The Committed: A Fortnightly Tech Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Committed
A weekly tech podcast covering a wide variety of topics, including personal productivity, media, and consumer technology. Hosted by Ian Schray, Rob Griffiths, and Kirk McElhearn.
In our triumphant return, we talk about iOS 15, iPadOS 15, the new iPad mini, and our experiences with the iPhone 13 Pro. And don’t miss Rob’s notch rant...
Links
Mega battery life comparison test
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Anker Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger
Unlock glitch
Picks of the Week
Rob: Find My
Kirk: The Wire
Ian: Choosy
In our first episode of 2021 (yeah, we know…), Rob, Kirk, and Ian discuss recent Apple announcements and give some hands-on insight into AirPods Max, M1 MacBook Air, AirTags, and more.
Links
New iPad, Who Dis?
23 Things You Can Track with Apple’s New AirTags
All the Apps That Support Apple's Spatial Audio Feature
Picks of the Week
Rob: Wyze Robot Vacuum with LIDAR
Kirk: Theragun Prime
Ian: USB-C Adapter for MacBook Air and Pro
We ruminate on the changes we’ve seen in our technology stacks in 2020, discuss 2-factor authentication with Apple IDs, and wonder aloud who Apple Fitness+ is actually for (hint: it’s not us).
As a programming note, this will be the last regular, fortnightly episode of The Committed. For the foreseeable future, The Committed will publish on a far less regular and more sporadic schedule. We’re still here, and we’ll do more episodes, just not every two weeks.
Links
Apple ID
I hate working out but Apple Fitness+ got me hooked
Hear what AirPods Max sound like on your own headphones
2021 Focus Planner [affiliate link]
Vivino
Picks of the Week
Rob: Grand Mountain Adventure
Kirk: Marmalade
Ian: No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1
We talk about AirPods Max, Apple Fitness+, and our impressions of Big Sur.
LINKS
AirPods Max
Apple Fitness+ Coming Monday
How to check a Mac’s OS upgrade history in System Profiler
How to find what software has been automatically updated on your Mac
We hold our annual, round-robin gift guide this episode, with far fewer tech items than you’d expect!
LINKS
Stainless Steel Can Opener Bar Tool For Topless Beer Can Opener
Apple California Poppy leather link watch band
MoKo Smart Folio Case for iPad Air
Kikkerland Bedside Caddy
Robert Fripp: Music for Quiet Moments
Letter to You - Springsteen album plus Apple TV+ show
Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Multi-Purpose Hand Blender
Dieter Rams: The Complete Works
Metal Aluminum Mouse Pad
Lekeye Drain Hair Catcher
We talk about Apple’s new M1-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. For the Rob fans out there, this show is for you!
Links
A Yatch Rock A
Dear Linus…You’re wrong about the Apple M1
Apple Announces First Macs with Apple Silicon
Picks of the Week
Kirk: Modernist Bread
Rob: Meross or Kefoss smart plugs
Ian: ToothFairy
We talk about iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, then we go round robin about the good and bad of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7.
Links
Review: Apple Watch Series 6 & Solo Loop Band
Apple Watch Band Review: California Poppy Leather Link and Atlantic Blue Braided Solo Loop
BuddyWatch
Picks of the Week
Kirk: The Queen’s Gambit
Rob: Basevs Magnetic USB C Cable for MacBook Pro
Ian: GoCube
We talk about the new announcements from this week’s Apple announcement, including HomePod mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Links
Get a New iPhone for $0 With Trade-In for New & Existing Customers
We cover the new Apple Watch Series 6, the new iPad Air, and the Apple One bundle. Ian goes “TMI” at least twice.
Donate to The Committed
Links
iMac Triple Hard Disk Mount
The Difference Between the New iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro
Change Activity Goals on the Apple Watch in watchOS 7
Apple Introduces New Apple Watch, iPad Air, and AppleOne Services Bundle
We do an all-tips show, offering tips and suggestions for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS. Then we talk way too much about keyboards.
Links
Rain Design mBase
Rain Design mStand
Keyboard Maestro
LaunchBar
How to Send Files Securely
Samsung T5
Picks of the Week
Kirk: Damages
Rob: Logitech MX Master 3 mouse
Ian: Logitech MX Keys for Mac (or at Best Buy) and Rob's review
We talk about the new iMac, Phil Schiller’s well-deserved move, Tim Cook’s tenure at Apple, Face ID limitations in the era of masks, and the new Microsoft Surface Duo.
Links
2020 iMac review: The last picture show
Phil Schiller advances to Apple Fellow
An introduction to every Apple Fellow in company history
Tim Cook: “People Have Left Crying” After Meetings With Apple CEO
How Tim Cook Made Apple His Own [paywall]
MTA asks Apple’s help to solve iPhone mask issues
How to use Face ID with a face mask on iPhone & iPad
Microsoft Surface Duo
Picks of the Week
Rob: Cielo Breez Plus
Kirk: Whatever Ian has picked
Ian: VIVO Adapter VESA Mount Kit & ErGear 22-35” Premium Single Monitor Stand Mount
We talk about drone photography, changing per-site settings in Safari, Apple’s horrible Developer app for macOS, and a too-brief history of Apple.
Links
Behold Vermont, From Above
Save Settings in Safari for Websites You Visit Often
A deeper look at Apple’s Developer app
A full history of macOS (OS X) release dates and rates
The most invisible and influential eras in Apple history
Picks of the Week
Rob: Tim’s Vermeer
Kirk and Ian: Origins Chapter 6: “Almost Famous Turns 20”
Ian: folklore
We discuss Google’s privacy policy and the iPadOS 14 public beta. Then we talk about basketball. No, really.
Links
Google to Auto-Delete User History After 18 Months
Two Weeks with iPadOS 14: Redefining the Modern iPad Experience
First Look: iPadOS 14 Public Beta
Picks of the Week
Rob: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Seasons 1 and 2; 3 is meh, feh, and bleh)
Kirk: Utopia Avenue
Ian: The Last Dance
We cover the pros and cons of the App Store, the history of macOS/Mac OS X, and then talk about this year’s WWDC.
Links
The Pros and Cons of Apple’s iOS App Store
What’s your favorite version of macOS/Mac OS X?
(Disclaimer: Ian works for an online events company that is producing their own event this fall.)
