Podcast Summary: Clockwise Ep. 650 – "Softest Panel in the World"

Date: April 1, 2026
Panelists: Dan Moren (Host), Mikah Sargent (Host), Jason Snell (Guest), Philip Michaels (Guest Host/Moderator)
Theme:
A special 50th anniversary episode for Apple—and the 650th Clockwise—hijacked by Philip Michaels in a game show–style format inspired by the BBC’s Fighting Talk. Instead of the traditional rapid-fire format, Philip quizzes the panel on Apple history, tech flops, forgotten innovators, dream biopics, and more, awarding and deducting points along the way. This episode is rich with wit, deep tech knowledge, and playful jabs—a loving roast of tech culture, podcasting, and Apple lore.

1. Main Theme & Purpose

Rather than the usual four-topic format, this anniversary episode pays homage to both Apple’s 50th birthday and Clockwise’s 650th with a “Pundit Showdown.” Philip Michaels, acting as moderator, assigns points for cleverness, insight, and comedic effect while the panelists debate Apple’s greatest contributions, biggest flops, forgotten geniuses and more.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Apple’s Biggest Contribution (05:27–08:23)

Dan Moren argues for Mac OS X as foundational:
“It reinvented that classic macOS and it's made every single product functional... It’s the definitive product of Apple’s 50 years.” (05:55)
Jason Snell backs the Newton, not for commercial success but as the springboard for Apple’s investments in ARM, which made Apple Silicon possible:
“Led to Apple investing in ARM ... all of Apple silicon ... it’s the rare brilliant John Sculley move.” (06:43)
Mikah Sargent highlights the App Store:
“The iPhone ... is just a phone unless you have the App Store. The App Store is what turned it into a platform, created entire industries...” (07:38)

Forgotten Figures of Technology (08:23–11:23)

Mikah: Dennis Ritchie, creator of C and Unix, passed away the same week as Steve Jobs but overshadowed.
Dan: Hedy Lamarr—star and inventor who helped create foundations for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
Jason: Dan Bricklin, inventor of VisiCalc, which “literally invented the spreadsheet ... and kicked off the practical business computing revolution.” (10:16)

Over-Hyped Technologies to Toss (11:23–14:54)

Jason: AI also-rans—especially “Elon Musk's XAI” and “Meta’s meta AI efforts.”
Mikah: Crypto/blockchain
“…poured into what largely amounts to speculative gambling and scams ... too many terrible people not burned by it and living on an island somewhere with their billions.” (13:04)
Dan: Prediction markets (Polymarket, Kalshi).
“...gambling on things that haven’t happened ... totally dissociates you from what's going on in real life.” (13:45)

Apple’s Biggest Flop (15:34–18:30)

Mikah: Butterfly keyboard — wide-reaching, damaging reputation, no alternative available to consumers.
Jason: Apple III — an infamous flop that “cast a pall over Apple for years.” (16:28)
Dan: A greatest hits of failures, humorously nominates “Apple Cards.... goodbye Apple Cards. You will be missed, but not really.” (18:02)

Dream Apple Biopic Titles (18:58–21:58)

Dan: Too Many Cooks—the drama of post-iPhone Apple execs chasing the “next big thing.”
Jason: In Review—the underdog story of Alt Store’s creators taking on Apple in the EU.
Mikah: Thinner and Lighter—the Jony Ive era’s obsession with design over function.

Best Apple Product Color of All Time (22:16–25:02)

Jason: Cosmic Orange (iPhone 17), “a real collector’s item.”
Mikah: Bondi Blue (iMac G3), “...it was a statement about computers not needing to be boring beige boxes.” (23:18)
Dan: Rare iBook Key Lime, “undisputably the most delicious color.”

Reviving Apple Ad Campaigns (26:07–28:43)

Mikah: Silhouette iPod ads—but to sell AirPods Max.
Dan: Revive the “Lemmings” ad for EVs; pokes fun at pharmaceutical ads.
Jason: The “bunny suit” chip ads—show off Apple Silicon’s prowess.

What Would You Pay Any Price For? (29:15–32:47)

Dan: Breville tea maker (his “tea robot”).
Jason: Professional Mac/iPad Pro — “If the bad man took one away from me, I would pay any price for another.”
Mikah: Eight Sleep cooling mat/mattress pad—“Sleep affects every aspect of your life ... if I didn’t have it, I’d be a very, very sad person.”

