Category: Tech

I wonder if ilog, short for minilog, would be a better name for short form micro blogs like Twitter and Instagram which either limit posts to media or limit the amount of text characters used in posts.

Why

• Instead of blogging, we could shorten it to ilogging instead of microblogging
• Filename extension .ilog could potentially be used for minilogs and micro blogs
• The prefix mini is used to mean it is a minimum or minimal style log
• Ironically, miniblogs impose a maximum amount of characters for posts

Options

• ilog - Short for mini
• Minilog
• olog - Short for micro
• Microlog
• elog - Short for line
• Linelog
• Memlog - Short for memo or memory
• Memolog
• Linlog - Short for line
• Linelog
• Minlog - Short for mini
• Minilog

I wonder if TextExpander should offer both a single purchase that includes all features offline, and a separate but optional subscription purchase, that includes an online account with cloud syncing.

What

• Single purchase for all main features
• Subscription purchase for cloud sync features
• Single purchase includes all features without account
• Subscription includes saving and syncing settings with account

Why

• Have more happy users and positive reviews
• Get many more users for network effect
• Still have recurring revenue from power users
• Make versions 2, 3, etc. for single purchase upgrade strategy

I wonder if Apple WWDC 2022 might not include the release of the newly redesigned consumer MacBook or Mac mini.

Notes

• I have an alternate idea about the products that could be announced at Apple's WWDC 2022 event, as we often expect things earlier than they arrive, like people thinking M2 could come in spring 2022, a flat Watch in 2021, or a redesigned flat back iPhone in 2022.
• Since the new MacBook and Mac mini are giant updates to decade old designs, I wonder if it could make sense to only release a MacBook Pro sans notch and a larger iMac with 5nm M1X/M2 in 2Q22, and leave the new MacBook and Mac mini for the 3nm M2/M3 with ARMv9 for around 1Q23.
• The new Mac Pro with the most powerful chip Apple will make could then be the star of the show, as long as it is ready to be released. The Mac Pro and iMac are more developer focused devices anyway, as opposed to the MacBook and Mac mini, which are targeted more at consumers.
• Rebranding or naming of products is much tougher to guess, but I wonder if there is at least a chance that the Mac Pro could be renamed to something else, based on the Mac Studio being released with a new name earlier this year, and including the M1 Pro chip.

Update - June 4th

• While my alternative guess is that the newly redesigned MacBook and Mac mini could wait until 2023 for the 3nm M1-series chip, I will add that maybe they could still release an updated MacBook Air with the old design, instead of the new colorful design.
• Since the potential third generation 5nm M1X/M2 chip for this year may not be a big enough upgrade for the new design, they could release both the MacBook and MacBook Pro this year in the old designs, which they used for the original M1 Macs from late 2020.

Previously:

@gruber I wonder if Apple could make their next iMac and consumer oriented display to each have a design with a 30 inch 6K screen, a resolution of 5760 x 3240 with 220 PPI, and a 60Hz IPS screen without Mini-LED and likely without 120Hz ProMotion. [Link]

They could. But why would they? I don’t see them making standalone displays that aren’t technically excellent, and that means ProMotion and probably Mini LED.

— John Gruber (@gruber) February 23, 2022

TLDR

• What size would you choose to make the larger iMac?
• I somewhat agree with your point about Pro displays
• Why would they? Larger than 27", consumer price, etc.
• Should they? Yes, according to me it's the best option
• Will they? Probably not
• Who's on first? Yes

Why 30" iMac?

• Larger than previous 27" size started in 2009
• Proportionally larger as new 24" is over 22"
• Wider horizontal resolution at 1620 over 1440
• Keeps the same 220 PPI retina resolution
• Creates 6K 5760 x 3240 standard
• Created 2K 2560 x 1440 standard

Why 30" Consumer Display?

• I agree they could leave this to others or have 120Hz
• But, allows lower cost than Pro XDRs for consumer Macs
• They DO make a consumer level of most products
• Makes a good match for all M1 Macs and forward
• Matching single or dual 24" and 30" - 27" and 32" Pro
• M1 supports up to 6K and 60Hz

Why Not 32"?

