Apple Episodes

New Apple news and rumors, daily.
Oct. 28, 2020

Wed. 10/28 – Does The iPhone 12 Have A Secret Reverse Wireless Charging Feature?

Does the iPhone 12 have secret reverse wireless charging just waiting to be turned on? More signs Apple might be building its own search engine. The headlines from today’s Section 230 Senate hearing. Is the DOJ gonna prevent Visa from acquiring Plaid? And how much would you pay Elon Musk to beam you internet from Space? Sponsors: Calm.com/techmeme MailmanHQ.com Links: Apple’s iPhone 12 seems to have a secret reverse wireless charging feature (The Verge) Apple develops alternative to Google se...
Oct. 26, 2020

Mon. 10/26 – New AirPods And AirPods Pro This Spring?

New AirPods and AirPods pro coming as soon as the spring? Facebook launches streaming gaming everywhere but guess where? Ant is the biggest IPO in history. SAP seems to be having Covid issues. And are you still working from home? Well, maybe keep an eye on your ISP’s data caps. Sponsors: MailmanHQ.com Metalab.co Links: Apple Developing Smaller AirPods Pro, Revamped Entry-Level Model (Bloomberg) Facebook launches cloud games but says Apple won’t allow it on iOS (CNBC) Ant Group to raise $34.5...
Oct. 19, 2020

Mon. 10/19 – Apple Launches Apple Music TV (A-MTV? iMTV?)

Apple wants to you to want your A-MTV. iMTV? I dunno. Apple has launched a music videos channel. The new Samsung Galaxies might be coming sooner than ever. The company bringing AR to car windshields. And why Japan saying it’s getting on the regulate tech bandwagon might be the tipping point for the entire sector. Sponsors: ExtraHop.com/techmeme Monday.com/ride Links: Apple Launches ‘Apple Music TV,’ a 24-Hour Music Video Livestream (Variety) iPhone 12 mini has 2,227 mAh battery, new models wi...
Oct. 14, 2020

Wed. 10/14 – iPhone 12 Pricing and Availability Surprises

Picking up some odds and ends from yesterday’s iPhone event, including some eyebrow raising clarifications on price and availability. Zoom is indeed trying to be a platform by bringing apps to your calls. You know DeFi is hot when everyone is suddenly rebranding themselves as DeFi. And is Dropbox leading the way to a virtual work future? Sponsors: BlueNile.com, code RIDE for $50 off your purchase of over $750. ForHims.com/tech Links: The iPhone 12’s mysterious groove is a 5G mmWave antenna win...
Oct. 13, 2020

Tue. 10/13 – The iPhone 12 Event: All The Deets

All the details from the iPhone 12 event. PC shipments go into the category of “doing well in covid times.” Disney announces a reorg to emphasize its streaming strategy. And following up on that whole Foxconn factory in Wisconsin promise. Hint: it looks like vaporware. Sponsors: BuyRaycon.com/tech ForHims.com/tech Links: Techmeme Headline Cluster About the iPhone 12 Pro Techmeme Headline Cluster About the iPhone 12 Techmeme Headline Cluster About the iPhone 12 mini PC shipments climb in Q3, Ga...
Sept. 15, 2020

Tue. 09/15 – The Apple “Time Flies” Event

A full rundown of the Time Flies event from Apple. New Apple Watches, including an Apple Watch SE. Refreshed iPad, but redesigned iPad Air that is giving the iPad Pro a run for its money. An Apple Fitness+ subscription program. An Apple One subscription bundle. And meanwhile, Sony cuts PlayStation 5 production, we have a date for Google’s Pixel 5 launch and why it might actually be a good idea to put your data center at the bottom of the ocean. Sponsors: LiftOff.to PayPal App Links: Techmeme H...
Sept. 9, 2020

Wed. 09/09 – Clarifications And Follow-Ups

Clarifying the news on the new Xbox consoles, as well as next week’s Apple event. Apple sues Epic Games for breach of contract. Android 11 is here if you can get it. A new Yubikey now has USB-C goodness. And more indications that 5G is going to continue to be super, annoyingly disappointing. Sponsors: DoubleUp.agency JoinFightCamp.com/techmeme Links: Xbox Series X launches on November 10th for $499 (The Verge) Microsoft is adding EA Play to Xbox Game Pass (Engadget) Nintendo Boosts Switch Pr...
Sept. 4, 2020

Fri. 09/04 – Ad-Pocalypse (Not) Now

The Attorney General seems to want an antitrust case against Google within weeks. Apple has delayed the Ad-pocalypse. Why the games industry is where Epic has all the leverage against Apple. Will a new display tech bridge the gap between e-ink and traditional displays? And of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: Metalab.co Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Links: Justice Dept. Plans to File Antitrust Charges Against Google in Coming Weeks (NYTimes) Apple to Delay iOS Change R...
Sept. 3, 2020

Thu. 09/03 – Will Only One iPhone (The Expensive One) Get The Fastest 5G?