Apple’s New Plans for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac Unveiled at WWDC 2020
We talk about the Apple Watch, ARM coming to Macs, rumored small-bezel iMacs, and Apple Music metadata. Then we continue our Road to WWDC story; this time covering our hopes for macOS.
Links
New iMac With 'iPad Pro Design Language' and Thin Bezels Reportedly Coming at WWDC
New iPhone/Watch page
Apple Music and Metadata: No Humans Involved
Picks of the Week
Rob: skoko iPad Air Matte Back Protector skin
Kirk: No pick
Ian: The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing
We give an update on Wink, talk about the new ability to turn off the floating heads in FaceTime, using a HomePod without internet access, then give our wish list for WWDC 2020.
Links
Apple can solve our Face ID mask woes by stealing one of Android’s best features
Go old school Terminal for stock quotes
iPadOS 14 wishlist
Why iOS needs support for multiple accounts
Picks of the Week
Rob: LOHAS 100W equivalent no-flicker LED bulbs (My blog post)
Kirk: Hanayama Baroq cast puzzle
Ian: Tile Mate
We talk a bit more about the Magic Keyboard, split-view apps on iPadOS, how to get more out of your HomePod, Rob’s broken iPhone, and the odd decision made by Wink.
Links
How to Do Everything with the HomePod
HomePod Wall Bracket
iPhone SE lacks support for Haptic Touch on notifications, and it’s not a bug
Taking it back to the matte
Wink to Customers: Pay Us or Your Stuff Breaks Next Week
SmartThings
Hubitat
Picks of the Week
Rob: Moshi iVisor series
Kirk: Roger Eno and Brian Eno: Mixing Colours
Ian: Apple Watch Series 5 Nike
We talk Bluetooth oddities in macOS, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and Rob’s new iPad Air.
Links
AirPods: Automatically and instantly switch between iPhone, Mac & iPad
The Magic Keyboard Turns the iPad into a New Computing Device
Magic Keyboard: Turning the iPad Into Something New
An unfair fight? New iPad Air versus 2016 iPad Pro
Picks of the Week
Rob: GuitarTuna (related: Three months’ free Fender Play lessons)
Kirk: Ciderology
Ian: Right Angle USB-C Cable
We talk about Apple and Google’s partnership, automatically switching to your AirPods, the new iPhone SE, and Kirk’s article about how to decide which iPad is best for you.
LINKS
Apple and Google partner for COVID-19 'contact tracing' tech
AirPods: Automatically and instantly switch between iPhone, Mac & iPad
iPhone SE gets redesigned with an A13 Bionic, adds Portrait Mode
Which iPad Is Best for You?
iPad vs. MacBook: is iPadOS a game changer?
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Atari Vault
Kirk: Wirecutter waffle makers
Ian: Lightning/Apple Watch Charging Cable
We talk about Rob’s recent bank scam woes, the new cursor in iPadOS 13.4, then launch into a discussion about how to stay sane and productive when working from home.
Links
How I lost control of our bank accounts to a phone scammer
Take Control of Working from Home Temporarily
Picks of the Week
Rob: Double feature: Daniel Craig without his usual voice in Logan Lucky and Knives Out
Kirk: KitchenAid Kettle
Ian: Stump Stand
We talk about cleaning your Mac, working from home, the new iPad Pro and MacBook Air announcements, then Rob gives a full run-down on the new DJI Mavic Mini and his rekindled love affair with drone piloting.
Links
How to clean your Mac's keyboard, display, and more
Take Control of Working from Home Temporarily
Apple introduces new iPad Pro…with LiDAR
Apple updates MacBook Air
DJI Mavic Mini
New (proposed) FAA rules
DJI’s response to the proposed rules
Who should know where a drone pilot is?
Picks of the Week
Rob: Wings - The Complete Series
Ian: USB-C to Lightning Adapters
We lament the passing of MacSurfer, discuss our disdain for the rumored iPad trackpad, Apple News+, and our love for Subler.
Then we talk about discoverability, and the lack thereof on Apple’s five primary operating systems.
Links
RIP MacSurfer
9 questions about the rumored iPad Smart Keyboard with trackpad
Here’s Why Apple News+ Doesn’t Work
If you rip your own discs, you need Subler
Picks of the Week
Rob: The Expanse - TV series
Kirk: A Suitable Boy
Ian: Once Upon a Time In... Hollywood
We talk briefly about the Coronavirus’s effect on Apple’s quarterly guidance, then fall down a rabbit hole discussing the bad ol’ days of Apple’s profit (or lack thereof). Rob also rants about Split View on macOS.
Links
Ozzy Osbourne Cancels 2020 Tour to Seek Medical Treatment
Investor update on quarterly guidance
Fun With Charts: When Apple was in the red
Apple security in 2019: year in review
Why is Apple rolling out new OS features in February?
How to fix Split View in macOS Mojave and Catalina
Picks of the Week
Rob: For All Mankind
Kirk: Contagion
Ian: Paperlike
Kirk and Ian talk about Sonos, Apple’s Average Sale Price (ASP) and how it has and will continue to change. Then we talk about how the iPad has (and hasn’t) changed the computing world since it was introduced ten years ago.
LINKS
Sonos changes their tune
Kirk on Chuck Joiner’s Podcast
Surprise! Cheaper Apple products are hits
The iPad Awkwardly Turns 10 – Daring Fireball
How the iPad has changed in the past 10 years (and how it hasn't)
Tablet vs. Laptop: Pros and Cons of Replacing a Laptop with a Tablet
New Apple iPad at Amazon
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Kirk: Instant Pot
Ian: The Outsider
We talk about productivity hacks, “Disliking” Apple Music, Sonos’s decision to EOL certain models, and then talk about backup strategies and tactics.
LINKS
What’s the Point of “Disliking” Music on Apple Music?
Playing Multi-Room Audio After Sonos
What does iCloud back up?
Geeking out: Create local Time Machine-like backups of your web sites
Did Apple abandon iCloud encryption due to FBI?
Keep an eye on your Time Machine backups with BackupLoupe
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: NetNewsWire 5
Kirk: Leica M10 Monocrom
Ian: The Athletic (affiliate)
In our first episode of 2020, we talk about HomePod vs. Sonos, modding your AirPods Pro, and the current firehose of episodic content available.
Links
Should You Avoid Writing This Year as ’20’ on Checks?
