MacBites

By Elaine Giles and Mike ThomasTechnology

MacBites episodes

August 20, 20250184 - Blinking Banking Blunders in a Catfish Paradise
In this episode, there's a tantrum in tech-land, at the billionaire's burger bar no less, while a new net nanny rampages into town, policing your pixels and vetting your videos!
In The News
Musk vs. Apple: App Store Mayhem
Musk threatens Apple with lawsuit over rankings

xAI to take legal action against Apple

Musk reignites OpenAI feud over antitrust claims

Musk says he plans to sue Apple
Stock Drift: Tesla Up, Apple Down
Tesla stock rises amid Musk-Apple feud
Grok Gets Reprogrammed
Grok reprogrammed -- no more Hitler jokes

Pornographic Taylor Swift deepfakes generated by Musk's Grok AI

Grok Imagine AI Allegedly Creates Explicit Taylor Swift Images Without Prompt: Report

Grok's 'spicy' video mode instantly made me Taylor Swift nude deepfakes

Elon Musk's AI Creates Deepfakes Of Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift
Tesla Diner Sparks Protests
Protesters Head to Tesla Diner Grand Opening
ChatBites
YouTube's AI Powered Age Verification
No matter how old you are YouTube's AI age verification system should concern you

YouTube backlash begins: "Why is AI combing through every single video I watch?"

Tea app hacked: Images stolen from women's dating safety app that vets men

YouTube Age Verification Has Begun

YouTube's AI-powered age line is now live. Will it work as intended?

Extending our built-in protections to more teens on YouTube - YouTube Blog
Focus
Raycast on Windows
Quicksilver - macOS at your Fingertips

LaunchBar 6

Alfred - Productivity App for macOS

Raycast - Your shortcut to everything

Monarch - Spotlight Search with Superpowers

PowerToys Run utility for Windows

Power Toys on MacBites After Hours
ChatBites
Apple Intelligence: AI Summaries Return
Apple brings back AI notification summaries in iOS 26
Dancing Queen
Siri could get Finder-inspired new visual appearance next year, per report
Events
Marooned at MacBites HQ
Day 2000 - 6 September 2025

MacBites.fm
The iPhone 17 Launch Event
MacBites.fm
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Elaine on Bluesky

