Downtime

The co-hosts talk about Sebastien’s Tesla test drive experience and Cody’s big Top Shot hit. The pair also discusses this week’s strange HomePod/Apple TV/Camera rumors, new games in Apple Arcade,  and the new Find My network accessory program. Finally, they answer questions from listeners about Apple Watch and iPad.

Follow-up: Big games land on Apple Arcade

• Oregon Trail
• Song PopParty by Gameloft
• NBA2K1 Arcade Edition
• Threes
• The Room Two
• Cut the Rope
• Monument Valley

Apple’s new smart home gadget will combine Apple TV and HomePod functionality with a camera for video calls

Find My Network:

• Apple updates the Find My app to support third-party accessories with the new Find My accessory program
• Chipolo announces the ONE Spot item tracker that uses Apple’s Find My network

App of the week:

• Half Lemons - Apps of the Week

What we’ve been watching:

Cody:

• Happy Time murders on Netflix
• Bad Trip on Netflix

Sebastien:

• Kong vs Godzilla
• Nico Leonard on YouTube

Q&A

Mark asks on Twitter:  If there is a totally new Apple Watch released this year, complete with a whole new WatchOS. What would it take for @SebastienPage to start wearing it? And @melvco to stop wearing it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Nathan asks via Twitter: I have an iPad but I find myself rarely using it. When was the last time you used an iPad? What do you typically use it for? Why use it over your other devices?

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Send an audio message

Your favorite co-hosts Sebastien and Cody run down last week’s major tech headlines including LG shutting down its smartphone business and Apple announcing WWDC. The pair also talk Apple TV remote, and rumors of Apple’s mixed reality headset. And of course, so now famous listeners' Q&A.

Follow up: VO2 Max in Apple Watch

The obituary section:

• Goodbye, Periscope: Twitter’s once popular live-streaming service is no longer available
• LG is shutting down its smartphone business

Apple officially announces that WWDC 2021 kicks off June 7 in an all-online format

Apple may announce its mixed-reality headset at an in-person event ‘sometime in the next several months’

Siri adds a pair of new voices and will no longer default to a female voice in iOS 14.5

A new report reiterates that Apple is working on a redesigned remote for the next Apple TV

tvOS 14.5 beta may hint at a redesigned Apple TV remote with a ‘center button’

Apple Arcade expands with more than 30 new games, now includes ‘timeless classics’

What we’ve been watching:

• Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max

Q&A

Mark as by email: who would win out of you two in a drinking contest?

Harry asks by email: If you had to go down to owning and using only one Apple device in your life, which device and why?

Jonathan asks on Twitter: What is your favorite Apple product? Not necessarily the one you use the most or most essential but the one that makes you happiest? For me, it’s the iPad Pro 11 in w/ Magic Keyboard. It’s great for reading comics/books and though iPadOS is limited, it serves its purpose for me.

Dave asks on Twitter:  If Apple adds 120hz to their new iPhone, what affect if any do you think it will have on the iPhone battery?

Preston asks on Twitter: What is the ideal price you guys have in mind for AirTags and do you see Apple letting you buy more than one in bulk pricing? Keep up the great work!

Nathan asks on Twitter:  What’s your morning routine? Do you unlock your phone and browse in bed for a bit or get up and get things done before even touching your phone? What’s the first app you use to start your day?

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
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Sebastien and Cody talk about potential design and features of the rumored Explorer edition Apple Watch. They also discuss their ongoing beef with Siri, Sebastien’s odd musical tastes and Cody’s gambling problem. Check it out!

Apple Watch Explorer Edition with a rugged casing may launch in 2021 or 2022

Apple acquired more AI companies than Google and Amazon dating back to 2016

Leaked image shows off reported smaller notch and relocated earpiece in upcoming iPhone 13

What we’ve been watching

• Superstore on Hulu
• Justified on Hulu
• Cherry on Apple TV+

Q&A

Nathan via Twitter asks: Are there any new apps you have downloaded and/or discovered recently?

