My take on it is that the technology isn't quite there yet for a really useful smartwatch.
Oh, the technology is there; but almost nobody wants a quarter-pound, 1/2-inch-thick ankle-monitoring bracelet strapped to their wrist, like the Gigantor LG Urbane.
My concern with the Apple watch is that they are trying to turn it into another smartphone rather than a device that makes sense by itself within its own design constraints. It's like they are trying to stuff 10 pounds of crap into a 5 pound bag.
Actually, Apple seems to have sussed-out fairly well the dividing-line between what is possible in a Watch, and what still needs to be offloaded to that supercomputer in your pocket. Of course, that line will creep a bit as time goes on; but until there is a Star Trek-sized gain in battery performance (I want the battery that powers the hand-phasers!), then a SmartWatch will remain primarily a "terminal" and sensor-set for your nearby pocket-supercomputer (or other nearby Smart Device).
And, within those constraints, there is still a LOT of stuff you can do.
When I mentioned health sensors I was thing about non invasive blood glucose and blood oxygen sensors etc -Apple actually hired people with phds in these subjects. Once they get this right for mass production and past regulations, that kind of feature will truly be a killer app.
A non-invasive glucometer that actually WORKS (there are a few, but they are wildly inaccurate and have a very small range of blood-glucose values for which they work even that well) would be a game-changer. Diabetics would buy a Smartwatch JUST for that feature alone.
I struggle to think of anything vaguely useful for a smartwatch while it's still tethered to the phone that's doing all the work anyway, and if you could miniaturise the phone down to the smartwatch size reliably enough, that's a product in itself and has nothing to do with the applications of watches.
Cannot happen unless people are happy with strapping a Cesium cell to their wrist for long periods of time.
Because when a company has success with one thing once, clearly every shit they come up with later must be equally successful.
I think following up the success of the iPod with the success of the iPhone is pretty much an example of "Lightning Striking Twice" as far as disruptive consumer product creation goes.
Odd. I just tried this using my wife's iPhone 6+. There's no context menu popping up when I long press an image. Tried this with the same image on my Android phone and I get the expected context menu.
Try a different site. Apparently, image saving in Safari can be blocked for copyright etc.
But this is how you do it. This must be from an earlier version of iOS, because my popup menu had a few more selections. But it is essentially the same.
The UI. My sister loves hers, and she can keep it. Mind you, it's pretty long in the tooth now, but still runs just fine, which justifies the premium she paid for it.
Well, it is interesting that there are quite a few KDE themes that emulate OS X, but nobody trying to get KDE (or anything that looks like it) running under OS X.;-)
And all ya gotta do is launch Terminal, and you can bask in the Shell of your choice. Best of both worlds.
But make no mistake: OS X/macOS is quite serious. BTW, check out the Bill Joy quote at the bottom of that page...
Sorry if I misunderstood. It would be if it weren't for "the Apple way" stuff getting in the way.
No worries. As I said, I think I didn't state my question too clearly. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I did much better on the second attempt, LOL!!!
"The Apple Way" stuff you are referring to: Are you talking about the GUI, or macOS' propensity to play a bit of hide-and-seek against the casual browser of System files (which is easily defeated temporarily or permanently) (caution: Sound on that Page)? By the way, that stuff works on other "Hidden" Directories, too. Or are you talking about something(s) else?
So they don't have to if they don't want to. The point is really the fact that the option is useful to some people.
The option to what, exactly? Pull down their pants and wag their nekkid ass in the air, waiting for the next available hard dick? Because that's about the equivalent to what you are touting as a "useful option".
Can you download pictures and videos via Safari? no
First, I assume you mean MOBILE Safari.
Second, you have moved the goalposts; but I would imagine it depends on certain factors. However in Mobile Safari, if I "long-tap" on an Image, it brings up a contextual menu. One of the selections is "Save Image". If I choose that, the image (picture) goes to my "Photos" library. Sounds "Downloaded" to me.
With videos, it appears you cannot download from Safari directly; however, GoodReader has web-browsing capabilities, and you can certainly Download (and Play) directly from that App. So, obviously, iOS doesn't keep you from Downloading video; they just didn't build that into Mobile Safari (that I know of). Chrome may allow it directly, although it doesn't seem to.
So, out of the 3 examples, 2 were able to be handled by Mobile Safari directly, and one with a readily available and very popular App.
If that's too hard for you, may I recommend a Flip-phone?
Except Android doesn't use/etc/hosts. That's a function of the stub resolver in the C library you use, and the Android C library simply doesn't support it.
But, but, don't all the Slashtards and Fandroids crow about how Android == Linux, and how Android's popularity (mostly because of the proliferation of shitbox throwaway freephones) somehow means that Linux has some insanely-high marketshare?
So, I guess Android == Linux only for certain limited values of "equals", right?
My android gets its security updates every month. Nexus 6P updated just a couple days ago, with the Aug update. I expect another one in Sept, probably one that fixes this one. Let me know when Apple ships timely monthly updates.
Fortunately, they don't seem to have vulnerabilities du-jour; but when they do, they generally push out an update in a pretty timely fashion, and for MUCH longer than any, or nearly any, Android device.
but there is no (known) privilege exploit that allows a userland application to get full privileges.
If the cost of that is not being able to access the damn filesystem and having everything running in it's own little isolated compartment, I'll just use Android and try not to install malicious apps thanks.
So, you are actually arguing against robust sandboxing? In 2016? On a Mobile Device?
Most users (yes, even Android Users) couldn't care less to paw through a filesystem heirarchy. In fact, the decision to make each app manage its own files in iOS was not borne out of some need to "lock down" user-choice; but rather, to keep a simple device simple for NON-computer-savvy people to use.
That's what you idiots need to get through your pin-heads: Not everyone is comfortable traversing a full-blown filesystem. In fact, even advanced users occasionally (more than they would admit) have to search for stuff they have "misfiled" on their computers.
iOS devices don't have a user accessible file system. FULL STOP! You can't even download an MP3 file from a website using Safari on iOS. That right there makes it complete shit for anyone with more than half a brain. And that's why I won't ever use an iOS device. I prefer not to suck iTunes dick every time I want to transfer a file to my device.
Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit.
While it is true that iOS doesn't directly provide access to the file-system heirarchy, there are Apps, such as GoodReader, that for the most part provide excellent file-management and file-transfer functionality.
And as far as "can't download an MP3 from Safari", that is TOTAL bullshit. I just tested exactly that on iOS 9 on my iPhone 6+. No iTunes involved (and BTW, there is no "iTunes", per se, on iOS).
Have you ever heard Apple make the excuse that it's the fault of a third party driver when there is a security issue with iOS? I doubt that Apple would accept any binary only drivers from someone who produces its chips.
Apple tends to roll their own drivers, even for third-party chips.
Well, it seemed to me when I first read the summary that it was a hw problem.. It's not. it's drivers provided by qualcomm.. If apple was using the same drivers they'd be just as blameless as google is.
Yes they would; however, a YUGE percentage of Slashdotters would still blame Apple, just because.
Don't even try to deny it. Seen it happen too many times...
Wow, just wow. BSD was around long before linux. FreeBSD isn't just used to underpin OSX either - it's also the OS for the last few Playstations (FreeBSD 9 as modified by Sony).
I'm sorry. I didn't state my actual question very clearly.
What I meant was "Isn't macOS closer to what a Linux afficianado would "recognize" (once we get past the GUI stuff), than what MS has train-wrecked together here?"
I KNOW that OS X/macOS is a Unix, rather than a Linux-based OS (whereas Linux is a COMPLETELY separate Development "path" than ANY Unix); but since Linux is pretty-much nothing more than a "clean-room" implementation of Unix, I thought that since macOS actually DOES have a *nix-based Kernel (unlike MS' abomination), it might be a little more capable that this LoW (Linux-on-Windows) thing.
Slashdot Mirror
Facetime? If I wanted to see someone's face then I'd talk to them in person. What sort of asshole calls you with video.
We finally live just a little bit in the promise of the Jetsons/2001 world, and you want to call people who use that technology "Assholes"?
My take on it is that the technology isn't quite there yet for a really useful smartwatch.
Oh, the technology is there; but almost nobody wants a quarter-pound, 1/2-inch-thick ankle-monitoring bracelet strapped to their wrist, like the Gigantor LG Urbane.
On the other hand, if we waited for the first version of every product to be perfect before shipping, nothing would ever ship.
Precisely!
My concern with the Apple watch is that they are trying to turn it into another smartphone rather than a device that makes sense by itself within its own design constraints. It's like they are trying to stuff 10 pounds of crap into a 5 pound bag.
Actually, Apple seems to have sussed-out fairly well the dividing-line between what is possible in a Watch, and what still needs to be offloaded to that supercomputer in your pocket. Of course, that line will creep a bit as time goes on; but until there is a Star Trek-sized gain in battery performance (I want the battery that powers the hand-phasers!), then a SmartWatch will remain primarily a "terminal" and sensor-set for your nearby pocket-supercomputer (or other nearby Smart Device).
And, within those constraints, there is still a LOT of stuff you can do.
When I mentioned health sensors I was thing about non invasive blood glucose and blood oxygen sensors etc -Apple actually hired people with phds in these subjects. Once they get this right for mass production and past regulations, that kind of feature will truly be a killer app.
A non-invasive glucometer that actually WORKS (there are a few, but they are wildly inaccurate and have a very small range of blood-glucose values for which they work even that well) would be a game-changer. Diabetics would buy a Smartwatch JUST for that feature alone.
I struggle to think of anything vaguely useful for a smartwatch while it's still tethered to the phone that's doing all the work anyway, and if you could miniaturise the phone down to the smartwatch size reliably enough, that's a product in itself and has nothing to do with the applications of watches.
Cannot happen unless people are happy with strapping a Cesium cell to their wrist for long periods of time.
Because when a company has success with one thing once, clearly every shit they come up with later must be equally successful.
I think following up the success of the iPod with the success of the iPhone is pretty much an example of "Lightning Striking Twice" as far as disruptive consumer product creation goes.
and some additional stuff that nobody cares about..
Like your comment.
Odd. I just tried this using my wife's iPhone 6+. There's no context menu popping up when I long press an image. Tried this with the same image on my Android phone and I get the expected context menu.
Try a different site. Apparently, image saving in Safari can be blocked for copyright etc.
But this is how you do it. This must be from an earlier version of iOS, because my popup menu had a few more selections. But it is essentially the same.
The UI. My sister loves hers, and she can keep it. Mind you, it's pretty long in the tooth now, but still runs just fine, which justifies the premium she paid for it.
Well, it is interesting that there are quite a few KDE themes that emulate OS X, but nobody trying to get KDE (or anything that looks like it) running under OS X. ;-)
And all ya gotta do is launch Terminal, and you can bask in the Shell of your choice. Best of both worlds.
But make no mistake: OS X/macOS is quite serious. BTW, check out the Bill Joy quote at the bottom of that page...
Sorry if I misunderstood. It would be if it weren't for "the Apple way" stuff getting in the way.
No worries. As I said, I think I didn't state my question too clearly. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I did much better on the second attempt, LOL!!!
"The Apple Way" stuff you are referring to: Are you talking about the GUI, or macOS' propensity to play a bit of hide-and-seek against the casual browser of System files (which is easily defeated temporarily or permanently) (caution: Sound on that Page)? By the way, that stuff works on other "Hidden" Directories, too. Or are you talking about something(s) else?
So they don't have to if they don't want to. The point is really the fact that the option is useful to some people.
The option to what, exactly? Pull down their pants and wag their nekkid ass in the air, waiting for the next available hard dick? Because that's about the equivalent to what you are touting as a "useful option".
Can you download pictures and videos via Safari? no
First, I assume you mean MOBILE Safari.
Second, you have moved the goalposts; but I would imagine it depends on certain factors. However in Mobile Safari, if I "long-tap" on an Image, it brings up a contextual menu. One of the selections is "Save Image". If I choose that, the image (picture) goes to my "Photos" library. Sounds "Downloaded" to me.
With videos, it appears you cannot download from Safari directly; however, GoodReader has web-browsing capabilities, and you can certainly Download (and Play) directly from that App. So, obviously, iOS doesn't keep you from Downloading video; they just didn't build that into Mobile Safari (that I know of). Chrome may allow it directly, although it doesn't seem to.
So, out of the 3 examples, 2 were able to be handled by Mobile Safari directly, and one with a readily available and very popular App.
If that's too hard for you, may I recommend a Flip-phone?
Except Android doesn't use /etc/hosts. That's a function of the stub resolver in the C library you use, and the Android C library simply doesn't support it.
But, but, don't all the Slashtards and Fandroids crow about how Android == Linux, and how Android's popularity (mostly because of the proliferation of shitbox throwaway freephones) somehow means that Linux has some insanely-high marketshare?
So, I guess Android == Linux only for certain limited values of "equals", right?
hey sued and drove out of business everybody but Microsoft's GUI.
They sued the FUCK out of Microsoft, too. Or did you conveniently forget that fact?
They sued and drove out of business everybody but Microsoft's GUI.
There's this thing called Linux. I'd recommend taking a look at it.
Not strong enough.
There's this thing called Prozac. I'd recommend him taking a look at it.
Don't sideload apps unless you REALLY know what you are doing. You can't even officially DO that on iOS.
Actually, if you have XCode 7, you can. No Jailbreaking needed.
My android gets its security updates every month. Nexus 6P updated just a couple days ago, with the Aug update. I expect another one in Sept, probably one that fixes this one. Let me know when Apple ships timely monthly updates.
Fortunately, they don't seem to have vulnerabilities du-jour; but when they do, they generally push out an update in a pretty timely fashion, and for MUCH longer than any, or nearly any, Android device.
but there is no (known) privilege exploit that allows a userland application to get full privileges.
If the cost of that is not being able to access the damn filesystem and having everything running in it's own little isolated compartment, I'll just use Android and try not to install malicious apps thanks.
So, you are actually arguing against robust sandboxing? In 2016? On a Mobile Device?
Most users (yes, even Android Users) couldn't care less to paw through a filesystem heirarchy. In fact, the decision to make each app manage its own files in iOS was not borne out of some need to "lock down" user-choice; but rather, to keep a simple device simple for NON-computer-savvy people to use.
That's what you idiots need to get through your pin-heads: Not everyone is comfortable traversing a full-blown filesystem. In fact, even advanced users occasionally (more than they would admit) have to search for stuff they have "misfiled" on their computers.
iOS devices don't have a user accessible file system. FULL STOP! You can't even download an MP3 file from a website using Safari on iOS. That right there makes it complete shit for anyone with more than half a brain. And that's why I won't ever use an iOS device. I prefer not to suck iTunes dick every time I want to transfer a file to my device.
Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit.
While it is true that iOS doesn't directly provide access to the file-system heirarchy, there are Apps, such as GoodReader, that for the most part provide excellent file-management and file-transfer functionality.
And as far as "can't download an MP3 from Safari", that is TOTAL bullshit. I just tested exactly that on iOS 9 on my iPhone 6+. No iTunes involved (and BTW, there is no "iTunes", per se, on iOS).
The Apple haters will be silent tonight
Unfortunately not.
Have you ever heard Apple make the excuse that it's the fault of a third party driver when there is a security issue with iOS? I doubt that Apple would accept any binary only drivers from someone who produces its chips.
Apple tends to roll their own drivers, even for third-party chips.
Well, it seemed to me when I first read the summary that it was a hw problem.. It's not. it's drivers provided by qualcomm.. If apple was using the same drivers they'd be just as blameless as google is.
Yes they would; however, a YUGE percentage of Slashdotters would still blame Apple, just because.
Don't even try to deny it. Seen it happen too many times...
Wow, just wow. BSD was around long before linux. FreeBSD isn't just used to underpin OSX either - it's also the OS for the last few Playstations (FreeBSD 9 as modified by Sony).
I'm sorry. I didn't state my actual question very clearly.
What I meant was "Isn't macOS closer to what a Linux afficianado would "recognize" (once we get past the GUI stuff), than what MS has train-wrecked together here?"
No. OSX is derived from BSD.
I KNOW that OS X/macOS is a Unix, rather than a Linux-based OS (whereas Linux is a COMPLETELY separate Development "path" than ANY Unix); but since Linux is pretty-much nothing more than a "clean-room" implementation of Unix, I thought that since macOS actually DOES have a *nix-based Kernel (unlike MS' abomination), it might be a little more capable that this LoW (Linux-on-Windows) thing.