MacVoices #25204: MacVoices Update - 2025-07 This July MacVoices Update recaps a MacStock-filled month, including highlights from the live panel and thoughts on tech insights gained at the event. Renewed blogging efforts featuring podcast recommendations and previews are kicking off this month, as well as a more regular cadence for upcoming shows. He also spotlights MacVoices Magazine and delivers the Support Report to thank Patreon supporters for their ongoing contributions.
MacVoices #25203: Live! - Apple Lands on Threads, FaceTime Freezes Nudity The panel discusses Apple’s quiet debut on Threads, debates the value and future of social media platforms, and explores Vision Pro’s emerging “InSpace” community as a new kind of digital gathering space. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Mark Fuccio, David Ginsburg, and Web Bixby also tackle the controversy around iOS 26’s FaceTime nudity detection, balancing privacy, on-device AI, and user control with evolving norms in tech safety.
MacVoices #25202: Live! - MacVoices Live! at Macstock Conference (2) In Part 2 of the live panel from Macstock Conference 2025, the group dives deeper into Apple user culture, changes in technology habits, and the importance of in-person tech events. With a mix of thoughtful commentary and good-natured banter, Marty Jencius, Brittany Smith, Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Norbert Frassa, and Eric Bolden highlight the need to continually adapt in an increasingly digital world. (Part 2)
MacVoices #25201: LIve! - MacVoices Live! at Macstock Conference 2025 (1)In a MacVoices Live! panel from Macstock Conference 2025 the group explores curiosity, learning, and creativity through technology. Marty Jencius, Brittany Smith, Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Norbert Frassa, and Eric Bolden share personal motivations, how AI impacts their work and lives, and why continuous learning remains essential. The discussion spans everything from Vision Pro quirks to embracing AI tools like ChatGPT, encouraging output over perfection and celebrating lifelong learning. (Part 1)
MacVoices #25200: Rachel Schmitz of The Intentional Family PodcastRachel Schmitz shares the origin and evolution of The Intentional Family podcast, born out of the 2020 lockdown to support overwhelmed families. At MacStock 2025, she discusses her renewed inspiration to continue podcasting, her approach to social media, and plans to foster deeper connections through live streams and newsletters—all rooted in authenticity and purpose.
MacVoices #25199: Live! - Apple’s New COO, Zuckerburg Poaches Apple AI Talent Apple announces a new Chief Operating Officer as Jeff Williams prepares to retire, while Meta continues poaching AI talent from Cupertino, including key team lead Ruoming Pang. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Mark Fuccio, David Ginsburg, and Web Bixby discuss Apple’s executive transitions, Meta’s strategy to build an “AI dream team,” and what these changes could mean for Siri, Apple Intelligence, and future innovation.
MacVoices #25198: Two First Time Macstock Attendees Reactions During a break at Macstock Conference and Expo, we had a chance to chat with Blair Mah and his daughter Jasmine about their first-time Macstock experiences. They highlight the diversity of attendees and presentation topics, the strong sense of community, and the high educational value of the sessions. From in-depth technical talks to practical tips, both found the event enriching and inspiring, and had one request for next year.
MacVoices #25197: Live! - Belkin Pulls the Plug on Wemo: What It Means for Smart Home Owners Belkin’s abrupt shutdown of Wemo smart plugs has left users frustrated and reconsidering future smart home purchases. The MacVoices Live! panel of David Ginsburg, Mike Potter, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Web Bixby discuss the broader issue of trusting closed platforms, the limitations of HomeKit, and the need for open-source solutions like Matter and Thread. The conversation highlights concerns about long-term device viability and their (and your) smart home ecosystem’s fragility.
MacVoices #25196: Live! - Vision Pro Companies Acquired, A Rare Earth Investment, Bluesky Evolves Apple’s Vision Pro strategy gains momentum with acquisitions aimed at improving avatars and AI reliability. A new $500M rare earth recycling partnership with MP Materials signals Apple’s commitment to U.S.-based sustainable supply chains. The FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule reversal sparks debate, and the panel of David Ginsburg, Mike Potter, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Web Bixby explores Blusky’s efforts to attract news and sports content to rival legacy social media platforms.
MacVoices #25195: Live! - Celebrating Macstock 9 (Part 2) The MacStock 9 celebration continues as attendees and organizers reflect on the weekend’s warmth, community, and standout moments. Mike Potter shares emotional feedback from first-time guests, praises volunteers, and announces dates for MacStock 10. With jokes, stories, and ideas for the future, David Ginsburg, Mike Potter, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Mike Schmitz, and Web Bixby capture what makes this gathering more than just a conference—it’s a family reunion with tech at its heart. (Part 2)
MacVoices #25194: Live! - Celebrating Macstock 9 (Part 1) A MacVoices Live! panel of attendees celebrates MacStock 9, sharing personal highlights, favorite sessions, and the lasting connections formed during the conference. David Ginsburg, Mike Potter, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, Mike Schmitz, and Web Bixby share tech insights, Vision Pro demos along with moments of clarity and community bonding that left attendees inspired and energized. (Part 1)
MacVoices #25193: Live! - Meta Wants Your Photos. Microsoft Plays Doctor, Blue Screen of Death Fades to Black The MacVoices Live! panel discusses Meta’s controversial AI photo upload feature and growing privacy concerns, Microsoft’s AI diagnostic tool that outperforms doctors, and the retirement of Windows’ infamous blue screen of death. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea debate the tradeoffs between utility and privacy, AI’s evolving role in medicine, and the implications for education, the arts, and everyday tech users.
