Where’s Gruber?

[Personal_Gsus]

Whatever's happening with Gruber must be serious because he otherwise wouldn't be absent from his site for so long, nor feel the need to let his audience know. I hope he and his family are ok and whatever they're going through ends in a positive outcome.

 

[SpitUK]

Wonder if his Dad is ill, he's well into his 80s I think. Hope everything is ok for him.

 

[SuzyM70]

He seems to be back! Couple of new posts up.

 

[thadoggfather]

He seems to be back! Couple of new posts up.

He hasn't covered iPhone 17's at all this past week, due to "personal stuff going on" which, hey, fair enough. Life happens.


But his most recent post* is of course politics and nothing to do with tech or Apple. I see he briefly talked about iOS 26 new popover before that, really a response to someone else's article -- just to check the box.

..Right on brand for a while sadly 🤦‍♂️

I still look forward to his rundown of the new hardware they're usually a pretty fun read but wish he could chill out just a little bit on his milquetoast 'activism', but to each his own that's his right.

I don't think he's 'moving the needle at all' quite frankly on changing hearts and minds, but he can certainly keep trying as he sees fit. I also thoroughly enjoy his unfounded resentment for Mark Gurman when he gets leaks right probably because Gurman unofficially has more under the table connections than him at this point in relation to Apple but you think on some level he'd respect a fellow media peer. Maybe he does secretly 😀

--

Apple likely distanced themselves from him for good reason not just his big blow to Apple Intelligence hype last year (which I commend him for saying as much, takes cajones with the pull he has at Apple to make such a grand statement that it's a nothing burger and to get heads turning with the headline 'Something is rotten in the state of Cupertino' -- myopic victory in the end)

 

[StudioMacs]

He hasn't covered iPhone 17's at all this past week, due to "personal stuff going on" which, hey, fair enough. Life happens.


But his most recent post* is of course politics and nothing to do with tech or Apple. I see he briefly talked about iOS 26 new popover before that, really a response to someone else's article -- just to check the box.

..Right on brand for a while sadly 🤦‍♂️

I still look forward to his rundown of the new hardware they're usually a pretty fun read but wish he could chill out just a little bit on his milquetoast 'activism', but to each his own that's his right.

I don't think he's 'moving the needle at all' quite frankly on changing hearts and minds, but he can certainly keep trying as he sees fit. I also thoroughly enjoy his unfounded resentment for Mark Gurman when he gets leaks right probably because Gurman unofficially has more under the table connections than him at this point in relation to Apple but you think on some level he'd respect a fellow media peer. Maybe he does secretly 😀

--

Apple likely distanced themselves from him for good reason not just his big blow to Apple Intelligence hype last year (which I commend him for saying as much, takes cajones with the pull he has at Apple to make such a grand statement that it's a nothing burger and to get heads turning with the headline 'Something is rotten in the state of Cupertino' -- myopic victory in the end)

I don’t necessarily disagree with his political viewpoint, but that’s just not the type of content I’m looking for from his website.

I like reading Gruber’s insights into the inner workings at Apple, and the thought process behind some of the decisions the company makes. He has been a strong advocate in favor of some controversial Apple decisions in the past, and has been critical as well.

I thought his criticism regarding “demoing” and advertising vaporware was harsh but accurate, and highlighted a bigger issue than Apple’s progress (or lack of) in AI. I’m not surprised he’s had pushback from Apple after publishing the piece, and I wonder if he even received review units of the new iPhones from Apple…

 

[Cinder6]

It really is a strange state of affairs. Not even a review roundup, just a link and short commentary to one—but we get not just one, but two posts about the political outrage du jour everyone will forget in a week.

 

[surferfb]

For those wondering, on the Dithering podcast this morning he confirmed he did receive phones from Apple after the event. He didn't get into why he was out, but did laugh about how while he is usually late with posting his reviews, he's never been this late.

 

[maxoakland]

I never said he shouldn't have spoken his mind, I just said he would be a fool to not expect consequences. Nice on deciding you have a read on a stranger's moral compass from a single forum post, though.

The way you said he should “expect consequences” implied like those consequences were reasonable and he would be wrong for getting upset

A good person takes criticism and accountability. I don’t know why you think a company should be excused for acting like a bad person and punishing its critics

 

[Fumblerooskie]

I wondered if his interest/passion for Apple had started to wane, ever since they declined his annual post-wwdc talk show.

