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The Old Mac Gang discusses Apple’s “Welcome Home” announcements, what smart home devices are worth buying, and whether they can make everyday life and aging in place easier. Articles Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/13/apple-october-13-recap/ Apple’s “Welcome Home” Event https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2026/10/13/apple-launch-event-october-2026/ Apple “Welcome home” Event: Three New Products Are Coming Tomorrow https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/12/apple-welcome-home-event-three-new-products/ Apple Newsroom https://www.apple.com/newsroom/ Questions We Asked What was your first reaction to the Welcome Home announcements? What do you have in your home today that is “smart,” and what do you actually use? Of the three new devices, which would you buy or recommend to someone our age, and which would you skip? Do we need a screen on the counter or wall, or is the iPhone already that screen? Are we comfortable talking to the house, and with devices that recognize who is in it? Who is this for: us, our kids, or our parents, and does it make aging in place easier? Connect with the Gang Peter: @ppetto on Instagram, Facebook, X, Tumblr, Bluesky, and Mastodon Charlie: [email protected]; CyberchuckTX across social platforms Chris: ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads and Instagram: @chris.wesselman Bob: TMUG.com, ThinkBob.com, DangerousBobPhotography.com | Bluesky: @ThinkBob Marty Jencius: @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.Net Show Contact Information YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang Substack: Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetwork Website: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

Apple's fall lineup is a guessing game again: an OLED iPad mini, M6 iMac, new Apple TV, HomePod mini, maybe a touchscreen MacBook. Rather than predict, each of us brings one question about what matters to us. Apple Event This October? These 7 New Products Expected Next Month (MacRumors, Sept. 22) https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/22/apple-event-october-2026-what-to-expect/ Fall 2026 Apple Product Rumors (Cult of Mac, Sept. 14) https://cultofmac.com/news/apple-products-fall-2026-rumors When Is Apple's Next Event? (Macworld, Oct. 1) https://www.macworld.com/article/672537/when-is-apples-next-event.html Apple Newsroom (Apple) https://www.apple.com/newsroom/ YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang Substack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetwork Website: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

The Gang weighs Apple's $699 MacBook Neo against a new M5 Air, an Apple refurb, and the perennial used M1 bargain to help you buy a Mac that lasts five or six years without paying for power you'll never use. Section 1 — Meet the MacBook Neo: What $699 Buys MacBook Neo (Apple)https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/MacBook Neo: Should You Buy? Reviews and More (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-neo/Apple MacBook Neo Review: Surprisingly good and capable for $599, with one big flaw (Notebookcheck)https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Neo-Review-Surprisingly-good-and-capable-laptop-for-599-with-one-big-flaw.1247679.0.htmlMacBook Neo Review — 6 Months Laterhttps://6monthslater.net/2026/09/macbook-neo-review/Section 2 — The M-Series Case, Including That M1 in the Closet First MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/05/macbook-neo-first-benchmarks/Is the MacBook Air M1 Still Worth Buying in 2026? (BGR)https://www.bgr.com/2215378/is-macbook-air-m1-still-worth-buying-in-2026/Buying a Used M1 MacBook Air in 2026: Still a Steal or a Security Risk? (The Mac Observer)https://www.macobserver.com/tips/round-ups/buying-a-used-m1-macbook-air-in-2026-still-a-steal-or-a-security-risk/Are Older MacBooks Still Worth Buying in 2026? (Engadget)https://www.engadget.com/2255893/older-macbook-still-worth-buying-2026/Section 3 — The Fine Print That Actually Decides It Best MacBook for 2026: Air vs Pro vs Neo Compared (Macworld)https://www.macworld.com/article/667144/best-macbook-air-vs-pro-neo-compared.htmlWhich MacBook Should You Buy in 2026? Five Best Apple Laptops Ranked (Tom's Guide)https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/macbooks/i-review-laptops-for-a-living-and-this-is-now-the-macbook-i-recommend-to-most-peopleGet Started with Accessibility Features on Mac (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/get-started-with-accessibility-features-mh35884/macSection 