Category Archives: Apple

MobileViews Podcast 380: iPod 20th anniversary; iPhone 13 Pro; Google Docs @-menu


First, a thank you and apology to my old friend Jason Dunn for my bungling the audio recording during our podcast last week.

This week Jon and I are taking a break from our Windows CE 25th anniversary reminiscing to look back at a truly world changing product anniversary

    The Apple iPod was

  1. first announced on October 23, 2001. Became available on Nov. 10, 2001
  2. Jon bought an iPhone 13 Pro because of a great trade-in deal with Verizon. Camera does seem markedly better, which is saying something because the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera was no slouch!
  3. Google Docs universal @ menu

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast 378: Guest Frank McPherson; Windows CE 25th anniversary; AirPod 4A400 firmware update & more



Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Frank McPherson to reflect on Microsoft Windows CE’s 25th anniversary and Microsoft mobile journey over the decades.

We also discussed:

  1. My $48 Bluetooth earbuds have two features my Air Pods Pro do not: (1) Over the ear “hooks” so they don’t fall out when walking and (2) a digital display on the charging case that shows the battery charge level for each earbud. It seems like a decent product so far. However, despite having “noise cancellation” in the product name, it does not have such a feature.
  2. New this week: Apple pushes out AirPods firmware, enables “Conversation Boost” – “Apple says Conversation Boost is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversations. The feature uses the AirPods Pro’s beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to a face-to-face conversation, and there is also an option to reduce ambient noise.” – How much longer until commercial BT headphones replace $$$ hearing aids? — Firware Version 4A400
  3. Also, MacRumors has a massive iOS 15 tips/tricks document – some things I forgot about – drag and drop support greatly improved, square calendar widget (Month view!), iOS password manager now supports 2 factor codes, AR walking mode directions (would be great for cities), background sounds (e.g., rain, other ambient sounds to help improve concentration).

    And something I didn’t realize you could do – when sending a photo in messages, you can search by month/year. Really helps when you know you had a picture you took last March that you want to send someone now.

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast 375: Guest Don Sorcinelli; team building in a telework world; Apple speculation



Jon Westfall and I are joined by frequent guest panelist Don Sorcinelli for this podcast. We discuss:

  1. iPhone 13 (rumors)
    Smaller notch
    120MHz ProMotion Display
    Camera improvements (???)
    A15 processor
    5G
    MAYBE – under display Touch ID

    Apple WatchOS 7 (known)
    Family Setup – config Watch for people without an iPhone (e.g., children)
    More customizable watch faces
    Single app can provide more than one complication
    Share faces
    Siri language translation

    iPad mini & iPad 7
    Very little reliable rumors IMO

    AirPods 3

  2. Study of Microsoft employees shows how remote work puts productivity and innovation at risk

    “A new study finds that Microsoft’s company wide shift to remote work has hurt communication and collaboration among different business groups inside the company, threatening employee productivity and long-term innovation.”

  3. Jon’s Rant / Confusion: What do you do with health data? Yes, some actionable advice is easy to tell, but I’m still a bit confused by my Bello belly fat analyzer – it literally hasn’t told me a single thing I couldn’t have already noticed in much lower-tech fashion: a mirror.

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast 374: Google Cursive Chromebook note taking app; Audible 3D; Apple Watch 7 speculation



In this podcast, Jon Westfall and I discuss:

  1. Audible 3D Audio
    I can’t hear the difference between it and other audio books
  2. Google Cursive note taking app works on other Chromebooks
  3. Explain Everything Digital Whiteboard
  4. Rumors suggest
  5. iPhone 13 rumors

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast 360: Guest tech expert Rocco Augusto; Jon & Todd’s so-so Apple predictions


Jon Westfall and I are joined by tech expert Rocco Augusto for this podcast.

  1. Chromebook “everything” button (search button) enhanced
  2. Jon and Todd’s Apple’s 4/20 product announcements predictions scorecard. We were a dismal 5 of 9
  3. Catching up with our old friend Rocco Augusto! Couple of links related to the many things we learned from and about Rocco.
    – Roku (for whom Rocco works) has an Apple TV channel that you can add to watch on your Roku streaming device
    – A Penoval USI Pen that he has been using with a Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.

MobileViews Podcast 359: Speculation about Apple’s 4/20 announcements



In this podcast Jon Westfall and I discuss:

  1. Apple April 20 announcements speculation
    iPad Pro
    Mini LED for 12.9 model? Meh?
    M1?
    Apple Pencil 3
    Spring loaded tip?
    Kano Harry Potter coding Kit
    iPad Pro Magic Keyboard 2
    Current model is interesting but too expensive. Have been very happy with Anker, Arteck, & Logitech Bluetooth keyboards for under $50
    iOS 14.5
    Unlock iPhone with mask on using Apple Watch
    iPad mini 6
    Smaller bezel, bigger screen, same overall size?
    AirTags
    How many years have we been hearing about this?
    AirPods 3
    Apple TV
    I switched to Roku years ago. Apple TV is too expensive
    New Macs
    Probably not. Usually announced during WWDC

    Apple Watch Birthday is April 24 (Next Saturday) – 2015 – 2021

  2. Jon: Laptop phone home

Available via Google Music Podcasts and Apple iTunes.