MacVoices

Rachel 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.  This edition of MacVoices is...

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 buil...

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, an...

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 T...

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 , J...

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...

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 attend...

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 priva...

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 th...

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) Tod...

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...

New 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' Wim...

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...

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...

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...

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 Jenc...

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...

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 T...

The June 2025 MacVoices Update looks back on a packed month of content, including The Road to MacStock and NAB wrap-ups. Some format changes to make episodes more approachable, resources like the weekly Dispatch newsletter and Flipboard magazine, and the Support Report complete this week's comments.  Show Notes: Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon       http://patreon.com/macvoices...

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 outl...

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...

Kelly Guimont returns to The Road to Macstock Conference and Expo to talk about her session on practical, privacy-conscious home automation. Starting from zero, she will help attendees make informed choices and avoid feeling overwhelmed, with real-life examples and insights drawn from years of experience. She also shares why MacStock remains a favorite event—thanks to its community, connection, an...

This MacVoices Live! discussion starts off with three essential public service announcements: a major recall of Anker PowerCore batteries, warnings about malicious unsubscribe links in emails, and serious privacy concerns surrounding Meta's AI assistant. The panel of Chuck Joiner , David Ginsburg , Jim Rea , Web Bixby , Brian Flanigan-Arthurs , and Marty Jencius emphasizes the importance of stayin...

The Road to Macstock and Macstock Conference and Expo takes us to Jill McKinley , who previews her upcoming talk on how Apple's ecosystem helped her lose weight and build a healthier lifestyle. She will explain how the Apple Watch, Fitness+, and apps like MyNetDiary and Todoist make tracking effortless, with reminders and data centralization driving consistency. In typical Jill fashion, her sessio...

The panel digs into the abrupt shutdown of the Arc browser and what it signals about user expectations and innovation fatigue in the browser space. Chuck Joiner , Dave Ginsburg , Jim Rea , Marty Jencius , Web Bixby , Eric Bolden , and Jeff Gamet explore Opera's foray into agentic AI and how it could redefine how we interact with the web. A deep dive into Getty Images' aggressive lawsuit against St...