Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

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!

Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby are joined by returning guest Joe Moyer for a comprehensive breakdown of Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote:Exploration of the new "Liquid Glass" design language unifying all Apple platformsNew Apple Intelligence featuresAnalysis of simplified version numbering (everything is now version 26)iPadOS 26's new windowing system and advanced featuresiOS 26's customizable interface and enhanced CarPlay featuresmacOS Tahoe's powerful Spotlight improvements and Journal app expansionVision Pro's enterprise push and quality-of-life improvements across the ecosystemWhere to find Joe:Threads - https://www.threads.net/@thejournalingguideThe Journaling Guide - https://www.24letters.net/thejournalingguide24Letters - https://www.24letters.netLinks from the show:Apple elevates the iPhone experience with iOS 26watchOS 26 delivers more personalized ways to stay active and connectedApple TV brings a beautiful redesign and enhanced home entertainment experiencemacOS Tahoe 26 makes the Mac more capable, productive, and intelligent than evervisionOS 26 introduces powerful new spatial experiences for Apple Vision ProiPadOS 26 introduces powerful new features that push iPad even furtherQuestion 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....

Riley Hill returns to the show to join Jeff and Tom for a preview of WWDC 2025. What's coming from Apple? What kind of AI company should Apple be? And is there less hype than normal for this year's event?The guys also throw around some thoughts on the big announcement that Jony Ive and OpenAI are working on a new type of AI-centered device. It doesn't sound like it's a phone or glasses, so what might it be? Is there a market for a new type of device?Also, they sprinkle in some highlights from Google's IO event last week.Where to Find Riley:Riley Hill on YouTubeRiley Hill WebsiteRiley Hill on ThreadsLinks from the show:9to5Mac on Instagram: “Just 18 days until WWDC 2025! While last-minute leaks are likely, here’s what we expect Apple to announce so far”WWDC 2025: Everything We Know | MacRumorsOpenAI is buying iPhone designer Jony Ive’s AI devices startup for $6.4 billionExclusive | What Sam Altman Told OpenAI About the Secret Device He’s Making With Jony IveThe 15 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2025Question 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....

Delve into the world of AI with Snipd, the new podcast app that revolutionizes listening through smart highlights and note-taking. Discover how a class-action lawsuit could put money back in your pocket if you've used Siri. The hosts also unpack Apple's recent stumbles and their implications for innovation and leadership. With humor and insight, they ponder if it's time for change at the top while sharing personal stories and tech tips. Tune in for a blend of technology, anecdotes, and mindful discussions!

Tom and Jeff dive into the chaos of managing subscriptions in today's digital world. They share hilarious tales of accidental renewals, like a $250 'oops.' Valuable apps and services are spotlighted, alongside clever tricks to stay on top of costs. The duo also explores the dangers of 'subscription creep' and discusses useful financial apps to better manage expenses. From podcast platforms to photo editing tools, they reveal which subscriptions are truly worth it and how to optimize your digital life.

We sit down with writer and user researcher Leah Reich to explore the complex relationship between technology and the humans who use it. Leah shares insights from her newsletter and writing career before diving into the evolving landscape of user research in tech companies, including her time at Slack, Spotify, and Meta/Instagram.We discuss the delicate balance between serving user needs and business goals, and examine the concerning industry shift away from comprehensive user research. Leah offers her personal perspective on the Apple Watch experience and we explore the broader implications of gamification in our digital lives—questioning whether turning everything into a game truly serves our wellbeing.Links from the show:Friction is Necessary ResistanceWe Don’t Need No InnovationUngamify Your BrainLeah Reich | Meets MostQuestion 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....