The case for the iPad Pro | The Vergecast

Intro (00:00:00)

• David Pierce is at a coffee shop testing iPads.
• He will be doing the crossword puzzle on the iPad Pro and iPad Air.
• He is worried that the iPad Air's battery will die before he finishes the crossword.
• David crushed the Monday crossword puzzle on the iPad Pro in 8 minutes.
• He gave up on the Sunday crossword puzzle on the iPad Air because he found it too difficult.

iPad Pro OLED! (00:02:19)

• The new iPad Pro features an OLED screen with perfect blacks and no blooming, offering improved display quality.
• Despite its thin and light design, the reviewer would prefer a slightly heavier device with a reduced camera bump and longer battery life.
• The reviewer misses the lightweight and versatile Smart Keyboard Folio but acknowledges the Magic Keyboard as a good option despite its weight and size.
• The 11-inch iPad Pro is the reviewer's personal preference due to its manageable size, while the 13-inch model suits those desiring a larger canvas.
• The tandem OLED display on the new iPad Pro raises questions about potential burn-in issues and durability concerns, although Apple's theory on why burn-in might not occur sounds plausible.

Sonos headphones and app updates (00:11:24)

• Sonos announced new headphones, the Sonos Ace, priced at around $450, featuring noise cancellation and spatial audio with head tracking.
• The new Sonos app has received criticism for removing features like local music search and queue editing, which won't be restored until June.
• Sonos' decision to prioritize the new headphones over existing customers' needs has shaken trust, especially considering the previous S1/S2 controversy.
• Sonos is expanding its product lineup with headphones and a rumored TV streaming device, raising questions about its focus on building a cohesive audio system.
• Sonos is planning to release headphones in June, rumored to have a good microphone, home theater support, and a lightweight design.

Right to repair update w/ Will Poor (00:25:08)

• Will from The Verge conducted an experiment to assess the state of the right to repair industry by taking broken iPhones to the Apple Store and independent repair shops.
• The experiment aimed to understand repair practices, knowledge, and costs associated with each option.
• Apple products are central to the right to repair discussion due to their popularity and the company's resistance to repairability.
• Broken iPhones with various issues were acquired from sources like eBay.
• The total budget for the phones exceeded expectations, but two relatively inexpensive used phones were purchased for $40 and $60.
• The iPhone 14 Pro cost around $75, bringing the total cost of the used phones to a few hundred dollars.
• The first step was to take the damaged phones to the Apple Store.

Apple Store repair experience (00:30:15)

• The author visited an Apple Store to inquire about repairing three phones: an iPhone 8 with a bad charge port, an iPhone SE2 with a cracked screen and a third-party battery, and an iPhone 14 Pro with water damage.
• The Apple Store staff informed the author that the iPhone 8's charge port was not repairable by Apple and offered a refurbished iPhone 8 for $350 or a new iPhone SE for $430.
• For the iPhone SE2, the staff suggested a battery replacement for $89 but warned that the screen might shatter during the process, requiring an additional $269 for a new display.
• The iPhone 14 Pro with water damage was deemed unrepairable as the Apple Store does not handle water-damaged devices.
• The author expresses surprise at the limited repair options offered by Apple, considering that water damage is listed as a repairable category on the Apple repair website.
• The author highlights the difficulty in determining the exact repairs Apple will perform at its stores, as the information provided on the website and by independent repair technicians is often unclear.
• The author suggests that the limited repair capabilities of the Genius Bar underscore the need for alternative repair options beyond Apple's authorized service centers.

Independent repair shop adventure (00:33:13)

• The author visited Jet City device repair, a repair shop in Seattle, to inquire about fixing a few phones.
• The shop owner, Savash Poal, showed the author the storeroom with various parts for different cell phones.
• Savash quoted $90 to fix the charging port of one of the phones, which was close to the price of a used phone online.
• Savash explained that Apple Stores are not equipped for repairs like fixing charging ports, as they focus on a few select repairs like screens and batteries.
• Apple's repair process is overly engineered, requiring specialized tools and devices, while independent repair shops use simple tools and techniques.
• To repair the charging port, Savash removed several screws and components to access the port.
• Savash suggested that Apple may be incentivized to focus on sales rather than repairs, as they can claim to provide repairs for common issues like batteries and screens, while encouraging customers to buy new devices for more complex repairs.
• Apple's repair policies are designed to incentivize sales rather than repairs.
• Apple focuses on a few select repairs like screens and batteries, while discouraging repairs for other issues by making them difficult or expensive.
• Apple's repair process is overly engineered, requiring specialized tools and devices, which may not be cost-effective for certain repairs.
• Independent repair shops, like Jet City device repair, use simple tools and techniques to perform a wider range of repairs at a lower cost.

The challenge of repairing modern devices (00:37:03)

• Apple offers mail-in port repairs for iPhone 12 and newer models.
• A hidden screw under a piece of tape on the charging port connector suggests Apple discourages self-repairs.
• Independent repair shops provide more transparency and attempt to repair devices that manufacturers don't intend to be repairable.
• Parts pairing in iPhones can cause issues like loss of True Tone, inaccurate battery health tracking, and failure of Touch ID or Face ID components if non-Apple parts are used.
• Apple has been criticized for its lack of transparency about parts pairing, leading to confusion and frustration among repair technicians.
• Independent repair technicians have a deeper understanding of Apple devices than Apple Geniuses and are essential for repairs that Apple doesn't prioritize or actively discourages.
• Apple's incentive to sell new products conflicts with the right-to-repair movement's goal of extending the lifespan of older gadgets.
• The Vergecast discusses the case for the iPad Pro and encourages viewers to send in their questions about gadgets and technology.

The iPad vs. MacBook debate (Vergecast Hotline) (00:57:10)

• The iPad Pro's capabilities have raised questions about its potential to replace the MacBook, but its versatility may hinder its ability to focus on specific tasks like the Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
• While smartphones dominate due to their versatility, replicating this in other devices often leads to competition and failure.
• Successful devices tend to focus on a specific smartphone feature and enhance it rather than attempting to do everything.
• The iPad Pro excels in creative tasks like drawing, filmmaking, and photography editing, making it an essential tool for specific users.
• Expanding the iPad Pro's capabilities to include desktop-class features like full-fledged web browsers and powerful office applications would enhance its indispensability.
• Apple's strategy involves expanding the iPad's capabilities in specific areas like health and fitness, rather than aiming for a single mainstream use case.
• The iPad's versatility allows users to customize it to their needs, but the market for accessories like the Apple Pencil and high-performance apps is relatively niche, requiring Apple to find a broader use case or develop more specialized features.