MacVoices #25106: Live! - Amazon Is Listening, Paying to Redact, AI Rebels Amazon is shifting away away from on-device processing for Alexa, both raising and re-igniting privacy concerns. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore tools for deleting old social media posts in light of changing norms and AI training risks. Other topics include AI tools refusing to assist programmers, content ownership in the digital age, and Sonos dropping plans for a streaming box. Privacy, control, and tech ethics take center stage in a wide-ranging conversation. 

MacVoices #25105: Live! - Apple Vision Pro As A Wearable, Sonos Changes Direction, Home Theater Should the Apple Vision Pro qualify as a wearable? Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea  debate the issue, with most agreeing it does, though it’s unlike traditional wearables such as the Apple Watch. They also discuss Sonos canceling its rumored TV streaming box, viewing it as a smart move in a crowded market. Ideas are shared about how Sonos could better integrate home audio and video without competing directly with Apple or Roku, and some of the challenges of setting up a home theater. 

MacVoices #25104: Live! - RCS Encryption, Metallica Experience Reports, Ted Lasso Returns Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore the significance of end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging on iPhone, bringing secure communication to more users without extra effort. They also review the immersive Metallica concert experience on Apple Vision Pro, praising its production quality and spatial video evolution. Finally, they react with approval and enthusiasm to the surprise announcement of a new season of Ted Lasso, focusing on a women’s football team.  

MacVoices #25103: LIve! - Reports On Apple Intelligence, The Not-So-Secret UK iCloud Issue, A New Map AppAn all-hands-on-deck MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby and Jim Rea discusses Apple’s transparency with Apple Intelligence data reports, controversy over the UK’s secret iCloud access order, and skepticism around a new Apple Maps partner app. Concerns are raised about privacy, third-party data collection, and user trust. The group also explores how Apple is handling AI differently from competitors and continues improving Maps despite early setbacks. 

MacVoices #25102: Live! - A State Age Verification Effort, Metallica Inside Apple Vision Pro Utah’s new law requiring app store age verification sparks debate about privacy, effectiveness, and youth circumvention tactics. Panelists Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss on-device versus external data handling, parental controls, and implications for user privacy. They also discuss Apple’s immersive Vision Pro Metallica concert experience and explore whether the quality and versatility of  virtual reality justifies its premium cost. 

MacVoices #25101: MacVoices Update - 2025-03 The MacVoices Update for 2025-03 features updates on the MacVoices Live! schedule update both past and future, a response to two contradicting emails, and a note about MacVoices Magazine. The update wraps with the monthly support and what our Patreon subscribers are more important and appreciated than ever.

MacVoices #25100: LIve! - Sesame Gives Voice to AI, A New Main-Stream OnlyFans The MacVoices Live! panel explores Sesame’s AI voice assistant, highlighting its realism and conversational depth, and discusses a razor brand’s surprising use of OnlyFans after being shadowbanned on TikTok. The conversation with Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby also touches on marketing strategies, and the evolving reputations of content platforms like OnlyFans and Reddit. 

˚MacVoices #:25098: Live! - New Mac Studio, New MacBook Air, Apple IntelligenceThis MacVoices Live! panel delivers their reactions to Apple’s latest hardware, including the Mac Studio and MacBook Air with M4 chips, and debates the implications of Apple Intelligence delays. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss AI integration, Siri improvements, and compare Apple’s contextual approach to other generative AI tools. There’s also a exploration of creative uses for AI-generated content, who is using it, and what for.

MacVoices #25097: Talking Podcasting with Marty Jencius (2) Our conversation with Marty Jencius of ThePodTalk.net continues as he shares his podcasting workflow, editing strategies, distribution approaches, and outlines how he leverages AI and automation tools for promotion. He details his experiences with Spotify, CoScheduler, and podcast website management. Marty also highlights his diverse portfolio of shows and encourages aspiring podcasters. (Part 2) 

MacVoices #25096: Talking Podcasting with Marty Jencius Marty Jencius is a podcasting machine, with five currently active podcasts listed on his web site, ThePodTalk.net. We cover his deep passion for podcasting, from his early radio background to producing multiple shows today. Tools, workflows, and the evolution from audio to video production are discussed with real-world examples. Marty shares insights on gear, editing techniques, and software that streamline the process. His enthusiasm highlights podcasting’s creative appeal and accessibility for anyone interested in getting started. 

MacVoices #25095: Live! - Skype Shuts Down, Dedicated LLM Apps The MacVoices Live! panel discusses Microsoft’s shutdown of Skype and the transition to Teams, reflecting on Skype’s decline from a once-reliable communication tool to an obsolete platform. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet and Jim Rea highlight challenges for non-tech users, alternatives like Zoom and FaceTime, and share personal anecdotes. The conversation also touches on the rise of AI apps, including Microsoft Copilot and Meta’s upcoming competitor, and whether they represent the next step in wide-spread adoption of LLMs. 

MacVoices #25094: Kicking Off The Road to Macstock with Mike Potter Mike Potter, the organizer of Macstock Conference and Expo, kicks off our annual “Road to Macstock” series with information on this year’s event. Mike outlines this year’s theme, “Share,” as well as new integrating longer interactive workshops throughout the weekend. Additionally, Ecamm is announced as a significant partner, offering a dedicated demo room and a special workshop. Early bird registration (expiring soon!), venue information, and community aspects of the conference are also explored. 

MacVoices #25093: Live! - Alexa+, Opera Integrations, Google’s Removal Tool Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet and Jim Rea discuss Amazon’s new AI-powered Alexa+, highlighting its conversational abilities and privacy concerns. Opera’s browser sidebar integrations with apps like Discord and Slack prompt debate about productivity versus distraction. Google’s updated tool for managing personal information sparks skepticism regarding its effectiveness and sincerity. 

