<p>Harry McCracken has put together an amazing oral history of Apple’s earliest days. You should read the whole thing, but this anecdote from Chris Espinosa, who still works at Apple after all these years, is the part that made me laugh the most:</p> <blockquote><p> I was sitting there in the Byte Shop in Palo Alto on an Apple-1 writing BASIC programs, and this guy with a scraggly beard and no shoes came in and looked at me and conducted what I later understood to be the standard interview, which was “Who are you?”</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>Our latest personal tech projects, twenty-five years of macOS, our networking setups, and where we turn for up-to-date information.&hellip;</p>

<p>Software developer Photon, whose product requires running a bunch of Macs to connect to iMessage, discovered a pretty major bug:</p> <blockquote><p> Every Mac has a hidden expiration date.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>This week we find out which of us might buy the foldable iPhone and how the MacBook Neo’s success can be a problem before going looney over the Artemis Moon shot.&hellip;</p>

<p>Apple Newsroom:</p> <blockquote><p> Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that includes key services companies need to effortlessly manage devices, reach more customers, equip team members with essential apps and tools, and get support from experts to run and grow efficiently and securely.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>The Mac Pro is dead, iOS 18 security updates are now available for all, and Siri’s upcoming revamp comes into focus. After all that’s done, both hosts share their Apple origin stories.&hellip;</p>

<figcaption></figcaption> <img data-recalc-dims="1" height="425" width="680" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/magic-lasso-everywhere-680x425.png?resize=680%2C425&#038;ssl=1" alt="" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <figcaption></figcaption> <p>Do you want an all-in-one solution to block ads, trackers and annoyances across all your Apple devices?</p> <p>Then download Magic Lasso Adblock – the ad blocker designed for you.&hellip;</p>

<p>As Apple hits its half-century milestone, it seems like we’re all of us waxing a bit rhapsodic about the company, its products, and their effects on our lives.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mac-512-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="Vintage Apple Macintosh computer with a beige monitor displaying 'hello,' a keyboard, and a mouse on a white surface." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <p>When I saw my friend Antony Johnston’s post on Six Colors, I instantly thought, “yeah, me too.” And as it happens, the very Mac model that changed Antony’s life put me on an entirely new road, too.&hellip;</p>

<p>My thanks to Clic for Sonos for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Clic for Sonos is the fastest native Sonos client for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and visionOS.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/universumunam46-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="Vintage Apple II computer with a beige monitor, keyboard, and floppy disk drive in a glass display case." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>Museum piece. Photo: Alejandro Linares Garcia, CC BY-SA 3.0.</figcaption> <p>I am usually so focused on Apple’s present and future that I don’t spend a lot of time ruminating about its past.&hellip;</p>

<p>Last December I complained that Apple was withholding iOS 18 security updates from iPhones capable of running iOS 26, leaving users who didn’t want to upgrade to Apple’s latest OS version yet in some security peril.&hellip;</p>

<p>Sadly, unlike so so many of my fellow long-time Apple fans, I have no picture of me with my first Mac.</p> <p>It’s probably just as well.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/macbook-front-16-bleed.jpg?ssl=1" alt="12-inch MacBook" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>The 12-inch Retina MacBook, circa 2016.</figcaption> <p>David Sparks appreciates the MacBook Neo, but he’d like something smaller:</p> <blockquote><p> Think about it. Apple has covered the pro market with the MacBook Pro lineup.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<img data-recalc-dims="1" height="778" width="1360" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/glenn-shaferbrown.png?resize=1360%2C778&#038;ssl=1" alt="Glenn Fleishman, art by Shafer Brown" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>You might have noticed that, after installing iOS 26.4, your iPhone is behaving differently. Some actions (like changing your password) require a one-hour wait, followed by biometric authentication.&hellip;</p>

<p>In addition to my two pieces on The Verge this week, I’m also on the Vergecast talking to David Pierce about Apple’s past, present and future:</p> <blockquote><p> On this episode of The Vergecast, we begin by stepping back a bit to ask a big question: How is Apple doing right now?</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>The Verge’s Sean Hollister with just an <em>excellent</em> article breaking down the administration’s total nonsensical ban on consumer level routers made outside of the country. The article’s structured as a Q&amp;A, and here are just a couple of my favorite excerpts:</p> <blockquote><p> <em>Sounds bad.</em></p></blockquote>&hellip;

