Tech journalist Christina Warren and gadget reviewer Dan Seifert discuss Apple's missing Macs, their experiences with the Touch Bar, and the concept of burner accounts. They also recommend the podcast 'Trace Route' for exploring the influence of AI and technology. Plus, they share their Halloween candy experiences and introduce a new ad-free membership option for the show.
Apple lacks a true budget-friendly Mac, leaving a gap in the market for an affordable option.
The touch bar feature in MacBook Pros fell short of expectations and missed an opportunity to develop a touch interface on Mac laptops.
Deep dives
Apple's Mac lineup lacks a budget option
During the podcast, the hosts discuss whether Apple has a Mac for every price and performance category. They agree that Apple has a gap at the very low end, where they don't offer a true budget laptop. While the MacBook Air starts at $999 in the Apple store, it is still not considered budget-friendly for many users. They acknowledge that Apple serves other price points well, but there seems to be a gap in the market for a more affordable Mac.
Discussion on the use of burner accounts
In this episode, the hosts share their experiences and perspectives on burner accounts. They mention using them for various reasons, such as avoiding spam or disconnecting research from their personal accounts. They also touch on the fear of accidentally posting from the wrong account and the potential consequences of being found out. Some hosts admit to creating burner accounts on social media platforms, primarily for meme-related purposes. Overall, it appears that while the idea of burner accounts is intriguing, the hosts maintain caution and limited use of such accounts.
Mixed thoughts on the touch bar feature in MacBooks
The podcast participants express their thoughts on the touch bar feature in MacBook Pros. While some hosts never owned a touch bar MacBook, others have experienced it. The consensus is that the touch bar generally fell short of expectations and was seen as a gimmick. They mention only using it for basic functions such as adjusting volume and screen brightness. The hosts believe Apple never fully invested in making the touch bar great and missed an opportunity to develop a touch interface on Mac laptops. They also share concerns about the lack of tactile function keys and the potential for posting from the wrong account, given the touch bar's touch-based nature.
Leftover Halloween candy and its longevity
Regarding leftover Halloween candy, the hosts have varying amounts and plans for their excess candy. One host overestimated the number of trick-or-treaters and now has a surplus of full-size candy bars. It is expected to last a while and might be shared with others. Another host didn't have trick-or-treaters and didn't possess much candy. A third host bought candy for personal consumption and still has some left but expects it to be finished soon. The fourth host had half a bag of mini Reese's left and predicted it will likely be gone before returning from being away. Overall, their plans and timelines for finishing the candy differ, but it seems it won't go to waste.
