MacVoices #25149: Live! - Epic v. Apple Yet Again, Apple's Sports App Improves, App Store Conversions

The MacVoices panel dives into the latest developments in the ongoing Epic vs. Apple legal dispute, and even had a little breaking news at recording time. The discussion then shifts to Apple's updated Sports app and its personalized newsletter, highlighting user experiences and subscription quirks. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, and Mark Fuccio also review a RevenueCat study suggesting that allowing web-based purchases may hurt conversion rates. A broader conversation explores trust, convenience, and security in choosing between App Store and third-party purchases across both macOS and iOS platforms.

MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac by MacPaw, your ultimate solution for Mac control and care. Try CleanMyMac for 7 days free, then use the code "MacVoices20" for 20% off at CLNMY.com/MacVoices. Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:06 Welcome to Mac Voices
15:31 Apple's Sports App Updates
21:49 Web Paywalls and App Store Conversions
30:29 Epic vs. Apple: The Ongoing Battle

Links:

The Apple Sports app gains its own Apple News newsletter and 3 new features
https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/05/19/apple-sports-app-newsletter-news-app/

Apple opened the door to web paywalls — our test shows it might hurt conversions
https://www.revenuecat.com/blog/growth/iap-vs-web-purchases-conversion-test/

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.

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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