MacVoices Episodes

MacVoices Live!

MacVoices #25209: AI Sound Effects and the Case for Digital Detox

MacVoices #25209: AI Sound Effects and the Case for Digital Detox

Adobe Firefly’s AI-generated sound effects,  how artificial audio tools might change the way we tell stories, and the widespread implications are debated by Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, Mary Jencius, and Eric Bolden. The conversation shifts to a more philosophical debate about authenticity—should media reflect real experiences or be enhanced for impact? Next, attention turns to the rise in smartphone addiction among young people. The panel examines digital detox summer camps, classroom policies, and the role of parents and educators in teaching responsible device use. They also reflect on the post-pandemic social challenges and how attention spans have shifted in a screen-saturated world. Wrapping up, the group addresses the recent Microsoft SharePoint hack, offering both a security expert’s and end-user’s take on its seriousness and implications for businesses and Mac users alike.

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MacVoices #25208: Joe Kissell Introduces Take Control Premium

MacVoices #25208: Joe Kissell Introduces Take Control Premium

Joe Kissel introduces Take Control Premium, a new membership program offering 50% discounts on all Take Control books for a year. He explains the challenges of online sales, taxes, and the reasoning behind replacing traditional sales with this model. The discussion covers pricing, customer psychology, and the value of quality tech information in a world of quick but often unreliable online answers.

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MacVoices #25207: Live! – G4 Cube Legacy, ChatGPT Tops Copilot, AI Image Filtering

MacVoices #25207: Live! – G4 Cube Legacy, ChatGPT Tops Copilot, AI Image Filtering

The MacVoices Live! panel  reflects on the G4 Cube’s design legacy, discusses Apple’s approach to AI privacy, and reviews ChatGPT’s new meeting transcription feature, which outpaces Microsoft Copilot in downloads. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, Mary Jencius, and Eric Bolden debate the value of on-device AI versus cloud services, examine DuckDuckGo’s AI image filter, and weigh the benefits and risks of AI-generated media in an era of deepfakes and data privacy concerns. 

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MacVoices #25206: Live! – Apple Sues A Leaker, iCloud Stays Secure, Apple Intelligence Stays Private

MacVoices #25206: Live! – Apple Sues A Leaker, iCloud Stays Secure, Apple Intelligence Stays Private

The MacVoices Live! panel discusses Apple’s lawsuit against a leaker over alleged iOS 26 leaks and the broader implications for media control, trade secrets, and leaker culture. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, Marty Jencius, and Eric Bolden examine the UK government’s retreat from demanding access to iCloud encryption and what that means for global privacy standards. Apple Intelligence’s privacy-centric design is contrasted with other AI models, with debate on whether Apple should license or acquire LLM technologies. The conversation also includes how panelists are using Apple Vision Pro for work. 

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MacVoices #25205: Live! – ICE Surveillance App Debate, TikTok Reboot, Bluetooth Messaging, and Napster’s Return

MacVoices #25205: Live! – ICE Surveillance App Debate, TikTok Reboot, Bluetooth Messaging, and Napster’s Return

The panel dives into the controversy over an app used to track ICE agents, debating First Amendment rights, privacy, and potential misuse. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Mark Fuccio, David Ginsburg, and Web Bixby also explore TikTok’s possible Americanized version, Jack Dorsey’s new Bluetooth messaging app, and Napster’s surprising comeback with holographic avatars. 

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MacVoices Live!

Older Episodes

MacVoices #25084: Live! – Apple Invests In The US, Apple News+ Cooks, AI on the Vision Pro

MacVoices #25084: Live! – Apple Invests In The US, Apple News+ Cooks, AI on the Vision Pro

Apple’s ongoing investments in U.S. manufacturing, enhancements to Apple News+, and Apple Intelligence on Vision Pro were the topics on this MacVoices Live!. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fucciol discussed Apple’s $500 billion commitment to U.S. facilities, clarifying that it aligns with long-term plans rather than a new shift. Apple News+’s new recipe and restaurant features were praised for adding value, while the iPhone 16e’s missing ultra-wideband and MagSafe raised concerns. Lastly, Vision Pro’s Apple Intelligence beta left panelists eager for more promised features in April. 

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MacVoices #25083: Live! – Apple Takes A Different Tack On UK iCloud Backdoor

MacVoices #25083: Live! – Apple Takes A Different Tack On UK iCloud Backdoor

Apple’s response to the UK government’s demand for an iCloud backdoor is the topic of discussion on this episode of MacVoices Live!. The panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio examine Apple’s decision to remove end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups in the UK, analyzing whether it was a strategic move to avoid compliance or a broader privacy concern. The implications of government access to user data, the role of Advanced Data Protection (ADP), and whether UK citizens are aware of or reacting to these changes are all at issue. The conversation also highlights how encryption complexities often leave average users vulnerable due to lack of awareness or technical expertise. 

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MacVoices #25080: Live! – Apple Is Back On X, TikTok Is Back on the App Store, Managing Subscriptions

MacVoices #25080: Live! – Apple Is Back On X, TikTok Is Back on the App Store, Managing Subscriptions

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea discuss the return of Apple to advertising on X and why it makes sense. TikTok is back in the App Store which may or may not make sense depending on the interpretation of the law. As a bit of a jump on spring cleaning, the panel also looks at ways to manage your subscriptions to save a little money, and wraps by celebrating a special anniversary for a panel member. 

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MacVoices #25078: Live! – Netflix Backtracks, A Vision Pro Upgrade,  Advanced Data Protection

MacVoices #25078: Live! – Netflix Backtracks, A Vision Pro Upgrade, Advanced Data Protection

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea drew some unexpected conclusions about Netflix’ decision not to have their content listed on Apple TV as this edition of MacVoices Live! kicked off. The panel also looks at the Vision Pro getting Apple Intelligence (and why it has already had aspects of it), and why you might want to add Advanced Data Protection to your iCloud account. 

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MacVoices #25077: UK Security Demands, DeepSeek’s Servers, Password Don’ts

MacVoices #25077: UK Security Demands, DeepSeek’s Servers, Password Don’ts

The UK has demanded a backdoor to iCloud that could affect Apple users worldwide…and Apple can’t talk about it. DeepSeek is sending information to ByteDance-controlled servers. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Jeff Butts, Marty Jencius, Ben Roethig, Web Bixby, and Eric Bolden dig in to both of these security-related topics and why they should matter to you. The panel also covers a recommendation about what not to do with your passwords. 

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MacVoices #25069: Live! – Tapestry, An Office 365 Price Increase, DeepSeek Comes and DeepSeek Goes

MacVoices #25069: Live! – Tapestry, An Office 365 Price Increase, DeepSeek Comes and DeepSeek Goes

A new social media app has been launched by the Twitterific team. Tapestry combines Blue Sky, Mastodon, RSS, and YouTube feeds on your iOS device. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Guy Serle, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss the implications of this app given its pedigree. We also look at an Office 365 price increase at the same time it drops a free VPN service, and its subscription model. Microsoft is also bringing DeepSeek to its Copilot service while, at the same time, DeepSeek was dropped from the Italian App Store. 

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MacVoices #25067: Live! – Bootable Backups Again, AppleCare, Godzilla Wins

MacVoices #25067: Live! – Bootable Backups Again, AppleCare, Godzilla Wins

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Guy Serle, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby re-look at bootable backups because one cloning software developer says the new version of the macOS has fixed a bug and that they work…sort of. The panel looks at a change in purchasing AppleCare that you need to be aware of, and how Apple TV+ and Godzilla got some respect at a recent awards event. 

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