4 — Where and How to Buy It Certified Refurbished Mac (Apple)https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/macWhere to Find the Gang Charlie — [email protected] | "CyberchuckTX" in many placesChris — ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob — TMUG.com | ThinkBob.com | DangerousBobPhotography.com | Bluesky: @ThinkBobMarty Jencius — @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetContact the Show YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Gang runs four rounds of favorites from Apple’s September 14 releases—macOS 27 Golden Gate, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27—naming the headline and hidden features worth trying yourself. Petapixel and Tyler Stalman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYH9RPdRfGs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yozFyE8Mb5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6avuE41-VA (videographers) Section 1: macOS 27Golden Gate •      macOS27 Golden Gate: New features, release date, beta, compatible Macs (Macworld)https://www.macworld.com/article/3139330/macos-27-mac-features-siri-apple-intelligence-release-date-compatibility.html •      macOS 27 Golden Gate now available, here is everything new (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/macos-27-golden-gate-now-available-here-is-everything-new/ •      What's new in the updates for macOS 27 Golden Gate (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/127257 •      macOS 27 Golden Gate New Features: 7 to Try Today (Gadget Hacks)https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/macos-27-golden-gate-new-features-7-to-try-today/ •      macOS 27 Golden Gate Update: The Best New Features (Geeky Gadgets)https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/macos-27-golden-gate-features-2026/ Section 2: iOS 27 •      iOS 27 Now Available: 10 Features to Try First (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-features-to-try-first/ •      50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27 (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/50-new-things-iphone-can-do-ios-27/ •      iOS 27 now available: New features, compatible iPhones, and more (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/ios-27-now-available-features-compatible-iphones/ Section 3: iPadOS 27 •      About iPadOS 27 Updates (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/149075 •      iPadOS 27 (Apple)https://www.apple.com/os/ipados/ •      iPadOS 27 Released: Top New Non-AI Features (Android Headlines)https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/09/ipados-27-new-features-siri-ai.html •      Apple releases iPadOS 27, here's what's new for iPad (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/apple-releases-ipados-27-heres-whats-new-for-ipad/ Section 4: watchOS 27 •      Apple Releases watchOS 27 With Siri AI, New Watch Face, Smart Stack Improvements andMore (MacRumors)      https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/14/apple-releases-watchos-27/ •      watchOS 27 is live: 7 new features to try first on your Apple Watch (Tom's Guide)https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/smartwatches/watchos-27-is-live-7-new-features-to-try-first-on-your-apple-watch •      watchOS 27: Here are Apple's full release notes (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/10/watchos-27-here-are-apples-full-release-notes-for-new-update/ •      watchOS 27: Everything We Know (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/watchos-27/ Contact the Show Web: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

Apple held its annual fall event -- "Surprise and Shine" -- on September 9, 2026. The Old Mac Gang gathers to react to what Apple unveiled, how it compared to the pre-show predictions and leaks, and what it all means for Mac users and the Apple ecosystem.   ·  New Apple CEO unveils latest iPhone lineup,including a foldable model called Duohttps://apnews.com/article/fd35312e6d894d5f3b055b3d62f22cd2 ·  Live: Apple debuts iPhone Duo, its firstfoldable iPhonehttps://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/apple-live-updates-foldable-iphone-duo-18 ·  Everything Apple announced at its fall iPhoneevent, from the foldable iPhone Duo to an always-listening Apple Watchhttps://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/everything-apple-announced-at-its-fall-iphone-event-from-the-foldable-iphone-duo-to-an-always-listening-apple-watch/ ·  Everything Apple Announced: iPhone Duo,iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods 5https://www.wired.com/story/everything-apple-announced-september-2026/ ·  Everything Apple announced at its Surpriseand Shine eventhttps://www.macworld.com/article/3228054/surprise-and-shine-apple-event-live-blog-iphone-18-pro-folding-duo-airpods.html ·  Apple unveils iPhone Duohttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-unveils-iphone-duo/ ·  Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 ProMaxhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-debuts-iphone-18-pro-and-iphone-18-pro-max/ ·  Introducing Apple Watch Series 12, with theall-new Health Sensing Systemhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/introducing-apple-watch-series-12-with-the-all-new-health-sensing-system/ ·  Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 4https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-unveils-apple-watch-ultra-4/ ·  Apple introduces AirPods 5, featuringbest-in-class open-ear Active Noise Cancellationhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-introduces-airpods-5-with-best-in-class-open-ear-active-noise-cancellation/ Design for iPhone Duo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do3UqxfYc3I Youtube.com/@Fade [email protected] ThePodTalk.Net

The Gang takes an honest look at ebooks and audiobooks on the Apple gear you already own — making the type behave, borrowing free from your library, and listening the way you like it. LINKS FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW Read books in the Books app on iPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-books-iphc1af7c57/ios Read or listen to text in apps with Accessibility Reader on iPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-listen-text-apps-accessibility-reader-iph406a46ab8/ios Access books on other Apple devices in the Books app (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/access-books-on-other-apple-devices-iphb886e1752/ios Getting started with Libby (Libby Help) https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6103.htm hoopla digital — Help and Getting Started https://www.hoopladigital.com/help Project Gutenberg — Free eBooks https://www.gutenberg.org/ Standard Ebooks — Free and Liberated Ebooks https://standardebooks.org/ Listen to audiobooks in the Books app on iPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/listen-to-audiobooks-iphac1971248/ios Libro.fm — Audiobooks That Support an Independent Bookstore https://libro.fm/ Send PDF, EPUB and Other Files to Your Kindle (Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G5WYD9SAF7PGXRNA Calibre — Ebook Management for the Mac https://calibre-ebook.com/ Youtube.com/@OldMacGang ThePodTalk.Net [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang goes back to basics with the iPhone's most overlooked app — the Phone app itself — covering iOS 26's unified Calls list, Call Screening, Wi‑Fi Calling, and built-in call recording. Mac Studio Gets Update to M5Max and M5 Ultra (AppleInsider) https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/25/mac-studio-gets-update-to-m5-max-and-m5-ultra New Mac Studio M5 Max and M5Ultra: Everything You Need to Know (Macworld) https://www.macworld.com/article/2973459/2026-mac-studio-m5-release-date-specs-price-rumors.html Apple Unveils New Mac Miniand Mac Studio With Updated Chips (Forbes Vetted) https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2026/08/25/apple-unveils-new-mac-mini-and-mac-studio-with-updated-chips/ Make a call on iPhone (AppleSupport) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-a-call-iph3c993cbc/ios Ten Useful New Features iniOS 26's Phone App (Austin MacWorks) https://austinmacworks.com/ten-useful-new-features-in-ios-26s-phone-app/ Set up Voicemail on iPhone(Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-voicemail-iph3c99490e/ios Screen and block calls oniPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/screen-and-block-calls-iphe4b3f7823/ios Manage unknown callers oniPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/111106 iOS 26's new Phone app won meover with two excellent features (9to5Mac) https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/01/ios-26s-new-phone-app-won-me-over-with-two-excellent-features/ Make a call with Wi‑FiCalling (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/108066 Make and receive phone callson Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/102405 How to record and transcribea call on iPhone (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/121583 Peter — @ppetto most everywhere Charlie —[email protected], and "CyberchuckTX" in many places Chris — ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com (https://chriswesselmanphotography.com)| Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselman Bob — TMUG.com (http://tmug.com), ThinkBob.com (http://thinkbob.com),DangerousBobPhotography.com (http://dangerousbobphotography.com) Marty Jencius — @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.Net YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang Website: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang panel provides their favorite keyboard shortcuts and ways to integrate them into your workflow. SECTION 1 --- The Essentials: Core macOS Shortcuts Everyone Should Know 1. Mac keyboard shortcuts (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/102650 2. Mac Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete Cheat Sheet (KeyShortcuts) https://keyshortcuts.net/blog/mac-keyboard-shortcuts 3. 100+ Time Saving Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for 2026 (Tech by Davey) https://techbydavey.com/mac-keyboard-shortcuts/ SECTION 2 --- Beyond Copy and Paste: Window Management, Screenshots, and Spotlight 1. 60 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts That'll Instantly Speed Up Your Workflow (Apple Headlines) https://www.appleheadlines.com/how-to-use-keyboard-shortcuts-mac/ 2. The Ultimate Guide to Mac Keyboard Shortcuts (MacHow2) https://machow2.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-mac/ 3. macOS Keyboard Shortcuts 2026 | Complete Cheat Sheet (FastShortcuts) https://fastshortcuts.com/shortcuts/mac/ SECTION 3 --- Making Shortcuts Your Own: Customizing and Third-Party Tools 1. Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/create-keyboard-shortcuts-for-apps-mchlp2271/mac 2. Use macOS keyboard shortcuts (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/keyboard-shortcuts-mchlp2262/mac 3. Best Mac Keyboard Shortcut Apps (TextExpander) https://textexpander.com/blog/mac-keyboard-shortcut-app Additional mention: Dock Star app www.dockstar.app PANELIST CONTACT INFORMATION (Where can we find you?) Peter --- @ppetto most everywhere Chris --- ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com (https://chriswesselmanphotography.com) Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselman Bob --- TMUG.com (http://tmug.com), ThinkBob.com (http://thinkbob.com), DangerousBobPhotography.com (http://dangerousbobphotography.com) Marty Jencius --- @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.Net SHOW CONTACT INFORMATION YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang Website: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

No topic tonight — just gear. All five panelists (Charlie, Chris, Marty, Peter, and Bob) bring one app they actually use, and the whole crew weighs in on every pick. Apps covered: The Brain — https://www.thebrain.com/ (Charlie's pick)Time Machine Editor — https://tclementdev.com/timemachineeditor/ (Chris's pick)Reading List — https://marc.io/readinglist (Marty's pick)CleanShot X — https://cleanshot.com/ (Peter's pick)SetApp — https://setapp.com (Bob's pick)Find us:YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

In this stripped-down format episode, two of the Gang ditch the topics and rabbit holes to share four apps they'd tell a friend to download today. APP 1 — VLC (Chris's pick)https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vlc-media-player/id650377962Free, open-source media player that plays virtually anything — no codec hunting required. APP 2 — Speedtest by Ookla (Chris's pick)https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speedtest-by-ookla/id1153157709?mt=12One-tap internet speed test — download, upload, ping, jitter, plus a history log. APP 3 — Stickier! (Marty's pick)https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stickier/id6447073047?mt=12Modern take on Mac sticky notes — formatting, checkboxes, menu bar quick-notes, and floating always-on-top windows synced to iOS. APP 4 — Dock Star (Marty's pick)https://dockstar.app/Build custom docks on your desktop — drag in apps, files, folders, drives, web links, switch between saved "scenes," even trigger Shortcuts. A spiritual successor to DragThing. ContactWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]: youtube.com/@OldMacGang

