Daily Tech News Show’s Tom Merritt named generative A.I. the most important story of 2022. It is not slowing down in 2023. He joins Ken to talk about this week’s announcements from Microsoft and Google. Plus – what’s going on with Apple and A.I.?
The Mac Observer Show
The Mac Observer Show is coming your way! Hosted by Ken Ray, it’s a different thing than we’ve done before. Not day-to-day news this time. The Mac Observer Show looks at a range of topics with a range of guests. Silicon Valley insiders, experts in various parts of Apple’s business, people knowledgable in other parts of tech… We’re talking AI and foldable iPhones and accessibility and Apple Retail and Apple Vision Pro and so much more.
The Mac Observer Show – every Friday on YouTube, wherever you get podcasts and of course – MacObserver.com.
Episodes
Apple's New People Person and Good Tech for Your Good Dog - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-09
Apple has hired a new Chief of People. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts talk about who she is, and consider some of her roles. Plus – AirTag is not the best solution for keeping track of your dog. Jeff has a few fit-for-purpose suggestions.
Playing Games with the Mac - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-08
Apple says the M-processors have set the company up for a place in the games space. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to discuss the road from here to Apple being a true player on the gaming landscape.
Lower iPhone Prices? You know what THAT means... - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-07
Lots of Monday headlines said that Apple had cut the price of iPhone 14 Pro in China. But did it? And if not, who did and why’d they do it? TMO managing editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk that over. Plus a tale of lost luggage three-months in the making, undone by an AirTag.
Leading Design Without a Design Lead? - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-06
TMO managing editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over reactions to Apple’s Q1FY23 earnings call. Plus would/will the general consumer miss an industrial design lead at Apple if Apple ends up without one?
Listening In On Apple's Q1FY23 Call - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-03
TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to kick through Apple’s December-quarter earnings, plus questions and answers between Apple execs and analysts.
Sideloading and Mixing Realities - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-02
A federal agency is encouraging Congress to make Apple allow sideloading of apps and third-party app stores on the iPhone. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken for a conversation worthy of Groundhog Day. Plus – Samsung hints at an upcoming AR/VR/MR something.
You A.R. What You Eat - TMO Daily Observations 2023-02-01
Apple has a new augmented reality idea for counting calories. But is it for an iPhone or a headset? TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to talk that over. Plus a public service announcement from The Wall Street Journal that has nothing to do with man’s money, and everything to do with man’s best friend.
The Foldable iPad Fight - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-31
TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says there will be a foldable iPad in 2024. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says there won’t. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the opposing sides. Plus a look at HomePod scarcity.
Virtual Assistant Issues and How/Why to Mastodon - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-30
T.D.O.O.G. Jeff Gamet has a bone to pick with the likes of Siri and Alexa. Basically, he thinks they should be better. He joins Ken to talk about how and why. Plus – Ken has questions about Mastodon. Jeff has answers.
The State of Streaming with Charlotte Henry - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-27
Friend of the show Charlotte Henry of The Addition (theaddition.substack.com) joins Ken to talk about streaming media. Is TV broken? Binge-TV or weekly viewing? Is Apple TV+ worth it? Hits, misses, and TV talk from both sides of the Atlantic.
Holding a Grudge and Loosening Restrictions - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-26
Secret sources tell the Financial Times that Apple is trying to lessen its ties with Google over feelings of betrayal tied to Android. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken discuss why it’s a good article anyway. Plus – Rumor has Apple loosening its COVID policies. Yay?
Movies and Mac Memory Lane - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-25
It won’t be another CODA year at the Oscars, but Apple TV+ has been nominated for two Academy Awards. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken talk those over. Plus – the Mac was first shown off 39-years ago this week. Ken and Nick discuss their earliest Mac memories and want to hear yours, too! Email them in: [email protected]
Examining Security Keys with Duane Waddle - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-24
One of the biggest changes introduced in this week’s OS updates from Apple is the across the board option to use physical security keys for iPhone, iPad, and the Mac. Info-sec guy Duane Waddle joins Ken to talk about what they are, their implementation, and possible futures for the tech.
Looking at the Big Tech Layoffs - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-23
Thousands of layoffs across the tech sector in recent weeks prompt a discussion between TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken. That includes a sort of inspiring message from the head of Nintendo back in 2013, and wondering where Apple is in all of it. Plus – a short Mailbag Monday on supply chain diversification.
From One Frying Pan to Another? - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-20
India has given Chinese companies a green light that should help Apple grow manufacturing on the subcontinent. But, if it requires Chinese companies, is diversification into India really diversification? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over that. Plus – a how-to on making use of HomePod’s temperature and humidity sensors.
The Big HomePod Returns - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-19
Apple has re-introduced the original form factor HomePod. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken talk over the new machine and changes coming to other HomePods. Plus – the story of an Apple Watch, a workout, and 15 cops.
New Macs: From Rumor to Reality - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-18
Monday’s rumors of new Macs were spot-on. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the new machines Apple introduced on Tuesday. Plus – as far as Apple’s concerned, an Intel-based Mac Pro is not worth what it used to be (nor what it still costs).
Whispers of New MacBook Pros and iPhone Sales - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-17
With a new MacBook Pro announcement rumored for today, TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken question what might make a laptop exciting again. Plus – continuing to size-up iPhone sales for the current quarter.
Crashing and Tweeting and Mailbag Monday - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-16
Updates on the false Crash Detection calls coming from the ski slopes and Twitter nixing third-party clients start us off this week. Then, TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken find mixed-reality, touchscreen MacBooks, and the US government waiting in Mailbag Monday.
How Many Operating Systems Does a Mixed Reality Need? - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-13
Snippets of code in an Apple-made Windows app namecheck two AR/VR/MR related operating systems. TMO Managing editor Jeff Butts and Ken kick those around. First though, examining analyst sentiment around Apple. Grok the fullness. Grok it!
"Big Tech" as Bad Guy and a Touching Rumor - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-12
POTUS thinks he’s found a cause to unify the left and the right in Congress: Fighting big tech. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to discuss President Biden’s WSJ call to arms. Then – A rumor about a touchscreen Mac on the horizon. Nick and Ken discuss the merits.
A.I. Imitators and A.I. Problem Solvers - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-11
On a day that Apple trumpets the many successes of its Services segment, ripoff ChatGPT apps are infesting Apple’s App Store. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to discuss the issue. Plus – generative A.I. isn’t just for drawing pictures and cheating on term papers anymore. Jeff looks at ways A.I. is building the cures of tomorrow.
When Supply Met Demand and Crashing a Mountain - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-10
iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max supply and demand have pretty much met. Is this good news, or no? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk that over. Plus – the falling snow has given rise to false-positive Crash Detections. Jeff and Ken seek a solution.