[SPEAKER_00]: a factual data creation facility production.
[SPEAKER_00]: Because of the weather forecast that we're predicting 1 million inches of snow in ice in my area, I rest through yesterday's episode and left out some tech and other types of stories I initially wanted to bring you during episode 305.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, God does answer some prayers.
[SPEAKER_00]: Why my home state of Tennessee did get hit with brutal winter conditions?
[SPEAKER_00]: The massive winter storm managed to miss my tiny area of the state.
[SPEAKER_00]: We got nothing more than a little sweet and rain.
[SPEAKER_00]: The temperature here is I record this, as well above freezing.
[SPEAKER_00]: Though temperatures are predicted to plunge overnight.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you've been listening to this show lately, then you know that back in December, I acquired a solid state logic SSL2 Mark II audio interface.
[SPEAKER_00]: I haven't mess with it too much, but my first impressions of the device weren't as great as I thought they'd be.
[SPEAKER_00]: Needless to say, I'll be sticking with my road duo for the production of the OFNT Podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: I had planned on creating a parody of the BBC as a test episode using the SSL2, minus the accents and production values.
[SPEAKER_00]: But then I thought it might be bitter to parody this country's national public radio.
[SPEAKER_00]: What to do that?
[SPEAKER_00]: I'd have to willingly punish any listeners to the horrible untamed sound of NPR.
[SPEAKER_00]: So because of circumstances beyond my control, sort of, after rushing through the last
[SPEAKER_00]: I found myself with a backlog of news items, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone by bringing you these mysteries.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, at the same time, testing out the SSL audio interface.
[SPEAKER_00]: I've paired it with the Neumin TLM 102 Condenser microphone, and an attempt to reproduce that BBC or Voice Over sound.
[SPEAKER_00]: The SSL doesn't have any onboard digital signal processing, so I'll be relying on Outboard Digital Audio Plugins.
[SPEAKER_00]: I haven't the slightest idea how this will all turn out.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to contact me at ofntpodcast at gmail.com.
[SPEAKER_00]: You'd be doing me a favor as I can no longer trust these old farty years.
[SPEAKER_00]: If requested, I'll give you a shout out.
[SPEAKER_00]: So without any further ado, here's the news items I failed to include in episode 305.
[SPEAKER_00]: Enjoy if you can.
[SPEAKER_00]: Tax news!
[SPEAKER_00]: These stories are all about the giant fruit company.
[SPEAKER_00]: I've ordered them from oldest to newest.
[SPEAKER_00]: First up, minus 5Mac.com, who are, quoting Leaker Fix focused digital, see how this all works.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's predicting that contrary to other reports, Apple indeed launched the second generation of the iPhone Air later this year.
[SPEAKER_00]: The only significant update for this model will be a new processor manufactured by the two nanometer process.
[SPEAKER_00]: Most leakers or, as I like call them guessers, have predicted that if and when a new model of the iPhone Air is released, it would be redesigned to include a second wide-angle lens camera.
[SPEAKER_00]: So, the earliest release date would be sometime in 2027.
[SPEAKER_00]: Apple probably has a lot of iPhone Air parts laying around due to below expected sales of the model, and the new two-nanaminated chip will be much more efficient than the current A series chips.
[SPEAKER_00]: Which would bring better battery life, I guess.
[SPEAKER_00]: If the iPhone Air 2 does become a reality, I'm guessing an Apple would introduce it with a humble press release, rather than doing an event.
[SPEAKER_00]: A little time will tell.
[SPEAKER_00]: Apple updated the firmware for its MacMagic keyboard last month, as well as some other hardware that normally don't see these kinds of updates.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, this month it's the iPad Magic Keyboards turn.
[SPEAKER_00]: The only for the M3 and M4 iPad Magic Keyboard attachments, including the M3 iPad Air.
[SPEAKER_00]: These firmware updates usually don't have anything to do with performance, but rather
[SPEAKER_00]: These updates will be done in the background as long as they're attached to the devices that they were made for.
[SPEAKER_00]: I guess we can expect some good Apple leaks in the future.
[SPEAKER_00]: Why?
[SPEAKER_00]: Because cyber news and hack read a reporting that look share a key apple supplier had quoted in China has been hacked.
