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Upgrade

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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.

Episodes

349: Six Colors and Not a Color

New iMacs and iPads! The long-anticipated debut of AirTags! Podcast subscriptions! A new Apple TV remote! Ted Lasso's secret shortbread recipe! Fresh from viewing Apple's latest event, Jason and Myke break down all the announcements.

Apr 20, 20211 hr 28 minEp. 349

348: The 2021 April Event Draft

Emergency draft! In this bonus episode, Jason and Myke predict what will happen at Tuesday’s Apple media event. Will there be new iPad Pro models, and if so, will new accessories accompany them? Will we finally see a new iMac design? What other unexpected announcements might await us?

Apr 16, 20211 hr 2 minEp. 348

347: The Hubris of the HomePod

This week we ponder Apple's moves both outdoors (additions to the Find My network) and in (possible new smart home products). Apple's also launching new original podcasts tied to Apple TV+ projects, and we discuss why some of Apple's product launches this year may have been delayed.

Apr 12, 20211 hr 27 minEp. 347

346: Float It Like a Hologram

It’s a big news week! Myke and Jason break down Tim Cook’s podcast interview with Kara Swisher, and discuss some big changes at Apple Arcade. There’s also WWDC 2021 and Apple’s rumored augmented-reality headset to talk about.

Apr 05, 20212 hr 37 minEp. 346

345: Hovering Over My Desk on New Years Eve

Myke and Jason celebrate 20 years of OS X by discussing how we use our Macs today and whether the arrival of Apple silicon is changing how we work, not just today but over the rest of this year. We also discuss whether Apple should do "events" anymore, big news in the conflict between streaming and theatrical movies, and the possibility of a more rugged Apple Watch.

Mar 29, 20212 hr 30 minEp. 345

344: Let's Call It 'Motorcycle'

This week we consider the future of the iPad Pro, watch as the 21.5-inch iMac begins to fade away, and ponder what the HomePod mini means for Apple's overall home strategy. Myke gets recommendations for soundbars, and Jason explains the NFL's new TV deals.

Mar 22, 20211 hr 16 minEp. 344

343: Don't Call It a HomePod

Myke's on a quest for new TV speakers as we ponder the misfire of Apple's high-end speaker and the potential fate of Apple's high-end headphones. Jason runs with his Apple Watch, and more apps go native on Apple Silicon. Thanks for following Upgrade!

Mar 15, 20211 hr 19 minEp. 343

342: 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22

This week we ponder the future of WWDC, say goodbye to the iMac Pro, investigate a new iPad stand, and wonder about the misplaced priorities of the Paramount+ roll-out.

Mar 08, 20212 hr 38 minEp. 342

341: Pale Shade of Fun

This week we grapple with rumors of colorful new Macs and additional ports on MacBook Pro models, note the arrival of Paramount+ to the Streaming Wars, debate the merits of Twitter's attempt to actually do something resembling anything, and wonder if Apple's content to run the only music service without a high-quality tier.

Mar 01, 20211 hr 22 minEp. 341

340: Secret Sauce

New iPad keyboards make us notice the magic of the Magic Trackpad, AirPods might be getting an unwelcome makeover, and the butterfly keyboard isn't really gone as long as we remember it.

Feb 22, 20212 hr 32 minEp. 340

339: Dogcow and Spinning Rainbow Cursor in Finderland

Disney+ keeps growing and its original content is flowing, and Apple TV+ brings new marketing muscle to bear for the second-season launch of "For All Mankind." And what can Apple do to make its Apple TV hardware more appealing? Sit down with a cup of tea and join us.

Feb 15, 20212 hr 34 minEp. 339

338: Loved by Podcasters the World Over

Change is coming for us whether we like it or not. This week we ponder the possibility of an augmented-reality future, and mourn the loss of a piece of software we’ve used for every single episode of Upgrade (until now).

Feb 08, 20212 hr 30 minEp. 338

337: No Appreciable Gates

It's now February 2021, but before we turn the page entirely it's time to look back one last time at 2020. Apple had a record holiday quarter with growth across the board, and Apple watchers filled out the annual Six Colors Apple Report Card. Spoiler: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Feb 01, 20212 hr 41 minEp. 337

336: Cool Report, Though

Is Apple really going to release a high-end VR headset, and if so, why? Is the MacBook Air getting smaller again? Are you ready for Dolly Parton to tell you a story while you take a walk? And we discuss why movies and sports are becoming ever more important to streaming-media outlets.

Jan 25, 20211 hr 21 minEp. 336

335: Repudiation of a Decade

If reports are to be believed, 2021 is shaping up to be a year where the Mac takes two steps forward--but only after taking one step back. We analyze the rumors of new MacBook Pros, iMacs, and Mac Pros. A new Apple display? The death of the Touch Bar? Magsafe returns to the Mac? Is it 2015 again or are we just dreaming?

