
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 11, 2019 • 1h 41min
262: The Skyscrapers of Camera Bump City
Jason has returned from Cupertino, where he watched Apple unveil the new iPhone 11 models, a new Apple Watch that adds a feature we had given up hope of ever seeing, and details about when we'll see Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. We break down the product marketing, new camera features, surprises, and the shocking results of the 2019 Apple iPhone Event Draft.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Relay FM Podcastathon for St. Jude - Twitch Relay FM Family Feud - YouTube Kuo details iPhone 11 features (and what's been scrapped) - 9to5Mac Apple Watch sleep tracking revealed: sleep quality, battery, more - 9to5Mac iPhone 11 includes 'U1' Ultra Wideband location chip, but Apple Tag tracker announcement notably absent - 9to5Mac Apple Releasing watchOS 6 for Series 3 and Later Sept. 19, Delayed for Older Apple Watches - MacRumors

Sep 2, 2019 • 1h 27min
261: The 2019 iPhone Event Draft
It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater next week! They draft 10 different things they expect will happen--or not happen--next Tuesday. Has Jason’s recent run of success gone to his head? Will Myke play it too safe? Will a Spın̈al Tap pick be made? All will be revealed!
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Join Relay FM in supporting St. Jude this September. The 2019 iPhone Event Draft – Interactive Scorecard The 2019 iPhone Event Draft – PDF Scorecard Mark your calendars for September 10 - Six Colors TV Talk Machine | David Fincher's Cousin (Episode 231) Apple expands its third-party repairs program - Six Colors Apple announces Siri policy changes - Six Colors Apple releases iOS 13.1 developer beta - Six Colors Connected #258: Technically iOS 13 - Relay FM Brydge Keyboard for iPad Pro 2018 | Brydge Technologies

Aug 26, 2019 • 1h 31min
260: It's Not Just a Desk
There's a lot that separates the U.S. and the UK, like the definition of "lemonade" and the launch date for the new Disney+ streaming service. But nothing can separate our hosts this week, as they convene in Jason's office to discuss the impending iPhone event and to reflect on nearly five years of their status as independent workers and of Upgrade itself.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Linode: High performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
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.
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Connected #257: Relay FM Family Feud - Relay FM Disney+ to support 4K, 4 simultaneous streams for $7 per month - 9to5Mac Disney+ Will Launch with iOS and tvOS Apps and Integration with TV App - MacStories Disney+ will support Android, iPhone, iPad, Roku, Xbox, and more at launch - The Verge iPhone 11, New iPad Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, AirPods 3 Features - Bloomberg iPhone 11 Name Game: What Apple Should Call Its New Phones | Tom's Guide Apple doesn’t need to release a new Apple Watch this fall. Here’s why | Macworld Analog(ue) #163: Oopsie Daises! It’s a Success! - Relay FM Connected #256: Switch On - Relay FM UPLIFT V2 Standing Desk - The #1 Rated Desk | UPLIFT Desk Six Colors Membership Trint Accidental Tech Podcast: 340: You Are a Computer Athlete

Aug 19, 2019 • 1h 28min
259: Get Ripped with Pro Max
Special guest Stephen Hackett joins us to discuss the current state of the Mac in both hardware and software. We also ponder Apple's choices in naming the new iPhones, Jason muses about whether the Apple Watch even needs an upgrade this fall, and we wrap things up with a Mac-themed #askupgrade.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Guest Starring: Stephen Hackett
Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Apple Collection – 512 Pixels Accidental Tech Podcast: 339: Ketchup Momentum Dangertown Beatdown Trailer — YouTube Family Feud Team Selection — YouTube The Morning Show Trailer — YouTube CBS, Viacom Strike Deal to Recombine | Hollywood Reporter Will Netflix Have to Change Its Strategy Soon? | Hollywood Reporter New iPhones to Debut on September 10 According to File Found in iOS 13 Beta 7 - MacRumors watchOS 6 assets reveal new Apple Watch models coming in titanium and ceramic cases - 9to5Mac Upgrade #237: New iMacs, iPads, and the 2019 March Event Draft - Relay FM Upgrade #56: The Migration Experience - Relay FM Power Mac G3 — Wikipedia Stephen’s Mac Candle — YouTube

