(Podcast) Downstream 55: It’s Netflix 2013 again

Netflix (which is still top dog) reports results and makes price hikes. Also: Disney+’s value proposition, the complexity of selling ads for streaming, Marvel discovers TV, and your letters.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Inadvertent balloon drops (or, the default conundrum)

Myke Hurley drops some balloons (on purpose, this time). When Apple shipped iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, it introduced a slew of new video features, all based on intercepting video input and running it through a machine-learning pipeline that detects the subject and the background.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 466: Number 2 Pencil

Books open, pencils down.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 525: My Co-Ghost

Underrated Apple apps, our reading setups, feelings on the Apple Pencil, and our thoughts on onboarding processes.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Take Control of Photos version 3.3 released ↦

My book about Apple’s Photos app has been updated for macOS Sonoma, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17. Among the new items covered are photo stickers, the upgraded People & Pets albums, Apple Watch changes, custom iPad lock screen features, new Photos widgets, and the new features introduced … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

The price of Apple’s old-products strategy

It’s an entirely innocuous announcement that says so much. Tuesday’s reveal of a new Apple Pencil that’s got a USB-C port and lacks numerous features of both the first- and second-generation Apple Pencils sure seems like minor stuff.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Apple announces new Apple Pencil with magnetic storage and USB-C port

There may not be new iPads, but if you’re in the market for an Apple Pencil, well, it’s your lucky day. Apple took the wraps off its new stylus, the most affordable model yet, which replaces the Lightning port with a USB-C option.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 481: What If… Octobox?

Will Apple introduce new iPads this month? A new Apple Pencil? Nothing at all? We grapple with some conflicting rumors. Also, Jason gives up on the iPad-only lifestyle and reviews a supremely weird E-Ink device (that he actually kind of likes).… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Loopback from Rogue Amoeba

With Loopback, moving audio between applications goes from impossible to trivial. Loopback can combine audio from any software application and any hardware device, to make a virtual source usable anywhere.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

This Week in Apple: Big business bucks (Member Post)

This week Piper Sandler takes on the most harrowing task of all while Google makes it rain on Cupertino. And if you’re waiting to buy the latest Apple kit this year, your wait will soon be over.… This story is for Six Colors members only. Become a member to get access to exclusiv … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock: 2.0x faster web browsing in Safari

My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week. As a native Safari extension, Magic Lasso blocks all intrusive ads, trackers and annoyances – letting you experience a faster, cleaner and more secure experience across all your devices.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Glenn Fleishman on troubleshooting iCloud Drive ↦

iCloud problems are all the rage now! Friend, colleague, and occasional Six Colors contributor Glenn Fleishman has an extensive article about trying to figure out problems with iCloud Drive syncing: Thus was the beginning of my pain.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Boox Palma review: A phone-shaped e-reader

Boox Palma (center) surrounded by more traditional Kindle and Kobo e-readers. As a big fan of e-readers, I’ve been experimenting with Android-based alternatives to the dedicated Kindle and Kobo hardware for a few years now.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 524: It’s Hurting Me, Mikah

Using Passkeys, how Apple could replace Google default search revenue, macOS Screen Sharing, and whether we take photos and capture video at concerts.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 465: Monocle Sunglasses

Dan’s iCloud problems continue, Lex makes a startling lifestyle change and Moltz wishes he didn’t get email.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

ScreenSharingMenulet gives you quick access to screens sharing

Ever since I discovered screen sharing many many years ago, I’ve been an avid user of the technology. I’ve remotely accessed my machines while away from home, sometimes across the country or even from a different part of the world.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Worth a Thousand Lies ↦

I really enjoyed this post by Nick Heer about the complex topic of whether photographs represent reality or not, whether Google is pushing things further than it should, or if this is all just the latest chapter in a story that started long before Photoshop: The criticisms I hav … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 480: Never Do a Deal with the Preference Daemon

Jason contacted technical support.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Glenn Fleishman dives into Check In ↦

At TidBITS, Glenn Fleishman takes a deep dive into one of iOS 17’s best (and most carefully implemented) features, Check In. It’s a feature that could lead to enormous improvements in security for lots of people, so long as they know it exists and how to use it: Life can be dang … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock: 2.0x faster web browsing in Safari

Want to experience twice as fast load times in Safari on your iPhone, iPad and Mac? Then download Magic Lasso Adblock – the ad blocker designed for you. It’s easy to setup, blocks all YouTube ads, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Downstream 54: NIRP

The WGA strike is over, so what does it mean? Also, your letters! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Don’t blame the writers for the end of Peak TV, Max gets interesting, Amazon adds ads, and Disney ♥️ Charter.]… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

This Week in Apple: Nothing can stay gold (Member Post)

We’ve got the hot news about search engines (I hear great things about that AltaVista), the woes of watch ownership, and we’ll catch up on all the -gates this side of Bill.… This story is for Six Colors members only. Become a member to get access to exclusive stories, podcasts, a … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

October Video Q&A (Member Video)

