The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Guy Serle. Apple teases a mysterious March 4 event as rumors swirl about colorful MacBooks and M5 updates. We break down VisionOS 26.4 beta, iOS 26.4 AI features, CarPlay updates, Rosetta 2 warnings, and Apple's expanding sports lineup — including MLS now free on Apple TV+. Plus, Emergency SOS via satellite saves skiers in Lake Tahoe.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In episode 409 of In Touch With iOS, Dave and the panel dive into Apple's newly announced "special experience" event scheduled for March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. With no official details revealed, speculation runs high. Could we see colorful, lower-cost MacBooks powered by A-series chips? M5 Pro and Max MacBook Pros? Updated iPads? The panel debates whether Apple may stage a staggered release week or unveil everything in a single coordinated announcement.

The discussion shifts to Vision Pro, where rumors suggest Apple could demonstrate immersive Formula 1 experiences just days before the 2026 F1 season begins. With Apple's expanding sports footprint, including IMAX screenings of F1 races, the possibility of spatial sports broadcasting feels closer than ever. The panel also reviews VisionOS 26.4 beta updates, including refined UI elements, reorganized settings, early foveated streaming support for developers, and expanded 8K playback capabilities on newer hardware.

iOS 26.4 beta brings one of the busiest update cycles in recent memory. Highlights include AI-powered playlist creation in Apple Music, enhanced podcast video playback directly inside the Apple Podcasts app, CarPlay integration with third-party AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, improved hotspot usage visibility, battery charge limit automation through Shortcuts, and Stolen Device Protection becoming enabled by default. The panel weighs in on whether security features should be opt-in or automatically enforced.

On the Mac side, Rosetta 2 warnings now alert users when launching Intel-based apps, signaling Apple's continued push toward full Apple Silicon adoption. The conversation explores legacy software challenges and developer responsibility during platform transitions.

Additional stories include Toyota adding Apple Wallet car key support, Tesla's rumored CarPlay integration delays, and a powerful real-world example of Emergency SOS via satellite saving skiers in a Lake Tahoe avalanche.

Finally, Apple's sports strategy takes center stage as MLS Season Pass becomes free for Apple TV+ subscribers, joining F1 and Friday Night Baseball in Apple's expanding live sports ecosystem.

Breaking News

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Upcoming Low-Cost MacBook May Come in Yellow, Green, Blue, and Pink

F1 races to screen live in IMAX theatres in 2026 as Apple TV unveils new US viewing experience

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week. 

Could Apple Demo Immersive F1 on Vision Pro at Its March 4 Event?

visionOS 26.4 Beta Release Notes

visionOS 26.4 unlocks new 'foveated streaming' feature for apps and games

Beta this week. iOS 26.4 Beta 1 was released this week. 

Apple Seeds First Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers

Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 1

iOS 26.4 Adds Average Bedtime Metric and Restores Blood Oxygen to Health App Vitals Graph

Apple Removes iTunes Movies and TV Shows Apps in tvOS 26.4

iOS 26.4 Brings CarPlay Support for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

In Touch With Mac this week

First macOS Tahoe 26.4 Beta Now Available for Developers

Apple Releases First watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 Betas 

macOS Tahoe 26.4 Displays Warnings for Apps That Won't Work After Rosetta 2 Support Ends

Other Topics

Android-to-iPhone AirDrop Transfers Now Supported on Pixel 9

Tesla's CarPlay Plans Delayed by Apple Maps Compatibility Issue 

Jeff met with Omni Group and reviews their 2026 road plan for OmniGraffle and OmniFocus for iPad and iPhone. 

Omni Links

News

Toyota Rolling Out Apple Wallet Car Keys on iPhone 

iPhone's Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Helped Rescue Skiers Caught in Lake Tahoe Avalanche

Apple TV Sports Content Including F1, MLS, and Friday Night Baseball Coming to Bars and Restaurants

MLS 2026 Season Begins February 21 on Apple TV With Free Access for Subscribers

Announcements

Macstock X is here celebrating its 10th anniversary! With Three Full Days of expert-led Presentations and Workshops, Macstock's sessions are crammed full of productivity-enhancing content. NEW this year is a partnership with sponsor Ecamm. Ecamm Creator Camp: Mac Edition on July 9, 2026 there are only 100 tickets available for the bundle. There are 2 passes available: Macstock weekend pass July 10,11,12, 2026 or the Macstock Ecamm Bundle starting July 9 (only 100 tickets available)  Come join us. Register HERE

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65  and the show @intouchwithios

 

Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's managing editor, and Smile's TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @jgamet@pixelfed.social and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast  Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at jencius@mastodon.social  https://thepodtalk.net 

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at eabolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

 

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts—Buzz Blossom & Squeak, Start with Small Steps, and The Bible in Small Steps. Watch her content on YouTube at @startwithsmallsteps and follow her on X @schmern. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com 

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email GMenshow@icloud.com  @MacParrot and @VertShark on X  Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code  703-828-4677