Conath via Twitter asks: (Cody) You’ve previously talked about betting on the podcast (fantasy football and other things ). How’s that going? Have you been betting recently? And: Do you think it’s a problem, like a “bad” addiction? Or is it a reasonable amount & hobby?

Bybymax via Twitter asks: I’d love to know if you ve watched the Calls series on @AppleTVPlus on your watch section ;) and what you thought about it. Won’t lie, I just watched ep1 and loved it. See you on Monday, same time, same place! Peace !

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
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Sebastien and Cody discuss everything from the new Intel/Mac commercials to the future of Apple’s strategy for the Home. They also poke fun at the Apple rumor mill and Cody gives his in-depth review of the Snyder Cut. Finally, they end the show with a Q&A session.

Follow up: Seb’s MacBook Pro battery

Apple now predicted to hold an event in April rather than March

“I’m a Mac” star Justin Long disses Apple silicon Macs in Intel’s new ad campaign

What is Apple’s Home strategy at this point?

• HomePod mini has a secret sensor to measure room temperature and humidity
• Apple is developing smart speakers featuring screens and cameras, but they’re not imminent
• Can HomeKit be the entire Home strategy?

What we’ve been watching:

• The Snyder Cut on HBO Max
• The Vaccination Special on HBO Max

Q&A 

Rusty asks via email: Now that AirPlay is widely available outside of the Apple ecosystem do you think that Apple will ever support AirPlay on Windows? I use a third party program (Reflector 3 by Air Squirrels) when I need to cast to Windows. While it works ok most of the time it's not as good or seamless as AirPlay and most people don't know about third-party options.

Cyrille asks via email: I have roller shutters, at the front and back of the house. I’m going to use a module to open and shut them through Homekit, at least for the front ones as they face the street. As for the back ones, my wife fears that they can be hacked and that thieves could open the shutters when we’re not home (we’ve already been robbed once) to enter the house unseen. Do you think it’s safe ? Or would you follow my wife’s guts on that ?

Sebastien and Cody discuss the wild ride of last week’s AirPods 3 rumors and give their thoughts on talk of a bigger iPhone battery. The pair also talk about Apple discontinuing the original HomePod and what that means for the fledgling smart speaker line. Finally, they answer listeners' questions.

MacBook Pro keyboard service program

The AirPods 3 saga: a timeline

• Claimed AirPods 3 images hint at shorter stems and other design changes
• Apple may host its first event of 2021 on March 23
• AirPods 3 renders from suppliers show a shorter stem and replaceable ear tips
• The next AirPods are apparently ready to ship as Apple preps to discontinue AirPods 2
• Kuo says don’t expect AirPods 3 before the fall

Apple will step up the iPhone 13 battery life, but doing so will come at a cost

In loving memory of the HomePod:

• Apple discontinues original HomePod, focuses efforts on HomePod mini
• How I use my HomePods

What we’ve been watching:

• Paradise PD on Netflix
• South ParQ Vaccination Special on HBO

Q&A 

Rusty asks via email: I just finished up episode 386 where you discussed AirTags security and how a user’s iPhone would alert them if an AirTag is nearby. Let's assume someone wants to keep tabs on a person that has an Android phone, is there anything in place to warn them as well or is it stalking Android users without them knowing unless they find the tag?

Gaetan asks on Twitter: You’re given full control of the next iPhone - design, size, internals, software - the whole bit. Whatcha making? You can even can make a non-pro (broad appeal) version and pro (niche) version. What you got in the pipeline?

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
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Sebastien and Cody dive deep into this week’s biggest tech headlines including Apple discontinuing the iMac Pro and privacy concerns related to the rumored AirTags. The pair also discuss their favorite adult beverages and which Apple executive they’d interview if given the chance.