Time for the first of our monthly video Q&As, available only to subscribers at the More Colors or Backstage level. Please send in your questions at sixcolors.com/morecolorqs… This story is for Six Colors members only. Become a member to get access to exclusive stories, podcasts, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for sponsoring Six Colors again this week. AI is a hot topic in lots of businesses, but most companies still haven’t come up with policies to manage AI usage—and employees are potentially handing over all sorts of sensitive data to tools that may or may not be … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Review: iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max

iPhone designs change at a glacial pace. It’s rare that a new iPhone looks completely unlike the previous model. They’ve all looked more or less the same since the iPhone X ditched the home button back in 2017.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Bitten by the black box of iCloud

iCloud is, when you think about it, kind of a thankless service. At its best you don’t notice it—everything, in the unofficial mantra of Apple dating back decades, just works.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 523: It Stops Too Much Madness

How much we rely on iCloud, new muscle memory on Apple Watch, how we’ve enhanced our browser experience, and CarPlay tips & tricks.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 464: Did You Try Unplugging Your iCloud?

Dan’s tech problems, more iPhone 15 Pro reactions and how to wire your coffin for sound.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 479: The Three Oranges

As a very busy September turns over into October, we’ve got an episode packed with follow-up: Tim Cook takes another European vacation, the Vision Pro product roadmap recedes, Apple considers its search-engine strategy, and we review macOS Sonoma.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Stupid Companies Make AI Promises. Smart Companies Have AI Policies.

It seems like every company is scrambling to stake their claim in the AI goldrush–check out the CEO of Kroger promising to bring LLMs into the dairy aisle. And front line workers are following suit… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

This Week in Apple: The foreSEeable future (Member Post)

A new iPhone SE will probably arrive some day, unlike some other potential Apple products I could mention (cough, car and low-cost Vision Pro). Meanwhile Jony Ive is keeping busy hastening the robot apocalypse.… This story is for Six Colors members only. Become a member to get ac … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

The Back Page: Everything is fine until it isn’t (Member Post)

And thus was Tim Cook finally brought low—not by Apple’s anti-union practices, nor by his continued willingness to do business with a charming individual like Elon Musk, nor even by Apple’s questionable relationships with the Chinese government.… This story is for Six Colors memb … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Getting OS updates installed on end user devices should be easy, but of course it isn’t. Forcing restarts without user approval will l… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Craig Hockenberry on the watchOS 10 Timer ↦

Apple updated almost every system app in watchOS 10. Unfortunately, the redesign of the Timer app is a serious regression, according to Iconfactory developer Craig Hockenberry: The new visual appearance and functionality of watchOS 10 is a welcome change.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 522: Take That, Jason Snell!

Our favorite (or least-favorite) features in macOS Sonoma, our harrowing AppleCare stories, the cases we do or don’t have on our phones, and whether we upgraded to an iPhone 15.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 463: Mmm, Persona Grata

Welcome. To. The. Rebound.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

macOS Sonoma Review: Small moves

macOS Sonoma is an update that feels small—but in all the best ways. Upgrading it won’t change how you look at your Mac, at least not at first.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 478: Hi, We’re the Weirdos

Live from Memphis in the aftermath of the Relay FM Podcastathon, Myke and Jason take delivery of new iPhones and Apple Watches. Also, General Motors continues its drive for Apple-like services revenue.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) The Dirty Secret of OS Updates

Getting OS updates installed on end user devices should be easy. After all, it’s one of the simplest yet most impactful ways that every employee can practice good security.  On top of that, e… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

This Week in Apple: Money talks, FineWoven walks (Member Post)

Apple won’t let you gamble on the iPhone, but it seriously considered letting you do the next worst thing. The iPhone 15 Pro Max seems to be selling well but that FineWoven case… eesh.… This story is for Six Colors members only. Become a member to get access to exclusive stories, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Relay FM Podcastathon ↦

As I write this I’m sitting at St. Jude, about three hours into our 12-hour podcast telethon in support of St. Jude’s goal of stopping childhood cancer. I’m one of four hosts alon… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Unite 5

My thanks to BZG Apps, maker of Unite 5, for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Unite 5 for macOS takes your web experience to the next level, transforming websites into feature-rich Mac apps. Powere… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

iPhone delivery anxiety (Member Post)

Apple works very hard to try and manage the massive preorder demand for day-one iPhone deliveries every year.1 Apple originally allowed members of the iPhone Upgrade Program customers to set their orders up in advance, but eventually allowed everyone to pre-configure their phones … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Downstream 53: I’m Living With a Criminal

We break down the arrival of Mark Thompson as CNN’s new boss. Also, there’s a mega letters segment! [This episode was recorded September 7. See you in two weeks!]… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 521: You’re Right, It’s Yarn

Our one, must-have streaming service; our favorite not-at-home, not-at-the-office place to work; our webcam setups; and our favorite or most-used iPhone accessories.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 462: The Token Rings

Has anyone seen Dan’s iPad keyboard?… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Designing the Snoopy watchOS 10 face ↦

GQ’s Robert Leedham talks to the teams at Apple and Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates about bringing Snoopy to life on watchOS 10. Most interesting to me was how the watch decides what animations to show: That first meeting at the Charles M Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Unite 5 – Turn Web Apps into Supercharged macOS apps

Unite 5 for macOS takes your web experience to the next level, transforming websites into feature-rich Mac apps. Powered by a completely redesigned WebKit browser, Unite 5 offers a more immersive and customizable browsing experience.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago