iPhone XS Max What do you guys do on your phone to enjoy it so much?

[The-Real-Deal82]

Phones today are basically portable computers. The only reason they haven't replaced the PC (Including Macs) completely is they don't have a large screen, mouse, and physical keyboard. The keyboard and mouse problem could be solved easily but the screen might take a few years before they come up with some 3D projection device.

And also the fact they’ll never be powerful enough in the size they come in. They might compete for basic users but those of us that use a lot of processing power, I can’t ever see a smartphone getting close.

 

[HEK]

lol - I'm old enough that when I was in college, I used a slide rule. Calculators had just come available and weren't allowed as they provided an unfair advantage to the majority of students that couldn't afford the newfangled things. In 1970, the HP-35 LED scientific calculator was introduced at $395 (equivalent to $2,366 in 2018 dollars - who's complaining about iPad Pro prices?).

Loved my HP-65, programmable, save programs on strips. Had plug in modules to convert to any type of calculator. Programed gear train engineering programs that beat out the IBM mainframe 360 company had.

As far as what I do for most fun with my iPhone, well, looks left then right, whispers p**n. Loads of fun, really enjoy it.

 

[sparksd]

Loved my HP-65, programmable, save programs on strips. Had plug in modules to convert to any type of calculator. Programed gear train engineering programs that beat out the IBM mainframe 360 company had.

As far as what I do for most fun with my iPhone, well, looks left then right, whispers p**n. Loads of fun, really enjoy it.

The 41C was my first true programmable - lots of fun. I'm a retired S/W Systems engineer and have been lucky enough to work with almost every kind of computational gear and operating systems since 1971.

As to my phone, I just got it two days ago as an upgrade from a Galaxy S7 Edge - this is my first iPhone - always used Android - though I also have a 256GB LTE 10.5" iPad Pro (the phone is Sprint, 256GB). I've gotten through the setup, imitating to a significant degree what the iPad looks like. I have to say that I am really impressed by the phone - it is every bit as powerful as the iPad (probably more so, given the processor). I've been watching videos, browsing the web, reading books (Kindle), listening to music & Audible books and trying a variety of games. I rarely used the S7 except for calls but this XS Max will be getting a lot more work as it is a real pleasure to use for almost every activity. I started out with the very first Android devices and was a power user with custom ROMs but I'm sold on the iPhone (and the large screen models).

 

[HEK]

Really liked the 41C as well. Liked it’s size. Got hooked on the RPN input sequence HP used vs the Texas Instuments calcs.

 

[russell_314]

And also the fact they’ll never be powerful enough in the size they come in. They might compete for basic users but those of us that use a lot of processing power, I can’t ever see a smartphone getting close.

A smartphone has enough "processing power" for most PC users. I agree it's not quite up to the task for "power users". Most people aren't editing 4K video or doing some type of 3D rendering (I don't mean gaming). For the person that buys a $400 laptop it would be more than powerful enough though. Unfortunately the lack of a physical keyboard still kills it.

 

[sparksd]

A smartphone has enough "processing power" for most PC users. I agree it's not quite up to the task for "power users". Most people aren't editing 4K video or doing some type of 3D rendering (I don't mean gaming). For the person that buys a $400 laptop it would be more than powerful enough though. Unfortunately the lack of a physical keyboard still kills it.

If you really need a keyboard, any Bluetooth keyboard will work. I have this lightweight folding keyboard that I occasionally use with my iPad Pro (I hate the keyboard case) that works great -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0799LKCLJ

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

A smartphone has enough "processing power" for most PC users. I agree it's not quite up to the task for "power users". Most people aren't editing 4K video or doing some type of 3D rendering (I don't mean gaming). For the person that buys a $400 laptop it would be more than powerful enough though. Unfortunately the lack of a physical keyboard still kills it.

That’s why I suggested basic users might be ok with it but I couldn’t do my job off a smartphone. I have a £4K Dell and that struggles from time to time.

 

[spooklog]

I think it's safe to say that many people are carrying high-end devices like the iPhone XS (and its variants) just because they enjoy owning them. I doubt there are huge numbers of normal folk who make "full use" of an iPhone's enormous power, or even know enough to fully appreciate it. Everyone would have to be an Apple engineer to truly make full use of their iPhone. But normal iPhone users do know that their phone is ready to take on anything one can throw at it, and that knowledge is empowering and it also feels good. And there is also pleasure and satisfaction knowing that the iPhone hardware is the best available in the world, as is the industrial design. (The software design--iOS--is a more subjective matter.)

For myself, I own and actually make use of an iPhone 6s, iPhone 8+, and an iPhone XS Max. First and foremost I simply enjoy owning excellent things, secondly I love the idea of how powerful and capable they are. For travelling, I absolutely depend (in a life and death sense) on being able to contact other people using the telephone and via apps, and I feel much more secure taking my iPhones with me on trips.

Just wanted to expand on your question. Take care.

 

[superleakTx]

Gaming and youtube

 

[sk2sep2304]

Traded my friend my XS for her 8 plus for #1 and #2 in that order.

I use it to AirDrop nude pics to nearby unsuspecting women.

