680: A Lot of Holes in That Cheese

Key takeaways

Engaging the humor in adversity: The hosts discuss everyday challenges such as dealing with snowblowers humorously.
The workout app in WatchOS 26 has received serious criticism for being frustrating and less user-friendly than previous versions.
Apple is reportedly moving towards US manufacturing for some Mac products, sparking discussions about product quality and feature trade-offs.
Hosts share personal insights regarding their home screen layouts and headphone setups, showcasing their preferences and organizational styles.
Casey’s test drive experiences reflect the emotional ties to previous car ownership, weighing the pros and cons of potential new purchases.

Summary

The Great Snowblower Saga

The episode opens with a humorous anecdote about snowblowers, where one host shares their recent struggles with a snowblower that is old and rarely used. This leads to a comedic comparison of the different terms used for snow removal equipment (snow thrower vs. snowblower) across regions. The discussion eventually relates to the challenges of operating heavy gas-powered machines, especially in the context of uncommon and extreme winter weather.

WatchOS 26 Frustrations

The conversation transitions into frustration with the new WatchOS 26 workout app, which one host claims has made basic functions frustratingly hostile. They express their thoughts on the confusing new interface, interruptions, and promotion annoyances that interfere with just starting a workout. The hosts lament how Apple software has lost its user focus, leading to disappointment with the overall experience.

Technical Changes and Apple Products

The hosts discuss upcoming Apple events, promoting a new low-cost MacBook and some manufacturing changes in the U.S. There's speculation on how Apple will implement cutting costs while balancing product quality and fulfilling user needs. The conversation shifts towards Apple manufacturing efforts and the team’s thoughts on product design and usability.

Home Screen and Desktop Headphone Setups

In the latter half of the episode, the hosts share their current home screen layouts and headphone setups. With each host providing visuals of their screens, reactions to various apps, and how they manage their layouts and why they prefer certain designs. A comparison of speaker set ups and a debate about music listening preferences arise as they discuss desktop products.

Car Discussions and Driving Experiences

Lastly, Casey shares a detailed account of his recent test drives, including the BMW i4 M50 and Audi e-tron GT. The discussion reflects nostalgia for BMW vehicles as Casey considers the potential for future purchases. There’s contrast drawn between his preferences, the disappointments of test drives, and the evolving features of electric vehicles.

Show notes

Pre-show: Marco’s Watch and snow blows woes
- TruFuel
Follow-up:
- Casey got the CableCARD email 😭
- YoLink alternatives (via Joe)
- House batteries & V2H/V2L (via Russel Prouse)
  - F-150 Lightning
- On the value of M𝑥 Pro processors (via Rick Baumhauer)
- Tahoe window resizing workaround (via Nathan Manceaux-Panot)
  - defaults write -g AppleEdgeResizeExteriorSize 8
  - defaults delete -g AppleEdgeResizeExteriorSize
- macOS document model
  - …was actually introduced in Mac OS X 10.7
  - …and noted in the beginning of the Mac OS X 10.8 review
  - Final Cut Pro X does auto-save (via Ian Robinson)
    - Technical details (via Videoalex)
  - Microsoft Office 365 also auto-saves onto OneDrive in Windows (via Éric)
  - Saving files in Xcode (via Alex Kent)
  - Returning to Save As… (via Eric deRuiter)
    - System Settings
      - Desktop & Dock → disable Close windows when quitting an application
      - Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts create an entry under All Applications for Save As… (using an ellipsis by typing ⌥ ;) and assign it to ⌘⇧S
  - Notepad++ (via Emily Campbell)
- Alternative to Due (via Patrick Dumontel)
  - GoodTask
Apple March 4 “experience”
- MacRumors’ roundup of low-cost MacBook limitations
Apple to manufacture some Mac minis in the US
Ask ATP:
- What are our current home & lock screens? (via Sagar Patel)
  - ATP Insider: Roast My Home Screen
  - John: lock & home
  - Casey: lock & home
    - Indigo
    - Croissant
  - Marco: lock & home
- What’s our current desktop headphone setup? (via ziplyne)
  - Overtime on ATP #675
  - Casey
    - AirPods Pro 3
    - Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 32Ω
    - Desktop speakers
      - Sonos Era 100 × 2
      - Sonos Sub Mini
      - Sonos Combo Adapter
  - John:
  - Marco:
    - Podcasting
      - Beyerdynamic DT775 Pro 250Ω
      - Beyerdynamic EDT1770D Earpads
      - Schiit Jotunheim 2 (an older model; current is Jotunheim 3)
    - Music
      - HifiMan HE6
    - Speakers
      - KEF Q150 / LSX II & KC62
      - Amp for Q150: Fosi Audio BT30D
Post-show: Casey’s driven more cars
- BMW i4 M50
- Audi e-tron GT
Members-only ATP Overtime: Skill shortages, Apple Silicon, and AI
- Empowering the Next Wave of Silicon Engineers
- Gell-Mann amnesia effect