Upgrade

By RelayTechnology

Upgrade episodes

May 19, 2025564: California CarPlay Road Trip
The future of CarPlay is here, sort of, as we break down Apple's sales pitch for CarPlay Ultra. Also, Tim Cook's India iPhone plan gets noticed, Apple and Epic go around again on Fortnite, and Bloomberg portrays Apple's internal AI struggles.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
DeleteMe: Get 20% off your plan when you use this link and code UPGRADE20.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback The Halfliner – Eephus League Baseball scorekeeping - Wikipedia Spoke Pen / Model 2 – Spoke Design Trump Wants Apple to Stop Moving iPhone Production to India - Bloomberg Fortnite isn’t available on iOS right now, but why? | The Verge Apple says it won't yet 'take action' on Fortnite return to the App Store - 9to5Mac Epic asks judge to reinstate Fortnite on the App Store - 9to5Mac Daring Fireball: Apple Will Not Reinstate Epic’s Fortnite Developer Account, but Epic’s Other Developer Accounts Remain Active New Apple CarPlay Ultra: Apple Just Took Over Your Car! - YouTube Apple rolls out rebranded “CarPlay Ultra” three years after its unveiling – Six Colors CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out today - Apple Daring Fireball: Jack Rix at Top Gear Reviews CarPlay Ultra in the Aston Martin DBX Upgrade #418: Cocktail of Headwinds - Relay “Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing.” | The Verge Apple Plans to Add Eye-Scrolling Feature to Vision Pro Headset - Bloomberg How Apple Intelligence and Siri AI Went So Wrong - Bloomberg Apple is trying to get ‘LLM Siri’ back on track | The Verge How will Apple re-think AI features for WWDC 2025? – Six Colors What Siri Isn't: Perplexity's Voice Assistant and the Potential of LLMs Integrated with iOS - MacStories
1 hr 37 min
May 12, 2025563: Peanut or a Banana
We've got more thoughts about Apple's current policies and legal troubles, Eddy Cue makes some surprising statements under oath, and there's suddenly an awful lot of conversation about products Apple might not release until 2027.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Tell me all your troubles – Six Colors PopClip for Mac I’ll take “Bucket List” for $400, Ken – Six Colors Dan Moren's Blog Our 2025 iOS and iPadOS WWDC Wishes – AppStories Apple renews Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire 'The Studio' for season two ahead of finale - 9to5Mac Apple Seeks to Pause 'Extraordinary' App Store Ruling in Epic Games Battle - MacRumors Amazon now has a ‘Get book’ button in its iOS Kindle app | The Verge The Delta emulator’s new update makes it easier to join its Patreon | The Verge Fortnite on X: "We’ve submitted Fortnite to Apple for review so we can launch on the App Store in the U.S." / X Epic will use an EU account to bring Fortnite back to the US App Store | The Verge Appfigures: Apple made over $10B from US App Store commissions last year | TechCrunch Eddy Cue Causes a Stir for Google - MacStories Apple is looking at adding Perplexity and other AI search engines to Safari | The Verge Apple’s Eddy Cue: ‘You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now’ | The Verge Daring Fireball: Swift Assist Hasn't Shipped, and Isn't Yet in Beta Google Eyes Gemini-iPhone AI Deal This Year, Pichai Says - Bloomberg Apple, Anthropic Team Up to Build AI-Powered ‘Vibe-Coding’ Platform - Bloomberg Daring Fireball: Swift Assist Hasn't Shipped, and Isn't Yet in Beta Apple Plans iPhone Release Schedule Shakeup, New Styles — The Information 20th-Anniversary iPhone Will Reportedly Feature an All-Screen Design - MacRumors Apple 2027 Plans: Tabletop Robot, 20th Anniversary iPhone; iOS 19 Wi-Fi Feature - Bloomberg Apple Is Developing Specialized Chips for Glasses, Macs, AI Servers (AAPL) - Bloomberg Exclusive | Apple Considers Raising iPhone Prices, Without Blaming Tariffs - WSJ Aura Frames TVUserManager | Apple Developer Documentation Upgrade 563: Peanut or a Banana - YouTube
1 hr 35 min
May 05, 2025562: Let's Break the Law
