Apple Bitz XL w/ Brian Tong
- Episodes
- 393
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Oct 25, 2026
About the podcast
Apple Bitz XL is everything good and bad inside the world of Apple from tech host Brian Tong. He brings on special guests and gives his raw honest take while having fun after covering and working for Apple for over 20 years. Support the show! www.patreon.com/briantong
Episodes 393
iPhone Duo Review - Has It Been Worth The Wait? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 391)
The iPhone Duo is finally available...for some of you. Special Guest Gizomodo's Ray Wong joins the podcast where we go down our list of Good and Bad features for the iPhone Duo. And we don't agree on …
Show notes
The iPhone Duo is finally available...for some of you. Special Guest Gizomodo's Ray Wong joins the podcast where we go down our list of Good and Bad features for the iPhone Duo. And we don't agree on everything.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple's Going All In On Smart Home - Is HomeView, Apple TV 4K & HomePod mini 2 The Answer? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 390)
Apple Insider's Andrew O'Hara from the Smart Home Insider Podcast joins the pod, and we talk about everything HomeView, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini 2. Did Apple's new smart home launch do enough? Or come up …
Show notes
Apple Insider's Andrew O'Hara from the Smart Home Insider Podcast joins the pod, and we talk about everything HomeView, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini 2. Did Apple's new smart home launch do enough? Or come up short?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple To Announce 3 New Products At Smart Home Event On October 13th? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 389)
The latest report is that Apple will hold a Smart Home Event on October 13th. I'll break down my reviews of the Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. Plus, iPhone 18 Pros are having some …
Show notes
The latest report is that Apple will hold a Smart Home Event on October 13th. I'll break down my reviews of the Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. Plus, iPhone 18 Pros are having some issues.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
iPhone 18 Pro Review & iPhone Duo Lives Rent Free (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 388 )
Gizmodo Senior Editor Ray Wong comes back to the pod with our iPhone 18 Pro Review and we can't stop talking about the iPhone Duo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reactions To The iPhone Duo, 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12/Ultra 4 & AirPods 5 (Ep.387)
It's a conversation with Tech Influencers and Reporters after the Apple Fall Event keynote. Listen to reportersass they, and even leaving space or the time the you won't find. Did the iPhoen Duo do enough? Are …
Show notes
It's a conversation with Tech Influencers and Reporters after the Apple Fall Event keynote. Listen to reportersass they, and even leaving space or the time the you won't find. Did the iPhoen Duo do enough? Are the 18 Pro and 18 Por lineup feel more like dogs that ar doing all the, HBO.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple's September 9th iPhone Event - What To Expect (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 386)
Special guest Gizmodo's Ray Wong joins the podcast, where we talk about everything we expect to see, and you can be sure there is a whole lot of iPhone Ultra talk. Will the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max be …
Show notes
Special guest Gizmodo's Ray Wong joins the podcast, where we talk about everything we expect to see, and you can be sure there is a whole lot of iPhone Ultra talk. Will the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max be overlooked this year? What about the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4? Plus, what could Apple surprise us with? This is John Ternus's debut as the new CEO, and that might be the most important part of it all.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is The Apple Vision Pro, Dead? Just Staying Afloat? Or Very Much Alive? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 385)
Apple just had layoffs specific to teams working on the Apple Vision Pro, and that means more 'The Vision Pro is Dead' takes on the internet. But where is the Apple Vision Pro today compared to what they …
Show notes
Apple just had layoffs specific to teams working on the Apple Vision Pro, and that means more 'The Vision Pro is Dead' takes on the internet. But where is the Apple Vision Pro today compared to what they promised? We know Apple is shifting its focus to Glasses, and they should. But where does that leave the Apple Vision Pro?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple's Rethinking The Apple Watch Design! Plus, Is iPhone Ultra Getting A Bigger Display? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 384)
Apple has a three-year plan for the iPhone Ultra, with annual upgrades. The 20th Anniversary iPhone is not being cancelled. Apple is seriously rethinking the Apple Watch design, and Friday Night Baseball goes …
Show notes
