Chris Matthews is the VP of Marketing for Mayfield Robotics. They make the companion robot called Kuri that was recently shown to our Jeff Gamet at CES 2018. Having been a very interested observer of emerging robot technology, I invited Chris to be on the show. We talked about how Mayfield Robotics was formed, the founders, how the company got its name, the human and engineering design principles behind Kuri, what mistakes were avoided, how Kuri protects family privacy and security, the nuances of Kuri’s physical design, how Kuri communicates with the family, its processing power, the price and the shipping status. Kuri is probably going to be my first family robot, so tune-in as Chris explains how Kuri works in fascinating detail. You may want one too.
John Martellaro
John Martellaro was born at an early age and began writing about computers soon after that. With degrees in astrophysics (B.S.) and physics (M.S.), he has worked for NASA, White Sands Missile Range, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Apple. At Apple he worked as a Senior Marketing Manager, a Federal Account Executive and a High Performance Computing manager. His interests include chess, science fiction and astronomy. John is the host of the TMO podcast Background Mode.
Articles by John Martellaro
iOS 11: How to Save a Webpage as PDF & Store in Files App
In iOS 11, John shows how to create a PDF of a webpage, save it in Files, rename it and delete it.
Track the Position of Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster with Starman
Ben Pearson, an electrical engineer by training, has put together a website that tracks the Tesla Roadster that the SpaceX Falcon Heavy put into orbit around the sun. His website scripts extract data from from JPL Horizons to provide continuous updates on the position of Roadster’s passenger Starman. Check it out.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Axios Energy & Climate Reporter Amy Harder
Amy Harder covers energy and climate change for Axios. She writes a weekly column called the Harder Line that reports on trends, has exclusive scoops and analyzes the news driving the debate about energy and climate. Her coverage includes congressional legislation, regulations, lobbying, and international policy actions affecting the United States. Amy holds a B.A. in Journalism with honors. In our interview, I asked Amy about some of the most important issues of her coverage: what is “clean coal,” how does global warming affect climate, do all conservatives deny global warming, what is a good website for scientific information, what is her workday like, and what could scientists do to better to communicate with the public? Come meet and listen to the reporter who has a terrific grasp of these important topics.
Consumer Reports Finds Security Problems in Some Smart TVs
Consumer Reports says: Samsung and Roku Smart TVs Vulnerable to Hacking. Read what you can do to secure your TV.
What Would it Be Like to Go Back to macOS Snow Leopard?
Some have fond remembrances of the halcyon days of Mac OS X Snow Leopard. But what would it really be like to go back to this venerable OS?
TMO Background Mode Interview with Legislative Counsel for the EFF Ernesto Falcon
Ernesto Falcon is Legislative Counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). His primary focus is on intellectual property and open internet issues. Ernesto and I chatted about the key issues surrounding net neutrality, the stakes for business and consumers, how the FCC’s recent ruling might be combatted, ongoing legal efforts to restore net neutrality, the key players, potential legislation, and what consumers can do to help. But before we got into all that, Ernesto talked about how he became an attorney and his experiences leading up to joining the EFF. For example, during his tenure, Public Knowledge and the EFF scored a major victory for consumers by rallying the Internet community to defeat the SOPA act. Ernesto fills in a lot of important details in the fight for net neutrality that you’ll want to hear.
Reviewing the Apple HomePod on a Personal Basis Doesn't Work
Reviewing the new Apple HomePod on a very personal basis instead of thinking about what it’s designed to be for the customer is destined for difficulties.
Apple's Product Line is Complex. And it's Perfect
Some might insist that Apple’s product line has become bloated. Actually, it’s perfect.
Holy &#^%, BBEdit Went 64-Bit!
The legendary macOS text editor from Bare Bones Software, BBEdit, is now a 64-bit application.
Apple is Dumbing Down macOS Server. That's Bad News
If a company is going to be a player in the major OS market, it has to fight hard in the trenches and learn. It has to walk the walk of the highest levels of OS security and performance.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Architosh Founder & EIC Anthony Frausto-Robledo
Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, LEED AP is a practicing architect and the founder and editor of the award-winning Architosh.com website. Educated in Boston, he has been an architectural professional for over 30 years and was a senior designer with the distinguished Boston architectural firm Koetter Kim & Associates before launching his web consultancy, BritasMedia. Anthony and I chatted about Apple’s ups and downs with technical professionals, his creation of architosh.com, the state of architecture app support on the Mac, what kind of system the pros need, and what might be in store for the 2018 Mac Pro. Even if you’re not a architect, you’ll find Anthony’s perspectives interesting and informed.
