Jason Snell

Jason Snell

@snell.zone

I write about computers at @sixcolors.com and podcast about lots of stuff at @theincomparable.com and @relay.fm. In the words of Ken Jennings, a "strong player."

108.5K followers149 following1.7K posts

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Apple clears the decks ahead of its biggest announcement

sixcolors.comApple clears the decks ahead of its biggest announcementIt’s like the old one, but with a new chip. Apple’s thunder keeps rolling this week. First it was the iPad mini, and now it’s a set of relatively minor announcements that would have just gotten lost in the anticipated introduction of OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models on Wednesday. Apple updated the base-model MacBook Pro from an M5 chip to an M6. This is the low-end model that basically exists to snag buyers who don’t want to use a MacBook Air. (To be fair, it’s got a much better display and active cooling, too.) But don’t be confused: This is...

Jason Snell reposted

Myke Hurley
@myke.social

This episode features a 100 minute review of the iPhone Duo. Enjoy! 😮‍💨

Jason Snell@snell.zone

A new episode of Upgrade is out: Jason and Myke have spent the last few days using the iPhone Duo, and they're ready to report back. And, oh yeah, there's also a new iPad mini and a draft of Apple's forthcoming announcements this week!

relay.fm643: The iPhone Duo ReviewJason and Myke have spent the last few days using the iPhone Duo, and they're ready to report back. And, oh yeah, there's also a new iPad mini and a draft of Apple's forthcoming announcements this week! Upgrade+: What we didn't pick.
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

A new episode of Upgrade is out: Jason and Myke have spent the last few days using the iPhone Duo, and they're ready to report back. And, oh yeah, there's also a new iPad mini and a draft of Apple's forthcoming announcements this week!

relay.fm643: The iPhone Duo ReviewJason and Myke have spent the last few days using the iPhone Duo, and they're ready to report back. And, oh yeah, there's also a new iPad mini and a draft of Apple's forthcoming announcements this week! Upgrade+: What we didn't pick.

Jason Snell reposted

George Takei
@georgetakei.bsky.social

My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today. Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades. When Brad and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man.

Jason Snell reposted

Jesse Thorn
@jessethorn.bsky.social

My pal Danielle Koenig shared that her father Walter Koenig passed away last night at age 90. A performer whose kindness and warmth shone through the screen. He will be well remembered.

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: iPhone Duo: 24 hours in the Splash Zone

sixcolors.comiPhone Duo: 24 hours in the Splash Zone{"text":"A tiny writing station? We’ll see! For a company that’s poised at the cutting edge and focused on innovation, Apple can be quite conservative. It’s a very measure-twice-cut-once kind of company. It prefers innovation of the relentless, iterative sort. It’s harder to feel that pace if you’re the kind of person who buys a new iPhone every year; go without upgrading an Apple device for four or five years and you’ll suddenly see the results of the company’s annual grind. But while Apple’s careful approach explains why Apple sat on the sidelines for the first years of the folding-smartphone era,..."}
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: The iPod, which set Apple on its course, turns 25

sixcolors.comThe iPod, which set Apple on its course, turns 25{"text":"We drove down the freeway from San Francisco to Cupertino with a pretty good idea of what Apple would be announcing, but with no idea how it would transform Apple forever. “Hint: It’s not a Mac,” read the invitation to an event at the Town Hall conference center on Apple’s campus at Infinite Loop. Rumors abounded that Apple was going to announce a music player, but the details were hazy. Three of the Macworld editors in the car (but not the other one) were primed to understand what Apple was announcing—we all had multi-gigabyte iTunes libraries already, and when we..."}

Jason Snell reposted

Myke Hurley
@myke.social

Today is a big day for Apple with the launch of the iPhone Duo, but it also marks the 25th anniversary of the announcement of the iPod. The iPod revolutionised music, but also the future of Apple. Listen to the story of how the iPod changed everything on Designed in California

relay.fmDesigned in California #13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod) - RelayTwo decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the origin of Apple's hit MP3 player, the iPod.
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Is the beloved iPad mini the best iPad?

