In this final podcast for 2016, Jon Westfall and I discuss:

– When is Jon getting his AirPod?

– Apple Support iOS app. Todd had a tech support failure by Apple, Jon had a tech support win

Top 2016 tech stories

1. Todd’s story pick: Samsung Note 7 battery fires
2. Jason Dunn: Apple customers angry about losing (1) 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and (2) all ports except USB-C in the Macbook Pro. Customers also angry about the lack of a new Mac Pro, iMac, or (Todd) Mac mini.
3. Johan Van Mierlo: Alexa, Google Home, IoT for consumers. IoT security concerns. Also,
   Wynn Las Vegas to equip 4,748 hotel rooms with Amazon Echo (GeekWire): “ability to talk to your room and say: ‘Alexa, I am here, open the curtains, lower the temperature, turn on the news.’”
4. Jack Cook: Microsoft Surface Studio and the success of the Surface tablet/notebook line of products.
5. Jon – The hidden tech story that scares me…
   
   40 million dollar ad campaign, $1m a day in revenue. Game of War
   Costs $225 a month not to play (to protect your assets). Takes 58 years to research the ‘sucker punch’ ability (to attack within 1-2 minutes instead of 5).

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

I’m joined by Don Sorcinelli and Steve Hughes for this podcast. Jon Westfall will be back for the next podcast.

1. Fitbit bought Pebble for its engineering. Products will fade away. Ref: Engadget.No more warranty or customer support for existing customers. Ref: Gizmodo
2. Delayed Apple AirPod released said to be due to problems with getting audio to both earpieces at the same time. Ref: WSJ via MacRumors
3. Speaking of Fitbit and Apple. Two completely different customer service stories. Fitbit replaced broken Charge HD
   Horrible experience picking up an Apple Watch 2 delivered to the local Apple Store
4. Windows 10 x86 emulation on ARM computers? Ref: Geekwire
5. Pokemon Go Frappuccino at Starbucks

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

1. Netflix finally allows some videos to be downloaded. Like simultaneous streaming, concurrent downloads appear limited to two devices. Mostly Netflix original programs are downloadable.
2. Fitbit customer support.
3. Microsoft 12 Days of Deals starts on Monday, December 5. Note that Microsoft’s deal site uses Flash which your browser may block.
4. Google Play Best of 2016.
5. Tim Cook (allegedly) says AirPods will be shipping within the “coming weeks”.
6. “QuickTime” turned 25 this week (Dec 2, 1991)

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.