There is a long history of tribes discussing, analyzing and, yes, chastising Apple. That’s more true today than it ever has been… or is it? How much of the past reflects in the future? Those very same tribes often talk about Apple’s need to increase the amount of free iCloud storage provided to each user. Are they right? Join TDO today as John Martellaro, Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton discuss!
ACM 387: State of Apple Advertising, Apple's Product Vision
John Kheit joins Bryan Chaffin to discuss the state of Apple’s advertising, including Frankie’s Holiday, Balloons, and Bulbs. Spoiler, John hates them and Bryan thinks they’re lovely. They also talk about Apple’s product vision and the end of AirPort. Another spoiler: John is cranky about that, too.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-30: Offline Netflix and AirPods Alternatives
Netflix is now beginning to allow offline viewing for some content and Tim Cook suggests that he anticipates AirPods will ship in the next few weeks. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Dave Hamilton today to chat through all this… and more, including a few recommendations for AirPods alternatives that you can buy today.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-29: Why the iPhone isn't Made in the US
There’s a call for Apple to bring more of its production into the United States, but will that work for the iPhone? John Martellaro and the Maccast’s Adam Christianson join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on what could be keeping iPhone production in China.
TMO Background Mode: Interview with DynAgility CTO Chuck Shotton
Chuck Shotton may be the CTO of DynAgility today, but he’s legendary in the Apple community for having created the original web server for the Mac back in 1992. That was when technical pros were working with the private Internet, years before it went public. The equally legendary Peter Lewis delivered an FTP server, so Chuck took a week and put together a free web server, MacHTTP 0.1 for System 7. Quickly, he had a maling list near 100,000. In 1993, more refined, MacHTTP became shareware, and Chuck’s mailbox was overflowing with money, more than his day job. Join me and listen as Chuck tells the awesome story of his career, MacHTTP, and his decision to release a brand new version for macOS Sierra! A student’s dream come true.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-28: 2017 iPhone Design Changes, Calendar Invitation Spam
Apple may have some big changes in store for the 2017 iPhone model. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to offer up their thoughts on a 3D camera, thinner display bezel, and removing the Home button, plus Bryan has a tip on dealing with spam invitations in the Calendar app.
Deep Dive: How to Choose a Router in 2016? – Mac Geek Gab 633
This week we answer all your questions and queries about which router you should buy and how to go about deciding this for yourself. Standalone vs. mesh, eero vs. Orbi, 2×2 vs 4×4, we cover it all. After listening to this episode you’ll have both the information and even some deals to be able to make your choice and know you’ve got the right Wi-Fi for your home.
ACM 386: Apple's Lackluster 2016, Mac Automation, and Black Friday
Apple released only 13 new products in 2016, an embarrassing lack of riches. Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss what this might mean. They also talk about the future of automation on the Mac, as well as the return of Apple’s Black Friday sale. Does Apple feel the need to goose sales for the December quarter?
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-23: Apple's Automation Plans, Thanksgiving Tech Tips
Apple’s Craig Federighi says the company isn’t abandoning automation tools on the Mac, but the way he said it wasn’t reassuring. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on what’s in store for system-level Mac automation tools, plus Kelly has some tips for helping our less tech-savvy family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-22: Listener Comments on Apple's WiFi Plans
Yesterday’s show about Apple dissolving its wireless networking team got lots of comments and questions from listeners, so today Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to offer up their responses to your reactions, and share their thoughts on your questions.
