Surprise and Shine

A $7.99 here and a $14.99 there is easy to ignore, until we add up a year of them. Two unused $15 services alone cost $360 a year. This week the Old Mac Gang does a subscription audit together: where to find everything we have signed up for, how to decide what stays, and how to cancel the rest without a fight.On the panel: Peter, Chris, Bob, and Marty.THE CONVERSATION1. How many subscriptions do you think you have, and which one surprised you?2. Where do we look? Walk us through finding all of them (App Store, card statements, email receipts, Purchase History).3. Keep, cancel, or review: how do we decide what is worth paying for?4. How do we cancel without a fight?5. What keeps the clutter from creeping back?QUICK TIPS FROM THE EPISODE- iPhone: Settings > your name > Subscriptions.- Mac: App Store > your name > Account Settings > Manage next to Subscriptions.- Mystery charge? Sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com and search by the amount.- Ask of every subscription: did I use it in the last 30 days, and would I sign up again at today's price?- Set a calendar reminder two or three days before a free trial or special offer ends.RESOURCESKiplinger: The 30-Minute Subscription Audit That Could Save You Hundreds This Yearhttps://kiplinger.com/personal-finance/subscription-audit-save-moneyAARP: How to Find and Cancel Unwanted Subscriptionshttps://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/tech-guru-cancel-unwanted-subscriptions/Apple Support: Cancel, change, or share subscriptions in the App Store on Machttps://support.apple.com/guide/app-store/cancel-change-or-share-subscriptions-fire5f3a0745/macApple Support: Cancel a subscription from Applehttps://support.apple.com/en-us/118428Apple Support: View your purchase historyhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/118212Consumer Reports: How to Find and Cancel Unwanted Online Subscriptionshttps://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-awareness/how-to-find-and-cancel-unwanted-online-subscriptions-a3454561625/FTC Consumer Advice: Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscriptionshttps://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/getting-and-out-free-trials-auto-renewals-and-negative-option-subscriptionsTom's Guide: How to Cancel Subscriptions on Your iPhonehttps://tomsguide.com/phones/how-to-cancel-subscriptions-on-your-iphoneWHERE TO FIND USPeter: @ppetto on Instagram, FB, X, tumblr, BlueSky, and MastodonChris: ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob: TMUG.com, ThinkBob.com, DangerousBobPhotography.com, @ThinkBob on BlueSkyMarty: @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetMORE FROM THE OLD MAC GANGYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

Apple spread its fall Mac and iPad launch across the week: an OLED iPad mini, an M6 iMac, a 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro, and a "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles. Instead of quoting benchmarks, we ask which of it fits our budgets, our habits, and our patience for something new.ARTICLES WE READEverything Apple Announced This Week So Far: New iPad and MacBooks (Engadget)https://www.engadget.com/2298220/everything-apple-announced-ipad-macbook-pro-and-tell-event/Apple Announces New iPad Mini With 8.5-Inch OLED Display, A20 Pro Chip, and More (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/26/apple-announces-ipad-mini-with-oled-display/Apple event LIVE: MacBook Pro M6 and iMac M6 just announced ahead of 'Pro and Tell' (Tom's Guide)https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/apple-oled-macbook-pro-pro-ipad-mini-8-pro-and-tell-event-live-updatesMacBook ProLed (Apple Newsroom)https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/apple-unveils-groundbreaking-macbook-pro-with-proled-xdr-display/New MacBook Pro (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/28/apple-new-macbook-pro/QUESTIONS WE DISCUSS1. What was your first reaction to a week of Apple announcements? What caught your eye, and what did you ignore?2. What are you using today, and does anything this week make you want to replace it?3. Is the all-in-one iMac still the right Mac for our generation?4. Is a $699 iPad mini worth it, and who is it for?5. Do we want to touch our Mac screen?FIND USYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang discusses Apple’s “Welcome Home” announcements, what smart home devices are worth buying, and whether they can make everyday life and aging in place easier.ArticlesWelcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/13/apple-october-13-recap/Apple’s “Welcome Home” Eventhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2026/10/13/apple-launch-event-october-2026/Apple “Welcome home” Event: Three New Products Are Coming Tomorrowhttps://9to5mac.com/2026/10/12/apple-welcome-home-event-three-new-products/Apple Newsroomhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/Questions We AskedWhat was your first reaction to the Welcome Home announcements?What do you have in your home today that is “smart,” and what do you actually use?Of the three new devices, which would you buy or recommend to someone our age, and which would you skip?Do we need a screen on the counter or wall, or is the iPhone already that screen?Are we comfortable talking to the house, and with devices that recognize who is in it?Who is this for: us, our kids, or our parents, and does it make aging in place easier?Connect with the GangPeter: @ppetto on Instagram, Facebook, X, Tumblr, Bluesky, and MastodonCharlie: [email protected]; CyberchuckTX across social platformsChris: ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads and Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob: TMUG.com, ThinkBob.com, DangerousBobPhotography.com | Bluesky: @ThinkBobMarty Jencius: @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetShow Contact InformationYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