Mike on Bluesky

MacBites on Bluesky

MacBites Siri on Bluesky
35 min
April 09, 20250183 - Another Nail in the Retail Coffin
In this episode, buckle up for dashboard diagnostics, wallet weary software updates and yet more supermarket security shenanigans
BackBites
Neil
Tracey
Jami
ChatBites
Tesco Ride Again
Tesco shoppers in disbelief as they spot new security measure in supermarket aisle
New Security Measures at Tesco Stores | TikTok
Apple OS Updates
iOS 18.4 includes eight new emoji
Channel Islands - Wikipedia
Hate the new Apple Mail app? Here's how to change it back on iPhone/iPad/Mac
How to use the 4D Method for Email Management - Hiver
Pages Update
Authors can no longer publish to Apple Books from Pages
Publishers can no longer send their work directly from Pages to Apple Books : Apple World Today
Timmy’s in the Money
Apple CEO Tim Cook Sells Stock Worth $24 Million
Apple CEO Tim Cook sells $24 million in company stock By Investing.com
Virgin: The Story Concludes
MacBites Episode 0179 | The MacBites Podcast
TechSmith Event: Future-Proof Your Workflows with TechSmith & AI
TechSmith Apps Go Subscription
Camtasia | TechSmith
Video Editing and Screen Recording Software | ScreenFlow
Compressor on the Mac App Store
DEVONthink 4 Released
DEVONtechnologies | Upgrader's Guide
Focus
Mike’s Techie Car
Ford Ka - Wikipedia
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Elaine on Bluesky
Mike on Bluesky
MacBites on Bluesky
MacBites Siri on Bluesky
1 hr 12 min
March 31, 20250182 - From Fantastic Plastic to Voodoo Magic
In this episode, Buzzing bells and shattered, sobbing, travellers ready for some extreme airport action
BackBites
Tracey
More than a Food Processor - The Best Multi Cooker | Thermomix® USA
Jami
Apple AI Updates
iOS 18.4 adds new Apple Intelligence features, here’s what’s coming - 9to5Mac
PSA: iPhone Mirroring not coming to EU with iOS 18.4
ChatBites
Browser Choice on iOS
EU to Close Antitrust Investigation into Apple's Browser Choice Screen
Apple may not be fined for browser choice in EU
Apple won't be fined by the EU over browser choice after 2nd change
A Camera on Your Watch?
Apple Watch could gain cameras to improve AI features
Apple files patent for foldable Apple Watch with two screens
Fantastic Plastic?
Apple Watch SE With Colorful Plastic Design 'Remains in Development'
Apple Watch SE With Plastic Design Now in 'Jeopardy' for Two Reasons
Design, cost issues stall plastic Apple Watch SE project
Apple’s rumored plastic Apple Watch SE has reportedly hit a serious snag
A plastic Apple Watch SE doesn't make sense
Donald Trump signs order shifting US back towards plastic straws - BBC News
Household Tech: New Doorbell
Philips Hue doorbell accidentally leaked - with one big limitation
Google’s Great Tech Fail
Google confirms it deleted Maps Timeline data for some | The Verge
'This is heartbreaking' Google Maps users sob after tech giant admits it accidentally DELETED data
Tech Successes
How an iPad under the Thames solved museum thieves' murder plot - BBC News
Is tapping in and out on Bee Network trams and buses really 'seamless' and easy?
Greater Manchester Bee Network to get 300 more e-bikes
Bee Network app users told to walk across runway to reach Manchester Airport
Tech Stack
Microsoft 365 Price Rise & Copilot
Copilot is now included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family | Microsoft 365 Blog
Understanding AI credits - Microsoft Support
Microsoft Copilot: Your AI companion
The Microsoft 365 Copilot launch was a total disaster | ZDNET
BBC News | FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP | Keane rejects price claims
Events
WWDC 2025
WWDC 2025 | The MacBites Podcast
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Elaine on Bluesky
Mike on Bluesky
MacBites on Bluesky
MacBites Siri on Bluesky
1 hr 10 min
March 24, 20250181 - Two Oven Thomas Has a Tech Enabled Bun in the Oven
In this episode, we’re cashlessly counting the cornflakes in the midst of chocolate wars with some seriously sharp kitchenalia
BackBites
Tesco Strike Again
Frustrated Tesco shoppers slam new 'crazy' security devices
Urgent 'do not eat' warning issued for cereal sold at major supermarkets as it may contain INSECTS
Tesco has made a 'bonkers' change to using cash so we tested it out
