231: ‘It’s a Deep Notch’ With Dan Frommer

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The conversation spans Apple’s event logistics, the appeal of new iPads and Apple Watch features, Google’s Pixel Slate/Pixel 3 launch, and a skeptical take on Bloomberg’s supply-chain hack story. The speakers compare Apple and Google’s hardware strategies, praise software-driven camera and UI advances, debate watch faces and smart-home interfaces, and question whether the alleged supermicro chip attack is credible or politically shaped.

Main Topics: Apple event logistics and Steve Jobs Theater: They explain the mysterious translation audio heard at Apple’s event, the theater’s world-class acoustics, and speculate about Apple’s likely next event date and venue. New iPad Pro expectations: The hosts argue that overdue iPad Pro refreshes justify a product event and discuss why Apple would likely use Steve Jobs Theater rather than older venues. Google Pixel Slate, Pixel 3, and Google’s hardware strategy: They assess Google’s new devices, noting the Slate’s heavier feel, Chrome OS + Android app direction, the phone’s camera innovations, and Google’s high-end, Apple-like hardware ambition. Apple Watch Series 4 and watch faces: They praise Series 4 speed and usability, then dive deeply into whether Apple should allow third-party watch faces, using Steve Troughton Smith’s experimental faces as a case study. Smart home interfaces and HomeKit vs Alexa: They compare voice commands and app-based control for home devices like shades, arguing Apple’s Home app and Siri are more natural and easier to configure than Amazon’s setup. Bloomberg’s hardware hack report: They scrutinize the report alleging Chinese supply-chain tampering in Apple and Amazon servers, questioning evidence, sourcing, and the lack of independent corroboration. Apple vs Google in computational photography and UI: They repeatedly note that Apple and Google are moving photography and device interaction forward through software, while camera makers and others lag behind.

Key Arguments: Apple’s live translation audio problem at the event was caused by earpieces being too loud, not a speakerphone or disruptive attendee. Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater is so acoustically good that it can make sound effects feel physically immersive. A new iPad Pro launch is due because current models skipped an entire CPU generation and are effectively overdue. Google’s Pixel Slate is positioned at the high end of the market, not as a cheap Chromebook or education device. The Pixel Slate’s trackpad and keyboard make text editing and cursor control feel better than iPad-only workflows. Google’s Pixel 3 camera features, especially Top Shot and motion autofocus, demonstrate how software can dramatically improve photography. Apple and Google are both using computational photography to deliver better images than cameras alone can provide. Apple Watch Series 4 is compelling mainly because of speed and watchOS improvements, not just hardware changes. Apple likely won’t allow open third-party watch faces because it wants control over design quality and brand consistency. The Bloomberg chip-hack story feels uncorroborated because no independent researcher has produced a compromised motherboard or chip. The alleged attack may be part of a broader geopolitical information campaign tied to U.S.-China trade tensions.

Data Points: Steve Jobs Theater seating location: five or six rows from the back - The speakers recall where they sat during Apple’s event when the translation noise occurred. Google Pixel Slate starting price: $599 - Mentioned as the entry point for the new Chrome OS tablet. Google Pixel Slate high-end price: up to about $1,400–$1,500 - Depending on CPU, RAM, and storage configuration. Pixel Slate display density: 295 pixels per inch - Compared with Apple’s common 264 ppi displays. iPhone 6S starting price: $699 - Used to argue that the lack of 3D Touch on iPhone XR is not purely a cost issue. iPhone XR starting price: $750–$800 - Referenced as the new lower-tier iPhone pricing floor. Apple Watch cellular plan: $10 per month - Described as the cost of keeping a cellular watch connected as a secondary device. Trace Pontas subscription discount: 20% off total subscription price - 10% subscription discount plus an extra 10% with the promo code. Casper promo code savings: $50 - Listener discount for select mattresses. Bloomberg claim: 30+ companies affected - The chip-hack report said more than 30 companies were impacted. Apple event timing: Tuesday, October 30 - The guessed date for Apple’s next product event. Apple event cadence: once a year publicly; a couple times a month internally - Discussion of how often Apple uses Steve Jobs Theater. Apple and iPhone sales comparison: Apple sells as many iPhones in 8 days as Google sold Pixels in a year - Used to illustrate the scale gap between Apple and Google hardware sales. Apple Watch watch faces generated by Steve Troughton Smith: about 65,000 - He algorithmically generated large numbers of face variants in his experiment. Palm phone screen size: 3.3 inches - Smaller than the original iPhone’s 3.5-inch display.

Pivotal Quotes: "it was so loud like it was supposed to be like an earpiece so you wouldn't distract people. But it was so loud that that's what we were – everybody could hear." — John Gruber: Explaining the mysterious translation audio at the Apple event. "it's the real Photoshop. It's not just an image editing app that they've put the Photoshop brand name on." — John Gruber: Describing Adobe’s Photoshop for iPad preview. "I don't think they want to do it." — John Gruber: His judgment that Apple will not open Apple Watch faces to third parties.

Implications: Expect Apple to keep tight control over watch faces and event staging, while software-defined features continue reshaping cameras, watches, and tablets. The hack report remains unresolved, but the lack of corroboration raises major doubts.