The Talk Show With John Gruber

David Pogue, tech journalist and author of Apple: The First 50 Years, walks through the book’s making and rare archive finds. He talks about Apple’s secrecy, product decisions from the iPod to iPhone, Jobs’ evolution, the origins of the “Pogue feature” screenshot story, and why Apple’s 50th anniversary matters.

Jason Snell, technology journalist and editor behind Six Colors, returns with sharp Apple analysis. He critiques macOS 26 Tahoe’s design choices and icons. He highlights Tahoe’s productivity wins like Spotlight and clipboard history. He discusses the Six Colors report card, Creator Studio, Shortcuts and rumors about upcoming Apple hardware.

Adam Engst, longtime TidBITS publisher and Apple commentator, joins to dissect iOS 26 UI changes. He compares the new Unified and Classic Phone views and their tap behaviors. Short takes cover the Filter menu in Phone and Messages, hidden tap-to-call settings, Liquid Glass design critiques, and proposed fixes for usability and accessibility.

Brent Simmons, veteran macOS/iOS developer and creator of NetNewsWire, chats about his Audible tenure, retiring back to indie work, and shipping NetNewsWire 7. He talks macOS 26 Tahoe visual changes, adopting Liquid Glass and Swift updates, and the choices behind making NetNewsWire Tahoe-only. Short, techy stories about code hygiene, UI decisions, and indie developer pushback.

Daniel Jalkut, independent Mac developer and Red Sweater Software founder, returns to vent about macOS 26 Tahoe. They rail on small UI inconsistencies, misused menu icons, and uneven adoption across Apple apps. They debate whether Tahoe is a mitigated disaster, recall Apple’s lost pixel-perfect culture, and discuss how leadership and community fixes might steer a course correction.

Join technology reporter Rene Ritchie, a former iMore and YouTube expert, as he reflects on a pivotal year for Apple in 2025. The duo critiques Siri and Apple Intelligence's struggles, praises the economical iPhone 16e, and discusses the implications of Apple's mismanagement and overpromising on AI features. They cover the EU's fines, Apple's shifting strategies in China, and the impact of leadership changes. Ritchie brings insightful commentary on YouTube's evolving culture and the challenges of keeping digital archives alive.

Quinn Nelson, a well-known YouTuber and founder of Snazzy Labs, joins to dive into the latest developments in the iPad and Apple’s shifting leadership. They discuss iPadOS 26, its persistent design challenges, and Quinn’s strategy for mixing Mac and iPad workflows. The conversation explores Apple’s executive changes, speculating on Tim Cook's potential successors and the ensuing impact on the company’s future. With insights on app limitations and the internal politics at Apple, Quinn provides a critical yet entertaining perspective on the state of Apple technology.

Tyler Hayes, a savvy technology writer and newsletter author, dives into the world of small phones and foldables. He makes a case for the Motorola Razr, arguing it's a beacon for pocketable devices. Together with John, they debate the usability of the Razr's front screen and reflect on Apple's decision to discontinue the mini. The pair also discusses the evolving landscape of Apple TV, highlighting its growing catalog and new sonic logo, all while providing holiday gadget recommendations like compact chargers and smart home accessories.

Stephen Robles, a YouTuber passionate about iPhone/iPad Shortcuts and indie media, joins the discussion. He shares his leap into full-time content creation and the challenges of going indie. They explore the dynamics of YouTube versus podcasting, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections. Stephen delves into his love for Shortcuts, comparing them to Legos and illustrating practical uses with AI tools. The conversation also touches on the impact of platforms like TikTok, the future of podcast monetization, and Apple’s evolving podcasting features.

Dan Frommer, an independent writer and founder of The New Consumer, returns to discuss the indie media landscape and the evolution of consumer products. He delves into the intriguing iPhone Air and its rumored second generation, examining its market positioning and Apple’s recent collaborations. They also explore the role of AI in personal devices, compare the iPhone Pocket to nostalgic iPod Socks, and reflect on the impact of Apple Silicon over the past five years. Expect some insightful takes on indie publishing while keeping an eye on tech trends!