Apple Context Machine

Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer testified before a U.S. Senate committee on the company's tax practices and the need for tax law reform. Jeff and Bryan dive into that and take a look at Samsung's delusions of relevance in the smartphone market at Google's expense.

Apple's competitors have been busy, so this week Jeff and Bryan take a look at Google's just announced music streaming service, new online photo editing and storage features, updated Hangouts options, HTC's stumble with its Facebook Phone, and BlackBerry's decision to offer its Messenger service on the iPhone and Android devices.

Adobe announced the end of its traditional licensing model for Photoshop, InDesign and the rest of the Creative Suite apps, and just like all of those app's users, Jeff and Bryan have plenty to say on the subject. That, and Bryan says Apple lost control over its message, but has an opportunity to recover.

BlackBerry's CEO seems to think the tablet market is a dead end despite the iPad's success, Microsoft can't seem to find its target audience for commercials, and Jeff and Bryan disagree on what they think Apple's iPhone strategy will be. All that, and it's poke-Bryan-with-a-stick week.

Apple announced its second fiscal quarter earnings this week, so Jeff and Bryan dive in to sort out what mattered, what hints at future plans were shared, and what impact waiting until fall to release new products may have. They did their best to stay on topic, but you should bring along your sci-fi hat, too.

It's the 200th episode of the Apple Context Machine, and while Jeff and Bryan really tried to put together just another episode, they kept getting interrupted by tech industry luminaries sharing their thoughts on what's in store for Apple. The list of anniversary episode guests included Dave Hamilton, Bob LeVitus, Ricky Spero, Gene Steinberg, and Peter Cohen. Warning: This is a long one.

Facebook is hoping to take over Android phones with its new Home interface, but consumers still use their iPhones and iPads far more than their Android-toting friends. Apple's former retail boss, Ron Johnson, is on the job hunt again, too, which gives Jeff and Bryan plenty to talk about this week on the Apple Context Machine.

Macworld/iWorld is on the move, at least on the calendar. Jeff and Bryan take a look at what's up with IDG rescheduling the annual conference for 2014, what that means for exhibitors and attendees, and whether or not the move is a good thing. They also have some thoughts about what may be in store for iOS 7, and even manage to invent a new animal.

China isn't happy with Apple and has gone so far as to start a public news campaign claiming the company doesn't treat its citizens as well as customers in other countries. Jeff and Bryan dig into the situation, and get a surprise visit from TMO's Melissa Holt.

Apple hired away Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch, and Samsung hosted an interesting yet baffling Galaxy S IV launch event. Both left Jeff and Bryan scratching their heads, so they do their best to sort them out and figure out what's really going on.

Apple's cash on hand is at its highest point so far and investors want some of that back. The company's stock is lower than it has been for months, and some analysts are lowering their expectations for Apple based on rumors and speculation. That means it's time for Jeff and Bryan to put on their schoolin' caps and dive into the world of Apple investors.

Google Now is a compelling example of how our smartphones can take an active role today in organizing our lives, but Apple's Siri shows the potential to be a big player, too. In this episode of The Apple Context Machine, Jeff and Bryan take a look at both, talk about who has the clear lead today, and what the future holds for our pocket-sized personal assistants.

Microsoft is investing over $300 million in Barnes & Noble’s Nook ebook reader business, Apple’s iPad snagged nearly 70 percent of the tablet market, and Amazon wants you to watch its TV shows. Jeff and Bryan are back with their thoughts on all those topics - plus a few random ideas thrown in for good measure - on yet another Apple Context Machine.

Jeff and Bryan are back with a new Apple Context Machine where they talk about Apple’s record breaking second quarter earnings report, Tim Cook’s take on combination refrigerator toasters, and the just announced - and already sold out - Worldwide Developers Conference.

In the special Halloween edition of the Apple Context Machine Jeff and Bryan jump into an alternate timeline where Apple never existed to take a look at what our lives might be like without the computing revolution that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started over 30 years ago.