Myke and Ticci dig into Mark Gurman’s report on Siri in the ’27 OS releases, check their vibes for Apple and AI for the year, and talk about the “Personal Super Intelligent” lobster known as Clawdbot.

This episode of Connected is sponsored by:

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iOS 27: Apple to Revamp Siri as Built-In iPhone, Mac Chatbot - Bloomberg

Private AI Compute advances AI privacy – Google Blog

Introducing Gemini 3 Flash: Benchmarks, global availability – Google Blog

‎Queue - Simple Podcasts App - App Store

Clawdbot Showed Me What the Future of Personal AI Assistants Looks Like - MacStories

Clawdbot

Closing the capability gap between frontier AI and everyday use in 2026 – Fidji Simo

The two chairmen (and Myke) regroup to discuss beige accessories and Apple Creator Studio, including its icons. They then dig into what Apple could achieve by moving Siri onto Google’s foundation models.

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Ticci Scale (2018)

Ticci Scale (2025)

NewsBlur

Sol

Feedbin

Inoreader

lire

Unread

ReadKit

iPhone 17 Series Case Classic LS - Spigen

Classic LS Phone Wrist Strap - Spigen

Apple Mac Mini Stand Classic C1 - Spigen

A Very Nerdy Holiday Break – AppStories

Dashboard (macOS) - Wikipedia

Apple Should Bring Back Dashboard - 512 Pixels

Apple Unveils Apple Creator Studio App Suite - MacStories

Apple Creator Studio Announced - 512 Pixels

Will Final Cut Pro on Mac Get Every New Feature Without a Subscription? Here's What Apple Says - MacRumors

Apple Creator Studio Icons

Apple Creator Studio Icon History – Basic Apple Guy

Aperture (software) - Wikipedia

Apple picks Google's Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming this year – CNBC

Joint statement from Google and Apple – Google Blog

How Apple is Using Gemini to Give ChatGPT-Like Answers — The Information

Apple sits out AI arms race to play kingmaker between Google and OpenAI – Financial Times

Subtitle: I Have No Moral Compass

The guys grade their predictions made way back in January 2025, then make new ones for 2026.

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Guest Starring:

Dice by PCalc

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Rickies.co - 2025 Annual Rickies

Rickipedia - 2025 Annual Rickies

Rickipedia - 2026 Annual Rickies

Rickies.co - 2026 Annual Rickies

Paul is dead - Wikipedia

The MacBook Air’s wedge is truly gone — and I miss it already | The Verge

Apple's Rumored Foldable May Be Smaller Than We Think - 512 Pixels

Apple’s John Ternus Could Be Tim Cook’s Successor as CEO - The New York Times

Three Tiny Laptops - MacStories

Subtitle: The Pickies (2026)

The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.

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John Voorhees and James Thomson

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Annual Pickies 2025 - Rickies.co

Autumn 2025 Pickies - Rickies.co

Annual Pickies 2026 - Rickies.co

Subtitle: We Swam Hundreds of Miles

The year is coming to an end, and to celebrate, Federico, Stephen, and Myke score each month with the only unit of measurement that matters: the Ticci Scale.

This episode of Connected is sponsored by:

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Give the Gift of Relay

The Ticci Scale

Quokka - Wikipedia

Opossum - Wikipedia

Four Winners and Losers of Apple's 2025 - 512 Pixels

Nintendo Switch 2 – First-look trailer - YouTube

A New Look for 2025 and Beyond — Relay

Why everyone is freaking out about DeepSeek | The Verge

Apple Intelligence summaries might get warning labels. That’s not enough. – Six Colors

TikTok is partially back online in the US, but it’s not back in the App Store yet | The Verge

Trump signs order refusing to enforce TikTok ban for 75 days | The Verge

This is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge | The Verge

Tech billionaires Bezos and Zuckerberg attend Trump inauguration - BBC News

Apple Enlists Company Veteran Kim Vorrath to Help Fix AI, Siri - Bloomberg

UK government demands access to Apple users' encrypted data - BBC News

Apple’s Invites invites you to send invitations – Six Colors

Netflix says its brief Apple TV app integration was a mistake | The Verge

Sophia Hurley. Born Feb 22, 2025 – Instagram

Apple will spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years - Apple

Some first thoughts about the iPhone 16e – Six Colors

Apple buys Intel’s modem business for $1B – here’s why – Six Colors

Daring Fireball: Apple Is Delaying the ‘More Personalized Siri’ Apple Intelligence Features

Daring Fireball: Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino

New Mac Studio spans the generations with M4 Max, M3 Ultra chips – Six Colors

Apple did what NVIDIA wouldn't - YouTube

A look at chaining Mac Studios together for running AI models.

M4 MacBook Air review: Am I blue? – Six Colors

Apple updates iPad Air and iPad, revamps Magic Keyboard for iPad Air – Six Colors

Apple’s Siri Chief Calls AI Delays Ugly and Embarrassing, Promises Fixes - Bloomberg

Apple Vision Pro Chief Mike Rockwell Named Siri Head; Giannandrea Keeps AI Role - Bloomberg

EU Fines Apple €500 Million for Digital Markets Act Violations - MacStories

Updates for apps in the European Union - Latest News - Apple Developer

Trade, Tariffs, and Tech – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store | The Verge

Apple files appeal to wrest back control of its App Store | The Verge

Apple updates App Store Guidelines to allow links to external payments - 9to5Mac

“Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing.” | The Verge

Apple’s Eddy Cue: ‘You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now’ | The Verge

Apple rolls out rebranded “CarPlay Ultra” three years after its unveiling – Six Colors

A letter from Sam & Jony | OpenAI

OpenAI to Buy Apple Veteran Jony Ive’s AI Device Startup in $6.5 Billion Deal - Bloomberg

Connected #553: We Have Jony Ive at Home - Relay

From the Creators of Shortcuts, Sky Extends AI Integration and Automation to Your Entire Mac - MacStories

WWDC25 - Apple Developer

Interview: Craig Federighi Opens Up About iPadOS, Its Multitasking Journey, and the iPad's Essence - MacStories

WWDC25: macOS Tahoe Breaks Decades of Finder History - 512 Pixels

macOS Tahoe Beta 2 Fixes the Finder Icon - 512 Pixels

Apple Debates a Deal With Perplexity in Pursuit of AI Talent - Bloomberg

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code - MacRumors

Box Office: 'F1' $144 Million Opening, Apple & Brad Pitt Record; 'M3GAN 2.0' Bombs

'F1' Overtakes 'Napoleon' as Apple's Highest-Grossing Film – Variety

Apple announces chief operating officer transition - Apple

Meta Hires Apple Top AI Models Executive - Bloomberg

Apple expands U.S. supply chain with $500 million commitment - Apple

Apple sues leaker Jon Prosser for stealing iOS secrets | The Verge

Ted Lasso' Season 4 Cast Set As Production Begins: First Photo – Deadline

iOS 26 beta 4 adds more ‘liquid’ back to Liquid Glass design - 9to5Mac

Apple shipped its 3 billionth iPhone | The Verge

Apple increases U.S. commitment to $600 billion, announces ambitious program - Apple

Apple made a 24k gold and glass statue for Donald Trump | The Verge

Apple launching ‘redesigned Blood Oxygen feature’ on Apple Watch in the U.S. today - 9to5Mac

UK drops demand for backdoor into Apple encryption | The Verge

September 2025 Event Archives - MacStories

We Tried to Break the iPhone Air | Interview with Apple’s Joz & John Ternus - YouTube

iPhone Air Durability test -- I AM SHOCKED - YouTube

Google and Apple’s $20 billion search deal survives | The Verge

Instagram Launches an iPad App - MacStories

Relay for St. Jude 2025: $753,756 Raised - 512 Pixels

$753,756 - The Enthusiast

Apple’s ICEblock capitulation is business as usual – Six Colors

UK government resumes row with Apple by demanding access to British users’ data | Data protection | The Guardian

Immersive live NBA games coming to Vision Pro – Six Colors

iPadOS 26.1 beta brings back Slide Over, adds microphone adjustments – Six Colors

Apple Reorganization: Services Gets Health, Fitness; WatchOS to Craig Federighi - Bloomberg

M5 MacBook Pro review: The ultimate computer? – Six Colors

M5 iPad Pro Review: An AI and Gaming Upgrade for AI and Games That Aren't There Yet - MacStories

M5 Vision Pro, Dual Knit Band, PSVR2 controller review: Apple’s experiment continues – Six Colors

Apple is the exclusive new broadcast partner for Formula 1® in the U.S. - Apple

Jon Prosser says he’s been in ‘active communication’ with Apple over lawsuit | The Verge

Apple Said to Cut iPhone Air Production Amid Underwhelming Sales - MacRumors

iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Lets Users Control Liquid Glass Transparency with New Toggle - MacRumors

This is just the beginning. - YouTube

Daring Fireball: Apple TV’s New Fanfare

Building Apple TV's New Logo | TBWA\Media Arts Lab

Major League Soccer is coming to Apple TV starting in 2026 - Apple

Introducing iPhone Pocket: a beautiful way to wear and carry iPhone - Apple

Apple hit with $634 million verdict in Apple Watch patent fight with Masimo - 9to5Mac

Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim Cook – FT

Daring Fireball: Financial Times: 'Apple Intensifies Succession Planning for CEO Tim Cook'

Google cracked Apple’s AirDrop and is adding it to Pixel phones | The Verge

Use Quick Share on your Android device - Android Help

Apple might turn to Intel for its upcoming M-series chips, per report - 9to5Mac

Apple Fitness+ expands to 28 new markets - Apple

Apple’s Top Designer Alan Dye Poached by Meta in Major Coup - Bloomberg

John Giannandrea to retire from Apple - Apple

Apple announces executive transitions - Apple

Apple Chip Chief Tells Staff He’s Not Leaving ‘Anytime Soon’ - Bloomberg

Apple announces changes to iOS in Japan - Apple

Apple Music in ChatGPT – Viticci – Bluesky

This week, the guys catch up on more Apple leadership changes and talk about music streaming services before the alarm goes off for another round of The Quizzies.

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Apple announces executive transitions - Apple

Apple Silicon chief Johny Srouji reportedly commits to staying at Apple for now - 9to5Mac

Upgrade #593: Oops! All Departures - Relay

Ellen Hancock - Wikipedia

Apple unveils iPad-designed Christmas trees lighting up Battersea Power Station - Apple

Tidal

Jack Dorsey’s Block to lay off nearly 1,000 workers in another reorganization | Technology | The Guardian

Jay-Z sells majority stake in Tidal music streaming service to Jack Dorsey's Square | Mergers and acquisitions | The Guardian

Why Rdio died | The Verge

Pi8 | Bowers & Wilkins

Px8 | Bowers & Wilkins

BT-W6 - Creative Labs

Milk Music (streaming service) - Wikipedia

Apple’s head of comms is leaving after less than a year | The Verge

The Bill of Rickies

Apple has acquired Workflow, a powerful automation tool for iPad and iPhone | TechCrunch

The Twelfth Annual Upgradies Nomination Form

Give the Gift of Relay

Big shifts are underway at Apple. Myke, Federico, and Stephen talk through to the exits of Alan Dye and John Giannandrea ... and what might happen next. Later, they deal with some follow up and consider how to define the modern iPhone.

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This episode was recorded before Apple announced the upcoming departures of Lisa Jackson and Kate Adams.

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Apple’s Top Designer Alan Dye Poached by Meta in Major Coup - Bloomberg

Today we're establishing a new creative studio in Reality Labs led by Alan Dye – Mark Zuckerberg – Threads

In a major coup for someone, Alan Dye leaves Apple – Six Colors

Alan Dye Out at Apple – Pixel Envy

Daring Fireball: Bad Dye Job

John Giannandrea to retire from Apple - Apple

Hoodie - Robot or Not? #328 - The Incomparable

Connected #538: A Future That Is Now Stuck in the Past - Relay

Brownian noise - Wikipedia

MacStories Deals on Mastodon

So, Three Things - 512 Pixels

Mac Power Users #825: 2025 State of the Platforms (Part 1) - Relay

Federico and Myke discuss the rumours of a 'Snow Leopard year' for iOS 27, why they think Sam Altman and Jony Ive might benefit from saying less, and share a few things they’re thankful for in the world of technology.

