Macbreak Weekly podcast

[maflynn]

Any fans of this podcast on Twit.tv?

I find the topics and discussions pretty good most of the time, with one exception - Andy Ihnatko. He seems to drone on and on, about stuff that seems to detract from my enjoyment. To put it another way, I find him somewhat annoying.

Thoughts on that podcast?

 

[radio893fm]

I am. I don't miss a show (via Podcast). My fav is Andy as I find him objective on his point of view. I can't really stand when they invite Jason Snell (spelling) and as of late Rene Ritchi is just the typical fanboy looking for every single way to spin things in Apple's favor. Last time he criticized Apple was probably in 1990.

But overall, a great, great show.

 

[allan.nyholm]

I dislike the range of various podcasts delivered to me from twit.tv - but in particular the host of the show for some of these, Leo Laporte. It's gone downhill "Hey guys, let's ponder over whatever is currently on my mind, says Leo. How about a sandwich. And what's the deal with ham?"

One episode I watched as they had Adam Engst on as a guest. He told towards the end of the episode on how he learned of an app for OS X called Noizio and Leo Laporte downloaded it and went on to turn on ALL the sounds in the app and let it run for a while. I hate stuff like that - not one inch of seriousness. It's does not have to be a serious show all the time - but I expect the host of the show not to ridicule a guest.

 

[rhett7660]

I listen to it weekly. I like all of the people who are usually on it, but yes they all seem to have their issues. Andy sometimes has trouble speaking, or will bash Apple on an issue and then praise another company for the same issue. Rene actually critizes Apple quite a bit. He does put a spin on the issues, especially in this weeks episode about Apple pay. I do get tired of hearing about Android or other devices or OS's on the show. But overall it is one that I pretty much listen to and have done so for quite sometime.

 

[satinsilverem2]

Ive been listening to Leo Laporte since the TechTV days. However the network as gone downhill in my opinion for the past couple of years. They have lost most of the good presenters that had a good way of talking tech without droning. Macbreak Weekly is now the only show that I watch on the network.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Any fans of this podcast on Twit.tv?

I find the topics and discussions pretty good most of the time, with one exception - Andy Ihnatko. He seems to drone on and on, about stuff that seems to detract from my enjoyment. To put it another way, I find him somewhat annoying.

Thoughts on that podcast?

I watch it most weeks... but not sure where I really stand on it. Rene Ritchie is an Apple fanboy, and Leo Laporte runs hot and cold on Apple, and at times displays sophomoric humor, which I find annoying. Ihnatko is pretty much his own biggest fan, and his shtick grows wearisome quickly.

Jim Dalrymple is enjoyable when he's on... and I quite like the perspective that Alex Lindsay brings. The "picks of the week" is often the best part.

 

[Command]

Any fans of this podcast on Twit.tv?

I find the topics and discussions pretty good most of the time, with one exception - Andy Ihnatko. He seems to drone on and on, about stuff that seems to detract from my enjoyment. To put it another way, I find him somewhat annoying.

Thoughts on that podcast?

Similar view. He makes some valid points, for sure. But once he starts talking it seems to never end. Another poster said it well - he's his own biggest fan.

 

[maflynn]

My fav is Andy as I find him objective on his point of view

I'll give you that. I do appreciate his objectivity, but I think what bothers me the most, is he goes off pontificating, and really doesn't add too much to the discussion. I understand that they need to fill in the hour (or there abouts) with talk but sometimes he just prattles on.

Rene Ritchi is just the typical fanboy

So much so. He excuses apple all the time.

I still listen to the podcast but as I mentioned, he can be irritating to me

 

[dumastudetto]

I don't think Rene is a "fanboy" at all. He's certainly willing to criticise Apple when they get things wrong, and often does, but goes about it in a friendly way because that's who he is.

 

[satchmo]

I don't think Rene is a "fanboy" at all. He's certainly willing to criticise Apple when they get things wrong, and often does, but goes about it in a friendly way because that's who he is.

I disagree. He use to be more ojective but as of late, he's so apologetic. But I get it...he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds him. I find most Apple podcasters have this dilema. They want to be invited to events so they have to be careful what they say.

I use to listen to the MBW podcast regularly, but got tired of the antics and Leo's fake allegiance to Apple. He would criticize and bash then change colours when he was promoting coverage of an Apple event.

 

[maflynn]

I don't think Rene is a "fanboy"

No, he is. I listen to the podcast and see what he writes on imore and, he is.

But I get it...he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds him

Tbh, I think its more then that, I truely believe he fully believes everything he says. His pro apple stance seems so sincere

 

[Tech198]

I guess no one watches podcats to deserve as a topic ?

If Rene is a fanboy then he's a pretty damn good one iMore has the works..

Andy's a good one. although i wish he'd sometimes stick to the subject instead of drifting off from the discussion... Although i keep looking at that background as the "space-ship enterprise"...You can't go wrong with a 3 sided blue backdrop.

either way, i guess it makes up the time..

 

[henrikvendelbo]

I really liked it a couple of years ago when I learned stuff listening to them. These days I learn nothing. What I look for in a n apple tech podcast:

1) Learning about useful technical details
2) Practical usage tips
3) Inside stories about the ecosystem hinting at how to create product success in tech
4) Lessons from the apple approach to design, tech, etc
5) Likable hosts

The people are likable and that's probably why I keep listening. But man am I fed up with the whining.

