Authors from the Take Control eBook series
https://youtu.be/hBz-aMbwYnM Our conversation with Kirk McElhearn about his new Take Control of AirPods continues, exploring the advanced capabilities of AirPods beyond simple audio playback, explaining listening modes, Conversation Awareness, head gestures, and how...
Kirk McElhearn discusses his new guide to getting the most from Apple’s AirPods, Take Control of AirPods for Take Control Books, explaining why the deceptively simple earbuds deserve a dedicated manual. The conversation explores hearing assistance, noise cancellation, audio quality, controls, battery management, charging options, Bluetooth limitations, and choosing the right model. Kirk offers tips that unlock features many owners never realize are available.
https://youtu.be/Gzz6f1fNNgM Joe Kissell introduces Take Control Live: Taming Big Tech, a four-session interactive course designed to help users understand privacy, security, subscriptions, ads, platform lock-in, and practical alternatives to major tech services....
https://youtu.be/lhNU6kVn1So Joe Kissell continues discussing Take Control of Apple Contacts, focusing on third-party app integration, outdated social media and messaging fields, and security concerns. He explains how apps can access contact data, why the Mac version...
Joe Kissell discusses his brand new book, Take Control of Apple Contacts, explaining why a guide is needed despite the app’s app’s limitations. He outlines hidden features, confusing design choices, and workarounds for common frustrations like sharing contacts and managing duplicates. (1)
Authors from the Take Control eBook series
Jeff Carlson discusses the pros and cons of third-party iPhone photography accessories, from grips and cages to ND filters and lenses. While these tools can enhance control, ergonomics, and video quality, they often add complexity that detracts from the iPhone’s simplicity. He also highlights new iPhone features, including improved selfie cameras, AirPods as shutter triggers and microphones, and practical shooting tips that expand creative possibilities. Details on all this and more can be found in his new Take Control of iPhone Photography. (Part 3)
Jeff Carlson discusses the challenges of writing the second edition of Take Control of iPhone Photography, and how changes in hardware and software affected the effort. From effort realistic screenshots to the practical challenges of Apple’s shared libraries and camera controls, Jeff explains how useful features can also create confusion, why newer hardware settings matter, and how tools like dual capture video can be powerful when matched to the right shooting situation. (Part 2)
Jeff Carlson discusses the second edition of Take Control of iPhone Photography, explaining how it helps users move beyond basic snapshots to more deliberate, higher-quality images. He highlights changes in Apple’s camera app, new features in recent iOS versions, and the challenges of hidden controls. The part of the conversation emphasizes understanding settings, resolutions, and techniques to fully use the iPhone’s powerful camera system. (Part 1)
A conversation with Kirk McElhern on the steady maturation of Apple’s media apps—Music, TV, Books, and Podcasts—and why major changes are now rare. They unpack Apple Music’s personalized stations and discovery, the “hits rise to the top” problem, and why many podcast pros still prefer Overcast despite Apple’s transcripts. Plus: how Apple’s services strategy nudges users toward subscriptions, and why managing your own library adds the real complexity.
Kirk McElhern returns to talk about the newest Take Control of Apple Media Apps and why Apple’s Music/TV/Podcasts/Books apps feel more “mature” than revolutionary. He breaks down the small-but-real updates, critiques the Liquid Glass interface and accessibility tradeoffs, and explains why the Mac still matters for metadata work. Plus: a practical workaround for messy personal video libraries—Plex—and thoughts on playlists, Spotify, and Apple Music personalization.
Jeff Carlson dives deeper into watchOS 26 changes, from a redesigned Workout app and expanded customization to Workout Buddy’s friendly audio updates. He also points out new Control Center options, Smart Stack hints, Focus-based watch face switching, and Ultra 3 satellite support. The discussion reinforces how an updated guide can reveal the small features that make the watch feel more personal and useful.
Jeff Carlson breaks down the current Apple Watch lineup and watchOS 26, focusing on when an upgrade is worthwhile. From Series and Ultra models to the latest SE, the discussion highlights health features, usability improvements, and subtle enhancements that make the watch more valuable as a daily companion.
Author Glenn Fleischman returns to discuss how he keeps Take Control books current, what Liquid Glass gets right (and wrong), and how public betas color expectations. We cover iOS safety tools like Check In, iPadOS windowed apps, and the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera vs. “Visual Intelligence,” plus why foldables still don’t convince him. Glenn also details the Phone app on iPad/Mac and shares his Six Colors column and print-history projects.
Glenn Fleishman joins Chuck Joiner to explore Apple’s latest OS evolutions, including the controversial Liquid Glass interface, iPadOS 26 multitasking, and the importance of cross-device consistency. They also dive into Take Control’s role in helping users adapt to Apple’s constant redesigns and why understanding “the basics” still matters for every Mac, iPhone, and iPad user.
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