245: Senior-Citizen Advantage

Pre-order Issues

The iPhone X pre-order process presents significant challenges, as discussed by Casey Liss, John Siracusa, and Marco Arment. Casey plans to wake up at 3 a.m. to secure two iPhones, acknowledging the difficulty of obtaining them by year's end 1. Marco shares a similar sentiment, expressing skepticism about the availability of the phones, even for those ordering within the first minutes 2.

I think even people who get there in the first minute or two of the orders being open are going to be seeing dates in December and it's going to be rough.

--- Marco Arment

Despite the early wake-up call, Marco remains pessimistic about the chances of receiving the phone soon, highlighting the potential impact on Apple's sales figures 2.

   

Shipping Concerns

Shipping concerns add another layer of complexity to the iPhone X pre-order saga. Marco warns against reselling phones in their original Apple packaging due to theft risks, advising buyers to use different boxes for shipping 3. He also suggests placing an order if there's any chance of wanting the phone, as it can be canceled easily before shipping 3.

If you think there's any chance you might want one, put an order in. Because you can cancel it with, like, three clicks if you decide before it ships that you don't want it.

--- Marco Arment

John humorously notes the competition among buyers, hoping that those opting for the iPhone 8 will reduce demand for the iPhone X, though Marco doubts this will significantly ease the situation 4.

   

Tech Concerns

The iPhone X's Face ID technology and battery life are under scrutiny. John highlights Face ID as a potential risk, comparing its reliability to Siri and emphasizing the need for it to meet a minimum convenience threshold 5. Marco raises concerns about battery life, noting the unpredictability of OLED screens and the potential for high power usage with the new processor 6.

If Face ID works like Siri, it will be a bad scene.

--- John Siracusa

He argues that Apple's battery life measurements may not reflect real-world usage, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the new phone's performance 6.

   

Developer Hurdles

Developers face significant hurdles with the iPhone X's new design. Marco discusses the extensive work required to update apps for the new screen notch and resolutions, predicting a delay in app updates 7. John echoes these concerns, noting that the rounded corners and notch present unexpected challenges for app design 8.

You have to update your app to deal with the stupid rounded corners and the home line thing and the notch.

--- John Siracusa

The pressure on developers to adapt quickly is immense, with many apps likely to appear awkward until updates are fully implemented 8.