MacVoices #23321: MacVoices Live! - Are They Listening To You? To wrap up the MacVoices Live! holiday party, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith critique a company claiming to eavesdrop on phone conversations, condemning the invasion of privacy and the gathering conversation keywords for targeted marketing. Flipboard and Threads moving to the Fediverse, Threads’ growth with over 10 million users in six months and where they stand in relation to their competition are reviewed and preferences commented on. 

MacVoices #23320: MacVoices Live! - Apple Loses TestFlight Data; Adobe Takes Two On The Chin The MacVoices Live! holiday party rolls on as the panel discusses Apple’s recent test flight data loss and whether it is a significant event given that the data was 10 years old. Shifting focus, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith discuss the termination of Adobe’s deal with Figma and their fine for difficult-to-cancel subscription policies. That leads to comparisons and frustration with other companies that engage in the same practices. 

MacVoices #23319: MacVoices Live! - Apple Watch and Beeper (Yet Again) As part of the MacVoices Live! holiday party, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith discuss the Apple Watch situation. Apple’s rare acknowledgment sparks speculation on sales strategy and complicates those looking to purchase the device for the holidays. The panel also reviews the developments in the messaging encryption controversy, condemning misinformation from politicians and media. Doubting significant regulatory changes, the conversation highlights the importance of factual media coverage. 

MacVoices #23318: MacVoices Update - 2023-12 In the final Update for 2023, host Chuck Joiner offers his appreciation for everyone who participates in MacVoices from both sides of the camera and mic, talks about what was accomplished in 2023 and some of what is to come in 2024, reviews the Holiday Gift Guides, and finishes up with the Support Report. 

MacVoices #23316: MacVoices Live! - Stolen Device Protection, 23andMe’s Terms, Cameo Abuse This MacVoices Live! discussion spotlights Apple’s latest stolen device protection measures and why you should adopt them. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, Mark Fuccio, and Guy Serle underscore the importance of smartphone security in public spaces and Face ID. The panel also touches on how FineWoven is holding up after a rough start, as well as 23andMe’s controversial terms of service changes, and AI tools’ potential to impersonate live personalities.

MacVoices #23315: MacVoices Live! - Is Beeper Innovation or Hacking? The MacVoices Live! panel discusses the controversy surrounding Beeper, questioning whether it’s a case of innovation or something less above-board. The back-and-forth between Beeper and Apple results in concerns about the security implications of giving out Apple IDs. The discussion shifts to the broader topic of politicians, particularly Elizabeth Warren, making statements about technology without a deep understanding of the issues at hand, with Beeper front and center. Overall, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, Mark Fuccio, and Guy Serle explore the complexities of interoperability, user experience, and Apple’s decision-making in the context of iMessage and Beeper. 

MacVoices #23314: MacVoices Live! - KISS’ Digital Avatars, Spotify’s Layoffs, Android Rejection Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Mark Fuccio, and Web Bixby discuss KISS’s future through digital avatars, with panelists expressing opinions about this version of digital immortality. . Financial opportunities and concerns about avatar ownership and technological advancements in entertainment are discussed. They also compare Spotify to Netflix and critique Spotify’s business model in the podcast industry. The show wraps with a humorous story about a Washington, D.C. robbery, where thieves returned an Android phone, mistakenly thinking it was an iPhone.

MacVoices #23313: MacVoices Live! - A Plex Misstep, QR Code Cautions, and Concerns Over the 23andMe Hack The MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Mark Fuccio, and Web Bixby highlights privacy concerns with Plex, QR codes, and the 23andMe hack. Plex’s mistake in sharing viewing summaries without consent is discussed. The conversation touches on QR code risks, cautioning against blind scanning, and the 23andMe hack, emphasizing skepticism and informed decision-making. 

MacVoices #23307: MacVoices Live! - Apple Maps vs. Waze; Six Fingers? (3) The MacVoices Live! panel discusses the results of one panel member’s real-world showdown between Apple Maps and Google Waze, discussing their strengths and use cases. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, Ben Roethig, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, and Jim Rea explore the role of AI in mapping and navigation, highlighting its accuracy and efficiency. Our conversation wraps with an ingenious (and laughable) new practice by thieves to fool AI. (Part 3)

MacVoices #23301: MacVoices Live! - A Windows Access App For Mac and iOS? This MacVoices Live! panel wraps up by discussing a new Windows Access app for Mac and iPad that simplifies remote desktop usage. The bright side is that there are benefits for Mac users in a Windows environment and the increasing popularity of Microsoft products for Mac users and Mac usage in large corporations like IBM. We conclude with a Microsoft-oriented warnings about Bing and what you may be asked to give up. (Part 3) 

MacVoices #23300: MacVoices Live! - Fighting Apple Music Fraud; John Stewart & China (2) David Ginsburg, Brittany Smith, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Ben Roethig discuss the issue of music fraud on Apple Music and Spotify’s approach to royalties. Also covered are Apple’s Satellite SOS feature and its connection to Qualcomm. Do Apple’s business dealings in China and the cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show warrant a Congressional inquiry. Finally, the panel examines the role of satirists in shaping public opinion and if journalistic standards do or should apply. (Part 2) 

MacVoices #23299: MacVoices Live! - OpenAI Drama; Bluesky (1) In this MacVoices Live! session, David Ginsburg, Brittany Smith, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Ben Roethig touch briefly on the developing OpenAI drama, then shift to the emergence of Bluesy as a social media platform. The panel also discusses the uses and evolution (or devolution) of various other options. (Part 1)