sixcolors.comIs the beloved iPad mini the best iPad?{"text":"This week, the invitations went out1 for an Apple “experience” next Wednesday in Los Angeles, which indicates a major set of product announcements. One of those rumored products is a new iPad mini with an OLED screen, A20 chip, and improved speakers. The iPad mini is also in the zeitgeist more than ever right now, thanks to the release of the iPhone Duo, which numerous reviewers are comparing to an iPad mini when open. (The Duo is quite a bit smaller.) In thinking about the iPad mini a bit this week, a thought occurred to me: Is the iPad mini..."}
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Q: Wow, isn't Jason such a good friend that he's flying out to Boston just to host Dan's book event?!?!?!?!? A: …. Q: Right? RIGHT? A: I mean, I was going to be there that week anyway… Q: BOOOOO! BAD FRIEND! A: Wait, what? I'm still doing the book event! It was just a coincidence! Stop booing!

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Drumlin in "Contact" is such a great character, played so well by Skerritt. He is what happens when a scientist becomes a politician.

Grant Brisbee@grantbrisbee.bsky.social

People everywhere talking up Tom Skerritt performances, not nearly enough of them bringing up his weasel turn in Contact. What a performance.

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

I'm not looking back but I want to look around me now

Peter Hartlaub@peterhartlaub.bsky.social

I wrote about parenting, passing down traditions and that moment when an inspiring cultural narrative transcends musical taste. My tribute to Rush, the anchovies-on-pizza of rock. For Rush fans, but also non-Rush fans. Gift link 🎁 🤘 www.sfchronicle.com/totalsf/arti...

sfchronicle.comThe most divisive band in rock made me a better parent: A father’s tribute to RushWhile other acts preached life as a short fuse, Rush was filled with affirmations about the value of sticking around. The anchovies-on-pizza of rock bands became the soundtrack to raising my kids.
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

And folks, if you haven't seen Cage in Spider-Noir check it out. He is STILL one of our Very Best Actors when he is not trying to pay off his crushing debts by appearing in garbage

Rick Porter@rickporter.bsky.social

This is a little like a pairing from when were all hashtagging "TrueDetectiveseason2" in 2014, but it's real.

hollywoodreporter.com‘True Detective’ Season 5 Officially Casts Nicolas Cage — and Antonio BanderasThe new season of the HBO series is set to begin filming in 2027.
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: A $299 Apple TV: Is that all there is?

sixcolors.comA $299 Apple TV: Is that all there is?This summer, I stood up for the Apple TV hardware in the face of one analyst who said that it was “essentially dead” because nobody would spend $200 on a streaming device. I wrote: Apple TV has plenty of reasons to keep on living. But it sure would be nice if Apple would show the product some attention beyond the massive price increases. Attention like new hardware, OS improvements, and (eventually) a price that makes it less of a hard sell to people who are desperate to escape the garbage of all the other streamer-box platforms. Well, this week the...
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Forgive me, but I needed to start this story by explaining why the Walkman was revolutionary, why CDs struggled to replace the Walkman, and how they invented the MP3 with the help of Suzanne Vega's voice.

Myke Hurley@myke.social

Today we begin telling the story of the Origin of the iPod on Designed in California. This month is 25 years since the original unveiling. We'll tell you how they got there, and the twists and turns along the way.

theenthusiast.netThe Origin of the iPodToday on Designed in California, we begin our series focusing on the origins of the iPod — in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The iPod changed the way we listen to music and reshaped Apple as a company. In this series, we are telling the story of all the elements and

Jason Snell reposted

Myke Hurley
@myke.social

And so begins our story on the Origins of the iPod. I loved making this series so much, and I cannot wait for you to hear all five parts.

