14: HomePod Coming Back & Unexpected Apple TV Rumors ft. Sam Kohl

On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple’s decision to cancel its long-rumored electric vehicle project.  Despite Apple’s reputation for innovation, the company struggled to achieve the breakthroughs necessary to offer a viable self-driving car. The project’s ambitious scope and shifting focus led to repeated setbacks. Earlier this week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman broke the news that Apple has officially canceled its plans to launch a car, informing approximately 2,000 employees working on the project of the decision. Many of the staff working on the car will apparently move to Apple’s artificial intelligence division. The company apparently spent over $10 billion on the project over the period of a decade. We discuss the multifaceted reasons behind the Apple car’s cancelation and its implications for the future of the company and the wider automotive industry. We talk through the strategic missteps and missed opportunities that characterized the vehicle’s development, such as Apple’s failure to secure a partnership with an established automaker or to acquire a company like Tesla. Our conversation also touches on the competitive dynamics of the automotive industry, such as the reluctance of some automakers to adopt the next-generation CarPlay experience. Despite these challenges, the project’s cancelation opens new avenues for Apple to reallocate its resources toward improving its existing product lineup and emerging technologies such as generative AI.

1 Mars 202446min

This episode is sponsored by Notion. Try Notion for free by visiting https://www.notion.com/macrumors Use code THEMACRUMORS at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/themacrumors YouTuber Brian Tong joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk about the Vision Pro, the new Apple Sports app, enhanced iMessage security, and more. Brian shares his in-depth thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro headset, including travel scenarios, where it fits in with his other devices, and his favorite features. We take a look at the newly announced Apple Sports app, reflecting on its usefulness, design and future features that could further enrich the user experience, such as integrated play recaps, highlights, and news related to followed teams. We also reflect on the possibility of a "mini"-sized Pro iPhone, support for post-quantum cryptographic security in iMessage, Apple's venture into electric vehicles, and new enhancements to Apple CarPlay in the instrument cluster. See more of Brian's work over on his YouTube channel or follow him on X @briantong. The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward.

23 Feb 202453min

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the major features and improvements rumored for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models. With the iPhone 16 lineup likely just seven months away and after over a year of rumors, we discuss the tentpole features expected on the upcoming devices, such as a 5x tetraprism telephoto camera, an all-new "Capture" button, a new thermal design, exclusive AI features, and larger displays, as well as denser, larger batteries and faster charging. For a full breakdown of all of the differences the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are expected to bring to the table compared to the current models, see our detailed guide. What do you think about how the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is shaping up according to rumors? Let us know in the comments.

16 Feb 202447min

On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, Snazzy Labs’ Quinn Nelson joins us to talk about the first week using Apple’s long-awaited Vision Pro headset. Now that they each have one, Quinn and Dan discuss whether the Vision Pro meets their expectations. A significant portion of our dialogue is dedicated to the technical aspects of the Vision Pro, including its display quality, brightness, and the challenges users might face with hand gestures and text selection. The conversation progresses to evaluate the device’s text sharpness, its implications for productivity, and how comfortable it feels with the two headband options. An interesting part of our discussion compares the Vision Pro with other VR headsets in the market. We highlight the distinct features of the Vision Pro that set it apart, especially its distortion correction capabilities and suitability for productivity tasks, contrasting it with the Meta Quest’s gaming prowess. We also explore the potential for third-party headbands, future customization, and design possibilities, emphasizing Apple’s unique position in the VR landscape and its differing approach from rivals. We ponder the coexistence of Apple and Meta within the VR space, acknowledging the competition but also recognizing the distinctive strengths and target audiences each company caters to. This leads to a broader discussion about the challenges current VR headsets face, such as eye strain, and the optimistic outlook for technological improvements over time that could mitigate these issues. A considerable part of our discussion tackles the technicalities and challenges surrounding Personas and face scanning with the Vision Pro, including the influence of factors like face shape, hair, and lighting conditions on the accuracy of these features. Quinn also shares insights on the integration of iPad apps with the Vision Pro, highlighting how this has transformed his workflow in certain instances and the potential it unlocks for productivity. Despite the mix of frustrations and amazement the Vision Pro has brought, we come to a consensus acknowledging the exciting possibilities the device offers for the future of VR and productivity, considering whether or not we would recommend Apple’s headset to others. See more of Quinn’s work over on his YouTube channel, Snazzy Labs, and follow him on X @SnazzyLabs.