• OK, you got me there
• But, 6K at 5760 x 3240 would be a good standard
• Maybe others would also make 30" at 6K
• Could be considered upgrade to industry 27" at 4K
• In 2009, others embraced 27" 2K at 2560 x 1440
• Others haven't embraced 27" 5K or 32" 6K thus far

Why Consumer Display And Products?

• iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini - Displays to match?
• iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad
• iPhone, iPhone mini, iPhone SE
• AirPods, HomePod mini, iPod Touch
• Apple TV 4K, Apple TV, Apple Watch SE
• iPad screen isn't technically excellent like Pro XDR, for instance

Lineup

• Suggested consumer and pro lineup of Macs and Displays
• Larger sizes for both iMacs and possible consumer displays
• iMac - 24" and 30" - Same display tech as Apple Display
• Apple Display - 24" and 30" - 60Hz IPS LED for now
• Mac Pro - Mac Pro and Mac Pro Max - Mac Pro "mini"?
• Apple Display Pro - 27" and 32" - 120Hz Mini-LED for now

More reasons in original post with idea for 30" 6K iMac and display

I wonder if Apple could make their next large-size iMac and consumer oriented display to each have a design with a 30 inch 6K screen, a resolution of 5760 x 3240 with 220 PPI, and a 60Hz IPS screen without Mini-LED and likely without 120Hz ProMotion.

Devices

• 30" iMac
• 30" Apple Display

Specs

• 30 inches
• 6K display
• 5760 x 3240
• 220 PPI
• IPS - No Mini-LED
• 60Hz - No 120Hz - Maybe though

Notes

• 2000:1 Contrast - LG's new "IPS Black" technology
• 60Hz IPS - No Mini-LED and likely no 120Hz ProMotion
• Regular iMac only at 30", not an iMac Pro
• Space Gray or Black color option unlike earlier 24" iMac
• No iMac Pro with higher cost and pro features
• No Mini-LED and likely no 120Hz ProMotion

Whys

• Larger than 27" similar to new 24" being larger than old 22"
• Get larger screen but still smaller than 32" Pro XDR Display
• Targets approximate retina 220 PPI just like 24" and 27" iMacs
• Lower cost without Mini-LED and 120 Hz "Pro" features
• iMac Pro isn't needed because Mac Pro box and 32" XDR Display
• Matching 30" iMac and display at reasonable consumer prices

Lineup - Added February 24th

• Suggested consumer and pro lineup of Macs and Displays
• Larger sizes for both iMacs and possible consumer displays
• iMac - 24" and 30" - Same display tech as Apple Display
• Apple Display - 24" and 30" - 60Hz IPS LED for now
• Mac Pro - Mac Pro and Mac Pro Max - Mac Pro "mini"?
• Apple Display Pro - 27" and 32" - 120Hz Mini-LED for now

Reply To: John Gruber “But Why Would they?”

I wonder if it will ultimately be tablets, and not phones at all, that will be primarily redesigned in their best and most common form to be foldable.

Notes

• They would open up similar to a book with the screen only on the inside, but most importantly have a much larger single screen when flipped into portrait orientation like a tablet when opened.
• They would also fit in a much smaller space so that a tablet opened up to be about 9 inches, like an iPad mini, could fit in your pocket while being wider and shorter than a typical phone when closed.
• They would not have any screen on the outside to function like a phone, but would be designed more like a book or notebook, with the screen fully protected inside the device when closed.

Could Apple announce or release these unlikely products at their second fall event of 2021 or in the future? Here are some quick guesses and a few key details for some unlikely products I wonder about Apple announcing if they have a second or third fall event in 2021.

Products

• 14" MacBook or MacBook Air - M2
• 30-32" iMac - M2
• 24" and 30-32" Apple Displays
• AirPods 3

Future

• 12" MacBook mini - M2
• 14" MacBook Pro - M2X. Mini-LED.
• 16" MacBook Pro - M2X. Mini-LED.
• 40-80" Apple TV - M2. Mini-LED. 55" and 75"?