Second Most Important Person in Apple History — Winner-Take-All (33:22–38:44)

Jason: Steve Wozniak — “...there is no Apple without Woz working with Jobs ... he’s 1A to Steve Jobs.” (35:10)
Mikah: Tim Cook — his stewardship, launching Apple Watch, services, privacy stances, and representation.
Dan: Gil Amelio (jokingly, for making Steve Jobs’ return possible).

What Discontinued Apple Product Would You Bring Back? (38:58–42:20)

Dan: AirPort Extreme router — sorely missed for reliability and backup integration.
Mikah: iPod Touch — “no cellular connection, just music and apps.”
Jason: 12-inch Retina MacBook — “...tiny, thin, light ... with Apple silicon it could be amazing.”

What Will Apple’s 75th Anniversary Celebrate? (42:51–44:58)

Mikah: “Personal health device that truly matters” — real-time diagnostics, monitoring, chronic care.
Dan: Device convergence—foldable phone/iPad/laptop: “the Apple Origami.”
Jason: “Survival of humanity” (wryly): “...if we aren’t [here], find me and tell me so.”

Finals – Defend the Indefensible (46:09–48:11)

Dan forced to defend: "Every one of Apple’s current products is a cruel joke."
Jason forced to defend: "All this talk about Apple’s products has made me realize I’ve wasted my life."
Winner: Jason Snell, for bravely satirizing his whole career with Apple.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dan Moren, on Mac OS X:
“It reinvented that classic macOS and it's made every single product functional ... the definitive product of Apple’s 50 years.” (05:55)
Jason Snell, on the Apple III:
“...the Apple 3 took a big belly flop and basically cast a pall over Apple for years.” (16:28)
Mikah Sargent, on the butterfly keyboard:
“Our trust was broken.” (15:34)
Dan Moren, on prediction markets:
“It’s disturbing. It’s messed up. Get it out of here.” (13:45)
Philip Michaels, as Moderator:
“The quickest way to get points, which is to bash Elon Musk in my presence.” (14:54)
Jason Snell, on Steve Wozniak:
“I would go as so far as to say Woz isn’t number two. He’s 1A to Steve Jobs.” (35:10)
Dan Moren, on the AirPort Extreme:
“I’m still sad that Apple got out of the router business… none of them have been as solid for my home internet connection.” (39:12)
Jason Snell, in Defend the Indefensible:
“Not a day goes by where I don’t think if I’d taken that job at PC Computing ... I would be the editor in chief of some PC magazine somewhere ... instead of a guy sitting in his garage writing about these colorful computers. How sad.” (47:33)
Philip Michaels, closing:
“This has been the six colors slash clockwise pundit showdown. And you know, keep watching the clock. ‘Cuz I sure as hell didn’t. Boom.” (48:58)

4. Useful Segment Timestamps

05:27–08:23: Most significant Apple product
08:23–11:23: Forgotten technology figures
11:23–14:54: Overhyped tech fads to retire
15:34–18:30: Apple’s biggest flops
18:58–21:58: Dream Apple biopics
22:16–25:02: Best Apple product color
26:07–28:43: Apple ad campaigns to revive
29:15–32:47: What you’d pay any price for
33:22–38:44: Apple’s “second most important” person
38:58–42:20: Discontinued product to bring back
42:51–44:58: Apple’s 75th anniversary product predictions
46:09–48:11: Finals – Defend the Indefensible

5. Tone & Style

Witty, irreverent, playful: Panelists constantly riff, poke fun at tech culture and themselves.
Nostalgic but incisive: Deep dives and offhand expertise abound, especially on Apple’s lesser-known history.
Game show energy: Rules are made up on the fly, points given (and deducted) for puns, advocacy, and good natured shade.

6. Takeaway

This episode turns the traditional Clockwise format on its head for a high-spirited, self-parodic celebration of Apple history, geek trivia, and podcast in-jokes. You’ll come away with not just deeper Apple knowledge, but a reminder of how technology’s biggest impacts—and silliest moments—are shaped by a wide cast of characters, both remembered and forgotten.

Winner: Jason Snell takes the Pundit Showdown crown, with quips, expertise, and a willingness to roast his own Apple-pundit legacy.
Best sound bite: “Woz isn’t number two. He’s 1A to Steve Jobs.”

Whether you’re an Apple aficionado, tech history buff, or podcast hyperfan, this episode is essential, entertaining listening.

