The new products are here! Jason reviews the M6 Mac mini, and then Jason and Myke both talk about their hands-on experiences with the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch series 12. This is apparently just the beginning of a busy season!

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Claude: For problems worth solving — get started with Claude today.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code upgrade26.
• Backblaze: Unlimited, easy data protection. Try it for free today and get 30% off with code upgrade30

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🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude

Relay for St. Jude Podcastathon 2026 - YouTube

CarPlay on GM cars: Not dead yet? – Six Colors

General Motors hates your iPhone – Six Colors

GM revamps 2027 Silverado and Sierra infotainment system – Yahoo News

The Boox Palma 3 gets stylus support and a sleek redesign | The Verge

Boox’s tiny Picco e-reader is now available. | The Verge

Xteink X4 Pro Pocket eReader

M6 Mac mini review: Tiny, pricey, and powerful – Six Colors

M5 Ultra Mac Studio Review: The Dream Mac for Local AI Agents - MacStories

A new Mac mini: I want to believe – Six Colors

Daring Fireball: The iPhones 18 Pro

Widow’s Bay triumphs as most decorated freshman comedy in Emmy history - Apple

HBO's Casey Bloys On Emmys, 'Last Of Us, 'Heated Rivalry', 'BLL', More

Ternus Shows off the Duo – Instagram

Daring Fireball: Hollywood Wants the Duo

In select countries, iCloud+ now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra charge - 9to5Mac

Upcoming Apple Products: What to Expect in Late 2026 and Early 2027 - Bloomberg

Apple’s Home AI Hub Details; Apple Fitness+ Layoffs and iPhone Duo Apple Pencil - Bloomberg

Everything new in iOS 27.2 beta 1 so far - 9to5Mac

iOS 27.2 introduces Apple Health app overhaul, here’s what’s new - 9to5Mac

Build for iPhone Duo with new resources - Latest News - Apple Developer

Subtitle: iPhone Duo Is the Marshmallow

The 27 OS releases have dropped. Jason has a review of macOS Golden Gate and Myke acts as the ambassador for Siri AI. And we've also got more reactions to just what makes the iPhone Duo so interesting.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Shipaton, from RevenueCat: The world's biggest mobile hackathon for people who actually ship.
• Notion: Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

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🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude

Apple Still Has 8 More Products to Announce Later This Year - MacRumors

Apple’s iPhone Duo Will Make Foldable Phones the New Normal; Apple Store Revamp - Bloomberg

Shop Different – HarperCollins

Design for iPhone Duo - Tech Talks - Videos - Apple Developer

Introducing the new iPhone Duo - YouTube

John Ternus enters, with folding phones and AI watches – Six Colors

How Apple Fixed the Foldable Crease: iPhone Duo Interview with John Ternus & Joz! - YouTube

New Apple CEO John Ternus says the company is “in his blood” – and what that means for the future - YouTube

Stanford marshmallow experiment - Wikipedia

macOS 27 Golden Gate Review: Bridging the Tahoe gap – Six Colors

David Smith's iPhone 17 Stats

We break down Apple's September 9 event, including the foldable iPhone Duo, the non-foldable iPhone 18 Pro, the surprising new Apple Watches that double as AI wearables, and the event debut of John Ternus as Apple's CEO. And who won the draft?!

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans.
• Squarespace: Save 50% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
• Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code upgrade50off.

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🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude

The Upgrade September 2026 Event Draft Scorecard

Designed in California - Relay

Designed in California - YouTube

Designed in California – Instagram

Subtitle: I Want Tim Cook to Have a Pool Party

It's time for another Apple event draft! But before we predict what Apple will introduce next week, we need to send off the Tim Cook Era and discuss a somewhat surprising announcement of new chips and new Macs!

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Notion: Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.
• Claude: For problems worth solving — get started with Claude today.

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Designed in California - Relay

🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude

Read Tim Cook's full memo to Apple employees on his last day as CEO - 9to5Mac

Pikachu Visits Apple Park, Meets Tim Cook and John Ternus - MacRumors

Apple’s Phil Schiller Steps Down from Running App Store and Product Events - Bloomberg

Apple unveils M6, M5 Ultra chips and updates its desktop Macs – Six Colors

Draft Scorecards

The EU gives up and settles with Apple, John Ternus's new home strategy starts to come into focus, and people at Apple just love the folding iPhone.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Shipaton, from RevenueCat: The world's biggest mobile hackathon for people who actually ship.
• Daylite: The only made-for-mac CRM solution. Start your free trial today.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code upgrade26.