Thoughts

• Many of you likely know what the rumors are currently.
• So I understand that the rumors are currently suggesting the MacBook Pro and maybe Mac mini will likely come first this fall, possibly with an M1X chip.
• Then, sometime next year the MacBook Air would be released and a larger iMac.
• I just like to think a little different.
• I like to try and guess what might not be currently predicted or most rumored at the time.
• So here are some alternative ideas and thoughts for products they could release next based on my haphazard analysis.
• I'm also skeptical that the lower tier MacBook Air will include Mini-LED in its next release, as is being rumored.
• To keep costs down and differentiate their products, I would guess that Apple continues to leave Mini-LED for their Pro level products only.
• I wonder if this strategy could be the plan even for the MacBooks for at least the next release, and maybe more.

Here is an idea that I think Apple could use if they build a display with an integrated ARM processor, along with some of the basic features and specifications I think the device should have.

Features

• Hybrid smart TV/console/home hub, computer desktop monitor, and "anywhere" counter display
• Used by itself with built-in processor and tvOS, or as a display or TV for computers and devices
• Plug in Macs, iPads, computers, or any HDMI capable boxes to function as a monitor or TV
• 41" size would work as a TV in a bedroom, a computer monitor on a desk, or a display in the dining room
• Controlled by remote with Apple remote or by voice with Hey Siri - Switches inputs automatically
• Integrated FaceTime camera, microphone, and speakers for FaceTime and always-on Siri
• 40.5" display at 4K matches perfectly with macOS target dpi of 109 PPI for desktops
• 40.5" display at 8K would match perfectly with macOS target dpi for retina displays with 218 PPI

Specs

• Name - Apple Home 4K, Apple Display 4K - Ideas below
• OS - tvOS - Renamed homeOS?
• Size - 41" 4K Display - Actually 40.5"
• Density - 109 PPI - Matches macOS target DPI
• Cost - $999-1499 US? - "Budget" Apple TV/Display
• Storage - 64-128 GB and 256-512 GB - $999 and $1299?
• Processor - A-Series A14 - Or newer ARM chip like M1
• Inputs - 2 USB-C and 2 HDMI 2.1 - 1 Thunderbolt 4?
• Camera - FaceTime Camera - Microphones
• Speakers - Integrated Speakers - Optical out

Names

• Apple Home 4K, Apple Home, Apple Home Display, Apple HomeTV
• Apple Display 4K, Apple Display TV, Apple Display, Apple Display HDR
• Apple Screen 4K, Apple Screen, Apple Screen HDR, Apple Screen TV
• Apple TV Display, Apple TV Screen, Apple TV, Apple TV HDR

Exclusive: Apple testing new external display with a dedicated A13 chip and Neural Engine

Here is an idea for how to create a singular and clear Wordpress brand for both Automattic and the WordPress Foundation. I wonder if this could potentially help both of them prosper and grow much better together into the foreseeable future.

Quick • Name Changes And Locations

• Automattic Inc. > Wordpress Inc. - wordpress.com/inc
• WordPress.com > Wordpress - wordpress.com
• WordPress > Wordpress Org or Wordpress.org - wordpress.org
• WordPress Foundation > Wordpress Foundation - wordpress.org/foundation
• Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - automattic.com
• Ma.tt & Matt.blog > Matt Mullenweg - mattmullenweg.com

What

• Sell WordPress trademark to Automattic and rename Automattic Inc. to Wordpress Inc.
• Allow use of WordPress trademark to be used on anything for eternity for WordPress Foundation too
• Rename WordPress.com > Wordpress and Wordpress Inc. - Wordpress, formerly WordPress.com
• Rename WordPress > Wordpress Org and Wordpress Foundation - Wordpress Org, formerly WordPress. Alternatives > Wordpress.org? Wordpress Open? Wordpress Core? Wordpress Base? Wordpress Free?
• Relocate Wordpress Foundation > Wordpress Org - Simplify with Foundation at Wordpress.org and Inc. at Wordpress.com
• Rename Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - Stay at automattic.com as Careers website and internal company domain

