Apple’s “hello again” media event felt like it was missing something, and that’s really bothering Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro. They join Jeff Gamet to discuss what they think may have been planned, but pulled at the last minute, plus they question how much time Apple devoted to the new MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
MGG 629: Not All USB-C Is Created Equal
Considering migrating to a new Mac? How about thinking of a new Cable Modem? What about managing Wi-Fi speeds with lots of Apple devices which share their Wi-Fi networks via iCloud? Your fellow MGG listeners had those questions until they asked here and your two favorite geeks answered! Listen to John and Dave discuss all of this and more, including sharing some tips from you, too!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-28: Apple's Touch Interface Philosophy, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 Explained
Apple and Microsoft are taking different paths into computer touch interfaces. John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at the differences in Apple’s Touch Bar and Microsoft’s Surface Studio, plus they explain how USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 fit together.
ACM 382: How Pro Are the New MacBook Pros?
Apple just announced new MacBook Pro models, and Bryan and Jeff talk about their pros and cons. In particular the “pros” part, because while these devices are powerful, they question whether they are really that pro at all. They also talk about the new TV app for Apple TV.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-27: Apple's 'hello again' Wrap Up with new MacBook Pro Models
Apple used its “hello again” media event to introduce new MacBook Pro models and a new Apple TV app for consolidating the shows we watch in a single interface. Dave Hamilton joins Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s announcements, what was exciting from the event, and more.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-26: AAPl Q4 Earnings, Microsoft's Surface Studio
Apple’s fourth quarter earnings report numbers came out yesterday, and some say they look good while other say they look bad. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their perspectives on how Apple is performing, plus they offer up their reactions to Microsoft’s just announced Surface Studio ahead of tomorrow’s new Mac launch event.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-25: iMessage Wish List, Original iPod Music Collection
Give us enough time with an app we really like and we’ll find something to improve. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s iMessage platform and Messages app, and Bryan has some interface improvements he’d like to see. They also look at the CD collection Apple gave the media with the original iPod, and Jeff notes Apple’s Apple ID Two-Factor authentication setup bug seems to be fixed.
TMO Background Mode: Interview with Author and Podcaster David Sparks
David Sparks is a business attorney, Macworld author, podcaster and all around Apple product expert. He’s one of those people who started on one path—an aerospace engineering student—then changed gears to become a law student at Pepperdine University. David tells the story of his law school years and how people often think of law school as more onerous than it really is. His original plan was to be a prosecutor, but then he found that business law for small companies was much more satisfying. We chatted about his interest in all things Mac and the dawn of his Mac Power Users podcast with Katie Floyd in 2009. Today, David is a popular speaker and a fixture in the Mac Community with 346 podcasts and several books. Come take a career journey with me and David.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-24: DDOS Attacks, Internet of Things, and HomeKit Security
Last Friday we all learned first hand what happens when hackers decide to target DNS hosts with a distributed Denial of Service attack. Dave Hamilton and The Maccast’s Adam Christianson join Jeff Gamet to look at Friday’s attack and how the Internet of Things played a major role in the incident. They also talk about how HomeKit devices may also be susceptible to hackers.
MGG 628: Cool Stuff Found and The DNS Achilles Heel
Cool Stuff Found includes how to keep Safari from opening iTunes automatically, a new USB circuit tester, bluetooth stereo speaker, a better way to backup your iPhone and more. Then it’s on to your questions, including a segment on managing your iPhone from the new Console app in macOS Sierra. Plus, your two favorite geeks talk through this week’s DNS outage and how they got around it. Download today and enjoy!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-21: iPhone 7 Fire, Microsoft Surface on the Rise
An iPhone 7 in Australia caught on fire in a car, and now the media is comparing the incident to Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 debacle. John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at what happened, and to sort out whether or not it’s appropriate to compare this iPhone 7 to the Note 7 fires. They also compare Microsoft Surface sales to the current state of the iPad.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-20: Apple's 'hello again' Media Event Predictions
Apple is hosting a media event on Thursday, October 27th, titled “hello again.” Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on whether or not we’ll finally see a refresh to the aging Mac Pro. They also offer up predictions on what else may or may not get announced, and generally hammer on Bryan for his Mac Pro hopes.
