Relay

Upgrade

Upgrade looks at how technology shapes our lives, from the devices in our hands and pockets to the streaming services that keep us entertained. Hosted by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

Author

Relay

Category

Technology

Podcast website

relay.fm

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

277: Who Killed the Butterfly Keyboard? 23.12.2019

This week we try to solve a technology mystery. What if there was a murder, but no body? What if there were victims, but no crime? We all want answers: Who killed the butterfly keyboard, and why?

276: It’s Always the Chips 16.12.2019

How is Apple TV+ like a bicycle? Is the Mac Pro made in the USA? Why can you play Apple Podcasts from the Amazon Echo? This week Jason and Myke answer these questions, and ponder the negative reaction from some pro users to the price of the Mac Pro.

275: Remove All of the Holes 09.12.2019

Rumors of a forthcoming iPhone without any lightning or USB ports make us ponder why Apple would consider such a move and what its ramifications would be. Also, Apple basks in Golden Globe nominations and steps into movie-industry controversy and Jason explains why most people don't need a Mac Pro.

274: More Clunky! 02.12.2019

This week we get caught up on Apple services (Apple Pay, Apple News+, Apple Arcade), Jason gives Myke a tour of CarPlay in iOS 13, and we feed the tech podcast ecosystem with discussions of office lighting and weather stations.

273: Sideways the Game 25.11.2019

This week we discuss Tim Cook's political high-wire act, Apple's attempts to reduce bugs in future iOS releases, and Jason's wishes for iOS 14. Finally, just in time for the holidays, Myke at the Movies returns with 1988's "Die Hard."

272: Double Secret Vice President of Keyboards 18.11.2019

A week later, we're pondering the 16-inch MacBook Pro and what it means about how Apple listens to customers and criticism. We also look into the future to wonder where Apple will take touchscreen devices and whether we're uncomfortable about Apple's interest in augmented reality.

271: The 16-inch MacBook Pro 13.11.2019

The butterfly keyboard era is over! Apple is releasing a new 16-inch MacBook Pro this week, featuring a Magic Keyboard, upgraded audio, the biggest battery allowed by law, and a lot more. Jason has an exclusive interview with Apple’s MacBook Pro product manager, Shruti Haldea. Then Jason and Myke break down the new laptop's features and feature omissions, while reserving a little bit of time for t...

270: The Toughest Compare 04.11.2019

Apple TV+ has finally arrived, and we discuss Apple's first round of new shows--as well as an unimpressive performance from the TV app itself. We've also got reviews of the new AirPods Pro, and Apple's latest financial results reveal that for the iPhone, sometimes down is up.

269: A Beep Beep from Far Away 29.10.2019

This week Jason has no power or Internet, so Myke gives him the details about the new AirPods Pro, the first reviews of Apple TV+ shows, iOS 13.2 and a perplexing HomePod software update, and Apple’s rumored reboot of its smart-home initiative. In exchange, Jason fashions a story out of a UPS, a floor lamp, and a cassette player from the 1980s.

268: Featchas in the Beatas 21.10.2019

Everything old is new for Myke, as he tries out his "new" Mac (released in 2017) running a "new" version of macOS (it's Mojave). With Apple TV+ launching late next week, there's an enormous collection of Upstream news. And we ponder what products Apple might release this fall, with or without a special event.

267: The Quiet Death of the Newton 14.10.2019

James Thomson joins Jason to discuss converting an app from iOS to Mac via Catalyst, the prospects for using Catalyst on his most profitable app, and the end of an era as his app DragThing and all other 32-bit Mac apps fade away. We also sort out Apple and China, because that's not a complicated topic at all.

266: Two iPads in a Sandwich 07.10.2019

macOS Catalina has arrived and Jason's got his full review, plus we dig into the new multi-screened mobile device announcements from Microsoft (and what they might mean for Apple), and put on our sweaters to talk about Deep Fusion photography.

265: Nothing But Canned Answers 30.09.2019

Jason finished his iPhone 11 review nearly two weeks after the fact, Myke is back in the Apple Watch game with a new Series 5 model, and we hear from a bunch of Apple Store employees.

