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Tom Anderson & Jeff Battersby

Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

A Technology , News and Tech News podcast

#97 in Technology · 🇿🇦 #162 in Technology · 🇮🇪
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About the show

Apple makes incredible products. The tips and insights that actually help are harder to find. Basic AF cuts through the hype cycles and gets straight to what matters for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch users. Plus, app recommendations, gear reviews, AI tools, and the everyday tech that actually shows up in your life. Every other Monday, Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby bring 25+ years of real-world Apple experience to practical, insightful conversations for people like you.

Newest episodes

iPhone Duo: Two Weeks With Apple's Foldable with Riley Hill

1 hr 2 min

For our 100th episode, Riley Hill of SlatePad, the biggest iPad person we know, joins us after two weeks with his iPhone Duo to compare notes with Tom. We get into the weight, the crease, cases, the right-side dock, cameras, and why some apps still look letterboxed, with a developer's explanation of what's holding them up. Stick around for Riley's verdict, because it isn't the "iPhone plus iPad" answer you might expect. In this episode: A good fall for Apple: Ultra 4, Siri, a new iPad mini, and an OLED touchscreen MacBook ProFirst impressions: dense when closed, light when open, and a surprisingly charming outer screenCases, or going caseless with AppleCareDuo vs. iPad mini, and why iPadOS still wins for workApple Pencil on a folding phoneOpen or closed? StandBy in book modeThe crease: you can see it, you can feel it, does it matter?The right-side dock, home screen layouts, and split viewCameras: what you give up without the Pro's telephoto, ProRAW, and Apple LogHow app updates work, the apps we're waiting on, and the fun ones already hereRiley's two-week verdictLinks from the show: Riley Hill (SlatePad): https://slatepad.org/SlatePad on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SlatePadSlatePad on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@slatepadiPhone Duo: https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/iPad mini: https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/Toastie: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toastie-grilled-cheese-game/id6813841355Tiny Computers: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-computers/id6816896250Shareshot: https://shareshot.app/Craft: https://www.craft.do/Paste: https://pasteapp.io/Things: https://culturedcode.com/things/Snipd: https://www.snipd.com/Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by...

iPhone Duo First Impressions: 12 Hours In

58 min

If you've been eyeing Apple's first foldable and wondering whether it's a pocket iPad or just a very expensive phone, this one's for you. Tom got his iPhone Duo less than 24 hours before we hit record, after a pre-order morning that felt like buying concert tickets, and he's got first impressions on the hinge, the crease, Touch ID, and what happens to apps that haven't been updated yet. We also run through Apple's new HomeView, the pricier Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini 2.  In this episode: Apple's Pro and Tell event on October 28 and the touchscreen MacBook questionHomeView: a HomePod with a display, plus the wall-mounted versionApple TV 4K jumps to $299, and HomePod mini 2 in new colorsHomePod surround sound and SoundGlowTom's pre-order saga and Verizon's $100 apologyThe hinge, the crease, and how it feels in your pocketTouch ID tricks for a phone that rotatesUnupdated apps, controls on the right side, and Apple Pencil support on the wayCases, AppleCare One, and the first "Duo-gate"Who will love the Duo: iPad people vs. phone peopleLinks from the show: iPhone Duo: https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/ HomeView: https://www.apple.com/homeview/ Apple TV 4K: https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/ HomePod mini: https://www.apple.com/homepod-mini/ AppleCare One: https://www.apple.com/applecare/ Apple Events: https://www.apple.com/apple-events/ Craft: https://www.craft.do/ Halide: https://halide.cam/ Pixelmator Pro: https://www.pixelmator.com/pro/ Bullstrap: https://bullstrap.co/ Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychoki...

iPhone 18 Pro Camera: A Pro Photographer's Verdict with Chris Freitag

52 min

Photographer and YouTuber Chris Freitag is back to explain what the new adjustable aperture does for your photos even if you never touch a setting, why Photographic Styles finally won him over, and how his iPhone replaced a much pricier video camera. Stick around for the free app he still can't believe costs nothing. In this episode: Apple's "Welcome home" event in New York on October 13 and what might show upHow a trip for a watch band ended with an iPhone 18 Pro at $0 a monthf/1.48 vs. f/4: brighter low-light shots, natural background blur, and sun starsPhotographic Styles that work like a Lightroom color profile, plus the new Film lookWhy Chris is happy shooting HEIF instead of RAWCamera Control: better than the 16, still clumsyWhat the new aperture means if you just want good party photosShooting video with Blackmagic Camera, and his one gripe: slippery aluminumLinks from the show: Chris Freitag: https://www.chrisfreitag.com Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisFreitag Chris on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@chrisfreitag Blackmagic Camera: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagiccamera Leica LUX: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6477182657 Moment Pro Camera: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6748837351 Halide: https://halide.cam/ Meow Wolf Denver: https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

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All episodes

iPhone Duo: Two Weeks With Apple's Foldable with Riley Hill

1 hr 2 min

For our 100th episode, Riley Hill of SlatePad, the biggest iPad person we know, joins us after two weeks with his iPhone Duo to compare notes with Tom. We get into the weight, the crease, cases, the right-side dock, cameras, and why some apps still look letterboxed, with a developer's explanation of what's holding them up. Stick around for Riley's verdict, because it isn't the "iPhone plus iPad" answer you might expect. In this episode: A good fall for Apple: Ultra 4, Siri, a new iPad mini, and an OLED touchscreen MacBook ProFirst impressions: dense when closed, light when open, and a surprisingly charming outer screenCases, or going caseless with AppleCareDuo vs. iPad mini, and why iPadOS still wins for workApple Pencil on a folding phoneOpen or closed? StandBy in book modeThe crease: you can see it, you can feel it, does it matter?The right-side dock, home screen layouts, and split viewCameras: what you give up without the Pro's telephoto, ProRAW, and Apple LogHow app updates work, the apps we're waiting on, and the fun ones already hereRiley's two-week verdictLinks from the show: Riley Hill (SlatePad): https://slatepad.org/SlatePad on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SlatePadSlatePad on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@slatepadiPhone Duo: https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/iPad mini: https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/Toastie: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toastie-grilled-cheese-game/id6813841355Tiny Computers: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-computers/id6816896250Shareshot: https://shareshot.app/Craft: https://www.craft.do/Paste: https://pasteapp.io/Things: https://culturedcode.com/things/Snipd: https://www.snipd.com/Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by...

