• breakability tests

    From badgolferman@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 11:39:24 2023
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared the
    results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time around,
    the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    The drop and dunk tests included the $1,200 iPhone 15 Pro Max, the
    $1,200 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the $1,799 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5,
    and the $1,799 Google Pixel Fold. These are the most expensive
    smartphone options from Apple, Google, and Samsung, and all of these
    phones are constructed from glass.

    For these tests, Allstate dunked each smartphone in water for 30
    minutes and then dropped them onto a sidewalk from six feet up using an apparatus to drop them from the same height and angle.

    As all of these smartphones have decent water resistance ratings, they
    were working fine following the dunk test, but glass and concrete
    sidewalks don't mix well, so no smartphone fared well on the drop test.

    In the front screen-down drop test, the iPhone 15 Pro Max shattered on
    the first drop and was unusable with shards of raised and loose glass.
    The same thing happened to the Galaxy S23.

    The Z Fold 5 and the Google Pixel Fold were able to withstand two
    screen-down drops with frame damage, screen dents, and scuffing, which
    Allstate attributes to the raised lip around the interior edge of each
    display. Screen down in this case refers to the "main" screen visible
    when the device is opened. When the two smartphones were dropped on
    their closed outer displays, they both shattered.

    In back-down drop tests, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23
    Ultra both shattered immediately. The iPhone 15 Pro Max remained
    functional, but two of the cameras were no longer working because of
    damage to the camera glass.

    Allstate Protection Plans has been doing these tests for years now on
    each iPhone generation, and there hasn't been a lot of improvement
    despite Apple's glass upgrades. Apple is using a stronger back glass
    and a "Ceramic Shield" material for the front, but glass is glass and
    it continues to break.

    Drop tests are variable and the results depend on the angle the
    smartphone happens to fall at, the material it hits, the speed of the
    drop, and more. While Allstate Protection Plans uses the same variables
    for its tests, there's always an element of unpredictability and these experiments don't reflect real-world results.

    It should come as no surprise that it's best not to drop a smartphone
    made of glass onto concrete. Apple sells a range of iPhone cases for
    customers to choose from, plus it offers AppleCare+, covering two
    incidents of accidental damage each year for a $29 deductible.
    AppleCare+ is a good idea if you plan to go caseless.

    https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/09/iphone-15-breakability-test/

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 14:47:53 2023
    Am 10.10.23 um 13:39 schrieb badgolferman:
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared the
    results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time around,
    the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.

    --
    Ave! Morituri te salutant!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 13:16:19 2023
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    Am 10.10.23 um 13:39 schrieb badgolferman:
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared
    the results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time
    around, the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones
    on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.


    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?

    --
    "Whenever I dwell for any length of time on my own shortcomings, they
    gradually begin to seem mild, harmless, rather engaging little things,
    not at all like the staring defects in other people's characters." ~
    Margaret Halsey

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 08:24:47 2023
    On 10/10/2023 6:39 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    It should come as no surprise that it's best not to drop a smartphone
    made of glass onto concrete. Apple sells a range of iPhone cases for customers to choose from, plus it offers AppleCare+, covering two
    incidents of accidental damage each year for a $29 deductible.
    AppleCare+ is a good idea if you plan to go caseless.

    https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/09/iphone-15-breakability-test/

    I suspect that most owners of flagship phones put them into a protective
    case before they ever take them out into the world.

    Actually, you're better off just using a credit card that provides cell
    phone coverage if all you're worried about is screen breakage, see <https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/cellphone-insurance>. I
    think that the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is the best option for this
    since the deductible is only $25 and you get $1200 worth of claims every
    12 months.

    You have to pay your bill with the card which means that on AT&T,
    T-Mobile, and Verizon you'll lose some or all of the autopay discount
    (the Paypal Key workaround disappeared when Paypal discontinued Key),
    but the autopay discount is less than the cost of Apple Care+. Also,
    this benefit typically excludes prepaid plans so if you're on Visible,
    Metro, Cricket, etc., it doesn't work.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 08:36:07 2023
    On 10/10/2023 8:16 AM, badgolferman wrote:
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    Am 10.10.23 um 13:39 schrieb badgolferman:
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared
    the results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time
    around, the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones
    on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.


    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?

    “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by
    stupidity” ― Hanlon's Razor

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to sms on Tue Oct 10 13:47:39 2023
    sms wrote:

    On 10/10/2023 6:39 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    It should come as no surprise that it's best not to drop a
    smartphone made of glass onto concrete. Apple sells a range of
    iPhone cases for customers to choose from, plus it offers
    AppleCare+, covering two incidents of accidental damage each year
    for a $29 deductible. AppleCare+ is a good idea if you plan to go >>caseless.

    https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/09/iphone-15-breakability-test/

    I suspect that most owners of flagship phones put them into a
    protective case before they ever take them out into the world.