264: Beautiful Breakable Glass Objects 23.09.2019

We've got the new iPhones and it's time for our first hands-on impressions. How has Apple improved the upgrade experience? Could the Apple Store pick-up experience use a little more attention? Are the battery and camera improvements worth the upgrade? How much do we miss 3D Touch? Also Jason has a new Apple Watch, and Myke is sorely tempted by the ceramic Series 5.

263: Extra Professional 16.09.2019

This week Upgrade turns five and we're waiting for our new Apple hardware to arrive. But there's still time to reflect on last week's announcements, deal with a flood of Apple TV+ news, ponder Apple's fragmented OS release schedule, carefully examine expensive Apple Watch materials, and prepare for the arrival of iOS 13.

262: The Skyscrapers of Camera Bump City 11.09.2019

Jason has returned from Cupertino, where he watched Apple unveil the new iPhone 11 models, a new Apple Watch that adds a feature we had given up hope of ever seeing, and details about when we'll see Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. We break down the product marketing, new camera features, surprises, and the shocking results of the 2019 Apple iPhone Event Draft.

261: The 2019 iPhone Event Draft 02.09.2019

It’s time for Jason and Myke to reveal their picks for what will happen on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater next week! They draft 10 different things they expect will happen--or not happen--next Tuesday. Has Jason’s recent run of success gone to his head? Will Myke play it too safe? Will a Spın̈al Tap pick be made? All will be revealed!

260: It's Not Just a Desk 26.08.2019

There's a lot that separates the U.S. and the UK, like the definition of "lemonade" and the launch date for the new Disney+ streaming service. But nothing can separate our hosts this week, as they convene in Jason's office to discuss the impending iPhone event and to reflect on nearly five years of their status as independent workers and of Upgrade itself.

259: Get Ripped with Pro Max 19.08.2019

Special guest Stephen Hackett joins us to discuss the current state of the Mac in both hardware and software. We also ponder Apple's choices in naming the new iPhones, Jason muses about whether the Apple Watch even needs an upgrade this fall, and we wrap things up with a Mac-themed #askupgrade.

258: Ten Hours Is Not All Day 12.08.2019

With Apple's new operating-system releases due next month, Jason and Myke check in on how their beta experiences are going so far, especially the ups and downs of iPadOS 13. We also discuss Disney's aggressive streaming-service bundling and how Apple might respond next month. And does Samsung's announcement of an ARM laptop with 23-hour battery life serve as the perfect reason why an ARM MacBook i...

257: The Amount of Money Available on the Planet 06.08.2019

Commerce is in the air as Apple reports more money for wearables and services and less money for the iPhone, and begins to roll out the Apple Card. How does Apple react strategically as a company to financial incentives, and does Apple's success in the category formerly called "Other" suggest a new emphasis on wearables? We also follow up on Siri surveillance and Catalina security and then make a...

256: The Billion Dollar Show 29.07.2019

The trouble with Apple sending Siri audio to human beings, macOS Catalina's overly aggressive approach to app security, and the possibility of Apple introducing a $3000 laptop cast a little bit of a pall on the Summer of Fun this week. But cheer up--we've also got some interesting Upstream news about Disney and Amazon, and a summer-themed version of Ask Upgrade!

255: Peacock Plus 22.07.2019

There's a lot of streaming media news in the mix this week, as Apple is rumored to be pondering premium podcasts and Netflix loses subscribers just at the moment its stiffest competition yet is about to arrive. But that's all just a prelude to our special Summer of Fun segment, as Myke and Jason draft the most appealing video streaming services of 2020.

254: Downgrade 15.07.2019

We answer a lot of your #askupgrade questions, then break down how Apple's changing its laptop line and retail stores. Also, Warner Media makes a big bet on the HBO brand name, and Apple News+ is unsurprisingly not succeeding. Then we start the show with #snelltalk! This week with Jason and Myke.

253: Steal The Ball 08.07.2019

Guest Marco Arment joins Jason and Myke to discuss the possibility of new Apple laptop keyboards at last, his Overcast priorities over the next year, and the future of podcasting. There are also some mild opinions about Jony Ive, the streaming-video wars, and cappuccino.

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