, search, and tv selections.

Apple today is not about letting me use technology the way I want to use it. It seems that these days Apple just tosses their products against the wall and waits to see what sticks this month with teenagers, then drops everything else, until the complaints get too high, then they release a single update to quiet the publicity.

I sill use Apple computer hardware because I am forced to use Xcode, but once Apple fully converts to linux for the development tools I'll no longer buy any Apple hardware outside of the iPhone. If Apple ever drops their approach to iPhone security, that will end my use of the iPhone. Its overpriced and smart phones are a commodity now.

 

[ignatius345]

I personally don’t feel locked in to the Apple ecosystem— with one notable exception: changing my email address would hurt.

I'd have a lot of trouble with that too, because I have a very good Gmail address that's just my first initial and last name and it's been that way for a decade!

Notes, iMessage... I'd be hurting pretty bad to lose those because they sync very nicely with my two Macs and iPhone. I'm also locked into Apple in another way: Omnifocus only runs on Mac/iOS and I'm pretty sure I'd die without it

 

[Bacillus]

It's OK if you feel the need to be an ecosystem inhabitant and feel forced to accept accompanying idiosyncracies.

However, many, including myself, don't. And simply purchase what meets our needs. I much prefer thin/lightweight laptops with decent performance and a great display, that are reliable and meet my needs. If you don't, simply purchase what's important to you and meets your needs. The good news is there are tons of choices out there. If Apple's corporate direction irritates you, simply vote with your wallet and purchase what would satisfy your requirements, from a company with a corporate direction that feels good to you.

I don't feel lock-in in the slightest. Nor do I stress over how Apple (or any other company) chooses to use their capital for real estate or any other needs - that's their business to determine what's right for them. If that worries you, simply purchase computers/phones/tech from other companies.

Clear and right.
Except that voting with my wallet is a little late now that the luxury/lifestyle/real estate festval was done with earlier funding. But indeed we"re phasing out Apple routers, servers, software, peripherals that have become so overpriced and neglected. The Cook graveyard grows.

 

[Baymowe335]

Super biased? He has an iPhone X as a daily driver and he does all is work using MacBook Pros, Mac Pro and a recently maxed out iMac Pro. I don't see how just because he's not an hard-core Apple believer makes him "biased."

Watch more of his videos. He’s super biased and doesn’t provide much value. He fundamentally misunderstands the Apple ecosystem which another person pointed out in this thread.

 

[randyhudson]

If Apple keyboards weren't so ridiculously thin, crumbs (and typing) wouldn't even be an issue

 

[ghanwani]

• Apple has applied to patent a crumb-resistant keyboard: The patent application describes a MacBook keyboard with mechanisms that prevent contaminant ingress, which is a fancy way of saying dirt and crumbs. This could involve the use of "brushes, wipers, or flaps" that block gaps around key caps.

Why is this a big deal? Isn't the iPad keyboard already crumb-resistant? At least looks that way to me.
https://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/

 

[Analog Kid]

I'd have a lot of trouble with that too, because I have a very good Gmail address that's just my first initial and last name and it's been that way for a decade!

Notes, iMessage... I'd be hurting pretty bad to lose those because they sync very nicely with my two Macs and iPhone. I'm also locked into Apple in another way: Omnifocus only runs on Mac/iOS and I'm pretty sure I'd die without it

The Omni apps are fantastic across the board, and they are in a class by themselves when it comes to customer support. Apparently they were one of the few surviving devs from the NeXT era, but enough time has passed that the refinement of their products can’t be attributed to the head start they had.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

Why is this a big deal? Isn't the iPad keyboard already crumb-resistant? At least looks that way to me.
https://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/

As the article states, it's for the MacBook, not iPad.

 

[ghanwani]

As the article states, it's for the MacBook, not iPad.

What would prevent them from using a similar design in a macbook?

 

[ignatius345]

The Omni apps are fantastic across the board, and they are in a class by themselves when it comes to customer support. Apparently they were one of the few surviving devs from the NeXT era, but enough time has passed that the refinement of their products can’t be attributed to the head start they had.

They're really a class act. I've been using OF for at least 10 years now and it just keeps getting better. The next version sounds like it's really going to break into some new territory.

 

[Dozer_Zaibatsu]

Interesting. Don’t get locked into one ecosystem. Does that include google?

Well, since Google is free (for the cost of a small part of my soul), I'll continue to use it. Also because I can access it via any other platform, that's a plus that keeps me from entering the Apple ecosystem.

The problem with getting on one platform like iMessage or Facetime is that it requires that everyone else do so as well. I have too many different people to communicate with to try and plead with them to stick to a certain app or protocol. I use Hangouts because it essentially works the same as iMessage for anyone else in Hangouts, and for everyone else, I can type SMS messages to text back and forth.

I am eagerly waiting to see if Apple upgrades the laptop line this year with 8th gen. I don't care about the ecosystem, I mainly want the keyboard (+1 to the butterfly switches) and trackpad, both of which I find to be the best in the industry. The Apple ecosystem is a huge turnoff for me, if anything.

 

[ghanwani]

Well, since Google is free (for the cost of a small part of my soul)

Small part? I thought they own not only my soul but the souls of everyone I have ever communicated with! I can check out, but I can never leave.

 

[jsalda]

I loved my MBP keyboard for the first two months, until something got underneath. Sent it in for repair and got it back, but Touch ID doesn't work. So, they either didn't connect TouchID back up or they broke the connector. So, when I have time, it's going back again. I have a cover on it right now to prevent future failure, but it numbs the feel, I mistype all the time. They need to come up with a better keyboard and issue a recall. Probably won't happen until somebody files a class action or they finally realize that the cost of infinite repairs is more than the cost of a recall.

