Accidental Tech Podcast

671: Even Apple Can’t Beat the Sun

December 23, 2025

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  • Apple's current software, particularly Photos, lacks the deep customization users desire for tasks like creating holiday slideshows, leading to workarounds like using Keynote and screen recording. 
  • The practice of using the term "buy" for digital media that can be revoked at any time is legally questionable and potentially misleading, as highlighted by discussions around locked Apple IDs and consumer rights. 
  • Apple's future iPhone release strategy may shift to a staggered schedule, launching Pro models in the fall and non-Pro models six months later, potentially to better manage marketing and manufacturing strain. 
  • The feasibility of under-screen Face ID and camera technology is supported by existing microperforation techniques, though Apple's stringent quality standards remain the primary hurdle for implementation. 
  • Both Face ID and Touch ID have significant failure modes (sunlight for Face ID, moisture/gloves for Touch ID), leading to a strong desire for a flagship iPhone that offers both authentication methods for maximum reliability. 
  • Rumors surrounding the 'iPhone XX' suggest a radical redesign featuring an all-screen, curved display and solid-state haptic buttons, which raises concerns about accidental input, case compatibility, and whether these aesthetic changes offer practical user benefits over current designs. 
  • The hosts promoted ATP gift memberships as a last-minute gift option, detailing how both givers and recipients can manage the process via ATP.fm/gift. 
  • A significant regression in the macOS Tahoe 'glass appearance' feature was discovered in Xcode 26.2, where background windows leave 'burned-in' residue on translucent elements like system dialogues and the dock. 
  • The speaker suggests that the massive system redesign introduced in the current macOS cycle means that the entire 26.x OS series will effectively function as a year-long beta due to insufficient time in the standard summer beta cycle for proper quality control. 

