MacBreak Weekly 999: Rough De-powdering
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Panelists: Andy Ihnatko, Jason Snell, Shelly Brisbin
Special Mention: Alex Lindsay (absent, assignment)
Episode Overview
Episode 999 of MacBreak Weekly tackles major shifts in Apple leadership amid persistent CEO succession rumors, significant legal battles over patents and app store rules, and Apple’s surprising advancements in manufacturing with 3D printed titanium for the Apple Watch. The hosts also discuss the fading Mac Pro, the changing landscape of the iPhone lineup, and streaming/podcast trends. The energy is classic MBW: fun, geeky, and full of inside Apple analysis.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Apple CEO Succession: Tim Cook's Possible Departure (05:45–15:30)
- Financial Times has given credence to rumors about Tim Cook preparing to step down, escalating the conversation beyond past Mark Gurman speculation.
- Quote: “When Financial Times reports that under these circumstances, it means that we have to pay attention.” – Andy Ihnatko (08:24)
- The crew speculates this is Apple’s or the board’s “official trial balloon,” prepping markets and investors; nobody wants a surprise.
- Successor Talk: John Ternus, the rumored heir apparent, is described as a hardware guy, a shift from Cook’s operations-driven leadership, with the expectation Tim might stick around as Executive Chairman.
- Jeff Williams’ quiet retirement is linked to shifting succession gears.
- Quote: “If you know this is going to happen…you can give [the new CEO] support so he doesn't have to be thrown in, like Tim Cook kind of was because of Steve Jobs' various leaves and illnesses.” – Jason Snell (11:49)
- Apple’s culture is too internally grown for an external hire; leadership will come from inside.
2. Apple’s Corporate Culture and Succession Philosophy (21:00–27:07)
- Panelists agree Apple’s focus is not dramatic change, but stability and continuity.
- Apple’s “antibodies” prevent an outsider from upending the “secret sauce.”
- Quote: “Apple’s about stability from a shareholder point of view...the only way they’re going to build leadership is internally.” – Shelly Brisbin (15:38)
- Andy calls out Apple’s tendency to “fight battles they don’t need to fight” out of dogma; hopes for a leader willing to adapt.
3. Patent Battles & Courtroom Drama (29:20–45:00)
Masimo v. Apple Verdict (30:40–36:45)
- Masimo awarded $634 million for Apple’s infringement on its blood oxygen monitor patent (Apple Watch).
- Memorable: “This is literally less than Apple makes in one day.” – Leo Laporte (35:45)
- Apple will appeal; panelists bemoan Apple’s stubbornness and refusal to settle, even against a well-established medical device company.
UK App Store Ruling & EU DMA (36:45–44:48)
- UK refuses to hear Apple’s appeal on a $2 billion App Store fee ruling; DMA looms.
- Andy sees Apple missing “an opportunity to reinvent the App Store” for a new regulatory reality.
- Supreme Court win: Apple dodges a patent suit over camera tech.
4. The End of the Mac Pro & Apple's Hardware Focus (45:20–63:14)
- Mark Gurman reports Apple has deprioritized (or orphaned?) the Mac Pro. The Mac Studio is positioned as its spiritual successor.
- Quote: “The studio does everything you need—except for expansion. But even there…what expansion? GPUs are not compatible.” – Jason Snell (51:36)
- Panelists point out today's “pro” hardware needs are largely met by the Studio/Ultra line, Thunderbolt expansion, and advances in Apple Silicon.
- Apple is shifting toward more consumer/prosumer offerings, like a rumored $500–$600 MacBook, and focusing on what serves the majority.
- Nostalgia for the big expandable Mac tower, but consensus: “Apple has moved on.”
5. Apple’s 3D Printing Breakthrough: Titanium Watch Cases (67:06–74:32)
- Apple reveals new 3D printing techniques for Apple Watch Ultra cases, using atomized recycled titanium powder.
- Quote: “This is the kind of environmental story from Apple that I really enjoy because it’s highly specific…it’s a tech nerd’s environmental story.” – Shelly Brisbin (68:07)
- Technical details: 20 hours to build a single case, using a six-laser galvanometer; less material waste, over 400 metric tons saved.