We break down Apple's failure in U.S. District Court and what it means for the future of Apple's policies, corporate culture, corporate executives, and bottom line. Also (awkward!) we discuss Apple's quarterly financial results.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Oracle: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
DeleteMe: Get 20% off your plan when you use this link and code UPGRADE20.
Links and Show Notes:
Apple results theme by Lex Friedman.
Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback The Mira Pro Color is Boox’s first color E Ink monitor | The Verge Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027 - MacRumors The Episode 400 Draft Scorecard A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store | The Verge Apple files appeal to wrest back control of its App Store | The Verge Apple updates App Store Guidelines to allow links to external payments - 9to5Mac The hammer falls on Apple’s malicious-compliance scheme – Six Colors A Breach of Trust: Apple Held in Contempt Over App Store Rules - MacStories David Smith: "I've been mulling over the App…" - Mastodon Developers and Platforms React as App Store Rules Change in the U.S. - MacStories Apple Q2 2025 results and charts: $95.4B revenue – Six Colors This is Tim: Complete transcript of Apple’s Q2 2025 financial call – Six Colors Beware the tariffs! Inside Apple’s latest financial results – Six Colors
1 hr 46 min
April 28, 2025561: International Intrigue
Apple tiptoes a line between the U.S., China, and India, while Europe hits back with a big fine. Is the solution to the iPad's high-end malaise... the Mac menu bar? And for Google, no thermostat is forever.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Google announces 1st and 2nd gen Nest Thermostats will lose support in October 2025 - Ars Technica Buy Jason's Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Apple and Meta hit with the EU’s first DMA antitrust fines | The Verge The EU isn’t happy with Apple’s tax on alternative app stores | The Verge US calls EU fines on Apple and Meta 'economic extortion' | Reuters iPadOS 19 Rumored to Show Mac-Like Menu Bar When Connected to Magic Keyboard - MacRumors Is iPadOS 19 getting more Mac-like? – Six Colors Daring Fireball: Rumor Suggests iPadOS 19 to Get Some Mac-Like Tweaks, Like a Menu Bar iOS 19 brings ‘Stage Manager-like’ UI to iPhone with external display, per rumor - 9to5Mac Apple to Strip Secret Robotics Unit From AI Chief Weeks After Moving Siri - Bloomberg iPhone 17e already well advanced, says leaker with the right credentials How Could Apple Use Open-Source AI Models? - MacStories Apple aims to source all US iPhones from India in pivot away from China – The FT Report: Apple Plans to Source All US-Bound iPhones From India by 2026 - MacRumors What Is Happening With Apple’s AI Team? Siri and Robotics Shifts Mark a Breakup - Bloomberg Apple’s India Manufacturing Push Faces Spoilers, Including China — The Information Daring Fireball: Wayne Ma Reports That Political Tensions Are Making It Difficult for Apple to Shift More iPhone Production From China to India Did Tim Cook finagle a special tariff deal? Senator Warren wants to know | The Verge
1 hr 25 min
April 21, 2025560: Thank All the Daddies
Myke Hurley returns to the show to discuss eight weeks of fatherhood and fatherly advice, everything he's missed, and modern baby technology. Plus we wonder about Vision Pro rumors and Jason offers academic apologies and e-reader follow-up.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
DeleteMe: Get 20% off your plan when you use this link and code UPGRADE20.
Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Your new Kindle can finally turn pages without touching the screen – Android Police The Upgrade Paternity Draft Scorecard Daring Fireball: Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino All the Design Changes Rumored for iOS 19 So Far - MacRumors Apple Vision Pro 2 Details, Low-Latency Headset, AR Glasses; iPadOS 19 Details - Bloomberg How Apple CEO Tim Cook Convinced Trump to Exempt Apple From Tariffs - MacRumors Ted Lasso Renewed for a Fourth Season on Apple TV+ - MacStories 'Mythic Quest' Canceled After Four Seasons at Apple TV+ – Variety ewan Deluxe | baby shushing sleep sheep | grey – Sweet Dreamers Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection in the United Kingdom to new users – Apple Support (UK)