6 major high street brands stop accepting cash payments with card-only | Personal Finance | Finance | Express.co.uk
Community
Bluesky
Bluesky
Bluesky - Wikipedia
Bluesky now lets users upload longer videos, improves DMs, more
Developers behind Tweetbot and Ivory working on a Bluesky app
Phoenix for Bluesky
Phoenix by Tapbots (@phoenix.tapbots.com) — Bluesky
Tweetbot. April 2011 - January 2023
Marooned at MacBites HQ Follow Up
Marooned at MacBites HQ – Day 1826 | MacBites.fm
Calendar | The MacBites Podcast
ChatBites
Day One Comes to Windows
Journaling for Everyone: Day One Comes to Windows
Apple AI and Rockwell
Apple's "ugly and embarrassing" AI debacle is causing tension in the company
Apple’s new shake-up proves Siri’s now being taken seriously, here’s why
Vision Pro Creator Taking Over Siri After Apple Intelligence Setbacks
ChatGPT falsely told man he killed his children
Inflation: Yoga mats and VR headsets used to measure cost of living
Do You Want a Portless iPhone?
EU confirms Apple can make a portless iPhone without USB-C
What Was Inside Every iPhone Box: From iPhone 2G to iPhone 16 Pro Max
Focus
Mike’s Ovens
Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Large Countertop Oven DT200UK
Tech Stack
Customizing Your Launchers
Alfred Gallery - Workflows
Alfred App Community Forum
Raycast - Store
Exclude Apps from Alfred : r/Alfred
How to remove application (or move it down) in suggestions - Alfred App Community Forum
Give Your Files Helpful Nicknames to Find Them Faster - Alfred Blog
Alfred not finding alias to application - Discussion & Help - Alfred App Community Forum
Alfred Powerpack - Take Control of Your Mac and macOS
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Elaine on Bluesky
Mike on Bluesky
MacBites on Bluesky
MacBites Siri on Bluesky
1 hr 1 min
March 17, 20250180 - Plumbing the Depths of Cookie’s Quarantine Quandary
In this episode, we reach a high water mark, wrangle with a weighty shopping problem and watch the widdle-watchers watching widdlers.
BackBites
Emirates v Etihad
Man City will rename the Etihad Stadium in time for Brighton game
B of the Bang - Wikipedia
Toughsheet Community Stadium - Wikipedia
Stadion Wankdorf - Wikipedia
50 Examples Of Architecture Expectations vs. Disappointing Reality
Manchester United unveil plans for 100,000-seater new stadium in regeneration project | UK News | Sky News
First Look At Our NEW Stadium - YouTube
Manchester United's new stadium design is drawing some unfortunate comparisons | Creative Bloq
Man City's own £1bn stadium is Manchester United's blueprint for Old Trafford masterplan - Manchester Evening News
Naming rights, ticket prices, Old Trafford plan - every word from new Man United stadium meeting - Manchester Evening News
What happened the last time Manchester tried to build a super stadium as Old Trafford plans unveiled - Manchester Evening News
Taller than Blackpool Tower and visible from Liverpool - Inside Man United plans for new Old Trafford - Manchester Evening News
Crackdown on Manchester United fans causing 'major issues' around Old Trafford - Manchester Evening News
Lancashire cricket club slams hotel developer for 'unacceptable' plans - Manchester Evening News
The signs have gone up outside Stockport Pyramid ahead of major change - Manchester Evening News
Tracey
Jonny
Jami
Community
Community Update
The MacBites Community
Bluesky
Bluesky
Bluesky - Wikipedia
Bluesky now lets users upload longer videos, improves DMs, more
ChatBites
A Dead Weight
Tesco trials giant trolley scales in Gateshead
Tesco anti-theft trolley weighing trial causes controversy
Tesco trials giant trolley scales as shoppers say they're being 'treated like thieves'
Tesco has made a 'bonkers' change to using cash so we tested it out
MacBites Episode 0106 | The MacBites Podcast
Quarantined Files
Trusted Execution Problems
Focus
Mike’s New Audio Setup
DJI Mic 2
DJI Lavalier Mic
Konig and Meyer Double Microphone Bar
Tech Stack
Launchers
Quicksilver — macOS at your Fingertips
LaunchBar 6
Alfred - Productivity App for macOS
Raycast - Your shortcut to everything
Monarch - Spotlight Search with Superpowers
PowerToys Run utility for Windows
Power Toys on MacBites After Hours
Logi Options+ (Plus): Customization App for Logitech Devices