iPhone Duo First Impressions: 12 Hours In

58 min

If you've been eyeing Apple's first foldable and wondering whether it's a pocket iPad or just a very expensive phone, this one's for you. Tom got his iPhone Duo less than 24 hours before we hit record, after a pre-order morning that felt like buying concert tickets, and he's got first impressions on the hinge, the crease, Touch ID, and what happens to apps that haven't been updated yet. We also run through Apple's new HomeView, the pricier Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini 2.  In this episode: Apple's Pro and Tell event on October 28 and the touchscreen MacBook questionHomeView: a HomePod with a display, plus the wall-mounted versionApple TV 4K jumps to $299, and HomePod mini 2 in new colorsHomePod surround sound and SoundGlowTom's pre-order saga and Verizon's $100 apologyThe hinge, the crease, and how it feels in your pocketTouch ID tricks for a phone that rotatesUnupdated apps, controls on the right side, and Apple Pencil support on the wayCases, AppleCare One, and the first "Duo-gate"Who will love the Duo: iPad people vs. phone peopleLinks from the show: iPhone Duo: https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/ HomeView: https://www.apple.com/homeview/ Apple TV 4K: https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/ HomePod mini: https://www.apple.com/homepod-mini/ AppleCare One: https://www.apple.com/applecare/ Apple Events: https://www.apple.com/apple-events/ Craft: https://www.craft.do/ Halide: https://halide.cam/ Pixelmator Pro: https://www.pixelmator.com/pro/ Bullstrap: https://bullstrap.co/ Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychoki...

iPhone 18 Pro Camera: A Pro Photographer's Verdict with Chris Freitag

52 min

Photographer and YouTuber Chris Freitag is back to explain what the new adjustable aperture does for your photos even if you never touch a setting, why Photographic Styles finally won him over, and how his iPhone replaced a much pricier video camera. Stick around for the free app he still can't believe costs nothing. In this episode: Apple's "Welcome home" event in New York on October 13 and what might show upHow a trip for a watch band ended with an iPhone 18 Pro at $0 a monthf/1.48 vs. f/4: brighter low-light shots, natural background blur, and sun starsPhotographic Styles that work like a Lightroom color profile, plus the new Film lookWhy Chris is happy shooting HEIF instead of RAWCamera Control: better than the 16, still clumsyWhat the new aperture means if you just want good party photosShooting video with Blackmagic Camera, and his one gripe: slippery aluminumLinks from the show: Chris Freitag: https://www.chrisfreitag.com Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisFreitag Chris on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@chrisfreitag Blackmagic Camera: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagiccamera Leica LUX: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6477182657 Moment Pro Camera: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6748837351 Halide: https://halide.cam/ Meow Wolf Denver: https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 4: One Week In

51 min

If you're holding an iPhone or Apple Watch that's a few years old and wondering whether this is the year to upgrade, this one's for you. Jeff went from an iPhone 15 Pro Max to the 18 Pro, and Tom finally retired his original Apple Watch Ultra for the Ultra 4. After a week of living with both, one of them calls his new gadget "just a phone" and the other got a bigger surprise than he expected. Plus, how the AppleCare One Family plan now covers 20 of Tom's devices for less than he was paying before. In this episode: Why Jeff went back to the smaller Pro, and the Burgundy finishVariable aperture, five zoom levels, and the new Photographic StylesSiri AI: better for Tom, still "I can't do that" for JeffUltra 4 battery: two days on a charge with everything turned onDouble tap by accident, the wrist flick, and Readiness after seven nightsAppleCare One Family: 20 devices, $50 a month, and the fine printTrade-in values: $455 for the phone, $190 for the watchLinks from the show: iPhone 18 Pro: https://www.apple.com/iphone-18-pro/ Apple Watch Ultra 4: https://www.apple.com/watch/ AppleCare One Family details: https://support.apple.com/en-us/148275 Every Apple Watch Ultra compared: https://www.macobserver.com/tips/round-ups/every-apple-watch-ultra-compared/ Tyler Stalman: https://www.youtube.com/@stalman iPhone 18 Pro Camera Review: Dunton, Colorado: https://www.austinmann.com/trek/iphone-18-pro-camera-review-dunton Mac Power Users: https://relay.fm/mpu Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple...

Apple Event Recap: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and more with Joe Moyer

1 hr 4 min

Apple finally showed the folding iPhone, and it arrived with a $1,999 starting price and a lot of great and interesting features. Tom and Jeff bring Joe Moyer back to walk the whole event: the iPhone Duo, the 18 Pro and Pro Max, new AirPods, and Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. One of us pre-ordered before recording. One of us is quietly doing the math on owning two phones at once. In this episode: John Ternus hosts his first event as CEOiPhone Duo: 5.4-inch outer screen, 7.6-inch inside, Touch ID, Apple Pencil supportWhat the Duo leaves out: telephoto, Face ID, action button, ProRAWDuo pricing from $1,999 to $3,199, orders Oct 16, delivery Oct 23iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: variable aperture, 8x telephoto, vapor chamber, A20New AirPods keep the same price and add noise cancellation to the base modelApple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: new sensors, readiness, health age, 50-hour batteryAudio Intelligence on the Watch, and where the privacy line sits nowLive immersive MLB games on Vision ProThe OS 27 updates are hereMore from Joe Moyer: Website: https://www.24letters.net/ The Journaling Guide newsletter, plus a free 10-day journaling challenge: https://thejournalingguide.com/ Threads: @thejournalingguide Links from the show: iPhone Duo: https://www.apple.com/iphone-duo/ iPhone 18 Pro: https://www.apple.com/iphone-18-pro/ Apple Watch Series 12: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-12/ Apple Watch Ultra 4: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-ultra-4/ Audio Intelligence privacy paper: https://www.apple.com/privacy/docs/Audio_Intelligence_Privacy_Overview_Sep_2026.pdf Halide: https://halide.cam/ Gentler Streak: https://gentlerstories.com/ Athlytic: https://athlyticapp.com/ Kalri$$ian "The Falcon" (NSFW) Celsius 7 "Manners" (NSFW) Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s news...

Apple's iPhone Event is Set, and New Mac mini and Mac Studio Models

46 min

Apple just locked in a date for the big iPhone event, and new Mac mini and Mac Studio models landed early with a price jump that'll make your eyes water. Tom and Jeff run the actual numbers on both new Macs, weigh in on the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable, and swap notes on cameras, Face ID quirks, and an update on Tom's new notebook habit. In this episode: Apple's iPhone event is officially set for September 9New Mac mini and Mac Studio pricing and specs, and why they cost so much more nowWhat a fully maxed-out Mac mini and Mac Studio actually run youiPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone, and what it might costCamera lens talk and Halide's new "film types"Face ID vs. Touch ID, and Jeff's post-stroke Face ID quirksTom's notebook and habit-tracker update, plus a Lochby Field Folio gift for his sonLinks from the show: Mac mini: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/ Mac Studio: https://www.apple.com/mac-studio/ Halide: https://halide.cam/ Lochby Field Folio A5: https://www.lochby.com/products/field-folio-a5 Lochby Pocket Journal: https://www.lochby.com/products/pocket-journal Field Notes: https://fieldnotesbrand.com/ Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Ditching the Phone for Field Notes (and a Tiny E-Reader)

49 min

What do you actually do with a stack of pocket notebooks once you own more than you'll ever fill? Tom's been figuring that out for six months, and it turned into an actual system: a custom monthly and weekly planner, daily notes, and a pocket journal that's his new daily carry wallet. Jeff's carried notebooks for decades and joins in with his own habits, plus a magnetic pocket e-reader that's small enough to attach to the back of your iPhone. In this episode: Tom's Field Notes habit, $120 a year and three quarterly drops in: the 1943 set, Explore America, and the penny-themed one that didn't quite landTrading phone pickups for a slower kind of capture, and why that's the actual pointThe weekly planner Tom sketched himself, plus the accidental discovery that a scanned Field Notes fits a 13" iPad to scaleLochby Pocket Journal: the wax-canvas cover doing double duty as Tom's new walletJeff's leather notebook cover, reserved for exactly one thing: his bitters recipesThe eventual plan for filled notebooks: scan everything into Craft so it's searchableThe Xteink X3, Jeff's tiny magnetic e-reader that snaps onto the back of an iPhoneLinks from the show: Field NotesField Notes "1943" EditionField Notes Explore AmericaLochby Pocket JournalGoodNotesCarsonial's weekly planner layout videoCal Newport, "Forget Your Phone. You Need a Single-Purpose Notebook"Xteink X3Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and genera...