MacVoices #25092: More With Jim Rea On Software Development Past and Present (2) Jim Rea continues reflecting on ProView’s 40-year journey, highlighting how personal computing and software development practices have evolved. He discusses the shift from fully graspable, simple systems to today’s complex technologies requiring specialized expertise. Jim emphasizes the ongoing necessity of human judgment in programming, even with advanced tools like LLMs and search engines. He explores the concept of “prompt engineering” and the enduring challenge of accurately defining project requirements, asserting the essential role humans will maintain in tech innovation. (Part 2)

MacVoices 25091: Jim Rea on ProVUE’s 40th Anniversary (1) Jim Rea marks ProView’s 40th anniversary, reflecting on his journey from early CPM software to innovative RAM-based databases. He shares experiences with industry leaders, discusses his pioneering software like SuperView, and recalls adapting to early Macintosh programming challenges, emphasizing entrepreneurship and sustained relevance in tech. (1) 

MacVoices #25090: Live! - Child Safety, Apple Watch on Ice, and Automatic Mac Updates The MacVoices panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea covers Apple’s new child safety tools, emphasizing parental control and user privacy by minimizing data collection. We also discuss NHL officials adopting Apple Watches with a custom app, enhancing game flow and safety. Lastly, the group addresses unexpected automatic MacOS updates, exploring user and enterprise approaches to managing software compatibility. 

MacVoices #25089: Terri Morgan on New LumaFusion Features and the Joy of Editing Terri Morgan, Co-Founder Principle Designer for LumaTouch discusses the significant new features in LumaFusion, particularly highlighting adjustment clips, enhanced keyframing, and increased track support in the latest update. Terri explains how these features streamline the editing process, providing editors with greater efficiency, flexibility, and creativity. She emphasizes how adjustment clips revolutionize the editing workflow by allowing complex, multi-layered edits with simplified controls. The conversation also touches on LumaFusion’s unique pricing structure, mobile editing on iPhone and iPad, and the satisfaction that comes from creative storytelling through video editing. 

MacVoices #25088: Live! - New iPads, Apple vs. UK, iCloud Lawsuit Dismissed The MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea discusses Apple’s newly announced iPad Air with M4 chip and the 11th-gen base iPad featuring an A16 processor, debating their value and audience appeal. They also explore Apple’s resistance to UK encryption backdoor demands, highlighting potential privacy implications. Finally, they cover Apple’s successful dismissal of an iCloud storage pricing lawsuit, affirming Apple’s right to set pricing despite criticism. 

MacVoices #25087: Building Your Own Web Site with Brian Flanigan-ArthursThinking that you might want or need your own web site? Brian Flanagan-Arthurs discusses the importance of owning a personal website. He shares his motivations, the risks of relying on social media, and his process of choosing a domain, software, and hosting. Brian details his experience with WordPress, the learning curve, and the benefits of controlling his online presence. Chuck and Brian emphasize adaptability, ongoing refinements, and the value of having a central hub for content and communication.

MacVoices #25086: Live! - Cheaper YouTube, Ad-Supported Office 365, A New Pantone Color This MacVoices Live! discussion concludes with Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio discussing YouTube’s rumored Premium Light tier, Microsoft testing an ad-supported Office 365 version, and Pantone naming a color after Drew Barrymore. The panel debates the value of YouTube Premium, subscription models, and Microsoft’s cloud push. They also discuss Kindle download restrictions and the impact of ad-supported services on user experience. 

MacVoices #25085 - Live! - Arctic Surfing on Vision Pro, Photoshop on iPhone Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio explore the increasing frequency of immersive video content for Apple Vision Pro, highlighting a new Arctic Surfing experience. The panel discusses its effectiveness, the evolution of spatial video, and potential smart home integrations for deeper immersion. They also debate Adobe’s long-awaited Photoshop release for iPhone, weighing its professional utility, subscription model, and integration with Creative Cloud against existing mobile editing tools. 

MacVoices #25084: Live! - Apple Invests In The US, Apple News+ Cooks, AI on the Vision Pro Apple’s ongoing investments in U.S. manufacturing, enhancements to Apple News+, and Apple Intelligence on Vision Pro were the topics on this MacVoices Live!. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fucciol discussed Apple’s $500 billion commitment to U.S. facilities, clarifying that it aligns with long-term plans rather than a new shift. Apple News+’s new recipe and restaurant features were praised for adding value, while the iPhone 16e’s missing ultra-wideband and MagSafe raised concerns. Lastly, Vision Pro’s Apple Intelligence beta left panelists eager for more promised features in April. 

MacVoices #25083: Live! - Apple Takes A Different Tack On UK iCloud Backdoor Apple’s response to the UK government’s demand for an iCloud backdoor is the topic of discussion on this episode of MacVoices Live!. The panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio examine Apple’s decision to remove end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups in the UK, analyzing whether it was a strategic move to avoid compliance or a broader privacy concern. The implications of government access to user data, the role of Advanced Data Protection (ADP), and whether UK citizens are aware of or reacting to these changes are all at issue. The conversation also highlights how encryption complexities often leave average users vulnerable due to lack of awareness or technical expertise. 

MacVoices #25082: MacVoices Update - 2025-02 In the MacVoices Update for February 2025, Chuck recaps the CES coverage, highlighting 51 interviews and the importance of speaking directly with product creators. He shares updates on MacVoices Live, emphasizing its non-partisan approach to tech commentary and reminds listeners of the many ways to access MacVoices content. Chuck also covers MacVoices Magazine, a curated Flipboard collection of Apple-related tips. The Update wraps with the Support Report and an extra thank you to our Patreon supporters.