Presenting Upgrade 360, a new program designed to improve your podcast listening experience by letting you choose the level of podcast quality you wish to receive. Perhaps you want to hear us talk about the podcast bubble without any audio artifacts! Maybe you'd like our discussion of the macOS Public Beta to be delivered at a shockingly low bit rate! It's the same old Upgrade, but delivered in a few new ways--plus the usual way, we should be clear it's also just being delivered the usual way.
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 360
The Upgrade Summer of Fun kicks into gear with new beachwear, a very special summer-themed edition of Ask Upgrade, dreams of larger iPads, and a bunch of streaming news. On the less fun side, we discuss why Apple has reacted the way it has to threats of new laws and regulations that might change how it does business.
Jun 28, 2021•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 359
We discuss the future of the Apple Watch, from new materials to new shapes to all the sensors Apple might want to put on any product that touches your body. And then we talk about the risks Apple might face by failing to learn the right lessons from the pandemic about altering its corporate culture.
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 358
WWDC 2021 is over! This week we discuss a lot of the hidden details of Apple's announcements, and share our first reactions to using the first developer betas. (Jason isn't mad at Safari, just disappointed.)
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 357
Myke and Jason break down the WWDC 2021 keynote, which brought Apple's various devices together in some surprising ways. Were the changes to iPadOS exciting or disappointing? Are we excited about Shortcuts on the Mac? Will Focus modes keep us focused? And the Upgrade Draft results take an unexpected turn.
Jun 08, 2021•2 hr 23 min•Ep. 356
It’s time for our sixth annual competition regarding what will happen at Apple's WWDC keynote! Is this the year iPadOS gets all the love? Will there be Mac hardware? Can Myke and Jason figure out the future of HomeKit and watchOS? It's time to let our imaginations run wild--we'll leave the harshness of reality for next week.
May 31, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 355
Jason reviews the new iPad Pro, Myke reviews the new 24-inch iMac, and the future of Apple silicon might be coming into focus.
May 24, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 354
Jason's been using an orange 24-inch iMac for the last week and we've got his review. Also, Apple Music goes for high quality and spatial audio, WarnerMedia is on the move again, and Jeff Bezos is a television genius.
May 18, 2021•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 353
This week Myke and Jason debate the form of future Mac laptops, discuss Apple and Epic's first week in court (complete with angry emails!), and then imagine what's next for iOS and iPadOS.
May 10, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 352
Apple had a record-breaking quarter that showed strong growth in all areas of its business, but clouds loom on the horizon. A global semiconductor shortage threatens Mac and iPad sales, the EU ruled that the App Store is anticompetitive, and Apple's court case with Epic Games is about to kick off. Did Tim Cook suggest that Apple is ready to change its policies to avoid even harsher sanctions? And upon further consideration, does Apple Podcasts Subscriptions create another barrier to competition ...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 351
Apple's Colleen Novielli and Navpreet Kaloty visit the show to discuss the new 24-inch iMac in depth. Then Jason and Myke discuss the positioning of the new iPad Pro, and what it means that Apple has given it an M1 processor and added other hardware features previously available only on the Mac.
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 350
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, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 349
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, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 348
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, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 347
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, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 346
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, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 345
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, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 344
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, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 343
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, 2021•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 342
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, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 341
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, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 340
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, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 339
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, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 338
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, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 337
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, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 336
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, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 335
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, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 334
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, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 333
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, 2020•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 332
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, 2020•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 331
