MacBreak Weekly 993: An Orifice for Ads
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Panelists: Jason Snell, Andy Ihnatko, Alex Lindsay
Episode Overview
This episode dives into several major Apple-related news items and controversies. The first half is dominated by the future of Apple's Vision Pro headset and its AR/VR strategy, with lively debate over whether Apple is pivoting away from its original plans in response to Meta and broader market realities. The second focus is on Apple's controversial removal of the "Ice Block" app at the request of the US government, raising questions about Apple’s values and the risks of a closed App Store ecosystem. Other topics include iPadOS beta feature reversals, looming Apple financial results, iPhone 17 Air strategy, Apple's ad campaign mocking Windows, upcoming Apple product rumors, and more.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Is Apple "Killing" the Vision Pro?
[02:45–25:44]
- Rumor Origins: Leo Laporte introduces Mark Gurman's Bloomberg report suggesting Apple is shifting resources from a cheaper Vision Pro to focus on smart AR glasses, leaving the current device as a niche product.
- Panel Divergence:
- Leo’s Take (06:21): "Come on, admit it. They're killing the Vision Pro."
- Jason & Alex: Disagree. They argue Apple is refocusing on smart glasses because it’s clear making the Vision Pro lighter and cheaper is challenging. The Vision Pro is a platform and developmental tool, not a one-off flop.
- Andy (08:42): "We still... don’t have any sort of proof this is something the market really wants in enough quantities for Apple to justify."
- Alex (11:24): “It is dramatically better than the Meta Quest... but you need data and you don’t get data without a product. This isn’t about selling product right now, it is about gamma testing.”
- Meta Comparison: Apple’s main competitor, Meta, is much further ahead in lightweight glasses for regular consumers. Apple underestimated this and is now playing catch-up.
- Strategic Value: The panel argues the Vision Pro serves as a live R&D platform for spatial computing—the true goal being eventual AR eyewear.
- Product Philosophy: Apple is often judged by its mass-market successes, but Vision Pro represents speculative, formative category investment (like Apple Maps at launch), where learning and ecosystem-building matter more than blockbuster sales.
2. Apple, Ice Block, and App Store Power
[39:45–53:56]
- Context: Apple removed the “Ice Block” app after the U.S. DoJ raised concerns it was endangering law enforcement, despite no laws being violated.
- Concerns Over Precedent:
- Andy (41:28): “With the iPhone, there is one pinch point for putting an app on the phone. That gives a government a frisky, totalitarian-esque simplicity.”
- Jason (45:23): Technically, a web app could replace Ice Block—but Ice Block wanted to use Apple's privacy-protecting push notifications, which are only accessible from inside the walled garden, making Apple's ban more impactful.
- Alex (48:27): Apple faces a balancing act; picking the wrong battles may endanger its true red line, i.e., never granting direct device access to governments.
- “Jawboning” & Free Speech: The case is an example of ‘jawboning’—indirect government pressure that skirts First Amendment protections.
- Closed Platform Problem: The App Store is the only way to install apps on iOS, giving Apple ultimate gatekeeping power and making them highly susceptible to government demands, regardless of legal standing.
- Jason (58:12): “None of this is an issue if the App Store isn't the only way onto the phone.”
3. iPadOS Beta: The Return of Slide Over
[114:32–118:59]
- Feature Removal Reversed: Beta 2 brings back “Slide Over,” a favorite legacy multitasking mode users missed in iPadOS 26.
- Why it Matters: Slide Over provides quick access to a hovering app without the complexity of managing full split screen windows.
- Jason (115:55): "It's back, baby... you can do it via menu bar or keyboard shortcut."
- Other Beta Improvements: Added local microphone gain controls for podcasters and key bug fixes.
4. Apple’s Q4 Financials & Product Strategy
[67:21–74:12]
- Upcoming Results: Q4 will include only a couple weeks’ worth of iPhone 17 sales.
- iPhone Air: The panel expects “Air” to slowly become more popular among less techy consumers, serving Apple as both a commercial and learning tool for future designs.
- Apple’s Iterative Approach: Examples given of the original MacBook Air and Vision Pro—Apple often launches “compromised” products to seed a platform and learn, not necessarily to set sales on fire quickly.
