The Mac Observer Show

By Ken RayTechnology

The Mac Observer Show episodes

March 24, 2023Spring OS Updates Without a Product Event?
Word is Apple is getting serious about having people back in the office three days a week. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over the report. Plus – Jeff thinks Apple will release its next OS updates next week. So, no spring product thing then?
Apple Reportedly Leaning on Employees to… Show Up for Work
Apple Delays Bonuses for Some and Limits Hiring in Latest Cost-Cutting Effort
Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 to Developers [Update: Public RC Available]
References to New AirPods and AirPods Case Spotted in iOS 16.4 RC
References to Beats Studio Buds+ Spotted in iOS 16.4 RC
21 min
March 23, 2023Making Apple TV+ a Superstation?
Changes to “Friday Night Baseball” on Apple TV make Ken wonder whether Apple is trying to turn Apple TV+ into a superstation. He and TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts bat the idea around. Plus – They talk over the random playlists that are turning up for some Apple Music users.
“Friday Night Baseball” Goes Behind Apple TV+ Paywall
TechCrunch: Comparing “Friday Night Baseball” Year-to-Year
Report: Unexpected Playlists Showing Up for Some Apple Music Users
21 min
March 22, 2023iPhone 14 Plus Fails at Failing
Since its introduction, most in the tech press have deemed iPhone 14 Plus a failure. New numbers indicate otherwise, leaving most in the tech press to question how Apple got it so wrong? No. That doesn’t make sense. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken will discuss it. Plus – Google Bard goes bigger and a very convincing Steve Jobs chatbot.
Report Suggests iPhone 14 Plus More Popular Than iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone 14 Plus sales are too small for Apple, but it’s not an iPhone 13 mini-sized dud
ChatGPT watch out: You can now chat to Google Bard
Steve Jobs returns from grave as a chatty AI
Hear the Jobs/ChatGPT Bot Talk on Twitter
23 min
March 21, 2023Counting and Ditching iPhones
Counterpoint Research has some staggering data on premium smartphones and iPhone. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken work those numbers. Plus – Is “iPhone” the generic name for “smartphone” in Russia?
Counterpoint: Premium Smartphones Owned 2022 (and Apple Owned Premium Smartphones)
Samsung Sold More Foldables Last Year Than Other Brands Combined
Apple Statistics (2023) from the Site Business of Apps
Kremlin tells officials to stop using iPhones - Kommersant newspaper
20 min
March 20, 2023Ted Lasso Goes to Washington
Most of the cast of “Ted Lasso” is headed to the White House to talk mental health. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk about some of the great stories on Apple TV+. Plus – the “Steve Jobs” auction revisited, and a quick dip into Mailbag Monday.
“Ted Lasso” Cast Members Head to White House for Mental Health Awareness
RR Auctions - Disclosed Prices for “Steve Jobs and the Apple Computer Revolution” Sales
TSMC Founder: Globalization and Free-Trade Are Dead in the Chip Industry
24 min
March 17, 2023Sobering Thoughts from TSMC's Founder
The founder of Apple’s chipmaking partner TSMC struck a worrying note this week when assessing US/Taiwanese relations. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about that. Plus – Adventures in Sleep in the Apple Health app.
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TSMC Founder: Globalization and Free-Trade Are Dead in the Chip Industry
Investopedia Explains Free Trade
CNBC Explains "Friend-Shoring"
Keep Better Track of Your Sleep With watchOS 9
21 min
March 16, 2023realityOS and Qualcomm's Smart Car Plans
If it’s Thursday, it must be realityOS. Signs of Apple’s mixed reality moves turn up on GitHub. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to kick that around. Then, Qualcomm seems to be setting the smart car bar pretty high. Jeff tells us what’s coming down the road.
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Lates Apple Source Code on GitHub References realityOS
Qualcomm Shares Sneak Peek of Its Snapdragon Digital Chassis Concept Car
21 min
March 15, 2023A Cold Front in Apple HR
In a familiar sounding story, Bloomberg says Apple has slowed hiring considerably and rescheduled bonuses in an attempt to control costs. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to discuss that. Plus – An email on Apple TV+ and the first installment of Nick’s Picks!
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Bloomberg: Apple Delays Some Bonuses and Further Slows Hiring in Cost-Saving Efforts
Apple Permanently Closes North Carolina Store After Multiple Shooting Incidents
Apple Intros “Shop with a Specialist over Video” for iPhone
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse, and the Oscar
Tetris Premiers on Apple TV+ on March 31, 2023
"Monster Factory" Hits Apple TV+ on March 17, 2023
23 min
March 14, 2023Working Longer and Sleeping Better
Apple and Foxconn are seeing better conditions for manufacturing in India. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the changes and consider worker issues. Plus – Our Apple Watches tell us we’re not getting enough sleep. We’ll look at how our Apple Watches can help.
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New Laws Aim to Make India the “Next Big Manufacturing Hub”
Apple Heart Study Says We’re Not Sleeping Enough
Keep Better Track of Your Sleep With watchOS 9
21 min
March 13, 2023A Mixed-Reality and Mailbag Monday
The Financial Times says Apple’s mixed-reality headset will be Tim Cook’s legacy. But rumor says not everyone at Apple thinks it’s the best idea. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to address the headset. Plus – Apple Music Classical, MLS, and high-priced iPad Pros are in for Mailbag Monday.
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FT: Tim Cook bets on Apple’s mixed-reality headset to secure his legacy
Xiaomi shows off its new wireless AR glasses
Display Analyst Ross Doesn't Think Apple Can Make a Million Headsets in Year One
Apple Music Classical Placeholder Turns Up in App Store
2021: Apple Acquires ‘Primephonic’, a Classical Music Streaming Platform
Apple Music Classical (Finally) Arrives for iPhone Users
MacRumors: 15 Things You Need to Know About Apple Music Classical App
Apple reportedly planning major price increase for OLED iPad Pro
22 min