Why the iPhone 17e is Genius (Video!)

2026-03-09T23:39:00+00:00

The iPhone 17e is the affordable iPhone Apple should have made from the start. At the same $599 price, it fixes nearly every major complaint people had about the last model with the A19 chip, 256GB of base storage, MagSafe, the new C1X modem, Ceramic Shield 2, and smarter camera features. In this video, I break down the six upgrades that make the 17e feel less like a budget compromise and more like a real member of the iPhone 17 lineup.

What makes this phone so interesting is not just the spec sheet, but how much better the everyday experience looks this time around. Faster wireless charging, more storage at no extra cost, better durability, and a more capable camera all add up to a phone that feels much easier to recommend. If you skipped the previous model because it felt like Apple was holding back, this breakdown shows why the iPhone 17e may be the value pick in the lineup.

Get the iPhone 17e now

You Won’t Believe What’s Inside Your Apple Watch (It’s Insane!)

2026-01-15T02:32:00+00:00

The Apple Watch should not work as well as it does. It's a metal box strapped to a salty bag of water, stuffed with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, cellular, and now even satellite radios - and somehow it still gets a signal when you really need it. So Apple took me underneath Apple Park, into the quietest, strangest rooms in the building, to show how they bend physics so that little square on your wrist can actually save you when things go wrong.

In this video I take you inside Apple's RF labs. There is a silent blue spike chamber where the team tunes antennas down to the level of screws, a human test rig that spins real people around to see how different bodies kill the signal, and an underground GNSS dome that fakes the sky so they can test satellite SOS and dual frequency GPS without leaving the building. This is the engineering work that makes your Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11, or SE 3 feel boring in the best possible way when you are lost on a trail or stuck on the side of the road.

If you have ever wondered what is actually happening inside that small piece of teach on your wrist when it says connecting to satellite, or why your watch can hold a call at the gym where your phone used to drop, this is the tour that explains it.

Apple’s M5 Chip Made the MacBook Pro Unstoppable!

2025-12-01T17:49:00+00:00

At first glance, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro feels strikingly familiar: same sleek design, same versatile ports, and yes, that unmistakable Space Black finish. But look closer—much closer—and you'll see Apple has quietly revolutionized what their laptop can do, especially if you're a creator, power user, or gamer who's been waiting for Mac performance to truly level up.

The heart of this upgrade is the powerful new M5 chip, built to handle the kind of demanding workflows that used to make even last year's models sweat. Think blazing-fast AI tasks running locally, effortless editing of 8K footage, and graphics powerful enough to finally make gaming feel native to the Mac. This is not just about faster speeds and quicker renders; it's about fundamentally changing what's possible on your laptop.

In this video, I'll show you exactly why the M5 MacBook Pro is a subtle yet transformative leap forward. From on-device language models and rapid local image generation to dramatically faster storage and GPU capabilities, this MacBook Pro is ready to redefine your daily workflow. Curious how big a difference the M5 chip actually makes? Stick around—I’ve got the real-world examples to prove it.

Get the M5 MacBook Pro now!

3 New Shows Prove Apple TV+ is Just Getting Started…

2025-05-06T00:27:00+00:00

If you're anything like me, finishing a show like Severance leaves a void. It’s unsettling, thought-provoking, and so visually distinctive that it’s hard to imagine anything else filling that slot. But what if I told you Apple TV+ quietly launched three series that might not only fill that gap but stretch your viewing appetite in entirely new directions? They’re not front-page banner material (yet), but they’re packed with big names, sharp scripts, and a clear sense of ambition.

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Apple’s HUGE Siri Apple Intelligence Fumble w/ John Gruber - Geared Up 205

2025-03-29T06:02:00+00:00

Tech legend John Gruber joins Andru Edwards and Jon Rettinger to unravel the story behind Apple Intelligence and its delayed features in this episode of Geared Up. From early WWDC promises to today's reality, they dissect how Apple got comfortable showcasing features it didn't hav eready, and what that says about their internal culture, marketing strategy, and the future of Siri.

Required reading for this episode: Something is Rotten in the State of Cupertino

Gruber shares rare behind-the-scenes insights, including his personal evolution in covering Apple and the moment he realized the company had broken a decades-long precedent. The trio also explores the rocky launch of Vision Pro, Apple's approach to foldables, and why Apple Maps is a cautionary tale for Apple Intelligence.

