MacVoices #25121: Live! - Meta Vs. Apple Intelligence, Google Declared Monopoly...Again, Synology's New Requirements

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, and Marty Jencius discuss discuss Meta blocking Apple Intelligence on iOS apps, raising concerns about AI platform restrictions and user privacy. The panel examines Google's repeated monopoly rulings, its dominance in ad tech, and AI partnerships. Synology's new policy requiring branded drives for high-end NAS devices sparks debate over user choice, costs, and alternatives.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV25121.mp3

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:06 Podcast Introduction
01:25 Meta vs Apple Intelligence
07:40 Google Declared Monopoly Again
12:48 The Google Monopoly Debate
17:53 Addressing Google's Market Control
25:41 Synology's New Drive Requirements

Links:

Meta blocks Apple Intelligence on Facebook and its other iOS apps
https://9to5mac.com/2025/04/16/meta-blocks-apple-intelligence-on-facebook-and-its-other-ios-apps/

Google Is Once Again Deemed a Monopoly, This Time in Ad Tech
https://www.wired.com/story/judge-rules-google-ad-business-monopoly/

In depth with Windows 11 Recall—and what Microsoft has (and hasn't) fixed
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/in-depth-with-windows-11-recall-and-what-microsoft-has-and-hasnt-fixed/

That groan you hear is users' reaction to Recall going back into Windows
https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/04/microsoft-is-putting-privacy-endangering-recall-back-into-windows-11/

Google pays Samsung an 'enormous' amount of money to pre-install Gemini on phones
https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-pays-samsung-an-enormous-amount-of-money-to-pre-install-gemini-on-phones-153439068.html

Synology confirms that higher-end NAS products will require its branded drives
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/synology-confirms-need-for-synology-branded-drives-in-newer-plus-series-nas/

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 embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, 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 @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

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 @daveg65@mastodon.cloud.

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).

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