The Birchtree Podcast

"Apple doesn't want you to know the iPad Pro runs iOS!" is the sort of headline I feel like I'm seeing a lot with iPad Pro reviews, so let's talk about it. Also, I think the large of my 3 main computers tells you how passionate I am about them. My iPhone is from 2018, my iPad will be from 2018 (in a week or two), and my Mac is from 2012.

I think it's healthy to rant about (and privide a sliver of hope) about printers ever now and again :)

Bye bye MacBook Pro, hello iPad Pro. My review of the best calendar app for the Apple Watch on The Sweet Setup: https://thesweetsetup.com/apps/the-best-calendar-app-for-apple-watch/

Nothing gets people in the Apple community riled up quite like an iPad Pro review. I'm one of the biggest proponents of the iPad Pro as a work machine and I use mine that way literally every single day. I use it because it's the best platform for me and makes me the happiest when using my computer. That said, I try to keep an open mind about what is still missing from iOS and why it keeps some people away.

Apple unveiled their new iPad Pro lineup yesterday and I’m so freaking on board.

Just a brief episode today on what the heck I've been doing tweeting and writing about the OnePlus 6 out of the blue.

Apple announced an event on October 30 and the rumors are it's going to be all about some sweet, sweet new iPads. I'm really excited to see what's next for my favorite computer line, and have some crazy ideas for what they might be adding.

After taking 9 days off from the podcast, I'm back to talk about why the Pixel 3 is really more of a camera attached to a smartphone than any other phone on the market today.

Everything but the Pixel 3! Today I'm taking a look at all the non-Pixel 3 things shown off at yesterday's Google hardware event. Oh, and the AC kicked on for the last couple minutes of the episode, so if you hear a hum start near the end, that's just me unexpectedly getting a little bit of air. Sorry for the hum!

Microsoft had their hardware event for the fall and announced updates to their Surface Laptop, Studio, and Pro models, as well as a whole new product: Surface Headphones. As someone who has recently dabbled in Surface stuff, I thought it might be worth talking about what they showed off and how it moves the needle for me in regards to Microsoft's hardware strategy.

I've had the Apple Watch Series 4 for 11 days and this is my initial review. It's very good, but is it $130 better than the just-discounted Series 3 that it replaces? You can read the full review on BirchTree: https://birchtree.me/blog/apple-watch-series-4-review/ Support The BirchTree Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/birchtree

Shortcuts is a major step forward in automation for iOS. But there are still quite a few people who either don't "get" Shortcuts' appeal or still prefer their Mac for productivity. If Apple is serious about iOS replacing macOS for most people, and I think they are, then they need to keep chipping away at the things that make people pick the Mac today. The list is getting shorter, but they're clearly not there yet.

I upgraded my iPhone 8 Plus to an iPhone XS yesterday and my goodness, do I like this phone! Today’s impromptu episode hits on 5 things that have stood out to me so far.

It was over 3 months in the marking, so yeah, I’m taking an episode to walk through the tools and process I used to get it all done ;)

My complete review of watchOS 5. Check out the full written review here: https://birchtree.me/blog/watchOS-5-review

I recorded today's episode on about 4 hours of sleep, but I was indeed able to order myself a new iPhone and Apple Watch. If the fates are kind, they'll both be here in a week. Here's what I got and why I got it.

An iPhone lives and dies on its quality, not its name.

The "post-PC era" sure is taking a long time to get here.

In a turn of events I'm rocking a completely different Surface computer since the last time we talked. I not have a Surface Pro which I'm hoping will be a better fit for me than the underpowered Surface Go.

The Windows-centric tech press is talking about the Surface Go's perfjoamcne in terms of "what more could you expect from a $400 tablet?" The answer is incredibly obvious, the $329 iPad, and I think makes the Go look worse than it would in a Windows-only vacuum. Like the show? Please consider supporting it on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/birchtree