The Mac & Forth Show 373 - Gadget Gifting

This week on 'The Mac & Forth Show Podcast,' Alan, Dean, Steve, and Karl explore the latest Apple updates and share their top tech gift suggestions. They delve into the new features of iOS 17.2, including the innovative Journal app, and discuss the subtle changes in macOS Sonoma 14.2. The episode also highlights the enhanced health data accessibility in watchOS 10.2 and the 3D movie support in tvOS 17.2. Plus, they offer creative Christmas gift ideas for tech enthusiasts. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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The Mac & Forth Show 372 - Siri-ous Crimes

This week on 'The Mac & Forth Show Podcast,' Alan, Steve, and Karl are set to tickle your tech fancy with some Apple-flavoured news and quirks! First up, Apple TV gives the boot to 'Central Park' and 'Swagger,' leaving us wondering if Apple's got a new trick up its sleeve or just a tighter belt. Then, the guys tackle the drama around the FiLMiC video app for iPhone - is it really curtains for this beloved app, or just a cliffhanger? In a blast from the past, they'll marvel at a RadioShack cheque signed by none other than Steve Jobs - talk about a pricey autograph! The plot thickens this side of the pond, where iPhone 15 Pro Max orders are playing a game of switcheroo with fakes. Oh, the intrigue! In a bizarre tech twist, an Android phone thief soon returns it when they realise it’s not an iPhone! And for the grand finale, AirTags turn into plant detectives, tracking down pilfered greenery. It's like a 'Where's Waldo?' for plants! All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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The Mac & Forth Show 371 - The Battle For The Bot

Join Alan, Steve, and Karl in this week's episode of 'The Mac & Forth Show Podcast' as they dive into the latest tech stories. The episode opens with a surprising boardroom coup at OpenAI, exploring the unexpected shifts in leadership and their wider implications and continue with the intriguing mystery behind the changes and its resolution. The discussion then pivots to the termination of the 'Nothing' project's iMessage bridge, highlighting the significant privacy and security concerns involved. The team also examines Apple's legal challenge against the EU's demand for third-party app stores, delving into the potential consequences for the tech giant. Wrapping up, they ponder the future of Apple's leadership, discussing Tim Cook's comments on potential successors as CEO. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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The Mac & Forth Show 370 - Pin Pal

On this week’s episode of 'The Mac & Forth Show Podcast,' Alan, Dean, and Karl discuss a range of Apple-centric topics: the controversial $700 Humane AI Pin and its implications, Apple's surprising decision to adopt RCS messaging for enhanced iPhone-Android communication, the standout finalists of the 2023 App Store Awards and their impact on app development, a Paris exhibition showcasing the iPhone 15 Pro Max's photographic capabilities, and the introduction of spatial videos on iPhone 15 Pro with the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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Apple Extends Free Satellite SOS Service

Apple has extended its Emergency SOS via satellite service for an additional year free of charge for iPhone 14 users. This life-saving technology, initially available on iPhone 14 and now on iPhone 15 in 16 countries, enables users to text emergency services outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. A notable example of its effectiveness was in the Angeles National Forest, where two injured individuals were rescued after their car fell off a mountain, thanks to the satellite communication service. Additional features include location sharing via the Find My app, Crash Detection, and Check In for safety notifications. The service, requiring iOS 17, is available for users who activated their iPhone 14 before November 15, 2023.

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2023's App Store Gems: Unveiling This Year's Top Finalists

The 2023 App Store Awards have recognized nearly 40 app and game developers across 10 categories for their achievements in innovation and technical excellence. Notable finalists include AllTrails, Duolingo, and Flighty for iPhone apps; Afterplace, Honkai: Star Rail, and Vampire Survivors for iPhone games; Concepts, DaVinci Resolve, and Prêt-à-Makeup for iPad apps; Eggy Party, Lost in Play, and Pocket City 2 for iPad games; Linearity Curve, Photomator, and Portal for Mac apps; and ELEX II, Lies of P, and Return to Monkey Island for Mac games. Winners will be announced soon.

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Apple Arcade's November Fiesta: New Hits, Epic Updates, and Endless Fun!

This November, Apple Arcade is set to enrich its gaming portfolio with eight new titles and over 50 updates. Highlights include the strategic word puzzle Knotwords+, the comprehensive soccer management simulator Football Manager 2024 Touch, the adventurous Downwell+, and the family-friendly Delicious – Miracle of Life+. Additionally, popular games such as Hello Kitty Island Adventure and NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition are receiving exciting updates, alongside other notable titles like Sonic Dream Team and Puzzle & Dragons Story, enhancing the diverse gaming experience for Apple Arcade subscribers.

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iPhone's Prowess Unveiled at Paris Photo Exhibition

The "I Remember You" exhibition, held in Paris, showcased the impressive capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max through the works of five renowned photographers. Exploring themes of nostalgia and technology, the two-day event at Salon Corderie featured captivating images ranging from human portraits to natural landscapes, demonstrating the iPhone's ability to capture life's fleeting moments. Curated by Dr Isolde Brielmaier, the exhibition highlighted how each photographer utilized the iPhone in their creative process, turning everyday snapshots into enduring mementoes and offering an immersive journey through memory, connection, and the timeless essence of photography.

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The Mac & Forth Show 369 - No iMac For You!!

On this week's episode of The Mac & Forth Show, hosts Alan, Dean, Steve, and Karl discuss the latest updates and rumours in the Apple universe. Apple has released updates for macOS Sonoma and HomePod, enhancing stability and user experience. Meanwhile, iOS sees a minor update with version 17.1.1. In hardware news, Apple has confirmed there will be no Apple Silicon 27-inch iMac, suggesting a focus on the 24-inch model for upgraders. Speculation about new iPads and AirPods not being ready for a 2023 launch is also on the table, alongside Macs now being able to detect water in USB-C ports to prevent damage. In response to the EU Digital Markets Act, Apple will comply with regulations allowing side-loading and alternative payment systems. Developers express frustration with Apple's Feedback Assistant, calling for a boycott due to its inefficiency. And in a lighter note, Apple Music celebrates Taylor Swift as the Artist of the Year for 2023. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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The Mac & Forth Show 368 - Shot On iPhone*

On this week's episode of The Mac & Forth Show, hosts Alan, Dean, Karl, and special guest Craig Atkinson, from our Discord server, discuss Apple's new M3 chip lineup, including its integration into the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. They touch upon the release of the "scary fast" iMac with the M3 chip, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's role in capturing the recent Apple event, the revelation about the iPhone's malfunctioning Wi-Fi MAC privacy feature for three years, and a guide to the new Journal feature in iOS 17.2. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.

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