Links and Show Notes:

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Thermapen Thermometers

Combustion Inc

PopSockets

Cortex #182: Reporting on the World’s Most Secretive Tech Company, with Mark Gurman - Relay

Schlage Sense Pro UWB smart lock review: What price beauty? – Six Colors

Apple announces changes for apps in the European Union - Apple

Changes for apps in the European Union - Support - Apple Developer

EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees' - MacRumors

Apple Settles With E.U., U.S. App Store Fees, ATT Rules in Germany – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

Mark Gurman on the AirPods with a Camera

Apple's Home Hub Will Have a Widget Gallery With iPhone Widget Support - MacRumors

HomePad code suggests it'll act like a giant Apple Watch - 9to5Mac

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Details; Retail Store Changes for New Home Products - Bloomberg

Apple Cuts Jobs in Siri, Vision Pro Immersive Video and Gaming Teams - Bloomberg

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Get Exclusive Camera Upgrade - MacRumors

Oops! All segments! This week we've got Snell Talk (tea), Upstream (Apple TV), Lawyer Up (regulations), Rumor Roundup (new iPhones), The Betails (final betas?), and Ask Upgrade!

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Shipaton, from RevenueCat: The world's biggest mobile hackathon for people who actually ship.
• Scribe: AI-powered workflow documentation. Get your first month free.
• Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.

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Twelve – The Enthusiast

New Mexico Tea Company

Assam Breakfast | Organic – New Mexico Tea Company

'Ted Lasso' Season 4 Enters The Pitch With Record Premiere Audience

Eddy Cue said the thing we wanted to hear on future Ted Lasso seasons - 9to5Mac

Apple TV just added a bunch of classic movies to stream for free - 9to5Mac

Apple TV Could Gain Major Warner Bros. Titles via Acquisition - MacRumors

Apple Hires American Airlines’ Nate Gatten as Government Affairs Chief - Bloomberg

Trump Administration Opposes Any Plan by Apple to Use Chinese Memory Chips, Lutnick Says - WSJ

Apple trains its own AI model for China market with Alibaba's support, sources say | Reuters

Apple trained its own AI model for China with help from Alibaba | The Verge

Apple and Epic argue over how much Apple should get from purchases made outside the App Store | The Verge

Epic responds to Apple’s bid for settlement talks in App Store case - 9to5Mac

Supreme Court to Hear Apple Appeal Over Contempt Ruling - Bloomberg

macOS Tahoe 26.7 is Full of References to Unreleased Apple Products - MacRumors

Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Confirmed: See Them in Action - MacRumors

Tim Cook: Apple will ‘double down on secrecy on products’ | The Verge

Cortex - Relay

Apple’s Glass-Centric 20th-Anniversary iPhone Remains on Track for 2027 - Bloomberg

Leaker: All-Glass 2027 iPhone Still on Track Despite Cancellation Rumors - MacRumors

Exclusive | Apple in Talks to Pay Publishers to Improve AI-Powered Siri - WSJ

Report: Apple seeks publisher deals to give Siri AI better access to current events - 9to5Mac

Apple Now Stockpiling More Components Amid Rising Prices - MacRumors

iOS Version History Chart – Thinky Bits

Everything New in iOS 27 Beta 5 - MacRumors

Here’s what’s new with iOS and macOS 27 beta 6 - 9to5Mac

Golden Gate Beta 6 Turns Stoplights into Liquid Glass - 512 Pixels

Daring Fireball: Nature Is Healing: MacOS 27 Golden Gate Beta 6 Adds Redesigned Traffic Light Window Controls

RedirectWeb

StrawPoll

Timery: Time Tracker

Where I Have Been –The Enthusiast

Toggl

After a visit to Jason's backyard, we discuss OpenAI's response to Apple's lawsuit, the future of Apple's wearable line, the return of "Ted Lasso," and some starters for Spider-Man.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Daylite: The only made-for-mac CRM solution. Start your free trial today.
• Backblaze: Unlimited, easy data protection. Try it for free today and get 20% off with code upgrade20

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Magnum, podcast - a podcast from The Incomparable

What Is OpenAI’s Device? A Doughnut-Shaped Speaker That Costs Over $300 - Bloomberg

Daring Fireball: Gurman on OpenAI’s Device: 'A Doughnut-Shaped Speaker That Costs Over $300'

Apple raises trade-in values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models - 9to5Mac

Apple to air four MLB games in Immersive Video – Six Colors

Connected #615: Upgrade* - Relay

Apple seeks preliminary injunction against OpenAI in trade secrets case | Reuters

Daring Fireball: Apple Seeks Preliminary Injunction Against OpenAI in Trade Secrets Case

Apple is getting this wrong | OpenAI

Daring Fireball: OpenAI Responds to Apple’s Lawsuit and Motion for Preliminary Injunction: ‘Apple Is Getting This Wrong’

OpenAI says Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit is ‘rotten to its core’ | The Verge

