We are pleased to present our week-end Apple Breakfast column. It includes all of this week’s Apple news in a concise roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.
Blame it all on the dongle
Macworld’s review of the 10th-gen iPad went live this week (and is linked below). It’s a strange review: In many ways, it’s a positive write-up, with the attractive design, excellent cameras, and Magic Keyboard Folio support all earning sincere praise. But there were enough quibbles to knock it down to 3 stars–not least the frankly ridiculous dongle required to pair the iPad with the only version of the Apple Pencil it supports.
Dongles can cost more, get lost, and make things less convenient for Apple users. And they are growing in popularity. I am reminded of Steve Jobs’ words about styluses when I use a dongle. They blew it. A dongle can be a tacit acknowledgment of an error. Either the wrong product was purchased for the job or the design was flawed in the first instance. Apple has used many dongles over time, but the Apple Pencil dogle is the most irritating.
1. It doesn’t even work as a Lightning to USB-C adapter
An adapter for general use Lightning/USB C would be useful, but as Redditor found through Comprehensive testingThe dongle is a one-use product. So, if you were hoping to use the dongle to repurpose your old Lightning cables, you’re out of luck.
2. You’ll lose it
Yes, you will. It’s tiny and it doesn’t attach to anything when not in use. Your Apple Pencil is then useless until you spend another $9.
3. It doesn’t ‘just work’
Although the columnist considers himself tech-savvy at minimum, he was baffled for about half an hour while trying charging an Apple Pencil via an adapter. I assumed you’d be able to go Apple Pencil > adapter > USB-C-to-USB-C cable > USB-C power adapter > outletBut that didn’t get me anywhere fast. To charge your iPad, you will need to connect it to a cable. (The fact that Apple Pencils have no means of indicating when they’re charging is another pain point.) As indicated in the first point, the dongle is good for only one specific use case, but to most users that won’t be obvious at first.
4. It’s there to upsell you to a better model
The dongle is very much of a piece with Apple’s general approach this year, which we’ve also seen with the weirdly cautious iPhone 14 upgrade: Buy the better model. Apple is an extremely detail-oriented company. At some point, you can assume that the shortcomings in entry-level products aren’t due to managerial mistakes or a lack of resources. Instead, they want you to buy something more expensive.
5. This creates more electronic waste
As mentioned above, the dongle is now bundled with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil, but we have to assume that at least some of those won’t be needed (when the Pencil is bought by a 9th-gen iPad owner, for example) and will end up in a landfill. Others will go unclaimed (see point 2), and end up at a landfill. And the fact that it doesn’t work as a general-use adapter (see point 1) will contribute to the number of Lightning cables ending up in a landfill.
Inefficient design isn’t just bad for the user—it’s bad for the environment. Apple could have created a better solution if they cared as much as Apple claims.
6. Apple’s had years to sort this out
Apple still sells its 1st-generation Apple Pencil due to the fact that it still sells Lightning iPads. The 9th-gen model is the last iPad to have a Lightning port, so as long as it’s still sold, the original Apple Pencil needs to exist. That’s fine. But the USB-C switch didn’t happen yesterday. In fact, the first USB-C iPad Pro was released in addition to the 2nd-gen Pencil. 2018.
Given four years to plan for the change-over on the standard iPad, it’s absurd that Apple hasn’t come up with a more elegant solution than this. The most obvious would be support for the 2nd-gen Pencil, so whether it’s an egineerining issue, cost issue, or upgrade issue (see point 4), the whole Lightning thing seems to have taken Apple by surprise.
Apple is, as we hear, the most valuable company on the planet, valued at well over $2 trillion. Over The most recent quarterApple has made the staggeringly unimaginable amount of $90 billion. It could therefore afford to sacrifice a few dollars here or there for user goodwill and a better user experience. Apple doesn’t love hoovering up nickels and dimes. It’s shoving extra ads onto the App Store, pushing up the prices of its subscription services, and now charging $9 for an An adapter. (Granted, the adapter does now come free with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil, but if you bought one years ago, you’ll need to pay up.)
The USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is Apple’s design at its worst: We only need to use it because Apple was lazy, stubborn, and a little greedy.
Trending: The top stories of the week
Apple can be great or it can be Google–but it can’t be both, says Jason Snell.
The iPhone’s Most promising featureIt is being wasted. MagSafe could offer unique experiencesHowever, all we had were magnets.
The Macalope is worried about Apple’s attitude. It seems like money can. You can make anyone a jerk.
This is the epic M1 Mac mini-Nintendo Wii mashupThe Mod of our dreams.
Even with Record profitsApple can’t buy our trust.
This Chrome featureSo good that it could make us swoon Switch to SafariFor good.
As Apple’s The prices continue to go up, Where is the value?
There’s Doom is on the horizon for Apple–and Ads are the only solution.
Reviews Corner
Our website Apple Watch Ultra reviewWe look at the following: Garmin killers you can convince–but one with downsides to consider.
Our iPad (2022). ReviewMeanwhile, he discovers a Beautiful disappointment.
(We’ve also compared the Models 2022 and 2021 for iPadTo find out which iPad standard(It is the right choice for you.
Our last item is our 3rd-gen Apple TV 4K reviewIt is concluded that The price is the best feature..
(On a Similar noteMichael Simon explains the reasons why he does it. Purchased a 2021 Apple TV 4KYou can use the old one instead.
Rumor mill
Apple is said to be working on a big Siri changeThat Nobody asked for it.
Next Round of M2 ApplesPossibly Moved back to 2023.
The iPhone 15 Promay Not have any buttons.
The The glowing Apple logoIt could be the Next MacBook featureIt’s time to make a comeback.
Podcast of Week
Apple’s iPad lineup is set for the 2022 holiday shopping season, and one thing is certain: There are a lot of models to choose from. We’re talking about the State of the iPadIn this episode of Macworld Podcast.
Every episode of Macworld Podcast can be viewed on Spotify, Soundcloud?, Podcasts appYou can also call it: Our site.
Software updates, bugs & problems
Apple has a major plan home screen layout changeIn iOS 16.2.
Apple has patched up a Pair of security flawsWith the macOS Ventura 13.0.1 update.
Google All Mac users beware to patch a ‘high risk’ Chrome security flaw.
“Privacy concerns”Have been raised over usage data collectionVisit the App Store.
The 2nd-gen AirPods ProIt’s now possible to get a Unusual firmware update.
And with that, we’re done for this week. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for Subscribe to our newsletter. You can also subscribe to us Follow us on Twitter for breaking news stories. Stay Appley, see you next Saturday.