1 hr 37 min
April 14, 2025559: All Fingers Are Digital
After nearly 500 episodes away, Scott McNulty returns to the podcast to discuss the resilience of babies, dysfunction at Apple, the future of the Vision Pro, and (of course) ebooks and e-readers.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Guest Starring:
Scott McNulty
Links and Show Notes: Books
Jason:
M.R. Carey’s Pandominion duology (Infinity Gate/Echo of Worlds)
James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series (9 books, “Leviathan Wakes”)
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Final Architecture series (3 books, “Shards of Earth”)
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time series (3 books, “Children of Time”)
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Steven Baxter (5 books, “The Long Earth”)
Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross (6+ books, “The Family Trade”)
Scott:
Jo Walton’s Small Change (Farthing, Ha’penny, Half a Crown)
Yoon Ha Lee’s The Machineries of Empire (Ninefox Gambit, Raven Stratagem, Revenant Gun)
The Culture novels by Ian Banks (not really a good fit, but sort of!)
Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Ambient music: Free background tunes on your iPhone without ads Howard Lutnick says electronics tariff exemptions are temporary | AP News A 'US-Made iPhone' Is Pure Fantasy Why price increases aren’t the only way Apple can fight tariffs – Six Colors How Apple Fumbled Siri’s AI Makeover — The Information Report Reveals Internal Chaos Behind Apple's Siri Failure - MacRumors Apple Plans to Release Delayed Apple Intelligence ‌Siri‌ Features This Fall - MacRumors Trump Tariffs Add to Apple’s Long-Standing Innovation Woes - The New York Times Upgrade #8: With Special Offers - Relay Upgrade #85: Talk to this Cylinder - Relay Which e-reader should you buy? – Six Colors 2024 Kindle Colorsoft and Paperwhite Review: No perfect choices – Six Colors RF Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle Kobo Libra Colour Review: Color, but at what cost? – Six Colors The future of the Roomba, and the best robot vacuums | The Verge Kindle Scribe review: Big, beautiful, and… buttonless? – Six Colors Boox Palma review: A phone-shaped e-reader – Six Colors Kindle Scribe – Good feature, but get it out of my face – Blankbaby Upgrade 559: All Fingers are Digital - YouTube
1 hr 53 min
April 07, 2025558: My Bucket Is Full
David Smith joins Jason to discuss how Apple will respond to U.S. tariffs, AI Apple health rumors, the release of iOS 18.4, and Jason's stressful family trip to the Apple Store.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Oracle: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
DeleteMe: Get 20% off your plan when you use this link and code UPGRADE20.
Guest Starring:
David Smith
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Widgetsmith Pedometer++ Downstream #92: I Just Want to Blog - Relay My unsuccessful journey into Netflix’s ad tier – Six Colors What to watch if you’re churning through Apple TV+ – Six Colors iOS 18 - Apple About iOS 18 Updates - Apple Support Daring Fireball: Tired: Irresistable Force vs. Immovable Object — Wired: Unchanging Prices vs. Nonsensical Tariffs The pinnacle of Apple’s price stability is the iMac – Six Colors Fashion Fair - Apple Store - Apple iOS 18.4 beta adds Ambient Music to Control Center via Apple Music - 9to5Mac Upgrade 558: My Bucket Is Full - YouTube
1 hr 50 min
March 31, 2025557: I Will Run a Four-Minute Mile
Dan Moren joins Jason to discuss folding iPhones, long individual takes in TV shows, new OS features, and what WWDC 2025 might really bring.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity.
Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.
Guest Starring:
Dan Moren
Links and Show Notes:
Dan and his lightsaber.
Jason and the USS Enterprise. Can you help him make a stand?
Jason and Captain Kirk Bear.
Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Seth Rogen Slams Hollywood in 'The Studio': Sony Hack, 'Green Hornet' 'The Office' 20th Anniversary: Season 1 Oral History iPhone Foldable Display Said to Feature iPad-Style 4:3 Aspect Ratio - MacRumors Federico Viticci :ticciseal:: "If this is true, it's kind of …" - MacStories on Mastodon Introducing iOS 19 | Exclusive First Look - YouTube Mark Gurman disagrees on Threads Apple’s WWDC 2025 strategy is coming into view – Six Colors This year’s WWDC keynote will be must-see Apple TV – Six Colors Does the California Accent Actually Exist? Turns Out, Yes
1 hr 39 min
March 24, 2025556: This Photo Is Not 2000 Years Old
Stephen Hackett joins Jason to discuss A.I. fallout, EU moves to expand device interoperability, Jason's recent shootout of TV streaming boxes, and more.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity.
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Guest Starring:
Stephen Hackett
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback B.J Hunnicutt | M*A*S*H 4077th (TV Series) Wiki | Fandom Simple phone bending - All this Apple Vision Pro Chief Mike Rockwell Named Siri Head; Giannandrea Keeps AI Role - Bloomberg Vision Pro Creator Taking Over Siri After Apple Intelligence Setbacks - MacRumors Wish List: Siri, Spotlight, and a unified search experience – Six Colors Apple (AAPL) Explores Turning Watches Into Wearable AI Devices with Cameras - Bloomberg Apple Watches With Cameras Rumored, But FaceTime Unlikely - MacRumors Mark Gurman Talks Apple Intelligence Fallout & iOS 19 Rumors | Episode 139 - YouTube EC mandates Apple provide iOS interoperability on several fronts – Six Colors Get your new PebbleOS watch Apple restricts Pebble from being awesome with iPhones Opening iOS is good news for smartwatches | The Verge Who’s the laggard? Comparing TV streamer boxes – Six Colors Channels — Watch TV Your Way This free TV comes with two screens | The Verge Digitize Photos, Scanning & Video Transfer Services - ScanCafe Spinning pinwheel - Wikipedia mouse - Where are / are the "counting hand" cursors used in macOS - Ask Different The Fetch Softworks Story Upgrade 556: This Photo Is Not 2000 Years Old - YouTube
1 hr 50 min
March 17, 2025555: What You Are Is What You Ship
John Siracusa joins Jason to discuss Apple interface redesigns, Apple's ongoing AI disasters, the management challenges of Siri, and Jason's reviews of the new MacBook Air and Mac Studio.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
DeleteMe: Get 20% off your plan when you use this link and code UPGRADE20.
Guest Starring:
John Siracusa
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Submit Feedback Apple (AAPL) Readies Dramatic Design Overhauls for iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16 - Bloomberg Apple AI’s Platform Pivot Potential – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Two Minutes Hate - Wikipedia Apple’s (AAPL) Siri Chief Calls AI Delays Ugly and Embarrassing, Promises Fixes - Bloomberg M4 MacBook Air review: Am I blue? – Six Colors M4 Max Mac Studio review: A familiar face – Six Colors
2 hr 13 min

About Upgrade

From the publisher's feed

Upgrade looks at how technology shapes our lives, from the devices in our hands and pockets to the streaming services that keep us entertained. Hosted by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

Share Upgrade

Sign up to save your podcasts

Upgrade

Upgrade episodes

About Upgrade

More shows like Upgrade

Thoroughly Considered

Under the Radar

Mac Power Users

Rocket

Material

This Week in Tech (Audio)

MacBreak Weekly (Audio)

Intelligent Machines (Audio)

The Vergecast

The Talk Show With John Gruber

Accidental Tech Podcast

MacBreak Weekly (Video)

AppleInsider Podcast

Connected

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Remaster

Cortex

Ungeniused

The Pen Addict

Liftoff

Top Four

Focused

AppStories

Originality

9to5Mac Daily

Automators

Parallel

Pictorial

The Test Drivers

Flashback

Conduit

Downstream

The MacRumors Show