Clockwise is a rapid-fire discussion of current technology issues hosted by Dan Moren and Mikah Sargent and featuring two special guests each week. Four people, four topics--and because we're always watching the clock, no episode is longer than 30 minutes. Hosted by Dan Moren and Mikah Sargent.
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WWDC expectations, how we squeeze more life out of older gadgets, our search engine habits, and the next craft projects tech will help us with. This episode of Clockwise is sponsored by: Vitally : Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Guest Starring: Christopher Phin and Karissa Bell Links and Show Notes: Support Clockwise with a Relay Membership Clockwise merch! Submit Feedback...
This Clockwise episode delves into personal experiences with buying items from social media ads and the appeal of "dumb phones" for digital minimalism. The panel also discusses screenless fitness trackers, weighing their benefits against privacy concerns and the practicality of integrating them into daily life. Finally, they explore tech hardware that feels purpose-built for individual needs, from ergonomic phone solutions to custom accessories, alongside a bonus chat about enjoyable household chores.
The Clockwise panel discusses which apps they've abandoned, preferring web interfaces for news and services, and their often-frustrating experiences at the Apple Store. They also share their daily smartphone routines, including early morning puzzles and news checks, before highlighting recent tech purchases that have brought them unexpected joy and whimsy. The episode concludes with a bonus discussion on favorite ice cream and frozen treat orders.
The Clockwise crew delves into Google's latest Chromebook-like device, assessing its Gemini AI integration and market potential against its competitors and Google's product commitment. They discuss the advantages of using specialized hardware like e-readers and professional cameras over smartphones for certain tasks, then explore indispensable accessibility features like reduce white point and background sounds. Finally, the panel shares candid, often critical, experiences with VR headsets, particularly the Apple Vision Pro, debating its current utility and future prospects.
Our VPN usage, our favorite Apple Watch bands, whether we use e-ink tablets for notes, and our early internet memories. This episode of Clockwise is sponsored by: Steamclock : We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details. Guest Starring: Rosemary Orchard and James Thomson Links and Show Notes: Support Clockwise with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback...
The Clockwise panel discusses specific tech tasks they refuse to do on phones, preferring computers for things like spreadsheets, long-form writing, and sensitive travel booking. They then delve into a study suggesting friendly chatbots make more errors, sparking a debate on whether AI should be warm or purely functional. The episode also highlights invaluable tech for international travel, from eSIMs and Apple Pay to universal adapters, before uncovering the hosts' personal tech interests outside their public work, like retro gaming and home DIY.
The panel shares their preferred app launchers, debating the merits of Spotlight versus Launch Bar and other alternatives. They then discuss their changing relationships with software companies, highlighting a divide between beloved indie developers and larger corporations shifting focus to enterprise. The conversation also covers browser loyalties, the quirks of forgotten automations, and humorous anecdotes about using AI for unexpected purposes.
The Clockwise panel tackles Micah's dilemma about buying AirPods Max, delving into alternatives and personal headphone experiences. They then discuss Backblaze's decision to stop backing up cloud-synced folders without proper user notification, exploring different off-site backup strategies. The episode also covers Amazon's acquisition of Apple's satellite provider, prompting a conversation about the future of satellite connectivity on phones and preferred foldable phone designs. Finally, a bonus segment features a passionate debate on ice cream cake.
This episode delves into various personal tech strategies, from managing overwhelming email inboxes with archiving and inbox-zero methods to optimizing mobile phone plans for cost and features like hot-spots and international data. Guests share their diverse experiences with noise-canceling headphones, noting both benefits and physiological effects, before exploring beloved low-tech activities like paper planning, manual coffee brewing, and physical crafts amidst a digital world.
This special April Fools' edition of Clockwise features host Philip Michaels quizzing Dan Morin, Jason Snell, and Micah Sargent in a "Pundit Showdown" format. They debate Apple's greatest contributions, biggest flops, and the most underrated figures in tech history. Discussions also cover overhyped technologies, potential future Apple products, and which iconic ad campaigns should be revived, culminating in a "Defend the Indefensible" round and the announcement of a winner.