Daring Fireball: OpenAI Files 28-Page Motion to Dismiss Apple's Lawsuit (PDF Link)

Review: “Ted Lasso” returns, refreshed, to the pitch – Six Colors

Ultimate Spider-Man (2000 - 2009) | Comic Series | Marvel

The Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #1 | Comic Issues | Marvel

Invincible | Image Comics

LaunchBar 6

Pastebot 3 for Mac

Rocket

Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding's Winning Moment | Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - YouTube

J Party

Dan Moren joins the Upgrade program to discuss the new Apple Upgrade program, along with Apple's financial results, the approach of Apple's new home strategy, and the perfect phone for iPhone 13 mini fans.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code upgrade50off
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.
• Backblaze: Unlimited, easy data protection. Try it for free today and get 20% off with code upgrade20

Guest Starring:

Dan Moren

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Big Walk is like co-op Breath of the Wild | The Verge

New Apple TV 4K Box, HomePod mini and Siri AI Smart Home Hub Are Coming - Bloomberg

Apple’s reported upgrade program revamp could be a big downgrade – Six Colors

Apple Upgrade launches in the United States - Apple

Apple reports third quarter results - Apple

Apple announces record Q3 results – Six Colors

Q3 results: 3D pricing, EGOT timing, and underestimating demand – Six Colors

Subscribe to Six Colors – Six Colors

The Rebound: A tech podcast

It's a Summer of Fun takeover! Jason asks Myke about the state of his current workflows, and we both highlight our current Macs and current favorite Mac utilities.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Backblaze: Unlimited, easy data protection. Try it for free today and get 20% off with code upgrade20.
• Claude: For problems worth solving — get started with Claude today.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code upgrade26.

Links and Show Notes:

Our Essential Mac Utilities:

Myke:

• Blip
• Dropzone
• Moom
• Cleanshot X
• Screens
• Tailscale
• Amphetamine 
• Granola
• Popclip
• Pcalc
• Switchglass 
• Timery
• The Clock
• iStatMenus
• SuperAgent

⠀
Jason: 

• Swiftbar
• Keyboard Maestro
• Text Sniper
• Mic Drop
• Retrobatch
• ImageOptim
• Carbon Copy Cloner
• Thaw
• Devonthink
• Calibre
• Audio Hijack
• Loopback
• Farrago
• Elsewhen
• Transmit
• HomeControl
• iZotope RX

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Thunderbolt 5 Dock – CalDigit

Quick Tip: Prevent a disk from auto-mounting – Six Colors

Cortex - Relay

Personal Retreat PDF - MacSparky

Setapp

While OpenAI readies a familar-sounding smart speaker, Jason and Myke break down the public betas for macOS, iOS, and watchOS, including Siri AI and new Photos features.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Decagon: The AI concierge for every customer. Get a personalized demo.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code UPGRADE.

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Apple Intelligence AI service registered with Chinese cyberspace regulator | Reuters

Apple raises prices for Apple Music and Apple One subscriptions - 9to5Mac

Apple sends legal letters to former employees now at OpenAI - 9to5Mac

Apple, DOJ Hold Early Settlement Talks in Antitrust Lawsuit Over iPhone - Bloomberg

First Look: macOS Golden Gate Public Beta – Six Colors

Wish List: Siri, Spotlight, and a unified search experience – Six Colors

OpenAI’s First Device Will Be Home Speaker Built as AI Companion - Bloomberg

Inside Apple's OpenAI lawsuit: How do trade secrets conflict with expert knowlege, was there a concerted effort to steal secret documents to kickstart OpenAI hardware, and how does Apple's own vulnerability inform the whole situation?

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code upgrade26.

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‎Television Time App - App Store

Letterboxd

Ludwig (2024 TV series) - Wikipedia

FileMaker

Claris

Apple testing DRAM chips from banned Chinese memory supplier - 9to5Mac

Apple scores record 89 Emmy Award nominations - Apple

Apple sues OpenAI, accuses ex-employees of stealing trade secrets - 9to5Mac

Apple sues OpenAI, alleging trade secret theft – Six Colors

Apple-OpenAI Legal Battle Highlights Tensions Over AI Hardware Talent Poaching - Bloomberg

How Apple’s Lawsuit Threatens to Disrupt OpenAI’s Bid to Rival the iPhone - Bloomberg

Apple’s ‘Thermonuclear’ Response to the OpenAI Threat - WSJ

Apple Sues OpenAI, Apple’s Real Problem – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

Apple’s Chip Plans: M6, M7 Pro, M7 Max, M7 Ultra, M8 Details; Touch MacBook Pro - Bloomberg

Double Ender

Friend of the Show: Tom Holland Meets Tom Holland to Chat All Things The Odyssey - The Rest is History - YouTube

Adventures in Time