Upgrade looks at how technology shapes our lives, from the devices in our hands and pockets to the streaming music and video services that keep us entertained. Hosted by Myke Hurley and Jason Snell.
497: The Poison Pill
1/29/2024 • 2 hours, 3 minutes, 25 seconds
496: 40th Anniversary of the Mac Draft
1/22/2024 • 2 hours, 28 minutes, 11 seconds
495: Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
1/15/2024 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 24 seconds
494: Copyright Violation Machine
1/8/2024 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 17 seconds
493: Upgradies Hall of Fame
1/1/2024 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 18 seconds
492: The 2023 Upgrade Holiday Special
12/25/2023 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 59 seconds
491: The 2023 Upgradies
12/18/2023 • 1 hour, 57 minutes, 41 seconds
490: The Cat Has a Team of Lawyers
12/11/2023 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 14 seconds
489: The Future Is on CompuServe
12/4/2023 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 43 seconds
488: The New Numbers
11/27/2023 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 50 seconds
487: Under the Thumb of Qualcomm
11/20/2023 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 15 seconds
486: On the Side of Reality
11/13/2023 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 21 seconds
485: Best Witch and Beast Feature
11/6/2023 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 56 seconds
484: Space Grayer
10/31/2023 • 1 hour, 58 minutes, 45 seconds
483: The 2023 October Event Draft
10/27/2023 • 27 minutes, 42 seconds
482: It’s Covered in Soap!
10/23/2023 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 7 seconds
481: What If… Octobox?
10/16/2023 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 57 seconds
480: Never Do a Deal with the Preference Daemon
10/9/2023 • 1 hour, 49 minutes
479: The Three Oranges
As a very busy September turns over into October, we've got an episode packed with follow-up: Tim Cook takes another European vacation, the Vision Pro product roadmap recedes, Apple considers its search-engine strategy, and we review macOS Sonoma.
10/2/2023 • 1 hour, 53 minutes
478: Hi, We’re the Weirdos
Live from Memphis in the aftermath of the Relay FM Podcastathon, Myke and Jason take delivery of new iPhones and Apple Watches. Also, General Motors continues its drive for Apple-like services revenue.
9/25/2023 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 1 second
477: Tails O'Clock
This week we're wading into follow-up from last week's Apple event. Then we say goodbye to beta season and list our favorite features of the newly shipped iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10.
9/18/2023 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 58 seconds
476: Friends in the Couch Cushions
Jason's back from Cupertino and it's time to break down everything he saw at the September 2023 Apple media event: The new titanium-framed iPhone 15 Pro, the pastel iPhone 15, the DoubleTap-enabled Apple Watch, and... green leaves for some but not others?
9/13/2023 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 41 seconds
475: The 2023 September Event Draft
Jason and Myke preview what will happen at next week's Apple event. What new features will the new iPhones have? How will the Apple Watch transform? And which one of us will harness the heart of a champion, Lionel Messi style, and score the winning goal?
9/4/2023 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 8 seconds
474: I'm Not a Doctor, I'm an Auditor
With a busy fall looming, Mac analyst Stephen Hackett joins the show to give Jason's computing setup a check-up. And some iPhone rumors suggest the Color Czar may be leaving a lump of Space Black coal in Myke's stocking this year.
8/28/2023 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 36 seconds
473: I Can Talk About the George Foreman Grill Now
The iMac turns 25, Relay turns 10 (next year in London), print magazines apparently still exist, and listeners have questions about why Apple would ever want to buy Disney.
8/21/2023 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 20 seconds
472: Step Aside, Bob!
For years, rumors about Apple and Disney combining seemed ridiculous--but in light of Apple's transformation and Disney's difficulties, suddenly it seems a lot more possible. Myke and Jason examine Disney's business and try to imagine what portions of it Apple would actually want. Also: What would be in an Apple Watch X?
8/14/2023 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 30 seconds
471: A Technological 23rd Century Star Trek Thing
Jason has the painful details about Apple's comeback bid for college football TV rights that fell just short of the goal line. We also discuss what Apple's rich-but-middling quarterly results say about the importance of this fall's iPhone launch.
8/7/2023 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 51 seconds
470: Magic Titanium
This week we wonder if Apple will profess further mastery of the Periodic Table with this fall's iPhone Pro release, and if Lionel Messi will conquer the world with Apple's help. And for the Summer of Fun, Myke asks Jason about his writing process and tools.
7/31/2023 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 22 seconds
469: Bring in the Boffins
Myke's summer is a lot less fun due to his concerns about a bill advancing in the UK Parliament that could potentially drive some Apple services out of the country. Also we try to understand just what's happening at Apple regarding AI products, and we have issues with services that push algorithmic timelines.
7/24/2023 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 57 seconds
468: Nonstop Bangers Involving Saxophone Solos
As the Public Betas arrive, there's breaking bad news for Mac Pro fans, Jason has an invitation for Tim Cook, and we explore our favorite Emoji.
7/18/2023 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 52 seconds
467: The Least Important Mac
We struggle to balance empathy with reality as we try to explain why the Mac Pro is the way that it is, and why that's unlikely to change. Also, the Summer of Fun ends up taking on the future of social media, and Myke asks Jason to talk him into installing the iOS beta.
7/10/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 22 seconds
466: Try to Stop Me Now, Batman
This week we get to the bottom of the secrets of the mysterious Puzzle Society, Goldman Sachs can't make money on credit cards, Apple might be getting into college football, and there's a lot of weird follow-up. Typical Summer of Fun stuff!
7/3/2023 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 22 seconds
465: No Dark Modes, Only Dark Rooms
Developers are getting their hands on (simulated) visionOS for the first time, and we speculate about how spatial apps might work. And for the Summer of Fun, we gauge our excitement level for various Apple-related product rumors.
6/26/2023 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 15 seconds
464: Godzilla Is Always There
Myke and Jason answer your questions about Vision Pro, catch up with some new beta details, saddle up for a new Rumor Roundup, process the Reddit debacle, and detail our summer plans.
6/19/2023 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 37 seconds
463: Respect the Tripod
Jason and Myke discuss their experiences using the Apple Vision Pro and what they're thinking about the product now that they've used it. Also there's a lot of WWDC follow-up, and Jason reviewed new Macs! And it's all coming to you live from Jason's garage.
6/12/2023 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 13 seconds
462: Time Moves the Sun
WWDC 2023 has arrived and Jason and Myke react to the keynote announcements, live from a secluded location at Apple Park! Topics are just what you'd guess: Apple Vision Pro, new Mac hardware (!), and new OS features.
6/6/2023 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 39 seconds
461: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2023
It's time for our eighth annual competition regarding what will happen at Apple's WWDC keynote! Jason and Myke will be there in person--but what will be announced? Is the Apple mixed-reality headset really going to happen? Will there be room for new Mac hardware? And what do we anticipate for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS?
5/29/2023 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 1 second
460: Mr. QuickTime is Now Mr. Headset
With WWDC and our annual draft right around the corner, it's time to survey the final rumors about Apple's AR/VR headset, while also taking stock of some real accessibility developments due this fall. Also: Jason has gazed into the many faces of the Apple TV Quadbox, and Mimestream 1.0 has arrived.
5/22/2023 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 24 seconds
459: I Appreciate Whopping
Apple has finally announced Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad. What does this mean for the platform, what took so long, and is this the end of the story--or just the beginning? Also, the Wall Street Journal gets into the Apple Headset rumor business.
5/15/2023 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 36 seconds
458: Weaving on a Thoughtful Basis
It's time to analyze Apple's financial results, including a focus on India and some substantial declines for the Mac and iPad. Myke reveals the existence of the Secret Myke Hurley Tip Line. And we dive deep into a conversation about how Apple's embrace of keeping things "on device" isn't necessarily enough to differentiate it from the likes of Google and Meta.
5/8/2023 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 19 seconds
457: Subtle & Vibrant
This week we react to rumors of future Apple health services and try to understand the difference between a service and a feature. Also, is Apple right to keep advanced AI out of Siri until it's trustworthy? And we celebrate the suggestion that watchOS might be getting a fresh new Widget-centric interface.
5/1/2023 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 59 seconds
456: The Official Journal of Journaling
As rumor season kicks into high gear, we discuss Apple's potential new app, more reports about its VR headset, and some updates about forthcoming Mac hardware.
4/24/2023 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 36 seconds
455: QUADBOX!
What's happening at WWDC? The rumors are... confusing. Also, Jason gets excited about watching four things at once, Myke tries to bring iOS 17 into focus, and we've got a book review of 'Make Something Wonderful' from the Steve Jobs Archive.
4/17/2023 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 47 seconds
454: The Home Home
This week we're pondering future directions for watchOS complications and iOS Control Center, reacting to extremely early reports about future iPhone displays, and digesting Apple's slow build of alternative manufacturing capacities outside of China.
4/10/2023 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 23 seconds
453: At Large at Apple Park
WWDC has been announced, but when will the Apple VR headset be ready to ship? Also, CarPlay gets the cold shoulder from General Motors, watchOS might be in for some major changes, and the iPhone could be getting its own action button.
4/3/2023 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 52 seconds
452: Schrödinger's Killer App
With WWDC (presumably) a couple of months away, we take time to list some of our wishes for iOS 17. There's also a lot more noise about the forthcoming Apple VR headset, and the entertainment industry and Apple are having communication issues.
3/27/2023 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 20 seconds
451: I've Come Around to Reality
Is the iPad still the future of computing, or is it the Mac (again)? This week we're pondering Apple's dividing lines between the iPad Pro and the Mac, and wonder if each product is limiting the potential of the other. Also, is Apple planning on raising iPad Pro prices to new heights? We also consider Apple's moves to show fiscal responsibility without laying off a lot of people like the rest of the tech industry.
3/20/2023 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 30 seconds
450: Funko Classicals
Did Apple's designers want the company to give up on its dreams of augmented reality and just wait it out for a few years? We ponder that baffling report and try to make sense of conflicting rumors about the arrival of the new MacBook Air. Then we get mellow about yellow, and Jason exposes his limited knowledge of classical music and his comprehensive knowledge of 1980s novelty pop hits.
3/13/2023 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 35 seconds
449: Dynamic Submarine
Kia ora! Jason's back from vacation to discuss Apple's continued quest to optimize its iPhone product revenue and the reason why M3 Macs might be closer (and more interesting) than we thought.
3/6/2023 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 47 seconds
448: I'm Choosing Optimism
Myke is joined by Casey Liss to discuss Mark Gurman's report on Apple's 'Moonshot' efforts. Also, what is that 'ComputeModule', how thick will the Pro Max camera bump be, and how does Casey fare in a brand new segment?
2/27/2023 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 59 seconds
447: I've Got a Lot of Code in the Catalogue
With Jason on vacation, Myke is joined by David Smith. They discuss a potential delay for Apple's headset and what that may mean for WWDC. Also, David's AI-powered podcast transcription website, and the introduction of 'Ask Underscore'.
2/20/2023 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 38 seconds
446: The iPhone Abides
Jason has released the 2022 Apple Report Card, and now it's time for him and Myke to once again share their grades for Apple for the year gone by. Also, Tim and Eddy go to the Super Bowl, and Apple gets a new Chief People Officer.
2/13/2023 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 13 seconds
445: Headwinds
How you read Apple's financial results really depends on what you want to see in them. We break down the numbers, ponder the state of Apple's design group, and reconsider what Apple may or may not be folding in the near future.
2/6/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 29 seconds
444: Greg
This is the episode where our brains break as we try to process wild rumors of folding iPads and Siri-driven VR app development. Also, proving the raw interactive power of UpgradeFeedback.com, Myke hears from many listeners about why they choose to use the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Jason, meanwhile seems to hate plants.
1/30/2023 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 8 seconds
443: Core Variations
Jason's spent most of the last week with an M2 Max MacBook Pro, so it's time for his full review. We also discuss the M2 Mac mini and the second-generation HomePod. This naturally leads into a discussion of Apple's future home products and what form the M3 processor might take.
1/23/2023 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 10 seconds
442: Zombie Arms and Toaster Fridge
Does the report that Apple may build a touchscreen Mac laptop mean that the futures of the Mac and iPad are about to converge--or is nothing much really going to change? Then Jason and Myke then pour one out for third-party Twitter apps. It was a good run.
1/16/2023 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 49 seconds
441: Qi2: Qi Harder
As the new year begins, reports about Apple's forthcoming headset product arrive to confuse and perplex us. We also discuss a potentially quiet year for the rest of Apple's product line, the fundamental dignity of a circular pizza, and a handful of things we cared about at CES 2023.
1/9/2023 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 44 seconds
440: Apple Bricked My House!
It's a new year, and Jason has made his fearless predictions about what will happen in 2023! (Myke has questions.) We also consider the fate of the iPhone Plus, discuss Apple pausing its HomeKit architecture roll-out, and pour one out for Dark Sky.
1/2/2023 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 40 seconds
439: The 2022 Upgradies
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Ninth Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2022, take the input of many Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.
12/26/2022 • 2 hours, 5 minutes, 29 seconds
438: Holiday Antitrust Special
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but the news doesn't stop! We discuss next year's Mac lineup, the end of Apple's NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations, and reports that Apple is planning to open up the iOS app ecosystem in response to new rules from the European Union. But before we're done, we also take a little time out to re-tell our Apple origin stories. Happy holidays to all Upgradians!
12/19/2022 • 2 hours, 1 minute, 26 seconds
437: Luxury Car for Nerds
Myke has returned, and so have the Apple Car rumors. But before we try to figure those out, we've got to consider Apple's encryption announcements, Tim Cook's appearance at a chip factory in Arizona, and John Siracusa's appearance in our shared show document.
12/12/2022 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 14 seconds
436: I Bend So Many Spoons
John Siracusa returns to the show to chat about Jason's recent visit to his house, Mac app development, Apple's brain drain, TSMC breaking ground in Arizona, the problems with AI training models, the current state of macOS, and what makes a Good Product.
12/6/2022 • 2 hours, 18 minutes, 29 seconds
435: OS 8, Not So Great
John Gruber joins Jason on Upgrade for the first time. Topics include eWorld, Apple's iPhone production problems in China, FIFA and Qatar and the World Cup, the reasons behind Apple's sports ambitions, BBEdit, regular expressions, Perl and Python, MarsEdit, nanotexture displays, webcams, and the state of the art in ADB-to-USB adapters. Happy Cyber Monday to all those who celebrate!
11/29/2022 • 2 hours, 24 minutes, 43 seconds
434: Bob to Bob to Bob
There's some huge news from the world of streaming, as Disney switches bosses and Apple plans its next wave of sports-streaming products. Meanwhile, Myke's busy building out his smart home while Jason has been reminded of the fragility of smart-home networking.
11/21/2022 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 22 seconds
433: The Lava Lamp is Not Responding
Let's get real about the Apple VR headset. Is it really coming next year? What's it going to look like? What features should it have? What lessons can Apple learn from Meta's foray into VR products? We break it all down. Also, we've got home automation on our minds in various ways, as a smart switch fails Jason, Myke seeks advice, and it's beginning to look a lot like expensive fairy-light season.
11/14/2022 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 18 seconds
432: Upgrade (With Special Offers)
The strong dollar is helping to drive up Apple's prices around the world, but is it teaching the company that high prices don't matter? Also, Apple downgrades our favorite tvOS feature, Apple gets into the TV ad game, and iPhone production grinds to a halt.
11/7/2022 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 52 seconds
431: Charty Charty Money Charts
Apple and the Mac had another record quarter, but there are some serious questions about slowing growth in services and what it means for Apple's future strategies. This leads naturally into a discussion of Apple sticking ads all over the App Store and changing its App Store guidelines again. And Myke has taken Stage Manager for a spin on macOS Ventura.
10/31/2022 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 10 seconds
430: Other Kickstands Are Available
Jason's got new reviews of macOS Ventura, the tenth-generation iPad, and the M2 iPad Pro. We discuss Stage Manager, System Settings, the Magic Keyboard Folio, and the curious pace and nature of iPad innovations.
10/24/2022 • 2 hours, 10 minutes, 20 seconds
429: Freedom Doors
This week we praise trackpad gestures, condemn Google's Matter strategy, ponder whether looks matter when it comes to VR headsets, and think big thoughts about the AirPods Pro 2. Then it's time for some final prognosticating about what products Apple might be introducing in the next few weeks.
10/17/2022 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 20 seconds
428: (2)
What's in a name? Myke and Jason wrestle with what to call a rumored new Apple display and whether "laptop" is better than "notebook." Also, Matter is almost here to save us from our smart homes, the USB-C iPhone approaches, and Jason tries to keep mini magic alive.
10/10/2022 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 4 seconds
427: He Renounced Lederhosen
It's pretty late in the game, but Stage Manager on iPadOS keeps changing--most lately adding support for older iPad Pros while temporarily dropping support for external displays. What's going on, and where does it go from here? Meanwhile, Apple execs take a European tour, allowing us to marvel at Eddy Cue's energy and wonder at the surprising company Tim keeps.
10/3/2022 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 15 seconds
426: Splash Hit!
Jason reviews the iPhone 14, we speculate about how Apple could make an October Mac event worth having, Myke solves his iPhone migration problems, and we answer your Dynamic Island questions!
9/26/2022 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 5 seconds
425: This Intelligent Blob
After reviewing the iPhone 14 Pro and discussing the pros and cons of the Dynamic Island and the new 48MP camera, Jason and Myke discuss the current pace of upgrades and innovation across all of Apple's product lines.
9/19/2022 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 1 second
424: Das Pro Plus Max Ultra
Five days later, we take stock of last week's Apple announcements, disclose our pre-orders, ponder future changes to the iPhone product line, and discuss our favorite features of iOS 16.
9/12/2022 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 19 seconds
423: Ultra Wednesday
Apple has unveiled four new iPhones, new Apple Watches (including the new Apple Watch Ultra), and a new generation of AirPods Pro. Jason reports straight from the event--and still on the Apple Park campus!--as we break down all the details.
9/8/2022 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 36 seconds
422: The 2022 September Event Draft
Jason and Myke predict what will happen at next week's Apple media event. What new features will the new iPhones have--and will they be more expensive? Will the Apple Watch expand? And what other surprises might propel one of us to a decisive draft victory?
8/29/2022 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 33 seconds
421: Summer of Automation
Before the sun sets on the Summer of Fun, Jason has rounded up three Apple automation experts--Federico Viticci, Rosemary Orchard, and Matthew Cassinelli--to discuss the present and future of user automation on Apple's platforms. Also, Myke and Jason debate the iOS 16 music scrubber.
8/22/2022 • 2 hours, 57 seconds
420: I Don't Want Your Jolly Ranchers
What bothers Jason more, bad candy or App Store ads? Tough call. We also discuss some possible iPhone price hikes, Jason's HomeKit (sort of) cameras, a return to macOS Ventura, and the pronunciation of Apple silicon.
8/15/2022 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 49 seconds
419: Modemtown
Thanks to the M2 MacBook Air, Myke has decided to live a two-laptop lifestyle. We ponder the rumored delay of iPadOS 16, whether it's a good or bad thing, and what form a new iPad Pro might take.
8/8/2022 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 42 seconds
418: Cocktail of Headwinds
This week Jason and Myke take a closer look at Apple's weird quarterly results, which reassured Wall Street while not being altogether reassuring. Then automotive expert Sam Abuelsamid joins Jason to talk about what Apple's WWDC 2022 announcement of a new integrated CarPlay might actually mean if and when it arrives late next year.
8/1/2022 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 48 seconds
417: The Verticals
In this special Summer of Fun episode, Jason and Myke welcome three special guests to discuss how development, accessibility, and widgets have been affected by Apple's latest operating-system cycle.
7/25/2022 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 26 seconds
416: Shout-out to Bridget Knight
Myke and Jason both have new M2 MacBook Airs, so it's time for our full review. Jason opens the Stocks app for the first time in ages. Jony Ive's long fade-out from Apple is completed. And in honor of World Emoji Day, we select our favorite emojis in seven categories.
7/18/2022 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 49 seconds
415: My Body Is My Studio, My Exercises Are My Canvas
Apple's iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas have gone public and we have our first impressions! Also, the M2 MacBook Air has gone on sale, the new "extreme sports" Apple Watch is coming into focus, and for the Summer of Fun we're drafting favorite app icons.
7/11/2022 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 40 seconds
414: The Meat Seems Questionable
This July 4 Jason spends some time away from the grill to discuss charity shops, stroopwafels, and the differences between the U.S. and the UK. Meanwhile, Myke has been inspired to build his own iPad-based status board. Vive la différence, as they say in yet another country.
7/4/2022 • 1 hour, 49 minutes, 37 seconds
413: Tall Is Small
For the Summer of Fun, Jason and Myke compare their iPhones--one's Max, one's Mini, but which one has the most apps and which one has the most photos? Also, Mark Gurman's got our next 75 episodes plotted out thanks to his detailed dump of future Apple product announcements, Jason is unenthusiastic about the M2 MacBook Pro, and Justin did it.
6/27/2022 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 8 seconds
412: Justin, Don't Do It
This week we consider Stage Manager and how it works, as well as how Apple has chosen to communicate its decision-making. Also, Apple makes a surprising deal with Major League Soccer, Myke decides that an iPad Studio and MacBook Studio sound like great new products, and we dare to ask the question: what if they made a laptop entirely out of legacy nodes?
6/21/2022 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 41 seconds
411: 180% Different for Me
It's the aftermath of a WWDC like no other, so in this very special episode Myke and Jason kick off the Summer of Fun with an episode recorded live in the California sun. The breeze is blowing, the questions about the M2 processor and Stage Manager are flowing, and we're trying to get our heads around what last week's announcements mean for the future of Apple's platforms.
6/12/2022 • 1 hour, 57 minutes, 22 seconds
410: Apple Park Vibe Check
Live from Apple Park, Jason has a first-hand report from the WWDC Keynote. (Myke was nearby, but that’s a whole other story.) Together they discuss groundbreaking iPad news, the new M2 Macbook Air, some familiar iPhone lock screen customization features, and a whole lot more.
6/7/2022 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 9 seconds
409: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2022
It’s time for our seventh annual competition regarding what will happen at Apple's WWDC keynote! In a surprise development, Jason and Myke are attending in person--but beyond that, they're totally in the dark. Will it be inside or outside? Will it be live, or recorded? Will there be new hardware announced? It's time to let our imaginations run wild.
5/30/2022 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 43 seconds
408: Upgrade VR
The much-rumored Apple AR/VR headset appears to be on the horizon, so Myke and Jason break down several reports about its development and debate what approach Apple should take. And as WWDC approaches, there are also rumblings about a new HomePod, Apple Watch design changes, and more Apple displays.
5/23/2022 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 24 seconds
407: Inexplicable Billboards
Is Apple ready to embrace USB-C across its entire product line? Jason loves his Playdate, but is frustrated by Apple Music playing songs he dislikes. And the music may go on, but the iPod won't be coming along for the ride.
5/16/2022 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 9 seconds
406: Are You Phishing Me Right Now?
An unlikely alliance of tech giants beckons us toward our passwordless future, but in the meantime there's a new version of 1Password. We also discuss Apple Car rumors, hope for the future of AirPods Max, our disassembly of a Magic Keyboard, and more!
5/9/2022 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 1 second
405: Too Many Numbers
This week we check in on Studio Display firmware, ponder what form the iPhone 14 might take and whether it's different enough from the iPhone 13, and break down the results of Apple's record fiscal quarter--including some trepidation about the future. Also, Myke finally got his Playdate!
5/2/2022 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 19 seconds
404: Convert Your Nostalgia to Money
Jason added a (working) Studio Display and a Playdate to his house last week, and Myke's a little upset. Also CNN+ died, Netflix went into crisis, and Apple kept making sports streaming deals. We also discuss the parking situation at Apple Park, accept the passing of the iPhone mini, and envision a new use for the HomePod name.
4/25/2022 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 42 seconds
403: This Episode is Forbidden
This week we're imagining the right and wrong improvements for the Apple Watch, speculating about the first wave of M2 Macs, lamenting Apple's process for replacing a defective product, and buzzing (in a bad way) about CNN+.
4/18/2022 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 12 seconds
402: Very Important Developers
Baseball season is here and Jason has a detailed critique of Apple's first Friday Night Baseball broadcasts. But it's not all home runs and calls to the bullpen, as Myke goes home to Dongletown and we ponder just what might be announced at WWDC 2022.
4/11/2022 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 58 seconds
401: This App May Not Kill You
Myke takes possession of his Apple Studio Display, Jason gets excited about the arrival of Audio Hijack 4, and Apple revises its approach to allowing external links in iOS apps.
4/4/2022 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 32 seconds
400: Draft of the Ages
It's episode 400! We evaluate the forward-looking predictions we made back in episode 300, and then draft stories we'll be talking about over the next hundred episodes! Also, an Apple TV+ movie won Best Picture and we round up an awful lot of Apple rumors.
3/28/2022 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 12 seconds
399: The Mysteries of Thunderbolt
Jason's got the new Mac Studio and Studio Display and it's time for his complete review. We also discuss where the M2 chip might appear, and what the Mac will look like in 2023.
3/21/2022 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 4 seconds
398: I Thought About the Ultra, Then I Laughed
John Siracusa joins Jason to talk about the Mythical Mid-Range Mac Minitower, the distortion of the iMac over time, the modular possibilities offered by the Apple Studio Display, and other fallout from last week's Apple announcements.
3/14/2022 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 29 seconds
397: My Favorite Amount of Transistors
It's not every day that Apple introduces an entirely new Mac line. But on March 8, that's exactly what happened. Jason, Myke, and special guest Stephen Hackett discuss the new Mac Studio and Studio Display, along with the updated iPad Air and iPhone SE.
3/8/2022 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 14 seconds
396: The 2022 March Event Draft
Our most speculative draft yet! Jason and Myke refuse to wait for Apple. Instead, they predict what will happen at Apple's next product launch--whenever it might happen. Will the M2 make its debut? Will there be an iPhone SE, and will it look any different? Are there other Mac and iPad offerings in the works? And most importantly, what fresh colors will be on offer for spring? We do our job--and now it's time for Apple to do its.
2/28/2022 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 49 seconds
395: This App May Kill You
Jason imagines a future iOS App Store improved by sideloading, Myke gets back into reading digital comics, and both of them have a very strongly worded wish list involving the rumored big new iMac.
2/21/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 31 seconds
394: Historic Dongletown
This week Jason and Myke both revive some classic hardware that hits them right in the feels. Also, there's a confusing set of Apple event rumors, and Apple tries to address AirTag security concerns.
2/14/2022 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 1 second
393: Nothing Is So Perfect™
It's time for our annual dive into the Six Colors Apple Report Card, as Jason and Myke interpret the scores and comments of several dozen Apple-watchers and add their own views on where the company is succeeding--and where it's not. Also discussed: future M2 Macs and the intricacies of Dutch dating.
2/7/2022 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 45 seconds
392: The Whimsy Committee
Apple made a ton of money and released a ton of betas with new features. Face ID works with masks, Universal Control causes the soul of the Mac pointer to leave its body, the iPad relies on legacy nodes, the iPhone may take on Square, Dutch regulators are unsatisfied, and we tried to warn Spotify but it wouldn't listen.
1/31/2022 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 49 seconds
391: They're Great Uphill
Myke and Jason discuss the mysteries of Apple's car project, and express confusion about Apple's 2022 product release schedule. And at last, France makes a big box-related move.
1/24/2022 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 22 seconds
390: 🦓🦅🦜🐧
Apple's rumored VR headset might not ship until 2023, but will it be the best VR headset ever made? And if so, at what cost? Also, Apple seems to have a settled on a strategy for handling demands to open up payment processing and external web links, and we're frustrated by the decision. Following a silly Wall Street Journal article, Android's SVP got a little too angry about iMessage. Also, we take an unexpected dive into the Users & Groups preference pane.
1/17/2022 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 35 seconds
389: I Have Extra Buttons
We discuss why it's useful to take time every once in a while to pull back and look at the big picture instead of getting bogged down in the day-to-day grind. Also, Jason built himself a tool to make his life easier, Apple may be gearing up for its next event, and listeners have lots of questions about Apple displays.
1/10/2022 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 57 seconds
388: The Year of the Headset
We spend our first episode of 2022 discussing what we think Apple will do this year. Is it finally time for an Apple product you put on your face? Jason and Myke also discuss changes they're planning on making in their working lives for the new year.
1/3/2022 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 43 seconds
387: The 2021 Upgradies
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Eighth Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2021, take the input of many Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.
12/27/2021 • 2 hours, 28 minutes, 8 seconds
386: The Tube Man Ecosystem
In this Upgrade Holiday Special, Jason and Myke answer the holiday-themed questions of Upgradians everywhere. Smart decorations, holiday wardrobes, the definition of fairy lights, monkey strategies, an eggnog recipe, and Santa's complex cloud-based organizational system are just some of the topics covered.
12/20/2021 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 26 seconds
385: Millie Metre
Myke's back from vacation and he has a lot of follow-up for Jason about last week's show. We unveil the official Upgrade Draft championship pennant. Then we discuss the increasing reality of Apple's forthcoming headset and the company's complex relationship with China.
12/13/2021 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 8 seconds
384: Don't Fear the Laser
With Myke on assignment, Dan Moren joins Jason to discuss the features Apple hasn't yet delivered in 2021 and its product lineup for 2022. Then Jason breaks down the new e-readers you could use to read one of Dan's novels.
12/6/2021 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 42 seconds
383: Dongletown Hotel
Myke checks in from mid-vacation to discuss his visit with Jason, and shares some observations from his first extended travel in a couple of years. Then Jason takes a deep dive into his adventures Shortcuts on the Mac. And there's still time to discuss Mac AirPlay quirks and Apple lawsuits!
11/29/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes
382: Hey Car, Stop
Apple's car project is back in the news, but is the company's ambition in this area unrealistic? Also: Qualcomm spoils Apple's modem move, Apple employees get a new date to return to work, and there's some good news about the repairability of Apple products.
11/22/2021 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 25 seconds
381: Get Used to Disappointment
Apple's done releasing products for the year, but that hasn't stopped the company from revising a child-protection feature, trying to avoid letting developers add links to their apps, launching a new service targeted at small businesses, and welcoming a new Netflix game catalog to the App Store. If you like that sort of thing.
11/15/2021 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 57 seconds
380: Hey Self, Don't Do It!
Now that the M1 Pro and M1 Max have arrived, we turn our attention to the future of Apple silicon in 2022 and beyond. Will there be new chips every year, or is that too rapid a pace? Also, we've spent another week with the new MacBook Pro, Google makes a daring legal move in Korea, and we take the long view on Apple's record fiscal year.
11/8/2021 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 48 seconds
379: They Feed on Memory Bandwidth
We're joined by Apple VPs Tom Boger and Tim Millet to discuss Apple's chip-design philosophy and how it factored into the company's first high-end Mac chips, the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Also, Jason and Myke discuss Apple's latest record quarterly results and Myke takes delivery of his new MacBook Pro.
11/1/2021 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 37 seconds
378: The Maximum Macintosh
Jason's spent the last week with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max processor, and we've got his in-depth review. And at last, Jason and Myke both review the new Apple Watch Series 7.
10/25/2021 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 20 seconds
377: Most Importantly, Compressor
The new MacBook Pros are here! Jason and Myke break down what's new with Apple's pro laptops, welcome the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and even devote a little time to new AirPods and colorful HomePods. Also, Myke's wallet is a little bit lighter.
10/18/2021 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 39 seconds
376: The 2021 October Event Draft
Surprise! Jason and Myke predict what will happen at next week's Apple media event. What ports will be on the much-rumored MacBook Pro? Will it appear in familiar colors, or will Apple branch out and offer something new? Will we see updates to the Mac mini, new AirPods, or--dare we dream--an affordable external display? It's all to play for.
10/14/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 26 seconds
375: My Watch Is My Cake
Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders lead to more Apple color confusion, Apple's App Store rules may need to skate to a puck that's headed for a courtroom, and Myke takes his iPad mini on a train.
10/11/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 48 seconds
374: Abnormal Within an Abnormal Group
The iPhone 13 and iPad mini are out and MacBook Pros may be on the way shortly, so it's time for us to answer your questions! It's an extended #askupgrade covering new hardware, how to use the iPad mini, and the value of ProMotion.
10/4/2021 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 47 seconds
373: We Will Give You Color... But It Will Not Be Fun
Myke and Jason review the iPhone 13 and iPad mini, settle on their preferred iPhones, and wonder if Apple should appoint a Color Czar.
9/27/2021 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 31 seconds
372: A Wrestling Match With App Icons
iOS 15 is here and Myke and Jason share their opinions about new features! Also we've got a lot of Apple Event follow-up, and now that Ted Lasso has won eight Emmy Awards, it's time to back the truck full of money up to Jason Sudeikis's house.
9/20/2021 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 5 seconds
371: Midnight Is Starlight's Best Friend
Apple announced new iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads on Tuesday, and this is our quick reaction to the news. What color is the saddest rainbow? Why was Joz locked out of Apple Park one night? Why is Myke disappointed about the Apple Watch design but excited about iPhone photography? Together, we'll make sense of Apple's tour of California.
9/14/2021 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 6 seconds
370: The 2021 September Event Draft
It's another emergency draft! In this bonus episode, Jason and Myke predict what will happen at Tuesday’s Apple media event. What form will the new iPhones take? Will a new Apple Watch make an appearance? And what special bits of stagecraft might propel one of us to a decisive draft victory?
9/10/2021 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 19 seconds
369: The One With How Titles Are Made
As Jason and Myke wait for the announcement of an iPhone launch event, they discuss Apple's curious set of incremental changes to App Store policies, what those changes mean, and how they inform Apple's possible future strategies.
9/6/2021 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 34 seconds
368: Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs
It's the first-ever Upgrade Call-In Show! This week, Myke and Jason answer listener questions about Apple, themselves... and popular dance steps. Go ahead caller--we're listening.
8/30/2021 • 2 hours, 4 minutes, 41 seconds
367: My Experience With the Floating Lozenges
This week we kick off our annual fundraising for St. Jude, ask listeners to call in with their questions, and discuss how Apple approaches putting features in--and taking them out--of its public betas.
8/23/2021 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 25 seconds
366: The Node Legacy
This week Jason and Myke ponder what it means to be a native Mac app in the era of SwiftUI, Catalyst, and Electron. They also consider the fallout and further disclosures from Apple's child-protection announcements, celebrate Ted Lasso Christmas, and talk about how they're traveling with iPads and Macs today.
8/16/2021 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 21 seconds
365: Apple's Compromise
We discuss Apple's multiple announcements related to child safety, including what prompted Apple's actions, the different ways any technological tool can be used, where Apple has chosen to intervene, and the dangers of sliding down a slippery slope. In lighter news, we also talk about Apple's rediscovery of its online store and various attempts for streaming services to build new franchises. Also, alert Broadway and the West End: we may have invented a new segment.
8/9/2021 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 18 seconds
364: Content Arms Dealer
Myke's headed off on vacation, but before he goes, he's made time to discuss last week's Apple financial results. Then Jason welcomes special guest Julia Alexander for a mega-Upstream about ScarJo v. Disney, the future of the movies, and the current state of affairs for streaming services.
8/2/2021 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 52 seconds
363: Our App Is a Game Now
This week Myke and Jason join Netflix in pretending to be gamers while cable TV channels pretend to be streaming services. We also ponder a smarter Apple display, and Apple has designs on fancy Hollywood real estate. And Myke goes to the Streaming Services as we discuss "Loki" and the first episode of "Ted Lasso."
7/26/2021 • 1 hour, 50 minutes, 15 seconds
362: He's Posting More Chickens!
Jason's back, and Myke has a lot of questions about his vacation. They also discuss a load of Apple TV+ news, new Safari betas, the MagSafe battery pack, and a bunch of Apple hardware rumors.