The Gang tackles printers end to end — choosing between inkjet and laser, OEM vs. third-party ink and toner, getting a new printer talking to a Mac, PC, and phone, and the most common problems (and fixes) that come up along the way. The panel also shares the actual printers sitting on their own desks and the real-world costs and headaches they've run into. Best Printers 2026: 10 Models Tested for Home Office(Guidespot) https://www.guidespot.com/best-printers/ 5 Best Printers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed(Consumer Reports) https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/best-printers-of-the-year-a9151182809/ The 5 Best Printers of 2026, Recommended by Experts(NBC Select) https://www.nbcnews.com/select/amp/rcna171286       OEM vs. Compatible vs. Remanufactured TonerCartridges (Toner Buzz) https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/toner-cartridges-genuine-oem-vs-compatible-vs-remanufactured/       Are Compatible Toner Cartridges Any Good? (imageOne) https://www.imageoneway.com/blog/are-compatible-toner-cartridges-any-good       Name Brand vs. Remanufactured vs. CompatibleCartridges (LD Products) https://www.ldproducts.com/blog/name-brand-vs-remanufactured-vs-compatible-printer-cartridges/       Printers 101 for Seniors (Number Analytics) https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/printers-101-for-seniors       How to Set Up a Wireless Printer: Step-by-Step Guide(Laptop Outlet) https://www.laptopoutlet.co.uk/blog/how-to-setup-a-wireless-printer.html       Printer Troubleshooting FAQs: Quick Fixes for CommonPrinting Problems (HP) https://www.hp.com/us-en/tech-takes/printers/troubleshooting/printer-troubleshooting-common-problems-quick-fixes.html   Peter      Brother HL-L2370DW — black & white laser (homeoffice)HP ENVY Inspire 7200 — color inkjet, with scanner(wife's office) CharlieEpson WorkJet 630 — color inkjet with cartridges,built-in scanner ChrisEpson Artisan 730 (2015) — color inkjet, all-in-onescan/copy BobBrother monochrome laserBrother color laserCanon color inkjet (wife's office) MartyBrother DCP-L2640DW — wireless compact monochromemulti-function laser, copy/scan/duplex (home office)Canon imageCLASS MF3010 VP — wired monochromemultifunction laser with scanner/copier (office)Program Contact InformationYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangWebsite: ThePodTalk.Net      Email: [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang looks at what it actually costs to get online and how to stop paying gigabit prices for email. SECTION 1 — How Much Do You Need, and What Are You Paying? Save Money on Internet (Senior Planet from AARP) https://seniorplanet.org/save-money-on-internet Free Zoom classes, 400+ in-person partner sites, and a handout on reading a pricing sheet. The best "where do I send my mother" answer on the list. Internet for Seniors: Best Plans and Discounts (HighSpeedInternet.com) https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/internet-for-seniors AARP does not sell internet, and most providers have no senior discount. Call instead of ordering online — agents can apply breaks the website never shows. Best Internet Service for Seniors in 2026 (SeniorLiving.org) https://www.seniorliving.org/internet/best/ Ranked on price, service, and reliability instead of top-end speed. Ask the neighbors — coverage is block by block. If You're Paying for Fast Wi-Fi, Make Sure You're Getting It (AARP) https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/internet-speed-test/ Run a speed test against the bill. Most "slow internet" is a tired router, not the plan. One or two people on email and streaming are fine at 50-100 Mbps. SECTION 2 — Help With the Bill After the ACP Went Away Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ $9.25 a month off phone or internet, up to $34.25 on Tribal lands. Qualify by income or Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, housing, or Veterans Pension. Renew yearly or lose it. Find Low-Cost Internet Offers in Your Area (EveryoneOn) https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers Enter a ZIP, check the boxes, get the real plans at that address — plus discounted refurbished computers and free basics training. Best Internet Providers for Seniors (BroadbandNow) https://broadbandnow.com/guides/seniors Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, Cox ConnectAssist, AT&T Access. Watch the new-customer-only trap for long-time subscribers. A Guide to Free Internet for Seniors (TheSeniorList) https://www.theseniorlist.com/internet/free/ The blunt version: there is no free internet for seniors, and the $30 ACP credit ended June 1, 2024. What's left is a patchwork that changes by ZIP code. SECTION 3 — Which Connection, and Who Fixes It at 9 PM? FCC National Broadband Map https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/ Every provider reporting service at a street address, with technology and speeds. Free, no signup, no sales call. Also check the mobile coverage map. Best Fixed Wireless & 5G Home Internet Providers of 2026 (CompareInternet) https://www.compareinternet.com/fixed-wireless-internet/ 100-300 Mbps, $35-$70, no contract, no data caps, self-install in minutes. Verizon's Frontier deal closed in January 2026, so Fios is on the table in new places. 