MacVoices #25215: Live! - Microsoft's AI Push, China-Based Support, An iPhone 17 Sighting

The panel debates Microsoft's pushy AI search in Edge, privacy concerns over Copilot Memory, and compares AI tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT for search relevance. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Web Bixby, Guy Serle, Jim Rea, and Jeff Gamet question Microsoft's past use of China-based engineers for U.S. military support, review a possible iPhone 17 sighting, and discuss Apple's testing secrecy.

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:38] Microsoft's AI Browser and Pushy Search Prompts
[3:33] Perplexity vs. ChatGPT Search Quality
[6:06] Copilot Memory and Personalization Privacy Concerns
[8:00] Different AI Tools for Different Needs
[11:00] Microsoft's China-Based Military Support Controversy
[13:22] AI Search Engine Recommendations Document
[15:26] Alleged iPhone 17 Sighting in San Francisco
[18:48] Public Testing vs. Secrecy in Apple Prototypes
[22:32] Could Apple Leak Prototypes on Purpose?
[24:50] Closing Roundtable and Podcast Plugs

Links:

Microsoft trials Copilot Mode in Edge
https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-trials-copilot-mode-in-edge-201851903.html

Copilot doesn't just remember, it also understands you
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/for-individuals/do-more-with-ai/general-ai/ai-that-doesnt-just-remember-it-gets-you?form=MA13KP

Microsoft's controversial Recall feature is now blocked by Brave and AdGuard
https://www.theverge.com/news/713676/brave-adguard-windows-recall-block-microsoft

Microsoft to stop using engineers in China for tech support of US military, Hegseth orders review
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/microsoft-stop-using-engineers-china-tech-support-us-military-hegseth-orders-2025-07-18/

iPhone 17 development device spotted in the wild
https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/07/28/iphone-17-development-device-spotted-in-the-wild

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.

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).

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.

Guy Serle, best known for being one of the co-hosts of the MyMac Podcast, sincerely apologizes for anything he has done or caused to have happened while in possession of dangerous podcasting equipment. He should know better but being a blonde from Florida means he's probably incapable of understanding the damage he has wrought. Guy is also the author of the novel, The Maltese Cube. You can follow his exploits on Twitter, catch him on Mac to the Future on Facebook, at @Macparrot@mastodon.social, and find everything at VertShark.com.

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