Join Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby in this episode as they unpack Apple’s latest announcements, with a nostalgic nod to an internet legend. Highlights include:

Farewell, Elwood “You’ve Got Mail!” Edwards

The voice that welcomed us to the internet in the ’90s, Elwood Edwards, has passed. Tom and Jeff share memories of the AOL era.

New M4 iMacs: Fresh Colors and Powerful Specs

Apple’s M4 iMac arrives with updated colors, an impressive 4.5K Retina display, and options for more RAM. Tom and Jeff discuss why this all-in-one might be ideal for families, creatives, and anyone looking for a sleek desktop.

USB-C "Magic" Accessories

The new USB-C Magic Keyboard, Trackpad, and Mouse sparked mixed feelings. Jeff gets into the eternal frustration of charging the mouse from the bottom.

A New, Smaller Mac mini

Apple’s refreshed Mac mini offers big power in a smaller package, with Jeff calling it one of Apple’s best designs yet.

Updated MacBook Pro 14” and 16” Models

Now available with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, these MacBook Pros pack serious horsepower.

Apple Intelligence: What’s Good and What Needs Work

Wrapping up with a deep dive into the latest Apple Intelligence features, Tom and Jeff explore the promise and quirks of Apple’s on-device AI. They break down highlights, including:

• Writing Tools for proofreading, adjusting tone, summaries, and list generation.
• Siri Enhancements with context awareness between requests.
• Summaries across Mail, Safari, and Notifications for quick info bites.

Links from the show:

AOL’s ‘You’ve Got Mail’ voice, Elwood Edwards, dies at age 74: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/7/24290700/elwood-edwards-aol-youve-got-mail-voice-obituary

iMac: https://www.apple.com/imac/

Mac mini: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

MacBook Pro: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/

Apple Intelligence: https://www.apple.com/apple-intelli

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and @reyespoint@mastodon.sdf.org on Mastodon
• Find Tom at @tomfanderson on Twitter, and @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Show transcripts and episode artwork are AI generated and likely con...

Ever wondered if journaling could make a difference in your life? This week’s guest, Joe Moyer, believes it can. Joe shares his personal journey with journaling and practical advice on how to build a habit—even if you only have five minutes a day. We cover gratitude journaling, the benefits of recording daily thoughts, and how to avoid the “perfect journal” trap. He also provides tips for those who are new to journaling, with simple techniques to get started.

Links from the show:

• Joe Moyer on Threads - https://www.threads.net/@thejournalingguide
• The Journaling Guide - https://www.24letters.net/thejournalingguide
• 24Letters - https://www.24letters.net
• Day One Journaling App: https://dayoneapp.com
• Apple’s Journaling App: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/12/apple-launches-journal-app-a-new-app-for-reflecting-on-everyday-moments/
• Field Notes Notebooks: https://fieldnotesbrand.com

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and @reyespoint@mastodon.sdf.org on Mastodon
• Find Tom at @tomfanderson on Twitter, and @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Show transcripts and episode artwork are AI generated and likely con...

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff cover a mix of Apple news, including minor OS updates, Apple’s immersive content plans for Vision Pro, and Submerged, Apple’s first short film for the Vision Pro. They also touch on Jeff’s new obsession—The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on the Nintendo Switch.

Here’s what you can expect:

• No Apple Ring in Sight (for Now): Jeff reacts to a report by Mark Gurman suggesting that Apple currently has no plans for a smart ring. Though it’s not official, Jeff shares his disappointment, having hoped for a wearable alternative to the Apple Watch.
• OS Updates and Battery Issues: The hosts discuss iPadOS 18.0.1 and watchOS 11.0.1, focusing on battery performance and the quirks of living with beta software. Notably, iPadOS 18 is now available again for the iPad Pro M4 after being temporarily pulled due to issues with bricking devices.
• Apple Vision Pro’s First Short Film: Tom dives into his experience with Submerged, the first short film for Apple’s Vision Pro. He describes the immersive World War II setting, where a submarine crew faces a torpedo attack, and shares his thoughts on the stunning visual details. Tom also notes how some close-up shots felt uncomfortably realistic in the Vision Pro, almost placing him in the characters’ personal space. The movement inside the sub was impressive but occasionally unsettling, with fast dolly shots that made the immersive experience intense. Despite these quirks, Tom found the film visually captivating and hints at how future VR films could push boundaries even further.
• Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom: Jeff gushes over his new favorite game on the Nintendo Switch, though he has no ability to remember the name of said game, therefore making up some other game that doesn't exist. (The Legend of Zelda: Heroes of the Kingdom? Sure, whatever you say, Jeff.) In The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the true and actual name of the game, players take on the role of Zelda instead of Link, solving puzzles and exploring vibrant environments.
• New Apple Focus Features: Jeff gives a rundown on Apple’s new “reduce interruptions” focus feature, explaining how it intelligently manages notifications to help reduce distractions.

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at feedback@basicafshow.com
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and @reyespoint@mastodon.sdf.org on Mastodon
• Find Tom at @tomfanderson on Twitter, and @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Show transcripts and episode artwork are AI generated and likely con...