7/19/2021 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 20 seconds
361: It’s Not an Artistic Exercise
For the first time Jason is (mostly) off this week! After discussing who’s winning the streaming wars, Myke challenges John Siracusa to describe his ideal Mac, asks Merlin Mann to share what he’s excited about, and answers a #myketalk from Jay Miller. But don’t worry, lasers return later on.
7/12/2021 • 2 hours, 16 minutes, 17 seconds
360: Big Minimizers
Presenting Upgrade 360, a new program designed to improve your podcast listening experience by letting you choose the level of podcast quality you wish to receive. Perhaps you want to hear us talk about the podcast bubble without any audio artifacts! Maybe you'd like our discussion of the macOS Public Beta to be delivered at a shockingly low bit rate! It's the same old Upgrade, but delivered in a few new ways--plus the usual way, we should be clear it's also just being delivered the usual way.
7/5/2021 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 4 seconds
359: Hi Everybody... Pineapple
The Upgrade Summer of Fun kicks into gear with new beachwear, a very special summer-themed edition of Ask Upgrade, dreams of larger iPads, and a bunch of streaming news. On the less fun side, we discuss why Apple has reacted the way it has to threats of new laws and regulations that might change how it does business.
6/28/2021 • 2 hours, 9 minutes, 4 seconds
358: Apple Watch Extreme or Whatever
We discuss the future of the Apple Watch, from new materials to new shapes to all the sensors Apple might want to put on any product that touches your body. And then we talk about the risks Apple might face by failing to learn the right lessons from the pandemic about altering its corporate culture.
6/21/2021 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 17 seconds
357: Collaborative Calculating
WWDC 2021 is over! This week we discuss a lot of the hidden details of Apple's announcements, and share our first reactions to using the first developer betas. (Jason isn't mad at Safari, just disappointed.)
6/14/2021 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 32 seconds
356: This Is Not for You, Developers
Myke and Jason break down the WWDC 2021 keynote, which brought Apple's various devices together in some surprising ways. Were the changes to iPadOS exciting or disappointing? Are we excited about Shortcuts on the Mac? Will Focus modes keep us focused? And the Upgrade Draft results take an unexpected turn.
6/8/2021 • 2 hours, 23 minutes, 13 seconds
355: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2021
It’s time for our sixth annual competition regarding what will happen at Apple's WWDC keynote! Is this the year iPadOS gets all the love? Will there be Mac hardware? Can Myke and Jason figure out the future of HomeKit and watchOS? It's time to let our imaginations run wild--we'll leave the harshness of reality for next week.
5/31/2021 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 37 seconds
354: Even Safari Knows It's Yellow
Jason reviews the new iPad Pro, Myke reviews the new 24-inch iMac, and the future of Apple silicon might be coming into focus.
5/24/2021 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 31 seconds
353: Orange iMac in My Orange Office
Jason's been using an orange 24-inch iMac for the last week and we've got his review. Also, Apple Music goes for high quality and spatial audio, WarnerMedia is on the move again, and Jeff Bezos is a television genius.
5/18/2021 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 54 seconds
352: Living Inside an Orange
This week Myke and Jason debate the form of future Mac laptops, discuss Apple and Epic's first week in court (complete with angry emails!), and then imagine what's next for iOS and iPadOS.
5/10/2021 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 5 seconds
351: Long Hair Is In, Disco Is Back
Apple had a record-breaking quarter that showed strong growth in all areas of its business, but clouds loom on the horizon. A global semiconductor shortage threatens Mac and iPad sales, the EU ruled that the App Store is anticompetitive, and Apple's court case with Epic Games is about to kick off. Did Tim Cook suggest that Apple is ready to change its policies to avoid even harsher sanctions? And upon further consideration, does Apple Podcasts Subscriptions create another barrier to competition in the App Store?
5/3/2021 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 7 seconds
350: The Time for Color is Now
Apple's Colleen Novielli and Navpreet Kaloty visit the show to discuss the new 24-inch iMac in depth. Then Jason and Myke discuss the positioning of the new iPad Pro, and what it means that Apple has given it an M1 processor and added other hardware features previously available only on the Mac.
4/26/2021 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 35 seconds
349: Six Colors and Not a Color
New iMacs and iPads! The long-anticipated debut of AirTags! Podcast subscriptions! A new Apple TV remote! Ted Lasso's secret shortbread recipe! Fresh from viewing Apple's latest event, Jason and Myke break down all the announcements.
4/20/2021 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 43 seconds
348: The 2021 April Event Draft
Emergency draft! In this bonus episode, Jason and Myke predict what will happen at Tuesday’s Apple media event. Will there be new iPad Pro models, and if so, will new accessories accompany them? Will we finally see a new iMac design? What other unexpected announcements might await us?
4/16/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 28 seconds
347: The Hubris of the HomePod
This week we ponder Apple's moves both outdoors (additions to the Find My network) and in (possible new smart home products). Apple's also launching new original podcasts tied to Apple TV+ projects, and we discuss why some of Apple's product launches this year may have been delayed.
4/12/2021 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 34 seconds
346: Float It Like a Hologram
It’s a big news week! Myke and Jason break down Tim Cook’s podcast interview with Kara Swisher, and discuss some big changes at Apple Arcade. There’s also WWDC 2021 and Apple’s rumored augmented-reality headset to talk about.
4/5/2021 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 22 seconds
345: Hovering Over My Desk on New Years Eve
Myke and Jason celebrate 20 years of OS X by discussing how we use our Macs today and whether the arrival of Apple silicon is changing how we work, not just today but over the rest of this year. We also discuss whether Apple should do "events" anymore, big news in the conflict between streaming and theatrical movies, and the possibility of a more rugged Apple Watch.
3/29/2021 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 19 seconds
344: Let's Call It 'Motorcycle'
This week we consider the future of the iPad Pro, watch as the 21.5-inch iMac begins to fade away, and ponder what the HomePod mini means for Apple's overall home strategy. Myke gets recommendations for soundbars, and Jason explains the NFL's new TV deals.
3/22/2021 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 49 seconds
343: Don't Call It a HomePod
Myke's on a quest for new TV speakers as we ponder the misfire of Apple's high-end speaker and the potential fate of Apple's high-end headphones. Jason runs with his Apple Watch, and more apps go native on Apple Silicon. Thanks for following Upgrade!
3/15/2021 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 25 seconds
342: 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22
This week we ponder the future of WWDC, say goodbye to the iMac Pro, investigate a new iPad stand, and wonder about the misplaced priorities of the Paramount+ roll-out.
3/8/2021 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 3 seconds
341: Pale Shade of Fun
This week we grapple with rumors of colorful new Macs and additional ports on MacBook Pro models, note the arrival of Paramount+ to the Streaming Wars, debate the merits of Twitter's attempt to actually do something resembling anything, and wonder if Apple's content to run the only music service without a high-quality tier.
3/1/2021 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 41 seconds
340: Secret Sauce
New iPad keyboards make us notice the magic of the Magic Trackpad, AirPods might be getting an unwelcome makeover, and the butterfly keyboard isn't really gone as long as we remember it.
2/22/2021 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 5 seconds
339: Dogcow and Spinning Rainbow Cursor in Finderland
Disney+ keeps growing and its original content is flowing, and Apple TV+ brings new marketing muscle to bear for the second-season launch of "For All Mankind." And what can Apple do to make its Apple TV hardware more appealing? Sit down with a cup of tea and join us.
2/15/2021 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 36 seconds
338: Loved by Podcasters the World Over
Change is coming for us whether we like it or not. This week we ponder the possibility of an augmented-reality future, and mourn the loss of a piece of software we’ve used for every single episode of Upgrade (until now).
2/8/2021 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 1 second
337: No Appreciable Gates
It's now February 2021, but before we turn the page entirely it's time to look back one last time at 2020. Apple had a record holiday quarter with growth across the board, and Apple watchers filled out the annual Six Colors Apple Report Card. Spoiler: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
2/1/2021 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 9 seconds
336: Cool Report, Though
Is Apple really going to release a high-end VR headset, and if so, why? Is the MacBook Air getting smaller again? Are you ready for Dolly Parton to tell you a story while you take a walk? And we discuss why movies and sports are becoming ever more important to streaming-media outlets.
1/25/2021 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 59 seconds
335: Repudiation of a Decade
If reports are to be believed, 2021 is shaping up to be a year where the Mac takes two steps forward--but only after taking one step back. We analyze the rumors of new MacBook Pros, iMacs, and Mac Pros. A new Apple display? The death of the Touch Bar? Magsafe returns to the Mac? Is it 2015 again or are we just dreaming?
1/18/2021 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 9 seconds
334: Tina, If You're Tuna…
It's January and the avalanche of 2021 Apple product rumors has already begun. But we also take time to reflect about the first decade of the Mac App Store, have a difficult discussion about when tech companies should deplatform those planning political violence, and Jason exchanges helpful messages about buying late-model Intel Macs with someone who is a friend, a fish, or both.
1/11/2021 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 18 seconds
333: New Year, Same Old Prediction
2021 has arrived, so it's time for Jason to predict what he thinks Apple will do this year. But it's also time for Myke to look back on his 2020 predictions and judge how well those came out. Also, DC joins Marvel in amplifying streaming-service programming plans.
1/4/2021 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 40 seconds
332: The 2020 Upgradies
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Seventh Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2020, take the input of many Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.
12/28/2020 • 2 hours, 34 minutes, 11 seconds
331: Mandatory Turkey Holiday
It's the Upgrade Holiday Special! But first, Myke reviews the AirPods Pro Max and Jason reviews Apple Fitness+. Then we get into the spirit of the season with a holiday-themed #askupgrade, and Myke watches "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for the very first time!
12/21/2020 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 48 seconds
330: People Aren't Always Logical
There's a lot of streaming-media news this week, as Warner Media faces intense criticism of its decision to move all its 2021 film releases to HBO Max, Apple faces criticism for killing a show based on Gawker, and Disney fires off its Death Star, unveiling a slate of originals that are likely to take Disney+ to the next level. Oh, and Apple announced a $550 pair of headphones!
12/14/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 37 seconds
329: The Stale Hot Dog Industry
Warner Media is moving all its 2021 releases to HBO Max, but what will that mean for the future of the movie industry? Will streaming reign supreme, or is there a future for movie theaters? Meanwhile, a new Bloomberg report gives some shape to the future of Apple's M-series processors--it turns out the M stands for "more cores."
12/7/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 3 seconds
328: Secure, But Terrible
This week Jason embraces the iPhone 12 mini and then reboots his complaints about Apple's focus on Mac security leading to bad user-experience issues. Then we consider the future, as we interpret early reports about new Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook Pro models for 2021.
11/30/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 25 seconds
327: The Future Doesn't Apply
Myke and Jason have spent a week running Big Sur on M1 Macs and are here to report back on what the future feels like. Also, HBO Max gives up and plans a streaming release of "Wonder Woman 1984" so everyone but Myke can see it, and Apple pulls a PR move that gives a raise to small developers while enraging its loudest critics.
11/23/2020 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 25 seconds
326: The M1 Macs: Interview and Review
In this special, extra-packed episode we've got an interview with Apple's Tim Millet and Tom Boger about Apple's new M1 Macs, followed by Jason's review of the new Macs after spending nearly a week with all three models. Plus, Myke and Jason review the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini!
11/17/2020 • 2 hours, 18 minutes, 32 seconds
325: Johny for the Chips
Three new Macs have arrived, and they've brought the Apple-designed M1 processor with them. Myke and Jason break down the new chip, the new hardware, and what it all means for the future of the Mac. And did they both buy new Macs after the event ended, or did they resist temptation?
11/11/2020 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 5 seconds
324: The 2020 November Event Draft
Surprise! Jason and Myke predict what will happen at next week's Apple media event, in the form of an impromptu draft. There's a lot of speculation about Apple silicon, but we've thrown in a few wacky picks just to keep things interesting. Also, Apple TV+ snags Jon Stewart, "Ted Lasso" is a word-of-mouth hit, and the Mac has its best quarter of sales in its 36-year history.
11/2/2020 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 16 seconds
323: The Edges are More Interesting
New Apple hardware season is in full swing! We review the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and fourth-generation iPad Air. Myke and Jason find themselves drawn to different models for aesthetic reasons. And in Upstream, we discuss why James Bond is probably not coming soon to a streaming service near you.
10/26/2020 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 53 seconds
322: Aux In, Cows Out
This week we're picking up the pieces on last week's October Apple event. What have we learned about the HomePod and iPhone 12? There's a lot to unpack here. And in other news, Apple has decided that 2020 is the right time to become MTV.
10/19/2020 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 18 seconds
321: It's the Hope That Kills You
Jason and Myke break down Apple's iPhone 12 and HomePod mini launch event. Having four new iPhones with different pricing structures and camera options is a bit overwhelming, but they do their best to process it all and provide initial reactions.
10/13/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 3 seconds
320: Apple Silicon and the 2020 October Event Draft
Bonus episode! Jason and Myke interview Apple's Tim Millet and Tom Boger about the new iPad Air and Apple silicon. Afterward, it's time to fearlessly predict what will happen at Tuesday's Apple media event in the only way Upgrade knows how--via a competitive draft.
10/10/2020 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 21 seconds
319: I'm Gonna Drive My Ferrari Into the Sunset
It's all about what's next at Apple this week, as we discuss the ramifications of some early A14 speed tests and ponder the challenges of succession planning at Apple. And what's next for us is an interview with two Apple executives, so it's time to get in your #askupgrade questions.
10/5/2020 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 34 seconds
318: Four Weeks Out or Tomorrow
This week widget mania sweeps the nation, Jason goes to an Apple Store to buy a Solo Loop, and Tim Cook ponders Apple's work-from-home culture.
9/28/2020 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 38 seconds
317: Upsettings
Has Apple set off an iPhone home screen aesthetics revolution with iOS 14? We talk about our favorite widgets, Widgetsmith's journey to the top of the App Store charts, home-screen customization, and what this might mean for Apple's iOS feature priorities. Also, Myke evaluates new watchOS faces, Jason seeks home remedies to fix his terrible Apple Watch battery life, and we both speculate about whether Apple might sneak a Touch ID sensor into the iPhone 12 after all.
9/21/2020 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 8 seconds
316: Why Tomorrow?
Apple announced new Apple Watches and iPads on Tuesday, and here's our quick reaction to the news. Shockingly, we walk away feeling pretty good about… Apple's services? Plus: Surprise! Those operating system updates are coming sooner than anyone suspected!
9/15/2020 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 52 seconds
315: The 2020 September Event Draft
In the first of two episodes of Upgrade this week, Jason and Myke predict what will happen at September 15's Apple event in the traditional form of a draft! We'll be back on Tuesday for post-event reaction and the scoring of our picks.
9/14/2020 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 25 seconds
314: Beta Tourism
Jason dives into macOS Big Sur and has to podcast from exile, Apple gets excited about Emmy nominations while prepping for fall product launches, and the release of "Mulan" leads us to discuss which movie theaters are worth saving.
9/7/2020 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 21 seconds
313: Story of the Summer
Jason and Myke try to piece together conflicting rumors about Macs with Apple silicon, Apple TV+ embraces the UK and Mariah Carey, and Apple and Epic take it to the courts, and #askupgrade reaches its final form as #keyboardtalk.
8/31/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 28 seconds
312: Outgrade
Jason and Myke take a walk in the woods while discussing Apple and Epic, the latest Apple TV+ news, the speed potential of Macs with Apple silicon, and how the pandemic has changed their working lives.
8/24/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 43 seconds
311: Summer of App Store Problems
Epic takes on Apple and Google's dominance of smart phone app stores with an app update and corresponding legal filings and publicity campaign. What's Apple's next move, and more importantly, what do we wish Apple would do to change its App Store policies? Also, Apple releases a bundle with the promise for many more, which leads us to get a little bit sad about the state of Apple's current service offerings.
8/17/2020 • 1 hour, 49 minutes, 51 seconds
310: The Opposite of Shiny
Jason reviews the new iMac (with nano-texture display) and the public beta release of macOS Big Sur. Myke thinks Apple's making a big mistake in keeping game streaming services off of its platforms. And in Upstream, the transformation of the film industry continues at a rapid pace.
8/10/2020 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 10 seconds
309: Ancient Mac Archaeologist
The summer gets a little more serious as we discuss Apple's newest iMacs, Phil Schiller's job transition, Apple emails disclosed by the House Antitrust Subcommittee, and Apple's surprisingly strong financial results. Also, Jason launches his new "20 Macs for 2020" project.
8/4/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 5 seconds
308: The Adventures of Dr. Icon
This week Stephen Hackett joins Myke and Jason to consider the best and worst changes to app icons in macOS Big Sur. What makes a good icon? How are books shaped? What is the origin of the term "email"? What happened to Lou? Staring at icons for a long time really makes you think...
7/27/2020 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 34 seconds
307: Big Sur Sosumi
Apple's big design changes in macOS Big Sur aren't limited to visuals. The system's alert sounds have changed, too. What better way to run down those changes than on a podcast during the Summer of Fun? Also, Apple News adds some audio features Myke likes, while Jason remains skeptical of whether Apple News can really help the sad state of the news business. Plus: Peacock Premium... Plus.
7/20/2020 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 34 seconds
306: That's Beta Life!
This week Myke and Jason discuss John Gruber's essay about Apple's App Store priorities and then assemble a list of apps that are missing key operating-system features. There's also more news about ARM Macs, Apple continues to make TV deals, and we discuss our favorite features of the iOS and iPadOS Public Betas.
7/13/2020 • 1 hour, 55 minutes, 1 second
305: A High School Production of Dracula
Apple's services are in the spotlight, as Apple TV+ adds material, Apple News gets kicked to the curb by the New York Times, and Apple Arcade grapples with finding the right kind of games to publish. In other streaming news, we touch on Quibi and CBS before diving into Disney+--most specifically, Myke at the Matinee featuring "Hamilton."