One More Thing
Stopcocks
Stopcocks
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Elaine on Bluesky
Mike on Bluesky
MacBites on Bluesky
MacBites Siri on Bluesky
1 hr 35 min
March 10, 20250179 - Goin' on up to the Spirit in the Skype
In this episode, we say goodbye to Skype, hello to BRSK and discover Mike’s new field of dreams!
In The News
New Apple Store
Trafford Centre - Apple Store - Apple (UK)
Manchester UK Apple Store expanding to larger premises
Photos from Opening Day
New Apple Toys
Tim Cook teases M4 MacBook Air launch
M4 MacBook Air: Stunning new sky blue color, even lower price
11th-gen iPad 2025
Corel Rides Again
Corel just stealth launched its most exciting app in years
Corel has a new name and logo (and I have some questions)
CorelDRAW Go - YouTube
ChatBites
Skype RIP
Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know - Microsoft Support
The next chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams | Microsoft 365 Blog
Skype Ending: Timeline and Alternatives Explained - Office Watch
Skype announces it will close in May
Focus
Internet & Network Upgrade
BNC connector - Wikipedia
Telnet - Wikipedia
Brsk | High Speed Fibre Broadband Provider UK
EX820v | AX6000 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 VoIP Router | TP-Link United Kingdom
YuanLey 2.5G 16 Port Network Switch
BUSOHE Cat 8 Ethernet Cables
Amazon eero 7 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router – Supports internet plans up to 2.5 Gbps
1200 Coloured Cable Ties - 3mmx100mm
BackBite
Mike's AZ Exodus
The Excel Trainer
The Excel Trainer - Live Training
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Elaine on Bluesky
Mike on Bluesky
MacBites on Bluesky
MacBites Siri on Bluesky
1 hr 16 min
June 24, 20240178 - Mouse Jigglers of the World Unite
In this episode, we have back, sack and … wait for it … hack - back, sack and hack!
BackBites
Barry
A Note from Long Time Listener Barry
In The News
Adobe’s Troubles Continue
US Government Sues Adobe Over ‘Convoluted’ Cancellation Process
The US government is suing Adobe over hidden contract changes and fees trapping customers
The FTC sues Adobe, accusing the creative software maker of locking customers into pricey subscriptions and hiding associated fees
Elon’s Exorbitant Wad
Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk’s huge pay package
Is Elon Musk worth his £44bn Tesla pay package?
Community Notes Coming to YouTube
YouTube Copies X With Community Notes
Dublin-NY portal temporarily shut due to ‘inappropriate behaviour’
Dublin-New York portal reopens with set hours
Affinity on X: “Ain’t nobody acquiring us 😎” / X
Canva acquires design platform Affinity to bring professional design tools to every organization
Mouse Jigglers Sacked
Wells Fargo fires workers over fake keyboard activity
Meatanty Undetectable Mouse Jiggler
McDonalds Drive Through AI Nightmare
McDonalds removes AI drive-throughs after order errors
Health Data Hacked and Shared
London hospitals hackers publish stolen blood test data
ChatBites
Google NotebookLM
NotebookLM | Note Taking & Research Assistant Powered by AI
Google’s NotebookLM Aims to Be the Ultimate Writing Assistant | WIRED
Focus
Mike’s New Work Laptop
Mike’s Unboxing (10:40)
Tech Stack
Vivaldi
Vivaldi Browser | Powerful, Personal and Private web browser
New tab page extension for Google Chrome and Firefox - Speed Dial 2
Copy Tab Info
Readwise Highlighter
1Password – Password Manager
Merge Windows
Eagle for Chrome
YouStopper for YouTube™
Evernote Web Clipper
Raindrop.io
Clip to DEVONthink
TubeBuddy
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MacBites on Twitter
Elaine on Twitter
Mike on Twitter
MacBites Siri on Twitter
1 hr 39 min
June 12, 20240177 - Apple Intelligence? I’m Missing My Billiards Lesson For This?!?
In this episode, we have weasels, time travel and billiard balls!
In The News
Adobe Update Their T&C
Photoshop users have serious questions over new terms of use
Change to Adobe terms & conditions outrages many professionals
These are the Adobe alternatives that creatives are switching to
Instagram Fuel Cara’s Rise
Elaine on Cara
TechSmith Apps Go Subscription
TechSmith Transition to Annual Subscription Pricing Model in Fall 2024 – TechSmith Support
Bartender - What’s Going On?
Bartender new ownership: be aware : r/MacOS
A New Chapter for Bartender
Bartender 5 - A New Chapter for Bartender
Bartender 5 - Take control of your Menu bar
Ice
Vanilla - hide Mac menu bar icons for free
Free Bartender alternative Hidden Bar does everything needed
Focus
Apple Event: Scary Fast
Apple Event - Scary Fast Recording
Download the new M3 iMac and M3 MacBook Pro wallpapers
Apple Leadership - Johny Srouji - Apple (UK)
Apple Event: Let Loose
Apple Event - Let Loose Recording
Let Loose Event News
Apple Event: WWDC 2024
Apple Event - WWDC 2024 Recording
Guide to WWDC 2024
What to Expect News and Rumors
Preview of WWDC 2024
What to Expect from WWDC 2024
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MacBites on Twitter
Elaine on Twitter
Mike on Twitter
MacBites Siri on Twitter
1 hr 5 min
October 26, 20230176 - The Heat is On
In this episode, we’ve finally beaten Notion into submission … hence we have a show!
In The News
iPhone 15 Pro overheating may arise from Apple ‘compromises’
Apple updates iPhone 12 software after radiation testing in France
Ryanair boss claims air traffic control engineers were ‘watching TV at home’ amid Bank Holiday flight chaos
Apple unveils cheaper Apple Pencil with USB-C port and more
Foldable iPad might launch in 2024
Apple’s corporate reshuffle promotes employees to VP roles
Surface Duo 2 – Dual-Screen Mobile Productivity
YouTube ‘like’ and ‘subscribe’ buttons get animated
Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, tests making new users pay to post
Musk may block X in Europe, to avoid having to fix disinformation
Tinder: Friends and family can help you make a good match
Boaty McBoatface - Wikipedia
Amazon shows off latest delivery drone, plans liftoff in UK and Italy next year
Amazon to relaunch delivery drones in the UK next year
Manchester University claims huge drone record
Microsoft’s new AI assistant can go to meetings for you
ChatBites
Google Jamboard RIP
Google Jamboard is winding down - Jamboard Help
Jamboard - Wikipedia
Google Graveyard - Killed by Google
App Review
Windows PowerToys
Windows PowerToys
PowerToys Demo in MacBites After Hours 0189
Alfred
Raycast
LaunchBar 6
ColorSlurp
Caffeine
Amphetamine on the Mac App Store
TextSniper
A Better Finder Rename
Name Mangler - Many Tricks
PixelStick
Apple Remote Desktop on the Mac App Store
Screens 4 on the Mac App Store
Mouseposé - Highlight your mouse pointer and cursor position | Boinx Software
Timers and Practice Time
Timers - Repeat Interval Timer on the App Store
Practice Time! Interval Timer on the App Store
FlexTime for Mac OS X
FlexTime on the Mac App Store
Events
MacBites Live - Scary Fast
Scary Fast | The MacBites Podcast
Check the time of MacBites Live
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Elaine on Twitter
Mike on Twitter
MacBites Siri on Twitter
51 min
September 26, 20230175 - Elon's Rocket Propelled Goat
In this episode, we’re blasting tartan clad rockets through Amazon’s ad powered Prime into Elon’s paywall!
BackBites
Jonathan’s Unboxings
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Unboxing & Review - YouTube
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Unboxing & Review - YouTube
Rene’s New Tech Toy
Join Slack
In The News
Microsoft AI team accidentally leaks 38TB of private company data
Elon Musk says he will start charging people to use X (Twitter)
SpaceX on X: "Made on Earth by humans
Football club roasts Elon Musk over ‘stolen’ SpaceX logo
Mani on X: "@SpaceX What is this goat symbol ?
Musk start-up Neuralink seeks people for brain-implant trial
Elon Musk woos world leaders, courting controversy
Scotland’s answer to Elon Musk’s SpaceX is taking shape - and it’s only a few months away from launching
Amazon September hardware event going live at 11
Amazon Prime Video content to start including ads next year
Google accused of directing motorist to drive off collapsed bridge
ChatBites
Mike’s Work Tech Woes
Microsoft Teams
App Review
Default Folder X Version 6
Default Folder X 6 Released
Hyperionics - the best screen capture software - Free download
MacBites After Hours
MacBites After Hours 0210
YouTube
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Elaine on Twitter
Mike on Twitter
MacBites Siri on Twitter
43 min