The Mac Observer Show

By Ken RayTechnology

The Mac Observer Show episodes

January 27, 2023The State of Streaming with Charlotte Henry
Friend of the show Charlotte Henry of The Addition (theaddition.substack.com) joins Ken to talk about streaming media. Is TV broken? Binge-TV or weekly viewing? Is Apple TV+ worth it? Hits, misses, and TV talk from both sides of the Atlantic.
New Teaser Video for Apple TV+ Gives Audiences a Peek at 2023 Programming
Flashback to October 2022: Apple Is Raising Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One Subscription Costs
Flashback 2019: Apple unveils Apple TV+, the new home for the world’s most creative storytellers
27 min
January 26, 2023Holding a Grudge and Loosening Restrictions
Secret sources tell the Financial Times that Apple is trying to lessen its ties with Google over feelings of betrayal tied to Android. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken discuss why it’s a good article anyway. Plus – Rumor has Apple loosening its COVID policies. Yay?
FT: Apple beefs up smartphone services in ‘silent war’ against Google
DoJ Sues Google Over Digital Ads Dominance
Report: Apple Changing COVID Policies for Corporate Employees
23 min
January 25, 2023Movies and Mac Memory Lane
It won’t be another CODA year at the Oscars, but Apple TV+ has been nominated for two Academy Awards. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken talk those over. Plus – the Mac was first shown off 39-years ago this week. Ken and Nick discuss their earliest Mac memories and want to hear yours, too! Email them in: [email protected]
Apple TV+ Picks Up Two Academy Award Nominations
Macintosh launched on Jan 24, 1984 and changed the world — eventually
22 min
January 24, 2023Examining Security Keys with Duane Waddle
One of the biggest changes introduced in this week’s OS updates from Apple is the across the board option to use physical security keys for iPhone, iPad, and the Mac. Info-sec guy Duane Waddle joins Ken to talk about what they are, their implementation, and possible futures for the tech.
December: Apple advances user security with powerful new data protections
Tuesday: Apple's iPadOS 16.3 is out with support for security keys
19 min
January 23, 2023Looking at the Big Tech Layoffs
Thousands of layoffs across the tech sector in recent weeks prompt a discussion between TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken. That includes a sort of inspiring message from the head of Nintendo back in 2013, and wondering where Apple is in all of it. Plus – a short Mailbag Monday on supply chain diversification.
CNBC Compares Layoff Numbers in “Big Tech”
TechCrunch: Layoffs Across “Big Tech” (Apple Not Included)
Layoffs an Ugly Reality for Microsoft’s AR/VR Plans
AppleInsider Hears Word of Layoffs at Apple Stores Inside Other Stores
Polygon 2013: Nintendo on Why It Does Not Like Layoffs
24 min
January 20, 2023From One Frying Pan to Another?
India has given Chinese companies a green light that should help Apple grow manufacturing on the subcontinent. But, if it requires Chinese companies, is diversification into India really diversification? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over that. Plus – a how-to on making use of HomePod’s temperature and humidity sensors.
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Report: Chinese iPhone Component Suppliers Approved for Indian Expansion
India-China dispute: The border row explained in 400 words
Using Your HomePod’s Temperature and Humidity Sensors
22 min
January 19, 2023The Big HomePod Returns
Apple has re-introduced the original form factor HomePod. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken talk over the new machine and changes coming to other HomePods. Plus – the story of an Apple Watch, a workout, and 15 cops.
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Apple introduces the new HomePod
New HomePod Will Not “Stereo Pair” with Old HomePod
New HomePod & existing HomePod mini have temperature sensors
Apple Watch, Siri, Muay Thai combo ends in accidental police raid
22 min
January 18, 2023New Macs: From Rumor to Reality
Monday’s rumors of new Macs were spot-on. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the new machines Apple introduced on Tuesday. Plus – as far as Apple’s concerned, an Intel-based Mac Pro is not worth what it used to be (nor what it still costs).
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M2 Pro and M2 Max 14- and 16-Inch MacBook Pro Announced
Apple introduces new Mac mini with M2 and M2 Pro
Apple unveils M2 Pro and M2 Max
Mac Pro trade-in value plummets after M2 announcements
22 min
January 17, 2023Whispers of New MacBook Pros and iPhone Sales
With a new MacBook Pro announcement rumored for today, TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken question what might make a laptop exciting again. Plus – continuing to size-up iPhone sales for the current quarter.
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Whispers of Mac-Related Announcement This Week
Unannounced MacBook Pro Shows Up in Canadian Regulatory Filing
Supply and Demand Meet: One-Day Wait for iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max Delivery in US
Rosenblatt Cuts Apple Target to $165, Stays Positive on Shares
Evercore Adds Apple to “Tactical Outperform” List
22 min
January 16, 2023Crashing and Tweeting and Mailbag Monday
Updates on the false Crash Detection calls coming from the ski slopes and Twitter nixing third-party clients start us off this week. Then, TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken find mixed-reality, touchscreen MacBooks, and the US government waiting in Mailbag Monday.
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Apple Collecting Feedback From Dispatchers Receiving False 911 Calls From Skiers
Thursday: Third-party Twitter apps are facing issues, users say
Sunday: Internal comms make third-party Twitter Client outages seem intentional
27 min