Apple's fall lineup is a guessing game again: an OLED iPad mini, M6 iMac, new Apple TV, HomePod mini, maybe a touchscreen MacBook. Rather than predict, each of us brings one question about what matters to us.Apple Event This October? These 7 New Products Expected Next Month (MacRumors, Sept. 22)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/22/apple-event-october-2026-what-to-expect/Fall 2026 Apple Product Rumors (Cult of Mac, Sept. 14)https://cultofmac.com/news/apple-products-fall-2026-rumors When Is Apple's Next Event? (Macworld, Oct. 1)https://www.macworld.com/article/672537/when-is-apples-next-event.htmlApple Newsroom (Apple)https://www.apple.com/newsroom/YouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Gang weighs Apple's $699 MacBook Neo against a new M5 Air, an Apple refurb, and the perennial used M1 bargain to help you buy a Mac that lasts five or six years without paying for power you'll never use.Section 1 — Meet the MacBook Neo: What $699 BuysMacBook Neo (Apple)https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/MacBook Neo: Should You Buy? Reviews and More (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-neo/Apple MacBook Neo Review: Surprisingly good and capable for $599, with one big flaw (Notebookcheck)https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Neo-Review-Surprisingly-good-and-capable-laptop-for-599-with-one-big-flaw.1247679.0.htmlMacBook Neo Review — 6 Months Laterhttps://6monthslater.net/2026/09/macbook-neo-review/Section 2 — The M-Series Case, Including That M1 in the ClosetFirst MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/05/macbook-neo-first-benchmarks/Is the MacBook Air M1 Still Worth Buying in 2026? (BGR)https://www.bgr.com/2215378/is-macbook-air-m1-still-worth-buying-in-2026/Buying a Used M1 MacBook Air in 2026: Still a Steal or a Security Risk? (The Mac Observer)https://www.macobserver.com/tips/round-ups/buying-a-used-m1-macbook-air-in-2026-still-a-steal-or-a-security-risk/Are Older MacBooks Still Worth Buying in 2026? (Engadget)https://www.engadget.com/2255893/older-macbook-still-worth-buying-2026/Section 3 — The Fine Print That Actually Decides ItBest MacBook for 2026: Air vs Pro vs Neo Compared (Macworld)https://www.macworld.com/article/667144/best-macbook-air-vs-pro-neo-compared.htmlWhich MacBook Should You Buy in 2026? Five Best Apple Laptops Ranked (Tom's Guide)https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/macbooks/i-review-laptops-for-a-living-and-this-is-now-the-macbook-i-recommend-to-most-peopleGet Started with Accessibility Features on Mac (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/get-started-with-accessibility-features-mh35884/macSection 4 — Where and How to Buy ItCertified Refurbished Mac (Apple)https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/macWhere to Find the GangCharlie — [email protected] | "CyberchuckTX" in many placesChris — ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com | Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob — TMUG.com | ThinkBob.com | DangerousBobPhotography.com | Bluesky: @ThinkBobMarty Jencius — @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetContact the ShowYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangSubstack: www.Substack.com/@ThePodTalkNetworkWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Gang runs four rounds of favorites from Apple’s September 14 releases—macOS 27 Golden Gate, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27—naming the headline and hidden features worth trying yourself.Petapixel and Tyler Stalman:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYH9RPdRfGshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yozFyE8Mb5ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6avuE41-VA (videographers)Section 1: macOS 27Golden Gate•      macOS27 Golden Gate: New features, release date, beta, compatible Macs (Macworld)https://www.macworld.com/article/3139330/macos-27-mac-features-siri-apple-intelligence-release-date-compatibility.html•      macOS 27 Golden Gate now available, here is everything new (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/macos-27-golden-gate-now-available-here-is-everything-new/•      What's new in the updates for macOS 27 Golden Gate (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/127257•      macOS 27 Golden Gate New Features: 7 to Try Today (Gadget Hacks)https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/macos-27-golden-gate-new-features-7-to-try-today/•      macOS 27 Golden Gate Update: The Best New Features (Geeky Gadgets)https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/macos-27-golden-gate-features-2026/Section 2: iOS 27•      iOS 27 Now Available: 10 Features to Try First (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-features-to-try-first/•      50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27 (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/50-new-things-iphone-can-do-ios-27/•      iOS 27 now available: New features, compatible iPhones, and more (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/ios-27-now-available-features-compatible-iphones/Section 3: iPadOS 27•      About iPadOS 27 Updates (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/149075•      iPadOS 27 (Apple)https://www.apple.com/os/ipados/•      iPadOS 27 Released: Top New Non-AI Features (Android Headlines)https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/09/ipados-27-new-features-siri-ai.html•      Apple releases iPadOS 27, here's what's new for iPad (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/apple-releases-ipados-27-heres-whats-new-for-ipad/Section 4: watchOS 27•      Apple Releases watchOS 27 With Siri AI, New Watch Face, Smart Stack Improvements andMore (MacRumors)      https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/14/apple-releases-watchos-27/•      watchOS 27 is live: 7 new features to try first on your Apple Watch (Tom's Guide)https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/smartwatches/watchos-27-is-live-7-new-features-to-try-first-on-your-apple-watch•      watchOS 27: Here are Apple's full release notes (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/10/watchos-27-here-are-apples-full-release-notes-for-new-update/•      watchOS 27: Everything We Know (MacRumors)https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/watchos-27/Contact the ShowWeb: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

