Bryan and Jeff talk about the AirTag refresh, and Apple buying the AI startup Q.ai. They also discuss Jeff’s recent audiology checkup and resources for people with hearing loss and tinnitus.

SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps you understand your finances, stay organized, and make better decisions—no matter your starting point. Get two months free when you sign up for Copilot Money with our code: CONTEXT

• Apple introduces new AirTag with expanded connectivity range and improved findability
• Apple acquires Israeli audio AI startup Q.ai
• AirPods Pro 3 health features
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bryan’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Pixelfed
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post AirTags 2, Apple Buys Q.ai, Plus Jeff Needs an Ear Horn appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Apple reportedly has a big AI chatbot upgrade in the works for Siri, and is developing a wearable pin device, too. Bryan and Jeff explore the likelihood and potential value (or not) in both.

SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Start creating for free at Framer.com/tcm, and use code TCM for a free month of Framer Pro.

• Apple plans to integrate an AI chatbot into its operating systems
• Apple said to be working on wearable pin
• HP plans to acquire Humane assets, but not its AI pin
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bryan’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Pixelfed
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Apple Rumors: a Chatbot and a Wearable Pin? appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Apple announced its Creator Studio app bundle subscription, and MacPaw is shuttering its alternative iOS app store in the EU. That gives Bryan and Jeff plenty to talk about, plus they discover what’s interesting about the number 697.

SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps you understand your finances, stay organized, and make better decisions—no matter your starting point. Get 26% off your first year when you sign up for Copilot Money, and get two months free with our code: CONTEXT

• Apple introduces Apple Creator Studio
• Setapp Mobile shutting down
• About The Number 697
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bryan’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Threads
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Apple’s Creator Studio and an EU App Store Alternative Closes appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

It’s show and tell day on TCM! Jeff monopolized the whole show to tell Bryan about OmniOutliner 6 and Audioengine’s HXL portalbe DAC.

SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Try CleanMyMac’s new Cloud Cleanup feature to free up space on iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE.

• OmniOutliner 6
• Audioengine HXL Portable DAC
• Jeff’s Audio Test Playlist
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bran’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Threads
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Jeff’s Show & Tell: OmniOutliner 6 and AudioEngine HXL Portable DAC appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Bryan and Jeff look at Steve Jobs and Tim Cook’s intentional decisions to make products that benefit their users instead of following the blind profit approach so many tech-bros follow. Jeff also tells Bryan about the ways he’s exploring music outside of Apple Music.

SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps you understand your finances, stay organized, and make better decisions—no matter your starting point. Get 26% off your first year when you sign up for Copilot Money, and get two months free with our code: CONTEXT

• Cook commits to health and well-being as Apple Watch adds new programs to Fitness+
• Plex
• Plexamp
• soma fm
• Lofi Girl
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bran’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Threads
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Jobs and Cook Versus the Tech Bros, Getting Down with Plexamp appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Bryan and Jeff have a PSA about Mac malware threats from fake Google ads and search results. They also look at the new AI-restrictions for the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association’s Nebula Awards, and talk about a fun holiday app Jeff found.

SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code TCM for a free month of Framer Pro.

SPONSOR: Copilot Money – Copilot Money is the personal finance app to make your money yours. Start 2026 with clarity and confidence. Copilot Money helps you understand your finances, stay organized, and make better decisions—no matter your starting point. Get 26% off your first year when you sign up for Copilot Money, and get two months free with our code: CONTEXT

• Google ads funnel Mac users to poisoned AI chats that spread the AMOS infostealer
• Festivitas
• AMENDED RULES for the Nebula Awards
• Neosynthesis: 12 Stories of Code, Consciousness, and Survival
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

The post Google Ad Mac Malware, Festivitas, Nebula Awards Shoot Down AI appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Bryan and Jeff share their take on Apple’s seeming exodus of employees, discuss why so many are ending up at Meta, and make it clear why they don’t have their own fashion consulting agency.

SPONSOR: MacPaw CleanMyMac – Let CleanMyMac make your holidays taste better without Mac junk on the menu. Try 7 days free and use our code CONTEXTMACHINE for 20% off at clnmy.com/CONTEXTMACHINE.

• Meta hires away Apple’s top design exec
• Apple hires former Google engineer Subramanya to help shore up AI goals; Giannandrea retires
• Meta hires two Apple AI researchers for Superintelligence push, Bloomberg News reports
• Another Apple exec leaves for Meta as AI talent war heats up, Bloomberg News reports
• Meta just hired Apple’s head of foundation models
• Apple Is a Master of Acqui-Hire as It Quietly Grabs Top Talent in A.I. Race
• Neosynthesis: 12 Stories of Code, Consciousness, and Survival
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bran’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Threads
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Turmoil or Cleaning House at Apple? appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.

Bryan and Jeff set the record straight on reports of Tim Cook retiring next year, and speculate on who could become Apple’s next CEO. They also dissect CNN’s decision to pull out of Apple News+.

SPONSOR: Framer – Framer is more than a site-builder. It’s a true all-in-one design platform. From social assets to campaign visuals to vectors & icons, all the way to a live site. Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code TCM for a free month of Framer Pro.

• Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim Cook
• Gurman: ‘Few signs internally’ point to Tim Cook stepping down as CEO early next year
• Bloomberg on Tim Cook’s retirement reports
• John Ternus
• CNN drops out of Apple News feed, for now
• Apple News just lost a major media partner after a decade
• As clicks dry up for news sites, could Apple’s news app be a lifeline?
• Neosynthesis: 12 Stories of Code, Consciousness, and Survival
• Cancel Spotify
• Bryan’s book Accidental Intelligence
• Bryan’s short story King Liam, First of His Name
• Mason Truman on Threads

Review the show on Apple Podcasts

• The Context Machine on Bluesky
• The Context Machine Facebook Group – Facebook
• The Context Machine on Mastodon
• The Context Machine on Post
• Bryan’s Instagram
• Bran’s Mastodon
• Bryan’s Threads
• Bryan’s blog: GeekTells
• Jeff’s Instagram
• Jeff’s Mastodon
• Jeff’s Threads
• Jeff’s YouTube Channel

The post Apple’s Executive Leadership & CNN’s Deep Dive into a New Hole appeared first on The Context Machine Podcast.