Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

Jeff is taking a break from the show to recover from his recent stroke. He's recovering well and is working his butt off in rehab and hopes to return before long.His family has set up a GoFundMe to help out a bit while he's in rehab kicking ass. If you'd like to throw a few bucks his way, here's the link, and it's all appreciated.https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-battersbys-stroke-recovery--Bill McLean returns to the show to discuss the abundance of riches with modern note-taking apps. Plus, Tom has a new iPad Pro M5 and shares his first impressions of it and the Magic Keyboard.Be sure to follow Bill on YouTube, Threads, and Substack for more great Apple and tech-related content.https://www.youtube.com/@BillMcLeanhttps://www.threads.com/@williambmcleanThere's never been a worse time to pick a notes appQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

Jeff and Tom are off this week so we're going into the vault! Join us for a rewind of our 2024 Tips & Tricks show with Gannon Nordberg!Over a dozen tips & tricks for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and more!More from Gannon: LinkedIn (email marketing strategies & newsletter signup)Links from the show:Use profiles in Safari on MacTurn off Listening History in Apple Music with a Focus ModePlay music together in a car with SharePlay and Apple MusicEdit portraits on iPadMake stickers from your photos on iPhoneSearch in Messages on iPhoneEasily change photo aspect ratiosChange the color of links and highlights in NotesSee time spent in daylightHow to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face Based on Time or LocationUse the Smart Stack to show timely widgets on Apple WatchHazel for MacQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

In this discussion, Gannon Nordberg, an email marketing expert, and Chris Freitag, a photographer and content creator, share their hands-on experiences with the iPhone Air. They marvel at its lightweight design and stunning 3000-nit display, while addressing the camera's trade-offs and the real-world challenges of battery life. Chris highlights the upgraded front-facing camera, beneficial for content creation, while both guests delve into their thoughts on Apple’s future direction, including possible foldable devices and why this model might suit most users.

Dive into the latest Apple event revelations! Discover the stunning design and features of the iPhone Air and the impressive advancements in the iPhone 17 series. The hosts discuss exciting new camera capabilities and resonate on the life-changing health functionalities of the Apple Watch Series 11, including hypertension detection. Plus, hear insights on the upgraded AirPods and their unique translation features. They also ponder the dilemma of upgrading versus sticking with timeless technology. Get ready for a tech-packed discussion!

Matthias Hilse, a graphic designer from Vienna and creator of Forever Notes, shares his insights on mastering Apple Notes. He introduces the innovative Forever Notes system, designed to declutter your notes and enhance productivity. Discussion points include setting up a central Home note, the power of hubs and collections, and tips for effective tagging. He also reflects on features he'd love to see in Apple Notes and the complications of maintaining weekly notes. Discover how this approach transformed his own note-taking experience!

Curious about Apple’s latest public betas? The hosts share their firsthand experiences with iPadOS 26’s multitasking overhaul and macOS Tahoe's UI tweaks. Discover how Liquid Glass adds flair and hear about the surprising pitfalls of the Mac beta. Dive into updates for iOS and watchOS, along with exciting changes to CarPlay. How did they fare using an iPad as a primary computer? Join their amusing reflections and critiques on the new features affecting everyday tech use.

What happens when hip-hop meets theater, satire, and sibling bond? In this episode, we meet Jacob Battersby — artist, MC, and the man behind Celsius 7 — as he joins his brother Jeff and Tom for a funny and sometimes unfiltered journey through decades of DIY artistry. From early freestyle circles and cassette-tape beats to the lyrical power of Psychokinetics and the wild, lounge-rap theatrics of Kalri$$ian, Jacob reflects on how music became both an identity and a lifeline.Links:Celsius 7 - Apple Music / SpotifyKalri$$ian - Apple Music / SpotifyPsychokinetics - Apple Music / SpotifyQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

If you’re itching to try iPadOS 26, or just curious how far AI has crept into everyday life, this episode is for you.Tom and Jeff share how well (or not) AI played doctor, deliver a first look at the iPadOS 26 developer beta, and break down how to beta test like a pro (without nuking your device).You’ll get honest impressions of the new floating windows, updated UI, Preview on iPad, the surprise “Games” app—and what it all feels like in day-to-day use. Plus: how Jeff tested it, what crashed, and what delighted.Will Tom install the beta? What did his doctor say when he quoted ChatGPT? And what’s the one thing you should do before installing any beta? It’s all here in a fast, fun 35 minutes.Links:Apple Public BetaApple Beta FAQiPadOS 26Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks. Tom has a new YouTube channel Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple Podcasts Rate on Spotify Recommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple Music Spotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

The hosts dive into their summer vibes, sharing their current reading favorites like 'White Noise' and 'Crudo.' They explore the integration of Readwise with Snipped for enhanced content review, making organizing media highlights a breeze. With reflections on family memories and the emotional weight of shared birthdays, the discussion touches on nostalgia and personal connection. They also get creative, discussing plans for sketching and video content, blending personal anecdotes with cultural insights.

Tom shares updated Mac recommendations perfect for college students, blending tech tips with humor. Jeff discusses his enhanced note-taking experience using Apple's Notes app and a customized tagging system. The hosts dive deep into understanding stress, highlighting its positive and negative aspects, while personal anecdotes emphasize mindfulness. Fitness tracking apps are explored, showcasing how they aid both recovery and sleep optimization, elevating overall wellness. It's an engaging mix of tech insights and personal stories!