Designed in California

Designed in California

By RelayBusinessTechnologyHistory
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Designed in California episodes

  • 14: Digital Hub (Part 2, Origin of the iPod)

    Guiding Apple through its comeback, Steve Jobs comes up with a clever strategy to make the Mac the center of everyone's digital life. The problem is, he's failed to integrate music into the mix--and Apple will have to scramble to catch up.

    This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
    • Radley House: From problem to product.
      • Links and Show Notes:

      Presented by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

      Written by Jason Snell. Script development by Kelly Turner.

      Thanks to Scott Knaster, Stephen Hackett, Matt Rollefson, Adam C. Engst, Jim Hunkins, John Buck, Harry McCracken, and members of the iPod team for script assistance.

      Extra special thanks to Hansen Hsu and everyone else at the Computer History Museum.

      Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

      Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

      References/Further Reading:

      • The Perfect Thing by Steven Levy
      • Apple: The First 50 Years by David Pogue
      • Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
      • Apple In China by Patrick McGee
      • Build by Tony Fadell
      • iCon: Steve Jobs by Jeffrey S. Young
      • Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli
      • John Rubinstein Oral History at The Computer History Museum
      • Regis McKenna Oral History at The Computer History Museum
        • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
        37 min
      • 13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod)

        Two decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the origin of Apple's hit MP3 player, the iPod.

        This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
        • Opermium: Creating customer value in airport operations.
          • Links and Show Notes:

          Presented by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

          Written by Jason Snell. Script development by Kelly Turner.

          Thanks to Scott Knaster, Stephen Hackett, Matt Rollefson, Adam C. Engst, Jim Hunkins, John Buck, Harry McCracken, and members of the iPod team for script assistance.

          Extra special thanks to Hansen Hsu and everyone else at the Computer History Museum.

          Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

          Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

          References/Further Reading:

          • The Perfect Thing by Steven Levy
          • Apple: The First 50 Years by David Pogue
          • Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
          • Apple In China by Patrick McGee
          • Build by Tony Fadell
          • iCon: Steve Jobs by Jeffrey S. Young
          • Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli
          • John Rubinstein Oral History at The Computer History Museum
          • Regis McKenna Oral History at The Computer History Museum
            • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
            36 min
          • 12: Ron Johnson and the Genius of the Apple Store

            In this bonus episode, Jason interviews former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson about why Steve Jobs wanted to get into retail, understanding what Apple's brand represents, the customer-service model of the Apple Store, and much more.

            Links and Show Notes: Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
            45 min
          • 11: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: Advisor to the Chairman (Part 7)

            Gil Amelio and Steve Jobs make a deal that will change the future trajectory of Mac OS, Apple, and the tech industry. But is Steve happy to be the CEO at Pixar, or is he secretly plotting to take over Apple?

            This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
            • BuddyBar: Your Brand Colors, Always One Click Away.
              • Guest Starring:

              John Siracusa

              Links and Show Notes:

              Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

              Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett, Harry McCracken, Hansen Hsu of the Computer History Museum, and Scott Knaster for script assistance.

              Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

              Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

              References:

              • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
              • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
              • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
              • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
              • Grateful Geek by Jean-Louis Gassée
              • iCon by Jeffrey S. Young
                • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
                39 min
              • 10: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: The Bake-Off (Part 6)

                Torn between Be and NeXT, Gil Amelio tries to analyze it all scientifically, including final demos from both teams. But was the end result a foregone conclusion?

                This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
                • Iru: Don't let bad IT tools destroy your productivity. Take back time and control by managing devices, identity, and compliance in one place.
                  • Guest Starring:

                  John Siracusa

                  Links and Show Notes:

                  Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                  Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett, Harry McCracken, Hansen Hsu of the Computer History Museum, and Scott Knaster for script assistance.

                  Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                  Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                  References:

                  • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                  • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                  • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                  • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                  • Grateful Geek by Jean-Louis Gassée
                  • iCon by Jeffrey S. Young
                    • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
                    48 min
                  • 9: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: Who's NeXT? (Part 5)

                    Just up the road from Apple in Redwood City, Steve Jobs's NeXT is fading and flailing, but has a modern operating system just like the one Apple desperately needs to buy to replace Mac OS. An unlikely person makes an unlikely phone call to save the day.

                    This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
                    • Bulletin: On-device AI-powered news reading for the Apple ecosystem. Use code DICA50 for 50% off your first year.
                      • Guest Starring:

                      John Siracusa

                      Links and Show Notes:

                      Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                      Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett, Harry McCracken, Hansen Hsu of the Computer History Museum, and Scott Knaster for script assistance.

                      Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                      Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                      References:

                      • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                      • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                      • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                      • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                      • Grateful Geek by Jean-Louis Gassée
                      • iCon by Jeffrey S. Young
                        • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
                        45 min
                      • 8: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: To Be, or Not? (Part 4)

                        Apple desperately needs a replacement for Mac OS, but negotiations with Jean-Louis Gassée's Be are at the breaking point. But does CEO Gil Amelio have any other options?

                        This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
                        • Bulletin: On-device AI-powered news reading for the Apple ecosystem. Use code DICA50 for 50% off your first year.
                          • Guest Starring:

                          John Siracusa

                          Links and Show Notes:

                          Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                          Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett, Harry McCracken, Hansen Hsu of the Computer History Museum, and Scott Knaster for script assistance.

                          Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                          Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                          References:

                          • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                          • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                          • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                          • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                          • Grateful Geek by Jean-Louis Gassée
                          • iCon by Jeffrey S. Young
                            • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
                            46 min
                          • 7: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: Plan Be (Part 3)

                            A possible replacement for Mac OS arrives in the form of a company founded by a charismatic former Apple executive--but not the one you're thinking of.

                            This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
                            • Aro Base Group: Apple-Focused IT Consulting and Managed Services for Business.
                              • Guest Starring:

                              John Siracusa

                              Links and Show Notes:

                              Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                              Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett, Harry McCracken, Hansen Hsu of the Computer History Museum, and Scott Knaster for script assistance.

                              Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                              Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                              References:

                              • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                              • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                              • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                              • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                              • Grateful Geek by Jean-Louis Gassée
                              • iCon by Jeffrey S. Young
                                • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback 🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude
                                55 min
                              • 6: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: Copland (Part 2)

                                Apple's homegrown next-generating operating system fails to launch, leaving the company in dire straits and searching for a lifeline from outside the company.

                                This episode of Designed in California is sponsored by:
                                • Selkie Design: An indie app development studio that makes Substage and Hour by Hour.
                                  • Guest Starring:

                                  John Siracusa

                                  Links and Show Notes:

                                  Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                                  Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett for script assistance.

                                  Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                                  Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                                  References:

                                  • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                                  • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                                  • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                                  • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                                    • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
                                    49 min
                                  • 5: Apple's Mac OS Crisis: The End of the Road (Part 1)

                                    In the mid-1990s, Apple knew the classic Mac OS was running out of time. As the company's most important product sped toward a cliff, Apple began an increasingly desperate attempt to build a replacement.

                                    Guest Starring:

                                    John Siracusa

                                    Links and Show Notes:

                                    Originally released as part of Upgrade #624.

                                    Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell. Special guest John Siracusa.

                                    Written by Jason Snell. Thanks to Stephen Hackett for script assistance.

                                    Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.

                                    Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.

                                    References:

                                    • MacUser and Macworld magazines issues from the period
                                    • Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders by Jim Carlton
                                    • On the Firing Line by Gil Amelio
                                    • Apple Confidential 2.0 by Owen Linzmayer
                                      • Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback 20 Macs for 2020 #6: DayStar Genesis MP (#15)
                                      52 min

                                    About Designed in California

                                    From the publisher's feed

                                    Expertly-told stories about the 50-year history of Apple and the world it created, from Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.