After a week dragged down by injury-related challenges, Adam Engst previews Apple’s 13 October 2026 “Welcome Home” product launch, which is expected to debut a touchscreen home hub and updated Apple TV and HomePod hardware. He also untangles the mess that is Full Disk Access, explaining which apps truly need it, which don’t, and how Apple should fix the permission system. For fun, Adam showcases RetroMac and Reframe, which let you relive the visual glory of old operating systems and Web browsers. We briefly share that iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T should update to iOS 27.0.1 and install a carrier settings update to prevent a hardware-level cellular failure. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 16.0, BusyCal 2026.4.1 and BusyContacts 2026.4.1, DEVONagent Pro 3.12, Mactracker 8.3, and SoundSource 6.1.5.
Apple has announced a home-focused product launch for 13 October 2026. Expected products include a long-rumored touchscreen home hub alongside a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini. And more?
The free RetroMac app themes your Mac to look like System 6, Mac OS 9, or even Windows 98. Its companion browser Reframe wraps today’s Web in old browser chrome and can throttle your connection to modem speeds. Both are wonderfully impractical.
Full Disk Access is a blunt instrument with a lousy interface for users and developers alike. Here’s what Apple should fix, which apps legitimately need it, and which ones you can safely remove from your list.
Watchlist
Reference management tool adds new browser extension feature that examines Web pages for reference materials. ($74.99 new, free update, 146.3 MB, macOS 11+)
Maintenance updates for the calendar and contact management apps. ($49.99 new for each new, free update, various sizes, macOS 13.5+)
Research software updates with added support for Dark mode and user interface updates. ($49.95 new, free update, __ MB, macOS 13+)
Popular encyclopedia of Apple products updated with recent hardware releases. (Free, 268 MB, macOS 11+)
Introduces a new Control Center special source that captures audio the Mac receives via AirPlay. ($49 new, free update, 55.8 MB, macOS 15+)
