iACast

On this episode, Michael, Taylor and Jason discuss the technology they feel is the best to come ot of 2020.
Picks include the 2020 iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple’s new M1 chip, AirPods Max, the Surface Book 3, the Razer Blade Pro 17, and more.

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to [email protected]. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

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Taylor: iPhone 12 Pro

Michael Babcock: Auto Hotkey

Lauren: Canva

Michael Doise: Toshiba Fire TV

On this episode, Michael, Taylor, Jason and Jim discuss their Thanksgiving activities, and any Black Friday purchases they did or didn’t make. They also discuss methods you can employ that will help you keep your information safe online.
Methods include using unique passwords, ensuring you have two-factor authentication enabled for your accounts, using a password manager and more. You can use a site called Have I Been Pwned to check if your passwords and email address have been compromised.
They talk about 1Password and LastPass. Jason talks about the Web Authentication API, which allows you to log into websites with Face ID and Touch ID. Taylor talks about KeePass, an open source password manager. She also mentions Temp Mail, a service that lets you create disposable email addresses.

For those who are interested in the ability to play Minecraft, there is a mod that includes some accessibility features.

Perspective AI

Jason: iPhone 12 Pro Max

Taylor: Perspective AI

Jim: iPad Pro 2020

Michael: A game called Prey.

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to [email protected]. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

Show Description

Lauren: Logitech Slim Combo for the 10.5 inch iPad Pro

Taylor: Auphonic

Michael: AirPods Max

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Microsoft is in talks to purchase Discord.

Discord has launched a Clubhouse like feature called Stage Channels.

Twitter is rolling out Spaces to everyone this month.

Taylor: Gravity Forms

Michael: the Expeditionary Force book series

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Evidence that supports the eminent a-rival of Apple’s AirTags was Found in the Find My app in the iOS 14.5 beta.

Hims has launched the BrailleSense 6.

Google released the Android 12 technical preview.

Taylor: GeneratePress

Michael: The Expeditionary Force Book Series

TAYLOR: Hello, everyone,

MICHAEL: and Jason Earls.

JASON: Hello, everybody.

MICHAEL: All right, we have a great episode for you today. And you know, we’ve been gone for a few weeks. We had a kind of a crazy storm And then we wanted to get back on a regular schedule. So, we’re back with a new episode to talk about all the interesting news that’s happened recently and some rumors and news and a bunch of different things that have happened. So, let’s jump right into it. Our main topic for today is the first news item, and that’s the HomePod being discontinued. And I have very mixed opinions on this.

JASON: I do too. I kind of understand why Apple discontinued the HomePod. Also, they discontinued the HomePod! It’s okay, HomePod buddy, I still love you! As I pat my HomePod.

MICHAEL: Didn’t we have a hashtag for a while, pet the HomePod?

JASON: I think we did.

TAYLOR: Hilarious.

JASON: I was just trying not to pat the screen because I didn’t want music to happen, but that would have actually been really funny.

MICHAEL: I think I have a picture of headphones sitting on a HomePod.

JASON: Oh, yeah! The Andrea Cans!

MICHAEL: Yeah, yeah.

JASON: But yeah, on one hand, I understand why they did it because it was at launch a what, $350 Smart speaker that couldn’t do terribly much more than play music. I mean yes, it sounded good, But you know, it’s not what people were looking for in their smart speakers. Especially considering the likes of the Echo devices, the Google Home Hubs or Homes at the time. And you know, the HomePod’s been around for like 4 years. So, in one respect, I kind of understand it. And you know, the HomePod Mini does have some features that the big HomePod doesn’t have regarding the U1 chip and everything. But at the same time, the HomePod does sound so good! And as good as the Mini is and as great sales figures as the Mini is because of its price point and everything, you can’t argue that it just does not sound as good as the big HomePod.

TAYLOR: Right. But I think if we’re thinking about it, the majority of consumers, they may not be in depth with audio and they may not understand that the HomePod sounds the way it is and that they want to pay for that. Because a lot of them just want to listen to music, and they want it to be portable. And so, that’s where I think it’s coming down to. Like, I understand why they they discontinued it, but yeah, it’s kind of sad. I mean personally, I don’t have a big HomePod, but that’s because in a small apartment, I just don’t have a lot of room.

JASON: Right. And, you know, they did say that they are still going to push out software updates for the big HomePods and support the Apple Care which is good because I just got Apple Care last year.

TAYLOR: Oh, that would stink otherwise.

JASON: Right? But like, I really want them to come out with a bigger HomePod for 199. That’s what I’m hoping for, even though they publicly said to I think it was like iMore or whatever that they were in fact focusing their efforts on HomePod Mini. Because let’s think about it like this, the big HomePod — you know, Apple slash the price to 299, right? So, for $200. You could get two HomePod mini for less money than one bigger HomePod. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s going to have the bigger, basier sound of the HomePod, but at least you would get stereo audio and stuff.

MICHAEL: Well, let’s leave this part for the end because we’re already kind of diving in.

JASON: I know right? I like, I got thoughts I’m sorry.

MICHAEL: But the other bit of news is the iMac Pro completely was discontinued and they’re only selling them while supplies last

JASON:That I’m not sad about.

MICHAEL: In a way, I am. I think it was a great product, but I think we’re about to see something new come from Apple. And as usual, we will be doing a live stream of that event. At least that’s the plan. We’ll be doing a live stream of the Apple event when it happens later this month. Because we do know for certain, right, that there is an apple event?

JASON: I don’t think we do know for certain. I just think speculations hide that there may be one, at least last I checked. But March 23 is the rumored date for the Apple event. I also haven’t really looked at the news today. So things may have changed. But last I knew it was a hypothetical thing at this point. I mean, a highly likely thing at this point.

MICHAEL: And I think it’s because they’re discontinuing these devices and the fact that we have so much information in the code about our next topic, and that’s potential AirTags coming soon. Because there’s mention of them in the find my app.

TAYLOR: Yes, there is.

MICHAEL: On the beta

TAYLOR: Which is awesome because I’ve saw YouTube videos. Obviously, I don’t have the beta myself, but I’ve seen YouTube videos that have mentioned it. Obviously, when you’re on to prepare for the podcast just kind of looking at all the news. And but yeah, definitely pretty cool. And hopefully, hopefully they work. I mean, Tile’s nice, but it’d be nice to have something built in and integrated for finding stuff.

JASON: Right, and I guess Apple’s opening up the FindMy protocol so that companies like Tile could take advantage of it as well. And…