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The Mac Observer Show

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Feb 22, 2023 • 21min

Insufferable ATMs and Planting Flags in the App Store

The Financial Times seems torn between praise of Apple’s business acumen and disdain for some of its users. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken talk that over. Plus – Florida’s A.G. wants Apple to label apps with where they were developed… for safety? Gen Z Apple Users Are Insufferable ATMs or Something Florida A.G. Wants Country of Origin Labels on App Store Apps
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Feb 21, 2023 • 23min

Treating Apple TV+ Like TV

Ken has a sudden obsession with whatever it is Apple is trying to turn Apple TV+ into. He drags TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts along for the ride. Plus – Mailbag Monday, the Tuesday Edition and taking up a collection for a second Apple headset. The Gulf Between iOS and iPadOS Updates Revisited Selling an iPhone for a Tattoo Studio
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Feb 20, 2023 • 24min

Apple Thinks Mastodon Has Legs

TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to discuss stories that may speak to sentiment around Apple, and social media’s plans to nickel and dime users for security. Plus — A vote of confidence for Mastodon from Apple. Counterpoint: iPhone Sales in China Grew 6% in January Analysts React to December iPhone Sales in China NY Post: Sources Say Apple Axing Contract Workers Facebook Parent Plans to Sell ‘Meta Verified’ Accounts Meta's Take: Testing Meta Verified to Help Creators Establish Their Presence Twitter to charge for SMS two-factor authentication
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Feb 17, 2023 • 22min

Operating Systems, AI, and Apple's Neural Engine

New iPadOS adoption numbers from Apple have piqued Ken’s interest. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to kicks those around. Plus – Jeff dives into AI and Apple’s Neural Engine. OS Numbers Show Sizable Gulf Between Recent iOS and iPadOS Installs What Is the Apple Neural Engine and What Does It Do? AI vs. machine learning vs. deep learning: Key differences
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Feb 16, 2023 • 18min

A.R. You Ready for a Show?

News we don’t want to talk about and not news that we do. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about not talking about politics, and avoiding such news while also delivering it. The not news is a rumor – but it’s about Apple’s anticipated mixed-reality headset, so – Jeff and Ken were powerless against discussing it. WSJ: DoJ Stepping Up Pace on Possible Antitrust Action Against Apple House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas Big Tech CEOs Over Alleged Content Suppression Apple Mixed Reality Headset Now Expected WWDC 2023 Apple Pushes Back Mixed-Reality Headset Debut Two Months to June
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Feb 15, 2023 • 21min

Accidentally Training Your A.I. Replacement

Apple used narration from human readers to train its A.I. voices. The real readers did not know that, and weren’t too happy when they found out. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to talk that over. Plus – an update on the Google Photos breakage, and some security advice for Apple Card holders. January: AI-Narrated Audiobooks Now Available in Apple Books Hear the Apple AI Audiobook Samples Here Real Readers Want Apple to Stop Using Their Voices to Train AI Narrators Google Photos Update Fixes iOS/iPadOS 16.3.1 Crashing Issue Apple Shares Five Security Steps for Apple Card
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Feb 14, 2023 • 19min

Fixes, a Break, and Not Talking About the NBA

Apple hit with many mini updates on Monday. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk a few points raised by those. Plus – Why it is way too early to talk about Apple going for streaming rights to the NBA. Apple Releases iOS 16.3.1 Apple Releases iPadOS 16.3.1 Apple Releases macOS Ventura 13.2.1 iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Updates Fix Actively Exploited Security Issue Reports: iOS and iPadOS Updates Crashing Google Photos Apps Apple Said to Be Interested in Streaming the NBA in a Few of Years
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Feb 13, 2023 • 19min

A.I. and Chief Design Plans Land in Mailbag Monday

TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken reach into the Mailbag for thoughts on A.I. and Apple without a Chief Design Officer. Come for the talking, stay for the rest of the talking! And drop your thoughts in the mailbag: [email protected] Google and Microsoft Folding AI Chat into Search Engine Response Bloomberg: Apple to Do Without Industrial Design Chief Apple Designer: Entry-Level iPhone 14 is Better Than iPhone 13 Pro iFixit: 2nd-Gen HomePod is Surprisingly Repairable
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Feb 10, 2023 • 25min

Big Tech's Big A.I. Push with Tom Merritt

Daily Tech News Show’s Tom Merritt named generative A.I. the most important story of 2022. It is not slowing down in 2023. He joins Ken to talk about this week’s announcements from Microsoft and Google. Plus – what’s going on with Apple and A.I.? Zocdoc is a FREE app that shows you doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TDO and download the Zocdoc app for free. Google and Microsoft Folding A.I. Chat into Search Engine Response Apple Reportedly Holding A.I. Summit for Employees This Month
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Feb 9, 2023 • 24min

Apple's New People Person and Good Tech for Your Good Dog

Apple has hired a new Chief of People. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts talk about who she is, and consider some of her roles. Plus – AirTag is not the best solution for keeping track of your dog. Jeff has a few fit-for-purpose suggestions. Zocdoc is a FREE app that shows you doctors who are patient-reviewed, take your insurance and are available when you need them. Go to Zocdoc.com/TDO and download the Zocdoc app for free. Apple Names First Ever “Chief People Officer,” Moving O’Brien to Retail-Only Getting to Know Carol Surface - Apple's New Chief of People The Award Winning Carol Surface Much Better Dog Tracker Options Than Apple’s AirTag

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