Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman got the goods on Apple’s WWDC software plans. Highlights include several improvements to Maps that I’m looking forward to. Apple is also improving the Health app, Reminders, adding audio book support to Apple Watch, a standalone app for the Apple Watch App Store on the watch itself, new Watch complications and faces, improved share sheet in iOS, combined Find my Friends and Find My iPhone, improved iMessage, an updated Books app with a reward system, and much more. There’s a ton of information in this piece, and it’s a good read.
The Mac Observer's WWDC 2019 coverage sponsored by:
The Mac – or “Macintosh” if we’re going back to 1984 – is the first computer to effectively market a graphical computer to the masses, all delivered by Apple (or, at the time, Apple Computer).
The Mac has gone through several stages of evolution and iteration since 1984, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Performa, Power Mac (including the G4 Cube!), iBook, and more. It remains one of the most popular computers you’ll see in business, schools, and homes today.
Demystifying Disk Space on your Mac
Dr. Mac says that in his experience, many Mac users do not understand how close to capacity their startup disk is, so he’s here to offer you a quick lesson in disk space.
Wall Street Likes Apple Guidance and iPhone Trade-In Program Results, Sends $AAPL Higher After Hours
Analysts latched on to better-than-expected guidance for the June quarter and comments from Apple that its trade-in program have boosted iPhone sales, sending the stock higher in after hours trading.
5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Mac to an SSD
This was written a few months ago, by the awesome Steve Sande by the way, but is worth discussing.
Chances are good that if you have an older Mac, it has an internal hard disk drive. Today, we’ll look at five reasons why you should update that Mac to an SSD.
SSDs are very affordable nowadays. If your Mac isn’t too old and ready to retire, this upgrade is a good move.
Oprah, Prince Harry, and JJ Abrams on Apple TV+, Ming-Chi Kuo's Mac Predictions, with Charlotte Henry - ACM 509
Queen Oprah and the UK’s Prince Harry are doing a docu-series on mental health for Apple TV+, and Bryan Chaffin is joined by Charlotte Henry to talk about what that says about Apple’s video efforts. Charlotte also brings some across-the-pond context about Prince Harry and the royal family and how this news was greeted in England. They also talk about JJ Abrams saying that working on Apple TV+ was like the Wild West. They cap the show by discussing Ming-Chi Kuo’s most recent Mac predictions.
Buy a New Mac and Migrate Your Data for Free
Now when you buy a new Mac at an Apple Store they will migrate your data over for free. Previously this service cost US$99.
Mac Pro Mockups, State of the CPU, and John's Cable Research, with John Kheit - ACM 508
Some Mac Pro fan mockups have been circulating, and Bryan Chaffin is joined by John Kheit to discuss their pros and cons. And surprise, John Kheit is full of mostly cons, so they also discuss what they think the Mac Pro needs to be awesome. They also discuss the state of the chip industry, Intel’s 56-core Cascade Lake, and Apple’s ARM ambitions for the Mac. They wrap up the show with a look at John’s obsessive research to find the best USB-C cable.
Charlotte's New Mac, Apple Strikes Back at Spotify – TMO Daily Observations 2019-03-15
Host Kelly Guimont chats with Charlotte Henry and Bryan Chaffin about Charlotte’s new Mac, and Apple’s statement regarding Spotify’s claims.
Mac Pricing and Cord Cutting, with Bob LeVitus - ACM 504
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-cohost Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus to examine the ins and outs of Apple’s Mac pricing. It’s no simple issue, and they dig deep into what appears to be Apple’s strategy. They also talk about the realities of cord cutting today, with Bob’s own situation serving as the example scenario.
Apple's Earnings, iPhone Pricing, and Mac Sales, with Jeff Gamet - ACM 499
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.
