Clockwise Episode 645: "A Fan of the Fan"
Date: February 25, 2026
Hosts: Dan Moren, Mikah Sargent
Guests: Paul Kafasis (CEO/Lackey at Rogue Amoeba), Jeremy Burge (Mobile Tech Journal)
Episode Overview
This fast-paced, 30-minute tech discussion features four topics with perspectives from hosts Dan and Mikah and guests Paul and Jeremy. This week they dive into upcoming Apple product rumors, technology for weather management, methods for remembering tasks, and contactless public transit payment. The episode closes with a lighthearted Winter Olympics bonus round.
1. Most Anticipated Upcoming Apple Products
Starts 01:24
Key Points
- Paul: Looking forward to a new Apple TV just for the "Snoopy screensaver" that older TV models don't support. Reasons that "continued constant updates to the Mac lineup" are also notable; appreciates Apple’s return to regular Mac updates after a stagnant period.
- Quote: "I've got one TV that's got a Snoopy screensaver and it's awesome. And I've got one TV that does not have a Snoopy screensaver and it's lame." (01:49)
- Mikah: Interested in what the new Apple Studio Display will bring, especially HDR support and improved all-in-one design. Points out he likes his current display because work paid for it, joking about price being a significant consideration, and laments the built-in webcam quality.
- Quote: "I like having the all in one minus the webcam, which is garbage and will always be garbage." (03:01)
- Jeremy: Still using M1 hardware; more interested in increased storage (hopes for 8TB MacBook) than the latest processor. Stresses all his data lives locally on his laptop and relies heavily on Backblaze for backup.
- Quote: "An 8 terabyte MacBook Pro would be incredible and save me having to make difficult decisions about what to keep and what not to keep." (04:19)
- Dan: Most intrigued by the rumored low-cost, colorful MacBook—possible shift in Apple’s strategy, though curious about the inevitable tradeoffs (such as being powered by an "iPhone-level chip").
- Quote: "...certainly there is some appeal in the idea of a low cost colorful laptop for me. So I'm kind of interested to see what the story is behind that and what the trade offs that we'll be making." (05:34)
2. Technology That Helps You Deal With the Weather
Starts 06:27
Key Points
- Paul (Question asker): Needs to shovel a lot of snow, wonders what weather-related tech others use.
- Mikah: Embraces "suburban dad era" with well-organized garage tools, noting a leaf blower that sometimes helps clear light snow. Highlights that even simple tech counts.
- Quote: "I have actually used. Now I think about it, I have used it for snow because a leaf blower can come in handy..." (07:15)
- Jeremy: Praises home air conditioning for hot climates. Recommends Sensibo smart plugs for remotely controlling AC. Surprised by “neck fans,” once skeptical but now loves the convenience during hot, stuffy travel.
- Quote: "I'm a fan of the fan around my neck and boy, do I feel smug when I'm on a train or somewhere without air conditioning..." (08:32)
- Dan: Uses Ecobee thermostat with room sensors to optimize heating/cooling, paired with a heat pump system and solar panels (not effective covered in snow). Also mentions a Netatmo weather station, but finds general weather apps sufficient now. Credits his neighbor’s snowblower assistance: "Neighbors with WeatherTech."
- Paul: High-tech discovery is low-tech—performance merino wool gear for winter runs. Superior to synthetic gear for odor resistance and warmth, reducing laundry frequency.
- Quote: "It keeps me warm and it doesn't stink, doesn't have an odor, and it does not need to be washed nearly as much." (11:11)
3. How Do You Remember Things? (Apps, Services, Techniques)
Starts 14:53
Key Points
- Jeremy: Emulates the “Snell method”—put everything on calendar, but admits the system doesn't scale. Uses Notes app liberally (with minimal structure, relying on search) and even types reminders into Contacts note fields, though editing is buggy.
- Quote: "Classic Notes Calendar app and Contacts field in a big old scramble. And as a result I don't remember a lot." (16:18)
- Dan: Uses Reminders app for tactical to-do lists. Notes app for project notes, writing, and saving links. Keeps Safari tabs open as a “graveyard” for things to revisit (often forgotten).
