Microsoft is behind bringing a nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania out of mothballs to help drive their AI initiatives.Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet have conflicting thoughts on the benefits and rationale behind this from a variety of perspectives. Along with that, they also have different opinions on a new essay by Sam Altman of OpenAI on the future of AI and what it can accomplish.

MacVoices Discord

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Microsoft and Three Mile Island's Energy Future

19:26 Sam Altman's AI Predictions

33:33 The Evolution of Design and AI

Links:

Microsoft plans to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant that narrowly avoided disaster

https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-plans-to-restart-the-three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-that-narrowly-avoided-disaster-161256442.html

The Intelligence Age by Sam Altman

https://ia.samaltman.com

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Does the fact that a recent evaluation placing the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera in fourth place behind some competitors really matter? Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet talk about having the camera as part of a phone that you want to use. as well as just how close the rankings were. The panel has thoughts on Oprah Winfrey buying back the rights to a documentary about her life and the effect of Apple putting a budget on future movie projects.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV24245.mp3

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 iPhone Camera Rankings

03:34 Ecosystem Matters

4:43 Oprah's Documentary Rights

11:59 Apple's Film Budget

21:07 Popcorn Business Model

Links:

Cameras on iPhone 16 Pro Max are fourth-best in the world

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/23/cameras-on-iphone-16-pro-max-are-fourth-best-in-the-world

DXoMark - Apple iPone 16 Pro Max

https://www.dxomark.com/smartphones/Apple/iPhone-16-Pro-Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera test

https://www.dxomark.com/apple-iphone-16-pro-max-camera-test/

Oprah buys back rights to Apple TV+ documentary about her life so it never releases

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/18/oprah-buys-back-rights-to-apple-tv-documentary-about-her-life-so-it-never-releases

Apple spent billions making movies for theatrical release, it didn’t really work

https://sherwood.news/culture/apple-spent-billions-making-movies-for-theatrical-release-it-didnt-really/

Popcorn Perks Voucher

https://www.harkins.com/store/products/popcorn-perks-voucher

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The MacVoices Live! panel of Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet look at why Apple has withdrawn its investment interests in OpenAI, and what it means for Apple Intelligence. The panel also looks at the loss of respected Apple news site iMore, how long the content will be available, and why it happened.

Take Control Books: The Answers You Need Now, From Leading Experts.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Opening Remarks

05:53 Apple Not Investing In OpenAI

12:03 iMore's Closure

20:35 The Future of Niche Sites

26:20 Closing Thoughts

Links:

Apple not investing in OpenAI after all, new report says

https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/27/apple-not-investing-in-openai-after-all-new-report-says/

One more thing… Goodbye from iMore

https://www.imore.com/apple/one-more-thing-goodbye-from-imore

Your Website Traffic Is About To Decrease Because Of AI

https://www.fa-mag.com/news/your-website-traffic-is-about-decrease-because-of-ai-79662.html

Support:

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Charlotte Henry and Chuck Joiner discuss the latest Apple TV+ news, including Oprah Winfrey buying back the rights to her life story after the movie was made, how Apple’s decision on a limit on movie-making budgets will affect future programming, and the benefits and drawbacks of an ad-supported service tier.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

Links:

Guests:

Charlotte Henry is a media junkie, covering how Apple is not just a revolutionary tech firm, but a revolutionary media firm. She is based in London, writes and broadcasts for various outlets, and is the author of Not Buying It, an examination of fake news. You can find her on her The Addition blog, her podcast, in her The Addition newsletter on substack, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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In the 2024-09 Update, Chuck gives a brief update on the new MacVoices web site that includes a new blog option to provide information that just doesn’t fit in a full MacVoices show, as well as a way to schedule updates and more. The MacVoices Live! schedule is explained and the ad tracking subject tackled, along with support options and the monthly Support Report.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

Links:

MacVoices Blog

MacVoices on Patreon

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Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon

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This MacVoices Live! session focused on two topics. The first was the FDA approval of Apple AirPods as OTC hearing aids, and the Apple Watch’s ability to diagnose sleep apnea. While neither will replace professional devices and services, they can open improved health to many. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Mark Fuccio, and Web Bixby share thoughts and experiences on the importance of these approvals. Then, the panel discusses their first experiences with macOS Sequoia and whether you should upgrade or wait.

