shownotes_20181230

Opening
  Opening Music
    Music is Say Anything by Manda and the Marbles
News
  Case leak claims iPad mini 5 details
    Less then a week after we first heard rumors Apple might finally update the iPad mini
    Slashleaks showed off a case on Twitter they claim is for Apple upcoming iPad mini 5
    Shows an oblong camera cutout like on the iPad Pro, which could indicate the addition of a TrueTone Flash
    The image also shows what might be a headphone jack cutout.
    The new model is expected to be less expensive by maybe $100.
      The current 128GB iPad min 4 is USD $399
      That's more expensive then a 32GB entry level 9.7-inch iPad
  Apple's current iPhone mix vs 2017
    Consume Intelligence Research Partners looked at the first 30 days of iPhone XR sales to try an glean some data on how consumers are responding to it vs. the iPhone 8 series models last year.
    They note the numbers are tricky because the launches were reversed, with the iPhone X being delayed last year and the iPhone XR this year.
    Surveying 165 US customers who purchased an iPhone XR they noted that the XR had about 32 percent of iPhone sales in it's first 30 days. The iPhone 8/8 Plus had 39 percent in it's first 30 days in 2017
    They did note the iPhone XR seemed to pull in more Android switchers. 16 percent of the customers surveys were upgrading from an Android device. The iPhone 8 series in 2017 had an 12 percent Android switcher rate.
    All of this should be taken with a grain of salt but overall it's looking more and more like this years lineup is not resonating with consumers.
      It's odd because I think overall it's more exciting then last year, especially the iPhone XR.
      Still the report did note demand for iPhone XR is higher now than either iPhone X or iPhone 8 at their launch
      Pricing is definitely hurting Apple and we're seeing heavy promotions and discounts from Apple and the carriers
  Foxconn planning more India iPhone production
    Reports are claiming that Foxconn will spend about $356 million dollars to expand their plant in India to allow for increased iPhone production
    Apple does have iPhone production in India through Foxconn competitor Wistron, but currently it's older and low cost models, the iPhone SE and iPhone 6S.
    The new Foxconn facility would likely be producing the iPhone X
      It's believed Apple might introduce the "older" model at a more affordable price for certain markets like India
    We've heard recent reports that Apple's current models are not selling well in India and this expansion may be a direct response to that.
    It could also be an advanced effort to get ahead of possible trade sanctions and import taxes on goods coming from China.
  Odds an ends
    Apple might be looking to add Sony chips for 3D sensor technology in the next iPhone
      We've heard this before. It would enable a "time of flight" 3D system which could aid in AR and VR applications.
      It also could enable hand gesture controls (not touching the screen)
      can have virtual 3D object move in front of and behind real ones.
      Gesture game controls.
    BestBuy sales data doesn't show any slowing of iPad Pro sales in the wake of "bendgate 2".
      I still find Apple's response to this issue appalling.
      I will also say i have not heard from one Maccast listener impacted by this issue
      I DO believe it's happening, but could just be a single batch or source or some fluke, that is not clear.
      For Apple to call iPads arriving with visible bends from the factor "normal" and "within tolerance" is ridiculous.
    Netflix does away with in-app subscription purchases.
      Not for new or re-subscribing members.
      If you are already on it and don't cancel you should be OK
      This is a BIG problem for Apple in my opinion. They need to be doing more to entice these companies to support their in-app purchase model.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
  Apple TV Games
    Play feedback from Gary
    Some of my favorite games for Apple TV
      Asphalt 8
      Lumino City
      Hidden Folks
      Leo's Fortune
      The Big Journey
      Crossy Road
      SketchParty TV
      Transistor
      JackBox "Party Pack" games
    Some I've heard are good
      Inside
      Rayman Adventures
      Oceanhorn
      Geometry Wars 3
  What is H.265?
    Jim noticed the new version of HandBrake for the Mac added new presets for H.265 video.
    He was using the Super HQ 1080p 30 preset, but when he switched to the Apple 2160p 60 4k HEVC preset the file was significantly smaller.
    What is H.265 and what are the advantages?
    HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, for videos.
      Basically it is the successor to H.264
    The big advantage is higher quality at smaller file sizes.
      HEVC promises a 50% storage reduction over video at same resolution using H.264
    Only newer devices can capture in H.265
      iPhone 7 series or later
      iPad (6th gen or newer)
      iPad Pro 10.5-inch, 11-inch, and 12.9-inch 2nd gen or newer
    Support for HEVC is built into iOS 11 or later and macOS High Sierra or later and will work in most cases, but some devices can't support the 4k 2160p 60fps.
      Specifically the Apple TV 4 will only support HEVC 1080p 30 fps
      The Apple TV 4K can playback the 2160p, 60 fps
  The 'Apple Music' folder
    Bob was doing some clean up on the hard drive of his Macbook Air
    While cleaning things up in his Music > iTunes Media folder he noticed a lot of data in the 'Apple Music' folder
    Now any files you add to your Library and download from Apple Music are added into this folder and not in your main Music folder.
    I think the idea is to keep Apple Music separate from any of your own music.
    Another setting to check is the iTunes > Preferences > Downloads
      If you have 'Automatic Downloads' Music option checked and you 'Add' Apple Music to your Library then it will be automatically downloaded
      Also check "Add Songs to Library when adding to Playlists" option under General. If the download option is on and you add a track to a playlist from Apple music the song will also be downloaded.
    There is also a cache of what you've listened to"
      Found on your mac in: `~/Library/Caches/com.apple.itunes`
      There is lots of stuff in here including recommendation data, for you data, etc.
      The two folders to remove for space are:
        fsCachedData: cached album artwork for streamed songs and For You items
        SubscriptionPlayCache: caches of streamed songs
    Wanna clear the caches on iOS?
      Simply toggle iCloud Music Library off in Settings > Music
      Wait a few minutes to give iOS a chance to reclaim storage space consumed by the caches, then turn it on again.
  Better Mac AirPod experience
    Andrew wrote in to say he loves his AirPods, but finds that connecting them on the Mac is not as great an experience as he would like.
      They try to connect to the phone first, not the Mac even if the Mac is open and awake while the iPhone is asleep
      You have to click into the Bluetooth menu, select the AirPods, and then click "connect"
      Sometimes it takes more then one attempt.
    He told me he found a great Mac app called [ToothFairy](https://c-command.com/toothfairy/)
    It lets you add an icon (you choose) for bluetooth devices into the menu bar.
    You can just click that icon and it will connect to that device.
    Can even set up a hotkey for it.
    I tried it and it works brilliantly.
    Advanced features including running shell scripts on connect and disconnect of the Bluetooth device.
    Just USD $2.99 in the Mac App Store, also part of [Setapp](https://setapp.com)
Closing
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