Samsung Galaxy Fold8 Hands-On and Apple's New Upgrade Program

52 min

Tom got five minutes with Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold8 this week, and it's got him thinking about what Apple's own foldable might feel like this fall. Then Jeff works through Apple's new Klarna-backed leasing program, replacing the old iPhone Upgrade Program, and why the fine print has him uneasy. In this episode: Tom's hands-on take on the Galaxy Z Fold8: build quality, weight, crease, multitasking, pricing ($1,899–$2,499)What the Fold8 previews for Apple's rumored iPhone Fold (expected ~September 2026, Touch ID instead of Face ID, no visible crease, likely $2,000+)Apple's new Upgrade program with Klarna replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program — lease terms, AppleCare+ no longer bundled, what happens if you don't act at lease-endWhy the Klarna partnership has Jeff feeling icky about where Apple's headedA wild AI story: Anthropic's Claude models broke out of a sandboxed test and hacked three real organizationsA quick tribute to John C. Dvorak, longtime tech columnist and No Agenda co-host, who passed away this monthLinks from the show: Galaxy Z Fold8 specs & pricingMKBHD's Galaxy Z Fold8 reviewMrMobile: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Review: Worth The Camera CompromiseApple Upgrade program announcementApple Upgrade breakdown (MacRumors)Anthropic's AI hacking disclosure (WaPo)Hugging FaceCory Doctorow on The Weekly Show with Jon StewartBenedict Evans' newsletterHalide camera appQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain erro...

Is Siri Finally Fixed? We Put Apple’s New Siri AI to the Test

51 min

The public betas for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27 landed this week, and Tom and Jeff have been putting them through their paces on phones, watches, iPads, and a Mac. This episode covers what's actually different, under-the-hood polish, and the one feature everyone's been waiting years for: a Siri that finally seems to understand your life. Topics covered: First impressions across devices, plus early battery life quirks on watch and phoneLiquid Glass refinements and a smarter notch-aware menu bar on macOSSpotlight opening iPhone-only apps remotely from your MacCarPlay upgrades: three rows of icons are back, plus navigation volume odditiesThe big one: the new Siri actually pulling real context from email, calendar, and third-party accountsReal examples — catching a bank fraud alert, scheduling car service, recapping a live product announcement, even sketching out a ShortcutBeta-testing do's and don'ts: what to install where, filing feedback, backing up firstA timeline for when these releases arrive (hint: mid-September)Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

The Podcast App That’s Changing How We Learn | Kevin Smith (Co-Founder of Snipd)

53 min

You love podcasts. You're always hearing something worth remembering. And then... you forget it. Sound familiar? Tom and Jeff sit down with Kevin Smith, co-founder of Snipd — the AI-powered podcast app designed to solve exactly that problem. Kevin shares the story behind Snipd, from riding his bike to work in Zurich and frantically stopping to write notes, to building an app that captures great moments automatically. Want to try the app? Kevin provided listeners of the show a free one-month Snipd Premium trial: https://link.snipd.com/Cx7S/basicaf Topics covered: How Kevin went from quantitative finance to AI engineering — and why machine learning grabbed him the way it didThe origin story of Snipd: a personal frustration turned into a full-featured podcast appHow the core "snipping" feature works — tap your headphones, and the AI saves the audio clip, transcript, and a generated note automaticallyThe new Snipd DJ feature (currently in beta), which distills long episodes down to the 20–25% most relevant moments — with an AI "moderator" to guide you through themHow Snipd connects with apps like Readwise for a personal knowledge management workflowThe "chat with episode" feature, auto-generated chapters, book mentions, and speaker identificationWhy Snipd is unapologetically built for knowledge-rich podcasts — and why that focus is a strengthListener offer: Kevin is providing a free one-month trial of Snipd Premium — link in the show notes!Links from the show: Snipd: snipd.com — also available in the App Store and Google Play (search "Snipd")Kevin on X/Twitter: @KevinBenSmithFree one-month Snipd Premium trial: https://link.snipd.com/Cx7S/basicafQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube ch...

Simple, Effective Ways to Use Apple Reminders with Robin Kai

49 min

Robin Kai, based in Munich, Germany, is a husband, dad, and writer on Medium and at ForMacUsers.com. He's built a simple, flexible system around Apple's built-in apps that actually fits real life: family, day job, and side projects. In this episode, Robin walks us through how he captures tasks without thinking about it, organizes them into a structure that doesn't require daily upkeep, and builds a custom "today" view that shows exactly what matters — without the noise. Topics covered: Why Robin left third-party apps like Remember the Milk and Wunderlist behindHis inbox-first capture method and weekly Friday reviewHow he uses folders (groups) in Reminders to separate work, side hustle, and familyThe "Your Day" and "Growth" smart list setup for a cleaner today viewMonth → Week → Priorities planning cadenceConnecting Reminders to Notes for project contextWhat Robin is most excited about from WWDC 2026: AI-powered Shortcuts and Safari improvementsTom's own journey from Evernote + OmniFocus to Craft tasksLinks from the show: Robin on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@robinsanahkaiForMacUsers.com: https://www.formacusers.com/Robin's Apple Reminders guide on Medium: https://medium.com/macoclock/apple-reminders-full-setup-deb28e755eb6?sk=21ab358dbf39f28ed90133d706fb7cf5Stories from Ukraine: The True Price of War: https://a.co/d/0gu6KDAlQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

WWDC 2026 Keynote Recap with Riley Hill and Joe Moyer

1 hr 10 min

Tom and Jeff are joined by returning guests Riley Hill (Slatepad.org) and Joe Moyer (24letters.net) for a full roundtable on what Apple announced during the WWDC keynote and what it means for everyday users. Topics covered: The three pillars of WWDC 2026: performance improvements, trust & safety, and Apple Intelligence/Siri AIWhy this keynote felt like Apple's "Snow Leopard" moment — focusing on performance and stabilitySiri AI: the personal context features Apple promised two years ago… that may actually work nowThe Gemini partnership and what Apple's privacy promises mean in practiceNew Photos features, Image Playground upgrades, and the philosophical question: "what even is a photo anymore?"Safari custom extensions built by Siri — Riley tried it live on the dev betaAI-powered Shortcuts: promising, half-working, and full of potentialParental controls overhaul and why it still needs a centralized management solutionWhich devices get left behind — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Watch compatibility breakdownsTim Cook's farewell WWDC keynote Links from the show: Riley Hill: slatepad.orgJoe Moyer: 24letters.net (and The Journaling Guide newsletter)Support the show: basicafshow.comQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