Jan 18, 20211 hr 26 minEp. 335

334: Tina, If You're Tuna…

It's January and the avalanche of 2021 Apple product rumors has already begun. But we also take time to reflect about the first decade of the Mac App Store, have a difficult discussion about when tech companies should deplatform those planning political violence, and Jason exchanges helpful messages about buying late-model Intel Macs with someone who is a friend, a fish, or both.

Jan 11, 20212 hr 37 minEp. 334

333: New Year, Same Old Prediction

2021 has arrived, so it's time for Jason to predict what he thinks Apple will do this year. But it's also time for Myke to look back on his 2020 predictions and judge how well those came out. Also, DC joins Marvel in amplifying streaming-service programming plans.

Jan 04, 20212 hr 41 minEp. 333

332: The 2020 Upgradies

As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Seventh Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2020, take the input of many Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.

Dec 28, 20203 hr 34 minEp. 332

331: Mandatory Turkey Holiday

It's the Upgrade Holiday Special! But first, Myke reviews the AirPods Pro Max and Jason reviews Apple Fitness+. Then we get into the spirit of the season with a holiday-themed #askupgrade, and Myke watches "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for the very first time!

Dec 21, 20202 hr 57 minEp. 331

330: People Aren't Always Logical

There's a lot of streaming-media news this week, as Warner Media faces intense criticism of its decision to move all its 2021 film releases to HBO Max, Apple faces criticism for killing a show based on Gawker, and Disney fires off its Death Star, unveiling a slate of originals that are likely to take Disney+ to the next level. Oh, and Apple announced a $550 pair of headphones!

Dec 14, 20202 hr 33 minEp. 330

329: The Stale Hot Dog Industry

Warner Media is moving all its 2021 releases to HBO Max, but what will that mean for the future of the movie industry? Will streaming reign supreme, or is there a future for movie theaters? Meanwhile, a new Bloomberg report gives some shape to the future of Apple's M-series processors--it turns out the M stands for "more cores."

Dec 07, 20201 hr 29 minEp. 329

328: Secure, But Terrible

This week Jason embraces the iPhone 12 mini and then reboots his complaints about Apple's focus on Mac security leading to bad user-experience issues. Then we consider the future, as we interpret early reports about new Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook Pro models for 2021.

Nov 30, 20202 hr 32 minEp. 328

327: The Future Doesn't Apply

Myke and Jason have spent a week running Big Sur on M1 Macs and are here to report back on what the future feels like. Also, HBO Max gives up and plans a streaming release of "Wonder Woman 1984" so everyone but Myke can see it, and Apple pulls a PR move that gives a raise to small developers while enraging its loudest critics.

Nov 23, 20202 hr 48 minEp. 327

326: The M1 Macs: Interview and Review

In this special, extra-packed episode we've got an interview with Apple's Tim Millet and Tom Boger about Apple's new M1 Macs, followed by Jason's review of the new Macs after spending nearly a week with all three models. Plus, Myke and Jason review the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini!

Nov 17, 20202 hr 19 minEp. 326

325: Johny for the Chips

Three new Macs have arrived, and they've brought the Apple-designed M1 processor with them. Myke and Jason break down the new chip, the new hardware, and what it all means for the future of the Mac. And did they both buy new Macs after the event ended, or did they resist temptation?

Nov 11, 20202 hr 35 minEp. 325

324: The 2020 November Event Draft

Surprise! Jason and Myke predict what will happen at next week's Apple media event, in the form of an impromptu draft. There's a lot of speculation about Apple silicon, but we've thrown in a few wacky picks just to keep things interesting. Also, Apple TV+ snags Jon Stewart, "Ted Lasso" is a word-of-mouth hit, and the Mac has its best quarter of sales in its 36-year history.

Nov 02, 20201 hr 25 minEp. 324

323: The Edges are More Interesting

New Apple hardware season is in full swing! We review the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and fourth-generation iPad Air. Myke and Jason find themselves drawn to different models for aesthetic reasons. And in Upstream, we discuss why James Bond is probably not coming soon to a streaming service near you.

Oct 26, 20202 hr 46 minEp. 323

322: Aux In, Cows Out

This week we're picking up the pieces on last week's October Apple event. What have we learned about the HomePod and iPhone 12? There's a lot to unpack here. And in other news, Apple has decided that 2020 is the right time to become MTV.

Oct 19, 20201 hr 25 minEp. 322

321: It's the Hope That Kills You

Jason and Myke break down Apple's iPhone 12 and HomePod mini launch event. Having four new iPhones with different pricing structures and camera options is a bit overwhelming, but they do their best to process it all and provide initial reactions.

Oct 13, 20202 hr 36 minEp. 321

320: Apple Silicon and the 2020 October Event Draft

Bonus episode! Jason and Myke interview Apple's Tim Millet and Tom Boger about the new iPad Air and Apple silicon. Afterward, it's time to fearlessly predict what will happen at Tuesday's Apple media event in the only way Upgrade knows how--via a competitive draft.

Oct 10, 20201 hr 26 minEp. 320