I powered through and marinated on Apple’s latest iPhone 12 event, Hi, Speed. While overall, I though the event was pretty boring, here are the top 5 take away from that event.
#1 MagSafe is back
While MagSafe has come and gone on the Mac, Apple has brought its magnetic protocol to the iPhone. MagSafe will be built in to Apple’s Qi charges and uses magnets to make sure everything is lined up properly.
When everything is lined up, the charge will increase in speed up to 15 watts.
I can’t say how many times I have woken up to a phone that had been misaligned on the Qi charger and was completely dead when I woke up.
#2 MagSafe is more than a charger
Going even further with MagSafe, and the thing I’m probably most excited about, MagSafe is not just about charging anymore. Apple has taken some ideas from accessory makers (taking from the little man might not be a good idea right now Apple!) and, using the built in MagSafe magnets, will allow things to attach to the phone.
Apple will launch cases, chargers, and wallets that all attach to the iPhone through the MagSafe connector. I’m pretty excited about that, and plan on looking at getting a wallet and the duo charger which can charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch it can then be folded up and taken with you.
Hell, if it’s cheap enough (not likely knowing Apple) i might get one for home and one to put in my bag to take with me.
#3 The iPhone Has Grown Boring
Now, I’m excited for iPhone season. I’m ready to get my knee device too. But I watched this event and I was pretty bored.
We knew most of the highlights of the show. The iPhone would get 5G, it would get more sizes. The chips would grow faster and the cameras would be better.
That’s it besides the new HomePod and MagSafe.
I’m not sure what else can really go into the phone that would get me excited like in the days of the iPhone 4, 5, or 6, but I know that this wasn’t it.
#4 HomePod mini looks fun
I’m not sure about the sound quality compared to the standard HomePod, but this device is just what I was wanting out of a HomePod Mini.
It’s smaller and cheaper and it does some new stuff with the U1 chip. I think we’ve really just started to get into spatial awareness with this chip. I can imagine whole home audio where the audio follows you around.
The new shape surprised me though. I think it looks cute.
I’m excited to get my hands and ears on this to see how it sounds in person, but I will definitely be getting some of these.
#5 I still hate cell phone companies
Apple started the talk about 5G early in the iPhone presentation. They even went as far as to bring out the CEO of Verizon to talk about 5G. But 5G isn’t widely available or really ready. There’s still debates about how to implement it and it’s crazy that Apple had to include it so as not to get passed by other cell phone makers.
Of course, now maybe this will speed up adoption.
Furthering my hate of cell companies, it looks like Verizon and at&t have struck a deal with Apple on the iPhone 12. If you buy a phone from any other company or an unlocked iPhone 12, you are charged more money for not being on one of those two companies.
This just feels dirty for everyone involved.
Summary
All-in-all, it was a meh event. I am planning on getting an iPhone Pro 12, most likely in black or white. I am thankful that Apple has double the storage of the base model here as well, I think that should do me plenty.
I also am excited to get the HomePod mini, which’s very different than when the HomePod was announced years ago.
What did you think about the event? Are you planning on upgrading you system? Let me know!