MacBook Air M5 (13" & 15") First Impressions, iPhone 17 Pro MLS Event, KC Public Schools Go Apple

44 min

Both of us did something a little unusual this month: we both walked away with the MacBook Air M5. Tom grabbed the 15-inch for work, Jeff picked up the Midnight Blue 13-inch — and after a couple weeks of use, we've got a lot to say about battery life, setup philosophy, and one genuinely weird bug. This week we cover: Jeff's "only install what you actually need" setup approach — and why it's working brilliantlyTom's mysterious MacBook Air lockup issue, and the macOS 26.4 bug that turned out to be the culpritJeff's Studio Display needed a reset — turns out it runs a full iOS-based OS, and a simple unplug trick fixes a lotThe Canvas (not Canva!) ransomware hack that hit 9,000+ schools right during finals weekApple shoots a live MLS game entirely on iPhone 17 Pro — sports history, or marketing stunt?Apple Card's "free" AirPods Pro 3 promo: the catch hiding in the fine printKansas City Public Schools replacing 30,000 Windows PCs and Chromebooks with Apple devicesApple Sports app now covers the World CupField Notes Explore America notebooks: Tom has a new problemLinks from the show: Buy Jeff's MacBook Pro M2: https://swappa.com/listing/view/LAFC35203Field Notes Explore America: fieldnotesbrand.com/products/explore-americaApple TV + iPhone 17 Pro MLS broadcast: apple.com/newsroomSign up for Tom's newsletter: tomfanderson.comQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Mac Mini Gets Pricier, Siri Payout, and iOS 27 Rumors

45 min

There's a lot happening in Apple land right now. Mac mini prices just went up, a Siri class action settlement might land in your inbox soon, and a fresh iOS 27 rumor has some good news for anyone who'd rather talk to Claude than ChatGPT. Tom and Jeff break it all down. In this episode: Apple Notes tips: how search really works, Smart Folders, and ProNotes — a free plugin that brings markdown and slash commands to the Notes appMac mini's base model is gone — the entry price jumps to $799, and Tim Cook says supply constraints won't recover for several monthsApple Education Store now requires UNiDAYS verification, and Apple Watch just joined the discount programiOS 27 rumor: you may soon choose Claude or Gemini as your Apple Intelligence AI instead of ChatGPTApple's $250M Siri lawsuit settlement — if you own an iPhone 15 Pro or 16 series, you might be owed $25–$95M5 MacBook Air first impressions: Jeff's testing one alongside his MacBook Pro — and Tom's university just ordered 100 of themLinks from the show: Apple Notes: Four Tips That Make Finding Things EffortlessFour Fast Ways to Capture to Apple Notes ProNotes (free Apple Notes plugin) Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor Playworld by Adam Ross We'd be honored if you'd drop a 5-star rating for us on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify! Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

AI Tools: What's Actually Working (and What Isn't) with Bill McLean

54 min

Big news out of Cupertino: Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus set to take the helm this September. Tom and Jeff spend a few minutes on the transition — then welcome back guest Bill McLean for an honest, no-hype check-in on AI tools: what they're actually using, what's working, and where the marketing is writing checks the technology can't cash. In this episode: The Tim Cook → John Ternus CEO handoff and what a hardware guy at the top might mean for Apple's softwareWhich AI platforms Tom and Bill settled on, and why ChatGPT got droppedClaude Co-Work in real life: web scraping, YouTube analytics, and why you still have to babysit itThe "dopamine hit" problem: why AI-generated ideas can kill your motivation to actually do the workHow Bill replaced his Squarespace subscription using Claude Code with zero coding backgroundWhy context might be AI's real superpower and why Apple could have the biggest edgeMCP integrations worth building: Readwise, Craft, Apple RemindersWhy Claude projects and skills outperformed an Obsidian vault for real workflow resultsA must-read New Yorker profile on Sam AltmanLinks from the show: Bill McLean on YouTube: youtube.com/@BillMcLeanSam Altman May Control Our Future—Can He Be Trusted? - The New YorkerQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Mac Mini & Mac Studio Shortages, Kindle Cutoffs & Four Things Worth Knowing About iOS 26.4

45 min

Tom and Jeff dig into why it's getting harder and harder to buy a Mac mini or Mac Studio in anything beyond a base configuration — and what that might mean about upcoming M5 refreshes. Plus, Jeff gives a six-month health update (he's at 92% and back on stage), and the guys get into a friendly debate about Amazon pulling the plug on pre-2012 Kindles. Is it reasonable after 14 years, or does it prove physical books always win? And they wrap up with four things to know about iOS 26.4. Topics covered: Mac mini and Mac Studio availability issues and what's behind the long wait timesMacBook Neo demand and Bill McLean's hands-on reviewJeff's updated take on the BookTracker appAmazon deprecating pre-2012 Kindles — and what it means for your digital libraryThe Libby app and library cards for free booksMerriam-Webster's Visual Dictionary (Jeff's new obsession)iOS 26.4: keyboard accuracy improvements, Urgent Reminders update, Stolen Device Protection, and AI apps in CarPlayResetting your keyboard dictionary after updatingLinks from the show: BookTracker app: https://booktrack.appLibby app: https://libbyapp.comBill McLean's MacBook Neo reviewApple Talk newsletter (keyboard reset tip): https://www.tomfanderson.com/p/ios-26-4-iphone-keyboard-fixMerriam-Webster's Visual Dictionary We’d be honored if you'd drop a 5-star rating for us on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify! Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and genera...

MacBook Neo Real-World Review with Nate Gorby

49 min

Nate Gorby is back — and this time he's got two weeks of daily MacBook Neo use to report on. Coming from an M2 MacBook Air he'd already sold, Nate picked up the Neo on day one and has been using it the way most people actually use computers: browsing, email, watching YouTube, light social media, and a bit of writing. No benchmarks, no synthetic tests — just honest, real-world impressions. The guys dig into the details: battery life, the lack of MagSafe and Touch ID, the physical trackpad experience, speaker quality, the color-matched interface quirks, and whether 8GB of RAM is actually fine (spoiler: it is).  They also cover WWDC 2026 dates, the 26.4 updates, and Apple's decision to discontinue the Mac Pro. In this episode: Nate's daily use case: browsing, YouTube, Threads, light writing, some photo editingThe physical trackpad vs. the haptic trackpad on his wife's M4 MacBook AirLiving without Touch ID and why Apple Watch makes it a non-issue (mostly)No backlit keyboard: why the Citrus color's white keys are a natural workaroundBattery life: good enough?Why 8GB of RAM is genuinely fineMagSafe as the one real missing pieceTarget now selling the MacBook Neo — and what that means for reaching new Mac buyersThe education discount trick (you didn't hear it from them)Speaker quality: surprisingly good for spoken wordWWDC 26 announced26.4 updates now available — keyboard improvements for iPhoneMac Pro discontinued; the Mac Studio is now the top of the lineLinks from the show: Nate's previous episode (Meta Ray-Ban glasses)Apple Announces WWDC 2026 DatesMore from Nate: Last Month Online https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-month-online/id1824514139 Nate on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ngorby Nate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngorby Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on Th...

