MacBreak Weekly #1003: The Intersection of Greed and Delusion

December 17, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Co-hosts: Andy Ihnatko, Jason Snell (Alex Lindsay off this week)

Episode Overview

On this chilly December episode, Leo, Andy, and Jason dig into the latest updates across Apple’s software platforms, analyze Apple’s recent defeats in both U.S. and Japanese courts, and issue passionate warnings about the dangers of digital lock-in—especially after a high-profile Apple account lockout. They also share their take on the ongoing CarPlay controversy, highlight continued government pressures on Apple, and reflect on privacy, backup strategies, and Apple’s corporate real estate buying spree. Sprinkled throughout are warm holiday asides and relatable anecdotes.

Key Discussion Topics & Insights

1. OS Update Round-Up: iOS/iPadOS/macOS 26.2 & Betas for 26.3

• iPad Multitasking Tweaks (03:05–10:42)

  • Latest 26.2 release brings back the popular Slide Over and refines Split View for iPad multitasking, responding to significant user feedback.
  • Jason: “I was already super impressed with multitasking on 26 for iPad and the fact that they have done more...now it feels much more complete.” (06:34)
  • Andy: “Apple's listening to feedback...people, the people who do use [Slide Over], are just such big fans that they don't want to be without it.” (06:53)
  • Some clumsiness remains in the interplay of new and legacy multitasking paradigms.
  • Ability to make multitasking a mode reduces accidental usage.

• iPhone/Mac M5 AI Claims Finally Deliver (10:42–12:39)

  • M5 chips finally see real-world speed improvements for on-device AI and ML tasks, thanks to updated MLX acceleration.
  • Jason: “We can now...verify that speed claim because they made a speed claim where basically nothing could take advantage...we can now. Legitimately way faster for GPU tasks.” (12:23)

• Security Patches & Zero-Day Fixes (16:23–19:32)

  • 26.2 includes urgent fixes for active WebKit exploits and other zero-days.
  • Apple credited multiple outside researchers and “white hat” hackers: “Giving them credit is good. Giving them money is also good.” —Jason (17:50)
  • “If you are running 26 now, you probably should just go to 26.2, because there are some serious security [issues].” —Jason (16:58)
  • Importance of compensating security researchers to disincentivize selling exploits to malicious actors.

• EU Compliance & New Features in 26.3 Beta (24:31–28:42)

  • Coming soon: Notification forwarding to third-party wearables, record Bluetooth flexibility, and easier migration between iOS and Android (data export/import).
  • These are seen as pro-consumer, driven by global regulatory pressure.

2. Apple’s Legal, Regulatory, and Global Pressure

• Epic v. Apple: App Store Payment Antitrust (33:15–43:47)

  • Apple’s appeal rejected; its attempt to reduce App Store commission from 30% to 27% deemed noncompliant and in “bad faith.”
  • Court allows Apple to charge some commission, but not an excessive or obstructive amount. Both sides spin the result as a win.
  • Jason: “No one's going to defend Apple taking 30%...I wonder...how snotty does Apple get responding to this?” (35:38)
  • Andy: "Apple can punish people for not using the App Store..." (37:25)
  • Debate over Apple’s "retaliatory" power and what constitutes fair compensation—Epic wants the technical gatekeeping costs covered, but not more.

• Japan Opens to Third-Party App Stores (44:44–46:55)

  • Podcast notes the “domino effect” as Japan mandates Apple (and Android) to allow alternative app marketplaces on devices.

• UK’s Proposed Device Nudity Block (74:18–79:44)

  • The UK government hints at requiring OS-level explicit image filters, enforced via age verification and biometric checks.
  • Strong panel skepticism: “This is super nanny state... Should the conditions of me using my phone be providing a passport?” —Jason (76:09)
  • Extensive concerns around privacy, feasibility, and government overreach.

3. Apple Ecosystem Lock-in and Account Risks

• The Big Lockout: A Developer’s Cautionary Tale (80:18–98:05)

  • Story of Paris Butfield Addison—prominent Australian Apple developer—summarily locked out of his Apple ID after buying a retailer gift card that couldn't be redeemed.
  • Result: Total loss of access to devices, purchases, photos, and apps with little to no explanation or recourse.
  • Jason: “There has to be a process, and it has to have some level of transparency. The scary thing here...is if you’re not a high-profile person...this could happen to you too. And there’s no recourse.” (84:55)
  • Caution that this could happen with any major tech platform (Google, Amazon, Microsoft).
  • Strong recommendations:
    • Back up photos and critical data outside of Apple/iCloud, make local copies of anything irreplaceable (esp. photos).
    • Use open source tools (iCloud Photos Downloader), and periodically test the viability of your backups.
    • Understand that purchases are licenses and can be revoked.

