659: Lose the Ear Lottery

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• Recent Apple leaks, such as the M5 iPad Pro, are becoming so frequent and predictable that they offer little new information beyond confirming expected product existence.  Copied to clipboard!
• The iOS 26.0 release is proving to be significantly buggy, causing widespread issues for users (like CarPlay connectivity and tethering) and developers alike, leading to the belief that iOS 26.1 is effectively the intended initial release.  Copied to clipboard!
• Finder/iTunes backups remain the most complete and reliable method for migrating data, especially for nervous upgraders or trade-ins, contrasting with the convenience but incompleteness of iCloud or device-to-device transfers.  Copied to clipboard!
• The fit of the new AirPods Pro 3 is significantly different from the Pro 2s, causing discomfort and pain for some users, leading one host to return them despite superior noise cancellation and sound quality on paper.  Copied to clipboard!
• The Nomad magnetic leather back case for the iPhone 17 Pro is considered unusable by one host because the redesigned camera plateau prevents the case from sitting flush, creating a gap.  Copied to clipboard!
• The improved sound quality of the AirPods Pro 3, particularly the significantly better bass response and more transparent noise cancellation, is tied to a much stronger seal in the ear canal, which is the source of the comfort issues for some listeners.  Copied to clipboard!
• A seemingly dead Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard may have caused subsequent, seemingly unrelated failures in USB connectivity through Thunderbolt hubs.  Copied to clipboard!
• USB 2.0 devices can fail to be recognized through Thunderbolt hubs while USB 3.0 devices continue to function, potentially due to the separate pin configurations used by USB 2.0 within the Thunderbolt standard.  Copied to clipboard!
• Systematic troubleshooting, especially isolating variables like cables early on, is crucial for resolving complex peripheral connectivity issues, as replacing a single Thunderbolt cable resolved an otherwise inexplicable USB 2.0 failure across multiple hubs and devices.  Copied to clipboard!

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Boring Apple Leak Extravaganza

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(00:00:00)

• Key Takeaway: A YouTube channel allegedly obtained and benchmarked a physical M5 iPad Pro before Apple’s announcement, highlighting the severity of current product leaks.
• Summary: The hosts noted an abundance of predictable Apple leaks, exemplified by one channel showing a physical M5 iPad Pro, which was deemed a boring spec bump update. This level of leak suggests significant security issues, possibly involving theft, given the product was allegedly unboxed and booted. The hosts decided not to cover the leaks extensively as they offered no new information beyond product existence.

St. Jude Fundraising Update

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(00:03:00)

• Key Takeaway: St. Jude’s SAFER program assists children with cancer in Ukraine, building on prior work in Lebanon to create a global crisis response blueprint.
• Summary: The St. Jude campaign is concluding, and listeners are urged to donate at St. Jude.org/ATP. The SAFER program specifically aids Ukrainian children with cancer, either by helping them evacuate or providing treatment locally. This initiative is part of St. Jude’s effort to develop a global crisis response blueprint based on lessons learned from various crises.

ATP Member Special Overview

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(00:05:01)

• Key Takeaway: The latest ATP Member Special focused on the Computer Science Curriculum, detailing personal educational backgrounds and what was gained or missed in mid-90s/early 2000s CS education.
• Summary: ATP Member Specials cover various topics, including movie watches, tier lists, and developer-focused content. The current special, ATP Dev: Computer Science Curriculum, explored how hosts’ college educations in CS compared to modern curricula. Listeners can access the back catalog, ad-free feeds, and unedited ‘bootleg’ versions via atp.fm/join.

ATP Fan Recognition Stories

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(00:08:42)

• Key Takeaway: Listeners Mark Christian and Richard Earney reported being recognized in public by strangers based on ATP shirts or apps, confirming the show’s reach.
• Summary: Mark Christian was recognized in Manhattan by someone actively listening to ATP on Overcast, prompting a thumbs-up. Richard Earney was recognized in Edinburgh, Scotland, while wearing an ATP Pixel shirt. One host noted the rarity of seeing their own apps used by strangers in public, contrasting with the recognition experienced by voice-based podcasters.

iOS 26.0.1 and CarPlay Issues

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(00:14:44)

• Key Takeaway: iOS 26.0.1, intended to fix Wi-Fi/Bluetooth issues on iPhone 17 models, did not resolve persistent connection drops experienced with a Carlinkit wireless CarPlay dongle.
• Summary: The official iOS 26.0.1 update failed to fix one host’s issue where wireless CarPlay via a Carlinkit dongle would disconnect every 30 seconds. This, combined with numerous other system bugs reported by users (like garbled audio in CarPlay), suggests iOS 26.0 was highly unstable. The host is now hoping iOS 26.1 (currently in beta) resolves these problems, otherwise a new dongle will be purchased.

iPhone 17 Pro Thermal Performance

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(00:22:28)