Segments

Christmas Slideshow Software Frustration
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple Photos lacks the necessary granular control for customizing slideshow layouts, forcing users toward complex workarounds like Keynote screen recording.
  • Summary: The Apple Photos app’s automated slideshow generation is insufficient for users demanding specific layout control, such as choosing which photo appears in a multi-up slide. This lack of customization is attributed to a general stagnation in Apple’s desktop-class apps post-Steve Jobs era. The suggested workaround is using Keynote to manually control every aspect and then screen recording the presentation to create the final video file.
Apple ID Lockout & Consumer Rights
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(00:07:33)
  • Key Takeaway: In Australia, Apple taking away purchased content due to an account lockout is illegal under the ‘fit for use’ consumer guarantee, regardless of Terms of Service.
  • Summary: Australian consumer law, enforced by the ACCC, mandates that products must be fit for purpose, overriding Terms of Service if they conflict with this law. The ACCC is credited with securing three-year warranties on Apple computers and iPads in Australia. The discussion contrasts this with the US situation, noting the dismantling of the CFPB, which previously protected consumers.
Misleading ‘Buy’ Terminology in Media
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(00:09:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Using the term ‘buy’ for digital media licenses that can be revoked at any time for unrelated reasons may constitute false advertising or fraud.
  • Summary: A legal argument could be made that telling customers they are ‘buying’ a movie when they are only purchasing a revocable license is misleading. Common interpretation of the word ‘buy’ implies permanent ownership, unlike the conditional nature of digital media licenses. Precedent suggests that burying such caveats in extensive terms and conditions may not be fully binding if the practice is not common understanding.
Fixing Split iMessage Threads
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(00:12:07)
  • Key Takeaway: When iMessage group threads split, manipulating the thread’s metadata—such as the group name or icon—is a suggested, non-destructive troubleshooting step that sometimes resolves the issue.
  • Summary: The complexity of group chats splitting arises from participants using different contact methods (Apple ID vs. phone number) to send messages. While ensuring everyone syncs their settings is impractical, changing the metadata (name, icon) in the split threads and then changing it back has reportedly helped remerge conversations for some users. This fix is mysterious but suggested as the only non-destructive option besides a full reset.
TV Everywhere and IPTV Standards
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(00:15:16)
  • Key Takeaway: TV Everywhere access is diminishing as networks like NBC pull content, but IPTV services can still integrate with apps like Channels using m3u8 and XMLTV standards.
  • Summary: NBC has removed its content from TV Everywhere, which Colin views as a potential precursor to other networks following suit, impacting access to content like Bravo. IPTV services, though often illicit, function using m3u8 for video feeds and XMLTV for guide data, allowing them to be added as sources in the Channels application. Cloud DVR recordings are noted as potentially ’ethereal,’ as demonstrated when a carriage dispute caused loss of access to previously recorded ABC content.
iOS Custom Pronunciation Settings
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(00:20:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Users can define custom pronunciations for specific words within iOS Accessibility settings, which affects text-to-speech output, accessible via VoiceOver or Read & Speak menus.
  • Summary: Custom pronunciations are managed under Accessibility settings, specifically within the Speech or Read & Speak sections, with Apple providing support documentation and a video guide. These settings dictate how the system’s text-to-speech engine reads text aloud, though it is unclear if they directly influence Siri’s spoken responses. One host confirmed finding previously set pronunciations for last names in this menu.
Studio Display Flickering Bug
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(00:22:15)
  • Key Takeaway: macOS Tahoe introduced a bug causing intermittent flickering on the Apple Studio Display, a problem that subsequent updates have failed to resolve and may affect other external monitors.
  • Summary: Users report that the flickering issue on the Studio Display began with the macOS Tahoe launch in September and has worsened with updates like 14.2.1. One host noted they are deliberately delaying the upgrade to macOS Tahoe on their desktop due to reports of such bugs, including an unrelated persistent calendar app window freeze bug that also persists in Tahoe.
Apple Podcasts Randomly Opening Content
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(00:25:18)
  • Key Takeaway: A user experienced the Apple Podcasts app randomly opening unrelated podcasts while the phone was locked, suggesting a bug in the app’s recommendation system rather than external malicious activity.
  • Summary: The issue involved the app opening ‘Race Day Nation’ unsolicited, and after the user selected ‘suggest less,’ the app began opening a different podcast, ‘Vaporware News Network.’ This behavior strongly suggests the Apple Podcasts app’s internal recommendation engine is triggering content playback at inopportune times, possibly via an internal URL scheme execution. The complexity of modern iOS app ecosystems means many continuity features could inadvertently trigger such background actions.
iPhone Roadmap: Staggered Releases
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(00:32:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple is reportedly planning to split its annual iPhone launch cycle, releasing Pro models (including a foldable) in the fall and non-Pro models (iPhone 18/18E/Air) six months later.
  • Summary: This staggered release aims to create steadier annual revenue, reduce strain on manufacturing, and allow for distinct marketing pushes for premium versus budget models. The iPhone Air’s poor initial sales might be due to being overshadowed by the simultaneous Pro launch, suggesting the split schedule could give the non-Pro line more breathing room. The 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027 is rumored to feature a borderless, all-screen design with potential under-display Face ID.
Under-Screen Face ID Feasibility
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(00:56:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Microperforations demonstrate the physical possibility of hiding sensors behind aluminum without visible holes, lending credence to under-screen Face ID.
  • Summary: The discussion referenced historical microperforations in aluminum, proving that tiny holes can be made invisible to the naked eye. This technology supports the feasibility of placing Face ID sensors behind the display. However, Apple’s stringent quality standards for camera and sensor performance remain the main barrier to adoption.
Authentication Trade-offs and Ideal Setup