- Paul: Uses Reminders heavily, and even backs it up in a text document for redundancy ("terrified of losing those reminders" [17:33]). Also searches old photos to jog his memory about events and trips.
- Quote: "Photos. Being able to search by date location...searching through my photos library is often a way that I recover some piece of information that I'm looking for." (18:55)
- Mikah: Three-pronged approach:
- Calendar: All shows and appointments.
- Due app: Persistent reminders that nag until completed.
- Reminders: Solely for location-based tasks (e.g., "Remind me when I get home to…").
- Quote: "If I didn't have my shows and stuff on my calendar, who knows if I'd be there?" (19:12)
4. Contactless Payments for Public Transit (Tap and Ride, Express Mode)
Starts 20:33
Key Points
- Jeremy (Question asker): Asks about support for tapping to pay on public transport and the "Express Mode" (no Face ID/external unlock required).
- Dan: Boston now supports tap-to-pay and Express Mode, which is much more convenient than old transit cards. Frustrated when visiting cities lacking this feature.
- Quote: "That feels so seamless and nice that it's, it's just wonderful to do..." (21:18)
- Paul: First used contactless in London, then NYC, and now Boston. Loves the ease, especially for travelers. Describes experience moving BART card into Apple Wallet; admires the magic but finds need for a digital card somewhat anachronistic. Noted that Jeremy’s site (expresstransit.com) taught him about available MasterCard rebates!
- Quote: "You just tap your phone. Usually they have express mode set up so you don't even need to pull up your Apple pay." (23:07)
- Mikah: Loved contactless and Express Mode in San Francisco; not sure Portland is as advanced. Appreciated that the system still worked if his phone battery was dead.
- Jeremy: Explains tourism angle—transit cards (e.g., Paris, LA) are useful for locals but not seamless for tourists. Notes branding challenge as Express Mode is not clearly marked, with confusing terminology on Android ("make payment without opening wallet").
- Quote: "Not many public transport systems say publicly on signage when you get to the barrier do you have to do you support Express Mode..." (26:51)
Bonus Round: Favorite Winter Olympics Event
Starts 27:29
- Paul: Curling—"Every four years, we all get into curling for two weeks and we learn about it, and then we immediately forget it and it's great." (27:53)
- Mikah: Anything with jumps/flips—snowboarding or skiing tricks.
- Jeremy: Boarded the Olympic runs in Cortina, found it tough. Enjoys the event where skiers go over rails, then jump (slopestyle).
- Dan: Likes watching bobsledding and skeleton—likens it to "frozen water slides," finds the events thrilling as they strip down to just people and gravity.
Notable Quotes
- Paul, on Mac updates: "We had a real fallow period where it was not updated regularly and that was very bad." (02:18)
- Jeremy, on neck fans: "You need a sweaty neck. If your neck isn't sweaty, not doing anything." (08:46)
- Dan, on snowblower help: "I was going to be out there for an hour and possibly either throw out my back or have a heart attack. So I decided just to leave it there. And fortunately he came along and helped me out." (10:37)
- Paul, on merino wool: "But I do it probably because I hate myself." (10:59, jokingly about running in winter)
- Jeremy, on Express Mode branding: "You look like an absolute idiot like you show there and you don't do it. Yeah and you go I understand, I know what I'm doing but I thought maybe you supported it." (26:51)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:24] Rumored Apple products: Apple TV, Mac updates, Studio Display, Low-cost MacBook
- [06:27] Weather and tech: Leaf blowers, air conditioning, neck fans, thermostat sensors, merino wool
- [14:53] Remembering things: Calendars, Notes, Reminders, Due, photos, paranoia backup methods
- [20:33] Tap-to-pay public transit: Boston, SF Bay Area, London, Portland, Express Mode, branding
- [27:29] Bonus: Favorite Winter Olympic events
Overall Tone & Flow
The episode is energetic, playful, and loaded with friendly jabs, laughs, and nerdy tangents. The dialogue is equally practical and self-deprecating, making for a light, relatable discussion about tech in daily life.