MacVoices #26154: Live! - The Steve Jobs Coin, The MacBook Neo, A Wide-Reaching Hack, and Digg's Return…Again

A wide range of tech stories get the MacVoices treatment, starting with the quick sellout of the Steve Jobs commemorative coin and what strong MacBook Neo demand may say about Apple's pricing, chip planning, and enterprise appeal. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet and Mark Fuccio also discuss Apple updates unexpectedly changing settings, a Canvas ransomware disruption affecting schools, Chrome's hidden AI download, Google's Liquid Glass similarities, Digg's AI-focused return, and safer lithium coin batteries.

MacVoices is supported by Macstock Connference, along with Ecamm Creator Camp, taking place in Crystal Lake IL on July 9 - 12. Sign up at macstockconference.com and use the code "macvoices" to save $50 off your ticket.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:00] Steve Jobs coin, MacBook Neo, security issues, and Dig preview
[0:38] U.S. Mint Steve Jobs coin sells out quickly
[1:33] MacBook Neo demand and Apple's chip supply strategy
[2:17] TSMC wafer economics and Apple's semiconductor buying power
[5:29] Dave Ginsburg exits for a speaking engagement
[6:22] Was Apple surprised by MacBook Neo popularity?
[7:02] Enterprise interest in lower-cost Macs
[8:27] Mac preference among users stuck with Windows at work
[8:50] A18 chips, A19 speculation, and Apple's planning
[10:43] Apple's cash leverage with TSMC and component suppliers
[12:29] iOS updates silently changing user settings
[13:21] Unexpected settings changes on Mac and iPhone
[13:58] iCloud Photos turning back on after updates
[15:38] Background activity, battery life, and user control
[17:34] Point releases changing settings without warning
[19:22] Different reactions to unexpected software changes
[20:55] Canvas outage and ransomware impact on education
[22:17] Student assignments, grades, and course access problems
[24:48] Finals, grade books, and institutional workarounds
[26:53] Hackers, ransom agreements, and trust issues
[28:25] Chrome's hidden AI file and storage concerns
[29:25] Checking Chrome installs and Google updater behavior
[31:28] Google accused of copying Apple's Liquid Glass look
[32:24] Apple influence, imitation, and design choices
[34:18] Dig returns as an AI news aggregator
[35:17] How Dig is sourcing AI news from X
[37:30] Potential value and risks of AI-focused aggregation
[38:04] Live check for Chrome's AI model file
[39:53] Energizer's safer lithium coin batteries
[40:18] Swallowing trends, Tide Pods, and challenge jokes
[43:00] Panelist wrap-up and where to find everyone
[47:06] Jeff Gamet's links, podcasts, and closing comments

Links:

Commemorative US Mint Steve Jobs coin sells out in just 11 minutes
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/05/12/commemorative-us-mint-steve-jobs-coin-sells-out-in-just-11-minutes

Yet Another Story of an iOS Update Silently Changing Settings – TidBITS
https://tidbits.com/2026/05/10/yet-another-story-of-an-ios-update-silently-changing-settings/

What's that coming over the hill? It's a MacBook, a MacBook Neo – Apple Must
https://www.applemust.com/whats-that-coming-over-the-hill-its-a-macbook-a-macbook-neo/

Apple made it easy for others to record your iPhone calls, without you even knowing it
https://www.fastcompany.com/91532660/apple-made-it-easy-to-creepily-record-iphone-calls-no-one-really-noticed-phone-recording

Canvas Has Been Hacked, and Is Apparently Being Held for Ransom
https://lifehacker.com/tech/canvas-hack-shuts-down-college-computers-across-nation

Stop Chrome Browser From Downloading a Hidden 4GB AI File
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/stop-chrome-downloading-hidden-4gb-file/

Google accused of copying Apple's Liquid Glass look – Android head denies it
https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/07/google-accused-of-copying-apples-liquid-glass-look-android-head-denies-it/

Digg is back again, this time to aggregate AI news
https://www.engadget.com/2170484/digg-ai-news-aggregator/

Energizer releases coin lithium batteries that won't cause burning if accidentally swallowed – Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2166624/energizer-releases-coin-lithium-batteries-that-wont-cause-burning-if-accidentally-swallowed/

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.

Mark Fuccio is actively involved in high tech startup companies, both as a principle at piqsure.com, or as a marketing advisor through his consulting practice Tactics Sells High Tech, Inc. Mark was a proud investor in Microsoft from the mid-1990's selling in mid 2000, and hopes one day that MSFT will be again an attractive investment. You can contact Mark through Twitter, LinkedIn, or on Mastodon.

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.

Marty Jencius, Ph.D.,is a counselor educator and technology pioneer who has spent 30 years bringing emerging tech into his field — from founding one of the first professional listservs (CESNET-L) to podcasting, virtual reality, and now AI and AR. He is the founder of ThePodTalk.net, where he produces Vision ProFiles, The Old Mac Gang, A.I. Productivity Workflow, The Tech Savvy Professor, 15 Minute Bytes, The Neo Notebook, and Fade to Chat: Golden Age Cinema. He is also a regular panelist on MacVoices Live!, In Touch with iOS, and The Mac Show. Find him on Bluesky and Mastodon.

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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