Apple’s HUGE Siri Apple Intelligence Fumble w/ John Gruber - Geared Up 205

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software, Videos,

Tech legend John Gruber joins Andru Edwards and Jon Rettinger to unravel the story behind Apple Intelligence and its delayed features in this episode of Geared Up. From early WWDC promises to today's reality, they dissect how Apple got comfortable showcasing features it didn't hav eready, and what that says about their internal culture, marketing strategy, and the future of Siri.

Required reading for this episode: Something is Rotten in the State of Cupertino

Gruber shares rare behind-the-scenes insights, including his personal evolution in covering Apple and the moment he realized the company had broken a decades-long precedent. The trio also explores the rocky launch of Vision Pro, Apple's approach to foldables, and why Apple Maps is a cautionary tale for Apple Intelligence.

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iPhone 16e Review: Apple Just Killed the Budget iPhone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Product Reviews, Videos,

The days of a truly budget-friendly iPhone are over. With the launch of the iPhone 16E, Apple has redefined its entry-level iPhone lineup - but at a higher starting price of $599. The question is, does this new model deliver enough value to justify the cost, or are there better options available? Let’s break it all down.

Unboxing the iPhone 16e: What’s Inside?

If you’re familiar with Apple’s minimalist approach, you already know what to expect. The iPhone 16e comes in a slim box containing the phone itself, a braided USB-C cable (marking the end of the Lightning port), and eSIM setup instructions - no SIM ejector tool, charger, or wired headphones included.

Apple also introduced five silicone case options for the iPhone 16e: lake green, fuchsia, winter blue, white, and black. While the cases add some flair to the otherwise basic black and white phone options, neither the cases nor the phone support MagSafe, which is a notable omission.

Click to continue reading iPhone 16e Review: Apple Just Killed the Budget iPhone

Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Videos,

Every iPhone launch brings the usual fanfare - new cameras, brighter screens, and the inevitable comparison charts. But this year, Apple made a quiet yet monumental move: introducing the C1 modem inside the iPhone 16e. This is Apple’s first in-house modem chip, a shift that could redefine how iPhones connect to the world, just as Apple Silicon did for processing power.

Why Modems Matter More Than You Think

The modem is one of the most crucial components in any smartphone. It’s the bridge between your phone and the world, translating signals from cell towers into the data that powers your web browsing, video streaming, and even your voice calls. A great modem means faster speeds, better battery efficiency, and a smoother experience when networks get congested. Apple knows this, which is why the move to develop its own modem is such a big deal.

Click to continue reading Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

Is Apple Intelligence All Hype? w/ Taylor Lorenz - Geared Up 202

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Podcasts, Videos,

AI has been hyped up like the world’s next superstar athlete, but when it comes time to perform, has it actually stuck the landing? In this episode, we dive into the state of AI today, breaking down what’s working, what’s failing, and how companies like Apple, Google, and OpenAI are shaping the future.

We discuss Apple Intelligence, its delayed rollout, and whether Apple’s privacy-first approach is actually hurting its AI capabilities. Plus, what’s going on with AI-generated images, the evolution of Siri, and the battle between Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Apple’s attempts to keep up. And of course, we analyze whether companies are just slapping "AI" on everything from bird feeders to massage chairs to sell more products.

On top of that, we discuss T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink and the conspiracy theories running rampant about Elon Musk tracking everything. Also, are we witnessing the slow demise of TikTok in the U.S.? Taylor Lorenz joins the discussion to break it all down.

MWC 2023 Showed Us The Future of Smartphones

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News,

Mobile World Congress 2023, the biggest event for the mobile industry, took place in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2. The event showcased some of the most innovative and exciting trends and technologies that are shaping the future of smartphones.

One of the main themes of MWC 2023 was repairability. Several smartphone makers unveiled devices that are designed to be more durable, modular, and easy to fix. For example, Motorola announced its Moto G100, which features a replaceable battery, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. Fairphone also showcased its Fairphone 4, which is made of recycled materials and can be upgraded with new components.

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How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Videos,

Imagine this: You’re at a bar with your friends, enjoying a drink and chatting. You take out your iPhone to check something and enter your passcode. You don’t notice the person behind you who’s watching your every move and memorizing your passcode. A few minutes later, they snatch your iPhone from your hand and run away.

You might think that’s bad enough, but it gets worse. Within minutes, the thief has used your passcode to gain access to your iPhone and change your Apple ID password, which enables them to disable Find My, make purchases using Apple Pay, gain access to passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, and scan through Photos for pictures of documents that contain a Social Security number or other details that could be used for identity theft.

This is not a hypothetical scenario. It’s a real threat that has been happening across the US. The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern has been hearing from victims who have lost thousands of dollars and their entire digital lives after their iPhones were stolen with the thieves obtaining their passcodes.

Click to continue reading How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes

What Apple Silicon Means for the Mac w/ Guest Rene Ritchie!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Features, Handhelds, PC / Laptop,

Apple is about to swap out Intel chips for their own self-made processors in the Mac line, and Rene Ritchie joins us to talk about what this means, and how it will change the Mac for the average consumer. We also discuss iOS 13.6, the moves Microsoft is making with the Xbox Series X and xCloud, along with a lightning round of tech topics!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

• Subscribe to Geared Up!
• New AirPods Features in iOS 14
• Why Apple Silicon will Make Macs Better
• Rene Ritchie on YouTube
• Geared Up on YouTube
• Jon Rettinger on YouTube
• Andru Edwards on YouTube

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Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

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Apple Changes the Mac Forever, iOS 14, and more w/ Guest Mark Gurman!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Wearables, Corporate News, Displays, Features, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, PC / Laptop,

Apple dropped some major news during its WWDC virtual keynote, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins the show as we talk about all of the announcements. Mark currently works for Bloomberg, and has been reporting on Apple since he was 15 years old, breaking major news since the very beginning of his career. We talk about his biggest scoops, the business of breaking news, Apple’s AR & VR headset plans, and of course all the news coming out of WWDC - macOS 11, iOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

• Subscribe to Geared Up!
• New AirPods Features Coming in iOS 14
• iPhone Finally Copies Android
• iPhone OS 1.1.3 Leak
• Mark Gurman on Bloomberg
• Geared Up on YouTube
• Jon Rettinger on YouTube
• Andru Edwards on YouTube

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
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• Overcast

The Hidden iPhone Superpower w/ Guest Matt Cassinelli

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Wearables, Features, Smart Home, PC / Laptop, Video Games,

This week Matt Cassinelli joins the show to talk to us about the power of the Shortcuts app on iPhone and iPad. Matt is who we consider to be the master of Shortcuts, and is able to bend the iPhone to his will more than anyone else we know. We also talk about the Playstation 5 reveal event, Apple’s rumored transition to ARM processors in Mac computers, and more!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

• Subscribe to Geared Up!
• How to Police-Proof Your Phone
• Siri Shortcuts on iOS 14
• PS5 Hardware Reveal
• The Rise and Fall of Windows Phone
• Matt Cassinelli on YouTube
• Geared Up on YouTube
• Jon Rettinger on YouTube
• Andru Edwards on YouTube

SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Pocket Casts
• Overcast