So, about that Apple event….

[Herb Sevush]

[Shane Ross] ” I’m glad that I built my Hackintosh…for more reasons than one.”

In the article you state that you are using the Hack mostly for Avid and Resolve – so why use OSX at all? It’s a lot easier to build your own PC.

Herb Sevush
Zebra Productions
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nothin\’ attached to nothin\’
\”Deciding the spine is the process of editing\” F. Bieberkopf

[Jason Watson]

I watched about 10 minutes of it or so and then, overcome by a crushing onset of ennui, opted to watch a rerun of The Office that I’ve seen 6 or 7 times, and it was even one of the kind of meh episodes form the final season. I went back and tried to watch some more of it (the Apple event, that is, as I actually made it through the bland Office episode) on the camera section, but I just couldn’t care enough to get through it. Maybe that’s just me.

One thing that I just can’t get past any more is just how plodding and patronizing the presenters are, trying (and not often succeeding) to use slow and deliberate (and usually halting) sentences to inject a sense of mystery or profundity into what usually amounts to a yearly update. The hyperbolic use of “gorgeous” and “magical” (and now “courage”) has also worn pretty thin, IMO, especially when features that make it into the presentations (and the website) are new watch bands and big emojis for messages. Yeah, why wouldn’t I drop $700+ for such amazing tech!

(I was going to use an emoji here, but only a large one would suffice, so maybe they’re on to something…)

[Steve Connor]

I still like the products, but the keynotes are just snorefests now

[Mark Suszko]

“It’s the caviar of the South”.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Tim Wilson] “My point being that you can’t buy the Mac OS anymore. It’s just there. When there’s a new version to download, you download it. The only reason there’s a name for it (Sierra is a good name for once) is because some hardware won’t run it and such, there are some outlying compatibility issues, but really, you don’t NEED to know the name of your computer OS any more than you need to know the name of the OS of your smart TV, your Kindle, or your car. What’s that you say, there’s a software or firmware update? Sure, why not. “

It’s funny you mention this as I started a now deleted post about how I used to know every driver number, every firmware version on my machine, every codec and wrapper, nearly every model. Now, it’s impossible. It’s getting to the point if something doesn’t remind me to update, I won’t update it and I’ll languish behind until something breaks and doesn’t work. “Everything is a remix” should start a new series called “Everything is a platform, let’s all jump together and get it over with already.”

I read your IBC article about lenses and cameras. When I got to the Red section, I no idea what any of the new code names were. I wasn’t sure if they were sensors, bodies, accessories, or what. I don’t know what a VV is and especially don’t know what a DSMC2TM might be.

I did like hearing about all the neat lenses though. A Panchro reboot sounds pretty cool.

Apple’s stage presence hasn’t been all that great lately. I don’t fault them for it. Things just aren’t as fun and new and shiny and inspiring. The devices are as sophisticated as ever, but perhaps sophistication is passé? Maybe the staged event is passé? What could Apple possibly invent that has changed the world as much as the iPhone did? In truth, the reason why I upgrade a phone is for the new camera, and Apple seems to understand me as there was quite a bit of time spent on it. And now there’s a RAW API available for the iPhone which is kinda cool if you’re in to that sort of thing.

[Charlie Austin]

You do understand that this event was about phones, watches and iOS right? What potential features of these 3 things would have won you over? Something like this?

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~ My FCPX Babbling blog ~
~\”It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.\”~
~I still need to play Track Tetris sometimes. An old game that you can never win~
~\”The function you just attempted is not yet implemented\”~

[Shane Ross]

[Herb Sevush] “In the article you state that you are using the Hack mostly for Avid and Resolve – so why use OSX at all? It’s a lot easier to build your own PC.”

