MacVoices #26002: Talking AI and LLMs with The Long Island Macintosh Users Group (2) Real-world risks and responsible use of AI kick off the second part of our conversation with The Long Island Macintosh Users Group. The group swaps scam stories (spoofed bank calls, W-2 phishing, ransomware) and how AI can amplify fraud. Ways to mitigate exposure in an AI-powered world include cyber insurance, privacy tradeoffs in popular AI tools, copyright/IP guardrails in image generation, and careful experimentation. 

MacVoices #26001: Talking AI and LLMs with The Long Island Macintosh Users Group (1) The first part of an appearance at The Long Island Macintosh Users Group digs into large language models, real-world AI use, and Apple’s philosophy. The conversation ranges from productivity and creativity to ethics, privacy, and deepfakes. Why experimentation, transparency, and skepticism matter as AI becomes part of everyday workflows starts with participation from the group. (1) 

MacVoices #25327: Live! - A Deep Dive Into Self-Driving Cars The MacVoices Live! panel takes a deep dive into the self-driving car debate, weighing sensational media coverage against real-world safety data and personal experiences with autonomous taxis. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea discuss human distraction, software transparency, police interaction with automated vehicles, and whether machines can outperform inattentive drivers in real-world situations. 

MacVoices #25326: The MacVoices Update - December 2025 The December 2025 Update shares a planned break the week of January 5 for  CES in Las Vegas, explaining it’s one of the two annual conference pauses to gather interviews and content. Why you should pay extra attention to MacVoices Magazine at this time of year and s a last call to revisit the Holiday Gift Guide list and episodes is included. The Update ends with listener and viewer thanks, a Patreon tier roll-call. 

MacVoices #25325: Live! - Age Verification, Social Media Disclosure, and Alan Dye’s Departure A multi-topic MacVoices Live! discussion touches on the growing pains of predictive markets after disputes over Time’s Person of the Year, raising questions about gambling, rules, and manipulation. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea also debates proposed age-verification requirements for online content, concerns over data retention and privacy, new calls for social-media disclosures from travelers, and what Alan Dye’s departure could mean for Apple’s interface direction. 

MacVoices #25324 - Live! - Mixed CarPlay Messages, Bending Spoons…Again A wide-ranging discussion covers mixed signals from GM around CarPlay, as the automaker rejects full support while selectively adopting Apple integrations like Music and digital keys. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea also reacts to safety concerns over more recalled power banks, new Vision Pro travel features, updates to Apple’s Sports app, and the latest Bending Spoons’ acquisition, this time of Eventbrite. 

MacVoices #25323: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (2)Our conversation with Kirk McElhern about Take Control of Apple Media Apps looks at the steady maturation of Apple’s media apps—Music, TV, Books, and Podcasts—and why major changes are now rare. Kirk unpacks 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 complexity. (Part 2) 

MacVoices #25322: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (1) Kirk McElhern discusses the latest edition of Take Control of Apple Media Apps, covering what’s new—and what isn’t—in Music, TV, Podcasts, and Books. He critiques the “Liquid Glass” look, notes small updates like AutoMix and pinned items, and argues the apps have reached maturity. The conversation includes accessibility issues, managing personal video libraries, and why Spotify’s appeal isn’t just playlists. (Part 1)

MacVoices #25321: Live! - Implications of Apple’s AI Talent Losses A wide-ranging discussion examines the implications of leadership changes and talent loss within Apple’s AI organization following delays to promised Siri features. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jim Rea debate whether Apple’s struggles reflect internal turmoil, unrealistic timelines, or a deliberate partnering with external AI options. Privacy, on-device capabilities, and regulatory pressure all factor into a candid assessment of Apple’s AI strategy and credibility. 

MacVoices #25320: Live! - The MacVoices Live! Panel’s Holiday Purchases In response to the inevitable shower of deals and special offers on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jim Rea share some of their holiday acquisitions and why the made them. The panel also covers “fake” discounts, deal fatigue, and why loyal customers often miss out while still celebrating the fun of finding genuinely useful gear. 

MacVoices #25319: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #8 (3) In the final segment of the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, Kelly Guimont, Jim Rea, Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Kirk McElhearn out with bigger comfort and productivity picks: a portable lamp with battery power, a TSA-friendly Leatherman, along with a charging station, a long-running text utility, and a travel accessory for cramped flights. (Part 3) 

MacVoices #25318: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #8 (2) The second part of our final 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide delivers a mix of low-tech problem solvers and smart power picks. Kelly Guimont, Jim Rea, Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Kirk McElhearn select an interior windshield cleaner, a MagSafe ring mount for comfortable caseless use at home, and suction-based phone chargers/stands to keep devices charged and easy to find. The picks also include a USB-C rechargeable numeric pad, experience gifts like concert tickets, a rechargeable electric candle lighter, and a fun gaming recommendation. (Part 2) 

