Apple Event April 20, 2021
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Hi Guys,
Just watched the latest Apple event which was introduced by Tim Cook. He did a good job but I have to say, I still miss Jobs!
https://www.apple.com/apple-events/april-2021/?cid=CDM-US-DM-P0021036-474572
Tim, seems very proud of Apple's record on carbon neutrality when it comes to buildings etc and their plans to be totally carbon neutral in all things Apple in the next few years.
I doubt that will ever happen with the current Apple profit plan. I have been an Mac user since they switched to the Intel chip and have never looked back. Since I switched I have very rarely had to bring any of my MacBook Pros into the repair shop. Fortunately I was able to fix the operating problems my self. As far as hardware problems went, I don't remember any but again memory can be selective at times.
My main gripe with current Mac devices is that they are for the most part non upgradable when it comes to hardware. Until Apple introduces a laptop/desktop computer that is reasonably upgradable, things like memory chips come to mind, they can forget about their target.
I think they will never be able to say they they are truly carbon neutral as their current profit policy will always work against this aim. Maybe if they set up a scheme whereby obsolete Macs were refurbed by them and given to third world children/schools they could entertain a hope.
Mike
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Hey Mike
Well stated.
It is also difficult to account for the sustainability and damages inflicted from the composition of the components that are difficult, if not impossible to replace, in the makeup of digital devices.
But, they certainly have made some positive steps, and any steps should be applauded. -
Hi Dale,
I agree with you, yes, 'positive steps, should be applauded' and I will always applaud such steps.
One great thing about Apple products is that they hold up quite well in the second hand retail market. But I still wish they would produce an upgradable MacBook. The MacBook's aluminium body is more than capable of 10 years service and could do so if Apple allowed upgradability that kept users up to date when it comes to the OS
I would be prepared to pay a premium for swap-in components. This surely would allow Apple to generate reasonable profits.
Then again, I can't see this happening as I feel the key objective is profit alone. I think Apple are really somewhat hypocritical when they talk about carbon neutrality.
This business plan is at play in many consumer products, cars especially. As for women's clothes .... I don't even go there
Mike
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Yes, "Planned Obsolecence" I believe goes back to a fight in the auto industry between Ford and GM in the 1920's.It kind of started innocently, as I recall, with the idea that yearly updates in car models that made the new ones more desirable so you would want to rid yourself of the old one. When that didn't move things along fast enough, they just decided to give their products a shelf life.
Certainly not in sync with any sustainable vision.
I'd love to be able to upgrade my Macbooks. I have one that is 12 years old. The obsolescence here is I can't update the operating system. They get you one way or another.
For me ironically, that works out because If I upgrade the operating system I would have to upgrade thousands of dollars of software, most of which is now subscription only.
I just keep it offline and transfer files to my newer one. I'm sure eventually that won't work either.Tim Cooks mantra is profit.
He is in a dust up with Mark Zuckerberg over the future of privacy. Cook feel that consumers will pay for more protection. Apple's new operating system allows you to choose whether Apps will share information with Facebook etc.
This is the mechanism by which Facebook makes its profits, so you can imagine how that is going over with Zuckerberg. -
Dale,
Yep, Ford et al kicked of the built-in obsolescence game and they all followed. I think if some car company produced an upgradable car they would be on a winner given that may young people these days actually have a conscience when it comes to wastage of natural resources.
Isn't it strange how folks will quite happily live in a house for their entire lifetime with little or no updating other than standard maintenance but when it come to cars they always want the latest model even if there isn't a great MPG increase.
BTW, I have just installed Big Sur. I was surprised to see that all went well for a day or so but then I ran into some problems with my 3dconnexion devices and iPad connexion via sidecar. I got it sorted out after some trial and error. I think it will take a further few weeks before I will feel secure.
mike
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Why "can't" a car be upgraded?
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Hi Glen,
Of course a car can be upgraded and more so souped-up! But I think this route/option doesn't appeal to the average owner/driver. I imagine many average owners/drivers think their car becomes substandard once a newer model comes out.
Most folks are lead along rather than think for themselves when it comes to consumables.
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@mike lucey said:
Of course a car can be upgraded and more so souped-up! But I think this route/option doesn't appeal to the average owner/driver. I imagine many average owners/drivers think their car becomes substandard once a newer model comes out.
That seems to be perception and/or marketing. Much like one "needs" a new iPhone when a new model comes out? "Are you getting it?"
@unknownuser said:
Most folks are lead along rather than think for themselves when it comes to consumables.
I agree with this. Sort of like sheep, one could say.
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Guys,
I started a fresh thread on 'upgradable autos' here,
https://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=73687I located an excellent thesis by Daniel Couttolenc which shows a way to 30 year car life cycles.
Mike
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