5G Home Internet vs. Cable (InternetProviders.ai) https://www.internetproviders.ai/resources/5g-home-internet-vs-cable/ 5G wins on price and simplicity; cable wins at 8 PM. No contract means you can try it for a month. Check the phone for 5G bars first. How to Negotiate Your Internet Bill (BroadbandNow) https://broadbandnow.com/guides/how-to-negotiate-your-internet-bill-for-best-deal Ask for retention by name. Buy your own modem and stop the $10-$15 rental. Call mid-morning Tuesday through Thursday. Downgrading speed is the underrated move. YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang Website: ThePodTalk.Net Email: [email protected]

It's beta season on the Apple calendar. On July 13, the firstpublic betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 “Golden Gate,” watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS all arrived at once — and right on cue, the “should I install it?” texts started flying in from friends and family. This week the Gang breaks down what’s actually new in these builds, why a “public” beta still isn’t the same thing as “safe,” and — most useful of all — what we tell the less tech-savvy folks in our lives about when to update and when to just leave it alone. Bob is out this week, so the rest of us are twice as opinionated. Apple Seeds First Public Betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27(MacRumors) https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/13/apple-seeds-ios-27-public-beta-1/ Public Betas for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and macOS 27“Golden Gate” (macOSCompatible) https://www.macoscompatible.com/story/apple-releases-public-betas-for-ios-27-ipados-27-tvos-27-and-macos-27-golden-gate First iOS 27, macOS 27 Public Betas Are Out — But YouShould Still Be Careful (AppleInsider) https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/07/13/first-ios-27-macos-27-public-betas-are-out-but-you-should-still-be-careful Should I Install the macOS Beta? (Macworld) https://www.macworld.com/article/671123/should-i-install-macos-beta-latest-version.html Developer Beta vs. Public Beta: Which Should You Choose?(Geeky Gadgets) https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/should-you-install-ios-27-beta/ To Beta or Not to Beta — That Is the Question (AppleCommunity) https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250009676 Should You Always Update Your iPhone to the Latest iOS?(My Computer Works) https://mycomputerworks.com/should-you-always-update-your-iphone-to-the-latest-ios-version/ Automatic Updates Are Apple’s Best Defense Against Delay(AppleMagazine) https://applemagazine.com/automatic-updates/ Marty Jencius — @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon| ThePodTalk.NetPeter — @ppetto most everywhere socialCharlie — [email protected], and “CyberchuckTX” in many placesChris — ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Blueskyand Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselman YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGang   Website: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang give tips on managing your dock and menubar with their own examples SECTION 1 — The Dock: App Launcher, File Shelf & More How to Customize Your Mac Dock Like a Pro (Ask Dave Taylor) — https://www.askdavetaylor.com/how-to-customize-your-mac-dock-like-a-pro/ 11 Clever Ways to Customize the Mac Dock (How-To Geek) — https://www.howtogeek.com/clever-ways-to-customize-the-mac-dock/ How to Group Mac App Icons More Prominently in Your Dock (MacRumors) — https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/group-app-icons-macos-dock/ Mac Dock Customization: 7 Advanced Tips Beyond Default Settings (Appish) — https://appish.app/blog/mac-dock-customization-beyond-default-options SECTION 2 — The Menu Bar: Managing the Strip at the Top Best Mac Menu Bar Apps in 2026: Tiny Utilities That Save You Hours (Timing App Blog) — https://timingapp.com/blog/best-mac-menu-bar-apps/ Bartender Alternatives: 6 Mac Menu Bar Managers Compared (Teeny Apps) — https://teenyapps.com/articles/bartender-alternatives/ Best Bartender Alternatives for Mac in 2026 (Badgeify) — https://badgeify.app/top-3-bartender-free-alternatives-to-manage-your-mac-menu-bar/ Subscribe to The Old Mac Gang on YouTube @OldMacGang, live Wednesday nights 9PM EST. Reach us at [email protected] or ThePodTalk.Net.

