Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, David Ginsburg, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, and Web Bixby discuss the black market for stolen iPhones, focusing on how even locked devices are shipped overseas and dismantled for parts—a revelation that challenges assumptions about smartphone security. The conversation then turns to Neal Stephenson’s thought-provoking ideas on coexisting with artificial intelligence, drawing parallels between AI and our relationships with animals. The panel reflects on how AI understands human intention and how we communicate with it. Also on the docket: the surprising $6 billion collaboration between Jony Ive and Sam Altman, raising questions about the future of AI hardware.

This edition of MacVoices is supported by Notion, the best AI tool for work. Check it out at notion.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:10 Stolen iPhones and Chop Shops
01:34 Living with AI
07:48 Coexisting with Non-Human Intelligences
18:43 Johnny Ive and Sam Altman Collaboration
19:31 The Future of AI Devices
35:14 Microsoft Advertising and Competition

Links:

How stolen and locked iPhones are being broken down in China for profit
https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/05/21/how-stolen-and-locked-iphones-are-being-broken-down-in-china-for-profit

From Animals to AI: Neal Stephenson on Coexisting with Non-Human Intelligences
https://tidbits.com/2025/05/20/from-animals-to-ai-neal-stephenson-on-coexisting-with-non-human-intelligences/

Kuo: Jony Ive's Futuristic OpenAI Device Like a Neck-Worn iPod Shuffle
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/22/ming-chi-kuo-on-openai-device-design/

Sam and Jony and skepticism
https://sixcolors.com/post/2025/05/sam-and-jony-and-skepticism/

Microsoft blames Apple for blocking Xbox mobile store, as it supports Epic
https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/21/microsoft-blames-apple-for-blocking-xbox-mobile-store-as-it-supports-epic/

Leaked Google database reveals its secret privacy and security failures
https://www.engadget.com/leaked-google-database-reveals-its-secret-privacy-and-security-failures-183232983.html

Microsoft ad uses an older MacBook Air for comparison: “We’re faster than a Mac”
https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/05/15/microsoft-ad-copilot-plus-windows-pc-macbook-air-comparison-cpu-speed-ai-performance/

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.

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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MacVoices #25172: Live! - Stolen iPhones, Living with AI, Ive and Altman

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