MacVoices Episodes

MacVoices Live!

MacVoices #25106: Live! – Amazon Is Listening, Paying to Redact, AI Rebels

MacVoices #25106: Live! – Amazon Is Listening, Paying to Redact, AI Rebels

Amazon is shifting away away from on-device processing for Alexa, both raising and re-igniting privacy concerns. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore tools for deleting old social media posts in light of changing norms and AI training risks. Other topics include AI tools refusing to assist programmers, content ownership in the digital age, and Sonos dropping plans for a streaming box. Privacy, control, and tech ethics take center stage in a wide-ranging conversation. 

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MacVoices #25105: Live! – Apple Vision Pro As A Wearable, Sonos Changes Direction, Home Theater

MacVoices #25105: Live! – Apple Vision Pro As A Wearable, Sonos Changes Direction, Home Theater

Should the Apple Vision Pro qualify as a wearable? Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea  debate the issue, with most agreeing it does, though it’s unlike traditional wearables such as the Apple Watch. They also discuss Sonos canceling its rumored TV streaming box, viewing it as a smart move in a crowded market. Ideas are shared about how Sonos could better integrate home audio and video without competing directly with Apple or Roku, and some of the challenges of setting up a home theater. 

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MacVoices #25105: Live! – Apple Vision Pro As A Wearable, Sonos Changes Direction, Home Theater

MacVoices #25104: Live! – RCS Encryption, Metallica Experience Reports, Ted Lasso Returns

Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore the significance of end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging on iPhone, bringing secure communication to more users without extra effort. They also review the immersive Metallica concert experience on Apple Vision Pro, praising its production quality and spatial video evolution. Finally, they react with approval and enthusiasm to the surprise announcement of a new season of Ted Lasso, focusing on a women’s football team.  

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MacVoices #25103: LIve! – Reports On Apple Intelligence, The Not-So-Secret UK iCloud Issue, A New Map App

MacVoices #25103: LIve! – Reports On Apple Intelligence, The Not-So-Secret UK iCloud Issue, A New Map App

An all-hands-on-deck MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby and Jim Rea discusses Apple’s transparency with Apple Intelligence data reports, controversy over the UK’s secret iCloud access order, and skepticism around a new Apple Maps partner app. Concerns are raised about privacy, third-party data collection, and user trust. The group also explores how Apple is handling AI differently from competitors and continues improving Maps despite early setbacks. 

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MacVoices #25102: Live! –  A State Age Verification Effort, Metallica Inside Apple Vision Pro

MacVoices #25102: Live! – A State Age Verification Effort, Metallica Inside Apple Vision Pro

Utah’s new law requiring app store age verification sparks debate about privacy, effectiveness, and youth circumvention tactics. Panelists Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss on-device versus external data handling, parental controls, and implications for user privacy. They also discuss Apple’s immersive Vision Pro Metallica concert experience and explore whether the quality and versatility of  virtual reality justifies its premium cost. 

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MacVoices Live!

Older Episodes

MacVoices #25093: Live! – Alexa+, Opera Integrations, Google’s Removal Tool

MacVoices #25093: Live! – Alexa+, Opera Integrations, Google’s Removal Tool

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet and Jim Rea discuss Amazon’s new AI-powered Alexa+, highlighting its conversational abilities and privacy concerns. Opera’s browser sidebar integrations with apps like Discord and Slack prompt debate about productivity versus distraction. Google’s updated tool for managing personal information sparks skepticism regarding its effectiveness and sincerity. 

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MacVoices #25090: Live! – Child Safety, Apple Watch on Ice, and Automatic Mac Updates

MacVoices #25090: Live! – Child Safety, Apple Watch on Ice, and Automatic Mac Updates

The MacVoices panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea covers Apple’s new child safety tools, emphasizing parental control and user privacy by minimizing data collection. We also discuss NHL officials adopting Apple Watches with a custom app, enhancing game flow and safety. Lastly, the group addresses unexpected automatic MacOS updates, exploring user and enterprise approaches to managing software compatibility. 

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MacVoices #25088: Live! – New iPads, Apple vs. UK, iCloud Lawsuit Dismissed

MacVoices #25088: Live! – New iPads, Apple vs. UK, iCloud Lawsuit Dismissed

The MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea discusses Apple’s newly announced iPad Air with M4 chip and the 11th-gen base iPad featuring an A16 processor, debating their value and audience appeal. They also explore Apple’s resistance to UK encryption backdoor demands, highlighting potential privacy implications. Finally, they cover Apple’s successful dismissal of an iCloud storage pricing lawsuit, affirming Apple’s right to set pricing despite criticism. 

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MacVoices #25086: Live! – Cheaper YouTube, Ad-Supported Office 365, A New Pantone Color

MacVoices #25086: Live! – Cheaper YouTube, Ad-Supported Office 365, A New Pantone Color

This MacVoices Live! discussion concludes with Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio discussing YouTube’s rumored Premium Light tier, Microsoft testing an ad-supported Office 365 version, and Pantone naming a color after Drew Barrymore. The panel debates the value of YouTube Premium, subscription models, and Microsoft’s cloud push. They also discuss Kindle download restrictions and the impact of ad-supported services on user experience. 

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MacVoices #25085 – Live! – Arctic Surfing on Vision Pro, Photoshop on iPhone

MacVoices #25085 – Live! – Arctic Surfing on Vision Pro, Photoshop on iPhone

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio explore the increasing frequency of immersive video content for Apple Vision Pro, highlighting a new Arctic Surfing experience. The panel discusses its effectiveness, the evolution of spatial video, and potential smart home integrations for deeper immersion. They also debate Adobe’s long-awaited Photoshop release for iPhone, weighing its professional utility, subscription model, and integration with Creative Cloud against existing mobile editing tools. 

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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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