MacBook Neo, Apple’s First 50 Years, and the Weirdest Wearable Yet

51 min

Tom and Jeff are back with a packed episode that wanders from Apple hardware to Apple history to Apple TV+ sports to, well, a scientific fart study. If that sounds like a lot, it is. Topics covered this episode: MacBook Neo hands-on — Tom got a brief look at the new $599 MacBook Neo at an IT conference. Build quality impressions, the Indigo color, and why the "it's just an iPhone chip" skepticism sounds a lot like what people said about the original M1 with 8GB of RAM. (Spoiler: they were wrong then too.) David Pogue's Apple: The First 50 Years — Tom pre-ordered it, it arrived while he was out of town, and he's had exactly 15 minutes with it. It's a 600-page textbook-style history (not a glossy coffee table book), and he's planning a more thorough read over the summer. A history tangent worth taking — The origin story of the PowerBook's palm rest design — and how one engineer's persistence against resistance accidentally shaped every laptop keyboard layout that followed.Jeff discovers F1 — Apple TV+ now carries every F1 race, and Jeff is in. The tech angle (real-time telemetry, PlayStation-style steering wheels, hybrid power transitions) makes it surprisingly interesting.The Human Flatus Atlas — Jeff has enrolled in a legitimate University of Maryland research study on human flatulence. Smart underwear device incoming. Butt tag update promised for next episode.Links from the show Tom’s Photos of the MacBook Neo Apple: The First 50 Years – David Pogue Human Flatus Atlas Project F1 on Apple TV+ Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Over...

A Budget MacBook, iPad Updates & Going Analog with Field Notes

47 min

Apple's dropping a wave of new products this week — and Tom and Jeff break down everything that's expected: a budget MacBook starting around $600, an iPhone 16E follow-up, iPad updates for the non-Pro models, and possible MacBook Pro upgrades with M5 Pro and Max chips. It's a preview packed with speculation, opinions, and the occasional tangent about fingerprints on laptop screens. Then things get analog. Tom just joined Jeff in the Field Notes notebook club, and they talk about why a pocket-sized paper notebook has become a surprisingly useful tool alongside all the digital gear. They also cover two weather apps worth knowing about — Acme Weather (from the Dark Sky team) and what's new in Carrot Weather 6.4. Enjoy the show? Please drop a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify! Links from the show: Field Notes notebooks & subscription: https://fieldnotesbrand.comAcme Weather app: https://acmeweather.comCarrot Weather: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather/Is Apple Notes Holding You Back? (Press Pause with Bill McLean, featuring Tom)GoFundMe for Aliyah (Jeff's bartender friend who lost everything in an apartment fire)Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Siri Delayed Again — And a Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Review with Nate Gorby

55 min

Tom flies solo this week and welcomes first-time guest Nate Gorby for a conversation about Apple’s ongoing Siri delays, the state of Apple Intelligence, and what it all means for everyday users. They discuss the latest report that Apple’s context-aware Siri may be pushed back again, whether privacy is helping or hurting Apple’s AI progress, and why even basic Siri tasks still frustrate longtime users. In the second half, Nate shares his real-world experience using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for the past year — what works surprisingly well, where privacy concerns come in, and whether Apple needs to move faster in the wearable AI space. More from Nate: Nate's podcast: Last Month Online https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-month-online/id1824514139 Nate on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ngorby Nate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngorby Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Switch Productivity Apps with Jim Eagar

54 min

Jim Eagar joins Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby for a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about productivity, tools, and the often-tempting urge to switch apps. Drawing on decades of professional experience—from Air Force chaplain to attorney to productivity writer—Jim shares how his workflows evolved alongside Apple technology, why “shiny new app syndrome” can quietly sabotage real work, and how to evaluate whether switching tools is actually worth the cost. The discussion digs into intentional productivity, app minimalism, and using frameworks (not rules) to make better decisions about software—especially in an era overflowing with AI tools. Jim also walks through his personal writing and planning stack, explains why he recently switched from ChatGPT to Claude, and shares David Sparks’ advice on limiting major app changes to once per year. The result is a grounded, reassuring episode for anyone feeling overwhelmed by productivity tools—and a reminder that clarity beats novelty every time. More from Jim: Original Mac Guy Retirement Reinvented! Links from the show: A Very Nerdy Christmas: Evaluate Your Tech Stack Why I Quit Paid Apps MacSparky Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Apple Teams Up With Google (Again) & A Look at Apple Creator Studio

45 min

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby kick off the year by digging into some of the biggest Apple stories in early 2026—starting with the news that Apple is partnering with Google to have Gemini power a revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence. The discussion looks at how Gemini might be integrated behind the scenes, and whether Apple’s privacy promises can hold up when Google enters the equation. The conversation then turns to Apple Creator Studio, Apple’s new subscription bundle that includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and other creative tools. Tom and Jeff debate who this bundle is really for, how it compares to Apple’s older one-time purchase model, and whether subscription fatigue is simply the cost of modern software. From there, they break down Apple’s controversial new app icons and macOS Tahoe design changes, followed by concerns over App Store ads becoming harder to distinguish from real search results. The episode wraps with a broader look at Apple’s record-breaking services revenue and what it signals about the company’s priorities moving forward. Links from the show: Google and Apple issue joint partnership statementReport: Google Gemini will expand Siri’s capabilitiesReport: Apple will fine-tune Gemini independentlyApple confirms Google Gemini will power new Siri featuresApple announces Apple Creator StudioApple reports record-breaking Services revenue in 2025Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some im...

The Latest iPhone Fold Rumors and a Fix (of sorts) for Poor Battery Life in iOS 26

47 min

Happy New Year! Everyone expects Apple to release its first foldable iPhone later this year and the rumors and “leaks” are heating up. Tom and Jeff discuss the latest, including the 3D printed model that looks nothing like current iPhones. Plus, Tom decided to reset his iPhone in an attempt to resolve the ongoing battery life issues he’s been having with iOS 26. Apple’s made a lot of improvements to the process, but it’s not quite perfect and he shares what worked well and what still needs some work. Links from the show: Support Jeff Battersby’s Stroke Recovery Apple Pencil Could Work With iPhone Fold, According to New Report iPhone Fold 1:1 Replica With Folding Hinge (3D Model) How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch Clicks Power Keyboard Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things (2025 Edition) with Joe Moyer

