Apple's rumored VR headset might not ship until 2023, but will it be the best VR headset ever made? And if so, at what cost? Also, Apple seems to have a settled on a strategy for handling demands to open up payment processing and external web links, and we're frustrated by the decision. Following a silly Wall Street Journal article, Android's SVP got a little too angry about iMessage. Also, we take an unexpected dive into the Users & Groups preference pane.
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 390
We discuss why it's useful to take time every once in a while to pull back and look at the big picture instead of getting bogged down in the day-to-day grind. Also, Jason built himself a tool to make his life easier, Apple may be gearing up for its next event, and listeners have lots of questions about Apple displays.
Jan 10, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 389
We spend our first episode of 2022 discussing what we think Apple will do this year. Is it finally time for an Apple product you put on your face? Jason and Myke also discuss changes they're planning on making in their working lives for the new year.
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 388
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Eighth Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2021, 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 27, 2021•2 hr 28 min•Ep. 387
In this Upgrade Holiday Special, Jason and Myke answer the holiday-themed questions of Upgradians everywhere. Smart decorations, holiday wardrobes, the definition of fairy lights, monkey strategies, an eggnog recipe, and Santa's complex cloud-based organizational system are just some of the topics covered.
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 386
Myke's back from vacation and he has a lot of follow-up for Jason about last week's show. We unveil the official Upgrade Draft championship pennant. Then we discuss the increasing reality of Apple's forthcoming headset and the company's complex relationship with China.
Dec 13, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 385
With Myke on assignment, Dan Moren joins Jason to discuss the features Apple hasn't yet delivered in 2021 and its product lineup for 2022. Then Jason breaks down the new e-readers you could use to read one of Dan's novels.
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 384
Myke checks in from mid-vacation to discuss his visit with Jason, and shares some observations from his first extended travel in a couple of years. Then Jason takes a deep dive into his adventures Shortcuts on the Mac. And there's still time to discuss Mac AirPlay quirks and Apple lawsuits!
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 383
Apple's car project is back in the news, but is the company's ambition in this area unrealistic? Also: Qualcomm spoils Apple's modem move, Apple employees get a new date to return to work, and there's some good news about the repairability of Apple products.
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 382
Apple's done releasing products for the year, but that hasn't stopped the company from revising a child-protection feature, trying to avoid letting developers add links to their apps, launching a new service targeted at small businesses, and welcoming a new Netflix game catalog to the App Store. If you like that sort of thing.
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 381
Now that the M1 Pro and M1 Max have arrived, we turn our attention to the future of Apple silicon in 2022 and beyond. Will there be new chips every year, or is that too rapid a pace? Also, we've spent another week with the new MacBook Pro, Google makes a daring legal move in Korea, and we take the long view on Apple's record fiscal year.
Nov 08, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 380
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, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 379
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, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 378
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, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 377
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, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 376
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, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 375
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, 2021•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 374
Myke and Jason review the iPhone 13 and iPad mini, settle on their preferred iPhones, and wonder if Apple should appoint a Color Czar.
Sep 27, 2021•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 373
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, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 372
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, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 371
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, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 370
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, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 369
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, 2021•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 368
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, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 367
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, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 366
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, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 365
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, 2021•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 364
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, 2021•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 363
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, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 362
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, 2021•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 361
