232: ‘I’ll Eat My Hat’ With John Moltz

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode ranges from a podcasting mishap to a deep Apple-centric discussion: the hosts compare data-loss recovery in speech vs. writing, debate HomeKit setup, and spend most of the time dissecting the iPhone XR/XS lineup, display engineering, camera tradeoffs, cases, and possible next-gen iPads and Macs. They also preview likely Apple event announcements and criticize Bloomberg’s controversial chip-story reporting.

Main Topics: Podcasting, data loss, and recreating work (Priority: 4/5): The hosts compare how losing a recorded podcast episode can sometimes lead to a better redo, while losing written work rarely feels recoverable. They contrast spoken and written creative processes and discuss the stress of corrupted recordings and all-nighters. HomeKit and home automation nuance (Priority: 3/5): A correction/follow-up on HomeKit reveals that rooms are more useful than scenes for room-specific commands. The hosts discuss Lutron shades, Siri commands, and why HomeKit is underrated compared with Amazon/Alexa-style integrations. iPhone XR vs. XS design and display engineering (Priority: 5/5): The bulk of the conversation analyzes the XR’s LCD screen, Apple’s edge-to-edge display engineering, alignment quirks in ports and speakers, and how the XR compares to the XS/XS Max in size, price, and usability. Camera feature comparison: Apple vs. Google (Priority: 5/5): The hosts discuss Google Pixel 3 features like Night Sight and Top Shot, contrasting them with Apple’s camera strengths and noting that Google’s computational photography is genuinely ahead in some areas. Cases, ergonomics, and iPhone size preferences (Priority: 4/5): They debate whether Apple should ship cases for the XR, compare clear/leather/third-party options, and talk about how case use changes phone feel, grip, and the practical value of large vs. small phones. Upcoming Apple event rumors (Priority: 5/5): They review likely announcements: new iPad Pros, possible iPad mini refresh, MacBook updates, Mac mini/iMac refreshes, USB-C adoption, AirPower uncertainty, and the possibility of Photoshop for iPad as a keynote demo. Bloomberg’s reported Apple chip story (Priority: 4/5): The hosts close by discussing Bloomberg’s controversial report about Apple hardware compromise and Tim Cook’s unusual call for a retraction, arguing the story lacks corroboration and has not been independently verified.

Key Arguments: Re-recording a podcast can improve performance because the host has already worked through awkwardness, but rewriting a lost article rarely feels like a true replacement for the original. HomeKit works better when users define actual rooms and use those for voice commands rather than building separate scenes for simple room-specific actions. Apple’s XR display is a remarkable technical achievement: LCD panel engineering, rounded-corner rendering, and component placement all reflect extreme precision even when compromises are unavoidable. The XR’s single-camera tradeoff is subjective; some users value telephoto heavily while others barely use it, making the XR’s lower price and simpler design compelling. Google’s Night Sight and Top Shot are meaningful camera advantages, not trivial gimmicks, and Apple should not be expected to lead every feature category. The iPhone XR/XS case ecosystem is fragmented and Apple’s absence of first-party XR cases is unusual; clear cases are especially logical for a colorful phone. A smaller new iPhone may still arrive in the future, potentially as a mini version of the XR/10-class design, because Apple’s current smallest flagship is still relatively large. The iPad would benefit greatly from better keyboard/trackpad integration, since reaching up to touch the screen is ergonomically awkward in laptop-like use. There are strong signals that Apple will refresh the iPad Pro and possibly the Mac lineup soon, but the exact MacBook/Mac mini/iMac changes remain uncertain. Bloomberg’s chip-compromise story looks weak because no other major outlet has corroborated it and no hardware evidence has surfaced.

Data Points: Podcast redo timing: Next day / a few weeks later - The host re-recorded a corrupted Q&A episode and felt the second take was better. Apple keyboard issue occurrence: Right shift key slightly squishy after almost 2 years - Discussion of the original MacBook keyboard’s reliability versus feel. MacBook Pro keyboard issue: One or two stuck keys early on, then none afterward - A 15-inch MacBook Pro had minor key sticking that disappeared after a few weeks. iPhone XR price difference vs. XS: $250 less - The XR is framed as substantially cheaper than the XS. iPhone XR price difference vs. XS (alternate framing): $350 less / $450 less - Depending on comparison point, the XR or larger XR vs. XS Max saves more money. iPhone 10R display resolution: 326 pixels per inch - The XR uses an LCD display at the same density as earlier Retina iPhones. iPhone 10S display density (standard scaling): 153 points per inch - Used in the hosts’ point/pixel scaling discussion for the 10S/10S Max. iPhone 10R display density (standard scaling): 163 points per inch - Used to explain why the XR’s interface aligns with the 10S Max’s standard layout. iPhone 10S Max zoomed interface: Same point layout as iPhone 10S - Used to explain the scaling behavior between XR and XS Max. iPhone 4 Retina introduction year: 2010 - Referenced as the first Retina iPhone and as an early display milestone. Retina resolution: 326 ppi - The original iPhone 4 screen density is cited as the same physical density later used by the XR. Low-light Pixel feature update: Coming soon / not yet shipped - Night Sight was discussed as a feature announced before release. PS4 game download size: 100 gigabytes - Red Dead Redemption 2 was described as huge and requiring large storage. PS4 storage: 400 gigabyte hard drive - Jonas’s old PS4 was described as nearly full due to digital game downloads. External SSD for PS4: USB 3 SSD - A fast external drive was added to support large game installs. HomeKit/Lutron shades: Several rooms in the house - The host described Lutron shades and lights connected to HomeKit. Apple event invitation count: 236 unique variations (reported speculation) - Discussion of custom illustrated Apple event invitations. iPad mini rumor timing: Early 2019 - Ming-Chi Kuo was cited as suggesting an iPad mini refresh in the future. Non-Pro iMac lag: Over 500 days since last update - Used to argue the iMac is overdue for refresh. Apple battery replacement cost: $29 - The SE battery replacement was done during Apple’s discounted battery program. iPhone 6 screen replacement cost: About $100 / $129 - A cracked iPhone 6 display repair was described as relatively cheap. Apple/Adobe collaboration timing: Photoshop for iPad in 2019 - Used as a likely keynote demo or product showcase. Prime Video Channels trial: 7 days - Amazon’s channels were described as offering a free trial period.

Pivotal Quotes: "They’re ready when they’re ready." — John Gruber: Explaining why Apple products sometimes ship later than expected, especially around iPhone releases. "I’m just going to keep adding Macs until I no longer have any problems." — John Gruber: Joking about using two Macs to redundantly record the podcast after a corrupted audio file. "The camera app of Apple’s iOS 7 camera app might be the most influential software design of the last 10 years." — John Gruber: On how heavily Chinese phone makers copied Apple’s camera UI and interaction patterns.

Implications: Listeners get a preview of Apple’s product and software direction: more screen engineering, possible USB-C iPads, uncertain Mac refreshes, and stronger computational photography competition from Google. The episode also reinforces how Apple ecosystem choices affect daily workflows, accessories, and upgrade timing.