- “Rough de-powdering” is the term for cleaning the leftover powder—a memorable moment giving the episode its title.
6. Changes in the iPhone Release Cycle (93:01–101:32)
- Mark Gurman predicts Apple will stagger iPhone launches: Pro models in the fall, non-Pro/a new “Air” and SE in the spring.
- “If the iPhone line is going to be six phones, then maybe they should do it [staggered].” – Jason Snell (93:19)
- Marketing/practical upsides: easier manufacturing, continual sales narrative, easier workload for staff, and less bottlenecked advertising.
- Panel agrees: casual buyers won’t care; nerds will chase the Pro.
- Gurman/Information “scoop war” over Air iPhone timing: possibly not as hot a seller as expected, but Apple may play the long game.
7. iPhone 17's Improved WiFi, N1 Chip (104:22–106:50)
- New Apple-designed N1 chip brings 40% faster Wi-Fi to iPhone 17 (417 Mbps average).
- “If they’d missed this, that could sink a new iPhone. The fact they stuck the landing is as significant as any Apple Silicon story in five years.” – Andy Ihnatko (105:04)
- Apple hedged—N1 is not in the 17 Pro yet; still using Qualcomm for cellular in most models.
Notable Quotes & Moments
On Apple’s Leadership Style:
“Apple has the secret sauce and it’s their culture. That comes from Steve Jobs…one of Steve’s products that’s still with us is the Apple corporate culture, for better and worse.”
— Jason Snell (24:12)
On Apple’s Reluctance to Settle Patent Cases:
“They need not just a check but a way they can continue to create an Apple Watch…if they have a license, they’re subject to whatever Masimo wants. It’s complicated…but at this point you’d hope they’d find a way to move forward.”
— Andy Ihnatko (31:47)
On Apple’s 3D Printing:
“Once the printers are done working, the excess powder is vacuumed off the build plate in a process called rough de-powdering. I think I had a nanny that did rough de-powdering when I was a baby. But I might be wrong.”
— Leo Laporte (73:02)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 05:45–15:30 — Tim Cook Retirement Rumors; Jeff Williams Leaves
- 21:00–27:07 — Apple’s Internal Culture and Succession
- 29:20–36:45 — Masimo vs. Apple, Patent Fights
- 36:45–44:48 — App Store EU/UK Legal Pressure
- 45:20–63:14 — The End of the Mac Pro and Shifts in Apple Hardware
- 67:06–74:32 — Apple’s Titanium 3D Printing Process
- 93:01–101:32 — New iPhone Release Cadence & iPhone Air
- 104:22–106:50 — N1 Chip, iPhone 17 Wi-Fi Boost
Picks of the Week
-
Andy:
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving available free on Apple TV for the holiday weekend (129:17).
- “It’s part of our cultural heritage. I’d be very upset if Apple made you pay for it.”
-
Shelly:
- COBCOB AirPod Pro magnetic lanyard (134:11).
- “It’s perfect for being on a plane—the worst thing is to drop an AirPod.”
-
Jason:
- Menu bar management utilities for macOS—Hidden Bar, Ice, Vanilla, Barbie (140:29).
- “All give you better control over your sea of menu bar icons, especially with the notch.”
Podcast, Apple TV, and Streaming Tidbits
- Charlie Brown holiday specials are temporarily free on Apple TV globally (classic nostalgia moments recur).
- Pluribus (Apple TV original) is a hit with the panel (“I’ve been thinking about it every day since I watched it.” – Jason Snell, 116:03).
- Apple climbing in podcast ranks, but celebrity podcasts now dominate Apple’s top 10.
- Both Apple and Apple fans reminisce about the old days of “appointment TV” and how streaming has changed everything.
Podcast Close
- Next Episode: MBW #1000 — tune in for the landmark (though no planned surprises, just “maybe hats and a cake”).
- Classic sign-off: “It’s time to get back to work—because break time is over.”
This summary covers all key content topics, maintains the show’s tone, and includes major insights and quotes with timestamps for those who want to listen to specific sections.