The January 2026 MacVoices Update recaps a busy start to the year, including attending and releasing interviews from CES and necessary schedule adjustments.. Chuck touches on the why’s and how’s of who was interviewed, referencing a MacVoices Blog post He also explains changes to Patreon subscriptions driven by Apple’s new system and how it does and doesn’t affect patrons, and delivers the monthly Support Report.
The panel digs into GM’s contradictory approach to CarPlay, allowing selective Apple features while rejecting full integration. Other topics include Vision Pro travel updates, safety warnings over recalled power banks, Apple Sports expanding into golf, and Bending Spoons’ acquisition of Eventbrite, with a deeper look at fees, data, and platform 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.
The increase in Apple-themed impersonation scams, CNN’s withdrawal from Apple News and shifting news-subscription models, and new CarPlay widget capabilities in iOS 26 is discussed by Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, and David Ginsburg. They share personal experiences with phishing, explore the evolving media landscape, and consider how AI assistants and in-car widgets may shape future driving and information habits.
Chuck and Charlotte explore why Apple TV+ now boasts the highest average IMDb scores and what that says about its “quality over quantity” strategy. They contrast Apple’s approach with rivals like Prime and Disney, then dive into the shifting sports landscape: MLB’s new rights deals, Apple’s costly early exit from its MLS agreement, and how Vision Pro and live sports might shape the next phase of the streaming wars.
Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner return with another TV Plus Talk episode to explore the world of Apple TV+. Recorded just before a major Apple event, they share their excitement and speculation about new iPhone announcements while setting the stage for deeper discussions on Apple’s streaming service.
The MacVoices panel dives into the latest developments in the ongoing Epic vs. Apple legal dispute, and even had a little breaking news at recording time. The discussion then shifts to Apple’s updated Sports app and its personalized newsletter, highlighting user experiences and subscription quirks. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Mark Fuccio also review a RevenueCat study suggesting that allowing web-based purchases may hurt conversion rates. A broader conversation explores trust, convenience, and security in choosing between App Store and third-party purchases across both macOS and iOS platforms.
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.
https://youtu.be/Tb42mnP3AAUJoe Kissell finishes our discussion of the 9th edition of Take Control of iCloud with some updates on iCloud for windows, and details on one feature of iCloud, what can happen and why, and what you need to be VERY careful with it. (Part...
https://youtu.be/r9dAOrEw3TsJoe Kissell has just updated Take Control of iCloud to the 9th edition, more than another Take Control book. Joe discusses the upsides and downsides of end-to-end encryption via Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, and what it means for older...
This MacVoices Live! panel wraps up with discussions of YouTube’s video organization capabilities and why it can be a challenge to find things, and how Plex plugins might help, as well as give you a new way to watch. David Ginsburg, Brittany Smith, Frank Petrie, Jeff...
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