Podcast Summary: Clockwise Ep. 650 – "Softest Panel in the World"

1. Main Theme & Purpose

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Apple’s Biggest Contribution (05:27–08:23)

Dan Moren argues for Mac OS X as foundational:
“It reinvented that classic macOS and it's made every single product functional... It’s the definitive product of Apple’s 50 years.” (05:55)
Jason Snell backs the Newton, not for commercial success but as the springboard for Apple’s investments in ARM, which made Apple Silicon possible:
“Led to Apple investing in ARM ... all of Apple silicon ... it’s the rare brilliant John Sculley move.” (06:43)
Mikah Sargent highlights the App Store:
“The iPhone ... is just a phone unless you have the App Store. The App Store is what turned it into a platform, created entire industries...” (07:38)

Forgotten Figures of Technology (08:23–11:23)

Mikah: Dennis Ritchie, creator of C and Unix, passed away the same week as Steve Jobs but overshadowed.
Dan: Hedy Lamarr—star and inventor who helped create foundations for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
Jason: Dan Bricklin, inventor of VisiCalc, which “literally invented the spreadsheet ... and kicked off the practical business computing revolution.” (10:16)

Over-Hyped Technologies to Toss (11:23–14:54)

Jason: AI also-rans—especially “Elon Musk's XAI” and “Meta’s meta AI efforts.”
Mikah: Crypto/blockchain
“…poured into what largely amounts to speculative gambling and scams ... too many terrible people not burned by it and living on an island somewhere with their billions.” (13:04)
Dan: Prediction markets (Polymarket, Kalshi).
“...gambling on things that haven’t happened ... totally dissociates you from what's going on in real life.” (13:45)

Apple’s Biggest Flop (15:34–18:30)

Mikah: Butterfly keyboard — wide-reaching, damaging reputation, no alternative available to consumers.
Jason: Apple III — an infamous flop that “cast a pall over Apple for years.” (16:28)
Dan: A greatest hits of failures, humorously nominates “Apple Cards.... goodbye Apple Cards. You will be missed, but not really.” (18:02)

Dream Apple Biopic Titles (18:58–21:58)

Dan: Too Many Cooks—the drama of post-iPhone Apple execs chasing the “next big thing.”
Jason: In Review—the underdog story of Alt Store’s creators taking on Apple in the EU.
Mikah: Thinner and Lighter—the Jony Ive era’s obsession with design over function.

Best Apple Product Color of All Time (22:16–25:02)

Jason: Cosmic Orange (iPhone 17), “a real collector’s item.”
Mikah: Bondi Blue (iMac G3), “...it was a statement about computers not needing to be boring beige boxes.” (23:18)
Dan: Rare iBook Key Lime, “undisputably the most delicious color.”

Reviving Apple Ad Campaigns (26:07–28:43)

Mikah: Silhouette iPod ads—but to sell AirPods Max.
Dan: Revive the “Lemmings” ad for EVs; pokes fun at pharmaceutical ads.
Jason: The “bunny suit” chip ads—show off Apple Silicon’s prowess.

What Would You Pay Any Price For? (29:15–32:47)

Dan: Breville tea maker (his “tea robot”).
Jason: Professional Mac/iPad Pro — “If the bad man took one away from me, I would pay any price for another.”
Mikah: Eight Sleep cooling mat/mattress pad—“Sleep affects every aspect of your life ... if I didn’t have it, I’d be a very, very sad person.”

Second Most Important Person in Apple History — Winner-Take-All (33:22–38:44)

Jason: Steve Wozniak — “...there is no Apple without Woz working with Jobs ... he’s 1A to Steve Jobs.” (35:10)
Mikah: Tim Cook — his stewardship, launching Apple Watch, services, privacy stances, and representation.
Dan: Gil Amelio (jokingly, for making Steve Jobs’ return possible).

What Discontinued Apple Product Would You Bring Back? (38:58–42:20)

Dan: AirPort Extreme router — sorely missed for reliability and backup integration.
Mikah: iPod Touch — “no cellular connection, just music and apps.”
Jason: 12-inch Retina MacBook — “...tiny, thin, light ... with Apple silicon it could be amazing.”

What Will Apple’s 75th Anniversary Celebrate? (42:51–44:58)

Mikah: “Personal health device that truly matters” — real-time diagnostics, monitoring, chronic care.
Dan: Device convergence—foldable phone/iPad/laptop: “the Apple Origami.”
Jason: “Survival of humanity” (wryly): “...if we aren’t [here], find me and tell me so.”

