395 - Apple Wallet Digital Passport, M5 Chip Talk, and Tesla Finally Adding CarPlay

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave is joined by Jill McKinley,Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Episode 395 discusses VisionOS 26.2, Apple's new immersive F-18 video, third-party VR content, iOS/macOS beta features, CarPlay tweaks, and frustrations with notifications. The team reviews five years of M-series chips, explores new satellite features, tests out the digital passport ID in Wallet, debates the bizarre iPhone Pocket, reacts to Tesla adopting CarPlay, and covers Apple TV's plans to stream MLS for free in 2026.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In Episode 395, the panel kicks off with a hilarious "tinfoil hat convention" after Guy reveals his "Hat of Intelligence." The group jokes about aliens, mental shielding, and Guy's emergency hat deployment skills before shifting into the week's Apple news.

They begin with VisionOS 26.2 Beta, noting incremental improvements such as fixes for stylus pressure, stability updates, and lingering bugs in AirDrop visibility, SharePlay DRM playback, and subscription syncing. The panel agrees the update feels like a tightening pass while everyone waits for the next major feature drop.

Apple's newest immersive video, "Flight Ready," filmed with Navy F-18s, sparks lively discussion. The group praises the cinematic quality—especially nighttime carrier deck landings and aerial shots—but several mention Apple's signature issue with immersive content: the feeling that "people are way too close to your face."

The panel also highlights the increasing amount of third-party immersive Vision Pro content, including music videos, training simulations, and niche experiences created in tools like DaVinci Resolve, signaling that spatial content creation is slowly becoming more accessible.

Eric shares his in-store test of the Vision Pro M5, where he focused on widgets, Safari multitasking, virtual displays, and system responsiveness. He intentionally pushed the device hard to see if it stutters—and it didn't.

Dave walks through updates in iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/tvOS 26.2 betas, pointing out UI refinements such as expanded Liquid Glass styling, an improved Alarm interface, app sorting options in Game Library, and message-pinning in CarPlay.

CarPlay itself becomes a heated topic—Dave explains how answering a call sometimes instantly hangs up afterward. Marty expresses frustration over automotive UI "reactions" in group chats while driving. The general consensus: CarPlay is great… except when it isn't.

The group digs into macOS 26.2 (Tahoe) with mixed reactions. While some see improvements, Jeff notes memory issues and audio stack quirks still need addressing.

1Password's new behavior—unlocking automatically after system login—splits the panel. Some appreciate fewer prompts, while others insist on strict manual unlocking for security.

A retrospective on five years of Apple's M-series chips follows. Marty mentions real-world benefits moving from M4 to M5, Jeff feels his M2 Pro is still strong, Dave says his M4 Pro Mac mini is now his main machine, and Guy jokes that old Intel Macs were basically "space heaters with keyboards."

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week.

visionOS 26.2 Beta 2 Release Notes

Apple Releases Second visionOS 26.2 Beta

Flight Ready film brings immersive F-18 fighter pilot footage to Apple Vision Pro

Apple now selling the PlayStation VR2 Sense Controllers for Apple Vision Pro

Beta this week.

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

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 2

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features - MacRumors

iOS 26.2 Adds New CarPlay Setting

iOS 26.2 Adds Alarms for Reminders

iOS 26.2 Adds Three New Features to Podcasts App

iOS 26.2 Lock Screen Gets Liquid Glass Slider

iOS 26.2 Expands Live Translation on AirPods to EU

iOS 26.2 lets you disable new CarPlay feature in Messages

In Touch With Mac this week

Second macOS Tahoe 26.2 Beta Now Available to Developers

macOS Tahoe 26.2 Gets Edge Light Feature for Video Calls

1Password Simplifies Access With New Unlock Setting

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

News

Apple Developing These 5 New Satellite Features for iPhone

Apple Announces Launch of U.S. Passport Feature in iPhone's Wallet App

Apple introduces Digital ID, a new way to create and present an ID in Apple Wallet

Introducing iPhone Pocket: a beautiful way to wear and carry iPhone

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tesla Working to Add Apple CarPlay Support to Vehicles - MacRumors

Major League Soccer is coming to Apple TV starting in 2026

Major League Soccer paywall on Apple TV is now gone | Macworld

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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.

Ben Roethig Former Associate Editor of GeekBeat.TV and host of the Tech Hangout and Deconstruct with Patrice Mac user since the mid 90s. Tech support specialist. X @benroethig and all other social media @benroethig. Website: https://roethigtech.com/

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