Maybe he realized that there is more to life than opining on tech gadgets that fade into obscurity after a short tenure?

 

[slippytoad]

I'm surprised none of you read his Personal Note (https://daringfireball.net/2025/09/personal_note) posted 9/19/25 where he explains he's going through some personal stuff. Maybe give the guy a bit of latitude and breathing room while he figures things out?

 

[turbineseaplane]

He seems fully back now...and running cover for Apple again (unfortunately).

(related to Apple censorship on the US App Store in the last week)

Happily he's been flamed pretty good for it on socials.

 

[thadoggfather]

I'm surprised none of you read his Personal Note (https://daringfireball.net/2025/09/personal_note) posted 9/19/25 where he explains he's going through some personal stuff. Maybe give the guy a bit of latitude and breathing room while he figures things out?

IDAC (I dont actually care, dunno if that's a used acronym lol) but posted 9/19, and yet I count 24 articles total - one that is linking some podcast talking about new phones, and a few that are iPhone adjacent since that time.

...The guy missed capitalizing on Apple's biggest annual hardware release and giving us the full rundown of the 4 models which I might mention I do enjoy hearing about (even though it doesn't dictate which route I go) with his um, personal hobbies / arguably psychotic obsessions at this point.

Did Apple even send him review units this go round or are they totally done with him?

To be fair, it is his blog, but this is outright ridiculous IMO. The dude is cooked brand wise.

The posts are even laced with profanities, it reads more like 'Dear Diary' angst of some immature teenager.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Did Apple even send him review units this go round or are they totally done with him?

Addressed above by @surferfb

For those wondering, on the Dithering podcast this morning he confirmed he did receive phones from Apple after the event. He didn't get into why he was out, but did laugh about how while he is usually late with posting his reviews, he's never been this late.

 

[surferfb]

IDAC (I dont actually care, dunno if that's a used acronym lol) but posted 9/19, and yet I count 24 articles total - one that is linking some podcast talking about new phones, and a few that are iPhone adjacent since that time.

...The guy missed capitalizing on Apple's biggest annual hardware release and giving us the full rundown of the 4 models which I might mention I do enjoy hearing about (even though it doesn't dictate which route I go) with his um, personal hobbies / arguably psychotic obsessions at this point.

Did Apple even send him review units this go round or are they totally done with him?

To be fair, it is his blog, but this is outright ridiculous IMO. The dude is cooked brand wise.

The posts are even laced with profanities, it reads more like 'Dear Diary' angst of some immature teenager.

On dithering he noted he had two separate serious family emergencies, one on each side of his family. He didn’t get into what they are, and he deserves his privacy, but they are apparently serious enough that he hasn’t been in front of a computer most days. I expect the reviews of three different phones is a little more involved than posting links and the short commentaries he has since coming back.

I missed reading his thoughts on the phones as well, as I was hoping for his take before deciding between Pro and Air, but at this point, as late as he is, there’s no need for getting something out quickly. So I’d rather he do it right, especially if that means being there for his family. As someone who has lost a parent, you don’t get that time back. (To be clear, I don’t know that sick parents/in laws are the issues he’s dealing with, but that the vibe I got).

 

[thadoggfather]

On dithering he noted he had two separate serious family emergencies, one on each side of his family. He didn’t get into what they are, and he deserves his privacy, but they are apparently serious enough that he hasn’t been in front of a computer most days. I expect the reviews of three different phones is a little more involved than posting links and the short commentaries he has since coming back.

I missed reading his thoughts on the phones as well, as I was hoping for his take before deciding between Pro and Air, but at this point, as late as he is, there’s no need for getting something out quickly. So I’d rather he do it right, especially if that means being there for his family. As someone who has lost a parent, you don’t get that time back. (To be clear, I don’t know that sick parents/in laws are the issues he’s dealing with, but that the vibe I got).

I have empathy for such a situation*

Might explain more of him diving into other stuff way more so

All good just was hoping to get the iPhone rundown. Those are his takes I like the most

 

[ericg301]

I'm surprised none of you read his Personal Note (https://daringfireball.net/2025/09/personal_note) posted 9/19/25 where he explains he's going through some personal stuff. Maybe give the guy a bit of latitude and breathing room while he figures things out?

