In Touch with iOS

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave Ginsburg. He is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Apple isn't slowing down after its September launches. Dave and the panel dig into iOS 27.0.1 and its important iPhone 18 Pro fixes, a Microsoft 365 change that could break Apple Mail syncing for some Mac users, and reports that Apple could unveil a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini and long-awaited smart home hub on October 13. We also explore major Final Cut Camera improvements, Apple Creator Studio, tvOS 27, the latest Apple betas, Vision Pro updates and what's ahead as the iPhone Duo launch approaches.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Apple may have finished its September launches, but October looks like it could be just as busy. This week we cover Apple's first round of iOS 27 bug fixes, including an important fix for Face ID problems on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

We also look ahead to Apple's rumored October 13 announcements, which could finally bring a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, and Apple's long-awaited smart home hub. Meanwhile, leaked Apple assets appear to have revealed several upcoming products.

For creators, Apple rolled out significant updates to Final Cut Camera and Apple Creator Studio, taking advantage of the iPhone 18 Pro's variable-aperture camera.

Plus, Microsoft is beginning a change that could cause Apple Mail and Calendar on the Mac to stop syncing with some Microsoft 365 business accounts, Apple TV experienced a service outage, Apple published its complete tvOS 27 feature list, and we check in on the latest Apple betas.

Then we look toward October. Rumored reports indicate Apple could introduce a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini and its long-rumored smart home hub on October 13. Leaked Apple assets also point toward upcoming Apple TV, HomePod mini and iPad mini hardware. Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, is scheduled to arrive later in October.

Creators also have plenty to discuss. Final Cut Camera now exposes the iPhone 18 Pro's variable-aperture system along with new professional video controls, while Apple Creator Studio updates bring improvements across Apple's creative apps. We also cover tvOS 27, Apple services, family controls and this week's platform updates.

Topics and Links

Dave and Marty attended Ecamm Creator Camp this week and gave their review.

In Touch With Vision Pro this week

visionOS 27.0.1 Released

Apple released visionOS 27.0.1 on September 28. Apple's security release information lists no published CVE entries for the update. Freeform on visionOS 27 also gains more spatial collaboration capabilities, including bringing multiple board objects into physical space and shared viewing of 3D models.

Apple security releases

Beta this week

iOS 27.2 / iPadOS 27.2 / macOS 27.2

The 27.2 beta cycle continues across Apple's platforms. Notable iOS 27.2 features being tested include the redesigned Health app with Insights, Longevity and Health Age, plus expanded Siri AI language support.

Apple Developer releases

iPhone Duo and iOS 27.1

Apple is also preparing iOS 27.1 for iPhone Duo, with developer support for the device's unique poses and orientations.

Apple Developer News

AirPods Beta Firmware

Apple released new beta firmware for supported AirPods models, including AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2.

AirPods beta firmware

iOS 27.0.1 Fixes iPhone 18 Pro Problems

Apple released iOS 27.0.1 and iPadOS 27.0.1 on September 28. The update fixes unexpected restarts after failed Face ID authentication, a color artifact in some 2x photos, and a touchscreen issue involving Notification Center and Control Center.

Apple releases iOS 27.0.1

In Touch With Mac this week

macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1

Apple released macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 on September 28 as part of its first round of post-launch 27.0.1 updates.

Apple security releases

MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November

Apple Creator Studio Gets New Features

Updates across Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Pixelmator Pro and Freeform add templates, collaboration and creative features. For podcasters and creators, Apple's bundled creative ecosystem continues to broaden.

Apple Creator Studio updates

Apple Mail and Microsoft 365 EWS Changes

Microsoft began disabling Exchange Web Services by default in Exchange Online on October 1. Apple's built-in Mail and Calendar apps on macOS still depend on EWS for some Microsoft 365 work accounts. Apple is working with Microsoft on moving these services to Microsoft Graph. iPhone and iPad are not affected because they use Exchange ActiveSync.

Apple Mail on Mac may stop syncing Microsoft 365 accounts

Other Topics

Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo

Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer' Above the Display

iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?

iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2

Apple's Rumored October 13 Product Launch

Reports point to a possible October 13 launch involving a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini and Apple's long-awaited smart home hub. These remain reported products until Apple announces them.

Apple's next launch is reportedly October 13

Three new Apple products appear in leaked assets

Apple Publishes Full tvOS 27 Feature List

Apple's detailed tvOS 27 notes include Hi-Res Lossless and AutoMix in Apple Music, video podcasts, faster AirPlay, transcribed audio, Dynamic Text accessibility support and the ability to block individual apps.

tvOS 27 release notes

News

Apple TV outage

New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay - MacRumors

Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch - MacRumors

This week's "Things we found"

Jeff: USB Charging Station 50w10A 10 Ports Multiple Charging Block

Marty: ULANZI MA30 Magnetic Phone Tripod Stand for iPhone - Aluminium Maglock Smartphone Mini Tripod Pocket Cell https://amzn.to/4z3Dydc

Guy: Elgato Wave Link software https://www.elgato.com/us/en/s/wave-link-app

Jill:l HAKO-AKE Compact Pocket Size Travel Scissors

Dave: Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface

Eric: Lands End Canvas Bag extra large bag for bulky items

Chuck: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2MAX Outdoor TV Antenna

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677. Also Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamit.

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week we cover Apple's newest hardware arriving in customers' hands, including iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, AirPods 5, the M6 Mac mini, and M5 Max/M5 Ultra Mac Studio. We dig into the latest 27.2 beta cycle, including the redesigned Health experience, look at what's happening with Vision Pro and visionOS 27.2, and discuss some useful discoveries following the release of iOS 27 and macOS 27. We also cover Apple Podcasts bringing video to subscriptions, changes to Apple Sports, Siri AI developments for HomePod, and more.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

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Summary

Apple's September releases are now moving from announcements to real-world use. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 arrived in stores September 18, while the new Mac mini and Mac Studio became available September 22.

Meanwhile, Apple has moved quickly into the 27.2 developer beta cycle. The second betas arrived September 21, with notable work underway on the Health app and Siri AI language expansion. Vision Pro and Mac beta coverage is separated into their respective sections below.

Beyond hardware and betas, Apple Podcasts is preparing to bring video into paid subscriptions, Apple Sports has expanded its league support, and Apple's next generation of Siri appears poised to play a much larger role in the home.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple released visionOS 27.2 beta 2 to developers as part of this week's second round of 27.2 testing. Apple's official release notes identify a known Quick Look issue in which 3D objects opened from Safari can unexpectedly reposition when the user moves them. StoreKit testing fixes and known issues are also documented.

visionOS 27.2 Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

John Ternus just gave the best defense yet for Vision Pro - 9to5Mac

Beta this week.

Apple released the second developer betas of iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 on September 21. The testing cycle includes Apple's redesigned Health app with new Insights and Longevity areas, while Siri AI is expanding into additional languages. (⁠MacRumors)

Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2 - MacRumors

The Health app is especially interesting because its presence in beta does not necessarily mean the completely redesigned experience will ship with the public 27.2 release. Reporting this week indicates Apple may be testing portions ahead of a broader launch later in the year. (⁠9to5Mac)

Fitness Pro in trouble? Apple-fitness-team-hit-by-layoffs-as-major-changes-reportedly-loom (Jill)

OS 27.2 testing also expands Dual Capture in FaceTime to Group FaceTime, allowing front- and rear-camera views simultaneously during group calls. (⁠9to5Mac)

Discussion: Is Apple turning Health into one of the most important apps on the iPhone? Would you use Dual Capture during a FaceTime group call? Does putting major features into beta before their intended release make the beta cycle more interesting or more confusing?

iOS 27.0.1 is Coming Soon - MacRumors

Apple also released second developer betas of watchOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2. The Health changes are particularly relevant to Apple Watch because the redesigned Health experience ties into health information collected by Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. Apple provides dedicated watchOS 27.2 beta release notes. (⁠MacRumors)

Apple Developer — watchOS 27.2 Beta Release Notes

Outside the beta program, Apple released watchOS 27.0.1 for Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The update addresses a restart issue and is limited to those newest models. (⁠MacRumors)

Owners of Series 12 or Ultra 4 should check Software Update rather than assuming the software installed at launch is already current.

