MacVoices #26263: Live! – Smartphone Bans, Teaching with AI, Smart Home Hubs

Sep 23, 2026 | MacVoices Live!

Does banning smartphones and AI in schools actually improves learning? Should educators should focus on teaching responsible, effective use of technology or rely on existing methods? The MacVoices Live! panel looks at those issues and also considers how screens affect everyday social interactions. The subject of smart home hubs is becoming a hot topic. A discussion of Anker’s ambitious MindBase smart home hub, combining NAS storage, security, AI, and home automation, along with some other options, wraps up this session.

The panel includes: Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea.

http//traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV26263.mp3

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:27 Apple Pay Expands to Hobby Lobby
02:12 Do Smartphone Bans Improve Education?
03:10 Teaching Smartphone Etiquette
04:20 Using Technology as a Classroom Tool
06:05 Schools Ban AI for Younger Students
07:19 Teachers, AI, and Classroom Support
09:09 Children, Parents, and Screen Habits
12:28 Smartphones and Social Conventions
15:30 Phones as Tools for Conversation
17:56 Teaching Responsible Technology Use
18:26 Anker’s Smart Home Hub, NAS, and Security Concept
20:49 The Appeal of an All-in-One Smart Home Solution
21:21 Home Security, AI, and Apple Competition
23:33 Ugreen Competition and Expected Pricing
23:52 Questions About Price, Availability, and Vaporware
24:09 Real-World Experiences With Eufy Cameras

Links:

Hobby Lobby rolling out support for Apple Pay at checkout
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/09/02/hobby-lobby-stealthily-adds-support-for-apple-pay?utm_source=rss

More schools are banning cell phones. The academic benefits haven’t materialized
https://www.fastcompany.com/91600222/more-schools-are-banning-cell-phones-the-academic-benefits-havent-materialized

The largest school system in the U.S. just banned AI for students through 8th grade
https://www.fastcompany.com/91601432/largest-school-system-u-s-just-banned-ai-students-through-8th-grade

Anker’s MindBase is a smart home hub, NAS and security guard
https://www.engadget.com/2249482/anker-mindbase-is-a-smart-home-hub-nas-and-security-guard/

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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