Are you planning to upgrade to the iPhone 15

[TheForce]

Recording raw video is done in real-time (now including stereoscopic), is it not?

I don't think the 3D feature will be raw but may be mistaken. Have to see how that works when I get the phone. They made reference to recording it for the Apple Vision Pro but I'm hoping to use it with the Meta Quest 3 so I hope the video format is compatible without too much conversion work.
The low end VR180 in 3D is now 5700 pixels wide per eye by 30fps. The iphone 15 ProMax uses two different camera lenses so it will be interesting to see how it compares to my 3D HD VR180 cameras. I'm prepared to be disappointed because I know how demanding shooting good VR 3D is.


All video recording is in real time. The days of slow render frame by frame is history now with the right GPU system.

 

[TheForce]

Hmmm. I checked months ago at some online non Apple site and mine wasn’t listed, leading me to believe trade in was $0. But now, at your suggestion, I used the Apple app and it APPEARS to be offering $170. It’s that “UP TO” part that disturbs me.

SWMBO has a 13 mini. It has 5G but only gets an incrementally better signal where we keep our trailer. I suppose it might matter elsewhere, but I’m not complaining about current coverage - except for around the trailer.

We can usually get YT on the Y there, but that’s AT&T - an organization I choose to never patronize again. They’ll have to be happy with the $200 they took from me.

Yes, I watch videos on my iPhone. Maybe if we travel more, 5G will matter. We are considering chancing another cruise, but 5G won’t likely help there.

And not much point in making a double buy, as I’m not convinced of the value of the Apple Watch.

ON EDIT: Corrected wife’s iPhone model.

Something to be aware of for travelers out of the country. If you are inclined to buy a carrier deal as opposed to Apple direct. I understand those iphones are locked to the carrier and you can't even use an eSIM so you will suffer the overseas roaming charges. Need to put iphone on airplane mode to prevent a big bill. Verizon did have a flat rate I once used when traveling for a long cruise once. Just be sure to read the fine print.

On Apple trade-in Last month I read their risk disclaimer fine print and if you lie about the condition of the phone they will discount it once they receive it. I have no scratches and all functions work so I should get the maximum offered. When we got my wife's new Mini 12 it was after a cruise where she dropped the old SE on the pavement and it fell into a puddle of water. I took it into Apple store and the clerk just laughed when I asked if there is any value to it in trade.

 

[navychop]

I only buy direct from Apple now. Thank AT&T for that.

Oddly, my wife “washed” 2-3 flip or candy bar phones. But once she moved to more expensive iPhones, that problem went away.

 

[Ronnie-]

If you are inclined to buy a carrier deal as opposed to Apple direct. I understand those iphones are locked to the carrier and you can't even use an eSIM

Unless they have changed something with the 15, which I doubt, a carrier phone will be carrier locked for 90 days, then unlocked for use with any sim or esim. Esim will work as soon as you activate it however.

I ran ATT and verizon at the same time with both a 13 and 14 pro max purchased through Verizon as they are dual SIM capable.

The 14 pro max I purchased from apple direct runs exactly the same, without the initial 90 day lock.

 

[TheForce]

I ran ATT and verizon at the same time with both a 13 and 14 pro max purchased through Verizon as they are dual SIM capable.

Just curious, did you buy it on monthly payment plan or pay for it up front. I got the impression the phone was locked for the duration of the loan like it used to be back when I bought my iphone 6 from Verizon with a deal. The rest of the fine print for all three carriers was if you decide to skip to another carrier they will claw back the discount. So many deals and gotchas that change all the time. Best advice is to read the fine print. Don't assume anything.

 

[Ronnie-]

Just curious, did you buy it on monthly payment plan or pay for it up front.

I have done both. If you buy it outright even from a carrier (I neglected to mention this part) the carrier lock is supposed to be lifted immediately. I have had to call once to get it done, but on another it was off as soon as I activated it.

If you do the payment plan, that is where the 90 day lock came in. On the 90th day its lifted, and it will work with any carrier. Like I said above, I have ran ATT and Verizon on a verizon phone at the same time, and on one of them it still had a payment plan.


Edit: It may actually be 60 days and not 90. I would have to double check to be certain.

 

[Ronnie-]

My apologies, it is 60 days.

Device Unlocking Policies | Verizon Privacy Policy

In order to mitigate theft and other fraudulent activity, newly purchased devices are “locked” to work exclusively on the Verizon network. We have separate device unlocking policies that cover postpay and prepaid devices, as well as special rules for deployed military personnel.

www.verizon.com

Postpay Device Unlocking Policy

Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from our retail partners are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock. Following the 60 day lock period, we do not lock our phones at any time.

 

[TheForce]

I have done both. If you buy it outright even from a carrier (I neglected to mention this part) the carrier lock is supposed to be lifted immediately. I have had to call once to get it done, but on another it was off as soon as I activated it.

Hold the phone! pun intended.

If Verizon gives me $285 or anything more than Apple on a trade deal and I pay the balance in cash, are you claiming they lift the lock too? That's not what I read on line.

OK on the locked iphone to Verizon for 60days only. That's good news for travelers. But you only get the great trade deal better than Apple with a more expensive monthly contract.

I wasn't talking about a list price sale. I was referring to deals and time payment contracts comparing Apple's deal and trade in with the carriers.

