Shortcast

Welcome back to The Macrumor Show from our sunny Florida retreat. We’re doing a listener Q&A, and we’ve launched subscriptions for bonus and ad‑free episodes on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, so let’s jump in.

Could iPhone Air 2 debut a silicon‑carbon battery, or will Apple skip real battery gains to add a second camera or speaker?

It’s too soon for that battery tech on Air 2; Apple tends to roll out new cells slowly, and that model still needs basics like the second camera. If anything experimental lands, it’ll be later and likely on a different flagship, while the foldable may simply lean on a very large battery.

Day‑to‑day, the Air’s battery is fine for most people, though I’m still rooting for a real leap.

Based on current rumors, would you pick iPhone Air 2 or the foldable iPhone Ultra, and why?

I’d pick the fold, because you’re making some camera trade‑offs either way and the new form factor actually adds something meaningfully different.

Same here—the fold is the freshest idea.

When will Apple finish moving laptops to OLED and ProMotion, including Neo and Air?

MacBook Pro is expected to go OLED first, then Air, with other Macs much later because panels are expensive. Even where OLED arrives on mid‑tier devices, Apple may keep refresh rates at sixty hertz to preserve Pro differentiation.

If John Ternus weren’t next CEO, who would it be?

Ternus has clearly been groomed for it, and there’s no obvious Plan B in the spotlight. If forced to guess, maybe Craig Federighi or Johnny Srouji, but no one feels as primed.

Will the OLED iPad mini get ProMotion?

Unknown—giving it ProMotion would blur lines with iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, but mid‑tier devices have been gaining higher refresh rates elsewhere. It probably should get it, yet Apple may hold it back to protect upsells.

Would a foldable iPhone make the iPad mini redundant, and should Apple reposition the mini?

If the mini moves upmarket with OLED and a price hike, a foldable iPhone reduces the need for it. I’d rather see mini become a great lower‑cost iPad for kids and casual use.

What should Apple call the foldable—iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra?

Ultra fits Apple’s naming better; they’ll want it framed as the best iPhone, not just the folding one. I can’t see them using “Fold” as the brand.

I’m convinced it’ll be iPhone Ultra.

Will MacBook Neo cannibalize iPad sales, and should buyers worry?

Some budget‑conscious Apple fans will pick Neo over entry iPads, but iPad still shines for Pencil, kids, travel, and a couch device. Long term I see a slow iPad decline, not a cliff.

What’s next for VisionOS and could we see a new Vision Pro variant soon?

VisionOS updates have been small quality‑of‑life tweaks; a next‑gen Siri with on‑device AI would be the first big swing. I worry Vision Pro is fading, with any true successor years away.

It still outclasses rival headsets in hardware and feel, and I hate the idea of it getting cut before the software fully matures.

Signs point to a quiet wind‑down for the current unit—fewer demos, build‑to‑order, and a minor refresh using leftover parts—so a real reboot likely sits far out.

With Pixelmator joining Apple’s creator studio, will Apple build a true Lightroom alternative or fold features into Photos?

Keep pro‑grade editing as a dedicated app within Apple’s creator suite instead of stuffing advanced tools into Photos, just like iMovie versus Final Cut and GarageBand versus Logic.

Is Apple behind Alexa on basic smart‑home routines, and will that change?

Yes, but Apple’s been exploring voice‑built shortcuts with AI so you can describe a routine and tweak what Siri drafts. That would keep automations in Shortcuts while making setup far easier.

I’m ready for the smarter Siri era and the home gear that comes with it.

If you swapped all your gear for entry‑level models, what’s the worst bottleneck?

My Mac’s memory would choke my workflow more than the chip itself, and I’d miss the iPhone’s top camera. Ports and accessories on the budget Mac would also slow me down.

Would you do a week with Apple Watch only and no iPhone?

No—the lack of a real camera is a deal‑breaker.

What do you think of Nothing’s devices, and would you switch?

I won’t switch because of Apple’s ecosystem, but Nothing’s designs are fresh and their headphones are everywhere in the UK.

I could use their headphones easily, but Android keeps me from their phones even though I love the transparent look.

Would you rather use a Windows laptop with an iPhone, or a MacBook with a cellular Android tablet?

MacBook plus the Android tablet—I can still anchor on macOS for work.

I’d take Windows with my iPhone since I use the phone constantly.

Why doesn’t Apple ship the same features across sizes and let us just pick screen size?

I’d love consistent features across sizes and cleaner names; Apple does it well in some lines, but the mini and entry iPad often get odd gaps.

If you could only keep three devices, which make the cut?

My Mac, my iPhone, and Apple TV, though smart TV platforms are passable if I had to give Apple TV up.

I’d keep my iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch; Apple TV is nice, but I can live with a decent TV OS.

What’s the oldest tech you own—and the oldest you still use?

I still have my first iPod classic, though I barely dare charge it, and my oldest daily gear is probably AirPods Max hardware vintage. My two thousand twenty‑one MacBook Pro is hanging on but needs a new battery.

I own an Apple II that doesn’t run, and my oldest in‑use devices are probably an Apple TV or my Mac Studio.

What drew you to Apple, and what was your first product?

Apple felt different—opinionated design, fit and finish, and a logo so iconic it needs no letters. I started with an iPod, then an iPod shuffle, then iPod touch, and the rest followed.

My gateway was an early iPod after saving up one summer, then iTunes pulled me deeper until the iPhone and Mac tied it all together.

Do you use Windows or Android personally?

No, I’m all‑in on Apple for personal use.

I use a Windows gaming PC for my golf sim and try Android for work, but not as my daily carry; if I had to mix, I’d pick a Mac with an Android phone over a Windows laptop with an iPhone.

Favorite device and the one you use most?

The Mac is my favorite and my must‑have for work.

My iPhone is the one I can’t put down, even if my golf simulator tries to steal the crown.

How do you feel about family using Android when you’re on iPhone?

I dislike juggling chats in WhatsApp and end up engaging less there, so I’ve nudged most of my family into Apple for iMessage and Family Sharing.

I could deal with it, but Apple’s sharing and messaging make everything simpler, and my kids are already set up with Apple accounts.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Q&A—thanks for hanging out with us, and we’ll catch you in the next episode.