Apple has a three-year plan for the iPhone Ultra, with annual upgrades. The 20th Anniversary iPhone is not being cancelled. Apple is seriously rethinking the Apple Watch design, and Friday Night Baseball goes 3D in Apple Immersive Video and more!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will iPhone Ultra Be Much Different From The Samsung Z Fold 8? Plus, Apple Keeps Raising Prices (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 383)
Samsung announced its new foldable lineup, and the Samsung Z Fold 8 gives us a pretty good idea about what we'll see from the iPhone Ultra. How can Apple stand out with its foldable? Or is just having a …
Show notes
Samsung announced its new foldable lineup, and the Samsung Z Fold 8 gives us a pretty good idea about what we'll see from the iPhone Ultra. How can Apple stand out with its foldable? Or is just having a foldable phone good enough for them? Plus, 11 new Macs in the next two years, and Apple raises prices on more products.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
iOS 27 Beta 3 & Others Reveal New Features! Plus, that iPhone 18 Pro Leak Was Nasty Work! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 382)
Apple just dropped the 3rd Developer Betas for iOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS Golden Gate and more, revealing new features. That Apple leak might be the biggest in its history, but it's not as iconic as the iPhone 4 …
Show notes
Apple just dropped the 3rd Developer Betas for iOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS Golden Gate and more, revealing new features. That Apple leak might be the biggest in its history, but it's not as iconic as the iPhone 4 left at a bar. Plus, the iPhone Ultra could be on a delayed timetable and more!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple Has Increased Prices On MacBooks, iPads, Macs & More. The iPhone Will Be Next (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 381)
Even Apple couldn't avoid the rising costs of components and increased prices across Macs, MacBooks, iPads and Home Products in their lineup. Are iPhone and Apple Watch next? Thanks AI! Learn more about your ad …
Show notes
Even Apple couldn't avoid the rising costs of components and increased prices across Macs, MacBooks, iPads and Home Products in their lineup. Are iPhone and Apple Watch next? Thanks AI!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WWDC 26 Reactions w/ Tech YouTubers - What Did We Like? And What Needs Work? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 380)
WWDC 26 is over, and my tech friends UrAvgConsumer, Krystal Lora and Techmeout join the podcast to break down what we thought about the announcements from WWDC 26 and what we're looking forward to at the next …
Show notes
WWDC 26 is over, and my tech friends UrAvgConsumer, Krystal Lora and Techmeout join the podcast to break down what we thought about the announcements from WWDC 26 and what we're looking forward to at the next event before the end of 2026!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WWDC 26 Preview - Will It Be Mid? How They Can Juice It Up (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 379)
WWDC 26 is the year of playing catch-up with the new Siri App, which will act like a chatbot, new iOS 27 features coming to other Apps, and delivering on the Apple Intelligence promise from two years ago. But …
Show notes
WWDC 26 is the year of playing catch-up with the new Siri App, which will act like a chatbot, new iOS 27 features coming to other Apps, and delivering on the Apple Intelligence promise from two years ago. But is it enough to get us excited? I offer my suggestions on how they can make it interesting.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New Features Coming To iOS 27 Revealed & iPhone 18 Por Rumots! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 378)
Siri is expected to get a major overhaul with a new look and UI. New AI features are being emphasized in the Camera and Photos Apps, and the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …
Show notes
Siri is expected to get a major overhaul with a new look and UI. New AI features are being emphasized in the Camera and Photos Apps, and the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Does Google's Android 17 & Gemini Intelligence Mean For Apple's iOS 27? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 377)
Google announced some of its Android 17 plans before Google I/O, and it feels like Apple will always be trailing behind to implement them in iOS 27. Does it even matter to consumers? Plus, Google's new …
Show notes
Google announced some of its Android 17 plans before Google I/O, and it feels like Apple will always be trailing behind to implement them in iOS 27. Does it even matter to consumers? Plus, Google's new Googlebook announcement aims to take a piece of the mid-range to higher-end laptop market, but the MacBook Neo is already winning.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Apple Vision Pro Is NOT DEAD…Not Yet. (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 376)
The tales of Apple Vision Pro being dead are premature and it's just not true...Yet. Plus, which other Apple products might not make the cut and be potentially cancelled? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …
Show notes
The tales of Apple Vision Pro being dead are premature and it's just not true...Yet.