• Key Takeaway: The iPhone 17 Pro exhibits significantly better thermal management than the 16 Pro, capable of maintaining a charge while tethered without overheating or severe throttling.
• Summary: One host noted that the iPhone 17 Pro does not get nearly as hot as the 16 Pro did under heavy use. This improved thermal design allows the phone to charge fully while connected to a laptop, whereas the 16 Pro would overheat and throttle performance severely. The host expressed happiness with the 17 Pro’s performance, especially in the orange color.

iCloud Backup and Messages Details

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(00:24:14)

• Key Takeaway: Messages are excluded from standard iCloud backups if Messages in iCloud is enabled, as they sync directly to iCloud; however, Advanced Data Protection (ADP) must be enabled to prevent Apple from having access keys to standard iCloud backups.
• Summary: If Messages in iCloud is active, messages are synced to iCloud and not included in the daily backup, though this sync can be slow. Nick advised changing the ‘Keep Messages’ setting from ‘Forever’ to ‘One Year’ to save Mac storage, as macOS lacks the offloading feature found on iPhones. ADP protects standard iCloud backups, but enabling it carries the risk of users locking themselves out of their own data.

Pre-populating New iPhones

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(00:27:39)

• Key Takeaway: Pre-populating new iPhones purchased directly from Apple with a customer’s iCloud backup is technically and economically infeasible due to transfer time, security risks, and ADP restrictions.
• Summary: While analogous to Kindle pre-linking, pre-loading an iPhone backup is impractical because backups are often days or weeks old, and the transfer time is too long for Apple’s scale of sales. Furthermore, if a user enables ADP, Apple cannot access the backup data to place it on the new device. Security implications regarding Apple having access to sensitive data also make this a dangerous proposition.

TestFlight App Migration

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(00:31:03)

• Key Takeaway: When migrating to a new iPhone, TestFlight apps were replaced by their App Store versions, leaving gaps on the home screen rather than collapsing icons, which was preferable to reshuffling.
• Summary: A listener reported that TestFlight apps were successfully replaced by their App Store counterparts during a transfer, preventing home screen layout disruption. This behavior contrasts with older transfer methods where gaps would collapse, forcing users to re-learn icon positions. Developer-installed apps (built via Xcode) do not transfer and must be re-deployed.

iPhone Transfer Method Comparison

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(00:32:48)

• Key Takeaway: Encrypted Finder backups offer the most complete restore method, unlimited local copies, and better error reporting compared to iCloud, which is best suited for the impatient.
• Summary: Finder/iTunes backups allow for unlimited local storage of full backups, unlike iCloud which typically only retains two or three recent dates. Finder restores provide more detailed error information for troubleshooting. Device-to-device transfer is best for users with slow internet or no computer but is prone to failing during multi-hour transfers, especially from very old phones.

AirPods Pro Onboarding Overload

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(00:34:28)

• Key Takeaway: New product onboarding, exemplified by AirPods Pro setup, is suffering from ’enshittification’ as new features necessitate lengthy setup wizards that skip over features already known to repeat customers.
• Summary: Setting up new AirPods Pro involves numerous steps like conversational awareness testing and hearing tests, which is frustrating for users upgrading from previous noise-canceling models. The original AirPods setup was magical due to fewer features, but the increasing feature set demands more setup time. A simple ‘skip all’ or ‘use previous settings’ button is needed for experienced users.

Alter Ego: EMG vs. EEG

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(00:38:01)

• Key Takeaway: The Alter Ego device reads Electromyography (EMG) signals from facial muscles near the temporomandibular joint, not Electroencephalography (EEG) brain signals, making true ’thought reading’ impossible with this hardware.
• Summary: The device is measuring muscle signals (EMG), which are much easier to read than brain signals (EEG) due to proximity and lower noise. Neuroscience research confirms that measuring actual movement intention (motor areas lighting up in fMRI) is distinct from imagined movement. The technology could potentially be integrated into glasses or AirPods, similar to how Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses use EMG via a wrist strap.

Case Material Friction Test

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(00:47:04)

• Key Takeaway: The new TechWoven case provided insufficient friction for a MagSafe wallet, causing it to slide off easily because the wallet only contacted the tips of the case’s coarse, lumpy texture.
• Summary: Tina rejected the TechWoven case because the MagSafe wallet detached too easily due to reduced surface contact area compared to smoother materials. Apple’s Silicone case was chosen for its compatibility with the new crossbody strap, although attaching the strap proved unuser-friendly, requiring a needle threader to loop the attachment threads through the case. The Bullstrap leather case offered excellent friction when paired with the Bullstrap leather wallet.

