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Artwork for Upgrade

Upgrade

Relay
Apple
Vision Pro
Iphone
Apple Watch
Apple Intelligence
Technology
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Inc.
Siri
Ios
App Store
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Parenting
Macos
Openai
Macbook Air
Mac
Apple Silicon
Iphone 16
Ipados

Upgrade looks at how technology shapes our lives, from the devices in our hands and pockets to the streaming services that keep us entertained. Hosted by Jason Snell and Myke Hurley.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes642Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Upgrade

Latest Episodes

Just as we're busy pondering the HomeView and preparing for the iPhone Duo launch, word arrives of another Apple event on the horizon! Plus, Apple and Meta bond over local AI.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Save 10% off yo... more

YouTube

We break down Apple's big home announcements, including the new HomeView, a collection of smart home products, a new HomePod Mini, and the new (and surprisingly expensive) Apple TV 4K.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronge... more

YouTube

Together in Memphis, Myke and Jason discuss John Ternus prodding Apple to move faster, Apple's regret about giving apps Full Disk Access, and the impending release of Apple's long-rumored home hub product.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

more

YouTube

Apple's slow move toward a fitness band makes us wonder if the company has lost its ability to execute quickly. Also, it's time for a MacBook Neo check-in, and Myke questions Jason's Apple Watch use.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitb... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

John Siracusa
Special guest introduced for Designing California discussion
Special guest on the Designing California series
Episode: 635: The 2026 September Event Draft
Dan Morin
Special guest host, Six Colors contributor
Six Colors
Episode: 631: Nessie Beneath the Waves
John Syracuse
Subject matter expert on OS X and Mac OS history
Designing California contributor
Episode: 624: The Memory Guys
Jeffrey Kane
Author of Steve Jobs in Exile
Author, Steve Jobs in Exile
Episode: 616: Outmoded But Not Vintage
Stephen Hackett
Relay co-founder, former guest of Upgrade
Relay/Formerly Tech podcasting community
Episode: 615: But in Citrus!
David Pogue
Author and technology journalist
Wall Street Journal; author of Apple, The First 50 Years
Episode: 608: Pop and Lock
David Smith
Developer extraordinaire and co-host of Under the Radar
Relay FM
Episode: 558: My Bucket Is Full
Phil McCarty
Writer for Marvel's What If interactive experience.
ILM Interactive
Episode: 521: I Can Get Pineapple Into Anything
David Dong
Writer for Marvel's What If interactive experience.
ILM Interactive
Episode: 521: I Can Get Pineapple Into Anything

Hosts

Jason Snell
Host of Upgrade with deep background on Apple and tech commentary; frequently co-hosts related design/history podcasts.
Myke Hurley
Co-host with strong involvement in Apple-focused tech discourse and related design/history projects.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Great info

    The guys do a good job getting me the info to me in the know.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John of Babylon
    United States2 months ago
  • Apple Sycophancy

    Jason constantly showcases the “leave the trillionaire company alone” meme. The arguments are asinine at best. He mentioned that the iWork apps might not have getting an update and he got an email from Apple implying otherwise but neither him or the email stated what those updates were. His only response is “oh ok”. But I understand the saying “don’t bite the hand that feeds you” or in this case will feed him in case he needs a job at Apple.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MuskElonX
    United States3 months ago
  • If you love nuanced views

    There are few tech writers I really admire. Jason, Om and Gruber. You want nuanced views to understand the trends or decisions of tech industry. This is where Upgrade is really good. Clearly you can see the difference between a YouTuber’s take versus a take of veteran.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kathiawadi
    Australia6 months ago
  • Pretty bad most of the time

    I used to like this podcast, but not much anymore. Jason is a reasonably smart guy, but he sure is prickly and thin-skinned. He loves to talk about folks who don’t like him and, more importantly, question him, and how he enjoys blocking them (no one cares). Myke is insufferable. Jason has the background and credibility to say what he does about Apple and tech. Myke? Who is this guy? He usually just parrots other options he’s read (and includes the word “Right?” constantly, which shows he doesn’... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BNWINSF
    United States8 months ago
  • Forgot the point of the internet

    While i’m all for calling out Apple over hypocritical practices, the hosts’ eagerness to ban Grok over its admittedly disgusting content is reprehensible. Have your political views overshadowed your interest in keeping the Internet open? By your logic, every social media network should be shut down, along with much of the rest of the web. You’re on the UK’s side on this? Because they’re banning the things you don’t like? Do you think you and the rest of us will end up in a better place if all go... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kevanjt
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise nuanced tech insight and strong host dynamic.
A sizable subset finds the show essential for staying up-to-date on Apple and tech trends.
A number of reviews highlight consistency and usefulness for Apple ecosystem coverage.
Some critiques mention excessive ad reads and political commentary.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#37
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#38
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#68
Germany/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#142
Italy/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

637: My Job Is to Eat the Marshmallow
Q: Will the iPhone Duo support a mouse or trackpad?
The hosts explain there is accessibility support for pointing devices and that Apple could enable iPadOS-style cursor support over time, but they don't know for certain; they feel confident about potential future support.
632: [Redacted Apple Information]
Q: What are your thoughts on Jamie Ding winning on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
They express admiration for Jamie Ding, speculate that charity winnings may be involved, and generally celebrate the trivia prowess while noting typical charity show conventions.
632: [Redacted Apple Information]
Q: What is your current launcher setup and thoughts on Siri AI integrated into Spotlight on the Mac?
The hosts describe using Spotlight with Command-Space and LaunchBar for emoji insertion, noting mixed feelings about Siri AI integration; overall they find it useful but not essential, and they prefer lightweight, non-intrusive assistance.
627: Do Not Use, Do Not Turn Off
Q: Do you think the rising cost of storage components will cause Apple to raise the price of iCloud storage?
No; the panel believes storage hardware costs for spinning disks aren't driving cloud pricing the way people assume, and Apple tends to adjust service pricing strategically across multiple components rather than relying on a single input, while other factors like inflation and overall margins also come into play.
610: We Hear You're Good at Computers
Q: Could the naming changes imply a broader shift in Apple's product strategy?
The hosts agree that while branding terms like Pro have specific historical meanings for Apple's lineup, the company is likely to keep high-end models for PCs separate and use branding like Studio or Ultra selectively, focusing on practical distinctions rather than marketing buzz.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Upgrade

What is Upgrade about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tech-focused discussion that centers on how devices, platforms, and services shape everyday life, with a strong emphasis on Apple products, software, and ecosystem strategy. Episodes blend practical how-tos, industry analysis, and forward-looking commentary on AI, hardware roadmap, pricing, and developer workflows, often interleaved with sponsor reads. The dynamic between the two hosts—tightly aligned on tech fundamentals yet willing to debate strategy and policy—makes it valuable for listeners who want clear, opinionated tech coverage and context for the broader Apple and digital ecosystem. Noteworthy is a recurring interest in AI features, privacy implications, and the business models shaping consumer tech, wrapped in accessible, hands-on... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Upgrade?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Upgrade:

1. Connected
2. The Talk Show With John Gruber
3. Accidental Tech Podcast
4. Designed in California
5. Mac Power Users

How many episodes of Upgrade are there?

Upgrade launched 12 years ago and published 642 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Upgrade?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Upgrade?

Recent guests on Upgrade include:

1. John Siracusa
2. Dan Morin
3. John Syracuse
4. Jeffrey Kane
5. Stephen Hackett
6. David Pogue
7. David Smith
8. Phil McCarty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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