Plus, which other Apple products might not make the cut and be potentially cancelled?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tim Cook Is Out And John Ternus Is In As Apple CEO - Whats Next For Apple? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 375)
Special Guest Lance Ulanoff from TechRadar joins the pod for a great, in-depth conversation about Tim Cook stepping down, what's next for Apple, and the challenges facing the new CEO, John Ternus. Learn more …
Show notes
Special Guest Lance Ulanoff from TechRadar joins the pod for a great, in-depth conversation about Tim Cook stepping down, what's next for Apple, and the challenges facing the new CEO, John Ternus.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
*BREAKING NEWS* Apple CEO Tim Cook Is Stepping Down & John Ternus Will Be Their New CEO (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 374)
Apple officially announced that Tim Cook will step down as CEO and John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will be the next CEO. What does this mean for Apple's future? Learn more about your …
Show notes
Apple officially announced that Tim Cook will step down as CEO and John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will be the next CEO. What does this mean for Apple's future?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
iPhone 18 Pro Colors Revealed! The MacBook Neo Is Winning & iPhone Fold Leaks (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 373)
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro brings a new unexpected color, the MacBook Neo is a winner, and it's only April, and dummy models of the iPhone Fold, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max leak. Plus, Apple and Amazon will be working …
Show notes
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro brings a new unexpected color, the MacBook Neo is a winner, and it's only April, and dummy models of the iPhone Fold, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max leak. Plus, Apple and Amazon will be working together on future satellite features after Amazon acquires Globalstar.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Mac Pro Is Dead & WWDC26 Is Official So What Does Apple Need To Do ? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 372)
Apple has officially discontinued the Mac Pro. Special Guest Ray Wong and I take a look back at what made it important to Apple's history and why it was inevitable. WWDC26 is officially set for June 8th to …
Show notes
Apple has officially discontinued the Mac Pro. Special Guest Ray Wong and I take a look back at what made it important to Apple's history and why it was inevitable. WWDC26 is officially set for June 8th to 12th, but what does Apple need to do to impress? Plus, AirPods Max 2 gets a surprise announcement.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air & M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro Reviews! Plus, New AirPods Max 2?! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 371)
Apple surprises with a new AirPods Max 2 announcement that feels like it should have happened two years ago. Tim Cook talks about his future with Apple. Plus, the new MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro/Max …
Show notes
Apple surprises with a new AirPods Max 2 announcement that feels like it should have happened two years ago. Tim Cook talks about his future with Apple. Plus, the new MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, and Studio Display XDR Reviews!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MacBook Neo Hands-On Impressions! Plus, Apple's Spring Announcements (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 370)
It's my first impressions with Apple's new entry-level MacBook Neo that surprises with its $599 price point, and drops to $499 for education. Plus, thoughts on the new M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro and …
Show notes
It's my first impressions with Apple's new entry-level MacBook Neo that surprises with its $599 price point, and drops to $499 for education. Plus, thoughts on the new M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro and Studio Display family. And, the new iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple's March 4th MacBook Event Is Official! Plus, Apple Intelligence Is Delayed...Again (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 369)
Apple's first event of 2026 is official! We expect to see the new A18 Pro entry-level MacBook and new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, but could there be more surprises? Plus, Apple drops the ball...again, with …
Show notes
Apple's first event of 2026 is official! We expect to see the new A18 Pro entry-level MacBook and new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, but could there be more surprises? Plus, Apple drops the ball...again, with the revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) Review, Two New Versions of Siri & Apple's Earnings Set Records...Again (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 368)
Apple's first new product of 2026 is the new AirTag 2nd generation. Are the upgrades worth upgrading for? Or getting for the first time? Plus, two new versions of Siri with the Google Gemini-backed Apple …
Show notes
Apple's first new product of 2026 is the new AirTag 2nd generation. Are the upgrades worth upgrading for? Or getting for the first time? Plus, two new versions of Siri with the Google Gemini-backed Apple Intelligence are coming. And, Apple has crushed its earnings reports with another all-time record.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple Announces Google Gemini Will Power The Next-Gen Siri This Year (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 367)
After all the rumors, Apple officially says that Google Gemini will be the foundation of the next Siri and Apple Intelligence, with new Apple Intelligence features to come as well. What does it mean for Apple …
Show notes
After all the rumors, Apple officially says that Google Gemini will be the foundation of the next Siri and Apple Intelligence, with new Apple Intelligence features to come as well. What does it mean for Apple now, what does it mean for you and what does it mean for the future?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple 2026 Predictions Show w/ Rich DeMuro (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 366)
We kick off the new year with Special Guest KTLA's Tech Report Rich DeMuro and our Apple 2026 predicitons. Will the iPhone Fold be their most important product? Can they show us a true inspired version of Apple …
Show notes
We kick off the new year with Special Guest KTLA's Tech Report Rich DeMuro and our Apple 2026 predicitons. Will the iPhone Fold be their most important product? Can they show us a true inspired version of Apple Intelligence? Do consumers even care about AI? Can Apple finally take a big chunk of the smart home market? It's all that and so much more!
