The Mac Observer's Daily Observations Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.