MacBreak Weekly 987: As Gruber as It Gets (August 26, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this lively, irreverent roundtable, Leo Laporte and guests Jason Snell (Six Colors), Andy Ihnatko, and Alex Lindsay (Office Hours Global) dig deep into the Apple September event invites, spill tea on Google and tech keynotes, dissect international Apple supply chain shifts, and riff on everything from OS gripes to design nitpicks. They also spotlight changes in Apple’s streaming and sports media strategies, regulatory intrigue, and offer their classic “Picks of the Week” — all in their signature blend of warmth, wit, and unapologetic Apple nerdiness.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Apple September Event Invites: The "Aw Dropping" Speculation (00:00–10:41)

• Event Details: Apple’s next keynote is set for September 9, 10AM PT, at Steve Jobs Theater, Apple Park.
• Hints & Hype: The invite tagline is “Aw Dropping.” Speculation is rampant over the visual—a pulsing, “overheated”-looking Apple logo. (“Now should we be worried that the graphic this time is like a version of the Apple logo that looks like it’s overheating and we’re looking at it through a thermal imaging camera?” — Andy Ihnatko, 03:06)
• Who Gets In?: In-person invites are exclusive; even veteran Apple reporters like Jason Snell struggle for “day one” access.
  • “If I had a nickel for every piece that Macworld had me write, that was like hands on with a new iPhone...” — Jason, 06:23
• Why Attend?: Attending in person confers bragging rights and “hands-on” impressions, but pandemic-era coverage changed the calculus. The crew notes global media interest still makes this Apple’s “hardest ticket.”

Notable Quote

“The iPhone is important to the world in a way that no other product announcement is…” — Jason Snell (07:57)

2. Tech Keynotes: Apple vs Google vs Everyone Else (10:41–17:40)

• Google’s Missteps: Harsh words for Google’s celebrity-hosted phone event, with Jimmy Fallon making things awkward, and demos going off the rails. (“It was Samsung level terrible. I mean, it really...” — Leo, 14:59)
• Apple’s Formula Still Wins: Apple’s keynotes, though longer and sometimes bloated, remain tightly controlled and effective—a template set by Steve Jobs.
• Real Audience: Tech events are less about “the nerds” and more about mainstream and international media, which changes content and approach.
• Keynote Length Creep: “I really think they could make it into an hour,” says Alex. The crew debates the optimal format.

Memorable Moment

• The hosts mock Google’s failed “One More Thing” segment, which revealed something already in a press release:

“Maybe a little hint to Google: The ‘One more thing’ should be something no one knows about.” — Leo (20:14)

3. Apple Product Cycle & Rumors: iPhone, Foldables & the Future (18:14–29:51)

• Upcoming iPhones: Rumors suggest a thinner “Air” model, the possible introduction of a folding iPhone next year, and a big anniversary edition (iPhone 20) for 2027.
• Wait or Buy?: Jason and the panel weigh buying now vs holding off for upcoming, possibly revolutionary, models. Leo jokes: “Tie me to the mast, boys...I don’t want that slim thing.”
• Advantage Apple: When Apple does finally produce a folding device, its decade-plus iPad experience will make it superior to Android competition.
  • “Apple’s greatest asset ... that unfolded version will be a little iPad.” — Jason (29:51)
• Developer Readiness: Developers who have followed iPad guidelines will be ready for a folding iPhone the moment it ships.

4. Apple vs Google: Tablets, Android Strategy & International Market (23:58–28:38)

• Android Tablet Scene: Samsung’s lone effort is passable; Amazon’s latest tablets shift toward true Android to regain Google Play Store access.
• Apple as King: The iPad remains the only tablet that truly “matters.”
• Google's Reluctance: “They want to be Microsoft” — Andy on Google’s platform approach rather than making flagship hardware.

5. Manufacturing & Supply Chain: India, China, & the Tata Transition (36:08–46:19)

• iPhone Production Shift: Despite expansion in India (with Tata), China remains the main producer for international models. The group expects Apple to diversify over 10 years.
  • “If you ask Tim Cook ... I want them produced in, like, five different places all over the world...” — Jason (44:51)
• Seasonal Workforce: Foxconn’s recruitment and retention for the annual iPhone ramp-up is described in detail.
• Indian Expertise Building: Apple’s high standards are elevated throughout the supply chain—what happened in China is being repeated in India.

