Connected Episode 584: The 2025 Pickies Awards and 2026 Predictions

The 2025 "Japeries" Awards

• 🏆 Apple received the "Most Self-Indulgent Synergy Award" for its embrace of Formula 1, including a 3D Monaco in Apple Maps.
• ❓ The "Everywhere and Nowhere All at Once Award" went to App Intents, for powering many things but with limited current use in Siri.
• 💎 Tim Cook was honored with the "Allen Dye Award for Being Completely Transparent" for handing over a trophy without naming the recipient.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Jeff Williams received the "Graceful Exit Award" for his dignified retirement as Apple COO, followed by a seat on the Disney board.
• 🔢 Apple Product Marketing was awarded for "Finally Unifying OS Version Numbers" across all platforms, simplifying updates.
• ⚖️ The "Are We the Baddies Award" was jointly given to Services Revenue and the App Store for their continued resistance to regulation.
• 🥫 The "Most Dented Can Award" went to Satellite SOS for Apple's ongoing struggle to define its long-term monetization strategy.
• 🤖 Apple's AI team received the "Musical Chairs Award" for their perceived lack of stability and direction.
• 🎨 Generative AI was recognized with the "Lou Award for the Heist of the Century" for its use of creative work.

2025 Pickies Predictions Review

• ❌ None of the hosts accurately predicted Apple's 2025 technology trends, with zero points scored by all participants in the annual "Pickies" competition.
• 🍎 Predictions included the absence of a new Vision Pro, no new iPhone SE with Apple Intelligence, and no third-party LLM partner announced by Apple.
• ⌚️ Several predictions missed the mark, such as the introduction of an Apple Watch with a new sensor or an iPhone SE with a 48-megapixel camera.
• 💡 The hosts acknowledged that many of their predictions were tied to the expected release of Apple Intelligence features, which did not materialize as anticipated.

2026 Pickies Predictions

• 📱 John predicts Apple will release at least one brand new app, potentially for iPad, Windows, or Android.
• 💻 James anticipates the introduction of a computer with an M5 Ultra processor.
• 🖥️ Jason predicts the return of the iMac Pro, possibly with a large screen and pro-level processors.
• ☁️ John also predicts Apple will open its private cloud compute LLM to developers, possibly with a usage-based charge.
• ✍️ James foresees significant changes to "liquid glass" in the 27 update, with improvements to readability and customization.
• 🏠 Jason reiterates his prediction for a new home device with a screen, anticipating it for fall 2026.
• 🩺 John predicts a new health-related subscription service, possibly integrated with Fitness+ or as a standalone AI health advisor.
• 🚀 James predicts Apple will unveil a device with a previously unseen form factor, covering various rumors like a home device or foldable phone.
• 🖱️ Jason predicts the arrival of touchscreen MacBook Pros without a dramatically changed macOS interface.
• 🗣️ John predicts that smarter Siri features will be rolled out in stages, with some 2024 WWDC demos not appearing until after WWDC 2026.
• 🇪🇺 James predicts Apple will blame the European Commission in a press release for hindering product rollouts.
• 👍 Jason predicts that Siri will be noticeably better in 2026, though not necessarily "great."
• 🖥️ John predicts a new Studio Display with Thunderbolt 5, a 120Hz refresh rate, and OLED, but no HDMI or DisplayPort.
• 👑 James predicts Tim Cook will announce his succession plan, or at least a transition to Chairman of the Board.
• 🤝 Jason predicts Tim Cook will become Chairman of the Board while remaining CEO, mirroring Steve Jobs's transition plan.