Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

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....

In this episode:Apple announces WWDC will be June 9-13Jeff is experimenting with Gentler Streak and having a bit of nostalgia with Notebook ArtilleryA subtle AirPods Pro experienceThe boys continue to argue over AIEthan Mollick highlights study that finds legit benefits of AI at workLinks from the show:Mac - Lumon Terminal Pro‘Severance’ editor was all-in on Apple hardware, but not Final Cut Pro‎Workout Tracker Gentler Streak‎Notebook ArtilleryChatGPT Starts Blocking Studio Ghibli-Style Images After Trend Goes ViralThe Cybernetic TeammateArtificial Intelligence Systems and CopyrightThe Tech Fantasy That Powers A.I. Is Running on FumesQuestion 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....

Apple has updated the iPad Air, iPad, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. The new Apple Immersive Metallica experience is phenomenal; is it a turning point for Apple's immersive content? And what in the world is going on at Apple with Siri? Links from the show:iPad AiriPadMacBook AirMac StudioApple Immersive MetallicaSomething Is Rotten in the State of CupertinoApple’s (AAPL) Siri Chief Calls AI Delays Ugly and Embarrassing, Promises FixesAI search engines cite incorrect sources at an alarming 60% rate, study saysAI’s Real Hallucination ProblemAn AI Coding Assistant Refused to Write Code—and Suggested the User Learn to Do It HimselfQuestion 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 latest iPhone 16e is here, boasting impressive features like an A18 chip and sleek designs. New Apple News+ enhancements are also unveiled, including exciting recipe functionalities. The hosts dive into their experiences with the Vision Pro headset and its immersive content. They share a fresh approach to note-taking with the Forever*Notes system, aiming to revolutionize organization and creativity. Plus, Highland Pro’s new subscription model promises exciting upgrades for users. Tune in for a delightful mix of tech insights and personal reflections!

Jeff and Tom are joined by Bill McLean for a great discussion on third-party calendar app subscriptions, extending the capabilities of Apple Notes with Forever Notes, and a round-up of AI tools that Bill uses.Where to find more from Bill McLean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillMcLeanWeb: https://www.williambmclean.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@williambmcleanLinks from the show:About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts - Apple SupportFantasticalMorgen - Daily planning in your calendarsStructured appForever Notes - A free framework for Apple NotesApple’s Long-Promised AI Overhaul for Siri Runs Into Bugs, Possible DelaysQuestion 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....

There's not a lot of tech in this one, but there's a ton of nerdy goodness as Jeff and Tom are joined by the fabulous cast of the Dungeons in the Attic podcast!Where to find Dungeons in the Attic:WebsitePodcastInstagramQuestion 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....

Joining the conversation are Joe Moyer, a journaling expert known for his reflections on Apple TV+ content, and Benjamin Young Savage, a tech aficionado sharing insights on streaming. They dive into the unique offerings of Apple TV+, discussing standout series like 'Silo' and 'Ted Lasso.' The chat includes the impact of streaming on sports, the contrast in release strategies, and how family dynamics influence viewing habits. Their engaging banter reveals personal favorites and the importance of storytelling in connecting with audiences.

In this episode of Basic AF, hosts Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby welcome back guest Adam Jones to discuss the latest features of Apple Intelligence. Topics include:• Privacy Concerns• Integration of ChatGPT• Evolving Role of Siri• Genmojis• Image Playground• Summaries in Messages and Mail• Audio Recording and Transcription in Notes• Visual Intelligence Features of iPhone 16 Series• Overall Impressions and Grades of Apple’s Intelligence FeaturesMore from Adam Jones:https://www.skyboundeducation.com/Adam Jones WebsiteAdam Jones Guest PageLinks from the Show:Is your iPhone sharing photos data with Apple by default?Question 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 special holiday episode of Basic AF, Jeff Battersby and Tom Anderson share their favorite picks from 2024, blending tech, books, music, and apps. The duo kicks off with lighthearted banter about recording struggles, holiday vibes, and their signature cranky humor before diving into their curated favorites.Jeff highlights the Beetle X31 SSD, a sleek and reliable portable storage device, and shares his literary recommendations, including If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and James by Percival Everett, each rich with thematic connections to classic literature. Tom, on the other hand, spotlights Craft 3, an app redefining productivity with database-like collections, the excellent Capital Centre: A Retrospective, and the Anker USB-C Charger, offering versatile charging solutions for multiple devices.The episode also explores cultural gems like The Mars Volta’s self-titled album, the whimsical Festivitas app, which decks out the Mac menu bar and dock with festive holiday lights, and more!Links:Beetle X31 SSD https://ssd.skhynix.com/beetle_x31/If We Were Villains: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/If-We-Were-Villains-Novel/Demon Copperhead https://amzn.to/4iuPP2PJames https://amzn.to/3VtSuA2The Mars Volta https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-mars-volta/1636983430Craft 3 https://www.craft.do/v3Question 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....