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Upgrade

Relaywww.relay.fm
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

379: They Feed on Memory Bandwidth

We're joined by Apple VPs Tom Boger and Tim Millet to discuss Apple's chip-design philosophy and how it factored into the company's first high-end Mac chips, the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Also, Jason and Myke discuss Apple's latest record quarterly results and Myke takes delivery of his new MacBook Pro.

Nov 01, 20212 hr 30 minEp. 379

378: The Maximum Macintosh

Jason's spent the last week with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max processor, and we've got his in-depth review. And at last, Jason and Myke both review the new Apple Watch Series 7.

Oct 25, 20212 hr 30 minEp. 378

377: Most Importantly, Compressor

The new MacBook Pros are here! Jason and Myke break down what's new with Apple's pro laptops, welcome the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and even devote a little time to new AirPods and colorful HomePods. Also, Myke's wallet is a little bit lighter.

Oct 18, 20211 hr 23 minEp. 377

376: The 2021 October Event Draft

Surprise! Jason and Myke predict what will happen at next week's Apple media event. What ports will be on the much-rumored MacBook Pro? Will it appear in familiar colors, or will Apple branch out and offer something new? Will we see updates to the Mac mini, new AirPods, or--dare we dream--an affordable external display? It's all to play for.

Oct 14, 20211 hr 5 minEp. 376

375: My Watch Is My Cake

Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders lead to more Apple color confusion, Apple's App Store rules may need to skate to a puck that's headed for a courtroom, and Myke takes his iPad mini on a train.

Oct 11, 20211 hr 10 minEp. 375

374: Abnormal Within an Abnormal Group

The iPhone 13 and iPad mini are out and MacBook Pros may be on the way shortly, so it's time for us to answer your questions! It's an extended #askupgrade covering new hardware, how to use the iPad mini, and the value of ProMotion.

Oct 04, 20212 hr 45 minEp. 374

372: A Wrestling Match With App Icons

iOS 15 is here and Myke and Jason share their opinions about new features! Also we've got a lot of Apple Event follow-up, and now that Ted Lasso has won eight Emmy Awards, it's time to back the truck full of money up to Jason Sudeikis's house.

Sep 20, 20212 hr 42 minEp. 372

371: Midnight Is Starlight's Best Friend

Apple announced new iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads on Tuesday, and this is our quick reaction to the news. What color is the saddest rainbow? Why was Joz locked out of Apple Park one night? Why is Myke disappointed about the Apple Watch design but excited about iPhone photography? Together, we'll make sense of Apple's tour of California.

Sep 14, 20212 hr 32 minEp. 371

370: The 2021 September Event Draft

It's another emergency draft! In this bonus episode, Jason and Myke predict what will happen at Tuesday’s Apple media event. What form will the new iPhones take? Will a new Apple Watch make an appearance? And what special bits of stagecraft might propel one of us to a decisive draft victory?

Sep 10, 20211 hr 14 minEp. 370

369: The One With How Titles Are Made

As Jason and Myke wait for the announcement of an iPhone launch event, they discuss Apple's curious set of incremental changes to App Store policies, what those changes mean, and how they inform Apple's possible future strategies.

Sep 06, 20212 hr 37 minEp. 369

368: Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs

It's the first-ever Upgrade Call-In Show! This week, Myke and Jason answer listener questions about Apple, themselves... and popular dance steps. Go ahead caller--we're listening.

Aug 30, 20212 hr 5 minEp. 368

367: My Experience With the Floating Lozenges

This week we kick off our annual fundraising for St. Jude, ask listeners to call in with their questions, and discuss how Apple approaches putting features in--and taking them out--of its public betas.

Aug 23, 20212 hr 30 minEp. 367

366: The Node Legacy

This week Jason and Myke ponder what it means to be a native Mac app in the era of SwiftUI, Catalyst, and Electron. They also consider the fallout and further disclosures from Apple's child-protection announcements, celebrate Ted Lasso Christmas, and talk about how they're traveling with iPads and Macs today.

Aug 16, 20212 hr 34 minEp. 366

365: Apple's Compromise

We discuss Apple's multiple announcements related to child safety, including what prompted Apple's actions, the different ways any technological tool can be used, where Apple has chosen to intervene, and the dangers of sliding down a slippery slope. In lighter news, we also talk about Apple's rediscovery of its online store and various attempts for streaming services to build new franchises. Also, alert Broadway and the West End: we may have invented a new segment.

Aug 09, 20212 hr 56 minEp. 365

364: Content Arms Dealer

Myke's headed off on vacation, but before he goes, he's made time to discuss last week's Apple financial results. Then Jason welcomes special guest Julia Alexander for a mega-Upstream about ScarJo v. Disney, the future of the movies, and the current state of affairs for streaming services.

Aug 02, 20212 hr 48 minEp. 364

363: Our App Is a Game Now

This week Myke and Jason join Netflix in pretending to be gamers while cable TV channels pretend to be streaming services. We also ponder a smarter Apple display, and Apple has designs on fancy Hollywood real estate. And Myke goes to the Streaming Services as we discuss "Loki" and the first episode of "Ted Lasso."

Jul 26, 20212 hr 50 minEp. 363

362: He's Posting More Chickens!

Jason's back, and Myke has a lot of questions about his vacation. They also discuss a load of Apple TV+ news, new Safari betas, the MagSafe battery pack, and a bunch of Apple hardware rumors.

Jul 19, 20212 hr 36 minEp. 362

361: It’s Not an Artistic Exercise

For the first time Jason is (mostly) off this week! After discussing who’s winning the streaming wars, Myke challenges John Siracusa to describe his ideal Mac, asks Merlin Mann to share what he’s excited about, and answers a #myketalk from Jay Miller. But don’t worry, lasers return later on.

Jul 12, 20212 hr 16 minEp. 361

360: Big Minimizers

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, 20211 hr 27 minEp. 360

359: Hi Everybody... Pineapple

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, 20212 hr 9 minEp. 359

358: Apple Watch Extreme or Whatever

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, 20212 hr 41 minEp. 358

357: Collaborative Calculating

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, 20212 hr 42 minEp. 357

356: This Is Not for You, Developers

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, 20212 hr 23 minEp. 356

355: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2021

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, 20212 hr 34 minEp. 355

354: Even Safari Knows It's Yellow

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, 20212 hr 34 minEp. 354

353: Orange iMac in My Orange Office

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, 20212 hr 44 minEp. 353

352: Living Inside an Orange

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, 20211 hr 22 minEp. 352

351: Long Hair Is In, Disco Is Back

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, 20212 hr 40 minEp. 351

350: The Time for Color is Now

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, 20212 hr 36 minEp. 350