Tag Archives: Apple

05.06.24
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Thoughts: An Audio Crisis and the Loss of Fanboi-ism

I have been an Apple fanboi since childhood.

I remember, growing up in Palmerston North, spending as much time as I could annoying the one store that stocked Apple products.

I haunted my friends house as his dad had an Apple IIe.

I dominated the one Apple computer that my high school had.

I pored over every word printed in magazines dedicated to Apple.

Beautiful memories.

Fast forward…

Apple got into home audio. And the more of it I’ve experienced, the more I’m convinced that they really need to stop.

When HomePod Mini was announced, I was super-excited. Bought one immediately and actually was quite impressed. I loved the product. I had it bedside and enjoyed dozing off to Pink Floyd, or Toto, or Level 42, or Journey… you get the idea.

I had to get another, to set up a stereo pair. Could you imagine? A wide stereo field of goodness!

I did get another. And I paired it.

And then the sadness started. Six months of total frustration. Yes, they paired successfully, and every now and then worked in unison. But music would just stop. A speaker, one side or the other, would cut out. It was hideous.

I tried everything. Software updates, even including betas.

I added a network extender (for god’s sake, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment)..

All to no avail.

Apple simply hasn’t gotten the networking right on this product.

A little bit of research, and I’m now the deliriously happy owner of a pair of Sonos Era 100’s. The HomePod Mini’s have been retired and donated.

You know what?

The audio of Sonos is vastly superior to Apple’s audio. The frequency response is vastly superior. The pairing is superior.

Justified.

I am a happy listener once again!

^SJD

11.01.13
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Thoughts about Apple

Apple

I’ve been an Apple fanboy since 1977. I have memories of hours spent on an Apple II, playing games such as Aztec, Taipan and Loderunner.

I remember the joy in the local Apple store when they took delivery of their first Macintosh. It was a revolution.

I’ve been an active part of the Apple ride since. I remember attending keynotes at the MacWorld trade shows. I remember the hideous beige Mac period, and the triumphant return of Steve Jobs. I have met so many great people through my association with Apple, and many have become lifelong friends.

Possibly like many others, I’ve been wondering what Apple will do post-Jobs. Happily it turns out that his DNA has been firmly grafted throughout the company.

The latest launch is testament to this.

My 11 yr old son watched the keynote of his own volition. He learned that the new version of OSX was a) free and b) available as a download and c) would work on his aged MacBook. And he proceeded to download and install it himself. The ease of use and intuition of Apple technology is stunning.

I love how Apple has given away the new OS. I’m amazed and impressed that they have given away the new versions of their iWork suite.

They’re clearly setting precedents and outflanking their competition.

Combining this with spectacular new Mac Pro and new versions of iPhones, iPads and more, I think this company is going from strength to strength.

I can’t wait to see what is next!