The Mac Observer Show

Shelly Brisbin knows a lot about a lot, including accessibility and tech. She’s a producer and reporter at Texas Standard, a contributor to Six Colors, and host of the podcast “Parallel.” Recorded pre-WWDC2024, Shelly joins us to talk about what everyone needs to know about accessibility in tech, her time with Apple Vision Pro, her thoughts on AI and Apple and AI, and the tech she wants more than any other.

Creative Strategies CEO Ben Bajarin discusses Apple's potential in robotics and a foldable iPhone. They explore Apple's journey towards building a car and the release of high-end products like Apple Vision Pro. The conversation touches on AI advancements and the importance of developers in Apple's ecosystem.

The Mac Observer Show is coming your way! Hosted by Ken Ray, it’s a different thing than we’ve done before. Not day-to-day news this time. The Mac Observer Show looks at a range of topics with a range of guests. Silicon Valley insiders, experts in various parts of Apple’s business, people knowledgable in other parts of tech… We’re talking AI and foldable iPhones and accessibility and Apple Retail and Apple Vision Pro and so much more. The Mac Observer Show – every Friday on YouTube, wherever you get podcasts and of course – MacObserver.com.

The current incarnation of The Daily Observations Podcast is coming to an end. But there is still a show to do! TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about rumors that Apple’s mixed reality headset is being delayed. Plus – Needham analyst Laura Martin thinks Apple and Disney should merge. It’s been fun. Ming-Chi Kuo Casts Doubt on Near Future of MR Headset from Apple Needham Analyst Wants Apple and Disney to Get a Room Already

Apple has announced dates and details for WWDC 2023. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over the remoteness of the conference and what the world can expect. Plus – Glitches with Apple Pay and (maybe) Apple Podcasts. AND – Ken and Jeff give first impressions of Apple Music Classical. Apple Announces Remote WWDC 2023 TMO Looks at WWDC23 Expectations Apple Pay Takes a Midday Nap Apple Music Classical Is (Finally) Released

Apple’s making it harder for non-developers to get developer betas of its latest software. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken with the story. Plus – Ken is worried that changes in Apple Podcasts are reducing independent podcast discoverability. He mixes up the terms “network” and “channels,” though the questions are still sound. Apple Cracks Down on iPhone Users Getting iOS 17 Developer Beta for Free Changes to Podcasts in iOS 16.4

Travelin’ Tim’s taking his time in China. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over a meeting between China’s commerce minister and Apple’s CEO. Also, Jeff has a look at the lates OS updates from Apple. Apple CEO Meets with China’s Commerce Minister iPhone 13s Top-Three Sellers in China in 2022 Apple Rolls Out iOS, iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3, More

Both the New York Times and Bloomberg say there are certain misgivings around Apple’s mixed reality headset inside Apple. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over the latest chatter. Plus China, the Steve Jobs audio chatbot, and soccer pour out of the mailbag. NYT: Dissent Inside Apple on the Way to Mixed-Reality Bloomberg: Apple's Top 100 Execs Take In MR Headset Demo Wesley Hilliard’s tweet Tim Cook Speaks at China Development Forum

Word is Apple is getting serious about having people back in the office three days a week. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over the report. Plus – Jeff thinks Apple will release its next OS updates next week. So, no spring product thing then? Apple Reportedly Leaning on Employees to… Show Up for Work Apple Delays Bonuses for Some and Limits Hiring in Latest Cost-Cutting Effort Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 to Developers [Update: Public RC Available] References to New AirPods and AirPods Case Spotted in iOS 16.4 RC References to Beats Studio Buds+ Spotted in iOS 16.4 RC

Changes to “Friday Night Baseball” on Apple TV make Ken wonder whether Apple is trying to turn Apple TV+ into a superstation. He and TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts bat the idea around. Plus – They talk over the random playlists that are turning up for some Apple Music users. “Friday Night Baseball” Goes Behind Apple TV+ Paywall TechCrunch: Comparing “Friday Night Baseball” Year-to-Year Report: Unexpected Playlists Showing Up for Some Apple Music Users