1Password Extended Access Management

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 FDA Approves Apple Devices for Health Use

02:28 User Experiences with Software Updates

04:46 Apple's Health Innovations and Market Impact

11:02 The Future of Sleep Apnea Detection

17:58 Hearing Aids: Market Reactions and Pricing

20:51 Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and Accessibility

27:13 The Benefits of Multi-Purpose Devices

Links:

TechCrunch Minute: FDA approval sets the stage for Apple’s AirPod hearing aids

https://techcrunch.com/video/techcrunch-minute-fda-approval-sets-the-stage-for-apples-airpod-hearing-aids/

Best Over The Counter Hearing Aids

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/hearing-aids/best-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-review-a7906529120/

What to know now that hearing aids are available over the counter

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/17/1129320004/what-to-know-now-that-hearing-aids-are-available-over-the-counter

Support:

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The MacVoices Live! panel ordered new devices and things were smooth…mostly. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby discuss a Goldman Sachs fail as well as some other issues that cropped up. Apple Card may change back end providers and the panel looks at what that might mean for end users. Then, the conversation shifts to the recently released OS upgrades, who dove in and who decided to play it close to the chest.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV24239.mp3

Today’s MacVoices is supported by 1Password and their new 1Password Extended Access Management. Security for the way we work today, Learn about the problems it solves at 1Password.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Pre-Order Stories and Apple Card Issues

08:33 Customer Service and Pre-Order Experiences

10:04 Transitioning to New Apple Devices

21:27 Goldman Sachs and the Apple Card Discussion

23:44 Software Upgrades and User Experiences

Links:

WSJ: Apple Card could switch from Goldman Sachs to Chase and change ‘key’ features

https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/17/apple-card-chase-features/

JPMorgan could take over duties as Apple Card issuer if it gets a good enough deal

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/17/jpmorgan-could-take-over-duties-as-apple-card-issuer-if-it-gets-a-good-enough-deal

JPMorgan in Talks With Apple to Take Over Credit Card From Goldman

https://www.wsj.com/finance/banking/jpmorgan-in-talks-with-apple-to-take-over-credit-card-from-goldman-67b24d14?st=gzxBuH&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

When Should You Upgrade to Apple’s 2024 OS Releases

https://tidbits.com/2024/09/16/when-should-you-upgrade-to-apples-2024-os-releases/

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Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby look at an extended cut of Napoleon and who wants a longer movie and look at a smart watch band that can give you hand gestures. The MacVoices Live! panel also considers a new move by the EU regulators and debate whether it is just the calm before the storm, and focus on yet another positive AirTag story.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV24238.mp3

Today’s MacVoices is supported by 1Password and their new 1Password Extended Access Management. Security for the way we work today, Learn about the problems it solves at 1Password.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Movie Length and Modern Viewing Habits

01:57 Series vs. Movies: A New Perspective

13:12 Smartwatch Band Innovations

16:59 Classic Cinema: "Being There" Discussion

21:10 UK App Store Investigation Update

23:44 AirTags: A Positive Use Case

25:30 Media Bias in Tech Reporting

28:22 Upcoming Apple Event Preview

31:45 Hosts' Connections and Farewell

Links:

New director’s cut of Napoleon now streaming on Apple TV+, with 48 minute longer runtime

https://9to5mac.com/2024/08/29/napoleon-directors-cut-apple-tv/

This Apple Watch band gives your smartwatch hands-free gesture controls

https://www.imore.com/health-fitness/apple-watch/this-apple-watch-band-gives-your-smartwatch-hands-free-gesture-controls

Being There

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_There

UK drops App Store investigation, says it has better things to do

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/08/21/uk-drops-app-store-investigation-says-it-has-better-things-to-do

Serial mail thieves thwarted when victim sends herself an AirTag

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/08/21/serial-mail-thieves-thwarted-when-victim-sends-herself-an-airtag

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MacVoices has a brand new, rebuilt-from-the-ground up. This Briefing walks you through both new and relocated features and highlights accessibility to all of our assets, communication channels, and social media presences. Not sure where something is? This tour will make sure you are getting the most out of MacVoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Website Redesign Overview

06:24 Advertising and Support Options

08:33 Blog Integration and Updates

14:35 Moving Forward: Future Plans

Links:

ESC! Technologies Group (Mike Potter’s Web Consulting)

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Would you pay for a better virtual assistant? Amazon seems to think so, with reports of a superior AI-oriented Alexa is coming. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, and Web Bixby look at whether this is a good idea, sparking a broader discussion of AI andsmart assistant satisfaction and expectations. They then turn their attention to yet another allegation against Apple by Spotify, and speculate on who might buy them and why.

MacVoices Slack

This edition of MacVoices is supported by The MacVoices Slack. Available all Patrons of MacVoices. Sign up at Patreon.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Amazon's AI Ambitions

00:38 Alexa: Friend or Foe?

05:05 Developer Dilemmas with AI

10:26 Claude vs. Competition

16:25 The Future of Smart Devices

21:15 Spotify's Ongoing Struggles

Links:

Amazon to Launch New AI-Powered Alexa Using Anthropic's Claude

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/30/amazon-launching-new-alexa-claude-ai/

Spotify Blames Apple for Loss of iPhone Volume Button Control of Connected Devices

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/30/spotify-loses-iphone-volume-buttons-control/

Support:

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