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple released macOS Golden Gate 27.2 beta 2 to developers. The update continues expansion of Siri AI into additional languages and introduces some smaller interface refinements, including revised keyboard-triggered volume and brightness indicators. (⁠MacRumors)

Apple's official release notes identify several beta issues. A clean installation may fail to request notification permission for apps including Calendar, Maps, Find My, Home, and Weather. Apple recommends manually enabling affected notifications in System Settings. "Describe a Shortcut" can also fail, and Xcode may crash when using code completion. (⁠Apple Developer)

A potentially important post-upgrade issue for Mac users is the amount of local storage being consumed by Apple Intelligence models. MacRumors reports that some Macs running macOS 27 are showing more than 30GB devoted to Apple Intelligence-related data. (⁠MacRumors)

The new Mac mini and Mac Studio officially reached customers and Apple Stores on September 22.

Mac mini is available with M6 or M5 Pro. Apple says the M6 model starts at $899 in the U.S., while M5 Pro configurations start at $1,699.

Mac Studio is available with M5 Max starting at $2,499 or M5 Ultra starting at $5,499. Apple says the 512GB unified-memory Mac Studio configuration will arrive in late October. (⁠Apple)

The M5 Ultra Mac Studio can be configured with up to a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and 512GB of unified memory. The latest Studio also adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5. (⁠Apple)

Other Topics

We have plenty of new Apple hardware in the hands of the panel this week, so it's time for some real-world impressions.

Dave has the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 12.

Jeff has the iPhone 18 Pro.

Marty has the Mac mini with M5 Pro and Mac Studio with M5 Ultra.

Marty gives us his impressions of both the M5 Pro Mac mini and M5 Max Mac Studio. We compare the two Macs, discuss performance and connectivity, and look at what kind of user each machine makes the most sense for.

Guy has an Apple Watch 12

We give our first-hand thoughts after actually using the new hardware. Dave and Jeff compare the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro, including size, everyday usability, performance, cameras, battery life, and whether the changes feel significant coming from their previous iPhones.

Dave also gives his impressions of the Apple Watch Series 12—what stands out after wearing it, the new features he is actually using, battery life and performance, and how meaningful an upgrade it feels compared with his previous Apple Watch.

Does Marty agree? The Glacier iPhone 18 Pro Max is the anti-Cosmic Orange | Macworld

Code discoveries reported this week suggest HomePod Software 27 contains components associated with Siri AI, along with possible new visual behavior for Siri. This is not confirmation that existing HomePods will receive Siri AI.

Current reporting suggests new HomePod hardware may be required. Apple has also been rumored to be preparing updated HomePod mini, Apple TV, and dedicated smart-home hardware. (⁠MacRumors)

News

AT&T Responds to iOS 27's New iPhone Handoff Feature - MacRumors

Apple Card Savings Account's Interest Rate Just Went Up

This weeks "Things we found"

Jeff: Triode https://triode.app/

Jill: Kan Do Task App Kan Do

Dave: https://amzn.to/4rxPJwq

Marty: https://amzn.to/4hKdAFI

Guy: https://amzn.to/46NC4b1 InstaLink 2C 360 $149

Eric: HDMI Headless 4K Display Emulator for remote access https://amzn.to/47heinQ

Announcements

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677. Also Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamit.

The latest In Touch With iOS Apple's September software cycle is moving fast. Dave is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius and Guy Serle to discuss Siri AI and the new iOS 27 era, along with the first iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 betas. The panel also looks at visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, including what the new beta cycle means so soon after Apple's major releases.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

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Instagram

Threads

Long Summary

Apple's September software cycle is moving fast. Dave is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius and Guy Serle to discuss Siri AI and the new iOS 27 era, along with the first iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 betas. The panel also looks at visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, including what the new beta cycle means so soon after Apple's major releases. On the Mac, the discussion includes continuing Tahoe and Sequoia updates and the end of Time Machine backups to AirPort Time Capsule under macOS 27. Other topics include Dave and Marty's AppleCare One Family experiences, new AirPods firmware, an iOS 27 dictation change, CarPlay developments and AI chatbot support, a new Apple Watch charging puck, iPhone 18 Pro details, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple TV news, and T-Mobile's iPhone Handoff charge. Dave also shares an Anker power strip for this week's Things We Found.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Vision Pro moves into the next beta cycle with visionOS 27.2. We look at Apple's release notes and the first developer beta as Vision Pro users and developers begin testing the next visionOS update.

Apple Releases visionOS 27 With Siri AI and New Spatial Experiences

visionOS 27.2 Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

What To Expect With Dodgers Game In Apple Immersive

iPhone 18 Pro Makes the Starting Lineup for Apple TV's Dodgers vs. Giants Broadcast

Beta this week.

Apple has already started the 27.2 beta cycle. We cover iOS and iPadOS 27.2 beta 1, watchOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2, plus early iOS 27.2 changes involving Health, TV profiles, Siri languages and Visual Intelligence.

iPadOS 27.2 beta 1 now available for iPad

Major updates for Apple's software platforms are now available

iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bugs

iOS 27.2 Beta 1

Topic Summary

Apple has moved quickly into iOS 27.2 beta 1. The early beta coverage includes the reason Apple jumped to 27.2, a redesigned Health app in testing, Siri AI access and new language support, TV app profiles, Visual Intelligence, and other changes being discovered in the first seed.

Apple Releases First iOS 27.2 Beta 1

Here's Why Apple Just Released an iOS 27.2 Beta Instead of iOS 27.1

iOS 27.2 Beta Previews New Apple Intelligence Health App

Everything New in iOS 27.2 Beta 1 - MacRumors

iOS 27.2 Could Save Your Marriage - MacRumors

iOS 27.2 Adds Profiles to Apple TV App - MacRumors

iOS 27.2 Adds Siri AI in New Languages - MacRumors

iOS 27: Use Visual Intelligence in the Camera App - MacRumors

Topic Summary

iPadOS 27.2 beta 1 begins the next iPad development cycle alongside iOS 27.2. Apple's release notes are the reference for documented changes, fixes and known issues as developers start testing the update.

iOS & iPadOS 27.2 Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

Topic Summary

tvOS 27.2 beta 1 is now available for developer testing. This first seed starts Apple TV's next point-release cycle, with Apple's release notes tracking documented changes and issues.

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/tvos-release-notes/tvos-27_2-release-notes

watchOS 27.2 Beta 1

Topic Summary

watchOS 27.2 beta 1 moves Apple Watch development beyond the watchOS 27 launch. Developers can begin compatibility testing while everyday users are better served by the current public release.

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/watchos-release-notes/watchos-27_2-release-notes

In Touch With Mac this week

The Mac has both current and next-generation updates in motion. We cover Tahoe 26.7 and Sequoia 15.8, their follow-up release candidates, macOS Golden Gate 27.2 beta 1, notable Golden Gate features, and the important loss of Time Machine backup support for AirPort Time Capsule in macOS 27.

macOS Golden Gate Now Available With Siri AI, Visual Intelligence and More

Apple Seeds First macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers

macOS 27.2 Golden Gate Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

macOS Golden Gate: 10 Features to Try First

50 New macOS Golden Gate Features and Changes Worth Checking Out

Reminder: macOS 27 Ends Time Machine Backups to Time Capsule

macOS 26.7 and others released this week.

Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8

iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bug

Apple rolls out first Release Candidates for macOS Tahoe 26.7.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.8.1

Topic Summary

Apple's major OS releases landed this week, led by iOS 27 and accompanied by updates across the ecosystem. We look at the first iOS 27 features worth trying, HomePod Software 27, watchOS 27, and Apple's broader platform rollout.

