Note that there is a very specific reason Apple is referring to the new iPhone model as a “game console”.
this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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"'Video game console' means a computing device, including its components and peripherals, that is primarily used by consumers for playing video games, such as a console machine, a handheld console device, or another device or system. 'Video game console' does not include a general or an all-purpose computer, which includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone."
Does that mean that it doesn’t matter what Apple calls it….at the end of the day it’s a cell phone/tablet?
They will try. Stall wherever they can, and until the courts have settled the matter the iPhone 16 will be there with one new feature to roll up the whole process again.
I wonder if that would actually hold up in court. Apple can call it a game console, but a game console should be used primarily for games. I'm sure most iPhone users do play some games on their phone, but I doubt a high percentage use their iPhone primarily for games. Even on their marketing page for the iPhone 15 pro, they allocate more space to photography and connectivity than they do to gaming, though gaming comes before either.
Absurd thing for Apple to try to argue in court, I hope they get laughed out.
On the other hand, the new Pros apparently output 4k via USBC now and they support multiple wireless controllers. So with the new game titles coming to iOS, I wonder how well one of them would chug out a AAA game at 4k to a TV. IIRC the hardware is already better than the Switch.
In either case, it's a phone and that's how it should be legally classified. Also that exemption for consoles is ridiculous. Obvious lobbying at play there.
I use my PlayStation primarily to use streaming services. Do I get the right to repair it?
Skeptical. Apple reversed course and now supports the CA right to repair bill. Cynical me assumes it because making phones repairable is probably more prohibitive for their competitors than it is Apple.
iPhones are already the most repairable of the flagships. And really only the fairphone is more repairable.
Right, because swapping cameras, displays, or batteries on a Pixel or Samsung permanently remove functionality with no calibration software made available.
I'm sorry, but what are you smoking?
Take it up with iFixit lol. I’m going off of their repairability scores
A game console was my entry into fixing my own stuff. I have friends with similar stories. Nothing like your game not working to motivate you to learn how to fix things.
Ugh that sucks. Adding gaming functionality to a device shouldn’t make it less repairable. Minecraft can on a smart fridge or smart tv.
Actually, why does this loophole even exist? Because game consoles use a razor blade business model, console makers are already incentivized to make their consoles last as long as possible. Most people don’t replace their console for a decade.
doubt...
Not while every game in the store uses terrible touch controls.
Sell an official controller and maybe a TV dock and then we’ll talk.
I don’t disagree, but who needs an official controller from Apple when you can just use one from Sony, Microsoft, or some other company that actually specializes in gaming controller hardware? I don’t know if the engineers at Apple actually play enough games to know what people like in their controllers.
Can confirm that the backbone is quite nice
I’d like to see them try if only to see what software they integrate into the device. Apple excels when they control hardware and software top to bottom and a controller would really benefit from that. One button game capture and share, or a special game specific UI when the controller connects? Or Siri language processing maybe? Some mag safe integrations? Multiplayer messaging and calling integrated into iMessage (don’t need a controller for that but whatever).
If Apple really wanted to make the iPhone a game console I’d be all in if they were, but I really can’t stand the half asses approach they are taking now. It can play RE8 natively? Cool! I’ll never touch it if the gameplay with an actual controller is an afterthought!
Having said all that… the BackBone looks dope as hell and I want one. It’s what I would expect Apple would develop in house
Apple is the platform of standardization (within their walled garden) though. And as much as that shits on consumer choice, it does make for as consistent an experience as possible. That’s valuable for a lot of people but especially developers.
If I were Apple, and I wanted to position the iPhone to compete with something like Nintendo Switch, I would:
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Form an exclusive partnership with Sony or Microsoft to officially support their controller.
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Have my engineers work directly with that partner to make their cloud gaming and console streaming apps absolutely top notch. Talking “Apple native” feel and functionality.
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Sell first-party kickstand cases or popsockets. MagSafe, preferably.
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Sell official first-party controller brackets for holding the phone. Bonus, these are “magic” like the keyboard or the pro monitor mount.
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Start a licensing deal with 8bitdo for an official co-branded controller.
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Start a series of exclusive games featuring a brand mascot character (original or adopt a forgotten one, like Bonk or something idgaf)
Edit, one more very important thing: Allow retroarch in the App Store and allow for roms to be airdropped and for the app to run a restricted SMB server (drop into a specific directory and user approves connections)
I tried nba2k once when I got free 3 months of apple arcade. Aside from not being able to play properly on a small interface with no physical keys or buttons, my phone got incredibly hot after 15 mins of playing. That’s far from being the best game console.
I firmly believe gaming is a terrible use of phones. They use enough battery doing productive things like phone calls, browsing, data entry, etc. Gaming should be done on dedicated systems that don't force you to choose between using your finite battery life for staying in control and playing unoptimized games on unergonomic slabs.
Wow, why didn't Microsoft or Sony make their consoles that small? /s
Repost from the same bot to the same community
just block it