Clockwise hosts and guests delve into their recent personal tech projects, including custom languages and device remapping, often leveraging AI tools. They reflect on the past 25 years of macOS, debating its future evolution towards greater automation and reliability. The discussion then shifts to the intricacies of home networking setups, from mesh Wi-Fi to powerline adapters, before examining the increasing role of community-driven platforms like Reddit for obtaining up-to-date information when official sources fall short.
Clockwise hosts and guests delve into the timeline and safety of full self-driving technology, debating human error versus computer imperfections. They discuss software systems they wish would never update, particularly car infotainment, and compare popular Mac app launchers like Alfred, Raycast, and Apple's Spotlight. The episode concludes with an in-depth look at the ATProtocol, its decentralized nature, and its potential to revolutionize social identity portability and online communities.
The Clockwise crew delves into the practicality and target audience for Apple's affordable MacBook Neo, questioning if it's the ideal entry-level device. They then debate if the USB-C standard truly creates a unified tech ecosystem or if future wireless protocols will introduce new complexities. The discussion shifts to Lego's innovative Smart Bricks, exploring their impact on playability. Finally, the team critically examines loot boxes in games, discussing their legality, ethical implications as a form of gambling, and their pervasive presence in digital experiences.
The Clockwise panel dives into personal experiences with The Sims and other simulation games, exploring whether their appeal changes with age. They then tackle the surprising influence of hardware colorways on purchasing decisions, prompted by Apple's new pink MacBook Neo. The discussion continues with an analysis of Apple's recent pricing strategy for devices like the iPhone 17E and MacBook Neo, debating its potential for market penetration versus upsell. Finally, the hosts critically evaluate the Studio Display XDR and share their current monitor setups, before a bonus segment about beloved local attractions.
This episode explores listeners' most anticipated imminent Apple products, including new MacBooks and Studio Displays. The panel also shares various tech solutions for handling different weather conditions, from leaf blowers for snow to smart thermostats and Merino wool. Additionally, they discuss personal strategies and apps for remembering information and dive into the convenience and challenges of contactless public transit payments, including Apple Wallet's Express Mode.
The Clockwise panel discusses if they'd wear an Apple AI pendant, weighing privacy and social acceptance against potential utility. They share beloved vintage technologies that still bring joy, from Telnet poetry to film cameras. The conversation also explores the growing trend of AI-generated music playlists, comparing experiences with Spotify's implementation, and offers advice on a pre-Apple event M4 Mac mini purchase strategy.
The Clockwise panel shares their most effective Mac and iOS automations, from file organization with Hazel to smart HomePod controls. They then dive into personal expense tracking strategies, including spreadsheet automation and innovative mileage apps. A complex debate unfolds around online age verification, weighing child protection against privacy and content access. Finally, the group reveals their preferred health and fitness devices and apps, alongside their top dream travel destinations.
The panel shares their experiences with cozy games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, debating their appeal. A lively discussion ensues over the merits of list view versus column view in file browsers. The hosts and guests then explore how new AI coding tools are empowering them to create personalized apps and utilities. Finally, they reveal which rumored Apple products, from a touchscreen MacBook Pro to a foldable iPhone or HomePod with a screen, would be instant purchases for them.
The Clockwise panel dives into Apple's new Creator Studio bundle, discussing its implications for app updates and existing software. They also share valuable advice and product recommendations for smart home technology, particularly for new homeowners, including lighting systems and smart locks. The conversation further explores the practical uses of Apple's Continuity Camera features and reflects on recent smartphone releases that have genuinely impressed them, highlighting evolving camera technology and design.
This episode explores Netflix's new live voting show, examining its potential to revitalize communal viewing experiences and its resemblance to past reality TV formats. The discussion then shifts to Meta's metaverse ambitions, analyzing why the concept failed to gain traction and what it revealed about the company's strategy. Guests also share personal insights on tech devices that are used infrequently but prove invaluable, along with creative ways they've repurposed or restored old technology for current use.
