Upgrade

207: Max Rebate

20 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 meg...

206: The Rings in a Tree

13 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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.

205: Monolithic Entertainment Console

06 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 tak...

204: Tap-to-Click Truther

30 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

203: I Have Felt the Power of the Snell Zone

23 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

202: I’m Going to Counter Your Jaguar

16 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

201: Full English Breakfast

10 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

200: The Podcasting and Anniversary Episode

02 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Upgra...

199: Puppet Series

25 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

198: The Mac Is Dead, Long Live the Mac

18 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

197: Banana Royale

11 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 iO...

196: Workflow Siren

04 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

195: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2018

28 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

194: Game of Jenga with Drivers

21 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

193: This is Stephen Hackett’s Fault

14 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 foretho...

192: People Like Colors and Fun

07 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

191: Alien Spacecraft Sitting on an End Table

30 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

190: Redefine It Upward

23 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 individu...

189: Obsolescence Isn’t What It Used to Be

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

188: An Elephant on the Bridge

09 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 u...

187: Whiz-Bang Wonderfulness

02 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

186: Black Market Crayons

27 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 educati...

185: The March 2018 Apple Event Draft

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

184: The Claim Chowder Secret Society

12 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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. Al...

183: It’s Dumb Until We Do It

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Would Apple really update the MacBook Air at this late date? We break down the possibilities, plus Jason finally finishes his HomePod review, Netflix ...

182: March of Minor Products

26 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

181: Banana Slug Bookshelf

19 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

180: Too Much Speaker

12 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

179: Somewhere Between One and a Gabillion

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 holid...

178: On a Dark Desert Highway

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

177: Stuck in the Mud

22 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

176: Final Cat Pro

16 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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-...

175: $4,999, Cheap!

09 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 aw...

174: The 2017 Upgradies

01 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Presenting the Fourth Annual Upgradies! In this episode Myke and Jason discuss their favorites of 2017 across many categories, with important input pr...

173: The 2017 Upgrade Holiday Special

25 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 S...

172: My Brain Was Slowly Expanding

18 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

171: Really Weird Chess Game

11 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 wi...

170: The Rat King of Cables

04 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

169: Discontinue All Other Products

27 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 enti...

168: Hail Hydrant

20 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

John Siracusa joins Jason to discuss the possibilities of an iMac with an A10 processor inside, the delay of the HomePod, whether Apple understands th...

167: The White Room of My Mind

13 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

166: The Machine That Makes Money

06 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

165: The iPhone X Review

31 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week is all about the iPhone X, which Jason reviewed and now has in his hands to answer Myke's—and your—questions.

164: The Lost Phone for Nerds

23 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 entertai...

163: Kindle Bubbles

16 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

162: The Spider Is a Metaphor

09 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ar...

161: I Look at My Phone and the Money Leaves

02 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

160: A Helipad on Your Table

25 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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. An...

159: Retcon Incident

18 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 mo...

158: New Theater Smell

13 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

157: The 2017 iPhone Event Draft

06 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 thing...

156: The Silly Season

28 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about Apple event rumors, why we care about Apple kremlinology, our approaches to keeping and deleting f...

155: Apple Hardware Draft

21 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Upgrade Summer of Fun continues! A special panel of guests convenes to draft our favorite hardware created by Apple. And in an unprecedented insta...

154: Masters of Automation

14 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

From Automator to Workflow, automation can make regular users (who are definitely not programmers) more productive. This week Jason talks to Myke abou...

153: Three Ficuses

08 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 fi...

152: August State of Mind

31 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 agg...

151: Caulk and Spackle

24 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

150: I Worry About You, Jason

18 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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. My...

149: The Taste of Danger

10 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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, J...

148: I Think I Think What You Think

03 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 annou...

147: Outside the Zone of Secrecy

26 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 Forst...

146: It's About the Journey

19 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

145: Wandered into the Unicorn Grove

12 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

144: Don't Call It the Finder

05 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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, ne...

143: The WWDC Keynote Draft 2017

29 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 expec...

142: You Want Applause

22 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ab...

141: I Export My Voice

15 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

140: Disappointed Dad Tim Cook

08 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 massiv...

139: Make Money from the Money

02 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

138: Bad for the Person, Great for the Wizard

25 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

137: iTunes on a Shelf

17 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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".

136: My Screen, My Stuff

10 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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.

135: Trashed The Can

04 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Mac Pro finally gets an upgrade—and an expiration date. What do Apple’s announcements about the future of professional desktop hardware mean? ...

134: Steal Its Bezel Thunder

27 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 iPhon...

133: You're an Empty Row Person

20 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

132: Extra Lasers

13 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

131: It's Fine, Dude

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 rea...

130: Ron Has a Pretty Sweet Job

27 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Apple Park nears completion, The Nintendo Switch arrives, Silicon Valley culture fails its workers, and pineapple on pizza creates an international in...

129: Disneyland for Developers

20 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

128: Is It Any Weirder than Dashboard?

13 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

127: Congratulations, You're an Analyst

06 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

126: Spinny Propellery Guy

30 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

125: A Bear Did it For Me

23 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

124: There Are Always Gates

16 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

123: Sheer Gadget Magnetism

09 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

122: The 2016 Upgradies

02 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

121: All Talk and No Trousers

26 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 abou...

120: Time Is a Better Indicator of Time

19 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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...

119: Make the Chart Bigger

12 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 year...

118: Missed That by 100%

05 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

117: Sugar Christmas

28 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 la...

116: Design Team Yearbook

21 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

115: Rubber Chicken Scenario

14 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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...

114: Get On Down to Dongle Town

07 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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, Appl...

113: It's An Honour and a Privilege to Defeat You

01 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

112: What I've Got Going for Me is Apple

24 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 Champ...

111: I Keep Moving the Goalposts

17 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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.

110: Never, Not Ever, Not Once

10 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss perhaps Apple’s biggest move of 2017: relocating thousands of employees to Campus 2, moving other teams into the vacated Infini...

109: YouTube Killed the Podcast Star

03 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 wi...

108: It's a Great Feature When It Works

26 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 leas...