Rumors are starting to pick up in 2026, with more information emerging about the upcoming iPhone 18 and M5 MacBook Pros. Could we finally see new Studio Displays this year? And end-to-end encryption for RCS messages could finally be coming to iOS.

• iPhone 18 Pro: Dynamic Island may move to top-left screen corner.
• Some MacBook Pro configurations see up to a two-month delay ahead of possible next-gen M5 MacBook Pro release.
• The icon history of various Apple software.
• New Studio Display or Pro Display XDR spotted in regulatory database.
• Google Gemini-Powered Siri will reportedly have these 7 new features.
• Apple Watch blood sugar monitoring a step closer as new tech launches.
• The Smartlet dual watch band is the most ridiculous Apple Watch accessory yet.
• Apple Vision Pro owners will get a great assortment of classic arcade games in VR soon.
• Red Bull's 2026 Formula 1 launch puts Apple hardware front and center.
• Civilization VII is coming to Apple Arcade.
• As pressure mounts for Apple to pull the X app, xAI says Grok will stop undressing people.
• In case you ever doubted it, Apple Car was real -- reveals Airbnb.
• End-to-end encryption for RCS messages surfaces in iOS 26.3 beta.
• Apple is fighting for TSMC capacity as Nvidia takes center stage.
• Apple testing new App Store design that blurs the line between ads and search results

Picks of the Week

• Andy's Pick: Dolly Parton & Trio, with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt
• Stephen's Pick: Aqara U400 Smart Lock UWB
• Jason's Pick: Also the Aqara U400 Smart Lock, but UWB locks in general.

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

Guest: Stephen Robles

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Apple & Google enter a multi-year collaboration to integrate Apple's AI with Google's Gemini model. Apple unveils its Apple Creator Studio app collection. And JPMorganChase will become the new issuer of the Apple Card.

• Joint statement from Google and Apple.
• Introducing Apple Creator Studio, an inspiring collection of creative apps.
• Some first thoughts about live immersive basketball.
• Apple: You (still) don't understand the Vision Pro.
• Chase is taking over Apple's credit card.
• Apple loses Safari lead designer to The Browser Company.
• Removing Tahoe's unwanted menu icons.
• iOS 26 shows unusually slow adoption months after release [updated].
• Global smartphone shipments grew 2% YoY in 2025; Apple emerged as market leader.
• Exclusive: India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul.
• Verizon no longer needs to unlock phones after 60 days, thanks to FCC.
• Apple scores at the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards with Best Comedy and Best Actor wins for record-breaking hit "The Studio," alongside a Best Actress win for "Pluribus".
• Legendary classic Macintosh game 'Dark Castle' is coming back to the Mac.
• Texas man discovers 2.09-carat brown diamond at Arkansas State Park after asking Siri for mining tips.
• Lego iMac G3 clears key hurdle, moves closer to release.

Picks of the Week

• Doc's Pick: Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5" LCD Touchscreen
• Leo's Pick: Insta360 Link 2 & 2CPro
• Jason's Pick: xteink x4
• Andy's Pick: Dark Castle on Internet Archive

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

Guest: Doc Rock

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A look back at what Apple did, and did not deliver in 2025. What will Apple do in 2026? Could Apple benefit from Alan Dye, former design lead for Apple, leaving the company? And you can watch an upcoming NBA game, live, in the Vision Pro!

• 2025 will be remembered for what Apple didn't deliver.
• And Stay Out!
• It's hard to justify Tahoe icons.
• Wish List: A more flexible Apple display strategy.
• AppleVis announces winners of the 2025 Golden Apple Awards.
• Los Angeles Lakers games on Spectrum Front Row in Apple Immersive tip off January 9.
• Apple scores at the Critics Choice Awards with top wins for global hit feature "F1" and Best Comedy Series "The Studio".
• Pluribus season 2 isn't happening for a while, says Vince Gilligan: 'We're working on it'.
• Steve Jobs' Desk, Bow Ties, 8-Track tapes, and other personal ephemera featured in Apple 50th Anniversary auction

Picks of the Week

• Shelly's Pick: PiccyBot
• Andy's Pick: Bounce
• Jason's Pick: LosslessCut

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

Guest: Shelly Brisbin

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Join us again as we take a look back at some of MacBreak Weekly's favorite stories and moments from 2025:

• The unveiling of the iPhone 16e.
• The UK's effort to keep Apple Encryption fight secret is block & White House blames iPhone's auto-correct contact for Signal scandal.
• Apple's fairly underwhelming, and hilarious, 'Celebrity Snapshot' page.
• Another new product announcement from Apple: the iPhone Air!
• MacBreak Weekly celebrates its 1000th episode!
• And the departure of one of the original panelists of MacBreak Weekly...

Host: Leo Laporte

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An update on the story about an Apple developer who lost access to their Apple ID. Apple receives clearance to activate the Apple Watch hypertension detection feature in Australia. Italy fines Apple $115 million over App Tracking Transparency. And we say goodbye to one of the original MacBreak Weekly panelists.