MacVoices #25317: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #8 (1) Kelly Guimont, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Kirk McElhearn and Chuck Joiner wrap up the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides wraps up with “best of the rest” episodes, packed with practical picks and plenty of laughs. Highlights include keyboard travel cases, socks, portable power options, dictation software, a motorized TV mount, a light, and compact multi-port chargers. (Part 1) 

MacVoices #25316: TV+ Talk - Year-End Apple TV Analysis & Favorite Shows Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner wrap up 2025 with a look at Apple TV’s momentum, awards recognition, and strategy. They preview upcoming releases like F1 and returning series Hijack and Tehran, debate sports rights and bundles, and share favorite picks including Slow Horses, Prime Target, The Morning Show season 4, the finale of Mythic Quest, and Foundation—arguing 2025 may be the service’s strongest year yet. 

MacVoices #25315: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #7 (2) The 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide continues with Brittany Smith, Mike Potter, and Chuck Joiner making the picks. They include an affordable Bluetooth blood pressure monitor that syncs to Health, a whimsical LEGO gingerbread Star Wars piece, and a double recommendation of an Audible subscription and a book that covers Apple from a different angle. An app pick, a feline-oriented calendar, and a push to learn large language models responsibly finishes off this guide. (Part 2)

MacVoices #25313: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Apple Watch (2) Jeff Carlson dives deeper into watchOS 26 changes as we continue our discussion about Take Control of Apple Watch, Sixth Edition. From a redesigned Workout app and expanded customization to Workout Buddy’s friendly audio updates, Jeff covers some of the most interesting and important updates. He also points out new Control Center options, Smart Stack hints, Focus-based watch face switching, and Ultra 3 satellite support. (Part 2)  

MacVoices #25312: Jeff Carlson Takes Control of Apple Watch (1) Thinking of giving or getting an Apple Watch for the holidays? You need to hear Jeff Carlson discuss the new edition of Take Control of Apple Watch, Sixth Edition.  Jeff talks about the  latest Apple Watch lineup and watchOS 26 and deciding when an upgrade makes sense. He compares Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE models, emphasizing real-world differences, longevity, and value. Evolving health features, everyday usability improvements, and subtle interface enhancements all go factor in that decision-making process. 

MacVoices #25311: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #6 (2) The panel of Bart Busschots, Kirschen Seah, Mike Burke, and Chuck Joiner continues the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide #6 with practical and geeky picks, from safety bands and emergency “holding it together” kits to premium luggage, tech pouches, and blazing-fast SSDs. They also highlight an in-flight audio device and the ultimate LEGO gift for Star Trek fans. 

MacVoices #25310: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #6 (1) The 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #6 kicks off with a lively mix of community banter and practical tech recommendations by Bart Busschots, Kirschen Seah, Mike Burke, and Chuck Joiner. Picks include a rechargeable wallet tracker, travel-friendly guided tour apps, sustainable coffee gear, foldable keyboards, a compact control surface, a powerful dictation tool, and pro-level video-switching software, each reflecting the interests of the panel members. (Part 1) 

MacVoices #25309: Live! - Age Verification, A New Predictive Market, and Another Data Breach The MacVoices Live! panel touches on Microsoft’s warning about a risky experimental AI agent in Windows, raising concerns about big tech pushing features before security is understood. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, and David Ginsburg debate age-verification proposals from Roblox and Pornhub, explore Coinbase’s new prediction market, and react to a massive WhatsApp data breach affecting billions of phone numbers.

MacVoices #25308: Live! - In-Depth on iPads, ChromeBooks, and Low-Cost Macs This discussion dives into the debate over affordable computing for students and families, comparing Chromebooks, iPads, and the possibility of a new low-cost Mac from Apple. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, and David Ginsburg compare performance, device lifespan, security, and management tools, asking how Apple can compete in price-sensitive school markets without sacrificing the user experience that defines its hardware.

MacVoices #25307: Live! - Apple Impersonator Scams, CNN Out, and CarPlay WidgetsThe 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. 

MacVoices #25306: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #5 (2) In the second part of the fifth installment of the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide, David Ginsburg, Wally Cherwinski, and Chuck Joiner highlight a 4K portable monitor and stand, AirPods safety straps, compression and neoprene travel socks, rechargeable motion-sensor lighting, a compact USB microphone, and smart-home hardware buttons. Practical travel gear, audio upgrades, and smart lighting tools round out the list of gift picks. (Part 2) 

MacVoices #25305: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #5 (1) The 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #5 Part 1 continues as the panel of David Ginsburg, Wally Cherwinski, and Chuck Joiner shares practical tech ideas for Apple users, from at USB hub and a USB-C charger to a MagSafe camera grip and a portable monitor. They also explain how to get great deals through Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store while trading stories about hubs, mice, and multi-display travel setups. (Part 1)