1. I’ve been using Mac’s my whole computing life, starting in 1990. I even did tech support for Apple for a year. It’s the OS I know inside and out. I prefer it to Windows. Windows is more prone to bugs and viruses…requires more attention.
2. Many of my helper apps are Mac only…such as EditReady. And I still get footage from some camera people where they didn’t keep the full card structure, or modified it, or shot with a new, unsupported camera.
3. PRORES SUPPORT. This is a biggie. Many of my deliverables for networks require ProRes QT files. And a few clients want round trips from Resolve to FCX (and even FCP 7). I cannot do that with a PC. (I mention this early in the blog).
4. I can install Windows on another drive and learn more about it, if I care to.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Herb Sevush]

[Shane Ross] “1. I’ve been using Mac’s my whole computing life, starting in 1990. I even did tech support for Apple for a year. It’s the OS I know inside and out. I prefer it to Windows. Windows is more prone to bugs and viruses…requires more attention.”

I’ve been bi-computeral my whole life so I have no issue with editing in either environment.

[Shane Ross] “3. PRORES SUPPORT. This is a biggie. Many of my deliverables for networks require ProRes QT files. And a few clients want round trips from Resolve to FCX (and even FCP 7). I cannot do that with a PC. (I mention this early in the blog).”

We’re in the same boat, this is the main reason I’m still editing on a Mac. ProRes – can’t live without it. It’s also the reason I read your article about the Hackintosh – it is an option that I’m actively considering because at the moment there is nothing that Apple is offering that really suits my needs.

[Shane Ross] “4. I can install Windows on another drive and learn more about it, if I care to.”

Do the Bios changes you made for the Hack effect the way Windows would run?

Herb Sevush
Zebra Productions
—————————
nothin\’ attached to nothin\’
\”Deciding the spine is the process of editing\” F. Bieberkopf

[Shane Ross]

[Herb Sevush] “Do the Bios changes you made for the Hack effect the way Windows would run?”

THAT is a very good question. I’ll ask my geek buddies.

[Herb Sevush] “We’re in the same boat, this is the main reason I’m still editing on a Mac. ProRes – can’t live without it. “

Tried convincing a network to take DNxHD Quicktimes, saying they were just as good. But they declined, saying ProRes is the base for them, and if I gave them Dnx there’d be that gamma shift issue.

I was THIS CLOSE to getting either an iMac or HP…but then found the motherboard I needed to make it all work. Saved me thousands.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Tim Wilson]

[Charlie Austin] “What potential features of these 3 things would have won you over? Something like this?”

You know I love you Charlie, but that’s always been a straw man that Apple hides behind. Keeping the headphone jack ain’t a punchcard reader…although as I noted, I don’t think losing the headphone jack is all that big a deal, even though I use it constantly for both listening and phoning.

I’m a fan of going all-in on disruption, though (see also: FCPX launch and Creative Cloud), so if they think digital is the future, I’m GLAD they’re not trying to hold on to the jack that’s currently my primary interface with my phone. GO FOR IT, fellas. That’s what Apple is SUPPOSED to do.

Even though Apple’s events are now device centered, I still remember the days not that long ago when the devices weren’t years behind the curve. Water resistance? Well, two years late is better than never. I’m just happier when they’re swinging for the fences. They’re barely even squaring up to bunt anymore.

I’ve written here many times about how I think that cars are Apple’s destiny, with the potential to change the world more, and for more better, than all of their previous devices combined, but now I think, wow, do they even care about changing the world any more?

To answer your rhetorical question with another one, what it would it even look like for Apple to Think Different anymore? What would it look like for Apple to surprise us again?

There’s not a single category where they weren’t MANY years late. Spotify since 2006, watches widespread worldwide four years before Apple came in, etc. Unlike iPod and iPad, it’s also been a while since they came in late but still managed to immediately reset industry agendas and customer expectations.

I do wonder why people keep expecting major “old school” computer announcements or general pro focus. Those days are long gone. I’m okay with that. Disrupt away, Timmy! I’m just having a hard time imagining them catching all the way up anymore, much less leading the way.