Matthew Gault at the usually great 404 Media:

With Ternus at the helm, I feel there’s a good chance Apple’s best days are behind it, that it will have to make do with less, that it’s déclassé. Apple, blindsided by AI and relying on crowdpleasing hardware gimmicks, is downwardly mobile. It’s in its slop era. The company that once asked consumers to “Think Different” is now releasing hardware that’s just like everything else on the market.

Apple is not adjusting to this new position well. AI boosters agree that Siri AI is awful. Apple HomeView is a $300 Apple Watch meant to replace the family hearth. The iPhone Duo has only been out for a few days and all people can talk about is the cracks, yet Ternus is on the cover of Time Magazine this week holding the folding iPhone Duo and staring at the camera.

I wasn’t going to link to this at all, because it’s clickbait. The article doesn’t support the headline; “slop” has a meaning, and this ain’t it.

And while I’m on the record as being clear, I don’t want an iPhone Duo, it is hilariously ridiculous to claim “all people can talk about is the cracks.” I’ve seen many breathless stories about how fun and different and great it is. I’ve seen reviews about how the shape is wrong. The cracks are a story! But they are far from “all people can talk about.” What a truly ridiculous thing to write.

Gault again:

I have been waiting for this moment for more than a decade. I am relishing Apple’s recent trajectory more than I should. I confess I harbor a secret and petty grudge… I’ve been an Android user ever since and studiously avoided Apple products until I broke down a few years ago and bought a Macbook [sic] Air. Time heals all wounds and … I’d even been considering changing from Android to iPhone because the privacy features are more robust… I’m a little more comfortable with Apple now that the cracks are starting to show in the foldable phone.

Sounds like the Android guy wants an iPhone because iPhones are better, and is looking for some air cover. It’s 100 percent okay to change your mind, my guy. Just be honest about it.