The MacVoices Live! holiday party rolls on as the panel discusses Apple's recent test flight data loss and whether it is a significant event given that the data was 10 years old. Shifting focus, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith discuss the termination of Adobe’s deal with Figma and their fine for difficult-to-cancel subscription policies. That leads to comparisons and frustration with other companies that engage in the same practices. 

This edition of MacVoices is supported by the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides. Holiday conversations and great gear picks by our panelists. Check them out: http://MacVoices.com/HolidayGiftGuides

Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:02:02 Archiving old software and the accessibility of vintage apps 0:06:22 Concerns about online privacy and data vulnerability 0:08:23 The sensitivity of data and the potential consequences 0:09:22 Beeper Controversy: Privacy Concerns and Speculation 0:10:46 Speculation about software preservation and developer choices 0:13:04 Perspectives on software preservation and personal experiences 0:14:31 Apple's stock market success and Adobe's failed Figma deal 0:17:32 Tech Krampus Strikes Again 0:19:07 Uncertain Future for Figma after Failed Acquisition 0:21:51 The Breakup Fee: Immediate Payment Upon Deal Disclosure 0:22:14 Adobe's $6 Billion Cash and Stock Options Impact 0:23:22 Size Comparison: Canva vs Figma 0:23:55 Canva's Expansion Raises Questions about Figma's Future 0:25:23 Adobe's Difficult Subscription Model 0:26:35 Congress should address companies abusing customer power 0:29:23 Xfinity data breach exposes customer information

Links:

Apple TestFlight servers from 2012 to 2015 leak, containing terabytes of data  https://www.eurogamer.net/apple-testflight-servers-from-2012-to-2015-leak-containing-terabytes-of-data

Apple Hits Record High While Big Tech Stocks Rally  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-13/apple-climbs-to-hit-fresh-all-time-high-as-tech-rally-extends

Adobe's Figma buy isn't going to happen, and will cost Adobe $1 billion  https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/18/adobes-figma-deal-isnt-going-to-happen-and-will-cost-adobe-1-billion?utm_medium=rss

Adobe faces big fines from FTC over difficult subscription cancellation  https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/14/adobe-faces-big-fines-from-ftc-over-difficult-subscription-cancellation

Xfinity data breach revealed: Names, contact info, security Q&As, and more at risk  https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/19/xfinity-data-breach-hack/

Guests:

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]

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.

Ben Roethig has been in the Apple Ecosystem since the System 7 Days. He is the a former Associate Editor with Geek Beat, Co-Founder of The Tech Hangout and Deconstruct and currently shares his thoughts on RoethigTech. Contact him on  Twitter and Mastodon.

Brittany Smith is a trained cognitive neuroscientist who provides ADD/ADHD, technology, and productivity coaching through her business, Devise and Conquer, along with companion video courses for folks with ADHD. She’s also the cofounder of The ADHD Guild, a community for nerdy folks with ADHD. She, herself, is a self-designated “well-rounded geek”. She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator, on Mastodon as @[email protected], and on YouTube with tech tips.

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00:00:00 Apple's loss of test flight data and Adobe's bad week 00:02:02 Archiving old software and the accessibility of vintage apps 00:06:22 Concerns about online privacy and data vulnerability 00:08:23 The sensitivity of data and the potential consequences 00:09:22 Beeper Controversy: Privacy Concerns and Speculation 00:10:45 Speculation about software preservation and developer choices 00:13:04 Perspectives on software preservation and personal experiences 00:14:31 Apple's stock market success and Adobe's failed Figma deal 00:17:32 Tech Krampus Strikes Again 00:19:06 Uncertain Future for Figma after Failed Acquisition 00:21:50 The Breakup Fee: Immediate Payment Upon Deal Disclosure 00:22:14 Adobe's $6 Billion Cash and Stock Options Impact 00:23:21 Size Comparison: Canva vs Figma 00:23:54 Canva's Expansion Raises Questions about Figma's Future 00:25:23 Adobe's Difficult Subscription Model 00:26:34 Congress should address companies abusing customer power 00:29:23 Xfinity data breach exposes customer information