Relay@relay.fm

Designed in California 13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod) Two decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the or... http://relay.fm/designed/13

relay.fmDesigned in California #13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod) - RelayTwo decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the origin of Apple's hit MP3 player, the iPod.

Jason Snell reposted

jamelle
@jamellebouie.net

there is absolutely nothing wrong with my M4 Mac Mini (probably the single best bang for my buck computer purchase i have ever made) and yet the new M5 Pro mini is whispering to me like its the green goblin mask

Jason Snell reposted

Relay
@relay.fm

Designed in California 13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod) Two decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the or... http://relay.fm/designed/13

relay.fmDesigned in California #13: The MP3 Revolution (Part 1, Origin of the iPod) - RelayTwo decades after the Walkman had revolutionized personal audio, a new compressed digital audio format emerged that would redefine how we listen to music. We kick off our series about the origin of Apple's hit MP3 player, the iPod.
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Third-party HomeView apps? Think CarPlay

sixcolors.comThird-party HomeView apps? Think CarPlayHomeView’s got a limited catalog of Apple apps. Apple’s new HomeView device doesn’t have an App Store, but it does have an app story, of a sort. There are some selected Apple apps on its (surprisingly) iPad-like home screen, but you can’t add more. What’s a person to do? If you use apps that play audio or video and support CarPlay, though, you’re in luck: HomeView supports those apps, and just those apps, via projection from your iPhone. So if you’re a fan of Overcast or Spotify, you’re in luck. And if you’re curious about video CarPlay, well, that’s a...
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

A new episode of Upgrade is out: We break down Apple's big home announcements, including the new HomeView, a collection of smart home products, a new HomePod Mini, and the new (and surprisingly expensive) Apple TV 4K.

relay.fm641: A Fashion ChimneyWe break down Apple's big home announcements, including the new HomeView, a collection of smart home products, a new HomePod Mini, and the new (and surprisingly expensive) Apple TV 4K. Upgrade+: iPods and a blue screen of death.

Jason Snell reposted

John Voorhees
@johnvoorhees.macstories.net

If you have an OG Playdate, you have 2 days to grab an over-the-air update before certificate expiration blocks your ability to connect to Panic's servers. After the 15th, you can still do a manual update, but an OTA update is the easier route. retrohandhelds.gg/still-hangi...

retrohandhelds.ggStill Hanging Onto your Playdate? Make Sure You Update It Before October 15 | Retro HandheldsPlaydate OS 3.1.2 is available now, and owners on older firmware should update before October 15 to avoid future connectivity headaches.

Jason Snell reposted

Philip Michaels
@philipmichaels.bsky.social

Replying to @philipmichaels.bsky.social

The Watergate Complex, June 17, 1972: Liberty Biberty skulks outside, keeping a watchful eye for cops on behalf of his friends Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy.

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Apple’s new home hub is ‘HomeView’

sixcolors.comApple’s new home hub is ‘HomeView’Mark Gurman has last-minute Apple product details in his Sunday newsletter: The centerpiece is a new smart home hub called the HomeView. Equipped with a display and an A18 chip, the product essentially serves as the Siri command center for an Apple-powered household… The HomeView comes in two versions: a countertop model with a metal speaker base and a wall-mounted version with a flat, square base that sits against the wall beneath the display. The countertop offering will come in four colors: space gray, silver, starlight and pink, while the wall-mounted version will be limited to space gray and silver....
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

This is the sort of nonsense we get up to when we go to a football game. My contribution was to do play by play in the style of Gene Rayburn reading clues from Match Game.

Philip Michaels@philipmichaels.bsky.social

Today’s halftime show was a salute to the music of Bollywood, and yet the band played Naatu Naatu from RRR, a Tollywood picture. I hope someone was fired for that blunder!

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Ran into an Upgradian while buying a pregame burrito northside in Berkeley! Cal fans and Upgradians are the best!

