
Upgrade
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.
Latest episodes

Sep 14, 2021 • 1h 32min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Relay FM for St. Jude 2021 – Donate today! Relay FM - Twitch The Upgrade September 2021 Event Draft Scorecard 'Pro Rainbow' Kosta Eleftheriou's Tweet

Sep 10, 2021 • 1h 14min
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?
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code UPGRADE to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2022, and can be used only once.
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Apple must allow other forms of in-app purchases, rules judge in Epic v. Apple - The Verge The Upgrade September 2021 Event Draft Scorecard Connected #362: The Rickies (September 2021) - Relay FM Kuo: Apple Watch Series 7 to Ship Later This Month After Production Issues Fixed - MacRumors

Sep 6, 2021 • 1h 37min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Relay FM for St. Jude 2021 – Donate today! Tools we used to make a “call-in” podcast – Six Colors Fission 2.7.1 Is Now Available; Fission Exits the Mac App Store – Rogue Amoeba Blog Apple delays rollout of CSAM detection system and child safety features - 9to5Mac Apple announces first states to adopt driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet - Apple Nilay Patel on Apple Driving Licenses Apple Pays $100 Million to Settle Developer Lawsuit and Agrees to Multiple App Store Changes - MacRumors Google, Apple Hit by First Law Threatening Dominance Over App-Store Payments - WSJ Daring Fireball: Let’s Consider Some of the Implications of Third-Party Payment Processing for In-App Purchasing on iOS and Android Japan Fair Trade Commission closes App Store investigation - Apple (UK) Apple Could Face Investigation in India Over App Store In-App Purchase System - MacRumors Top 5 Pens — The Pen Addict Mark One – Studio Neat The Pen Addict - Relay FM Thoroughly Considered - Relay FM

Aug 30, 2021 • 2h 5min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code UPGRADE to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2022, and can be used only once.
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Relay FM for St. Jude 2021 – Donate today! Nutbush Dance Room - YouTube Nutbush (dance) - Wikipedia Oops Upside Your Head - YouTube Oops Up Side Your Head - Wikipedia Floss (dance) - Wikipedia Apple’s Settlement, Explicit Imprimatur, Additional Notes – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Apple Pays $100 Million to Settle Developer Lawsuit and Agrees to Multiple App Store Changes - MacRumors Football is Life | "The Signal" (S2E6) (Episode 16) The Problem With Jon Stewart on Twitter: "Coming to Apple TV+ September 30th and never in theaters simultaneously. – Twitter Homebridge Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic - Apple How small developers compete with the defaults on your phone - The Verge Mimestream | A native macOS email client for Gmail At long last, iOS is getting Smart – Six Colors Upgrade #312: Outgrade - Relay FM Apple in the Enterprise: A 2021 report card – Six Colors eMac - Wikipedia Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G | Samsung I put Windows on XBOX - Microsoft 365 - Austin Evans - YouTube iPhone 13: Coming in September, Here's What's Coming – MacRumors Dreaming of WWDC – 512 Pixels Italy Euro 2000 Kit: The Kombat Masterpiece That Revolutionised Shirt Design Uni Watch Upgrade #254: Downgrade - Relay FM Rogue Amoeba | Quality Audio Software for MacOS

Aug 23, 2021 • 1h 30min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code UPGRADE at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Ooni Pizza Ovens: Bring the world’s best pizza to your own backyard. Use the code UPGRADE0821 for 10% off.
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. JetBrains Mono Relay FM for St. Jude 2021 – Donate today! Monaco (typeface) - Wikipedia Myke's Desk Stephen's Shelves of Horror Ask Upgrade Out Loud! Apple Delays Office Return to at Least January on Covid Rise - Bloomberg High-End 'M1X' Mac Mini With New Design and Additional Ports Expected to Launch in the 'Next Several Months' - MacRumors Apple TV+ releases official trailer for sci-fi epic Foundation, series premieres September 24 - 9to5Mac The Morning Show — Season 2 Official Trailer | Apple TV+ - YouTube Netflix now rolling out Spatial Audio support on iPhone and iPad - 9to5Mac CODA | Apple TV+ Apple says SharePlay won't be included in the initial iOS 15 release this fall - 9to5Mac These iOS 15 features won't be available with the official release next month - 9to5Mac iOS 15 beta 6 redesigns Safari with address bar on top - 9to5Mac Apple is delaying one of iOS 15's top features. That's a good thing | Macworld HoverBar Duo – Twelve South Football is Life - a podcast from The Incomparable

Aug 16, 2021 • 1h 34min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Instabug: Ship Quality Apps with Real-Time Contextual Insights
Calm: The #1 mental fitness app. Learn how to get a free well-being ebook and one month free.
Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Schmigadoon! - Wikipedia Matter’s interoperable smart home standard has been delayed to 2022 - The Verge Gurman: Apple Planning Multiple Events for the Fall, M1X MacBook Pros to be Available by November - MacRumors 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros Finally Enter Mass Production - MacRumors Kuo: Mid-2022 MacBook Air to come in multiple colors with similar form factor as upcoming MacBook Pro - 9to5Mac Apple’s Software Chief Explains ‘Misunderstood’ iPhone Child-Protection Features (Exclusive) | WSJ - YouTube Apple details the ways its CSAM detection system is designed to prevent misuse - 9to5Mac Security Threat Model Review of Apple’s Child Safety Features – Apple Not important enough: 1Password abandons its native Mac app – Six Colors 1Password 8: The Story So Far | 1Password Rene Ritchie on Twitter: "iCloud for Windows version 12.5 is live with a new password manager app"