7/6/2020 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 58 seconds
304: Somebody’s Gotta Do It and It’s Gonna Be Us
This week we welcome Apple's Bob Borchers and Ronak Shah to the show to discuss macOS Big Sur, including all the new features in Safari. There's also an awful lot of follow-up from the busy WWDC week that was, and we discuss the possible features of new Macs running Apple silicon.
6/29/2020 • 1 hour, 50 minutes, 54 seconds
303: The Return of Two Old Friends
Myke and Jason break down the WWDC 2020 keynote, which featured changes to the Mac both expected and unexpected and some long-wanted updates for iOS. Did the iPad updates let us down? Are we ready for the Apple Watch to track our sleep? And who won the draft?
6/22/2020 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 21 seconds
302: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2020
It’s time for our fifth annual competition regarding what will happen at next week's WWDC keynote! Will there be a stage? Will there be enormous Mac announcements? Will iPadOS and Apple Watch get some love? This week is for guessing, and next week is for harsh reality. Also, we introduce Upgrade+.
6/15/2020 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 11 seconds
301: Show Me You’re Serious
With WWDC two weeks away, Myke and Jason share their wishes for iPadOS updates. They also analyze why they love certain kinds of games but are repelled by others and discuss Apple's inevitable move into streaming live sports.
6/8/2020 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 3 seconds
300: It's So Hard to Predict the Future
It's episode 300! This week we look to the future by drafting stories we'll be talking about over the next hundred episodes of Upgrade, and then we answer all of your questions about how the podcast got started, how we put it together, and where we're going from here.
6/1/2020 • 1 hour, 50 minutes, 8 seconds
299: My Gut Says Yes and No
There's a raft of media news this week, as Spotify removes a popular podcast from the ecosystem and Apple TV+ makes more content deals. We've got questions about the future of podcasting and whether Apple is committed to a video subscription service for the long haul. And when that's done, Myke at the Movies skips school and steals your dad's car to watch "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Save Ferris!
5/25/2020 • 2 hours, 1 minute
298: Copy Copy Copy, Paste Paste Paste Paste
Apple Stores are reopening in many parts of the world, but should you go? (Not unless you must.) Also, Taiwan Semiconductor plans to build a factory in the U.S., TV shows are being produced remotely during the lockdown, and Apple News+ turns to audio in an attempt to improve its service.
5/18/2020 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 40 seconds
297: Factual Controller
This week Jason and Myke ponder the mysteries of the 13-inch MacBook Pro(s), including why the Touch Bar is frozen in time and whether there's a bigger change coming to Apple's laptop line. Also Jason makes another IKEA order, Myke shares some knowledge about unusual BBC job titles, Jason's iPhone X battery fails at an inopportune time, and WWDC gets a new date and format.
5/11/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 14 seconds
296: You Wouldn't Believe The Stuff I Know
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joins Myke and Jason to discuss how Apple's responding to the pandemic, the current state of iPhone development, and how he handles breaking major Apple news. Then Myke and Jason discuss the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Jason finally gets to tell his tale of Drobo devastation.
5/4/2020 • 1 hour, 59 minutes, 13 seconds
295: Leave the Podcast at the Beep
Myke and Jason are the target audience for Apple's new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and they're here with their full reviews. (And Myke trolls the Internet with five space bars.) They also ponder the balance of power between governments and tech giants over COVID-19 Bluetooth tracking.
4/27/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes
294: The Phone Was Full of Sawdust
Apple tweaks the Mac's battery settings, a new iPhone SE arrives, the first reviews of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro are in, and Apple's over-ear AirPods seem to be creeping closer.
4/20/2020 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 37 seconds
293: Opt In Your Face
Apple and Google join up to start tracing COVID-19 contacts, Apple makes a bunch of TV shows available to watch for free, Disney faces strong headwinds, and Bloomberg adds a bit of normalcy with a report about the next generation of iPhones. Then Myke at the Movies is sent back in time by whales to watch "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."
4/13/2020 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 9 seconds
292: Don't Look Over There!
How will COVID-19 change the future of consumer technology? Why is Zoom the videoconferencing tool of the moment, and why has it had so many security and privacy issues? We ask the big questions this week, and also discuss Amazon's ability to sell and rent movies on iOS, the mystifying launch of the Quibi video service, and how moving to a virtual workspace is affecting Apple.
4/6/2020 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 5 seconds
291: The Ugly Potatoes Are Used for Fries
Myke has taken possession of a "new" iPad Pro, so he and Jason compare notes and enter the Conspiracy Room to ponder why it exists. While they're there, they also revisit the possibilities of ARM Macs and iPad versions of Apple's pro apps. We also save some praise for iPadOS cursors and Apple's COVID-19 reactions thus far.
3/30/2020 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 20 seconds
290: You Are The Button
Jason's got the new MacBook Air and iPad Pro, so it's time to dig in. But the most exciting new Apple development is an iPad accessory we won't see until May--and an iPadOS software update we all get to see this week. Plus, Myke gives his surprising reaction to spending a few weeks with a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
3/24/2020 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 13 seconds
289: Not So Fast, Uma Thurman
This week we discuss how the global pandemic has affected Apple, from retail to TV shows to Apple Park workers, and potentially even product launches. Your hosts, experts at working at home, offer some advice to new homebound workers. And to lend a little normalcy to the proceedings, we leave a little time for speculation about some future Apple product releases.
3/16/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 34 seconds
288: Are We Being Punked?
The COVID-19 virus continues to upend tech industry conference plans, product roll-outs, and supply chains, but we've still got news about new displays on future Apple hardware and a series of major stories from 9to5 Mac about the future of iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Is the iPad finally getting full-on cursor support for external pointing devices? Myke and Jason are decidedly enthusiastic, while also wondering if this is just an elaborate practical joke.
3/9/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 43 seconds
287: Constant Applause
So is Apple really releasing a Smart Keyboard with a built-in trackpad? That's the latest report, and Jason and Myke have a lot of questions about it. Is iPadOS 13 good enough to support a trackpad? Would a trackpad only for text editing and gestures make sense? Are we going to have to wait for iPadOS 14 for everything to make sense? And in Upstream, Disney+ gets its "expensive NBC" moment on Instagram.
3/2/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 5 seconds
286: You Can't Make Me Change My Pocket
This week begins with us clearing up controversies about pockets and malware. The spread of the coronavirus is affecting Apple's business, and making us wonder if WWDC in June could be affected. Ming-Chi Kuo drops a bombshell about ARM Macs, and Mark Gurman reports that Apple might be opening the door to default apps on iOS.
2/24/2020 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 58 seconds
285: Mac Pros for Mac Pros
Myke met the people for whom the Mac Pro was made, and reports back with details. Jason tries to combat confusion about whether the Mac is really being attacked by malware and explains what Apple is doing to stop it. And we address some five-year-old follow-up regarding text input on the Apple Watch.
2/17/2020 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 35 seconds
284: We're In the Ear Business
Why did Apple surprise developers with beta releases with intriguing new features this month? What does it mean for the future of Mac app development? Is a new keyboard going to be a major feature of new iPad Pro models? Would Apple really build Macs with processors made by AMD? And can someone get Taika Waititi a 16-inch MacBook Pro?
2/10/2020 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 33 seconds
283: The Anger of the Panel
It's time for our annual dive into the Six Colors Apple Report Card, as Jason and Myke interpret the scores and comments of 65 Apple-watchers and add their own views on where the company is succeeding--and where it's not.
2/3/2020 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 41 seconds
282: The iPad at 10
It's the 10th anniversary of the announcement of the iPad! Myke and Jason discuss why the seeds of the iPad's success were visible on day one, the changes in the iPad's life cycle over time, and how the iPad fits in our daily lives today.
1/27/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 23 seconds
281: Your Historical Knowledge Has Been Noted
We close the book on the 2010s with a special draft of Apple keynotes and media events from the past decade, joined by special guest Stephen Hackett. And in Upstream news, it's a busy season of announcements for both Apple TV+ and Peacock.
1/21/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 45 seconds
280: De Niro Can’t Bend
With Myke reporting live from Hollywood, we discuss Netflix's record Oscar nominations, and Apple's first TV award and TV critic press tour. Jason makes a chart that explains why Apple execs can't stop talking about Services and Wearables. Then we both give updates on our home-office upgrades, Jason abandons his solar dream, and Myke turns to mechanical keyboards for solace.
1/13/2020 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 21 seconds
279: I Predict It Every Year, Why Stop Now?
With a new year come Jason's predictions for Apple in 2020. How varied can the iPhone product line get? Will Apple make its most interesting laptop yet--and will it run macOS or iPadOS? And how can Apple double down on the success of AirPods? We also discuss the new Brydge Pro+ iPad keyboard with trackpad, there's a bumper crop of Upstream news, and we dream about a future where smart home devices are all compatible with one another.
1/6/2020 • 1 hour, 56 minutes
278: The 2019 Upgradies
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Sixth Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2019, take the input of 1500 Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.
12/30/2019 • 1 hour, 59 minutes, 24 seconds
277: Who Killed the Butterfly Keyboard?
This week we try to solve a technology mystery. What if there was a murder, but no body? What if there were victims, but no crime? We all want answers: Who killed the butterfly keyboard, and why?
12/23/2019 • 34 minutes, 16 seconds
276: It’s Always the Chips
How is Apple TV+ like a bicycle? Is the Mac Pro made in the USA? Why can you play Apple Podcasts from the Amazon Echo? This week Jason and Myke answer these questions, and ponder the negative reaction from some pro users to the price of the Mac Pro.
12/16/2019 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 1 second
275: Remove All of the Holes
Rumors of a forthcoming iPhone without any lightning or USB ports make us ponder why Apple would consider such a move and what its ramifications would be. Also, Apple basks in Golden Globe nominations and steps into movie-industry controversy and Jason explains why most people don't need a Mac Pro.
12/9/2019 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 41 seconds
274: More Clunky!
This week we get caught up on Apple services (Apple Pay, Apple News+, Apple Arcade), Jason gives Myke a tour of CarPlay in iOS 13, and we feed the tech podcast ecosystem with discussions of office lighting and weather stations.
12/2/2019 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 39 seconds
273: Sideways the Game
This week we discuss Tim Cook's political high-wire act, Apple's attempts to reduce bugs in future iOS releases, and Jason's wishes for iOS 14. Finally, just in time for the holidays, Myke at the Movies returns with 1988's "Die Hard."
11/25/2019 • 2 hours, 3 minutes, 43 seconds
272: Double Secret Vice President of Keyboards
A week later, we're pondering the 16-inch MacBook Pro and what it means about how Apple listens to customers and criticism. We also look into the future to wonder where Apple will take touchscreen devices and whether we're uncomfortable about Apple's interest in augmented reality.
11/18/2019 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 12 seconds
271: The 16-inch MacBook Pro
The butterfly keyboard era is over! Apple is releasing a new 16-inch MacBook Pro this week, featuring a Magic Keyboard, upgraded audio, the biggest battery allowed by law, and a lot more. Jason has an exclusive interview with Apple’s MacBook Pro product manager, Shruti Haldea. Then Jason and Myke break down the new laptop's features and feature omissions, while reserving a little bit of time for the launch of Disney+.
11/13/2019 • 2 hours, 2 minutes, 14 seconds
270: The Toughest Compare
Apple TV+ has finally arrived, and we discuss Apple's first round of new shows--as well as an unimpressive performance from the TV app itself. We've also got reviews of the new AirPods Pro, and Apple's latest financial results reveal that for the iPhone, sometimes down is up.
11/4/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 3 seconds
269: A Beep Beep from Far Away
This week Jason has no power or Internet, so Myke gives him the details about the new AirPods Pro, the first reviews of Apple TV+ shows, iOS 13.2 and a perplexing HomePod software update, and Apple’s rumored reboot of its smart-home initiative. In exchange, Jason fashions a story out of a UPS, a floor lamp, and a cassette player from the 1980s.
10/29/2019 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 20 seconds
268: Featchas in the Beatas
Everything old is new for Myke, as he tries out his "new" Mac (released in 2017) running a "new" version of macOS (it's Mojave). With Apple TV+ launching late next week, there's an enormous collection of Upstream news. And we ponder what products Apple might release this fall, with or without a special event.
10/21/2019 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 37 seconds
267: The Quiet Death of the Newton
James Thomson joins Jason to discuss converting an app from iOS to Mac via Catalyst, the prospects for using Catalyst on his most profitable app, and the end of an era as his app DragThing and all other 32-bit Mac apps fade away. We also sort out Apple and China, because that's not a complicated topic at all.
10/14/2019 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 39 seconds
266: Two iPads in a Sandwich
macOS Catalina has arrived and Jason's got his full review, plus we dig into the new multi-screened mobile device announcements from Microsoft (and what they might mean for Apple), and put on our sweaters to talk about Deep Fusion photography.
10/7/2019 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 47 seconds
265: Nothing But Canned Answers
Jason finished his iPhone 11 review nearly two weeks after the fact, Myke is back in the Apple Watch game with a new Series 5 model, and we hear from a bunch of Apple Store employees.
9/30/2019 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 29 seconds
264: Beautiful Breakable Glass Objects
We've got the new iPhones and it's time for our first hands-on impressions. How has Apple improved the upgrade experience? Could the Apple Store pick-up experience use a little more attention? Are the battery and camera improvements worth the upgrade? How much do we miss 3D Touch? Also Jason has a new Apple Watch, and Myke is sorely tempted by the ceramic Series 5.
9/23/2019 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 39 seconds
263: Extra Professional
This week Upgrade turns five and we're waiting for our new Apple hardware to arrive. But there's still time to reflect on last week's announcements, deal with a flood of Apple TV+ news, ponder Apple's fragmented OS release schedule, carefully examine expensive Apple Watch materials, and prepare for the arrival of iOS 13.
9/16/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 54 seconds
262: The Skyscrapers of Camera Bump City
Jason has returned from Cupertino, where he watched Apple unveil the new iPhone 11 models, a new Apple Watch that adds a feature we had given up hope of ever seeing, and details about when we'll see Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. We break down the product marketing, new camera features, surprises, and the shocking results of the 2019 Apple iPhone Event Draft.
9/11/2019 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 13 seconds
261: The 2019 iPhone Event Draft
It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater next week! They draft 10 different things they expect will happen--or not happen--next Tuesday. Has Jason’s recent run of success gone to his head? Will Myke play it too safe? Will a Spın̈al Tap pick be made? All will be revealed!
9/2/2019 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 29 seconds
260: It's Not Just a Desk
There's a lot that separates the U.S. and the UK, like the definition of "lemonade" and the launch date for the new Disney+ streaming service. But nothing can separate our hosts this week, as they convene in Jason's office to discuss the impending iPhone event and to reflect on nearly five years of their status as independent workers and of Upgrade itself.
8/26/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 3 seconds
259: Get Ripped with Pro Max
Special guest Stephen Hackett joins us to discuss the current state of the Mac in both hardware and software. We also ponder Apple's choices in naming the new iPhones, Jason muses about whether the Apple Watch even needs an upgrade this fall, and we wrap things up with a Mac-themed #askupgrade.
8/19/2019 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 24 seconds
258: Ten Hours Is Not All Day
With Apple's new operating-system releases due next month, Jason and Myke check in on how their beta experiences are going so far, especially the ups and downs of iPadOS 13. We also discuss Disney's aggressive streaming-service bundling and how Apple might respond next month. And does Samsung's announcement of an ARM laptop with 23-hour battery life serve as the perfect reason why an ARM MacBook is inevitable?
8/12/2019 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 16 seconds
257: The Amount of Money Available on the Planet
Commerce is in the air as Apple reports more money for wearables and services and less money for the iPhone, and begins to roll out the Apple Card. How does Apple react strategically as a company to financial incentives, and does Apple's success in the category formerly called "Other" suggest a new emphasis on wearables? We also follow up on Siri surveillance and Catalina security and then make a bet to be settled in 2031, assuming money will still exist in the future.
8/6/2019 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 15 seconds
256: The Billion Dollar Show
The trouble with Apple sending Siri audio to human beings, macOS Catalina's overly aggressive approach to app security, and the possibility of Apple introducing a $3000 laptop cast a little bit of a pall on the Summer of Fun this week. But cheer up--we've also got some interesting Upstream news about Disney and Amazon, and a summer-themed version of Ask Upgrade!
7/29/2019 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 7 seconds
255: Peacock Plus
There's a lot of streaming media news in the mix this week, as Apple is rumored to be pondering premium podcasts and Netflix loses subscribers just at the moment its stiffest competition yet is about to arrive. But that's all just a prelude to our special Summer of Fun segment, as Myke and Jason draft the most appealing video streaming services of 2020.
7/22/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 22 seconds
254: Downgrade
We answer a lot of your #askupgrade questions, then break down how Apple's changing its laptop line and retail stores. Also, Warner Media makes a big bet on the HBO brand name, and Apple News+ is unsurprisingly not succeeding. Then we start the show with #snelltalk! This week with Jason and Myke.
7/15/2019 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 24 seconds
253: Steal The Ball
Guest Marco Arment joins Jason and Myke to discuss the possibility of new Apple laptop keyboards at last, his Overcast priorities over the next year, and the future of podcasting. There are also some mild opinions about Jony Ive, the streaming-video wars, and cappuccino.
7/8/2019 • 1 hour, 38 minutes
252: The Hippie Gets a Haircut
This week the Summer of Fun goes old school, as two of Jason's colleagues from back in the 1990s compare Apple's many transitions over the years to the ones Apple and its developers and users face today. Also, we wonder what happens to the movies and TV shows that aren't available via streaming, and if that means that important cultural works are in danger of fading away.
7/1/2019 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 56 seconds
251: And Then You Eat the Ice Cream
It's Public Beta season, and Jason's spent the last week reviewing macOS Catalina. Are the Catalyst apps better this year? And what features were pleasant surprises? We also discuss JJ Abrams's big new streaming deal, share our own iPhone home screens, and Myke at the Movies calls on "Kiki's Delivery Service."
6/24/2019 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 1 second
250: Building a Home Screen Together
After a brief commentary about Twitterrific 6 and the difficult world of App Store pricing, we kick off the The Upgrade Summer of Fun by building the official Upgrade iPhone home screen. 28 apps will be picked! Four will win coveted spaces in the dock! Rules will be invented on the fly! Also, we explain what a draft is.