Why

• Life is short. Take a chance. The risk is worth the reward. Simplify and create a single, well-known, and strong brand.
• Wordpress.com and Automattic can help WordPress Foundation a lot by making more money
• Automattic could make much more money if it can use Wordpress trademark and name for anything
• Wordpress could be best name for both WordPress.com and for Automattic company going forward
• We can use Wordpress brand name on many products for both Inc. and Foundation creating a network effect
• Wordpress.org and WordPress is so popular now that Wordpress Inc. would likely face trouble restricting future trademark access

Axiomattic

• If you don't trust yourself with trademark, do you think someone in the future who is less altruistic will care? - Build for our generation
• Accept that you can only control trademark, foundation, and company while you are leader and alive - Even Rome fell

Updated Date - Nov 22nd, 2023
Original Date - May 26th, 2021

Could iPhone SE 3 be released in Spring 2024 and Touch ID debut on side of iPhones in Fall 2021 or later? Here is a guess for when we might see another iPhone SE as well as for how and when Touch ID might be added to the iPhone. This idea is based on an analysis of when each of these changes and additions to the iPhone lineup occurred in the past.

Notes

• There are many reports recently and over the last year about when the next iPhone SE will debut and what features it will have.
• Some mention that a new iPhone SE will debut in Spring 2022 with another 4.7" display, and then another version in Spring 2023 with a punch hole notch.
• Before that, there was a rumor that a version with a 5.5" or 6" display would be released as early as Spring 2021.
• There are also many reports over the last few years about how and when Apple might add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone.
• After looking into it I came up with an alternate idea and guess on what could happen and when.
• Follow along if you wish.

iPhone SE

• Fall 2013 - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4" screen
• Spring 2016 - iPhone SE 1 released with same design as iPhone 5S and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
• Fall 2017 - iPhone 8 released as last phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4.7" and 5.5" screens
• Spring 2020 - iPhone SE 2 released with same design as iPhone 8 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
• Fall 2021 - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button and possibly last phone with 5.4" and 6" screens
• Spring 2024 - iPhone SE 3 releases with same design as iPhone 12S or 13 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later

iPhone Authentication

• Fall 2013 - Touch ID Bottom - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in home button
• Fall 2017 - Face ID Top - iPhone X released as first phone with Face ID in top notch - 4 years later
• Fall 2021 - Touch ID Side - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button - 4 years later

Thoughts

• So, besides guessing that they could add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone this year, I'm also guessing that they will use a side-mounted Touch ID instead of an in-screen fingerprint reader.
• This guess also basically implies that this will be a year in which they leave the design very similar to the iPhone 12.
• But even though it could be an S year, whether or not they brand it as such, they would still be making a fairly large addition to the lineup in the form of the side-mounted Touch ID sensor.
• I will add though, that I wonder if they may even remove Face ID from the non-Pro phones for 2021, or less likely from all of the phones. I'm not talking about the notch, just that Face ID could be removed.
• Removing Face ID from the non-Pro phones and not using an in-screen fingerprint reader would allow them to reduce the cost on them in the Fall of 2021, partially obviating the need for a new SE in the Spring of 2022, while also offering the exact same design without Face ID in the Spring of 2024, on that potential entry level iPhone SE 3.
• With that said, the details for what they will do with Face ID, and when they will change the size of the notch or go to no notch at all is a separate issue I think.
• I also have a few contrarian guesses for how that could happen.
• However, I think the issue of Face ID and the notch is kind of unrelated to the main two ideas in this article.
• The first idea being that the next iPhone SE 3 could possibly not be released until the Spring of 2024, and be based on the design from the Fall 2021 iPhones.
• The second idea being that Apple could possibly add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone using the side-mounted Touch ID sensor already in use on the iPad, instead of creating a new in-screen fingerprint reader.
• Furthermore, that this side-mounted Touch ID could possibly debut on the main line of iPhones released this year in the Fall of 2021, similar to how the first Touch ID came to the iPhone 5S in a year in which they didn't radically change the design and screen size.

Could Apple release a smaller and cheaper mid-range 5.4" iPhone in 2020, or even 2019? Here’s a theory for why, when, and how Apple might release a 5.4″ iPhone as a smaller and cheaper mid-range device to replace the iPhone 8 at about the $649 price point, but which could also be not too much larger in size than the 4″ iPhone SE.

