Apple on Wednesday released its newest laptop, a 16-inch MacBook Pro, with features all pro users will love.

Ask four-time Grammy-winning producer and engineer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Danger Mouse), a question about mic placement, and you’re just as likely to get an answer about the final mix. See, for the laconic Missouri native and former front-of-house engineer, selecting and setting up microphones, and arranging how and where the players will stand during a session is all part and parcel of creating a virtual soundstage that’ll go on to form the basis of a song’s sonic image.

Vance is one of my favorite engineers. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with him on a number of occasions and his commitment to getting things just right is impressive.

Dave and I talk about Apple TV+ and the strategy Apple has for releasing new shows. We also follow-up on some HomePod problems.

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I picked up my AirPods Pro earlier this week and have spent my time using them for listening to music, podcasts, and fiddling around with the new noise cancellation feature. I will say there is a lot going on with these new headphones—much more than I first suspected. […]

Dave and I go into some detail of the new AirPods Pro after my use with the headphones. We also talk about the HomePod and some of the new features in its latest software update.

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In the past month, the company named Paul Meade a vice president of hardware engineering, Jon Andrews a vice president of software engineering, Gary Geaves to a new vice president of acoustics role, and Kaiann Drance as a vice president of marketing.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant also brought back Bob Borchers, a former iPhone executive who recently worked at Google and Dolby Laboratories Inc. Borchers is now a vice president of marketing.

That’s a good list of people now in lead roles at Apple. I’m especially happy for Kaiann—well deserved.

Apple on Wednesday reported revenue of $64 billion for the company’s fiscal fourth quarter. This represent an increase of two percent over the year ago quarter and the highest fourth quarter revenue ever for the company.

Apple on Monday announced AirPods Pro, the latest version of the company’s wireless headphones. The AirPods will have a new design and other features that set them apart.

There have been many complaints about the new versions of macOS and iOS since their release. Dave and I talk about that, as well as looking at the security of Google and Amazon’s voice assistant products.

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Six years ago, Tim Cook, who took the reins at Apple after the death of its founder, Steve Jobs, called renowned CNN anchor Anderson Cooper to set up a meeting with him. Cook was about to make a decision that would reverberate around the world and he wanted Cooper’s advice. “My style is when I’m doing something complex that I’ve never done before, I always try to make a list of those people who have come before and approach this point,” he shares. What he was doing was much more complex. Cook, 59, had decided to publish a column where he would share with the world that he was gay, making him the first, and until then only, leader of a Fortune 500 company to come out of the closet. Five years later, speaking slowly and with a slight smile, he says: “I have not regretted it for one minute. Not at all.”

What he was doing was much more complex. Cook, 59, had decided to publish a column where he would share with the world that he was gay, making him the first, and until then only, leader of a Fortune 500 company to come out of the closet. Five years later, speaking slowly and with a slight smile, he says: “I have not regretted it for one minute. Not at all.”

I have a lot of respect for Tim, as the CEO of Apple, and as a person.

The government in its indictment alleges that Levoff used inside information from Apple, including financial results before they were published, to trade Apple stock. He’s facing six counts of securities fraud and six counts of wire fraud.

He only realized just over $500,000 with the insider information, which hardly seems worth the effort for someone in his position. The real irony is that he was in charge of making sure employees didn’t do insider trading. Oomph.

Tesla Inc shares soared 17% on Thursday after the electric carmaker surprised Wall Street by delivering on Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s promise of a profit in the third quarter, even as doubts remained about its long-term prospects.

The more impressive thing is that Musk was able to deliver a profit.

Disney+ is coming, so Dave and I talked about the demographics of who might subscribe. We also talked about Samsungs lack of security and whether or not you tell people if you have a Google speaker in your house when they visit.

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It’s been a rough week for Apple in China. Dave and I talk about that, some problems with macOS Catalina, and how much I hate musicals.

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This is a great video.

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Apple on Monday released macOS Catalina, the newest operating systems for the company’s Macs. While there is a wealth of new features in the latest version, Catalina is also the first macOS to require 64-bit apps. […]

Dave recalls some difficulty he’s had with his Apple Wallet and we talk about playing terrestrial radio stations on the HomePod.

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Dave and I talk this week about the iPhone 11 and Night Mode when taking pictures. We also look at the new Apple Watch and what’s important to me about using the device.

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I remember writing iPhone reviews with the focus usually on whether the device was powerful enough to get through our daily routines. We are so far past that point now; it’s not even a consideration for me anymore. However, there are a lot of other things to look at in the new iPhone 11, Pro, and Pro Max. […]

I’ve been using the new iPhones for a few days, so Dave and I took some time to talk about some of the new features.

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“After 16 years at Apple, countless keynotes, product launches and the occasional PR crisis, I’ve decided that the time is right for me to step away from our remarkable company,” wrote Dowling. “This is something that has been on my mind for a while, and it came into sharp focus during the latest — and for me, last — launch cycle. Your plans are set and the team is executing brilliantly as ever. So, it’s time.”

In a statement, Apple said of Dowling’s departure: “Steve Dowling has been dedicated to Apple for more than 16 years and has contributed to the company at every level through many of its most significant moments. From the first iPhone and App Store to Apple Watch and AirPods, he has helped tell Apple’s story and share our values with the world. Following another successful product launch, he has decided to leave Apple to spend some much deserved time with his family. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will serve the company well into the future. We’re grateful to him for all that he’s given to Apple and wish him the best.”

The move comes right after Apple hosted its annual fall event last week at its Cupertino headquarters, launching the iPhone 11 and its latest iteration of the Apple Watch. Marketing head Phil Schiller will take over Dowling’s role in the interim, and sources said the company will be considering both internal and external candidates to take over the position.

This is an incredible bit of news. I will miss Dowling. I’ve known him for the entire time he was at Apple, and he’s always been very upfront, honest, and helpful. All the best.

It’s interesting that Apple is looking internally and externally for a replacement. With Apple the way it is, I think it would be very hard to find someone outside that could fill that role the way Apple expects it to be done. I honestly don’t know if that would work out for them.

Dave and I took a few minutes to talk about the behavior of The New York Times reporter on Twitter, but quickly moved on to discussing all of the products Apple introduced at its event this week.

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Apple events are interesting in many ways. We get to see the new products from Apple, obviously, but we also talk with other reporters and analysts about where the various markets are heading. For one New York Times reporter, Jack Nicas, it’s an opportunity to shame other people. […]

I attended the iPhone 11 event this morning in Cupertino, Calif. and was impressed with Apple’s hardware and software releases. I’ll go into more detail in the coming days, including on my podcast, but I wanted to share some things that really stood out to me. […]

The new iPhone is set to be released next week so Dave and I discuss what the naming of the devices could be. Dave also shares what he uses ice packs for.

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Chris Cornell was a modern innovator who left a legacy that transcends genres or expectations. His voice carried a generation into the unknown, but somehow always got us back home. We miss him dearly. When we first partnered with Chris to work on his original Gibson ES-335 Artist Model, it was immediately clear that he also had an innovative eye for guitar design. Features like the aged Lollartron humbucking pickups, clear “no number” top hat knobs, and Olive Drab satin finish, make this guitar one of our most distinct Artist Models to date. The Mother of Pearl Chris Cornell “signature” peghead inlay makes this limited run of 250 pieces an exclusive tribute to the celebrated artist.

There is no doubt that this is a beautiful instrument, but typical of Gibson, I think they overpriced it.

Apple sent out the event invite just as Dave and I were podcasting, so we talked a little bit about what to expect at the September 10 event. Apple also clarified what it will be doing to help Siri become better, while maintaining the privacy of its customers.

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Apple on Thursday sent an invite to press for a special event to be held at the company’s Cupertino, Calif. headquarters. The event will be at The Steve Jobs Theater on September 10, 2019 at 10:00 am.