Finals – Defend the Indefensible (46:09–48:11)

Dan forced to defend: "Every one of Apple’s current products is a cruel joke."
Jason forced to defend: "All this talk about Apple’s products has made me realize I’ve wasted my life."
Winner: Jason Snell, for bravely satirizing his whole career with Apple.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dan Moren, on Mac OS X:
“It reinvented that classic macOS and it's made every single product functional ... the definitive product of Apple’s 50 years.” (05:55)
Jason Snell, on the Apple III:
“...the Apple 3 took a big belly flop and basically cast a pall over Apple for years.” (16:28)
Mikah Sargent, on the butterfly keyboard:
“Our trust was broken.” (15:34)
Dan Moren, on prediction markets:
“It’s disturbing. It’s messed up. Get it out of here.” (13:45)
Philip Michaels, as Moderator:
“The quickest way to get points, which is to bash Elon Musk in my presence.” (14:54)
Jason Snell, on Steve Wozniak:
“I would go as so far as to say Woz isn’t number two. He’s 1A to Steve Jobs.” (35:10)
Dan Moren, on the AirPort Extreme:
“I’m still sad that Apple got out of the router business… none of them have been as solid for my home internet connection.” (39:12)
Jason Snell, in Defend the Indefensible:
“Not a day goes by where I don’t think if I’d taken that job at PC Computing ... I would be the editor in chief of some PC magazine somewhere ... instead of a guy sitting in his garage writing about these colorful computers. How sad.” (47:33)
Philip Michaels, closing:
“This has been the six colors slash clockwise pundit showdown. And you know, keep watching the clock. ‘Cuz I sure as hell didn’t. Boom.” (48:58)

4. Useful Segment Timestamps

05:27–08:23: Most significant Apple product
08:23–11:23: Forgotten technology figures
11:23–14:54: Overhyped tech fads to retire
15:34–18:30: Apple’s biggest flops
18:58–21:58: Dream Apple biopics
22:16–25:02: Best Apple product color
26:07–28:43: Apple ad campaigns to revive
29:15–32:47: What you’d pay any price for
33:22–38:44: Apple’s “second most important” person
38:58–42:20: Discontinued product to bring back
42:51–44:58: Apple’s 75th anniversary product predictions
46:09–48:11: Finals – Defend the Indefensible

5. Tone & Style

Witty, irreverent, playful: Panelists constantly riff, poke fun at tech culture and themselves.
Nostalgic but incisive: Deep dives and offhand expertise abound, especially on Apple’s lesser-known history.
Game show energy: Rules are made up on the fly, points given (and deducted) for puns, advocacy, and good natured shade.

6. Takeaway

Whether you’re an Apple aficionado, tech history buff, or podcast hyperfan, this episode is essential, entertaining listening.

650: Softest Panel in the World

Summary

Podcast Summary: Clockwise Ep. 650 – "Softest Panel in the World"

1. Main Theme & Purpose

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Apple’s Biggest Contribution (05:27–08:23)

Forgotten Figures of Technology (08:23–11:23)

Over-Hyped Technologies to Toss (11:23–14:54)

Apple’s Biggest Flop (15:34–18:30)

Dream Apple Biopic Titles (18:58–21:58)

Best Apple Product Color of All Time (22:16–25:02)

Reviving Apple Ad Campaigns (26:07–28:43)

What Would You Pay Any Price For? (29:15–32:47)

Second Most Important Person in Apple History — Winner-Take-All (33:22–38:44)

What Discontinued Apple Product Would You Bring Back? (38:58–42:20)

What Will Apple’s 75th Anniversary Celebrate? (42:51–44:58)

Finals – Defend the Indefensible (46:09–48:11)

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

4. Useful Segment Timestamps

5. Tone & Style

6. Takeaway

Summary

Podcast Summary: Clockwise Ep. 650 – "Softest Panel in the World"

1. Main Theme & Purpose

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Apple’s Biggest Contribution (05:27–08:23)

Forgotten Figures of Technology (08:23–11:23)

Over-Hyped Technologies to Toss (11:23–14:54)

Apple’s Biggest Flop (15:34–18:30)

Dream Apple Biopic Titles (18:58–21:58)

Best Apple Product Color of All Time (22:16–25:02)

Reviving Apple Ad Campaigns (26:07–28:43)

What Would You Pay Any Price For? (29:15–32:47)

Second Most Important Person in Apple History — Winner-Take-All (33:22–38:44)

What Discontinued Apple Product Would You Bring Back? (38:58–42:20)

What Will Apple’s 75th Anniversary Celebrate? (42:51–44:58)

Finals – Defend the Indefensible (46:09–48:11)

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

4. Useful Segment Timestamps

5. Tone & Style

6. Takeaway