Apple held its annual fall event -- "Surprise and Shine" -- on September 9, 2026. The Old Mac Gang gathers to react to what Apple unveiled, how it compared to the pre-show predictions and leaks, and what it all means for Mac users and the Apple ecosystem. ·  New Apple CEO unveils latest iPhone lineup,including a foldable model called Duohttps://apnews.com/article/fd35312e6d894d5f3b055b3d62f22cd2·  Live: Apple debuts iPhone Duo, its firstfoldable iPhonehttps://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/apple-live-updates-foldable-iphone-duo-18·  Everything Apple announced at its fall iPhoneevent, from the foldable iPhone Duo to an always-listening Apple Watchhttps://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/everything-apple-announced-at-its-fall-iphone-event-from-the-foldable-iphone-duo-to-an-always-listening-apple-watch/·  Everything Apple Announced: iPhone Duo,iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods 5https://www.wired.com/story/everything-apple-announced-september-2026/·  Everything Apple announced at its Surpriseand Shine eventhttps://www.macworld.com/article/3228054/surprise-and-shine-apple-event-live-blog-iphone-18-pro-folding-duo-airpods.html·  Apple unveils iPhone Duohttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-unveils-iphone-duo/·  Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 ProMaxhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-debuts-iphone-18-pro-and-iphone-18-pro-max/·  Introducing Apple Watch Series 12, with theall-new Health Sensing Systemhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/introducing-apple-watch-series-12-with-the-all-new-health-sensing-system/·  Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 4https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-unveils-apple-watch-ultra-4/·  Apple introduces AirPods 5, featuringbest-in-class open-ear Active Noise Cancellationhttps://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-introduces-airpods-5-with-best-in-class-open-ear-active-noise-cancellation/Design for iPhone Duohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do3UqxfYc3IYoutube.com/@Fade [email protected]

The Gang takes an honest look at ebooks and audiobooks on the Apple gear you already own — making the type behave, borrowing free from your library, and listening the way you like it.LINKS FROM TONIGHT'S SHOWRead books in the Books app on iPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-books-iphc1af7c57/iosRead or listen to text in apps with Accessibility Reader on iPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-listen-text-apps-accessibility-reader-iph406a46ab8/iosAccess books on other Apple devices in the Books app (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/access-books-on-other-apple-devices-iphb886e1752/iosGetting started with Libby (Libby Help)https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6103.htmhoopla digital — Help and Getting Startedhttps://www.hoopladigital.com/helpProject Gutenberg — Free eBookshttps://www.gutenberg.org/Standard Ebooks — Free and Liberated Ebookshttps://standardebooks.org/Listen to audiobooks in the Books app on iPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/listen-to-audiobooks-iphac1971248/iosLibro.fm — Audiobooks That Support an Independent Bookstorehttps://libro.fm/Send PDF, EPUB and Other Files to Your Kindle (Amazon)https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G5WYD9SAF7PGXRNACalibre — Ebook Management for the Machttps://calibre-ebook.com/Youtube.com/@[email protected]

