Discussion includes Apple price hikes, updating iPhones in-box, M2 vs. M1 Efficiency, iTunes Match vs Apple Music DRM, bug with network changes, confusing Apple Pencil and iPad lineup, speculating about Mac Pro updates, comparing Sonos speakers, voice assistants and ecosystems, bug with Sonos app and iPhone, survey results and pricing.
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Quick takeaways
Apple's upcoming event on October 30th will focus on the Mac lineup, with updates expected for the iMac and MacBook Pro.
Rumors suggest that the event could introduce new Macs powered by M3 processors, promising faster and more powerful performance.
Speculation has emerged that the event might have a gaming-related focus, potentially showcasing new Mac models optimized for gaming.
The Sonos Air 100 speaker offers excellent sound quality, better bass, responsive touch controls, and superior AirPlay performance compared to Apple's HomePod.
The Sonos Move 2 and Era 100 speakers provide decent sound quality, convenience, and seamless AirPlay performance, surpassing the reliability of Apple's HomePod.
Deep dives
Apple announces a spooky event
Apple has announced an event with a spooky theme, set to take place on October 30th. The invitation features a black Apple logo and the phrase 'scary fast'. From this, it is clear that the event will focus on the Mac lineup. The logo animation reveals a face that resembles the Finder logo, further cementing the notion that Mac-related announcements are coming. The timing and lack of in-person invitations suggest that there may not be any significant changes in form factors, but it is expected that updates to the iMac and MacBook Pro could be announced.
Surprise announcement creates excitement
The sudden announcement of the event has surprised many, as rumors had suggested that no major Mac-related announcements would be made this year. The phrase 'scary fast' implies that new Macs with M3 chips or something similar could be unveiled. This has generated a lot of excitement and anticipation among Apple enthusiasts, who now eagerly await the event to learn more about the Mac updates and the potential inclusion of M3 technology.
Expectations for the event
Rumors and speculations suggest that the event could bring updates to the iMac and MacBook Pro. While details are still scarce, the unlikely timing and marketing language used in the invitation point towards the announcement of new Macs powered by M3 processors, promising faster and more powerful performance. While the lack of in-person invitations indicates no new form factors, the event is still highly anticipated by fans and industry observers, eager to see what Apple has in store for Mac users.
Potential focus on gaming
Some speculation has also emerged, suggesting that the event might have a gaming-related focus, potentially showcasing new Mac models optimized for gaming. While this remains speculative, it would align with the 'scary fast' theme and could pave the way for improved gaming experiences on Mac devices. However, until the event takes place, the exact details and focus of the announcements will remain a mystery.
Sonus Air 100: Impressive sound quality and control options
The Sonos Air 100 speaker offers excellent sound quality, comparable to the full-size HomePod. It delivers better bass and allows for EQ control. The touch controls are responsive and reliable, making music playback fast and enjoyable. Sonos' voice control option is basic and limited to music-related queries. Additionally, AirPlay works seamlessly with Sonos speakers, outperforming Apple's HomePod in terms of speed and reliability.
Sonos Move 2: Portable, battery-powered speaker with improved sound
The Sonos Move 2 is a portable wireless speaker that sounds better than its predecessor, the Move 1. While it is not the best-sounding speaker in the test, it offers decent bass and convenience. AirPlay functions flawlessly on Sonos speakers, providing a more reliable experience compared to Apple's HomePod.
Sonos Era 300: Atmos-enabled speakers designed for home theater use
The Sonos Era 300 provides impressive bass and is designed as rear or side speakers in a home theater setup. However, they are not optimized for music listening and may not deliver the best sound quality compared to other Sonos speakers. The Sonos Voice Control is a basic voice agent that lacks sophistication and knowledge capabilities. Sonos speakers outperform HomePods in terms of reliability and responsiveness when playing music through AirPlay.
Sonos Era 100: Comparable sound quality to full-size HomePod with better bass
The Sonos Era 100 offers excellent sound quality, with comparable performance to the full-size HomePod. It delivers better bass and allows for EQ tuning. The touch controls are reliable and fast, making music playback a hassle-free experience. Sonos Voice Control is limited to music-related queries and lacks advanced features. AirPlay works seamlessly on Sonos speakers, providing faster and more reliable performance than on HomePods.
Lowering Annual Membership Price
The podcast hosts discuss the decision to lower the price of annual membership. They mention that although it may result in a potential loss of revenue, it was a popular request from listeners who preferred a more affordable yearly option. The hosts also acknowledge the convenience and simplicity of an annual billing cycle and highlight the fact that existing annual members will automatically benefit from the reduced price without needing to take any action.
Members' Feedback and Custom Pricing
The hosts share how they collected feedback from listeners through surveys and found that many desired more members-only content and preferred the option to pay an annual fee at a discounted rate. In response, the podcast introduced more regular members-only content and implemented a custom pricing option, allowing listeners to select their own desired amount for annual membership. To accommodate those who expressed wanting to pay more, the hosts added a feature for patrons to contribute an increased amount and receive a special "patron" badge. They express gratitude to the listeners for their support and willingness to contribute to the show's continued success.
