423 - Chrome Ate 4GB, Steve Jobs Sold Out & MacBook Neo Chaos

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week on In Touch With iOS, the panel dives into Apple’s 26.5 updates across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, Watch, TV, and HomePod, including major security fixes, encrypted RCS messaging, and enterprise Mac improvements. The crew also discusses a frustrating macOS USB bug, Bartender 6’s notch features, Chrome secretly downloading a 4GB AI file, and privacy-focused browser alternatives like Helium. Plus, MacBook Neo demand continues to surge, Intel may build future Apple chips, Apple’s Steve Jobs coin instantly sells out, and Ted Lasso’s Danny Rojas heads into professional soccer training.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In episode 423 of In Touch With iOS, Dave Ginsburg is joined by Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, Guy Serle, Marty Jencius, and Eric Bolden for a packed discussion covering Apple’s latest 26.5 software updates, MacBook Neo demand, Vision Pro developments, browser privacy concerns, and more.

The panel starts with Apple’s 26.5 updates across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. The group discusses bug fixes, security improvements, wallpaper updates, and Apple’s move to allow longer-term app subscriptions with monthly payment options. The conversation highlights Apple’s new end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging support and automatic pairing for Magic accessories on iPad after connecting via USB. The panel also emphasizes the importance of installing the updates because of the large number of security vulnerabilities Apple patched, including WebKit exploits and kernel-related issues.

Vision Pro discussion includes reactions to visionOS 26.5, subtle under-the-hood improvements, and excitement around a new spatial air hockey game coming soon to the platform. Marty, Eric, and Dave discuss arcade-style air hockey in immersive spatial computing complete with sound effects and airflow simulation.

On the Mac side, Jeff Gamet details a frustrating USB accessory issue introduced after updating to macOS 26.5. Wired accessories including keyboards, Stream Decks, cameras, and USB hubs stopped functioning until security settings were adjusted under Privacy & Security. The discussion expands into Apple’s enterprise-focused fixes, SMB networking bugs, black-screen startup issues, and unexpected restarts on newer Macs.

 

The panel also explores several Mac utilities and productivity tools. Jeff discusses Bartender 6 and Bartender Pro, including new notch-focused “Top Shelf” features that turn the MacBook notch into a Dynamic Island-style productivity area. The group also looks at NextPad++, an AI-assisted Mac port inspired by Notepad++, and debates whether AI-generated software development is moving too fast. BBEdit also gets praise as a long-standing favorite text editor for Mac users.

Browser privacy becomes another major topic after reports surfaced that Google Chrome quietly downloaded a hidden 4GB AI-related file to Macs. The panel discusses privacy concerns surrounding Chrome, Google’s tracking reputation, and alternatives including Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Helium, a Chromium-based browser Jeff recommends because of its strong privacy protections and plugin compatibility.

The conversation then shifts to Apple hardware news with improving MacBook Neo availability and Apple reportedly increasing A18 Pro chip orders to meet overwhelming demand. The panel debates Apple’s supply chain strategy and whether Apple underestimated how successful the $599 MacBook Neo would become.

Additional stories include a new joint satellite venture between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile aimed at improving iPhone connectivity in dead zones, Intel reportedly testing fabrication of future Apple chips, and reactions to the Steve Jobs commemorative U.S. dollar coin that sold out in minutes. The panel closes with a fun discussion about Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernández training with a professional soccer team after playing Danny Rojas on the hit Apple TV+ series.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week. 

Apple Releases visionOS 26.5

visionOS 26.5 bug fix update is here for Apple Vision Pro users

visionOS 26.5 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

Pre-Order Air Hockey: Spatial Arena for Vision Pro : r/VisionPro

Beta this week. iOS 26.5 was released to public this week

Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates

Apple releases iPadOS 26.5 with new wallpapers and Messages upgrades

Apple Releases watchOS 26.5 With New Pride Luminance Watch Face

Apple Releases tvOS 26.5

Apple Releases HomePod Software 26.5

Apple's iOS 26.5 Update Patches More Than 50 Security Flaws

iPhone-Android RCS Conversations Are End-to-End Encrypted in iOS 26.5

Ads Aren't in the Apple Maps App Yet, But They're Coming Soon

Apple rolls out iOS 16.7.16 and iOS 15.8.8 for older iPhones with important security fixes

iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9 now available for older iPhone and iPad

In Touch With Mac this week

macOS Tahoe 26.5 Now Available

macOS 15.7.7 and 14.8.7 released alongside Apple’s latest software updates

Jeff Gamet: How I Fixed macOS 26.5 Failing to Talk to My USB Devices

What's new for enterprise in macOS Tahoe 26,5

Notepad++ Mac Port Renamed Nextpad++ After Trademark Row

Bartender Pro Brings Widgets, Clipboard, and File Storage to the MacBook Notch

DockDoor

Stop Chrome Browser From Downloading a Hidden 4GB AI File

Jeff recommends Helium Browser

MacBook Neo Delivery Dates Improve Following New A18 Pro Chip Orders

Other Topics

Unexpected US carrier joint venture fires up to expand iPhone cell coverage

Steve Jobs U.S. Commemorative $1 Coin Goes on Sale

Report: Intel is Testing Production of Some iPhone, iPad, and Mac Chips - MacRumors

News

Ted Lasso actor who played Dani Rojas is now a professional soccer player

Announcements

Macstock X is here celebrating its 10th anniversary ! Dave, Chuck, Jeff, Marty, and Jill are all speaking this year!. 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 HERE and use our offer code INTOUCH to save $50

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 Panel

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 and his blogs are jeffgamet.com and freshbrewedtales.com

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 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 [email protected]  @MacParrot and @VertShark on X  Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code  703-828-4677