Will only one iPhone get the fastest version of 5G? Facebook moves into an election posture. Do Geofencing warrants violate the 4th Amendment? New Intel chips. New Snapdragon chips. Have you noticed we’ve been talking about the chip industry a lot lately? Today I’ll explain why. Also, a fully-functional Game Boy without a battery. Powered only by the sun and the energy of your button presses. Sponsors: Metalab.co Today In Digital Marketing Podcast Links: Source: Only one of Apple’s new iPhones...
Aug. 24, 2020

Mon. 08/24 – Is Apple Evil Now?

Is Apple evil now? Another App Store kerfluffle, this time involving WordPress of all things. Also, more fallout from the Apple/Epic Games/Fortnite battle. Lawsuits flying in the WeChat/TikTok controversies. And let me introduce you to SPAC’s, otherwise known as blank-check companies. Sponsors: TinyCapital.com Grammarly.com/techmeme Links: WordPress founder claims Apple cut off updates to his completely free app because it wants 30 percent (The Verge) Apple apologizes to WordPress, won’t forc...
Aug. 18, 2020

Tue. 08/18 – Apple Goes Nuclear Against Epic Games

Apple has chosen the tactical nuclear option in its fight with Epic Games. But Epic might rally a rebel alliance. Would Oracle buying TikTok make any sense to anyone? Uber and Lyft consider reverting to the business model they claimed the operated all along. And algorithms CAN be good for humanity. Sponsors: Metalab.co Discover.bot/podcast Links: Epic says Apple threatens ‘catastrophic’ response in two weeks if Fortnite doesn’t comply with rules (The Verge) Oracle enters race to buy TikTok’s ...
Aug. 14, 2020

Fri. 08/14 – Fortnite Banned! The Epic/Apple/Google Battle Royale

What do you think we’re going to talk about? Apple and Google ban Fortnite. Epic Games turns around and sues Apple and Google for antitrust. Also: Adobe commits to fighting Deepfakes, Streaming is now a quarter of all tv viewing, and, of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: LiftOff.to JoinFightCamp.com/techmeme Links: Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store (The Verge) Epic is suing Google over Fortnite’s removal from the Google Play Store (The Verg...
Aug. 13, 2020

Thu. 08/13 – Apple Subscription Bundles By October?

Apple subscription bundles coming as soon as October according to Gurman. Epic is straight out thumbing its nose at the App Stores. What could render iPhones as “electronic trash” in China. And why are people sniffing around Dubsmash for a possible acquisition? Sponsors: Liftoff.to BuyRaycon.com/tech Links: Apple Readies Subscription Bundles to Boost Digital Services (Bloomberg) Epic offers new direct payment in Fortnite on iOS and Android to get around app store fees (The Verge) Twitter lau...
Aug. 4, 2020

Tue. 08/04 – Last Hurrah? iMacs Get A Major Update

Last hurrah? Intel iMacs get a major update. The TikTok, Microsoft, Trump situation can only be described as nuts-o-butts-o. Looks like Garmin paid the ransom. Why xCloud is launching soon on Android but not on iOS. And get ready for games to get more expensive with the next generation consoles. Sponsors: DoubleUp.agency Discover.bot/podcast Links: Apple updates the iMac with new Intel processors and a better webcam (The Verge) Trump calls TikTok a hot brand, demands a chunk of its sale price...
July 21, 2020

Tue. 07/21 – Apple Pledges 100% Carbon Neutrality by 2030

Apple says it will be 100% carbon neutral by 2030. Microsoft has been talking to Congress ahead of next week’s hearings. LinkedIn is cutting jobs cause of Covid. Smartphone sales took a hit last quarter for the same reason. Coinbase kept its customers from sending BTC to those Twitter hackers. And might the entire autonomous driving industry be pivoting to less autonomy? Sponsors: Tovala.com/ride Discover.bot/podcast Links: Apple commits to be 100 percent carbon neutral for its supply chain an...
July 14, 2020

Tue. 07/14 – What If Apple Bought Arm?