You can help support this show and my independent work at www.patreon.com/briantong THANK YOU!
Call into the show by recording a Voice Memo and sending it to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Good & Bad Apples In 2025 (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 365)
Ray Wong, Gizmodo's Senior Editor for Consumer Tech, joins me to talk about all the Good and Bad from Apple in 2025. There are things to like, things to dislike, and things that have implications that will …
Show notes
Ray Wong, Gizmodo's Senior Editor for Consumer Tech, joins me to talk about all the Good and Bad from Apple in 2025. There are things to like, things to dislike, and things that have implications that will affect Apple in the years to come.
You can help support this show and my independent work at www.patreon.com/briantong THANK YOU!
Call into the show by recording a Voice Memo and sending it to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Are Automakers Dropping CarPlay? Is CarPlay Ultra In Trouble? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 364)
Special guest Joel Feder from TheDrive.com joins the podcast to talk about the future of Apple, and its uncertain relationship with the automotive industry. Is it now turning its back on CarPlay and CarPlay …
Show notes
Special guest Joel Feder from TheDrive.com joins the podcast to talk about the future of Apple, and its uncertain relationship with the automotive industry. Is it now turning its back on CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra? Is Apple losing traction in another emerging space where cars are now software-defined vehicles more than ever?
GM Bets You’ll Miss CarPlay Less With Built-In Apple Music Support
https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-bets-youll-miss-carplay-less-with-built-in-apple-music-support
Your Next EV Won’t Be Obsolete: How Rivian Is Designing for the Next Decade
https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-rivian-is-future-proofing-its-evs-7-10-years-out
You can help support this show and my independent work at www.patreon.com/briantong THANK YOU!
Call into the show by recording a Voice Memo and sending it to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple's Smart Home Hub, AirTags 2 & Studio Display 2 Leak! Plus, Apple's Talent Exodus - Update! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 363)
Apple releases iOS 26.2 and the latest software updates for its entire lineup. Three new Apple products and a mystery fourth one get leaked by internal code and show us what's coming in 2026. Plus, the major …
Show notes
Apple releases iOS 26.2 and the latest software updates for its entire lineup. Three new Apple products and a mystery fourth one get leaked by internal code and show us what's coming in 2026. Plus, the major shake-up with leadership and talent leaving Apple puts them at a crossroads. Where do they go from here? Is it a good thing? Or is Apple in trouble?
You can help support this show and my independent work at www.patreon.com/briantong THANK YOU!
Call into the show by recording a Voice Memo and sending it to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's Next For iOS 27? Android & iPhone Can Now AirDrop! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 362)
Android and Apple can now seamlessly AirDrop & Quick Share files between devices. Is this a sign of more collaborations to come? iPhone Pocket sold out because they barely made any. What's next for iOS 27? And …
Show notes
Android and Apple can now seamlessly AirDrop & Quick Share files between devices. Is this a sign of more collaborations to come? iPhone Pocket sold out because they barely made any. What's next for iOS 27? And will the 'iPhone Fold' be too expensive?
You can help support this show and my independent work at www.patreon.com/briantong THANK YOU!
Call into the show by recording a Voice Memo and sending it to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
These are the latest 40 of 393 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
Similar podcasts
More News podcasts
Is this your podcast?
Confirm it with an entry in your feed: you get a code here, add it as podcast:txt to the channel of your feed, and we check it. Your podcast is then shown as “verified” on SoundNode.