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MacVoices #26248: AI Development: Start Small, Learn Safely, Then Build Bigger with Adam Engst (3)

Release Date: 09/03/2026

MacVoices #26254: Live! - More on Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' Event (2)

MacVoices

Our discussion of Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event sparks discussion of the Apple Watch audio intelligence, privacy, health monitoring, battery life, and the Ultra’s outdoor appeal. The MacVoices Live! panel also examines AirPods upgrades, the iPhone Duo’s unusual form factor, Apple’s evolving AI strategy C2 modem differences, and the significance of John Ternus taking a lead role in Apple’s keynote presentation. (Part 2) Panel members include: Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, Web Bixby, and Jeff Gamet. ...

MacVoices #26253: Live! - Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' Event (1)

MacVoices

Apple’s 'Surprise and Shine' event sparks a lively debate over the new iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The panel weighs the Duo’s foldable design, large display, durability, price, and potential to replace an iPad against the iPhone Pro Max’s camera improvements. From immediate buying decisions to first-generation caution, everyone has a different take on Apple’s latest hardware. (Part 1) Panel members include: Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, Web Bixby, and Jeff Gamet. This edition of MacVoices is supported...

MacVoices #26252: Live! - Tim Cook, John Ternus, and Apple’s Changing of the Guard

MacVoices

The MacVoices Live! examines Apple’s transition from Tim Cook to John Ternus, weighing Cook’s legacy, Apple’s dramatic financial growth, Vision Pro, and criticism of his tenure. They consider what Ternus’ engineering background could mean for hardware and software, while discussing Phil Schiller, Eddie Cue, other executive changes, succession planning, and the importance of preserving institutional knowledge. The panel includes: Chuck Joiner, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, and Web Bixby. This edition of MacVoices is...

MacVoices #26251: Foreshadowing Tech - When Science Fiction Becomes Communication Reality (2)

MacVoices

The discussion of communication communication technologies continues as the panel of Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Marty Jencius make the jump from telegraphs and long-distance calls to texting, smartwatches, satellite connectivity, and possible implanted devices. How science fiction anticipated so many of today’s modern communications questions such as convenience, safety, privacy, tracking, and social change wrap up this episode. (Part 2) This edition of MacVoices is supported by The MacVoices Slack. Available all Patrons of MacVoices. Sign up at . Show Notes: Chapters:...

MacVoices #26250: Foreshadowing Tech - The Fictional Constructs That Inspired Real-World Communication Technologies (1)

MacVoices

As we approach the release of the newest iPhones, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, and Jeff Gamet look at how science fiction and popular culture imagined modern communication long before the technology existed. From early video-phone concepts and Dick Tracy to Star Trek, Get Smart, Space: 1999, and more, the panel examine fictional devices that anticipated smartphones, wearables, Bluetooth earbuds, video calls, authentication, mobile computing, and maybe even foreshadow what’s coming next. (Part 1) Today's MacVoices is supported by TV+ Talk, our MacVoices series with Charlotte Henry...

MacVoices #26249: Briefing - The Insta360 Snap Selfie Screen with Light and SmallRig Phone Vlog Selfie Monitor

MacVoices

This MacVoices Briefing compares the and , two solutions for framing shots while using an iPhone’s best camera. Factors in choosing include MagSafe mounting, wired versus Wi-Fi connections, screen size, touch controls, lighting, battery life, compatibility, portability, pricing, and flexibility. Chuck talks about how to determine help which monitor is best for your different shooting needs, and how he solved the choice question. This edition of MacVoices is supported by , our free magazine on Flipboard. Updated daily with the best articles on the web to help you do more with...

MacVoices #26248: AI Development: Start Small, Learn Safely, Then Build Bigger with Adam Engst (3)

MacVoices

Adam Engst explains why AI software development should be approached as an evolution, starting with safe, verifiable data analysis, advancing to simple scripts, and eventually building applications. He distinguishes programming from development, arguing that non-programmers can act as product managers who direct AI, demand security checks, define requirements, and create software tailored to problems existing apps do not solve. (3) 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...

MacVoices #26247: Adam Engst on How AI Lets Non-Programmers Follow Professional Software Development

MacVoices

Our conversation with Adam Engst continues with an exploration of how AI can help non-programmers build sophisticated software by following professional development practices. Adam explains using specifications, architecture documents, and AI-guided decisions to create reliable apps, then examines the approach his app, SetShot, takes to macOS settings, privacy, security, user feedback, Cloudflare, GitHub, and minimizing sensitive data collection. MacVoices is supported by Take Control Books. Expert advice from leading tech authors. Visit and start your library today. Show Notes:...

MacVoices #26246: Democratizing Programming: From HyperCard to Claude with Adam Engst (1)

MacVoices

Adam Engst looks back at HyperCard as an early tool that democratized software creation, then connects its legacy to today’s AI-assisted development. He outlines how Claude helped turn an idea for tracking macOS setting changes into a working Mac app, . Adam discusses Xcode, GitHub, rapid iteration, and the value of visual feedback in his development process, and how AI lowers programming barriers without eliminating the need for thought, judgment, and effort. This edition of MacVoices is supported by . What happens before and after the shows is uncensored, on-topic, off-topic, and...

MacVoices #26245: MacVoices Update 2026-08

MacVoices

In the August 2026 MacVoices Update, Chuck outlines how a little time off slowed down some projects, reviews new episode artwork designed to better communicate each show’s subject, discusses why feedback is so important to what you hear and see, and delivers the Support Report form the month. Show Notes: Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with Connect: Web: Twitter: Mastodon: Facebook: MacVoices Page on Facebook: MacVoices Group on Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: Subscribe: Subscribe manually via iTunes or any...

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Adam Engst explains why AI software development should be approached as an evolution, starting with safe, verifiable data analysis, advancing to simple scripts, and eventually building applications. He distinguishes programming from development, arguing that non-programmers can act as product managers who direct AI, demand security checks, define requirements, and create software tailored to problems existing apps do not solve. (3)

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. Subscribe today and don't miss a thing.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

Links:

Decades After HyperCard, AI Is Democratizing Development Again by Adam Engst in TidBITS

SetShot by Adam Engst

SetShot Tracks macOS Settings Changes - TidBITS

Guests:

Adam C. Engst is the publisher of TidBITS, one of the oldest and most respected Internet-based newsletters, distributed weekly to tens of thousands of readers. He has written numerous technical books, including the best-selling Internet Starter Kit series, and many magazine articles—thanks to Contributing Editor positions at MacUser, MacWEEK, and Macworld.

His innovations include the creation of the first advertising program to support an Internet publication in 1992, the first flat-rate accounts for graphical Internet access in 1993 (with Northwest Nexus for Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh), and the highly successful Take Control electronic book series. In addition, he has collaborated on several educational videos on the Internet and has appeared on various internationally broadcast television and radio programs.

His tireless support of the Macintosh community and commitment to helping individuals have resulted in numerous awards and recognition at the highest levels. In the annual MDJ Power 25 survey of industry insiders, he ranked as the second (2000), third (2001, 2002), fourth (2003), fifth (2004), and third (2005/2006) most influential person in the Macintosh industry. He has also been included on the MacTech 25 list of influential people in the Macintosh technical community for 2006 and 2007, and he was named one of MacDirectory’s top ten visionaries.

And how many industry figures can boast of being turned into an action figure?

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