420 - MacBook Neo Is Hot, Apple AI Grows, and is Vision Pro doomed or Not
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Vision Pro sparks debate with real-world medical breakthroughs and Hollywood use cases while critics call it “doomed.” Meanwhile, MacBook Neo demand surges, Apple expands AI and iCloud features, and MacStock 2026 heats up with major announcements. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really appreciate it! Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member Summary In Episode 420, Dave...
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419 - Tim Cook Steps Back: A New Era Begins at Apple With John Tennus
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle, Ben Roethig. Apple enters a new era as Tim Cook transitions to Executive Chairman and John Ternus steps in as CEO. The panel breaks down what this means for Apple’s future, alongside iOS 26.5 beta updates, Vision Pro developments, AI expansion, CarPlay upgrades, and a major phishing scam targeting Apple users. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really appreciate it! Another way to support the show is to...
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418 - Apple’s Neo Boom, Vision Pro Updates & Router Ban Confusion
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius. Apple Vision Pro updates continue with visionOS 26.5, enterprise support expands, and a $30K immersive camera sparks debate. We break down MacBook Neo demand surges, Microsoft price hikes, Google’s Gemini Mac app, router ban confusion, and more. Plus Macstock updates and a standout new app. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really appreciate it! Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member ...
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417 - Special: David Pogue on Apple’s First 50 Years: Vision Pro, iPhone Neo, & More
In Touch with iOS
In this special episode 417 of In Touch With iOS, host Dave Ginsburg sits down with tech journalist and author David Pogue to discuss his book Apple: The First 50 Years. Joined by Jeff Gamet and Marty Jencius, the panel explores Apple’s history, iconic products, Vision Pro, and the future of the iPhone and iPad in an engaging deep-dive conversation. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really appreciate it! Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member Summary This...
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416 - Vision Pro Gaming, MacBook Neo Delays & Insta360 Snap Review
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius. Episode 416 covers the Vision Pro launch and training debate, Steam Link gaming on Vision Pro, iOS and macOS updates, the runaway success of the MacBook Neo, the Insta360 Snap accessory, Mint Mobile’s $45 bundle, AI-powered security from Anthropic, and Overcast’s new transcripts feature. Plus, Macstock preview and a fun discussion about tech, AI, and the Apple ecosystem. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really...
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415 - From Apple II to Vision Pro – Apple at 50
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week on In Touch With iOS, the panel dives into visionOS 26.5 beta and new immersive Vision Pro experiences including concerts and NASA content. We discuss a rare iOS security update for older devices, iOS 26.5 beta features like Maps suggestions and RCS encryption, and macOS Tahoe beta updates. The show celebrates Apple’s 50th anniversary with Apple history and memories, plus updates to the Apple Sports app, AirTag firmware, Gmail changes, and...
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414 - Apple’s Massive Update Week: iOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe & More
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius. Dave and the panel dive into Apple’s massive round of OS updates including iOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and HomePod updates. The team discusses Apple Music’s new AI Playlist Playground, major security fixes you should install immediately, and Apple Podcasts adding video podcasting support. Plus, Apple kills the Mac Pro, celebrates 25 years of Mac OS, introduces a new Apple Business platform, and the panel reacts to Netflix price hikes and the...
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413 - Apple Watch Wins & MacBook Neo Begins
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Apple scores a major legal win for the Apple Watch, Vision Pro gets a gaming boost with NVIDIA, and the MacBook Neo continues to impress the panel. Plus, iOS 26.4 improves Family Sharing, AirPods Max 2 arrives, and Final Cut Pro gets a major upgrade with Apple’s Motion VFX acquisition. The show notes are at Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! we would really appreciate it! Another way to support the show is to...
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412 - Marty and Eric MacBook Neo First Impressions and Dave’s iPhone 17e Impression
In Touch with iOS
The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle.This week the panel focuses on two major hands-on topics. Marty Jencius and Eric Bolden share their first impressions of Apple’s new MacBook Neo, including real-world testing, performance surprises, and how it could disrupt the entry-level laptop market. Dave also gives his hands-on impressions of the new iPhone 17e, discussing MagSafe’s return, display improvements, and why it could be a strong entry-level iPhone. The group also touches on the latest...