Aug 9, 2021 • 1h 56min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code UPGRADE to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2022, and can be used only once.
DoorDash: Get 25% off and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more.
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon - Apple Mac Pro gets a graphics update – Six Colors ATP 442: Bob’s Barbecue — Accidental Tech Podcast ‘Argylle’: Apple Lands Matthew Vaughn Spy Movie In $200 Million Deal – Deadline Musical 'Come From Away' is a new Apple TV+ film coming September 10 - 9to5Mac Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Sold for $900 Million - Variety Comcast Announces Peacock Coming to Sky ViacomCBS Partners With Sky to Launch Paramount Plus in Europe - Variety Netflix The Gray Man Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans Joe & Anthony Russo – Deadline Child Safety - Apple Alex Stamos' Twitter Thread Apple’s Mistake – Stratechery by Ben Thompson FAQ about Apple's Expanded Protections for Children - TidBITS Daring Fireball: Apple’s New ‘Child Safety’ Initiatives, and the Slippery Slope Expanded Protections for Children – FAQ – Apple Apple’s iCloud partner in China will store user data on servers of state-run telecom - The Verge James Thomson's Multiplayer Dice Dice by PCalc Anker USB C Charger, 65W PIQ 3.0&GaN Type-C Charge – Amazon

Aug 2, 2021 • 1h 48min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code UPGRADE to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2022, and can be used only once.
TextExpander, from Smile: Communicate Smarter. Get 20% off.
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Guest Starring: Julia Alexander
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. the Tea Maker™ Kettle • Breville Ember Apple posts $81B quarterly results: Charts – Six Colors Even iPhone chip shortages can't slow down Apple's money train | Macworld Apple Earnings, Microsoft and LinkedIn – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over ‘Black Widow’ Streaming Release - WSJ Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Black Widow’ Lawsuit May Be Legally Weak – The Hollywood Reporter Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Black Widow’ Was Sacrificed To Boost Disney+’s Marvel Shows It’s not just you, streaming the Olympics is a mess - The Verge julia alexander (@loudmouthjulia) / Twitter

Jul 26, 2021 • 1h 50min
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."
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Calm: The #1 mental fitness app. Learn how to get a free well-being ebook and one month free.
Fitbod: The fitness app for personalized exercise plans. Get 25% off your membership.
Hullo: A simple, natural pillow designed for comfort. Try it for 60 days.
Bombas: Give a pair when you buy a pair, and get 20% off your first purchase when you use this link.
Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Apple Postpones Office Return, Urges Store Workers to Wear Masks - Bloomberg CNN+: CNN will launch new streaming service in 2022 - CNN Senior Full Stack Software Engineer- Apple Sports - Careers at Apple Apple Looks to Lease Hollywood Hub for Filming Shows and Movies - WSJ Jon Stewart mocks Bezos and Branson's recent space adventures in first teaser for his upcoming TV+ show - 9to5Mac Coming home to Alto’s Odyssey: The Lost City – Six Colors App Store Classic 'Jetpack Joyride' Launches on Apple Arcade - MacRumors Playdate hands-on: a Game Boy from a different dimension - The Verge Playdate preview: You won’t believe how fun this dorky, $179 game system is | Ars Technica Netflix’s gaming pivot is mobile-focused and free for subscribers - Polygon Apple testing new external display with A13 chip - 9to5Mac Apple adopts new 'BlastDoor' security system on iOS 14 to reinforce iMessage integrity - 9to5Mac Loki (TV series) - Wikipedia Natalie Holt - Wikipedia Ted Lasso - Wikipedia Football is Life - a podcast from The Incomparable

Jul 19, 2021 • 1h 36min
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.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Privacy: Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase.
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Links and Show Notes: Get Upgrade+. More content, no ads. Aerial - A free and open-source Mac Screen Saver SurveillanceSaver - Google Code Archive Jason Snell (@jsnell) • Instagram photos and videos A24 Explored Sale for $3 Billion - Variety Reese Witherspoon’s Media Company, Hello Sunshine, Is Exploring a Sale - WSJ Apple reportedly wants in on NFL Sunday Ticket - The Verge Apple Adam McKay Hyperobject Industries Multi-Year First Look Movie Deal – Deadline 'Lovecraft Country' Creator Misha Green Sets Apple Overall Deal - Variety Ted Lasso: Season 2 - Rotten Tomatoes Apple scores 35 Emmy nominations, including 20 for hit series “Ted Lasso” - Apple (UK) Emmys: ‘Ted Lasso’ Breaks ‘Glee’ Record; Co-Creators & Cast React – Deadline Apple TV+'s 'Ted Lasso' Leads HCA Streaming Award Nominations - MacRumors ‘Ted Lasso’ leads 2021 TCA Award Nominations – Deadline Yeah, Jason Sudeikis Is Actually Kind Of Like Ted Lasso In Real Life Private screening of Ted Lasso S2 with cast, crew, Tim Cook - 9to5Mac Schmigadoon! | Apple TV+ Brigadoon - Wikipedia Redesigned Safari Redesigned Again – 512 Pixels Daring Fireball: Yours Truly on Rene Ritchie's Show Talking About iOS 15 Safari MagSafe Battery Pack - Apple Photos of Apple's New MagSafe Battery Pack Provide First Look at Thickness - MacRumors Apple Seeks Up to 20% Boost in IPhone Output; Shares Hit Record - Bloomberg Gurman: iPhone 13 could feature an Apple Watch-like always-on mode - 9to5Mac Gurman: MacBook Pro with miniLED display coming between September-November - 9to5Mac Colorful MacBook Air with M2 processor slated for first half of 2022- 9to5Mac
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