Head to the Geared Up YouTube channel to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

iPhone 16e Review: Apple Just Killed the Budget iPhone

2025-02-27T02:00:00+00:00

The days of a truly budget-friendly iPhone are over. With the launch of the iPhone 16E, Apple has redefined its entry-level iPhone lineup - but at a higher starting price of $599. The question is, does this new model deliver enough value to justify the cost, or are there better options available? Let’s break it all down.

Unboxing the iPhone 16e: What’s Inside?

If you’re familiar with Apple’s minimalist approach, you already know what to expect. The iPhone 16e comes in a slim box containing the phone itself, a braided USB-C cable (marking the end of the Lightning port), and eSIM setup instructions - no SIM ejector tool, charger, or wired headphones included.

Apple also introduced five silicone case options for the iPhone 16e: lake green, fuchsia, winter blue, white, and black. While the cases add some flair to the otherwise basic black and white phone options, neither the cases nor the phone support MagSafe, which is a notable omission.

Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

2025-02-21T19:48:00+00:00

Every iPhone launch brings the usual fanfare - new cameras, brighter screens, and the inevitable comparison charts. But this year, Apple made a quiet yet monumental move: introducing the C1 modem inside the iPhone 16e. This is Apple’s first in-house modem chip, a shift that could redefine how iPhones connect to the world, just as Apple Silicon did for processing power.

Why Modems Matter More Than You Think

The modem is one of the most crucial components in any smartphone. It’s the bridge between your phone and the world, translating signals from cell towers into the data that powers your web browsing, video streaming, and even your voice calls. A great modem means faster speeds, better battery efficiency, and a smoother experience when networks get congested. Apple knows this, which is why the move to develop its own modem is such a big deal.

Apple Vision Pro Just Got a Big AI Upgrade! What’s New in visionOS 2.4

2025-02-21T19:43:00+00:00

Apple Vision Pro users, your headset is finally getting the update you've been waiting for. visionOS 2.4 is here in beta, and while it’s not a revolutionary overhaul, it’s a significant step toward making the device feel more polished, more useful, and less like a prototype with potential.

Let’s start with the biggest news: Apple Intelligence is finally coming to the Vision Pro. But before you get too excited, this is mostly Apple playing catch-up with the AI features already available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You can now rewrite, proofread, and summarize text anywhere in the system, which is great if you’re composing an email or drafting notes on the go. Smart Reply makes an appearance in Messages and Mail, which is particularly useful on a device where typing can be cumbersome. And then there’s Genmoji—Apple’s AI-generated emoji tool—which lets you create custom emojis on the fly. It’s a fun addition, even if it feels more like a novelty than a game-changer.

Tags: apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple (T), apple intelligence (T), apple vision pro (T), augmented reality (T), augmented reality (T), augmented reality (T), mixed reality (T), virtual reality (T), visionos (T)Continue reading Apple Vision Pro Just Got a Big AI Upgrade! What’s New in visionOS 2.4

Apple’s $400,000,000 Secret to Saving the Planet

2025-02-12T18:22:00+00:00

Apple is on a mission to hit carbon neutrality by 2030—a goal that goes far beyond its products and supply chain. This video explores the tech giant’s groundbreaking Restore Fund, a $200 million initiative aimed at reforesting Brazil’s Atlantic Forest while tackling the hardest-to-eliminate 25% of its carbon footprint.

A key highlight of this story is an exclusive interview with Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. Lisa shares insights into how Apple’s Restore Fund is blending corporate responsibility with tangible environmental results, and how their commitment to renewable energy and carbon neutrality is setting a new standard for the tech industry.

The story dives into the heart of the Atlantic Forest, where Apple and local partners like Symbiosis are restoring biodiversity, planting resilient trees, and using cutting-edge tech like the iPhone’s LIDAR to measure their impact. The video examines whether nature-based solutions like the Restore Fund can scale up fast enough to make a significant difference and how global companies like Apple are shifting from minimizing harm to actively restoring ecosystems.