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411 - Mike Potter vs The Macbook Neo
In Touch with iOS
Dave Ginsburg is joined by Mike Potter, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, and Eric Bolden to break down a big week of Apple news. The panel discusses visionOS 26.4 beta updates, iOS 26.4 beta, the new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with M5 chips. The biggest debate centers around Apple’s brand-new MacBook Neo, a $599 MacBook designed to compete with Chromebooks in education. Is it a smart gateway device for new users or an underpowered compromise? The panel shares strong opinions while also discussing Apple’s strategy for expanding the...
info_outlineThe latest In Touch With iOS Dave is joined by Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, Jill McKinley, and Eric Bolden to break down the biggest Apple and tech stories of the week. The panel dives into Chuck’s firsthand CES 2026 experiences, Apple’s surprise Creative Studio subscription bundle, upcoming iOS 26 updates, Apple Podcasts’ record year, shifting trade-in values, Google Gemini’s expanding role in Apple Intelligence, and the return of Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com
Links to our Show
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In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard
Summary
In Episode 404 of In Touch With iOS, the panel kicks things off with an in-depth discussion of CES 2026, where Chuck Joiner shares firsthand impressions from CES Unveiled, Pepcom, and ShowStoppers. Highlights include solar-powered tech, innovative dash cams, creative accessories, audio gear, docks, and a surprisingly thoughtful retro-inspired digital camera.
The conversation then turns to Apple software updates, including the imminent release of iOS 26.2.1 and beta testing of iOS 26.3 across Apple platforms. A major highlight is Apple’s progress toward end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, reinforcing Apple’s ongoing privacy stance.
Apple’s surprise announcement of the Creative Studio Bundle sparks lively debate. The new subscription includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage across Mac and iPad. The panel discusses subscription fatigue, student pricing, competition with Adobe Creative Cloud, and what this means for professionals and educators.
The episode also covers Apple Podcasts’ strongest year ever, despite increased competition from Spotify and YouTube. While Apple may hold a smaller share of a growing podcast market, engagement and subscriptions continue to climb.
Other topics include updated Apple trade-in values, new firmware releases for AirPods Pro and MagSafe batteries, Shazam’s 2026 Fast Forward artist list, and Apple Services’ continued growth across Music, TV+, Arcade, and digital ID adoption.
The show wraps with excitement around the return of Apple TV+’s sci-fi hit: The panel previews Monarch: Legacy of Monsters – Season 2, praising its character-driven storytelling and expanding MonsterVerse mythology.
Topics and Links
CES 2026
Chuck Joiner returned from CES last week to give us some insight on the show and a few cool things.
Beta this week.
iOS 26.2.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones
Apple releases iPadOS 26.3 beta 2 for iPad
Apple releases second iOS 26.3 beta for iPhone
Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers
iOS 26.3 beta 2 hints at upcoming end-to-end encryption for RCS messages
Apple Releases Second watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3 and visionOS 26.3 Betas
In Touch With Mac this week
macOS Tahoe 26.3 beta 2 now available, here’s what to expect
Second macOS Tahoe 26.3 Beta Now Available for Developers
Will Apple Announce New MacBook Pros This January?
Apple may have hinted at a high-end MacBook Pro launch on January 28
PSA: Google Chrome 151 to drop support for macOS 12 Monterey
Other Topics
Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year
Pixelmator Pro is Coming to iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More
Apple Says 'Pixelmator' App on iOS Will No Longer Receive Updates
Some Apple Apps Will No Longer Receive Every New Feature Without a Subscription
iOS 26 Shows Unusually Slow Adoption Months After Release
Google Gemini Partnership With Apple Will Go Beyond Siri Revamp
Apple Confirms Google Gemini Will Power Next-Generation Siri This Year
Google Gemini-Powered Siri Will Reportedly Have These 7 New Features
News
Apple Releases New Firmware Update for iPhone Air MagSafe Battery
Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update
Shazam's Fast Forward Playlist Reveals Music Artists Set to Rise in 2026
Setapp Mobile 3rd-party app store for iPhone fails due to ‘still-evolving and complex terms’
2025 marked a record-breaking year for Apple services
Apple Podcasts is officially more popular than it’s ever been
Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More - MacRumor
Apple TV unveils return of major sci-fi series coming next month
Shout out to NMUG and MacInTech Chita mentioned Drive Buddy DriveBuddy
Announcements
FIX THIS Macstock 9 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.
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 Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @jgamet@pixelfed.social 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 jencius@mastodon.social 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 eabolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, 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.
Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email GMenshow@icloud.com @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677