Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby kick off the year by digging into some of the biggest Apple stories in early 2026—starting with the news that Apple is partnering with Google to have Gemini power a revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence. The discussion looks at how Gemini might be integrated behind the scenes, and whether Apple’s privacy promises can hold up when Google enters the equation.

The conversation then turns to Apple Creator Studio, Apple’s new subscription bundle that includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and other creative tools. Tom and Jeff debate who this bundle is really for, how it compares to Apple’s older one-time purchase model, and whether subscription fatigue is simply the cost of modern software.

From there, they break down Apple’s controversial new app icons and macOS Tahoe design changes, followed by concerns over App Store ads becoming harder to distinguish from real search results. The episode wraps with a broader look at Apple’s record-breaking services revenue and what it signals about the company’s priorities moving forward.

Links from the show:

• Google and Apple issue joint partnership statement
• Report: Google Gemini will expand Siri’s capabilities
• Report: Apple will fine-tune Gemini independently
• Apple confirms Google Gemini will power new Siri features
• Apple announces Apple Creator Studio
• Apple reports record-breaking Services revenue in 2025

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Happy New Year! Everyone expects Apple to release its first foldable iPhone later this year and the rumors and “leaks” are heating up. Tom and Jeff discuss the latest, including the 3D printed model that looks nothing like current iPhones.

Plus, Tom decided to reset his iPhone in an attempt to resolve the ongoing battery life issues he’s been having with iOS 26. Apple’s made a lot of improvements to the process, but it’s not quite perfect and he shares what worked well and what still needs some work.

Links from the show:

Support Jeff Battersby’s Stroke Recovery

Apple Pencil Could Work With iPhone Fold, According to New Report

iPhone Fold 1:1 Replica With Folding Hinge (3D Model)

How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Clicks Power Keyboard

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Happy Holidays! Joe Moyer returns and joins Tom and Jeff for a fun and festive discussion in the third-annual “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things” show! Picks range from backpacks to iPhone accessories, books, apps, and more. 

Find more from Joe at https://www.24letters.net/.

Links:

• Bellroy Transit Workpack
• Bullstrap Men's Wallets
• Bullstrap iPhone Cases
• Peak Design Phone Cases
• Gentler Streak Workout Tracker
• Craft: Docs, Notes, Tasks & AI
• The Ugmonk Pen
• Discbound Analog Productivity System
• Field Notes Notebooks
• iPad Pro
• Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station
• Highland Pro Screenwriting App
• Snipd AI Podcast App
• Readwise
• Version History Podcast
• Book Tracker - Reading Journal
• YouTube Premium
• Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
• Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
• What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
• Asana Project Management

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff revisit all the Apple hardware they use every single day, 18 months after their last gear rundown. From Macs to iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePods, and even a brief Vision Pro confession, they break down what’s still great, what’s aging surprisingly well, and what upgrades they’ve made along the way.

Jeff shares updates on his recovery journey, including walking unaided, writing again, and adjusting to double vision, while Tom heaps praise on the iPad Pro M5 and laments the quirks of iOS 26 battery life on his iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Other highlights include:

• Why the M1/M2 Mac lineup still punches way above its weight
• Whether the Studio Display’s nano-texture finish is worth it (spoiler: it depends)
• AirPods Pro 3 comfort after long-term use
• HomePod improvements thanks to quiet-but-solid AirPlay tuning
• Foldable iPhone rumors, realistic upgrade cycles, and what Apple still gets right

They wrap with a reminder to check out the important episode about Jeff’s stroke and recovery, and a tease for the upcoming Favorite Things of the Year show with guest Joe Moyer.

Links:

Support Jeff Battersby's Stroke Recovery

Teaching, B******t Jobs, and AI — Jeffrey Fisher

Stroke!: An Account of Jeff’s Symptoms, Recovery, and What You Should Trust in a Medical Emergency

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

This episode starts with listener feedback on window management in iPadOS 26, then Jeff opens up about his recent stroke. He walks through the initial symptoms, the frustrating EMS response, his time in the hospital and rehab, and what recovery looks like day-to-day. He also shares Siri's surprisingly helpful response when he asked about stroke symptoms.

Links from the show:

iPadOS Stage Manager feedback from @iamrishio

Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs

Support Jeff’s Stroke Recovery

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Jeff returns to the show 🥳 and Riley Hill joins us again to talk all things iPad. 

Riley and Tom have new M5 iPad Pros (11” and 13” models) and share their experiences. Did Apple make the right call with the current iPad Pro design by choosing thinness over battery life? And how’s life with iPadOS 26? Is the new windowing system everything we hoped for, or is it a step backwards?

Be sure to follow Riley on YouTube, Threads, and at slatepad.org for more great Apple and tech-related content.

https://youtube.com/@slatepad

https://www.threads.com/@slatepad

https://slatepad.org/

Jeff’s going to be out of work for a while longer as he continues to recover from his stroke. His family has set up a GoFundMe to help out a bit and if you'd like to throw a few bucks his way, here's the link, and it's all appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-battersbys-stroke-recovery

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Jeff is taking a break from the show to recover from his recent stroke. He's recovering well and is working his butt off in rehab and hopes to return before long.

His family has set up a GoFundMe to help out a bit while he's in rehab kicking ass. If you'd like to throw a few bucks his way, here's the link, and it's all appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-battersbys-stroke-recovery

--

Bill McLean returns to the show to discuss the abundance of riches with modern note-taking apps. Plus, Tom has a new iPad Pro M5 and shares his first impressions of it and the Magic Keyboard.

Be sure to follow Bill on YouTube, Threads, and Substack for more great Apple and tech-related content.

https://www.youtube.com/@BillMcLean

https://www.threads.com/@williambmclean

There's never been a worse time to pick a notes app

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

Jeff and Tom are off this week so we're going into the vault! Join us for a rewind of our 2024 Tips & Tricks show with Gannon Nordberg!

Over a dozen tips & tricks for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and more!

More from Gannon: LinkedIn (email marketing strategies & newsletter signup)

Links from the show:

Use profiles in Safari on Mac
Turn off Listening History in Apple Music with a Focus Mode
Play music together in a car with SharePlay and Apple Music
Edit portraits on iPad
Make stickers from your photos on iPhone
Search in Messages on iPhone
Easily change photo aspect ratios
Change the color of links and highlights in Notes
See time spent in daylight
How to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face Based on Time or Location
Use the Smart Stack to show timely widgets on Apple Watch
Hazel for Mac

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff welcome back Chris Freitag and Gannon Nordberg to share their experiences of using the iPhone Air. 

The guys cover:

• How impossibly thin and light it feels in the hand 
• The stunning 3000-nit display 
• The “plateau” bump 
• Battery life and overheating scares 
• Why it’s delightful and a look at the future 
• Is it a keeper? 

🎧 Listen in for the unfiltered take: what works, what doesn’t, and whether the iPhone Air should be your next upgrade.

Guest Links

• Chris Freitag → chrisfreitag.com
• Gannon Nordberg → LinkedIn (email marketing strategies & newsletter signup)

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.

We dig into the details of Apple’s recent “Awe Dropping” event! We take a look at the innovative features of the new iPhone Air, display improvements on the iPhone 17, and what’s new with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Get the scoop on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and new hypertension warnings and Sleep Score. Plus AirPods 3 improvements and our thoughts on when to upgrade any of your devices.

Links:

Apple Events

Introducing iPhone Air, a powerful new iPhone with a breakthrough design

Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple debuts iPhone 17

Apple debuts Apple Watch Series 11, featuring groundbreaking health insights

Introducing Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apple introduces Apple Watch SE 3

Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience

We Tried to Break the iPhone Air | Interview with Apple’s Joz & John Ternus

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!

Support the show

Contact Us

• Drop us a line at [email protected]
• You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
• Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
• Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
• Tom has a new YouTube channel
• Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!

• Review on Apple Podcasts
• Rate on Spotify
• Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen

• Apple Music
• Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.