Apple Releases iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 With Siri AI and Liquid Glass Update

Which iOS 27 CarPlay Features Actually Work in Your Car?

iOS 27 Now Available: 10 Features to Try First

Reminder: iOS 27's All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here's How to Sign Up

Major updates for Apple's software platforms are now available

Apple Releases HomePod Software 27 With AutoMix Support

Apple Releases watchOS 27 With Siri AI, New Watch Face, Smart Stack Improvements and More

PSA: watchOS 27 Removes This Useful Feature From Your Apple Watch

Other Topics

Dave and Marty share their AppleCare One Family upgrade experiences, including Dave adding 28 family devices and an iPad mini 6 that required a support call. We also cover AirPods firmware, an iOS 27 dictation change, CarPlay and AI chatbot developments, a new Apple Watch charging puck, iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12.

AppleCare+ For Families

Topic Summary

AppleCare One Family is now a real-world topic for Dave and Marty. Dave added 28 devices across his family, including devices as old as the iPhone 14, while an iPad mini 6 could not be added normally and required contacting Apple Support.

Dave and Marty did upgrades already. Dave discusses his experience with adding 28 devices across his family, some as old as iPhone 14. Also, his iPad Mini 6 was not covered to add need to call support.

AppleCare One Family Launches at $49.99 Per Month AppleCare One Family Launches at $49.99 Per Month

Jeff found this cool website on repair costs vs AppleCare iCare

Topic Summary

GM has changed course on removing CarPlay from its gas-powered vehicles. The development is significant for drivers who consider CarPlay support part of the vehicle-buying decision.

GM caves, CarPlay won't be cut from gas-powered vehicles

CarPlay now works with six major AI chatbot apps, leaving one key holdout – 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/11/microsoft-copilot-joins-carplay-leaving-gemini-as-the-biggest-holdout/

New Apple Watch charging puck

Apple has a new Apple Watch charging puck in the week's accessory news. It is worth a quick look for Watch owners evaluating charging setups or replacing an existing charger.

Here's Why a New Apple Watch Charging Puck Was Just Released

News

Apple TV and Widows Bay at the Emmys

Apple TV's Widows Bay posted a record Emmy performance, adding another awards story to Apple's services discussion and offering a measure of how Apple's original programming is performing within the television industry.

'Widow's Bay' Leads Apple TV to Record 29 Emmy Wins

How to Get the New 3-Month Trial of Apple One Premier ($120 Value)

This weeks "Things we found"

Eric: OWC Thunderbolt 5 cable https://amzn.to/4rhBAU3

Jill: Eero Signal Back Up 4G LTE WiFI https://amzn.to/4yOXqAV

Jeff: Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit iPhone case

Chuck: 57 Nut and Bolt Thread Checker with 21 Standard &17 Metric &19 Drill Gauges

Marty Vintage Messenger Bag: https://amzn.to/4yDhpCi

Dave: Anker Power Strip with 2100J Surge Protector, Outlet Extender, 20W, 12 AC https://amzn.to/4xB4rEh

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677. Also Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamet.

This week is centered on Apple's "Surprise and Shine" September event and the transition in how Apple presents its biggest products. Dave and the panel break down John Ternus's first major event as CEO, Tim Cook's opening cameo, and every major announcement: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, AirPods 5, AppleCare One Family, and Siri AI. We also cover the week's iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and macOS release candidates, plus iOS 26.6.2,

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

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Instagram

Threads

Summary

Topics and Links

Beta this week

visionOS 27 reached Release Candidate status alongside Apple's other fall operating systems. Apple Developer lists visionOS 27.0 RC as build 24M362, released September 9. With the event taking most of the spotlight, this is the key Vision Pro software milestone for the week.

Apple Seeds watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 Release Candidates - MacRumors

Apple Developer Releases - visionOS 27.0 RC (24M362)

Apple is at the finish line for the fall OS cycle. iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 reached Release Candidate status on September 9; Apple Developer verifies build 24A435 for both. watchOS 27 RC is build 24R363 and tvOS 27 RC is build 24J360. Apple also announced that iOS 27 will be released September 14. Separately, Apple shipped iOS 26.6.2 (build 23G90) and iPadOS 26.6.2 as maintenance updates.

Apple Releases iOS 26.6.2 - MacRumors

iOS 26.6.2, iPadOS 26.6.2 land as iOS 27 gets closer to release - AppleInsider

Apple Seeds iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Release Candidates - MacRumors

Apple Seeds watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 Release Candidates - MacRumors

Apple Announces iOS 27 Release Date - MacRumors

Apple Developer Releases - official RC/build verification

Two iOS 27 details are worth calling out. iPhone Handoff will let users move the same phone number between two iPhones, but launch carrier support is limited to T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany. Another newly surfaced feature allows compatible Apple gift cards to be redeemed by tapping them to the back of an iPhone.

iOS 27's 'iPhone Handoff' Feature Limited to T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom at Launch

TMobile Charges $5 Per Month

ATT won't charge

iOS 27 Will Let You Redeem Apple Gift Cards on the Back of Your iPhone - MacRumors

macOS Golden Gate 27 reached Release Candidate status on September 9. Apple Developer verifies macOS 27.0 RC as build 26A428. This release also marks a major platform transition: Apple says macOS 26 is the final macOS release to support Intel Macs and Rosetta, with macOS 27 becoming Apple-silicon only.

macOS 26.7

macOS Golden Gate Release Candidate Now Available - MacRumors

Apple Developer Releases - macOS 27.0 RC (26A428)

Recap of the Surprise and Shine Apple Event

Apple's September 9 event introduced iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, along with AppleCare One Family and more detail around Siri AI. This week's show treats the event as the main story and breaks it down announcement by announcement.

Everything Apple Announced at the September 2026 Event - MacRumors

How Apple Presented the Event: John Ternus Takes the Lead

The presentation itself is part of the story. This was John Ternus's first major product event as Apple CEO. Tim Cook appeared as a cameo in the opening film, a deliberate nod to the leadership transition, while Ternus served as the event's primary presenter and connective voice throughout. He also handled the event's signature iPhone Duo reveal, giving the new CEO the biggest product moment of the show.

John Ternus Introduces Apple's "Intelligent Personal Hub" — In his first Apple Event as CEO, John Ternus laid out Apple's vision for AI, positioning the iPhone as the "intelligent personal hub" at the center of a user's digital life. Rather than requiring a new category of AI hardware, Ternus argued that the iPhone already has everything an ideal AI device needs: powerful on-device processing, cameras and microphones, connectivity, all-day battery life, personal context, and deep integration with Apple's ecosystem. Privacy is the key differentiator, with Apple Intelligence processing requests on-device whenever possible and using Private Cloud Compute when greater AI capability is required.

Apple CEO John Ternus says the best AI device is still the iPhone | TechCrunch

iPhone Duo

Introduced as "one more thing", Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest hardware swing of the event. Opened, the Duo has a 7.6-inch inner display and becomes Apple's thinnest iPhone; closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer display. Apple says the inner display uses a layered folding construction and a nano-texture surface designed to reduce glare and make the crease less visible. The device is IP68 rated, supports MagSafe, ships with iOS 27.1, supports the $79 USB-C Apple Pencil rather than Apple Pencil Pro, and does not include an Action button. Battery expectations vary depending on which display is used. Apple is also offering dedicated Duo cases and a folio with kickstand.

