166: ‘Way of the Future’ With Rene Ritchie

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode is a pre-Apple-event rumor roundup focused on the iPhone 7, Apple Watch 2, and possible Mac/iPad updates. The hosts debate headphone-jack removal, wireless audio/AirPods, dual-camera implications, black color options, waterproofing, and whether Apple’s next Watch and Macs will appear at the event or be held for later.

Main Topics: iPhone 7 design and leaked packaging (Priority: 5/5): The hosts discuss leaked iPhone 7/7 Plus box images, the likelihood they are fake, and what Apple’s eventual naming and packaging choices might reveal about the product lineup. Headphone jack removal and wireless audio (Priority: 5/5): A major theme is Apple’s expected removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, why Apple might do it, and whether the company will bundle Lightning headphones, an adapter, or AirPods as an upsell. Camera upgrades and dual-camera system (Priority: 5/5): They spend significant time on rumors that the iPhone 7 Plus will get a dual-camera setup, better low-light performance, possible depth effects, and a more prominent event focus on photography. Water resistance and industrial design tradeoffs (Priority: 4/5): The conversation links the jack removal to improved waterproofing and discusses Apple’s recurring tradeoff between thinness, camera bump, and internal space. Apple Watch 2 and product focus (Priority: 4/5): The hosts speculate that the next Apple Watch may add GPS, possibly remain visually similar, and continue Apple’s shift toward fitness and notification use cases. MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and event timing (Priority: 3/5): They debate whether any Mac updates will appear at this event or be delayed, with discussion of overdue MacBook Pro refreshes, Air updates, and the possibility of briefings instead of a separate Mac event. Samsung Note 7 recall and competitive context (Priority: 3/5): The Note 7 battery issue is used as a contrast to Apple’s ecosystem and event discipline, while also illustrating how strongly Apple-centric rumors dominate tech attention.

Key Arguments: Apple likely wants to remove the headphone jack not just for design reasons but to push the ecosystem toward wireless audio and Lightning accessories. If Apple ships two audio configurations, it will likely be an upsell tied to storage tiers or a premium option rather than a simple included adapter for everyone. The dual-camera system on the Plus model could be Apple’s biggest technical story because it may enable better focus, depth effects, and low-light photography. Apple’s camera strategy is constrained by physics; the company must choose between a thinner phone and a better camera, which explains the persistent bump. Water resistance is probably a real part of Apple’s plan, and removing the headphone jack may help Apple present the iPhone as more waterproof this year. Apple Watch 2 is expected to be more of a refinement than a reinvention, with GPS as the most likely major upgrade and fitness as a growing focus. Mac updates feel overdue, but Apple may be waiting on hardware readiness and could announce them separately via briefings rather than at the iPhone event. Samsung’s Note 7 recall highlights how severe a smartphone hardware failure can be, but Apple’s larger platform and event strategy mean its mistakes would draw even more intense scrutiny.

Data Points: Recording date: Sunday, September 4 - The show is recorded three days before Apple’s event. Apple event timing: Wednesday, 3 days from recording - The hosts are previewing the upcoming Apple keynote. iPhone 7 sales forecast: 65 million units - A supply-chain estimate cited as a pessimistic fourth-quarter number. Previous year iPhone sales: 80 million units - Used as comparison to the 65 million forecast. iPhone 7 storage rumor: 32 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB - Discussed as the expected storage lineup, with 16 GB removed. RAM rumor: 3 GB RAM - At least the iPhone 7 Plus is rumored to get 3 GB instead of 2 GB. Water resistance rating rumor: IPX7 - Mentioned as a rumored level similar to the Apple Watch, via Ming-Chi Kuo. Watch water resistance comparison: IP7 / IP8 - Discussion of how Apple might position the new device versus other phones. Apple Watch GPS: Likely new feature - The most consistently cited upgrade for Apple Watch 2. MacBook Air pricing: $899 and $999 - Used to explain why Apple may keep the Air lineup alive. Automatic Pro price: $129.95 - Pricing for the sponsor product mentioned during the ad read. Automatic discount: $20 off - Listener offer using code TALKSHOW. Backblaze trial: 15-day free trial - Sponsor offer for new users. Backblaze monthly price: $5 per Mac per month - Used to explain the service model. Samsung Note 7 issue scale: 45 units affected - A number mentioned in discussing the battery overheating problem. Samsung Note 7 reported sales: $2.5 million - A rough sales figure mentioned in the context of the recall.

Pivotal Quotes: "The future is wireless." — Speaker 1: Used to frame Apple’s likely push away from wired headphones and toward AirPods or wireless audio. "If you see a stylus, they blew it." — Steve Jobs (quoted by the speakers): Referenced during a discussion about whether Apple Pencil support could ever extend to iPhone. "No one’s going to buy a bigger phone that’s so big you can’t get your hands around it." — Steve Jobs (quoted by the speakers): Cited to show that even Apple’s most famous product judgments can later be proven wrong.

Implications: If these rumors are accurate, Apple is preparing a major ecosystem shift toward wireless audio, better photography, and improved water resistance, while using the iPhone 7 Plus and Watch 2 to push higher-end differentiation and premium pricing.