MacVoices #25307: Live! - Apple Impersonator Scams, CNN Out, and CarPlay Widgets

The increase in Apple-themed impersonation scams, CNN's withdrawal from Apple News and shifting news-subscription models, and new CarPlay widget capabilities in iOS 26 are discussed by Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Jim Rea, Web Bixby, and David Ginsburg. They share personal experiences with phishing, explore the evolving media landscape, and consider how AI assistants and in-car widgets may shape future driving and information habits.

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:00 – Apple impersonator scams and holiday phishing risks
01:04 – Light news week and pre-Thanksgiving travel chatter
02:09 – Panel introductions and camera upgrades
04:38 – Squirrels, backgrounds, and early banter
06:06 – Apple named top brand for impersonation scams
06:59 – Fake emails, phishing examples, and scam spotting
10:48 – Holiday shopping season and rising fraud awareness
12:13 – Sponsor segment: Incogni data-removal service
14:04 – CNN quietly exits Apple News; subscription model debate
16:38 – Changing media landscape and streaming news fatigue
20:11 – Value comparisons among news subscriptions
23:38 – Negotiation speculation between CNN and Apple
26:38 – CarPlay widgets in iOS 26 and early user experiences
29:28 – AI assistants in cars and conversational experiments
32:04 – Viewer comments: Overcast and weather widgets
33:27 – AI resource use humor and wrap-up reflections

Links:

PSA: Apple is the brand scammers impersonate the most
https://appleworld.today/2025/11/apple-is-the-brand-scammers-impersonate-the-most/

Apple News just lost a major media partner after a decade
https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/24/apple-news-just-lost-a-major-media-partner-after-a-decade/

How to use iPhone app widgets in CarPlay on iOS 26
https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/11/24/use-app-widgets-carplay/

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, but prefers Bluesky.

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).

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 @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon.

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