MacBreak Weekly 1006: "Unemployable"

Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Leo Laporte
Panel: Shelly Brisbane (Texas Standard Radio), Andy Ihnatko, Jason Snell (SixColors.com)

Episode Overview

Main Theme

This episode kicks off 2026 with a lively, in-depth look at Apple’s trajectory for the year: the panel debates the state of Apple’s AI efforts, major hardware rumors (from folding iPhones to ultra-cheap MacBooks), reflects on Apple design culture and leadership changes, and delves into accessibility, product strategy, and user experience. Topped with tech nostalgia and laughs, it’s a blend of insider critique and future-gazing for all Apple fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI and "Apple Intelligence" in 2026

• The panel reviews Apple’s rocky AI rollout in 2025 and anticipates what’s next.
• Jason Snell: Last year, Apple failed to ship the Apple Intelligence features widely promoted (“this is the year that Apple comes out in the spring and says we can’t deliver on our promises… a lot of people lost their jobs. And it still doesn’t exist.” [09:32]).
• Predictions for 2026: Apple will ship improved, but still imperfect AI features, likely leveraging Google’s Gemini model under the hood.
  • Jason: “If Apple uses Google’s Gemini model as Siri, I think it could be better than we think.” [11:03]
  • Andy: “It’s a moving target as to what users actually want…” [13:32]
• The real challenge is meaningful integration; users want AI tools that genuinely make their lives easier, not just novelty features (“an LLM isn’t a feature…” [16:04]).
• Shelly: Raises the gap between what companies want to provide with AI and what users actually want or are ready for (“AI is both a tool for people who market products and a tool of businesses. But it is not a tool for end users…” [19:05]).

2. Folding iPhone & Hardware Rumors

• Anticipation for Apple’s first folding iPhone, which diverges from current market trends by offering a “squat, field notes-style” design (more square, iPad-like when unfolded) [23:18].
  • Jason: “You’re not just buying a phone, you’re also buying an iPad and you open it up wherever you are and you’ve got an iPad with you and then it folds down and goes back in your pocket.” [25:46]
  • Shelly: Emphasizes the need for unique software value even when closed, not just notifications; Apple needs to convince people why they want this product [27:12].
• Touches on Microsoft’s failed “Duo” and stresses the danger if Apple doesn’t nail the software experience for both closed and open states [29:03].

3. Next-Gen Budget MacBook

• Rumored ultra-affordable “MacBook” to rival Chromebooks ($599-ish), possibly using iPhone-class chips.
  • Andy: “It’s nice to see them enter this price point… interesting to see how their design department answers that specific call.” [30:39]
  • Jason: Likely to keep the aluminum design to maintain Apple’s brand, with “fun colors”—a nod to the past colored Macs and appeal to education markets [34:18–37:53].
  • Andy & Shelly: Debate if the laptop is still essential in a mobile/tablet-first world—concluding that for schools, pro work, and accessibility, laptops remain vital [38:10–40:03].

4. Apple Design Culture, Leadership, & Usability

• The panel explores the ongoing exodus of prominent Apple designers (Jony Ive, Alan Dye), critiquing the era of extreme minimalism and ‘luxury’ over personality and usability.
  • Jason: “I feel like Apple’s design team disappeared up its own white void.” [52:20]
  • Andy: “Apple’s design team collectively seemed to stop being about design and was committed to dogma… they were building objects to be academically admired.” [54:04]
  • “Form followed function” is seen as lost in Apple’s current approach (see the detour into menu icon debates below).

Menu Icons & UI Consistency

• Critique of macOS ‘Tahoe’ adding icons to all menu items, which creates clutter and confusion instead of clarity [71:59–79:32].
  • Nikki Tansky’s blog highlighted (and the original Human Interface Guidelines: “Don’t use arbitrary graphic elements.”).
  • Both accessibility and cognitive aspects are debated; consistency and user value are called for.
  • Speculation that this shift may signal UI adaptation for future touchscreens or convertible Macs [80:08–82:14].