Design Team explaining the reasoning that went behind the Duo's design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do3UqxfYc3I

iPhone Duo is more proof that Microsoft's brilliant ideas make great Apple products

iPhone Duo is Dust-Tight With IP68 Rating, Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 - MacRumors

Apple Explains What's Inside the iPhone Duo's Folding Screen - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Beats iPhone Air as Apple's Thinnest iPhone, But Only When Open - MacRumors

Here's What Apple Says About the iPhone Duo's Crease - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Will Ship With iOS 27.1, Hinting at Update's Release Date - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Only Works With the $79 USB-C Apple Pencil, Not the Apple Pencil Pro - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Doesn't Have an Action Button

iPhone Duo Battery Life Depends on Which Screen You Use - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Gets Its Own Case and Folio With Kickstand - MacRumors

iPhone Duo Supports MagSafe Charging - MacRumors

Apple unveils iPhone Duo - Apple

iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max focus on camera control, sustained performance, battery life, and Apple Intelligence. The A20 Pro is paired with a redesigned vapor chamber; the camera system adds variable aperture plus more manual controls, and Photographic Styles gains texture and grain controls. The Pro Max gets the headline battery advantage and differs from the Pro in some hardware details. Other discussion points include the Pro Max's increased weight, storage pricing, expanded eSIM-only markets, different modems between the two Pro models, RAM differences, a smaller Dynamic Island that can accommodate three Live Activities, and Apple Reference Image for photo-authenticity verification. Apple also discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro line and adjusted prices elsewhere in the iPhone lineup.

Apple Announces iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max - MacRumors

Apple Reveals iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery Capacities - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro Max Is Heavier Than iPhone 17 Pro Max, Not Thicker - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro's $100 Price Increase is Actually $300 If You Want 1TB Storage - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro's Redesigned Vapor Chamber Triples Cooling Surface Area - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro: Two exclusive features - 9to5Mac

New Texture and Grain Controls Coming to Photographic Styles With iPhone 18 Pro - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro Max Has 'Longest Battery Life in an iPhone' at Up to 45 Hours - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro Gains Manual Aperture, Shutter Speed Controls, and More - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro is eSIM-Only in These Countries - MacRumors

****iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Have Different Modems - MacRumors

**iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: Here's How Much RAM Each Has - MacRumors

***iPhone 18 Pro Introduces 'Apple Reference Image' to Verify Photo Authenticity - MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro Features Smaller Dynamic Island With Support for Three Live Activities

Apple Discontinues iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - MacRumors

Apple Raises Prices of iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e - MacRumors

Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max - Apple

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 center on upgraded health sensing and longer-term interpretation of health data. Series 12 introduces the S11 chip and new Health Sensing System, while both new watches add higher-frequency heart-rate and HRV sensing and new health and fitness features. Ultra 4 pushes battery life further. Apple also introduced Audio Intelligence features, new Series 12 finishes including ceramic, and a new wave of bands.

Apple Announces Apple Watch Ultra 4 With Two-Day Battery Life and Upgraded Health Tracking - MacRumors

Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 12 With S11 Chip, Upgraded Health Sensors and Ceramic Models - MacRumors

Three All-New 'Audio Intelligence' Features Arrive With Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

Apple Watch Series 12 Comes in New Finishes, Including Ceramic - MacRumors

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Offer These Eight New Health and Fitness Features

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Get Wave of New Bands - MacRumors

Introducing Apple Watch Series 12 - Apple

AirPods 5

AirPods 5 improve audio quality and noise cancellation, with Active Noise Cancellation now standard instead of being the feature reserved for the higher-priced model. The product split moves the upsell toward the charging case and wireless charging rather than ANC itself.

AirPods 5 Announced With Improved Noise Cancellation, Audio Quality, and More - MacRumors

AirPods 5 Include ANC as Standard, Pricier Variant Now Gatekeeps Wireless Charging Instead

AppleCare One Family

Apple expanded AppleCare One with a Family plan designed to cover eligible devices across a Family Sharing group of up to six people. This turns AppleCare into more of a household subscription and raises the practical question of when one family plan becomes cheaper or simpler than maintaining separate coverage.

Apple Adds AppleCare One Family Plan for Up to Six People

AppleCare - Apple

Siri AI and Usage Limits

Siri AI is rolling out in beta with iOS 27, but Apple's fine print says some server-dependent Apple Intelligence features can be subject to usage limits. Apple also says expanded access will be available for a fee. That makes the long-term business model for cloud-assisted Siri and Apple Intelligence a significant part of the story, not just the feature demonstrations.

Apple's Fine Print: Daily Usage Limits for Siri AI, 'Expanded Access' Coming for a Fee

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677. Also Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamit.

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week, the panel discusses John Ternus taking over as Apple CEO, Tim Cook's farewell, and the executive changes marking a new era at Apple. We cover the latest iOS 27, visionOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27 betas, plus strong AI-driven demand for Mac mini and Mac Studio and changes to Intel Mac support. Other topics include the Lake America mapping controversy, a useful Control Center Shortcut, Storm Radar bringing weather and navigation to CarPlay, Apple TV and Apple One price increases, older Macs becoming obsolete, and this week's Things We Found.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

This week, Dave is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, and Guy Serle for a packed episode that begins with a major changing of the guard at Apple. Tim Cook has wrapped up his final day as CEO and moves into the executive chairman role as John Ternus officially takes over. The panel discusses Cook's farewell message, Ternus's first memo to Apple employees, what his hardware-engineering background could mean for Apple's future, and the wider executive changes accompanying the transition, including Phil Schiller scaling back his responsibilities.

The crew also covers the latest Apple beta releases, including visionOS 27 beta 8, iOS and iPadOS 27 developer beta 8 and public beta 6, watchOS 27 beta 8, tvOS 27 beta 8, and macOS 27 beta 8. They look at the new iPhone Handoff capability in iOS 27, unexpectedly strong demand for Mac mini and Mac Studio for AI workloads, and Apple giving Mac App Store developers the option to drop Intel support.

Other topics include the unusual Lake Ontario/Lake America mapping controversy involving Apple Maps, Google Maps, and MapQuest; a handy Shortcut for jumping directly to the current app's Settings from Control Center; and Storm Radar bringing route-aware weather, alerts, and navigation to CarPlay.

In the news, Qualcomm is raising chip prices, several older Macs have moved onto Apple's obsolete-products list, Apple has been inducted into the Brand Hall of Fame, and Apple TV and the Apple One Individual plan are getting more expensive. Plus, Dave's Things We Found pick is the E-Rhino 165W four-port GaN USB-C charger

Opening Segment

Apple Transition: Tim Cook's Legacy and the John Ternus Era

As of September 1, Apple has officially transitioned to a new leadership structure with John Ternus stepping in as CEO and Tim Cook assuming the role of Executive Chairman. This major shift includes Cook's final reflections, Ternus's initial vision for the company, and several notable executive reassignments accompanying the change.

Tim Cook's departure from the CEO role

On his final day as CEO, August 31, Cook shared an emotional message with Apple staff, expressing deep gratitude and characterizing his leadership years as a singular honor. Cook will continue to provide guidance in his new capacity as Executive Chairman.

• 9to5Mac - Tim Cook's full memo to employees on his last day as CEO (Aug. 31, 2026)

John Ternus's first address as CEO

During his first official day, Ternus acknowledged Cook's mentorship and emphasized his confidence in the current workforce. His message highlighted the upcoming September 9 launch and future product roadmaps, suggesting a focus on continuity while the panel analyzes his specific leadership style.

• 9to5Mac - Read new Apple CEO John Ternus's full memo to employees (Sept. 1, 2026)

• Apple Leadership

Broad executive reshuffling

Reporting indicates that the transition involves several high-level moves. Former CFO Luca Maestri has concluded his Corporate Services tenure, with Kevan Parekh assuming those duties. Adrian Perica is no longer appearing on the leadership roster, while Laura Legros has rejoined Apple in a strategic capacity supporting Ternus.

• 9to5Mac - John Ternus's first day as Apple CEO: Here's the latest (Sept. 1, 2026)

Phil Schiller steps back

Schiller has officially shifted his focus away from the App Store and product events, though he maintains his status as an Apple Fellow. Eddy Cue will now oversee the App Store with Carson Oliver managing daily operations, while Nola Weinstein takes the lead on events. This raises questions about how much of the senior hierarchy is being restructured at once.