The Old Mac Gang covers what was said at WWDC and the changes that will effect seasoned Apple users Engadget — Everything Announced at WWDC 2026: https://www.engadget.com/2189698/everything-announced-at-apples-wwdc-2026-keynote/ Tom's Guide — WWDC 2026 Recap: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/wwdc-2026-live-news-updates TechCrunch — WWDC 2026 Everything Announced: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/09/wwdc-2026-everything-announced-on-siri-ai-os-27-apple-intelligence-and-more/ Digital Trends — Full WWDC 2026 Breakdown: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/wwdc-2026-ios-27-siri-ai-apple-intelligence-upgrades-and-everything-else-apple-announced/ Tech Republic — 10 Biggest Announcements: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-11-biggest-announcements-apple-wwdc-2026/ iClarified — All 263 New Features: https://www.iclarified.com/101152/here-are-the-263-new-features-revealed-in-apples-massive-wwdc-2026-slide The Liquid Glass Situation iOS 27 adds an opacity slider — dial back transparency from full Liquid Glass to a solid look Default appearance is less extreme than iOS 26 out of the box More uniform toolbar design across macOS apps Performance Apps launch up to 30% faster; Photos open up to 70% faster; AirDrop transfers up 80% Apple's "Snow Leopard" moment — fixing what's broken before adding new features macOS 27 Golden Gate Apple Silicon only — Intel Macs no longer supported macOS 26 continues to get security updates for Intel users Search Rebuilt index loads immediately after updating Faster, more relevant results across Mail, Photos, and the OS Accessibility VoiceOver offers AI-generated image descriptions Action Button can trigger Visual Intelligence — point, ask, get spoken answers Voice Control: describe buttons in natural language Accessibility Reader adds AI summaries and translations Parental Controls Child account setup dramatically simpler; age-appropriate app suggestions built in Accounts automatic for under-13, active through 18; parents approve all app additions New Time Allowance: per-app and per-category limits with time-of-day schedules "Ask to Browse": kids request blocked site access via Messages; parents approve remotely Ask to Buy default for under-13 in App Store and in-app purchases Communication Safety now flags violent and explicit content, not just nudity Third-party parental control APIs now open to developers Siri AI Siri rebuilt as a conversational AI — thinks ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude; powered in part by Google Gemini On-screen awareness: Siri sees your display and acts on it Maintains conversation history across sessions Searches Messages, email, calendar, and photos to answer personal questions New standalone Siri app — speak or type, review past conversations, syncs via iCloud Writes and edits emails/messages; adapts tone to context Mail: suggested actions; Phone: surfaces relevant info during calls Beta this fall, English only; opt-in; not available on tvOS App Updates Photos: slideshow maker, Cleanup/Extend/Spatial Reframe AI tools, iCloud Shared Albums now full-res Safari: AI tab organizer, Notify Me for restocks/price drops Maps: upgraded Flyover with AI-blended 3D city views; Local Lists for trending nearby spots Messages: shortcuts to add Calendar events, Notes, or pull related photos Mail: faster search, suggested actions; Calendar: add events in plain language Passwords: autonomously navigates to vulnerable sites and upgrades weak passwords Home: camera alerts grouped by activity; AI describes what triggered motion alerts AirPods: custom EQ coming — adjust bass, mids, treble Wallet: scan physical loyalty/membership cards to create digital versions Find My: share location for custom time windows or pause sharing by day Shortcuts: describe what you want in plain language, Siri builds it • New episodes at ThePodTalk.Net • Find us on YouTube: @TheOldMacGang • Email: [email protected]