Published in Mac O’Clock·Mar 2Member-onlyIs HomePod 2 THAT Confusing?I’m looking at you, MKBHD — As I’ve been looking through reviews of HomePod 2, I’d largely describe my reaction as relief. Despite what I’d consider my initial well-founded fears, most reviews have confirmed that Apple managed to pull off a sort of technological audio jiujitsu, with HomePod 2 matching the audio quality of the original…Apple14 min readApple14 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Jan 26Member-onlyIs This the Cheaper, Worse-Sounding HomePod You Wanted?Be careful what you wish for The big HomePod is back! And way earlier than I had expected! It’s been less than two years since Apple announced that the original HomePod was being discontinued so they could focus more on the smaller, cheaper HomePod mini. But it appears that Apple…Apple9 min readApple9 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Oct 7, 2022Member-onlyDIY: Headphone StandThe unique design of AirPods Max deserves a unique stand A few months ago, I decided to splurge on a pair of expensive AirPods Max headphones. Since I planned to use them almost exclusively at home for watching TV and sometimes listening to music while working, and there is a…DIY7 min readDIY7 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Jul 11, 2022Member-onlyApple Gear For New ParentsGet baby stuff you and your kid will use for years If you have a baby on the way, you’ll surely be inundated with suggestions for supposedly must-have parenting items you should be buying or adding to a registry/wish list. To be honest, very few of these items are ones…Apple14 min readApple14 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Apr 25, 2022Member-onlyAre AirPods Max the Second Coming of the Big HomePod?With all the pros, cons, and risks that entails Apple’s AirPods Max over-ear headphones were intriguing, confounding, and polarizing from the moment they were unveiled in December 2020. How could any headphones be worth $550? Is Spatial Audio a real thing worth paying for? Why isn’t there a power button…Apple17 min readApple17 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Oct 29, 2021Member-onlyI Upgraded Early to Apple Watch Series 7. It Was Worth It.I could’ve waited another year, but I would’ve suffered for it — I really wasn’t planning on getting the Apple Watch Series 7. I have a Series 4 that is still in good shape aside from a little lag here and there, so I figured I’d wait one more year before upgrading. But my wife pointed out that our healthcare plan includes…Apple12 min readApple12 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Aug 30, 2021Member-onlyApple Fitness+ Meets You Where You AreMy thoughts after using Fitness+ for eight months Even though exercise and fitness have always been very important to me for both physical and mental health, I’ve never had a gym membership. I don’t like the atmosphere, cost, and questionable hygiene of gyms (even before the pandemic), and I’m a…Apple17 min readApple17 min read
Apr 30, 2021I might hold off on buying this new version for a couple of reasons.51Yash PatakNo way, man!No way, man! I've waited long enough for this one. I really don't have any confidence that Apple is going to support ATV on any kind of regular, let alone accelerated, refresh schedule. I saw the rumors about an ATV/soundbar combo, but I don't think that's coming any time soon…1 min read1 min read
Published in Mac O’Clock·Apr 29, 2021Member-onlyApple TV Hardware: Help Wanted!Apple should care more about our biggest screens After a nearly four-year wait, Apple has finally upgraded the Apple TV set-top box. And what we got was…a pretty minor, fairly underwhelming spec bump — an A12 bionic chip that debuted in 2018, a redesigned remote, and support for 60 frames…Apple12 min readApple12 min read
Apr 20, 2021Member-onlyAre Bone Conduction Headphones For Real?They are, and you might want some One could argue that we are currently in the Golden Age of Headphones. Everyone is carrying smartphones that can stream infinite hours of listenable content, including not only music, podcasts, and audiobooks, but also games, video, social media, Zoom calls, and new live…Headphones12 min readHeadphones12 min read
