Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 11/28/2025

MacVoices #26101: Live! - Hands-On With the MacBook Neo

MacVoices

Member of the MacVoices Live! panel dive into early hands-on impressions of the new MacBook Neo, highlighting its lightweight design, surprising performance, and emphasis on fun over raw power. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, Eric Bolden, and Jeff Gamet cover real-world workflows, battery life, portability, and compatibility, along with trade-offs like screen quality and speed limitations. Find out why the Neo is a hit with panel members, regardless of their use cases. This edition of...

MacVoices #26100: Live! - ByteDance Apps, Cosmic Orange, Tim Sweeney’s Credibility, and Predictive Markets

MacVoices

The opening discussion centers on restrictions affecting ByteDance apps and what that means for users and updates. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs also explore Apple TV production strategies, industry tensions over AI policy, and the rise of “cosmic orange” as a tech trend. The panel also discusses the credibility Tim Sweeney in relation to the settlement with Google, as well as social media bans for teens and the continued expansion of predictive markets. MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw....

MacVoices #26099: Live! - Acme Weather, Duck Duck Go’s AI, More on Privacy, and Microsoft’s Stumbles

MacVoices

A new weather app from the Dark Sky team sparks mixed reactions from Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs. The panel explores its predictive modeling, interface, and subscription models and privacy tradeoffs DuckDuckGo’s AI image tool, growing concerns around data usage, surveillance, smart devices, and recent Microsoft’s AI missteps add to the discussion on trust and responsibility. MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACVOICES20 for 20% off at Show...

MacVoices #26098: Live! - Mac minis, iPods (Yes, iPods), and the New Tech Nostalgia

MacVoices

An update on the ongoing legal controversy surrounding tech leaker John Prosser kicks off this MacVoices Live!. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs look at Apple’s potential U.S. manufacturing of the Mac mini and what that could mean for production, tariffs, and supply chains. The group then dives into a wave of tech nostalgia, debating the reported resurgence of iPods and comparing it with renewed interest in film cameras, vinyl records, and other retro tech. MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw....

MacVoices #26097 - Live! - More Neo Analysis, Mac Studio Configuration Loss

MacVoices

The MacVoices panel continues their analysis of the MacBook Neo, pushing back against reviewers focused only on benchmarks rather than real-world usability. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Eric Bolden discuss the machine’s intended audience, its value as an affordable entry into the Mac ecosystem, and its potential impact in education and retail markets. The conversation also examines Apple’s decision to remove a high-end Mac Studio configuration and what it might signal about supply constraints and product...

MacVoices #26096: Live! - The Appeal of the Mac Neo

MacVoices

The newly announced Macintosh Neo has met with surprising fervor from Apple fans and critics alike. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Eric Bolden discuss the impact of the low-cost MacBook, and why some panelists ordered one (or more). The highlights include its affordability, potential uses in education, travel, and everyday computing. The group also examines early reactions, speculation about performance, color choices, and how the Neo could reshape the relationship between Macs and mid-range iPads. This...

MacVoices #26095: TV+ Talk - Hijack, Apple TV Joins Roku, and F1

MacVoices

Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner discuss the appeal of Hijack season one, Apple TV’s expanding availability through Roku, and what that signals about Apple’s evolving content strategy. They also explore Formula One’s arrival on Apple TV, including the platform’s technical presentation, the Vision Pro factor, and how Apple may be rethinking sports access to attract more viewers and broaden its entertainment reach. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:18 Introduction to TV Plus Talk 03:22 The Intrigue of Hijack Season One 04:13 Wrexham’s FA Cup Adventure 08:42 Apple TV Joins Roku 12:13...

MacVoices #26094: Dmytro Bilkun from CleanMyMac Introduces Moonlock

MacVoices

Dmytro Bilkun, Lead Product Marketing Manager for , does a re-do of a lost interview from CES, explaining , a new Mac security tool designed to simplify cybersecurity. The discussion covers its antivirus capabilities, deeper malware detection than CleanMyMac’s built-in protection, quarantine features, network traffic blocking by region, real-time monitoring, and security recommendations. Dmytro and Chuck also discuss usability, performance considerations, evolving cyber threats, and the subscription pricing model. This edition of MacVoices is sponsored by Squarespace. Go to and...

MacVoices #26093: Live! - Privacy Questions Around Security Cameras, OpenClaw Creator Joins OpenAI

MacVoices

A discussion of privacy, ethics, and technology was prompted after reports that Google recovered Nest camera footage believed to be deleted. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Eric Bolden, Jeff Gamet, and Web Bixby review how cloud data is actually erased, the role of backups and mirrored servers, and the difficult balance between privacy promises and aiding law enforcement. The conversation expands into broader concerns about surveillance technology, online data permanence, and how companies should handle sensitive information in critical situations. This edition of...

MacVoices #26092: Live! - Apple Music Connect, A Rivian App, and Apple Video Podcasts

MacVoices

A new Apple Music Connect as a promotional platform for artists and labels, has been announced. Rivian are launching an Apple Watch app to control vehicle functions despite rejecting CarPlay. Apple Podcasts is native video support. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Jim Rea discuss all of these, debating discoverability in music streaming, the logic behind Rivian’s ecosystem choices, and whether Apple’s move into video podcasts can compete with platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Today’s edition of MacVoices is supported by MacVoices...

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.