iPhone Event Rumors and Predictions!

There were several interesting topics discussed in this episode of The Waveform Podcast. First, Ellis corrected a mistake from the previous episode about Sony's LinkBuds, revealing that they use a proprietary protocol instead of Wi-Fi direct. The hosts also touched on the upcoming iPhone event and made predictions about what to expect. Additionally, they talked about Google Play Store's new short form content feature, which will showcase apps and games with short videos. The episode also included some random and humorous articles, such as the launch of short form content on the Google Play Store itself. Overall, the podcast covered a range of topics, from technology news and predictions to corrections and humor. Stay tuned for more episodes of The Waveform Podcast! Support for this podcast comes from Smartwater. Stay hydrated with Smartwater alkaline, which not only tastes crisp and pure but also provides essential minerals for optimal performance. Visit drinksmartwater.com to learn more. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Simplify your commerce experience by switching to Shopify, the global commerce platform trusted by leading brands. Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at Shopify.com/tech.

Google is testing a new way to surface hidden gem apps and trending content on the Google Play Store through YouTube shorts. This new feature, currently in pilot in the U.S., displays a feed of shorts at the top of the Google Play Store, and users can swipe through to discover other related shorts or apps. The shorts can also be found on Google's YouTube channel. Google Play is reportedly partnering with Chinese phone brand, Maizu, to release a Polestar-branded phone in December. Maizu, known for making mid-range phones with unique features, was acquired by Polestar/Volvo's parent company last year, allowing for this collaboration. The phone is expected to be exclusive to the Chinese market, as it runs on Chinese operating systems. These developments demonstrate Google's efforts to innovate and keep up with competitors in the tech industry.

Polestar, a subsidiary of the Chinese automobile company Geely, is developing a smartphone that will run on the same operating system as their cars in China. This move aims to create a seamless integration between the phone and the vehicle, a concept that has gained popularity due to the limitations of car software compared to smartphones. While there have been rumors of Tesla creating a phone, Polestar seems to be the first to make it a reality. The potential benefits include a more familiar user experience, improved convenience, and better synchronization between the phone and the car. This development highlights the growing importance of ecosystems and the potential for technology companies to expand beyond their core businesses to offer integrated solutions.

Making excellent car batteries does not automatically mean making excellent phone batteries. Tesla's expertise in EV batteries does not guarantee success in phone batteries. Regarding the Tesla China partnership with McDonald's, the creation of a cyber spoon is a real collector's item. People are willing to pay extra for limited-edition merchandise from fast-food chains, and Tesla has also capitalized on this trend. The cyber spoon, despite being metal and having a carrying case, may be more of a collectible than a functional item for stirring McFlurries.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, was surprised by a post on social media about a Tesla-branded spoon, despite his frequent use of Twitter. The incident highlights the challenge of keeping up with every detail of a large organization, even for a CEO. The Cybertruck, a yet-to-be-released Tesla product, has already become iconic due to its unique design, inspiring various imitations. Polestar, a car company, has been around since 1996, and was previously known as Polestar Engineering. During the discussion, there was a brief mention of an upcoming Apple event. While predictions about new technology are often made, their accuracy is limited, and it's generally more productive to focus on the latest developments and trends.

We expect significant changes in the upcoming iPhone 15 event, including the introduction of USB-C ports, faster data transfer speeds, and potentially improved charging capabilities. While there is no consensus on the exact specifications, it is widely anticipated that the iPhone 15 Pro will feature Thunderbolt speeds, while the regular iPhone 15 may have USB 2.0 speeds. Apple is expected to position USB-C as an improvement over their previous Lightning port, despite previous claims to the contrary. The event is scheduled for September 12th, and while there may be additional models announced, such as an iPhone 15 Plus or an Ultra model, the focus is on these expected upgrades.

Apple's transition from proprietary connectors like Lightning to universal standards like USB-C is a significant shift that has both advantages and challenges. The iPad Pro was one of the first Apple devices to adopt USB-C, starting in 2018, and the reaction was mixed, with some users expressing frustration over having to replace their existing accessories. However, USB-C offers faster data transfer speeds and the potential for a wider range of accessories at lower costs. The iPhone's adoption of USB-C is expected to lead to a surge in new accessories, though it remains to be seen how many will be high-quality, licensed options versus cheaper, unlicensed alternatives. Power users may continue to rely on specific, high-performance accessories, but for most users, the primary benefits of USB-C will likely be faster charging and data transfer.

The future of iPhone charging could bring significant power and functionality enhancements. The use of USB-C could lead to faster charging speeds, allowing for applications beyond just powering the phone itself, such as charging accessories like AirPods or even powering small devices. Additionally, the potential implementation of reverse wireless charging and new colors like a titanium gray or brighter options are also possibilities. However, these are just speculations and may not come to fruition. Apple's decision to potentially use a titanium frame in the Pro iPhone models could result in a more premium product, despite the potential added cost. The rumored increase in minimum storage to 256GB is also a possibility, but it remains to be seen if this will result in a price increase. Overall, these potential advancements could lead to a more versatile and powerful iPhone experience.

Apple's removal of the physical mute switch in the upcoming iPhone models might be a letdown for some users, but the convenience of quicker settings access through haptic buttons could offset this loss. Many users, especially those who have used phones with alert sliders, appreciate the ability to change phone settings without looking, and the mute switch was a significant plus for this reason. However, with the increasing prevalence of smartwatches and other wearable devices, the need for constant phone vibration or muting might be decreasing for some users. Apple's decision to eliminate hard switches in favor of haptic buttons could be part of a larger trend towards erasing points of failure and increasing utility through technology. Ultimately, the impact of this change will depend on individual user preferences and habits.

Apple is introducing a new haptic button on their devices, replacing a physical switch, and making it more contextually aware and useful. This button, which could be the action button on the Apple Watch, is expected to offer various functions depending on the context, such as starting a workout or opening a specific app. However, it may not be as contextually aware as some users might hope, and it's unclear how many customizations users will be able to make. The delay between pressing the button and the device responding could also be a concern. The new button is also speculated to serve as an accent color, adding to the design of the device. Overall, this new feature aims to make interactions with Apple devices more seamless and convenient.

Apple's iPhone design evolution is marked by distinct visual features, such as the notch, dynamic island, and potential action buttons. The upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra, if it exists, may offer larger screens due to thinner bezels, and could come with enhanced camera features or higher storage. Meanwhile, Google's Pixel series provides more transparency with detailed 360-degree renders of new devices. The rumored Apple Watch Ultra may bring a new chip, but it's not expected to have drastic design changes. The anticipation for new Apple products continues to build, with fans eagerly awaiting official announcements.

Apple is expected to introduce more efficient chips for their devices, specifically for the Apple Watch, which could lead to better battery life. This is based on the discussion about the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Bionic chip being the first three nanometer chip from Apple. The desire for improved battery life is a common request from Apple Watch users. Additionally, there are predictions that the AirPods will adopt USB-C, but other changes, such as new audio modes, may be less significant. The EU law requiring phones and headphones to use USB-C has led to speculation about when other Apple devices will make the switch. The frustration remains, however, that some Apple products, like the AirPods Max and Magic Keyboard, still use the older Lightning port. Other potential changes, like reverse wireless charging for the AirPods, were also mentioned in the discussion.

The discussion revolved around potential new features for upcoming Apple products, specifically the AirPods and the new iPhone. The group debated whether the AirPods would have a design change or just the addition of USB-C. Some believed that only the professional version would have Thunderbolt, while others thought all versions would have the same USB-C. There was also a prediction about an action button on the new iPhone and the possibility of Apple releasing a case with a colored action button. The group had differing opinions, with some arguing that Apple would not introduce a multi-color case. Overall, the conversation showed the excitement and speculation surrounding new Apple product releases.

Apple's design choices, such as the location and functionality of buttons, can spark intense debate and speculation among tech enthusiasts. During a discussion about potential new features in Apple's upcoming products, the topic of an orange accent action button and the possibility of a portless iPhone emerged. While some believed that Apple would introduce this feature in the highest-end model, others thought it would be a standard feature across all iPhones. The consensus seemed to be that Apple tends to make long-term decisions with its product design, and the removal of ports could be a sign of things to come. Overall, the conversation highlighted the excitement and anticipation surrounding Apple's product announcements and the impact of even the smallest design decisions.

During the podcast, the topic of wireless charging versus having a port for charging phones arose. The speaker expressed his predicament of getting used to wireless charging exclusively, but the discussion went on longer than expected. They also discussed a trivia question about the first titanium phone, which was made by Ericsson, and the correct answer was 2001. Later in the podcast, they talked about Google's decision to discontinue Pixel Pass, a subscription service that came with the Pixel 6 and offered benefits like phone insurance, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass. The service was announced in 2021, but was officially discontinued just a few months later, leaving many customers disappointed and potentially eligible for a class action lawsuit. Google had previously marketed Pixel Pass as a way to finance a new phone every two years, but the sudden discontinuation left many feeling betrayed.

Google has discontinued its Pixel Pass subscription service, which offered customers a new Google Pixel phone every two years, along with other perks like YouTube Premium and Google One, for a monthly fee. The reason given for the discontinuation was that Google aims to provide the best value for its hardware products and give customers flexibility in their purchases. Some customers are unhappy about the change, as they felt they were getting a good deal with Pixel Pass and are now losing that benefit. Google is honoring existing terms for those who had the subscription and offering a $100 coupon towards a new Pixel device purchase. The discontinuation of Pixel Pass is a reminder that companies may change their offerings and that customers should consider the long-term value of their subscriptions.

Relying too heavily on one service or platform, even if it's industry-leading like Google, can be risky as they may be discontinued. During a discussion, it was mentioned that Google has a business model of only keeping services that make a billion dollars, regardless of their profitability. This means that other services, no matter how popular or useful, could be cut at any time. For example, only Gmail, YouTube, and Google Search have survived the cutting room floor. This instability can be disheartening and highlights the importance of having backup options and being adaptable to change. Additionally, the discussion touched on a website called WVFRMTRIVIA.com, created by a fan named Marquez. The site allows users to play along with trivia questions in real-time and also offers the ability to revisit past questions. The hosts were impressed with the site's features, including player stats and categories, and appreciated the opportunity to see their own performance improvements. This demonstrates the value of innovation and the power of fans to create engaging experiences. In summary, the discussion emphasized the importance of adaptability in the face of potential service instability and the value of fan-driven innovation.

The X-Men were officially part of Marvel Comics relatively recently, but the movie rights have been owned by other companies. During the podcast, there was a discussion about the first titanium phone, which was not an Erickson R320 Titan Limited Edition from 2000 as some might think. Erickson actually produced their first phone in the late 1800s, making it impossible for that model to be the first titanium phone. The podcast hosts had a lively and humorous discussion about their incorrect guesses, with one host even jokingly suggesting 2009 as a possibility. The episode ended with the hosts looking forward to attending Apple's upcoming event and sharing their predictions with their audience. Overall, the podcast showcased the hosts' knowledge and passion for technology, as well as their ability to engage in light-hearted banter.