Bryan and Jeff break down Apple’s just announce M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini, and M5 Max and Ultra Mac Studio. They also work through which models and configurations to buy, along with how they fit in with Jeff’s new computer strategy. 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Chapters 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:41 Apple’s New Macs 00:02:20 The New Mac mini 00:11:1
Bryan and Jeff go at it on the best way to work with text files and writing when bouncing back and forth between Mac and iPad. Bryan says Scrivener is best while Jeff stubbornly clings to Obsidian. Which one is right? Sources referenced in this episode: Obsidian Scrivener Mike Schmidz Tip: Find Your iPhone with a Text Message (Thanks, Dave Hamilton) Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threads Review the show on Apple Podcasts Where to find us: The Context Machine on Bluesky The Context Machine on Threads The Context Machine on I
Jeff has had an epiphany, and he and Bryan talk about how an iPad Pro might be the right device for his on-the-go computer, rather than a MacBook. They also discuss Jeff’s recent Black Hat 2026 experience and how AI dominated the event. 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 this episode: iPad Pro MacBook Neo Black Hat USA 2026 DEF CON STLV Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story
Bryan is joined by guest host Jeff Butts to talk about Apple’s impending iOS 27 and macOS 27 updates, including Genmoji autoprompts. They also look at the maker space and how much ground Apple hardware has made with developer support. 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: Apple’s iOS 27 Preview Apple’s macOS 27 Preview Br
Bryan and Jeff evaluate Apple’s new iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch least program. They also discuss Apple’s market cap topping $5 trillion, and Jeff has a cool Mac utility you need to know about. Sources referenced in this episode: Apple Upgrade launches in the United States Apple just hit $5 trillion market cap for first time WhatCable Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threads Review the show on Apple Podcasts Where to find us: The Context Machine on Bluesky The Context Machine on Threads The Context Machine on Instagram
Bryan and Jeff explain some of what’s wrong with OpenAI and their security efforts. They also sort out how the European Commission’s plans on dictating operating system designs will back fire for them and Google. 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: OpenAI says its AI went rogue and launched ‘unprecedented’ cyber-attack
Bryan and Jeff dig into Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI that accuses chatGPT’s bosses of stealing Apple intellectual property in their rush to make things. They also talk about Apple’s search for top robotics engineers, Jeff’s switcheroo on buying more iPods Pro, price increases for AppleCare+ for Macs and iPads, and new ad rules for Apple Maps. 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 this episode:
Bryan and Jeff discuss a major gesture change coming in iOS 27, and whether or not the world is therefore ending. They also found some fun news about a possible lunar rover! 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: iOS 27 breaks 15 years of muscle memory on iPhone and iPad – 9to5Mac NASA may send a backup, nuclear-powered Ma
Bryan and Jeff discuss Apple’s decision to push security updates out quicker because of how much faster the bad guys are using AI to develop exploits. They also look at Apple’s recent price hikes driven by memory shortages. 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: Apple Says it is releasing Updates Early in Response to AI Cy
Bryan and Jeff check out the latest iPhone 18 rumors and talk about whether or not a foldable model makes sense. They also look at Meta’s new smartglasses, their quixotic pursuit of hardware relevance, and the potential privacy issues. 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 creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: iPhone 18 Pro: Six new features are coming this f
Bryan and Jeff discuss how the cost of managing the influx of AI slop music may be what ultimately saves us from low quality content. They also talk about how AI content has influenced their book buying habits.
Bryan and Jeff sort out Apple’s hardware requirements for Siri AI, discuss how the company is focusing on useful AI features, and share their favorite WWDC announcements.
Bryan and Jeff pour one out for the end of the British Tech Network, check out this year's Apple Design Award winners, and discuss Apple's new EU developer center along with the upcoming Apple Pay Cash bill splitting feature. Bonus: Bryan is selling his collectable Apple posters.
Dave Ginsburg joins Jeff Gamet to look at Apple's AI strategy for accessibility, and dissect touch screen MacBook Pro rumors.
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 Review the show on Apple Podcasts Come see Jeff speak at Macstock X! It’s July 10, 11, and 12 at the Elara Convention Center in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Use Jeff’s special discount code DIGIWIZARD to get $50 off your weeken
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 clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE. Sources referenced in this episode: Use network locations on Mac Use Handoff to continue tasks on your other Apple devices Context Machine merch is now available! Bryan’s book Accidenta
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 Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threads Sign up for our weekly newsletter Inside the Machine Review the show on Apple Podcasts Come see Jeff speak at Macst
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. Start creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: Ink and Timber Blue Burl Fountain Pen Jinhau 159 Fountain Pen John Ternus to become Ap
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 denies NYT report that he is Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto The New York Times Claims It Finally Unmasked Satoshi Nakamoto (This Time for Real) iPhone Fold is ‘on track’ to launch this September, per M
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 at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE. Sources referenced in this episode: NeXT Steve Jobs in Exile at Apple Books Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threa
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 site. Start creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: In Remembrance of John Martellaro Remembering John – Mastodon Remembering J
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 U.S. Bryan and Jeff want to narrate audiobooks King Liam, First of His Name audiobook Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name Mason Truman on Threads Revi
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 campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Start creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sources referenced in this episode: Tim Cook squashes retirement rum
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 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE. Sources referenced in this episode: Apple to celebrate 50 years of thinking different 50 Years of Thinking Different Hello Apple promo