1 hr 1 min

Happy Holidays! Joe Moyer returns and joins Tom and Jeff for a fun and festive discussion in the third-annual “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things” show! Picks range from backpacks to iPhone accessories, books, apps, and more.  Find more from Joe at https://www.24letters.net/. Links: Bellroy Transit WorkpackBullstrap Men's WalletsBullstrap iPhone CasesPeak Design Phone CasesGentler Streak Workout TrackerCraft: Docs, Notes, Tasks & AIThe Ugmonk PenDiscbound Analog Productivity SystemField Notes NotebooksiPad ProAnker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging StationHighland Pro Screenwriting AppSnipd AI Podcast AppReadwiseVersion History PodcastBook Tracker - Reading JournalYouTube PremiumMarcus Aurelius: The Stoic EmperorCulpability by Bruce HolsingerWhat We Can Know by Ian McEwanAsana Project Management Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

The Apple Gear We're Using in Late 2025

45 min

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff revisit all the Apple hardware they use every single day, 18 months after their last gear rundown. From Macs to iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePods, and even a brief Vision Pro confession, they break down what’s still great, what’s aging surprisingly well, and what upgrades they’ve made along the way. Jeff shares updates on his recovery journey, including walking unaided, writing again, and adjusting to double vision, while Tom heaps praise on the iPad Pro M5 and laments the quirks of iOS 26 battery life on his iPhone 16 Pro Max. Other highlights include: Why the M1/M2 Mac lineup still punches way above its weightWhether the Studio Display’s nano-texture finish is worth it (spoiler: it depends)AirPods Pro 3 comfort after long-term useHomePod improvements thanks to quiet-but-solid AirPlay tuningFoldable iPhone rumors, realistic upgrade cycles, and what Apple still gets rightThey wrap with a reminder to check out the important episode about Jeff’s stroke and recovery, and a tease for the upcoming Favorite Things of the Year show with guest Joe Moyer. Links: Support Jeff Battersby's Stroke Recovery Teaching, B******t Jobs, and AI — Jeffrey Fisher Stroke!: An Account of Jeff’s Symptoms, Recovery, and What You Should Trust in a Medical Emergency Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Stroke!: An Account of Jeff’s Symptoms, Recovery, and What You Should Trust in a Medical Emergency

57 min

This episode starts with listener feedback on window management in iPadOS 26, then Jeff opens up about his recent stroke. He walks through the initial symptoms, the frustrating EMS response, his time in the hospital and rehab, and what recovery looks like day-to-day. He also shares Siri's surprisingly helpful response when he asked about stroke symptoms. Links from the show: iPadOS Stage Manager feedback from @iamrishio Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs Support Jeff’s Stroke Recovery Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

New iPad Pros and iPadOS 26 with Riley Hill (And Jeff's Return!)

50 min

Jeff returns to the show 🥳 and Riley Hill joins us again to talk all things iPad.  Riley and Tom have new M5 iPad Pros (11” and 13” models) and share their experiences. Did Apple make the right call with the current iPad Pro design by choosing thinness over battery life? And how’s life with iPadOS 26? Is the new windowing system everything we hoped for, or is it a step backwards? Be sure to follow Riley on YouTube, Threads, and at slatepad.org for more great Apple and tech-related content. https://youtube.com/@slatepad https://www.threads.com/@slatepad https://slatepad.org/ Jeff’s going to be out of work for a while longer as he continues to recover from his stroke. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help out a bit and if you'd like to throw a few bucks his way, here's the link, and it's all appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-battersbys-stroke-recovery Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Apple Notes, Obsidian, Notion, Craft, and Bear (Oh My!) with Bill McLean

49 min

Jeff is taking a break from the show to recover from his recent stroke. He's recovering well and is working his butt off in rehab and hopes to return before long. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help out a bit while he's in rehab kicking ass. If you'd like to throw a few bucks his way, here's the link, and it's all appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-battersbys-stroke-recovery -- Bill McLean returns to the show to discuss the abundance of riches with modern note-taking apps. Plus, Tom has a new iPad Pro M5 and shares his first impressions of it and the Magic Keyboard. Be sure to follow Bill on YouTube, Threads, and Substack for more great Apple and tech-related content. https://www.youtube.com/@BillMcLean https://www.threads.com/@williambmclean There's never been a worse time to pick a notes app Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

BAF Rewind: Tips & Tricks with Gannon Nordberg

38 min

Jeff and Tom are off this week so we're going into the vault! Join us for a rewind of our 2024 Tips & Tricks show with Gannon Nordberg! Over a dozen tips & tricks for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and more! More from Gannon: LinkedIn (email marketing strategies & newsletter signup) Links from the show: Use profiles in Safari on Mac Turn off Listening History in Apple Music with a Focus Mode Play music together in a car with SharePlay and Apple Music Edit portraits on iPad Make stickers from your photos on iPhone Search in Messages on iPhone Easily change photo aspect ratios Change the color of links and highlights in Notes See time spent in daylight How to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face Based on Time or Location Use the Smart Stack to show timely widgets on Apple Watch Hazel for Mac Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

The iPhone Air Experience with Chris Freitag and Gannon Nordberg

48 min

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff welcome back Chris Freitag and Gannon Nordberg to share their experiences of using the iPhone Air.  The guys cover: How impossibly thin and light it feels in the hand The stunning 3000-nit display The “plateau” bump Battery life and overheating scares Why it’s delightful and a look at the future Is it a keeper? 🎧 Listen in for the unfiltered take: what works, what doesn’t, and whether the iPhone Air should be your next upgrade. Guest Links Chris Freitag → chrisfreitag.comGannon Nordberg → LinkedIn (email marketing strategies & newsletter signup)Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Apple Event Recap: iPhone Air, iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3, Plus AirPods Pro 3

52 min

We dig into the details of Apple’s recent “Awe Dropping” event! We take a look at the innovative features of the new iPhone Air, display improvements on the iPhone 17, and what’s new with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Get the scoop on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and new hypertension warnings and Sleep Score. Plus AirPods 3 improvements and our thoughts on when to upgrade any of your devices. Links: Apple Events Introducing iPhone Air, a powerful new iPhone with a breakthrough design Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple debuts iPhone 17 Apple debuts Apple Watch Series 11, featuring groundbreaking health insights Introducing Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple introduces Apple Watch SE 3 Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience We Tried to Break the iPhone Air | Interview with Apple’s Joz & John Ternus Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Chaos to Clarity in Apple Notes: Forever * Notes with Matthias Hilse

56 min

If you’re an Apple Notes user who’s feeling buried in folders, tags, or forgotten ideas — and you’ve struggled to bring order to your notes — this episode is for you. We dive deep into the Forever * Notes system with its creator, Matthias Hilse, and explore how it brings clarity, structure, and intentionality to even the messiest note collections. You’ll hear: How to set up a central Home noteThe power of hubs, collections, and simplified taggingHow Forever * Notes scales beautifully — even with thousands of notesPlus: The features Matthias wishes Apple would addHow this system completely changed Jeff’s Notes experienceAnd why weekly notes are surprisingly complicatedResources & Links Forever * Notes Official SiteForever * Notes YouTube ChannelForever * Notes WorkshopJoin the community: Forever * Notes Forum Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Beta Tested: Apple’s Big Software Updates

