I’m talking here about their hardware (MacBook, iPhone, iPad, iWatch) and software (iCloud, Apple One, mail, passwords, wallet, other apps), in terms of owning all of that.

What’s your opinion on using everything that comes from Apple? Is there anything that you would throw away from the “basket” full of apples? If yes, then what would be that and why?

  • @[email protected]
    11•11 months ago

    Mostly cross-platform suggestions:

    Apples to chuck:

    • Apple Music ymmv, I have lots of mp3 with iTunes match that’s why I use it, but if you don’t, Spotify is clearly the better algorithmic music suggestion service
    • Podcasts are probably better in Overcast etc.
    • FaceTime / Messages is fine for apples to apples, but you’ll need other messaging apps obvs
    • Carrot Weather is better than Apple Weather, shame about Dark Sky
    • Calculator is bested by PCalc
    • Arguments can definitely be made against Logic and Final Cut
    • Apple News is pain
    • On that note, even with the highest tier of iCloud, it’s probably not worth it to do Apple One until your are actually spending over that much on things you actually want. Apple TV for example is easy to binge through every few months.
    • Kindle is cheaper than iBooks
    • Fantastical is a great calendar replacement
    • Obsidian is great if you’re a Notes power-user

    Apples to keep:

    • iCloud and keychain are probably the best if you’re all-Apple, but back up elsewhere or consider other cloud storage solutions and 1Password. Definitely sign up for lowest tier iCloud as it unlocks a lot of functionality.
    • I prefer iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) to ms office
    • See Apple Music above if you have your own mp3s or old iTunes purchases
    • iCloud Photo Library is getting better and is very convenient
    • Find My is great if you have AirTags, use it all the time on my keys

    That’s all I can think of rn! Personally I go for rational functionality over philosophy as I think that’s a trap! They’re just computers, don’t not use stuff based on principle if it works the best, but also don’t get sucked in by the hype, they make it as easy as possible to eat all your money! 

    • @[email protected]
      8•11 months ago

      I personally find the Apple One family plan to be an awesome deal. Music/Arcade/TV/Fitness/News. Out of all of these, news is pretty “meh”, though you do get access to popular magazines/newspapers. Everything else is great.

      I am not an all Apple guy, since I am a PC gamer, but I use Apple products most of the time.

      • @[email protected]
        3•11 months ago

        Since Reddit became unadulterated evil I’ve been using Apple News to fill my clickbait/doomscrolling quotient and it’s actually not too bad once you customize your following sources/topics list. I pay for News+ so I rarely run into a paywall. I’ve suppressed the sources that require additional subscription (sorry Washington Post). Did you know if you are reading a story in Safari that has a paywall, but that source is available in News+ you can click the share button and “Open in News” will take you to right to a version you can read?

      • @[email protected]
        1•11 months ago

        Exactly the same boat. Personal devices are Apple and the Apple one was offering so much more value than Spotify for my family

    • @[email protected]
      4•11 months ago

      I have a quibble with Fantastical. Ever since they went to a subscription model from one time purchase I’ve left them behind. I’m not renting software.

      Obsidian is far and away my favorite of those you mentioned for personal use. Although notes is better for shared notes with others. Obsidian isn’t something your mom is just going to dive into.

    • @[email protected]
      2•11 months ago

      Good list. I like Office over the apple apps for file sharing, especially Excel. Office is still the industry standard. But this is an extra expense for most people.