Awards, Podcast Categories, and Chart Gaming

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

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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

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• (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