MacVoices #25192: Joe Kissell Takes Control of DEVONthink 4 (2) In the second part of our conversation with Joe Kissell about Take Control of DEVONthink 4, Joe focuses on its updated inspector system, subtle interface improvements, and a powerful suite of new AI features. He discusses how large language model integration—from ChatGPT to Claude—enhances document sorting, summarizing, and research. Joe also shares concerns about AI, how DevonThink addresses them, and how the app balances automation with control.
MacVoices #25191: Joe Kissell Takes Control of DEVONthink 4 (1) Joe Kissell returns to introduce Take Control of DEVONthink 4, a deep guide to the powerful information management tool. He outlines new features like versioning, audit-proof databases, and enhanced PDF navigation, while also explaining the app’s new hybrid licensing model. The discussion highlights DEVONthink’s versatility for everything from paperless offices to academic research. (Part 1)
MacVoices #25190: Live! - AI Everywhere: Video Summaries, Message Recaps, and Monetizing AI Web CrawlersNew AI offerings spark discussion as Ring adds video action summaries to their doorbells, Cloudflare monetizes bot access for AI training, and WhatsApp introduces AI message recaps. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea debate privacy, trust, and the future of content control, with added commentary on Apple Sports’ Wimbledon update.
MacVoices #25189: Live! - Apple’s AirDrop Shift, AI Glasses, AI Self-Preservation The panel discusses Apple’s move to allow third-party AirDrop alternatives, raising questions about security and EU regulations. Concerns over webcam hacking and AI’s disturbing behavior in simulations follow, along with a look at Meta and Oakley’s AI smart glasses. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs share personal AI tool usage and question the real value of current wearable tech offerings.
MacVoices #25188: Live! – EU Limitations, Legacy Feature Lifespans, and the AI Training Debate This MacVoices Live! episode unpacks Apple’s decision to drop FireWire support in macOS Tahoe, raising questions about how long legacy technologies should be supported and at what cost. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea debate whether practical considerations or corporate minimalism are driving such moves. The panel also address the EU’s exclusion from iPhone Live Activities, sparking discussion about regulatory overreach and global feature fragmentation. The episode wraps with a deep dive into a court ruling that permits AI models to be trained on copyrighted material if legally acquired, highlighting the murky boundaries between fair use, transformation, and infringement.
MacVoices 25187: Road to Macstock - Jeff Gamet The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo wraps up in a conversation with Jeff Gamet where he previews his Macstock session on improving online privacy and security in practical, accessible terms. He shares some strategies to reduce tracking, protect against identity theft, and safely browse and shop online—without overwhelming jargon. Topics Jeff will address include on-device safety, ad tracking, DNS, and HTTPS, all presented with real-world examples.
MacVoices #25186: TV+ Talk - F1’s Big Win, Apple’s New Theatrical Strategy Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner explore Apple’s evolving theatrical strategy through the success of the Brad Pitt-led F1, questioning what it means for future releases and awards ambitions. They also highlight the overlooked Apple TV+ thriller Prime Target, discuss the platform’s ongoing discovery challenges, preview upcoming titles like Foundation S3 and Chief of War, and debate the growing importance of streaming visibility, especially for Apple TV+.
MacVoices #25185: Live! - More PSUs, Apple’s EU App Store Changes, Tim Robertson Remembered This MacVoices Live! discussion opens with public service announcements about expanded Anker power bank recalls and Microsoft Authenticator password support—critical updates for user safety and data integrity. The penel honors the late Tim Robertson, a pioneering voice in the Apple community and early podcaster. Then, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea debate Apple’s new App Store structure in the EU, examining the implications of tiered developer models, regulatory pressure, and whether Apple’s tight control over its platform is justified or overdue for reform. The group also weighs contrasting views on Epic’s Tim Sweeney, the role of government oversight, and what Apple’s strategic shifts might mean for users and developers alike.
MacVoices #25184: Live! - Apple’s AI Future: Buy or Build? The debate over whether Apple should acquire an AI company to stay competitive, with Perplexity as a leading candidate, is a hot topic. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs explore past acquisitions, Apple’s AI strategy, and the challenges of merging company cultures. PSAs about malware from screenshots and fake CAPTCHAs are discussed, along with the growing risks of AI litigation and the hype vs. reality of AI’s future.
MacVoices #25183: Live! - Meta’s AI Power Play, WhatsApp Ad Fallout, and Trump Mobile??? The MacVoices Live! panel explores Meta’s push to dominate AI with its new “super intelligence” team, raising privacy concerns and skepticism over its motives. WhatsApp’s move to introduce ads prompts worries about user data and ad targeting is discussed by Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Marty Jencius, along with the bizarre launch of a Trump-branded smartphone and its questionable specs and capabilities.
MacVoices #25181: Live! - Alexa+, AI Power Plays, and the Rise of Social Media News The MacVoices Live! panel takes a closer look at Amazon’s Alexa+, its unusual rollout, and user experiences that raise questions about its current readiness. The panel compares AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, especially in corporate environments, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The conversation shifts to a Reuters study showing social media has overtaken traditional outlets as the leading news source in the U.S., prompting concerns over misinformation, curated content, and the erosion of journalistic standards. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Marty Jencius also share personal insights on AI adoption, media literacy, and the changing landscape of how we consume news.
MacVoices #25180: Live! - Haptics, Siri Setbacks, and Why AI Isn’t Selling Phones The panel explores Apple’s innovative use of haptics in its new F1 movie trailer and how it adds to the experience (or not). They discuss the delayed rollout of personalized Siri, developer challenges with AI integration, and why Apple may have backtracked on earlier plans. A CNET survey sparks a broader conversation with Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Marty Jencius about how little weight AI features carry for smartphone buyers today, despite media and industry hype.