• MacRumors - Apple's Phil Schiller Scales Back Role as John Ternus Era Begins (Aug. 31, 2026)

Topics and Links In Touch With Vision Pro this week

visionOS 27 beta 8

Apple released visionOS 27 developer beta 8 on August 31. Apple Developer lists build 24M5361a. This is a developer beta, not a final release.

• MacRumors - Apple Seeds Eighth visionOS 27 Beta to Developers (Aug. 31, 2026)

• Apple Developer - visionOS 27 release notes

• Apple Vision Pro was just used in a first-of-its-kind surgery

Beta this week

iOS 27 and iPadOS 27: developer beta 8 and public beta 6

Apple released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 developer beta 8 on August 31, build 24A5430a. Later that day Apple released public beta 6 for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. MacRumors reported no notable new features in the day's developer builds as the cycle approaches release.

• MacRumors - iOS 27/iPadOS 27 developer beta 8 (Aug. 31, 2026)

• MacRumors - iOS/iPadOS 27 public beta 6 (Aug. 31, 2026)

• Apple Developer - iOS & iPadOS 27 release notes

watchOS 27 beta 8

Apple released watchOS 27 developer beta 8 on August 31. Apple Developer lists build 24R5360a.

• MacRumors - watchOS 27 beta 8 (Aug. 31, 2026)

• watchOS 27 Beta 8 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

tvOS 27 beta 8

Apple released tvOS 27 developer beta 8 on August 31. Apple Developer lists build 24J5360a.

• MacRumors - tvOS 27 beta 8 (Aug. 31, 2026)

• tvOS 27 Beta 8 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature

iOS 27 feature that can switch between two iPhones using the same phone number. Setup appears under Cellular, with one iPhone designated as the main device and the other as a companion. Carrier support appears to be required, so availability still needs confirmation when iOS 27 ships.

• MacRumors - iOS 27 Introduces New 'iPhone Handoff' Feature (Sept. 2, 2026)

In Touch With Mac this week

macOS 27 Golden Gate beta 8

Apple released macOS 27 developer beta 8 on August 31. Apple Developer lists build 26A5425a. The Mac beta stays in the Mac section rather than Beta this week.

• MacRumors - macOS 27 beta 8 (Aug. 31, 2026)

• Apple Developer - macOS 27 release notes

AI demand reportedly caught Apple off guard on Mac mini and Mac Studio

MacRumors, citing The Information, reports that unusually strong enterprise demand for Macs used for AI workloads helped drive Apple's unusually early Mac mini and Mac Studio launch. The report says high-end configurations have faced supply pressure amid the broader memory shortage.

• MacRumors - Apple Caught Off Guard by AI Demand for Mac Mini and Mac Studio (Aug. 30, 2026)

Mac App Store apps can now drop Intel Mac support

Apple told developers that universal Mac App Store apps requiring macOS 13 or later can remove the x86_64 architecture. Intel users can keep using the last compatible version, but developers can stop shipping updates to Intel Macs.

• MacRumors - Mac App Store Apps Can Now Drop Support for Intel Macs (Sept. 1, 2026)

Other Topics

In Touch with Jeff Gamet's Blog

Will AI Ever Attain AGI Level? Nope

Anthropic has upgraded Claude's computer-use capability on Mac so tasks can run in the background

Anthropic upgrades Claude's computer use to run in the background on Mac

Tip: open the current app's Settings from Control Center

A Shortcut shared by Quinn Nelson can be assigned to Control Center's Run Shortcut control or the Action button, providing a fast path to the Settings page for the app currently in use.

• MacRumors How-To - Open the Current App's Settings From Control Center (Sept. 2, 2026)

App: Storm Radar comes to CarPlay

The Weather Channel's Storm Radar 4.0.19 added a dedicated CarPlay app with map/satellite views, weather layers, destination conditions, navigation, route weather alerts, and automatic rerouting. This is standard CarPlay, not CarPlay Ultra.

• 9to5Mac - Apple CarPlay just added a major weather app (Aug. 30, 2026)

News

Qualcomm raises chip prices

Qualcomm said chip prices would rise by double digits for chips shipped after September 1, citing higher supplier costs. The Apple angle is the continuing importance of component pricing as Apple shifts more modem work in-house.

• MacRumors - Qualcomm Raising Chip Prices Starting Tomorrow (Aug. 31, 2026)

Three more Macs become obsolete

Apple moved the 2018 Retina MacBook Air, 13-inch 2018 MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and 13-inch 2017 MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports to its obsolete list. Obsolete products are generally no longer eligible for Apple hardware service, although Apple's laptop battery-only repair policy can extend longer in some cases.

• MacRumors - Apple Adds Three More Macs to Obsolete Products List (Aug. 31, 2026)

Apple enters the Brand Hall of Fame

The One Club for Creativity selected Apple as the first brand inducted into its newly established Brand Hall of Fame, recognizing the company's history of influential advertising.

• MacRumors - Apple Inducted Into 'Brand Hall of Fame' for Iconic Ads (Aug. 31, 2026)

This week's "Things we found"

Dave: mfish E-RHINO 165W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger. The manufacturer lists four USB-C ports, up to 165W combined dual-port output, up to 140W from C1 or C2 individually, and a display showing output and temperature. Current direct-site pricing should be checked at recording time.

• Amazon

• mfish direct product page

Eric: OWC drive dock A good way to swap between several old drives while waiting for drive prices to drop. https://www.owc.com/solutions/drive-dock https://amzn.to/4cviDHk

Jeff: Riff Calendar It's a calendar app that lets you zoom in for a more granular look at your schedule instead of the traditional day, week, and month views. It's in beta for iPhone now. https://riffcalendar.com/

Chuck: ORICO External Hard Drive Case for 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD 5 Packs Portable Hard Drive Carrying Protective Storage Box Anti-Static and Shockproof https://amzn.to/4qWI6PZ 57 Nut and Bolt Thread Checker with 21 Standard &17 Metric &19 Drill Gauges https://amzn.to/3UAhhVB

Marty: Chad Powers: on Hulu Season 1 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nFZMD8FMM0 Season 2 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8B59O_18Dc

Ted Lasso Party Game: https://www.amazon.com/Funko-63413-Ted-Lasso-Game/dp/B09QV34247

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave Ginsburg. Apple's September 9 event is official, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Chuck Joiner, Eric Bolden, and Guy Serle break down what they expect from the iPhone 18, Apple Watch, AirPods, and more. The panel also dives into the new Mac mini and Mac Studio, including Marty's latest purchases, plus iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and visionOS 27 betas. Jeff explains his skepticism about general AI and shares an update on his TextExpander privacy concern. Plus, Virginia gets driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, Apple has a cheaper polishing cloth, Rock Paper Pencil gets new tips, AppleCare gets an AI assistant, and the crew shares their latest Things We Found.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

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Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

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Summary

Apple has announced its September 9 event, and the panel looks ahead to what could be coming, including the iPhone 18 lineup, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods, and what might be saved for another event.

In Touch With Vision Pro covers visionOS 27 Beta 7, improvements to Mac Virtual Display, spatial environments created from panoramic photos, and Apple's upcoming live Friday Night Baseball immersive experience.

Beta this week includes iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Beta 7, watchOS 27, tvOS, and macOS 27 Golden Gate. Apple also surprised everyone with new Mac mini and Mac Studio models, leading to a lively discussion about M6, M5 Pro and M5 Ultra configurations, memory, displays, pricing, and exactly how much Mac is too much Mac.

Jeff discusses why he remains skeptical about claims that general artificial intelligence is just around the corner. He also shares a privacy concern involving TextExpander and the company's response.

Plus, Virginia gets driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, Apple has a new polishing cloth, Rock Paper Pencil gets new graphite-style Apple Pencil tips, AppleCare phone support gets an AI assistant, and everyone shares some interesting Things We Found.

Topics and Links

Apple announces September 9 "Surprise and Shine" event

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/apple-event-announced-six-new-products/

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

visionOS 27 reaches developer beta 7

Apple released visionOS 27 developer beta 7, build 24M5359a, on August 24.

