The Context Machine

Bryan and Jeff share their not so flattering take on Apple TV’s Monarch season 2, plus they take a look at Bartender Pro for the Mac. Sources referenced in this episode: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Bartender 6 and Bartender Pro Context Machine merch is now available! Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threads Revi...

Mac Locations? Not what you’re thinking. Jeff and Bryan (OK, Jeff) has the skinny. Speaking of tips, Jeff shows you how Handoff can help you with your browsing on multiple devices. For their third trick, Jeff walks us through a very nifty System Settings shortcut. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Get tidy today with CleanMyMac! Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at...

A worldwide shortage of RAM (sparked by AI data center demand) has caused Apple to pull its entry level Mac mini, as well as its highest end Mac mini and Mac Studio models. Bryan and Jeff dig into the situation.

Bryan offers Jeff moral support on his quest for the ultimate universal remote to replace his aging Harmony. They also break down what’s happening with Apple’s just announced 12-month app subscription feature for developers. Sources referenced in this episode: Logitec Harmony universal remotes Apple offers developers new way to make App Store subscriptions more affordable Bryan’s book Accide...

Bryan and Jeff both have new fountain pens, but with very different prices. After comparing pens, they dive into Tim Cook announcing he’s stepping down as Apple’s CEO and John Ternus is taking over. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Star...

Bryan and Jeff poke big holes in the latest claim that Satoshi Nakamoto has been identified, and they try to stay on topic talking about the latest foldable iPhone rumors. Amazon takes some heat, too, thanks to the company’s decision to block some Kindle devices from downloading books. Sources referenced in this episode: My Quest to Solve Bitcoin’s Great Mystery British cryptographer Adam Back den...

Bryan and Jeff invite John Kheit on to talk about his time working at NeXT. He shares some insight into the company’s successes and failures, how those years honed Steve Jobs to lead Apple, and more. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Try CleanMyMac’s new Cloud Cleanup feature to free up space on iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off...

Bryan and Jeff look at Apple’s cool 50th anniversary videos, and talk about where the company may be 50 years from now. They also respond to listener comments about web search engines and audio book recording. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live...

Bryan and Jeff have a lot to talk about today, like Firefly taking a substantial step to returning, the FCC’s Wi-Fi router ban, and narrating audio books. Turns out they both decided to start narrating audio books at the same time. Sources referenced in this episode: Firefly Reboot: Nathan Fillion Sci-Fi Cult Classic Returning as Animated Series (DETAILS) The FCC bans all routers made outside the...

Tim Cook shoots down Bryan’s hypothesis about when he’ll retire from Apple, Jeff doesn’t help with Bryan cope with the emotional trauma. But on a happier note, they also get excited about Lil Finder Guy, and Jeff is interested in the new AirPods Max 2. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to c...

Bryan and Jeff look at Apple’s 50th anniversary plans, how the event fits with Tim Cook’s potential retirement plans, and what the company has released under his leadership. They also talk about the impact the MacBook Neo is having on the low-cost laptop market. Bonus: Jeff is speaking at Macstock again this year! SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Get tidy today with CleanMyMac! Try 7...

Bryan listens to Jeff talk about what’s coming in OmniGraffle and OmniFocus in 2026. They also look at a blog from a long-time friend, the Computer History Museum’s upcoming 50th birthday celebration for Apple, and an app Jeff won’t be able to use any more when Mac OS 27 drops Rosetta 2 support. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-...

Bryan is joined by guest-host John Kheit to talk about Apple’s new Retrocade games on Apple vision Pro, and Bryan says it’s a magical experience (with a caveat). They also talk about John’s CNC journey, including a feature-rich machine he’s waiting for from Kickstarter. SPONSOR: MacPaw – Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at cln...

Bryan and Jeff talk about the AirTag refresh, and Apple buying the AI startup Q.ai. They also discuss Jeff’s recent audiology checkup and resources for people with hearing loss and tinnitus. SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps you understand your finances, stay organized...

Apple reportedly has a big AI chatbot upgrade in the works for Siri, and is developing a wearable pin device, too. Bryan and Jeff explore the likelihood and potential value (or not) in both. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Start creati...

Apple announced its Creator Studio app bundle subscription, and MacPaw is shuttering its alternative iOS app store in the EU. That gives Bryan and Jeff plenty to talk about, plus they discover what’s interesting about the number 697. SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps y...

It’s show and tell day on TCM! Jeff monopolized the whole show to tell Bryan about OmniOutliner 6 and Audioengine’s HXL portalbe DAC. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Try CleanMyMac’s new Cloud Cleanup feature to free up space on iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE . Sources referenced in th...

Bryan and Jeff look at Steve Jobs and Tim Cook’s intentional decisions to make products that benefit their users instead of following the blind profit approach so many tech-bros follow. Jeff also tells Bryan about the ways he’s exploring music outside of Apple Music. SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clari...

Bryan and Jeff have a PSA about Mac malware threats from fake Google ads and search results. They also look at the new AI-restrictions for the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association’s Nebula Awards, and talk about a fun holiday app Jeff found. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign vi...

Bryan and Jeff share their take on Apple’s seeming exodus of employees, discuss why so many are ending up at Meta, and make it clear why they don’t have their own fashion consulting agency. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Let CleanMyMac make your holidays taste better without Mac junk on the menu. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHIN...

Bryan and Jeff set the record straight on reports of Tim Cook retiring next year, and speculate on who could become Apple’s next CEO. They also dissect CNN’s decision to pull out of Apple News+. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live si...

Bryan and Jeff look at Apple’s new iPhone Pocket and share their take on whether or not it’s a design fumble for the company. They also discuss Canva’s Affinity app strategy and how it’ll impact Adobe. SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all t...

Bryan and Jeff take a look at Omni’s just released OmniOutliner 6 beta, and follow up on Jeff’s first pen show experience. They also talk about Bryan becoming a judge for the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition 5. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Try CleanMyMac’s new Cloud Cleanup feature to free up space on iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Try 7 days free and use our...

Bryan and Jeff do their best to stay on topic and talk about the new Slow Horses season on Apple TV+. Jeff is planning on going to the Colorado Pen Show, too, so Bryan has some first-time attendee tips for him. SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Try CleanMyMac’s new Cloud Cleanup feature to free up space on iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE f...

Bryan and Jeff take a quick tour through what they like in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 ( aka Tahoe). They also have a PSA for everyone comparing AppleCare+ and AppleCare One. SPONSOR: OpenCase – OpenCase is a patented iPhone case with a literal open space in the back of the case. Go now to TheOpenCase.com and use our special code tcm for 10% off your order. Sources referenced in this epi...