6/17/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 29 seconds
249: A Bridge to the Future
Myke and Jason get over their WWDC hangover with a discussion of our favorite new iPadOS 13 features. Then we take a look at the future of Apple's platforms with a discussion of Catalyst and SwiftUI and an exclusive interview with Apple's Wiley Hodges and Josh Shaffer.
6/10/2019 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 37 seconds
248: Seven Layer Burrito of Innovation
The WWDC 2019 keynote was packed full with new announcements. Now, live from San Jose, Jason and Myke come together to talk about iOS 13, macOS Catalina, the introduction of iPadOS, and the new Mac Pro.
6/3/2019 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 20 seconds
247: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2019
It’s time for our fourth annual competition regarding what will happen on stage next week at WWDC! Will there be new hardware? What will macOS be called? How many times will we see Tim Cook? This week we guess, but next week reality will be our judge.
5/27/2019 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 3 seconds
246: You Can't Fight the Magnets
With the WWDC draft a week away, Jason and Myke engage in a flight of fancy, discussing all their wishes for iOS and macOS developments that probably won't happen. Also, Jason has to retrieve his iPad.
5/20/2019 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 20 seconds
245: Get Ready for the Sensor Square
It's a busy week for Myke as Jason as they discuss hanging on to old software, how third-party apps react to Apple's app updates, the Supreme Court's ruling on an App Store antitrust case, the struggles of Apple Retail, and new reports about this fall's iPhone models. After all that, it's time to discuss the Brydge Pro and Logitech Slim Folio Pro and whether either of them can replace Apple's own Smart Keyboard Folio as our iPad Pro keyboard of choice.
5/13/2019 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 13 seconds
244: Push All the Sales Buttons
Apple's financial results lead us to discuss the company bringing a new focus to iPhone sales and throwing Intel under the bus. Then Mark Gurman of Bloomberg swoops in with a huge collection of new and slightly used macOS, iOS, and watchOS rumors for us to dissect.
5/6/2019 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 12 seconds
243: Fiddling Around With Folders
Jason struggles between the Mac's insistence on file management and iOS's lack of it, Podcasts take a step toward going viral with some help from Overcast, and we prepare for the Upgrade Summer of Fun with a new arrival from Dongletown.
4/29/2019 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 55 seconds
242: Myke and the Modems
What's next for macOS and iOS? This week we discuss all of last week's reporting by Guilherme Rambo about the future of Apple's platforms, from Find My Friends to support for external displays and pointing devices, to the complicated future of automation on macOS. Jason also extolls the virtues of the Kindle, Apple and Qualcomm come to terms, and YouTube goes back to basics.
4/23/2019 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 20 seconds
241: The Tweaky Features
Disney finally unveils its streaming service at a price that makes us wonder just what game Apple thinks it's playing; we get a sneak peek at some possible new iPad features for iOS 13; and Jason and Myke ponder the major changes due for the Mac this fall with the departure of iTunes and the arrival of Marzipan.
4/15/2019 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 11 seconds
240: Dance on the Grave of iTunes
John Siracusa joins Jason to discuss how 2019 is potentially an enormous year for the Mac in both hardware and software. Also, we make time to swap TiVo stories and generate John's Hierarchy of Mac Pro Needs.
4/9/2019 • 1 hour, 59 minutes, 55 seconds
239: Fighting Against the Laws of Physics
This week we say goodbye to AirPower, ponder the place of the new iPad Mini, speculate a bit about Apple Arcade, and take a hard look at Apple News+. Also, Jason literally sits in the iMac Pro Gap.
4/1/2019 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 4 seconds
238: The Future of TV Was Apps
Apple spent two hours on stage unveiling a bunch of new services, and now it's time to break them down. We discuss the method of the Apple TV+ rollout, whether Apple Channels and a revamped TV app will change Apple's fortunes, what Apple Arcade means for how the App Store works, and the possibility that Apple News+ will make an impact.
3/26/2019 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 14 seconds
237: New iMacs, iPads, and the 2019 March Event Draft
After nearly two years, Apple has released new iMacs, and Jason has an exclusive interview with Apple’s iMac product manager, Colleen Novielli. We also discuss the surprising new iPad Air and iPad mini announcements, and then it’s time for another Upgrade draft, as we make our choices for what will be on stage at Apple’s services event next Monday!
3/19/2019 • 2 hours, 10 minutes, 31 seconds
236: Whatever Keyboard Pleases Me
Disney opens the vault for its streaming service, we rank our own MacBook Hierarchy of Needs, and Jason goes against Myke's advice and records some podcasts using only an iPad.
3/11/2019 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 21 seconds
235: Don’t Be So Mean
This episode covers all the hot-button issues of the day! Is Apple micromanaging the content of its forthcoming video service? Is Face ID really superior to Touch ID? Will the arrival of iOS apps be good for the Mac? Why do British TV licence fees exist? Is the Netflix 'Skip Intro' button evil? Should Netflix be banned from the Oscars? Prepare your complaint emails now!
3/4/2019 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 48 seconds
234: The Ideological Folding Wars
Major players Samsung and Huawei have introduced expensive smartphones with foldable screens, but do their different approaches tell us anything about the future of the category? And where goes Apple fit in to the equation? We also take some time to contemplate the roll-out of Marzipan and what it means for the future of macOS.
2/25/2019 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 11 seconds
233: Let's Start a Rumor
A 16-inch MacBook Pro? A 6K Apple external display? Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has dropped the first detailed report of Apple's 2019 hardware plans, and Myke and Jason take turns dissecting them and wildly speculating about possible features. Also we ponder what a services-themed Apple event might look like, which is a lovely discussion until someone mentions Drake.
2/18/2019 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 33 seconds
232: De-emphasis on Trees
It's been reported that the iPad's home screen will be evolving in 2019, but what form will that evolution take? Myke and Jason make a wish list, and also discuss Angela Ahrendts's departure from Apple Retail, Spotify's investment in podcasting, and Apple and Disney's latest streaming-media moves.
2/11/2019 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 49 seconds
231: The Upgrade Cycle Is Extending
What Apple's quarterly results had to say about iPhone sales and prices, Apple reaches a fork in the road when it comes to keyboard design, and just after the official opening of 2019 iPhone Rumor Season comes the official opening of 2020 iPhone Rumor Season.
2/4/2019 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 1 second
230: The General Drift of Sentiment
It's time once again for Jason's annual poll of more than four dozen Apple watchers and commentators, who have shared their judgments of how the company fared in 2018. We break down the categories on the rise (look at you, Apple Watch!) and the ones that are on the decline (iPhone, Apple Watch). Also, we discuss Apple's possible new game app subscription service -- and how it strongly suggests a forthcoming Apple services bundle.
1/28/2019 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 56 seconds
229: A More Intentional Folding
This year Samsung plans to release a smartphone with a foldable OLED display. Is this technology that Apple would use in future iPhones, and if so, how? We also discuss Apple's new videos that highlight the iPad Pro, and Jason tries to explain NBC Universal's interesting new streaming service announcement.
1/22/2019 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 48 seconds
228: The Proof is In the Dust Tray
This week we officially open 2019 iPhone Rumors season, as the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple may be adding more cameras to the back of this year's high-end iPhone. Will this restore bragging rights to the members of the Max Club? Also, it was a smart-devices Christmas at the Snell house, as Jason took delivery of a smart lock and a Roomba.
1/14/2019 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 33 seconds
227: Twenty Nine TeeVee
The new year starts with a bang, as Apple misses its iPhone sales forecast and announces surprising partnerships with Samsung and other TV makers in advance of the launch of its new video service. We discuss these earth-shattering issues in detail, not to mention Jason's world-exclusive trial of a new iPad Pro keyboard.
1/7/2019 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 6 seconds
226: The 2018 Upgradies
As the year comes to an end, it's time for the Fifth Annual Upgradies! Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2018, take the input of more than a thousand Upgradians, and hand out awards in numerous categories! Only the finest will walk away with the most coveted of titles: Upgradies Winner.
12/31/2018 • 2 hours, 9 minutes, 58 seconds
225: An Upgrade Christmas Carol
Then it was, as Myke and Jason began their preparations for the Christmas holiday, that they were visited by three ghosts, representing the spirit of Apple past, present, and future.
12/24/2018 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 17 seconds
224: A Bearded Man Is The Hero
This week we try to understand Apple's plans to build a "Netflix for magazines" inside of Apple News, Jason confesses his love for the new Apple Pencil, and we celebrate the season with a special Myke at the Movies about "Miracle on 34th Street".
12/17/2018 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 33 seconds
223: Impressive and Stupid
Are Apple's recent aggressive promotional deals for iPhone an indicator that its aggressive pricing strategy isn't working, or is this all part of a larger strategy? Are the old rules giving way to a whole new set of Apple strategies? We also discuss WarnerMedia's strange streaming strategy and Jason's attempt to merge Shortcuts with ancient Web APIs.
12/10/2018 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 43 seconds
222: That's Not a Plan
John Siracusa joins Jason to discuss the future of Apple's ARM processors and how they might change the Mac, Apple Music coming to the Amazon Echo and what that might mean about the future of Apple's forthcoming TV service, whether they're using their TiVos as much as they used to, and the prospects for an Apple-built external touchscreen display.
12/3/2018 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 32 seconds
221: Dongleton-on-Sea
Where does iOS go from here? This week Myke and Jason discuss the top 10 iPad features for iOS 13 they'd like to see. Also, Myke at the Movies returns, as Myke watches "My Neighbor Totoro" for the first time.
11/26/2018 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 33 seconds
220: Mr. Apple Pencil
This week we follow up on our iPad Pro reviews, as Jason integrates the new iPad Pro into his writing set-up and starts using the Apple Pencil for more than just drawing doodles. Plus there's more about external keyboards, Apple's dream of Academy Awards, and a heaping dose of #askupgrade.
11/19/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 24 seconds
219: The Chicken Just Laid an Egg
After a week with the new iPad Pro, it's time for our in-depth review of what we like and don't like about Apple's latest tablet hardware. Which size is the best? Why does Jason want to cover his Smart Keyboard Folio with stickers? Does the new Apple Pencil pass Myke's tests? And why is Jason so angry about Apple's pro apps?
11/12/2018 • 2 hours, 1 minute, 36 seconds
218: Previously, on Apple Laptops
It's review time! Hear Jason's thoughts on the new MacBook Air and Mac mini. How do they fit in to Apple's product line? Who are these machines for? Also: The iPhone XR – is it a 'budget' iPhone, or is it the right iPhone for most people?
11/6/2018 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 36 seconds
217: People in Dongletown Want to Dance
Apple's New York event is in the books! Two new iPad Pros, a new Mac Mini, and the return from the dead of the MacBook Air! Jason reports in live from Apple's event in the Big Apple with first impressions about all the announcements. Plus: The winner of the latest Upgrade Draft is crowned! Will Jason reign supreme or has Myke managed a last-minute tie? All will be revealed.
10/30/2018 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 18 seconds
216: The 2018 October Event Draft - LIVE in Chicago
It's time for your Upgrade hosts to go for glory and risk the agony of defeat--all in view of a studio audience in Chicago, Illinois. Jason and Myke pick what they think will happen at Apple's October 30 event in New York City. And they're joined by guest draft experts Alex Cox and Stephen Hackett, who provide instant analysis of all the picks--and harsh judgment of our hosts. In one week, we'll know who was horrendously wrong and who reigns supreme as draft champion!
10/23/2018 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 57 seconds
215: The Future of TV is the TV App
If watch faces are the main interface of the Apple Watch, why are they so inconsistent? And why are developers suddenly showing off what faces they'd design if they had the ability? It's complicated. Also: Photoshop is coming to the iPad for real, and Apple may be offering some of its new TV shows for free.
10/15/2018 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 30 seconds
214: Nobody Seems to Know Anything
What is going on with Businessweek's report that servers (including Apple's) got hacked by China? Apple, Amazon, and U.S. and UK agencies flat-out say it didn't happen. Jason uses his decades of experience in journalism to make some guesses about what might be going on. We also tackle a 9to5 Mac report with more exciting details about new iPad Pro models, which may come with their own special ticket to Dongletown. And in Upstream news, everyone's looking for the next Game of Thrones, which is really good news if you're the author of a series of fantasy novels.
10/9/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 29 seconds
213: The California Environment
This week Jason and Myke discuss where the iPad Pro might go next, including whether it's primarily a horizontal or vertical device, and if adding a USB-C port makes sense. Then pull up a chair, because it's time for Jason to tell you the story of his summer-long battle with the IKEA supply chain: Frösönquest 2018.
10/1/2018 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 53 seconds
212: The Chocolate Phone Is No Good
The iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 are here, and Myke and Jason offer their first impressions of all the new devices. Plus macOS Mojave arrives and Apple sets some interesting standards for its forthcoming video service.
9/24/2018 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 16 seconds
211: You Will Pay
What a time! iOS 12 has arrived and we're waiting for delivery of new Apple products. This week Jason and Myke discuss their favorite features of the new update, which new devices they've bought, why phone carriers ruin everything, and the fallout from Apple's decision to focus on larger and more expensive phones this time around.
9/17/2018 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 56 seconds
210: Tennis Macs
Jason's back from Apple Park, where he watched Apple unveil a new Apple Watch and three new iPhone models. We break down the naming choices and new features, the surprises and reveals, and (perhaps most importantly) the results of the 2018 Apple iPhone Event Draft.
9/13/2018 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 16 seconds
209: The 2018 iPhone Event Draft
It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater next week! They draft 10 different things they expect will happen--or _not_ happen--next Wednesday. Did Myke's competitiveness serve him well, or do him harm? Is Jason convinced that the Mac won't make an appearance on stage? The winner could be crowned Upgrade Draft Champion for 2018.
9/3/2018 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 25 seconds
208: The Villain of the Macintosh
As Apple's much-rumored fall product launches get closer, Jason and Myke consider what the future holds for Macs and iPhones. And the Summer of Fun surfs into the sunset while hanging ten off of our favorite boards--keyboards, that is.
8/27/2018 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 1 second
207: Max Rebate
Is it finally time for the iPhone to support an Apple Pencil? Myke and Jason discuss the possibilities. And then the Summer of Fun rolls on with a mega-sized #askupgrade!
8/20/2018 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 33 seconds
206: The Rings in a Tree
This week Myke breaks his iPad, Jason visits the Microsoft Store and leaves with an Xbox, and we pick our favorite video games of all time.
8/13/2018 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 8 seconds
205: Monolithic Entertainment Console
It was a huge week: Apple broke a trillion dollars in market cap and Jason bought a new TV. And since money is on everyone's minds, Myke and Jason take Apple's $243B and go on a corporate shopping spree as a part of the ongoing Upgrade Summer of Fun.
8/6/2018 • 1 hour, 53 minutes
204: Tap-to-Click Truther
Myke's back from his honeymoon, and the Summer of Fun continues as we discuss our dream iOS devices, YouTube's attempt to get into premium streaming, Adobe bringing Photoshop to the iPad, and the MacBook Pro performance scandal that turned out to be a minor bug.
7/30/2018 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 51 seconds
203: I Have Felt the Power of the Snell Zone
Federico Viticci and Serenity Caldwell join Jason and Myke to dive deep into how we use our iPads for business as well as creative pursuits, including writing and illustration. Why did Federico transform from a Mac user into one who rarely strays from his iPad? What keyboard and stand does Jason use to write? What apps is Ren using to draw? We break it all down.
7/23/2018 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 32 seconds
202: I’m Going to Counter Your Jaguar
Guest co-host Stephen Hackett joins Jason to discuss the new MacBook Pros and what they mean for Apple's product line at large, adventures with the macOS Mojave beta, and the new Sonos AirPlay 2 update. And since this is the summer of fun, we cap it all off with a quick Mac OS X draft!
7/16/2018 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 10 seconds
201: Full English Breakfast
Myke got married, Jason’s back from his vacation, and the Summer of Fun continues with discussion of the Shortcuts app in the iOS 12 beta, potential colorful new iPhones, and AT&T’s plans to make HBO more like Netflix. Then at the very end, it’s time for the official wedding recap with Myke at the Matrimony.
7/10/2018 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 54 seconds
200: The Podcasting and Anniversary Episode
To welcome the Summer of Fun and to celebrate hitting episode 200, Jason and Myke take a deep dive in to the history of Upgrade, and provide the Upgradians with all their knowledge on the hows, whys, and whats of podcasting.
7/2/2018 • 2 hours, 17 minutes, 48 seconds
199: Puppet Series
This week we take a deep dive into Apple’s forthcoming video service, as Jason and Myke make predictions about what it will cost and how Apple’s billion-dollar content purchases will roll out. Also, Instagram gets into TV, Google gets back into podcasting, and we prepare for the beginning of the Upgrade Summer of Fun!
6/25/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 47 seconds
198: The Mac Is Dead, Long Live the Mac
Apple has said that it’s not merging iOS and macOS, but that sneak peek of iOS apps coming to macOS opens up a lot of questions about just what the Mac might look like in five years. Jason’s optimistic, but Mac users may be in for the biggest changes to the platform since the introduction of Mac OS X nearly two decades ago. Also, what’s up with no new Mac hardware announcements? And just when you thought you had a handle on Apple’s unannounced video service, here comes Oprah!
6/18/2018 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 17 seconds
197: Banana Royale
It’s time to reflect on WWDC week, so Jason and Myke are joined by special guest developer James Thomson. We discuss our first impressions of the iOS 12 and macOS Mojave betas, the future of Mac apps in and out of the Mac App Store, and what new features are now at the top of James’s priority list as a developer.
6/11/2018 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 16 seconds
196: Workflow Siren
Live from WWDC, Jason and Myke break down the major announcements for iOS, macos, and watchOS, including a close result in the Upgrade Keynote Draft, the emergence of user automation on iOS via Siri, potentially big changes to the Mac App Store, and the upcoming workout battle between our two hosts.