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Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype | The Verge

I Finally Tested the M5 iPad Pro's Neural-Accelerated AI, and the Hype Is Real - MacStories

Jony Ive and Sam Altman Discuss AI Device That's Playful, Bite Worthy, and as Peaceful as a Cabin By a Lake - MacRumors

Wading Back Into the Liquid Glass Pool: The MacStories OS 26 App Roundup Continued - MacStories

Ulysses Liquid Glass Update - MacSparky

Apple iOS 27: Snow Leopard-Like Quality Focus, AI Features; Tim Cook Retirement - Bloomberg

Ilya Sutskever – We're moving from the age of scaling to the age of research

Athlytic

AYN Thor

SteamOS

GameHub

Nintendo Switch 2 Cases » Killswitch » dbrand

Drafts

Mango Baby

The guys check in on their Apple Intelligence use, Myke reviews a new accessory, Federico tries a new Google product, and Stephen is hiring.

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Myke's Genmoji

Widgetsmith - Jobs

Gemini 3: News and announcements

Introducing iPhone Pocket: a beautiful way to wear and carry iPhone - Apple

An Opinionated Guide to Using AI Right Now – One Useful Thing

Issey Miyake - Ensemble - Japanese - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

iPadOS 26.2 Beta Restores Drag and Drop Gestures for Split View and Slide Over - MacStories

As the iPad Pro turns 10, the guys reflect on how the iPad has changed in the years since, and how it hasn't. Then, a conversation about the iPhone Pocket.

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Stratos | NOMAD®

iOS 26.2 lets you disable new CarPlay feature in Messages - 9to5Mac

CarPlay's Messages App for iOS 26 is Bad - 512 Pixels

1 password less. | The Verge

Mophie Launches Juice Pack Charging Cases for iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro - MacRumors

(Re)Classic Power Bank | Magnetic

Apple Introduces iPad Pro Featuring Epic 12.9-inch Retina Display - Apple

iPad Pro Review: A New Canvas - MacStories

Review: The iPad Pro is a line in the sand - 512 Pixels

The iPad Pro at 10: a decade of unrealized potential | The Verge

The iPad's "Sweet" Solution - MacStories

Introducing iPhone Pocket: a beautiful way to wear and carry iPhone - Apple

Alan Dye (@alancdye) – Instagram

iPod Socks - 512 Pixels

We have iPhone Pocket at home — Myke Hurley – Bluesky

Sidekick Pocket – Cortex Brand

Subtitle: Mac Power Users Mac Power Users Mac Power Users

Apple's OS Class of '26 continues to roll out, even as the company grapples with the future of Siri. Will Liquid Glass continue to change? Will Gemini power future Apple Intelligence? STAY TUNED.

This episode of Connected is sponsored by:

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Dynamic Folio – MOFT

You can finally get the full WhatsApp experience on your Apple Watch. | The Verge

Apple Releases 26.1 Updates to Its Operating Systems - MacStories

Apple Expands Spotlight Clipboard Settings in macOS Tahoe 26.1 - MacRumors

iOS 26 leak co-defendant says Jon Prosser paid him $650 | The Verge

iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Adds Liquid Glass Transparency Toggle - 512 Pixels

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 1 - MacRumors

iOS 26.2 includes three helpful upgrades to Apple Podcasts app - 9to5Mac

Apple blocks iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2 betas on devices with C1 - 9to5Mac

Apple Plans to Use 1.2 Trillion Parameter Google Gemini Model to Power New Siri - Bloomberg

Trying to Make Sense of the Rumored, Gemini-Powered Siri Overhaul - MacStories

Apple to Remove iPhone-Apple Watch Wi-Fi Sync in EU With iOS 26.2 - MacRumors