The Clockwise crew delves into Apple's new subscription bundle for Creative Pro apps, debating its value against competitors like Adobe and its strategic appeal to students. They also explore the desire to integrate single-use devices into modern life, from point-and-shoot cameras to MP3 players, to combat digital fatigue. The discussion further covers the practice of reformatting devices for a fresh start and outlines hopes and concerns for the upcoming Gemini integration with Siri, focusing on improved understanding and functionality.
Robovacs growing limbs, tech for getting the new year started right, tech we covet but can't justify, and discontinued tech we still use day-to-day. This episode of Clockwise is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Guest Starring: Rosemary Orchard and Casey Liss Links and Show Notes: Support Clockwise with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback...
In this special "Unwound" segment, Mikah and Dan reflect on technological shortcomings from 2025, from the Northern California bias affecting mapping apps to unexpected hardware failures in iPhones. They then pivot to discuss their anticipation for 2026, highlighting advancements in smart home technologies like Matter and AI, the potential of a foldable iPhone, and the evolution of e-readers and smart rings. The episode emphasizes how user experiences shape tech development and the ongoing need for broader testing.
The Clockwise crew discusses recent iPhone rumors, including under-glass Face ID technology and the potential for a foldable iPhone, weighing the pros and cons of these advancements. They then pivot to a spirited debate on the ideal Pro Mac lineup, considering the rumored iMac Pro's return and the roles of the Mac Studio and Mac Pro. The episode also features insights into practical tech automations that solve everyday problems and shares strategies for handling power outages, wrapping up with a fun bonus topic on go-to restaurant orders.
This episode delves into listeners' and hosts' picks for the worst Apple software features of the year, including AutoMix and Safari's bottom search bar. The discussion then shifts to tech gift ideas for family, from practical charging solutions to innovative gadgets like the Yoto player and video walkie-talkies. The hosts also explore Bluetooth's Auracast feature, its potential for public audio sharing, and the challenges of its broader adoption. Finally, they debate new emoji possibilities, covering everything from planets to the highly desired "crying blood" face.
Gadgets we wish we owned, our favorite tech or software of the year, our best tips for helping aging relatives with tech, and our thoughts on John Giannandrea's retirement from Apple. Guest Starring: Matthew Cassinelli and Chris Lawley Links and Show Notes: Support Clockwise with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback...
The hosts and guests explore the increasing difficulty of repairing modern technology, sharing personal successes and failures in fixing devices like iPhones and baby monitors. They then imagine their ideal Apple accessories, from functional crossbody straps to smart glasses for POV video. The conversation also delves into diverse strategies for saving links and articles for later, and how they engage with 'year in review' data like music replays and personal reading goals.
This episode delves into the tech deals the hosts are eyeing for Black Friday, discussing everything from Frame TVs to 3D printers and smart home devices. They then explore what features Meta apps should roll back to improve user experience, touching on algorithmic timelines and the merits of a decentralized internet. The conversation also covers personal tech troubleshooting methods, from waiting it out to consulting online forums or AI, and ends with a lighthearted bonus question about flavor preferences.
The hosts and guests discuss the adoption and privacy implications of mobile IDs, debating their convenience versus security risks. They also share personal anecdotes about the oldest tech they still regularly use, ranging from printers to vintage camcorders. The conversation then shifts to the contentious issue of smart TV content recognition and user apathy or concern, concluding with a fun discussion about cherished pre-smartphone devices and holiday music traditions.
The hosts and guests delve into the evolving landscape of tech, starting with a skeptical look at agentic AI's ability to perform tasks reliably and the personal preference for human involvement in shopping or travel planning. They then share their diverse approaches to iPhone upgrades, weighing Apple's program against carrier deals and revealing unexpected contract complexities. The discussion moves to Apple's latest podcast app updates in iOS 26.2, examining if new features like automatic chapters and links are genuinely useful or primarily aimed at ecosystem retention. Finally, they tackle the divisive "Liquid Glass" visual effect in iOS 26.1, discussing user reactions, accessibility concerns, and options for toning it down.
