Making Blocks: Recent Episodes
TJ Barber & Shane Cowherd
Making Blocks is a podcast about Apple, parenting in the world of technology, the life of software developers, and overall tinkering. Hosted by TJ Barber and Shane Cowherd.
Shane and TJ discuss the future of automation on iOS. Shortcuts and App Clips create an alternative to traditional app development.
Picks of the Week:
TJ - Apple Developer App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-developer/id640199958
Shane - Coleman hot water heater
https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/07/31/coleman-hot-water-on-demand-for-camping-or-emergency-preparedness/
Additional Links
kanyewest.com
Pythonista
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pythonista-3/id1085978097
Scriptable
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scriptable/id1405459188
Toolbox Pro for Shortcuts
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toolbox-pro-for-shortcuts/id1476205977
Chrome OS / GSuite stagnation
https://secondbreakfast.co/google-blew-a-ten-year-lead
Safari Technology Preview
https://developer.apple.com/safari/technology-preview/
HackingWithSwift SwiftUI Course
https://www.hackingwithswift.com/100/swiftui
Header Image
Photo by https://unsplash.com/@rocknrollmonkey Rock'n Roll Monkey on Unsplash
TJ and Shane discuss Shane's new puppy, his air conditioning situation and preferred temperature, and how we wish we had Xcode on the iPad.
Shane and TJ discuss the stigma of using your phone vs reading a book and the incredible SpaceX launch.
Picks of the Week
TJ - Love to Dream Swaddle
https://amzn.to/2WXwCPr
Shane - Magic Keyboard
https://amzn.to/3eVNRGU
Additional Links
Podcasting Gear
Twelve South AirFly Bluetooth Transmitter
https://amzn.to/3jABuDA
PoP voice Lavalier Microphone
https://amzn.to/32UCWL5
USB-C Microphone Adapter by CableCreation
https://amzn.to/30RfawP
Anchor.fm
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchor/id1056182234
Fastmail.com
(10% off first year link)
https://ref.fm/u23805688
Protonmail.com
https://protonmail.com
SpaceX Falcon 9 Computer
https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/9243/what-computer-and-software-is-used-by-the-falcon-9
Header Image
Photo by https://unsplash.com/@nynnes Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash
Episode 30
Hammock Podcasting
Shane and TJ discuss online tech support scammers and their tricks.
Stereo Lavalier Microphone
https://amzn.to/3gf26aN
Kitboga - Scambaiting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNziOoXDBeg
Jim Browning - Scambaiting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le71yVPh4uk&list=PLBNmQJqxpaMaxqghShRiOnHUjO00ZCsor
2020 iPad Pro 11" Cellular 128GB
https://amzn.to/2ZtkFkG
iPad Pro 11" Magic Keyboard
https://amzn.to/3gcne1f
Unreal 5 Demo
https://youtu.be/qC5KtatMcUw
TJ's Pick
Halo 2 for PC
Shane's Pick
Magnetic Power charge cable
https://amzn.to/3dMzQuG
Header Image
Photo by https://unsplash.com/@diempic Dean McQuade on Unsplash
Shane and TJ discuss Shane's broken microphone and new haircut, why TJ hates social networks, email, conferences, and more!
Shane and TJ discuss email providers, AR, new apps, and modifying macOS.
We had a technical issue during recording. We're sorry that the last part sounds a little different!
Shane and TJ refuse to give into the negativity and unending discussion about COVID-19 and talk about the only two things that actually matter: puppies and video games.
TJ and Shane discuss N95 face masks, TJ's faulty mouse, Shane playing Minecraft with his 4 year old, and more!
TJ and Shane discuss their lives in quarantine (sigh), puppies, Dark Sky being bought by Apple, meat in a post-COVID world and more.
Shane and TJ discuss their changing habits now that we're working remotely (because quarantine), the National Cowboy Museum's Head of Security running their Twitter, country music, NASCAR and more!
TJ and Shane talk about coronavirus (we're tired of the self-quarantine, but we're doing it anyway) the new iPads we wish we could program on, and WWDC moving to an online experience.
TJ, Shane, and Austin have a recording in person! We talked about our in-person podcasting setup, Alexa devices, HomeKit, and more! And yes, we did get pancakes after.
Special Guest: Austin McDowell.
TJ and Shane discuss Shane's loss of internet, companies tracking you online (it's creepy), preparing for baby, and Shane's acquisition of cowherd.com!
Shane, TJ, and Scott discuss TJ's stolen AirPods case, their home theater setups, the Magic Keyboard, iMovie, and more!
Special Guest: Scott Jann.
Shane and TJ discuss Coronavirus, Google Stadia, the Ruby programming language, picking a marketable development stack, and more.
TJ and Shane discuss how we can anticipate questions from our users, appreciation of the Mac and iPhone, and applying the KonMari method to our digital lives.
TJ and Shane are joined by author and conference producer, John Wilker! We discuss his introduction to the Mac ecosystem, the origins of 360iDev, his book series Space Rogues, and where he's headed next.
Special Guest: John Wilker.
TJ, Shane, and Scott kept the momentum going and ended up recording another episode after we finished Episode 15! We discuss Drafts, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and domain names.
Special Guest: Scott Jann.
TJ and Shane are joined by a good friend of the show, Scott Jann! We discuss marble simulations, internet connections, parenting, Bitcoin mining, and more.
Special Guest: Scott Jann.
TJ and Shane discuss their AppleCare, their first downloaded apps, and gigabit ethernet.
Shane and TJ return after a month to discuss their many life changes, new hardware, and fun things at CES.
TJ and Shane recorded an episode a few days before Thanksgiving that we wanted to share. We hope you enjoy it!
TJ and Shane discuss the wonderful world of Mac applications and cycle of "free and open" to "closed walled gardens".
Shane and TJ have a special guest on the show and then discuss office setups, the new 16" MacBook Pro, and Disney+.
Shane and TJ discuss disappearing URLs in Google, Firefox, and the history of web browsers.
Shane and TJ discuss AirPods and their memories of the Linux desktop.
Links:
- Apple AirPods Pro
- Super Tux
- Star Trek: Discovery
- JLab JBud Air
Shane and TJ discuss Star Wars and Shane's experience with the Surface Go.
Links:
- Surface Go
- ZAGG Folio Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard
- Spigen Thin Fit Case
Shane and TJ discuss privacy vs. convenience and ownership in the digital world.
Links:
- Fortnite blackout
- Unsplash
- Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case
Shane and TJ discuss the concept of a computer vs. a personal computer. We also discussed the PlayStation 5 announcement and our history with screensavers.
Links:
- PlayStation 5
- Sonic The Screensaver
- ProtonMail
- Houdini
TJ and Shane discuss Apple Watch, games, the new Surface devices, and rugged wallets.
Links:
- The Microsoft Courier
- Evoland
- Call of Duty: Mobile
- Microsoft Surface Neo and Duo
- CHAMELEON Velcro Wallet
TJ and Shane discuss the new iPhones, the new Call of Duty games, managing your online data, and remote work. Also, the Uber for ice cream.
Links:
- Toy Story Cap , Mr. Potato Head Cap, Toy from thisoldnest on Etsy
- DuckDuckGo — Privacy, simplified.
- 360iDev.com - 360iDev.com
- Rodizio Grill | Brazilian Steakhouse Restaurant | Best Restaurants | Rodiziogrill.com
- Tammy Coron — Freelance Creative Professional