3 features that Apple should borrow from Google's latest hardware

For obvious reasons, we spend a lot of time focusing on Apple, but take a moment to get our attention to another technology company (yes. are others!) that compete in many of the same spaces as Apple.

This week, Google introduced a multitude of new devices, from the new smartphone to the tablet through the smart speaker with screen. And, while some may still prefer products from one company to another, it's important to be competitive in this space to drive business forward, including Apple.

To this end, here are some features that Google has announced in its products this week and that many Apple device users – including yours – would like to receive open arms on the Cupertino platforms.

A larger selfie canvas

Apple has started adding additional lenses to the back of its iPhones with the iPhone 7 Plus, a trend that has continued with the iPhone X and XS. This not only allows the company to offer an optical telephoto lens for shooting distant subjects, but also allows for more complex computer shooting using the information captured by both cameras.

Google

Google Pixel 3, meanwhile, avoids a second camera pointing to the back. But that includes a second frontface camera in order to take wide angle selfies. This is, of course, a brilliant choice. As Google's marketing materials point out, how many times have you accidentally cut down some of your selfie or stuck the background with too many people crammed? As a long-armed person, I am often recruited as a group selfie taker and, although I do my best to attract everyone, I can only do so much without getting muscle. (And if you're about to say the words "selfie stick", you can stop now.)

Obviously, Apple already has a lot to do with the True Depth camera system from XS Max and XS Max. Integrating another goal could be tricky. But the result would probably be interesting for those of us who take group selfies which, let's face it, are most of us.

Show, do not say

Smart speakers have proven to be a popular market, but the jury still has not chosen to add a screen to these devices. I have a first generation Echo Show and this has never particularly impressed me, although I could see the potential of a screen connected to such a device. Google's Home Hub also appears to offer convenient features, such as displaying search results, displaying timers, and even playing videos.

Dan Masaoka / IDG

This highlights one of the things I prefer the least about Apple's HomePod: the screen. The company wanted the speaker to look like an attractive item that you could put anywhere in your home, but the top screen is the worst of both worlds. It provides little control or useful information to the device, limiting itself to displaying anything other than too small volume controls when playing audio or an undulating mass of colors to indicate that Siri has heard you. I already prefer physical controls to touch controls, but if you have a touch screen, you can also enjoy it.

I find it unlikely that Apple is installing a screen in the HomePod so soon; Once again, I think it's a question of aesthetics and design for society. However, because the company makes such fantastic displays on its other devices, and makes good use of the limited display space on products such as the Apple Watch, it is disappointing to see the HomePod left out.

Looking for an angle

Since I bought an iPad Pro and a smart keyboard, I found myself much more today with the Apple tablet. It is a particularly lightweight and compact device for writing. In fact, I write most of my Macworld columns, including this one. But the combination has its limits, the most notable of which is ergonomics: there is only one angle of use of the keyboard.

Do not get me wrong: If you had to choose a single angle to repair the iPad, the option chosen by Apple is probably the best choice. But the biggest question is why choose one? I was impressed by the keyboard Google introduced for its new Pixel Slate tablet, which includes an adjustable display angle and turns into a folio, although apparently it can not be used easily in the lap.

Apple

It would be great to see Apple take a page from this book and add more tuning possibilities to the Smart Keyboard of the iPad. Although I do not necessarily want my iPad to turn into a laptop (I'm still pretty satisfied with my 11 inch MacBook Air, thank you), I like the idea of ​​a more versatile typing device. The good news is that a rumor has it that the next update of the iPad will include a new type of magnetic connector that could be reminiscent of an improved smart keyboard.

I'm not about to leave my iPad for a Slate Pixel anytime soon, nor would I exchange my iPhone XS for a Pixel 3. But hey, maybe the addition of a new one is just a matter of time. a Google Home Hub at my apartment would not be so bad. ..