MacBreak Weekly 998: Touching Grass

Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Co-Hosts: Stephen Robles (The Bearded Tutor, filling in for Jason Snell), Alex Lindsay (Office Hours Global), Andy Ihnatko

Overview

This episode, affectionately dubbed "Touching Grass" and "MacBreak Leafy," features co-host Andy Ihnatko joining remotely from the great outdoors due to unexpected connectivity issues—much to the hosts’ amusement. The panel discusses the latest in the Apple ecosystem: a record-breaking Apple TV+ show, Apple’s quirky new iPhone accessory, major industry streaming battles, Apple's reported partnership with Google for Siri AI, podcast platform shifts, and lots of personal insights on tech, media, and, yes, grass.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Andy Ihnatko Reporting from the Outdoors (00:16–21:20)

• Setting: Andy, affected by a home internet outage over a federal holiday, joins via town Wi-Fi on a nature trail in New England. This prompts jokes, “MacBreak Leafy,” and inspires an impromptu merch line.
• Notable Quote: "If this is acceptable video and audio, it will actually be a very cool visual." (19:06, Andy Ihnatko)
• Panel Reaction: Leo embraces Andy’s “touching grass,” highlighting remote work adaptability and the unique, charming tone MacBreak Weekly strikes.

Industry Content Wars: YouTube TV vs. Disney (05:18–13:16)

• Streaming Dispute: Ongoing dispute causes Disney content (including ESPN, ABC) removal from YouTube TV, affecting NFL fans and exposing the fragility of streaming deals.
• Financials: Disney losing an estimated $30 million/week; battle over “most favored nation clauses” that prevent Disney from granting YouTube TV better rates than cable partners.
• Market Dynamics: Panel suggests the real TV future is fragmented; power players like Apple and YouTube are distorting the market via over-investment or scale.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Google is not faster than the bear... but they’re faster than everybody else." (09:36, Alex Lindsay)
  • "Apple is distorting the entire market by overpaying for all of its content." (11:20, Alex Lindsay)

Apple’s Eccentric Accessories: iPhone Sock (13:48–15:59)

• New Product: Apple releases the "iPhone Pocket" (or "iPhone Sock") for $150–$230, designed by Issey Miyake—garnering ridicule and disbelief from the panel.
• Market Aim: Available mainly in international stores, not designed for the US audience.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “That is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.” (14:49, Leo Laporte)
  • "I'm gonna get one to review. It's good for clicks." (15:57, Stephen Robles)

Apple x Google: Siri Gets AI Help (20:14–27:06)

• Breaking Story: Bloomberg reports Apple is close to a $1B/year deal to use Google’s Gemini AI models to improve Siri.
• Panel’s Analysis:
  • Pragmatism: Apple is prioritizing shipping a working, competitive Siri—even if it means a “white label” Gemini back end, to be run with Apple’s privacy safeguards.
  • Future-proofing: This deal allows Apple to take its time building its own models while staying competitive next year.
  • Industry Implications: A win-win—Apple avoids "not invented here" syndrome, Google earns revenue and prestige.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I'm so glad Apple was able to... simply write a big check to the company that's been doing this for 10–15 years.” (23:36, Andy Ihnatko)
  • “Once people understand you can just use ChatGPT voice mode... you kind of forget that you needed Siri to do anything else.” (22:07, Alex Lindsay)

Hardware Rumors: OLED MacBook Pros, Touch Screens, and More (31:51–46:29)

• New MacBooks: Mark Gurman’s newsletter suggests only M6 Pro and Max models will get OLED and touch support. The lower-end 14'' MacBook Pro will not.
• Panel Opinion:
  • Stephen and Alex are skeptical about Apple adopting touchscreens on Macs; agree Apple’s focus remains on making iPad more Mac-like, not vice versa.
  • Andy argues if Apple had pivoted to touch in 2018, it might have worked; now the ship may have sailed.
  • Extended speculation on future form factors (foldables, rollables, ultra-compacts).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “It’s easier for [Apple] to make the iPad more and more like a Mac than to try to make the Mac like an iPad.” (33:54, Alex Lindsay)
  • “If they had done this in 2018, I would be so on board, but now they’re forced to make iPads do everything.” (42:47, Andy Ihnatko)

The Digital-First, App-Driven iPad Era (35:01–40:19)

• iPad Updates: iOS/iPadOS 26 is bringing new windowing and pro features.
• Pain Points:
  • Stephen: “The problem is still the browser... Safari on iPad is not the same as on desktop.” (36:42)
  • Alex: Most iPad use is app-driven, not browser-based, due to poorer web experiences.
  • Panel: For music, iPads are now ubiquitous—apps like FourScore revolutionize performance.
• Notable Quote: “I would love to run Audio Hijack on my iPad.” (38:52, Stephen Robles)

Podcasting: Apple’s Influence and Open Standards at a Crossroads (60:19–75:31)

