442 - AppleCare for the Whole Family and Big September Upgrades

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

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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.