Upgrade

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?

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.)

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.

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.