Tracking the Magic

Among updates to its line of Cinema Displays, iMacs, and Mac Pros earlier this week, Apple also introduced a new aluminum & glass clad input device — the Magic Trackpad

I just so happen to have picked one up, just to give you my impressions. If you’ve used any of Apple’s unibody MacBooks or MacBook Pros, you’d be familiar with the gorgeous glass multi-touch trackpad. The Magic Trackpad is essentially a larger version of that, powered by batteries and connected by bluetooth. The idea is that this brings all the current gestures currently available in OS X to desktop users.

Now, I’m a MacBook Pro user, so you may wonder why I’d even want this? Well, I use my MacBook Pro as a desktop replacement, and 90% of the time, it is on a Griffin Elevator on my desk, in order to bring the screen in line of my eyes. Hence, I also have been using Apple’s aluminum wireless keyboard and the Magic Mouse.

The Magic Mouse brought the ability to use two fingers to go back/forward a page in Safari, iPhoto, or other app with gesture support, whereas the built in trackpad on my MacBook Pro was capable of so much more, especially initiating Exposé, something I use often.

Needless to say, I loved, and do still love, the Magic Mouse, but its multi-touch support was limited at best.

Enter the Magic Trackpad into my life. Now there is no need to adjust my muscle memory for gestures on supported peripherals. They are the same whether I am using my MacBook Pro at my desk or in a coffee shop. To be honest, I have been craving this same functionality ever since I ran across this mockup on Flickr.

Now, a bigger question. Why would Apple even make this? Well, if you know anything at all about Apple, it is obvious that everything in their product line is there for a reason. Everything has a specific reason for being there. Regarding the Magic Mouse and now the Magic Trackpad, I look at it this way: The Magic Mouse was used to introduce many desktop mac users to multi-touch in OS X. It is essentially the “missing link” — a hybrid between the past and the future. The Magic Trackpad then unifies the portable and desktop lines in order to make all of the same gestures available to all Mac users. 

But to what end? Well, my guess is the next major version of the Mac OS — presumably Mac OS X 10.7 — will have a predominant focus on bringing multi-touch across most of the system. iMacs already ship with the wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse as the standard. Would it really be surprising to see that change to the wireless keyboard and the Magic Trackpad as the standard by the time 10.7 rolls around? 

Also, Apple is notorious for throwing out things that they feel are obsolete. Floppy disks, anyone? I believe Apple thinks that multi-touch is the input method for the future. That is really evident in the iPhone and iPad. However, traditional keyboard & mouse computers aren’t going to disappear overnight, but Apple could make a significant push towards moving millions of people to multi-touch by putting the mouse on the back burner, and including trackpads as the default for desktop computers.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Magic Trackpad. For me, it seamlessly unifies the mobile and desktop experience of a Mac. And I think it is a preparation of things to come in Mac OS X.

Opening the "Antennagate"

Apple recently wrapped up its press conference regarding the media hooplah surrounding the iPhone 4’s antenna, which Steve Jobs himself dubbed “Antennagate.” Apple gave us some facts from their end.

  • The issue isn’t unique to the iPhone 4. Apple demonstrated the exact same issue on a Blackberry Bold 9700, an HTC Droid Eris, and a Samsung Omnia II. These phones ran different operating systems — Blackberry, Android, and Windows Mobile, respectively. And we all know the Droid Eris is exclusive on Verizon, so that eliminates purely blaming AT&T (keep in mind this happens in non AT&T countries as well). The point is that every phone has weak spots that can be attenuated.
  • Apple acknowledged once more their software had a reporting error that displayed the bars incorrectly. This was fixed in yesterday’s iOS 4.0.1 update, available by updating your iPhone via iTunes.
  • Only 0.55% of iPhone 4 owners have filed an issue with AppleCare.
  • AT&T, Apple’s largest iPhone reseller, has only reported a 1.7% return rate of iPhone 4, compared to 6.0% in the same time frame last year with the iPhone 3GS.
  • Apple admitted that the iPhone 4 is dropping more calls than the iPhone 3GS. However, it is dropping less than 1 call per 100 calls more. 

So, it is pretty apparent that the media has overblown the issue. Very few customers who actually have this phone are complaining. Honestly, in my own usage, I can’t get a call to drop on my iPhone 4. Sure, I was able to drop it from five bars to one bar on iOS 4.0, which is now more like dropping from 4 bars to three or two bars on iOS 4.0.1. And even then, think about it, these phones are digital, if you have one bar, you have the same quality of signal as five of them.

But Apple isn’t stopping with just the facts. They did offer up a solution. They said that a case does alleviate the attentuation of the signal. So, every iPhone 4 buyer is eligible for a free case. And if you’ve bought one already, Apple will pay you back. Now, of course I thought Apple means only its Bumper case, but they said they can’t make enough, so they will have a selection of third party cases available as well. As far as refunds go, I do believe that may be limited to the Bumper case, but I am unsure. This program will be valid until September 30, when Apple will revaluate the overall issue to determine their next step. Users can apply for their free case in about a week on Apple’s website.

Apple also touched on the less publicized issue of the proximity sensor behaving erratically. Basically, the proximity sensor isn’t always shutting off the screen when the phone is held against one’s face during a call. This allows for one’s cheek to begin activating buttons, such as the End Call button. My wife suffers from this more than I do (I’ve only had it happen once). Apple said a fix will be in the next software update.

Apple also said the white iPhone 4 would be available at the end of July in limited quantities, and that iPhone 4 would be available in 13 more countries on July 30.

My Thoughts

I think this is probably the best solution given that the iPhone 4 has only been out for 22 days. Apple dispelled some of the hype from the media, which I do honestly think has been overblown. Case in point: I’ve read and heard more griping from folks who either have older models of iPhones or, even better, have other smartphones on other carriers than I have from actual iPhone 4 owners. And as I have previously said, I can’t actually get this thing to drop a call using the “death grip.”

Now, the case offer is a decent olive branch. I personally don’t like cases on my phones. Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m just not a fan. My wife will be pleased, as she has been looking for a case for her iPhone 4, to give it a little extra protection when she carries it in her purse. 

Finally, Apple did mention if anyone is truly dissatisfied, they can bring it back within 30 days, undamaged, and get a full refund.

I would have rather had Apple truly fix the problem, but maybe that will come with more research and we’ll hear something else in September. In the meantime, I don’t think it is nearly as huge of an issue as it has been made out to be. The iPhone 4 is still the best phone I’ve ever owned.

Square Removes Payment Caps

Square released an update to their app today removing the $100 per transaction cap that was hindering the use of the app for many people, myself included. The full feature list for the iOS app update is as follows:

  • Never lose a sale: no caps on how much you can accept.
  • iOS 4 support.
  • Improved experience for contacting Square support.
  • Cash tendered field is now pre-filled with the expected amount.
  • User feedback when swiping too slow or too fast.
  • User feedback when swiping an expired card.
  • Excluding tax from a transaction is now accurately reflected in the receipt.
  • Fixed a crash affecting iOS 4 users with core location disabled.

The removal of the payment cap is greatly welcomed. When I go to sell old tech, I usually want more than $100 for it. Case in point: a couple weeks ago I sold my old iPhone 3G for $150. I used Square for the transaction, but had to do a $100 transaction then a second $50 transaction. It worked wonderfully, but the double transaction was inconvenient.

I assume the Android app will be getting a similar update to remove the transaction cap, but I haven’t received any word on that.

I think I’ll be listing some more things for sale this weekend, and using Square as my preferred method to receive loot.