Upgrade

407: Inexplicable Billboards

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

406: Are You Phishing Me Right Now?

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

405: Too Many Numbers

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

404: Convert Your Nostalgia to Money

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

403: This Episode is Forbidden

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

402: Very Important Developers

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

401: This App May Not Kill You

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

400: Draft of the Ages

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

399: The Mysteries of Thunderbolt

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

398: I Thought About the Ultra, Then I Laughed

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Siracusa joins Jason to talk about the Mythical Mid-Range Mac Minitower, the distortion of the iMac over time, the modular possibilities offered ...

397: My Favorite Amount of Transistors

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Stephe...

396: The 2022 March Event Draft

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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--whenev...

395: This App May Kill You

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 worde...

394: Historic Dongletown

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

393: Nothing Is So Perfect™

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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-watche...

392: The Whimsy Committee

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 pointe...

391: They're Great Uphill

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

390: 🦓🦅🦜🐧

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

389: I Have Extra Buttons

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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-da...

388: The Year of the Headset

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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? Jas...

387: The 2021 Upgradies

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Upgradi...

386: The Tube Man Ecosystem

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this Upgrade Holiday Special, Jason and Myke answer the holiday-themed questions of Upgradians everywhere. Smart decorations, holiday wardrobes, th...

385: Millie Metre

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. T...

384: Don't Fear the Laser

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

383: Dongletown Hotel

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. Th...

382: Hey Car, Stop

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 emplo...

381: Get Used to Disappointment

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 de...

380: Hey Self, Don't Do It!

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ye...

379: They Feed on Memory Bandwidth

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

378: The Maximum Macintosh

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 bot...

377: Most Importantly, Compressor

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

376: The 2021 October Event Draft

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

375: My Watch Is My Cake

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

374: Abnormal Within an Abnormal Group

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 #askupg...

373: We Will Give You Color... But It Will Not Be Fun

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Myke and Jason review the iPhone 13 and iPad mini, settle on their preferred iPhones, and wonder if Apple should appoint a Color Czar.

372: A Wrestling Match With App Icons

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

371: Midnight Is Starlight's Best Friend

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 wa...

370: The 2021 September Event Draft

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

369: The One With How Titles Are Made

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

368: Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

367: My Experience With the Floating Lozenges

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 fea...

366: The Node Legacy

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

365: Apple's Compromise

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Apple's multiple announcements related to child safety, including what prompted Apple's actions, the different ways any technological tool ...

364: Content Arms Dealer

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ju...

363: Our App Is a Game Now

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ap...

362: He's Posting More Chickens!

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 pa...

361: It’s Not an Artistic Exercise

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

360: Big Minimizers

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Presenting Upgrade 360, a new program designed to improve your podcast listening experience by letting you choose the level of podcast quality you wis...

359: Hi Everybody... Pineapple

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

358: Apple Watch Extreme or Whatever

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

357: Collaborative Calculating

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 develop...

356: This Is Not for You, Developers

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ex...

355: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2021

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

354: Even Safari Knows It's Yellow

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jason reviews the new iPad Pro, Myke reviews the new 24-inch iMac, and the future of Apple silicon might be coming into focus.

353: Orange iMac in My Orange Office

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, Warne...

352: Living Inside an Orange

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

351: Long Hair Is In, Disco Is Back

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 sho...

350: The Time for Color is Now

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

349: Six Colors and Not a Color

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New iMacs and iPads! The long-anticipated debut of AirTags! Podcast subscriptions! A new Apple TV remote! Ted Lasso's secret shortbread recipe! Fresh ...

348: The 2021 April Event Draft

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

347: The Hubris of the HomePod

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 n...

346: Float It Like a Hologram

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. Ther...

345: Hovering Over My Desk on New Years Eve

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, no...

344: Let's Call It 'Motorcycle'

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

343: Don't Call It a HomePod

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. Jaso...

342: 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Pa...

341: Pale Shade of Fun

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

340: Secret Sauce

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

339: Dogcow and Spinning Rainbow Cursor in Finderland

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

338: Loved by Podcasters the World Over

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

337: No Appreciable Gates

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 gro...

336: Cool Report, Though

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 te...

335: Repudiation of a Decade

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

334: Tina, If You're Tuna…

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

333: New Year, Same Old Prediction

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 predi...

332: The 2020 Upgradies

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Upgrad...

331: Mandatory Turkey Holiday

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 sea...

330: People Aren't Always Logical

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

329: The Stale Hot Dog Industry

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, o...

328: Secure, But Terrible

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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....

327: The Future Doesn't Apply

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 plan...

326: The M1 Macs: Interview and Review

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 revi...

325: Johny for the Chips

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

324: The 2020 November Event Draft

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ab...

323: The Edges are More Interesting

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 dra...

322: Aux In, Cows Out

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 unpac...

321: It's the Hope That Kills You

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jason and Myke break down Apple's iPhone 12 and HomePod mini launch event. Having four new iPhones with different pricing structures and camera option...

320: Apple Silicon and the 2020 October Event Draft

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

319: I'm Gonna Drive My Ferrari Into the Sunset

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

318: Four Weeks Out or Tomorrow

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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.

317: Upsettings

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

316: Why Tomorrow?

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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…...

315: The 2020 September Event Draft

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

314: Beta Tourism

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

313: Story of the Summer

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

312: Outgrade

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, an...

311: Summer of App Store Problems

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

310: The Opposite of Shiny

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 keepi...

309: Ancient Mac Archaeologist

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Antitrus...

308: The Adventures of Dr. Icon

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...