Hey there!

July means hot and humid days here in Virginia. 🥵 

It also means the public betas for Apple’s new operating systems are just around the corner.

With that in mind, here’s what I have coming up:

• Public Betas: What You Need to Know

• A New Reader Poll

• Summer Vibes on Basic AF

• Leadership Changes at Apple

Plus there's a new word scramble puzzle and plenty more news you should know about!

Here we go…

🧪 Ready for the Public Betas? Here’s What You Need to Know

The first public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, HomePod Software 26, tvOS 26, and AirPods Firmware are arriving soon. So, should you install them?

The honest answer: it depends.

If you’ve ever muttered under your breath when your phone glitches out, imagine that, but potentially worse. That’s beta life. Expect:

• More bugs

• Random crashes

• Apps that don’t work correctly (or at all)

• Battery drain that makes you question your life choices

That’s why I say most people should skip the betas and wait for the official releases in the fall.

But if you’re the adventurous type, or you need to test these systems for work or development, you can sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program here. Be sure to read through the FAQ and, most importantly, back up your devices before installing anything.

Do’s and Don’ts of Beta Testing

If you decide to dive in, here are some tips to make the most of beta life, without losing your sanity (or your data):

✅ Things To Do:

• File Feedback: Use Apple’s built-in Feedback app to report bugs, weird behaviors, or even things you really like. That’s the whole point of public betas—to help Apple improve the final release.

• Let Developers Know (Politely): If you notice issues with your favorite third-party apps, consider giving the developer a heads-up. Many appreciate early reports, but remember: don’t demand fixes for betas. Most developers wait until Apple’s final release before officially supporting new systems.

• Test Apps in Beta: Some developers will invite users to help test early versions of their apps as they are updating them for the new OS. If you’re interested in testing your favorite apps, keep an eye on their social channels or newsletters.

🚫 Things Not To Do:

• Don’t Install on Critical Devices: If you can’t live without it, don’t do it. Save the betas for secondary devices.

• Don’t Expect Perfection: Betas are unfinished software by definition. If glitches trigger you, this life ain’t for you.

• Don’t Skip Backups: Make sure you backup everything before you start. You’ll thank yourself later.

📚 ICYMI: Best Mac for College 2025 Update

I mentioned this in the last edition, but I’m doing it again in case you missed that one.

Last year, I published my "Best Mac for College" guide to help students (or their parents) determine which Mac would be right for them to take off to school. I've just updated it for 2025.

I'm still recommending the MacBook Air for most students.

Some key takeaways:

• Apple improved the value this year by lowering the starting price by $100 while doubling the base memory from 8GB to 16GB.

• Save more by shopping on Apple's Education Store.

• My suggestion is to upgrade the RAM to 24GB and go with 512GB storage.

• There's a new Sky Blue color.

• In my experience managing 30,000+ devices in higher education over the last 10+ years, we see cracked displays and liquid damage as the most common issues. AppleCare+ is a must-have.

There's plenty more in my guide, including what to do before you buy anything, reasonable options for spending less, software considerations, backup strategies to protect your data, and much more. The link is below.

🧩 Word Scramble Puzzle

❤️ Thanks for the Love

Big thanks to everyone who’s taken a moment to share feedback about the newsletter. The latest kind words come from Jeff P. and Daniel P. Much appreciated!

Their comments are now featured on the signup page. Want to add yours to the mix? Just reply with a quick note!

PS: I have a Basic AF Show sticker and magnet set for the next three to respond. 😀 

🎙️ Basic AF Show: Our Summer Vibes Check

We’re in between WWDC and the Public Betas, and it’s the perfect time for a summer vibe check!

Jeff and I break down what we're reading, watching, listening to, and playing with this summer. Books, newsletters, podcasts, the new Reply All Time and Top Songs playlists in Apple Music, and more. Additionally, I get nerdy with Claude, Readwise, and MCP, while Jeff plans to dabble in sketching and watercolors.

Chapter Listing:

00:00 Intro
02:39 What We're Reading This Summer
13:17 Exploring Readwise AI Chat & Claude
17:55 What We're Watching Now
26:24 Summer Playlists
39:23 Now Playing With...
46:28 Close

Listen to and follow the show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the other podcast apps, as well as on YouTube and YouTube Music.

📣 News to Know About

Here’s a quick rundown of other recent and noteworthy news, hand-selected just for you:

🧩 Word Scramble Answer

Magic Keyboard is Apple’s wireless keyboard. It features Touch ID, a rechargeable battery, low profile keys, and Bluetooth connectivity.