Norbert Cala | "I used to not be a fan of iPhones" Norbert Cała | "I used to not be an iPhone fan"

We're talking to Norbert Cała, co-creator of iMagazine for many years, but also known for one of the first Polish blogs about iPods - iPod.info.pl. Currently, Norbert and Jack Lupina, with whom we had the opportunity to talk in 2017, are opening a museum of Apple products near Warsaw. He co-runs TechLove.pl with Marcin Gruszka (formerly Play) and Jarosław Bukos (formerly LG).

– First, a standard question. When did your adventure with Apple begin?

– About 15 years ago when I bought my first iPod. I liked the device so much that I was happy to use it. However, I did not throw away the older models and that's how the idea of ​​collecting them was born. I wouldn't call it a complete accident, but the idea was born after some time and spontaneously. At first, collecting Apple devices was not a goal in itself, a planned activity. Later, with the development of technology, I bought another model of iPods.

- How many do you have? Is there any one you are especially close to, your favourite?

- There will probably be about a hundred of them, I like the models from the Product RED series the most. I think I have all the iPods that came out in this color.

– Do you think iPods still exist? Are you waiting for the next releases? Are you going to buy if a new model comes out?

- I don't really see it, nobody wants a separate device to listen to music anymore. I think that the iPod is a great replacement for, for example, the Apple Watch. However, if another iPod comes out, I will definitely buy it for the museum and I will definitely not unpack it.

– The next Apple device was...?

– Another purchase of an Apple device was the PowerBook G4. Even then with the Power PC processor, only later devices with Intel processors appeared. From that moment on, I used only Apple computers and switched to their next versions. I didn't get rid of my Windows computer for professional reasons. I just wanted to be in control of what was coming out, but my primary tool was a Macbook.

- Then I have to ask you as a Mac user - don't you get annoyed by the limitations of tampering with Apple computers with each new generation? All these protections in the form of the T2 system, which makes repair outside the manufacturer's service impossible, or permanently installed components? How do you go about it?

- I'll tell you this, I haven't had any equipment break down after the warranty. I didn't even break that most faulty Apple keyboard. So it's not really an issue for me. I understand that Apple wants to protect its products from interference by unauthorized services to ensure their quality. Unauthorized service may fail to repair and damage Apple's reputation.

– You have replaced your iPods. You mentioned the first computer. But I don't hear anything about iPhones. Coincidence?

- On the contrary, you didn't misheard. My first iPhone was a 3G model and it was a conscious choice. The first generation didn't have MMS, the internet didn't work well. I decided that for what, let's call it, a conventionally defective smartphone is needed. Only the mentioned 3G model met my requirements and I bought it. I can add two interesting things here. I finally bought the first generation iPhone, but mainly for collecting purposes. But my current wife, and then still a girlfriend, used this version from the beginning.

– I remember your reports on iPod.Info.pl and iMag from the times when you were going to Germany in the middle of the night for a new iPhone, where you had to leave yours to be able to enjoy the new phone as " the first Pole. How do you remember those times? Do you miss it? (maybe some anecdote from such a trip? 🙂

- It was weird and crazy. I treated it as a bit of an extreme adventure. Some go to the forest to sleep in the open air, I was going to stand in line for an iPhone. It was really cool, but I didn't regret that Apple stopped such "fun". Maybe I just got old. Do I have any anecdotes? hmmm. I remember one of our readers sent us a case of RedBull before we left to make it through the night. Maybe he'll read this, so I salute him.

– What do you think about wearables?

- I don't want to sound like a complainer, but they haven't met my requirements so far either. Though they're not that high. I often go out for a run, and I usually have a watch on one wrist. So normal, because I like it. On the second, a band that measures the distance run, pace, everything a runner would like to know. I don't have a third hand...

- So despite being a fan of the brand, Apple Watch is not of interest to you?

No, however, this could all change once my carrier introduces the eSIM service. Then I will be able to handle most of the functions I need through Apple Watch and I will consider buying it. So far, I use the iPhone not only for conversations, but, for example, to close the gate or garage at home. I will pay with it both in the store and by bank transfer. When leaving home, I often do not take my payment card with me, because I pay with my smartphone. I only take it when I have to pay at a point I don't know. But it's also more as security, because the iPhone will be my first choice. In Poland, I haven't come across too many points where I couldn't use ApplePay. It's different in the USA, where we were unable to use such a payment in 50% of points. Well, sometimes a shoemaker walks without shoes.

– What iPhone is it and why this one? I am asking because I would like to know if you are still rushing at the shopping pace imposed by successive Apple premieres. Today we learned about the new SE model. I'm curious if you're interested.

– I have the 11 Pro of course 🙂 and every year I buy new models. The new SE will mess up the market a lot, but it's not a model for me. I prefer TOP models, which is quite clear. Although I will probably buy it over time for the museum, but it will take some time, for now the times are not the best for investment purchases.

– You mentioned controlling your home with your iPhone. I think I understand correctly that you are a supporter of smart home solutions?

