Vision Pro Wins, Apple Betas, and Yes, the Polishing Cloth

Episode 399 of In Touch With iOS with host Dave Ginsburg, features a special guest appearance by Katie Fawkes, from Ecamm, alongside Jill McKinley, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Eric Bolden. The panel covers Ecamm live streaming workflows, Vision Pro app and game awards, immersive video experiences, iOS 26.2 betas, Shortcuts automation, Mac mini innovations, Apple accessories, iFixit’s new AI repair tool, and the latest Apple TV+ news—delivering a packed episode full of insight, humor, and Apple ecosystem expertise.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In Episode 399 of In Touch With iOS, host Dave Ginsburg is joined by a full panel—including special guest Katie Fawkes from Ecamm—for a wide-ranging discussion across Apple hardware, software, services, and the evolving creator ecosystem.

Katie shares her background at Ecamm and discusses how Mac-first live-streaming tools are empowering a new generation of creators. The panel explores Ecamm’s Zoom integration, creative workflows, and why the Mac mini has become a gateway device for many Windows users entering the Apple ecosystem.

The conversation moves into Vision Pro news, including visionOS 26.2 RC, Apple’s App of the Year winners, and immersive content highlights. The panel reacts to Explore POV winning Vision Pro App of the Year and dives into immersive skiing footage from Red Bull, praising Apple’s growing spatial video ambitions. Gaming gets its moment as Porta Newbie is named Vision Pro Game of the Year, with discussion around spatial controls and onboarding challenges.

On the software front, the group breaks down iOS 26.2 beta changes, Apple’s unusual second release candidate, and early impressions across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, and Vision Pro. Productivity apps, Shortcuts enhancements (25+ new actions), and real-world automation use cases spark a lively exchange—especially around using ChatGPT to build shortcuts.

Hardware topics include Mac mini rack mounting, Thunderbolt 5 clustering, and Apple accessories—yes, including the infamous Apple polishing cloth. The panel also discusses iFixit’s new FixBot AI repair assistant and the ongoing right-to-repair movement.

Wrapping up, the show dives into Apple TV+ momentum, Golden Globe nominations, and upcoming releases like Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Severance, Slow Horses, Pluribus, and F1. The episode closes with thoughts on Google and Apple collaborating on easier Android-to-iPhone switching, MKBHD’s Phone of the Year picks, and why Apple’s ecosystem continues to evolve in surprising ways.

Topics and Links

We welcome first time guest Katie to the show. We find out what Apple devices she uses and about Ecamm Live which our show uses and other projects. The VHS Club

In Touch With Vision Pro this week. 

Vision Pro 2025 Apps of the Year

Explore POV App

Porta Nuba
Porta Nubi: Immersive Puzzles App

‎World of Red Bull - Apple TV 

Legs of Steel Crew video on the shoot - Facebook

Beta this week. 

iOS 26 RC2 was released

Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

iOS 26.2 gets new RC for iPhone ahead of launch - 9to5Mac

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Apple unveils the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards

Jeff asked Katie what productivity apps she uses

In Touch With Mac this week

macOS Beta 26.2 RC 2 was released. 

Hands-on: Sonnet RackMac mini - up to three Mac minis in a single enclosure [Video] - 9to5Mac

Cool things to keep things clean. 

Apple Polishing Cloth

WHOOSH! Pro 16.9 fl oz Refillable Screen Cleaner & Microfiber Cloth

Other Topics

Google and Apple partner on better Android-iPhone switching

iPhone 17 is MKBHD's phone of the year

iOS 26’s Shortcuts app adds 25+ new actions, here’s everything new - 9to5Mac

What’s new in Shortcuts for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 - Apple Support

JustWatch: These were Apple TV's top global movies and shows in November

iPhone 17 Pro lost key Camera app feature that iPhone 16 Pro had

News

iFixit launches FixBot AI repair helper, with free and paid versions - 9to5Mac

Apple TV reveals first look at “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” from David E. Kelley

Apple’s “F1,” “Severance,” “Pluribus,” “Slow Horses,” “The Studio” score Golden Globe nods - Apple TV Press

Apple scores top nominations for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards

Announcements

Macstock 9 has wrapped for 2025. Attendees will receive a link for the session recordings when  they’re ready in 30-45 days. If you missed Macstock we missed you! Why not purchase a digital pass to relive all the amazing presentations? Click the link below to purchase the digital pass. Macstock X has already been announced July 10,11,12, 2026 hopeful you all can join us. 

Macstock IX Digital Pass

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 @intouchwithio

 

Our Guest

Katie Fawkes is the Director of Marketing at Ecamm, a leading live streaming and video production software for Mac users. With a background in content strategy, podcasting, and community building, Katie is passionate about helping creators confidently show up on camera and grow their brands through video. She's the co-host of The Flow and The VHS Club video podcasts, hosts multiple live video series, and speaks regularly at industry events on topics like one-take video, camera confidence, and creator marketing.

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 Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[e-mail] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast  Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

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 [e-mail]  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 [e-mail], on Mastodon at @[e-mail], 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 nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts—Buzz Blossom & Squeak, Start with Small Steps, and The Bible in Small Steps. Watch her content on YouTube at @startwithsmallsteps and follow her on X @schmern. 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.