[SPEAKER_00]: A group called ransomhobe has taken credit for this attack.
[SPEAKER_00]: The group announced the successful breach via their website last month.
[SPEAKER_00]: Refilling, they've obtained engineering data, dated December 15th of 2025. ransom hub has accused luck share of attempting to cover up the incident, urging them to get in contact prevent the stolen data from becoming public.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I guess, looks here, decided not to pay the ransom.
[SPEAKER_00]: Side's Apple, the group claims sensitive data from Nvidia Tesla, LG, and other major companies was obtained.
[SPEAKER_00]: Some personal data about persons working on specific projects was also part of this hacker's trove.
[SPEAKER_00]: I wonder if Luckshare uses Windows computers.
[SPEAKER_00]: After reading over the reports of the incident from cyber news, I'm beginning to wonder if this was an either an inside job, or some sort of state-sponsored, heist.
[SPEAKER_00]: The article points out that this stolen data could be used to reverse engineer products, thus saving R&D costs for competitors.
[SPEAKER_00]: Strange World, we're living in.
[SPEAKER_00]: Apple Insider.com, along with other Applecentric websites, a reporting that's Siri, Apple's left behind digital assistant, will become a fully blown chatbot when iOS 27 is released later this year.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is all based on a report by Bloomberg.
[SPEAKER_00]: Note that Apple does not have enough servers to host a chatbot that will have as many users as Apple's user-based would bring.
[SPEAKER_00]: This means that Apple would have to rely on Google servers if this report turns out to be true.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now, it would go against Apple's privacy credo, that the company even uses further advertisements.
[SPEAKER_00]: Supposedly, Apple tries to process all critical functions on device.
[SPEAKER_00]: I can't see Apple doing this, but, you know, things change.
[SPEAKER_00]: Personally, I most likely would never use a Siri chatbot.
[SPEAKER_00]: As evidence, I already have an AI chatbot in my home.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's a luck surplus.
[SPEAKER_00]: I've attempted a chat to it, but just don't feel comfortable talking to a machine.
[SPEAKER_00]: But hey, that's just me.
[SPEAKER_00]: Would you use a Siri chatbot?
[SPEAKER_00]: Continuing with Apple and AI, the verge.com says that Apple is working on an AI-powered air-tech size wearable.
[SPEAKER_00]: I seem to remember some startup attempting to sell such a thing in the recent past.
[SPEAKER_00]: I also recall that it didn't go so well for them.
[SPEAKER_00]: The company was called Humane, and I believe they no longer exist.
[SPEAKER_00]: The article explains that this product is in its early development stages, so it might
[SPEAKER_00]: I have to ask, what would be the purpose of a product like this?
[SPEAKER_00]: The only thing I can think of is for augmenting some other device, like augmented reality spectacles, what do you think this product will be used for?
[SPEAKER_00]: Apple has updated the terms and conditions of its Apple Cash product.
[SPEAKER_00]: Starting February 18th, users will be charged a 1.7% fee for instant transfer using Apple Cash.
[SPEAKER_00]: Currently, a 1.5% fee is charged for instant transfers.
[SPEAKER_00]: Transfers 2 and from banks will remain gratis.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm assuming that this fee increase has something to do with a chase taking over from gold bin sacks for handling Apple's credit services.
[SPEAKER_00]: But don't quote me on that.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I guess my children will have to pre-plan their emergencies so I can avoid these fees by sending money to bank accounts.
[SPEAKER_00]: MacRumors reports that Apple will be teeming with Intel.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, you heard that right?
[SPEAKER_00]: Intel for manufacturing chips for iPhones.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is based on a report from Security, Analyst, Jeff Poo, but hey, what's in your name?
[SPEAKER_00]: I ought to be fair, his family name is probably pronounced Poo.
[SPEAKER_00]: Anyway, these Intel manufactured chips will reportedly be for lower-end products, and will only be for part of Apple's requirements.
[SPEAKER_00]: This comes on the heels of a report that TSMC, whose Apple's primary chip manufacturer, is at its capacity.
[SPEAKER_00]: And video has passed Apple as TSMC's largest customer, and its straining TSMC's manufacturing prowess.
