Staff Departures and Doomsday Narratives

Apple's sports media strategy is up in the air, the Mac Pro may actually be dead this time, and Apple's doom won't be found in a single employee departure on the AppleInsider Podcast. This week's bonus segment in AppleInsider+ covers podcasts William and Wes listen to.

Contact your hosts:

• @williamgallagher_ on Threads
• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Sponsored by:

• NordStellar: go to nordstellar.com with coupon code blackfriday20 and unlock 20% off on your purchase
• Udacity: For 40% off your order, head to Udacity.com/APPLEINSIDER and use code APPLEINSIDER
• Aura Frames: Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at the Aura Frames website with promo code APPLEINSIDER
• Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/appleinsider

Links from the Show:

• Tyler, the Creator seals his biggest year yet as Apple Music Artist of the Year
• Joe Rogan beats The Daily to top Apple Podcasts' Top Charts for 2025
• Apple TV subscribers will get Major League Soccer games for free in 2026
• MLS & Apple TV deal ends in 2029, years ahead of schedule
• Apple TV will offer Friday Night Baseball through 2028, contrary to rumors
• iOS 26.2 Side button virtual assistant settings were actually meant for Japan
• Mac Pro may never be updated, Apple backs Mac Studio instead
• In with a bang, out in silence — the end of the Mac Pro
• Expect big changes in iPhone release timing in 2026 and 2027
• iPhone Air isn't annual, iPhone Air 2 was never coming in 2026
• Next Apple Watch refresh may not happen until 2028
• Industrial designer & iPhone Air video narrator departs Apple for AI startup
• How Pixar avoided becoming 'Sillywood' when Steve Jobs took over
• HidrateSpark Pro 2 review: motivational drinking with lights, chimes, & Find My

Support the show:

Support the show on Patreon or Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes every week, access to our private Discord channel, and early release of the show! We would also appreciate a 5-star rating and review in Apple Podcasts

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: advertising@appleinsider.com

• (00:00) - Intro
• (08:47) - Apple Podcast charts
• (26:31) - Apple Sports strategy
• (36:59) - Siri changes in Japan
• (41:49) - RIP Mac Pro?
• (50:38) - Apple's new product schedule
• (01:00:47) - Apple DOOM™
• (01:08:12) - Pixar and Toy Story
• (01:12:47) - Closing comments