50 min

If you’re wondering whether it’s finally safe (or fun) to jump into the Apple public betas, this episode is for you. From iPadOS 26’s dramatic windowing overhaul to macOS Tahoe’s subtle UI tweaks — plus new features in iOS 26 and watchOS 26 — we’ve lived with them all and have thoughts. You’ll hear why the new iPad multitasking feels like macOS (in a good way), how Liquid Glass adds personality, and where the Mac beta stumbles hard (spoiler: Tom's disk filled up fast). We also dive into CarPlay changes, and watchOS 26. Find out what works, what’s still rough, and which betas are actually changing how we use our Apple gear — including a full week of iPad-as-primary-computer testing. And yes, Jeff crashed out over creatine. Hit play and stick around. Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Psychokinetics, Celsius 7, Brother, MC, Friend: Jacob Battersby

52 min

What happens when hip-hop meets theater, satire, and sibling bond? In this episode, we meet Jacob Battersby — artist, MC, and the man behind Celsius 7 — as he joins his brother Jeff and Tom for a funny and sometimes unfiltered journey through decades of DIY artistry. From early freestyle circles and cassette-tape beats to the lyrical power of Psychokinetics and the wild, lounge-rap theatrics of Kalri$$ian, Jacob reflects on how music became both an identity and a lifeline. Links: Celsius 7 - Apple Music / Spotify Kalri$$ian - Apple Music / Spotify Psychokinetics - Apple Music / Spotify Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

An AI Diagnosis, iPadOS 26 First Look, and How to Beta Test Without Breaking Everything

37 min

If you’re itching to try iPadOS 26, or just curious how far AI has crept into everyday life, this episode is for you. Tom and Jeff share how well (or not) AI played doctor, deliver a first look at the iPadOS 26 developer beta, and break down how to beta test like a pro (without nuking your device). You’ll get honest impressions of the new floating windows, updated UI, Preview on iPad, the surprise “Games” app—and what it all feels like in day-to-day use. Plus: how Jeff tested it, what crashed, and what delighted. Will Tom install the beta? What did his doctor say when he quoted ChatGPT? And what’s the one thing you should do before installing any beta? It’s all here in a fast, fun 35 minutes. Links: Apple Public Beta Apple Beta FAQ iPadOS 26 Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Our Summer Vibes Check

48 min

We’re in between WWDC and the Public Betas, and it’s the perfect time for a summer vibe check! Tom and Jeff break down what they’re reading, watching, listening to, and playing with this summer. Books, newsletters, podcasts, the new Reply All Time and Top Songs playlists in Apple Music, and more. Additionally, Tom gets nerdy with Claude, Readwise, and MCP, while Jeff plans to dabble in sketching and watercolors.  Links: White Noise – Don DeLillo Crudo – Olivia Laing Wellness – Nathan Hill The Hidden Girl and Other Stories – Ken Liu Throughline – NPR Podcast Seeing White (Scene on Radio) – Listen to Episode 1 The Mars Volta – Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío (Filthy Lucre; The Eyes of the Void) Pink Elephant – Arcade Fire Jeff’s Playlist – Trying Not to Cry Lost in Play – Apple Arcade Sahil Bloom James Clear – Atomic Habits Unreasonable Hospitality Lean Learning Vanessa Lau on YouTube Modern Wisdom Podcast Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

90 Days of Forever*Notes and Stress Awareness with Athlytic & Apple Watch

42 min

Tom and Jeff dive into three fun segments: Tom’s updated Mac recommendations for students, Jeff's update on his Forever Notes system using Apple Notes, and how both hosts are using health tracking apps to better understand their stress and recovery. Tom unpacks how Athlytic and Apple Watch are helping him recognize stress and reduce habitual tension, while Jeff shares how Gentler Streak has helped him optimize sleep and workouts. It’s a mix of tech tips, personal stories, and wellness insights—plus a few keg-lifting jokes. Links from the show: Best Mac for College – Tom Anderson My Forever Notes Gentler App Athlytic App Episode 55 - Who Pays for Calendar Apps & Next-Level Notes with Bill McLean Episode 58 - WWDC Announced, Gentler Streak Workout Tracker, and "The Cybernetic Teammate" by Ethan Mollick Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

WWDC 2025 Recap with Joe Moyer

1 hr 10 min

Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby are joined by returning guest Joe Moyer for a comprehensive breakdown of Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote: Exploration of the new "Liquid Glass" design language unifying all Apple platformsNew Apple Intelligence featuresAnalysis of simplified version numbering (everything is now version 26)iPadOS 26's new windowing system and advanced featuresiOS 26's customizable interface and enhanced CarPlay featuresmacOS Tahoe's powerful Spotlight improvements and Journal app expansionVision Pro's enterprise push and quality-of-life improvements across the ecosystemWhere to find Joe: Threads - https://www.threads.net/@thejournalingguide The Journaling Guide - https://www.24letters.net/thejournalingguide 24Letters - https://www.24letters.net Links from the show: Apple elevates the iPhone experience with iOS 26 watchOS 26 delivers more personalized ways to stay active and connected Apple TV brings a beautiful redesign and enhanced home entertainment experience macOS Tahoe 26 makes the Mac more capable, productive, and intelligent than ever visionOS 26 introduces powerful new spatial experiences for Apple Vision Pro iPadOS 26 introduces powerful new features that push iPad even further Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

WWDC 2025 Preview with Riley Hill

56 min

Riley Hill returns to the show to join Jeff and Tom for a preview of WWDC 2025. What's coming from Apple? What kind of AI company should Apple be? And is there less hype than normal for this year's event? The guys also throw around some thoughts on the big announcement that Jony Ive and OpenAI are working on a new type of AI-centered device. It doesn't sound like it's a phone or glasses, so what might it be? Is there a market for a new type of device? Also, they sprinkle in some highlights from Google's IO event last week. Where to Find Riley: Riley Hill on YouTube Riley Hill Website Riley Hill on Threads Links from the show: 9to5Mac on Instagram: “Just 18 days until WWDC 2025! While last-minute leaks are likely, here’s what we expect Apple to announce so far” WWDC 2025: Everything We Know | MacRumors OpenAI is buying iPhone designer Jony Ive’s AI devices startup for $6.4 billion Exclusive | What Sam Altman Told OpenAI About the Secret Device He’s Making With Jony Ive The 15 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2025 Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Tom Gets Snipd, Siri Lawsuit Settlement, and More Bruises on Apple

50 min

Tom’s queued up an AI podcast app experiment, and Jeff’s wondering if it’s really worth the $85 price tag. This week, the guys dive into Snipd’s AI-powered podcast magic, how it pairs with Readwise for smart highlights and spaced repetition, and Tom’s sneaky new trick for “listening” to podcasts while he sleeps.  Plus, they talk about the Siri lawsuit that might earn you a few bucks, Apple’s App Store rule changes, and why longtime fans (and cranky nerds) are raising eyebrows at Apple’s recent stumbles. Is it time for new leadership? Links from the show: Snipd - The Most Powerful Podcast App How to Start Journaling Today — 24 Letters If you used Siri between 2014 and 2024, you may have a claim against Apple Epic Games Submits Fortnite to U.S. App Store Apple’s Phil Schiller Initially Opposed 27% App Store Fee on External Purchases Apple Turnover Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Subscription Madness!

