Hi, this is Allison Sheridan of the NosillaCast Apple Podcast, hosted at Podfeet.com, a technology geek podcast with an EVER so slight Apple bias. Today is Sunday, October 18, 2020, and this is show number 806.
Chit Chat Across the Pond
This week’s Chit Chat Across the Pond was a blast as my friend Lory Gil, managing editor of iMore joined me to talk about all the fun, new toys Apple announced this week. I asked her to play a game where she got points if she could drop into our discussion any of the buzzwords “Nanoceramic crystals”, “Nanocrystalline Shield”, “Magnetic Flux”, and “Magnetometer”, but she would lose points for every time she said 5G. I’m delighted to tell you that she didn’t say 5G one single time, and she worked all but magnetic flux into the conversation.
The last time Lory was on she talked about how much she was hoping Apple would come out with a mini phone, so it was a lot of fun hearing her talk about how joyful it made her when they came out with the 12 mini.
We focussed first on what the four phone models have in common and how cool it is that the so much of the really important capabilities are on all of the phones, and how the mini really isn’t a compromise from the 12. Lory got quite imaginative in imagining what we’ll be able to do with an iPhone with a MagSafe connector.
After that we stuck in a little bit on what differentiates the Pro models from each other and from the “regular” 12 model. We did spend a little time on HomePod mini, mostly talking about how many we hope to buy when they come out.
As always, talking to Lory was joyful and fun so I know if you subscribe to Chit Chat Across the Pond Lite in your podcatcher of choice, you’ll have a smile on your face as you listen to Lory. Of course you can also follow the link in he shownotes to listen right at podfeet.com: CCATP #657 – Lory Gil on the iPhone 12 Announcement
Update on Loom
Two weeks ago I did a review of Loom, the service that allows you to record and upload videos real-time of your screen and your webcam. This week they came out with some fairly significant changes. They still have a free tier, but they’re incorporating some business/team stuff into it. According to their blog post announcing the changes, you now get a team library, a shared library, and unlimited viewers can join your workspace. You can have 25 creators in your team as well. However, the free plan is now limited to 5-minute videos.
For the occasional user who just wants to show a bug to a developer, or teach a short task, I think 5 minutes is a reasonable length limit for a free service. It might mean really planning out what you want to demonstrate and make your videos crisp and to the point, but hey, that’s better for your viewer anyway.
I also discovered something else after doing the review – I was on a free trial of their $10/month plan. That explains why I was getting 1080p video uploads which I mentioned, even though the free tier was only supposed to be able to do 720p. I also discovered that the free tier doesn’t have the video drawing tool (which I suggested you use very sparingly so as to not annoy your viewers). The calls-to-action are also only available on the $10/month plan as well. That’s the tool that allows you to embed a URL into a video.
They also simplified the plans so there’s just Starter (the free plan) and Business (the $10/month plan) and they emphasize that it’s still free for education. I think if you’re doing a lot of video screen captures that you need to share with teammates, developers, or friends and family to teach them, Loom makes it super easy and quick and is worth the $10. If you only need to make short-form video screen recordings from time to time, the Starter free tier is still a great option.
Blog Posts
Back in July, listener Kurt Liebezeit (pronounced lee-beh-zite) told me about a review he wanted to do for the show. I forgot all about it until this week when he sent it in! I can’t believe this is his first review because it’s absolutely fantastic. Such a cool tool, and a great delivery.
The Photographer’s Ephemeris – by Kurt Liebezeit
I don’t do a lot of landscape photography myself, but I would totally use The Photographer’s Ephemeris if I did. I know that Bart is going to love this one!
Support the Show
If you’ve been hit financially by what’s going on in the world, I want you to fast forward about 30 seconds. If you’ve not been hit financially and can afford to help support the Podfeet Podcasts, I hope you’ll first donate to some foodbanks or any other organizations that are working to help those in need. If after that, you think it would make you feel good to support the work that goes into making the Podfeet Podcasts bring you value, then please consider going to podfeet.com/patreon and choose an amount that makes you happy.
Next up, we’re going to have a second listener review in a row because mine will make way more sense after you hear this one from Marty.
Apple Watch Solo Loop – by Marty Jencius
Thanks, Marty, this was great. I was trying really hard to stop buying Apple watchbands, but now I think I have to have a solo loop because of you. I did a handoff of some tech with my good friend Pat Dengler recently, and she let me try hers on and I have to say it was as lovely as you described. I tried to just take hers but she wouldn’t let me keep it.
Now I said that my recording would make sense after listening to Marty’s. My topic is not about watch bands at all, but remember the very first thing Marty said. He said, “My relationship with my Apple Watch has been a rocky one over the years. Typically, I would put it on and never look at it. It was my third other screen after my desktop and my phone. I kept upgrading my watch and kept using it less, particularly when my COVID days are spent working from home in front of a computer.”
So he doesn’t find he uses his watch very much, and I’m kind of in the opposite camp.
A Day in the Life of an Apple Watch
That’s going to wind this up for this week. Don’t forget to send in your Dumb Questions, comments and suggestions by emailing me at [email protected], follow me on twitter @podfeet. Remember, everything good starts with podfeet.com/. podfeet.com/patreon, podfeet.com/paypal, podfeet.com/facebook, podfeet.com/slack! And if you want to join in the fun of the live show, head on over to podfeet.com/live on Sunday nights at 5pm Pacific Time and join the friendly and enthusiastic NosillaCastaways. Thanks for listening, and stay subscribed.