MacVoices

Our conversation with Kirk McElhern about Take Control of Apple Media Apps looks at the steady maturation of Apple's media apps—Music, TV, Books, and Podcasts—and why major changes are now rare. Kirk unpacks Apple Music's personalized stations and discovery, the "hits rise to the top" problem, and why many podcast pros still prefer Overcast despite Apple's transcripts. Plus: how Apple's services strategy nudges users toward subscriptions, and why managing your own library adds complexity. (Part 2)  MacVoices is supported by the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides. Tech and more you want to give and get. Find out what the panels recommend at MacVoices.com/HolidayGiftGuide. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Personal radio vs "played-to-death" tracks [1:14] Mixes: Essentials, Discovery, personal stations, Friends [2:06] Genius: how recommendations evolved [3:34] Weighting, hits, and eclectic listening problems [5:20] Creating a radio station from an album/song [6:31] Podcast app satisfaction and why Overcast wins [10:09] Podcast transcripts and what Apple can do at scale [11:35] Apple apps work best with Apple services [13:06] Subscriptions, Apple One, and rotating streaming services [15:04] iTunes/iPod history and the interface that mattered [18:30] Continuity from SoundJam to today [19:20] Splitting iTunes into separate apps: debate [23:55] Who benefits most: people managing local libraries Links: Take Control of Apple Media Apps by Kirk McElhearn Guests: Kirk McElhearn writes about Macs, iPods, iTunes, books, music and more. He is a regular contributor to TidBITS, as well as several other web sites and magazines. He is an avid podcaster who's shows include The Next Track,. You can follow him on Twitter, and visit his personal web site, Kirkville. Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Kirk McElhern discusses the latest edition of Take Control of Apple Media Apps, covering what's new—and what isn't—in Music, TV, Podcasts, and Books. He critiques the "Liquid Glass" look, notes small updates like AutoMix and pinned items, and argues the apps have reached maturity. The conversation includes accessibility issues, managing personal video libraries, and why Spotify's appeal isn't just playlists. (Part 1)  MacVoices is supported by The Antigravity A1. Get off the ground like never before with the Antigravity A1. You have to see the results to believe them. Find out everything you need to know to get off the ground with Antigravity A1 — the world's first 8K 360 drone. https://www.antigravity.tech/drone/antigravity-a1/buy?utm_term=macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: 0:00 – Why this edition matters; introducing the updated book 2:46 – What's new: AutoMix, lyric tools, pinning, folders, widgets 4:04 – Consistency across Mac/iPhone/iPad and where the Mac differs 6:39 – "Maturity" vs innovation; why major UI changes may be over 7:44 – iPod/iTunes anniversaries and the long arc of media features 10:31 – Hardware/software "peaks" and what innovation looks like now 12:24 – OS 26 changes, Liquid Glass pros/cons, and usability 13:42 – TV app thumbnail/title problems; accessibility concerns 16:22 – Using Plex for ripped/personal video libraries 19:14 – Playlists, Spotify vs Apple Music, and personalization Links: Take Control of Apple Media Apps by Kirk McElhearn Guests:   Kirk McElhearn writes about Macs, iPods, iTunes, books, music and more. He is a regular contributor to TidBITS, as well as several other web sites and magazines. He is an avid podcaster who's shows include The Next Track,. You can follow him on Twitter, and visit his personal web site, Kirkville. Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

A wide-ranging discussion examines the implications of leadership changes and talent loss within Apple's AI organization following delays to promised Siri features. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jim Rea debate whether Apple's struggles reflect internal turmoil, unrealistic timelines, or a deliberate partnering with external AI options. Privacy, on-device capabilities, and regulatory pressure all factor into a candid assessment of Apple's AI strategy and credibility.  MacVoices is supported by The Antigravity A1. Get off the ground like never before with the Antigravity A1. You have to see the results to believe them. Find out everything you need to know to get off the ground with Antigravity A1 — the world's first 8K 360 drone. https://www.antigravity.tech/drone/antigravity-a1/buy?utm_term=macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: 00:00 – Apple AI leadership changes and antitrust context 01:29 – Interpreting the AI "retirement" and internal disruption 03:23 – Internal models vs. external AI partnerships 07:24 – Privacy, outsourcing, and Apple's long-term goals 11:46 – Competing AI platforms and market momentum 15:03 – Infrastructure limits and AI hype cycles 18:12 – Credibility gap after delayed Siri features 22:08 – Contextual AI and Apple's closed-system approach 28:14 – Privacy tradeoffs and user awareness 32:17 – Can closed systems still innovate? Links: Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/01/apple-ai-chief-retiring-after-siri-failure/ Guests: 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 [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast. Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @[email protected]. 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., @[email protected] 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 @[email protected]. 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 @[email protected] on Mastodon. Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