Is Apple Intelligence All Hype? w/ Taylor Lorenz - Geared Up 202

2025-02-12T18:17:00+00:00

AI has been hyped up like the world’s next superstar athlete, but when it comes time to perform, has it actually stuck the landing? In this episode, we dive into the state of AI today, breaking down what’s working, what’s failing, and how companies like Apple, Google, and OpenAI are shaping the future.

We discuss Apple Intelligence, its delayed rollout, and whether Apple’s privacy-first approach is actually hurting its AI capabilities. Plus, what’s going on with AI-generated images, the evolution of Siri, and the battle between Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Apple’s attempts to keep up. And of course, we analyze whether companies are just slapping "AI" on everything from bird feeders to massage chairs to sell more products.

On top of that, we discuss T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink and the conspiracy theories running rampant about Elon Musk tracking everything. Also, are we witnessing the slow demise of TikTok in the U.S.? Taylor Lorenz joins the discussion to break it all down.

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Apple’s iPhone Sales Slip Due to China Competition

2025-01-31T08:26:00+00:00

Turns out, Apple can fumble iPhone sales and still make Wall Street happy. The tech giant’s stock jumped 3.3% in after-hours trading, even after reporting a nearly $2 billion shortfall in iPhone revenue compared to analyst expectations.

Apple pulled in $69.1 billion from iPhones last quarter, making up over 55% of its total revenue. But global iPhone shipments dipped 4% year-over-year, thanks to stiff competition in China from Huawei and Xiaomi. That market hit was big—Greater China revenue fell 11% to $18.5 billion.

By the numbers:

• $124.3 billion – Total revenue last quarter (a new record)

• $36.3 billion – Net profit (up 7.1% YoY)

• $26.3 billion – Services revenue (up 14%)

• 4% – Decline in global iPhone shipments

• $3.57 trillion – Apple’s current market valuation

Still, services revenue soared and Apple Intelligence—its AI push—has users excited (except in China, where it’s not yet available). Despite the iPhone miss, investors are staying bullish—because hey, who needs phone sales when you’ve got a $3.57 trillion valuation?

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How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes

2023-03-04T17:36:00+00:00

Imagine this: You’re at a bar with your friends, enjoying a drink and chatting. You take out your iPhone to check something and enter your passcode. You don’t notice the person behind you who’s watching your every move and memorizing your passcode. A few minutes later, they snatch your iPhone from your hand and run away.

You might think that’s bad enough, but it gets worse. Within minutes, the thief has used your passcode to gain access to your iPhone and change your Apple ID password, which enables them to disable Find My, make purchases using Apple Pay, gain access to passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, and scan through Photos for pictures of documents that contain a Social Security number or other details that could be used for identity theft.

This is not a hypothetical scenario. It’s a real threat that has been happening across the US. The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern has been hearing from victims who have lost thousands of dollars and their entire digital lives after their iPhones were stolen with the thieves obtaining their passcodes.

Talking with Apple about M2 Chip Design and the Power It Brings to the latest Macs

2023-02-10T20:35:00+00:00

In this episode I talk to Apple about the design process of Apple Silicon, the M2 chip, the M2 Max MacBook Pro, the M2 Pro Mac mini, and more. These are some of the most powerful and innovative Macs that Apple has ever created, and I wanted to learn more about how they came to be and what they can do. I'm joined by Laura Metz, the Director of Product Marketing, Anand Shimpi of Hardware Engineering, and Tuba Yalcin from the Pro Workflow team. They're all very passionate and knowledgeable about Apple's design process, and they shared some amazing insights.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from some of the people behind the scenes of Apple's amazing products and learn more about how they create and optimize them for different use cases. If you are a tech enthusiast or an Apple fan, you don't want to miss this video.

You can find my M2 Max MacBook Pro review, as well as pick one up for yourself!

What Apple Silicon Means for the Mac w/ Guest Rene Ritchie!

2020-07-28T20:46:00+00:00

Apple is about to swap out Intel chips for their own self-made processors in the Mac line, and Rene Ritchie joins us to talk about what this means, and how it will change the Mac for the average consumer. We also discuss iOS 13.6, the moves Microsoft is making with the Xbox Series X and xCloud, along with a lightning round of tech topics!

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Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

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Apple Changes the Mac Forever, iOS 14, and more w/ Guest Mark Gurman!

