The MacVoices Live! panel explores some of the useful new macOS Golden Gate features, including AI-assisted Shortcuts and improved iPhone Mirroring. They debate the emerging iPhone Duo and foldable-phone market and why one would prefer to give the new foldable a try. The value of AppleCare’s new family coverage plan is also reviewed for with households with many devices, and as an option for an individual. T-Mobile’s fee for iPhone Handoff, and GM’s decision to retain CarPlay in gas-powered vehicles wrap up this session.
The panel includes Chuck Joiner, Jim Rea, Guy Serle, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, and Marty Jencius.
This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Get access to the MacVoices Slack and MacVoices After Dark by joining in at Patreon.com/macvoices.
Show Notes:
Chapters:
00:29 New macOS Golden Gate Features to Try First
02:00 Exploring Improvements to iPhone Mirroring
03:19 Marty Joins the Discussion
04:19 The iPhone Duo and Foldable Smartphone Market
06:15 Considering the iPhone Duo as an Everyday Phone
08:08 Concerns About Foldable Displays and Screen Creases
09:55 AppleCare Family Plan Experiences
15:08 The Insurance Calculus Behind AppleCare Coverage
18:13 Which Devices Are Worth Insuring?
21:02 AppleCare Coverage Across the Family
23:13 Convenience and Simplified AppleCare Management
24:35 Using the iCare Calculator to Compare Coverage Costs
26:21 T-Mobile’s $5 Monthly Charge for iPhone Handoff
27:02 GM Reconsiders CarPlay in Gas-Powered Vehicles
29:15 Customer Demand for CarPlay and Android Auto
31:06 Why EV Makers Approach CarPlay Differently
33:08 AppleCare and the Value of Reduced Paperwork
Links:
macOS Golden Gate: 10 Features to Try First
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/macos-golden-gate-10-features-2/
AppleCare One Family Launches at $49.99 Per Month
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/14/applecare-one-family-launches/
GM caves, CarPlay won’t be cut from gas-powered vehicles
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/09/15/gm-caves-carplay-wont-be-cut-from-gas-powered-vehicles
Guests:
Get detailed bios and contact information about for the panel on the MacVoices Live! Panel page on our web site:
https://macvoices.com/macvoiceslive/macvoices-live-panel/
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