If you thought it was bad when Apple added two more ad slots to the App Store, hold Apple’s beer. A slew of ads for gambling apps almost make the ad slot additions forgettable. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to discuss that. Plus – Nick and Ken talk about how Apple is learning from accidental Emergency SOS notifications.
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New Earnings and Old Controllers
Sizing up phone sales, prepping for an earnings report, and again with all the OS betas. All that and more from today’s Observation Deck.
Considering a Post-Hardware Apple - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-26
Mac Geek Gab co-host Dave Hamilton and Ken discuss the possibility of a post-hardware Apple. Plus, Dave’s been spending time in macOS Ventura – he’ll tell us what he’s seen and what to consider when considering an update.
Now How Much Would You Pay? - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-25
Apple has raised the price on Apple Music, Apple TV+, and the Apple One bundles. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk about why now may not have been the best time for that. Plus – U2 frontman Bono spills the beans on the gift of music many iPhone owners did not want.
But First, a Word from More Sponsors - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-24
Jeff Butts, Managing Editor of The Mac Observer, has been playing with the new operating systems due out today. He hips us to a few new features. But first, Jeff and Ken discuss the two new ad slots Apple’s opening in the App Store.
Plenty of iPads to Go Around
Turns out there are still plenty of iPads, updated operating systems approach, more Apple TV goodness and the icky state of smartphones.
TV Party Tonight! TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-21
Netflix is letting/asking/forcing(?) folks who are “sharing” accounts to move to accounts of their own. TMO writer Nick deCourville fills us in. Plus, Nick and Ken offer three picks each for titles you need to see on Apple TV+.
iPads and Apple TVs: Confusion for 2022 - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-20
Apple on Tuesday hit the world with new iPads, new iPad Pros, and new Apple TV 4Ks. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk confusion and consternation around choices Apple made.
A New, Confusing iPad Lineup; Confounding Apple TV Specs; and More on iPhone Production
New iPads, Apple TVs to confound, and iPhone production cuts. Check out what we can see from the Observation Deck today.
iPads and Apple TVs: New for 2022 - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-19
Apple on Tuesday hit the world with iPads, new iPad Pros, and new Apple TV 4Ks. Mac Geek Gab co-host Dave Hamilton joins us today to talk over all of it.
A Blocked Deal and the Blockchain - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-18
TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over the implosion of the reported NAND deal between Apple and China-based Yangtze. Plus – South Korea is moving state-issued IDs to the blockchain – listen as Jeff tries to make Ken understand.
But Wasn't LAST QUARTER GREAT?!?
A good news/bad news note from Credit Suisse, Apple Watch as sticky attachment, and a chance to own some of Steve Jobs’ stuff.
Watching Watches and Smart Homes - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-17
TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken revisit a recent Piper Sandler survey of teen Apple Watch ownership in light of new data from Counterpoint Research. Then, Jeff does a little smart-home 101, and wonders over Level’s apparent messaging fumbles.
Apple Helps You Save Money, Pays More Fines, and Other Sightings from the Observation Deck
Spending and saving with Apple Card, $19 million will be fine for Brazil, and streaming titles in plastic form.
Mega Fight Over the Metaverse - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-14
On the heels of announcing a new mixed reality headset, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is swinging hard at Apple’s mixed reality headset (which isn’t real yet). TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken discuss the Meta and Apple metaverse stances. Plus, following up on physical media and Lufthansa’s back and forth on bag trackers.
Ads on Apple TV+ and the Joe and Jobs A.I. Show - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-13
There is talk again/still that Apple may try an ad-supported tier for Apple TV+. TMO writer Nick deCourville tells us why people think so and what such a thing might look like. Also – Joe Rogan interviewed Steve Jobs this week, except – obviously – no he did not. Sure sounds like it though… Nick and Ken talk about that creepy, creepy conversation.
It's The Holiday Rage Cannon, Charlie Brown
Fresh from the Observation Deck, PBS won’t get Charlie Brown this holiday season. There’s also new betas and more good news from analysts.
Lufthansa and AirTag and Safety and Fear - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-12
Have you been following the Lufthansa/AirTag messaging confusion? Mac Geek Gab co-host Dave Hamilton has and he will fill us in. Plus, Dave and Ken play armchair psychologists: Is Apple selling fear or safety? And is there a difference?
A Tale of Two Quarters and Bumble-ing into Bantr
Mac shipments are up, but wait, they’re really down. Apple squishes more bugs, and more entertainment coming your way on Apple TV+.
Crash and Bumble Bantr - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-11
While Apple’s Crash Detection may seem pretty amazing, it’s even more involved than most people know. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over some new information from Apple execs about the safety feature. Plus – Apple TV+ blurs the line between fiction and reality with a little Bumble Bantr.
Considering the Portless iPhone and Riding Rollercoasters for Science! TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-10
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman thinks USB-C won’t last long on iPhone, and that Apple will make it a portless device in the relatively near future. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts agrees, while Ken is not so sure. Then, it turns out rollercoasters CAN set off Apple’s Crash Detection. We’ll talk about that on this happy Monday edition of The Mac Observer’s Daily Observations.
The iPhone 14 Plus Pleases Reviewers, UBS Says iPhone Results May be Flat and a New Apple TV+ Trailer
Apple’s doing well in international courts, UBS says iPhone results may be flat and a new Apple TV+ trailer could show a shoo-in for an Oscar.
Welcome to Innovation Flats - TMO Daily Observations 2022-10-07
There’s a growing argument that there’s not enough difference between Apple’s A15 and A16 to call the new one “A16”. On the product side, a former Apple exec argues that Apple is no longer innovating, replacing the truly new with boredom and a side of fear. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk both issues on the Daily Observations.
Trolls Gotta Troll, Siri's New Tricks and More From Thursday's Observation Deck Sightings
Trolls gotta troll Apple on price hikes, Siri’s new trick and new beta software. Plus, Apple TV+ news and more from today’s Observation Deck.