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The Swapping-Batteries Edition Friday, May 31, 2024

Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Batteries Can't Be Replaced Under Warranty By Third Parties, by Jeff Johnson

I long for the days when the MacBook Pro had a user-replaceable battery that could be swapped in a few seconds (not to mention a matte display). I continue to insist that the 2006 MacBook Pro was peak Apple hardware design. Apple silicon CPUs are nice, of course, but unfortunately for us, Apple has exploited the processor transition as an excuse to lock down the Mac in a number of abusive ways.

Battery Replacements Should Be The Easiest Repair For Any Device, by Nick Heer, Pixel Envy

[Batteries] are a consumable good with a finite — though not always predictable — lifespan, most often shorter than the actual lifetime usability of the product. The only reason I do not use my AirPods any more is because the battery in each bud lasts less than twenty minutes; everything else is functional. If there is any repair which should be straightforward and doable without replacing unrelated components or the entire device, it is the battery.

Ai Ai Ai

Report: Apple And OpenAI Have Signed A Deal To Partner On AI, by Samuel Axon, Ars Technica

Apple and OpenAI have successfully made a deal to include OpenAI's generative AI technology in Apple's software, according to The Information, which cites a source who has spoken to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about the deal.

[...]

"Now, [Altman] has fulfilled a longtime goal by striking a deal with Apple to use OpenAI’s conversational artificial intelligence in its products, which could be worth billions of dollars to the startup if it goes well," according to The Information's source.

Apple Plans AI-Based Siri Overhaul To Control Individual App Functions, by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

The new system will allow Siri to take command of all the features within apps for the first time, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the initiative isn’t public. That change required a revamp of Siri’s underlying software using large language models — a core technology behind generative AI — and will be one of the highlights of Apple’s renewed push into AI, they said.

Stuff

Apple's New iPad Air Is Bigger, Brighter, And Better, by Brenda Stolyar, Wired

As someone who watches probably too much TV and is constantly working on the go, I'd buy the 13-inch iPad Air with M2 solely for its larger display. It's a great option for students or content creators who don't need to harness the power of the iPad Pro but want a bigger screen. The only thing that would make this tablet better is if the Air continued to live up to its name as the lightest iPad of them all. Hopefully, Apple is saving that for the next generation.

Apple Shares New Ads Promoting Apple Card, by Juli Clover, MacRumors

The Sock, Sweater, and Ladder spots all highlight different ‌Apple Card‌ features. Sock focuses on the Daily Cash back reward, Sweater demonstrates the option to see past purchases, and Ladder shows the ease of paying an ‌Apple Card‌ balance through the Wallet app.

SmartGym Gets Multi-equipment Lists, Personalized Weights, Alt Exercises, And More, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

The new release brings a top-requested feature – tracking multiple equipment lists as well as the ability to personalize weights, give alternative exercise suggestions, a new Summary Screen for Apple Watch, and more.

Spatial Puzzle Game 'Where Cards Fall' Now Available On Apple Vision Pro, by Juli Clover, MacRumors

A dreamlike spatial puzzle game, Where Cards Fall is a coming-of-age story that tasks players with building houses of cards to bring memories to life.

Logitech Expands 'Designed For Mac' Range With New Accessories, by Hartley Charlton, MacRumors

Logitech today introduced a new lineup of Mac accessories, including the latest MX series keyboards and mice, as well as an ergonomic keyboard.

Bottom of the Page

Apple products that I do want to be lighter: AirPods, iPhones. If the price of getting something extremely light is the trouble in getting the batteries replaced, I am willing to do that tradeoff.

On the other hand, although I do want lighter iPads and MacBooks, it is not a priority for me. I seldom travel with these devices anymore; and I seldom travel.

But, everyone's priorities are different. And, someday, when Apple is bigger and have more resources, perhaps the company can cater equally to all these priorities. (Right now, it can't even do a good iPhone for customers who prefer a smaller but powerful device.)

Someday.

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Thanks for reading.