The Tech Night Owl LIVE — Tech Radio with a Pop Culture Twist!

We present author Josh Centers, Managing Editor for TidBITS, and author of "Take Control of Apple TV" and other titles. He'll focus his discussion first on the forthcoming Tesla 3 electric car, which garnered over 325,000 preorders days after it was announced. He'll also talk about the lingering Apple/FBI issues, OS X security and is latest book covering the fourth generation Apple TV. Gene explains why he's still using the previous model. You'll also hear from commentator and podcaster Kirk McElhearn, also known as Macworld's "iTunes Guy," who discusses the latest security exploit involving Adobe Flash, and why he removed Flash from all his Macs, and only uses the embedded version in the Google Chrome browser. He'll also comment on the lingering Apple/FBI controversy, and talk up his new iPhone SE and iPad Pro. The discussion concludes with Amazon's efforts to expand same-day delivery and supermarkets that allow you to place online orders for home delivery in the U.S. and UK.

On this week's all-star episode, we present columnist John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer. At the top of John's agenda this week is Apple's dispute with the FBI over an iPhone 5c used by a terrorist. Now that the authorities have recovered data from it, is the dispute over — or is it beginning? The very thought takes us to a compelling issue, that, to John, iPhone technology is "indistinguishable from magic." John will also explain why he feels Apple's 9.7-inch iPad Pro will "breathe new life into the product line." He'll also talk about OS X, which debuted as a Public Beta in 2000. Is it time for Apple to think about making OS X and iOS more proactive, more intelligent? You'll also hear from ethical hacker Dr. Timothy Summers, President of Summers & Company, a cyber strategy and organizational design consulting firm. Dr. Summers will participate in a thorough discussion of the ins and outs of the FBI's solution to unlocking that iPhone. He'll also speculate about what techniques the authorities may have employed to recover the data, and whether that method can possibly present security problems for users. He'll also explain why he thinks that Android's more flexible encryption model might present a higher level of security. The discussion concludes with credit card safety and whether Bitcoin has seen its day. Is there anything about the Bitcoin financial model that banks might still find useful?

We present prolific author and commentator Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus with lots to talk about. He first complains about problems dealing with Microsoft's One Drive and why he kept getting strange system errors after trying to upload files to the cloud storage system. The discussion moves on to why Apple refused to post his new satiric song, "Why iTunes Must Die!" in iTunes. Bob and Gene talk about Apple dodging a bullet in its conflict with the FBI, and there's a segment about the "printer ink wars" and how to save a bundle on consumables. Bob will also explain how his Apple Watch continues to be an indispensable tool for his health and fitness needs. You'll also hear from outspoken columnist and podcaster Kirk McElhearn, also known as Macworld's "iTunes Guy." Kirk will discuss what he regards as an advertising scam at Facebook, when you agree to pay for additional traffic to boost a post in your timeline. He'll also explain why he prefers a 4-inch iPhone, and, therefore, ordered an iPhone SE. There's a brief discussion about Apple's public conflict with the FBI over a court order to unlock an iPhone 5c used by a terrorist. That order is current postponed as the FBI tries out a third-party's solution.

We present Bryan Chaffin, co-founder and co-publisher of The Mac Observer. He'll discuss the ever-complicated Apple/FBI conflict, where Apple is being asked to create what's called a "GovOS," to allow the authorities to break into an iPhone 5c used by a terrorist. He'll also make some sage predictions of what might come from the Apple media event set for March 21, 2016. Speculation has it that the offerings will include a new 4-inch iPhone, and an iPad refresh, a new version of the 9.7 model. Bryan also talks about his efforts to live without his Apple Watch for a full week, offering his impressions after five days. And, yes, he still wears a watch, a mechanical one. You'll also hear from freelance writer and podcaster Peter Cohen, who will also discuss the possibilities at the Apple media event, and whether the expected new products appeal to him. The discussion will also include Peter's impressions of the Apple/FBI conflict, and his feelings about the government's contradictory claims about whether or not it's limited to a single iPhone. Gene moves the discussion to the reliability of recent laser printers, citing his problems with a Brother black and white laser, where the fuser assembly failed after roughly 28,000 copies were printed; it's rated for 100,000 copies.

We present outspoken commentator Jeff Gamet, Managing Editor for The Mac Observer. He will present his views about the ongoing Apple dispute with the FBI over whether our favorite fruit company can be forced to build a special OS backdoor to unlock an iPhone 5c work phone used by a terrorist in the San Bernardino attacks. He'll also talk about Apple's March 21, 2016 media event, where they are expected to introduce a 4-inch iPhone and a new 9.7-inch iPad. And how does adding new models contribute to model bloat at Apple? Can they — should they — produce fewer product variations? You'll also hear from columnist Kirk McElhearn, also known as Macworld's "iTunes Guy." Kirk will present his views about the ongoing Apple/FBI case. He will also explain why he has preferred 4-inch iPhones over the larger versions, and what he anticipates from Apple's media event. Is he ready to trade his iPhone 6s for the rumored iPhone 5se? He'll also talk about the final outcome of the Apple e-book antitrust case, where they are now forced to pay a settlement of $450 million to states, attorneys, and customers.