Good Thing, Small Package

I wonder if Apple could announce a surprise 5.4″ iPhone in September 2019 with about a 1602 x 740 pixel screen at 326 PPI. It would be a smaller version of the 6.1″ XR, just like the 5.8″ XS is to the 6.5″ XS Max, and it would be physically not too much larger than the iPhone SE. [Link]

The inspiration for this article comes from the above thought I wrote previously on my website and social media. John Gruber from Daring Fireball made my day by taking the time to respond, pointing out that such a device would be unlikely to be released in the fall of 2019. I most certainly agree with this. Yet here I am anyway, thankfully inspired to write a few more of my thoughts behind the possibility of a 5.4" iPhone, including why, when, and in what form Apple might release the device.

It would be delightful if they did, but that seems impossible given how leaky the supply chain is.

— John Gruber (@gruber) September 6, 2019

Leaky Mid-range Math

• 4.7 - 0.7 = 4.0" - iPhone 5/SE
• 5.4 - 0.7 = 4.7" - iPhone 6/SE2
• 4.7 + 0.7 = 5.4" - iPhone 11?
• 5.4 + 0.7 = 6.1" - iPhone XR/11?
• 6.5 - 0.7 = 5.8" - iPhone XS/Pro
• 5.8 + 0.7 = 6.5" - iPhone XS/Pro Max
• ----
• 5.4 - 0.6 = 4.8" - Test Device/Size?
• 6.1 + 0.6 = 6.7" - Test Device/Size?

So the supply chain production leaks and all of the rumors for this year point to only updates to the 5.8" XS, 6.1" XR, and 6.5" XS Max. However, there has at least been one small leak about a 5.4" iPhone, which I will talk about later on in this article, even if it's for the 2020 phones. While it's quite likely that the top-tier devices end up being the 5.4" and 6.7" versions from that leak, I wonder does Apple really want to change the size of the XS from 5.8" to 5.4" so soon? If not, would the above list of devices point to a possible range of display sizes that Apple could have been testing and planned to produce in the end?

Apple made 5 versions of the 3.5" phone, from iPhone to iPhone 4S. They made 4 versions of the 4.0" phone, from iPhone 5 to iPhone SE. If they release a 4.7" "SE2" in the spring of 2020 they'll have made 5 versions of the 4.7" phone, from iPhone 6 to iPhone SE2. But they are only going to make 2 versions of the 6.5" device, in 2018 and 2019, just to bump it up not even 0.2 inches to 6.7" in 2020? That doesn't quite sound like what Apple has typically done in the past, which is pick a size and resolution, commit to it and stick with it for a number of generations.

It would be interesting if Apple had planned to evenly space out the size of these devices, going up from the 4.0" and 4.7" sizes, up to the 5.4" and 6.1" sizes. If they did release a 5.4" device as their regular mid-range and mainstream device at some point, along with a budget 4.7" in spring 2020, they would end up with 3 evenly spaced out display sizes of 4.7", 5.4", and 6.1" for their non-Pro phones.

Mysterious $649 iPhone Rumor

• $399 - iPhone 4.7" - SE 2
• $649 - iPhone 5.4" - 11
• $749 - iPhone 6.1" - 11
• $999 - iPhone Pro 5.8" - 11 Pro
• $1099 - iPhone Pro 6.5" - 11 Pro

In a rumor from EDN in April of 2019, it was mentioned that there could be 4.7" iPhone update in 2020 with a potential price of $649. Again my theory might be unlikely, but I wonder if this device to be released in spring 2020 will target a lower price point, similar to the price point of the original iPhone SE, at $399 or $499. To achieve this price point, Apple may or may not have to design the 4.7" iPhone SE successor with a metal or plastic casing and no wireless charging. Potentially this design could be externally more like the original iPhone SE and recent iPad Pros with flat metal sides and back, as opposed to the iPhone 8 glass design with wireless charging.