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(01:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Face ID fails reliably in direct sunlight, while Touch ID fails with moisture or gloves, creating a strong argument for including both biometric methods in flagship phones.
  • Summary: Both biometric systems have inherent failure modes: Face ID struggles significantly when aimed at the sun, and Touch ID is unreliable with wet fingers or gloves. The ideal solution proposed is a phone that accepts authentication from whichever sensor succeeds first, mitigating user frustration from constant passcode entry. Frequent passcode entry can lead users to adopt simpler, less secure passcodes, undermining overall security.
iPhone XX Display and Curved Edges
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(01:07:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Rumored COE OLED displays for the 20th-anniversary iPhone will use color filter on encapsulation, potentially requiring a light diffusion layer to manage brightness on deeply curved edges.
  • Summary: Apple is rumored to use Samsung’s COE technology, which removes the polarizing film, potentially improving brightness but complicating reflection management. Deeply curved edges may necessitate a crater-shaped light diffusion layer for uniform brightness. Curved edges increase accidental input when holding the phone without a case and complicate case design, as cases must cover the screen edges for protection.
Solid State Buttons and Camera Tech
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(01:15:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The rumored iPhone XX may feature solid-state buttons with haptic feedback across all controls, alongside a LOFIC camera sensor promising up to 20 stops of dynamic range.
  • Summary: Solid-state buttons, previously rumored for earlier models, have reportedly completed functional verification, replacing mechanical controls for volume, power, and action buttons. LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology in the camera sensor could capture 20 stops of dynamic range in a single frame, significantly improving upon current multi-exposure HDR techniques. A variable lens aperture, similar to traditional cameras, is also rumored for future models.
Interactive Touch-Sensitive Cases
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(01:19:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple is exploring touch-sensitive layers integrated into official cases, potentially communicating via NFC, which would complement a button-less, all-screen design.
  • Summary: A patent describes an iPhone case designed as an input service rather than passive shielding, possibly incorporating biometric input like Touch ID. This concept becomes more timely if the iPhone XX eliminates all physical buttons in favor of solid-state controls and a wraparound screen. However, the reliance on specialized cases for input functionality could alienate the majority of users who opt for third-party protective cases.
Skepticism on Radical Redesign
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(01:23:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The rumored iPhone XX design, featuring a wraparound screen and haptic buttons, introduces new compromises that may not offer significant practical benefits over the successful iPhone X design.
  • Summary: The shift from the tactile home button to Face ID on the iPhone X was a successful, synergistic change, whereas the rumored iPhone XX changes seem driven by aesthetics rather than clear functional improvement. The wraparound screen introduces new breakage points and is largely covered by cases, negating its visibility. Historically, radical redesigns like the iPhone 4, 6, and X have been successful, but the current rumors suggest potentially negative trade-offs.
Contact Management and Syncing
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(01:35:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts primarily rely on Apple Contacts synced via iCloud, with one host actively curating detailed information like birthdays and anniversaries, while another notes the functional separation between Apple Contacts and Gmail’s auto-populated contact list.
  • Summary: iCloud syncing is the preferred method for maintaining contacts across Apple devices for the hosts, with one member noting they keep extensive personal data (birthdays, anniversaries) for contacts. A significant wrinkle exists for those using Gmail for email, as its contacts database remains separate and uncurated compared to the primary Apple Contacts database. A shared contacts feature, similar to Family Sharing for photos, was requested to synchronize data between spouses.
Version Control Practices for Developers
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(01:42:19)
  • Key Takeaway: All hosts use GitHub for version control, utilizing private repositories, and dismiss concerns about code security because Git’s decentralized nature provides local backups, and major platforms like GitHub are highly secure targets.
  • Summary: GitHub is the standard platform for both public and private repositories among the hosts, leveraging its issue tracking and wiki features. The decentralized nature of Git means that local clones serve as robust backups, mitigating the risk of a catastrophic loss if GitHub were compromised. The perceived security risk of hosting proprietary code on GitHub is considered lower than the risk of a local machine or self-hosted server being breached.
ATP Gift Membership Promotion
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(01:51:59)
  • Key Takeaway: ATP gift memberships can be purchased at ATP.fm/gift, and the giver is responsible for notifying the recipient using a provided code or URL.
  • Summary: ATP gift memberships are promoted as an excellent last-minute gift for tech enthusiasts. The system requires the purchaser to notify the recipient using a special code or URL, as the system does not automatically notify them. All redemption instructions and codes for gifted memberships are accessible on the member’s page if the code is forgotten.
John’s Xcode Bug Report
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(01:55:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Xcode 26.2 introduced a regression breaking the ‘glass appearance’ rendering, causing background elements to remain stuck to translucent overlays.
  • Summary: John encountered a bug where the new Tahoe ‘glass appearance’ fails to render correctly in Xcode 26.2, preventing visibility of content behind translucent windows. This issue was confirmed by reproducing it across different OS versions, requiring the difficult process of installing older Xcode versions for comparison. The bug affects not only AppKit apps but also system dialogues, which retain burned-in residue of windows dragged from behind them.
Tahoe Quality Control Concerns
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(02:00:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The severity of the glass appearance regression suggests poor quality control in the 26.2 release, implying the entire 26.x OS cycle will feel like a year-long beta.
  • Summary: The speaker expresses a lack of confidence in the Tahoe redesign due to critical regressions appearing in the 26.2 point release. Major system redesigns require more than the standard summer beta cycle to achieve high software quality. Listeners are warned that this OS cycle will likely involve dealing with ongoing beta-level issues throughout the year.