I adore Soulver for Mac, and am so glad version 3 is now out for iOS.
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Mac Power Users #740: “From The Beatles to The Libertines,” with Lee Garrett⇢
Lee Garret is the new owner of ScreenCastsOnline. He joins Stephen and David to discuss his background in technology, his Apple gear, and how clear communication and processes are key to any successful endeavor.
Humane AI Pin Reviews Are Here⇢
David Pierce has reviewed the Humane AI Pin, and it seems pretty, pretty, pretty bad. We already knew — from Humane’s recent video — that the device could be quite slow to respond. That was after the initial video, which was full of examples of the Pin giving downright incorrect information in response to requests.
Product videos (even bad ones) are one thing; reviews are another. Here’s Pierce, writing for The Verge:
I came into this review with two big questions about the AI Pin. The first is the big-picture one: is this thing… anything? In just shy of two weeks of testing, I’ve come to realize that there are, in fact, a lot of things for which my phone actually sucks. Often, all I want to do is check the time or write something down or text my wife, and I end up sucked in by TikTok or my email or whatever unwanted notification is sitting there on my screen. Plus, have you ever thought about how often your hands are occupied with groceries / clothes / leashes / children / steering wheels, and how annoying / unsafe it is to try to balance your phone at the same time? I’ve learned I do lots of things on my phone that I might like to do somewhere else. So, yeah, this is something. Maybe something big. AI models aren’t good enough to handle everything yet, but I’ve seen enough glimmers of what’s coming that I’m optimistic about the future.
Apple Announces Support for Used Parts in iPhone Repairs
Today Apple announced an upcoming enhancement to existing repair processes that will enable customers and independent repair providers to utilize used Apple parts in repairs. Beginning with select iPhone models this fall, the new process is designed to maintain an iPhone user’s privacy, security, and safety, while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity, and minimizing the environmental impact of a repair. Used genuine Apple parts will now benefit from the full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration, just like new genuine Apple parts.
Connected #497: Put ‘em on a Fish⇢
This week on the show: Myke has a friend, Federico is dreaming of emulation, and I got stuck in traffic.
Kbase Article of the Week: iMac (Mid 2007): Memory Specifications⇢
The iMac (Mid 2007) computer has two Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM) slots in the bottom of the computer. It comes with at least 1 GB Double Data Rate (DDR2) SDRAM installed in a single slot. The maximum amount of random-access memory (RAM) you can install in the machine is 4 GB: 2 GB Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SO-DIMM) in each slot.
I loved the Mid 2007 iMac when I first came out. Its aluminum and glass design made the older white plastic iMacs look like toys.
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Mac Power Users #739: Checking in on Freeform⇢
This week on Mac Power Users, David and I revisit Freeform and discuss how it’s improved since its launch and what Apple could do next with the application. We also share how they use the app and how it shines in visionOS.
Connected #496: I Tried to Put My Finger in Myke’s Mouth⇢
This week on the world’s greatest podcast:
While waiting for new iPads and Apple’s AI efforts to materialize, Stephen, Myke, and Federico have been changed by spatial Personas.
Seven Years of APFS⇢
Seven years ago, on 27 March 2017, Apple introduced one of the most fundamental changes in its operating systems since Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah was released 16 years earlier. On that day, those who updated iOS to version 10.3 had their iPhone’s storage silently converted to the first release of Apple File System, APFS. Six months later, with the release of macOS 10.13 High Sierra on 25 September, Mac users followed suit.
My Spatial Persona Impressions (Updated)
I just spent some time playing with spatial Personas with Jason Snell, and I have to say, having Personas free from their floating boxes makes the whole thing much more personal.
When you join a call, the other person is directly in front of you. You can see their Personas and hands, floating in your room. If you’re in an Environment, they appear there as well. It really felt like Jason was in the PodCabin with me.
Spatial Personas Launching on Vision Pro Today
Today, Apple is launching spatial Personas to users of the Vision Pro. In short, this allows a caller’s Persona to break free of a singular box during a FaceTime call and puts them directly into the space of the person on the other end of the call.
This should give a much better sense of presence when on a call with another Vision Pro user, and allows people who are not in the same place to share content more easily and naturally, especially when using SharePlay.