Andy either goes on a tirade about switching to Samsung or how Macs should be more open. Yes I agree that the App Store is retarded, but really? I buy Apple products foremost because

1) I care about good design
2) I want to reduce risk (virus, phishing,etc)
3) I don't like me-too companies (hello Samsung)
4) I want technology innovation based on usefulness not gimmicks
5) I don't want to be bombarded with attention grabbing BS
6) I want reliability and few distractions

Leo rants on about switching to Linux. LoL, you troll. He is a tech geek that likes to play with new things.

They spend another podcast ranting about not getting new Macs... Again... Oh well. Personally I'm waiting for the switch to USB-C. My 6 year old MacBook Pro, 5 year old iMac, 6 year old iMac and 7 year old Mac Pro are still hanging in there. Please stop pestering me about the itch to buy a new one every 2-3 years, very few people have that need.

It is rare that the discussion is constructive and about learning new things. Mostly it's old farts ranting about not getting their toys. Cmon, you are writing text. I can do that on even the oldest devices I have.

I still listen to it for the picks and occasional interesting guest, but I am tempted to kick the habit of listening.

 

[Michael Goff]

I used to listen to MacBreak. Then I realized how much Leo makes me angry on every single podcast he's on and cut out every Twit.tv podcast he's on.

 

[C DM]

I used to listen to MacBreak. Then I realized how much Leo makes me angry on every single podcast he's on and cut out every Twit.tv podcast he's on.

How/why does he make you angry?

 

[Michael Goff]

How/why does he make you angry?

I'd give you examples, but the basic thing he did was constantly bash everything. Whether it's Windows Week, MacBreak Weely, This Week in Google, or iOS Today, it was the same. I didn't go to WW to hear about how Microsoft is horrible and everyone should use Chromebooks. I didn't go to MBW to hear about how great Android is. I have Material, AAA, and AC for that. And they do a better job with actual facts.

Leo is just a guy who wants to rile up an audience. He has no real opinions of his own.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

I like it a lot.

 

[Zirel]

Any fans of this podcast on Twit.tv?

I find the topics and discussions pretty good most of the time, with one exception - Andy Ihnatko. He seems to drone on and on, about stuff that seems to detract from my enjoyment. To put it another way, I find him somewhat annoying.

Thoughts on that podcast?

I gave up exactly for that. The main guy isn't also much better. The best thing for me were the guests.
[doublepost=1470024425][/doublepost]

No, he is. I listen to the podcast and see what he writes on imore and, he is.

Now we anyone that doesn't go on relentlessly ranting about everything Apple does or doesn't is now a fanboy.

 

[Sam Luis Obispo]

Leo is just a guy who wants to rile up an audience. He has no real opinions of his own.

Riling up the audience is a proven technique. They have John Dvorak on This Week in Tech from time to time. He as much admitted that one of his secrets was that he would write something critical of Apple in order to stir the pot and drive eyeballs to read his article and/or send letters to the magazine (at one point he wrote that Apple should drop the iPhone.)

If you ever follow the Security Now podcast and the Techguy, I think I can understand a little about why he is on about chrome books. For many people simpler is better and if that results in a smaller attack surface, so much the better. It sounds like tremendous upside... but suspect it is not as tremendous as he makes it out to be. And now he is on a FreeBSD kick (couple months ago, it was Debian... and before that it was Ubuntu?... and before that it was...)

Despite being down on Apple, every now and then Leo let's slip some praise. Just the other day, I though I heard him praise the iPhone backup to the iCloud feature.

 

[Zirel]

If you ever follow the Security Now podcast and the Techguy, I think I can understand a little about why he is on about chrome books. For many people simpler is better and if that results in a smaller attack surface, so much the better. It sounds like tremendous upside... but suspect it is not as tremendous as he makes it out to be. And now he is on a FreeBSD kick (couple months ago, it was Debian... and before that it was Ubuntu?... and before that it was...)

It's ridiculous then that he bashes the iPad as a laptop replacement.

The iPad can do a lot more than Chromebooks, it's also cheap, anyone can use it, and it's as secure if even more secure.

He has no principles.

 

[satchmo]

They have John Dvorak on This Week in Tech from time to time.

He's not been on any TWIT programs for a while now. There was a fall out between Dvorak and Laporte.

 

[AZhappyjack]

He's not been on any TWIT programs for a while now. There was a fall out between Dvorak and Laporte.

 

[Sam Luis Obispo]

To be honest, I just cannot follow those podcasts religiously. When they start to get irritating, the stop button is available. After listening for awhile, I would have to stop listening for sometimes up to months at a time...

 

[LumbermanSVO]

...and I quite like the perspective that Alex Lindsay brings. The "picks of the week" is often the best part.

As a video tech in the live entertainment biz, I enjoy his veiw on things. One "Alex" of currency won't get you far in live entertainment.

 

[maflynn]

I've grown tired of Laporte, but as I mentioned, Ihnatko more or less rubs me the wrong way and Rene never (or almost never) criticizes and usually makes excuses for any perceived (or real) missteps by Apple.

Summer is typically a quiet time for the computer industry, so no news means not much reason to listen to them, though I'll probably pick it back up this fall when the new phones and macs come out