Author: Jeff

Adapting to GenAI – Spring 2025 Edition

Post author By Jeff
Post date April 15, 2025

Bryan and Jeff discuss the ethical use of AI and LLM, and the role those tools play in business. They also talk about the potential of being left behind as these tools advance and gain wider adoption.

SPONSOR: Rogue Amoeba – Rogue Amoeba has a wide array of apps to harness audio on the Mac, from recording and routing audio to gaining complete control over sound with app-level effects. Learn about all of Rogue Amoeba’s software at macaudio.com/context. Through the end of May, Context Machine listeners can save 20% off any purchase by using coupon code CONTEXT.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Imaginary Worlds Episode 275: Blueprints for Utopias
ChatGPT
MacWhisper
LM Studio
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Podcast

Apple Personal Robots, More on Fancy Fountain Pens

Post author By Jeff
Post date March 19, 2025

Bryan and Jeff take a look at Apple’s potential path in the personal robotics space. They also talk about fountain pen nibs and whether or not Visconti pens are worth their high price tags.

SPONSOR: Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CONTEXT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/context

Sources referenced in this episode:

Apple personal robots
Apple’s New Pixar-Inspired Lamp Robot Shows Off Its Moves
Walk, Run, Crawl, RL Fun | Boston Dynamics | Atlas
Amazon unveils a new and improved Alexa, Alexa+
Cozmo coding robot
Apple Leadership
Silicon Valley Macintosh User Group
Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Bronze fountain pen
Visconti Collezione Checkmate fountain pen
Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen
Baronfig journals
Sheaffer Nostalgia Solid Gold Filigree Overlay Fountain Pen 14k Gold Nib
Sheaffer Nostalgia Etched Sterling Fountain Pen 18k Gold Nib Stickered Clean
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags Baronfig, fountain pens, Pilot, robot, Visconti

Podcast

Our TV Catchup, Apple AI Catchup, and RCS Catchup

Post author By Jeff
Post date March 14, 2025

Bryan and Jeff talk about streaming shows they’re enjoying, how Apple is faring in the artificial intelligence space, and end-to-end encryption coming to RCS messaging.

SPONSOR: Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CONTEXT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/context

Sources referenced in this episode:

Dark Winds
Severance
Daredevil: Born Again
Reacher
Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino
Amazon unveils a new and improved Alexa, Alexa+
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone coming in future software update
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags Alexa, Apple Intelligence, Daredevil, Dark Winds, Reacher, Severance

Podcast

Bookshop.org and New Mac Studios, MacBooks Airs, and iPad Airs

Post author By Jeff
Post date March 5, 2025

Apple’s on a roll with new product announcements. This week Bryan and Jeff take a look at the new M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studio, M3 iPad Air, and A16 iPad. They also talk about independent book shops and Bookshop.com.

SPONSOR: Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CONTEXT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/context

Sources referenced in this episode:

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags Bookstore.com, iPad Air, M3, M4, Mac Studio, MacBook Air

Podcast Uncategorized

France Gets Whacky on Apple and Other Privacy Things

Post author By Jeff
Post date February 27, 2025

France thinks Apple should scale back privacy protection, the UK wants access to your encrypted iCloud data, and Bryan and Jeff have plenty to say about both. They also have a couple cool apps from Iconfactory to share.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Apple faces likely French antitrust fine for privacy tool, sources say
Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row
Tapestry
Wallaroo
Don’t Mention the Book author interview with science fiction and cyberpunk author Bryan Chaffin
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags France, Iconfactory, privacy, Tapestry, UK, Wallaroo

Podcast

Listener Email, Instagram Alternatives Update, and Collier’s

Post author By Jeff
Post date January 29, 2025

Bryan and Jeff follow up on listener emails, take a quick look at new shows on Apple TV+, and look at some Instagram alternatives. They also reminisce about defunct social media platforms, and Bryan manages to weave in the long-dead Collier’s magazine.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Prime Target
Silo
Severance
The Rockford Files
Shogun on Disney Plus
HomeKit Headaches and Apple Vision Pro Rumors
Controller for HomeKit
Nova Pocket Titanium fountain pen from Namisu
Pi-hole
Cloudflared
Pixelfed
Pinksky
Flashes
Defunct Social Media Platforms
Collier’s magazine
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags Apple TV+, fountain pens, Prime Target, Severance, Silo

Podcast

LG’s New 6K Display, Zuck Mucks Up Facebook, Instagram, and Threads

Post author By Jeff
Post date January 8, 2025

Bryan and Jeff talk about LG’s new UltraFine 6K display that was just announced at CES 2025. They also have some opinions on Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that Meta is removing its fact checking for Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Sources referenced in this episode:

LG Unveils UltraFine 6K Display With Thunderbolt 5 Support
Facebook and Instagram get rid of fact checkers
Pixelfed
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Bluesky
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags Display, Facebook, Instagram, LG, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Pixelfed, Threads

Podcast

Jeff’s Run-in with (Bad) Scammers

Post author By Jeff
Post date December 20, 2024

Jeff’s parents received an AI-generated scam phone call and he was able to listen in. Bryan and Jeff talk about what happened and how you can help protect your family from falling victim to these threats.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Tips on Artificial Intelligence Scams
Hiya
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Twitter
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Tags AI, scam

Podcast

HomeKit Headaches and Apple Vision Pro Rumors

Post author By Jeff
Post date November 15, 2024
1 Comment on HomeKit Headaches and Apple Vision Pro Rumors

It’s therapy day on The Context Machine. Jeff tries to work through his HomeKit problems, and Bryan wants a new Mac Studio revision. They also talk about the rumored Apple Vision Pro with M5 processor.

SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs – Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/ACM.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Jeff’s HomeKit is broken
Gurman: Apple Vision Pro 2 on track for release between Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Nuki Smart Lock
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Twitter
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

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Podcast

Choosing a Social Media Platform, Apple Media Events, and Dice Rolling Probabilities

Post author By Jeff
Post date October 18, 2024

Bryan and Jeff talk about what to consider when choosing a new social media platform, and whether or not Apple will host an October media event. They also discuss probability when rolling dice and conduct a live experiment at Jeff’s expense.

SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs – Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/ACM.

Sources referenced in this episode:

Why changes to the block on Elon Musk’s X are driving users away
Is an Apple Event Still Likely This October Following Today’s Surprise iPad Mini 7 Announcement?
Atomic Goblin Games
Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

Where to find us:

The Context Machine on Twitter
The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
The Context Machine on Mastodon
The Context Machine on Post
Bryan’s Instagram
Bran’s Mastodon
Bryan’s Threads
Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
Jeff’s Instagram
Jeff’s Mastodon
Jeff’s Threads
Jeff’s YouTube Channel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags Bluesky, Dice, M4, Twitter, X

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