Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode centers on Apple TV and iPad Pro experiences, especially the Siri remote, Apple TV gaming, and the iPad Pro’s hardware/software readiness. The hosts praise Badland and the Apple Pencil’s feel, but argue that iOS, app support, and multitasking still lag behind the hardware. They also discuss Apple launch logistics, perceived scarcity, and broader tensions between simplicity and true productivity on tablets.
Main Topics: Apple TV remote usability and follow-up tip: The hosts revisit a common Apple TV remote issue: accidental touchpad swipes moving the playhead. They confirm that pressing Menu restores playback position, and note surprise at how useful the tip is in practice. Apple TV gaming potential: They highlight Badland as the standout Apple TV game: visually polished, easy to play, and surprisingly better with the Siri remote than a gamepad. They also test Provenance, an emulator that works but is cumbersome to install and limited without a controller. Plex, home media, and reluctance to disturb working setups: They discuss why one host hesitates to install Plex on a Synology NAS already serving DS video to the family, fearing it could create duplicate DLNA servers or disrupt an established system used by kids. iPad Pro launch availability and accessory shortages: The iPad Pro is available in stores on launch day, but the Pencil and Smart Keyboard are scarce or absent, which frustrates early adopters and may delay sales despite creating scarcity-driven buzz. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard first impressions: Hands-on impressions are broadly positive for the Pencil, which feels excellent for handwriting and drawing, while the keyboard is acceptable but compromised. However, both accessories feel like afterthoughts in product design and availability. iPad Pro hardware vs. iOS limitations: The hosts argue the larger screen is helpful for media, comics, and PDFs, but the software remains too phone-like: app layouts are crude, split view is immature, and many apps are not optimized for the new screen size. Big-picture debate: can iOS become a true pro platform?: They debate whether iPad multitasking and split view are meaningful new paradigms or just limited compromises. One side sees them as an understandable first step; the other thinks they lack the expressive vocabulary and flexibility of desktop windowing.
Key Arguments: Badland is an ideal Apple TV game because it is one-button, visually strong, family-friendly, and works unusually well with the Siri remote. Provenance shows the Apple TV can host emulation, but the setup is too technical and the controls/scaling are inferior to better desktop emulators. The Pencil is the standout iPad Pro accessory: handwriting and drawing feel remarkably close to paper, and latency is good when apps use the right APIs. Latency on the Pencil appears highly app-dependent, suggesting software implementation matters as much as hardware. The iPad Pro’s larger size is genuinely useful for some tasks, but it is too large for comfortable long-form reading and too reliant on app optimization to feel cohesive. Apple’s launch strategy for the iPad Pro is undermined by missing accessories; scarcity may create hype, but it also frustrates buyers and delays revenue. The iPad remains software-limited: many apps are unoptimized, the home screen density does not scale with the larger display, and iOS still lacks many desktop-class affordances. Split View and multitasking are viewed differently: one speaker sees them as a useful, learnable first step, while the other argues they are too limited and not a true paradigm. The core challenge for tablets is not just screen size but how to let people do multiple things and manage data without recreating desktop complexity wholesale.
Data Points: Apple TV remote workaround: Menu button restores the playhead after accidental touchpad swipes - Used to recover from unintended scrubbing on Apple TV video playback Badland price: about $5 - Recommended Apple TV game Provenance system support: 8-bit and 16-bit systems - Emulator covers NES/SNES/Genesis/Sega Master System class systems Pencil backorder: 3 to 4 weeks - Quoted delay for Apple Pencil orders on iPad Pro launch day Pencil availability: 0 in many stores - Hosts report most stores received no Pencils at launch Casper trial period: 100 nights - Sponsor mattress trial offer Casper pricing: $500 twin / $850 queen / $950 king - Sponsor mentioned as low compared with typical premium mattresses Lynda trial period: 10 days - Sponsor free trial offer Lynda library size: 100,000+ courses - Sponsor catalog description Lynda monthly price: $25/month - Unlimited access to courses MailRoute filtering result: 0 spam messages on most days - Host’s personal experience using MailRoute MailRoute discount: 10% off for lifetime of account - Offer through ATP link iPad Pro reading complaint: No margin control - Makes regular text feel awkwardly large or too spread out Pencil use test: ~5 minutes - Brief in-store testing of the Pencil Keyboard use test: ~2 minutes - Brief in-store testing of the Smart Keyboard
Pivotal Quotes: "If you hit the menu button, it will just go back to where it was." — Marco/hosts: Explaining the Apple TV remote recovery tip after accidental touchpad swipes "Why can't it just be buttons? I just want to go up and left." — Marco’s daughter: Reaction to the Apple TV Siri remote replacing a directional-button remote "The Pencil is great." — Host: Conclusion after trying the iPad Pro Apple Pencil and noting excellent handwriting/drawing feel
Implications: Apple’s biggest challenge is now software, not hardware. Without better iOS multitasking, app optimization, and accessory availability, the iPad Pro risks being impressive but underutilized. The Pencil shows real promise, but ecosystem support will decide whether tablets move into true pro use.