• Apple Podcasts Shifts: Stephen discusses his article on Apple podcast changes. Key issues:
  • New auto-generated chapters.
  • “Timed Links” feature that only connects to Apple properties—fragmenting standards.
  • Apple’s market share has dropped below 20%; YouTube now dominates podcast discovery, especially with Gen Z.
• Open Standards:
  • Leo: Advocates for host-owned distribution via RSS, wary of platform lock-in (Spotify, YouTube).
  • Stephen: Bemoans Apple’s move away from open standards, urges Apple to bolster open podcasting to balance closed Spotify/YouTube dominance.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I really think, to the degree that we’re able to, I want to keep doing that. So, no, I don't want Apple to own my podcasts.” (63:06, Leo Laporte)
  • "Podcasting as a medium is important because it’s one of the few places free of algorithms." (79:03, Stephen Robles)

Apple TV+ Show “Pluribus” Breaks Records & Apple TV (100:12–109:26)

• Major Launch: Vince Gilligan’s “Pluribus” debuts to intense demand, briefly crashing Apple TV+.
• Critical Acclaim: First Apple TV+ show to reach 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, rave reviews from NYT, The Guardian, etc.
• Production Values:
  • Practical effects for logo and sets—no generative AI (“Made by humans in Albuquerque”).
  • Apple TV+ as the new “Prestige Network,” stepping into HBO’s shoes.
  • Notable use of real models blended with digital for high realism.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Apple really has taken the place of HBO where prestige TV is concerned.” (102:11, Alex Lindsay)
  • “No AI was used in Pluribus—‘Made by Humans’ appears at the end credits.” (103:52, Alex Lindsay)

Apple Fitness+ Future, HomePod Mini Rumors, & More (114:38–124:35)

• Rumor: Mark Gurman says Apple is reviewing Fitness+ due to high churn and poor uptake, may discontinue.
• Panel Response: Most only use it if bundled with Apple One; believe a truly personalized, data-driven service could be explosive.
• HomePod Mini: Retailers list it as discontinued, fueling rumors of a refresh, especially to match future AI demands.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Don’t unseal the car, baby.” (04:40, Leo Laporte, on not getting passionate about cars)
• “I'm going to try to use car lingo... It's like you lift the Lamborghini hood and see a Toyota engine.” (27:08, Andy Ihnatko, on Apple using Google AI)
• “A rare outdoor podcaster. Look at his yellow coloring. It’s because he hasn’t seen the sun in days.” (28:12, Leo Laporte, on Andy broadcasting outside)
• “MacBreak Leafy! I’m making the shirt right now.” (28:59, Stephen Robles, launching the running joke merch)
• “90% of the HomePod minis I bought are in a box somewhere.” (124:13, Alex Lindsay)
• "If you touch the fold on a folding phone, I literally get physically sick.” (48:47, Alex Lindsay, on foldable phones)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Andy Goes Outdoors / “Touching Grass”: 00:16–21:20
• Streaming Wars: YouTube TV vs. Disney: 05:18–13:16
• iPhone Sock Discussion: 13:48–15:59
• Apple–Google AI Partnership for Siri: 20:14–27:06
• MacBook OLED/Touchscreen & Hardware Design: 31:51–46:29
• Pro iPad, App vs. Browser Use: 35:01–40:19
• Podcasting Standards Debate: 60:19–75:31
• Apple TV+ Pluribus Show Impact: 100:12–109:26
• Apple Fitness+/Hardware Rumors: 114:38–124:35

Picks of the Week

• Andy Ihnatko: Club TWiT (for supporting indie podcasting); "Central heating and comfort," after his outdoor ordeal (133:42).
• Stephen Robles:
  • “Podcasting: keep it open and free.” (133:42)
  • Food Noms: Nutrition tracker app with great AI-photo entry (135:32, highly recommended for dietary tracking).
• Leo Laporte: Ozempic—helpful for type 2 diabetics (137:12).
• Alex Lindsay: The Oh Hellos—folk-rock band on live tour (137:46); highlights power of local live music and the concert experience.

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Tone: Lighthearted, thoughtful, highly knowledgeable with playful rapport; frequent (and well-loved) digressions.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The streaming world is ever more fractured—Apple, Google, Disney, Amazon playing high-stakes, high-cost content games.
  • Podcasting’s open roots are challenged by closed ecosystems; panel strongly advocates supporting open standards and creator control.
  • Apple, despite being a tech company, continues to emphasize top-tier artistry and creative independence in its video productions.
  • Panelists remain skeptical of touch MacBooks, preferring Apple’s slow convergence via iPad.
  • Andy's outdoor adventure becomes a lovable metaphor for adaptability, and the MacBreak audience builds running jokes around "touching grass."

Memorable Anecdotes

• MacBreak Leafy Merch: Andy’s outdoor setting leads to live merch creation, complete with panelist approval and Discord community jokes.
• Podcast Philosophy: Leo and Stephen’s earnest advocacy for open podcasting—“free of algorithms”—in the face of closed, profit-driven giants.
• Pluribus Non-Spoiler Zone: Andy and Stephen avoid even “safe spoilers” for Apple’s new hit show; the consensus is: must-watch.
• Live Music Rediscovery: Alex shares the joy of rediscovering concerts through his daughter’s musical pursuits—an ode to supporting new bands.

Closing Thoughts

The episode closes with appreciation for the audience—especially Club Twit members—plus a reminder to keep supporting independent, open media and to “get back to work, break time is over.”