    Actually, you're better off just using a credit card that provides
    cell phone coverage if all you're worried about is screen breakage,
    see
    <https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/cellphone-insurance>. I
    think that the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is the best option for
    this since the deductible is only $25 and you get $1200 worth of
    claims every 12 months.

    You have to pay your bill with the card which means that on AT&T,
    T-Mobile, and Verizon you'll lose some or all of the autopay discount
    (the Paypal Key workaround disappeared when Paypal discontinued Key),
    but the autopay discount is less than the cost of Apple Care+. Also,
    this benefit typically excludes prepaid plans so if you're on
    Visible, Metro, Cricket, etc., it doesn't work.


    The amount of hoopla you jump through isn't worth it to most of us.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 16:14:11 2023
    Am 10.10.23 um 15:16 schrieb badgolferman:
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    Am 10.10.23 um 13:39 schrieb badgolferman:
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared
    the results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time
    around, the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones
    on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.


    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?

    I'm implying two things:

    1. You are bored.

    2. An insurance company wants attention and hopes two get new customers.
    Even a standardised single test is 100% meaningless.

    Didn't you claim to be an aerospace engineer? If so you should know.

    --
    Ave! Morituri te salutant!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From =?UTF-8?Q?J=C3=B6rg_Lorenz?=@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 16:28:48 2023
    Am 10.10.23 um 16:25 schrieb badgolferman:
    And yes, as an aerospace engineer I can easily see your head is in the clouds, or more accurately, the iCloud...

    Did I tread on your foot?

    --
    Ave! Morituri te salutant!

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to All on Tue Oct 10 14:25:47 2023
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    An insurance company wants attention and hopes two get new customers.
    Even a standardised single test is 100% meaningless.

    How is this meaningless? They are applying the breakage test to the
    most expensive phones available. It shows the fragility of these
    phones despite the claim of manufacturers and pundits espousing the
    hardening technology of new glass. And for those who must make a
    fashion statement by refusing to use cases, at least they will know
    their phone isn't brak proof.

    And yes, as an aerospace engineer I can easily see your head is in the
    clouds, or more accurately, the iCloud...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 08:50:57 2023
    On 10/10/2023 8:47 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    The amount of hoopla you jump through isn't worth it to most of us.

    Wow, you consider paying your bill with a credit card with phone
    protection to be a lot of "hoopla?" Strange.

    The credit card cell phone coverage is less expensive, and superior to,
    Apple Care+.

    Do you also pay for the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) when you rent a
    car, or do you use a credit card that provides primary or secondary CDW?

    “It's morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep his money.” ― W. C. Fields

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 09:26:40 2023
    On 2023-10-10 06:16, badgolferman wrote:
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    Am 10.10.23 um 13:39 schrieb badgolferman:
    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared
    the results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time
    around, the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones
    on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.


    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?


    No. He's stating outright that this is a marketing stunt...

    ...because it pretty obviously is.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to sms on Tue Oct 10 16:25:31 2023
    sms wrote:

    On 10/10/2023 8:47 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    The amount of hoopla you jump through isn't worth it to most of us.

    Wow, you consider paying your bill with a credit card with phone
    protection to be a lot of "hoopla?" Strange.

    The credit card cell phone coverage is less expensive, and superior
    to, Apple Care+.

    Do you also pay for the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) when you rent a
    car, or do you use a credit card that provides primary or secondary
    CDW?


    You are advocating for opening different credit card accounts to get a
    coverage which most people don't need. In addition you have advocated
    for many complicated schemes regarding MVNOs or how to get a phone for
    minor discount. Good for you that you are able and willing to research
    these things and constantly switch from one prepaid carrier to another,
    but most people won't, especially older people who just want
    convenience and service. People aren't going to jump through these
    hoops which you are willing to do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 09:28:27 2023
    On 2023-10-10 07:25, badgolferman wrote:
    Jörg Lorenz wrote:

    An insurance company wants attention and hopes two get new customers.
    Even a standardised single test is 100% meaningless.

    How is this meaningless? They are applying the breakage test to the
    most expensive phones available. It shows the fragility of these
    phones despite the claim of manufacturers and pundits espousing the
    hardening technology of new glass. And for those who must make a
    fashion statement by refusing to use cases, at least they will know
    their phone isn't brak proof.

    And yes, as an aerospace engineer I can easily see your head is in the clouds, or more accurately, the iCloud...