2020-06-26T20:24:00+00:00

Apple dropped some major news during its WWDC virtual keynote, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman joins the show as we talk about all of the announcements. Mark currently works for Bloomberg, and has been reporting on Apple since he was 15 years old, breaking major news since the very beginning of his career. We talk about his biggest scoops, the business of breaking news, Apple’s AR & VR headset plans, and of course all the news coming out of WWDC - macOS 11, iOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7.

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Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

The Hidden iPhone Superpower w/ Guest Matt Cassinelli

2020-06-15T20:08:00+00:00

This week Matt Cassinelli joins the show to talk to us about the power of the Shortcuts app on iPhone and iPad. Matt is who we consider to be the master of Shortcuts, and is able to bend the iPhone to his will more than anyone else we know. We also talk about the Playstation 5 reveal event, Apple’s rumored transition to ARM processors in Mac computers, and more!

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SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

Black Lives Matter w/ Guest Sara Dietschy

2020-06-09T19:16:00+00:00

This week, we reflect on the uprising that we’re seeing in the USA and across the world as people fight for change in how the lives of black and brown people in America and are viewed and valued. Andru shares his 24-hour fight with YouTube to get a video that would help protesters stay safe. Our guest, Sara Dietschy joins us and gives her unique perspective on the new Sony ZV1 handheld camera, which is targeted at vloggers.

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SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

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Tesla Cybertruck impressions & HBO Max Frustration w/ Guest Kevin Nether!

2020-06-02T19:02:00+00:00

This week Kevin the Tech Ninja joins the show as we discuss the Tesla Cybertruck, the fail that is HBO Max, obsession with Call of Duty: Warzone, VR gaming with Pro Putt by Top Golf on Oculus Quest, some of our favorite smart home tech platforms and devices, and we take a deep dive looking at how things have changed for us as video creators and YouTube creators during the work from home era of the current pandemic!

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Geared Up: How Apple AR Glasses Could Change the Future w/ Guest Jacques Slade!

2020-05-28T17:02:00+00:00

This week Jacques Slade joins the show as we take a deep dive into how Apple can use augmented reality and the rumored AR glasses to change the future of personal computing and mobile technology. We also chat about sneakers and sneakerhead culture, how Jacques got into the YouTube game, Microsoft’s latest Surface Go and Surface Book 3, and the greatness that is the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard!

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SPONSOR: National Car Rental - skip the line with the Emerald Club. Go National. Go Like a Pro.

Listen to the episode in the player above or subscribe to Geared Up in your favorite podcast app to listen on the go!

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3 New Shows Prove Apple TV+ is Just Getting Started…

Apple’s HUGE Siri Apple Intelligence Fumble w/ John Gruber - Geared Up 205

iPhone 16e Review: Apple Just Killed the Budget iPhone

Unboxing the iPhone 16e: What’s Inside?

Apple’s C1 Modem: The Silent Revolution Inside the iPhone 16e

Why Modems Matter More Than You Think

Apple Vision Pro Just Got a Big AI Upgrade! What’s New in visionOS 2.4

Apple’s $400,000,000 Secret to Saving the Planet

Is Apple Intelligence All Hype? w/ Taylor Lorenz - Geared Up 202

Apple’s iPhone Sales Slip Due to China Competition

How iPhone Thieves Can Ruin Your Digital Life in Minutes

Talking with Apple about M2 Chip Design and the Power It Brings to the latest Macs

What Apple Silicon Means for the Mac w/ Guest Rene Ritchie!

Apple Changes the Mac Forever, iOS 14, and more w/ Guest Mark Gurman!

The Hidden iPhone Superpower w/ Guest Matt Cassinelli

Black Lives Matter w/ Guest Sara Dietschy

Tesla Cybertruck impressions & HBO Max Frustration w/ Guest Kevin Nether!

Geared Up: How Apple AR Glasses Could Change the Future w/ Guest Jacques Slade!

Gear Live

Apple’s Master Plan: Why the MacBook Neo’s Flaws Are Actually Its Features

Why the iPhone 17e is Genius (Video!)

You Won’t Believe What’s Inside Your Apple Watch (It’s Insane!)

Apple’s M5 Chip Made the MacBook Pro Unstoppable!