A new meme of complaining to mommy Apple that your iPhone is too addictive is gaining momentum amongst a growing bastion of meek minds hiding their own many failings behind their favorite veil of victimhood.
The Path Siri is Taking Towards Human Intelligence. Or Not
Computers are good a generating speech, parsing human speech and minimally translating text. But when will it feel like there’s genuine, human intelligence on the computer’s part?
iPad Rethought. My iPhone X is My New Second Screen
John used to always have his 12.9-inch iPad Pro in his lap while watching TV, but no more. His iPhone X has replaced it.
Like an Elephant, Reminders Never Forgets
Dr. Mac says there are several reasons the Reminders app on macOS, iOS, and watchOS is the near-perfect assistant to his ever aging wetware. Read this week’s Dr. Mac’s Rants & Raves to find out why.
Apple Forced to Host Encryption Keys for Chinese iCloud users on Chinese Servers
It’s the first time Apple has not hosted those keys outside the U.S., and while Apple says those keys are in a secure location and remain under Apple’s control, it’s a slippery slope.
Google Brings Its 'ARCore' to 100 Million Android Devices
This is essentially Google’s answer to Apple’s ARKit, and Bryan Chaffin can’t help but think it illustrates Apple’s advantage and Google’s disadvantages in the smartphone business.
HomePod Will Soon Be Obsolete as Companion Robots Become Popular
Just what exactly is an intelligent speaker? It’s a companion robot that just sits, without mobility. Who wants that?
Family Robot Companions Are Evolving Fast, Will Soon Be Common
John just interviewed a company that’s making a family robot companion, and he sees the future more clearly than ever.
Some Interesting Excerpts from Tim Cook's Fast Company Interview
It’s a wide-ranging interview filled with a mix of marketing speak and genuine insight.
Setapp (Netflix for Mac Apps) Gets Even Better
Dr. Mac likes Setapp—a subscription software service with 100+ (mostly) high-quality Mac apps for $9.99 a month—even better today than last year.
Spotify May Turn to Hardware to Solve Its Platform Problem
Spotify appears to be turning to hardware to solve what Bryan Chaffin calls the Spotify platform problem, and it may be turning to hardware to solve it.
Apple Says iPhone X #1 Smartphone, the Rest of the World Talks about Weak Demand
Bryan Chaffin says he’s a wee bit confused by this story: on the one hand, Apple says iPhone X is the top selling smartphone week in and week out, and on the other, everyone else keeps talking about Apple slashing orders due to “weak demand.”
Twitter Kills Mac Client
In a tweet from @TwitterSupport, the company said Twitter for Mac is no longer available for download starting now, and that it will not supported at all in 30 days, and Bryan Chaffin is cranky as heck about it.
Cryptography Experts Repudiate FBI Director Chris Wray's Call for Backdoor Encryption Access
Triggered by efforts from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to find out if the cryptography community supports FBI Director Christopher Wray’s calls for backdoors into encryption, four cryptography experts signed a letter repudiating those calls, and they did so in a very poignant way.
YouTube TV on Apple TV, a Cord-Cutter's Dream
YouTube TV is a good-looking, national, nicely priced TV subscription service, with only a few minor limitations. And now the app is available for Apple TV. John investigates.
Dr. Mac Weighs the Pros and Cons of Replacing Photoshop
Dr. Mac is looking for a Photoshop replacement that can serve all his image-editing needs at a price he can afford and without monthly payments.
A Geeky Musician's First Weekend with HomePod
Dave Hamilton, self-professed musician and geek, takes us through his first weekend with HomePod, dissecting what it means to him, and what that might (or might not!) mean to you.
Mesh: The Next Generation of Home Wi-Fi
Based on recommendations from friends and colleagues (TMO‘s and Mac Geek Gab’s Dave Hamilton for one), Dr. Mac went with a $399 Eero system consisting of a gateway and a pair of “beacons.”
How Tim Cook and Apple Became Part of the Discussion on the Russian Investigation
Comments both critical and complimentary about Apple and Tim Cook were released in a cache of text messages released by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Fight For Net Neutrality Accelerates, Invokes New Tactics
The recent FCC ruling that undermines the concept of net neutrality isn’t the final say as new political and tactical countermeasures gain momentum.