Leather Case Friction & Thickness

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(00:52:25)

• Key Takeaway: Well-broken-in leather offers the strongest attachment for MagSafe accessories compared to newer leather or silicone cases.
• Summary: The friction provided by a well-broken-in Apple leather wallet on a case offers the strongest attachment for accessories. Leather cases vary significantly in thickness even when made of the same material. TechWoven cases are currently considered more successful than the FineWoven material, though wallets reduce friction on both.

iPhone 17 Pro Case Woes

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(00:53:40)

• Key Takeaway: The Nomad magnetic leather back is unusable on the iPhone 17 Pro because the redesigned camera plateau eliminates the necessary corner adhesive patch, causing the case back to lift.
• Summary: The Nomad magnetic leather back, which was well-liked on the 16 Pro, fails on the 17 Pro due to the full-width camera plateau removing space for a critical adhesive patch. This results in the case flapping and creating a gap at the top edge. TechWoven cases appear to be selling very well in Apple Stores.

iPhone 17 Initial Impressions

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(00:56:52)

• Key Takeaway: The iPhone 17 devices are extremely unsurprising upon initial handling, with no immediate exciting features to report.
• Summary: The new iPhone 17 devices are currently still in their boxes, awaiting data transfers for family members. One host preemptively placed the phones into clear cases to avoid fingerprints before setup. The initial physical impression is that the phones are normal and entirely unsurprising.

AirPods Pro 3 Fit Failure

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(00:57:56)

• Key Takeaway: The AirPods Pro 3 fit is drastically different from the Pro 2s, pushing further and harder into the ear canal, causing pain after an hour or two for some users.
• Summary: Despite having significantly better noise cancellation and sound quality, the Pro 3s were returned because the fit caused pain, unlike the Pro 2s which fit comfortably. The change in fit is attributed to the ear tip sitting deeper and sealing more aggressively against the ear canal walls. Third-party tips are unlikely to fix the issue as the problem lies with the redesigned physical placement within the ear.

AirPods Pro 3 Sound Quality Analysis

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(01:05:33)

• Key Takeaway: The bass response in the AirPods Pro 3 is night-and-day better than the Pro 2s, but the treble is pushed higher, potentially sounding too harsh or digital for some listeners.
• Summary: The Pro 3s offer a vast improvement in bass response and soundstage, making the Pro 2s sound like an interpretation of bass rather than the real thing. The increased treble response is noticeable and approaches the limit of what some listeners prefer, highlighting the need for Apple to introduce audio tone controls like competitors offer. Transparency mode on the Pro 3s sounds unrealistically real compared to the Pro 2s.

Audio Frequency Response & EQ

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(01:17:09)

• Key Takeaway: As high-fidelity audio products, the AirPods Pro 3s should offer user-adjustable equalization because their U-shaped frequency response (boosted bass and treble) is not universally appealing.
• Summary: The AirPods Pro 2 and 3 exhibit a U-shaped frequency response, boosted in bass and treble, which is typical for mass-market appeal rather than a flat audiophile response. Competitors offer tone controls because different users prefer different sound profiles, a feature Apple lacks. The Harman curve represents a common target response that most people find pleasing, but the AirPods Pro do not match it.

SSD Filling Performance Impact

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(01:43:33)

• Key Takeaway: Filling an SSD, whether in a computer or phone, reduces the number of available storage choices, which inherently slows down performance, but the OS is the primary danger.
• Summary: SSDs still suffer performance degradation when nearly full because the controller has fewer optimal locations to write new data, reducing efficiency. The main reason this is less discussed for phones is that iOS is more aggressive than macOS at purging files in the background to maintain necessary free space. Running out of disk space causes operating systems like iOS and macOS to behave poorly due to failures in expected file creation (like swap files).

USB Odyssey Introduction

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(01:49:09)

• Key Takeaway: The host’s USB troubleshooting began after a Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard started failing with key misses and eventually died completely.
• Summary: The host initiated a complex troubleshooting process after their preferred Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard began exhibiting typical failure signs like double or missed keystrokes. This keyboard is known for having a strong following but poor electronic longevity, often dying between two and three years of use. The failure of the keyboard led directly to the discovery of subsequent USB connectivity issues.

USB 2.0 Device Failure Isolation

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(01:54:42)

• Key Takeaway: USB 2.0 devices (like audio interfaces) failed when connected through Thunderbolt hubs, while USB 3.0 SSDs continued to work correctly through the same hubs.
• Summary: The host determined that USB 2.0 devices were not being recognized by the computer when routed through Thunderbolt hubs, even though USB 3.0 devices connected to the same hub functioned normally. This failure was consistent across multiple Thunderbolt hubs (OWC and CalDigit Element 4), suggesting the issue was not the hub hardware itself. USB 2.0 devices worked correctly only when plugged directly into the MacBook Pro ports or through the Pro Display XDR’s built-in ports.

Cable Testing and Resolution

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(02:05:30)

• Key Takeaway: The root cause of the selective USB 2.0 failure was traced to a single, long Thunderbolt cable connecting the hub to the laptop, which tested poorly for non-Thunderbolt modes.
• Summary: Using a cable tester (PLE CaberQ), the host found that the long Thunderbolt 3 cable used for the setup showed 0% health and failed to report backwards-compatible USB modes, despite working for years. Replacing this specific cable with a new, identical model immediately resolved all USB 2.0 connectivity issues across all tested hub configurations. The host suspects the dying keyboard may have stressed the cable, causing internal chip failure that specifically impacted the USB 2.0 signaling lanes.