Seriously though, here’s a list of things I enjoy doing on the Max. Everything is so much more enjoyable viewing on the Max compared to the X.

1. YouTube videos
2. Surf internet
3. Netflix
4. HBO GO app
5. Pictures, and video taking of family
6. Sports Alerts App (has a nice complication for Apple Watch)
7. Apple Music
8. Fantastical
9. Games (PUBG, Into the Dead 2, Asphalt 9, Oddmar, Life is Strange)
10. Reading news (Flipboard)
11. Apple Maps
12. Fios Tv app to watch recorded shows or live tv

List is endless!

 

[MEJHarrison]

lol - I'm old enough that when I was in college, I used a slide rule. Calculators had just come available and weren't allowed as they provided an unfair advantage to the majority of students that couldn't afford the newfangled things. In 1970, the HP-35 LED scientific calculator was introduced at $395 (equivalent to $2,366 in 2018 dollars - who's complaining about iPad Pro prices?).

What I find shocking is that A) calculators are still sold and B) the prices on them are insane. I can get a cheap phone for less than I've seen some calculators going for. I honestly don't understand how there's still a market for calculators. Especially not when you can download apps that will do the same thing. How are physical calculators not going for around $5? It's not like they've made giant advances in mathematics in the past 40 years. They look the same today as they did when I was in school. Prices and all.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The 41C was my first true programmable - lots of fun. I'm a retired S/W Systems engineer and have been lucky enough to work with almost every kind of computational gear and operating systems since 1971.

As to my phone, I just got it two days ago as an upgrade from a Galaxy S7 Edge - this is my first iPhone - always used Android - though I also have a 256GB LTE 10.5" iPad Pro (the phone is Sprint, 256GB). I've gotten through the setup, imitating to a significant degree what the iPad looks like. I have to say that I am really impressed by the phone - it is every bit as powerful as the iPad (probably more so, given the processor). I've been watching videos, browsing the web, reading books (Kindle), listening to music & Audible books and trying a variety of games. I rarely used the S7 except for calls but this XS Max will be getting a lot more work as it is a real pleasure to use for almost every activity. I started out with the very first Android devices and was a power user with custom ROMs but I'm sold on the iPhone (and the large screen models).

You couldn’t do these things on an S7?

 

[davedvdy]

And also the fact they’ll never be powerful enough in the size they come in. They might compete for basic users but those of us that use a lot of processing power, I can’t ever see a smartphone getting close.

The A12 benchmarks are impressive and getting there, but iOS won't replace Mac OS for some of us, as long as it stays limited.

 

[sparksd]

You couldn’t do these things on an S7?

I could, but it was slow in response and laggy and with a smaller screen. I could even do all those things without a phone at all.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The A12 benchmarks are impressive and getting there, but iOS won't replace Mac OS for some of us, as long as it stays limited.

I can’t even use Mac OS for my needs as it’s doesn’t support the software I use. I can’t imagine ever rendering or handling assemblies with 1000+ components on SolidWorks running from an iPhone, not to mention the other packages I use. It may suit people who just use MS Office and packages that are much less demanding though.

 

[0388631]

I can’t even use Mac OS for my needs as it’s doesn’t support the software I use. I can’t imagine ever rendering or handling assemblies with 1000+ components on SolidWorks running from an iPhone, not to mention the other packages I use. It may suit people who just use MS Office and packages that are much less demanding though.

You're an engineer? That's surprising.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You're an engineer? That's surprising.

Why is it surprising?

 

[Shanghaichica]

Why is it surprising?

What kind of engineering do you do?

I’m going to stereotype and say engineering is highly technical and I’d imagine an engineer would use a PC.

But a graphics engineer would use a Mac

But really people just use whatever works for them.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Take pictures. Use those pictures to sell stuff and make money.
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And also the fact they’ll never be powerful enough in the size they come in. They might compete for basic users but those of us that use a lot of processing power, I can’t ever see a smartphone getting close.

There are different versions of “a lot of processing power” and definitions of “basic user”. It used to be unheard of for a mobile device to easily edit large raw image files or edit high quality 4K video but today you can! “Basic users” don’t know about why you’d want a raw image file or assume that these mobile devices arent powerful enough to edit 4K video.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

What kind of engineering do you do?

I’m going to stereotype and say engineering is highly technical and I’d imagine an engineer would use a PC.

But a graphics engineer would use a Mac

But really people just use whatever works for them.

I’m a Mechanical Design Engineer so yes it’s PC all the way otherwise it’s an IT nightmare trying to use a Mac lol. I wish I could use a Mac though as it’s a much more pleasant experience as an OS.

 

[Steve121178]

What do I use it for? Everything. Navigation, communication (voice/SMS/iMessage/WhatsApp), social media, photography, gaming, entertainment (YouTube & occationally Netflix/Prime when I am not at home), Music, web use, booking travel tickets/travel planning, reminders, calendar, note taking, occasional productivity work, shopping, paying all my bills with dedicated apps, tracking my car, paying for stuff with Apple Pay, checking weather, listening to audio books, health tracking etc etc etc.

What I do with my iPhone also is in complete sync with CarPlay, my Apple Watch, iPad Pro, iMac & MacBook Pro.