How I Modded the Silicone Tips of AirPods Pro with a Memory Foam Layer
HomePod vs. Sonos One Stereo Pair Comparison
Stereo-paired HomePods need to be a Mac sound option
Apple TV+ Isn’t Worth It
Welcome to Apple – A one-party state
Picks of the Week
Rob: BlissLights SkyLight
Kirk: Giri/Haji
Ian: Outlook for iOS and iPadOS
In the final episode of 2019, we talk about Apple News+, AirPods Pro availability, a new standard for smart devices, and Rob’s new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Then we take a look at significant releases of 2019, what we’re going to do to improve ourselves in the end-of-year down time, and what we’re looking forward to in 2020.
Links
Apple Arcade annual subscription now available, with two months free
Apple’s AirPods Pro are sold out online ahead of the holidays
iStockNow
Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance to develop connectivity standard
De-distractionate the Touch Bar
2020 Digital Planner (affiliate link)
The Daily Stoic
Awaken Every Day
Dropbox Security Checkup
Picks of the Week
Rob: Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series of books
Kirk: In Our Time
Ian: Don't Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles -- and All of Us
We talk about chains of trust, whether or not Apple actually believes the iPad Pro will replace your PC, and Apple’s apparently new strategy for testing prerelease software. Then we do our annual holiday gift guide!
LINKS
Apple finally admits iPad Pro won't replace your PC
The chain of trust in Apple’s devices
Apple iOS 14: Features, Changes, Testing After iOS 13 Bugs
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Ian
dbrand device decals
Timekeeper Tuxedo 24 Hour Clock
Dual Wireless Charger
AirPods Pro
Adobe Creative Cloud
Kirk
Bit City
Cuisinart waffle maker
Lee Child books
Dyson V8 Absolute
Rob
Emergency seat belt cutter/window breaker
Moonfire 50th Anniversary Edition
Apple Arcade
Lego Millennium Falcon
We cover a wide variety this time… New MacBook Pro, Google’s creepy Project Nightingale, Apple Music Replay, AirPods Pro, and Yacht Rock. Then Ian and Kirk lament the lack of “One Information Repository that Rules them All” while Rob ignores us.
Links
Google’s ‘Project Nightingale’ Gathers Personal Health Data on Millions of Americans
WWDC app is now Apple Developer app
Apple Music Replay Provides a Summary of Your Music Listening; or Does It?
A Yatch Rock A
AirPods Pro is just the start of Apple’s audio-processing revolution
Evernote
Bear
Ulysses
iA Writer
Basecamp Personal
Picks of the Week
Rob: pfSense
Kirk: Snakes on a Plane
Ian: JETech Magnetic Case for Apple iPad Pro 12.9
We talk about the problems with Electron apps, Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, how Mac portable keyboards suck, and the Apple TV app on Amazon Fire TV products. We then discuss Apple’s success in non-computer products.
Links
Electron apps getting banned
Google acquires Fitbit
Portable Macs’ keyboards still suck
Apple TV App Now Available on Some Amazon Fire TV Devices
Amazon Fire Stick 4K
iStockNow
Picks of the Week
Rob: The Man Behind the Maps (Great interview with the author)
Kirk: Just Kids
Ian: Cinder
We talk about Kirk’s new book and how to navigate the changes between iTunes and the new uni-task apps in macOS Catalina.
Links
Instaread
Radio Paradise
Picks of the Week
Kirk: The Last Ship
Ian: Powerbeats Pro
We talk about eSIMs and Reminders before launching into a discussion about macOS Catalina, which was released this week. This is one where Rob talks a lot.
Links
macOS 10.15 Vista
Some Thoughts on The App Formerly Known as iTunes and macOS Catalina
A walkthrough on key changes in Catalina
How Home Sharing Works in macOS Catalina
How the New Sidecar Feature Works to Turn an iPad Into a Secondary Mac Display
Apple’s White Paper on Sidecar
Picks of the Week
Rob: 120mm USB-powered quiet fan
Kirk: The Hustle
Ian: The West Wing Weekly Podcast
We cover our favorite (and most irksome) features of the iPhone 11, iOS 13, iPadOS 13, and the new Apple Watch.
LINKS
The Dark Side of Dark Mode
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: IKEA Bergshult/Granhult shelving
Kirk: Apple Watch Meyer Lemon Leather Loop Band Review
Ian: USB C Hub for iPad Pro
We cover the new products Apple announced in this week’s special event.
Links
The Last Apple Keynote (Hopefully)
The Next Track
PhotoActive
We talk about Apple Card, audio inputs on Macs, music listening, and then we dive deep into Kirk’s recent coverage of the HomePod.
Links
Set up audio devices on iMac (Mid 2014) and later
How to Share Your Listening History in Apple Music
The Problems with Apple’s HomePods
The HomePod Is a Mono Speaker
Picks of the Week
Rob: Blinded by the Light
Kirk: Rams
Ian: Mindhunter
We talk about the last Blockbuster, the Apple Card, AppleCare, cryptography, the new Kindle Oasis, and back to school time for Rob and Ian.
LINKS
The Last Blockbuster
Apple Card
Apple offering AppleCare monthly plans for new iPhones along with theft and loss option
The Clever Cryptography Behind Apple's 'Find My' Feature
The User-Unfriendly Feature and Pricing Structure of OmniOutliner
Review: The New (2019) Kindle Oasis
Picks of the Week
Rob: Rollerblade wheels for your office chair
Kirk: Justified
Ian: Cable Clips
We talk about Apple’s earnings, software pricing structures, and a selective history of macOS/Mac OS X/OS X releases.
LINKS
Moom in the App Store
Donate with PayPal
Apple’s Q3 2019 results: Evolving from the iPhone to Wearables and Services
The User-Unfriendly Feature and Pricing Structure of OmniOutliner
A useless analysis of macOS (OS X) release dates
Omni: Retiring the iOS Document Browser
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Kidde Fire Escape Ladder
Ian: Sound City
With summer in full swing, we talk about ways to declutter physical and digital spaces to increase productivity. But first, we talk about the App Store, MacBooks, Zoom, and tiny iPhones.
Links
Apple's latest transparency report includes government demands for App Store removals, redacted NSLs
'Executive review board' has final say on controversial App Store titles
Apple tweaks laptop lineup with cheaper Air; MacBook disappears
Serious Vulnerability in Zoom Video Conference App Could Let Websites Hijack Mac Webcams
Kirk’s Desktop Zero
My New Vitsœ Shelves Have Freed Up Space in My Office
Picks of the Week
Rob: Spider-man: Far From Home
Kirk: Go64
Ian: 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Cellular
We talk about the iPhone SE, GoodNotes going Catalyst, and the departure of Jony Ive from Apple.
