@amir mostly because both blindness and mainstream media want to stay in Apple's good graces to keep getting hardware and interviews where they can continue to ask softball questions to promote Apple's narrative. I've been told already I would never make that list, and I consider that a good thing.
Nov 5, 2026, 9:01 AM@fireborn Same here. And as saddening as it is, there's a lot of truth in what you said.
@amir Most will openly admit to it, at least off the record. Access is important for the tech press, regardless if they are mainstream or not.
@stevenscott @amir Double Tap isn't on the list of outlets I'm crytisising here. That's an oversite on my part for not calling it out, I haven't really considered Double tap convensional tech press.
@fireborn @amir We do try to hold these companies to account the best we can in our limited capacity. I do receive devices from Apple for review but we are in no way obligated to say nice things about them. I’m tired of the fanboyism and the idea that criticism is negative. Siri AI for example is, to use a nice British word - bollocks. As much as I am an Apple user I cannot seriously be positive about something which is so inherently bad. However when they get it right we will absolutely praise the hell out of them. Same for other companies. For us that’s the core of how we gain the listeners respect; which matters way more to me than a free iPhone.
@stevenscott @amir Absolutely, and this is always something I have deeply respected and value in your content. You aren't the only media outlet though, and others absolutely care about access more than honesty, and it sickens me to see the parasocial relationships some personalities have to listeners/watchers/readers be abused in that way.
@stevenscott @amir In a way, I actually find I enjoy criticism more than I enjoy positive feedback. Criticism means that somebody took the time to try something I made, found things that they wanted improved, and considered it worthwhile telling me about them so that they could be improved. If nobody bothers to tell you about things that you can do better, clearly they don't believe that you have the capability or the willingness to actually do those things.
@fireborn @stevenscott @amir There's a way to deliver criticism that's constructive and unfortunately some people don't know or care to learn how.
Nov 5, 2026, 9:44 AM@stevenscott Yeah, and your podcast is awesome, as it has always been. I'm a huge fan of yours. @fireborn
@amir @stevenscott Agreed. I always enjoy Double tap coverage, even if I don't always agree, the points are always very considered and well put.