Apple is discontinuing the iMac Pro once supplies run out

Kuo: Apple working on AR contact lenses for release between 2030 and 2040

Apple clarifies it’s not allowing users to set a ‘default’ music service in iOS 14.5

iOS 14.5 beta 3 adds ‘Item Safety Feature’ to help prevent stalking when using tracked items

Apple may host its first event of 2021 on March 23

What we’ve been watching:

• Justified on Hulu
• Peanut Butter Falcon on Amazon Prime
• Palm Springs on Hulu

Q&A

Mike asks on Twitter: If you could interview any one Apple executive (outside of Tim Cook) who would it be and do you know what you'd want to ask?

Derrick asks via email: you guys always talk about what you’ve been watching, but during the pandemic I think people started another new trend: drinking. My wife and I have been trying all sorts of new alcoholic beverages. So I was wondering, what have you guys been drinking?

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Send an audio message

Sebastien and Cody run down the recent onslaught of rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming Mac and iPhone products. The pair also discuss meeting podcast fans in real life and why Apple products are more expensive in some countries.

Links

Meeting the winner of our giveaway in person

Kuo sees revamped MacBook Pros with HDMI and SD card ports looming on the horizon

2021 iMac rumored to come in five colors; Apple silicon Mac Pro may get a major redesign

iPhone 13 rumored to boast a smaller notch, 120Hz display, more; new iPhone SE with 5G arriving in early 2022

Some 2022 iPhones may feature a punch-hole display; Apple may launch a foldable iPhone in 2023

What we’ve been watching

• Kim’s Convenience on Netflix
• I Care A Lot on Netflix
• Servant on Apple TV+

Q&A 

Craig asks on Twitter: Firstly love the new format of the show, secondly just a quick question/observation. I’m U.K. based & am deep into the Apple ecosystem but we consistently pay substantially more for our products & don’t get everything that USA gets. No Apple Card. No cycle routes, no News Stories. A HomePod mini costs you $99 & that’s equivalent to £70 yet we pay £99, why is this?  We get reduced service & pay more for the privilege, is the world subsidising American Apple users? £99 is $139 😳😳😳. That’s just one product, it’s like that on every Apple device.

Diogo asks on Twitter: Hi guys! Question: after rebranding, are you thinking about doing more different things on the podcast, such as broadcasting live using Clubhouse or Twitter Spaces? Or that is all for changes? Peace

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Send an audio message

Sebastien and Cody announce the winner of last week’s giveaway, discuss their news intake strategies and cover this week’s top tech headlines. The pair also get into the future of Apple TV hardware and why switching to Android isn’t as enticing as it once was.

Apple may be working on a MagSafe battery pack for the latest iPhone 12 series

5 budget-friendly MagSafe chargers

The Apple TV app is now available on Chromecast with Google TV What’s the point of an Apple TV then?

Apple is building a solid library for Apple TV+, but is it enough to keep subscribers?

What we’ve been watching:

• Goliath on Prime Video
• Vacation on HBO Max
• Gemini Man Hulu

Q&A 

Dante sent us a voice memo: will we update the website?

Preston asks on Twitter: Have you guys considered a segment or new podcast where you can cover interesting Apple TV+ content with spoilers? Maybe it could be monthly or just when appropriate. Love the new show!

David emails us and says: Hey Sebastien and Cody. Firstly, I really like the new name and artwork. Although with my visual impairment I can’t appreciate the full detail of the artwork, I can see enough to say I like it! I have a question. Have either of you ever given serious thought to switching to Android? I’ve been using iPhones since the 3GS in 2009/2010, and have always loved them. I love my 12 Mini too (I did quickly get used to the size!). However just for the fun of it, and to try something different, I’ve been genuinely thinking about giving Android a shot for a year, and wondered if you’ve ever felt the same temptation for some variety? On the other hand it seems like a hassle; all of my photos are in iCloud photo library, I have an Apple Watch, AirPods etc etc… Keep up the great work, I’ll keep listening no matter what you decide to do! Cheers. Dave.

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
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Sebastien and Cody talk about why the iPhone mini 12 appears to be a dud, the possibility of a Spring event, and features they’d like to see in this year’s iPhone models. The pair also discuss Sebastien’s recent marathon (walk), how they originally met, and their thoughts on the recent crypto craze. Also, a giveaway!

