The Mac Observer's Daily Observations

The current incarnation of The Daily Observations Podcast is coming to an end. But there is still a show to do! TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about rumors that Apple’s mixed reality headset is being delayed. Plus – Needham analyst Laura Martin thinks Apple and Disney should merge. It’s been fun.

Apple has announced dates and details for WWDC 2023. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over the remoteness of the conference and what the world can expect. Plus – Glitches with Apple Pay and (maybe) Apple Podcasts. AND – Ken and Jeff give first impressions of Apple Music Classical.

Apple’s making it harder for non-developers to get developer betas of its latest software. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken with the story. Plus – Ken is worried that changes in Apple Podcasts are reducing independent podcast discoverability. He mixes up the terms “network” and “channels,” though the questions are still sound.

Travelin’ Tim’s taking his time in China. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over a meeting between China’s commerce minister and Apple’s CEO. Also, Jeff has a look at the lates OS updates from Apple.

Both the New York Times and Bloomberg say there are certain misgivings around Apple’s mixed reality headset inside Apple. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk over the latest chatter. Plus China, the Steve Jobs audio chatbot, and soccer pour out of the mailbag.

Word is Apple is getting serious about having people back in the office three days a week. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over the report. Plus – Jeff thinks Apple will release its next OS updates next week. So, no spring product thing then?

Changes to “Friday Night Baseball” on Apple TV make Ken wonder whether Apple is trying to turn Apple TV+ into a superstation. He and TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts bat the idea around. Plus – They talk over the random playlists that are turning up for some Apple Music users.

Since its introduction, most in the tech press have deemed iPhone 14 Plus a failure. New numbers indicate otherwise, leaving most in the tech press to question how Apple got it so wrong? No. That doesn’t make sense. TMO writer Nick deCourville and Ken will discuss it. Plus – Google Bard goes bigger and a very convincing Steve Jobs chatbot.

Counterpoint Research has some staggering data on premium smartphones and iPhone. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken work those numbers. Plus – Is “iPhone” the generic name for “smartphone” in Russia?

Most of the cast of “Ted Lasso” is headed to the White House to talk mental health. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk about some of the great stories on Apple TV+. Plus – the “Steve Jobs” auction revisited, and a quick dip into Mailbag Monday.

The founder of Apple’s chipmaking partner TSMC struck a worrying note this week when assessing US/Taiwanese relations. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about that. Plus – Adventures in Sleep in the Apple Health app.

If it’s Thursday, it must be realityOS. Signs of Apple’s mixed reality moves turn up on GitHub. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to kick that around. Then, Qualcomm seems to be setting the smart car bar pretty high. Jeff tells us what’s coming down the road.

In a familiar sounding story, Bloomberg says Apple has slowed hiring considerably and rescheduled bonuses in an attempt to control costs. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to discuss that. Plus – An email on Apple TV+ and the first installment of Nick’s Picks!

Apple and Foxconn are seeing better conditions for manufacturing in India. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the changes and consider worker issues. Plus – Our Apple Watches tell us we’re not getting enough sleep. We’ll look at how our Apple Watches can help.

The Financial Times says Apple’s mixed-reality headset will be Tim Cook’s legacy. But rumor says not everyone at Apple thinks it’s the best idea. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to address the headset. Plus – Apple Music Classical, MLS, and high-priced iPad Pros are in for Mailbag Monday.

Apple Music Classical finally has a release date. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to go over that announcement. Plus – A rumor has iPad Pro seeing a huge price jump in 2024.

Secret so-and-sos say, internally, Apple is viewing India as its own sales region. TMO writer Nick deCourville joins Ken to talk that over. Plus – secret sources say Apple has an opt-out clause on its ten-year MLS contract. Ken talks about why he thinks Apple’s in for the long haul.

As had been rumored, Apple’s announced big yellow additions to the iPhone 14 line. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the Emergency SOS and Apple Pay announcements inside that announcement. Plus – Stay at the pub where Ted Lasso hangs out!

Goldman Sachs has traded an Apple bear for an Apple bull, and suddenly it’s a “Buy” with a $199 target. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over tales told by financial analysts. Plus – “Ghosted” is ghosting the cineplex and there may be a new yellow iPhone peeking over the horizon.

Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have tales of more Apple manufacturing in India. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk those over. Plus a quick trip to the Apple Store and Apple’s soccer push continues.