This episode is all about robots! Apple robots, military robots, delivery repots, preacher robots, manufacturing robots, and self driving car robots! Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest host John Martellaro to deep into what’s happening with robots today and what they expect for robots in the future. Put your SciFi futurist cap on for this one. They also talk about foldable phones, or as they like to think of it, the netbook of 2019.
Apple Context Machine Podcast
Apple Context Machine is a weekly in-depth look at Apple and the tech world from Bryan Chaffin, editor-in-chief of The Mac Observer with special guests from the tech world.
Episodes
Apple and Content, Marzipan, and the Executive Shuffle, with Charlotte Henry - ACM 502
Where is Apple going with its content drive? Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host Charlotte Henry to dive deep into original shows, services, publishing, news, and Apple’s other content ambitions. They also talk about the promise (and potential drawbacks) of Marzipan, and what Apple’s recent executive shuffling might portend.
Apple Infrastructure, Attention to Details, Apple Car/AR/Glasses, with John Martellaro - ACM 501
Does Apple have the infrastructure it needs for a cohesive future? Once that seemed clear, but Bryan Chaffin and guest-host John Martellaro say it’s become harder to see, if so. They then pivot to how augmented reality will figure into Apple’s future plans and products. They cap the show by weighing Apple’s ability to pay attention to details as the company grows.
Apple Yesterday vs. Apple Today vs. Apple Tomorrow, with Dave Hamilton - ACM 500
Bryan Chaffin is joined by Dave Hamilton to take a very high-level look at Apple, comparing the company from its early days to the company of today, and looking ahead to what kind of company Apple might be tomorrow.
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.
Social Media and Photography, AR's Killer App, Far Future of iPhone, with Andrew Orr - ACM 498
Bryan Chaffin is joined by Andrew Orr to talk about social media and photography. They also talk about where AR can go and what the killer app of this emerging technology could be. Still donning their futurist hats, they look at what iPhone might in 10, 20, and even 50 years.
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.
Apple's Lame Emphasis on Services, 8K TVs Are the Future, with John Martellaro - ACM 496
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro hear Apple CEO Tim Cook talk up services and they explain why it makes them nervous. They also talk about the future of 8K TVs and how they will inevitably take over the industry.
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!
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 Cloud Services, Password Management, Apple Leadership, with Peter Cohen - ACM 493
Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host Peter Cohen to discuss Apple’s cloud services, including the ones they do really well and the ones that suck. They also talk about password management and practices, and look at Apple’s leadership team 8 years after Steve Jobs’s passing.
Apple Medical, Privacy Bill, Future of AI with John Martellaro - ACM 492
Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host John Martellaro to discuss how Apple might be looking at the medical industry, of which CEO Tim Cook has said he wants a piece. They also talk about the privacy bill making the rounds in Washington, and the future of artificial intelligence.
Should Zuckerberg Go, Tumblr Death Spiral, Wall Street and Apple - with Chuck Joiner: ACM 491
Bryan Chaffin is joined by Chuck Joiner from MacVoices to discuss Facebook’s ongoing crisis of blunders and mistakes, and whether or not CEO Mark Zuckerberg should go. They also look at what seems to be Tumblr’s real-time death spiral, and debate whether or not Wall Street is punishing Apple for not reporting iPhone sales and whether or not that’s OK.
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 RAM and SSD Prices, Apple's Pipeline, the Future of iOS - ACM 488
Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-host John Kheit, who has a bee in his bonnet about Apple’s upgrade pricing for RAM and storage on the new Mac mini and MacBook Air models. They also discuss whether or not Apple actually has a “deep pipeline,” as well features they’d like to see come to iOS in the future.
T2-Chip Video Encoding, Mac Mini Ram, 10Gb Ethernet with Jim Tanous - ACM 487
Bryan Chaffin is joined by Jim Tanous to talk about his recent testing of T2 video encoding on some new Macs. They also talk about how easy it is or isn’t to upgrade Apple’s newest Mac Mini models. They cap the show with the news that you you should probably be thinking ahead to outfitting your house with some 10Gb ethernet.
Halloween Special, New iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky Cleans House - ACM 486
In this episode, Mr. Ricky pays a visit. And after Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss Apple’s new iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky decides it’s time to clean up the mess and set our interns free! All that and more in this Halloween 2018 Special Episode!
Throttlegate Lessons, Free Apple Video Rumors, Security PSA - ACM 485
In the wake of Apple’s $12 million fine from Italian regulators, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet ask if the company learned any lessons from Throttlegate. They also update their plans for the show, discuss increasing rumors that Apple’s video content will be free, and offer a security public service announcement.
Dogbot Twerking, Facebook's Portal into Your Home, Listener Mail - ACM 484
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet make an announcement about ACM. They also talk about the cool horror of BostonDynamics’s twerking dogbot. Oh, and Facebook Portal…please. No. Just, please no. The also take a look at some listener email.
iPad Pro vs. Mac, Apple TV Games, iPhone Driver's License - ACM 483
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin ask if Apple’s rumored next iPad Pro is the Mac replacement long predicted. They also discuss what went wrong with Apple TV gaming, and the pros and cons and cons and cons of iPhone driver’s licenses. They sneak some Anki Vector love in there, too.
Pictar Pro, Netflix Narnia, Apple's October Surprise - ACM 482
The Pictar Pro marries old school camera goodness to modern iPhone convenience, and Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet weigh the pros and cons. They also talk about Netflix’s plans to make new movies and TV series (both) out of The Chronicles of Narnia books. Lastly, they talk about what to expect if Apple does an October media event.
AWS4 Love, Design Meets Science, Apple's PG TV Dreams - ACM 481
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet can’t get enough of Apple Watch Series 4, even though Jeff is wrong about the Infograph Watch Face. They also find it interesting that a designer got recognized by the world of science, and they weigh whether or not Apple’s plan to avoid sex, violence, and politics with its original TV shows will hurt its streaming service.
Memoji Fun, Siri Shortcuts and Suggestions, Password Ease - ACM 480
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about the fun they’re having with Memoji in iOS 12. They also talk about Siri Shortcuts and Siri Suggestions, and just how cool it is that iOS 12 can integrate y our password manager at the system level.