6. Software & OS Betas: iOS/Sequoia 26, Developer Struggles & Design Controversies (46:19–59:05)

• Latest Beta Updates: Public/testing betas for iOS, WatchOS, and Apple TV OS are closing in on “release candidate” status.
• Developer Headaches: Many old APIs are broken, leading to overtime and user experience worries. “Be nice to your app developers,” echoes Jason (50:11).
• User Backlash Risk: Apple’s last big visual OS shift (iOS 7) left a generation of users traumatized by “moving things around.”
• John Gruber’s Design Rant: The panel spotlight Gruber’s “outrage” at shoddy new system icons, especially in the utilities folder.
  • “These icons are so bad, they look like the work of untrained...dilettante carpenters who only last a few days on the job before sawing off one of their own fingers.” — John Gruber via Leo (53:58)
• Debate: Is this a symptom of Apple not caring about the Mac? Or just a matter of prioritization and modern design trends?
  • “Complaining about Mac icons is about as Gruber as it gets.” — Jason (61:20)

7. Streaming, Sports & Media: Apple TV+, Friday Night Baseball, MLS, and ARPU (66:21–75:27)

• Friday Night Baseball Drama: Conflicting reports on whether Apple will retain MLB streaming rights—panel leans on Puck’s reporting that Apple will keep them.
• MLS & F1 Deals: Apple’s streaming sports ventures are more about long-term strategy than immediate eyeballs. “Apple is not one of the bigger streamers,” notes Jason, so some leagues lose traditional TV “visibility.”
• Apple TV+ Price Hike: Monthly rates jump to $12.99, but annual and Apple One rates remain. Speculation is that Apple is prepping for an eventual ad-supported tier, as the business shifts to maximize ARPU (Average Revenue Per User).
  • “...the price between the ad free plan and the ad plan is literally the money they make putting ads in it.” — Jason (73:49)
• Churn Management: Apple is pushing annual payments to reduce subscriber turnover.

8. Legal, Regulatory & Geopolitical Stories (76:06–85:10)

• Apple & Massimo Lawsuit: Apple’s workaround for blood oxygen features on Apple Watch draws protest; Massimo sues US Customs, not Apple, for “unilateral decisions.”
  • “Maybe enjoy that blood saturation feature while you got it because this is still very much up in the air.” — Andy (77:48)
• FTCs Global Power Play: The FTC warns major US tech companies not to cooperate with foreign data requests. Apple is pressed to stand firm in privacy disputes with Europe, the UK, et al.
  • “If the United States decides it wants to take the gloves off, it can make [Europe] do whatever it needs to do.” — Alex (79:35)
• Intelligence Community Tensions: The “Five Eyes” alliance and internal US divisions over default encryption are explored.

9. Vision Pro (Vision Pro Segment) (88:30–93:56)

• Virtual Environments Expand: HBO Max rolls out a Harry Potter “Hogwarts” viewing space for Vision Pro, joining Disney’s “Alien” and “Game of Thrones” rooms.
  • “Fun idea ... Max is leaning into Harry Potter because that’s intellectual property.” — Jason (89:54)
• Limitations: Currently, environments are confined to specific media apps and are non-interactive. Jason speculates new APIs and interactivity (Jupiter environment) are coming in VisionOS 2.0.
• Panel Wish List: Everyone wants more open, customizable environments and interactivity.

10. Odds & Ends, Rumors, and Headlines (95:14–101:26)

• iPhone Event: Final Predictions: Rumors (like case colors) are considered “trivial” noise; the real story will be told on September 9.
• Elon Sues Apple & OpenAI: Elon Musk launches a suit in Texas claiming Apple-OpenAI exclusivity. The team laughs it off as “childish” and likely to be dismissed.
• Apple & AI Models: The panel discusses Apple’s avoidance of big-dollar AI acquisitions, potential Gemini/Google integration, and the possibility Apple will use third-party models for “Apple Intelligence”/Siri improvements.
  • “It would be amazingly remarkable if ... they said ‘we’re throwing away all of our in-house work and we are going to base this tire thing off of a third-party project.’” — Andy (101:50)
• Zero-Day Security Exploit: A major security patch for iOS and macOS responds to sophisticated, likely nation-state attacks.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Apple Invite Graphics:
  “This just looks like an overheating iPhone. I don’t know if you’re...” — Leo (03:34)

• On Google’s Pixel Keynote:
  “It was Samsung level terrible.” — Leo (14:59)

• On the Value of In-Person Hands-On:
  “Only ... 400 people, 800 people in the world have had their hands on the new iPhone and can talk about it for that week until the embargoed reviews drop.” — Jason (06:23)

• On Being an Apple Blogger:
  “Complaining about Mac icons is about as Gruber as it gets ... that’s not because he’s engagement farming. That’s because that guy is hooked up that way.” — Jason (61:20)

• On Apple’s Foldable iPhone:
  “They put 15 years into the iPad and that unfolded version will be a little iPad. ... That makes that product ... that much more compelling.” — Jason (29:51)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introductions and Apple event invite deep dive | | 04:03 | Apple’s careful “we don’t say iPhone” keynote tradition | | 10:41 | Google keynote roast—Fallon “QVC” moment & live demo fails | | 18:14 | iPhone Air, folding rumors, Apple’s product calendar speculation | | 29:51 | Foldables: Apple’s iPad-driven advantage, developer readiness | | 36:08 | Factory hiring, Foxconn, China vs. India, Tata’s rising role | | 46:19 | iOS/Sequoia 26 beta status, developer pain, app design complaints | | 53:58 | Gruber’s icon “outrage” and the Mac’s design status debate | | 66:21 | Apple’s sports streaming future: MLB, MLS, F1, TV+ price hikes | | 76:06 | Massimo suit, blood oxygen on Apple Watch, international law | | 88:30 | Vision Pro segment: Hogwarts environment, future of environments | | 95:14 | Rumors, Musk’s lawsuit, Apple/AI alliances, zero-day security | | 113:29 | Picks of the Week |

Picks of the Week

Jason Snell: Nick’s Fix (nicsfix.com)

• A repair service for first-gen HomePods that no longer power up; Nick livestreams repairs, charges $70, and will dye the fabric to your specs!
  “He does it so fast. I’m telling you, this guy has done so many of these now that he can disassemble and reassemble a HomePod in his sleep.”

Andy Ihnatko: Studs Terkel’s "Working" (book/YouTube stories)

• Legendary oral history of American working lives; perfect for Labor Day; available in episodic readings and original interviews. “Labor Day is a holiday for a reason ... because there’s so much that we get to enjoy as the standard of how a work relationship is defined...”

Alex Lindsay: Bitrig App

• App for iPhone that lets you describe an app and autogenerates iOS code/UI (from former SwiftUI engineers). “This is going to be part of a future of people having open-ended, thinking of something, being able to create it...”

Closing Thoughts and Tone

• MacBreak Weekly remains a haven for both deep technical insights and playful tech banter.
• The team blends honest, sometimes grumpy opinions (“We are broken in a special way...”) with admiration for Apple’s continued ability to drive the conversation and maintain its lead in design, platforms, and media.
• The show’s skepticism of hype (“We know all the important parts anyway...”) is heartfelt, as is their delight in nerd culture’s quirks (Gruber, right-to-repair, Studs Terkel).
• The final note: This is a community of enthusiasts and skeptics, making MacBreak Weekly “as Gruber as it gets.”

Listen for

• Leo and Jason’s musings on Apple PR quirks.
• The roast of Google’s keynote mishaps.
• John Gruber's design “faux outrage” celebrated and debated.
• Jason’s hands-on HomePod repair journey.
• Nerdy delight in the odd—like chewing over Fandango Wallet notifications or AppleScript icon rotations.

For more, and to witness all the laughs and live tech nitpickery, listen to the full episode or join Club TWiT for behind-the-scenes access.