 

[Black Tiger]

I disagree with your analogies, I think even you realize they don’t make any sense. Apple closely filters what is allowed to enter their system. They are a far cry away from Android, which is incredibly open, even to a fault, allowing buggy and bloated apps to go on their App Store. Apple, on the other hand, carefully curates apps to put on their store and even rejects them for no reason other than that a foreign government wants them to. I’m not criticizing Apple for this, and Marques in the video isn’t either. We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, but for some people it can be frustrating. For others, it works well.

I personally experience the downsides of their walls. I thought the Google Pixel XL might be enticing, but I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, so I’m just going to make that a paperweight?

If I had an S8 and thought the iPhone looked enticing, but had a nice Samsung Gear 3, I could easily switch to iPhone and keep the Gear and just flip a switch in the settings that lets it work with iPhone.[/

I disagree with your analogies, I think even you realize they don’t make any sense. Apple closely filters what is allowed to enter their system. They are a far cry away from Android, which is incredibly open, even to a fault, allowing buggy and bloated apps to go on their App Store. Apple, on the other hand, carefully curates apps to put on their store and even rejects them for no reason other than that a foreign government wants them to. I’m not criticizing Apple for this, and Marques in the video isn’t either. We’re not saying it’s a bad thing, but for some people it can be frustrating. For others, it works well.

I personally experience the downsides of their walls. I thought the Google Pixel XL might be enticing, but I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, so I’m just going to make that a paperweight?

If I had an S8 and thought the iPhone looked enticing, but had a nice Samsung Gear 3, I could easily switch to iPhone and keep the Gear and just flip a switch in the settings that lets it work with iPhone.

You’re cherry picking examples. I can do the same. Are you saying that Android Auto isn’t a closed system then? Great. Windows phone users will be thrilled that it supports their phones! Or that Android apps can be installed on a windows phone? Awesome! Yep. No closed systems there.

It seems to me that each company has different implementations of this so-called walled garden. Let’s not have a double standard please. Every company will provide compelling reasons to stay with their products.

 

[iTundra]

Keyboards have been crumb resistant since I can remember - except the 2016 MacBook Pro. This isn't anything new but only Apple finishing the job from when they originally designed the 2016/17 keyboards.

This is like Ford saying that they've invented a functioning brake pedal when they'd put a non functioning brake pedal on their 2016/17 model cars.

 

[Kabeyun]

Describing integrated features across different products as being "hooks," shows how ignorant or biased Marques Brownlee is.

Not sure I agree, at least not exclusively. I think one can believe both. I know I do:

I favor Apple generally and feel that they tend to create well-designed, high-quality, well-supported products, so I own many. My opinion. (To contrarians, finding counter examples won’t sway me; I’m aware of them.) Since I do, I find it excellent that Apple works to integrate them in various ways. Shouldn’t it be like that?

But I’m also a realist and I see the downside. Apple’s style is to develop/adopt technologies that are relatively (ALAC) or completely (Thubderbolt & Lightning, very very frightening) exclusive to its ecosystem, sometimes to the expense of popular alternatives, from interfaces to codecs.* The upsides are interoperability and safety, while the downside is incompatibility. So, in embracing Apple’s approach, only a fool of a tech vlogger wouldn’t also see it as a hook into a relatively restrictive ecosystem. A hook can certainly be legitimately appealing, but it’s still a hook. Functionally isn’t that a point of a product? To seem superior for some reason(s) and make you want to get it?

Brownlee explicitly acknowledges that Apple products are great, but you can’t deny fairly the reality of his point. The only place I’d differ with him is with his last phrase, “...before it’s too late.” Melodramatic silliness.

So if the way you choose to organize you digital life aligns with Apple’s approach, no problem. Just do it with you eyes open and either accept it completely (works for a lot of casual-use customers) or know you may need to learn some ways to loosen Apple's relatively tight reins. But I think it’s disingenuous to argue that only the positive or the negative aspects exist, or more precisely, that they can’t coexist.


* This is because originally Steve Jobs often believed fervently that he was creating the best version of something (QuickTime is a good example) and opening to perceived-inferior existing standards would compromise quality. i.e. He believed a better mousetrap would conquer the world. (To contrarians, no need to point out the monetary objective; it’s obvious. But the above is still accurate.)

 

[falainber]

Name one Android phone that doesn’t get slower over time due to battery degradation. Time to move on from this nonsense. Apple has made it right. Samsung would never offer an apology, just exploding batteries.

This one is easy. So far not a single phone (apart from iPhone) has been identified as having performance degradation because of the battery age. The battery life time degrades (obviously) but not the performance. iPhone issue is unique and is a result of design error. In fact, iPhone performance does not degrade either, it just starts dying way too soon (with plenty of charge left).

 

[Chancha]

the patent for the kb should have got its own thread imo.

I was surprised also. Saw the same article on both Verge and 9to5, came here and found out it's already posted much earlier here, only buried in this article. It probably wasn't intentional, but it felt like bullet dodging service.

 

[meaning-matters]

Ecosystem my *ss. Newest macOS no longer imports all images from newest iOS using Preview.

 

[Elijen]

He’s actually a terrible tech reviewer. I have no clue how he got so popular. He’s generic and super biased.

Most of the YT tech reviewers are biased and it’s ok. He admits it and many times stresses that his personal preferences might not match everyone’s. His production quality is 10 times higher than of the most Youtubers.