Libsyn Directory

MacVoices #26048: Live! - A Mobile App Store Shuts Down, Spotify Raises Prices, and AI and Art

Release Date: 02/03/2026

MacVoices #26049: CES - Rolling Square Updates Hardware Products and Introduces A Camera

MacVoices

In Las Vegas at CES 2026, showcases updates to its trackers, chargers, and modular cable system while debuting Await, a minimalist camera focused on intentional photography. Una Besirevic, Graphic & Marketing Designer; PR & Influencer Relations covers the upgrades, use cases and features of each and goes into detail on the philosophy behind their approach to the retro trend in photography, included printed photos. Show Notes:: Links: AirCard Pro Dual - Bluetooth Wallet Tracker - Compatibile with Both Apple iOS Find My and Google Android Find Hub – Wireless...

MacVoices #26048: Live! - A Mobile App Store Shuts Down, Spotify Raises Prices, and AI and Art

MacVoices

This MacVoices Live! panel looks at the shutdown of a mobile app store experiment, Spotify’s latest price increase, and a wide-ranging debate over AI-generated music and art. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet consider a variety of factors for each, including user behavior, platform economics, artist compensation, and whether machine-generated content can truly be considered art, raising questions about creativity, intent, and how it all affects the future of media. MacVoices is supported by Incogni. Take your personal data...

MacVoices #26047: CES - STM's Latest Bags, Cases, and Charging Options

MacVoices

On the show floor at CES Tracy Smith, Head of Marketing & Branding for highlights their new designs for laptop backpacks, iPad cases and charging accessories. Tracy walks through updated DuxPack backpacks with limited-edition colorways, redesigned rugged iPad cases with improved magnets and stylus storage, and a sculptural vertical three-in-one wireless charger that blends functionality with modern design. Show Notes: Links: STM Dux Ultra Case for iPad Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon Enjoy this episode?...

MacVoices #26046: CES - How Vasco Uses AI and Voice Innovations To Upgrade Translation Tech

MacVoices

At CES 2026 we renewed our relationship with Aleksander Alski, Head of Region for USA, CA, UK, for , who caught us up on the latest developments in their translation device. He outlines an expanded lineup of devices, earbuds, and software designed for one-on-one, group, and large-audience use. New AI-driven features add cultural context, real-time presentation translation via QR codes, more natural voice cloning, strong security controls, and flexible pricing for individuals and enterprises are all outlined in the discussion. Show Notes: Links: Vasco V4 Language Translator Device | 112...

MacVoices #26045: CES - MacPaw Demonstrates Eney, Their Voice-First AI Assistant for the Mac

MacVoices

At CES in Las Vegas, we caught up with Serhii Popov, Senior Software Engineer, and Pavlo Haidamak, Product Manager, both from , to talk about Eney, “the world’s first Computerbeing,” (also understood as a personal AI assistant). Eney is designed to let users control their Mac through natural voice interaction. Running primarily on-device for privacy, it executes tasks, manages files, summarizes content, and integrates with third-party apps via expandable skills, and is available as part of . Show Notes: Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon ...

MacVoices #26044: CES - XbotGo's Falcon Brings AI Sports Video Tracking to Parents

MacVoices

From CES 2026 in Las Vegas, introduces its Falcon AI-powered sports tracking camera designed to automatically record youth and amateur sports. Jordan Sherman, Product Manager & Executive Advisor, Global Strategy outlined how the Falcon uses uses AI to track players, jersey numbers, or the ball in sports like basketball or soccer. It eliminates manual filming and can even condense games by removing downtime between plays. With 4K recording, expandable storage, improved low-light performance, and a consumer-friendly price, it might just be the best way to document a student athlete’s...

MacVoices #26043: CES - Emotii Demonstrates Real-Time Multilingual Communication

MacVoices

At CES 2026, a live demonstration shows how enables real-time multilingual conversations without shared languages. Head of Delivery & Operations Lucia Popa explains how, using AI interpretation rather than literal translation, participants speak different languages while understanding each other naturally. The platform supports calls, text, business integrations, APIs, and live conferencing, adapting tone and vocabulary based on context and background to improve the interaction. http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV26043.mp3 Show Notes: Support: Become a...

MacVoices #26042: CES - Replace Your Mouse with Prolo’s Gesture-Controlled Ring

MacVoices

In Eureka Park at CES 2026, showed off a smart ring that replaces many mouse and keyboard functions using touch gestures. Dr. Joey Cheng demonstrated how Prolo Ring supports cursor control, navigation, media playback, and custom macros through multiple gesture modes. Compatible across platforms via Bluetooth HID, it requires no drivers and can control multiple devices. Show Notes: Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with Connect: Web: ...

MacVoices #26041: Live! - What Gemini Means for Apple Intelligence; No Copilot Off Switch

MacVoices

The MacVoices Live! panel looks at Apple’s decision to partner with Google’s Gemini models as part of its upcoming AI strategy, considering privacy, control, and execution timelines among the factors. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Norbert Frassa, Marty Jencius, and Jim Rea debate whether this move strengthens Apple Intelligence while preserving on-device and private cloud safeguards, and contrast it with Microsoft’s all-in Copilot approach, which lacks an off switch and gives users no choices. MacVoices is supported by Squarespace. Check...

MacVoices #26040: CES - Luna Ring Delivers Context-Aware Health Tracking

MacVoices

From Las Vegas and CES 2026, Swapnil Vats, Product and Business Head for covers the feature set of their smart health ring that is designed to work alongside Apple Watch or on its own. The titanium Luna Ring tracks biometrics like heart rate, sleep, stress, and workouts, then adds context through voice-logged lifestyle inputs such as caffeine, meals, and anxiety. AI-driven analysis then delivers personalized wellness insights without subscription fees. Show Notes: Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon Enjoy this...

More Episodes

This MacVoices Live! panel looks at the shutdown of a mobile app store experiment, Spotify’s latest price increase, and a wide-ranging debate over AI-generated music and art. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet consider a variety of factors for each, including user behavior, platform economics, artist compensation, and whether machine-generated content can truly be considered art, raising questions about creativity, intent, and how it all affects the future of media.

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:06 Show introduction and breaking news
6:10 Mobile app store shutdown discussion
14:12 Spotify price increase reactions
19:36 AI-generated music and artist impact
31:49 Is AI-generated content art?

Links:

MacPaw Pulls Plug on Setapp Mobile iOS Store, Citing 'Still-Evolving and Complex Business Terms' for Alternative EU Marketplaces
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/15/setapp-mobile-eu-app-store-closing-next-month/

Spotify increases US pricing by 8%; some people are happy
https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/15/spotify-increases-us-pricing-by-8-makes-at-least-some-people-happy/

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, but prefers Bluesky.

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

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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