New emoji, app store banning drama, and a new Mac mini hub, on the AppleInsider Podcast

The first major M4 Mac mini hub accessory has just been announced, plus we now know what emoji are coming next — and developers are wondering why Apple has removed controversial apps.

The buzz around the new, tiny M4 Mac mini is such that doubtlessly there are going to be very many accessories made for it, from sleeves and mounts, to docks and hubs. But Satechi has got in first with a revision to its famous hub that used to fit so neatly under the old model.

That could be good news for one of the AppleInsider podcast hosts who has already bought a new M4 Mac mini, and maybe also for the other one, who is wondering what Santa will bring.

What we now know is almost certain to come next year is a Bigfoot emoji icon, for all those times you've needed it in Messages. The final short list for new emoji to be approved and then ultimately adopted by manufacturers is out, and it's long.

Plus two developers have decried Apple's App Store policies that saw their apps removed, although one has since been reinstated. Their complaint about Apple's total control over its App Store is now a familiar cry, but in one of these two cases, there is no question but that Apple had to remove an app.

BONUS: Subscribe via Patreon or Apple Podcasts to hear AppleInsider+, the extended edition. This time, Wes wants to talk about how we buy technology as gifts for other people — and William is more into what tech they can buy us.

Contact your hosts:

• @WGallagher on Twitter
• William's 58keys on YouTube
• William Gallagher on email
• @hillithreads on Threads
• Wes on Bluesky
• Wes Hilliard on email

Sponsored by

• 1Password: Check out the new 1Password Extended Access Management security solution at 1password.com/appleinsiderpodcast
• MasterClass: take advantage of the new special discount offers on annual memberships at MasterClass.com

Links from the Show

• Leak: what law enforcement can unlock with the 'Graykey' iPhone hacking tool
• Satechi redesigns its hub to fit the new, smaller M4 Mac mini
• iPhones stored for forensic analysis reboot, causing problems
• Apple Vision Pro gets new The Weeknd immersive content & 'Concert for One' series
• Rumors of an Apple-made TV set are back again
• tvOS 18.2 gains new Snoopy screensavers with latest developer beta
• Apple's App Store takedowns over copyright claims continue to annoy developers
• Apple shifts to internal advertising sales for Apple News
• Apple has officially ended its butterfly keyboard repair program for MacBooks
• Bigfoot, apple core emoji may land on iMessage in late 2025
• Wes Hilliard's blog: finding a social home

More AppleInsider podcasts

Tune in to our HomeKit Insider podcast covering the latest news, products, apps and everything HomeKit related. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or just search for HomeKit Insider wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast artwork from Basic Apple Guy. Download the free wallpaper pack here.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: advertising@appleinsider.com.

Subscribe to AppleInsider on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Pocket Casts
• Castro
• Stitcher
• Google Podcasts

Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too. If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.