AppleInsider Podcast

Tim Cook has made us want to skip the weekend and get straight to the new launches Apple has for us starting on Monday. That might include a low-cost MacBook, but then further ahead there's a hint of a touch-screen MacBook Pro later this year, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.
Contact your hosts:
@williamgallagher_ on Threads
@WGallagher on Twitter
William's 58keys on YouTube
William Gallagher on email
@hillithreads on Threads
@Hillitech on Twitter
Wes on Bluesky
Wes Hilliard on email
Sponsored by:
Squarespace: Go to squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER to save 10% off your first website or domain purchase with code APPLEINSIDER
NordStellar: get 10% off at nordstellar.com/appleinsider by using the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
Links from the Show:
How Apple will target consumers with budget MacBook, again
Inexpensive MacBook is the perfect way to get users deeper into the Apple ecosystem
Compromises for affordability ahead: Code leak spills details on new MacBook
Rising memory & battery costs complicate Apple's lower-cost MacBook
Touch-screen OLED MacBook Pro to get small Dynamic Island
Experience F1 tracks with 3D art in Apple Maps ahead of each race
Why Gen Z and young adults are embracing iPods again
Nerds are fighting to bring back gadgets even as iPhone wants them dead
If iPhone Fold is truly coming in 2026, expect big leaks very soon
Right on schedule, test production of iPhone 18 Pro fires up
iPhone Fold hinge crease will be about 1/4 the depth of the Galaxy Fold 7
Expect at least five announcements during Apple's March launch week
Apple has its problems, but still the only real choice for privacy
A leaked internal email shows Ring's plan targets more than pets
A FaceBook smart watch is okay, if you don't value privacy
This Meta smartglasses-detecting app is a great model for Apple Glass developers to follow
Support the show:
Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts
More AppleInsider podcasts
Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

(00:00) - Intro

(01:18) - March launches

(36:13) - Low-cost MacBook

(40:37) - Touch-screen MacBook Pro

(52:47) - Privacy

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It's been a week of finding out just how much there is in the new iOS 26.4 beta, for learning about Apple's video podcast plans, and also for so many rumors of a new low-cost MacBook coming at a March unveiling, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.
Contact your hosts:
@williamgallagher_ on Threads
@WGallagher on Twitter
William's 58keys on YouTube
William Gallagher on email
Wes on Bluesky
Wes Hilliard on email
Wes's blog Hillitech
Sponsored by:
Tempo: Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted meals at tempomeals.com/appleinsider
NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
Claude by Anthropic: Check out Claude and Claude Pro at Claude.ai/appleinsider
Links from the Show:
Apple is having an event on March 4, maybe for iPhone 17e & M5 MacBook Pro
March madness: What Apple is getting ready to launch
March 4 international Apple Experiences may follow week of online launches
Out of the park: The March 4 event may not be all that special
Siri pendant & AirPods with cameras getting renewed focus
Apple eyes 2027 for AI smart glasses built around context, not screens
Colorful MacBook & iPhone 17e launching as soon as March
Apple's Playgrounds approach to AI is a sign of its larger strategy
Apple Music Playlist Playground among first new AI features in iOS 26.4
Apple's upgraded Siri is late but not lost — the real story is timing
iOS 26.4 has iPhone Stolen Device Protection on by default
Siri & Apple Intelligence upgrades still coming in 2026 in spite of rumors
Video won't kill the Apple Podcasts star, but will make them more engaging
A code snippet in iOS 26.4 shows Apple TV is coming to CarPlay
AI agents are coming to CarPlay, but they're not getting the keys
Support the show:
Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts
More AppleInsider podcasts
Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

(00:00) - Intro

(02:12) - March 4 experience

(10:42) - MacBook

(20:49) - AI smart glasses

(36:26) - Siri Pendant

(43:30) - iOS 26.4

(56:42) - Video podcasts

(59:40) - CarPlay video

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

News that the improved Siri is delayed don't fully ring true, but tales of Apple Health+ being at least trimmed down do. Plus Apple Creator Studio continues to have surprises for subscribers, all on the AppleInsider+ podcast.
Contact your hosts:
@williamgallagher_ on Threads
@WGallagher on Twitter
William's 58keys on YouTube
William Gallagher on email
Wes on Bluesky
Wes Hilliard on email
Wes's blog Hillitech
Sponsored by:
CleanMyMac by MacPaw: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use  code APPLEINSIDER20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/APPLEINSIDER
Squarespace: Get a free trial at squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER and then 10% off your first website or domain purchase with code APPLEINSIDER
MasterClass: Get 15% off annual memberships at MasterClass.com
NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
Links from the Show:
Siri testing isn't going well, new features probably won't ship in iOS 26.4
Apple Health+ scaled back internally, new focus on incremental improvement
Apple Creator Studio users are hitting generative AI usage limits far too soon
600 Japanese companies want a free ride in Apple's ecosystem
UK gets Apple and Google to agree to easy App Store changes
One song can ruin your entire Apple Music algorithm & there needs to be a fix
How to get your 2026 Apple Music Replay playlist
Discord age verification not a requirement for every user, but still bad
Discord's upcoming safety update makes age verification hard to avoid
FTC uses selective Apple News study to ask Apple to stop promoting 'leftist outlets'
After angry staff complaints, Tim Cook says he will push lawmakers on immigration policy
2025 sales surge means one in four smartphones on Earth is an iPhone
Support the show:
Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts
More AppleInsider podcasts
Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

