MacVoices #25293: Live! - Affinity's Free Option, Tinder Wants Your Photos, CoPilot's Influencers

This discussion centers on Affinity going free under Canva, a move seen as a direct challenge to Adobe's subscription model. Chuck Joiner, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Jeff Gamet also cover Pantone's new AI tool for generating color palettes, Tinder's controversial attempt to access users' camera rolls for better matching, and Microsoft's decision to use influencers to promote its Copilot AI product. The panel debates the ethics and business models behind these tech industry developments.

This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Get access to the MacVoices Slack and MacVoices After Dark by joining in at Patreon.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:00] Intro and Patreon support
[0:28] Affinity goes permanently free
[1:05] How Affinity positions itself against Adobe
[2:20] Canva's strategy and corporate subscription gateway
[3:56] Reaction to the announcement video
[5:23] Historical Adobe comparisons
[7:05] Canva's AI model sources
[7:51] Pantone launches AI-based color generator
[9:02] Color theory, branding uses, and Affinity plug-ins
[11:53] Pantone's proprietary data and training
[14:08] Chat room updates and humor
[14:55] Tinder seeks photo-library access
[15:28] Ethical, personal, and privacy implications
[19:02] Microsoft uses influencers to promote Copilot
[21:06] Influence vs. endorsement discussion
[27:03] What an influencer conference is like
[30:49] Closing discussion and wrap-up
[31:14] Panelist location and contact info

Links:

How is Affinity Now Free?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YR9KeCJDY

Tinder to use AI to get to know users, tap into their Camera Roll photos
https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/05/tinder-to-use-ai-to-get-to-know-users-tap-into-their-camera-roll-photos/

Pantone just made an AI tool that's actually useful
https://www.fastcompany.com/91435187/pantone-color-generator-ai-tool

Microsoft Stock Rises as Influencers Help Promote Copilot AI
https://www.gurufocus.com/news/3199084/microsoft-stock-rises-as-influencers-help-promote-copilot-ai

Guests:

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.

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., @jgamet@mastodon.social 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 @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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Connect:

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