Links
The Future of GoodNotes for Mac
WSJ: Jony Ive Became ‘Dispirited’ After Apple Watch and Sometimes Failed to Show Up to Meetings – MacRumors
Tim Cook’s Response
For better and worse, we live in Jony Ive’s world
Apple’s worst designs by Jon Ive, according to the AppleInsider staff
Apple’s best designs by Jon Ive, according to the AppleInsider staff
Take A Look Inside Apple Genius Jony Ive's $17 Million San Francisco Mansion
Picks of the Week
Rob: Telescopic Magnetic Pick Up Tool - what it found near our addition
Kirk: Vitsoe 606 Universal Shelving System
Ian: Anker 60W USB C Charger
Returning to our fortnightly summer schedule, we talk about iTunes, the new Kindle Oasis, Dropbox’s new enterprise focus, and some thoughts on iPadOS.
LINKS
The Next Track
Kindle Oasis
Dropbox relaunches as an enterprise collaboration workspace
MacBook Pro problem costing $10k turned out to be a $0 fix
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Brinno TLC200PRO HDR Time Lapse Video Camera + Weather Resistant Housing
Kirk: MacBook Pro with Touch Barf
Ian: The Chef Show
We talk about the wide variety of announcements from WWDC 2019, including iPadOS, the Mac Pro, and get Kirk’s take on iTunes.
Links
iOS 13 revealed but not discussed features
iPadOS features
macOS features
Picks of the Week
Rob: Ring Home Security Kit at Costco
Kirk: Vitsœ 621 table
Ian: Logitech Crayon
We continue our Road to WWDC series, this time allowing Rob to get really spun up to complain about Touch Bar, Marzipan, and anything else in his way.
Links
It’s easy to win when you don’t fight fair - how non-Touch Bar MBP models don’t stand a chance
Apple upgrades processors in MacBook Pro, 8-core 15-inch model now available
Apple improves butterfly keyboard (again), offers free fixes
Apple Launches Updated iPod touch with A10 Chip, Larger 256GB Storage Option
UI is horridly ugly (thanks Marzipan)
Subscribing is an awful experience, categories don’t appear to be scrollable
Tip: Set the left and right arrow keys to navigate stories
Why Apple needs iPad apps on the Mac
Apple Trade-In Weirdness
Picks of the Week
Rob: Beyond Meat Beyond Sausage (Brat)
Kirk: Peak Design travel tripod
Ian: VPN Unlimited
We talk about the Supreme Court’s decision to allow class-action lawsuits against Apple’s App Store business practices, iPhone upgrades, and what we’d like to see in an Apple “concierge” at retail.
LINKS
Downlink
XKeyboarCD
Supreme Court rules that consumers can sue Apple for App Store practices
It’s Amazing That Anyone Upgrades Their iPhone – 500ish Words
The Next Track: Episode #20 – You Think You Know about the Blues? Eliah Wald on the History of the Blues
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Kirk: Catch Me if You Can
Ian: Robert Johnson – The Centennial Collection & Eric Clapton – Me and Mr. Johnson
We talk about CarPlay and the Apple Watch, ripping CDs and vinyl, MDM and VPN, and the fire and fury of multiple displays.
LINKS
Audio Hijack
There Used to Be An App For That
Circle
We Couldn’t Wait for a Foldable Mac Screen — So We Made One Ourselves
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Planefinder AR
Kirk: Robert Caro: Working
Ian: Downlink
In addition to continuing our Road to WWDC discussion, we talk about Apple Pay, 5Ge, MDM and VPN for family monitoring, Apple News+, and folding Macs??
LINKS
JC Penney drops Apple Pay because they can’t spy on customers who use it
$1 billion for false arrest over tech Apple says it doesn’t even use
AT&T can keep lying to people about 5G
Phil Schiller Lays Out Apple's Case for Cracking Down on Screen Time Monitoring Apps
Apple announces quarterly results, but without unit sales, who cares?
We Couldn’t Wait for a Foldable Mac Screen— So We Made One Ourselves
Apple Should Offer an Icon-Only Option for iOS Device Home Screens
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Avengers: Endgame [Josh Centers’s thread on the goodness of the movies]
Kirk: Samuel Beckett: Endgame
Ian: Avengers: Endgame
In the run-up to WWDC, we talk about things we’d like to see in iOS and macOS. But first, we talk folding phones, traveling with a MacBook, and dark mode.
LINKS
Galaxy Fold
Galaxy Fold release postponed while Samsung investigates breaking screens
Is Apple Splitting Up iTunes? Here’s How They’ll Do It
Photo import improvements coming to iOS, macOS?
Mouse and trackpad support for iOS coming in iOS 13?
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Logitech MX Master 2S
Kirk: New York Times Crossword
Ian: Creality Ender 3
We talk about swollen Apple Watch batteries, Apple’s services strategy and branding, the HomePod, troubles using Google accounts in macOS Mail after the 10.14.4 update, and more.
LINKS
Apple Sued Over Swollen Batteries in Apple Watches
Apple Solidifies Its Transition to a Services Company
Three Apple products in the danger zone
Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299
Apple just made the experience of upgrading to a new Mac far less painful
PSA: Many users reporting issues signing into Google accounts through Mail on macOS 10.14.4
Force multiple tracks to play as one in iTunes
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Optimum Opti-Seal
Kirk: Coltrane ‘58: Prestige Recordings
Ian: Shun Classic 5-inch Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife
We talk about Apple News+, the new AirPod wireless charging case, the new iPad mini 5, and the new iMacs.
LINKS
Get Message URL AppleScript
AirPower Cancelled
Texture Going Away
The Wall Street Journal Details Terms of Partnership with Apple for Apple News+ Service
Readly
Why The New York Times did not sign up for Apple News+
Apple Announces Powerbeats Pro, Launching Soon for $250
We talk about note taking on the iPad in Apple Books, the stealth new feature in Mail Drop for OmniFocus, sleep tracking with the Apple Watch, and the upcoming Apple Event.