• On Being a Digital Prepper

  • Leo: “I went out after reading Paris’s story and bought a ThinkPad...I wish I could buy a phone that wasn't owned by big tech...I moved all of my books off of Audible. I moved all of my music off of Apple. This is a cautionary tale.” (86:52)
  • Jason & Andy stress the need for redundancy: “It’s not a backup if...it’s in one place on a cloud.” (99:27)

4. Miscellaneous Apple News

• Apple’s Cupertino Land Grab (69:17–74:18)

  • Apple purchased more office buildings in Cupertino, now spending over $1B on local real estate, furthering “company town” status.

• Apple TV+ Breakout: "Carol" and Streaming Success (57:04–62:19)

  • Apple’s series "Hello Carol" is claimed to be their most-watched to date, indicating Apple TV+ is building an audience and reputation for high-quality, "HBO-level" originals.

• CarPlay & Auto Manufacturer Stubbornness (62:19–68:18)

  • General Motors and Rivian persist in excluding CarPlay and Android Auto, offering instead native music apps.
  • Panel dismisses automakers’ justifications as “delusional” and “high on their own supply,” suggesting desire to collect more user data.
  • “Once you get CarPlay…It’s possible to do this intelligently, and it’s very disappointing.” —Leo (68:20)

• Rumors: Next iPhone as Folding Phone? (108:29–115:54)

  • Rumblings from supply chain indicate Apple is close to unveiling a premium, all-glass, possibly folding iPhone. Expected to feature a fingerprint sensor, not Face ID.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple UI/UX Iteration:
  “Eventually they realized that, okay, this was as a hypothetical design task inside our labs [about iOS 7], but now people actually have to use it...and they’re not liking it.” —Andy (15:34)
• On Security Bug Bounties:
  “Giving them credit is good. Giving them money is also good.” —Jason (17:50)
• On App Store Litigation:
  “What Tim Sweeney wants to do is have his own Epic web store, in which he will be the middleman. Make money off of ... he wants to make the money instead of Apple.” —Leo (34:18)
• On Device Lockout Horror:
  “This is a death sentence for your devices.” —Jason (83:19)
  “It's a convenience feature, not a backup.” —Andy (99:27)
• On Digital Self-Reliance:
  “Linux is pretty dang good. ... It's a legitimate alternative. It runs like stink on a $35 ThinkPad.” —Andy (103:28)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• iOS/iPadOS 26.2 & Multitasking Talk: 03:05–13:33
• Security Updates & Bounties: 16:23–19:39
• App Store Antitrust & Epic Lawsuit: 33:15–43:47
• Regulation: Japan & UK News: 44:44–46:55, 74:18–79:44
• Apple Account Lockout Saga: 80:18–98:05
• Backup/Prepper Advice: 98:05–101:53
• CarPlay & Auto Industry Rants: 62:19–68:18
• Apple Real Estate Buys: 69:17–74:18
• Future iPhone (Rumors): 108:29–115:54
• Show Picks: 123:23–129:09

Picks of the Week

• Jason:
  • Fosi/Fosse BT20A Bluetooth Amplifier
    • Small, effective for retrofitting classic speaker setups for Bluetooth (123:23)
• Andy:
  • “Will Return” Sign Screensaver
    • Fun, nostalgic screensaver customizable for away-times (127:41)
• Leo:
  • iCloud Photos Downloader (CLI)
    • Open-source tool to regularly, automatically back up iCloud photos to your own hardware (100:19)

Tone, Vibes, & Personal Asides

• The episode blends irreverence (“intersection of greed and delusion”), technical clarity, and an undercurrent of real-world anxieties about digital lock-in.
• Chill, holiday spirit throughout; friendly banter about California vs. Boston “cold,” holiday traditions, and favorite TV specials (116:09+).
• Hosts frequently turn their personal experiences into teachable moments for listeners—from privacy prep to car-buying choices.

Actionable Advice

• Update your devices to iOS/iPadOS/macOS 26.2 ASAP for security.
• Back up your critical data locally—esp. iCloud Photos!
• Be aware that even high-profile customers can get locked out of their Apple ID with little recourse.
• If you care about CarPlay/Android Auto, check before buying a car.
• Regulatory changes are making cross-ecosystem and cross-device use a little bit better, slowly but surely.
• If you rely on purchased digital content, be sure you aren’t locked out of physical backups or alternative access.

Closing Message

With the rapidly shifting landscape of device ecosystems, security, and privacy, it’s a prime time to review your digital independence and backups. As Apple responds to legal and consumer pressures, keep your critical stuff safe, stay up to date, and don’t be afraid to explore open alternatives.

"It's not a backup if the only copy is on a cloud." — Andy Ihnatko (99:27)