On this week's all-star episode, the polarizing topic of Apple versus the FBI is front and center once again, as our guests all give you their opinions about Apple's fight to prevent being forced to create a special version of iOS that would defeat security controls on a terrorist suspect's iPhone 5c work phone. The matter was made more confusing by the ruling from a Federal Magistrate Judge that Apple did not have to break the encryption of an iPhone that was evidence in a criminal case. As the week progressed, other tech companies had filed amicus briefs in the case favoring Apple's position, while some others filed in favor of the government. You'll also hear about the possibility that Apple plans to introduce a new 4-inch iPhone in a late March media event. Our guests include Bill Carey, VP of Marketing for Roboform, a company that makes password management software, cutting-edge commentator Daniel Eran Dilger, of Roughly Drafted Magazine and AppleInsider, and columnist Rob Pegoraro, who writes for USA Today, Yahoo Tech and Wirecutter.

We take a common sense look at the brouhaha involving Apple and the FBI. The authorities have obtained a court order directing Apple to, in essence, build a special version of iOS that would defeat the security protections of an iPhone 5c to access its encrypted data. This handset was used by one of the shooters in the December 2015 San Bernardino, CA attack. Apple's response is that it would create a dangerous precedent that could compromise the security of hundreds of millions of Apple customers, and would also allow other government agencies, and even foreign governments, to make similar requests. Apple is also calling for a government commission to consider the matter and make recommendations. Our guests include publisher/editor Adam Engst, of TidBITS and Take Control Books, and security guru Dr. Timothy C. Summers, President of Summers & Company, a cyber strategy and organizational design consulting firm. In addition, Dr. Summers will provide a brief look at the security situation on iOS, Android and Windows 10.

We are joined by commentator John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer. His bill of fare includes Apple's dispute with the FBI over whether they should be forced to develop a special iOS update that'll allow the authorities to break into an encrypted iPhone 5c that belonged to a terrorist. John will also talk about "hard disks spinning right into the graveyard," the severe limitations of Apple's Time Machine backup app, what happens when your autonomous (self-driving) car crashes, whether the next Apple Watch will be thinner, and what to do when your Apple Watch informs you NOT to eat a candy bar or other junk food. You'll also hear from commentator and podcaster Kirk McElhearn, also known as Macworld's "iTunes Guy," who also talks about the implications of the court order demanding that Apple break into an encrypted iPhone. Kirk also attempts to answer the question of how software on an encrypted iPhone can be updated without someone entering the correct passcode. He'll also discuss rumors that Apple is working on an explicit TV series featuring their own Dr. Dre, whether Apple's software quality has declined, and whether we should discontinue daylight savings time and, perhaps, all time zones.

We present freelance writer and podcaster Peter Cohen. He covers the "Error 53" controversy, involving iPhone 6-family handsets that have had Touch ID sensors repaired or replaced by unauthorized service shops. When you try to update the smartphones, they stop working and display that obtuse error. Although Apple maintains the move was done for the customer's protection, it has already sparked threats of class-action lawsuits. Peter will also talk about the fourth-generation Apple TV and whether some might have expected too much from it. And what about Apple's so-far moribund attempts to start a TV subscription service? You'll also hear from prolific author and commentator Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus. After he and Gene have a brief chat about Texas culture and cuisine, the discussion moves to the "Error 53" controversy and Bob's take on it. He also talks about cable cord-cutting, admitting that he would actually like to shut off his cable TV service if he could replace the programming in other ways. Bob also details the course he's taking in online marketing, and his plans to write a book on how to stop procrastinating when you're trying to get work done with your Mac. He'll also introduce his new recording and petition to persuade Apple to overhaul iTunes, entitled "iTunes Must Die!" You'll hear an excerpt of the recording during the episode; we'll present the full song in stereo exclusively in the version of the show posted for members of Tech Night Owl+.

We present noted industry analyst Stephen Baker, Vice President for Industry Analysis at the NPD Group. He provides an extensive discussion about the arrival of 4K TVs, their success so far in the marketplace, Will enhanced color features, such as the Ultra HD Premium standard, continue to push sales? What about the lack of 4K content? Stephen also discusses flattening sales of iPhones and other smartphones, and whether one key reason is the longer upgrade cycle? We also present commentator and talk show host Kirk McElhearn, also known as Macworld's "iTunes Guy." He offers a change-of-pace discussion about the technology of dealing with autoimmune diseases. The discussion moves to why iPad sales are falling, and have fallen for several years. Is it much, again, about the fact that people who buy them see no reason to upgrade? Kirk goes to explain that the older iPad actually works fine other than some possible performance issues with games and other software. He also cites an article, from tech columnist Jason Snell, about the rise of Chromebooks against iPads in budget-conscious school systems. And what about competition from cheap competitors, such as a $50 tablet from Amazon? What about Apple buying BMW? Are we serious?