MacVoices #24299: Live! - The DOJ and Google, Buying Tracking Data, Hardware Subscriptions

The Department of Justice's proposal for Google to divest Chrome generates a debate on the pros, cons, and likelihood of that ever happening between Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea. The panel contrasts the implications for America's tech leadership and navigates the nuances of monopoly versus competition. Finally, Microsoft has a new small computer that looks suspiciously like one of our Apple favorites…but charges a subscription to make to work. Worth the money? What do you think? 

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

00:03 The DOJ vs. Google 04:32 Google’s Monopolistic Concerns 05:37 The Article's Credibility 17:38 Broader Implications of DOJ Proposals 18:28 Exploring the Verge Article 22:05 Likelihood of Breakup 22:44 Microsoft’s Subscription Strategy 25:07 The Rise of Online-Only Devices 30:21 Evaluating Cost vs. Benefit 35:23 Thanksgiving Traditions and Reflections 47:08 Personal Thanksgiving Favorites

Links:

DOJ’s staggering proposal would hurt consumers and America’s global technological leadership https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/doj-search-remedies-nov-2024/

The DOJ wants to force Google to sell Chrome. What would a Google-less Chrome mean for your browser? https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/11/22/doj-chrome-google-breakup/

Chromium (web browser) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_(web_browser)

Google’s Government Foes Are Aiming Too High https://www.wsj.com/tech/googles-government-foes-are-aiming-too-high-63ad5d43?mod=Searchresults_pos3&page=1

DOJ says Google must sell Chrome to crack open its search monopoly https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/20/24300617/doj-google-search-antitrust-chrome-breakup

An investigation reveals how phone coordinates collected by US data broker Datastream expose the movements of US military and intelligence workers in Germany https://www.wired.com/story/phone-data-us-soldiers-spies-nuclear-germany/

'Graykey' Tool Used by Law Enforcement Can Only Partially Unlock iOS 18 Devices https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/19/graykey-ios-18-partial-unlock/

Microsoft announces Mac mini-sized PC, but it only works online https://9to5mac.com/2024/11/19/microsoft-mac-mini-desktop-pc/

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.

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.

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