673: Six Impossible Things

January 8, 2026

143 min episode · 2 min read

Episode

143 min

Read time

2 min

AI-Generated Summary

Published Jan 9, 2026

Key Takeaways

✓ASML Lithography Precision: ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography machines control mirrors with picoradian precision, equivalent to moving a stick extending from Earth to the Moon across the width of a dime (17.91 millimeters). These $400 million machines are the only ones capable of producing the most advanced semiconductor chips globally.
✓Wi-Fi 7 MLO Implementation: Multi-link operation in Wi-Fi 7 requires WPA3 encryption on participating bands, potentially causing compatibility issues with older devices like Nintendo Switch. Eero Max 7 routers demonstrate that proper mesh node placement matters more than quantity, with three strategically positioned nodes achieving 900 Mbps speeds versus overcrowded networks.
✓Thread vs Matter Architecture: Thread provides IP-addressable mesh networking for smart home devices, while Matter serves as the control plane protocol requiring local control capability. Thread border routers like HomePods and Apple TVs use multicast DNS to bridge traditional networks with Thread networks, enabling device discovery across adjacent networks.
✓Apple Intelligence Timeline: iOS 27 represents the first opportunity to see results from Apple's AI leadership changes and Google Gemini partnership. Previous Apple Intelligence features shipped as version one betas that underperformed. The 2026 OS releases should demonstrate what Apple can actually accomplish with on-device models and limited server integration.
✓Liquid Glass Design Constraints: Turning on reduced transparency settings reveals significant space inefficiency in iOS 26's liquid glass design, with approximately one inch of opaque bars wasting vertical screen space. Floating bars with rounded corners and margins reduce usable content area, while blur effects make scrolling text unreadable when content passes underneath.

What It Covers

Accidental Tech Podcast episode 673 explores ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography machines that enable modern chip manufacturing, discusses Apple's 2026 technology predictions including foldable iPhones and AI improvements, and reviews networking technologies like Thread, Matter, and Wi-Fi 7 deployment challenges.

Key Questions Answered

•ASML Lithography Precision: ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography machines control mirrors with picoradian precision, equivalent to moving a stick extending from Earth to the Moon across the width of a dime (17.91 millimeters). These $400 million machines are the only ones capable of producing the most advanced semiconductor chips globally.
•Wi-Fi 7 MLO Implementation: Multi-link operation in Wi-Fi 7 requires WPA3 encryption on participating bands, potentially causing compatibility issues with older devices like Nintendo Switch. Eero Max 7 routers demonstrate that proper mesh node placement matters more than quantity, with three strategically positioned nodes achieving 900 Mbps speeds versus overcrowded networks.
•Thread vs Matter Architecture: Thread provides IP-addressable mesh networking for smart home devices, while Matter serves as the control plane protocol requiring local control capability. Thread border routers like HomePods and Apple TVs use multicast DNS to bridge traditional networks with Thread networks, enabling device discovery across adjacent networks.
•Apple Intelligence Timeline: iOS 27 represents the first opportunity to see results from Apple's AI leadership changes and Google Gemini partnership. Previous Apple Intelligence features shipped as version one betas that underperformed. The 2026 OS releases should demonstrate what Apple can actually accomplish with on-device models and limited server integration.
•Liquid Glass Design Constraints: Turning on reduced transparency settings reveals significant space inefficiency in iOS 26's liquid glass design, with approximately one inch of opaque bars wasting vertical screen space. Floating bars with rounded corners and margins reduce usable content area, while blur effects make scrolling text unreadable when content passes underneath.

Notable Moment

The ASML engineer explained their mirror precision using a visualization where a stick attached to a mirror on Earth extends to the Moon. The smallest adjustment they can make moves the stick's tip on the lunar surface exactly the width of a dime, demonstrating the picoradian-level control required for modern semiconductor manufacturing.

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