We start with the very sad news that Tim Roberton, founder of MyMac, podcasting pioneer, and mentor and enabler to many, many novices to podcasting has passed away, peacefully at home with his family after a short illness.
I am sure you will all join myself and Nick in sending our deepest sympathies to all of his family and friends everywhere.
After that Simon and Nick take their usual circuitous route through the “silly season” news they considered interesting enough and, as ever, some other stuff as well…
Sound is back to normal btw… don’t really know what fixed it, I just fiddled a bit and tested and the problem was gone (thankfully!)
After the sad death of Tim Robertson, please consider making a donation, no matter how small, to the GoFundMe to help support Tim’s wife and four children at this difficult time.
Recorded 20th July 2025
On this week's show
NICK RILEY
Spligosh in the Slack
Sutton Park Circuit church worship on YouTube
Nick’s church stream videos on You Tube
TIM ROBERSTON
Tim’s Obituary
TidBITS Tribute
Tim’s Memorial Service
Guy Serle and David Cohen discuss Tim and the future of MyMac
GoFundMe for Tim’s family
APPLE
25 years later, Apples most infamous Mac can teach some valuable lessons – Macworld
iOS 26s Liquid Glass design brings big changes to your iPhone – Tom’s Guide
Apple Releases Third iOS 18.6 and macOS Sequoia 15.6 Public Betas – MacRumors
New Apple Watch Gesture in watchOS 26 Limited to Newer Models – MacRumors
Other Apple executives to take on retiring Jeff Williams’ duties – Apple Insider
Meta just poached two more AI researchers from Apple – 9to5Mac
Apple has now fully paid $16.5B to Ireland in back taxes – 9to5Mac
Apple chipmaker TSMC might finish building its next U.S. plants early – BGR
New Apple video comedically says: be careful what you remove from photos – 9to5Mac
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Anode-free battert tech – Battery Tech Online
SECURITY & PRIVACY
Swiss tax probe sparks battle over Apple account records – Apple Insider
WORTH A CHIRP / ESSENTIAL TIPS
Mac Preferences/Settings through the ages – Aresluna
Simon discovers Temu.com
Essential Apple Recommended Services:
All Things Secured – Online security made simple by Josh Summers.
Pixel Privacy – a fabulous resource full of excellent articles and advice on how to protect yourself online.
Doug.ee Blog for Andy J’s security tips.
Ghostery – protect yourself from trackers, scripts and ads while browsing.
Simple Login – Email anonymisation and disposable emails for login/registering with
33mail.com – Never give out your real email address online again.
AnonAddy – Disposable email addresses
Sudo – get up to 9 “avatars” with email addresses, phone numbers and more to mask your online identity. Free for the first year and priced from $0.99 US / £2.50 UK per month thereafter... You get to keep 2 free avatars though.
ProtonMail – end to end encrypted, open source, based in Switzerland. Prices start from FREE... what more can you ask?
ProtonVPN – a VPN to go with it perhaps? Prices also starting from nothing!
Comparitech DNS Leak Test – simple to use and understand VPN leak test.
Fake Name Generator – so much more than names! Create whole identities (for free) with all the information you could ever need.
Wire and on the App Stores – free for personal use, open source and end to end encryted messenger and VoIP.
Pinecast – a fabulous podcast hosting service with costs that start from nothing.
Essential Apple is not affiliated with or paid to promote any of these services... We recommend services that we use ourselves and feel are either unique or outstanding in their field, or in some cases are just the best value for money in our opinion.
Social Media and Slack
<h4>You can follow us on:</h4>
Twitter / Slack / EssentialApple.com / Soundcloud / Spotify / Facebook / Pinecast
Also a big SHOUT OUT to the members of the Slack room without whom we wouldn't have half the stories we actually do – we thank you all for your contributions and engagement.
You can always help us out with a few pennies by using our Amazon Affiliate Link so we get a tiny kickback on anything you buy after using it.
If you really like the show that much and would like to make a regular donation then please consider joining our Patreon or using the Pinecast Tips Jar (which accepts one off or regular donations)
And a HUGE thank you to the patrons who already do.
Support The Essential Apple Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/essential-apple-show
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
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1:12:20
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1:12:20
S1E306 - Essential Apple 306: Liquid Glass & Shiny New Things
Simon and Nick are back, after a series of “Calendar Difficulties” and then the fact that before WWDC unless you are into all the speculation and rumours there isn’t a great deal really going on. So anyway here we are and here it all is Apple OS’s 26, Liquid Glass everywhere and a lot more besides. As ever we discuss all of that and more.