The Old Mac Gang goes back to basics with the iPhone's most overlooked app — the Phone app itself — covering iOS 26's unified Calls list, Call Screening, Wi‑Fi Calling, and built-in call recording.Mac Studio Gets Update to M5Max and M5 Ultra (AppleInsider)https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/25/mac-studio-gets-update-to-m5-max-and-m5-ultraNew Mac Studio M5 Max and M5Ultra: Everything You Need to Know (Macworld)https://www.macworld.com/article/2973459/2026-mac-studio-m5-release-date-specs-price-rumors.htmlApple Unveils New Mac Miniand Mac Studio With Updated Chips (Forbes Vetted)https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2026/08/25/apple-unveils-new-mac-mini-and-mac-studio-with-updated-chips/Make a call on iPhone (AppleSupport)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-a-call-iph3c993cbc/iosTen Useful New Features iniOS 26's Phone App (Austin MacWorks)https://austinmacworks.com/ten-useful-new-features-in-ios-26s-phone-app/Set up Voicemail on iPhone(Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-voicemail-iph3c99490e/iosScreen and block calls oniPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/screen-and-block-calls-iphe4b3f7823/iosManage unknown callers oniPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/111106iOS 26's new Phone app won meover with two excellent features (9to5Mac)https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/01/ios-26s-new-phone-app-won-me-over-with-two-excellent-features/Make a call with Wi‑FiCalling (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/108066Make and receive phone callson Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/102405How to record and transcribea call on iPhone (Apple Support)https://support.apple.com/en-us/121583Peter — @ppetto most everywhereCharlie —[email protected], and "CyberchuckTX" in many placesChris — ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com (https://chriswesselmanphotography.com)| Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az | Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob — TMUG.com (http://tmug.com), ThinkBob.com (http://thinkbob.com),DangerousBobPhotography.com (http://dangerousbobphotography.com)Marty Jencius — @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]

The Old Mac Gang panel provides their favorite keyboard shortcuts and ways to integrate them into your workflow.SECTION 1 --- The Essentials: Core macOS Shortcuts Everyone Should Know1. Mac keyboard shortcuts (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/en-us/1026502. Mac Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete Cheat Sheet (KeyShortcuts) https://keyshortcuts.net/blog/mac-keyboard-shortcuts3. 100+ Time Saving Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for 2026 (Tech by Davey) https://techbydavey.com/mac-keyboard-shortcuts/SECTION 2 --- Beyond Copy and Paste: Window Management, Screenshots, and Spotlight1. 60 Mac Keyboard Shortcuts That'll Instantly Speed Up Your Workflow (Apple Headlines) https://www.appleheadlines.com/how-to-use-keyboard-shortcuts-mac/2. The Ultimate Guide to Mac Keyboard Shortcuts (MacHow2) https://machow2.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-mac/3. macOS Keyboard Shortcuts 2026 | Complete Cheat Sheet (FastShortcuts) https://fastshortcuts.com/shortcuts/mac/SECTION 3 --- Making Shortcuts Your Own: Customizing and Third-Party Tools1. Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/create-keyboard-shortcuts-for-apps-mchlp2271/mac2. Use macOS keyboard shortcuts (Apple Support) https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/keyboard-shortcuts-mchlp2262/mac3. Best Mac Keyboard Shortcut Apps (TextExpander) https://textexpander.com/blog/mac-keyboard-shortcut-appAdditional mention:Dock Star appwww.dockstar.appPANELIST CONTACT INFORMATION (Where can we find you?)Peter --- @ppetto most everywhereChris --- ChrisWesselmanPhotography.com (https://chriswesselmanphotography.com) Bluesky and Flickr: @ChrisW47-az Threads/Instagram: @chris.wesselmanBob --- TMUG.com (http://tmug.com), ThinkBob.com (http://thinkbob.com), DangerousBobPhotography.com (http://dangerousbobphotography.com)Marty Jencius --- @jencius on Bluesky and Mastodon | ThePodTalk.NetSHOW CONTACT INFORMATIONYouTube: youtube.com/@OldMacGangWebsite: ThePodTalk.NetEmail: [email protected]