Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

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 showTom’s Photos of the MacBook NeoApple: The First 50 Years – David PogueHuman Flatus Atlas ProjectF1 on Apple TV+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.bsky.social on Bluesky Find Tom at @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 Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness....

They unpack rumors of a budget MacBook, possible M5 MacBook Pro upgrades, and iPad and iPhone 'e' refreshes. They celebrate the Mac Mini and muse about display and chip tradeoffs. The conversation shifts to pocket-sized Field Notes notebooks and why going analog can help. They also compare two weather apps, Acme and Carrot, and which features stand out.

Nate Gorby, independent tech commentator and podcaster focused on Apple gear and smart glasses. They dig into Apple’s repeated Siri delays and the privacy vs progress tension around Apple Intelligence. Nate also gives a year-long, real-world take on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses: what surprises, what works, and where privacy and social norms complicate wearables.

Jim Eagar, writer and longtime Mac enthusiast who writes about productivity and retirement, shares his journey from Air Force chaplain to productivity blogger. He explains why we chase shiny new apps, how to evaluate real problems versus novelty, and his personal writing and AI tool choices. Short, practical takes on app minimalism, frameworks over rules, and limiting major switches to once a year.

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!Contact UsDrop 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 DesignEnjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in OvercastIntro Music: Psychokinetics - The ChosenApple MusicSpotifyTranscripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

The excitement over Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is palpable, with mockups causing a stir and raising design concerns. Tom and Jeff dive into the potential features, including size, usability, and support for the Apple Pencil. They also tackle the frustrating battery life issues in iOS 26, with Tom sharing his reset experience and its mixed results. Enthusiasm for innovative accessories like the Clix Power Keyboard adds a creative twist to their tech discussion. Tune in for insights and predictions about future tech!

Joe Moyer, a journaling enthusiast and creator of 24letters.net, joins the hosts for a festive discussion of favorite tech and analog tools. They explore Joe's top picks, including the versatile Bellroy Transit Workpack and Peak Design's magnetic phone case. The conversation also highlights useful apps like the Gentler Streak fitness tracker, Craft for task management, and the Snipd podcast app. Moyer shares book recommendations on Stoicism and the impactful fiction of Bruce Holsinger and Ian McEwan, rounding out a delightful tech and literature chat.

Tom and Jeff explore their favorite Apple gear 18 months post last review. Jeff shares inspiring updates on his recovery journey, while Tom raves about the iPad Pro M5's enhancements. They discuss the persistence of the M1/M2 Mac lineup and weigh the value of the Studio Display’s nano-texture finish. Tune in for insights on AirPods Pro comfort, battery life quirks of iOS 26, and the allure of foldable iPhones. Plus, a brief chat about the Vision Pro’s limitations leaves listeners pondering its future.

Listener feedback kicks off with insights on iPadOS 26. Jeff shares his harrowing experience with a stroke, detailing alarming symptoms and the EMS response. He discusses his hospital journey, a surprising diagnosis, and the intense recovery process. Siri even played a pivotal role by calling 911! Jeff emphasizes the importance of trusting your intuition during medical emergencies. Alongside stories of his rehabilitation and fitness's role in recovery, the conversation highlights the significance of listening to patients in healthcare.

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/@slatepadhttps://www.threads.com/@slatepadhttps://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-recoveryQuestion or Comment? Send us a Text Message!Contact UsDrop 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 DesignEnjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!Review on Apple PodcastsRate on SpotifyRecommend in OvercastIntro Music: Psychokinetics - The ChosenApple MusicSpotifyTranscripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.