All of the replies and my OP were before he made that post

 

[StudioMacs]

I'm surprised none of you read his Personal Note (https://daringfireball.net/2025/09/personal_note) posted 9/19/25 where he explains he's going through some personal stuff. Maybe give the guy a bit of latitude and breathing room while he figures things out?

I’m surprised you commented without reading previous comments that mention and link to his personal note (published after this thread was started on 9/18/25).

 

[Simmias]

Two months after launch and still no iPhone reviews. I’m back to believing that this is a classic passive aggressive move by Gruber.

 

[SpitUK]

I have loved his site for years but something feels a little off with it at the moment.

 

[CMoore515]

I don’t recall why Apple stopped sending him stuff.. but, I look forward to his comments each year, when available.

AFAIK, it was because he **** all over Apple when Apple Intelligence didn't come out with 18.x

This was also the first year no Apple Execs did The Talk Show live from WWDC because of it.

 

[Simmias]

AFAIK, it was because he **** all over Apple when Apple Intelligence didn't come out with 18.x

This was also the first year no Apple Execs did The Talk Show live from WWDC because of it.

He confirmed that he received review units this year. I think he just decided to opt out of the iPhone launch hype cycle entirely because Apple shunned his show this year.

Not that his “personal issue” wasn’t real, but that he’s now been posting regularly for 6 weeks or so and doesn’t care to get his review out. It fits a pattern over the years where he’s “forgotten” to do other things like update the bot that Tweeted out his posts because he hates Elon Musk. I think he’ll eventually publish a review but completely missing the launch window and not participating in the PR machine was deliberate.

 

[Starfia]

Two months after launch and still no iPhone reviews. I’m back to believing that this is a classic passive aggressive move by Gruber.

He confirmed that he received review units this year. I think he just decided to opt out of the iPhone launch hype cycle entirely because Apple shunned his show this year.

(John received iPhone review units during the aforementioned personal recess; he mentioned in the most recent episode of The Talk Show that he still plans to post reviews.)

 

[Simmias]

(John received iPhone review units during the aforementioned personal recess; he mentioned in the most recent episode of The Talk Show that he still plans to post reviews.)

Um this is more or less exactly what I said. He received review units. He will still post reviews. The launch window is now long gone.

If you’re implying that his “personal recess”is the only reason that he still hasn’t posted reviews, I’m not buying it. He’s been posting frequently, including a number of long form articles, since he resumed blogging. It’s not plausible that he simply hasn’t had time yet to write a review of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. It’s more likely that there are other factors in the lack of urgency, including his personal resentment and vitriol against Tim Cook.

 

[surferfb]

If you’re implying that his “personal recess”is the only reason that he still hasn’t posted reviews, I’m not buying it. He’s been posting frequently, including a number of long form articles, since he resumed blogging. It’s not plausible that he simply hasn’t had time yet to write a review of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. It’s more likely that there are other factors in the lack of urgency, including his personal resentment and vitriol against Tim Cook.

I don't his thoughts on Tim Cook have anything to do with it; I think it's much more likely that once his family emergencies happened and he realized he wasn't going to be anywhere close to meeting the release window that the urgency to get them out quickly went away. I suspect most who read are early adopters, and even coming out a week after the iPhones did is probably too late for 95% of his audience. I'd argue there's almost no value in him posting a "couple weeks late" version of the same review he would have posted had he not had the family emergencies, so he should do something different.

So at this point, why not give a real, honest to goodness review informed by using each phone day in and day out for a month or two? I know from his podcasts he's been living with at least the Air and the Pro as his only device each for a few weeks; if he was going to be late regardless, I think "I used them all for a month and here are the pros and cons" coming out in December is a much more worthwhile review than "I used them all for a couple of days and here are the pros and cons" coming out two weeks after release.

 

[Starfia]

Um this is more or less exactly what I said. He received review units. He will still post reviews. The launch window is now long gone.

Right, right. I supposed your mention that you thought he decided "to opt out of the iPhone launch hype cycle entirely" (as opposed to "partially" or "temporarily") meant you thought he didn't plan to post reviews at all. Hopefully no harm if my comment was merely an affirmation of what you were indeed thinking.