Sorry about my sound, something was making a horrible buzzing – I cleaned it up but if means my half of the recording is subpar. Will have to troubleshoot…
Recorded 15th June 2025
On this week's show
NICK RILEY
Spligosh in the Slack
Sutton Park Circuit church worship on YouTube
Nick’s church stream videos on You Tube
APPLE
Apples Liquid Glass design is paving the way for AR glasses – TechCrunch
Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2025 – Wired
Everything Announced at Apple WWDC 2025: Unified OS Redesign – CNet
macOS Tahoe vs Sequoia:Whats different, whats new, should you update? – Macworld
Essential Apple Recommended Services:
All Things Secured – Online security made simple by Josh Summers.
Pixel Privacy – a fabulous resource full of excellent articles and advice on how to protect yourself online.
Doug.ee Blog for Andy J’s security tips.
Ghostery – protect yourself from trackers, scripts and ads while browsing.
Simple Login – Email anonymisation and disposable emails for login/registering with
33mail.com – Never give out your real email address online again.
AnonAddy – Disposable email addresses
Sudo – get up to 9 “avatars” with email addresses, phone numbers and more to mask your online identity. Free for the first year and priced from $0.99 US / £2.50 UK per month thereafter... You get to keep 2 free avatars though.
ProtonMail – end to end encrypted, open source, based in Switzerland. Prices start from FREE... what more can you ask?
ProtonVPN – a VPN to go with it perhaps? Prices also starting from nothing!
Comparitech DNS Leak Test – simple to use and understand VPN leak test.
Fake Name Generator – so much more than names! Create whole identities (for free) with all the information you could ever need.
Wire and on the App Stores – free for personal use, open source and end to end encryted messenger and VoIP.
Pinecast – a fabulous podcast hosting service with costs that start from nothing.
Essential Apple is not affiliated with or paid to promote any of these services... We recommend services that we use ourselves and feel are either unique or outstanding in their field, or in some cases are just the best value for money in our opinion.
Social Media and Slack
<h4>You can follow us on:</h4>
Twitter / Slack / EssentialApple.com / Soundcloud / Spotify / Facebook / Pinecast
Also a big SHOUT OUT to the members of the Slack room without whom we wouldn't have half the stories we actually do – we thank you all for your contributions and engagement.
You can always help us out with a few pennies by using our Amazon Affiliate Link so we get a tiny kickback on anything you buy after using it.
If you really like the show that much and would like to make a regular donation then please consider joining our Patreon or using the Pinecast Tips Jar (which accepts one off or regular donations)
And a HUGE thank you to the patrons who already do.
Support The Essential Apple Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/essential-apple-show
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
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1:38:26
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1:38:26
Essential Apple Extra: Nemo Review of ThinkSound ov202w Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
No you're not going mad, and yes there should have been a show by now! Unfortunately with Bank Holidays, and Nick's Choir, and his Church Circuit commitments, and me being a bit unwell/under the weather it didn't work out. Besides which, I can't say there is a lot of news worth talking about to be honest! However, we will be back after WWDC to bring you all our thoughts on that – we promise.
Anyway this a little Extra to give you a little update and to let you listen to Nemo's review of the excellent ThinkSound ov202w Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Recorded 26th May 2025
On this week's show
NEMO'S HARDWARE STORE (00:05)
ThinkSound ov202w Wireless Over-Ear Headphones John loves these and verified Amazon buyers agree with 5 stars abounding...
Amazon – US $184 USD or UK £194 UKP
Essential Apple Recommended Services:
All Things Secured – Online security made simple by Josh Summers.
Pixel Privacy – a fabulous resource full of excellent articles and advice on how to protect yourself online.
Doug.ee Blog for Andy J’s security tips.
Ghostery – protect yourself from trackers, scripts and ads while browsing.
Simple Login – Email anonymisation and disposable emails for login/registering with
33mail.com – Never give out your real email address online again.
AnonAddy – Disposable email addresses
Sudo – get up to 9 “avatars” with email addresses, phone numbers and more to mask your online identity. Free for the first year and priced from $0.99 US / £2.50 UK per month thereafter... You get to keep 2 free avatars though.
ProtonMail – end to end encrypted, open source, based in Switzerland. Prices start from FREE... what more can you ask?
ProtonVPN – a VPN to go with it perhaps? Prices also starting from nothing!