Softbank looks like it might want to unload Arm, so let me blow your mind for a second: what if Apple bought Arm? The UK has completely flip flopped on Huawei, now going the full ban route. Is Google the next to line up an investment in Reliance Jio? And Amazon has unveiled a cashier negating shopping cart. Sponsors: TinyCapital.com KiwiCo.com/ride Links: SoftBank Explores Sale or IPO for Chip Designer Arm Holdings (WSJ) SoftBank hires Goldman Sachs to explore sale options for chip designer A...
July 10, 2020

Fri. 07/10 – Kuo: Apple Silicon Macs Coming THIS Year

We could get our first Apple Silicon Macs as soon as this year. Apple Glasses are still a ways away, but Foxconn is already making the lenses. Feverish last minute negotiations ahead of Peacock’s arrival next week. The PC market is definitively not shrinking, thanks to Covid. And as always on Fridays, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: CodeWizardsHQ.com offer code RIDE DoubleUp.agency Links: Kuo: Apple Silicon Macs to Include 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air This Year, 14.1-inch an...
July 9, 2020

Thu. 07/09 – Apple’s Not Gonna Abandon Thunderbolt

Coinbase might be the most important IPO of the next several years. More bad numbers from Quibi. Apple wants you to know it is not abandoning Thunderbolt. Elon Musk says he’s gonna win my self-driving by 2020 wager. And I explain my whole Clubhouse versus Twitter analogy from yesterday. Sponsors: DoubleUp.agency CodeWizardsHQ.com offer code RIDE Links: Exclusive: Crypto exchange Coinbase readies landmark stock market listing, sources say (Reuters) Quibi reportedly lost 90 percent of early use...
June 27, 2020

(Bonus) WWDC Wrap Up With Rene Ritchie @reneritchie

This is a really simple one. WWDC happened this week. Rene Ritchie has been attending it, virtually, of course. So he’s here to break down the keynote, which we all saw, but also to let us know what’s been going on in the developer sessions which have been going on all week. Rene is of course a long time prominent Apple watcher and journalist, who actually just struck out on his own with his own YouTube channel. So search YouTube for Rene Ritchie and subscribe to his channel. Sponsors: TinyCapi...
Guest: Rene Ritchie
June 22, 2020

Mon. 06/22 – WWDC 2020 (Virtually)

All of the headlines I can manage to cram in from today’s World Wide Developer Conference from Apple. Hey gets approved, by the way. Google’s ad revenue will decline for the first time probably in, well, ever. And why Animal Crossing might have shied Nintendo away from mobile gaming. Again. Sponsors: Kiwico.com/ride GetRaycon.com/techmeme Links: Apple approves Hey email app, but the fight’s not over (The Verge) TikTok Teens and K-Pop Stans Say They Sank Trump Rally (NYTimes) Google's U.S. Ad...
June 19, 2020

Fri. 06/19 – It’s Gonna Be An Interesting WWDC…

Apple officially says no to HEY and people are pissed, kind of just about the WAY they said it. A look at the internal divisions inside Apple over those rumored Apple Glasses. Twitch is growing as a platform for live music. And, of course, the weekend longreads suggestions. Sponsors: DoubleUp.agency Links: Interview: Apple's Schiller says position on Hey App is unchanged and no rules changes are imminent (TechCrunch) Apple’s Secretive AR and VR Headset Plans Altered by Internal Differences (B...
June 17, 2020

Wed. 06/17 – HEY! The Whole Brouhaha Between Apple And Basecamp

We dive deep into the whole HEY brouhaha and wonder if this is the best time for Apple to draw attention to App Store policies. Uber is getting into the software business. TikTok’s business is a pretty good one, it seems like. And the most reliable web business remains the first web business. Sponsors: DoubleUp.agency CognitoHQ.com/techmeme Links: A new email startup says Apple’s shaking it down for a cut of its subscriptions (Protocol) BASECAMP’S NEW APP, HEY, FLAGGED IN APP STORE LIMBO FOR ...
June 16, 2020

Tue. 06/16 – Apple’s Turn in The EU Antitrust Toolshed

The EU is investigating Apple for antitrust. Is Instagram surpassing Twitter as a news source? A look at that new Hey email service. A look at a whole slew of new services from Dropbox. And if you wanted to get your hands on one of those Boston Dynamics four-legged robots, today is your lucky day. Links: DoubleUp.agency BuyRaycon.com/techmeme Links: EU opens Apple antitrust investigations into App Store and Apple Pay practices (The Verge) Apple says its App Store facilitated $519B in commerce...
June 9, 2020

Tue. 06/09 – Apple Could Announce Arm Chips For Macs at WWDC In A Matter Of Days

The shift to Arm-based chips for Macs might be announced in a matter of days. IBM says it is straight out exiting the facial recognition business. Google Maps will help you avoid Covid-crowding. A deep dive into Nextdoor’s “Karen” problem. And the issue of non-competes in tech rears its head once again. Sponsors: Wipers123.com promocode "ride" at checkout Harrys.com/techmeme Links: Apple Plans to Announce Move to Its Own Mac Chips at WWDC (Bloomberg) IBM is exiting the face recognition busine...