[SPEAKER_00]: until it's supposed to be supplying low-end M chips to Apple starting in 2027.
[SPEAKER_00]: But I've recently heard that until it's behind in this endeavor.
[SPEAKER_00]: Hopefully the former King of Computer chip fabrication can get their stuff together.
[SPEAKER_00]: With TSMC being strict to its limits, Apple needs to diversify its chip supply chain.
[SPEAKER_00]: Tech I'm using.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm in the market for a USB hub.
[SPEAKER_00]: Right now, I'm data-chaining USB hubs because of the amount of devices I have connected to my Mac Mini.
[SPEAKER_00]: Last year I purchased a satec-ed hub that sits under my Mac mini, but it provides mostly the old USB-A type connections.
[SPEAKER_00]: At the time I purchased it, that's exactly what I needed.
[SPEAKER_00]: But as I said before, things change.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate receiving them.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm looking for one of those upright types, not the small flat type.
[SPEAKER_00]: In other news, I've switched back to using my Apple Magic Keyboard with my Mac Mini.
[SPEAKER_00]: Not because I prefer it over the Logic Tech MX Macanfl keyboard I have.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm using the Magic Keyboard in order to save space.
[SPEAKER_00]: The road duo audio interface is on the large sizes, far as interface is go, and I find the MX keyboard getting in the way, especially while recording.
[SPEAKER_00]: I blame myself for this, because when first setting up this space, I opted for a fancy two-tiered computer desk instead of a traditional desk.
[SPEAKER_00]: Tell me the thing I like about the Magic Keyboard over the MX is that it's quieter than again.
[SPEAKER_00]: I missed the click-clicking of the mechanical keys.
[SPEAKER_00]: Never satisfied, I tell you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Podcast News
[SPEAKER_00]: The podcasting incorporated funded podcast Academy has announced its holding its annual Ambies Awards ceremony on February 23rd.
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, all this organization has achieved is to help push out independent podcasts.
[SPEAKER_00]: Want to look at the nominees for this year's awards?
[SPEAKER_00]: Tell you everything you need to know about the podcast Academy.
[SPEAKER_00]: There are no independent podcasts on the list, but that's to be expected.
[SPEAKER_00]: Notable absences are the Joe Rogan Experience and the Midas Touch.
[SPEAKER_00]: Those are two political type shows that represent different takes on the subjects and have huge audiences.
[SPEAKER_00]: What we get instead are the usual shows.
[SPEAKER_00]: Call her daddy, crime junkie, pod save America, smartlas, and other major media backshows.
[SPEAKER_00]: This proves that you've got to pay to play in order to get any recognition from this so-called podcast academy.
[SPEAKER_00]: Fevered tortured yourself by watching the ambees, he would treat it with stiff, unintetaining hosts, and many production gaffes.
[SPEAKER_00]: Only two hosts were competent out of the, I think they've had five already.
[SPEAKER_00]: One was a comedian I've never heard of before or since.
[SPEAKER_00]: The other was some drag queen who managed to do the best job of the lot.
[SPEAKER_00]: Over years it's gotten so bad that winners don't even bother showing up for their awards and don't send in a pre-recorded video accepting them either.
[SPEAKER_00]: This become a joke and is seldom talked about it anymore.
[SPEAKER_00]: Usually the ambies are streamed on Twitch, so I suppose it will be the same for this year.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, the website doesn't state anything, but the date it will occur, and that it will be held in Brooklyn, New York.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, Brooklyn is a fitting setting for this show.
[SPEAKER_00]: No time or venue was announced.
[SPEAKER_00]: I won't be watching the ambies this year.
[SPEAKER_00]: The podcast Academy doesn't seem to represent my apparent and significant corner of podcasting.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I'll wrap this thing up now.
[SPEAKER_00]: How do you think this little experiment went?
[SPEAKER_00]: Did you like the audio?
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I'll see you next Sunday.
[SPEAKER_00]: Remember, don't listen to what they say, watch what they do.
[SPEAKER_00]: Stay skeptical.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ah, I'm out.
[SPEAKER_00]: See ya.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, for if again, get off my lawn.