Germany wants Apple to support their IPhones for up to 7 years

Germany wants Apple to keep their phones up to date for seven years. This came from a proposal from the German government that wants security updates. Germany’s Ministry of Economics wants to include spare parts also (Adorno 2021). These proposed changes goes beyond what the European Union wanted, which was to have tech companies keep updating their products for at least five years. Though this has its benefits, for the people and the environment, there has been some pushback from those companies. Jose Adorno (2021) reports that the Association, DigitalEurope, thinks these proposals are too much and wants to cut the security updates to just three years and function updates to two. 

It is understandable for Huawei or Google to limit support on their devices for a long time since they rely so much on new hardware sales every year with the release of a new phone or tablet. The revenue in that department would decrease over the years and manufacturing spare parts would also cut into their revenue. If the rules ever came to fruition, I would think it would take these companies a long time to redo their supply chains to support this only for Europe. Additional parts like microphones, cameras, and speakers would also need to be distributed to Europe also. 

However, I do not think this is a bad idea to have these rules enacted for tech companies. There is a large E-waste problem since many of us upgrade our smartphone every two years. With our focus to become more environmentally sustainable, I believe that the changes here will be for the better since fewer people will be throwing away their devices for new ones. Access to spare parts can also contribute to lengthening the life span of the device and prevent it from becoming e-waste. Also, people would save a considerable amount of money by fixing or keeping a well-supported device a few years. 

These changes would benefit most people, and it only hurt companies in the short term from having to adjust to these changes. Prolonging our device’s lifespan is one way to tackle the E-waste problem. Hopefully rules like these will come over to the US.  

Do you think that tech companies should provide updates and spare parts for their devices for five or more years? If so, why? 

 

Source: 

https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/06/germany-wants-apple-to-update-and-repair-iphones-for-7-years/ 

iPhone SE is coming

On April 15th, the Apple official website quietly updated and published the new iPhone SE. After four years of waiting, SE lovers finally see the coming back of the new iPhone SE. “Lots to love, less to spend”. As the website claims, the new iPhone SE starts at $399, which is much cheaper and friendly than the iPhone 11Pro while they are using the same chip.

In the video of Scott Galloway, he predicted that Apple would be the first trillion-dollar brand and a luxury brand. The former came true, but the coming of iPhone SE shows that Apple is still trying to keep different levels of customers to take it to the next step.

Comparing to the other iPhones, the new iPhone SE has the appearance from 2014, the fingerprint design from 2015, the screen from 2016, the body from 2017, the camera from 2018, and the processor from 2019. It might not a very good mobile phone, but it must be a good history book.

Even though the value retention rate and the manufacturing costs of the iPhone SE might be much lower than iPhone 11, it has the functions for routine work, an up to standard CPU, and a good price. Personally, I might choose iPhone SE rather than iPhone SE for a replacement of my old phone because of the price, but there are many reasons that other people choose the iPhone 11 such as its screen of 3D touch.

Reference:

https://www.apple.com/iphone-se/?afid=p238%7CsB4UjwDtB-dc_mtid_20925d2q39172_pcrid_431821364156_pgrid_107131778824_&cid=wwa-us-kwgo-iphone–slid–

Is a Pixel Smartphone really worth it?

Google uncovered its first mobile phone this week, named “Pixel,” hailing the association’s transform into an industry since a long time prior ruled by any similarity of Apple and Samsung.

With its curved edges, smooth outline, and two size choices, the Pixel is reminiscent of Apple’s iPhone; even its prices. The 5-creep Pixel has a 1080p screen — 1440 x 2160 on the 5.5-crawl Pixel XL — 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 128GB of capacity. The new iPhone 7 has comparable specs: the screen determination is 1334 x 750, with 2GB of RAM and size choices of 32GB, 128GB or 256GB. Moreover, it seems as though Google is trying to compete and make a statement with this new smartphone. Also, the Pixel phone appears to have a large photograph and video distributed storage, which may subdue some mobile clients’ feelings of trepidation of achieving their stockpiling limit. That’s apparently not the only unusual feature of this new phone; the Pixel to emphasize the phone’s name has a 12.3-megapixel rear camera which from experience seems to be one of the best cameras a smartphone ever had. In other words, this camera has gone through rigorous testing and test showed that the Pixel’s camera outperformed each other cell phone camera at present available. Another component touted by Google is the Pixel’s battery and charge time. As indicated by the organization, 15 minutes of charge will yield 7 hours of utilization. Pixel is likewise the first telephone with the organization’s virtual “keen” administration, known as Google Assistant, worked in, permitting clients to have “a characteristic discussion with Google” to seek or finish undertakings.

However, Verizon is the real transporter accomplice for Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL. Moreover, Verizon’s gadget has a bolted bootloader and accompanies three pre-introduced applications you don’t necessarily require. These apps are My Verizon, Go90 (a portable TV use), and Verizon Messaging. The split between security upgrades and framework redesigns implies that while Google will ensure you get your safety overhauls, you won’t get more up to date forms of Android. With the exception of Verizon’s course of events — which essentially implies you won’t get new forms of Android until some other time, if at any time.

Link/Sources:

No one should buy a Pixel smartphone from Verizon

http://www.livescience.com/56401-google-new-pixel-smartphone.html

 

Which is the best smart phone? IPhone 6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Nowadays, the discussion between Apple and Samsung cellphones are quite hot. Some people really love Samsung, but some people are die-hard Apple users. Therefore, let’s look at this problem critically!

If you’re looking for a phone with a large screen, the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 5 are by far the best choices on the market right now. Both phones have gorgeous metal and glass designs, offer fast performance and long battery life, and capture excellent photos.

It’s tough to decide between the two — ultimately, it boils down to whether or not you prefer iOS or Android, and whether or not having extra features such as a stylus really matter to you.

But if your buying choice is more complicated than that, there are a few differences between the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 5 that you may want to consider.

Both phones will cost you a decent amount of money. The iPhone 6 Plus starts at $750 off-contract, while the Note 5 starts at around $700 without a carrier subsidy.

After some research on the Internet, I found some important notes.

  • Both phones are gorgeous, but with the Note 5 you get a slightly larger screen packed into a phone that’s the same size as the iPhone 6 Plus.
  • The Note 5’s screen displays colors more vibrantly than the iPhone, but it’s not any sharper than the iPhone’s screen even though it’s a higher spec.
  • The iPhone is still much more simple to use than Samsung’s phone.
  • The Note 5’s S Pen feels natural and the multiwindow feature is useful, but Samsung’s version of Android is still too cluttered for me.
  • Both phones take excellent photos. It’s a win-win here, but, as is the case with the Note 5’s display, its camera also sometimes exaggerates color.

iPhoneNoteFront

Conclusion

To be clear, both phones are excellent and would be an ideal choice for those seeking a large-screened phone. But, if you’re really trying to choose between the two, here’s what you need to know.

The Note 5 has an amazing screen and lots of features that make multitasking easier, such as its multiwindow functionality and included S Pen stylus. Those are the two areas where it really shines over the iPhone.

The iPhone, on the other hand, is more simple and doesn’t come with any bloatware. Its software is less busy, which makes it easier to use from the moment you pick it up. It takes excellent photos, especially in low light, and the general app ecosystem is more polished. That’s important if you care about getting the best apps as soon as they launch, since many apps such as Instagram, Vine, and Periscope were all available for the iPhone before they launched on Android.

 

Will this change your mind?

Which one is your next cellphone?

 
Site used:http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-6-plus-vs-samsung-galaxy-note-5-2015-8#ixzz3kKclr0os