664: Apple at 50 - First Macs, HyperCard, iPod Halo, and Memories from the Early Days - Part 1

About this episode

The hosts celebrate Apple's 50th anniversary by discussing early Apple computers, listener stories, and the impact of Apple's innovations.

Apple at 50: First Macs, HyperCard, iPod Halo, and Memories from the Early Days - Part 1 The hosts celebrate Apple's 50th anniversary (recorded April 1) and recommend David Pogue's book "Apple at 50," including his Computer History Museum interview. They invite listener stories and discuss first Apple computers (Apple IIe/IIc/II Plus), early BASIC programming habits, and Apple's influence in schools via HyperCard/HyperTalk. Jerry recounts starting on PC compatibles in a tool-and-die business, moving into Macs for music/MIDI and Finale, and shows a 1989 receipt for a Macintosh IIx system costing about $7,000 (roughly $14,730 in 2026 dollars). Listener Dwayne Moss shares memories working at Apple, concerts at sales conferences, seeing Steve Jobs introduce the iPod at Town Hall, and being hired and laid off three times. The group reflects on the iPod's Windows support, the "digital hub" era, early CD burning, Airport cards, Macworld/iPhone displays, Newton hardware, and transitions from PowerPC to Intel to Apple silicon. 00:00 Apple Turns 50 00:40 David Pogue Book Pick 01:59 First Apple Computers 03:56 Learning BASIC Early 06:34 Jerry's First Macs 09:25 Sticker Shock Pricing 11:55…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jerry Zigmont, Joe Saponare, Sam Valencia

Guest: Dwayne Moss

Topics covered

• Apple's 50th anniversary
• first Apple computers
• HyperCard
• iPod
• listener stories
• early computing
• digital hub era

Keywords

• Apple at 50
• first Macs
• HyperCard
• iPod Halo
• BASIC programming
• digital hub
• Macintosh IIx
• listener stories
• early computing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Apple, Computer History Museum

Products: Apple IIe, Apple IIc, Apple II Plus, Macintosh IIx, iPod, HyperCard, Finale, Airport cards, Newton

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