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Is Apple coming home to stay?

sixcolors.comIs Apple coming home to stay?John Ternus on stage introducing the MacBook Neo. The announcement that Apple’s making a home-related announcement on Tuesday was hardly unexpected. Most things Apple does these days are reported in advance, usually by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. But this event has been years in the making. Gurman first reported on the centerpiece product two years ago: Apple… is nearing the launch of a new product category: a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing and use AI to navigate apps…. The company is gearing up to announce the device as early as March and will position it as a command...
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

I got to interview Ron Johnson, who invented the Apple Store with Steve Jobs, this week!

Relay@relay.fm

Designed in California 12: Ron Johnson and the Genius of the Apple Store In this bonus episode, Jason interviews former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson about why Steve Jobs wanted to get into retail, understanding what Apple's brand represents, the customer-service... http://relay.fm/designed/12

relay.fmDesigned in California #12: Ron Johnson and the Genius of the Apple Store - RelayIn this bonus episode, Jason interviews former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson about why Steve Jobs wanted to get into retail, understanding what Apple's brand represents, the customer-service model of the Apple Store, and much more.

Jason Snell reposted

Nicholas Pegg
@nicholaspegg.bsky.social

In the 1985 Doctor Who serial Vengeance on Varos, an authoritarian regime run by a weak man keeps the downtrodden population in line by broadcasting public executions to distract from the fact that it has tanked the economy through a combination of incompetence, arrogance and institutional cruelty.

Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: OpenAI silences familiar voices

sixcolors.comOpenAI silences familiar voicesI had to listen to a bunch of TTS voices to make my final choices. An audio newsletter producer’s job is never done. I got a weird email the other day from OpenAI that ended up causing a great deal of work for me: As part of our continuous upgrade process, we are deprecating the following legacy audio models: tts-1, tts-hd, gpt-4o-mini-tts. Access to these models will be shut off on January 6, 2027. I use OpenAI’s text-to-speech voice for the Six Colors Audio Newsletter. Ironically, I chose one of OpenAI’s least advanced voices for this brand-new feature of this website […]
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Folks, I don't even know what "Apple Event" means anymore, but Oct. 13 is just a product launch. Call it an event if you want—Apple will thank you! A small number of creators are being invited to an "experience" in NYC to shoot video. Almost certainly just a 9am ET video/PR drop.

Jason Snell reposted

Dan Moren
@dmoren.com

I got to play a quiz game very similar to a long-running TV show against my pals @snell.zone and @glennf.com (also former contestants on said show), and we did it for a great cause: the annual @relay.fm for St. Jude fundraiser!

youtube.comRelayParty Trivia!Relay hosts Jason Snell and Dan Moren and frequent guest Glenn Fleishman play a question-and-answer trivia game format they’re all familiar with! This segment was originally broadcast as part of the 2026 Relay Podcastathon. Learn more about St. Jude at stjude.org
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

Just posted on Six Colors: Spotify opens new front in war on fair use

sixcolors.comSpotify opens new front in war on fair useLate last month I got several emails from Spotify, all pretty much the same: Hello, Our automatic review tools determined that this podcast may contain content that infringes the rights of a third party. Due to this, we’ve removed: Title: 14: Ribsy Detected Content: “Ribsy” by Beverly Cleary Why did this happen? Spotify for Creators supports the distribution of audio and video podcasts. Our automated review process may remove any content that appears to be distributing third-party literary material. What’s next? If you think your episode does not infringe the intellectual property rights of a third party, or is subject to […]
Jason Snell
@snell.zone

A new episode of Upgrade is out: Together in Memphis, Myke and Jason discuss John Ternus prodding Apple to move faster, Apple's regret about giving apps Full Disk Access, and the impending release of Apple's long-rumored home hub product. Plus: New Kindles! And Kindle buttons?!

relay.fm640: Moving Through SpaceTogether in Memphis, Myke and Jason discuss John Ternus prodding Apple to move faster, Apple's regret about giving apps Full Disk Access, and the impending release of Apple's long-rumored home hub product. Plus: New Kindles! And Kindle buttons?!