394 - Turkey Vultures and Vision Pros: The iOS 26.1 Episode

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Guy Serle, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius. We unpack Apple's latest OS updates, new Vision Pro features, and the Ultra 3 Watch—with laughs about turkey vultures, DACs, and not testing fall detection by jumping off cliffs. Plus: Apple's record-breaking quarter, new App Store web app, and Apple TV rebranding.Jeff reviews the Audioengine HXL DAC, calling it "tiny but mighty" for audiophiles, while Marty praises Apple's new App Store web interface for making app discovery easier across all devices.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In Episode 394, Dave and the panel dive deep into Apple's fall updates with laughter, insights, and the occasional turkey vulture reference. The crew explores the rollout of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS 26.1, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS 26.1, covering both the new features and the "why is my audio weird?" moments.

Dave shares his Vision Pro M5 experience with the new dual knit band that may be the best $100 head strap you didn't need—but bought anyway. Marty highlights VisionOS improvements, including Logitech Muse stylus support and developer fixes. Jill and Eric praise the Vision Pro stability and clarity, while Guy laments Apple's confusing numbering scheme.

The conversation shifts to iOS 26.1, with battery life improvements, manual workout logging, and AI-powered updates leading the list. Jeff warns about audio glitches, while Jill celebrates working out manually (on her Watch, that is). The crew debates iPadOS's new multitasking—and how everyone accidentally triggers Slide Over now.

There's lively discussion on HomePod performance, tvOS tweaks, and watchOS bugs, including Eric's hilarious tip: turn off Bluetooth so the update doesn't take seven hours.

Jill debuts her Apple Watch Ultra 3, promising not to test fall detection by "throwing herself off a mountain"—a running joke that quickly derails into chaos ("Don't go hiking with Jill!").

Later, Jeff reviews the Audioengine HXL DAC, calling it "tiny but mighty" for audiophiles, while Marty praises Apple's new App Store web interface for making app discovery easier across all devices.

Finally, the crew cheers Apple's Q4 financial performance, with record-breaking $102.5 billion revenue, strong Mac sales, and unstoppable Services growth. As Dave puts it—"Apple's doomed… to keep making money."

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

Apple Releases visionOS 26.1 With Vision Pro App for iPad

visionOS 26.2 Beta 1 Release Notes

Apple Releases First watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2 and visionOS 26.2 Betas

Dave received his Apple Vision Pro Dual Knit Band

Beta this week. All OS 26.1 was released to the public. iOS 26.2 Beta was released this week.

iOS 18.7.2 now available for iPhone, here's what's new

Apple Releases iOS 26.1 With Liquid Glass Toggle, Slide to Stop Alarm, New Apple Intelligence Languages and More

Apple releases iOS 26.1, macOS 26.1, other updates with Liquid Glass controls and more

Apple Releases iPadOS 26.1 With Slide Over Multitasking

Apple Releases tvOS 26.1

Apple Releases watchOS 26.1 With Bug Fixes

Apple Releases HomePod Software 26.1 With Performance Improvements

iOS 26.2 Beta 1 was released this week

Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 to Developers

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.1 With New Liquid Glass Setting and More

First macOS Tahoe 26.2 Beta Now Available to Developers

Other Topics

Jeff gives his review of the Audioengine HXL Portable Balanced Headphone Amplifier & DAC

Jill has her new Apple Watch Ultra 3 and gives her first impressions

Apple Launches App Store for the Web

App Store on the Web

News

Charts: Apple caps off high-flying fiscal year with Q4 record

Apple's fiscal 2025 in charts – Six Colors

Apple TV+ to Apple TV Rebrand Now Official, Here's the New Intro

Apple One Gets New Colorful Logo Following Apple TV Rebrand [Updated]

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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