• Apple developer's account restored after compromised gift card incident.
• Apple receives clearance to activate Apple Watch hypertension detection/notification feature in Australia.
• Apple agrees to third-party App Store alternatives in Brazil.
• Apple's iOS 26.3 will introduce proximity pairing to third-party devices in the EU.
• Free two-hour delivery from Apple Stores now available for a limited time.
• 1.5 TB of VRAM on Mac Studio - RDMA over Thunderbolt 5.
• Italy fines Apple $115 million over App Tracking Transparency.
• Apple announces more ads are coming to App Store search results
• Apple quietly discontinued flyover city tours in Apple Maps.
• Why Apple's foldable iPhone may be smaller than expected.
• Apple TV releasing Pluribus season finale early.

Picks of the Week

• Alex's Pick: Homey Pro
• Andy's Pick: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas & Patrick Stewart's 'A Christmas Carol'
• Jason's Pick: Some of his favorite books, TV shows, and podcasts from the past year.

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

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Apple releases OS 26.2 right before the holidays! Pluribus becomes Apple TV's most-watched show ever. And why you should consider backing up more of your stuff locally.

• Apple releases OS 26.2 updates.
• With iOS 26.2, Apple lets you roll back Liquid Glass again — this time on the Lock Screen.
• 26.2: Here are the security fixes for all of Apple's operating systems.
• tvOS 26.2 brings kids mode to the Apple TV app.
• iOS 26.3 beta reveals how Apple plans to handle EU-required notification forwarding.
• Apple loses its appeal of a scathing contempt ruling in iOS payments case.
• Japan law opening phone app stores to go into effect.
• Pluribus becomes Apple TV's most watched show ever.
• Cadillac and Chevy are getting native Apple Music.
• Apple buys two new buildings in Cupertino, topping $1B spend.
• UK to push for nudity-blocking software on devices to protect children.
• 20 years of digital life, gone in an instant, thanks to Apple.

Picks of the Week

• Jason's Pick: Fosi Audio BT20A Pro Bluetooth 5.0 Amplifier
• Andy's Pick: "Will Return" Screensaver

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

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Alan Dye jumps ship, departing Apple for Meta! Could Johny Srouji leave Apple soon? Srouji says he's not leaving 'anytime soon'. Justin Bieber is upset over part of Apple's Messages UI. And Apple TV previews part of the F1 channel TV app!

• Bad Dye Job.
• Apple announces departure of general counsel and policy chief.
• What the heck is going on at Apple?
• Apple Chip Chief tells staff he's not leaving 'Anytime Soon'.
• In a major coup for someone, Alan Dye leaves Apple.
• Report: Apple Bleeding Talent to OpenAI.
• Apple highlights developer tools as Australia bans social media for under-16s.
• Justin Bieber threatens Apple with 'rear naked choke hold' over Messages UI.
• Apple may have to enable always-on GPS in India.
• Russia restricts FaceTime, its latest step in controlling online communications.
• A love letter to glory days of iPhone gaming.
• Create a bootable external disk for Apple silicon Macs in Tahoe.
• iFixit app returns to the App Store with AI guidance and battery warnings.
• Pebble's new smart ring stops you from forgetting your best ideas.
• More all-black Vision Pro prototype parts surface online.
• New features for Galaxy XR and a look at future devices.
• Apple TV previews new F1 streaming deal, confirms driver onboard cams will be included.
• Apple announces winners of 2025 App Store awards.
• Apple's acclaimed feature "F1" and hit series "Severance," "Pluribus," & "Slow Horses" land top nominations for the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Picks of the Week

• Jason's Pick: MBW Picks (Pick-ception Paul Mayson!)
• Andy's Pick: A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Alex's Pick: GenR8

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

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John Giannandrea is stepping down from his role as VP for Machine Learning & AI Strategy and retiring in Spring 2026! Could Apple re-partner with Intel on a future product? Apple overtakes Samsung as the world's top phone maker. And Apple's new holiday season TV ad charms the panel!

• John Giannandrea to retire from Apple.
• From Ming-Chi Kuo: "Intel expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M processor as early as 2027..."
• Apple to resist India order to preload state-run app as political outcry builds.
• Apple set to become world's top phone maker, overtaking Samsung.
• EU to examine if Apple Ads and Maps subject to tough rules, Apple says no.
• Apple releases 2025 holiday season TV ad: "A Critter Carol".
• Apple Music replay 2025 now fully available.
• Apple security bounties slashed as Mac malware grows.
• MKBHD's wallpaper app Panels is shutting down.
• Apple TV series The Hunt postponed due to plagiarism allegations.
• Apple TV debuts trailer for all-new holiday special "The First Snow of Fraggle Rock," premiering globally Friday, December 5.
• Apple and (RED) announce limited-time $3M Apple Pay partnership.
• After Apple originally announced the first version of Halo in 1999, Xbox apparently called Bungie and said "Steve Jobs can't have that. We're going to buy you."
• David Lerner, a Mr. Fix-it of Apple computers, dies at 72.
• 34 years ago, Apple created a multimedia file format for the Mac, and it's still all around us.

Picks of the Week

• Alex's Pick: Logic Pro for iPad
• Andy's Pick: "I Made Apple's Widget Clock"
• Jason's Pick: Govee Christmas Lights 2

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell

Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly.

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