    Except everyone already KNOWS that they're fairly fragile. And not a
    single person is under the delusion that his or her phone is "brak [sic] proof".

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 09:30:28 2023
    On 2023-10-10 09:25, badgolferman wrote:
    sms wrote:

    On 10/10/2023 8:47 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    The amount of hoopla you jump through isn't worth it to most of us.

    Wow, you consider paying your bill with a credit card with phone
    protection to be a lot of "hoopla?" Strange.

    The credit card cell phone coverage is less expensive, and superior
    to, Apple Care+.

    Do you also pay for the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) when you rent a
    car, or do you use a credit card that provides primary or secondary
    CDW?


    You are advocating for opening different credit card accounts to get a coverage which most people don't need. In addition you have advocated
    for many complicated schemes regarding MVNOs or how to get a phone for
    minor discount. Good for you that you are able and willing to research
    these things and constantly switch from one prepaid carrier to another,
    but most people won't, especially older people who just want
    convenience and service. People aren't going to jump through these
    hoops which you are willing to do.

    Says the guy who is constantly harping on how much better Android is
    because you can research how to use all sorts of things and how terrible iPhones are because they offer convenience and service without the need
    to jump through hoops.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to Alan on Tue Oct 10 16:38:38 2023
    Alan wrote:

    Says the guy who is constantly harping on how much better Android is
    because you can research how to use all sorts of things and how
    terrible iPhones are because they offer convenience and service
    without the need to jump through hoops.

    You got the wrong guy. I don't own an android and know nothing about
    them. I couldn't even find the voicemail when I tried to help my
    stepfather with his Galaxy Flip phone.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 10:14:46 2023
    On 10/10/2023 9:25 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    You are advocating for opening different credit card accounts to get a coverage which most people don't need. In addition you have advocated
    for many complicated schemes regarding MVNOs or how to get a phone for
    minor discount. Good for you that you are able and willing to research
    these things and constantly switch from one prepaid carrier to another,
    but most people won't, especially older people who just want
    convenience and service. People aren't going to jump through these
    hoops which you are willing to do.

    I have been with the same prepaid carrier for about eight years. Why
    would you think that this constitutes "constantly switching?"

    The two most recent iPhones I purchased were from that prepaid carrier.
    It is true that they offered very good prices on previous year's models.
    When the Xr was selling for $499, unlocked, in 2021 I paid $211, locked
    for a year. The 11 was $149.99 from the carrier, in 2022. It was selling unlocked for $499. This was a major discount.

    While I would prefer to buy unlocked devices, the carrier discounts make
    it worthwhile to wait 60 days to get it unlocked.

    Yes, I do choose credit cards carefully, though I no longer have any
    cards with cell phone protection. The card I use the most offers 3% cash
    back on Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions, primary rental car CDW,
    TSA Precheck/Global Entry, airport lounge access, extended warranty (1
    year) and other stuff. The $75 annual fee is more than made up from the
    extra 1% cash back versus a 2% cashback card.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Tue Oct 10 16:12:37 2023
    On 10/10/2023 9:38 AM, badgolferman wrote:
    Alan wrote:

    Says the guy who is constantly harping on how much better Android is
    because you can research how to use all sorts of things and how
    terrible iPhones are because they offer convenience and service
    without the need to jump through hoops.

    You got the wrong guy. I don't own an android and know nothing about
    them. I couldn't even find the voicemail when I tried to help my
    stepfather with his Galaxy Flip phone.

    Each platform has its pros and cons. I do like the fact that my iPhone,
    my iPad Pro, and my Apple Watch all work together seamlessly. I also
    prefer the Apple Maps navigation for local directions in areas that I am
    not familiar with. The Android ecosystem is rougher but there are many
    useful things that Android can do that are not possible on iOS because
    of the walled garden.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Wed Oct 11 08:07:37 2023
    badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote

    Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans today shared the
    results of one of its annual device drop tests, and this time around,
    the company broke some of the most expensive smartphones on the market, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    From the standpoint of sensible logic, if someone is paying for "insurance"
    for a commodity such as a smart phone is, they're not very intelligent.

    It's ridiculous in fact, to pay for "AppleCare" or any other phone
    insurance unless that insurance is so cheap as to be almost free.

    There's a reason Apple is so profitable; and it's not that their customer
    is intelligent as the average Apple costumer is an utter moron (IMHO).
    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to sms on Wed Oct 11 08:19:43 2023
    sms <[email protected]> wrote

    I suspect that most owners of flagship phones put them into a protective
    case before they ever take them out into the world.

    I would put _any_ cellphone into a protective case, even my handful of free phones that I received from T-Mobile years ago - and the one iPhone.