(00:00) - Intro

(01:59) - Siri delays

(17:35) - Apple Health+

(27:32) - Apple Creator Studio limits

(41:23) - App Store worldwide

(49:54) - Apple Music's algorithm

(01:01:39) - Controversy Corner

(01:11:26) - One in four smartphones

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How the Apple Vision Pro has and has not moved forward in two years, plus what's going on with Gemini and Siri, and what comes after the iPhone Fold, on the AppleInsider Podcast.
Contact your hosts:
@williamgallagher_ on Threads
@WGallagher on Twitter
William's 58keys on YouTube
William Gallagher on email
Wes on Bluesky
Wes Hilliard on email
Wes's blog Hillitech
Sponsored by:
MasterClass: Get 15% off annual memberships at MasterClass.com
NordStellar: Unlock your 10% discount at nordstellar.com/appleinsider with the coupon code nordappleinsider-10-NORDSTELLAR
Links from the Show:
The best gear and gadgets from CES Unveiled 2026
iPhone in space: NASA gives approval for personal iPhones to Artemis astronauts
How to watch Super Bowl LX on iPhone, Mac, and iPad
Bad Bunny wins Grammy album of the year ahead of Super Bowl halftime show
Tim Cook: Apple won't change privacy rules with Google Gemini partnership
Google & Apple CEOs offer seemingly contradictory statements regarding AI partnership
Two years after release, Apple still hasn't decided what to do with Apple Vision Pro
Clamshell iPhone could be Apple's second foldable
How terrible - the insanely wealthy are confounded by Call Screening
Apple TV Press Day event reveals star-studded lineup of new original content coming soon
Formula 1 CEO hints toward a possible 'F1' movie sequel on Apple TV
Boc ost your vibe coding with AI agents in Apple's new Xcode 26.3
New & native AI agent coding in Xcode 26.3 is pretty good
Support the show:
Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts
More AppleInsider podcasts
Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

(00:00) - Intro

(03:51) - Super Bowl

(10:14) - Apple TV slate for 2026

(26:48) - Apple Vision Pro anniversary

(32:55) - Folding iPhone Flip

(41:22) - Call Screening screens calls

(46:18) - Google and Apple

(58:44) - Xcode AI

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At last the Apple Creator Studio is here, and we're slowly learning what's actually new in it, what's different, and asking Apple about some launch oddities. Plus there are more iPhone 18 rumors, and more reasons to not give your health data to ChatGPT.
Contact your hosts:
@williamgallagher_ on Threads
@WGallagher on Twitter
William's 58keys on YouTube
William Gallagher on email
@hillithreads on Threads
@Hillitech on Twitter
Wes on Bluesky
Wes Hilliard on email
Sponsored by:
Copilot Money: Take control of your finances with the easy to use Copilot Money and a one month free trial at copilot.money/appleinsider
Squarespace: go to squarespace.com/APPLEINSIDER for a free trial and then 10% off your first purchase with coupon code APPLEINSIDER
Tempo: Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted meals at tempomeals.com/appleinsider
Links from the Show:
Apple AirTag 2 improve battery, tracking, and safety
AirTag 2 has a thinner motherboard, bigger speaker coil, and lots of glue
Apple Creator Studio review: Incredible value for most creative pros
Remember: Cancel Final Cut Pro iPad subscriptions when you set up Apple Creator Studio
John Ternus solidifies his role as Apple CEO-apparent amid design team shakeup
Apple Design Team gains Halide co-founder, but the pro camera app isn't going anywhere
iPhone 18 Pro Max smaller Dynamic Island dimensions detailed in new leak
If you give ChatGPT your health data, have your doctor on speed-dial
Moral low ground: App Store is rife with AI 'nudify' apps
Apple's unusual OS 27 code name shift could reflect AI strategy changes, or nothing at all
Tim Cook slammed for attending 'Melania' screening on night of Alex Pretti killing
Apple CEO Tim Cook 'heartbroken' after repeated ICE killings in Minneapolis
Apple C-series modem enables new privacy-focused limit precise location feature
Support the show:
Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts
More AppleInsider podcasts
Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: [email protected]

(00:00) - Intro

(02:32) - AirTags

(14:15) - Apple Creator Studio

(47:38) - Apple Design and Halide

(55:31) - iPhone 18

(01:02:16) - ChatGPT health warning

(01:03:49) - Controversy Corner

(01:11:18) - Modem privacy

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★