ACM 381: Tim Cook as Veep and iTunes Star Ratings
Tim Cook was apparently on a list of possible running mates for Hillary Clinton. Bryan and Jeff talk about Mr. Cook as a possible candidate and whether or not he would have wanted the gig. They also discuss iTunes Star Ratings for songs and the fact that they’ve been taken away in iOS 10.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-19: iPhone 7 Mystery Chip, Amazon Echo and Echo Dot
Apple’s iPhone 7 has a mystery chip inside and John Martellaro thinks he knows what it may be doing. John, along with Kelly Guimont joins Jeff Gamet to talk about the iPhone 7 and privacy, along with how the mystery chip may be ensuring our data stays encrypted. They also compare Amazon’s Echo and Echo Dot.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-18: Siri Falls Behind, MacBook Pro Refresh Delays
Siri seems to be lagging behind in the voice interface game, or at least that’s what some analysts think. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about the current state of Siri and the limitations they’ve encountered. They also take a look at what may be holding up the release of new MacBook Pro models.
MGG 627: It's a Kludge!
Did you know that Safari can auto-close a newly-launched tab when you’re finished reading it? That’s just one of the things you’ll learn in today’s MGG. Dropbox’s accessibility hacks, editing EXIF on iOS, the security of hidden Wi-Fi networks, enabling Universal Clipboard, and managing macOS Sierra’s multiple monitors are more. Plus, have you ever wanted to know the origins of the word, ‘kludge”? Download today and listen!
TMO Background Mode: Interview with Developer Community Manager Chuq Von Rospach
Chuq Von Rospach worked for Apple for nearly 20 years, starting in 1989. In the mid-1980s, he landed first at Sun Microsystems and worked on the launch of early Sun workstations. Thanks to that work, and his boss going over to Apple, Chuq followed. At Apple, they developed Apple’s first paid technical support organization for Apple’s A/UX (Unix) system for the Motorola 68K Macs. Chuq has great stories to tell about Apple’s ill-fated but legendary Network Server, Mac executive Jean-Louis Gassée, the disastrous Apple CEO Michael Spindler, the failed attempt to sell Apple to Sun in 1996, the acquisition of NeXT and return of Steve Jobs. You want Apple stories? Chuq has ’em!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-17: Apple Car gets a New Focus, Apple's Cashless Society
Apple’s car projects looks like it’s heading down a different path. John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at how Bob Mansfield is refocusing the company’s car project and discussing what they expect will happen next. They also offer up their thoughts on Tim Cook’s plans to bring us into a cashless society.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-14: Nike+ Apple Watch, Google's Voting Aid
Good news athletes, the Nike+ Apple Watch Series 2 will be available on October 28th. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to talk about why they might–or might not–want the special edition Apple Watch model, plus Bryan finds a way to use Google to keep track of who’s on this November’s ballot.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-13: Social Networks and Police Surveillance
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social networks have been giving Geofeedia access to user’s posts that’s being used for police surveillance. Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at what Geofeedia was collecting, how it was being used by law enforcement, and the ethical issues social networks face when giving companies our publicly available data.
ACM 380: USB Kill 2.0 and Samsung Schadenfreude
Bryan and Jeff talk about USB Kill 2.0, a device that looks like a hard drive, but can damage—if not destroy—a Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, or any other device with a USB port. They also take a few moments to enjoy some schadenfreude at Samsung’s defense.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-12: Amazon Music Unlimited, AI Morality
Amazon is expanding its streaming music offerings with Amazon Music Unlimited. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on AMU and how it fits into Amazon’s plans. They also loop back to Monday’s show to look at the moral implications of deeper human relationships with artificial intelligences.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-10-11: Dash's App Store Death, UK Apple Watch Ban
Dash is gone from the Mac and iOS App Stores, and the story behind why is a big bucket of drama. John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at what transpired to get Dash banned from the App Store and cost the developer his account. They also offer up their thoughts on the UK Prime Minister banning the Apple Watch from Cabinet meetings.
TMO Background Mode: Interview with Writer and Raconteur Bob 'Dr. Mac' LeVitus
Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus is a writer, book author and raconteur. He writes for the Houston Chronicle and The Mac Observer, and he specializes in the “Dummies” books about Apple products like the Mac, the iPad and iPhone. But Bob wasn’t always a writer. Early on, he wanted to work in a recording studio and it just so happened, in high school, he had a good friend, Jermaine Jackson. That resulted in Bob touring with the Jackson 5. Later, he became a roadie with Shaun Cassidy. (Bob tells a secret.) Bob’s also worked in advertising, a story in itself, and also as the official evangelist for Power Computing in the 1990s. Speaking of Apple, he said “We were their worst nightmare.” Does Bob know how to tell stories? Oh, yes.