In response to the inevitable shower of deals and special offers on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jim Rea share some of their holiday acquisitions and why the made them. The panel also covers "fake" discounts, deal fatigue, and why loyal customers often miss out while still celebrating the fun of finding genuinely useful gear.  MacVoices is supported by The Antigravity A1. Get off the ground like never before with the Antigravity A1. You have to see the results to believe them. Find out everything you need to know to get off the ground with Antigravity A1 — the world's first 8K 360 drone. https://www.antigravity.tech/drone/antigravity-a1/buy?utm_term=macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Black Friday/Cyber Monday kickoff and sponsor message [1:11] Panel introductions and holiday check-in [7:05] Big tech buys: lights, Stream Decks, docks, cameras [9:34] Software deals and productivity tools [12:38] Choosing not to buy—and why that's OK [17:22] Sponsor spotlight and discussion reset [19:05] Stream Deck Plus knobs and workflow ideas [21:27] Discoverability and deal overload [26:26] Ongoing sales vs. true deadlines [28:41] Storage upgrades and hardware bargains [30:57] "Deals that aren't deals" and shopping fatigue [34:46] Loyalty vs. new-customer discounts [35:38] Wrap-up thoughts on value and restraint Links: Elgato Key Light https://amzn.to/4q8e1Lq Elgato Stream Deck XL – Advanced Studio Controller, 32 macro keys https://amzn.to/4rXIjlO Insta360 Link 2 - PTZ 4K Webcam for PC/Mac, 1/2" Sensor, AI Tracking, HDR, AI Noise-Canceling Mic https://amzn.to/4rXZAeA Elgato Stream Deck + https://amzn.to/4qcTV2T Keyboard Maestro Field Guide https://learn.macsparky.com/p/km NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/nasa-apollo-lunar-roving-vehicle-lrv-42182 Guests: 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 [email protected], on Mastodon at @[email protected], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast. Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @[email protected]. 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., @[email protected] 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 @[email protected]. 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 @[email protected] on Mastodon. Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

In the final segment of the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, Kelly Guimont, Jim Rea, Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, and Kirk McElhearn out with bigger comfort and productivity picks: a portable lamp with battery power, a TSA-friendly Leatherman, along with a charging station, a long-running text utility, and a travel accessory for cramped flights. (Part 3)  This edition of MacVoices is supported by MacVoices Magazine, our free magazine on Flipboard. Updated daily with the best articles on the web to help you do more with your Apple gear and adjacent tech, access MacVoices Magazine content on Flipboard, on the web, or in your favorite RSS reader. Show Notes: Chapters: [0:00] Part 3 intro and "last one" setup [1:17] Philips Hue Go portable smart lamp (battery + programmable) [3:43] Leatherman Style P3: bladeless, purse-friendly multi-tool [5:40] "EDC" barrette tool: everyday carry hair clip that opens packages [9:50] Panelist sign-offs and where to find them [10:10] Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station for phone/watch/earbuds [16:18] Type It For Me 7: text expansion for speed and accuracy [20:20] Airplane phone holder mount: hands-free viewing in tight seats [24:56] Take Control books + Scrivener coaching mention [27:17] Final reflections, master gift list reminders, holiday thanks [28:23] Outro and support links Links: Brian Flanigan-Arthurs: Anker MagGo 3 in 1 iPhone 17 Charging Station, MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charger Stand, Qi2 Certified 15W Foldable Charger for iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12, AirPods, Apple Watch Ultra(Adapter Included) https://amzn.to/4oPXniM Jim Rea: Philips Hue Go Smart Portable Table Lamp https://amzn.to/3L2kkBp Kelly Guimont: LEATHERMAN, Skeletool CX, 7-in-1 Lightweight, Minimalist Multi-Tool for Everyday Carryhttps://amzn.to/4acmR6j Iridescent Tactical Hair Clips 2.0, 4 Pack - Multitool Snap Barrettes - SUS301 Stainless Steel Multi-Functional Keychain Multi Tool - Nail File, Serrated Edge, Raptor Claw - Kippah Tacticlips https://amzn.to/4pIxZwA West Coast Paracord Utility Hair Clip https://amzn.to/4q9Hzs2 Kirk McElhearn: TypeIt4Me in the Mac App Store https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/typeit4me-7/id6474688391?mt=12 Chuck Joiner: Perilogics 2025 Upgraded Travel Essentials Must Haves Airplane Phone Holder Mount https://amzn.to/48SPJiM Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss