Accidental Tech Podcast

661: Intimate and Regimented

October 16, 2025

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  • The iPadOS 18/26.1 Slide Over animation issue was caused by the 'Reduce Motion' setting being unexpectedly enabled on the host's iPad, which also causes screen flickering. 
  • The new M5 chip focuses heavily on GPU and AI performance improvements (up to 45% higher graphics performance than M4) while the CPU sees a more modest 15% multi-threaded gain over the M4, maintaining the same core configuration. 
  • The base M5 14-inch MacBook Pro is positioned as a significant upgrade for M1 users, offering up to double the CPU performance, but it omits the power adapter in EU countries due to anticipated regulations and limits external display support to two. 
  • The M5 iPad Pro configuration is binned based on storage capacity, unlike the M5 MacBook Pro where the base chip configuration appears to use the best version of that chip. 
  • The M5 Apple Vision Pro upgrade primarily focuses on internal rendering improvements (10% more pixels) and a higher maximum refresh rate (120Hz), while retaining the M2 chip's external connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 6. 
  • The new dual-knit band for the Apple Vision Pro significantly improves comfort for existing users, but the M5 update itself is characterized as a speed bump that fails to address the core market adoption issues like price and content scarcity. 
  • A persistent, maddening bug in Apple's platform setup process involves a six-digit verification code that almost works, leading users to waste time trying to memorize it before realizing they should immediately select an alternative verification method. 
  • The speaker successfully transferred phone numbers for two new iPhones on 'iPhone Day' without issue, which was unexpected given past difficulties, possibly due to Verizon's servers being the bottleneck for number transfers. 
  • The hosts briefly discuss the fidelity of iCloud backups versus device-to-device/Finder backups, noting that while iCloud keychain items transfer, some logins (like Slack) might still require manual entry. 

Segments

Apple TV Naming Debate
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: A host has a solution for Apple’s TV naming problem, which is saved for the main show but debated for inclusion in the pre-show.
  • Summary: One host claims to have solved Apple’s TV naming issue, leading to a brief argument over whether to discuss it immediately or save it for the main segment. The host felt strongly enough about the idea to push for its inclusion before the official show began.
Scotland Language Follow-up
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(00:00:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Scotland has three official languages: Scots (Germanic), Scottish English (a dialect), and Gaelic (Celtic), and Scots people do not identify as English.
  • Summary: Listeners corrected the previous assertion that English is a native language of Scotland, clarifying that Scots and Gaelic are also spoken. Scots is a Germanic language that split from Middle English around 600 AD, while Gaelic is spoken primarily in the Western Highlands and Isles.
ATP Merch Job Benefit
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(00:02:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Wearing ATP merch, specifically a black polo shirt, helped a candidate secure a technical consulting role after discussing the podcast with the hiring manager.
  • Summary: A hiring manager shared that a candidate wearing an ATP polo shirt was offered a job immediately following a five-minute discussion about the podcast. The hosts noted that ATP merch apparently helps listeners get jobs, though the ‘correct’ favorite host answer remains a mystery.
iPadOS Slide Over Animation Fix
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(00:03:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The missing Slide Over animation and screen flashing in iPadOS 18/26.1 was caused by the ‘Reduce Motion’ accessibility setting being enabled.
  • Summary: The lack of the expected slide animation in Slide Over was traced to the ‘Reduce Motion’ setting, which causes animations to crossfade; turning this setting off resolved both the animation issue and the screen flashing problem.
iPhone Case Preferences
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(00:05:41)
  • Key Takeaway: A new Ryan London iPhone 17 Pro case with an open bottom and smooth leather surround was noted as a potential alternative to the Bullstrap case, despite concerns about the button design.
  • Summary: The Ryan London case features an open bottom and smooth leather, appealing to preferences for avoiding large ridges around the camera plateau. However, the visible buttons in photos appear aesthetically unappealing, contrasting with the preferred design where buttons are inset rather than raised.
Benson Leung Identity Confirmed
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(00:07:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The authoritative Reddit poster u/LaughingMan11, known for USB/Thunderbolt advice, is confirmed to be Benson Leung, an engineer whose name appears on USB-C specifications.
  • Summary: Benson Leung is a recognized authority on USB-C, having contributed to its specifications. His involvement stems from a past negative experience with poor quality USB-C cables, motivating him to educate the community.
ZFS AnyRAID and Drobo Dream
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(00:08:17)
  • Key Takeaway: ZFS AnyRAID, developed by Hex OS and slated for open-sourcing, aims to achieve the ‘Drobo Dream’ by calculating parity across 64GB tiles instead of full blocks, allowing flexible disk sizing.
  • Summary: The ‘Drobo Dream’ describes a NAS setup where users can economically expand storage by adding any size drive later while maintaining initial redundancy levels. ZFS AnyRAID attempts to solve the varying disk size limitation inherent in traditional ZFS RAID schemes.
M5 Chip Announcement Details
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(00:12:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The M5 chip, built on 3nm technology, delivers significant GPU/AI leaps (4x compute performance over M4) but only a 15% multi-threaded CPU improvement, using the same core configuration as the M4.
  • Summary: The M5 features a new 10-core GPU architecture with enhanced ray tracing, leading to substantial gains in graphics and AI workloads compared to the M4. The CPU performance increase is evolutionary, maintaining the six efficiency and four performance core layout.
M5 Pro/Max SOIC Packaging Theory
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(00:28:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The delay of M5 Pro/Max machines until early 2026 is theorized to be due to production yield issues with TSMC’s new SOIC (System on Integrated Chips) packaging technology.
  • Summary: SOIC packaging allows for heterogeneous integration by stacking separate dies (like CPU and GPU) vertically, potentially improving yields by avoiding the fabrication of one massive, error-prone die. If used, this technology could allow Apple to decouple CPU and GPU configurations in future Pro/Max chips.
Base M5 MacBook Pro Details
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(00:34:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The base M5 14-inch MacBook Pro is a strong overall machine, but users needing more than two external displays or more than 32GB RAM must opt for Pro/Max variants.
  • Summary: Apple is marketing the M5 base model specifically to M1 upgraders, highlighting up to double the CPU performance over the M1 generation. The machine includes Wi-Fi 6E and up to 2x faster SSD performance than the M4, and the Nanotexture display option is highly recommended for on-the-go use.
M5 Chip External Display Limits
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(00:51:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The base M5 chip configuration supports only two external displays, requiring a Pro or Max chip for three external displays.
  • Summary: A user currently on an M3 Max questions upgrading to a vanilla M5, noting that driving three external displays previously required a Pro or Max chip. The M5 Pro is confirmed to support only up to two external displays (e.g., two 6K via Thunderbolt or one Thunderbolt and one HDMI). This limitation is a key factor in determining the necessary chip tier for multi-monitor setups.
M5 Pro/Max SOIC Hopes
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(00:52:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Hopes for the M5 Pro/Max utilizing SOIC packaging suggest decoupling CPU and GPU beefiness, though this is considered unlikely due to the intimate, regimented nature of the current die architecture.
  • Summary: The discussion covers the rumor that M5 Pro and M5 Max chips might use a System-on-Integrated-Chip (SOIC) approach by combining individually fabricated dies. This theoretical approach could allow Apple to mix and match CPU core counts with GPU power independently. However, the speakers doubt Apple will implement this, emphasizing that current performance benefits rely on the CPU and GPU being physically close or touching on the same die.
Sentry Sponsorship Read
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(00:53:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Sentry offers real-time error monitoring, tracing, and a new AI agent named SEER that generates root cause analysis and pull requests with high accuracy.
  • Summary: Sentry provides real-time crash reporting, performance monitoring, and session replay for developers across various languages and Apple platforms. Their new AI agent, SEER, can automatically generate fixes for identified bugs with over 90% accuracy. Listeners can use the code ATPPOD for a free developer plan trial.
M5 iPad Pro Configuration Details
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(00:55:42)
  • Key Takeaway: M5 iPad Pro CPU core counts and RAM are binned based on storage: lower storage models get a 9-core CPU and 12GB RAM, while 1TB/2TB models get a 10-core CPU and 16GB RAM, all sharing a 10-core GPU.
  • Summary: The M5 iPad Pro features storage-dependent CPU configurations, contrasting with the M5 MacBook Pro where the base model chip is fully enabled. The iPad Pro models with less than 1TB storage receive a 9-core CPU (3P/6E) and 12GB RAM. Higher storage models receive a 10-core CPU (4P/6E) and 16GB RAM, with all models featuring a 10-core GPU.
M5 iPad Pro Connectivity Upgrades
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(00:58:14)
  • Key Takeaway: The M5 iPad Pro includes the C1X and N1 chips, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, features absent from the base M5 MacBook Pro.
  • Summary: The M5 iPad Pro offers up to two times faster storage read/write speeds compared to its predecessor. It incorporates the N1 chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, which the M5 MacBook Pro lacks (stuck on Wi-Fi 6E). External display support is improved to allow up to 120Hz refresh rates with adaptive sync.
M5 iPad Pro as Speed Bump
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(01:01:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The M5 iPad Pro update is characterized as a speed bump to an already high-end product, offering little incentive for current M4 OLED owners to upgrade.
  • Summary: The M5 iPad Pro is viewed as a straightforward speed bump update, similar to the M5 MacBook Pro, improving an already excellent product. For users who primarily use the iPad as a ’little TV’ (like the OLED M4 model), there is no compelling reason to upgrade. The update primarily benefits those who are not already power users or who need the absolute latest performance.
M5 Vision Pro Rendering and Battery
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(01:02:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The M5 Apple Vision Pro renders 10% more pixels internally, increases the maximum refresh rate to 120Hz, and gains about 30 minutes of battery life.
  • Summary: The M5 Vision Pro upgrade replaces the M2 chip, resulting in AI features like Persona being up to 50% faster and battery life improving to about 2.5 hours of general use. The 10% increase in rendered pixels is interpreted as an increase in the internal render resolution, likely tied to foveated rendering, rather than a physical screen size change. The maximum refresh rate increases from 100Hz to 120Hz.
Vision Pro Pass-Through Improvement
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(01:06:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The M5 upgrade substantially improves the Vision Pro’s pass-through video experience, making motion smoother and less smeary compared to the M2 generation.
  • Summary: The M5 chip allows the pass-through video to run at a higher refresh rate, addressing the previous generation’s laggy and blurry motion, which was noticeable compared to competitors like Meta Quest. This improvement is crucial for any motion-based use cases within the device. The M5’s increased power should allow it to sustain higher refresh rates without taxing the SOC.
Vision Pro Trade-In and Market Status
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(01:08:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple is not offering trade-ins for the original M2 Apple Vision Pro, and the M5 update is seen as a measure to keep the product line alive rather than expand its market.
  • Summary: Original M2 Vision Pro owners cannot trade in their devices for the M5 model, which is disappointing for early adopters. The M5 update does not solve the fundamental barriers to mass adoption, such as high cost, weight, and lack of content. This release appears designed to maintain the product’s existence while Apple slowly cultivates the content ecosystem.
Vision Pro Comfort Band Update
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(01:11:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The new official dual-knit band, sold separately for $99, dramatically improves comfort by utilizing the top of the head for support, working with the developer strap.
  • Summary: The new official strap is a significant comfort upgrade, addressing a major complaint from existing Vision Pro users who previously relied on expensive third-party hacks. The band uses two adjustment points, one on top and one in the back, which is superior to the original single-dial solo knit band. This accessory is available separately and is compatible with the developer strap.
Apple TV Plus Renaming Rationale
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(01:21:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple rebranded Apple TV Plus to simply Apple TV because the streaming service holds the most brand value, and the public rarely used the ‘Plus’ suffix correctly.
  • Summary: Apple Executive Eddy Cue confirmed the renaming was an internal decision, not consultant-driven, to align the service name with what the public already called it. The ‘Plus’ suffix was historically used for paid tiers over free services (like iCloud Plus), but Apple TV Plus never had a free counterpart. This move simplifies branding around the most recognized Apple TV asset: the streaming content.
Apple TV Naming Confusion
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(01:35:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The hardware box should be called Apple TV because the streaming service is the brand’s crown jewel, and the hardware’s low sales volume makes its specific name less critical.
  • Summary: The streaming service is the most widely known Apple TV product, making ‘Apple TV’ the best name for it. The hardware box, which few people buy compared to those who use the service on smart TVs, can safely share the name. The associated app icon is largely irrelevant to non-tech users, allowing Apple to simplify the primary consumer-facing names.
Post-Setup Pitfalls
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(01:40:32)
  • Key Takeaway: During iPhone setup, attempting to complete Face ID or Siri setup while the old phone is nearby risks aborting the entire transfer process, necessitating a full erase and restart.
  • Summary: The speaker recounts two setup failures: leaving the old phone too far away during device transfer aborts the process, and having the old phone answer Siri prompts during the new phone’s setup also aborts the process, requiring a complete restart. Users are advised to skip Face ID and Siri setup until the main transfer hurdles are cleared to avoid these critical failures.
Frustrating Setup Verification Bug
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(01:46:30)
  • Key Takeaway: A long-standing Apple platform bug nearly works during setup, tricking users into memorizing a temporary six-digit code instead of immediately choosing an alternative verification method.
  • Summary: This bug has persisted for five or six years across Apple platforms, frustrating users because the verification process almost succeeds. The near-success keeps the code on screen long enough to tempt users into memorizing it. The actionable advice is to immediately select ‘choose another way’ or SMS verification rather than attempting to memorize the flashing code.
Successful iPhone Number Transfer
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(01:47:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The speaker successfully transferred phone numbers for two devices on ‘iPhone Day,’ a process often complicated by carrier server issues, specifically citing potential problems with Verizon’s API calls.
  • Summary: Despite prior setup frustrations, both phone numbers transferred correctly, which was noted as a victory. The speaker proactively deleted global e-SIMs before starting to prevent known complications. The speaker suspects Verizon’s servers, rather than the account itself, are often responsible for failing number transfers.
iCloud Restore Fidelity Comparison
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(01:48:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Device-to-device and Finder backups are suggested to maintain higher fidelity than iCloud backups, although most common data is now stored in iCloud.
  • Summary: The hosts suggest trying an iCloud restore at some point to see if it simplifies the setup process. iCloud backups successfully transfer items stored in iCloud Keychain, such as Wi-Fi passwords. However, a previous source indicated that device-to-device and Finder backups remain superior in fidelity for certain aspects.