For me, working with people’s personal photo archives every day, the idea of AI becoming more deeply embedded into our devices is both exciting and something we need to think about carefully. Because our phones don’t just hold data. They hold our memories, our family history, our children growing up, the moments we don’t want to lose.
So when Apple talks about personal AI, context and privacy, that really matters. Like you said: AI can become incredibly helpful when it understands what is important to us. It can help us find things faster, create more order, bring forgotten memories back to the surface and maybe make our digital lives feel a little less overwhelming.
But the standard has to be high. Especially when it comes to personal memories and private archives.
That’s why I really liked your point about Apple’s advantage being not just technology, but trust, context and the ecosystem people already live in every day. If Apple gets this right, it could be a huge step forward in making AI feel useful, natural and safe.
Just as I wish Apple would offer a simple Mac for younger, and senior (like myself) users--because I don't use 80% of the stuff every IOS update offers!--I would prefer NOT to have AI embedded in my machine. If I have a need, which is rare, I would use one of the external ones... I am in a real quandary because I would like to move away from Apple---but Google is going in the same direction. I've looked at older and simpler computers but cannot accurately evaluate what to choose. I am continually overwhelmed by the constant changes and every time a major download takes place it takes me a month or more and 20+ calls to Applecare (which has greatly declined in senior, seasoned, expert advisors) to attempt to get things back how they were so I can even use the machine. If someone were savvy they would create a simple basic, quality laptop that was not designed to keep evolving, but would maintain the basic services, layout, etc. for an ever-increasing group of customers. I'm in my mid 70's and almost everyone my age is feeling THE SAME OVERWHELM AND FRUSTRATION.
You can have the best of both - a simpler, more consistent user experience AND the Apple support. Apple makes a simplified desktop for Seniors and kids. Just make a note of the apps you use and features that you have trouble with and Apple Support can help you reset the display to offer an experience you like.
Paul, it's almost unbelievable. I mention the idea every time I call for help and they always either say they'll pass on, or there Mom would like that too or they tell me to go to the suggestion page and leave a comment but there's so little space you really can't!!!! No one ever mentioned this. I will see what it is like, as my desktop is just a dock with things I use. It's much more the rearranging every time, the new versions automatically installing and trying to adapt to the changes. as well as the "auto" everything. I'd like to strictly control what is downloaded to eliminate the frequent uproar. This does not deal with the uproar caused by the iOS downloads---because there's no way to say you don't want all the stuff. I also discovered I am NOT an AI person. The AI I've been exposed to assumes ti knows me somehow, and will offer over and over and over things I don't want. Just because I click accidentally or purposefully one time ons something doesn't mean I want a flood of similar things anywhere.. . I don't see a way to turn off AI. Thanks and I'll let you know what they say!
I get it. It's a lot. I've reduced my iPhone screens down to just 2 and the Library. Much less complicated.
I would suggest you start with the iPhone. Setting up Assistive Access is pretty easy. Under Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access you just follow the prompts to limit the apps and simplify the navigation. You'll find it's a much easier experience. I do recommend that you run updates once a month to be sure your security is up-to-date, but you won't see the effects of changed navigation and so forth. Then you can tackle the Mac and simplify that too. You also should check out Rich Brolin on YouTube. He offers great tips on simplifying the user experience for seniors and you should find some good tips there as well. Apple tech has gotten more complex than it used to be, but it is also highly customizable and I think you can eliminate much of the frustrations you've had by taking advantage of that.
I’m enjoying using AI and hope that Apple gets it right this time. I think that selecting Gemini was also a good move rather than continuing to try and figure it out on their own.
Really enjoyed reading this, Paul.
For me, working with people’s personal photo archives every day, the idea of AI becoming more deeply embedded into our devices is both exciting and something we need to think about carefully. Because our phones don’t just hold data. They hold our memories, our family history, our children growing up, the moments we don’t want to lose.
So when Apple talks about personal AI, context and privacy, that really matters. Like you said: AI can become incredibly helpful when it understands what is important to us. It can help us find things faster, create more order, bring forgotten memories back to the surface and maybe make our digital lives feel a little less overwhelming.
But the standard has to be high. Especially when it comes to personal memories and private archives.
That’s why I really liked your point about Apple’s advantage being not just technology, but trust, context and the ecosystem people already live in every day. If Apple gets this right, it could be a huge step forward in making AI feel useful, natural and safe.
Thanks!
Just as I wish Apple would offer a simple Mac for younger, and senior (like myself) users--because I don't use 80% of the stuff every IOS update offers!--I would prefer NOT to have AI embedded in my machine. If I have a need, which is rare, I would use one of the external ones... I am in a real quandary because I would like to move away from Apple---but Google is going in the same direction. I've looked at older and simpler computers but cannot accurately evaluate what to choose. I am continually overwhelmed by the constant changes and every time a major download takes place it takes me a month or more and 20+ calls to Applecare (which has greatly declined in senior, seasoned, expert advisors) to attempt to get things back how they were so I can even use the machine. If someone were savvy they would create a simple basic, quality laptop that was not designed to keep evolving, but would maintain the basic services, layout, etc. for an ever-increasing group of customers. I'm in my mid 70's and almost everyone my age is feeling THE SAME OVERWHELM AND FRUSTRATION.
Bless you, Paul, for your patience and for sharing your expertise!
You can have the best of both - a simpler, more consistent user experience AND the Apple support. Apple makes a simplified desktop for Seniors and kids. Just make a note of the apps you use and features that you have trouble with and Apple Support can help you reset the display to offer an experience you like.
Paul, it's almost unbelievable. I mention the idea every time I call for help and they always either say they'll pass on, or there Mom would like that too or they tell me to go to the suggestion page and leave a comment but there's so little space you really can't!!!! No one ever mentioned this. I will see what it is like, as my desktop is just a dock with things I use. It's much more the rearranging every time, the new versions automatically installing and trying to adapt to the changes. as well as the "auto" everything. I'd like to strictly control what is downloaded to eliminate the frequent uproar. This does not deal with the uproar caused by the iOS downloads---because there's no way to say you don't want all the stuff. I also discovered I am NOT an AI person. The AI I've been exposed to assumes ti knows me somehow, and will offer over and over and over things I don't want. Just because I click accidentally or purposefully one time ons something doesn't mean I want a flood of similar things anywhere.. . I don't see a way to turn off AI. Thanks and I'll let you know what they say!
I get it. It's a lot. I've reduced my iPhone screens down to just 2 and the Library. Much less complicated.
I would suggest you start with the iPhone. Setting up Assistive Access is pretty easy. Under Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access you just follow the prompts to limit the apps and simplify the navigation. You'll find it's a much easier experience. I do recommend that you run updates once a month to be sure your security is up-to-date, but you won't see the effects of changed navigation and so forth. Then you can tackle the Mac and simplify that too. You also should check out Rich Brolin on YouTube. He offers great tips on simplifying the user experience for seniors and you should find some good tips there as well. Apple tech has gotten more complex than it used to be, but it is also highly customizable and I think you can eliminate much of the frustrations you've had by taking advantage of that.
I’m enjoying using AI and hope that Apple gets it right this time. I think that selecting Gemini was also a good move rather than continuing to try and figure it out on their own.