MacVoices #25295: Live! - Tim Cook's Retirement, WeChat Revenue, App Store Guidelines

The MacVoices Live! panel breaks down rumors surrounding Tim Cook's possible retirement and what Apple's succession planning may look like. Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Eric Bolden, David Ginsburg, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore Apple's potential revenue tied to WeChat, the complexities of China's app ecosystem, and new App Store guideline updates aimed at stopping copycat apps.

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:00] Introduction and sponsor [0:28] Tim Cook retirement rumors and media reaction [1:34] Succession planning and age speculation [2:45] Leadership models and crisis planning [4:11] Corporate continuity and long-term transitions [5:41] Media interpretation and rumor cycles [6:33] Political influence and global considerations [8:14] Apple Intelligence timing and leadership change [10:06] Comparing CEOs and expectations for the next leader [11:06] Broader perspective on Apple as more than a product company [12:26] Challenges for Apple's next CEO [14:24] Historical comparisons and legacy transitions [18:29] How future CEOs will be evaluated [19:12] Generational memory of Steve Jobs [20:42] Changing context and outdated arguments [23:22] Apple and WeChat revenue speculation [25:10] Clarifications from recent reporting [26:13] Dynamics of Apple's program and limitations [27:34] Market share discussion in China [28:04] WeChat's influence and ecosystem dominance [29:03] Global mobile behavior and developing markets [31:15] App Store guideline changes targeting copycat apps [33:02] HTML5/JavaScript plugin rules [35:13] Media rush and article accuracy [35:44] Ensuring original app protection vs. clones [36:27] Why the crackdown is overdue

Links:

Let Tim Cook https://spyglass.org/tim-cook-retirement-apple/

Apple could make billions of dollars of commission from WeChat https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/13/apple-could-make-billions-of-dollars-of-extra-commission-from-wechat-deal/

Apple's new App Review Guidelines crack down on copycat apps https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/13/apple-tightens-app-review-guidelines-to-crack-down-on-copycat-apps/

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.

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.

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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