Peek, pop, whip, and nae nae

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The VergeCast crew, joined by Casey Newton, dissected Apple’s September event, focusing on the Apple TV, iPad Pro, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, 3D Touch, and Apple’s new iPhone upgrade program. They debated whether Apple’s products were truly innovative or mostly polished iterations, concluding that the Apple TV is promising but incomplete, the iPad Pro is impressive but still unclear in purpose, and 3D Touch is the most immediately compelling iPhone advancement.

Main Topics: Apple TV as a “super Roku” (Priority: 5/5): The panel sees the new Apple TV as a meaningful UI upgrade with Siri and a better remote, but lacking the unique content ecosystem or streaming service needed to differentiate it from Roku and other set-top boxes. iPad Pro and the future of touch computing (Priority: 5/5): The iPad Pro impressed them as a technical and design achievement, but there was skepticism about its audience, whether it can replace a laptop, and whether iOS limits make it truly “pro.” 3D Touch / Force Touch on iPhone (Priority: 5/5): The group was most intrigued by 3D Touch, especially the speed benefits of home-screen quick actions and peek/pop interactions, though concerns remained about inconsistency and discoverability. Apple’s upgrade program and carrier independence (Priority: 4/5): They highlighted Apple’s installment-and-trade-up program as strategically important because it simplifies yearly upgrades and echoes the original unlocked Nexus vision. Event experience and Apple’s presentation style (Priority: 3/5): The discussion covered the venue, the order of announcements, audience composition, and the performance/marketing elements like OneRepublic, reflecting a more restrained Apple event than prior years. Tablet and mobile app ecosystem limitations (Priority: 4/5): The panel repeatedly returned to broader frustrations with tablets and mobile software—especially the lack of robust multitasking, pro apps, and sustainable game economics.

Key Arguments: Apple TV is best understood as a better interface on existing streaming services, not a platform that yet justifies its higher price or promises a new media paradigm. The Apple TV’s real strategic value may be leverage: getting boxes into homes so Apple can negotiate later with content providers from a stronger position. The iPad Pro is a striking hardware achievement, but its audience seems narrow unless the user is an artist, creative professional, or someone specifically committed to iOS-based workflows. The iPad Pro’s “pro” label is questioned because true professional use often requires broader multitasking and desktop-like freedom that iOS still restricts. 3D Touch matters because it collapses app-launching and app-task selection into one action, potentially saving tiny amounts of time repeatedly across daily use. 3D Touch may become second nature, but only if users can learn and trust the pressure differences consistently across apps. The Apple iPhone upgrade program is attractive because it simplifies annual upgrades and includes AppleCare, even if it is still financially expensive over time. Apple’s upgrade plan recreates the unlocked-phone ideal that Google and Motorola long pushed, but does so in a way that is easier for mainstream consumers. Tablet innovation is still constrained across the industry; Android tablets are seen as stagnant and Apple is effectively carrying the category. The iPad Pro may be best for consumption and certain creation workflows, but not for users who need many simultaneous apps or unrestricted desktop-like multitasking.

Data Points: VergeCast event duration: about 2 hours 20 minutes - The keynote reportedly ran longer than the earlier prediction of under 90 minutes. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium capacity: 7,000 seats - Used to describe the scale of Apple’s event venue in San Francisco. Event attendance: about 1,500 people - Estimated crowd size at the Apple event. Apple employees in attendance: about 1,000 - Estimated based on applause and audience composition. iPad Pro display size: 12.9 inches - The new large-format iPad presented as a flagship tablet. iPad Pro resolution: 2732 × 2048 - Resolution cited for the iPad Pro display. iPad Pro pixel density: 264 PPI - Described as a Retina display. iPad Pro speakers: 4 speakers - Promoted as a first for an iPad. iPad Pro processor: A9X - Apple claimed desktop-class performance. iPad Pro RAM: 4 GB - Mentioned as leaked via Adobe rather than Apple. iPhone base storage: 16 GB - Criticized as insufficient, especially with Live Photos. iPhone camera: 12 megapixels - New rear camera sensor announced for the iPhone 6s/6s Plus. iPhone front camera: 5 megapixels - Updated selfie camera. Apple upgrade program monthly payment: $32/month - Used as an example of the new installment plan’s affordability. Upgrade program residual cost over two years: about $750 to $890 - Discussed as the rough total spend depending on model and math. AppleCare premium in program: about $125 extra - Referenced as the embedded AppleCare cost in the program. Apple Store support: 24/7 online support - Part of the Squarespace ad read, not Apple product discussion. Apple TV start price: $150 - Compared unfavorably to Roku pricing.

Pivotal Quotes: "the dream of the Nexus is alive in Apple stores" — Jake: On Apple’s new phone upgrade program and its implications for unlocked-device economics. "it’s a super Roku" — Jake / Casey discussion: Describing the Apple TV as an improved interface and remote but not yet a transformative platform. "the tablet that can replace your laptop" — Apple marketing referenced by the panel: Used skeptically while debating whether the iPad Pro really can serve as a laptop replacement.

Implications: Apple’s announcements point to strong hardware and UI refinement, but the company still must prove category-defining value in TV and tablet computing. The most immediate consumer-facing win is 3D Touch; the most strategic shift is Apple’s simpler phone upgrade model.