Reuters and the WSJ on the Duo Launch

Reuters and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) have covered the launch of Apple's new Duo smartphone, a device that merges both phone and tablet functionalities into one. CEO Ternus made a surprise appearance at a store in Austin, Texas, greeted customers, and high-fived them as they entered the store. This event took place on the same weekend as the Formula 1 US Grand Prix in Austin, during which Apple held exclusive US broadcast and streaming rights to the racing series.

During the launch, Ternus was joined by retail chief Deirdre O’Brien, who helped oversee the introduction of the Duo. Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, critics have pointed out some shortcomings of the device. In his review, Apple commentator John Gruber found the folded Duo less convenient for everyday tasks and recommended it against for many Apple customers.

Tech commentator Marques Brownlee noted that the Duo might not be suitable for regular users who mainly use their phones for texting and web browsing. However, for those who can afford the $2,000 price tag and are interested in the concept, Brownlee said it could be a fun phone once the learning curve is overcome and the need for facial identification is eliminated.

In Berlin, YouTube content creator Patrick Wolter expressed his surprise at how well the Duo works as both a phone and a tablet. However, he did not set a particularly high standard for the device. WSJ reporter Rolfe Winkler quoted Gruber, who described the outer device of the Duo as the worst iPhone Apple has ever made, while praising the inner tablet component for being "splendid, joyful, and beautiful."

Winkler concluded that the decision for potential buyers remains unclear, as only one aspect of the Duo is truly impressive.