While these answers aren’t necessarily representative of the world at large, I love to see my fellow Ultra wearers come out strong.
Category: Apple
What Happens to the iMac Now?⇢
…Apple hasn’t updated the iMac in well over 800 days — which is the longest gap in recent memory and double the average gap between updates over its history. And that conspicuous hole in the M2 lineup has been making me wonder: in a future where MacBooks rule the market and most of the desktops Apple produces are niche, enthusiast products, where will the iMac fit?
RIP, iTunes Movies Trailers⇢
Somehow, this page is still up on Apple’s website, albeit with a big red non-Retina banner reading “Apple TV app is the new home of iTunes Movie Trailers” that doesn’t actually link anywhere. What a sad way to die.
Thanks to Connected listener Gabriel for pointing out the banner.
According to Foreca’s Weather Data, Everyone in Memphis is Dead
Like many places around the world, it is very hot in Memphis currently. When I checked to see how hot it was, I was in for a surprise.
I’m a long-time CARROT Weather user, and love the app for its customization options and powerful UI. One of those features is the ability to change the source for the weather data shown in the app.
I’ve used Foreca for years, as according to Forecast Advisor, it’s among the most accurate sources for where I live.
Apple Posts 3rd Quarter Results⇢
Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2023 third quarter ended July 1, 2023. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $81.8 billion, down 1 percent year over year, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $1.26, up 5 percent year over year.
“We are happy to report that we had an all-time revenue record in Services during the June quarter, driven by over 1 billion paid subscriptions, and we saw continued strength in emerging markets thanks to robust sales of iPhone,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “From education to the environment, we are continuing to advance our values, while championing innovation that enriches the lives of our customers and leaves the world better than we found it.”
Apple Admits to Screen Time Crimes⇢
Julie Jargon has a piece for The Wall Street Journal ( Apple News link) about the state of Apple’s Screen Time software:
The company’s cloud-based Family Sharing system is designed in part for parents to remotely schedule off-limits time and restrict apps and adult content on their children’s iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch models. Trouble is, parents are finding that when they use their iPhones to set restrictions on their kids’ devices, the changes don’t stick.
Apple Announces Vision Pro Developer Labs and Kits⇢
Get direct support from Apple as you develop your apps and games for visionOS. Learn about upcoming events, testing opportunities, and other programs to support you as you create incredible experiences for this platform.
I can’t wait to see what my favorite indie developers are going to come up with.
Welcome to the Wild World of HomePod mini Stands
On today’s episode of Connected, Federico talked about a HomePod mini base he recently purchased that includes a 10000mAh battery for using the small speaker outdoors. I ordered one, looking forward to enjoying the situations shown off in the product’s silly photography:
This led me down a road I didn’t expect to travel, exploring the wild world of weird HomePod mini stands. Here are some of my favorites:
How Long Will Intel Macs Last?⇢
Andrew Cunningham has put together an in-depth look at how long Apple typically supports Mac hardware with OS releases, and what that may mean for the last Intel Macs.
Amazon Marks Base-Level M1 Air Down to $749⇢
It’s not even Prime Day yet, but I’ve sent this (affiliate) link to two family members who need to replace aging Intel MacBook Airs and for whom the base model would easily meet their needs.
Sealed 4GB iPhone Hit the Auction Block⇢
I’m starting to think I should buy a Vision Pro next year just to keep it sealed and stashed away for an auction in 2039 or so.
‘I Found Exactly One’⇢
Monica Chin, writing at The Verge:
Apple’s latest Mac Pro was finally revealed at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference as a machine for the most power user of power users. The video discussed audio engineering, color grading, and video transcoding. Apple’s product page mentions code compiling, animation, compositing 8K scenes, 3D rendering, and “analyzing enormous datasets.” This isn’t just for pros, Apple seems to claim; it’s for capital-P Pros.
I wanted to know whether Apple’s purported target demographic — people who spend their days animating, making visual effects, and doing various other tasks generally associated with big, powerful computers — were actually interested in purchasing this machine. So I asked a bunch of them, and the answer, basically across the board, was no. Not because the Mac Pro is bad but because Apple’s other computers, namely its laptops, have just gotten too good.