AppleInsider Podcast

Apple has announced the dates for its annual WWDC and hinted that's when the new Siri is coming, plus it's released AI features in Apple Music, and says ads are coming to Apple Maps, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Get a free trial at squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER and then 10% off your first website or domain purchase with code APPLEINSIDER
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
• Claude by Anthropic: Check out Claude and Claude Pro at Claude.ai/appleinsider

Links from the Show:

• Siri testing isn't going well, new features probably won't ship in iOS 26.4
• What to expect at WWDC 2026
• iOS 26.4 is here with Playlist Playground, videos in Podcasts, new emoji, more
• Wes's Playlist: Writing with Elegance on Apple Music 
• Apple distills Google Gemini model for on-iPhone processing
• iOS 27 will finally get that long-awaited Siri update
• Grammarly CEO steps on same rake over and over in embarrassing interview about AI slop
• Behind on Siri, Apple makes a billion dollars from rival AI apps
• Generative video creator Sora is dead along with $1 billion Disney content deal
• watchOS 8 and watchOS 5 get minor updates with iMessage fix
• iOS 18.7.7, macOS 15.7.5 updates fix kernel memory leaks & WebKit flaws
• You are out of time to update: Severe iOS hack code leaks to everyone
• Apple Maps ads are private and launch in the summer
• Apple Business Mail tempts Google Workspace users with free email
• Apple Business goes free, consolidating business and brand management tools in one platform

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:01) - WWDC

Apple unexpectedly launched yet another device, the very long-awaited AirPods Max, plus the MacBook Neo gets more real-world testing, and Family Sharing gets a great update, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• MasterClass: Get 15% off annual memberships at MasterClass.com
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
• Bartender:  Check out Bartender at macbartender.com/appleinsider and use the  discount code APPLEINSIDER to get 10% off Bartender 6.

Links from the Show:

• AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Premium personal audio compared
• AirPods Max 2 arrive with better ANC, Live Translation, and more
• iPhone 17e review: Welcome improvements
• iFixit MacBook Neo teardown confirms that it is Apple's most repairable laptop since 2012
• Tim Cook denies imminent retirement rumors, 'can't imagine life without Apple'
• Tim Cook dashes over to China for the latest Apple anniversary concert
• Apple scales up its partnership with Save the Music
• Tim Cook continues Apple's 50th anniversary victory lap in new interview
• Family Sharing no longer means sharing a credit card in iOS 26.4
• Staff departures do not mean Apple will abandon Liquid Glass
• Siri and refined Liquid Glass controls on the docket for WWDC 2026
• Liquid Glass is divisive now, but Apple knows where it's going

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

David Pogue, author of "Apple: The First 50 Years" is our special guest talking about what did and did not make it into the book, plus there are rumors of the HomeHub and real-world news of the MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac by MacPaw: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use  code APPLEINSIDER20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/APPLEINSIDER
• Squarespace: Get 10% off your first website or domain purchase at squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER with code APPLEINSIDER
• Tempo: Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted meals at tempomeals.com/appleinsider
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR

Links from the Show:

• "Apple: the First 50 Years" at Amazon
• F1: The Stream - how the launch leveraged Apple's entire ecosystem
• Tim Cook gets a tune-up as Apple TV speeds ahead with F1 promotions
• Apple's long-awaited HomeHub rumored to launch in fall 2026
• HomeHub will recharge with MagSafe by sticking to your wall
• Apple's smart home hub delayed again because modernizing Siri is hard
• Apple Home Hub rumored to offer watchOS-style UI and MagSafe
• MacBook Neo proves Apple can build a $599 laptop without cheapeninqg the Mac
• 2022 Apple Studio Display vs 2026 Apple Studio Display: A lackluster upgrade
• MacBook Neo vs M1 MacBook Air: you decide - M4 lite or M1 plus
• MacBook Neo is just the latest in Apple's 35 years of trying to make a budget portable
• This is what case-makers think the iPhone Fold will look like
• 'X-Plane 12' flight simulator to take advantage of Nvidia CloudXR 6 in visionOS 26.4
• Apple Vision Pro user learns the hard way that flight attendants have the final say

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

Apple released a slew of new devices this week, including the stellar MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, plus the very good Studio Display XDR, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• @hillithreads on Threads
• @Hillitech on Twitter
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Sponsored by:

• NordStellar: get 10% off at nordstellar.com/appleinsider by using the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
• Claude by Anthropic: Check out Claude and Claude Pro at Claude.ai/appleinsider

Links from the Show:

