MacVoices #24254: Mike Schmitz Launches LifeHQ To Improve Your Productivity (1) Mike Schmitz has been working on his new project, LifeHQ, for a long time. Built on Obsidian, LifeHQ is, “Everything You Need to Run Your Whole Life.” Mike explains his combination of personal knowledge management (PKM) and productivity enhancement and how it turns items like notes and journaling into actionable insights. Inspired by Mike’s productivity projects and studies, LifeHQ brings it all in one place. (Part 1)

MacVoices #24252: TV+ Talk - Apple TV+ On Amazon Prime and A New Vision Pro Movie Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner use this edition of TV+ Talk to discuss the surprising agreement between Amazon and Apple that will put Apple TV+ on Amazon Prime Video. Are there winners and losers in this development, and what affect will it have on how you sign up for the service? What are the financial arrangements between the two streaming players? Charlotte and Chuck also talk about the new movie that was shot with the Apple Vision Pro in mind and why one of them isn’t interested in seeing it. 

MacVoices #24250: More With Jason Snell on ‘Take Control of Photos’ (2) Our conversation with  Jason Snell about the 4th edition of Take Control of Photos for Take Control Books wraps up with a look at the power of the Photos app for users of all skill levels. Enhancements such as Photographic styles change the game by providing more post-capture options than ever before. Jason also covers getting more out of our photos by printing or making custom books and projects, and how that has become more of a focus in the latest version of Photos. (Part 2)

MacVoices #24249: Jason Snell Takes Control of Photos (1) Jason Snell has released the 4th edition of Take Control of Photos for Take Control Books to cover the  most recent updates to the Photos app on all of Apple’s operating systems. Jason explains why Photos has undergone more of a redesign than an upgrade, utilizing machine learning to help you do more than ever before with your photos. Also more unified than ever is the interface across Mac, iPhone, and iPad which helps in overcoming the resistance to adopting new features. Jason touches on how the improved search capabilities and  customizable collections enhance the user experience and utilization of photos. 

MacVoices #24248: Golden Hill Software’s John Brayton Brings Unread To The Mac John Brayton of Golden Hill Software has released a Mac version of his popular RSS reader, Unread. Available on iOS and iPad OS already, John explains why he felt it was time to fill out the collection for the desktop, citing the changing ways we work and interact online, the changes in social media and how people get their news, and the thought processes behind his pricing decisions. 

MacVoices #24247: Live! - EU Big Tech Agenda, Ferrari Security Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet  analyze the European Union’s increasing regulatory pressure on major tech firms, especially but not limited to Apple. Their advocacy for a more open iOS seems to be at the expense of users privacy in favor of…what? Fines? To wrap up, we discuss why every Ferrari owner should have at least on e pair of AirPods. 

MacVoices #24246: Live! - Microsoft’s Nuclear Reactor, Sam Altman On The AI Future Microsoft is behind bringing a nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania out of mothballs to help drive their AI initiatives. Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet have conflicting thoughts on the benefits and rationale behind this from a variety of perspectives. Along with that, they also have different opinions on a new essay by Sam Altman of OpenAI on the future of AI and what it can accomplish. 

MacVoices #24245: Live! - iPhone Camera Comes In Fourth, Apple Budgets New Films

Does the fact that a recent evaluation placing the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera in fourth place behind some competitors really matter? Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet talk about having the camera as part of a phone that you want to use. as well as just how close the rankings were. The panel has thoughts on Oprah Winfrey buying back the rights to a documentary about her life and the effect of Apple putting a budget on future movie projects.

MacVoices #24242: MacVoices Update - 2024-09 In the 2024-09 Update, Chuck gives a brief update on the new MacVoices web site that includes a new blog option to provide information that just doesn’t fit in a full MacVoices show, as well as a way to schedule updates and more. The MacVoices Live! schedule is explained and the ad tracking subject tackled, along with support options and the monthly Support Report. 

MacVoices #24241: Live! - Target and CarPlay, InventoryWatch, Data Loss Target has a new curbside option that works with CarPlay. Is this the start of more businesses focusing on CarPlay as a method of consumer outreach? What is the best way to buy a new iPhone? Carrier or directly from Apple? Which Apple Store has what in stock? Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, and Web Bixby cover these topics as well as sharing a cautionary tale of hardware failure and data loss (unless you are smart enough to back up).

MacVoices #24240: Live! - Apple Health Devices, Sequoia Experiences This MacVoices Live! session focused on two topics. The first was the FDA approval of Apple AirPods as OTC hearing aids, and the Apple Watch’s ability to diagnose sleep apnea. While neither will replace professional devices and services, they can open improved health to many. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Mark Fuccio, and Web Bixby share thoughts and experiences on the importance of these approvals. Then, the panel discusses their first experiences with macOS Sequoia and whether you should upgrade or wait. 

MacVoices #24239: Live! - Pre-Order Experiences and OS Upgrades The MacVoices Live! panel ordered new devices and things were smooth…mostly. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss a Goldman Sachs fail as well as some other issues that cropped up. Apple Card may change back end providers and the panel looks at what that might mean for end users. Then, the conversation shifts to the recently released OS upgrades, who dove in and who decided to play it close to the chest. 

MacVoices #24238: Live! - Napoleon, A Smart Apple Watch Band, and EU Regulators Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby look at an extended cut of Napoleon and who wants a longer movie and look at a smart watch band that can give you hand gestures. The MacVoices Live! panel also considers a new move by the EU regulators and debate whether it is just the calm before the storm, and focus on yet another positive AirTag story.

MacVoices #24236: Live! - Amazon’s Pay-For Assistant; Spotify Whines…Again Would you pay for a better virtual assistant? Amazon seems to think so, with reports of a superior AI-oriented Alexa is coming. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby look at whether this is a good idea, sparking a broader discussion of AI andsmart assistant satisfaction and expectations. They then turn their attention to yet another allegation against Apple by Spotify, and speculate on who might buy them and why.

MacVoices #24235: Live! - Apple Stock, Intel In Trouble, Canva’s PricingThe MacVoices Live! panel discusses Citibank’s prediction of Apple as the top AI stock pick for 2025 amidst market fluctuations and analyze Intel’s struggles, highlighting Apple’s growing competitive edge with their M-series chips. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby also review  Canva’s decision to raise prices by up to 300% for new AI features, Microsoft’s complaints about gaming that sound vaguely familiar, and more. 

MacVoices #24234: Vision Pro Focus - Entertainment on The Apple Vision Pro (2) This Vision Pro Focus episode wraps up as Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, and Chuck Joiner consider how gaming on the Apple Vision Pro differs from other “immersive” gaming and interactive experiences. They look at both new and classic titles, discuss the role of third-party controllers in enhancing the gameplay, and tackle a different category of entertainment that focus on personal expression and collaboration. The session wraps up with the possibilites for great viewer engagement in live sports broadcasts.

MacVoices #24232: Live! - Discussing Apple’s Glowtime Event (4) The MacVoices Live! panel concludes the discussion of Apple’s Glowtime event and the product announcements with a deep dive into Apple Intelligence expectations, environmental concerns, and use cases. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Patrice Brend’amour also discuss the live events of the past vs. the pre-recorded ones of the present, how the presenters and presentations themselves have evolved, and who these events are really for.