Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

Tom Anderson & Jeff Battersby
  • 5.0(21개의 평가)
  • 과학 기술
  • 격주 업데이트

Spilling trash, talk, tech, and tea (though Tom says no politics). Plus, games, plenty of Apple tech, or whatever else comes into our heads. It’s a show where we get to hang out and talk tech, talk shit, and have fun every couple of weeks (and sometimes more often - only your podcast app knows for sure). We'll give you the lowdown on the gear we're using, some knowledge bombs to help you use your gear better, and answer listener questions. 

  1. MacBook Neo Real-World Review with Nate Gorby

    5일 전

    MacBook Neo Real-World Review with Nate Gorby

    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! 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.

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

    3월 16일

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

    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! 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.

    52분
  3. A Budget MacBook, iPad Updates & Going Analog with Field Notes

    3월 2일

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

    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! 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.

    48분

  4. 2월 16일

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

    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! 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.

    56분

  5. 2월 2일

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

    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! 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.

    54분

  6. 1월 19일

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

    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 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.

    45분

  7. 1월 5일

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

    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! 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.

    48분

  8. 2025. 12. 22.

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

    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! 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.

    1시간 2분
모두 보기(86개)

5
최고 5점
21개의 평가

소개

Spilling trash, talk, tech, and tea (though Tom says no politics). Plus, games, plenty of Apple tech, or whatever else comes into our heads. It’s a show where we get to hang out and talk tech, talk shit, and have fun every couple of weeks (and sometimes more often - only your podcast app knows for sure). We'll give you the lowdown on the gear we're using, some knowledge bombs to help you use your gear better, and answer listener questions. 

정보

  • 제작진
    Tom Anderson & Jeff Battersby
  • 방송 연도
    2023년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    86
  • 등급
    무삭제판
  • 저작권
    © 2026 Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

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