431 - The One Where Apple Says "Please Update Now"

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. This week the panel covers another packed week across the Apple ecosystem, including important security updates, the latest developer betas, rumored iOS 27 features, and improvements coming to Apple's creative apps. The discussion also explores Notes power-user tips, Apple's acquisition of Play, new HomeKit ideas, iPhone 17 Pro camera enhancements, AI developments from Google and Anthropic, and everyone's latest Things Found.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In Episode 431 of In Touch With iOS, Dave Ginsburg is joined by Jeff Gamet, Guy Serle, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, and Eric Bolden for a wide-ranging discussion covering the latest Apple news, software updates, security concerns, productivity tips, and favorite discoveries.

The episode begins with a look at Apple's latest beta releases for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, along with a strong recommendation to install the recently released 26.5.2 updates due to the significant number of critical security fixes affecting multiple Apple platforms. The panel also discusses Apple's ongoing iOS 27 development, highlighting improvements coming to Maps, Mail search, copy-and-paste functionality, and new Apple Intelligence features available to iCloud+ subscribers.

A major focus is Apple's continued investment in professional creative tools. The panel explores new AI-powered features arriving in Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, discussing how these updates streamline creative workflows while making Apple's software ecosystem even more attractive for content creators and professionals.

The conversation then shifts to artificial intelligence as Google introduces Gemini Spark for macOS. The panel examines its ability to automate local file workflows while debating privacy implications and comparing Google's approach with Apple Intelligence, ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI assistants currently available to Mac users.

Apple Notes receives its own spotlight as everyone shares practical ways they use the app for shopping lists, recipes, class preparation, secure notes, voice capture, and daily organization. The upcoming ability to create links directly to sections within Notes sparks discussion about how power users can better organize lengthy documents and create more navigable notebooks.

Security remains a recurring theme throughout the episode. The panel discusses the recently disclosed Hide My Email vulnerability that could potentially expose users' real email addresses, along with newly discovered AirDrop security issues affecting nearby file sharing. They emphasize keeping devices updated, limiting AirDrop availability in public settings, and following good security practices to reduce potential risks.

The hardware discussion turns to the iPhone 17 Pro, where the panel examines new camera capabilities including clean HDMI output through Final Cut Camera, making the device an even more capable tool for professional video production and content creation.

HomeKit also gets attention as the group shares automation ideas, smart home best practices, and experiences with HomeKit-compatible accessories, including a Meross smart power strip capable of individually controlling outlets and USB ports. Jeff Gamet offers additional automation tips for improving everyday smart home reliability.

Additional Apple news includes Apple's acquisition of Play, the SwiftUI prototyping application, speculation about how its technology may enhance Apple's developer tools, new Apple Arcade game releases, American Express Membership Rewards integration with Apple Pay, and expanded availability of Anthropic's latest Claude AI model.

The episode wraps up with another entertaining edition of Things Found, where the panel shares favorite apps, accessories, creative tools, and gadgets they've recently discovered, before closing with excitement about the upcoming MacStock conference and the opportunity to connect with fellow Apple enthusiasts in person.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

r/AppleVisionPro on Reddit: Filmed a Revolutionary War reenactment documentary in Apple Immersive Video on the URSA Cine Immersive, free on Vision Pro for the America 250 celebration

Beta this week. Critical update released iOS 26.5.2, new iOS 26.6 Beta 3, and iOS 27 Beta 2 continues.

Apple Releases iOS 26.5.2 With Security Fixes

OS 26.5.2 Fixes Major Apple Security Flaws

Apple Seeds Third iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 Betas to Developers

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

iOS 26.6 release date: Here's when the new iPhone update is coming

iOS 27

iOS 27: All the New Apple Maps Features

iOS 27 Adds a Useful New Copy-and-Paste Feature to Your iPhone

Here's everything new for Apple Mail in iOS 27

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.5.2

Third macOS Tahoe 26.6 Beta Now Available for Developers

Apple Creator Studio Gets New AI Features

Apple Creator Studio gets smarter, faster, and more connected

Google Gemini Spark Comes to Mac With Local File Automation

Gemini for macOS notes and – native AI assistant & Mac automation

How we use Apple Notes and Apple Notes adds a power user feature in iOS 27 that's rare in other apps

Other Topics

Apple Hide My Email Vulnerability Exposes Real Email Addresses

iPhone 17 Pro just got an exclusive new pro-focused camera feature

Final Cut Camera App

AirDrop Vulnerabilities Expose Apple's Nearby Sharing Risk

10 Hacks Every Apple Home User Should Know | Lifehacker

Power Strip with HomeKit https://amzn.to/4wnAo2v

Bonus: Meross bedside table lamps: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CKGXVL3

News

Apple Acquires Award-Winning App 'Play'

Apple Arcade Adding 5 Games This Week, Including 'Family Feud Pocket'

American Express Announces New Apple Pay Feature

Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 Available Again After U.S. Lifts Export Controls

This weeks "Things we found"

Jill RYOBI ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Pruner - https://amzn.to/4p0AzOZ

Jeff: Linea Sketch

Jeff's art store: https://jeff-gamet-art.printify.me

Dave: Zoom Instamic Pro Plus C Mono/Stereo Mic: https://a.co/d/09MEutK6

Marty: Impulse brain training https://apps.apple.com/us/app/impulse-brain-training/id1451295827

Eric: Disk Drill Data Recovery - racoon picture recovery from memory cards https://apps.apple.com/us/app/disk-drill-data-recovery/id431224317?mt=12

Disk Drill PRO and Enterprise for Windows & macOS

Guy: Thank Goodness you're here https://thankgoodness.game/

Announcements

Macstock X is here celebrating its 10th anniversary ! Dave, Chuck, Jeff, Marty, and Jill are all speaking this year!. With Three Full Days of expert-led Presentations and Workshops, Macstock's sessions are crammed full of productivity-enhancing content. NEW this year is a partnership with sponsor Ecamm. Ecamm Creator Camp: Mac Edition on July 9, 2026 there are only 100 tickets available for the bundle. There are 2 passes available: Macstock weekend pass July 10,11,12, 2026 or the Macstock Ecamm Bundle starting July 9 (only 100 tickets available) Come join us. Register HERE and use our offer code INTOUCH to save $50

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 https://jeffgamet.com

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