Apple released tvOS 10.1 and iOS 10.2 yesterday with the new TV app. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to explain why the app is too hobbled in its current state, and discuss what needs to change before it’s truly useful.
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 Ongoing AirPods Delay, Calendar's Spam Fix - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-12
Apple said it would ship its AirPods wireless earbuds in October, but that came and went and we still don’t know when they’ll hit store shelves. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at what’s keeping Apple from shipping AirPods, and what needs to happen if they ship in time for Christmas. They also dive into Apple’s first attempt to address spam invitations in the Calendar app.
Apple Shares AI Research, Listener Comments - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-09
Apple is changing course and letting its engineers publish their research into artificial intelligence. John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on why Apple would do that, plus they respond to a listener comment questioning why Jeff is critical of HomeKit.
Smarthome Automation for the Holidays - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-08
The holidays are a great time for showing off your smarthome skills, so Kelly Guimont and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to share some tips. They talk about Siri, Amazon Echo, IFTTT, and more.
MacBook Pro USB-C Donglegate - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-07
People seem pretty uptight about Apple’s transition to dongle adapters for peripherals on our Macs, so Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on whether or not it’s a big deal. Spoiler: They can’t agree.
Amazon Go Shopping, iPhone as a Desktop Computer - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-06
First Amazon wanted to be your go-to online shopping destination, and now the company wants to be your local brick-and-mortar store, too. John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at Amazon’s planned cashier-free grocery store, plus they dive into the possibility of our iPhones becoming our only computing device.
Fake News and Snatched iPhones – TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-05
The UK police got unlocked access to a suspect’s iPhone but, unlike the FBI earlier this year, they didn’t have to ask Apple to hack it. Interestingly, though, the FBI did something very similar to the UK police a few years ago. Listen to hear more. Then it’s on to how Apple might just be our last hope to save the integrity of the internet. John Martellaro explains!
Uber Sees You When You're Sleeping…Around – TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-02
“I’ll be watching you” is a line that might make Sting look a lot more prescient after you hear this episode. Uber and Waze want to know where you are even more than they used to, and Apple wants to put drones in the air over your roads and in front of your homes, at least for a little bit. It’s a brave new world. Our advice: don’t go outside without pants on.
Apple's Tribes and Cloud Services – TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-01
There is a long history of tribes discussing, analyzing and, yes, chastising Apple. That’s more true today than it ever has been… or is it? How much of the past reflects in the future? Those very same tribes often talk about Apple’s need to increase the amount of free iCloud storage provided to each user. Are they right? Join TDO today as John Martellaro, Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton discuss!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-30: Offline Netflix and AirPods Alternatives
Netflix is now beginning to allow offline viewing for some content and Tim Cook suggests that he anticipates AirPods will ship in the next few weeks. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Dave Hamilton today to chat through all this… and more, including a few recommendations for AirPods alternatives that you can buy today.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-29: Why the iPhone isn't Made in the US
There’s a call for Apple to bring more of its production into the United States, but will that work for the iPhone? John Martellaro and the Maccast’s Adam Christianson join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on what could be keeping iPhone production in China.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-28: 2017 iPhone Design Changes, Calendar Invitation Spam
Apple may have some big changes in store for the 2017 iPhone model. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to offer up their thoughts on a 3D camera, thinner display bezel, and removing the Home button, plus Bryan has a tip on dealing with spam invitations in the Calendar app.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-23: Apple's Automation Plans, Thanksgiving Tech Tips
Apple’s Craig Federighi says the company isn’t abandoning automation tools on the Mac, but the way he said it wasn’t reassuring. John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on what’s in store for system-level Mac automation tools, plus Kelly has some tips for helping our less tech-savvy family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-22: Listener Comments on Apple's WiFi Plans
Yesterday’s show about Apple dissolving its wireless networking team got lots of comments and questions from listeners, so today Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to offer up their responses to your reactions, and share their thoughts on your questions.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-21: Farewell AirPort Extreme, MacBook Pro Touch Bar First Impressions
Apple’s wireless routers look like they’re headed down the same path as the now defunct Thunderbolt Display. Dave Hamilton and Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to look at the state of Apple’s WiFi router lineup, and explain why they think it’s fine the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule are heading out to pasture. They also offer up their thoughts on the new Retina MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-18: Apple's Bulbs and Listener Email on Apple TV
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro talk about Apple’s new Bulbs commercial for MacBook Pro, a spot centered around big ideas. They also take in some listener email about whether or not 4K TV is really something Apple should be worried about on Apple TV.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-17: Goodbye AppleScript, Apple Axes Sal Soghoian
Apple’s Product Manager of Automation Technologies Sal Soghoian is out of a job, and that doesn’t bode well for the future of AppleScript and Automator. Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to talk about what’s likely in store for automation on the Mac, the impact that’s going to have on pro users, and Sal’s efforts to keep automation tools alive.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-16: Why is $feature Missing from Apple TV?
Today it’s time to look at Apple TV and ask one tough question: why don’t we get $feature on Apple TV? Good thing we’re geeks and we understand variables, too, because for this episode $feature = array(“4K Output”,”Amazon Prime Video”,”Netflix Inside of TV App”); Listen and hear what John and Dave have to say about all this… then send us your feedback and let us know!
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-15: Apple's Coffee Table Book, HP's Campaign to Win Mac Users
Apple has a new product out. It comes in two sizes, small and large, at $199 and $299, respectively. And it’s a coffee table book. Bryan Chaffin, Dave Hamilton, and John Martellaro discuss the book and ask if it’s a sign that Apple has lost sight of the game. They also discuss HP’s new Z2 Mini and that company’s efforts to lure Mac users to the world of Windows.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-14: Samsung Buying Harman, HomeKit Security, AT&T Stream Saver
Samsung is buying audio company Harman and it may be in part to compete with Apple’s CarPlay. Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to look at Samsung’s motives, plus Dave explains HomeKit’s security versus other Internet of Things devices, and they take a look at AT&T’s Stream Saver.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-11: Interview with TMO's Bryan Chaffin
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today TMO’s own Bryan Chaffin joins Jeff Gamet to talk about his experiences writing fiction, the evolution of his novel, and finding a publishing agent.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-10: Interview with Amy Gahran
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today author and journalist Amy Gahran joins Jeff Gamet to talk about how her books took her deep into research, self publishing, and more.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-09: Interview with John L Forrest
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today science fiction author John L Forrest joins Jeff Gamet to talk about writing novels and short stories, his process for bringing his ideas to life, self publishing, and more.
TMO Daily Observations 2016-11-08: Interview with David Sparks from MacSparky
This week we’re diving in deep with authors and writers in the Apple community. Today David Sparks joins Jeff Gamet to talk about his earlier Apple-focused books and his transition into self publishing with the MacSparky Field Guides.