    I'd also put a screen on top of the magic Apple glass, as glass is glass
    (even as Apple would have the utter morons believe glass is not glass).

    Actually, you're better off just using a credit card that provides cell
    phone coverage if all you're worried about is screen breakage

    While folks may say that I'm a stickler for facts, I must admire Steve for finding the most complicated convolutedly complex credit card plans around.

    Me?

    I have only the Costco VISA. I use it for everything. Simple as it is.
    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Wed Oct 11 08:15:16 2023
    badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.

    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?

    There are two completely different _adult_ concepts involved here...

    The first concept is that all the marketing in the world doesn't change the fact that "glass is glass", and to put glass on the back is sheer idiocy.

    1. "Apple is using a stronger back glass and a "Ceramic Shield" material
    for the front, but *glass is glass and it continues to break*.

    The second _adult_ concept is that the *cost* of these insurance plans has
    to be weighed against the fact that a phone is a cheap commodity.

    2. You only insure that which you can't easily replace as insurance is
    _designed_ as a money-making business - where they win - and you lose.

    How much is this "AppleCare" plan per year, badgolferman?
    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Wed Oct 11 08:25:13 2023
    badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote

    You are advocating for opening different credit card accounts to get a coverage which most people don't need. In addition you have advocated
    for many complicated schemes regarding MVNOs or how to get a phone for
    minor discount. Good for you that you are able and willing to research
    these things and constantly switch from one prepaid carrier to another,
    but most people won't, especially older people who just want
    convenience and service. People aren't going to jump through these
    hoops which you are willing to do.

    I agree with the adult point of view of _both_ Steve & badgolferman.

    1. Steve is willing to put up with an immense amount of complexity
    to find the absolute best deals in three pertinent things here:
    a. MVNOs
    b. Credit cards
    c. Hardware (such as discounted phones & chargers)

    2. I _often_ buy the hardware that Steve recommends
    a. I bought his stocking-stuffer Moto G for example, for $100
    b. I got his free T-Mobile A32-5G suggestions (six of them!)
    c. I even bought his USB connection to the monitor (sans PC)
    d. And I bought his suggested high-powered charger

    3. But for most things, I keep is KISS
    a. My credit card is the Costco VISA and that's simple
    b. My phone plan is T-Mobile "Simple Global" and that's simple
    c. My hardware is _not_ on an insurance plan (that would be stupid)

    However... I commend Steve nonetheless, in not only that he's willing to
    put up with an immense complexity in planning - but - to his credit - Steve
    is _capable_ of comprehending the pros and cons (and the gotchas).

    Most people are not.

    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Wed Oct 11 08:26:20 2023
    badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote

    Says the guy who is constantly harping on how much better Android is >>because you can research how to use all sorts of things and how
    terrible iPhones are because they offer convenience and service
    without the need to jump through hoops.

    You got the wrong guy. I don't own an android and know nothing about
    them. I couldn't even find the voicemail when I tried to help my
    stepfather with his Galaxy Flip phone.

    How Alan Baker can misunderstand everything so completely is astounding.
    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to sms on Wed Oct 11 08:31:26 2023
    sms <[email protected]> wrote

    Each platform has its pros and cons.

    The _biggest_ con for Apple iPhones is they can't do thousands (upon
    thousands) of useful things that any Android phone can easily do.

    The biggest con for Android phones is that the blue bubbles (I'm told).

    I do like the fact that my iPhone,
    my iPad Pro, and my Apple Watch all work together seamlessly.

    I wonder if people like Steve realize that's _only_ because they are logged into the Internet 24/7/365?

    Any device (Apple, Samsung or Google) can easily do that if the owner is willing to be constantly logged into the Internet such that a message from
    one to the other only inches away has to travel to and from Apple servers.

    I also
    prefer the Apple Maps navigation for local directions in areas that I am
    not familiar with.

    What about the thousands upon thousand of rather useful things that an
    iPhone can't do that even a free Android phone easily does?

    The Android ecosystem is rougher but there are many
    useful things that Android can do that are not possible on iOS because
    of the walled garden.

    Because anything is possible on Android, all that stuff you said you loved about the Apple ecosystem is easily possible - if - if you're willing to be logging into the mothership servers 24/7/365.

    What most people don't realize - and I'm not sure if Steve realizes it, is
    all that Apple goodness is only because they're logged into Apple servers.
    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to Wally J on Wed Oct 11 13:42:57 2023
    Wally J wrote:

    badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote

    Marketing Stunt of an insurance company. Not more and not less.

    Are you implying that iPhones don't break?

    There are two completely different adult concepts involved here...

