I got a Slack call this morning.
I was sitting in front of my Mac, but I answered the call on my iPhone because, well, I dunno, I just did!
Trouble is, my AirPods were connected to my Mac, not my iPhone — so, ofc, I couldn’t hear anything, and no one could hear me.
And so I had to spend a frustrating few minutes trying to sort out the connection problem.
I ultimately hung up and just joined the call on my Mac, as I should have in the first place.
The “mixup,” if you wanna call it that, happened because AirPods automatically switch between Apple gadgets, preferencing newly launched or awoken devices.
It’s a clever idea, in theory. You’re listening to your iPhone when you arrive at the office, and your AirPods switch to your Mac when you sit down to work.
Only, as I discovered this morning, sometimes it’s irritating af.
If only I’d known there’s an easy setting to prevent this kind of thing from happening!
Also in today’s newsletter:
The brain drain at Apple continues, now featuring Lisa Jackson, the former EPA administrator who really turbocharged Apple’s green efforts. Everyone’s losing their minds over recent executive departures, but is the latest exodus as big as Jony Ive, Tony Fadell, Scott Forstall or other high-profile execs who’ve left in the past? (How about Steve Jobs himself!!!) I don’t think so. But I will miss Lisa Jackson, who I think has been great.
At least it wasn’t Paramount.
Apple’s podcast of the year looks right up my alley. Subscribing!
I’m not much of a gamer, but I’m really intrigued by the violent, Western-themed Red Dead Redemption, which is finally available on iPhone and iPad. SpongeBob, too!
It’s bye-bye Alan Dye, as we have fun discussing on the latest episode of The CultCast podcast (YouTube link). Here’s where to find the show on Apple Podcasts. Also, check out the funny tweets below about Alan Dye’s departure — a couple really made me LOL.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
The CultCast: Our weekly podcast
Cult of Mac’s buyback program
A message from Gladly.ai
AI that actually handles customer service. Not just chat.
Most AI tools chat. Gladly actually resolves. Returns processed. Tickets routed. Orders tracked. FAQs answered. All while freeing up your team to focus on what matters most — building relationships. See the difference.
Tweets of the day
Wallpaper of the day
One more thing ...
I was voluntarily poor when I was in college and India, and I lived a pretty simple life when I was working. So I went from fairly poor, which was wonderful because I didn't have to worry about money, to being incredibly rich, when I also didn't have to worry about money.
Today’s poll
AirPods auto-switching: Blessing or a curse?
Results from yesterday’s poll: What are your thoughts on Alan Dye leaving Apple?
Best reader comments
Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.