TMO Background Mode: Interview with the Founder of olloclip Patrick O'Neil
Patrick O’Neil grew up in a family of photographers, and so designing a portable, add-on lens set for the iPhone was a natural thing to do. It all started as a Kickstarter project over five years ago at his kitchen table. Immediately successful with the iPhone 4, Patrick, along with his partner, was able to launch the olloclip company and has built these amazing lens kits ever since. The olloclip lens system is designed to have different creative options in your pocket: macro, fisheye, wide-angle or telephoto. We talked about the optics and engineering of these lenses, the mobility emphasis, keeping up with Apple’s changes, and how the product has evolved. Here’s Patrick’s story: from kitchen table to a company with almost 50 people readying the new lenses for the iPhone 7 and (joy!) the 7 Plus.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-21: Farewell AirPort Extreme, MacBook Pro Touch Bar First Impressions
Apple’s wireless routers look like they’re headed down the same path as the now defunct Thunderbolt Display. Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at the state of Apple’s WiFi router lineup, and explain why they think it’s fine the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule are heading out to pasture. They also offer up their thoughts on the new Retina MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
MGG 632: The Truth and Its Relatives
Your questions answered, including those about Sierra’s keyboard viewer, recommended OS and RAM configurations for older (and newer!) Macs, Stopping apps from launching on login, finding photos on your iPhone, Bluetooth interference and more. Then it’s Cool Stuff Found and some tips. How can you go wrong? By NOT downloading this episode.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-18: Apple's Bulbs and Listener Email on Apple TV
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro talk about Apple’s new Bulbs commercial for MacBook Pro, a spot centered around big ideas. They also take in some listener email about whether or not 4K TV is really something Apple should be worried about on Apple TV.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-17: Goodbye AppleScript, Apple Axes Sal Soghoian
Apple’s Product Manager of Automation Technologies Sal Soghoian is out of a job, and that doesn’t bode well for the future of AppleScript and Automator. Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to talk about what’s likely in store for automation on the Mac, the impact that’s going to have on pro users, and Sal’s efforts to keep automation tools alive.
ACM 385: Apple Coffee Table Book and Design Run Amok
Apple has a new coffee table book out called Designed by Apple in California. Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host John Kheit to talk about it. Spoiler: Bryan likes it and John sees it as a sign of Apple having lost the plot. They also discuss the idea that design has run amok at Apple, starting with the idea that Jony Ive needed Steve Jobs as a counter balance.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-16: Why is $feature Missing from Apple TV?
Today it’s time to look at Apple TV and ask one tough question: why don’t we get $feature on Apple TV? Good thing we’re geeks and we understand variables, too, because for this episode $feature = array(“4K Output”,”Amazon Prime Video”,”Netflix Inside of TV App”); Listen and hear what John and Dave have to say about all this… then send us your feedback and let us know!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-15: Apple's Coffee Table Book, HP's Campaign to Win Mac Users
Apple has a new product out. It comes in two sizes, small and large, at $199 and $299, respectively. And it’s a coffee table book. Bryan Chaffin, Dave Hamilton, and John Martellaro discuss the book and ask if it’s a sign that Apple has lost sight of the game. They also discuss HP’s new Z2 Mini and that company’s efforts to lure Mac users to the world of Windows.
TMO Background Mode: Interview with Creator & Host of The MacCast Podcast Adam Christianson
Adam Christianson is the creator and host of the acclaimed MacCast podcast. Adam is also the very awesome webmaster for The Mac Observer. However, Adam didn’t start out in high tech. At an early age, he wanted to become a cartoonist, inspired by Garfield’s creator Jim Davis. In high school, somewhat wiser, he transitioned to graphic design. Later, Adam attended Cal Poly which has a fabulous art and graphics design program. Early in his career, Adam gained experience in eCommerce and web mastering with Upper Deck, Corp. learning HTML, Perl, CGI forms, Visual BASIC and C#. However, by 2004, he’d discovered that his true love was tech talk and podcasting, and The MacCast was born. Adam was able to use his career skills to follow his dream, and he’s still living it today.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-14: Samsung Buying Harman, HomeKit Security, AT&T Stream Saver
Samsung is buying audio company Harman and it may be in part to compete with Apple’s CarPlay. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at Samsung’s motives, plus Dave explains HomeKit’s security versus other Internet of Things devices, and they take a look at AT&T’s Stream Saver.
MGG 631: The Odd Couple Episode
We asked, you shared your top Mac apps, we share them back! Some great additions in the list here, too. Some mutual favorites and some surprises. Listen to hear if yours made the list! Then it’s on to discussion about trackpad scrolling, iOS Mail swiping, ripping movies (with subtitles!) and more. Download, listen and… enjoy!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-11: Interview with TMO's Bryan Chaffin
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today TMO’s own Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to talk about his experiences writing fiction, the evolution of his novel, and finding a publishing agent.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-10: Interview with Amy Gahran
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today author and journalist Amy Gahran joins Jeff Gamet to talk about how her books took her deep into research, self publishing, and more.
ACM 384: Demand for iPhone 7 Plus, AWS2, MacBook Pro
John Kheit guests with Bryan Chaffin to talk about demand for iPhone 7 Plus, for which wait times are still 3-4 weeks. Apple Watch Series 2 has 2-3 week wait times, and MacBook Pros seem to be flying off the shelves. Join them while they explore these topics.