The Mac Observer Show

Last week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that Apple has way scaled back its automotive plans. Apple watchers have wondered about Apple Car for years, but what does the automotive world make of Cupertino’s plans? Tech and automotive journalist Roberto Baldwin (@strngwys on Twitter) joins Ken to do a bit of Apple Car talk. Get rid of useless subscriptions with Rocket Money now. Go to rocketmoney.com/macobserver. Bloomberg: Apple scales back self-driving car and delays debut until 2026

CIRP says where iPhones are sold in the states may be a weak point for Apple. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken discuss that. Plus – talking over SNL’s very bloody parody of “A Christmas Carol” and Apple Pay. Get rid of useless subscriptions with Rocket Money now. Go to rocketmoney.com/macobserver. Most iPhone buyers don’t actually make their purchases from Apple directly, data shows Violent ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketch Comically Promotes Apple Pay

Canadian politicians are angry about changes to AirDrop on behalf of Chinese citizens. Wait’ll they hear what’s going to happen to Canadians! Also, Twitter Blue is a thing again. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk it all over. Get rid of useless subscriptions with Rocket Money now. Go to rocketmoney.com/macobserver. Canada condemns Apple's AirDrop changes affecting protestors in China You can’t use the Taiwan flag emoji on a Chinese iPhone Twitter Blue Relaunching on Monday With Higher Price on iPhone and Account Review Process

Dreamlight Valley resident and TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken today to discuss Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. What is it, who needs it, and how does one activate it? Plus – Will Smith is promoting Apple TV+. Too soon? How To Turn On Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud FBI Unhappy With Apple’s End-To-End Encrypted iCloud Backup Will Smith is Giving Audiences Two-Months of Apple TV+ for Free

TMO writer Nick deCourville brings us two tales of fantasy: The Disney video game Dreamlight Valley is headed to the Mac, and Microsoft is considering a super-app. One of these exposes a few levels of nerd for Ken. Microsoft Looking Into ‘Super App’ to Directly Compete with Apple and Google in Search Engine Markets Gartner: What is a Super-app? ‘Disney Dreamlight Valley’ Arrives for Apple Mac Sillicon Users

Longtime Apple podcaster Adam Christianson joins Ken to kick around the pricing tools Apple’s opening for developers. Plus – with close to 40-years combined of Apple news under their belts, Adam and Ken talk about what they did not see coming, and what they look forward to seeing. Apple Announces 700 New Price Points for App Store

Foxconn says it’s getting iPhone production back on track. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk righting the ship post holidays. Plus Apple’s pause in Twitter ads was not about Elon Musk nor free speech. It was apparently about propriety and decency. We’ll talk it over. Foxconn Expects Normal Production from Zhengzhou’s “iPhone City” in 3-to-4 Weeks Apple Leans Into Diversifying the Supply Chain Evercore Expects 5-Million to 8-Million Too Few iPhones This Quarter Wedbush Expects 10-Million to 15-Million Too Few iPhones This Quarter Ars Technica: Apple’s Twitter Ad Pause Was Response to “Club Q” Shootings

Bloomberg and TF International have info on Apple’s mixed reality headset. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to discuss that. Plus the Sunbird messaging app, Eufy video storage, and Elon Musk are in for Mailbag Monday. Gurman: ‘realityOS’ for Apple’s New Mixed-Reality Headset Changes Name to ‘xrOS’ TF International Analyst Sees Apple’s MR Headset Pushed to 2H23 Sunbird App Will Bring iMessage to Android, Ending Blue Bubble vs Green Bubble Bullying Eufy Says Its Security Camera Footage Is Local-Only, But That’s Not Always True

Want a positive spin on the current quarter? Ken tries to convince TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts how great things will look for Apple in Q1FY24 – provided nothing goes wrong. Also – Android is getting one communications app to rule them all (and ditch the green text bubbles). Jeff fills us in on Sunbird. 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 may see $8 billion holiday revenue drop over iPhone delays Foxconn closed-loop production continues, despite end of Zhengzhou lockdown Apple had its best sales ever in October in the Chinese market Sunbird App Will Bring iMessage to Android, Ending Blue Bubble vs Green Bubble Bullying

Year’s end can mean only one thing: War between Spotify and Apple Music. Nick deCourville joins Ken to talk about the end of the year music recaps Wrapped and Replay. Plus – New old content is officially “Included with Apple TV+,” and Will Smith does PR for “Emancipation” 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. Spotify's 2022 Wrapped Experience is Here, Features New Personality Test and More Apple Music Delivers New Replay Experience Featuring Highlight Reels and More Will Smith Promotes Emancipation on “The Daily Show”