MacVoices #24100: MVL - Apple Savings Account Interest Rate; Apple's Share Buybacks
Release Date: 04/09/2024
MacVoices
Apple’s stock rebounds after recent product price increases, prompting a discussion of customer loyalty, upgrade timing, refurbished options, and long-term confidence in the company. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, and Marty Jencius also examine why advanced Home features may require a 2TB iCloud+ plan, then debates Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, including price, form factor, cameras, usability, durability, and whether it can succeed within the Apple ecosystem. MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code...
info_outlineMacVoices
A resource for checking Mac external-display support, Comcast’s move away from NBCUniversal, Peacock’s streaming and sports strategy, and whether broadband offers a stronger business model than media all started off this MacVoices Live! conversation. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Norbert Frassa, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby examine Apple Invites and question why so many Apple features launch with fanfare but receive little sustained development. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our...
info_outlineMacVoices
OpenClaw’s official iPhone app is tempting many to get into the whole agentic a AI thing. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Norbert Frassa, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss whether this is a good idea and how anxious they are to put it into practice. They also touch on the security implications of a stolen iPhone, and Apple’s standing as the world’s most valuable brand.The discussion evolves in an exploration of the technical challenges behind an immersive Vision Pro classical concert, and debate whether...
info_outlineMacVoices
The MacVoices Live! panel dives deep into Apple’s across-the-board price increases, weighing rising RAM, storage, inflation, shareholder obligations, and product value. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Norbert Frassa, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby debate whether higher prices are a short-term reset or the new normal, how buyers may react, why the MacBook Neo increase stings, and whether refurbished or education pricing may become more important. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by the MacVoices Dispatch, our...
info_outlineMacVoices
The MacVoices Live! panel starts with a discussion about Apple'’s new AI-powered creative tools, including possible benefits for Final Cut users and the subscription value question. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Ben Roethig, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Norbert Frassa, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby also examine Apple’s Supreme Court appeal in the Epic case, then digs into urgent security patches, AI-assisted vulnerability discovery, automatic updates, enterprise risk, and how users should rethink update habits. Today's MacVoices is supported by TV+ Talk,...
info_outlineMacVoices
This edition of Foreshadowing Tech considers how so many AI speculations from Colossus: The Forbin Project have come true in both surprising and subtle ways. Regular panelists Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, are joined by guest AI enthusiast Jill McKinley to look at how the film predicted things like machine autonomy, surveillance, privacy and self-improving systems. Wrapped in a thriller that is as much political as it is tech, there are questions about freedom and security that we have yet to address today. The panel mixes film trivia, tech analysis, and unsettling...
info_outlineMacVoices
If you’re heading to later this week, make sure you have everything you need to get the most out of this unique annual event. From the things you should do before you leave to the things that you need to have with you, the MacVoices’ Macstock Checklist will make sure you are ready for the year’s best Mac event. (Haven’t decided yet? On-site registration will be available!) Show Notes: Chapters: 00:39 Preparing for the trip to Crystal Lake 00:55 Introducing the personal MacStock checklist 01:09 Reviewing Road to MacStock presenter interviews 01:39 Downloading Ecamm before...
info_outlineMacVoices
The Road to wraps up with organizer Mike Potter providing last-minute updates for attendees, including his Creator Camp session on why the Mac still matters and a weekend talk about giving old Macs new life. He explains the event’s themed schedule, hotel room situation, late registration options, and what to bring. Mike also teases this year's T-shirt design details, talks about Macstock swag advice, and the value of curiosity, community, and conversation as a highlight of the event. This MacVoices is supported by our new MacVoices series, Foreshadowing Tech, that...
info_outlineMacVoices
Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner examine Apple TV's strategy through the expansion of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the theatrical release of Tenzing, and Eddie Cue’s Cannes Lions recognition. They compare Apple’s stated quality-over-quantity approach with Netflix’s engagement-first model, then consider F1 sequel plans and speculate on what smart glasses could mean for the streaming service from both the sports and entertainment perspectives. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:00 Opening Topics: Monsters, Theatrical Releases, and Eddie Cue 00:43 Monarch Season Two and the MonsterVerse...
info_outlineMacVoices
This Road to features a discussion with Brian Henson about his evolving role as the event's master of ceremonies. From speaker wrangler to stage host. Brian previews how this year’s Macstock will let him spotlight the people who inspire him, comments on the event’s welcoming Apple community, and reflects on the value of shared learning, speaker preparation, podcasting, and personal connections that are at the core of the Macstock experience. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by the MacVoices Dispatch, our weekly newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on any and all...
info_outlineMacVoices Live! takes a financial turn as Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, and Guy Serle look at the meaning of an adjustment to the Apple Savings Account interest rate, and how the DOJ’s claim that Apple’s share repurchases supports their antitrust allegations falls apart.

Today’s MacVoices is supported by Backblaze. MacVoices listeners get a fully featured no risk free trial at Backblaze.com/macvoices. Go there, play with it, start protecting yourself from potential bad times! Start Today!
Show Notes:
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:56 Apple's New Parent Prospect
06:53 Special CD Offer
08:23 DOJ vs. Apple Buybacks
13:20 Concerns About Government Regulations
15:37 Supporting Backblaze
24:39 Google's Projects vs. Apple's Products
29:10 Connect with MacVoices
Links:
Apple Card Savings Account to Receive First-Ever Interest Rate Decrease
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/01/apple-card-savings-rate-to-decrease/
DOJ compares AAPL share buybacks with R&D spend as ‘evidence’ of lack of competition
https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/27/aapl-share-buybacks-verses-rd-spend/
GDP by Country
https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/
Guests:
Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, and on his blog, Trending At Work.
Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.
Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on his YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jgamet.
David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud
Dr. Marty Jencius has been an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University since 2000. He has over 120 publications in books, chapters, journal articles, and others, along with 200 podcasts related to counseling, counselor education, and faculty life. His technology interest led him to develop the counseling profession ‘firsts,’ including listservs, a web-based peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Technology in Counseling, teaching and conferencing in virtual worlds as the founder of Counselor Education in Second Life, and podcast founder/producer of CounselorAudioSource.net and ThePodTalk.net. Currently, he produces a podcast about counseling and life questions, the Circular Firing Squad, and digital video interviews with legacies capturing the history of the counseling field. Generally, Marty is chasing the newest tech trends, which explains his interest in A.I. for teaching, research, and productivity. Marty is an active presenter and past president of the NorthEast Ohio Apple Corp (NEOAC).
Guy Serle, best known for being one of the co-hosts of the MyMac Podcast, sincerely apologizes for anything he has done or caused to have happened while in possession of dangerous podcasting equipment. He should know better but being a blonde from Florida means he's probably incapable of understanding the damage he has wrought. Guy is also the author of the novel, The Maltese Cube. You can follow his exploits on Twitter, catch him on Mac to the Future on Facebook, at @Macparrot@mastodon.social, and find everything at VertShark.com.
Support:
Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon
http://patreon.com/macvoices
Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal
Connect:
Web:
http://macvoices.com
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner
http://www.twitter.com/macvoices
Mastodon:
https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner
MacVoices Page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/
MacVoices Group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/
Subscribe:
Audio in iTunes
Video in iTunes
Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:
Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss
Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss