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Keep up with the Apple ecosystem, from M5 chip performance and MacBook Neo reviews to the latest iOS 26 security updates.
I am nowhere near as confident carrying a Pixel today as I was a year ago, nor am I as enthusiastic about Android overall as I used to be. I think it’s either that these updates and software lack real substance, or the focus on AI additions has drained my excitement. Perhaps part of the problem stems from Google shifting into modular app updates rather than bundling them into full OS releases, leaving things fragmented. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t change the underwhelming state of Android today, which worries me. I believe Google can still turn things around, but that recovery starts with
Android updates used to feel revolutionary; now that they feel small, it leaves me worriedThere's a path for Apple to reclaim the throne, since it was nothing Samsung really did that overtook our friends in Cupertino. iOS slipped back, and I've experienced more bugs and crashes on iOS 26 so far than in the previous decade on Apple software. Hand on heart, without any ecosystem considerations, if you asked me which one I would want to live with for the next year, it's the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It's not exactly choosing the lesser of two evils, but it's an uninspiring pick. I review what's put in front of me, and this year, Samsung comes out ahead. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $1100 $1
I used the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max; the gap is widening… It couldn’t be any more different from Apple’s approach to software updates. The language around software updates Valued customers Yes, Apple is different from Android, and because it’s in full control of devices and software, it can manage software updates more effectively. …
… Having complete control over the hardware and software allows Apple to fudge the margins, and optimize its software for a specific hardware platform. …
… Eventually, Apple prioritized core software stability and reliability while refining performance and power efficiency. …
… The reason why Samsung manages to pull ahead is the software. If you had told me 10 years ago that I'd prefer Samsung's software to Apple's, I would've checked you for a fever — but here we are. …
… Google and Apple made headlines last year when they opened up compatibility between Apple's iconic AirDrop and the Google Pixel's Quick Share feature . …
… Apple comes up with something radically new, but that typically only happens once every few years. Samsung tends to iterate on a proven formula , while Google has focused more on AI and software than on breakthrough hardware. …
… This light-background design became hugely influential across the entire software industry and set the standard for desktop GUIs for decades to come. Not quite. The Apple Macintosh, launched in 1984, was the key catalyst. …
… Samsung is working its way through beta versions of the software, but there’s no official date for the public launch yet. However, much worse than this is the unfortunate April 2026 price increase. It’s the main reason Apple is suddenly winning in a value battle. …
… The reason why Samsung manages to pull ahead is the software. If you had told me 10 years ago that I'd prefer Samsung's software to Apple's, I would've checked you for a fever — but here we are. …
… Apple Watch went on sale on April 24, 2015, nearly seven months after its announcement. The gap allowed Apple to refine the software and manufacturing before its highly anticipated launch. Not quite — Apple Watch launched on April 24, 2015. …