However, Apple could still have a device planned to target that $649 price point, making that part of the rumor also true but in a different phone. I wonder if this is where this new mid-tier 5.4" iPhone with Face ID could come in, either this year or more likely in the fall of 2020. It might make sense, because like the XS being $100 cheaper than the XS Pro, this new 5.4" iPhone could potentially be priced $100 cheaper than the XR from 2018. Of course it's possible that they change these prices slightly going forward, but the basic tiers would be segmented nicely in the above list, hitting base price points of around $400, $700, and $1000.

Back To The Future In 2020

I wonder if Apple could announce a surprise 5.4″ iPhone in September 2019 with about a 1602 x 740 pixel screen at 326 PPI. It would be a smaller version of the 6.1″ XR, just like the 5.8″ XS is to the 6.5″ XS Max, and it would be physically not too much larger than the iPhone SE.

While it's unlikely that Apple announces or releases a 5.4" iPhone in 2019, the thinking behind my original thought was mainly the idea that the rumored 5.4" iPhone for 2020 could possibly be a smaller version of the XR/iPhone line, and not a new device size for the current XS/Pro line.

In June of 2019 some completely unknown guy named Ming-Chi Kuo wrote this super far-fetched note about Apple potentially releasing 5.4" and 6.7" iPhones for release in the fall of 2020. Seriously though, this idea instantly becomes a pretty likely scenario, because of the legendary analyst that Ming-Chi Kuo is. However, I just wonder if there is a small chance that this rumor is only partially true, since it was still pretty early in the design testing and rumor mill for the 2020 iPhones. Sometimes these rumors are based in evidence but a little off, like in February of 2017 when he was thinking that the new 2017 iPhone design, the eventual iPhone X, would have a 5.8" screen, but that it would include a 5.15" usable screen with a virtual button area integrated below as part of the screen.

I wonder if the 5.4" device he is seeing evidence of could possibly, just maybe, be an early testing device that ends up being the smaller version of the current XR mid-range device, while the 5.8" and 6.5" XS/Pro device sizes remain the same going into 2020 and the future.

Surprise "Product"ion

• September 10th - Release 3 phones, and announce 1 other phone
• September 11th - Start production of the announced phone - 5.4" iPhone
• December 6th? - Release the announced phone in December or November

As far as this 5.4" phone being released in 2019, it's certainly unlikely. We may never be surprised by a new iPhone again because of leaks coming out well before the Apple event announcements. If Apple was to ever surprise us again with an iPhone product, I wondered if there is any chance that they could pull it off by following the above strategy and schedule? Probably not, but it was just another crazy idea I had behind the unlikely idea of a 5.4" iPhone being announced in September, but still released later the same year in December, and at least still being released before Christmas.

Basically, now that Apple is releasing so many phones in the fall, could they delay the release of just one of those phones until December, but announce it in September? On top of this, could that one phone each year be some type of new design that they are trying to hide, now that they seem to be staggering a single new device each year, with the iPhone X in 2017, and iPhone XR in 2018?

One interesting thing about this schedule, if it was at all possible, is that the strategy might possibly be repeatable. For instance, in 2020 they could redesign only the 5.8" device with an in-display fingerprint reader and/or camera under the display, but leave the other three devices with the current design. Those three devices would go into production in about July, and the single device with a new design would go into production in about September after the fall Apple event, and be released later in December or November.

Started From The Top

• 2017 Fall - Pro Small - X at $999
• 2018 Fall - Pro Large, Regular Large - XS Max at $1099, XR at $749
• 2019 Fall - Regular Small - 5.4" iPhone at $599-$699? $649?
• 2020 Spring - Budget Classic - 4.7" SE2 at $399-$499?

It could make sense to release a smaller mainstream tiered iPhone this fall or winter. One reason for using this release schedule is that there appears to be a more legitimate rumor and frequent prediction of a budget device coming out next spring. As I noted above, it appears to be sounding more and more likely that this could be a 4.7" device based in some way on the iPhone 8, according to another report from Nikkei earlier this September.