5. Apple’s Product Update Strategy & Displays

• Concerns about Apple’s “hobbyist” approach to external monitors: old models sold at high prices, no clear update cadence [88:08–91:56].
• Desire for more affordable, value-focused Apple displays to pair with new Macs and Mini/Studio devices.
• Jason: “If Apple’s going to be in a space like this, they need to keep their products up to date.” [88:18]

6. Accessibility Highlights

• Shelly: Outlines the importance of community-driven recognition (Appleviz Golden Apple Awards) and the accessibility edge on iOS vs Android [105:27].
  • PiggyBot (AI-powered image/video descriptions) wins Best App; Adventure to Fate: Core Quest (accessible D&D-inspired RPG) wins Best Game [109:13–113:20].
  • Discusses accessibility features, challenges of integrating AI meaningfully for users with visual impairments, and the competition between platforms [107:00–109:13].

7. Other Notable Topics

• Vision Pro & Immersive Sports: Apple’s new courtside NBA experience for Vision Pro owners—a test to see if immersive sports can be a major “killer app” for spatial computing [123:43–128:05].
• Nostalgia: Panelists recall the Wild West era of early internet, Mac User magazine, and the dedication required to “run your own internet server on a Mac” in the ’90s [04:18–08:07].
• Design & Cultural Disconnect: Sharp critique of Apple’s targeting of affluent lifestyles in marketing, leaving practical users and broader culture behind [58:33–62:09].
• Rumors and Cost Issues: TSMC 2nm chip prices, RAM price spikes, and China tariffs—Apple’s scale and long contracts expected to buffer against big cost increases [118:30–123:16].

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jason (Reflecting on 2025):
  “Last year certainly turned out to be more the year that Apple Intelligence failed and that Apple failed to deliver.” [10:09]
• Leo:
  “The mistake is trying to shoehorn [AI] into the old way of working… I don’t think that’s what Apple should do.” [15:07]
• Andy (on adding more features for no clear reason):
  “Maybe everybody in this conversation… is trying to figure out how to make better horse-drawn wagons when the real innovation is the car.” [20:12]
• Shelly (on AI adoption):
  “AI is both a tool for people who market products and a tool of businesses. But it is not a tool for end users.” [19:05]
• Jason (on the possible folding iPhone strategy):
  “If you want a phone, buy an iPhone. If you want this thing, you’re not buying it because it’s a phone. You’re buying it because it unfolds and becomes an iPad.” [24:45]
• Andy:
  “Apple for a long time had its head in its white space.” [54:04]
• Jason:
  “I feel like Apple’s design team disappeared up its own white void.” [52:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introductions, nostalgia, 90s Mac User reminiscence: 04:18–08:16
• 2025: The year Apple Intelligence failed: 08:22–11:03
• Predictions for Apple AI & Gemini integration: 11:03–13:32
• The real challenge: integration & utility of AI: 13:32–20:12
• Folding iPhone rumors & discussion: 23:18–30:03
• Ultra-cheap MacBook speculation: 30:39–37:53
• Who still needs laptops? Tablets/laptop future: 38:10–41:31
• Apple design leadership, dogma, and minimalism: 47:08–55:49
• Colors & design variety vs function: 56:31–65:07
• macOS Tahoe menu icons debate: 71:59–79:32
• Panel speculation: preparing for touchscreens in MacOS: 80:08–82:14
• Apple’s inconsistent display strategy: 88:08–91:51
• Accessibility awards, AI for vision-impaired users: 105:27–113:20
• Vision Pro immersive NBA (Lakers) announcement: 123:43–128:05

Picks & Recommendations

• Shelly:
  Sangarunde Hall (Austin, TX): A bowling alley with history, personality, and great beer garden; “go bowling where they’ll give you the pin you break!” [142:04]
• Andy:
  Bounce.com: Luggage storage service—“the app you’ll be glad to have when you need it; $5–10 to drop a bag in a hotel or shop for the day.” [144:26]
• Jason:
  LosslessCut (Mac App Store or GitHub): Open source app for chopping up and losslessly trimming video files; “the utility I needed for cutting 10-minute breaks from D&D podcasts.” [149:10]

Closing Thoughts

The episode blends sharp critique and cautious optimism. While Apple faces challenges—catching up in AI, reigniting design innovation, and staying relevant to both “pros” and regular users—the panelists agree 2026 could be pivotal if Apple can execute well on rumored hardware and evolve its software to truly meet users’ needs.

Leo closes:
“Get back to work. Break time is over. See you next week.”

For more:

• MacBreak Weekly YouTube Channel
• See Six Colors for Jason’s Apple predictions and follow Shelly on Bluesky for accessibility expertise and classic movie recs.

Note: Ad sections, show promos, and breaks were skipped. This summary focuses solely on the core, content-rich discussions and panel insights.