• Apple itself has leaked a 'MacBook Neo'
• Studio Display Pro rumors resurface after code references suggest a premium model
• iPhone 17e arrives with A19 chip upgrade and MagSafe charging
• There's not much in the new M4 iPad Air update other than speed
• Performance anxiety: iPad Air M4 chip is binned, has only three performance cores
• MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max arrive, with few surprises
• How M5 Pro and M5 Max push MacBook Pro into high-bandwidth AI era
• New M5 MacBook Air gets double the storage, Wi-Fi 7, and a higher price
• New Studio Display XDR immediately outshines the updated Studio Display
• MacBook Neo is Apple's new $599 entry-level notebook
• MacBook Neo has compromises, but not all of them will matter to you
• MacBook Neo name chosen to reflect its 'fun, friendly, and fresh' look
• MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air: Budget notebooks compared
• MacBook Neo is (probably) not for you, that doesn't make it a failure

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

Tim Cook has made us want to skip the weekend and get straight to the new launches Apple has for us starting on Monday. That might include a low-cost MacBook, but then further ahead there's a hint of a touch-screen MacBook Pro later this year, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• @hillithreads on Threads
• @Hillitech on Twitter
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Go to squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER to save 10% off your first website or domain purchase with code APPLEINSIDER
• NordStellar: get 10% off at nordstellar.com/appleinsider by using the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR

Links from the Show:

• How Apple will target consumers with budget MacBook, again
• Inexpensive MacBook is the perfect way to get users deeper into the Apple ecosystem
• Compromises for affordability ahead: Code leak spills details on new MacBook
• Rising memory & battery costs complicate Apple's lower-cost MacBook
• Touch-screen OLED MacBook Pro to get small Dynamic Island
• Experience F1 tracks with 3D art in Apple Maps ahead of each race
• Why Gen Z and young adults are embracing iPods again
• Nerds are fighting to bring back gadgets even as iPhone wants them dead
• If iPhone Fold is truly coming in 2026, expect big leaks very soon
• Right on schedule, test production of iPhone 18 Pro fires up
• iPhone Fold hinge crease will be about 1/4 the depth of the Galaxy Fold 7
• Expect at least five announcements during Apple's March launch week
• Apple has its problems, but still the only real choice for privacy
• A leaked internal email shows Ring's plan targets more than pets
• A FaceBook smart watch is okay, if you don't value privacy
• This Meta smartglasses-detecting app is a great model for Apple Glass developers to follow

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

It's been a week of finding out just how much there is in the new iOS 26.4 beta, for learning about Apple's video podcast plans, and also for so many rumors of a new low-cost MacBook coming at a March unveiling, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• Tempo: Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted meals at tempomeals.com/appleinsider
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
• Claude by Anthropic: Check out Claude and Claude Pro at Claude.ai/appleinsider

Links from the Show:

• Apple is having an event on March 4, maybe for iPhone 17e & M5 MacBook Pro
• March madness: What Apple is getting ready to launch
• March 4 international Apple Experiences may follow week of online launches
• Out of the park: The March 4 event may not be all that special
• Siri pendant & AirPods with cameras getting renewed focus
• Apple eyes 2027 for AI smart glasses built around context, not screens
• Colorful MacBook & iPhone 17e launching as soon as March
• Apple's Playgrounds approach to AI is a sign of its larger strategy
• Apple Music Playlist Playground among first new AI features in iOS 26.4
• Apple's upgraded Siri is late but not lost — the real story is timing
• iOS 26.4 has iPhone Stolen Device Protection on by default
• Siri & Apple Intelligence upgrades still coming in 2026 in spite of rumors
• Video won't kill the Apple Podcasts star, but will make them more engaging
• A code snippet in iOS 26.4 shows Apple TV is coming to CarPlay
• AI agents are coming to CarPlay, but they're not getting the keys

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

News that the improved Siri is delayed don't fully ring true, but tales of Apple Health+ being at least trimmed down do. Plus Apple Creator Studio continues to have surprises for subscribers, all on the AppleInsider+ podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac by MacPaw: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use  code APPLEINSIDER20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/APPLEINSIDER
• Squarespace: Get a free trial at squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER and then 10% off your first website or domain purchase with code APPLEINSIDER
• MasterClass: Get 15% off annual memberships at MasterClass.com
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR

Links from the Show:

• Siri testing isn't going well, new features probably won't ship in iOS 26.4
• Apple Health+ scaled back internally, new focus on incremental improvement
• Apple Creator Studio users are hitting generative AI usage limits far too soon
• 600 Japanese companies want a free ride in Apple's ecosystem
• UK gets Apple and Google to agree to easy App Store changes
• One song can ruin your entire Apple Music algorithm & there needs to be a fix
• How to get your 2026 Apple Music Replay playlist
• Discord age verification not a requirement for every user, but still bad
• Discord's upcoming safety update makes age verification hard to avoid
• FTC uses selective Apple News study to ask Apple to stop promoting 'leftist outlets'
• After angry staff complaints, Tim Cook says he will push lawmakers on immigration policy
• 2025 sales surge means one in four smartphones on Earth is an iPhone

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

How the Apple Vision Pro has and has not moved forward in two years, plus what's going on with Gemini and Siri, and what comes after the iPhone Fold, on the AppleInsider Podcast.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email
• Wes's blog Hillitech

Sponsored by:

• MasterClass: Get 15% off annual memberships at MasterClass.com
• NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR

Links from the Show:

• The best gear and gadgets from CES Unveiled 2026
• iPhone in space: NASA gives approval for personal iPhones to Artemis astronauts
• How to watch Super Bowl LX on iPhone, Mac, and iPad
• Bad Bunny wins Grammy album of the year ahead of Super Bowl halftime show
• Tim Cook: Apple won't change privacy rules with Google Gemini partnership
• Google & Apple CEOs offer seemingly contradictory statements regarding AI partnership
• Two years after release, Apple still hasn't decided what to do with Apple Vision Pro
• Clamshell iPhone could be Apple's second foldable
• How terrible - the insanely wealthy are confounded by Call Screening
• Apple TV Press Day event reveals star-studded lineup of new original content coming soon
• Formula 1 CEO hints toward a possible 'F1' movie sequel on Apple TV
• Boc ost your vibe coding with AI agents in Apple's new Xcode 26.3
• New & native AI agent coding in Xcode 26.3 is pretty good

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

At last the Apple Creator Studio is here, and we're slowly learning what's actually new in it, what's different, and asking Apple about some launch oddities. Plus there are more iPhone 18 rumors, and more reasons to not give your health data to ChatGPT.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• @hillithreads on Threads
• @Hillitech on Twitter
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Sponsored by:

• Copilot Money: Take control of your finances with the easy to use Copilot Money and a one month free trial at copilot.money/appleinsider
• Squarespace: go to squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER for a free trial and then 10% off your first purchase with coupon code APPLEINSIDER
• Tempo: Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted meals at tempomeals.com/appleinsider

Links from the Show:

• Apple AirTag 2 improve battery, tracking, and safety
• AirTag 2 has a thinner motherboard, bigger speaker coil, and lots of glue
• Apple Creator Studio review: Incredible value for most creative pros
• Remember: Cancel Final Cut Pro iPad subscriptions when you set up Apple Creator Studio
• John Ternus solidifies his role as Apple CEO-apparent amid design team shakeup
• Apple Design Team gains Halide co-founder, but the pro camera app isn't going anywhere
• iPhone 18 Pro Max smaller Dynamic Island dimensions detailed in new leak
• If you give ChatGPT your health data, have your doctor on speed-dial
• Moral low ground: App Store is rife with AI 'nudify' apps
• Apple's unusual OS 27 code name shift could reflect AI strategy changes, or nothing at all
• Tim Cook slammed for attending 'Melania' screening on night of Alex Pretti killing
• Apple CEO Tim Cook 'heartbroken' after repeated ICE killings in Minneapolis
• Apple C-series modem enables new privacy-focused limit precise location feature

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro

Apple is up for another Oscar, Apple is trying another AI Pin, and while Craig Federighi now leads the team having another go at Siri, there are new iPhone 18 Pro rumors being debated.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• @hillithreads on Threads
• @Hillitech on Twitter
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Links from the Show:

• 'F1' driving Apple's Oscar awards ambitions in 2026
• Apple & Google's AI deal clears biggest hurdle blocking smart home accessory release
• Apple Intelligence will see sweeping changes as Craig Federighi takes control
• Despite Apple having said otherwise, Siri said to become a chatbot in iOS 27
• Apple Park employees are testing two new AI chatbots
• This time it'll work: Apple rumored to be developing a wearable AI pin
• Japan finally gets Apple FItness+, lazily using AI-generated dubs
• ChatGPT will soon start showing ads, but they won't affect its responses
• No top left camera for iPhone 18 Pro, but a smaller Dynamic Island
• After years of rumors, Face ID without Dynamic Island may come to iPhone 18
• Dynamic Island will move & get really tiny, if a leaker who's being sued by Apple is right
• Analyst claims to know full Apple's iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone Fold specs
• Have US senators told Apple and Google to remove X/Grok?
• Apple is afraid doing anything about child porn on X
• Grok now bans illegal porn generation, after monetizing it
• W Emerges as X Alternative Aimed at Combating 'Systemic Disinformation' | PCMag
• Bad Bunny dances his way to the Super Bowl halftime show
• Red Bull's 2026 Formula 1 launch puts Apple hardware front and center

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Intro and Oscars