Comparitech DNS Leak Test – simple to use and understand VPN leak test.
Fake Name Generator – so much more than names! Create whole identities (for free) with all the information you could ever need.
Wire and on the App Stores – free for personal use, open source and end to end encryted messenger and VoIP.
Pinecast – a fabulous podcast hosting service with costs that start from nothing.
Essential Apple is not affiliated with or paid to promote any of these services... We recommend services that we use ourselves and feel are either unique or outstanding in their field, or in some cases are just the best value for money in our opinion.
Social Media and Slack
<h4>You can follow us on:</h4>
Twitter / Slack / EssentialApple.com / Soundcloud / Spotify / Facebook / Pinecast
Also a big SHOUT OUT to the members of the Slack room without whom we wouldn't have half the stories we actually do – we thank you all for your contributions and engagement.
You can always help us out with a few pennies by using our Amazon Affiliate Link so we get a tiny kickback on anything you buy after using it.
If you really like the show that much and would like to make a regular donation then please consider joining our Patreon or using the Pinecast Tips Jar (which accepts one off or regular donations)
And a HUGE thank you to the patrons who already do.
Support The Essential Apple Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/essential-apple-show
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
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13:49
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13:49
S1E305 - Essential Apple Podcast 305: Penguins Enraged By Tariff Turmoil
Simon and Nick are back, a week late because Simon forgot what date it was! Nick’s trusty microphone then decided to die completely, so he sounds a little different as he had to fall back on his headset, and the master recording crashed and deleted itself before Simon could save it, so this is the Piezo backup recording, which is perfectly OK but doesn’t have all the Audio Hijack niceness.
Anyway in a month that saw new Apple Macs, and iPads, and Tariff Tomfoolery and much more the boys decide to talk about Simon ordering a 16e, and plastic eating mealworms, amongst other things!!!
Recorded 13th April 2025
On this week's show
NICK RILEY
Spligosh in the Slack
Sutton Park Circuit church worship on YouTube
Nick’s church stream videos on You Tube
APPLE
Simon orders the iPhone 16e
Apple released: iPad Air M3 and A16 iPad launched on March 4 and MacBook Air M4 and M4 Max Mac Studio on March 5.
Everything New in the iOS 18.5 Beta – MacRumors
How to use Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16e – BGR
Apple reveals details of security fixes added in iOS 18.4 and more – 9to5Mac
Apple TV+ cancels Mythic Quest, allowing new season 4 ending – Cult of Mac
The iPad Launched 15 Years Ago Today, Continues To Dominate The Tablet Market – WCCFTech
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft is now 50 years old – The Verge
[Scientists break down cheap plastic using the air – LiveScience
Plastic-eating mealworms native to Africa discovered – Live Science
SECURITY & PRIVACY
Court confirms Apple is suing UK government over encryption backdoor – TechRadar
WORTH A CHIRP / ESSENTIAL TIPS
You can now buy an Apple Pencil Pro that looks like a crayon – 9to5Mac
New Low Price: Add Ports Galore to Your Apple Mac Mini With Satechis – CNET
Select Faster on iPhone With This Two-Finger Trick – MacRumors
Essential Apple Recommended Services:
All Things Secured – Online security made simple by Josh Summers.
Pixel Privacy – a fabulous resource full of excellent articles and advice on how to protect yourself online.
Doug.ee Blog for Andy J’s security tips.
Ghostery – protect yourself from trackers, scripts and ads while browsing.
Simple Login – Email anonymisation and disposable emails for login/registering with
33mail.com – Never give out your real email address online again.
AnonAddy – Disposable email addresses
Sudo – get up to 9 “avatars” with email addresses, phone numbers and more to mask your online identity. Free for the first year and priced from $0.99 US / £2.50 UK per month thereafter... You get to keep 2 free avatars though.
ProtonMail – end to end encrypted, open source, based in Switzerland. Prices start from FREE... what more can you ask?
ProtonVPN – a VPN to go with it perhaps? Prices also starting from nothing!
Comparitech DNS Leak Test – simple to use and understand VPN leak test.
Fake Name Generator – so much more than names! Create whole identities (for free) with all the information you could ever need.
Wire and on the App Stores – free for personal use, open source and end to end encryted messenger and VoIP.
Pinecast – a fabulous podcast hosting service with costs that start from nothing.
Essential Apple is not affiliated with or paid to promote any of these services... We recommend services that we use ourselves and feel are either unique or outstanding in their field, or in some cases are just the best value for money in our opinion.
