Every time your two favorite geeks get together, something interesting happens: everyone learns at least five (5!) new things. This week’s topics include two very specific features of APFS (a pro and a con), noise-canceling headphones for travel, a solution to drives not appearing on your Desktop, some Cool Stuff Found, and much, much more. Press play or download and enjoy!
TMO Background Mode Special Edition Chat with Kelly Guimont: TV Mysteries
Kelly Guimont is a Contributing Editor for The Mac Observer and Social Media Manager for Smile Software. She first appeared here in December, 2015 to tell her career story and has returned several times for interesting technical discussions. In this special edition, we chat about our favorite movie or two, and how, for some movies, the music has become a thing in itself, the soundtrack of our lives. Then we delved into the legendary BBC/CBC mysteries: Foyle’s War, Murdoch Mysteries, Shetland, Death in Paradise, and Broadchurch. For most of these mysteries, we look at their celebration of place that becomes an integral part of the show. Join us as we explore together what makes these shows so cool.
Bryan's Whole Home Listening Concept for Siri - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-30
Bryan Chaffin and the Maccast’s Adam Christianson join Jeff Gamet to talk about Bryan’s vision for whole home listening for voice assistants and why an iPhone in our pocket doesn’t count.
Under the Hood with iPhone Cellular Data, Uninterrupted Power Supplies - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-27
Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to go under the hood with iPhone cellular data management along with uninterrupted power supplies, or UPS, for our computers.
AI Limitations, iMac Pro Kernel Panic Problem, Bryan’s HomePod Experiment - ACM 472
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss the current limitations of AI, and what real AI in the future might be like. They also talk about Apple’s T2 kernel panic issue and follow up on Bryan’s dual-HomePod TV experiment.
Tim Cook's Leadership Cred, Goodbye Kuri Robot - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-26
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to look at how Tim Cook is perceived as a CEO and leader, plus they share their thoughts on the demise of the Kuri robot.
Core i9 MacBook Pro Fix, How to Hook Us on Apple's TV Shows - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-25
Kelly Guimont, John Martellaro and Jeff Gamet dive into Apple’s software fix for the MacBook Pro Core i9 throttling problem, plus Kelly may have figured out Apple’s strategy for drawing us in to its own original TV shows.
Apple Watch Series 4 Feature Wish List, Bluetooth Security Flaw - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-24
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about what they’d like—and expect—to see in Apple Watch Series 4, plus they have a PSA about a just announced Bluetooth security flaw.
Scanning, OCR, Travel Phone Cases, and the Best Portable Computer – Mac Geek Gab 719
Back from their adventures, John and Dave talk through some travel-related tips, including the best iPhone case to use when on the road and the best mobile computer for you. That’s not all, though, as this week’s episode also includes segments about sharing to an older TV, resolving slow computers, and lots of great OCR solutions for both your Mac and your iPhone. Download, press play, and enjoy!
TMO Background Mode Interview with Novelist and Freelance Tech Writer Dan Moren
Dan Moren is a novelist, freelance tech writer and prolific podcaster. He’s written for Tidbits, Fast Company, Popular Science, Yahoo Tech, and Tom’s Guide. He was a senior editor at Macworld for many years and continues to write the excellent Stay Foolish column there every Friday. Today he also writes for Six Colors and hosts severable popular podcasts, including Clockwise and Inconceivable! We chatted about his years before Macworld and how he launched his career by writing about Star Wars for a newspaper (most interesting) and later bumped into Jason Snell at a Macworld Expo. Dan told me the story about the development of his SciFi novel, his favorite Mac and his favorite writing tools for both fiction and tech. Finally, Dan briefed me on the many different podcasts he hosts.
New HomePod Features, Understanding MacBook Pro Throttling - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-23
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on reported features coming in HomePod OS 12, plus John explains why some people are overreacting to processor throttling in the i9 Touch Bar MacBook Pro.
Chinese iPhone Knock-off, App Users and Subscription Pricing - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-20
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at a knock-off iPhone from China, plus they discuss app pricing and the issues users have with subscription models.
Siri's Tom Gruber Leaves Apple, Strong Password PSA - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-19
Bryan Chaffin and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Siri co-founder Tom Gruber leaving Apple, plus they explain why strong passwords are so important.
Apple Interface Consistency, Storage Permutations, Walmart Streaming Video - ACM 471
In this age of different devices and platforms, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about the lack of consistency in Apple’s interfaces compared to the days when “Apple” meant “Mac.” They also go over some listener feedback (read criticism) about their rant last week on Apple’s storage pricing for new MacBook Pro models. Lastly, they discuss whether not Walmart can make a go in the streaming video market, and how that might actually work.
Core i9 MacBook Pro Throttling, When to Buy a New Mac - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-18
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at a report saying the Core i9 MacBook Pro is hobbled by thermal throttling, plus John explains how to better predict when Apple is about to release new Macs.
Apple's New AI Boss, Leaked iPhone Glass Photo - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-17
Adam Christianson from the Maccast and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s AI boss John Giannandrea, plus they share their thoughts on a leaked photo showing the next iPhone’s glass front.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Amateur Astronomer Mike Weasner
Mike Weasner is a noted amateur astronomer, known for his book on the Meade ETX telescopes, early iPhone astrophotography and work with the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in Arizona. Very early in life, Mike fell in love with astronomy, and that led to a B.S. in astrophysics. Via ROTC, Mike later joined the United States Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot (A-7D), instructor (T-38), and a manager in the Air Force’s Space Shuttle Program Office. After his USAF duty, Mike spent 23 years as a program manager with TRW/Northrop Grumman. We chatted about his Air Force days and some interesting flight experiences. In the second segment, we talked about the construction of his observatory, evolution of his telescopes, astrophotography of asteroids, supernovae patrol and his work with the IDA.
MacBook Pro Keyboards, Laptop Reviews - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-16
John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at the changes in Apple’s new Touch Bar MacBook Pro keyboard, plus they discuss a MacBook Pro review from a scientific perspective.
Deep Dives: Photos, NAS, & Backups – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 718
Sometimes it’s time for a deep dive. Today it’s time for three! Listen as your two favorite geeks dive into Photos, NAS (Synology… and more!), and Backups.
The Mac mini Refresh Dream, Looking Towards ARM-based Macs - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-13
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to debate what Apple could do with a Mac mini refresh versus what they’re likely to do, plus Jeff warms up to the idea of an ARM-based Mac.
New MacBook Pro Love (Mostly) and FCC Reaches for New Low - ACM 470
Apple announced new MacBook Pros, and Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about what they like (processors and RAM) and what they don’t like (pricing on storage). They also dig into FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s efforts to reach for a new low.
New Touch Bar MacBook Pro - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-12
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to share their first reactions to Apple’s just announced Touch Bar MacBook Pro refresh.
Apple's Relationship with AgileBits, iPad as a Mac Replacement - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-11
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the impact Apple’s mass 1Password license purchase will have on AgileBits, plus they debate if the iPad can be a Mac replacement for most people.
Redesigning the World Wide Web, Hacking USB Restricted Mode - TMO Daily Observations 2018-07-10
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about Tim Berners-Lee’s push to make a new world wide web, plus look at a report saying there’s an easy workaround to iOS 11.4.1’s USB Restricted Mode.