MacVoices #26167: Live! - A New Show, Goodbye BTN, Encryption Fights, Politics, and DuckDuckGo

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 Crystal Lake IL on July 9 - 12. Sign up at macstockconference.com and use the code “macvoices” to save $50 off your ticket.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Opening and episode overview
00:59 MacStock Conference and Ecamm Creator Camp sponsor message
01:22 Live show welcome and WWDC rumor avoidance
02:01 Foreshadowing Tech launches with 2001 and 2010
02:56 Schedule uncertainty for next week’s live show
03:32 British Tech Network prepares for its final episode
05:33 Remembering BTN’s 18-year run
06:02 Panelists share their BTN memories
07:38 Possible ways BTN traditions may continue
08:06 The pub-conversation roots of BTN
09:46 Remembering past BTN contributors and production challenges
11:07 Show notes and topic lineup
11:47 Apple and Google oppose Canadian encryption bill
13:34 Maryland governor criticizes Apple over Towson store closure
14:40 Mall conditions, union issues, and Apple’s position
17:36 Political posturing around the Towson closure
18:37 Legal concerns versus political theater
20:18 Chat room reactions to Apple as a political target
21:58 DuckDuckGo installs rise after Google search changes
23:07 Panel reactions to DuckDuckGo and Google’s AI search results
25:10 Using multiple browsers for different workflows
26:01 Meta reportedly develops an AI pendant and wearables subscription
26:33 Comparing Meta’s effort with Plaud recording devices
27:04 HIPAA compliance and transcription privacy concerns

Links:

Foreshadowing Tech
http://macvoices.com/foreshadowingtech

British Tech Network
http://briitishtechnetwork.com

Apple and Google are opposing a Canadian bill that says would require them to break encryption on their devices
https://appleworld.today/2026/05/apple-and-google-are-opposing-canadian-bill-that-says-would-require-them-to-break-encryption-on-their-devices/

Maryland Governor calls out Apple over Towson Town Center store closure

https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/02/maryland-governor-calls-out-apple-over-towson-town-center-store-closure-controversy/

DuckDuckGo installs jumped 18% after Google killed the blue links. On Apple devices, the spike hit 70%.
https://thenextweb.com/news/duckduckgo-user-surge-google-ai-search-overhaul

Meta is building an AI pendant. It also plans a business subscription called Wearables for Work.
https://thenextweb.com/news/meta-ai-pendant-limitless-wearables-for-work

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 [e-mail], on Mastodon at @[e-mail], 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., @[e-mail] 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 @[e-mail].

Marty Jencius, Ph.D.,is a counselor educator and technology pioneer who has spent 30 years bringing emerging tech into his field — from founding one of the first professional listservs (CESNET-L) to podcasting, virtual reality, and now AI and AR. He is the founder of ThePodTalk.net, where he produces Vision ProFiles, The Old Mac Gang, A.I. Productivity Workflow, The Tech Savvy Professor, 15 Minute Bytes, The Neo Notebook, and Fade to Chat: Golden Age Cinema. He is also a regular panelist on MacVoices Live!, In Touch with iOS, and The Mac Show. Find him on Bluesky and Mastodon.

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 @[e-mail] on Mastodon.

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 @[e-mail], and find everything at VertShark.com.

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