Stronger data protection from Apple, surprising news out of China, and a slew of OS release candidates. Plus, updated expectations.
Ken_Ray
Articles by Ken_Ray
Super-Apps and Dreamlight Valley - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-08
TMO writer Nick deCourville brings us two tales of fantasy: The Disney video game Dreamlight Valley is headed to the Mac, and Microsoft is considering a super-app. One of these exposes a few levels of nerd for Ken.
Travelin' Tim Talks TSMC
From the Observation Deck, we can see Travelin’ Tim hits Arizona, pricing changes for the App Store, and new homes for HomePod mini.
Pricing Tools for Developers and Things We Didn't See Coming - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-07
Longtime Apple podcaster Adam Christianson joins Ken to kick around the pricing tools Apple’s opening for developers. Plus – with close to 40-years combined of Apple news under their belts, Adam and Ken talk about what they did not see coming, and what they look forward to seeing.
Supply Chain Chatter and Union/Disunion
Pronouncements on iPhone production, two tales of Apple and retail worker unions, and more on Apple’s advertising pause on Twitter.
iPhone Misses Christmas and Musk Misses the Point - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-06
Foxconn says it’s getting iPhone production back on track. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk righting the ship post holidays. Plus Apple’s pause in Twitter ads was not about Elon Musk nor free speech. It was apparently about propriety and decency. We’ll talk it over.
Good News On the Apple Front, Mixed Reality and Real Life Saving Features
Positive notes on Apple, news on Apple’s mixed reality plans, and where on earth was iPhone’s first satellite save?
A Mixed Reality and Mailbag Monday - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-05
Bloomberg and TF International have info on Apple’s mixed reality headset. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to discuss that. Plus the Sunbird messaging app, Eufy video storage, and Elon Musk are in for Mailbag Monday.
Travelin' Tim Goes to Arizona, iPhone Production Woes and More
Fresh from the Observation Deck, there’s ugliness around iPhone production, Travelin’ Tim’s off to Arizona, and no rest for developers.
But Just Wait 14 Months - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-02
Want a positive spin on the current quarter? Ken tries to convince TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts how great things will look for Apple in Q1FY24 – provided nothing goes wrong. Also – Android is getting one communications app to rule them all (and ditch the green text bubbles). Jeff fills us in on Sunbird.
Concerns in China and More On the Terrible Craziness That Is Twitter These Days
Apple and China news, high crazy by tweet, and tweaking Apple’s Crash Detection. Those are the sorts of things we’re noticing from the Observation Deck today.
Music and Video Wrapped and Replayed - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-01
Year’s end can mean only one thing: War between Spotify and Apple Music. Nick deCourville joins Ken to talk about the end of the year music recaps Wrapped and Replay. Plus – New old content is officially “Included with Apple TV+,” and Will Smith does PR for “Emancipation”
Lost, Not Deferred, iPhone 14 Sales, Settled Lawsuits and Then Good News
A troubling prediction for iPhone 14 Pros, good news for Apple on the smartwatch front, and a surprising PR move for Apple TV+. These are the sorts of things we see from the Observation Deck today.
Our Security and Smartphone Futures - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-30
Mac Geek Gab co-host Dave Hamilton is really excited about Rapid Security Response coming in iOS 16.2. Ken is as well, though he seems argumentative about it anyway. Also – societal norms around smartphones are still being hammered out, in Dave’s estimation. He’ll drive a conversation about those.
Foxconn Recruitment Efforts, Musk Declares War and a Mélange of Other Apple Tales
The latest recruitment news from iPhone City, Elon Musk takes swipes at Apple, and two tales of retail. That’s today’s view from the Observation Deck.
Captains of Industry - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-29
Elon Musk has decided to pick a fight with Apple. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the Twitter Owner and CEO’s trollish behavior. Plus – Disney CEO Bob Iger addresses talk of Apple acquiring Disney, and Tim Cook’s post-Thanksgiving visit with victims of the Hingham Apple Store crash.
Unrest for 'iPhone City' and Actual Cities in China
Pro iPhones aren’t getting easier to get, unrest in iPhone City and actual cities in China, and St. Louis gives togetherness the slip.
Protests in China and Chipmaking in Arizona - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-28
“iPhone City” isn’t the only city in China seeing protests. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins us to talk societal issues, Foxconn issues, and issues for Apple investors. Then, a Mailbag Monday question from Johnny: If chipmaking needs water, why are chipmakers going to Arizona?
Stirring the Disney/Apple M&A Stew
The tragedy in Hingham may have been an accident, Best Buy warns of too few iPhone 14 Pros, and somebody still wants Apple to buy Disney…
Noise Around Various Voice Assistants - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-23
News on the Hingham Apple Store tragedy, stirring the Apple/Disney M&A stew, and the noise around various voice assistants – we’re wrapping a holiday shortened week with TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts. Happy Thanksgiving, one and all.
What a Week Monday Was - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-22
Bad news and interesting topics to tackle Tuesday. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to discuss a tragedy at a Boston-area Apple Store, whether Apple can keep outperforming the markets, processors coming out of the Arizona desert, and Bob Iger’s return as CEO of Disney.
Two Takes on Apple Shares and Eyeing the Twitter Situation
Foxconn struggles with space issues, Barron’s offers two takes on Apple stock, and what the heck’s going on with Twitter? All that and more from today’s Observation Deck view.
Two Takes on AAPL and Solutions to the Twitter Issue - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-21
Will Apple buoy the markets or is it set to sink? Two pieces from Barron’s argue both sides. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk them over. Plus – An Apple exec has left Twitter and a former president is invited to return. How likely are Apple and Google to keep a check on the birdhouse?
Preparing for the Holidays and a Few 'Spirited' Offerings
Some iPhone news, a look at holiday shopping and Apple, and some “Spirited” offerings from Apple TV+. That’s from today’s Observation Deck.