230: The Power of PDFs

David bought his MacBook Pro at the *perfect* time, then we discuss Siri AI, iOS 27 beta, and the cultural reception of AI. 

Federico Viticci breaks down iOS 27's Shortcuts updates: Describe a Shortcut, Else If, new automation triggers, and built-in data storage. Plus his coder era, Shortcuts Playground 2.0, and training a local model to build shortcuts. 

Lesser-known Mac apps that deserve way more attention: from AI typing assistants, to hacky Stream Decks, note-taking apps, helpful utilities, and beautiful desktop enhancements. 

This week Myke and Jason discuss the etiquette of digital gifts, compare how they use their iOS devices compared to their Macs, and decide on a collective name for listeners of the show. 

Extra special guest star Serenity Caldwell joins Jason to talk about the new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, the drowning of a MacBook Air, and much more. 

Jason and Myke lightly cover Apple’s beef with the FBI, Myke gets excited by new phones at Mobile World Congress, Jason grapples with making his home smarter. And of course there’s follow-up about pizza and “Back to the Future”—that’s how it works. 

Top OS and App Tips 

Special guest Dan Frommer. Topics include Dan’s new gig as senior tech editor at Quartz, tablets as a form factor for full-featured PCs (and the now-aging design of the MacBook Air), WWDC rumors, the rumored iOS-style redesign of Mac OS X, previous Mac OS visual designs, and more ... Show More

Pre-show: Nostalgia for compulsory technology Toshiba e740 Microdrive Volvo XC90 Being old in a college town Top of the Stairs Follow-up: Safari reload update in Monterey beta 2 HTTP Strict Transport Security hstspreload.org Report for hypercritical.co iOS 15 can adjust more than ... Show More

The tech everyone should have, our device strategies for planes, Apple's new Distraction Control feature, and the apps we want to control via Siri. 

Our physical versus digital media preferences, the one tech product we have in (too much) abundance, whether we keep our phones in a case, and our journaling habits and methods.