The release puts visionOS 27 deeper into its stabilization phase ahead of Apple's fall software releases.

Apple Developer:

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/visionos-release-notes

MacRumors:

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-visionos-27-beta-7/

Apple is getting ready for its first live **Friday Night Baseball in Apple Immersive** on Vision Pro.

The first game is **Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees on Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT**.

Unlike simply watching a traditional broadcast on a giant virtual screen, Apple says the production uses **3D video recorded in 8K with a 180-degree field of view**, cameras positioned around the dugouts and outfield wall, Spatial Audio, immersive replays, and floating lineups and statistics.

Four Apple Immersive games are currently scheduled:

* August 28 — Red Sox at Yankees

* September 4 — Angels at Pirates

* September 11 — Padres at Giants

* September 18 — Giants at Dodgers

Live viewing requires an Apple TV subscription and either the **M2 or M5 Apple Vision Pro**.

Beta this week.

Here's a streamlined Beta this week replacement for the Episode 439 show notes. I've kept macOS and visionOS out of this section per your placement rules and paired MacRumors announcement coverage with Apple Developer release information wherever available.

2. Beta this week

Apple released another round of betas on August 24 as testing moves closer to the fall releases.

iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Beta 7

Apple released iOS 27 developer beta 7 and iPadOS 27 developer beta 7, both build 24A5424a. Apple also released public beta 5 of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 later the same day. No major new features were identified in this round, suggesting Apple is increasingly focused on stability and bug fixes. (MacRumors)

MacRumors: iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Developer Beta 7 iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Public Beta 5

watchOS 27 Beta 7

Apple released watchOS 27 developer beta 7, build 24R5358a. (MacRumors)

MacRumors: watchOS 27 Developer Beta 7

tvOS 27 Beta 7

Apple released tvOS 27 developer beta 7, build 24J5358a. tvOS 27 public beta 5 was also released later that day. (MacRumors)

MacRumors: tvOS 27 Developer Beta 7 tvOS 27 Public Beta 5

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple introduces the M6 Mac mini

Apple announced a new Mac mini featuring M6 or M5 Pro.

Apple describes M6 as its first 2-nanometer chip and is heavily positioning the new Mac mini around powerful local and agentic AI workloads.

Preorders began August 25, with availability beginning September 22.

Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More — August 25, 2026. This is the best primary MacRumors article for the announcement and covers specs, connectivity, pricing, and September 22 availability. (MacRumors) MacRumors — New Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro

• New Mac Mini and Mac Studio: 13 Things You Might Have Missed — useful for extra discussion points including pricing increases, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and other details. (MacRumors) MacRumors — 13 Mac mini and Mac Studio details

• Apple Reveals M6 as First-Ever 2nm Chip — good supporting link if you want to discuss the M6 architecture itself. (MacRumors) MacRumors — Apple M6 chip details

• Mac mini Roundup — MacRumors' continuously updated reference page for the M6 and M5 Pro models. (MacRumors) MacRumors — Mac mini roundup

• https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/new-mac-mini-and-mac-studio-add-genlock/

• https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/apple-free-mac-mini-upgrade-email/

• https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/new-mac-mini-bumps-display-refresh-rates/

M5 Ultra configurations support up to 512GB of unified memory, creating some remarkable possibilities for running extremely large AI models and professional datasets locally.

M5 Max configurations start at $2,499, while M5 Ultra starts at $5,499. Regular availability begins September 22, with the 512GB configuration expected later.

macOS 27 Golden Gate developer beta 7

Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate developer beta 7, build 26A5421a, on August 24. The corresponding public beta 5 was also released.

MacRumors:

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-releases-macos-golden-gate-beta-7/

Apple also published information this week explaining why Spotlight indexing may continue for days after a macOS update—useful context when troubleshooting temporary battery, heat, or performance complaints after installing new system software.

MacRumors:

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/apple-explains-spotlight-indexing/

Other Topics

In touch with Jeff Gamet's Blog https://jeffgamet.com/will-ai-ever-attain-agi-level-nope/ and discusses a discovedTextexpander privacy issue.

News

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/apple-wallet-id-feature-launches-in-15th-state/

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/25/apple-releases-new-polishing-cloth/

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/astropad-rock-paper-pencil-4/

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/26/1-800-apl-care-ai-assistant/

This weeks "Things we found"

Dave: 8-in-1 Retractable Charger for Apple USB C Gan Multiple Devices https://amzn.to/4gEynZH

Eric: gaffers tape, because sometimes you just need to cover up the annoying status light https://amzn.to/3SV1ek

Jeff: DJI Mic Mini lav mic https://amzn.to/3SV1ekF

Marty: www.Twitter.now https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/new-twitter-launches-says-musks-x-gave-up-the-name/

Chuck: OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Display Adapter with DisplayLink https://amzn.to/4qKJWTS

Guy - Murder City on Amazon Prime - https://amzn.to/4gIMugI

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveginsburg, , BlueSky @daveginsburg and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677. Also Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamit.

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Apple's latest updates take center stage as The panel looks at visionOS beta 6, including fixes involving AI features, subtitles, 3D content, stability, Mac Virtual Display, and headset reconnection. They also discuss new visionOS capabilities for handling multiple video and audio sources and the release of visionOS 26.6.1.

Security is another major theme, with updates across Apple's platforms and a macOS security rush. The conversation moves to CarPlay and iOS news, a ChatGPT Messages plugin, Apple accidentally leaking information about new products, AI perks for college students, and Sonos Live Activity.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

X

Instagram

Threads

Summary

Episode 438 covers a wide range of developments across Apple's platforms, beginning with visionOS beta 6. The panel notes that this is a relatively small update focused primarily on fixes involving AI features, subtitles, 3D content loading, and overall stability. Improvements to Mac Virtual Display and the behavior of Vision Pro when reconnecting are also part of the discussion.

The Vision Pro conversation continues with a new visionOS capability that allows multiple video and audio sources to be presented at the same time. The panel also discusses the public release of visionOS 26.6.1 and other maintenance updates. Apple's spatial-computing strategy comes into focus following reports of layoffs within the company's Vision team, prompting discussion about Apple's broader comments concerning spatial computing and future headset development.

Security becomes another important part of the episode, including security updates across Apple devices and a particular security rush involving macOS. Dave and the panel then move through the latest CarPlay and iOS developments before turning their attention to AI and ChatGPT, including a ChatGPT Messages plugin.

Apple may have revealed more than it intended about upcoming hardware, giving the panel another topic to explore as they discuss Apple leaking information about new products. AI remains part of the conversation with a look at perks being offered to college students.

The episode also covers Sonos adding Live Activity functionality and shifts to Apple entertainment with discussion of TV shows and Ted Lasso. Apple's services and business decisions round out the news, including the arrival of advertising in Maps, changes to App Tracking Transparency in Germany, and EU App Store fees.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple Seeds Sixth visionOS 27 Beta to Developers

visionOS 27 Beta 6 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

visionOS 27 beta now allows multiple videos/audio sources at once : r/VisionPro

visionOS 26.6.1 was released not details yet

Apple reportedly lays off 60 Vision employees amid shifting priorities

Beta this week.