If Apple was to release a 5.4" iPhone in this smaller form factor this year, then I would think many people would buy this device immediately and see this phone as a mainstream successor in price to the iPhone 8 and in size to the iPhone 5/SE, even though the $649 price is higher than the SE. If Apple doesn't release a 5.4" iPhone before the release of the physically larger but lower priced 4.7" budget device in the spring of 2020, then all of the people who buy this other potential SE successor, possibly priced in the budget category at a price of around $399, won't be interested in buying this $649 5.4" device in the fall of 2020. I would think that Apple might prefer making more money on larger margins, by getting more people to first buy this $649 phone in 2019 with the new small bezel design, as opposed to that $399 phone in 2020 with the old large bezel design.

Besides releasing a more expensive mainstream 5.4" before the more budget 4.7" update in the spring of 2020, Apple might also not mind having this 5.4" phone at $649 be released in December because it would be released after their high-end phones. Some people will wait until December because they want the smaller, cheaper 5.4" device. But many people want the larger, more premium devices just because they are the premium devices, or because they are available at the announcement. And there could even be people who will debate between the $999 5.8" iPhone Pro and the $649 5.4" iPhone, who end up going with the Pro because they want it now and don't want to wait.

99 Problems, And A Big Notch Was One

Besides starting near the top prices of the product line in the fall of 2017 with the iPhone X and going to the bottom prices of the product line in the spring of 2020 with the iPhone SE 2, here are a few more reasons why 2019 might make sense as the perfect time to release a smaller and cheaper 5.4" version of the iPhone XR from 2018. Again, 2020 is more likely because we haven't heard any rumors or leaks, but nonetheless now would make sense if Apple had planned this all out beforehand for various reasons.

• Making the notches smaller for 2019 makes this 5.4" or a 4.8" device possible
• Making phones thicker for 2019 makes a decent battery size and life possible
• It would make a "new" device for 2019, to follow new X in 2017, and XR in 2018
• Indecision on whether they should make a 4.8" or 5.4" regular small iPhone
• Cost reductions in Face ID since 2017, making a $649 smaller device possible
• Cost reductions in other areas from the larger and similar design XR device

Now We're Here

So on September 10th, in a couple days, we're likely to hear about the release of updates to the 5.8", 6.1", and 6.5" iPhones for 2019, which have been rumored for a long time. Then, in 2020 the most likely scenario at this point appears to be high-end 5.4" and 6.7" Pro iPhones.

But keep your eye out for the small hope of a small phone, with the idea that the rumored 5.4" iPhone might be the mid-range iPhone, making it the new mainstream iPhone. It might make sense to equally space out the sizes going from the classic 4.7", up to the current sizes of 5.4" and 6.1" phones. And it might not be a coincidence that the difference between 6.5" and 5.8" is 0.7", while the difference between 6.1" and 5.4" is that same 0.7". As John Gruber mentioned, a 5.4" device to go along with the current 6.1" phone could be "delightful". Especially for people who might want a smaller and cheaper mid-range device around $599-$699, so they don't have to pay over $1000 for a phone.

Here are the potential names I would use for a new disc-less or all digital Xbox.

Predicted

• Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
• Xbox One E
• Xbox One D - For "Digital"
• Xbox One Digital

As far as what they are likely to call it, I think Xbox One E is certainly a possibility. One of the reasons is because that is the name they used for an updated version previously, the Xbox 360 E. As long as they still like that scheme, they could stick with it. I am aware that it has been rumored to be called Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, so that is very likely as well. I just wonder if there is a possibility of that name being more of  a behind the scenes full name, and they go with a simpler brand name at retail for customers. Probably not, but you never know.

Suggested

• Xbox One T
• Xbox One R
• Xbox One E
• Xbox One TV
• Xbox One Tiny
• Xbox One Small

I like the simplicity of using single letters for different products in a product line. Plus, Microsoft has been using that type of branding for both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well as the most recent versions of the Xbox 360 S and Xbox 360 E. So it makes sense to stick with the single letter naming scheme for this version as well, instead of using a more full name like the rumored "All-Digital Edition", or the previous Arcade and Elite of the 360.

I like R better than E because it is commonly used for higher end devices and they are not yet using that letter for any Xbox One device. Using letters like A, C, E, G might typically be thought of as lower tier devices. Using letters like R, S, T, X might typically be thought of as higher tier devices. So basically, I'd go with R because it sounds cooler and is still a letter less than S and X, which are higher end devices and already in use. Or I'd go with T because it might sound even better than R, and could denote the longer name of Tiny or TV, similar to how the current S could denote the longer name of Small or Slim.

