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MacVoices #25298: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #4 (1)

Release Date: 11/28/2025

MacVoices #25298: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #4 (1)

MacVoices

This 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #4 features Norbert Frassa, Rosemary Orchard, Mike Schmitz, and Chuck Joiner sharing thoughtful tech gift ideas that range from a projection alarm clock, device decor, sleep tech, open-ear headsets, and much more. (Part 1) In the Take Control Books Black Friday sale, you can save 25% on all full-price titles. Or, save 50% on all ebooks, including upgrades, for a full year with a Take Control Premium membership for $14.99. Plus, if your order total including Premium is at least $34.99, you'll get a free ebook of your choice! The sale runs...

MacVoices #25297: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #3 (2)

MacVoices

The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide #3 continues in Part 2 with standout picks from Jill McKinley, Joe Kissell, Brett Terpstra, and Chuck Joiner that include cold-weather car gear, compact wireless microphones, iPhone phone cases, powerful charging gear, organization tools, speakers, and a timely tech-culture book. (Part 2) In the Take Control Books Black Friday sale, you can save 25% on all full-price titles. Or, save 50% on all ebooks, including upgrades, for a full year with a Take Control Premium membership for $14.99. Plus, if your order total including Premium is at least $34.99, you'll get a...

MacVoices #25296: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #3 (1)

MacVoices

The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #3 brings together Jill McKinley, Joe Kissell, Brett Terpstra, and Chuck Joiner to share practical and quirky gift picks. Recommendations range from massage balls and USB-C cable testers to bidets, Matter-compatible smart plugs, lights, multi-tools, pry bars, and more. (Part 1) This edition of MacVoices is supported by . What happens before and after the shows is uncensored, on-topic, off-topic, and always off the wall. Sign up as a MacVoices Patron and get access! http://patreon.com/macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Holiday Gift Guide #3...

MacVoices #25295: Live! - Tim Cook’s Retirement, WeChat Revenue, App Store Guidelines

MacVoices

The MacVoices Live! panel breaks down rumors surrounding Tim Cook’s possible retirement and what Apple’s succession planning may look like. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore Apple’s potential revenue tied to WeChat, the complexities of China’s app ecosystem, and new App Store guideline updates aimed at stopping copycat apps. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCK at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Introduction...

MacVoices #25294: Live! - A New Fiery PSA, Apple Loses A Big One, More Masimo vs. Apple

MacVoices

The discussion opens with a public service warning about the latest fire-related product recall and how refunds are being handled. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea then shift on Massimo’s legal battle with Apple over Apple Watch health-sensor patents, the size and strategy of Massimo’s business, licensing deals with other tech firms, and the broader issues of patent protection. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCK at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: ...

MacVoices #25293: Live! - Affinity’s Free Option, Tinder Wants Your Photos, CoPilot’s Influencers

MacVoices

This discussion centers on Affinity going free under Canva, a move seen as a direct challenge to Adobe's subscription model. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jeff Gamet also cover Pantone's new AI tool for generating color palettes, Tinder's controversial attempt to access users' camera rolls for better matching, and Microsoft's decision to use influencers to promote its Copilot AI product. The panel debates the ethics and business models behind these tech industry developments. This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our...

MacVoices #25292: MacVoices 2025 Holiday Gift Guide #2 (2)

MacVoices

The second part of 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #2 features more product picks both useful and off-beat from Jeff Gamet, ”Pilot Pete” Harmon, and Chuck Joiner. (Part 2) Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCK at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Holiday Gift Guide part two intro [0:40] Book nooks and LEGO bookshelf scenes [5:11] Rechargeable magnetic hand warmers [8:53] Compact iPhone and Apple Watch travel charger [11:22] Incogni data privacy sponsor segment [13:39] Beam Paints and Martha Mae art...

MacVoices #25291: MacVoices 2025 Holiday Gift Guide #2 (1)

MacVoices

The second edition of the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide features both tech and lifestyle picks from Jeff Gamet, ”Pilot Pete” Harmon, and Chuck Joiner. (Part 1) 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 MacVoices-related information. today and don't miss a thing. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Holiday Gift Guide kickoff [1:39] Panel introductions [3:05] Audio Engine HXL portable DAC [8:27] Kindle Oasis reading pick [14:25] Alex Tech cord wrap organizer [19:05] Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow...

MacVoices #25190: Live! - Gemini, Pluribus, and Meta’s Fraud Profits

MacVoices

The reports that Apple may pay nearly $1 billion to license Google’s Gemini AI for Siri are examined, debating privacy, accuracy, and long-term AI strategy. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, and Mark Fuccio then rave about the new Apple TV sci-fi series Pluribus and other standout shows, before turning to disturbing revelations that a significant share of Meta’s ad revenue appears tied to scam advertising and questionable enforcement practices. http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV25190.mp3 This edition of...