Apple Releases iOS 26.6.1, macOS 26.6.2, and More

iOS 26.6.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 Fix Nearly 30 Security Vulnerabilities

Apple Seeds Sixth iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Betas to Developers

Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 6 to Developers - MacRumors

Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 6 to Developers - MacRumors

iOS 27: 8+ New CarPlay Features

iOS 27 Finally Fixes Replying to Android Texts

AirPods Pro 3 and more just got new firmware release in beta

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases New macOS Security Updates as Patch Frequency Increases

Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate Beta 6

Apple's macOS Screen Sharing Flaw Is Being Exploited in the Wild - MacRumors

Apple Adds More New Wallpapers in macOS Golden Gate

Other Topics

ChatGPT update adds Apple Messages integration on Mac

Apple Accidentally Leaked More Than 10 New Products in macOS Update

College Students Can Get a Free Year of Google AI Pro

Sonos iPhone App Finally Gains Live Activities Support

News

Apple TV hit comedy from Ted Lasso, Shrinking creator returns soon Bad Monkey Season 2

Ads Coming Soon to Apple Maps

Apple Agrees to Make 'App Tracking Transparency' Changes in Germany

EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees'

This weeks "Things we found"

Jill - https://thinktapwoit isrk.com/popouttimer/

Dave - Spigen for Apple Watch Charger Stand https://amzn.to/4gpGeu6

Marty: Zojirushi Water bottles https://amzn.to/4wJRo2J

Eric - Pu-Erh Pearls LINK?

https://www.telsaan.com/product/pu-erh-pearls/121?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

Guy - Best Medicine on Netflix Watch Best Medicine

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] , Warp Speed Weirdos with Jeff Gamet, @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week on In Touch With iOS, we cover Apple's latest updates across Vision Pro, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV. The panel talks about live Friday Night Baseball coming to Apple Immersive Video, visionOS 27 Beta 5, and the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS beta changes, including Siri improvements, bug fixes, and security updates. We also debate whether Apple's built-in Mac apps are now good enough to replace third-party favorites like Fantastical and 1Password, and we compare backup strategies using Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper, Synology, external drives, and Backblaze. Plus, Jeff raises concerns about Anthropic's Claude watermarking approach and the risk of false positives for human-written content, and we look at Apple's expanded Made for iPhone hearing-device support and its accessibility benefits.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

X

Instagram

Threads

Summary

This week on In Touch With iOS, Dave is joined by Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, Eric Bolden, and Guy Serle for a wide-ranging conversation about what's happening throughout the Apple ecosystem.

The episode kicks off with Vision Pro and Apple's return to live sports in Apple Immersive Video. Friday Night Baseball is coming to Vision Pro with select MLB games presented live, giving the panel plenty to discuss about whether immersive sports could become one of the strongest reasons to own Apple's headset. The conversation also explores what Apple could do to make the experience even more compelling, from stadium atmosphere and audio to better ways of making viewers feel like they're actually at the game.

Beta This Week brings updates across visionOS 27, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and macOS 27. The panel discusses visionOS 27 Beta 5 improvements to Siri, Mac Virtual Display, hand gestures, and Digital Crown behavior, along with the usual collection of fixes and refinements arriving across Apple's platforms. Siri is also getting additional voice options and greater control over characteristics such as speaking pace and expressivity.

On the Mac, the conversation turns into a debate about Apple's built-in applications. Are Calendar, Notes, Reminders, Passwords, Safari, and Apple's other bundled apps finally good enough that Mac users no longer need as many third-party replacements? The panel compares their own workflows and discusses why some of them have started moving back toward Apple's applications after years of using alternatives. Apple Passwords versus 1Password becomes an especially interesting debate: Apple offers excellent integration and simplicity, while 1Password continues to provide more advanced capabilities for users who need them.

Then the panel tackles something every Mac user should be thinking about: backups. Time Machine is only the beginning. Everyone compares their own strategies involving Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper, Synology NAS systems, external SSDs and hard drives, cloud storage, and Backblaze. The discussion highlights the importance of having multiple copies of important data, including at least one off-site copy. Jill also brings up a practical disaster-preparedness strategy: keeping important backups on portable drives that can quickly be grabbed during an emergency.

Jeff brings AI into the conversation from his blog with concerns about Anthropic's approach to watermarking content that has been generated or even edited using Claude. If someone writes an article, paper, or other document themselves but asks Claude to proofread or rewrite a small portion, could the entire work subsequently be treated as AI-generated? The panel discusses the potential for false positives and the problems this could create for writers, students, educators, and anyone who uses AI as an editing assistant rather than an author.

Accessibility is also in the spotlight as Apple expands its Made for iPhone hearing-device compatibility list with dozens of additional devices. The discussion goes beyond the numbers, with the panel sharing real-world examples of how Apple's hearing accessibility technology—including compatible hearing aids and AirPods—can make conversations and noisy environments dramatically easier to navigate.

Finally, Things We Found brings the usual collection of useful, interesting, and sometimes unexpected discoveries from the panel, including Synology storage, an Apple Watch band, an ALPR camera mapping resource, an extremely bright USB-C rechargeable flashlight, Batman viewing recommendations, and an animated wallpaper app.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week

Apple bringing live Friday Night Baseball to Apple Immersive Video — selected MLB games will stream live in immersive 8K 3D on Vision Pro.

https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/10/apple-immersive-live-video-mlb-game-schedule/

visionOS 27 Beta 5 released.

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-vision-pro/

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/visionos-release-notes/visionos-27-release-notes

visionOS 27 beta users report hand-control and Digital Crown issues. Anecdotal/community report.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VisionPro/comments/1uvvylt/visionos_27_developer_beta_3/

Beta this week.

iOS 27 Developer Beta 5.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-27-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/apple-seeds-ios-27-beta-5/

iPadOS 27 Developer Beta 5.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-27-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipados-27/

watchOS 27 Beta 5.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/watchos-release-notes/watchos-27-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/watchos-27/

tvOS 27 Beta 5.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/tvos-release-notes/tvos-27-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-tv/

iOS/iPadOS 26.6.1 maintenance betas.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-26_6-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/apple-releases-ios-26-6-1/

Siri AI gets additional voices and customization in Beta 5.

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/ios-27-siri-ai-voice-customization/

iOS 27 stability and refinement becomes a discussion topic.

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/ios-27-beta-5-everything-new/

In Touch With Mac this week

macOS 27 Golden Gate Beta 5.

Apple Developer Release Notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-27-release-notes

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/apple-releases-macos-27-beta-5/

s-october/

Which of Apple's built-in Mac apps do you immediately replace?

https://www.cultofmac.com/news/i-replaced-these-7-apple-apps-on-my-mac-heres-what-i-use-instead

Is the professional Mac dead now that Mac Studio effectively occupies the high-end desktop role?

https://www.macworld.com/article/3111630/is-the-pro-mac-dead.html

How much Time Machine storage does a Mac really need?

https://eclecticlight.co/2026/08/10/how-much-backup-storage-does-your-mac-need/

Other Topics

Apple Intelligence / AI

Jeff's Blog! Anthropic's Claude Watermark is Akin to an AI Poison Pill

https://jeffgamet.com/anthropics-claude-watermark-is-akin-to-an-ai-poison-pill/

News

Apple adds dozens more hearing devices to Made for iPhone compatibility.

https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/07/apple-adds-nearly-45-hearing-devices-to-its-made-for-iphone-compatibility-list/

This weeks "Things we found"

Dave: https://a.co/d/0gVTNlWU Synology 2-Bay DiskStation DS223j (Diskless)

Jill - Nice Aulumu A11 Watchband https://amzn.to/4x1LxXK

Jeff - Deflock https://deflock.org/

Eric - Infinity X1 7000L Dual Power Rechargeable Flashlight,7000 Lumen https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-X1-7000L-Rechargeable-Flashlight/dp/B0FLNB3W8Y

Marty: WallPer: Wallper is the live-wallpaper app trusted by Mac users worldwide. Native desktop and Lock Screen playback, automatic resource management, and a curated library - without daemons or workarounds. https://www.wallper.app/

Guy: Amazon Prime has 2 seasons of Batman: Caped Crusader. Animated series done by the great Bruce Timm from the Animated series. https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Caped-Crusader-Season-1/dp/B0CYFCLQ6B

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios

Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677

Dave Ginsburg is joined by Marty Jencius and Jill McKinley to discuss a study showing Apple Vision Pro helping surgeons complete procedures faster, the latest iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and AirPods beta updates, and an important Mac screen-sharing security fix. They also cover MacBook Air shortages, the coming end of Rosetta 2, an iCloud Private Relay IP leak, CarPlay on pontoon boats, September iPhone rumors, higher Apple Trade In values, Ted Lasso's return, Madden NFL 27 on Apple Arcade, and more.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

X

Instagram

Threads

Summary

In this episode of In Touch With iOS, Dave Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, and Jill McKinley explore how Apple technology continues to expand into unexpected places. A peer-reviewed UC San Diego study found surgeons using Apple Vision Pro as their primary display during tear duct procedures completed operations about 19% faster than those using a traditional monitor, while maintaining successful outcomes. The panel also shares a fun Vision Pro encounter at Chicago O'Hare and considers how Apple's spatial computing platform is finding practical uses beyond entertainment.

The discussion moves to Apple's latest software developments, including beta updates for AirPods, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. New AirPods features include an updated interface, adaptive mode controls, custom EQ support, and translation capabilities, while iPadOS and iOS bring interface refinements, greater customization, and new Apple Intelligence photo tools.

On the Mac, the panel highlights an important security update addressing a screen-sharing vulnerability, reports of significant MacBook Air supply constraints, and Apple's approaching sunset of Rosetta 2 support after macOS 27. They also examine reports that iCloud Private Relay can expose a user's real IP address under certain passkey-related circumstances.

Other topics include CarPlay expanding to select pontoon boats, preparations and rumors surrounding Apple's September iPhone event, increased Apple Trade In values, the return of Ted Lasso, Madden NFL 27 joining Apple Arcade, new Apple Card travel benefits, the possibility of a free ad-supported Disney+ tier, and Leagues Cup 2026 coverage on Apple TV.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple Vision Pro Speeds Up Surgery by Almost 20%

Cool VisionPro interaction with an old lady

Beta this week. iOS 27.0 Beta 4 continues 17 days since release

Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Set a Custom EQ for Your AirPods in iOS 27

iPadOS 27 adds two new iPad features I've been loving

iOS 27 adds four new ok ways to customize your iPhone's Lock Screen

iOS 27's best new Messages feature is all about saving you time

all-new video from Cupertino to dive deeper into the biggest updates from WWDC26.

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 With Security Fixes

Apple releases security updates to macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma

Apple's latest macOS updates address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability

MacBook Air Experiencing 'Major' Shortage Despite $200 Price Increase

Preparing for next year's Rosetta 2 demise

Other Topics

Apple's iCloud Private Relay is Leaking Users' Real IP Addresses

CarPlay is Coming to Pontoon Boats

Apple Starts Preparing for September iPhone Event

Apple Raises Trade-In Values for iPhone, Mac, and More

News

Ted Lasso Season 4 Now Streaming on Apple TV

Review: "Ted Lasso" returns, refreshed, to the pitch

Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition Now Available on Apple Arcade

Apple Card Now Fast-Tracks Booking.com Perks With Just One Trip

Disney+ Could Get a Free Ad-Supported Tier

Leagues Cup 2026 Kicking Off on Apple TV

This weeks "Things we found"

Dave- QNAP TR-004 4 Bay USB Type-C Direct Attached Storage https://a.co/d/0hGa513m

Dave Bonus Pick Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag https://www.tombihn.com/collections/all-tom-bihn-stuff/products/medium-cafe-bag

Jill - Cricut 4 Maker Cricut 4 Maker - Sticker Kit

Marty - LiquidWorkSpace - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/liquidworkspace/id6775087546

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios

Our Co-Hosts

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Art

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave Ginsburg he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Apple reports another outstanding quarter as the panel discusses record revenue, Tim Cook's final earnings call, and what it means for Apple's future. The conversation also covers iOS 27's newest features, important security updates across Apple's platforms, Apple's new Klarna-powered leasing program replacing the iPhone Upgrade Program, AppleCare changes, Ted Lasso's return, Gemini on the Mac, and a collection of favorite Apple apps, accessories, and productivity tools.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

YouTube Channel

In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard

Facebook Page

BlueSky

Mastodon

X

Instagram

Threads

Summary

Apple delivered another blockbuster quarter, and this week the panel breaks down what the numbers really mean. Dave Ginsburg is joined by Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, Eric Bolden, and Guy Serle to discuss Apple's impressive Q3 earnings, including strong growth in iPhone, Mac, Services, and Wearables, along with Tim Cook's final earnings call before leadership transitions. The group examines what drove Apple's success, why Services continues to be such a major business, and how Apple's future product strategy could evolve.

The discussion then shifts to Apple's latest software releases, including visionOS 26.6, iOS 26.6, macOS 26.6, and the continuing iOS 27 developer beta cycle. The panel highlights important security updates, new Spotlight improvements, and several welcome quality-of-life features coming in iOS 27, including separate alarm and ringtone controls, smarter dictation behavior in Messages, enhanced FaceTime capabilities, improved Wi-Fi and cellular handoffs, and Apple Intelligence-powered call context.

One of the biggest conversations centers around Apple's brand-new U.S. leasing program with Klarna, replacing the longtime iPhone Upgrade Program. The panel explores how the new leasing model compares with traditional financing, discusses AppleCare implications, resale value, monthly payments, and whether Apple's hardware strategy is slowly becoming subscription-based.

The episode wraps up with AppleCare One updates, excitement over Ted Lasso's return, Google's Gemini improvements on macOS, Qualcomm's changing relationship with Apple, Granola's Apple Watch support, and another great collection of favorite apps, accessories, productivity tools, and Apple gear from the panel.

Topics and Links

Apple Q3 Results Announced

Apple announces record Q3 results

One last time, this is Tim: Final transcript of Apple's Q3 2026 earnings call

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple Releases visionOS 26.6

Beta this week. iOS 27 Beta 4 all the betas continues

Apple Releases iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 With iOS 27 Optimizations

watchOS 26.6 available now for Apple Watch, here's what's new

Apple Releases tvOS 26.6

iOS 27 Finally Unlinks Alarm Volume From Your iPhone Ringer

iOS 27 Lets You Hide the Messages Button Everyone Hits by Mistake

iOS 27: All the New Phone and FaceTime Features

In Touch With Mac this week

Update Now: iOS 26.6 and macOS Tahoe 26.6 Patch Hundreds of Security Flaws

Other Topics

iPhone Upgrade Program Changes

Apple Upgrade - Lease iPhone, Mac, iPad, Watch

Apple Upgrade launches in the United States

iPhone Upgrade Program - Apple

Apple Upgrade: 20 Things to Know Before Leasing an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

'Apple Upgrade' Pricing: You Can Lease an iPhone Starting at $18/Month

Apple Upgrade: 20 Things to Know Before Leasing an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Apple's New Upgrade Program: Is It Worth It?

'Apple Upgrade' Pricing: You Can Lease an iPhone Starting at $18/Month

All the Changes to AppleCare+ This Month

AppleCare calculator

News

Apple Shares 'Ted Lasso' Season 4 Trailer Premieres 8/5

Gemini for Mac Adds System-Wide Voice Dictation and Screen-Aware Commands

Qualcomm Expects Apple Modem Revenue to Drop Faster Than Expected

'Granola' Launches on Apple Watch

This weeks "Things we found" Marty - Droppy: Notch manager with all sorts of functionally built in https://getdroppy.ap

Dave: Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag

Carrd - 3 very simple websites for $9, 10 bit more complex website $19 a year https://carrd.com - Jill

Eric - airstream software serve movies to Vision Pro and translate 3D movies https://spatial.film/airstream/ (requires free membership to download)

Jeff - Prompt 3 https://panic.com/prompt/

Chuck - Govee Floor Lamp 3 with Luminblend+ Technology, 1000K-10000K Standing Lamp https://amzn.to/4wzXVhj

Guy Acorn 8 - https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/

Announcements

Macstock X wrapped up for 2026 what a great event! Stay tuned for the Digital pass coming soon Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios

Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on his blog Jeff Gamet - Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[email protected] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Buy his art! Jeff Gamet Artapoc

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [email protected] https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT. A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on ai, nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts. Her content on YouTube at @smallstepswithai and follow her on X @NorthwoodsJill. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [email protected] @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677