401 - Apple's Year of Vision Pro, iPhones, and Saying Goodbye to Intel

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave Ginsburg. He is joined by Patrice Brend'amour, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, and Marty Jencius. A year-end discussion covering Apple's biggest stories of 2025. The panel dives into the Vision Pro M5 update, iOS 26.3 beta changes, iPhone 17 improvements, iPad's role as a laptop replacement, Apple's transition away from Intel Macs, security concerns, and reflections on AI tools like ChatGPT as the year comes to a close.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In this end-of-year episode of In Touch With iOS, host David Ginsburg welcomes a full panel to reflect on Apple's hardware, software, and platform shifts throughout 2025. The discussion begins with a deep dive into Apple Vision Pro, focusing on whether the new M5 model is a worthwhile upgrade, who it's really for, and whether Vision Pro should be viewed as a finished product, an emerging platform, or a preview of Apple's long-term spatial computing vision. The panel explores developer adoption, enterprise use cases, and why meaningful spatial productivity apps may take years to fully materialize.

The conversation then shifts to software, including impressions of the iOS 26.3 beta, particularly changes driven by EU regulations and continued refinements across Apple's platforms. Attention turns to the iPhone 17 lineup, where incremental updates, battery life improvements, camera enhancements, USB-C workflows, and vapor cooling spark debate about whether upgrading is worth it year over year.

From there, the panel revisits the ongoing question of whether the iPad can truly replace a laptop, acknowledging its powerful hardware while noting ongoing limitations in iPadOS. The discussion continues with Apple's Mac lineup, highlighting macOS Tahoe as the final release to support Intel Macs and reflecting on how Apple Silicon has reshaped performance, battery life, and upgrade cycles.

Security also enters the spotlight with a discussion on a recent malware case that bypassed macOS Gatekeeper, reinforcing the importance of user awareness despite Apple's protections. The episode wraps with a lighter but thoughtful look at ChatGPT's new year-end summary feature, comparing it to services like Spotify Wrapped and reflecting on how AI tools are becoming increasingly personal in daily workflows.

The episode closes with final thoughts on Apple's 2025 trajectory, community engagement, and what lies ahead as the calendar turns toward 2026.

Topics and Links

As 2025 comes to a close we review what happened this year with Apple and technology.

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Lets review Vision Pro in 2025

M5 version was released and dual knit head band was this a big upgrade?

Big Picture

At the end of 2025, is Vision Pro a product, a platform, or a preview of what's next?

Beta This week

iOS 26.3 Beta 1 continues

iPhone, iPad year in Review

iPhone

• iPhone in 2025 focused on refinement over reinvention iPhone 17
  
  

• Camera improvements emphasized computational photography and video
  
  

• USB-C accessories expanded across storage, audio, and capture workflows
  
  

• Battery efficiency improved through optimization rather than capacity

• Control Center and privacy tools became more powerful and flexible

iPad

• iPad hardware remained ahead of most real-world use cases
  
  

• iPadOS delivered incremental multitasking and external display improvements
  
  

• Ongoing tension between iPad as a laptop replacement vs companion device
  
  

• Overall theme: quieter updates, smarter systems, and platform stability
  
  

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple officially ended the Intel era with macOS Tahoe, locking in Apple Silicon as the future. We saw M5-powered Macs push performance and battery life even further, while the Mac Studio continued to blur the line with the Mac Pro.

• It marks the end of official support for Intel-based Macs, meaning future macOS versions after Tahoe will be exclusive to Apple Silicon Macs. We've Finally Reached the End of the Road for Intel Macs

Macbook releases this year.

MacBook Air 13"

M4

March 2025

MacBook Air 15"

M4

March 2025

MacBook Pro 14"

M5

October 2025

Do we expect Macbook Pro M5 Pros?

Review: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis ever

Other Topics

AirDrop codes allow temporary persistent contact

News

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Malware bypassed macOS Gatekeeper by abusing Apple's notarization process

ChatGPT Now Has a 2025 Year-End Summary Feature Like Spotify Wrapped

Announcements

Macstock 9 has wrapped for 2025. Attendees will receive a link for the session recordings when they're ready in 30-45 days. If you missed Macstock we missed you! Why not purchase a digital pass to relive all the amazing presentations? Click the link below to purchase the digital pass. Macstock X has already been announced July 10,11,12, 2026 hopeful you all can join us.

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Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios

Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @jgamet@pixelfed.social and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at jencius@mastodon.social https://thepodtalk.net

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at eabolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts—Buzz Blossom & Squeak, Start with Small Steps, and The Bible in Small Steps. Watch her content on YouTube at @startwithsmallsteps and follow her on X @schmern. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email GMenshow@icloud.com @MacParrot and @VertShark on X Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code 703-828-4677