Take Control — MacVoices

Authors from the Take Control eBook series

MacVoices #25323: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (2)

Dec 26, 2025 | Take Control

A conversation with Kirk McElhern on the steady maturation of Apple’s media apps—Music, TV, Books, and Podcasts—and why major changes are now rare. They unpack Apple Music’s personalized stations and discovery, the “hits rise to the top” problem, and why many podcast pros still prefer Overcast despite Apple’s transcripts. Plus: how Apple’s services strategy nudges users toward subscriptions, and why managing your own library adds the real complexity.

MacVoices #25322: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (1)

Dec 24, 2025 | Take Control

Kirk McElhern returns to talk about the newest Take Control of Apple Media Apps and why Apple’s Music/TV/Podcasts/Books apps feel more “mature” than revolutionary. He breaks down the small-but-real updates, critiques the Liquid Glass interface and accessibility tradeoffs, and explains why the Mac still matters for metadata work. Plus: a practical workaround for messy personal video libraries—Plex—and thoughts on playlists, Spotify, and Apple Music personalization.

MacVoices #25313: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Apple Watch (2)

Dec 15, 2025 | Take Control

Jeff Carlson dives deeper into watchOS 26 changes, from a redesigned Workout app and expanded customization to Workout Buddy’s friendly audio updates. He also points out new Control Center options, Smart Stack hints, Focus-based watch face switching, and Ultra 3 satellite support. The discussion reinforces how an updated guide can reveal the small features that make the watch feel more personal and useful.

MacVoices #25312: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Apple Watch (1)

Dec 12, 2025 | Take Control

Jeff Carlson breaks down the current Apple Watch lineup and watchOS 26, focusing on when an upgrade is worthwhile. From Series and Ultra models to the latest SE, the discussion highlights health features, usability improvements, and subtle enhancements that make the watch more valuable as a daily companion.

MacVoices #25282: Going All In With Glenn Fleishman on Take Control, Liquid Glass, Public Betas (2)

Nov 12, 2025 | Take Control

Author Glenn Fleischman returns to discuss how he keeps Take Control books current, what Liquid Glass gets right (and wrong), and how public betas color expectations. We cover iOS safety tools like Check In, iPadOS windowed apps, and the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera vs. “Visual Intelligence,” plus why foldables still don’t convince him. Glenn also details the Phone app on iPad/Mac and shares his Six Colors column and print-history projects.

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MacVoices #25281: Going All In With Glenn Fleishman on Take Control, Liquid Glass, Public Betas (1)

Nov 11, 2025 | Take Control

Glenn Fleishman joins Chuck Joiner to explore Apple’s latest OS evolutions, including the controversial Liquid Glass interface, iPadOS 26 multitasking, and the importance of cross-device consistency. They also dive into Take Control’s role in helping users adapt to Apple’s constant redesigns and why understanding “the basics” still matters for every Mac, iPhone, and iPad user.

MacVoices #25278: In-Depth with the Developers of MailMaven and Joe Kissell (3)

Nov 6, 2025 | Interview, Take Control

In Part 3, Joe Kissel and the MailMaven developers discuss the creation of the Take Control book, how documentation and user feedback shape ongoing updates, and why their personal support model sets them apart. They outline the 15-day trial, annual maintenance plan, and free Take Control guide—all built to make MailMaven a powerful yet accessible email client.

MacVoices #25277: In-Depth with the Developers of MailMaven and Joe Kissell (2)

Nov 5, 2025 | Interview, Take Control

In Part 2, the MailMaven team explores token-based search, a separate global search window, and smart mailboxes/rules with nested criteria. See how the conversation map tames complex threads, while a keyboard-first design speeds filing and actions. They detail a privacy-by-design approach—local data, encrypted metadata sync, and built-in PGP—and explain onboarding, documentation, and dynamic, scriptable signatures.

MacVoices #25276: In-Depth with the Developers of MailMaven and Joe Kissell (1)

Nov 4, 2025 | Interview, Take Control

Developers of MailMaven join Joe Kissel to explore a new power-user email client born from the end of Apple Mail plugins. They discuss metadata, advanced rules, keyboard-driven workflows, thoughtful UI decisions, approachable onboarding, and practical spam control using SpamSieve with server-side filtering. Part 1 of a three-part conversation.

MacVoices #25250: Joe Kissell Takes Control of Tahoe and Mac Basics (3)

Oct 1, 2025 | Take Control

Joe Kissel questions app sprawl, praises meaningful options, and spotlights Tahoe’s upgrades: Shortcuts that auto-run on triggers and new passkey import/export for password managers. He shares book pricing, Premium discounts, and why his guides deliver high signal-to-noise compared to long videos.

MacVoices #25249: Joe Kissell Takes Control of Tahoe and Mac Basics (2)

Sep 30, 2025 | Take Control

Joe Kissel explores Tahoe’s hands-on upgrades: a customizable Control Center and menu bar, easier access to Reduce Transparency, the Phone app on Mac with call screening and hold assist, and live translation. He assesses Spotlight’s redesign—actions and clipboard history included—and highlights new system apps like Apps, Games, Journal, and Magnifier.

MacVoices #25248: Joe Kissell Takes Control of Tahoe and Mac Basics (1)

Sep 29, 2025 | Take Control

Joe Kissel joins Chuck to discuss Take Control of Tahoe and the newly updated Mac Basics. They explore Apple’s sweeping design overhaul with Liquid Glass, debate its real-world impact on usability, and explain how Apple’s expanding app ecosystem demands frequent book updates. Joe shares insight into balancing depth, clarity, and adaptation to ever-changing macOS updates.

MacVoices #25240: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Your Digital Storage (2)

Sep 18, 2025 | Take Control

Jeff Carlson returns to share insights from his updated digital storage guide, exploring NAS, SSDs, direct-connect solutions, and memory cards. He explains practical pros and cons, touches on backup strategies, and highlights security issues. Jeff also discusses his new role at CNET, where he covers mobile technology and photography, including testing the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s AI-powered zoom.

MacVoices #25239: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Your Digital Storage

Sep 17, 2025 | Take Control

Jeff Carlson breaks down modern storage: SSD vs HDD and NVMe, when Thunderbolt 5 is worth it, APFS essentials, cable pitfalls, and smarter backup plans. Plus iOS/iPadOS support for external drives, NAS pros and cons, and why SD cards aren’t a universal fix. Practical tips to protect your data and your budget.

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