6/4/2018 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 58 seconds
195: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2018
It’s time for our third annual predictions of what will happen on stage at Apple’s developer conference keynote! Jason and Myke compete for points by drafting 20 different items they expect will get a mention next week. Will there be new hardware, or will it all be about operating systems? Will your hosts shy away from picking items that have burned them during past WWDC drafts? All will be revealed.
5/28/2018 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 54 seconds
194: Game of Jenga with Drivers
Myke just built a gaming PC, which prompts us to discuss the current state of the art of Windows and macOS, as well as a broader discussion of living a multi-ecosystem lifestyle.
5/21/2018 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 55 seconds
193: This is Stephen Hackett’s Fault
The 25th anniversary of BBEdit and a visit with a friend lead Jason to take a deep dive into Mac history, Google shows a disappointing lack of forethought in its AI demo, and the future of TV is apparently Apple’s TV app.
5/14/2018 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 39 seconds
192: People Like Colors and Fun
The 20th anniversary of the iMac prompts a discussion of how it changed Apple and continues to define how Apple designs products, Jason has a theory about why so many people thought iPhone X sales were crashing when they weren't, and Upstream ponders the Arrested Development "remix edition."
5/7/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 9 seconds
191: Alien Spacecraft Sitting on an End Table
This week the Grim Reaper comes for AirPort, we imagine a future Apple AR/VR headset, and at the very end it’s time for Myke at the Movies to take on “Avengers: Infinity War.”
4/30/2018 • 1 hour, 55 minutes, 13 seconds
190: Redefine It Upward
Tim Cook totally has an Mac on his desk and an iPad at home, but how can Apple advance both its platforms while allowing them to retain their individuality? Also, Amazon Prime has a big number and Apple puts a chill into leakers.
4/23/2018 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 28 seconds
189: Obsolescence Isn’t What It Used to Be
Special Guest Merlin Mann joins Jason to discuss the weather, old speakers, Apple's latest TV acquisition, the long slow fade of 32-bit Mac apps, and the arrival of a new version of his favorite iOS writing app.
4/16/2018 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 22 seconds
188: An Elephant on the Bridge
What is the future of the Mac? This week we connect the future of the Mac Pro, the possibility of Apple abandoning Intel processors, and the rumored unification of Mac and iOS development. Also, Jason reviews the new sixth-generation iPad.
4/9/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 27 seconds
187: Whiz-Bang Wonderfulness
This week Jason steps up to the baseball plate and takes a second swing at the meaning of Apple’s education event, while Myke defends the viability of pen and paper. We also discuss what’s new in Apple’s latest software updates, and once again fail to solve the riddle of the HomePod.
4/2/2018 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 21 seconds
186: Black Market Crayons
Jason attended Apple's education event and reports live and direct from Chicago to discuss the new sixth-generation iPad, Apple's place in the education market, the relevance of the Apple Pencil for education, and the whole scene at Lane Tech College Prep High School.
3/27/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 4 seconds
185: The March 2018 Apple Event Draft
Apple’s holding a media event at a school in Chicago, and next week Jason will be there to report back about what got announced. But in the meantime, it’s time for another draft, as Myke and Jason attempt to predict what will be shown on stage in Chicago. Apple also announced WWDC dates this week and made some more moves to grow its unannounced video service.
3/19/2018 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 36 seconds
184: The Claim Chowder Secret Society
What are our top five Apple products of the past five years? Jason and Myke list their choices in something that is almost, but not quite, a draft. Also: Did Jason accurately predict the extended survival of the MacBook Air? A watchful Upgradian provides the answer. We also muse about the future of keyboards and discuss Netflix as a future home for a former president.
3/12/2018 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 1 second
183: It’s Dumb Until We Do It
Would Apple really update the MacBook Air at this late date? We break down the possibilities, plus Jason finally finishes his HomePod review, Netflix and Apple keep investing in original video content, and then we take off and nuke the site from orbit as Myke at the Movies revisits 1986's “Aliens.”
3/5/2018 • 1 hour, 49 minutes, 18 seconds
182: March of Minor Products
This week we discuss rumors about new AirPods and this fall’s iPhones, speculate about what makes a good Apple TV app, revisit the idea of ARM Macs in the context of Windows 10's ARM limitations, and save a moment to praise Alto’s Odyssey.
2/26/2018 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 49 seconds
181: Banana Slug Bookshelf
What does the death of Twitter for Mac say about the future of Mac software? Is Apple making big changes to how it releases software, and how will it impact the quality of the Apple product experience? We ponder these questions, note some surprising additions to Apple's video programming, and briefly discuss how Jason permanently scarred his bookshelf.
2/19/2018 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 45 seconds
180: Too Much Speaker
After a weekend with the HomePod, it’s time for Myke and Jason to discuss what they like and dislike about Apple’s new connected speaker. Is it so loud that Myke is angering his neighbors? Will Jason replace his Amazon Echo? How does the HomePod match up with other products in the category? Plus, Apple introduces its new battery interface and one of the company’s first big TV shows loses its creative team.
2/12/2018 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 46 seconds
179: Somewhere Between One and a Gabillion
Apple reaches a record high in revenue and profit, but what’s up with the iPhone and Mac sales figures? This week we break down Apple’s huge holiday quarter, including the calendar quirk that has cut Apple both ways.
2/5/2018 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 46 seconds
178: On a Dark Desert Highway
How did Apple do in 2017? Jason and Myke break down the annual Six Colors Apple Report Card, based on a survey of 50 notable Apple-watchers. Also, the HomePod gets pre-orders, a ship date, and a new set of listening parties for journalists. You can check out of the Apple Store any time you like, but you can never leave.
1/29/2018 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 36 seconds
177: Stuck in the Mud
What comes next? The iPhone product line may see more changes in 2018, but do the rumors of two new models make sense? Is Apple missing its shot in the voice-assistant market with the delays of HomePod and the limitations of Siri? Is Apple’s move to return its cash hoard to the U.S. a financial diuretic that will boost American productivity? And if you want to get Myke’s reaction to finally seeing “Hamilton”, just you wait… it’s coming at the very end of the show.
1/22/2018 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 37 seconds
176: Final Cat Pro
What are Jason and Myke’s hopes and dreams for iOS, the iPhone, and the iPad in 2018? Also: Apple buys more TV shows, a podcast tip, and the visual-effects industry tests Jason.
1/16/2018 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 54 seconds
175: $4,999, Cheap!
Jason reviews his new base-model iMac Pro, we speculate about the unified (or not) future of Apple's software-development platforms, and there's an awful lot of news from the world of streaming media.
1/9/2018 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 39 seconds
174: The 2017 Upgradies
Presenting the Fourth Annual Upgradies! In this episode Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2017 across many categories, with important input provided by you, the Upgradians! Only the finest will walk away with the coveted title of Upgradies Award Winner.
1/1/2018 • 2 hours, 13 minutes, 12 seconds
173: The 2017 Upgrade Holiday Special
Just in time for Christmas, Jason and Myke look back at the trends of 2017 and reveal their 2018 Apple wish lists. Then it's time for special guests Serenity Caldwell and Stephen Hackett to join us for a round of very special #askupgrade, the first-ever Upgrade Secret Santa, and a Myke at the Movies look at "Home Alone 2."
12/25/2017 • 2 hours, 7 minutes, 24 seconds
172: My Brain Was Slowly Expanding
Has Disney changed the future of streaming TV with its purchase of Fox? Has Jason bought himself an iMac Pro? Have Myke and Jason watched “The Last Jedi”? Yes to all of the above. (Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the movie, we’ll save that until the end and fire off the Spoiler Horn before we start talking details.)
12/18/2017 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 16 seconds
171: Really Weird Chess Game
What do Amazon's battles with Google and Apple say about the strategies of the tech giants? Also, Jony Ive returns to the White Room, and a meeting with the hosts of Jason and Myke's favorite podcasts brings some perspective regarding the connection between podcasters and their listeners.
12/11/2017 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 49 seconds
170: The Rat King of Cables
All the Apple operating-system bugs in the world can’t stop us from discussing Jason’s office clean-out, holiday decorations, the new Kindle Oasis, and podcasting tools and techniques. And yes, in the end we have to discuss Apple’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.
12/4/2017 • 1 hour, 50 minutes, 3 seconds
169: Discontinue All Other Products
Myke returns from his trip to catch up on everything Jason and John did on last week’s show: summoning Siri, selling merchandise, and proposing entirely new classes of Apple product. We discuss Myke’s travels with the iPhone X, a possible update to the iPhone SE, and whether or not Apple should one day make a laptop that runs iOS.
11/27/2017 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 19 seconds
168: Hail Hydrant
John Siracusa joins Jason to discuss the possibilities of an iMac with an A10 processor inside, the delay of the HomePod, whether Apple understands the concerns of professional Mac users, the return of Twitterrific for the Mac, and the proper way to refer to keyboard shortcuts.
11/20/2017 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 39 seconds
167: The White Room of My Mind
Jumping off from two Bloomberg reports about Apple hardware, Myke and Jason discuss the future of the iPad Pro and what in the world Apple is thinking as it develops an augmented-reality headset. We’ve also got updates on Apple’s television venture, the future and influence of the iPhone X, and Apple Pay for iMessage.
11/13/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 35 seconds
166: The Machine That Makes Money
Myke abandons the #plusclub for an iPhone X, and compares notes with Jason after a week of using Apple’s new phone, including cameras, OLED, Animoji karaoke, and Face ID. We also discuss Apple’s latest quarterly results, which show great news for the iPad and Mac and the promise of a record-setting holiday quarter to come.
11/6/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 52 seconds
165: The iPhone X Review
This week is all about the iPhone X, which Jason reviewed and now has in his hands to answer Myke's—and your—questions.
10/31/2017 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 13 seconds
164: The Lost Phone for Nerds
What if Jason went to a tech conference with a brand-new iPhone and nobody cared? We discuss the curious case of the iPhone 8, the challenges entertainment and tech companies both face when trying to launch video streaming services, and the future of the Mac as viewed through the inbox of Apple executives.
10/23/2017 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 3 seconds
163: Kindle Bubbles
This week there's a bunch of news from the world of entertainment. Apple's new TV execs made their first big deal in Hollywood, which brings up lots of questions about what Apple's video service will be and when it will arrive. There's also a new service that brings your iTunes purchases to Amazon and Google and vice versa. Speaking of Amazon, there's also a new Kindle you can take in the bathtub--if you have a good bathtub.
10/16/2017 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 seconds
162: The Spider Is a Metaphor
Jason’s iMac gets a unwelcome visitor and he ponders an upgrade--but is the iMac Pro overkill, or a wise investment? Also, an influx of new emoji are coming to iOS and macOS in the near future, which is more important than you’d think.
10/9/2017 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 22 seconds
161: I Look at My Phone and the Money Leaves
Myke and Jason have taken delivery of the Apple TV 4K and have some initial thoughts, Apple gives us a deeper dive into how Face ID works, and Amazon introduces many Echos and gets in a fight with YouTube. Plus, this entire description now fits in a tweet... if you’re special.
10/2/2017 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 33 seconds
160: A Helipad on Your Table
Jason and Myke discuss the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and the Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular, plus there’s a little bit about macOS High Sierra. And then Myke at the Movies is back with “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
9/25/2017 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 10 seconds
159: Retcon Incident
Our wallets much lighter than last week, we discuss what new Apple products we’ve ordered and what we’re still waiting for. We also spend a lot more time dissecting the iPhone X and Face ID, and leave room for plenty of follow-up and #askupgrade
9/18/2017 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 58 seconds
158: New Theater Smell
Apple unveiled three new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, a 4K Apple TV, and the new Steve Jobs Theater at its September media event. Jason was there and returned home just in time to join with Myke in recapping and analyzing everything that went on at Apple Park.
9/13/2017 • 2 hours, 11 minutes, 41 seconds
157: The 2017 iPhone Event Draft
It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the iPhone launch event next week! They draft 12 different things they expect (or hope) to happen at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino next week. Who will pick wisely? We’ll know in less than a week.
9/6/2017 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 51 seconds
156: The Silly Season
Special guest Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about Apple event rumors, why we care about Apple kremlinology, our approaches to keeping and deleting files in our digital libraries, and Jason's recent 11-day road trip to the total eclipse.
8/28/2017 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 29 seconds
155: Apple Hardware Draft
The Upgrade Summer of Fun continues! A special panel of guests convenes to draft our favorite hardware created by Apple. And in an unprecedented installment of Myke at the Movies, John Siracusa joins us to discuss the Final Cut edition of "Blade Runner."
8/21/2017 • 2 hours, 14 minutes, 57 seconds
154: Masters of Automation
From Automator to Workflow, automation can make regular users (who are definitely not programmers) more productive. This week Jason talks to Myke about why he cares about automation, and then we've got a special automation panel discussion featuring a bunch of special guests. Plus, the Upgrade Summer of Fun begins!
8/14/2017 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 20 seconds
153: Three Ficuses
Myke reports in from New York as we discuss a grab bag of Apple news, including a possible cellular Apple Watch, even more details from the HomePod firmware leak, the surprising strength of iPad sales in Apple’s quarterly results, and next year’s crop of emoji.
8/8/2017 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 49 seconds
152: August State of Mind
A HomePod firmware leak may have given us our best look yet at the features of the next iPhone, including face detection. Photos of Apple Park’s aggressively open-plan workspaces lead us to the most spirited discussion of space planning you may ever hear. Plus: The iPod dies, the Apple Watch might get an update, and Jason gets over his Game of Thrones hangover.
7/31/2017 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 2 seconds
151: Caulk and Spackle
Does the Mac mini have a place in the Mac line-up, or should it fade into the sunset? Which Mac laptop--MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Escape--is the best choice for a new college student? All this, plus lasers _and_ fireworks, on this week’s edition of Upgrade.
7/24/2017 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 34 seconds
150: I Worry About You, Jason
This week Jason is making some big changes in his life, including trying out a to-do app and using his iPad Pro extensively via a cellular network. Myke looks into what’s motivated these changes, and how well they’re working. Plus we discuss emoji, AirPods, and at the very end of the show, “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
7/18/2017 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 1 second
149: The Taste of Danger
Is Apple taking a risk in potentially releasing a high-end, high-cost iPhone model in addition to the regular models this fall, as is rumored? Also, Jason and Myke try to come to terms with the possibility of a $1000-plus ‘iPhone Pro’. Jason also talks about inviting the Amazon Echo Show and its touchscreen into his kitchen, and we discuss peanut butter alternatives guaranteed to make Myke uncomfortable.
7/10/2017 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 31 seconds
148: I Think I Think What You Think
Jason convinces Myke to upgrade to iOS 11 so they can both talk about using it on their iPads, including the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. Also, Jason announces his enormous strategic partnerships and sends the stock market on an adventure! Finally, Jason breaks down Photos on macOS High Sierra.
7/3/2017 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 54 seconds
147: Outside the Zone of Secrecy
An Apple secrecy presentation is leaked to the press? Jason and Myke break down an exclusive from The Outline, before moving on to discuss Scott Forstall's emergence from Broadway to talk about 10 years of iPhone.
6/26/2017 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 42 seconds
146: It's About the Journey
The new iPad Pros have arrived, and Jason and Myke have spent the last week with both the 12.9- and 10.5-inch models. We give our reactions to the new displays, detail what’s new with previous versions, get excited about one day using iOS 11, and offer advice about which iPad Pro model is the right one to buy. In other news, we also ponder a grim future where an Amazon robot allows you to squeeze Whole Foods produce in virtual reality.
6/19/2017 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 47 seconds
145: Wandered into the Unicorn Grove
Jason and Myke pick up many threads from WWDC 2017, including San Jose’s suitability as an event host, the first reviews of the iPad Pro, a bunch of news we didn’t know about during our last episode, and Jason’s close encounter with a functioning HomePod speaker.
6/12/2017 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 54 seconds
144: Don't Call It the Finder
Live from San Jose, in the immediate aftermath of the WWDC 2017 Keynote, Jason and Myke break down the entire event. We've got new Macs, new iPads, new versions of all of Apple's operating systems, and the official results of our keynote draft.
6/5/2017 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 29 seconds
143: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2017
It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the WWDC 2017 keynote! They draft 20 different things they expect (or hope) to see featured on stage in San Jose next week. Who will emerge with this year’s prediction crown? We’ll all know on June 5.
5/29/2017 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 12 seconds
142: You Want Applause
Jason and Myke discuss potential hardware announcements at WWDC--what they might be, and what message they might send. We also discuss a little bit about Google IO, including announcements about Google Photos and emoji, and get a little misty while thinking about Steve Jobs’ last product, Apple Park.
5/22/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 12 seconds
141: I Export My Voice
With WWDC only three weeks away, Jason and Myke delve into the latest rumors about what might be announced at the conference, and then discuss Apple's billion-dollar initiative to invest in American business--and the potential motives behind it.
5/15/2017 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 54 seconds
140: Disappointed Dad Tim Cook
Apple’s latest financial statements give Jason and Myke a jumping-off point for analyzing where Apple’s going with the iPad and iPhone, the massive growth in Apple’s services business, and the company’s problems in China and possibilities in India.
5/8/2017 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 55 seconds
139: Make Money from the Money
If there are two things Myke knows a lot about, it’s banking and stickers. And so this week he helps Jason understand why banks might not love Apple’s new attempt to expand Apple Pay and why he covers his sleek, pristine Apple devices with loads of stickers.
5/2/2017 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 45 seconds
138: Bad for the Person, Great for the Wizard
Jason and Myke are back together (from their separate offices) to discuss the trouble with free services that take your data and re-sell it to others, and why it’s important to be a savvy and skeptical consumer. They also discuss the future of the iPad Pro app market, changes to Apple’s affiliate program, Apple’s approval to make self-driving cars, and the 1982 classic film “Blade Runner.”
4/25/2017 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 21 seconds
137: iTunes on a Shelf
Serenity Caldwell joins Jason to discuss the possible disassembly of iTunes, the rise of the iPad Pro, and the teaser trailer for "The Last Jedi".
