Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode centers on Apple’s September keynote and its implications across the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, Apple TV, and iPhone 6s. The hosts praise Apple’s ambition and hardware quality but question product fit, complexity, and ecosystem readiness—especially for large-screen iPad work, Apple TV gaming, and 16GB iPhones. They also discuss Plex/Synology, watch customization, 3D Touch, and whether Apple is overextending into too many specialized products.
Main Topics: Apple Watch: new bands, colors, and OS 2: The hosts debate whether the expanded Watch lineup signals healthy production scaling or a desperate sales push. They largely agree the new variety is smart for fashion positioning and holiday appeal, while watchOS 2 and complications are viewed as the more meaningful long-term change. iPad Pro as a new computing category: They examine the 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a pro-oriented device for artists and specialized workflows. The group sees it as a bold, high-end statement but worries about its size, weight, and whether software will mature enough to make it a true laptop replacement. Apple TV redesign, Siri, and gaming limits: The new Apple TV is praised for modern hardware and Siri-based search, but the hosts are skeptical about its gaming ambitions and app ecosystem. They note controller support, app storage limits, and lack of local persistence could constrain adoption and developer enthusiasm. iPhone 6s: 3D Touch, camera, and Live Photos: The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are discussed as substantial S-year upgrades thanks to 3D Touch, improved camera hardware, and Live Photos. The panel is optimistic but cautious about added complexity and whether the new interaction model will remain intuitive. Storage, RAM, and product pricing concerns: A recurring concern is Apple’s continued use of low base storage, especially the 16GB iPhone, given larger camera files and 4K video. The hosts also compare prices across Apple’s lineup and debate whether higher-priced tiers are justified or artificially constraining. Plex, Synology, and transcoding tradeoffs: Early in the episode, the speakers discuss why one host still relies on a computer for Plex instead of a Synology NAS. They conclude the NAS can work for some media serving, but transcoding behavior, settings, and hardware differences make the experience inconsistent.
Key Arguments: Apple Watch’s larger band and color selection is less a sign of desperation than a sign that manufacturing ramp and fashion positioning have matured. The iPad Pro is a legitimate pro product, but many of its best ideas—pencil input, split view, better speakers, more RAM—should eventually trickle down to smaller iPads. Apple TV’s future depends less on being a console competitor and more on becoming a better app platform and potential TV replacement service. Siri on Apple TV could be genuinely useful because it avoids the terrible UX of on-screen typing, but it will still hit hard limits in contextual understanding. 3D Touch is promising as a shortcut layer, but it adds complexity to an already layered iOS interface and must not become intrusive when unused. 16GB iPhones are increasingly untenable because camera files, 4K video, and app data can overwhelm storage quickly. Plex on a Synology can work for direct playback or native video serving, but live transcoding performance varies widely by model and settings. Apple’s product strategy is becoming more specialized, with narrower products for more specific users, while maintaining strong shared hardware/software foundations.
Data Points: Apple keynote length: about 2.5 hours - The event was described as long and packed with announcements. iPad Pro display size: 12.9 inches - The new iPad Pro was highlighted as unusually large compared with other iPads and even the MacBook. Apple TV prices: $149 (32GB) / $199 (64GB) - The new Apple TV was positioned as a relatively premium set-top box. Apple TV app size limit: 200 MB - Apps larger than this must use on-demand resources. Apple TV storage: 32GB and 64GB - The device has generous storage for media/app use, though apps cannot rely on persistent local storage. iPad Pro pricing: $800 (32GB), $950 (128GB), $1,080 (128GB cellular) - The hosts debated whether this makes the iPad Pro feel justified for its feature set. iPhone 6s storage tiers: 16GB / 64GB / 128GB - The panel criticized the continuing 16GB base model. iPhone 6s price via upgrade program: starting at $27/month - They discussed whether Apple’s installment plan is actually a good deal. iPad Pro battery life: 10 hours - Despite the larger chassis, Apple kept the standard iPad battery target. Apple Watch battery life claims: months - The new remote for Apple TV was said to last for months on a charge. Apple Pencil charging: 15 seconds for 30 minutes - They referenced fast charging as a small-battery advantage. Synology model referenced: DS1813 Plus - Used as an example of a NAS that struggled to transcode Plex streams well. iPhone 6s camera resolution: 12 megapixels - The hosts noted the camera was improved but not enough to rival dedicated Micro Four Thirds cameras. 4K video on iPhone 6s: supported - Raised as a concern for 16GB storage capacity.
Pivotal Quotes: "The future of TV is apps." — John Gruber: He summarized Apple’s Apple TV strategy as platform-first rather than channel-package-first. "If you pretend that this feature doesn't exist, does it ever bother you?" — Marco Arment: He used this as a test for whether 3D Touch adds meaningful functionality without harming usability. "This is not a big iPhone. This is like the farthest thing from a big iPhone ever." — John Gruber: He argued that the iPad Pro represents a distinct product vision rather than a simple size increase.
Implications: Apple is pushing harder into specialized, high-end devices and interaction models. Users should expect more fragmentation, more hidden features, and more tradeoffs—but also better hardware. The big question is whether software, services, and developer support will catch up.