698: And Do What?

The hosts kick off with a discussion about boredom, with one host recalling that they haven't experienced boredom in over a decade, largely due to their constant engagement in projects and activities. They contrast this with their childhood memories of summers filled with boredom, which they claim is less common among teenagers today, as they can find their own entertainment or connect with friends easily. This sets the tone for the podcast's exploration of technology's role in current life experiences.

The episode features a new member special focusing on Mac app development questions and discussions about what makes a good Mac app. They delve into the challenges of defining quality in software, touch on Apple’s release cadence, and debate the future of programming languages for AI and agentic coding, covering topics like the relevance of high-level languages versus machine code, and whether new languages are needed. They also explore how Apple’s supply chain and manufacturing timelines are affected by global events, and the strategic moves of companies like Intel and TSMC regarding chip fabrication.

Several updates are covered, including the return of Anthropics Mythos AI model after negotiations with the U.S. government, and Apple’s attempts to bypass restrictions on Chinese memory chip suppliers via lobbying efforts. The podcast discusses the pricing and release delays of the Steam Machine and ongoing increases in console prices from Microsoft’s Xbox, driven by component shortages. They critique industry practices such as price hikes and the strategic decisions around open ecosystems versus subsidized hardware.

Significant focus is placed on Apple’s chip development plans, including the anticipated M7 and potential shifts in release strategies to accommodate AI advancements. Rumors suggest Apple might skip certain chip generations to accelerate the deployment of the M7 family, designed for enhanced on-device AI processing. The discussion also covers the complexities and delays in chip manufacturing, the impact of global supply chain issues, and Apple’s possible collaborations with Intel for future chips, challenging the dominance of TSMC.

The hosts discuss Apple’s new Siri branding and visual identity changes, including humorous speculation about the logo resembling the Pepsi logo, and critique of the current visual branding strategies for AI icons. They review recent improvements in Siri’s capabilities, noting that it’s now comparable to other AI assistants in functionality, with some still issues around consistency and integration. Specific experiments are shared, such as Siri understanding code and performing complex queries, highlighting advancements and remaining challenges in AI-powered voice assistants.

Listeners contribute questions about differentiating device notifications, focus modes, and notification behaviors on Apple devices. The hosts analyze issues related to inconsistent vibrate and notification responses, especially involving the Watch and iPhone synchronization, and offer suggestions for troubleshooting. They emphasize the complexity of Apple’s notification system and propose experiments to improve notification reliability, along with humorous commentary on the communication habits of people working from home.

The episode concludes with discussions about collecting vintage computers, reflecting on nostalgia and the realities of maintaining older tech, including hardware limitations and network compatibility. The hosts share their own interests in vintage computers, emphasizing that collecting is often more about sentiment and aesthetics than actual daily use. They encourage listeners to explore vintage hardware as a hobby or display activity and share their favorite models.