Xbox One R

There are admittedly a couple reasons not to call the device the Xbox One T, and use Xbox One R instead. First, if they want to follow one style of typical letter naming scheme, a lower letter denotes a lesser capable or more budget device. With that scheme, this new device should use a letter lower alphabetically than S. In that case, Xbox One R or Xbox One E makes more sense. However, you don't have to make lesser letters mean a lesser device. So Xbox One T is still fine to use if you think it's the best name, and T also comes one letter after S, which I think could be interesting to signify that it comes after the Xbox One S device chronologically.

Similarly, if they were to ever update the Xbox One X with a smaller design they could consider naming it the Xbox One Z, which comes shortly after X alphabetically and after the Xbox One X device chronologically. Using the letters S, T, X, and Z might be the four best letters to use when naming these products.

Second, if they do eventually release a dongle or stick Xbox device, or even an Xbox TV integrated into regular TVs, then the distinction between the names Xbox One TV and Xbox One T could be confusing in the future. However, it might also make sense going forward, because the Xbox One T could morph into the Xbox TV. People might associate that T with TV, and see that the Xbox TV is a further evolution, or even smaller and integrated version of the older Xbox One T, with similar features. The Xbox One T would be like the console box version, and the Xbox TV would be the version integrated into TVs or as a small stick or dongle.

Xbox One T

I like T better than E, and possibly even R, for multiple reasons. While it's debatable for sure, I think it might just sound better than R and be more preferable to consumers. Meaning that if you were just to pick 3 letters to use for branding that you would choose S, T, and X for your three products simply because they are the most marketable and cool sounding. S, T, and X are also in order if you don't count those weird U, V, and W letters that companies don't generally use for naming products with letters.

Another reason I might like T better than R though, is for what it "stands" for. While the name for a product with a single letter branding scheme should stand on its own and just sound good, it might not hurt if it also brings reference to certain words as well, like S does with Small, Slim, or Sleek. Using Xbox One T makes sense in this regard, even if the most important aspect is just using the best sounding letter. So I like that the T can stand for Tiny, Television, or TV, and that people might associate it with those words.

In particular, I like that the S in Xbox One S could be lengthened to the full name Small, and the T in the Xbox One T could be lengthened to the full name Tiny. And possibly the X in Xbox One X could be an acronym for "Xtra", just like XL means extra large. They could even potentially use these full names in certain places in branding or at least marketing. Salespeople could use the longer name to explain the consoles to consumers, and it could help consumers understand the main difference between the devices. "Oh, the S is the small one smaller than the original, the T is the tiny one that's good for using for TV and movies, and the X is the extra large one that's extra powerful for gaming."

However, the most important thing is having a simple name that sounds best. So that is why I think they should stick with the single letter naming, and use the name Xbox One T or Xbox One R.

Here are the prices and features I'd put in the new 2019 iPad and iPad Mini products.

Why

• Keep the existing budget iPad in the lineup for a low cost device
• Put a bit newer technology in the other entry level iPads to make them desirable
• Raise the prices a bit if needed for a bit newer technology
• Include laminated display and thinner chassis because it's important
• Price iPad and iPad Mini only slightly different, not a much cheaper Mini
• Keep the old design with Touch ID to keep costs down some still though

Prices

• iPad 9.7" - 2018 - $299 32 GB, $399 128 GB
• iPad Mini 7.9" - 2019 - $449 64 GB, $549 256 GB
• iPad 10.5" - 2019 - $499 64 GB, $599 256 GB

Features

• Same Design - Touch ID and Bezels
• Similar Display Sizes and Resolutions - 7.9" and 10.5"
• Thinner Chassis for iPad - Like Mini 4 and Pro 10.5
• Laminated Display - And Anti-Reflective
• A12 Processer
• 3 GB RAM
• Apple Pencil Gen 1
• Touch ID Gen 2
• Wifi 802.11ac
• Bluetooth 5