It’s time to break down Apple’s earnings, and Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host Jeff Gamet to do just that. They also discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs, and even some sideways aspects of Apple’s iPhone strategy. They cap the show with a look at Apple’s one weird trick of goosing Mac sales, which is to release new Macs.
Expensive Apple Hardware Isn't New. Remember the Lisa?
The 2018 iPhones were fairly expensive, and this isn’t a new Apple strategy. The company has been down this road before with the Lisa computer.
Named for Saint Steve’s daughter, the Lisa project kicked off in 1978, finally making an appearance on 19 January 1983. It was pitched as a graphical competitor to the tiresome text-based computers dominating the marketplace.
Aside from all the snark the author pumped into the article, it’s a nice blast from the past. As Battlestar Galactica says, “All of this has happened before and all of this will happen again.”
Cricut, Rocket Book, and Setapp, with Bob LeVitus - ACM 497
In this episode, Bob LeVitus tells Bryan Chaffin all about the Cricut. This thing can cut 150 different substances, draw, write, and like I said, even sew. And you can control it from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. They also discuss Rocket Book, which is part reusable paper (you can erase it!) and part app-based service that will scan what you write and draw and convert text with OCR. They cap the show with a look at Setapp and why they think this multi-app service for the Mac is great.
Will Apple Focus on Innovating and What Would Mac Spinoff Look Like, with John Kheit - ACM 495
Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit chew on Apple’s rare guidance warning like the mangy junk yard dogs that they are. They also discuss innovation, scale, how a giant Apple should be structured, and what a Macintosh, Inc. spinoff might look like. It’s a rollicking episode, and you’re cordially invited to listen in!
Apple Needs to Expand Its Product Grid to Include an Edition Category
Designers would win by being able to make more focused and less compromised designs; consumers would win with more choices; Apple would win with greater focused products, more revenue, better margins, and better market share.
Happy Birthday to Us! TMO Turns 20 Today
On December 28th, 1998, Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin relaunched “Webintosh” as The Mac Observer, and Bryan runs through some highlights from the last 20 years.
The Pornification of Software and Grading Apple's 2018 Products with John Kheit - ACM 494
Bryan Chaffin is joined by John Kheit to discuss what Mr. Kheit calls the pornification of software. They also look back at and grade Apple’s new product releases in 2018. It being these two, they are surprisingly upbeat, while still being cranky as can be.
Apple Updates Mojave to macOS 10.14.2
macOS Mojave 10.14.2 includes support for RTT (real-time text) for Wi-Fi calling, makes it easier to move a story from the Apple News app to Safari, and fixes an AirPlay bug involving third-party speakers.
Using iPad, Apple Original TV Shows, and Macs with Jim Dalrymple: ACM 490
Bryan Chaffin and guest-host Jim Dalrymple talk about how they use their iPads, and it turns out they’re pretty different use cases. They try to talk about where Apple TV might go but venture into a much deeper conversation about Apple’s original TV shows and videos. Spoiler: one of them is a pessimist. They close the show by examining the state of the Mac. Another spoiler: one of them is a pessimist!
iPad Pro and a Proper Keyboard, Your iPad as a 2nd Mac Screen - ACM 489
Bryan Chaffin is joined by Bob LeVitus to discuss the iPad Pro, whether it can replace a Mac, and the importance of having a quality keyboard. They also talk about two ways Bob has been testing for using your iPad as a second Mac display, which is way cool.
Apple's Black Friday Is Here and Mostly Ho-Hum
Apple has never been big on sales, but there’s something about making everything but the newest models eligible for gift cards extra insulting.
Apple RAM and SSD Prices, Apple's Pipeline, the Future of iOS - ACM 488
Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host John Kheit, who has a bee in his bonnet about Apple’s upgrade pricing for RAM and storage on the new Mac mini and MacBook Air models. They also discuss whether or not Apple actually has a “deep pipeline,” as well features they’d like to see come to iOS in the future.
Evernote Launches Dark Mode for iOS and Mac
Evernote has launched a new dark mode for its popular note-taking application. Mac and iOS users can now switch between the standard UI (“Light”) and a new, darker Note UI (“Dark Mode”). The idea is to help users in a variety of circumstances, whether they who work late, suffer from migraines or benefit from a darker screen for other accessibility reasons.
You Can Now Buy a 15-Inch MacBook Pro with Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options
Space Gray 15-inch MacBook Pros with a Radeon Vega graphics are now available to purchase on the Apple Store. Users can choose from Radeon Pro 560x, Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Radeon Pro Vega 20 options. The Pro Vega 16 will add $250 to the cost of the machine, while the Pro Vega 20 options will add $350. Apple announced the introduction of the Radeon graphics following its October 30th ‘There’s More in the Making’ event.
macOS: How to Resolve Permissions Problems after a Mac Migration
If your new computer isn’t working correctly after you migrate your data—especially if you’re getting weird permissions issues or the “macOS needs to repair your Library” error—then come check out today’s Quick Tip! We’ve got all kinds of resources and tricks for you.
Three Quick Reminders Tips!
Reminders—available both on the Mac and on iOS devices—is one of Apple’s simplest apps, but it’s also one of the most useful. In today’s Quick Tip, Melissa Holt’s going to give us a few of her favorite tricks on using it!
Pixel Starships for the Mac
Whilst procrastinating and surfing through the app store on my MacBook Pro I came across a new game Pixel Starships made by Savvy Soda. Unable to resist anything that is a) space b) pixellated and silly, I immediately downloaded. The premise is simple. You are the captain of a starship and you must conduct missions, earning rewards and building your ship and crew as you go. Pixel Starships is fun, silly and totally addictive. If you spent hours playing Clash of Clans or similar on your phone, you will enjoy this. Available in the Mac App Store for free (with in-app-purchases).
Apple Hampers Mac App Store Discoverability by Removing Several Categories
Apple removed several app categories from its Mac App Store, potentially hampering discoverability for users and developers.
Apple to Stop Revealing iPhone, iPad, Mac Unit Sales Numbers
Apple isn’t going to share quarterly unit sales numbers for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac starting with its first fiscal quarter of 2019.
Apple Breaks Records Again with $62.9B Revenue for Q4 2018
Apple reported $62.9 billion in revenue for its fourth fiscal quarter of 2018 with 46.89 million iPhones sold.