- Not only am I, but I just love them. In fact, my whole house is smart. This only makes sense when we take advantage of all the possibilities that manufacturers offer us. We don't have to buy everything at once, we can install it in stages. Thanks to Home Kit, I am able to control all the bulbs and see if any of them are burning unnecessarily. I'll know if the wife left the proverbial iron on. It's just a joke, but if I turn on the dishwasher and leave the house and something happens and water starts to pour out, the app will notify me and I can turn it off. The same applies to the washing machine. I have already mentioned that I can open the gate and garage door, I turn the alarm on and off at home. I control which windows are open. These are everyday things. But thanks to smart home solutions and cameras, I know, for example, whether my son spends too much time in front of the computer instead of doing something more useful. In addition, HomeKit is compatible with solutions from other manufacturers, e.g. Xiaomi with the Aqara gateway.

– So when it comes to smart home you are a heavy user?

- Definitely.

- Then tell me your one or maybe two favorite smart home devices without which you can't imagine your home anymore.

Smart lock and gate opener from your phone. This allows me to reduce the number of keys to one, the one for the car. I recommend to everyone.

– Is it really that much of a savings?

- Not that big in my opinion. Unless we have a heating season and I can remotely control the operation of the furnace. From my point of view, it's all about convenience. I can't imagine functioning any other way now.

– This left us with the iPad. How is it with you?

- My love with the iPad is difficult (laughs). I'm currently using an iPad Pro 11 but honestly I could live without it. Therefore, the new iPad that has just appeared will not be bought. Maybe some will consider it a desecration, but I often use it as a screen for my Mac. With what the iPhone offers me, I don't need an iPad to be happy.

– I'm asking because you've apparently tried to plug in an iPad in your car in the past...

– (laughs). I didn't even want to, and I did. That someone else remembers it. Except that it was fun, not some mass-scale solution. I like such technical experiments and indeed in my private Outlander I connected an iPad, which served as additional clocks. I did something else you might not know because you didn't ask. I installed an AppleTV in the same car. Back then, the iPad served as a screen on which movies from the iPhone were played. But, as I said, these were my experiments, a kind of fun for my own sake.

- In my opinion, the iPad will not replace the computer for a long time, although many manufacturers try to convince us otherwise. What's your opinion?

– For many people, the iPad can completely replace a computer, because it is a computer after all. If someone needs a device to read and write e-mails, to browse the Internet, use banks, there is no better and safer device.

– Your name is often mentioned in the context of the museum you are creating. Can you tell me more?

- I have to object here. I only co-create it, and to a much lesser extent than the commander-in-chief known to APPLEMOBILE.PL readers, Jacek Łupina, the creator of the Apple Museum. You were talking to him here. We've known each other for years. In one of the conversations, he admitted that he was moving from Łoś to the vicinity of Warsaw and wanted to take his collections and display them here. From word to word, we have established that our collections do not duplicate each other.

Jacek is a Mac lover, he has many unique computers in his collection. I rather collected smaller devices. We decided that we would join forces and try to launch something unique, certainly on a Polish, and perhaps European scale. It is managed by a specially created foundation. In fact, we were about to announce the start, but the coronavirus pandemic thwarted our plans. We could neither call a press conference nor invite guests. Everything was on the last straight. No less, once the situation is settled, I invite everyone to visit, and we will officially inform you about everything.

– What are you doing professionally now?

– As you know, I ran the ipod.info.pl service on my own account for many years, then I co-created the iMagazine magazine for 10 years. Our paths parted and I would not like to talk about how it happened, but remember to protect your rights well, because people are not always honest.

– Avoiding questions about the reasons, when you informed on Twitter that your ways with Dominik Łada parted ways, it was obvious that iMagazine fans regretted this development of the situation. Someone even compared it to the situation in 1985 at Apple, and you to Jobs. For many, your goodbye to iMag is a big loss to the magazine.

- I don't know if it's good or bad that this happened. First of all, I run my own company dealing with consulting in the field of new technologies for shopping centers, I help create the Apple Museum and I create a technology podcast techlove.pl. There are three of us, we met in a similar professional situation. I just talked about mine. The second person is Marcin Gruszka, a former Play spokesperson for many years, and Jarek Bukos, once from LG. Launched on December 6, we've already created over 50 tech podcasts, and we're trying to create them every day. The project is fresh, so time will tell what will come of it. But we are optimistic.

As for iMagazine and comparisons to Jobs, they are certainly exaggerated. I don't know if my absence is a loss to the magazine or not. Currently, people from the "board" say that I was a ball and chain. It's a bit sad when so much heart has been put into the project. Well, I hope they have a clear conscience.

– Where can I listen to you?

– Oh everywhere 🙂 On Spotify

and on Apple Podcast

– What about ipod.info.pl then? Nothing has happened there for a long time, although the site still exists and probably has a lot of visits. Are you planning to return to blogging?

iPod.info.pl is a closed project, just like the iPod project at Apple. When there is a new iPod, there will be a new entry on ipod.info.pl. But since you're asking about blogging, it's a great time, because a few days ago I launched a new project. The only website in Poland about HomeKit. There will be tests, news, tips. A completely original project at the moment. Please visit www.homekit.com.pl

– Thank you for the interview

Norbert Cala

Head Geek, consultant of new technologies for the retail industry, owner of the iPod museum, technology journalist and podcaster