Every year since 2015, Apple executives sat down with John Gruber on his podcast, The Talk Show, during WWDC. This tradition offered fans insights into Apple’s latest developments. Last year’s guests included key figures like Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak, who shared their thoughts on Apple’s direction.
However, this year marked a sudden shift: Apple declined Gruber’s invitation for a chat. Just before this decision, Gruber criticized the company in a blog post, claiming that Apple misled users about the readiness of a new, personalized Siri feature. He worried this could signal deeper issues within the company.
Gruber mentioned on the Channels podcast that Apple wasn’t pleased with his remarks. He felt they were disproportionate but ultimately saw their decision not to participate as a positive. "This shows my independence," he said. "It may reflect poorly on them."
Interestingly, the tech landscape is buzzing with similar sentiments. Many in the industry believe transparency is crucial for tech giants. Criticism is a part of growth, and avoiding it can lead to larger problems.
For his WWDC 2025 episode, Gruber instead interviewed Joanna Stern from The Wall Street Journal and Nilay Patel from The Verge. This change also suggests that discussions on tech transparency are gaining momentum, resonating with a public that values honesty over PR.
As tech evaluations evolve, Gruber’s situation highlights the importance of open dialogue. Users are increasingly vocal about their expectations. A recent survey showed that 73% of consumers want more honesty from tech companies regarding product timelines and capabilities.
In a time when trust can be fragile, maintaining open communication can be the difference for brands. As we watch the unfolding narrative, it’s clear that both creators and consumers are eager for authenticity in a rapidly changing tech world.
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John Gruber