Aug 12, 2019 • 1h 30min
258: Ten Hours Is Not All Day
With Apple's new operating-system releases due next month, Jason and Myke check in on how their beta experiences are going so far, especially the ups and downs of iPadOS 13. We also discuss Disney's aggressive streaming-service bundling and how Apple might respond next month. And does Samsung's announcement of an ARM laptop with 23-hour battery life serve as the perfect reason why an ARM MacBook is inevitable?
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Linode: High performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
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.
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Downlink Every Default macOS Wallpaper – in Glorious 5K Resolution – 512 Pixels Summer of Fun Desktop Wallpaper Summer of Fun Mobile Wallpaper Apple Card Unboxing & Impressions! - MKBHD - YouTube Disney to Offer Streaming Bundle of Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu – Variety 'The Morning Show' Teaser ‘Game of Thrones’ Creators Benioff & Weiss Ink Overall Deal at Netflix – Variety Samsung’s new Galaxy Book S is a Qualcomm-powered laptop with 23 hours of battery life - The Verge New iPad Pro Has Comparable Performance to 2018 15" MacBook Pro in Benchmarks - MacRumors Syncing feeling: iCloud Drive in macOS Sierra - Six Colors So Long, Swiping. The ‘Tap-and-Go’ Subway Is Here. - The New York Times

Aug 6, 2019 • 1h 26min
257: The Amount of Money Available on the Planet
Commerce is in the air as Apple reports more money for wearables and services and less money for the iPhone, and begins to roll out the Apple Card. How does Apple react strategically as a company to financial incentives, and does Apple's success in the category formerly called "Other" suggest a new emphasis on wearables? We also follow up on Siri surveillance and Catalina security and then make a bet to be settled in 2031, assuming money will still exist in the future.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership The Besties - Polygon You Look Nice Today on Apple Podcasts Transmission Malware Transmitted Through Server Hack, Downloaded 6,500 Times - MacRumors Relay FM 5th Anniversary 'Family Feud' Survey Apple’s Q3 2019 results: Evolving from the iPhone to Wearables and Services | Macworld Product distortion field - Six Colors Apple suspends Siri response grading in response to privacy concerns | TechCrunch Accidental Tech Podcast: 337: Sea Conditions Are Calm The Apple Card starts rolling out today - The Verge Thoughts about Apple's 'Show Time' EventNot WWDC, the Apple Card was unveiled in March! Whoops.
Podcasting Microphones Mega-Review – Marco.org Alfred - Productivity App for macOS TextExpander – Communicate Smarter 1Password Hazel – Noodlesoft LaunchBar BBEdit 12 Klearlook Tablet Stand Holder – Amazon

Jul 29, 2019 • 1h 25min
256: The Billion Dollar Show
The trouble with Apple sending Siri audio to human beings, macOS Catalina's overly aggressive approach to app security, and the possibility of Apple introducing a $3000 laptop cast a little bit of a pall on the Summer of Fun this week. But cheer up--we've also got some interesting Upstream news about Disney and Amazon, and a summer-themed version of Ask Upgrade!
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Upgrade #242: Myke and the Modems - Relay FM Apple Buys Intel's Modem Business for $1 Billion: Here's Why | Tom's Guide Jennifer Salke Says Amazon Isn't in Volume Business (But Wants More 'Fleabag') | Hollywood Reporter 'Lord of the Rings' Creative Team Set at Amazon | Hollywood Reporter Marvel Phase 4: all movies and Disney Plus shows announced at Comic-Con 2019 - Polygon Hawkeye (2012 - 2015) | Comic Books | Comics | Marvel.com NBC streaming service to debut in April 2020 following Apple TV+ launch in fall, will be new home for ‘The Office’ after Netflix - 9to5Mac Streaming War Rivals Want to Put the Spotlight on Others | Hollywood Reporter Apple employees listen to Siri audio samples - Six Colors Apple contractors 'regularly hear confidential details' on Siri recordings | Technology | The Guardian Is Anyone Listening to You on Alexa? A Global Team Reviews Audio - Bloomberg Jason's Tweet about Catalina Security Issues 16-inch MacBook Pro rumored to launch in October - 9to5Mac Digitimes: 16-inch MacBook Pro with narrow bezels coming in September - 9to5Mac Apple to replace all MacBook keyboards with reliable keys - 9to5Mac How a 16-inch MacBook Pro sets the table for ARM MacBooks | Macworld Jeremy Burge on Instagram: "House guests" Pacific Pineapple - 2 Towns Ciderhouse Upgrade #213: The California Environment - Relay FM Relay FM 5th Anniversary Live Show