9 Feb 20241h 19min

This episode is sponsored by Notion. Try Notion for free by visiting https://www.notion.com/macrumors On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's potential March event to unveil new iPad and Mac models, iOS 18 as the "biggest" ever iPhone software update, and the first reviews of the Vision Pro headset. We explore the major products Apple is expected to unveil in March, including a new 12.9-inch iPad Air model, redesigned iPad Pros with OLED displays, and refreshed MacBook Air models featuring the M3 chip, as well as some of the rumored accessories due to arrive at the same time, such as an all-new, "laptop-like" Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro. We consider whether Apple will opt for a fully fledged event, or a simple series of press releases to announce these updates. We also discuss ‌iOS 18‌, musing about some of the potential redesigns and improvements that could be in store for the software update. Following the release of the first reviews of Apple's Vision Pro headset, we dissect the varying reactions to the device, examining its form factor, user experience, and the unique approach Apple has taken to mitigate the traditionally insular experience of VR/AR headsets. We address some of the limitations currently faced by headsets, such as the absence of a direct touch experience, the market's apparent skepticism towards the device, and where it could go next. Follow The MacRumors Show on: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/macrumorsshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themacrumorsshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themacrumorsshow

2 Feb 20241h

Use code THEMACRUMORS at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/themacrumors On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the 40th anniversary of the Macintosh, some of the latest controversy surrounding apps for the Vision Pro headset, and the news of Apple’s vehicle project yet again being scaled back.  The original Macintosh, unveiled by Steve Jobs, was a game-changer with its graphical user interface and the introduction of the mouse. We explore how the Macintosh’s ease of use and innovative design principles, such as a desktop with icons and the ability to use multiple programs in windows, revolutionized personal computing. Reflecting on the Mac’s journey, we delve into the evolution of macOS and its remarkable consistency over the years, and point out some of our personal experiences with the machine.  Shifting gears, we discuss the imminent launch of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, examining some of the potential challenges it may face and the reasons behind the absence of certain streaming apps like Netflix. We ponder whether this absence is due to genuine technical hurdles or strategic decisions by these companies.  We then turn to the latest updates and challenges surrounding Apple’s electric vehicle project, looking at how the company has reportedly pivoted from its initial ambition for a driverless car to developing an vehicle with more conventional and basic driver-assistance features. As we wrap up, we dive into the broader context of electric vehicles, discussing our wish for Apple’s car to offer a fresh perspective, moving beyond Tesla’s design approach to introduce more variety to the market.

26 Jan 202453min

This episode is sponsored by Notion. Try Notion for free by visiting https://www.notion.com/macrumors On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss CES 2024, Samsung’s S24 lineup, and the latest news surrounding Apple's Vision Pro headset. We take a look at some of the latest advancements in TV technology, including transparent models from LG, and AI assistants like Rabbit R1. We also look at some of the tentpole features of Samsung's new Galaxy S24 lineup, such as a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a wave of AI tools designed for enhancing photography and videography, editing text, and more. Following Apple’s announcement of the impending launch of the Vision Pro headset on February 2, we discuss the device’s potential to redefine the AR/VR space, especially in the context of productivity workflows. We also address potential concerns regarding comfort and design, storage configurations, and our sense of anticipation about the device’s launch. Follow The MacRumors Show on: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/macrumorsshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themacrumorsshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themacrumorsshow

19 Jan 202451min

This episode is sponsored by Notion. Try Notion for free by visiting https://www.notion.com/macrumors This episode is sponsored by Masterclass. Visit https://www.masterclass.com/mac for an additional 15% off an annual membership On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we take a look forward at everything Apple is expected to announce in 2024. 2024 is shaping up to be a very busy year for Apple, likely kicking off with the launch of the Vision Pro headset around February. Redesigned iPad Pro models with larger display and OLED technology, the M3 chip, and new accessories are expected to follow in March, as well as next-generation iPad Air models with a new, 12.9-inch size option. watchOS 11, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18 will likely be previewed in June at WWDC, potentially alongside the M3 Ultra Mac Studio. A refreshed Apple TV 4K with a faster chip could also launch in the first half of the year. September will likely see the introduction of the iPhone 16, featuring Spatial Video capture and the Action Button, and the iPhone 16 Pro, touting larger displays, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, and a new “Capture Button.” The “Apple Watch X,” fourth-generation AirPods, refreshed AirPods Max with USB-C are also expected to emerge in September.Apple could close out the year with the seventh-generation iPad mini, the 11th-generation iPad, and a new Mac mini with the M3 and M3 Pro chips. We could also see new MacBook Pros with M4 series chips, but the timing of these devices is more unclear.

5 Jan 202458min