To wrap up the MacVoices Live! holiday party, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith critique a company claiming to eavesdrop on phone conversations, condemning the invasion of privacy and the gathering conversation keywords for targeted marketing. Flipboard and Threads moving to the Fediverse, Threads' growth with over 10 million users in six months and where they stand in relation to their competition are reviewed and preferences commented on. 

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:

0:01:13 Commentary on the use of audio in a podcast 0:01:56 Android vs. iPhone: The Debate Begins 0:02:31 Unethical Business Practices and the Stupidity of Bragging 0:04:02 Ethics vs. Useful Data: Targeted Marketing Dilemma 0:06:13 The Stupidity Factor: Apps Listening to Conversations? 0:09:42 Flipboard and Threads Joining the Fediverse 0:11:23 Debate on the Cultural Impact of Threads vs X 0:14:36 Distinguishing X as a Microblogging Platform from Twitter 0:23:01 Webb's abuse in the chat room and holiday season farewell 0:26:47 Mastodon ProView Challenge: Show Love to Jim on Mastodon

Links:

One advertiser may be able to listen in on you — if you have an older Android device  https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/15/one-advertiser-may-be-able-to-listen-in-on-you----if-you-have-an-android-phone

Marketing company claims it can eavesdrop on your conversations thru your devices  https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/15/eavesdrop-on-your-conversations/

Flipboard is moving to the fediverse  https://www.engadget.com/flipboard-is-moving-to-the-fediverse-170426320.html

Visualizing How Big Tech Companies Make Their Billions  https://www.visualcapitalist.com/big-tech-companies-billions/

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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00:01:12 Commentary on the use of audio in a podcast 00:01:55 Android vs. iPhone: The Debate Begins 00:02:30 Unethical Business Practices and the Stupidity of Bragging 00:04:02 Ethics vs. Useful Data: Targeted Marketing Dilemma 00:06:13 The Stupidity Factor: Apps Listening to Conversations? 00:09:41 Flipboard and Threads Joining the Fediverse 00:11:22 Debate on the Cultural Impact of Threads vs X 00:14:36 Distinguishing X as a Microblogging Platform from Twitter 00:23:01 Web's abuse in the chat room and holiday season farewell 00:26:47 Mastodon ProView Challenge: Show Love to Jim on Mastodon