Some people in the forums have pushed the idea that the carriers give you a better deal than buying from Apple direct. But those deals all seem to have hidden gotchas when you read the fine print.

Verizon offers two levels of deals. One for customers on an a la carte bandwidth 5G contract and the poor one for customers with the unlimited 5G contract. Time payment plan is for 36 months. No deals for cash deal. When I checked on the 14 Pro Max several months ago Verizon said the discount would be clawed back if I left Verizon for another carrier.


I have the a la carte now for 4 numbers. 2 AW and 2 iphones. My monthly is $127 including taxes. Not sure if that plan sticks when I upgrade but we'll see. We don't use a lot of bandwidth and I recall what I don't use one month gets added to next month so I'm always working on a higher balance.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Was that an advertised feature last year, Scott?
Can your Ultra 1 assign the double tap to different apps? That was advertised for the Ultra 2.

Not that I know of (or remember)

I watched the presentation twice and didnt see or hear anything about double taping to other apps with the Ultra 2. Nor can I find anything about it on any site.

Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple today introduced Apple Watch Ultra 2, bringing new features to Apple’s most capable and rugged smartwatch.

www.apple.com

The way I did it that I posted earlier is working well and comes in handy when turning off music on my phone when someone comes in my office or mu office phone rings.

 

[Foxbat]

Heck, I have a Xs Max and see little reason to “upgrade.”

Apple will give you up to $170 in trade for your XS on any new iPhone. The iPhone 13 is now $599 for the 6.1” 128 GB model (no Max or Plus size for the 13, though). The iPhone XS will probably be dragging when iOS 17 comes out. Also, the 13 is the last iPhone with a physical SIM slot if that’s important to you for travel.

The 14 is available in the Plus size (no Pro) for $799. It’s basically the same CPU as the 13, though. This year’s iPhone 15 got the A16 that was in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro. So you get the Satellite SOS feature over the 13, and the ability to buy a larger screen. And I’m sure there were some camera spec improvements over the 13 as well.

Chances are Apple will drop the trade-in allowances after the new iPhone 15 models arrive in the store. I’m not sure how much storage your iPhone XS has, but it probably isn’t as much as the base 14 Plus with 128 GB. $629 would be the price after your trade-in.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Just noticed that the Ultra 2 watchface works fine on the Ultra 1. Very cool.

 

[TheForce]

I watched the presentation twice and didnt see or hear anything about double taping to other apps with the Ultra 2.

There was an attendee at the event who showed on YT that the double tap could be used to control the last open app on the Ultra 2. Not just the phone calling.

I also wonder how Siri will work this way. I have Siri shut off here as it is too annoying. Go to my daughter's house and she has this speaker that comes on playing music so when saying "Siri" it will interrupt and execute or question what you are asking. She told me not to say Siri but I am supposed to just spell it now to prevent it from coming on.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Yeah you don't have to say Hey Siri now, just Siri activates it now.

Since running the beta there have been a few times when doing things or watching TV, that my watch or phone says "Sorry I did not get that." when I wasn't talking to it.

 

[Foxbat]

Happens a lot at work when someone mentions “Serial”, too.

I found the whole “Double Tap” announcement rather bizarre since I set that up when I took over Mrs. Foxbat’s Series 4 watch. It’s part of Accessibility and there are four gestures that are recognized. The Tap and Double-Tap where the pointer finger and thumb are pinched together, and the Clench and Double-Clench where you make and release a fist. They work together to allow navigation through the different elements on the watch face.

View: https://youtu.be/869--vIUIv4?si=C5L4Fa9jthi2g9uB​

 

[TheForce]

Thanks. I didn't know about that.

 

[TheForce]

Test results on my AW series 6.

Assistive touch works but not reliably. After I set it up in the settings, it didn't work until I tested it an hour later. Switches complication with a gray circle on which is active ready to be opened. I wonder if the Ultra 2 will be better implemented.

 

[klang]

15 Pro due to deliver with the watch on the 22nd.

 

[TheForce]

Was ready to order 15 ProMax at 8 AM and got the banner saying Apple was not ready yet but a few minutes later was able to complete the lengthy process.

Delivery is stated as October 9 to the 16th, even though the opening claim said "Available on Sep 22" I am having it shipped to the house. I had heard that the Pro Max would be a longer delivery time due to the A17Pro chip. Apparently that rumor is confirmed. There was a statement that if I chose to pickup at the store, they would send me a text message with an appointment time when ready. Not sure this will work for crowd control.

I was happy to see the upgrade process coordinates with Verizon carrier so that is much simpler than the last time when I had to go to the Verizon store to activate my account with the new iphone.


I wonder if anyone else ordering the 15 ProMax got a delay into October for delivery.

 

[klang]

There was a rumor not long ago about the ProMax being delayed a couple weeks. Don’t recall the reasoning. Should’t be the A17 Pro chip though as my Pro will be here next week.

 

[Foxbat]

I just went through a pre-Order on a 15 Pro Max in Native Titanium with 256 GB storage and was given a mid--November delivery date. Sounds like if you haven't got your order in by now then it will be awhile...

I am not planning on upgrading for at least another year or two. Also, I have a pre-paid cellular calling plan, and the pre-orders assume one of the Big 3 carrier plans.