202: ‘You Tell Me If It’s a Dongle’ With Joanna Stern

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode is a wide-ranging, highly technical chat centered on Apple Watch Series 3 review fallout, especially unreliable LTE/cellular performance and reviewer methodology under embargo constraints. It also veers into practical consumer tech: charging solutions, fast chargers, battery cases, cables, photo/video capture, AR/Animoji, and a few product recommendations. A recurring theme is that real-world testing should reflect actual user experience, not future promises.

Main Topics: Apple Watch Series 3 LTE review controversy (Priority: 5/5): The hosts dissect why Joanna Stern’s review and Lauren Goode’s review drew attention after both experienced cellular reliability problems. They discuss how testing conditions, network handoff, and Apple’s evolving statements affected the final published review. Review process, embargoes, and reviewer responsibility (Priority: 5/5): They explain how review units, NDAs, embargo dates, and last-minute company guidance shape product coverage. The argument is that reviewers must judge what they actually experienced, not what a software update might eventually fix. Wireless, charging, and accessory recommendations (Priority: 4/5): A long follow-up segment covers Apple’s slow chargers, USB-C fast charging, portable batteries, multiport wall chargers, and braided cables. They strongly favor third-party accessories from Anker and Monoprice over Apple’s defaults. Practical use of Apple Watch without a phone (Priority: 4/5): Despite LTE issues, they discuss what works well on the watch: Siri dictation, voice-to-text, fitness use, battery life improvements, and the appeal of being untethered for short periods. Future interaction models: Face ID, Animoji, and AR (Priority: 4/5): They speculate about face-based authentication on the MacBook and Apple Watch, and about how Animoji and augmented reality signal future interfaces for photos, authentication, and digital communication. Sponsor read and consumer product praise (Priority: 2/5): The conversation repeatedly detours into sponsor products such as Eero, Away luggage, Fracture photo prints, and Squarespace, mixing ad copy with personal endorsements and practical use cases. Humor and side stories around cars, parking, and commuter tech (Priority: 2/5): They trade stories about towing, parking tickets, car alarms, the Club steering-wheel lock, and even a Google Levi’s smart jacket, using these as entry points into broader commentary on bad or unnecessary consumer technology.

Key Arguments: A review should reflect the reviewer’s actual experience during the embargo period, not a company’s promise that a software update may fix problems later. The Apple Watch Series 3 LTE feature was not reliably working for at least some reviewers, so it was fair to report that failure even if many users did not see it. Setting up a cellular watch is part of the product experience; if reviewers can’t test activation and carrier setup themselves, the review is incomplete. Apple’s included five-watt charger is inadequate for truly fast charging; third-party USB-C chargers and Apple’s USB-C-to-Lightning cable are the better path. Anker, Monoprice, and similar accessory brands often solve real problems Apple leaves unaddressed, especially around charging and cable versatility. The Apple Watch’s voice input and Siri are among the strongest parts of the product when it is functioning properly. Animoji and the iPhone X face-tracking system may be more important as technology demonstrations than as novelty features because they show the maturity of Apple’s facial sensing and interaction stack. A future MacBook with Face ID would likely be more useful than Touch ID because opening the lid is already a natural action and could enable instant unlock.

Data Points: Apple Watch battery life: about a day to a day and a half - Stern describes battery life on the LTE Apple Watch Series 3 without heavy workout use. Watch LTE reliability issue frequency: 3 specific dropouts - Stern says she saw three explicit connectivity losses on the second review unit. Parking ticket example: $110 - A ticket issued for sidewalk parking at a quiet street in Philadelphia. Current Apple charger wattage: 5 watts - They criticize the low-powered charger that still ships with iPhones. Apple fast charger discussed: 29 watts - They note Apple’s faster charger used for MacBook charging and fast iPhone charging. Alternative charger price: $26 - Anker 30W USB-C charger suggested as a cheaper fast-charging alternative. Apple charger price: $49 - The Apple 29W charger price mentioned in the discussion. USB-C-to-Lightning cable price: $25 - They note Apple’s certified cable is expensive but required for true fast charging. Portable charger capacity: 20,000 milliamps - Describing Away luggage’s built-in USB battery pack. Away promo discount: $20 off - Mentioned for suitcase purchases using the Talk Show code. Fracture discount: 10% off - Mentioned for first order via fractureme.com/podcast. Squarespace discount: 10% off - Offer for first purchase using the Talk Show code. Podcast sponsor shipping claim: free shipping in U.S. and Canada - Eero promo correction and apology for international listeners. Apple Watch workout heart rate: 157 - Stern says her heart rate hit 157 while standing on a trapeze ladder. Watch case size: 38mm and 42mm - They compare Apple Watch sizes and note the smaller battery implications. Car alarm era joke: 1989 - Used humorously to say car alarms feel outdated.

Pivotal Quotes: "you can't review based on a future promise" — Host: Argument about why the Apple Watch review was fair despite Apple suggesting a software fix might arrive later. "this is not the this was not I had a line about how a phone is a lifeline and it does not do what you know that many people may rely on this connection" — Joanna Stern: Explaining her core criticism of unreliable LTE on the watch. "I don't think the difference between this, that USB-A charging with a bigger charger... and a 10 watt or a greater charger. I don't think the difference is that great to buy it" — Host: On fast-charging accessories and the practical value of higher-powered chargers.

Implications: The episode reinforces that reviewers should judge devices on current behavior, not promised fixes. It also highlights how much value lies in accessories and future interfaces like Face ID, Animoji, and AR.