MacVoices #25289: The iPhone Pocket, HomePod Mini Expectations, $1 Billion Worth of Gemini

MacVoices

The MacVoices Live! panel digs into Apple’s new iPhone Pocket accessory, debating its price, purpose, and whether it’s aimed at non-US markets. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, and Mark Fuccio also examine reported shortages of HomePod mini units at major retailers, asking if it signals a refresh, new colors, or just supply quirks before the holidays, and speculate on what other Apple products might quietly get updated. MacVoices is supported by the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides. Tech and more you want to give and get. Find out what...

More Episodes

This 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #4 features Norbert Frassa, Rosemary Orchard, Mike Schmitz, and Chuck Joiner sharing thoughtful tech gift ideas that range from a projection alarm clock, device decor, sleep tech, open-ear headsets, and much more. (Part 1)

In the Take Control Books Black Friday sale, you can save 25% on all full-price titles. Or, save 50% on all ebooks, including upgrades, for a full year with a Take Control Premium membership for $14.99. Plus, if your order total including Premium is at least $34.99, you'll get a free ebook of your choice! The sale runs through December 3. For complete details, go to takecontrolbooks.com/blackfriday25.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:00] Holiday Gift Guide #4 introduction and Take Control Books promo
[0:41] Format of the gift guides and master pick lists overview
[2:07] Panel introductions: Norbert Frossa, Rosemary Orchard, Mike Schmitz
[3:06] Norbert’s first pick: projection alarm clock with ceiling and wall time
[5:34] Why projected time is so useful at home and in hotels
[7:17] Rosemary’s first pick: Festivitas decorative lights app for Mac and iOS
[8:43] Customizing lights, themes, and year-round holiday visuals
[9:31] Mike’s first pick: Anker Soundcore sleep earbuds for white noise
[10:59] Travel use, side sleeping comfort, and noise masking
[11:31] Chuck’s white noise clock app and sleep sound preferences
[13:09] Norbert’s second pick: Shokz OpenMeet UC open-ear headset
[13:31] Dual-device pairing, work-from-home calls, and battery life
[16:22] Rosemary’s second pick: Satechi USB-C lanyard and phone anchor
[19:32] Security, comfort, and power delivery limits for the lanyard cable
[21:06] Mike’s second pick: Rodecaster Video S HDMI and audio switcher
[23:52] Comparing to the larger Rodecaster Video and 1080p streaming use
[25:24] Chuck’s pick: OWC Thunderbolt hub and multi-dock setups
[27:37] Multiple hubs, workspaces, and the lure of more ports and Stream Decks
[29:21] Closing thanks, Patreon, and sponsor acknowledgments

Links:

Norbert Frassa:

Mesqool Projection Alarm Clock
https://amzn.to/48D3IJi

Shokz OpenMeet UC
https://amzn.to/4pyj47A

Rosemary Orchard:

Festivas App
https://mac.festivitas.app

Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable, 60W Fast Charging, 480Mbps Data Transfer, Built-in Crossbody Strap
https://amzn.to/48iBcLQ

Mike Schmitz:

Soundcore Sleep A20 by Anker Sleep Earbuds, 30dB High-Frequency Noise Reduction, Small Earplugs for Side Sleepers, 80H Playtime
https://amzn.to/4io1GjD

soundcore Sleep A30 by Anker Sleep Earbuds, Smart Active Noise Cancelling Sleep Headphones, Adaptive Snore-Masking System, Ultra-Comfort for Side Sleepers, 45H Playtime
https://amzn.to/4okbjB8

RodeVideo S
https://rode.com/en-us/products/rodecaster-video-s

Chuck Joiner:

White Noise App (full version)
https://www.tmsoft.com/white-noise/

OWC Thunderbolt Hub Docking Station
https://amzn.to/4pEl4eQ

Guests:

Norbert Frassa is a technology “man about town”. Follow him on Twitter and see what he’s up to.

Rosemary Orchard is a nerd, automator, and chocaholic. When she’s not making Shortcuts or podcasting about them, you’ll frequently find her discussing her love of iPads and other Apple technology on RosemaryOrchard.com, Automators, Nested Folders, The Sweet Setup, and ScreenCastsOnline. She is runs WhenWorks to help you schedule appointments more efficiently. Originally from the UK she now calls Vienna, Austria, home…until she returns to the U.K. Follow her on Twitter.

Mike Schmitz is a nerd and an independent creator who talks about the intersection of faith, productivity, and tech He’s a YouTuber, screencaster (ScreenCastsOnline), writer (The Sweet Setup), and co-hosts the Focused, Bookworm, and Intentional Family podcasts. Follow him on Twitter as _MikeSchmitz.