Social Media and Slack
<h4>You can follow us on:</h4>
Twitter / Slack / EssentialApple.com / Soundcloud / Spotify / Facebook / Pinecast
Also a big SHOUT OUT to the members of the Slack room without whom we wouldn't have half the stories we actually do – we thank you all for your contributions and engagement.
You can always help us out with a few pennies by using our Amazon Affiliate Link so we get a tiny kickback on anything you buy after using it.
If you really like the show that much and would like to make a regular donation then please consider joining our Patreon or using the Pinecast Tips Jar (which accepts one off or regular donations)
And a HUGE thank you to the patrons who already do.
Support The Essential Apple Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/essential-apple-show
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
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1:15:30
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1:15:30
S1E304 - Essential Apple Podcast 304: UK wants Spooks in iPhones
Obscenely late putting this one up – Sorry!
Also, yes I know it should be iCloud in the title but that typeface has no lowercase, and it looked silly all in capitals, don't @ me!
Anyway, Simon and Nick got together to look at the news and the biggest things at the time were the iPhone 16e and the UK's disgraceful and abhorrent attempt to force a backdoor into iCloud not only for UK citizens but everyone, everywhere. Simon and Nick chat over those and a several other things (as ever).
Recorded 2nd March 2025
On this week's show
NICK RILEY
Spligosh in the Slack
Sutton Park Circuit church worship on YouTube
Nick’s church stream videos on You Tube
APPLE
5 reasons to buy the iPhone 16e and 3 reasons to skip – Tom's Guide
Heres why the iPhone 16e doesnt have MagSafe, according to Apple – Macworld
How Fast is Apple's First-Ever 5G Modem? The Results Are Surprising – MacRumors
The future of Apple Vision Pro is in medicine – Popular Science
Watch Apple TV On Android – Apple Magazine
A new Adobe Photoshop app is coming to iPhones – Engadget
Apple's Acquisition of Pixelmator is Complete – PetaPixel
Apple Launches New 'Invites' App – MacRumors
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Skype Is Finally Shutting Down on May 5 – MacRumors
SECURITY & PRIVACY
Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row – BBC
What Apple pulling UK Advanced Data Protection means for you – BBC
US Probes UK's Apple Encryption Demand for Possible Treaty Violation – MacRumors
Essential Apple Recommended Services:
All Things Secured – Online security made simple by Josh Summers.
Pixel Privacy – a fabulous resource full of excellent articles and advice on how to protect yourself online.
Doug.ee Blog for Andy J’s security tips.
Ghostery – protect yourself from trackers, scripts and ads while browsing.
Simple Login – Email anonymisation and disposable emails for login/registering with
33mail.com – Never give out your real email address online again.
AnonAddy – Disposable email addresses
Sudo – get up to 9 “avatars” with email addresses, phone numbers and more to mask your online identity. Free for the first year and priced from $0.99 US / £2.50 UK per month thereafter... You get to keep 2 free avatars though.
ProtonMail – end to end encrypted, open source, based in Switzerland. Prices start from FREE... what more can you ask?
ProtonVPN – a VPN to go with it perhaps? Prices also starting from nothing!
Comparitech DNS Leak Test – simple to use and understand VPN leak test.
Fake Name Generator – so much more than names! Create whole identities (for free) with all the information you could ever need.
Wire and on the App Stores – free for personal use, open source and end to end encryted messenger and VoIP.
Pinecast – a fabulous podcast hosting service with costs that start from nothing.
Essential Apple is not affiliated with or paid to promote any of these services... We recommend services that we use ourselves and feel are either unique or outstanding in their field, or in some cases are just the best value for money in our opinion.
Social Media and Slack
<h4>You can follow us on:</h4>
Twitter / Slack / EssentialApple.com / Soundcloud / Spotify / Facebook / Pinecast
Also a big SHOUT OUT to the members of the Slack room without whom we wouldn't have half the stories we actually do – we thank you all for your contributions and engagement.
You can always help us out with a few pennies by using our Amazon Affiliate Link so we get a tiny kickback on anything you buy after using it.
If you really like the show that much and would like to make a regular donation then please consider joining our Patreon or using the Pinecast Tips Jar (which accepts one off or regular donations)
And a HUGE thank you to the patrons who already do.
Support The Essential Apple Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/essential-apple-show
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
An Apple based podcast covering the last 7 - 10 days in the world of Apple news, reviews, rumours, roundups, guides and anything else that catches our eyes in the world of tech.
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