Marathonian walk #2

Footpath route planner

Follow up: What happens to your Apple ID and iCloud account when you pass away

The iPhone 12 mini is a dud

Spring event? AirTags launch reportedly ‘still on for March’,

iPhone 13’s always-on display is claimed to offer minimal customizability

Cody’s first post on iDB

Q&A 

Merman asks on Twitter: How long did it take for you two to agree on the shade of blue in the logo watch hands? And what are you each calling it?

Joseph asks by email: I have been listening since the iPhone XS fantasy draft. I was wondering how did Sebastien originally meet Cody? I was curious on the back story on how you guys met. Love the show.

Mike asks by email: Looking for some help and turning to the pros. Long time listener and first time emailer. I’m rocking Screen Time with my fourteen year old daughter. It mostly does the trick except for controlling the hotspot. I have her limited to certain times with some DOWNTIME. Her school computer is restricted to certain times from my Eero router. What she is doing is using hotspot from iPhone to school computer. I keep thinking I am just overlooking a setting to restrict hotspot access. I can’t find it anywhere. Surely Apple didn’t leave this out of Screen Time?

Diogo asks on Twitter: Top 3 features you hope to see in the 2021 iPhone (from both).

• Always-on display
• Lighter
• Better telephoto lens performance
• Touch ID
• USB-C
• Night mode for video

Jason asks by email: Can we have a section about your crypto thoughts especially with Elon musk recent move, hi from Manchester UK btw.

• Coinbase

Send us questions, comments, and feedback:

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Send an audio message

Sebastien and Cody run down all of the latest Apple Car rumors and discuss their validity. The pair also imagines future Apple health devices and answer a number of listener-submitted questions.

Topics mentioned on the show

Apple Car:

• Apple Car could sport 300-mile range, 18-minute fast charge, 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds
• Apple reportedly hires Porsche’s VP of Chassis Development for Apple Car projectCNBC: The Apple Car will be fully autonomous
• The Apple Car predicted to lack a steering wheel
• Apple will invest $3.6 billion in Kia Motors for Apple Car manufacturing
• Hyundai and Kia are apparently not in talks to develop an autonomous vehicle with Apple

Health: Apple may be developing its own health hardware products

New beta:

• Apple seeds first betas of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, and tvOS 14.5 to developers
• iOS 14.5 supports letting Apple Watch owners unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask
• Demo of the feature: Unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch?! (iOS 14.5)
• Siri now permits you to choose a default app for music streaming requests

What we’ve been watching: 

• Molly’s game on Netflix
• Palmer on Apple TV+

Listeners Q&A

Ian (the Welshman) asks by email: Just curious, what do you guys do for day jobs, interested to know how your days are filled. Good luck with the new format.

Nathan asks on Twitter: iOS 14.5 brings the ability to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, as long as you’re wearing your Apple Watch. Is this enough to get ‪Sebastien to wear his Apple Watch on a regular basis again?

Ted asks by email: Hi Guys, love the new format. Always something to learn from your casual chatter. Being in my seventies and crazy about Apple Music, I have brought my children onboard with the family plan. I have recently given thought about how on earth the kids close down my apple subscriptions when the day of my demise happens. Any thoughts on this problem?

Anthony says by email: Hey Sebastien and Cody. Love the podcast-been a long time listener. About Cody’s “Downtime” song-you should hold a contest where listeners submit their rendition of the song with music. Winner could receive merch of some kind(if you decide to make some, which you should), or an Apple product(iTunes gift card, AirPods, etc), or some other “tech” prize. Again, really enjoy the show!!

Thank you to our German friend @_conath for sending in our first voice memo and for creating this awesome fanfare for Cody's song.

Send us questions, comments, and feedback

• Follow @SebastienPage and @melvco on Twitter
• Send a tweet to @Downtime_cast
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Send an audio message