Designed in California

By Relay

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

We cover the entire range of the last half-century, from Apple's earliest days in ... more

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FAQs about Designed in California:

How many episodes does Designed in California have?

The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.

Designed in California episodes:

September 23, 20269: 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
...more
45min
September 16, 20268: 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
...more
46min
September 08, 20267: 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
...more
55min
September 02, 20266: 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
...more
49min
September 02, 20265: 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)
...more
52min
August 25, 20264: Road to the Apple II: Computer Faire (Part 4)
The Apple II makes its public debut at a landmark event in the history of personal computers, and Steve Jobs truly comes into his own.
Links and Show Notes:
Originally released as Upgrade #625.
Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
Written by Jason Snell.
Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.
Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.
References:
Infinite Loop (1999) by Michael S. Malone
Apple: The First 50 Years (2026) by David Pogue (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books)
Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson (Amazon, Used)
Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
...more
30min
August 25, 20263: Road to the Apple II: A Complete Computer (Part 3)
Under the watchful eye of Steve Jobs, the Apple II takes form at last. It's an integrated color computer created by Steve Wozniak, powered by a groundbreaking power supply designed by Rod Holt, and wrapped in a plastic shell designed by Jerry Manock.
Links and Show Notes:
Originally released as Upgrade #623
Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
Written by Jason Snell.
Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.
Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.
References:
Infinite Loop (1999) by Michael S. Malone
Apple: The First 50 Years (2026) by David Pogue (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books)
Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson (Amazon, Used)
Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
...more
36min
August 25, 20262: Road to the Apple II: The Partnership (Part 2)
We travel to the summer of 1976, as Apple travels to Atlantic City for a computer trade show, the Apple II begins to form, and the fellowship between the two Steves shows signs of breaking.
Links and Show Notes:
Originally released as Upgrade #621
Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
Written by Jason Snell.
Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.
Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.
References:
Infinite Loop (1999) by Michael S. Malone
Apple: The First 50 Years (2026) by David Pogue (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books)
Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson (Amazon, Used)
Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
...more
33min
August 25, 20261: Road to the Apple II: Apple for Sale (Part 1)
We take you back to 1976 and recount Steve Jobs's numerous attempts to sell Apple or, at the very least, get someone to make an investment in the fledgling company.
Links and Show Notes:
Originally released as Upgrade #619
Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
Written by Jason Snell.
Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.
Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.
References:
Infinite Loop (1999) by Michael S. Malone
Apple: The First 50 Years (2026) by David Pogue (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books)
Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson (Amazon, Used)
Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
...more
33min
August 25, 20260: The Origin of Apple
Apple emerged from the unique environment of the Santa Clara valley suburbs of the '70s thanks to the particular genius of its two co-founders and some surprising help they got along the way.
Links and Show Notes:
Presented by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
Written by Jason Snell.
Audio editing by Myke Hurley and Jim Metzendorf. Video production by Jamie Snell.
Designed in California theme by Christopher Breen.
References:
Infinite Loop (1999) by Michael S. Malone
Apple: The First 50 Years (2026) by David Pogue (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books)
Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson (Amazon, Used)
Originally released in Upgrade #609.
Get early access to full series, ad-free listening, and bonus episodes by becoming a member. Submit Feedback
...more
1h 35min

FAQs about Designed in California:

How many episodes does Designed in California have?

The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.