4/17/2017 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 6 seconds
136: My Screen, My Stuff
Together again in Ireland, Jason and Myke discuss their current approaches to travel tech. We also revisit the new Mac Pro and answer your questions.
4/10/2017 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 55 seconds
135: Trashed The Can
The Mac Pro finally gets an upgrade—and an expiration date. What do Apple’s announcements about the future of professional desktop hardware mean? How might this have changed the way Apple announces future products? Myke and Jason break it down live and in person, and then discuss 1979’s “Alien” in the latest installment of Myke at the Movies.
4/4/2017 • 1 hour, 49 minutes, 3 seconds
134: Steal Its Bezel Thunder
The revival of the iPad name leads us to speculate about a new phase in Apple’s product approach, and what it tells us about the future of the iPhone. We also discuss where the iPad Pro might go next, and what Apple’s acquisition of power-user app Workflow means about the company’s approach to iOS for professionals.
3/27/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 14 seconds
133: You're an Empty Row Person
Apple’s been a leader in podcasting since the early days, but is there a new era coming soon? Jason and Myke have some theories. Plus, we carefully analyze each other’s iPhone and iPad home screens, marvel at Apple’s stock price, and answer your questions.
3/20/2017 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 44 seconds
132: Extra Lasers
Would Apple ever make iOS devices larger than the the 12.9-inch iPad Pro? And what does Apple need to do to make iOS excel at multitasking and large screen sizes? And Jason and Myke answer your questions in a mega-sized version of #askupgrade.
3/13/2017 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 1 second
131: It's Fine, Dude
We parse through the rumors about what kind of connector the new iPhone might offer—Lightning or USB-C?--and whether Apple and its customers are ready for another transition. Also, will YouTube’s new cord-cutting TV service be a splash hit?
3/6/2017 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 24 seconds
130: Ron Has a Pretty Sweet Job
Apple Park nears completion, The Nintendo Switch arrives, Silicon Valley culture fails its workers, and pineapple on pizza creates an international incident.
2/27/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 13 seconds
129: Disneyland for Developers
How will Apple’s WWDC be different now that it’s moving back to San Jose from San Francisco? Why is The Iconfactory kickstarting a new version of Twitterrific for Mac? And in this episode, Myke at the Movies travels back in time to 1984 for “The Terminator."
2/20/2017 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 55 seconds
128: Is It Any Weirder than Dashboard?
Jason and Myke deal with a mountain of follow-up from last week’s episode about the present and future of the iPad, and then ponder what Apple’s long-term strategy for the Mac might be.
2/13/2017 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 48 seconds
127: Congratulations, You're an Analyst
This week Myke runs the numbers and shows why the decline of the iPad is overhyped and why it’s a more popular computing device than the Mac. Plus we break down Apple’s latest financial results and define what a quarter means.
2/6/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 15 seconds
126: Spinny Propellery Guy
This week Jason and Myke try out a bunch of new Apple betas, Apple makes big changes in App review, Jason finds his favorite iPad Pro keyboard, and we get prepared for Apple’s quarterly financial report.
1/30/2017 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 seconds
125: A Bear Did it For Me
This week Jason makes the case for a new size of iPad Pro and an external Touch Bar and Touch ID sensor. We also discuss Samsung's explanation for the exploding Galaxy Note 7 and Apple's updates to Logic and GarageBand.
1/23/2017 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 41 seconds
124: There Are Always Gates
Jason and Myke break down the second annual Six Colors Apple Report Card, as three dozen Apple watchers grade how the company did in 2016—and Myke chimes in with his own votes.
1/16/2017 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 20 seconds
123: Sheer Gadget Magnetism
Jason and Myke return from their well-deserved holiday to discuss the 10th anniversary of the iPhone and Jason’s reactions to the iPhone back in the day. Then we tell the tale of the day San Diego got Ahoy Telephoned.
1/9/2017 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 43 seconds
122: The 2016 Upgradies
Once again, Myke and Jason pick their favorite products of the year! But this year, they are aided in their pursuit of excellent by the votes of you, the loyal Upgradians.
1/2/2017 • 2 hours, 5 minutes, 20 seconds
121: All Talk and No Trousers
This week it’s all about the Mac, as Jason and Myke discuss Tim Cook’s attempts to reassure the concerned Mac user base, Bloomberg’s report about Apple’s Mac product-release struggles, and if the Mac is really a truck at all.
12/26/2016 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 24 seconds
120: Time Is a Better Indicator of Time
This week, Jason reviews the AirPods while Myke waits for his to arrive. We also discuss Apple’s removal of the battery indicator from MacBooks, and at the very end of the show do a special Myke at the Movies review of “Rogue One."
12/19/2016 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 38 seconds
119: Make the Chart Bigger
Myke's got a new office! Also, we follow up on our conversation about ARM Macs and try to explain Single Sign On for Apple TV. Finally, after 25 years, Jason has watched "Home Alone" and will discuss it on a new Myke at the Movies.
12/12/2016 • 2 hours, 21 minutes, 29 seconds
118: Missed That by 100%
Will Apple move the Mac to ARM processors? Myke thinks it’s inevitable, and Jason thinks it’s well within Apple’s power—but thinks it won’t happen. We also discuss Apple possibly moving some iPhone manufacturing to the United States.
12/5/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 39 seconds
117: Sugar Christmas
Is Apple a big business trapped in the body of a startup? Myke and Jason discuss that issue, say lots of things that might be quoted out of context later, and then settle in to watch 1984's "Gremlins."
11/28/2016 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 22 seconds
116: Design Team Yearbook
Apple’s doing some end-of-the-year cleaning, but what does it mean for the future of the company? This week Jason and Myke discuss the death of the AirPort router, the disbanding of the Mac automation team, and the release of a photo book highlighting Apple’s hardware designs.
11/21/2016 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 59 seconds
115: Rubber Chicken Scenario
After spending the last week with the new MacBook Pro, Jason reviews the Touch Bar and breaks down the approach Apple took in creating an entirely new way to interact with a Mac. Meanwhile, Myke prepares to record podcasts from an empty house with dodgy Internet access.
11/14/2016 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 41 seconds
114: Get On Down to Dongle Town
Fresh off of Jason's 10-day travel odyssey with the new MacBook Pro, we debate where Apple’s taking the Mac, the high price of Retina displays, Apple’s tough decisions about who its Mac customers are, and the case for and against the Mac Pro.
11/7/2016 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 41 seconds
113: It's An Honour and a Privilege to Defeat You
Myke and Jason are together again, and this time back in Ireland, to discuss Apple's big week. We cover Jason's time with the new MacBook Pro, Myke's excitement over the Touch Bar, Apple's quarterly results, and much more.
11/1/2016 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 5 seconds
112: What I've Got Going for Me is Apple
With Apple’s next event just around the corner, Myke and Jason make their picks for what we’ll see. The winner will be crowned Upgrade Draft Champion for 2016. Either way, we’re both excited about the prospect of new Macs.
10/24/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 5 seconds
111: I Keep Moving the Goalposts
This week Myke visits Apple’s latest flagship store, Jason takes a trip with both a Mac and an iPad, and Apple scales back its automotive ambitions.
10/17/2016 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 49 seconds
110: Never, Not Ever, Not Once
This week we discuss perhaps Apple’s biggest move of 2017: relocating thousands of employees to Campus 2, moving other teams into the vacated Infinite Loop campus, and what it means for Apple’s cloud services and the productivity and morale of Apple employees. Plus we’ve got a lot of Sierra follow-up, Google’s attempts to entice iPhone switchers, bad news for the Galaxy Note, Jason’s first use of the PSVR, and a new run of Upgrade t-shirts and hoodies.
10/10/2016 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 49 seconds
109: YouTube Killed the Podcast Star
This week Myke starts a YouTube channel, Jason raises his hopes for new Macs in October, and we praise the new features of Messages while quibbling with the usability of its interface.
10/3/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 22 seconds
108: It's a Great Feature When It Works
The beta version of the iPhone 7 Plus’s Portrait mode is here, and Jason and Myke both took it for a spin. Then Jason recounts his favorite and least favorite features of macOS Sierra, and Myke explains why—despite the name of this show—he’s not going to upgrade.
9/26/2016 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 57 seconds
107: The Upgrade Programme
Myke and Jason have taken delivery of new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models, so it’s time to detail the experience of buying, upgrading, restoring, and using the latest iPhone models.
9/19/2016 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 44 seconds
106: I've Reached Acceptance
Live from Portland, Jason and Myke are joined by Stephen Hackett to cover a lot of follow-up from last week's Apple announcements. Myke reveals which iPhone 7 he's buying and considers how his technology and methods will need to change when he travels with it. Jason gives more details about how AirPods work. Finally, we talk a little bit about the impending release of iOS 10.
9/11/2016 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 32 seconds
105: The Illusion of Clicking
Jason returns from the Apple Sept. 7 media event and is immediately questioned by Myke about the new iPhone 7, Apple Watch series 2, EarPods and AirPods, and all the other announcements.
9/7/2016 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 16 seconds
104: I Really Do Want to Win
An Apple event is happening next week! So it’s time for Jason and Myke to make their predictions for the announcements in the most competitive way possible—by drafting the top 20 announcements they think we’ll see.
8/29/2016 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 11 seconds
103: Significant Figures
Special guest Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about reviews, ratings, Rotten Tomatoes, mice, thumbs up and thumbs down, using numbers to quantify the unquantifiable, when it's appropriate to show grown-up media to kids, and a whole lot more.
8/22/2016 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 38 seconds
102: Cautionary Tale of Laptops
This week's episode was recorded with Jason and Myke in the same room! Before they high five, they discuss iPad keyboards, MacBook Pro upgrades, Castro 2 and podcast innovation, and Tim Cook getting chatty with the press.
8/16/2016 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 25 seconds
101: It Works Great in California
This week we discuss Fast Company’s visit to the Apple cafeteria, Mark Gurman’s reappearance as an Apple rumor expert, and Recode’s Apple TV guide rumors, plus Myke reviews the new version of Pocket Casts.
8/8/2016 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 42 seconds
100: The Least Less
In our hundredth episode, Jason and Myke break down Apple’s quarterly results, ponder its TV strategy, and Myke reluctantly views one of Jason’s favorite movies for an all-new Myke at the Movies.
8/1/2016 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 49 seconds
99: Disciplined Cash Machine
Scrivener for iOS and a new mechanical keyboard for iPad arrived at Jason’s house this week. We discuss using a specialized writing tool for longform work and the challenges of building an iPad keyboard that doesn’t turn the iPad into a laptop. Plus we recap the latest trailers from Comic-Con.
7/25/2016 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 28 seconds
98: Accidental Comics Podcast 🤓
In celebration of World Emoji Day and Comic-Con, Jason and Myke discuss how we use emojis and why they’re a valuable addition to online dialogue, and then break down the best options for digital comic-book reading. Plus there’s a whole lot of follow-up and plenty of #askupgrade.
7/18/2016 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 57 seconds
97: We Used Our Power For Pizza
Listeners suggest naming schemes for Myke’s devices, Jason and Myke adapt to Apple’s new public betas, we discuss the future of iPad software updates, and Jason gets frustrated by the lack of updates to iCloud Family Sharing.
7/11/2016 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 53 seconds
96: Two Ports is One More Port than One Port
In this episode there’s a bunch of headphone-jack followup, then we discuss Apple’s relationships with Spotify and Tidal, before Myke asks Jason about his own independence on Independence Day.
7/4/2016 • 1 hour, 31 minutes
95: Don't Bring the Pain without the Benefit
Apple ditches the Thunderbolt Display, Jason takes macOS Sierra for a spin, and we debate the merits of Apple removing old technology from its products.
6/27/2016 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 25 seconds
94: Users Use Computers
Jason and Myke are back in their usual offices this week, and they discuss their feelings about watchOS 3, the lack of Apple hardware announcements, and what the buzz was during WWDC week.
6/20/2016 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 8 seconds
93: The Emoji Judgers
Straight out of the WWDC keynote, Jason joins Myke live to talk about watchOS 3, tvOS 10, macOS Sierra, iOS 10, Apple Music and Messages.
6/13/2016 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 59 seconds
92: WWDC 2016 Draft
Jason and Myke predict the contents of WWDC 2016 in the first annual Upgrade Keynote Draft. How many of our picks are based on deep knowledge of the industry, and how many are wish fulfillment? Next week will tell the tale.
6/7/2016 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 45 seconds
91: iMac Special
In this special holiday episode, Stephen Hackett joins Myke and Jason to discuss the product that changed Apple's fortunes: the original iMac.
5/30/2016 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 38 seconds
90: Nobody Should be a Siri Power User
This week Jason and Myke discuss the future of Siri on the Mac and elsewhere, and ponder Apple's new Apple Store design. Plus we've got some talk about Google I/O and final (for now) thoughts about the business of podcasting.
5/23/2016 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 21 seconds
89: Can We Use a Tracking Pixel?
By popular demand, Jason and Myke talk a bit more about the business of podcasting, as they’re joined by podcaster and podcast ad sales executive Lex Friedman. We also analyze Apple’s investment in a Chinese ride-sharing service and what that means for the company’s future directions.
5/16/2016 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 59 seconds
88: Happy Apple Watch Users
A year later, Jason and Myke are still using their Apple Watches. Amid high-profile users abandoning Apple’s new wearable, why do we still enjoy it? Where does the platform need to go to grow and become more successful? Also, we rage a little bit about a New York Times story about attempts by high-profile podcasters to change the way the industry works.
5/9/2016 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 58 seconds
87: Unchartable Tidbits
Jason and Myke are joined by follow-up guest Scott McNulty to review the Kindle Oasis (including its Kindle hump), then switch gears to break down the complexities of Apple’s quarterly results, Dropbox’s infinite solution to an old conundrum, and Jason’s review of USB audio interfaces.
5/2/2016 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 40 seconds
86: The Cloud With the Question Mark
Myke’s back just in time to discuss the minor changes to the new MacBook and attempt to figure out why the Apple Car might exist.
4/25/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 31 seconds
85: Talk to this Cylinder
With Myke away, Scott McNulty and Dan Moren join Jason to talk about two different Amazon hardware products, Kindle and Echo.
4/18/2016 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 5 seconds
84: Peek it, But Don't Pop it!
Jason and Myke discuss the 9.7-inch iPad Pro's True Tone display and the trouble with 3D Touch.
4/11/2016 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 28 seconds
83: I Love Infuriating You
Jason tried out the shrunken-down Smart Keyboard for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and you'll never believe what happened next! Myke returns from vacation just in time to break down Jason's reviews of Apple’s latest products and provide an Apple Watch band review of his own.
4/4/2016 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 31 seconds
82: Baby Pro
Extra special guest star Serenity Caldwell joins Jason to talk about the new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, the drowning of a MacBook Air, and much more.
3/28/2016 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 58 seconds
81: Live From Interstate 280
Myke catches up with Jason fresh from Apple’s March 21 event in Cupertino and keeps him company on his long drive home up Interstate 280. From the new smaller iPad Pro to the interesting iPhone SE, we break down everything Apple announced—and some things it didn’t!
3/21/2016 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 20 seconds
80: I Can Hear Your Future Screams
Myke is back to defend the iPad as a TV, before he and Jason discuss the expectations of Apple's March 21st event, and why @AppleSupport exists. They go on to talk about why Oculus is unlikely to ever come to the Mac, and address some more thoughts about Firewatch.
3/14/2016 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 40 seconds
79: Turkey Dinner Pizza
Guest John Siracusa joins Jason to talk about HDTV, the future of the Mac, and pizza.
3/7/2016 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 23 seconds
78: Rename Everything
Rumors of a new size of iPad Pro lead Myke and Jason to discuss how Apple chooses to name its products, and whether iPads would benefit from being named more like MacBooks. They also tackle the rumors of Siri coming to the Mac and grapple with disappointment and cable management in #askupgrade.
2/29/2016 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 27 seconds
77: I Don't Know Why You'd Call Them Friends
Jason and Myke lightly cover Apple’s beef with the FBI, Myke gets excited by new phones at Mobile World Congress, Jason grapples with making his home smarter. And of course there’s follow-up about pizza and “Back to the Future”—that’s how it works.
2/22/2016 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 39 seconds
76: You're Part of My System
Myke probes Jason about his personal organization system, or lack of one. Then we speculate on Apple’s future as a TV producer, following the news that it’s creating a series starring Dr. Dre. Finally, we discuss favorite (and least favorite) words.
2/15/2016 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 15 seconds
75: You Are Terrible to Sick People
This week, with Myke on sick leave, Jason is joined by Stephen Hackett to talk about Apple's first-party apps, the future of the Mac and VR pizza.
2/8/2016 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 4 seconds
74: Tablet Incorporated
This week we use Apple’s quarterly results as a jumping-off point to discuss Apple’s product philosophy, the overall strength of the iPhone, and Apple’s missed opportunities with the iPad.
2/1/2016 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 1 second
73: Put on your Rumor Pants
It’s the official start of Rumo(u)r season, as Jason and Myke discuss the first suggestions of what Apple might release this spring and in the fall. How full does an Apple Event need to be in order for it to be worth calling? And there’s also some clicky keyboard and English muffin follow-up.
1/25/2016 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 50 seconds
72: I Spent Four Months Not Buying It
Jason and Myke discuss what iOS 9.3 might mean for the future of Apple’s OS update strategy, Jason buys a clicky keyboard, new Mac audio tools arrive, and we close the books on Muffingate.
1/18/2016 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 26 seconds
71: Muffingate
Will Apple remove the headphone jack when it releases the iPhone 7? Myke thinks it’s inevitable, while Jason is skeptical. Your hosts also revisit baked goods in the British Empire, discuss Twitter’s possible expansion to 10,000 characters, and answer your #askupgrade questions.
1/11/2016 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 51 seconds
70: I Could Call My iPhone a Muffin
Myke and Jason ring in the new year with discussions about CES, Twitter, awards, mailbags, and last year.
1/4/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 52 seconds
69: The 2015 Upgradies
With a little help from their Relay FM co-hosts, Myke and Jason present awards to the best (and worst) of the year in the second annual Upgradies.
