417 - Special: David Pogue on Apple’s First 50 Years: Vision Pro, iPhone Neo, & More

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 InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

This special edition of In Touch With iOS features an in-depth conversation with renowned tech journalist and author David Pogue, centered around his book Apple: The First 50 Years. Alongside co-hosts Jeff Gamet and Marty Jencius, the discussion dives deep into Apple’s evolution—from its early innovations and turbulent “dark years” to its modern dominance across the tech landscape.

David shares insights into the inspiration behind the book, including rare access to Apple engineers and archives, and explains his product-focused storytelling approach that sets this work apart from traditional business histories.

The conversation explores Apple’s most pivotal moments, including the impact of the PowerBook, the return of Steve Jobs, and how Apple’s loyal user community helped shape its identity. The panel also discusses modern Apple products like the Vision Pro, examining its role as both an experimental platform and a glimpse into the future of spatial computing.

The panel, joined by David Pogue, highlighted the MacBook Neo as a major shift in Apple’s strategy. In his recent article, Pogue describes it as a “gateway Mac,” designed to bring new users into the Apple ecosystem.

With a price around $500–$600, the Neo breaks from Apple’s premium tradition, making the Mac more accessible to students, first-time users, and even enterprise environments. Despite the lower cost, it delivers strong performance thanks to Apple Silicon, handling everyday tasks and even demanding workflows like video editing.

The discussion emphasized how Apple is leveraging its services ecosystem to support this model, using the Neo to drive long-term growth rather than just hardware profit. It may also change buying habits, with users opting for a desktop Mac plus a Neo instead of a single high-end laptop. Here is David Pogue’s article on Macbook Neo: MacBook Neo: 90% of the Laptop, 54% of the Price

Shifting to today’s ecosystem, the group analyzes the evolution of the iPhone, the changing role of the iPad, and how Apple’s innovation strategy has moved from groundbreaking hardware to services and software integration.

The episode wraps with reflections on Apple’s enduring impact, the strength of its community, and excitement around upcoming events like Macstock—making this a must-listen for any Apple enthusiast.

Announcements

We’re thrilled to share that David Pogue is joining the Macstock conference—and not just for a session, but for a very special Friday night event David Pogue is going to join us Friday night at Macstock for “An Evening with David Pogue”, a lively show taking us through the first 50 years of Apple with original music, including his new song parody, "Clap Along", some video, and a little Q&A! (on the live stream David referred to it as Apple the Musical 

Macstock X is here celebrating its 10th anniversary \With Three Full Days of expert-led Presentations and Workshops, Macstock’s sessions are crammed full of productivity-enhancing content. NEW this year is a partnership with sponsor Ecamm. Ecamm Creator Camp: Mac Edition on July 9, 2026 there are only 100 tickets available for the bundle. There are 2 passes available: Macstock weekend pass July 10,11,12, 2026 or the Macstock Ecamm Bundle starting July 9 (only 100 tickets available)  Come join us. Register HEREOur Host

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 Special Guest

David Pogue is a bestselling author, Emmy-winning technology correspondent, and longtime consumer tech expert. He gained prominence as a columnist for The New York Times, where he wrote the popular “State of the Art” column, and later became a correspondent for CBS News. Pogue has authored or co-authored dozens of books, including the well-known “Missing Manual” series, and is recognized for making complex technology accessible, practical, and often humorous for everyday users. Find hin at https://davidpogue.com

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  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

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 many others. Check his website at https://thepodtalk.net Social Media:  [email protected]