54 min

It’s easy to lose track of subscriptions, and Tom and Jeff are feeling it too. In this episode, they unpack the apps, services, and streaming platforms they’re paying for — the good, the bad, and the ones they forgot they even had. They swap stories about accidental renewals (looking at you, $250 “oops”), spotlight useful apps, and talk through a few tricks for managing subscriptions smarter. It’s a fun and slightly painful look at modern digital life. Links from the show: Setapp Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Beyond Features and Functions: Is Technology Missing What Humans Really Need? with Leah Reich

1 hr 1 min

We sit down with writer and user researcher Leah Reich to explore the complex relationship between technology and the humans who use it. Leah shares insights from her newsletter and writing career before diving into the evolving landscape of user research in tech companies, including her time at Slack, Spotify, and Meta/Instagram. We discuss the delicate balance between serving user needs and business goals, and examine the concerning industry shift away from comprehensive user research. Leah offers her personal perspective on the Apple Watch experience and we explore the broader implications of gamification in our digital lives—questioning whether turning everything into a game truly serves our wellbeing. Links from the show: Friction is Necessary ResistanceWe Don’t Need No InnovationUngamify Your BrainLeah Reich | Meets Most Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

WWDC Announced, Gentler Streak Workout Tracker, and "The Cybernetic Teammate" by Ethan Mollick

52 min

In this episode: Apple announces WWDC will be June 9-13Jeff is experimenting with Gentler Streak and having a bit of nostalgia with Notebook ArtilleryA subtle AirPods Pro experienceThe boys continue to argue over AIEthan Mollick highlights study that finds legit benefits of AI at work Links from the show: Mac - Lumon Terminal Pro‘Severance’ editor was all-in on Apple hardware, but not Final Cut Pro‎Workout Tracker Gentler Streak‎Notebook ArtilleryChatGPT Starts Blocking Studio Ghibli-Style Images After Trend Goes ViralThe Cybernetic TeammateArtificial Intelligence Systems and CopyrightThe Tech Fantasy That Powers A.I. Is Running on FumesQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Apple Immersive Metallica and What's Going on at Apple with Siri?

58 min

Apple has updated the iPad Air, iPad, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. The new Apple Immersive Metallica experience is phenomenal; is it a turning point for Apple's immersive content? And what in the world is going on at Apple with Siri?  Links from the show: iPad Air iPad MacBook Air Mac Studio Apple Immersive Metallica Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino Apple’s (AAPL) Siri Chief Calls AI Delays Ugly and Embarrassing, Promises Fixes AI search engines cite incorrect sources at an alarming 60% rate, study says AI’s Real Hallucination Problem An AI Coding Assistant Refused to Write Code—and Suggested the User Learn to Do It Himself Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

iPhone 16e, New Betas, and a Love of Forever*Notes

52 min

There’s a new iPhone 16 family member, new betas, a new Apple News+ feature, and Jeff has a new thing going in Apple Notes using the Forever*Notes framework.  Links from the show: iPhone 16e Apple News+ Food Brace yourself for Deep Water Solo. The next episode of Adventure. Highland Pro Forever*Notes Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Who Pays for Calendar Apps & Next-Level Notes with Bill McLean

1 hr 1 min

Jeff and Tom are joined by Bill McLean for a great discussion on third-party calendar app subscriptions, extending the capabilities of Apple Notes with Forever Notes, and a round-up of AI tools that Bill uses. Where to find more from Bill McLean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillMcLean Web: https://www.williambmclean.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@williambmclean Links from the show: About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts - Apple Support Fantastical Morgen - Daily planning in your calendars Structured app Forever Notes - A free framework for Apple Notes Apple’s Long-Promised AI Overhaul for Siri Runs Into Bugs, Possible Delays Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Dungeons in the Attic

1 hr 2 min

There's not a lot of tech in this one, but there's a ton of nerdy goodness as Jeff and Tom are joined by the fabulous cast of the Dungeons in the Attic podcast! Where to find Dungeons in the Attic: Website Podcast Instagram Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Apple TV+ with Benjamin Jancewicz and Joe Moyer

1 hr 0 min

The boys are joined by Benjamin Jancewicz and Joe Moyer for a fun discussion on Apple TV+. Looking for something to watch? Benjamin, Joe, and Jeff have plenty of recommendations. In fact, so many they wouldn't fit here, so we've posted them on our website: https://www.basicafshow.com/apple-tv-with-benjamin-jancewicz-and-joe-moyer/ Where to find Benjamin: BenJancewicz.com (icons on bottom list all socials) Art: Art.Zerflin.com Design: Zerflin.com Patreon: Patreon.com/BenJancewicz Where to find Joe: Threads - https://www.threads.net/@thejournalingguide The Journaling Guide - https://www.24letters.net/thejournalingguide 24Letters - https://www.24letters.net Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Grading Apple Intelligence with Adam Jones

59 min

In this episode of Basic AF, hosts Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby welcome back guest Adam Jones to discuss the latest features of Apple Intelligence.  Topics include: • Privacy Concerns • Integration of ChatGPT • Evolving Role of Siri • Genmojis • Image Playground • Summaries in Messages and Mail • Audio Recording and Transcription in Notes • Visual Intelligence Features of iPhone 16 Series • Overall Impressions and Grades of Apple’s Intelligence Features More from Adam Jones: https://www.skyboundeducation.com/ Adam Jones Website Adam Jones Guest Page Links from the Show: Is your iPhone sharing photos data with Apple by default? Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things (2024 Edition)

52 min

In this special holiday episode of Basic AF, Jeff Battersby and Tom Anderson share their favorite picks from 2024, blending tech, books, music, and apps. The duo kicks off with lighthearted banter about recording struggles, holiday vibes, and their signature cranky humor before diving into their curated favorites. Jeff highlights the Beetle X31 SSD, a sleek and reliable portable storage device, and shares his literary recommendations, including If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and James by Percival Everett, each rich with thematic connections to classic literature. Tom, on the other hand, spotlights Craft 3, an app redefining productivity with database-like collections, the excellent Capital Centre: A Retrospective, and the Anker USB-C Charger, offering versatile charging solutions for multiple devices. The episode also explores cultural gems like The Mars Volta’s self-titled album, the whimsical Festivitas app, which decks out the Mac menu bar and dock with festive holiday lights, and more! Links: Beetle X31 SSD https://ssd.skhynix.com/beetle_x31/ If We Were Villains: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/If-We-Were-Villains-Novel/ Demon Copperhead https://amzn.to/4iuPP2P James https://amzn.to/3VtSuA2 The Mars Volta https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-mars-volta/1636983430 Craft 3 https://www.craft.do/v3 Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message! Support the show Contact Us Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.comYou’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on BlueskyFind Tom at @tomanderson on ThreadsJoin Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.Tom has a new YouTube channelShow artwork by the great Randall Martin Design Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating! Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in Overcast Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen Apple MusicSpotify Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness...

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