    The first concept is that all the marketing in the world doesn't
    change the fact that "glass is glass", and to put glass on the back
    is sheer idiocy.

    1. "Apple is using a stronger back glass and a "Ceramic Shield"
    material for the front, but *glass is glass and it continues to
    break*.

    The second adult concept is that the cost of these insurance plans has
    to be weighed against the fact that a phone is a cheap commodity.

    2. You only insure that which you can't easily replace as insurance is
    designed as a money-making business - where they win - and you
    lose.

    How much is this "AppleCare" plan per year, badgolferman?


    I don't know since I don't have it.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to Wally J on Wed Oct 11 13:45:47 2023
    Wally J wrote:

    I have only the Costco VISA. I use it for everything. Simple as it is.

    I have the same card, plus a Chase Marriott card since that gives me a
    free night and many extra points when booking rooms with them.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Wed Oct 11 07:39:37 2023
    On 10/11/2023 6:42 AM, badgolferman wrote:
    Wally J wrote:

    <snip>

    How much is this "AppleCare" plan per year, badgolferman?


    I don't know since I don't have it.

    It's $149 per year for the newer iPhones.

    I've never broken a phone screen or phone back so I don't buy those kind
    of insurance policies or warranties on phones.

    The Costco Citibank Visa card used to give you two years of extra
    warranty on purchases and I did use that benefit on multiple occasions. Costco/Citibank discontinued that benefit on January 22nd, 2023. It was especially nice on computers since Costco already extended the
    manufacturer's warranty by an extra year and then the Costco Visa added
    another two years.

    There is only one credit card that still offers two years of extended
    warranty, the Citibank Citi Premier card <https://www.citi.com/usc/LPACA/Citi/Rewards/Premier/ps/index.html>
    which I don't have and which has a $95 annual fee.

    There are many credit cards that still offer one year of extended
    warranty coverage.

    I kept my Costco Visa for buying gasoline at Costco, but for in-store
    Costco purchases I use a Visa that gives me 3% cash back if I pay with
    Apple Pay or Google Pay, plus one year of extended warranty.

    If I used a postpaid cellular plan I might get a credit card with phone coverage. The REI Mastercard used to have that benefit but then they
    changed credit card providers and the new one doesn't have that benefit.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jolly Roger@21:1/5 to sms on Wed Oct 11 15:25:23 2023
    On 2023-10-11, sms <[email protected]> wrote:

    It's $149 per year for the newer iPhones.

    No, it's $199 for *2 years* of coverage, and less for older models:

    ---
    AppleCare+

    You can buy coverage on a fixed-term plan or on a monthly plan that will automatically renew until cancelled.

    Monthly 2 yrs
    iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max $9.99 $199
    iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 14 Plus $8.99 $179
    iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13 $7.99 $149
    iPhone SE (3rd generation) $3.99 $79
    ---

    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to Jolly Roger on Wed Oct 11 13:42:56 2023
    Jolly Roger <[email protected]> wrote

    It's $149 per year for the newer iPhones.

    No, it's $199 for *2 years* of coverage, and less for older models:

    Thank you Jolly Roger for providing more accurate numbers, bearing in mind
    two adult truths in insurance (any insurance, not just AppleCare).

    1. Insurance is never worth it for something you can replace, and,
    2. The companies design insurance to cost you more than you get back.

    Given that basic adult understanding, at $100 per year for fifty years of
    phone ownership, that's five thousand dollars people will pay for it.

    A phone is a depreciating assess, which means that your phone can always be replaced for less than you paid for it (which is the fundamental definition
    of a depreciating asset, by the way).

    A phone is a commodity also, which means that you can replace it with
    another make and model (often at a lower price) and it will do the same
    things.

    So we have people paying $100 per year for a depreciating commodity?
    Really?

    Who does that?
    Only a fool, right?

    Don't they know arithmetic?

    The two questions we have to ask ourselves, for a depreciating asset (which happens to be a commodity), that we want to have insured... are

    1. Can we afford to replace the phone if we happen to break it?
    2. Is five thousand dollars worth it to replace a couple of phones?

    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to sms on Wed Oct 11 13:35:40 2023
    sms <[email protected]> wrote

    How much is this "AppleCare" plan per year, badgolferman?

    I don't know since I don't have it.

    It's $149 per year for the newer iPhones.

    Holy cow. $150 is more than I paid for my *five* Android phones (three initially, plus two replacements under warranty - which is important).

    Notice what I said. T-Mobile replaced my personal phone _twice_ under
    warranty - for free (well, they charged me $20 at the store for the first replacement and then prices went up to $25 by the second replacement).

    But T-Mobile refunded that money that had to be paid to the store!

