367 - Live from Macstock 9: Apple Tech Roundtable

This special episode is recorded live at MacStock 9, where host Dave Ginsburg is joined by a panel of Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Chuck Joiner, and Brittany Smith. The group dives into the latest Apple news, smart home challenges, and the evolving landscape of technology, all while sharing candid anecdotes and laughs from the conference floor The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com Direct Link to Audio Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it! Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios Website: In Touch With iOS YouTube Channel In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard Facebook Page BlueSky Mastodon X Instagram Threads Spoutible Topics and Links Chapters & Key Topics Timestamp Segment Highlights 0:15 Introduction at MacStock 9 Live setup challenges, studio audience, and panel introductions 1:07 Pre-Show Adventures Humorous stories about tangled cables and recording mishaps 7:22 Vision Pro Troubles Dave’s Vision Pro OS beta mishap and Apple Store rescue 7:31 CEO of X Departs Linda Iaccarino’s resignation from X (formerly Twitter) and speculation on company direction 9:26 Amazon Prime Day Purchases Panel’s gadget shopping habits and missed deals 11:54 HomeKit and Wemo Devices Belkin’s discontinuation of Wemo support and HomeKit frustrations 16:19 Home Automation Challenges Real-life smart home struggles and relationship impacts 17:47 NFL Apps on CarPlay New team apps for CarPlay and the quirks of geo-targeted sports streaming 22:37 Apple Accepts Android Trade-Ins Apple’s trade-in program for flagship Android phones and market implications 28:05 Foldable Phone Discussion The future of foldable iPhones and iPads; panel shares hands-on experiences 35:48 OpenAI's New AI Browser Debating the value and risks of an AI-powered web browser 45:36 Wrap-Up and Farewells Conference excitement, where to find the panelists, and closing thoughts Notable Discussions • Vision Pro OS Beta Issues: Dave recounts a Vision Pro update gone wrong and the Apple Store’s multi-step recovery process. • Leadership Shifts at X: The group speculates on Linda Iaccarino’s exit and Elon Musk’s growing involvement. • Amazon Prime Day & Smart Home Woes: Panelists share what they bought (or missed) and react to Belkin ending support for older Wemo devices, raising concerns about the longevity of smart home products. • NFL Apps on CarPlay: Discussion about new NFL team apps, geo-restrictions, and the broader challenges of streaming sports content. • Apple’s Android Trade-In Strategy: Analysis of Apple accepting flagship Android phones for trade-in, the depreciation of Android devices, and how this move might target switchers. • Foldable Devices: Mixed opinions on foldable phones and iPads, with first-hand experiences and skepticism about Apple’s entry into the market. • OpenAI’s AI Browser: A lively debate about the potential and pitfalls of an AI-powered browser, with comparisons to existing tools like Perplexity and Copilot. Community & Conference Highlights • MacStock 9: The energy of a live audience and the camaraderie of in-person tech discussions. • Panelist Plugs: Where to find each guest online and their other podcast appearances Links Referenced Belkin Ending Support for Most Wemo Devices - MacRumors NFL Apps Rolling Out on CarPlay Starting With These Teams - MacRumors Apple Now Accepting Three New Android Devices for Trade-In - MacRumors OpenAI to Launch AI Web Browser - MacRumors Announcements Macstock 9 is a wrap! If you missed it be sure to grab a digital pass to relive the conference. Click here https://macstockconferenceandexpo.com/product-category/digital-pass/ Our Host Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65, and the show @intouchwithios Our Regular Contributors Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The ...