12/28/2015 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 48 seconds
68: The Cryogenic Chamber of Topics
This week Myke and Jason talk about Amazon drones, Christmas traditions, and Apple’s product-release strategy. And at the end of the episode, we fire off the Spoiler Horn and discuss “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in a special Myke at the Movies installment.
12/21/2015 • 2 hours, 4 minutes, 2 seconds
67: Part Spite, Part Strategy
This week Jason and Myke discover who’s using LaunchPad, dissect Jason’s purchase of an iPad Pro, discuss a new podcast-recording service that works in a browser, and answer your questions.
12/14/2015 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 26 seconds
66: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good Apps?
Myke returns from his trip to New York to the bad news that Dropbox has killed Mailbox and that Sketch has abandoned the Mac App Store. But he’s cheered up by Jason’s news that he might be keeping the iPad Pro after all.
12/7/2015 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 23 seconds
65: Holiday Firewall
Special guest host Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about the holidays, Apple TV, iPad Pro, and how to recommend Apple products.
11/30/2015 • 2 hours, 10 minutes, 24 seconds
64: The Law of the Large
This week Serenity Caldwell re-joins Myke so that they can talk about their first Apple Pencil experiences. Then Myke quizzes Jason about his iPad Pro review and the new Six Colors subscription drive. Finally, we return to Myke at the Movies with 1985’s “The Sure Thing."
11/23/2015 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 13 seconds
63: Crying about the Peripherals
The iPad Pro has arrived, and Myke and Jason are joined by special guest Serenity Caldwell to discuss our first impressions of the new product, our iPad workflows, and the frustrating lack of availability of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.
11/16/2015 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 59 seconds
62: I Am Nerd Face Guy
This week we extoll the virtues of emoji and how it could be better, and Myke finds his perfect emoji at last 🤓. We also preview the iPad Pro, talk about how we’re using our iPads today, revisit Myke’s external storage needs, and follow up on week two of the new Apple TV.
11/9/2015 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 42 seconds
61: Accidental Trek Podcast
Special guest Joe Rosensteel joins Jason and Myke to talk about our first weekend with the new Apple TV. We cover setup hassles, the design of the new remote, the power of integrated voice search, and much more. Plus there’s time for some follow-up and answers to listener questions on #askupgrade.
11/2/2015 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 1 second
60: Very Nice Button
It’s an exciting week: Myke gets a new Retina iMac and all the Magic peripherals, and both Jason and Myke buy "Star Wars" tickets and the new Apple TV! Plus we do some Force Touch follow-up and answer your questions in #askupgrade.
10/27/2015 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 35 seconds
59: You Need Faster Fingers
Revisiting some of the design decisions in Apple’s new “Magic” peripherals, why 3D Touch soars while Force Touch seems to lag behind, iWork gets a much needed update, and Myke and Jason watch “Back to the Future Part II."
10/19/2015 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 53 seconds
58: What’s Magic About That Keyboard?
Apple announces a bunch of new iMacs, including a 21.5-inch 4K model, and Jason’s got his full review. Also, Jason provides an inside look at the new input devices Apple has released, namely the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2.
10/13/2015 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 32 seconds
57: Complex Feelings
This week Jason and Myke discuss OS X El Capitan, and Amazon's curious practice of removing AppleTV from stock.
10/5/2015 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 6 seconds
56: The Migration Experience
This week Jason and Myke share their iPhone 6S/6S Plus upgrade experiences, and give their first impressions of the new iPhone 6S features.
9/28/2015 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 6 seconds
55: Your Watch is Full
This week we’ve put on the cranky pants, as Myke works out his frustrations with his iPhone and futilely attempts to upgrade to watchOS 2. We attempt to lighten the mood by talking about all the things Jason likes about iOS 9 and watchOS 2, only to stray back into negativity when the subject of Apple News comes up. Welp, at least there’s #askupgrade!
9/21/2015 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 6 seconds
54: Put a Pen on It
Live from Portland, Myke, Jason, and special guest Stephen Hackett go deep with more thought about the Apple event, the iPad pro, Myke's dream computing environment, possibilities for Apple's product releases for the rest of 2015, what we pre-ordered from Apple, the prospects for the new Apple TV as a game platform, Apple's limited storage offerings for iCloud backup, and more.
9/14/2015 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 30 seconds
53: Everything is Off The Charts
Just hours after Apple's September event, Jason is joined by Stephen Hackett to talk about updates to the Apple Watch and Apple TV, as well as the new iPad Pro, iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus.
9/10/2015 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 35 seconds
52: Click to Click
This week we look forward to the Sept. 9 Apple media event, which Jason will be attending. What will it take for a new Apple TV to be a success? Also, a Wii U game wins over a party of eleven-year-old boys in a mouseless house, and we further ponder the eternal mystery of why some people don’t like Tap to Click.
8/31/2015 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 43 seconds
51: Fight Against the Fiddly Bits
This week we break down what adding Force Touch to iOS might mean, highlighting the difficult design and marketing choices Apple has to make when it rolls out new products. Also, Jason shocks Myke by saying something nice about pens, we address some WarGames and Twitter follow-up, and we answer your #askupgrade questions.
8/24/2015 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 40 seconds
50: Bing Bong
This week Jason cleans off his desk and we follow up on Google’s new Alphabet. Then it’s time for Myke to go back to the movies with 1983’s “WarGames” and as a special bonus, Pixar’s “Inside Out."
8/17/2015 • 2 hours, 16 minutes, 13 seconds
49: Huge Engine of Money
Jason returns from his 2,000-mile car trip just in time to discuss the meaning behind Google’s transformation into Alphabet and the future of Twitter. And as always, they answer some of your questions.
8/11/2015 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 18 seconds
48: The Watercooler
Our hosts show off their age gap by comparing how they watch television as a part of a larger discussion about the role of the Apple TV in Apple’s product line. Then Myke and Jason discuss the future of Twitter. Plus they discuss tricks of the journalism trade, Myke’s first experiences with Apple Pay, and answer some of your #askupgrade questions.
8/3/2015 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 38 seconds
47: Trust Us, It's Doing Well
Jason and Myke discuss Apple’s enthusiastically vague approach to Apple Watch sales figures, Myke’s fear that content blockers could wreck people’s livelihoods, and classic iPods and iPod Classics. Plus, Jason takes a European geography quiz.
7/27/2015 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 5 seconds
46: The S Could Stand for Snell
Myke and Jason party like it’s 2005 and spend a lot of time talking about the iPod, including what the new iPod touch might mean for the future of the iPhone product line, and the mystery of the continued existence of the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Plus they address some follow-up about tea, space, and American geography.
7/20/2015 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 23 seconds
45: Grandpa's Superhero
Jason and Myke dive into the iOS 9 and El Capitan public betas, then divert to both Pluto and San Diego to talk space exploration and Comic-Con.
7/13/2015 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 3 seconds
44: Tap the Ellipses
The pros and cons of Apple’s relationship with the web development community, our first week with Apple Music and Beats 1, Jason doesn’t go to Comic-Con, and the first Upgrade Baby is born.
7/6/2015 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 3 seconds
43: Haptic Skeptic
It’s a big week, so Jason and Myke spend a lot of time discussing the launch of Apple Music and Beats One and the ugliness of music industry negotiations. Plus Jason installs the iOS 9 beta on an iPad Air 2, legal opinions from non-lawyers, questionable attacks on Taylor Swift, and praise for “Mr. Robot."
6/29/2015 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 23 seconds
42: Shuttlecraft Wallet
Jason and Myke discuss the tough decision facing Apple when it comes to marketing a rumored iPad Pro and recap the Taylor Swift/Apple Music kerfuffle. Plus, Myke asks Jason about buying an Xbox One and a bunch of Wii U games, there's something surprising inside Myke's wallet, and we answer your #askupgrade questions. Finally, "Myke Watches a Movie" returns with the 1989 classic, "Say Anything..."
6/22/2015 • 2 hours, 9 minutes, 37 seconds
41: Emoji Fragmentation
Jason and Myke revisit WWDC 2015 with a week’s perspective, and also discuss iOS 9 emoji support, gaming on OS X, Apple’s new system typography, and Microsoft’s Xbox One compatibility announcement.
6/15/2015 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 48 seconds
40: Emotion Palette
Live from San Francisco and fresh from Apple's WWDC Keynote, Jason and Myke dissect everything from new OS X and iOS versions to native watch apps to the new Apple Music service.
6/8/2015 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 55 seconds
39: Developers do a Lot of Running
We prepare for WWDC by discussing Jason’s coverage preparation and the future of OS X, and then Myke forces Jason to make WWDC predictions. Plus lots of Google follow-up, and we answer more of your questions.
6/1/2015 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 4 seconds
38: Titles Are Not Jobs
This week Jason and Myke discuss Jonathan Ive's new title and what it means for Apple's Chief Design Officer and the company as a whole, and in advance of Google I/O, talk about how and why we use Google's services on our Apple devices.
5/26/2015 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 4 seconds
37: I Don't Have a Production Staff
This week Jason and Myke talk about different podcast production styles, the apps they are using on their Apple Watches, and answer a selection of #askupgrade questions.
5/18/2015 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 54 seconds
36: Menu Bar at the Top
This week Jason and Myke discuss what a new Apple TV remote might look like, the dangers of cloud syncing, Apple Watch intimacy, and Jason’s new TV. And then it’s time for the latest Myke Watches a Movie segment, featuring “Raiders of the Lost Ark."
5/11/2015 • 2 hours, 13 minutes, 31 seconds
35: Where The Fluoroelastomer Meets the Road
After living with the Apple Watch for another week, Jason and Myke discuss what they’ve noticed so far. Then they discuss the peculiar Amazon Echo and give a mini review of "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
5/4/2015 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 46 seconds
34: The 1.0 Experience
Jason and Myke recount their first weekends with the Apple Watch, answer your Apple Watch questions, talk about Jason’s trip to the Yosemite by CocoaConf conference, and do a little follow-up about Photos for Mac and iCloud Photo Library.
4/27/2015 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 18 seconds
33: Personal Electronic Notebooks
Stephen Hackett joins Jason to talk about John Siracusa's semi-retirement, online shopping, the future of the OS X brand name, Photos for Mac, and Myke's trip to Atlanta.
4/20/2015 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 17 seconds
32: Uncompatible
Jason and Myke talk about their Apple Watch try-on experiences and take a look at some of the new PR tactics Apple is employing. Then Jason makes Myke watch "This is Spinal Tap."
4/13/2015 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 59 seconds
31: MacBook Review Special
On this special episode Jason is quizzed by Myke and the listeners about his review of the new MacBook.
4/9/2015 • 55 minutes, 24 seconds
30: Boarding a Sinking Ship
Jason and special guest John Siracusa discuss the iPhone 6 Plus, reactions to "Becoming Steve Jobs," Apple's lost decade, and what lessons can be learned by business successes and failures. Plus, Accidental Tech Podcast's aftershow philosophy and a tantalizing hint of "Robot or Not?"
4/7/2015 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 57 seconds
29: Velcro Ball
Live from the Úll conference in Ireland, Jason and Myke discuss 'Becoming Steve Jobs', and how this book addresses Apple in the early days, the value of being able to meet people in person and finally address whether Myke Was Right.
3/30/2015 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 36 seconds
28: Two Men in a Very Tiny Room
This week Jason and Myke are live and in person in London! They discuss the rumours of the Apple TV, what tech makes the cut for travelling, and whether Jason might be joining the iPhone 6 Plus club.
3/23/2015 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 25 seconds
27: The Batman of Cheese
With an extra week’s perspective, Jason and Myke discuss the new MacBook, the Apple Watch, and what makes Apple different from its competitors.
3/16/2015 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 42 seconds
26: Ambushed on a Podcast
Jason and Myke get a little help in discussing Apple's 'Spring Forward' event, including the new MacBook, HBO on Apple TV, and more on the Apple Watch.
3/9/2015 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 45 seconds
25: I Don't Need a Saturday Box
This week Jason and Myke are joined by David Sparks. They spend some time discussing David's recent jump to the indie life, expectations of next week's Apple event, the Pebble Time Kickstarter and why people may want to share secrets.
3/2/2015 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 9 seconds
24: Because... Luxury
This week Jason and Myke trade more thoughts on Apple Car rumors, dive in to some more details on the Apple Watch, consider why working within barriers can be a good thing and discuss transparency in editorial practices at Apple.
2/23/2015 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 29 seconds
23: The Church of The Coverflow
The possibility of Apple building a car, why being critical is both important and difficult, using a secondary Mac, and Jason and Myke answer your questions.
2/16/2015 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 40 seconds
22: I Didn't Hate This Movie
Apple's new Photos app for the Mac has appeared, and Jason and Myke discuss what this could mean for iTunes and the future of Mac development. They also discuss some Apple Watch expectations, how Apple deals with change, and Myke watches 'Real Genius.'
2/9/2015 • 2 hours, 12 minutes, 50 seconds
21: You Rolled 38
This week Jason and Myke get a grasp on how the iPhone's runaway success affects Apple's decisions, including the development of the Apple Watch. Plus, lots of feedback about how people take notes with digital devices, and we inaugurate our 'Myke Watches a Movie' vertical with 'The Princess Bride.'
2/2/2015 • 2 hours, 6 minutes, 2 seconds
20: You Cannot Win an Effort War
Jason and Myke debate the utility of a stylus for the iPad, Jason falls through a time warp into the '90s to convert some VHS tapes to digital format, and we follow up on items from various podcasts... not all of them this one.
1/26/2015 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 14 seconds
19: Marco Marketing
Jason and Myke tackle upgrading versus sticking with what you know, take Apple's CarPlay for a powerslide, judge the financial success of Apps in the App Store, and cover more on battery life and the 12" Air. Plus they answer your burning questions!
1/19/2015 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 41 seconds
18: Special Interface Snowflake
This week Jason and Myke discuss the rumored 12" MacBook Air, how Apple approaches battery life on iOS devices, Apple software quality, uses of scripting and automation, Siracusa-style window management, and the first time Jason ever picked up an iPhone.
1/12/2015 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 25 seconds
17: Somewhere on The Monorail
This week Jason and Myke discuss Apple's software quality issues and the difficulty in diagnosing problems from outside an organization, why Family Sharing is a problematic feature, and what's good and bad about CES. Plus, Jason listens to Hello Internet and Myke listens to The Flop House.
1/5/2015 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 2 seconds
16: The 2014 Upgradies
This episode of Upgrade plays host to the first ever 'Upgradies' awards! Jason and Myke talk about some of their favourite gadgets, games and podcasts of the year, amongst many other categories. Grab some popcorn, your best evening wear and settle in for a monumental podcasting event!
12/29/2014 • 2 hours, 22 minutes, 55 seconds
15: Upgradians of the Galaxy
This week Jason and Myke discuss workstation ergonomics, traveling with technology, and how they deal with online security, then debate how to collectively name the listeners of the show.
12/23/2014 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 53 seconds
14: The Marvel of the Buttermilk Biscuit
This week Myke and Jason discuss the etiquette of digital gifts, compare how they use their iOS devices compared to their Macs, and decide on a collective name for listeners of the show.
12/15/2014 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 33 seconds
13: #AskUpgrade
This week Jason and Myke discuss the varying ways that you can support yourself financially when undertaking a creative endeavour and why it's important to consider their positive and negative effects.
12/8/2014 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 28 seconds
12: Plant and Analyze
This week Jason and Myke address some holiday follow up, before talking about democratising podcasting and conducting a (very slow) lightning round.
12/2/2014 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 56 seconds
11: Drifting Shower Schedule
This week Jason and Myke are joined by Greg Knauss. They talk about whether web comments are a good thing and what it's really like to work for yourself. Greg and Jason also quiz Myke on Thanksgiving.
11/24/2014 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 21 seconds
10: Podcasting, It’s Great!
This week Jason and Myke address more important Taylor Swift follow-up, discuss why podcasting is back (again), and take on App Store pricing in the wake of Monument Valley and Space Age.
11/17/2014 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 3 seconds
9: A Brain and a Drill
This time Jason and Myke discuss their current working environments and how they feel about the suggestion that we're in a new 'podcasting revolution'.
11/10/2014 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 20 seconds
8: With Special Offers
Special guest Scott McNulty joins Jason and Myke to talk about the new Kindle Voyage and why we use Kindles. Plus follow-up about TestFlight, annoying things people do in the Apple Store, and the introduction of our new cheese vertical.
11/4/2014 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 50 seconds
7: Hot Dog Allergy
This week Jason and Myke tackle a host of Apple Pay follow up, before addressing Gamergate and the Retina iMac.
10/27/2014 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 19 seconds
6: The Enemy Discount
This week Jason tells Myke about his experiences at an Apple event as an independent writer, before going on to discuss the new products announced and day-one impressions of Apple Pay.
10/20/2014 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 18 seconds
5: Macworld Cosplay
This week Jason and Myke talk about Çingleton and the rise and fall of Mac conferences, the Mac App Store and the pains of App Review, the upcoming Apple event, the disappointment of long-running TV and Movie series and a new name for summoning your digital assistant.
10/14/2014 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 50 seconds
4: I Regret My Endorsement of You
This week Jason and Myke start off the show with a discussion about terrible social networks, before attacking follow-up on Dropbox replacements, data security and streaming services. Other topics this week include Apple Pay and the Pebble.
10/6/2014 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 27 seconds
3: I Think You'll Find It's Bazqux
This week Jason and Myke discuss the perils of online streaming services and the uniquely modern problem of having 1TB of Dropbox storage.
9/29/2014 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 52 seconds
2: You Start From Zero
This week Jason gets to address a bunch of iPhone follow-up (which he is *super* excited about) and Myke quizzes him about his first week of writing at Six Colors.
9/22/2014 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 17 seconds
1: Fly Casual
After a brief introduction to Upgrade, Jason and Myke dive into what everyone wants to hear about--the new iPhones! Jason has been using the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for the last week, and he's got a full report. We also discuss the ins and outs of going to Apple events as a journalist, Apple product embargoes, and Myke's obsession with the iPhone 6 Plus.