    The point is that's what a warranty is for (although I didn't drop the
    phone, I busted the port on the first one and I bricked the second).

    Anyway, always working on a person's lifetime, you'll own a phone for, oh,
    at least fifty years (in series, of course) so that's ~$7,500 for
    AppleCare.

    Think about that the way the insurance companies think about it.

    On average, you'll be paying around eight thousand dollars for AppleCare, where, of course, you might break a phone or two in that period.

    But is it worth it?

    HINT: It's impossible to be worth it for a normal calculus.

    I've never broken a phone screen or phone back so I don't buy those kind
    of insurance policies or warranties on phones.

    Let's all be clear on the _adult_ concept that the insurance companies have designed the price to make _them_ money (not you), where they have already decided that, on average, you will be wasting all your money.

    Same concept as the lottery - only not as drastic. :)

    The Costco Citibank Visa card used to give you two years of extra
    warranty on purchases and I did use that benefit on multiple occasions. Costco/Citibank discontinued that benefit on January 22nd, 2023. It was especially nice on computers since Costco already extended the
    manufacturer's warranty by an extra year and then the Costco Visa added another two years.

    Steve always knows stuff that I don't know - as I wasn't aware they stopped that benefit - but I tried to use it once and it was a pain as you had to
    go through an entirely different process (different companies) than the
    first warranty.

    --
    The whole point of Usenet is to find people who know more than you do.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Thu Oct 12 12:27:27 2023
    On 10/10/2023 7:25 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    How is this meaningless? They are applying the breakage test to the
    most expensive phones available. It shows the fragility of these
    phones despite the claim of manufacturers and pundits espousing the
    hardening technology of new glass. And for those who must make a
    fashion statement by refusing to use cases, at least they will know
    their phone isn't brak proof.

    It isn't the glass that is causing the 15 Pro/Pro Max to break easier
    than the 14 Pro/Pro Max, it's the lower elasticity of the titanium which
    makes it much easier to bend the frame.

    If you bent the frame of the 14 Pro/Pro Max by the same amount the glass
    would break as well, it would just be a lot more difficult to bend the stainless steel frame to the extent that the glass breaks.

    I suspect that very few users are not immediately putting their iPhone
    into a case so it's not a huge issue. OTOH, I see a LOT of people
    sticking their iPhone in their back pocket and sitting down with
    forgetting to remove the phone first which will be an even worse thing
    to do with the 15 Pro/Pro Max.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan@21:1/5 to sms on Thu Oct 12 12:43:24 2023
    On 2023-10-12 12:27, sms wrote:
    On 10/10/2023 7:25 AM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    How is this meaningless?  They are applying the breakage test to the
    most expensive phones available.  It shows the fragility of these
    phones despite the claim of manufacturers and pundits espousing the
    hardening technology of new glass.  And for those who must make a
    fashion statement by refusing to use cases, at least they will know
    their phone isn't brak proof.

    It isn't the glass that is causing the 15 Pro/Pro Max to break easier
    than the 14 Pro/Pro Max, it's the lower elasticity of the titanium which makes it much easier to bend the frame.

    If you bent the frame of the 14 Pro/Pro Max by the same amount the glass would break as well, it would just be a lot more difficult to bend the stainless steel frame to the extent that the glass breaks.

    Completely wrong.


    I suspect that very few users are not immediately putting their iPhone
    into a case so it's not a huge issue. OTOH, I see a LOT of people
    sticking their iPhone in their back pocket and sitting down with
    forgetting to remove the phone first which will be an even worse thing
    to do with the 15 Pro/Pro Max.


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to Alan on Thu Oct 12 20:15:42 2023
    Alan wrote:

    It isn't the glass that is causing the 15 Pro/Pro Max to break
    easier than the 14 Pro/Pro Max, it's the lower elasticity of the
    titanium which makes it much easier to bend the frame.

    If you bent the frame of the 14 Pro/Pro Max by the same amount the
    glass would break as well, it would just be a lot more difficult
    to bend the stainless steel frame to the extent that the glass
    breaks.

    Completely wrong.


    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    --
    "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more
    useful than a life spent doing nothing." ~ George Bernard Shaw

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Thu Oct 12 14:19:42 2023
    On 10/12/2023 1:15 PM, badgolferman wrote:
    Alan wrote:

    <snip>

    Completely wrong.


    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    LOL, you're new here huh?

    "...the Grade 5 titanium offers almost three times the tensile strength
    when compared to aluminum and half the elasticity."

    The experts have stated that the issue with the glass breaking is
    because it's much easier to bend the titanium frame on the 15 Pro/Pro
    Max because of the lower elasticity of the frame. Bending the iPhone 14
    Pro by the same amount would also break the glass but it would requires
    a lot more force.

