6C Podcast: New betas, Mac Studio life, and calendars

Stephen Hackett joins Jason to discuss the beta lifestyle, adapting to the Mac Studio, Apple’s financial results, and Stephen’s Kickstarter project.… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for once again sponsoring Six Colors. Kolide knows how challenging it can be to prove compliance to a third-party auditor—they just went through it themselves. They learned firsthand something their customers had been telling them for a while: that they couldn … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Six Colors community moving to Discord (Member Post)

Being a member of Six Colors means you get access to members-only posts, the Six Colors Podcast, and a whole lot more. For a few years we’ve also offered a community for members in Slack. Unfortunately, while we love Slack, it’s not really a product made for communities like ours … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

This is Tim: Q3 2022 analyst call transcript

As always, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri are talking to analysts after revealing Apple’s quarterly financial results. Here’s an ongoing transcript. Tim Cook’s opening statement Today, Apple is reporting another record June quarter, with revenue of $83 billion, which was … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Apple announces $83B fiscal third quarter

Apple’s fiscal results are out. The company generated $83B in revenue. Compared to the year-ago quarter, Mac sales were down 10%, iPad sales down 2%, iPhone up 3%, Services up 13%, and Wearables down 8%. Here are all the charts! … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

My own personal Apple Store Time Machine

The Apple Store Time Machine is a project by Michael Steeber, who has been a go-to authoring on Apple’s retail stores for many years. It’s a free Mac app called Shop Different, built with Unity, that lets you walk through four different Apple Stores as if you were in a video game … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Scrubbing through iOS 16’s Music app

We fear change. When I first saw that the Music app in iOS 16 had done away with its old controls for adjusting volume and scrubbing, I was confused and upset. It’s human nature. But now that I’ve used them a little more… I think I approve. Here’s what it’s been like forever: bot … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) MacBreak Weekly 828: Woz’s Not Here, Man

For those who didn’t hear the news, Jason is a regular panelist on TWiT’s MacBreak Weekly now. This week we discussed the Newton cameo in “For All Mankind,” Rene Ritchie going to YouTube (which is why Jason is now on MacBreak Weekly!), patents, and the M2 MacBook Air.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 461: I Make the Guests Cry

Dan had a baby so we discuss tech advice for new parents and our favorite toys. But we also dig into invasive network video cameras, the ruination of Instagram, and if VR is ever going to be a thing.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Get universal times into Discord and elsewhere with Elsewhen

Time zones. I hate them. But without them, I’d be waking up with the sunrise at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. or some other outlandish times. I do, however, enjoy collaborating with people in different times zones and putting my stuff out there to be read by anyone, anywhere, regardless of t … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Safari extension Noir adds extensible dark-mode themes ↦

Goodreads, overriden by Noir.One of my favorite Safari extensions is Noir, which applies a dark stylesheet to websites that don’t get satisfactorily dark when in Dark Mode. The $3 app, which is available for macOS and iOS, just got a big update. Noir now offers a library of dark … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Apple TV needs a unified home screen (Member Post)

Just imagine. (Mock-up by Joe Rosensteel.)In my previous column I wrote about the disappointment over the current state of tvOS and the lack of any significant forward movement with the platform. Now I want to focus on one area where I think Apple could substantially revamp and i … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Downstream 23: The All-Letters Episode

Jason and Julia answer your letters. So many questions! We discuss live TV on Apple channels, merger mania, niche streaming, valuable hot-dog streaming rights, “it’s just an eight-hour movie”, and tactical release times.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Preparing for an Audit? We’ve Been There.

In 2021, our company went through the SOC 2 Type 1 audit, and we found out just how challenging it can be to prove compliance to a third party auditor. We also learned firsthand something our customers had been telling us for a while: that we couldn’t have gotten our SOC certific … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 417: The Verticals

In this special Summer of Fun episode, Jason and Myke welcome three special guests to discuss how development, accessibility, and widgets have been affected by Apple’s latest operating-system cycle.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for once again sponsoring Six Colors. Kolide takes a different approach to endpoint security and fleet management. They help companies meet compliance goals by enlisting the support of their users with a structured, message-based approach. Here’s Kolide’s secr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

6C Podcast: Tech projects and art commissions

James Thomson officially declares Jason a developer. James just wants panda stickers. eInkCalendar SystemSix WeatherKit API woes Lametric Time Substance 3D Painter PCalc MiSTer … Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Touch ID on a Mac desktop, deconstructed

A keyboard lurks beneath my desk.I’ve wanted Touch ID on my Mac for a long time. Here at Six Colors, we’ve wished for it since the earliest days of this site. But when it arrived, it was a strictly laptop-only affair. Finally, in 2011, Apple gave desktop users what we had wanted, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 401: Hey, Series of Mirrors

Dan would have wanted you to listen to this episode. Sniff.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) MBW 827: A Response With Lots of Nines

Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, and Jony Ive says goodbye.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 460: 9000 Ginger Emoji

How we pay online, in stores, and elsewhere. How we use (or wish we could use) our smartphones to aid in travel. The data we’d like to see on our iPhone Lock Screen. Our three favorite emoji and a new emoji we’re most excited about.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

OmniFocus gains cross-platform voice automation

The latest update to the Omni Group’s OmniFocus task manager has a mild-mannered version number – 3.13 – but it includes one pretty big new feature. You can now control the app (on iPhone, iPad, or Mac) using your voice, with an assist from JavaScript-based Omni Automation featur … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 416: Shout-out to Bridget Knight

Myke and Jason both have new M2 MacBook Airs, so it’s time for our full review. Jason opens the Stocks app for the first time in ages. Jony Ive’s long fade-out from Apple is completed. And in honor of World Emoji Day, we select our favorite emojis in seven categories.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide–50% Fewer Service Desk Hairs Pulled Out, Guaranteed!

“When was the last time you restarted it?” If you’ve ever worked at a service desk, you’ve probably wanted to tattoo this question on your forehead. Ditto for: “What device drivers do you have installed?” and “What do you MEAN you wrote the password on a sticky note and then you … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for once again sponsoring Six Colors. Kolide takes a different approach to endpoint security and fleet management. It’s all about helping customers meet compliance goals by enlisting the support of their end users with a structured, message-based approach. Kol … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

6C Podcast: Public betas and the M2 MacBook Air

We discuss our favorite features of the public betas and Dan’s going on leave! (This episode also contains the complete audio of our hourlong YouTube live stream about the M2 MacBook Air.)… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

M2 MacBook Air Review: A new era

The definitive Mac of the last decade was the 13-inch MacBook Air, introduced in 2010 and featuring a wedge-shaped design. It influenced all the Apple laptops (and let’s face it, a lot of PC laptops) that came after it. Its last major update in 2018 added a Retina display and shr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 400: I’ve Had a Good Run

The 400th episode spectacular! Celebrate Prime Day! Discuss the public betas! And some important news from one of our hosts.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 459: I Neither Tik Nor Tok

Digital lending, when to install public betas, our favorite utility apps, and how we feel about TikTok’s algorithm changes.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) MBW 826: Snelled It!

JWST images, Apple’s public betas, the fate of the Apple Car, Lockdown Mode, and MacBook Air orders.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Downstream 22: When Success Isn’t Success

How do the creators of TV shows know how well their shows are doing when their streaming services won’t share meaningful data? Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe tired, or getting creative? And which streamer ranked tops in Vulture’s survey?… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

The last vestige of Jony Ive era ends ↦

Tripp Mickle, reporting for the New York Times: Mr. Ive and Apple have agreed to stop working together**, according to two people with knowledge of their contractual agreement, ending a three-decade run during which the designer helped define every rounded corner of an iPhone an … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 415: My Body Is My Studio, My Exercises Are My Canvas

Apple’s iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas have gone public and we have our first impressions! Also, the M2 MacBook Air has gone on sale, the new “extreme sports” Apple Watch is coming into focus, and for the Summer of Fun we’re drafting favorite app icons.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

First Look: iOS 16 Public Beta

If it’s July, that can mean only one thing: it’s Apple’s public beta season. As has become de rigueur for this time of year, Apple has released the preview version of its upcoming software platform updates, giving the public its first chance at seeing the latest capabilities comi … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

First Look: macOS Ventura Public Beta

Apple’s macOS Ventura, an update due to ship this fall that has arrived Monday as a public beta preview, is full of both little feature refinements and big swings at improving Mac productivity. On the small side, it’s improved search in Spotlight and Mail, expanded Handoff suppor … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Kolide–Endpoint Security For People, Not Paper Clips

You know the old thought experiment about the AI designed to make paper clips, that quickly decides that in order to maximize paper clips, it will have to get rid of all the humans? A lot of security teams have a similar idea when it comes to meeting compliance goals: it would be … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock

My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Magic Lasso Adblock is a great ad blocker for Safari on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. As a native content blocking extension, it blocks all intrusive ads, trackers and annoyances – letting you experience a faster, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Orders, beta prep, and Apple’s new modes

Jason bought an M2 MacBook Air, but Dan’s M1 Air is Just Fine. Public Betas are in the air. And Lockdown Mode joins Developer Mode in Apple’s new mode-centric worldview.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

6C Podcast: Orders, beta prep, and Apple’s new modes

Jason bought an M2 MacBook Air, but Dan’s M1 Air is Just Fine. Public Betas are in the air. And Lockdown Mode joins Developer Mode in Apple’s new mode-centric worldview.… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

M2 MacBook Air for sale, base models coming next week

As promised, the M2 MacBook Air went on sale Friday with the first machines shipping to customers next Friday. (I got my hands on one for a little while at WWDC, but haven’t touched one since.) This product has been repeatedly delayed by supply-chain issues, and so it’s not surpr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 399: Stuff is Unreliable

Where there’s smoke, there may or may not be fire, especially if you have a Google Nest Protect.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 458: Supply Chain Who?

Our coding experiences, the toys we collect and enjoy, our thoughts on new smartphones with current-gen silicon, how we feel about targeted ads, and how we manage our online privacy settings.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Stephen Hackett’s calendar is back ↦

Another year, another Apple product calendar from Stephen Hackett: The calendar features my own product photography of Apple products, with each month highlighting some of Apple’s software announcements over the years. Each calendar measures 20 inches by 13 inches (50.8  x 33.02 … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Apple introduces ‘Lockdown Mode’ ↦

This is a fascinating announcement of a feature of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura that wasn’t previewed at WWDC: Apple today detailed two initiatives to help protect users who may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

Zoom PodTrak P4 review: Podcasting and the other Zoom (Member Post)

I recently said goodbye to an old friend – a 12-channel analog audio mixer I’ve used to produce podcasts since around 2007. It was always overkill, even when I recorded shows around my kitchen table with three or four guests. This mixer was better suited to making and recording m … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 414: The Meat Seems Questionable

This July 4 Jason spends some time away from the grill to discuss charity shops, stroopwafels, and the differences between the U.S. and the UK. Meanwhile, Myke has been inspired to build his own iPad-based status board. Vive la différence, as they say in yet another country.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock: YouTube ad blocker for Safari

Do you want to block all YouTube ads in Safari on your iPhone, iPad and Mac? Then download Magic Lasso Adblock – the ad blocker designed for you. It’s easy to setup, doubles the speed at which Safari loads and now blocks all YouTube ads. Magic Lasso is an efficient, high performa … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock

My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Designed from the ground up to protect your privacy, Magic Lasso blocks all intrusive ads, trackers and annoyances in Safari – stopping you from being followed by ads around the web. Along with respecting your … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 1 year ago