eXtensions - Tuesday 26 August 2025
By Graham K. Rogers
We are looking forward to the iPhone announcement and to the releases of the operating systems. There will be new features, particularly for users of the iPad. Even with the new tricks, can the iPad Pro replace the Mac? Masimo unhappy with Apple fix to blood-oxygen feature on the Watch. AppleTV fees, recent programming, and the new Netflix interface. Cameras and tariffs; and a new macro lens.
I have already pencilled in 9 September as a date for the release of the new iPhones, but there are persistent rumors about other Apple hardware: Macs and iPads. A rumor beginning to circulate suggests that there could be some announcements in October, which sounds about right. This is around a month after the possible iPhone release and well within the period that will see good year-end sales: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, depending on the culture. There are also end of year budget sales, with companies using up any cash left over, and the new budgets, when companies place large orders. October is a good time for new product announcements.
I have not tried the beta releases of the new OS versions although I have been following reports online and of course I saw the WWDC presentations. I used to try the Developer releases and enjoyed learning about them, occasionally reporting bugs I found, which is the point of beta testing. I was just one of thousands who do this, but one year it went all wrong for me with a macOS release and I had to reinstall a previous Time Machine backup. I have decided since then that I cannot afford the risk. I am looking forward to the updates and this time, I am particularly keen to see how iPadOS will change how I am able to work. There has been much online from so-called experts many of whom want the iPad to be a Mac, but it is not that at all. That stated, the OS needs some strengthening, because it is not an iPhone either; and it still feels as if we are running iOS with some bells and whistles.
My biggest beefs about the iPad are Photos editing tools, the inability to use a flatbed scanner, and the lack of a tethering feature for cameras. Keynote is OK for presentations, although I prefer to develop these on the Mac. Similarly, the formatting controls in Pages are far easier to use on Macs. On the iPad, with Pages and Keynote, simple changes to settings are only effected by arcane combinations of commands, when a simple menu is available on the Mac. Fernando Silva (9to5Mac) asks the question, "Does iPadOS 26 make the iPad a computer?" and answers the question (in part) using a text and video of the M4 iPad Pro (which I also use) and an M4 MacBook Pro (I have the M1).
I have had several iPad Pro models. Many of the early ones were provided by Apple for extended periods of time for me to review and run. I liked the 12.9" versions although I did find them a little large for what I wanted. In contrast the early 9.7" iPad Pro versions were a bit small. In June 2017 this was increased to 10.5" which was much better; then a year later the 11" iPad Pro arrived. For me this was the Goldilocks model and I have had several since then, including the M1 version. I added the folio case with its keyboard and this was a game-changer. It was not quite a Mac, but the positioning with the case, the use of keys, and more especially, most of the same key commands that I used on the Mac made this my go-to device. The weight, compared to the MacBook Pro was another plus. I later added the Apple Pencil and this gave me a new set of options: particularly valuable when editing academic papers.
Like others, last year I was expecting an M3 iPad Pro, but Apple put in the M4 chip and this was a winner. The folio case did not appear to be available when I placed the order, so I opted for the Magic Keyboard. I am glad did. This was a bit expensive, but the additional benefits this gave me over the folio case have made it worthwhile. One of the pluses is a charging port, which immediately allows the user to use the single USB-C/Thunderbolt port for data transfers or accessories. The iPad Pro has added considerably to my productivity, particularly with photo-editing once Photomator was released.
The video looks at hardware, the chips, the software and the prices. I did find Silva's sing-song commentary a bit tedious. The text also compares benchmarks with the iPad slightly lower (13405/15031), although GPU scores are closer (3679/3822). The iPad Pro has 8GB RAM while the Mac has twice as much, which will make some difference. There is also more storage on the Mac. Remember: they do different jobs. He does praise the iPad Pro display and this is one of the better features. When I watch live MotoGP races, the display is crystal clear and adds to my enjoyment. He notes that the smaller battery of the iPad Pro means that battery life is far better on the Mac.
Is it Mac-like enough for the iPad Pro to replace the Mac? Maybe not, and for me that is not a negative. Although I did subscribe for a couple of months, I found no use for Final Cut Pro on the iPad (I am not a video person), but it is installed on the Mac and there are more features available to the user. Particularly with apps, he notes that although there are some workable counterparts, for some specific uses (e.g. no Terminal), the Mac is always the answer. Some users will be able to use an iPad for all their needs, but in some cases, particularly when there is some heavy lifting, a Mac would be better for some tasks.
He uses Amazon prices for comparisons, but those will not apply here. From the Apple Store here, the 14" M4 MacBook Pro starts at 54,900 baht. The 11" M4 iPad Pro starts at 37,900 baht, while the 13" iPad Pro that Silva was using is 49,900 baht. The Magic Keyboard which is essential for me (and which Silva was using) adds another 10,990 or 12, 490 depending on the size of iPad Pro.
One of the features of macOS that the iPad does not have, although some users would find this useful, is the ability to create multiple accounts. Sometimes, for example, a friend turns up and wants access to my Mac, so rather than just the simple Guest account, I can set up a specific user account. I have done this for students as well, if there is a specific project need. Their work will not affect my files, nor will they have access to my photos, or to any private information (passwords, financial). I can't do that on the iPad, so I am reluctant to let someone use that. I work in a User account, although the Mac must have an Admin account too. I have worked this way ever since OS X first appeared. If I have to do any task that requires specific Admin permissions (like deleting an app), I can enter the account name and password easily.
For some tasks I need to login to the Admin account and work from there, but this is rare. On occasion, I have created a second Admin account for analysis and maintenance reasons: easy to delete after the tasks are complete. I was reminded of this by an article from Glenn Fleishman (6 Colors) who examines how to change an Admin account to User and the reasons this might be done.
Although I was not affected by the ban on the blood-oxygen feature following litigation between Apple and Masimo (who owned the patent), it was interesting to see the workaround release that appeared for US Watch owners last week, This week, the brakes may have to be applied as Wesley Hilliard (AppleInsider) reveals that Masimo has some (perhaps valid) objections to the way this was done.
I noted last time that the workaround, which involves seeing the blood-oxygen reading on the iPhone, not the Watch as I do, was apparently approved by Customs. Apple convinced Customs (who enforce ITC decisions) that the new process did not violate the patent and they accepted that. A problem now appears in that Masimo only found out about this in the same way that I did: when the press announced the decision. They are naturally objecting as they had no chance to represent themselves and state their side of the case. This does seem to be something of an omission. They are now suing U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Jack Purcher (Patently Apple) also has some comments on this.
Following on from this, news a couple of days later rerported by Malcolm Owen (AppleInsider) tells us that not only is Masimo displeased by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but will be seeking an order from the ITC (the trade court that makes decisions on these things) who decided on the ban initially. Owen comments that the ITC makes the rulings and the CBP is responsible for enforcement. Masimo claims that they crossed the line by deciding the workaround was sufficient. Others may also think they crossed another line by not inviting Masimo representatives to comment before making their decision. Apple may be forced to remove the feature in the USA once again.
The UK government recently backed down on its unreasonable demands that Apple secretly provide a backdoor in its end to end encryption. The case was unusual in that Apple was not even allowed to admit that the UK was involved in the litigation that started because of the demands, although the courts ended that unrealistic straightjacket. The UK and the EU has some odd ways that it deals with big tech, and these days that usually means US tech companies. In this case, the US authorities apparently put pressure on the UK, which is diplomatic talk for shouting or more. There has, however, been a follow-up in the form of a letter from the FTC as Jonny Evans (Apple Must) reports. The current US administration is somewhat fed up, particularly with the EU and there may be some pressure brought to bear on the way they (+ the UK and others) have been trying to cut big tech off at the knees.
Apple is to increase the fees for its AppleTV service in some countries Joe Rossignol (MacRumors) reports. I have seen nothing about Thailand as yet, but would not be surprised to see an increase: Rossignol mentions, "select other countries too". I currently pay 249 baht a month ($7.69). The rise in the USA is from $9.99 (324 baht) to a $12.99, so the fee here could rise to something like 400 baht. I still find AppleTV somewhat hit-and-miss with several series just not hitting the mark for me. Some are unmissable. US humor does not work in the same way in other cultures, although some of the drama series and movies that have appeared are working, going back all the way to the early Defending Jacob. However, Severance, Platonic, Hollywood and others leave me cold (or in the case of Hollywood, annoyed). Wolfs, although it did not have a cinema release, was enjoyable and I keep my fingers crossed that the closing scene might mean a follow-up. I am looking forward to the next series of The Morning Show which is arriving soon. David Snow (Cult of Mac) describes this as mirroring the current media hellscape.
After the success of the F1 movie, Apple has made it available for online purchase. Here that is currently 649 baht. It will eventually be released for users of AppleTV to view but that was always going to be after the commercial releases. As this has done particularly well, we have to wait. Benjamin Mayo (9to5Mac) expects that this may be with us in late September or October. Currently, I am enjoying Foundation, as it continues its 3rd season, and the return of Invasion. Although Casper, a main character, played by Billy Barrett is not listed, there are several flash-backs where he appears and I wonder if this will lead to a reappearance, or some revelation that he is or has become the invader monster: all very speculative. I am also watching the intriguing Chief of War: Hawaii before the arrival of the British.
I watched Unbelievable on Netflix recently. I had seen this before, perhaps when I had the True TV service here. It is a police detective series, but the main characters are all female, and the female detectives push the investigation. The males are less supportive of the victims - all female. Why does no one believe the females? When I was a policeman, we were told from training school days that Rape is easy to allege, hard to prove, but harder to disprove. It was always emphasized that any case had to be cast iron before any police action began. I particularly enjoyed (again) the acting of Toni Colette and Dale Dickey. This is based on true events.
Series 2 of the exciting (originally Chinese-written: Liu Cixin), Three Body Problem is still marked as coming soon on Netflix. There are rumors about a 3rd season. I also note that the "final season" of Stranger Things is listed to start on 26 November. Arriving soon is The Monster of Florence, an Italian series based on a serial killer who terrorized Italians for decades. Netflix has a new Interface on AppleTV and I am less than impressed. While the iPad shows shows and movies in a large postage stamp style, this has been changed for Apple TV so that the selected show is displayed in a larger panel, pushing the others to the side so only about 3 are displayed on my TV. For a reasonable display of shows I would need a television twice the width. As with other arbitrary software and interface changes, does anyone consider the user?
A number of camera companies are reporting that they will be increasing their prices for their products owing to the tariffs that are coming into force (Terry Sullivan, Imaging Resource). The news sources are reporting how things are working in the USA of course, but there is little news right now on how pricing may be affected elsewhere, like here.
As Nikon is one of the companies that is shown as raising their prices, and many (if not all) of their cameras are made here, I am not sure how they could justify any price increase for the economic bullying all companies are going through. Jeremy Gray (PetaPixel) looks at Nikon and the effect of tariffs.
I have been thinking of moving to a mirrorless camera for a while. One reason has been the lack of new lenses for the D850 DSLR I use: a sure indication that other manufacturers consider the F lens end-of-life. I am really waiting for a mirrorless Nikon, preferably without video capabilities, with a 100mp sensor (the D850 sensor is 45.7mp) and only the Hasselblad and a Fuji have that. There is a new Hasselblad coming this week apparently.
Every so often a lens I think I would like appears and the specifications show it is available for Sony, Fuji, Nikon Z et al, not Nikon F. This week, however, Muhammed Maaz reports on an interesting 55mm macro lens from Mitakon. I read the report and saw the wide range of cameras this was to be available for. It included the Nikon F so I used the link to B&H and added this to my wish list. It is shown as $329 (about 11,000 baht). There goes my new Apple Watch.
Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on X (@extensions_th). The RSS feed for the articles is http://www.extensions.in.th/ext_link.xml - copy and paste into your feed reader. No AI was used in writing this item.
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