    Another theory for the problem is that it's the fact that the back glass
    is now easily replaceable and not bonded to the phone as in the past.

    It's almost certainly a combination of both factors.

    The key takeaway is to put the phone in a good case where it will be
    more difficult to accidentally bend it.

    --
    “A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need
    for illusion is deep.” ― Saul Bellow

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan@21:1/5 to sms on Thu Oct 12 14:21:06 2023
    On 2023-10-12 14:19, sms wrote:
    On 10/12/2023 1:15 PM, badgolferman wrote:
    Alan wrote:

    <snip>

    Completely wrong.


    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    LOL, you're new here huh?

    "...the Grade 5 titanium offers almost three times the tensile strength
    when compared to aluminum and half the elasticity."

    The experts have stated that the issue with the glass breaking is
    because it's much easier to bend the titanium frame on the 15 Pro/Pro
    Max because of the lower elasticity of the frame. Bending the iPhone 14
    Pro by the same amount would also break the glass but it would requires
    a lot more force.

    Let's see a quote from these "experts"...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Hank Rogers@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Thu Oct 12 18:27:57 2023
    badgolferman wrote:
    Alan wrote:

    It isn't the glass that is causing the 15 Pro/Pro Max to break
    easier than the 14 Pro/Pro Max, it's the lower elasticity of the
    titanium which makes it much easier to bend the frame.

    If you bent the frame of the 14 Pro/Pro Max by the same amount the
    glass would break as well, it would just be a lot more difficult
    to bend the stainless steel frame to the extent that the glass
    breaks.

    Completely wrong.


    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.


    I'm confused

    Are you replying to alan brown, or alan nuh-uh ?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jolly Roger@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Fri Oct 13 01:33:40 2023
    On 2023-10-12, badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote:
    Alan wrote:

    It isn't the glass that is causing the 15 Pro/Pro Max to break
    easier than the 14 Pro/Pro Max, it's the lower elasticity of the
    titanium which makes it much easier to bend the frame.

    If you bent the frame of the 14 Pro/Pro Max by the same amount the
    glass would break as well, it would just be a lot more difficult to
    bend the stainless steel frame to the extent that the glass breaks.

    Completely wrong.

    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    That's not how the burden of proof works. Before we entertain this line
    of questioning you two lovebirds need to prove your baseless assertion
    that the glass broke due to some difference in the frame as opposed to
    some other thing entirely. Until then everyone else will simply conclude
    you are making things up as usual.

    Meanwhile, it's a FACT (and I know the Arlen trollboi gang *hates* those
    pesky things) that only the outside 1mm is actually titanium which is
    diffusion bonded to the actual frame which is the same aluminum used in previous models.

    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Wally J@21:1/5 to Jolly Roger on Fri Oct 13 09:04:05 2023
    Jolly Roger <[email protected]> wrote

    Completely wrong.

    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    That's not how the burden of proof works.

    And yet, a "normal" person who says "completely wrong" would explain _why_
    it's completely wrong - *but not an iKook*.

    Each iKook makes inconvenient facts "go away" in a different manner...
    a. An iKook like Alan will claim everything wrong that he's ignorant of;
    b. While an iKook like Jolly Roger will *ATTACK* anyone who says a fact;
    c. And an iKook like Alan Browne will simply say no fact can ever exist...

    What's interesting about these iKooks is they can't keep their own
    apologies for Apple's flaws consistent. They're each a one off.

    Half the time these iKooks like Jolly Roger are claiming that every fact
    about Apple can't possibly be a fact because Jolly Roger is ignorant of it.

    The other half of the time these iKooks like Jolly Roger are brazenly
    claiming that completely imaginary non-existent apps exist (e.g., graphical Wi-Fi debugging as just one infamous example of iKooks' imaginary apps).

    My point in pointing this out is that the complete lack of cohesion in the iKooks' arguments is how I know they lack any semblance of a normal IQ.

    This extremely low IQ combined with the desire to *ATTACK!* anyone who
    claims anything they're completely ignorant of - is why JR is an iKook.
    --
    My goal on this child-like Apple ng is to understand these low-IQ iKooks.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to sms on Fri Oct 13 06:51:54 2023
    On 10/12/2023 2:19 PM, sms wrote:

    <snip>

    The key takeaway is to put the phone in a good case where it will be
    more difficult to accidentally bend it.

    Interestingly enough, the iPhone Pro (non-Max), subjected to the same
    test, did not break the back glass because the shorter height made it
    more difficult for the frame to bend a sufficient amount to stress the
    glass.

