The panel digs into the abrupt shutdown of the Arc browser and what it signals about user expectations and innovation fatigue in the browser space. Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Web Bixby, Eric Bolden, and Jeff Gamet explore Opera’s foray into agentic AI and how it could redefine how we interact with the web. A deep dive into Getty Images’ aggressive lawsuit against Stability AI sparks a broader conversation about copyright, content ownership, and AI ethics. Meta’s surprising move to open physical retail stores invites skepticism and speculation, while a T-Mobile privacy issue raises concerns over default screen recording in its app. The group also touches on new app store laws and a Victoria’s Secret cybersecurity incident, wrapping up with updates on MacStock and personal projects. 

Chapters:

00:10 Browsers and the Arc Debate
08:07 Opera's New Agentic Browser
12:19 Getty Images and AI Lawsuit
19:54 New App Store Laws in Texas
22:04 Meta's Retail Strategy
31:54 T-Mobile's Screen Recording Controversy
35:18 Victoria's Secret Security Incident
43:13 Brian's New Podcast Launch
46:58 Closing Remarks and Connections

Links:

Mac browser Arc being discontinued in favor of new Dia app
https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/27/mac-browser-arc-being-discontinued-in-favor-of-new-dia-app/

Opera's new 'fully agentic' browser can surf the web for you
https://www.engadget.com/ai/operas-new-fully-agentic-browser-can-surf-the-web-for-you-145035874.html

Getty Images spending millions to battle a ‘world of rhetoric’ in AI suit, CEO says
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/getty-ceo-stability-ai-lawsuit-doesnt-cover-industry-mass-theft.html

Texas just passed the App Store law that Tim Cook personally tried to stop
https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/27/texas-app-store-law-tim-cook/

Meta plans to open its own physical stores like the Apple Store - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/28/meta-plans-to-open-retail-locations-like-the-apple-store/

T-Mobile's App Is Recording Your Screen by Default, and You Should Turn It Off
https://lifehacker.com/tech/t-mobile-app-screen-recording

What's happening with Victoria's Secret? Website down, stock falls after unspecified 'security incident’
https://www.fastcompany.com/91342878/victorias-secret-website-down-stock-falls-security-incident-whats-happening

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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.

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.

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