LINKS
OmniFocus Mail Drop
Apple Event on March 25th
Taika Waititi to Direct ‘Time Bandits’ Series in Development at Apple
CorelDraw 2019 comes back to the Mac and onto the web
We’re so done with Samsung appliances
Apple Plans Sleep Tracking Feature for Future Watch
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Kirk: Post-Punk Deep Cuts (Apple Music playlist)
Ian: Captain Marvel
We talk about Apple Watch sales, then launch into a conversation about digital vs. analog, specifically related to doing tasks for work and life.
LINKS
Apple Sold 10.4M Apple Watches in 4Q18
The Virtue of Using Analog Tools for Business
The Bullet Journal Method
GoodNotes 5
Oregon man who survived snowbound off sauce packets for 5 days gets year of free Taco Bell
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Kirk: Casper Glow
Ian: MOSISO Plastic Hard Shell Case Cover for MacBook
We cover a variety of news items, including iOS 12 adoption numbers, Goldman Sachs’s rumored relationship with Apple, Amazon counterfeiting, and apps that send your data to Facebook.
LINKS
Bacon Ipsum
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
83% of all devices introduced in the last 4 years are using iOS 12
Goldman Sachs' partnership with Apple could move it a step closer to being 'a bank branch in your pocket'
Apple Will Soon Let Developers Entice Past Subscribers With Discounted iOS, macOS, and tvOS Subscriptions
Popular apps caught secretly sending health data and more to Facebook, should Apple intervene?
Samsung Galaxy Fold
China's Huawei Unveils New 5G Folding-Screen Phone
Palm Tungsten T
Wicked thick phone
We cover a variety of topics, including Amazon’s Eero purchase, the rumored upcoming Apple News event, the “Marzipanning” of macOS, and the fact that it’s been five years since the last Macworld Expo.
LINKS
Amazon buying Eero
Apple to Remove “Do Not Track” Feature from Safari
Why Are Images from My TV Different if I Use Apps on the TV or my Apple TV?
Apple Plans News Event For March 25
RBDigital
Apple Plans on Combining iPhone, iPad, Mac Apps by 2021
Ten Years Ago, Apple Said Goodbye to Macworld but Set the Stage for the Future
Techtool Pro doesn’t fix APFS
Neither does DiskWarrior
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: DigiCue Blue Billiard Training Aid
Kirk: The Wolf of Wall Street
Ian: Juegoal Wood Cribbage Board
We talk about the continued misunderstanding of what the iPad is, and how that misunderstanding is often fueled by Apple’s messaging, then we talk about selling iPhone on eBay, the iPhone XR, Facebook’s hot water situation with Apple, and Angela Ahrendts’s impending departure from Apple.
LINKS
Why I’m Selling My iPad Pro
Going back to the Mac to finish the Six Colors Report Card
Why I Won’t Sell an iPhone on eBay Any More
The iPhone XR Is Apple's Top Phone, and Other iPhone Sales Secrets
Facebook, Google Caught Deploying Invasive Apps; Apple Shuts Them Down
Three Apple decisions that don’t please the user, but the company won’t change
Angela Ahrendts to depart Apple in April
Can’t Unsee
Real-world use of drones (planes) in Rwanda
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run
Kirk: Mubi
Ian: The Sopranos
In an all-news episode, we talk Mojave’s Dark Mode, minimal iPhone home screens, the Mac Pro, the FaceTime bug, Apple’s Q1 results, and a lot of other stuff.
LINKS
NightOwl
Major iPhone FaceTime bug lets you hear the audio of the person you are calling … before they pick up
Apple took out a CES ad to troll its competitors over privacy
Apple’s dramatic Q1 2019 results
Facebook pays teens to install VPN that spies on them
Foxconn’s LCD plant in doubt
American Airlines will let you stream Apple Music over in-flight Wi-Fi for free
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: On the Nose: A Lifelong Obsession with Yosemite’s Most Iconic Climb
Kirk: Apple’s trade-in program
Ian: AirBuddy
Ian welcomes Jeff Porten back to the show to discuss the role CES has in the tech world, and how it compares to the old days of Macworld Expo.
LINKS
Edited with iPad Pro campaign
Every Gadget and App Should Have a Dark Mode
Byton
TidBITS CES Coverage
Jeff Porten’s TidBITS Articles
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Jeff: Smart lights in general
Ian: Fender Play
We talk about the iPhone Smart Battery Cases, then launch into a discussion about changing up the tools and methods we use to get things done.
LINKS
Feds can’t force you to unlock your iPhone with finger or face, judge rules
iPhone Smart Battery Cases
How the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Have Changed My Writing Workflow
Scanner Pro
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: George Foreman Grill
Kirk: Wüsthof Classic 7-piece knife set
Ian: GoodNotes 5
We cover the news that Apple services will be available on non-Apple devices, including TVs from the major manufacturers, the kerfuffle of bending iPads, and what we hope to see from Apple in 2019.
LINKS
Samsung Will Offer iTunes/AirPlay Compatible TVs
Vizio, LG to Add AirPlay 2, HomeKit Support This Spring
AirPlay 2-Enabled TVs
CarPlay supported cars
The Ride Is Over: Apple Faces the End of the iPhone Boom
Letter from Tim Cook to Apple investors
Apple confirms some iPad Pros ship slightly bent, but says it’s normal
2019 iOS wishlist: Better iPhone prices, smaller phones, and iPad software updates
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: KitchenAid stand mixer blade with scraper
Ian: Canon M100
In our final show of 2018, we talk about Kirk’s new car, Apple Maps, the death of Apple Connect, and Mac App Store analytics before briefly touching on several remarkable tech topics of the year.
LINKS
Apple Maps Are the Worst Maps (at Least in the UK)
Apple Pings Connect
Analytics for Mac App Store apps
Resolutionator
Redesigned iPad Pro and Apple Pencil
Apple Watch 4
Microsoft Surface Go
Kindle Oasis
Sonos
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: The Dawn Wall
Kirk: Bobby
Ian: Leather Cable Straps
We talk briefly about subscription models for software and universal Lightning/Micro USB cables, then cover a small selection of frustratingly non-intuitive features in iOS and macOS.
Links
OmniFocus subscriptions
Urbo 2-in-1 Universal Reversible Charging Cable
Batch Processing in Apple Photos
Picks of the Week
Rob: Speed Out Titanium
Kirk: Mastering Knife Skills
Ian: Omnicharge 60W USB-C Power Bank
We run through our favorite gifts from geeks like us to normal, everyday, well-adjusted human beings.
LINKS
Apple Entrepreneur Camp
How much for that app? U.S. top court hears Apple antitrust dispute
Apple v. Pepper
A bit more on the Apple, App Store antitrust Supreme Court hearing
GIFT GUIDE 2018
Ian
Apple TV 4K
Apple Watch Series 3
Timbuk2 Bags (with trade-in!)
Rob
Third-party Watch bands and iPhone & iPad cases - check FakeSpot
ZeroLemon 30K mAh charger w/ USB-C
Planet Earth II 4K—buy a 4K TV and 4K player first if needed
Kirk
Sonos One
Perfidious Albion, by Sam Byers
KitchenAid pasta roller and cutter
We talk about Apple’s earnings as well as their technologies that are running out of time, then we quickly cover the new iPad Pro and MacBook Air.
LINKS
Apple’s latest record quarter: Why Apple loves China but hates sales figures
4 Apple products and technologies that are running out of time
Jony Ive Interview: Apple Design Guru on How He Created the New iPad – And the Philosophy Behind It
Apple’s Jony Ive on the Unpredictable Consequences of Innovation
Dissecting a Design: The New Apple iPad Pro
iPad Pro
Pencil 2
iPad Pro Smart Keyboard Folio
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Unclutter
Kirk: When
Ian: AmazonBasics USB Type-C to USB-A
We cover today’s Apple Event, including MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iPad Pro announcements.
LINKS
MacBook Air
Mac mini
iPad Pro
Apple Pencil 2
Smart Keyboard Folio
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Free Solo
Ian: The 2018 Boston Red Sox
We talk about the ever-annoying “Do Not Disturb” warning in iOS, the iPhone XS Max, and Apple Stores. We then talk about what we’d like to see out of next week’s Apple Event.
LINKS
Apple describes 'beautygate' iPhone XS bug, says it will be fixed in iOS 12.1
Apple Touchwood Centre
Apple Pioneer Place
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Money Heist
Kirk: The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States
Ian: Tweetbot 5 for iOS
We talk about bagel emoji, Photoshop on the iPad, and a collection of tips from our own Kirk McElhearn.
Links
Apple Fixes Bagel Emoji
Photoshop CC heads for the iPad
Palm mini-”phone”
How to Use Annotations and Quick Actions in the macOS Mojave Finder
How to Sync, View, and Use Photos on the Apple Watch
How to Spot Fake Product Reviews
How to paint a room quickly
Picks of the Week
Rob: Bosch BLAZE 65ft laser distance measure
Kirk: No Immediate Danger: Volume One of Carbon Ideologies
Ian: Play by Dave Grohl
We talk iCloud- and iTunes-based iOS backups, Apple Watch faces, and some current headlines related to security and privacy.
LINKS
Why it’s hard to read the time on Infograph
Microsoft open sources its patent portfolio
Google shutting down Google+ after exposing data of up to 500,000 users
SMS Text Message Login Codes Autofill in iOS 12 and Mojave, But Remain Insecure
Facebook unveils the Portal, a video chat camera for the people who still trust Facebook
The Big Hack: Statements From Amazon, Apple, Supermicro, and the Chinese Government
Apple tells Congress it found no signs of hacking attack
Joe’s Cat Instagram
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Ridgid 18 gauge Hyperdrive nail gun
Kirk: Vanity Fair
Ian: A Star is Born (soundtrack, too!)
We talk about Apple Watch Series 4 complications, then launch into a discussion about Mojave and its oddities with permissions. Then we devolve into a global thermonuclear war about Marzipan apps on macOS.
LINKS
Apple Watch: Hello New Faces, Goodbye Old Faces
Why are Apple Watch faces such a mess?
Six Colors review
Comments on the Marzipan apps
Our experience with Moom and App Store customers
Resetting the Mojave Accessibility permissions is a PitA
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Apple Watch Series 4
Kirk: Stocks app
Ian: FreePrints
We talk about our first impressions with the iPhone XS and the Apple Watch Series 4, including how Ian’s wearing the Sport Loop wrong.
LINKS
Waze Adds CarPlay Support
Google Maps Adds CarPlay Support
Daring Fireball: The iPhones XS
Daring Fireball: Apple Watch Series 4
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Chefman Electric Egg Steamer/Boiler
Kirk: The Commuter
Ian: OmniFocus 3 for Mac
We talk about the good, the bad, and the horribly terrible features in iOS 12.
LINKS
The iPhones XS
Is the Apple Watch the New iPhone?
Apple’s Measure App and Accuracy
1Password integration
We cover the new announcements from Apple’s September event, as Rob gloats about how much money the notch is saving him.
LINKS
Apple Watch Series 4
iPhone Xs and Xs Max
iPhone Xr
Apple Expands AppleCare+ on iPhones with Optional Theft and Loss Coverage
On the eve of the September 12 Apple event, we talk about stories that have captured our interest over the summer. Oh, and we return to a weekly schedule.
LINKS
Evernote slashes price of Premium subscription as many executives depart
NetNewsWire back with Brent Simmons
Mojave is bad news
macOS Mojave gets new APIs around AppleEvent sandboxing – but AEpocalypse still looms
Apple Event Sandboxing in macOS Mojave Lacks Essential APIs
Mojave’s privacy protection is complex and will crash innocent apps
How a 1998 steve jobs meeting led to the birth of wi-fi
Privacy not absolute: US among consortium of nations calling for encryption back doors
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Otter iOS voice/transcription app
Kirk: Dylan & the Dead
Ian: Nativefier
In the run-up to the fall Apple event, we talk about what we'd like to see, what we're still waiting to see, and what we probably won't see.
LINKS
Instaread
Goodreads
Group FaceTime delayed until later this fall
Apple’s Group FaceTime delay is the right move. Here’s why
Back to My Mac will not be available on macOS Mojave
Screens 4
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Mothers Spray Glass Cleaner
Kirk: a cat
Ian: Magnetic Sleeve for Apple Pencil
The summer is half over, unbelievably. We talk about how, what, and why we're reading this summer.
LINKS
Skype 7 (Skype classic) to be discontinued soon (not so fast!)
3 small-but-important details from Apple’s Q4 2018 financials call
Instaread
Oasis
Voyage
Paperwhite
Fintie Oasis Case
ESR Case
GoodNotes
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Dark Matter
Goodreads
PhotoActive Podcast
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Alaska Airlines
Kirk: Quintin Lake’s The Perimeter photo walk
Ian: LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5
Ian welcomes Jeff Porten back to the show for a special one-on-one discussion about productivity tools and methodology.
LINKS
30% discount on Take Control of Your Productivity
Slack
GoodNotes
Outlook
OmniFocus
Asana
HubSpot
We welcome Jeff Porten to the show to talk about his new book, Take Control of Your Productivity.
LINKS
30% discount on Take Control of Your Productivity
@jeffporten
Surface Go
Apple to deploy 1Password to all 123,000 employees, acquisition talks underway
New MacBook Pros, all with idiotic Touch Bars
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Jeff: G Suite and TechSoup for nonprofits
Rob: Duxtop 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop
Kirk: Matt Haig: Notes on a Nervous Planet
Ian: Kitchen Confidential
We talk about iOS and macOS public betas, and lament the dearth of new Mac hardware.
LINKS
How to Disable the Typing Animation in Office 2016 or Office 2013
iOS 12 public beta is out for all
iOS 12 Beta: Why You Should (and Shouldn't) Download It
macOS Mojave Public Beta is now available
6,399 reasons why I haven’t yet replaced my iMac
The sad state of Mac hardware
Where oh where can the Mac updates be?
Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Wyze Cam Pan
Ian: A Quiet Place
We welcome Jeff Carlson back to the show to talk about his new podcast with our own Kirk McElhearn: The PhotoActive Podcast!
LINKS
Microsoft buys GitHub
If Only Apple Would Let You Use Your Own Domain for iCloud Email…
How a parent can take some control of kids’ iPhone, iPad and iPod use
PhotoActive Podcast
Some of Jeff’s photos
William Eggleston
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Jeff: Ecovacs Deebot N79s Robot Vacuum
Kirk: Photographing Flowers
Ian: Moment
We cover our favorite announcements of WWDC 2018, round robin-style!
LINKS
Donate via PayPal at the thecommitted.tv
PhotoActive Podcast
New features coming with iOS 12.
macOS Mojave
watchOS 5
tvOS 5
The small details of iOS 12, macOS Mojave, and more
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: SoundHound
Kirk: Pistachios
Ian: Kwikset Premis
We cover a buffet of topics, including iOS 11.4, AirPlay 2, the Apple Watch update trick, smart door locks, and Apple data dumps.
LINKS
How to speed up Apple Watch software updates dramatically
Hello, stereo paired HomePods
Kwikset Premis
This Is Included When Apple Sends You Your Data Dump
Apple Privacy Enquiries
Apple promotes free month of upgraded iCloud storage to non-paying users
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Little Big Shot Super Nozzle
Kirk: No pick
Ian: OmniFocus 3 for iOS
We explore a different way of moving icons around on an iPad in iOS 11, then we talk about things we'd like to see from Apple at WWDC 2018 in a couple of weeks.
LINKS
Apple WWDC 2018
Circle with Disney
Outlook for Mac
Old Outlook for Mac
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Deadpool 2
Kirk: The Poems of T.S. Eliot Read by Jeremy Irons
Ian: Evil Genius
We talk a bit more about the iMac's 20th anniversary, then talk a lot about CarPlay's past, present, and future.
LINKS
Welcome, iMac!
iMac Hoopla
CarPlay
Pioneer AVIC-8201NEX
List of CarPlay supported cars
List of third-party CarPlay receivers
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Pinball Arcade (but buy the tables you want soon—losing Bally and Williams!
Ian: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
We talk about the 20th anniversary of the iMac: Where it came from, what it meant, and what it's become.
LINKS
iMac Introduction
iMac Specs
What are the differences between the original "Bondi" iMac G3 models?
PowerCD
Mactracker [iOS app]
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Hamilton
Kirk: Brian Eno: Music for Installations
Ian: Action Comics #1000
We talk about Apple Watch updates, Kindle Whispersync with Audible, DirecTV NOW, and the coming demise of support for 32-bit apps on macOS.
LINKS
How to speed up Apple Watch software updates dramatically
Whispersync for Voice with Audible
DirecTV Now + AppleTV 4K
64-bit Requirement for Mac Apps
Create a savable list of 32-bit apps
Hardware: Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 document scanner
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Quicken 2018
Kirk: Robert Mapplethorpe: Flora
Ian: Avengers: Infinity War
We talk about Amazon's announcement of reaching 100 million Prime members, then launch into a discussion about whether or not the Apple Watch should be its own "island" or continue to be an iPhone accessory.
LINKS
Amazon Finally Announces Numbers: 100 Million Prime Members
iPhone dependence is killing Apple Watch. Here’s how Cupertino could fix it.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Rob: Vienna - RSS reader
Kirk: Money Monster
Ian: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Life: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3
We welcome Adam Engst back to the show to talk about the recent redesign of TidBITS.
APPLE PARK PHOTOS
LINKSHow to Use Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 Public DNS (And Why You Should)
TidBITS
Adam Engst on Twitter
Discourse
We cover business card scanning, MDM possibilities, and Apple's rumored move to in-house chips. We also cover Apple's new education-focused products and services.
LINKSApple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs From 2020, Replacing Intel
Logitech Crayon
Apple’s Education Push Is Great; But It May not Be Enough
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Twitterific for Mac
Kirk: 42mm Black Stripe Woven Nylon
Ian: The Final Tour: Copenhagen, March 24, 1960
We talk about Texture, Zinio, Readly, and Magzter and how they differ and how we think Apple can help solve the problem of getting access to niche magazines. Ian also fixed his iMac and iPhone, with little-known troubleshooting techniques for both iOS and macOS. Finally, Kirk discusses his decision to "rightsize" from a 27" iMac to a 21.5" iMac.
LINKSMagzter Gold
Readly
Why I Downsized from a 27″ to a 21.5″ iMac
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Alto’s Odyssey
Kirk: Russian Roulette
Ian: Kindle Oasis
We talk about Apple's acquisition of Texture, Adobe tech support, Ian's phishing problem, and then conclude our discussion of the road ahead for 2018 and Apple.
LINKSApple is buying Texture, the digital magazine distributor
rbdigital
Apple Music hits 38 million paid subscribers
AirPods: How to improve Apple's wireless earbuds
Apple to launch branded over-ear headphones as soon as this year – AppleInsider
Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic
Etymotics Earphones
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Black Panther
Kirk: Belk Extensive Type Laptop Suitable Kickstand Second-Gen Wood BookArc for MacBook Pro/Retina/Air Portable Laptop Stand with Thicker Slots for Generic Notebook,Lenovo Laptop Yoga Y50 ThinkPad Dell Laptop XPS Venue Inspiron ASUS Laptop(Dark Walnut)
Ian: The “Hendrix Trilogy”: Valleys of Neptune (2010), People, Hell & Angels(2013), and Both Sides of the Sky (2018)
We talk a bit about how we listen to music vs. how we used to, and how Apple Music and the HomePod change that. Then we start a discussion about where some of Apple's main product categories can go.
LINKSSmart Speakers and the Commoditization of Music
Music Millennium
Skype Business
Apple Plans Giant High-End iPhone, Lower-Priced Model – Bloomberg
Apple Watch: What does the future hold?
WatchKit is a sweet solution that will only ever give us baby apps
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Monk: The Complete Series
Kirk: Sony digital voice recorder
Ian: AutoSleep
We talk about iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents synching, then discuss our further impressions of the HomePod, including sound variances. And of course, we discuss the "ring" issue.
LINKSThe Latest macOS Update Does This, and It’s Not a Good Idea
HomePod’s white ring problem should be easy to solve, say industrial designers
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: WyzeCam
Kirk: Remote for Mac
Ian: Jostens
We jump right into talking about our experiences with the HomePod: what we like, what we don't like, and what we don't understand.
LINKSHow to Access HomePod Settings
HomePod Audiophile Review: Sound Performance ‘Deserves a Standing Ovation’ – Mac Rumors
The Best iTunes and iOS EQ Settings for the HomePod
The case against subwoofers for music – CNET
Using the HomePod as an Audio Device when Watching Movies or TV
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Public libraries’ eBook/Kindle lending
Kirk: Mitsubishi Uni KH-20 Hand Crank Wooden Pencil Sharpener
Ian: Bourbon Meatloaf
We talk about Apple Music's current subscriber numbers, the concept of an "Apple Prime" bundle of services, then dive into some of the Apple Q1 2018 earnings results.
LINKSApple Music Now Has 36 Million Subscribers, Could Eclipse Spotify in United States This Year
How Apps, Music and More Can Buoy Apple Beyond the iPhone [paywall]
Death of macOS Server
Jason Snell's iWatch sales chart
4 tidbits we learned from Apple’s record quarterly results
Apple Q1 2018 earnings: Record revenue, beating the estimates
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Amazon Prime
Kirk: Derwent Graphic Pencil 3B
Ian: Rework
We talk about the HomePod, the Sonos One, iOS 11.3, and then launch into a discussion of device sleep, Power Nap, and how all of it frustrates us.
Links
HomePod Preorder
Sonos One price drop
iOS 11.3 Beta
Report: Apple to Delay Some New Features in iOS Until Next Year to Focus on Performance and Quality Issues
How Power Nap works on your Mac
Picks of the Week
Rob: Universal Paperclips
Kirk: The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains
Ian: A Futile and Stupid Gesture
We discuss listener feedback about Amazon Alexa usage, the HomePod's impending release, the iPhone X, Ian's T-Mobile customer service experience, and Def Leppard.
LINKSOn rumors of the iPhone X being produced for only one year
Apple Announces HomePod Available to Order This Friday, In Stores on February 9
Def Leppard Explain Why They Finally Embraced Streaming
Def Leppard Re-Recording 'Forgeries' of Old Hits
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Liberty Puzzles
Kirk: Baked beans
Ian: Affinity Designer
We celebrate 200 episodes of our little podcast by talking about 5th anniversary of the death of Macworld Expo and the 10th anniversary of the birth of both the MacBook Air and the iOS App Store. We also talk about connected home speakers and try to make sense of the upcoming Apple HomePod.
LINKSMacworld Expo
MacBook Air
iOS App Store
HomePod
Echo Show
Echo Plus
Echo Spot
Echo
Echo Dot
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Ian: Retro 1951 Tornado Rollerball Pen
We talk about the demise of Transmit iOS, the affect social media and smartphones have on our brains, and the current state of the Kindle ecosystem.
LINKSThe demise of Transmit and the future of pro level iOS apps
Two major Apple shareholders push for study of iPhone addiction in children
Zuckerberg’s Dilemma: When Facebook’s Success Is Bad for Society
Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?
The Committed Episode 5: "Ready? Read. Part 1"
The Committed Episode 6: "Ready? Read. Part 2"
The Kindle Changed the Book Business. Can It Change Books?
The Kindle Moment
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Gorogoa
Kirk: Fools and Mortals
Ian: Artemis
We kick off 2018 with a discussion of Apple's iPhone battery controversy, then go on a bit of a tangent talking about sports (yikes!), and then probably make our British listeners hurt themselves while shaking their heads.
LINKSYes, Apple Is Slowing Down Older Phones a Bit; Here’s Why
Why Apple Is Replacing the Battery on my iPhone SE
A Message to Our Customers about iPhone Batteries and Performance
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Lego Saturn 5 rocket
Kirk: Patum Peperium - The Gentleman’s Relish
Ian: I Am Ozzy
In the final episode of 2017, we talk about music videos, the iMac Pro as a "halo" product, and the fundamental problem with the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar.
LINKSHow to Find and Watch Music Videos on Apple Music
Apple, “Pro,” and Profits
The iMac Pro—and upcoming Mac Pro—are Apple’s ‘halo cars’
The Touch Bar Makes the Mac More Accessible to Me
The fundamental problem with the Touch Bar
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Kirk: Foundation, Peter Ackroyd
Ian: Square Contactless and Chip Reader
We discuss Apple's acquisition of Shazam and what that can mean for the service. Then we talk about Apple's new iMac Pro and who we think it's for.
LINKSiMac Pro
First impressions video
Why Apple Might Want to Buy Shazam
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Sneakers
Kirk: Affinity Photo Workbook
Ian: Sleep++
We discuss Apple's recent software bugs and botched updates. Again.
LINKStvOS 11.2 Introduces HDR and Frame Rate Options to Apple TV 4K and Sports Feature
macOS High Sierra 'root' security bug (which turned off file sharing)
iPhone Dec. 2 bug...so they pushed out iOS 11.2 early
Month 13 is out of bounds
The Calculator bug is not fixed.
PICKS OF THE WEEKRob: Energizer Lithium batteries
Kirk: A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Human Story Retold Through Our Genes [So you’re related to Charlemagne? You and every other living European…]
Ian: Instaread