5. Apple’s Vision Pro Ad Segment (“The Underdogs”)
[79:37–84:33]
- Overview: Apple released a humorous new ad referencing the CrowdStrike Windows debacle, positioning Macs as reliable and highlighting features like continuity.
- Panel Reaction: Generally positive. The ad is fun, demonstrates product strengths, and continues “underdogs” branded storytelling.
- Jason (83:01): “Everything Apple does is well produced and spend millions on.”
6. Controversies & Miscellaneous News
[85:44–120:09]
- Apple’s Carbon-Offset Claims: German courts probe alleged “greenwashing” in Apple’s offset projects, as some forestry deals fell short of duration expected by consumers.
- AirPods Pro 3 iFixit Repairability: Still a "zero out of ten”—the panel acknowledges the trade-off between miniaturization and repairability.
- CarPlay in Rivian: CEO says Rivian electric cars will never support CarPlay, which the panel laments as short-sighted and unfriendly to customers’ actual needs (“I'm not going to change my life for you, car" – Jason Snell, 122:45).
- F1 TV Rights: Apple is rumored to be taking US streaming rights for Formula 1, potentially integrating advanced, multi-camera streaming into Apple TV, possibly displacing F1’s native app.
- AI & Sora: Growing fascination (and concern) with advances in AI-generated video, with the panel discussing the rapid acceleration and implications for media literacy.
7. Notable Quotes & Moments
- Vision Pro as Platform, Not Product:
- Jason Snell (05:25): “Approaching this from the top down is the wrong way to do it. You also need to approach it from the bottom up, like what Meta has done.”
- Alex Lindsay (16:01): “This headset isn’t the product. The AR glasses are the product. This is the R&D platform to figure out interaction.”
- On Apple’s App Store Power:
- Andy Ihnatko (41:28): “If you accept the argument that apps are a form of speech—and I do—this is a very, very bad and dark thing.”
- Jason Snell (58:12): “None of this is an issue if the App Store isn’t the only way onto the phone.”
- On Apple’s Carbon Claims:
- Andy Ihnatko (87:20): “These are really, really controversial because they’re typically done by... planting an invasive species that doesn’t exist, and the locals can’t use that land anymore.”
- Car UI Strategy:
- Jason Snell (122:45): “I’m not gonna change my life for you car. I’m not gonna do it.”
- On AI’s Pace:
- Alex Lindsay (97:27): “AI is the first time I keep getting surprised at how fast.”
8. Other Segments, Picks, and Fun
- Lutron Diva Smart Paddle Switches: Jason Snell’s pick—reliable, intuitive smart lighting with HomeKit compatibility. “Rock solid.”
- Nebo Big Larry 3: Alex Lindsay’s pick—a versatile, magnetic work light, ideal for kits/theaters/cars.
- Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Andy's pick—free on Apple TV+ Oct 18/29.
- Incomparable Podcast on Neuromancer: Jason’s plug for their William Gibson book club episode.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Vision Pro/AR Direction Debate: 02:45–25:44
- “Ice Block” & Platform Control Controversy: 39:45–53:56
- iPadOS Beta 2 “Slide Over” Returns: 114:32–118:59
- Apple Financials & iPhone Air: 67:21–74:12
- Apple’s Windows Ad (“The Underdogs”): 79:37–84:33
- CarPlay in Rivian: 120:09–124:42
- F1 TV Apple Rumors: 125:28–131:11
- Product Picks: 136:14–143:44
Summary Tone & Language
The panel is lively, slightly irreverent, well-informed, and unafraid to challenge one another. Leo Laporte often plays devil’s advocate, Jason Snell provides deep technical and historical context, Andy Ihnatko brings policy and “big picture,” and Alex Lindsay dives into hands-on production detail. The discussion is rich, sometimes contentious, but always returning to data, history, and user needs.
Concluding Thought
“Break time is over!” – Leo Laporte
Whether you’re worried about Apple’s AR future, the politics of app store control, or just want to know if your new iPad will finally get your favorite multitasking feature back, this episode is a treasure trove of Apple insights, debates, and predictions for the next wave of Cupertino’s ambitions.