MacVoices #25111 - Live! - 23andMe, Discord Ads, Redact, and Alexa+
Release Date: 04/14/2025
MacVoices
Jeff Gamet is the latest stop on the The Road to , revealing his workshop session focused on helping everyone create digital art from simple paper sketches. Jeff explains how attendees can use iPhone, iPad, Mac, Linea Sketch, Affinity, or other tools, while emphasizing creativity, play, low-pressure participation, and overcoming the belief that “I’m not an artist.” This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Get access to the MacVoices Slack and MacVoices After Dark by joining in at . Show Notes: Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jeff Gamet on the...
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AI is taking on a growing role in cybersecurity (whether we like it or not), from vulnerability discovery to faster exploit development. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, and Marty Jencius look at both sides oof the issue and push back on “Bugmageddon” hype. The discussion also covers X post limits, Microsoft Teams retiring the misguided Together Mode, safer login practices, AI-run radio chaos, Google’s Apple-like naming choices, and free storage tied to phone numbers. This edition of MacVoices is brought...
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At NAB 2026, Chuck Joiner talks with Ryan Burke, Portfolio Director for about the new RodeLink 2 UHF wireless system, developed with Lectrosonics expertise. The discussion covers interference-resistant UHF performance, 32-bit float recording, timecode, adaptive power, battery life, and removable storage media. Ryan also provided a look at the new RODECaster Studio AI audio editing app for podcasters. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:03 Introduction from NAB 2026 00:10 Why RØDE remains a favorite stop at the show 00:33 Introducing the RodeLink 2 UHF wireless system 01:04 How...
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The Road to takes a serious turn as Mike T. Rose previews his workshop on becoming a digital caretaker for family members and loved ones. Mike discusses scams targeting older adults, password sharing, remote support, Apple Passwords, financial preparedness, and the need to balance protection, respect, independence, and trust when helping others manage their digital lives. Today’s edition of MacVoices is supported by MacVoices Live!, our weekly live panel discussion of what is going in the Apple space as well as the larger tech world, and how it is impacting you. Join us live at at 8...
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This MacVoices Live! starts out with the introduction of the new Foreshadowing Tech series, mark the end of the British Tech Network after 18 years, and examine Apple-related privacy, politics, and search issues. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Jeff Gamet, Guy Serle, Web Bixby, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, and Jim Rea discuss Canada’s encryption proposal and Apple’s response, the Towson Apple Store closure, DuckDuckGo’s surge after Google search changes, and Meta’s AI pendant ambitions. MacVoices is supported by Macstock Connference, along with Ecamm Creator Camp, taking place in...
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At NAB 2026, Larry O’Connor of discusses the new Express 4M2 Ultra, a Thunderbolt 5-certified, four-blade M.2 DIY storage solution built for speed, quiet operation, and thermal control. The conversation also covers OWC’s dual 10G dock, StudioStack, Helios 5S PCIe chassis, and the company’s focus on reliable, accessible technology for creators, prosumers, and professionals. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:00 Introduction from NAB 2026 00:59 What’s new from OWC 01:05 Introducing the Express 4M2 Ultra 01:26 A Thunderbolt 5 four-blade M.2 DIY solution 02:09 Feedback from the original...
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Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner discuss the Apple Sports app expanding to more than 170 countries, its World Cup features, and how sports increasingly connect Apple’s entertainment ecosystem. They also consider possible Apple smart glasses, Apple TV’s growing industry credibility under Eddy Cue that includes his Cannes Lions honor, the return of Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars, and Apple TV bundling through financial products as a strategy to gain subscribers. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Opening topics and host introductions [0:53] MacPaw’s post-WWDC event and Charlotte’s...
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The debut of a new MacVoices’ series, Foreshadowing Tech, examines how science fiction has influenced real-world technology using 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Made Contact as the first case study. Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Marty Jencius discuss the depictions of various technologies, and how they measure up to the current state of things, including space travel, tablets, biometrics, HAL, AI, cryosleep, movie aesthetics, and the lasting cultural impact of both films. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Introducing Foreshadowing Tech and the science fiction premise...
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In the booth at NAB in Las Vegas, Matthieu Kopp, Chief Technology Officer, previews the next Peakto release, highlighting support for much larger media libraries, expanded collaboration, guest sharing, and secure on-premise access without cloud uploads. He also discusses other features such as new culling tools, improved ingest control, subclips for video workflows, and how AI agents may shape future media asset management. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:03] Introduction from NAB 2026 [0:43] CYME previews the next Peakto release [0:58] Supporting millions of media assets and larger archives...
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From NAB in Las Vegas, Matt Bach, Senior Product Manager at , explains PugetBench, a free benchmarking tool for end users that tests real applications such as Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and soon Unreal Engine. Matt discusses why real-world benchmarks beat synthetic scores, how software updates can dramatically change performance, and how Mac and Windows systems each excel in different workflows. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:03] Introduction from NAB 2026 [0:20] Matt Bach introduces PugetBench [0:31] Real-world benchmarking for creative applications [1:23] Why...
info_outlineThe MacVoices Live! panel discusses the fallout from 23andMe’s bankruptcy and data concerns, Discord’s controversial ad rollout, and the implications of AI-powered Amazon Alexa+. Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea also explore the importance of controlling your digital footprint, redacting social content, and how companies handle user data as well as why social platforms’ user experiences matter more than ever.
Today’s MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac by MacPaw, your ultimate solution for Mac control and care. Try CleanMyMac for 7 days free, then use the code “MacVoices20” for 20% off at CLNMY.com/MacVoices.
Show Notes:
Chapters:
00:10 Introduction to Mac Voices
01:06 23andMe Bankruptcy News
03:33 Discord Ads Controversy
12:04 Redacting Social Media Records
13:54 Amazon Alexa Plus Features
17:53 Closing Thoughts and Farewells
Links:
23andMe has filed for bankruptcy and CEO Anne Wojcicki has stepped down
https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/23andme-has-filed-for-bankruptcy-and-ceo-anne-wojcicki-has-stepped-down-144629683.html
The Discord app is getting video ads in June
https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-discord-app-is-getting-video-ads-in-june-130054000.html
ChatGPT Just Got a Huge Image-Generation Upgrade
https://lifehacker.com/tech/chatgpt-got-image-generation-upgade
Alexa+ is out, but missing a lot of features Amazon demoed last month
https://www.engadget.com/ai/alexa-is-out-but-missing-a-lot-of-features-amazon-demoed-last-month-180741504.html
Guests:
Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.
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. This is also co-host of The Vision ProFiles podcast. 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).
Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He’s been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon.
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