Basic AF: a (mostly) tech podcast

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom Anderson and Jeff Battersby kick off the year by digging into some of the biggest Apple stories in early 2026—starting with the news that Apple is partnering with Google to have Gemini power a revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence. The discussion looks at how Gemini might be integrated behind the scenes, and whether Apple’s privacy promises can hold up when Google enters the equation.
The conversation then turns to Apple Creator Studio, Apple’s new subscription bundle that includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and other creative tools. Tom and Jeff debate who this bundle is really for, how it compares to Apple’s older one-time purchase model, and whether subscription fatigue is simply the cost of modern software.
From there, they break down Apple’s controversial new app icons and macOS Tahoe design changes, followed by concerns over App Store ads becoming harder to distinguish from real search results. The episode wraps with a broader look at Apple’s record-breaking services revenue and what it signals about the company’s priorities moving forward.
Links from the show:
Google and Apple issue joint partnership statement
Report: Google Gemini will expand Siri’s capabilities
Report: Apple will fine-tune Gemini independently
Apple confirms Google Gemini will power new Siri features
Apple announces Apple Creator Studio
Apple reports record-breaking Services revenue in 2025
Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!
Contact Us
Drop us a line at [email protected]
You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
Tom has a new YouTube channel
Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!
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Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen
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Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.
...

Happy New Year! Everyone expects Apple to release its first foldable iPhone later this year and the rumors and “leaks” are heating up. Tom and Jeff discuss the latest, including the 3D printed model that looks nothing like current iPhones.
Plus, Tom decided to reset his iPhone in an attempt to resolve the ongoing battery life issues he’s been having with iOS 26. Apple’s made a lot of improvements to the process, but it’s not quite perfect and he shares what worked well and what still needs some work.
Links from the show:
Support Jeff Battersby’s Stroke Recovery
Apple Pencil Could Work With iPhone Fold, According to New Report
iPhone Fold 1:1 Replica With Folding Hinge (3D Model)
How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Clicks Power Keyboard
Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!
Contact Us
Drop us a line at [email protected]
You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
Tom has a new YouTube channel
Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!
Review on Apple Podcasts
Rate on Spotify
Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen
Apple Music
Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.
...

Happy Holidays! Joe Moyer returns and joins Tom and Jeff for a fun and festive discussion in the third-annual “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things” show! Picks range from backpacks to iPhone accessories, books, apps, and more. 
Find more from Joe at https://www.24letters.net/.
Links:
Bellroy Transit Workpack
Bullstrap Men's Wallets
Bullstrap iPhone Cases
Peak Design Phone Cases
Gentler Streak Workout Tracker
Craft: Docs, Notes, Tasks & AI
The Ugmonk Pen
Discbound Analog Productivity System
Field Notes Notebooks
iPad Pro
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station
Highland Pro Screenwriting App
Snipd AI Podcast App
Readwise
Version History Podcast
Book Tracker - Reading Journal
YouTube Premium
Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
Asana Project Management

Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!
Contact Us
Drop us a line at [email protected]
You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
Tom has a new YouTube channel
Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!
Review on Apple Podcasts
Rate on Spotify
Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen
Apple Music
Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.
...

In this episode of Basic AF, Tom and Jeff revisit all the Apple hardware they use every single day, 18 months after their last gear rundown. From Macs to iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePods, and even a brief Vision Pro confession, they break down what’s still great, what’s aging surprisingly well, and what upgrades they’ve made along the way.
Jeff shares updates on his recovery journey, including walking unaided, writing again, and adjusting to double vision, while Tom heaps praise on the iPad Pro M5 and laments the quirks of iOS 26 battery life on his iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Other highlights include:
Why the M1/M2 Mac lineup still punches way above its weight
Whether the Studio Display’s nano-texture finish is worth it (spoiler: it depends)
AirPods Pro 3 comfort after long-term use
HomePod improvements thanks to quiet-but-solid AirPlay tuning
Foldable iPhone rumors, realistic upgrade cycles, and what Apple still gets right
They wrap with a reminder to check out the important episode about Jeff’s stroke and recovery, and a tease for the upcoming Favorite Things of the Year show with guest Joe Moyer.
Links:
Support Jeff Battersby's Stroke Recovery
Teaching, B******t Jobs, and AI — Jeffrey Fisher
Stroke!: An Account of Jeff’s Symptoms, Recovery, and What You Should Trust in a Medical Emergency
Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!
Contact Us
Drop us a line at [email protected]
You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
Tom has a new YouTube channel
Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!
Review on Apple Podcasts
Rate on Spotify
Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen
Apple Music
Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.
...

This episode starts with listener feedback on window management in iPadOS 26, then Jeff opens up about his recent stroke. He walks through the initial symptoms, the frustrating EMS response, his time in the hospital and rehab, and what recovery looks like day-to-day. He also shares Siri's surprisingly helpful response when he asked about stroke symptoms.
Links from the show:
iPadOS Stage Manager feedback from @iamrishio
Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs
Support Jeff’s Stroke Recovery
Question or Comment? Send us a Text Message!
Contact Us
Drop us a line at [email protected]
You’ll find Jeff at @reyespoint on Threads and reyespoint.bsky.social on Bluesky
Find Tom at @tomanderson on Threads
Join Tom’s newsletter, Apple Talk, for more Apple coverage and tips & tricks.
Tom has a new YouTube channel
Show artwork by the great Randall Martin Design

Enjoy Basic AF? Leave a review or rating!
Review on Apple Podcasts
Rate on Spotify
Recommend in Overcast

Intro Music: Psychokinetics - The Chosen
Apple Music
Spotify

Transcripts and some images are AI generated and may contain errors and general silliness.
...