MacVoices #26261: Live! – CarPlay and AI, Apple Rethinks Training Data, and WordPress Drama

Sep 21, 2026 | MacVoices Live!

The continuation of AI chatbots arriving in CarPlay, Apple’s opt-in approach to using customer data for AI training, and turmoil surrounding WordPress leadership are the topics for this MacVoices Live! discussion. The conversation also examines Bending Spoons’ latest billion-dollar acquisition, Apple’s international iCloud+ bundles, the potential for services to expand Apple’s global ecosystem, and Michael Dell’s support for new youth investment accounts.

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 supported by The MacVoices Slack. Available all Patrons of MacVoices. Sign up at Patreon.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 CarPlay Adds Major AI Chatbot Apps
02:00 Apple Changes Course on AI Training Data
04:02 Leadership Turmoil at Automattic and WordPress
09:34 WordPress Governance and the Future of Matt Mullenweg
12:42 Bending Spoons Moves to Acquire Miro
14:29 Apple Expands iCloud+ Bundles in Select Countries
16:46 The Value and Strategy Behind Apple’s International Bundles
18:07 Apple Services as a Global Media and Cultural Strategy
21:01 Used Apple Hardware and Long-Term Ecosystem Growth
22:16 Michael Dell, the Dell Foundation, and Youth Investment Accounts
25:20 Why Dell and Apple Receive Different Levels of Scrutiny
27:07 The Potential Benefits of the New Investment Accounts
28:45 Panel Wrap-Up and Guest Connections

Links:

Apple Explains What Happens to Conversations Siri Recap Hears
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/apple-watch-siri-recap/

Apple Shortcuts Used to Be Weird and Confusing. Now It’s the Best Way to Use Your iPhone.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/apple-shortcuts-guide/

Apple has altered course on using customer data to train its AI
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/09/14/apple-has-altered-course-on-using-customer-data-to-train-its-ai?utm_source=rss

CarPlay now works with six major AI chatbot apps, leaving one key holdout – 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/11/microsoft-copilot-joins-carplay-leaving-gemini-as-the-biggest-holdout/

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

Apple’s iPhone Handoff feature will cost you $5 a month on T-Mobile – Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2255731/apple-iphone-handoff-5-a-month-on-t-mobile/

Automattic says Mullenweg is CEO again after three days
https://thenextweb.com/news/automattic-mullenweg-reinstated-ceo-board-leave-of-absence

Bending Spoons agrees to acquire Miro in an all-cash transaction valuing the workplace-collaboration platform at $1.36B, implying an equity value of ~$1.79B
https://www.techmeme.com/260910/p18#a260910p18

Ferrari on Miro acquisition: ‘no small responsibility’
https://thenextweb.com/news/bending-spoons-miro-acquisition-1-355bn

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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Connect:

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