Here's What's Coming in The Next Version of macOS
June’s WWDC is not far away, so it’s not too early to start talking about what Apple may have in store for the next version of macOS.
How to Sign Up for Apple's tvOS Public Betas
Apple makes it easy to sign up for public betas, separately, on macOS, iOS, and tvOS. John shows how to do it for tvOS.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Tech.pinions Technical Journalist John Kirk
John Kirk is a former trial attorney, financial advisor and business coach. About a decade ago, he burst on the scene with the most delightful, literary, and informed opinions and analysis of Apple, its foundations, customer approach, and products. His writing became legendary for its literary references and his ability to punch through to the real heart of all Apple matters. We chatted about how he first embraced the Mac, successfully used the Mac in his law practice, earned his gig at techpinions.com, and why some observers of Apple go wrong. We also delved into the psychology of consumer choice, Apple being back on track with the Mac, how Apple embraces the future, what it choses to leave behind, design issues related to future Macs, and the legacy of Steve Jobs.
Apple's HomePod: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The spectrum of reactions to the new HomePod ranges from “superbly Apple,” to “Doesn’t stand a chance.” Friday’s Particle Debris points to three articles that span the expected range of media coverage. Pick your favorite.
Apple's tvOS 11.3 Will Support Dolby Vision on Sony 4K/UHD TVs
It’s being reported by those who have installed the first beta of tvOS 11.3 that it supports Dolby Vision on specific Sony 4K/UHD TVs.
TMO Background Mode Interview with WUOT Morning Radio Host Victor Agreda
Victor Agreda is a freelance voice actor, WUOT (Knoxville) Radio Morning Edition Host, and former Editor-in-Chief of The Unofficial Apple Weblog, affectionately known as “TUAW.” Early on, as a student at the University of Tennessee, he had an equal interest in English and electrical & computer engineering. By and by, he discovered that writing and journalism were what he was really good at. And yet, thanks to his engineering background, his first job out of college was as a Webmaster. We chatted about how he’s done stand-up comedy, founded Superpixels Studios, does voiced acting, does puppeteering, became the E-i-C of TUAW, worked with Angry Dad Gamer on YouTube, and finally, how he landed the job as a NPR Morning Edition host. Victor is a fascinating, delightful fellow to listen to.
![Apple TV 4K Users Won’t Be Happy With Sony’s Dolby Vision TV Update [UPDATE]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A1E-1200w.jpg)
Apple TV 4K Users Won't Be Happy With Sony's Dolby Vision TV Update [UPDATE]
On Wednesday, Sony rolled out a software update for its most advanced UHD TVs that support Dolby Vision. Except the Dolby Vision portion caused an uproar.
Post CES 2018 Update on the State of 4K/UHD HDR Formats
The 4K/UHD HDR standards are in place, and Apple TV 4K honors the most important ones. But there are a few wrinkles to be aware of.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Asst. Dir. of Operations at NWRDC John Welch
John Welch is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Northwest Regional Data Center at Florida State University. Over the last 30 years, he’s become an expert Mac IT administrator, using UNIX systems and the UNIX-based Mac to work with them. He’s worked for the military, major businesses and several universities such as MIT and FSU. John told me about the incredibly serendipitous events that led to each of his many IT jobs. In the second segment, we chatted about macOS server, Apple in the enterprise (Apple’s approach and strengths), and perspectives on the recent High Sierra root access security snafu in light of several other historical Mac events that he lived through. John also provided his insights about the new, amazing iMac Pro. His deep experience with Macs makes for great listening.
The Odd Thing Apple Does with Apple TV 4K in Several Stores
Apple is doing something unexpected with its Apple TV 4K demos in several of its Denver Metro retail stores.
Powerful Forces Ready to Fight For Net Neutrality
Powerful forces are lining up to fight the undermining of Net Neutrality. Particle Debris page #2 points to major articles that bring us up to date.
TMO Background Mode Special Edition #3 With Former Apple Executive Michael Gartenberg
Michael Gartenberg spent three years as Apple’s Senior Director of Product Marketing, reporting directly to Senior VP Phil Schiller. In this very special edition, Michael and I chat about what we think Apple will ship in 2018. We go from certain, HomePod, to very speculative, a new Mac mini, and everything in between. iPhone 11? iPhone 9? Coffee Lake MacBook Pros? At the end of the show we also offer up some fantasies about what we’d personally like Apple to do.