181: ‘Corporate Stiffy’ With John Moltz

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: A wide-ranging, conversational episode centered on Apple’s ecosystem and platform strategy: the hosts compare the Mac, iPad, and iPhone; praise third-party developers like Ulysses and OmniGroup for making iPad feel more “first-class”; and argue Apple still remains strongly committed to the Mac. The latter half shifts to rumored 2017 iPhone redesigns, with skepticism about a premium $1,000+ model and concern that Apple still lacks a smaller, modern iPhone for people who prefer compact devices.

Main Topics: Mac vs. iPad platform maturity (Priority: 5/5): The hosts argue that after seven years, the iPad still lacks key self-sufficiency features the Mac had much earlier, such as native tools for making apps and books on the same platform. Third-party apps proving iPad potential (Priority: 5/5): Ulysses, OmniGroup, and other independent developers are praised for creating polished cross-platform tools that make the iPad feel like a serious creative device, often more convincingly than Apple itself. Apple’s commitment to the Mac (Priority: 4/5): Despite worries that Apple is favoring iPad over Mac, the discussion concludes that Apple’s behavior—especially keeping certain tools Mac-only—suggests continued commitment to the Mac platform. Classic Mac nostalgia and system complexity (Priority: 3/5): The conversation digresses into System 7-era Mac OS details, extension conflicts, RAM allocation, and the evolution from brittle power-user workflows to modern simplicity. 2017 iPhone rumors and product strategy (Priority: 5/5): The hosts discuss reports of a radical new iPhone with OLED, edge-to-edge design, and a $1,000+ starting price, questioning whether Apple can sell both expensive new flagship models and S/Plus variants at the same time. The appeal of smaller phones (Priority: 4/5): There is strong admiration for the iPhone SE and frustration that rumors don’t include a truly compact modern iPhone, despite obvious demand from users who prefer one-handable devices. Politics and media criticism (Priority: 4/5): Near the end, the host defends covering political corruption and government overreach on his site, arguing that some issues—like cable box monopolies and predatory fees—are not partisan but structural.

Key Arguments: The iPad is still not as self-sufficient as the Mac was at a comparable age because you still cannot create iPad apps or iBooks-authored books directly on an iPad. Apple’s choice to keep tools like iBooks Author Mac-only is evidence that the Mac remains important inside Apple, not a sign that it is being phased out. Third-party developers such as Ulysses and OmniGroup are doing more than Apple to make the iPad a serious creative and professional platform. A premium 10th-anniversary iPhone at $1,000+ is plausible, but Apple risks confusing buyers if it also ships 7S/7S Plus models and a new flagship simultaneously. A smaller, modern iPhone is the real unmet demand; the iPhone SE is praised as one of Apple’s best products because it serves users who reject larger phones. Some topics covered on the host’s site are political but are framed as anti-corruption or consumer-rights issues rather than partisan commentary.

Data Points: iPhone 7 Plus price: about $969 - Used to argue that a $1,000 starting price for a premium new iPhone is not implausible. Proposed premium iPhone price: more than $1,000 - Reported in a rumor about Apple’s 10th-anniversary iPhone. Proposed display size: 5.8 inches - Rumored edge-to-edge OLED iPhone display size. Current iPhone display size reference: 4.7 inches - The size the host wants Apple to preserve in a more compact edge-to-edge design. Current iPad age cited: 7 years - Basis for comparing iPad maturity against the Mac at a similar age in 1991. Mac comparison year: 1991 - Used as the rough seven-year milestone for comparing platform evolution. Daring Fireball page views peak: about 4 million/month - Historical peak before Google Reader shutdown. Daring Fireball page views after decline: about 2.5 million/month - Stable page-view baseline in recent years. Lost page views after Google Reader shutdown: about 1 million/month - Attributed to readers using Google Reader as an entry point to the site. Setapp subscription price: $10/month - Mac app subscription bundle discussed in the sponsor segment. Setapp free trial: 30 days - Users can test the service before paying. Casper discount: $50 off - Promotional credit for mattress purchases using the show code. Casper trial length: 100 nights - Home trial period for mattresses. OmniGroup year-in-review referenced: 2017 - Discussed in relation to new automation work and Sal Soghoian consulting.

Pivotal Quotes: "I think the Mac has a bright future." — John Gruber: Arguing that Apple’s current product decisions show continued commitment to the Mac. "It is a value at $10 a month." — John Gruber: Promoting Setapp as a strong bundle of Mac software with no catch. "The rare case when a figurative garbage fire turns into a literal garbage fire." — John Gruber: His headline/body joke about Samsung’s battery-related factory fire.

Implications: Listeners get a strong read on Apple’s platform priorities: the Mac still matters, the iPad still lacks core capabilities, and Apple may be preparing a premium but awkward iPhone transition. The episode also highlights how third-party developers fill Apple’s gaps.