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/macpro-scaled.jpg?ssl=1" alt="Mac Pro" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <p>Chance Miller calls the time of death at 9to5 Mac:</p> <blockquote><p> It’s the end of an era: Apple has confirmed to <em>9to5Mac</em> that the Mac Pro is being discontinued.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/phil-kristina-ipod-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="A group of people sitting in rows, looking attentively to the right. They appear to be in a conference or lecture setting." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>The author (far right) at a certain Apple event 25 years ago.</figcaption> <p>It’s Apple’s 50th anniversary — you might have read something about that lately. And I’ve been writing about the company for more than half of that time, roughly 27 years if my math is correct.&hellip;</p>

<p>Matt Birchler sort of doesn’t like the MacBook Neo:</p> <blockquote><p> Because this is a Mac, it can do effectively anything you want to throw at it. I have been editing video on it and doing web and Xcode development with very little issue.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>Jason and Myke tell the story of Apple’s origin. It emerged from the unique environment of the Santa Clara valley suburbs of the ’70s thanks to the particular genius of its two co-founders and some surprising help they got along the way.&hellip;</p>

<p>Safari web apps and PWAs are a nice start, but they’re limited. Browser tabs are messy. And most tools for turning websites into apps still feel more like wrappers than real Mac software.&hellip;</p>

<p>Keeping our email under control, how we pick our cellphone plans, whether we use noise-canceling headphones, and the things we do low-tech.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Apple-MacBook-Neo-Liquid-Retina-display-260304-cleaned-scaled.jpg?ssl=1" alt="A person lying in a field of orange and yellow flowers, smiling with eyes closed." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>Like millions of people around the world, I have a mixed marriage: I’ve long used Macs, but my wife Kat’s personal computer is a Windows PC.&hellip;</p>

<p>Smart dictation and voice notes for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.</p> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed.png?ssl=1" alt="" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <p>Monologue is for people who think faster than they type. It combines smart dictation with voice notes across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, so your spoken thoughts can become polished writing, meeting transcripts, summaries, tasks, and useful context for your tools.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" height="778" width="1360" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/glenn-shaferbrown.png?resize=1360%2C778&#038;ssl=1" alt="Glenn Fleishman, art by Shafer Brown" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>Time Machine used to be a mess. I would try it with each new macOS release, get frustrated, and give up. My incoming email from readers was sometimes dominated by Time Machine problems, particularly when Apple transitioned from HFS+ to APFS as the Mac’s default startup volume file system.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" height="778" width="1360" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/glenn-shaferbrown.png?resize=1360%2C778&#038;ssl=1" alt="Glenn Fleishman, art by Shafer Brown" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>I have a mostly “love/not-hate” relationship with the Medications feature in the iPhone Health app. Having accrued and had treated a variety of conditions over the years, I found Medications a welcome addition in 2022.&hellip;</p>

<p>Myke talks to Jason about his “Jeopardy!” experience, and Jason interviews David Pogue about his book, “Apple: The First 50 Years.”&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tile_images-6c.jpeg?ssl=1" alt="Screenshot of Python code editing software with image scaling script." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>Claude Code takes advantage of a real development environment.</figcaption> <p>I’m pretty skeptical that Apple’s new Siri-wrapped Gemini will be able to accurately and reliably assist with automation.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BasketballGameInArena-6c.jpeg?ssl=1" alt="Basketball game streaming live in a Cosm." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>Public spaces like Cosm might be a good content fit with Vision Pro.</figcaption> <p>The Apple Vision Pro feels like a product that’s waiting for the world to catch up, but the reality is closer to the opposite.&hellip;</p>

<p>In the aftermath of an Apple product briefing for the original iPhone at Macworld Expo 2007, here’s what I wrote:</p> <blockquote><p> Yes, I’ve touched it.</p> <p> Although the undisputed winner of the most-talked-about product award at this year’s Macworld Expo is Apple’s new iPhone, it’s actually quite a rare commodity… I don’t have an exact count, but as far as I can tell there aren’t very many real iPhones out there in the world.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<img data-recalc-dims="1" height="778" width="1360" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/glenn-shaferbrown.png?resize=1360%2C778&#038;ssl=1" alt="Glenn Fleishman, art by Shafer Brown" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>I started seeing pictures in Photos that I was sure I didn’t take recently, but often of locations I knew vaguely. After a few days, I realized the issue: my older child, in college on the East Coast, and currently traveling during spring break, had a Camera setting that caused all their images to blend into a shared family library.&hellip;</p>