Jul 22, 2019 • 1h 31min
255: Peacock Plus
There's a lot of streaming media news in the mix this week, as Apple is rumored to be pondering premium podcasts and Netflix loses subscribers just at the moment its stiffest competition yet is about to arrive. But that's all just a prelude to our special Summer of Fun segment, as Myke and Jason draft the most appealing video streaming services of 2020.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Linode: High performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
Moo: Custom business printing and design. Save 25%.
Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership The Pen Addict #368: Pen of Deceit - Relay FM Connected #252: Full Oracle Mode - Relay FM Apple renews its 'Carpool Karaoke' spin-off for a third season - 9to5Mac 'Snoopy in Space' trailer teases upcoming Peanuts show for Apple TV+ - 9to5Mac For All Mankind — Official First Look Trailer | Apple TV+ - YouTube For All Mankind — Remembering Apollo 11 | Apple TV+ - YouTube Netflix Misses Q2 Subscriber Targets, U.S. Subs Fall After Price Hike – Variety BritBox to Roll Out in the U.K. in Fourth Quarter – Variety Connected #252: Full Oracle Mode - Relay FM Is it a good idea for Apple to buy exclusive rights to podcasts? | Macworld Is Apple planning exclusive podcasts? - Six Colors ‘A.P. Bio’ Renewed for Season 4 for NBCUniversal Streaming – Vulture Farer Watches - British Design x Swiss Made Farer Quartz Watches - Pendine

Jul 15, 2019 • 1h 16min
254: Downgrade
We answer a lot of your #askupgrade questions, then break down how Apple's changing its laptop line and retail stores. Also, Warner Media makes a big bet on the HBO brand name, and Apple News+ is unsurprisingly not succeeding. Then we start the show with #snelltalk! This week with Jason and Myke.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership The Athletic Roomba Robot Vacuum Cleaners | iRobot The Best Robot Vacuums for 2019: Reviews by Wirecutter | A New York Times Company Panobook – Studio Neat Updated: Which Mac laptop to buy for a student? - Six Colors Apple tweaks laptop lineup with cheaper Air; MacBook disappears - Six Colors MacBook Air: Why didn’t it die? | Macworld Connected #251: The Worrier Warrior - Relay FM Jason Snell on Twitter: "another thermal corner..." Upgrade #245: Get Ready for the Sensor Square - Relay FM New Apple Store design changes prioritize a straightforward shopping experience - 9to5Mac Apple partners with Best Buy for expanded repair service - Apple Needs repair: A 5K iMac with spider retention issues - Six Colors Publishers Not Making Much Money From Apple News+ - MacRumors Apple changing Apple News Plus, its subscription bundle: publishers - Business Insider WarnerMedia confirms its Netflix rival will be called HBO Max - The Verge TV Talk Machine | A Garbage Fire in Their Own Backyard (Episode 225) What’s Coming to HBO Max: Shows Announced for Streaming Service So Far – Variety

Jul 8, 2019 • 1h 38min
253: Steal The Ball
Guest Marco Arment joins Jason and Myke to discuss the possibility of new Apple laptop keyboards at last, his Overcast priorities over the next year, and the future of podcasting. There are also some mild opinions about Jony Ive, the streaming-video wars, and cappuccino.
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.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code UPGRADE to get 30% off.
Do By Friday: Challenge each other, challenge yourselves!
Guest Starring: Marco Arment
Links and Show Notes: Support Upgrade with a Relay FM Membership Marco Arment (@marcoarment) / Twitter Accidental Tech Podcast Overcast Top Four - Relay FM Under the Radar - Relay FM Smaller iPadOS Mouse Cursor iPadOS Active Window Indicator Accidental Tech Podcast: 332: Fuzzy Muppet Felt Presentable #66: Apple After Jony Ive - Relay FM Six Colors Subscriptions ‘The Office’ to Stream Exclusively on NBCUniversal Service – Variety Netflix US on Twitter: Space Force Somehow I Manage - a podcast from The Incomparable TV Talk Machine - a podcast from The Incomparable Kuo: Apple to include new scissor switch keyboard in 2019 MacBook Air and 2020 MacBook Pro - 9to5Mac Clip sharing with Overcast – Marco.org Pragmatic app pricing – Marco.org Large Podcast Advertising Company Buys Large Proprietary Podcast Player – Marco.org Enter Luminary – Hot Pod News Upgrade #200: The Podcasting and Anniversary Episode - Relay FM Amazon.com: Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM2 Amazon.com: Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM3 The Barista Express® Top Four #35: Pies 🥧 - Relay FM
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