Ebook sales are down, tablet and ebook reader sales are down, and there may be a correlation. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the state of ebook sales, plus they weigh in on an Apple patent for an Apple Watch battery wristband.
The Mac Observer's Daily Observations Podcast
Join Ken Ray each weekday as he assembles a panel of TMO staffers and contributors to talk through the iPhone and other Apple stories and news of the day. Quick, informative, and entertaining. Make Daily Observations a part of your day!
Episodes
The iPhone's Future, Prince and Streaming Music - TMO Daily Observations 2017-02-01
Apple made truck loads of money during its first fiscal quarter for 2017, but that wasn’t the only news from yesterday’s earning report. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Tim Cook saying the iPhone hasn’t reached maturity yet, plus they look at the news that Prince’s music is coming to Apple Music.
Apple and Worker Visas, HomeKit Falls Behind in the Smarthome Game - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-31
Work Visas for the tech industry may be changing thanks to an executive order that’s said to be coming from the White House. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the draft order and the impact it could have on Apple and other Silicon Valley companies. They also have some thoughts on the rapidly changing smart home market and Apple’s apparent lagging position.
Goodbye iPhone Activation Lock Checker, Presidential Immigration Ban and Apple - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-30
Apple shut down its iPhone Activation Lock Status checker without any explanation, which raises a few questions. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at what may be behind Apple’s decision, plus they look at what impact the presidentail executive order banning immigration from certain countries could have on Silicon Valley companies such as Apple.
Apple's Clean Energy Efforts, Partnership on AI - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-27
Apple is expanding its solar farms, and that’s a good sign for clean energy in the United States, according to John Martellaro. He joins Jeff Gamet to explain how Apple is setting an example for other companies, plus they look at Apple’s just announced involvement in the Partnership on AI.
Making iPhones in the US, APFS Comes to iOS 10.3 - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-26
There’s pressure for Apple to bring iPhone production into the United States, but is it practical? Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at what it would take for Apple to set up an iPhone factory in the states, plus they dive into Apple’s APFS system that’s coming to iOS 10.3 and eventually macOS, too.
2016 Mac Sales, Developers and App Store Reviews - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-25
Mac sales were down in 2016, and John Martellaro has some perspective on those numbers. John, along with Kelly Guimont, joins Jeff Gamet to look at Mac sales from last year, plus they have some thoughts on Apple finally letting developers respond to App Store comments.
iPhone 8 and Contactless Charging - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-24
It’s looking like Apple is moving away from plug-it-in-to-charge for the iPhone 8. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at what technology Apple could use for that, and they dive into benefits and safety concerns of wire-free radio wave charging options from Energous.
Sprint's Tidal Purchase, Apple Watch as a Medical Sensor - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-23
Sprint now owns 33% of Tidal, and its cell service subscribers are going to get some exclusive content out of the deal. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to sort out what the deal means, plus John explains how our Apple Watches could eventually become our personal medical monitors.
Apple's OS Strategy, Netflix on the TV App - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-20
It’s time for Apple to rethink it’s operating system strategy, according to TMO’s own John Martellaro. John, along with Dave Hamilton, join Jeff Gamet today to talk about how Apple could look at its mobile and desktop operating systems in the future, plus they share their thoughts on Netflix’s feeble showing in the TV app.
State of the App Store, Net Neutrality - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-19
How we use iPhone apps and Apple’s App Store has changed over the years, so today John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to look at the impact that’s had on their app choices. They also share their thoughts on the possibility of the end of net neutrality in the U.S.
Verizon Nabs Note 7 Calls, Goodbye AT&T 2G - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-18
Still using a Galaxy Note 7? Verizon is getting agressive about trying to stop you. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Verizon intercepting Galaxy Note 7 calls, plus they look at AT&T shutting down their 2G wireless network.
Vine's Demise, Avoiding Weak Passwords - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-17
The video sharing social network Vine shut down today, and is being reborn as a Twitter feature. Bryan Chaffin and the Maccast’s Adam Christianson join Jeff Gamet to look at the state of social networks, plus they dive into the importance of strong passwords.
Listener Comments on Consumer Reports, Apple Music Goes Pop Culture - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-16
TDO listeners have plenty to say about how Consumer Reports rates laptops, so today dive into their comments. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to respond to listener comments, plus they share their thoughts on Apple Music becoming a pop culture nexus.
Consumer Reports Loves the Mac Again, Bigger Apple TV Apps - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-13
Consumer Reports changed its tune and now recommends Apple’s new Touch Bar MacBook Pro. John Martellaro joins Jeff Gamet to debate whether or not we should trust Consumer Reports computer reviews, plus they share their thoughts on the big app size increase for Apple TV.
Apple's TV Series Hunt, Pennies in Macs - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-12
Apple is out shopping for original TV shows for Apple Music, so John Martellaro joins Jeff Gamet to talk about what impact that’s going to have on the company. They also talk about the future of Apple TV, mysterious coins showing up inside some Macs.
Apple Loses More Key Employees, Killing Unlimited Data Plans - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-11
Apple keeps losing key people to other companies, most recently Tesla. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at whether or not Apple’s employees leaving is a sign the company has lost focus, plus they have some thoughts on AT&T and Verizon pushing more customers out of unlimited data plans.
CES 2017 Smart Home, IoT, More - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-10
Dave Hamilton joins Jeff Gamet to talk about the smart home and IoT gear they saw at CES 2017. They also dive into storage and smart fitness tech, too.
CES 2017 Wrap Up - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-09
With CES 2017 behind us, Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about what stood out for them. They look at health and fitness, televisions, and more.
CES 2017 Wireless Earpods and Drone Blocking - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-06
ShowStoppers at CES 2017 had loads of cool tech, which means there’s more for Dave Hamilton, Bryan Chaffin, and John F. Braun to share with Jeff Gamet. They look at wireless earpods, drone and cellphone blocking, and smart lights.
CES 2017 Wireless Charging, Sober Sensors, and More - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-05
Pepcom at CES 2017 was packed with cool tech gear, so Dave Hamilton, Bryan Chaffin, and John F. Braun join Jeff Gamet look at some of the products they liked. There’s an Apple Watch band that knows if you’re drunk, ubiquitous wireless charging, and more.
CES 2017 Smart Remotes, Mesh Networks, and More - TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-04
CES 2017’s Unveiled event was last night and we saw loads of interesting new products. Dave Hamilton, Bryan Chaffin, and John F. Braun join Jeff Gamet share some of the cool tech gear they found ranging from smart remotes for home entertainment systems to new wireless mesh network basestations.
CES 2017 Expectations and Predictions- TMO Daily Observations 2017-01-03
CES 2017 is kicking off, so today Kelly Guimont joins Jeff Gamet talk about what they expect to be the big product categories at this year’s events. Be sure to follow along all week for The Mac Observer’s on-location coverage.
Apple's Unused Patent Lawsuit, Twitter Features We Want - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-30
Apple has a patent for blocking iPhone features while driving, but isn’t using it. Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet look at how that landed Apple in a lawsuit related to a tragic car wreck, plus they share their most wanted Twitter feature.