<p>My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week.</p> <p>With over 5,000 five star reviews; Magic Lasso Adblock is simply the best ad and tracker blocker for your iPhone, iPad and Mac.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/current_framed-6c.png?ssl=1" alt="RSS reader interface with articles" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>Current in action, reading one of my newsletters.</figcaption> <p>Every morning, I start my day with breakfast, a cup of tea, and my iPad. This is the latest version of a ritual that began years ago with an actual newspaper that an actual human being left in my driveway.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WDC26-6c.jpeg?ssl=1" alt="Black background with 'WDC26' text; 'C' glows with rainbow halo." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/> <p>Collect your meager Kalshi and Polymarket winnings, I guess: Apple has officially announced that its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference will kick off with an in-person event at Apple Park on Monday, June 8.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/aqara-lock-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="Black smart lock with white keypad on blue door. Keypad displays numbers 1-9, 0, and lock/unlock icons. 'Aqara' logo below keypad." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <p>When it comes to smart locks, the goal is “Star Trek,” right? You should be able to walk up to your door and, swish!, it opens to greet you.&hellip;</p>

<p>Since 2021, Six Colors has been compiling an annual report card focusing on how Apple’s doing in large organizations, including businesses, education, and government. We formulated a set of survey questions that would address the big-picture issues regarding Apple in the enterprise, and we ask them every year.&hellip;</p>

<p>In this April 1st edition of the show, Philip Michaels returns to steal the show from Dan and Mikah (and Jason!) and force them to compete for points for their punditry.&hellip;</p>

<p>Moltz goes on and on about games, Dan makes a vicarious purchase and Lex has a new app!&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cool-young-james-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="A man poses next to a vintage computer with a green Matrix-style screen, a PlayStation controller, and a Pikachu figurine on top. The setup is on a wooden desk against a speckled wall." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>The author, slightly more than half of Apple’s lifetime ago.</figcaption> <p>A 50th anniversary is a good time to reflect on your relationships, and it seems lots of people have thoughts about their time with Apple today.&hellip;</p>

<p>We talk about Apple’s anniversary and our old Macs before trying to remember what we used to do on them all day without the internet.&hellip;</p>

<p>I’m not as much as a space nerd as Jason is, but I did watch last night’s Artemis II launch with my wife and son on our Apple TV, and it really brought me back to the shuttle launches of my youth.&hellip;</p>

<p>My thanks to Unite Pro for sponsoring Six Colors this week.</p> <p>Safari web apps and PWAs are a nice start, but they’re limited. Browser tabs are messy.&hellip;</p>

<p>From Eric Berger at Ars Technica, the first of a three-part series about orbital data centers. This first part focuses largely on economics, but also touches upon issues of the environment, the obliteration of the night sky, and more.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/For_All_Mankind_Photo_050103-scaled.jpg?ssl=1" alt="" data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption>Mireille Enos in “For All Mankind.”</figcaption> <p>The fifth season of Apple TV’s “For All Mankind” premieres March 27—really, the evening of March 26 for those of us on the West Coast.&hellip;</p>

<p>Sports Corner! Jason and Will discuss Apple and F1, the FCC and “free” TV sports, World Cup issues, and then we make some TV picks. [Downstream+ subscribers also got to hear us talk a lot about baseball!]&hellip;</p>

<p>Amazon:</p> <blockquote><p> Today Amazon.com, Inc. and Globalstar, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Globalstar, enabling Amazon Leo to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its low Earth orbit satellite network and extend cellular coverage to customers beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.</p></blockquote>&hellip;

<p>If you use Sonos hardware you deserve the best. Clic for Sonos is the fastest native Sonos client for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and visionOS.&hellip;</p>

<p>Given a week to process the news of Apple’s CEO transition, we ponder where Apple will go under John Ternus, the role of Johny Srouji, and why a book about Tim Cook would not be a cookbook.&hellip;</p>

<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/sixcolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/artemis-earth-6c.jpg?ssl=1" alt="Earth from space, showing Africa's western coast and swirling white clouds over blue oceans. The planet is partially illuminated by sunlight against a black background." data-image-w="" data-image-h="" class=" jetpack-broken-image"/><figcaption></figcaption> <p>A breathtaking image, taken by a human being on the Artemis II spacecraft, of our entire planet:</p> <blockquote><p> NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman took this picture of Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window after completing the translunar injection burn.</p></blockquote>&hellip;