    In any case, as long as the user keeps their phone is a well-designed
    case, and doesn't store it in their back pocket, the rear glass breakage
    from stress should not be an issue. I can't even recall the last time I
    saw someone with a smart phone that was not in some sort of a case.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Mickey D@21:1/5 to sms on Fri Oct 13 18:32:47 2023
    On 13/10/2023, sms wrote:

    Interestingly enough, the iPhone Pro (non-Max), subjected to the same
    test, did not break the back glass because the shorter height made it
    more difficult for the frame to bend a sufficient amount to stress the
    glass.

    In any case, as long as the user keeps their phone is a well-designed
    case, and doesn't store it in their back pocket, the rear glass breakage
    from stress should not be an issue. I can't even recall the last time I
    saw someone with a smart phone that was not in some sort of a case.

    Glass is a necessity in the front.
    What is the reason for glass in the back?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan Browne@21:1/5 to Mickey D on Fri Oct 13 18:35:41 2023
    On 2023-10-13 18:32, Mickey D wrote:
    On 13/10/2023, sms wrote:

    Interestingly enough, the iPhone Pro (non-Max), subjected to the same
    test, did not break the back glass because the shorter height made it
    more difficult for the frame to bend a sufficient amount to stress the
    glass.

    In any case, as long as the user keeps their phone is a well-designed
    case, and doesn't store it in their back pocket, the rear glass breakage
    from stress should not be an issue. I can't even recall the last time I
    saw someone with a smart phone that was not in some sort of a case.

    Glass is a necessity in the front.
    What is the reason for glass in the back?

    Mystery to me why Apple do that - looks? Who cares.

    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than your can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From badgolferman@21:1/5 to Mickey D on Fri Oct 13 22:52:32 2023
    Mickey D <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 13/10/2023, sms wrote:

    Interestingly enough, the iPhone Pro (non-Max), subjected to the same
    test, did not break the back glass because the shorter height made it
    more difficult for the frame to bend a sufficient amount to stress the
    glass.

    In any case, as long as the user keeps their phone is a well-designed
    case, and doesn't store it in their back pocket, the rear glass breakage
    from stress should not be an issue. I can't even recall the last time I
    saw someone with a smart phone that was not in some sort of a case.

    Glass is a necessity in the front.
    What is the reason for glass in the back?


    I have rarely seen the glass on the back of my iPhones. The phone is immediately put into a case, one that covers up the Apple logo. I don’t
    want to provide free advertising for them nor do I need to be “stylish”.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jolly Roger@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Sat Oct 14 00:06:46 2023
    On 2023-10-13, badgolferman <[email protected]> wrote:
    Mickey D <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 13/10/2023, sms wrote:

    Interestingly enough, the iPhone Pro (non-Max), subjected to the
    same test, did not break the back glass because the shorter height
    made it more difficult for the frame to bend a sufficient amount to
    stress the glass.

    In any case, as long as the user keeps their phone is a
    well-designed case, and doesn't store it in their back pocket, the
    rear glass breakage from stress should not be an issue. I can't even
    recall the last time I saw someone with a smart phone that was not
    in some sort of a case.

    Glass is a necessity in the front. What is the reason for glass in
    the back?

    I have rarely seen the glass on the back of my iPhones. The phone is immediately put into a case, one that covers up the Apple logo. I
    don’t want to provide free advertising for them nor do I need to be “stylish”.

    Good for you. You aren't of the delusion that you represent everyone
    else, are you? Because that would be dumb.

    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jolly Roger@21:1/5 to Wally J on Sat Oct 14 00:05:31 2023
    On 2023-10-13, Wally J <[email protected]> wrote:
    Jolly Roger <[email protected]> wrote

    Completely wrong.

    Inform him in what way he is wrong please.

    That's not how the burden of proof works.

    Blah blah blah

    All that blabbering, and not a single proof of the bullshit claim that
    "the lower elasticity of the titanium" causes iPhone 15 to break more
    easily.

    Pity.

    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From sms@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Fri Oct 13 22:42:10 2023
    On 10/13/2023 3:52 PM, badgolferman wrote:

    <snip>

    I have rarely seen the glass on the back of my iPhones. The phone is immediately put into a case, one that covers up the Apple logo. I don’t want to provide free advertising for them nor do I need to be “stylish”.

    Glass has better thermal conductivity than plastic, though not as good
    as metal. Metal cannot be used on the back because a) it would block
    wireless charging, and b) it would block the radio signals. I suppose
    that they could do a back that was a combination of materials, metal for durability and thermal conductivity, and plastic where necessary for
    wireless charging and the radio antennas. Apparently glass is also
    considered to be more classy, but as you said, once you put the phone in
    a case no one sees the back anyway.

    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)