Here are Apple’s competitors in 2023

Apple never attends CES like it does at other tech shows. Still, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between what other companies have announced and what Apple has.

From satellite communications to 5K displays, including a MagSafe charging system, these new announcements are a testament to Apple’s dominance over its products. This also raises alarm bells for these companies’ competitors. So here’s a rundown of some of the products and services that will be going up against Apple in 2023.

Wireless Power Consortium / MagSafe

Twelve South’s low-profile MagSafe dock keeps your iPhone powered and perfectly angled. Twelve south

Admittedly, as an Android user, I’ve always been envious of Apple’s charging station. There is simply no equivalent alternative on the Android side.

With Qi2, the new wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), all this is now available to Android smartphone owners. New technology will be implemented in smartphones and wearable devices to improve energy efficiency and speed up charging. And we can expect more connected devices to support the familiar magnetic mechanism popularized by Apple’s MagSafe.

While visiting the WPC booth at CES, I demonstrated how Qi2 is used to power kitchen appliances such as blenders, fryers, and coffee makers. But all of that won’t happen until early 2024, a WPC representative told me.

4 Best MagSafe Batteries

HTC Vive XR Elite headset / VR/AR headset announced by Apple

The Vive XR Elite was announced at a price of €1,400. June Wan/ZDNET

We’ve been waiting for Apple’s AR/VR headset for a while, and it looks like there’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel. According to a recent Bloomberg article, Apple will unveil its first headphones this spring, ahead of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. If confirmed, companies like HTC will have the first half of 2023 to convince VR enthusiasts and metaverse skeptics to dive into their products.

Fortunately, HTC’s latest Vive XR Elite is a very decent headset, and in our first experience, it impresses with its lightness (625g) and portability, as well as glasses-free diopters. Will think about Tim Cook wearing glasses!). Finally, with the ability to connect it to a smartphone or computer wired or wirelessly. If Apple’s next headset is similar, HTC could be off to a good start thanks to its relatively low price and maturity in VR.

Qualcomm / Satellite Emergency SOS

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset will be introduced in high-end Android smartphones later this year. Qualcomm

Apple brought satellite communication to the masses with the launch of the iPhone 14 series equipped with the SOS Emergency feature. But in 2023, Android smartphones equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Qualcomm’s X70 modem will be able to access similar technology, allowing users to exchange text messages over Iridium’s satellite network. This, of course, means that the so-called Snapdragon Satellite feature will likely only be available on high-end smartphones and a service charge will apply.

Tomorrow you will have a satphone, a smartphone connected to satellites

The Snapdragon Satellite comes at a time when Apple is noticeably focusing on more protective features, which may not be used every day, but could very well save lives. However, Qualcomm goes beyond emergency phone calls by offering two-way messaging. This means that future smartphones will be more functional even when carried outside of carrier coverage.

Samsung / Studio Screen

Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 5K monitor looks a lot like Apple’s Studio Display, and I like it. June Wan/ZDNET

Apple was not the pioneer of 5K desktop monitors. But even though its products are already expensive, they are the best choice for professionals. Again, this puts Samsung’s 5K monitor ahead of the ViewFinity S9, which, if true, should cost less.

“Samsung” is also behind “Apple” according to a number of indicators. It has a matte screen versus the Apple gloss (you’ll have to pay an extra $300 for the nano-textured finish), a better range of ports, a physical power button (yes, it’s pro), and a detachable 4K SlimFit webcam. virtual meetings and privacy conscious.

After testing the Samsung screen, it was clear to me that the company is following Apple with this screen. Choosing between the Studio Display and the ViewFinity S9 really comes down to what ports you need in a monitor, how much you’re willing to spend, and whether brand loyalty is important to you. . However, this is the closest competitor Apple has had in the monitor world in a long time.

Source: “ZDNet.com”