Episode Details

Next up, the MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Mike Potter, Ben Roethig, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, and Mark Fuccio discusses recent changes in social networks, including Twitter's rebranding and the YouTube premium price increase. Speculations about the feasibility of turning Twitter into a financial institution are explored. The panel also shares mixed opinions on the value proposition of YouTube premium, with some expressing frustration over the lack of lower-priced subscription options. (Part 2)

Today's MacVoices is supported by Factor. Visit FactorMeals.com/macvoices and use the code macvoices50 to get 50% off!

Chapters:

0:01:34 Brands and Social Networks: A Complex Relationship 0:03:59 Strong Feelings about Facebook Ownership 0:05:16 Doubts on the Longevity of Links 0:05:33 Musk: An Agent of Chaos 0:06:25 Importance of Audience Size and Reach for Advertisers 0:08:37 The New Land Grab of Meta and Threads 0:11:20 Bafflement Over Twitter's Rebranding Strategy and Logo Change 0:12:36 Drastic Changes and Uncertainty Surrounding Twitter's Future 0:14:22 Comparing Elon Musk's Approach to Apple's Past Challenges 0:17:06 Focus on CEOs and their Impact on Company Perception 0:20:44 Introducing X, formerly known as Twitter 0:25:09 Twitter's Name Change to X Raises Concerns 0:27:33 The Role of a Leader and Elon's Involvement 0:30:10 CEO's Admission and Financial Backing 0:31:12 YouTube Premium Price Increase Concerns 0:38:54 Preferences for Ads and Commercial Breaks

Links:

Threads Is the New Cool Hangout—for Brands https://www.wired.com/story/threads-app-meta-brands/

Twitter has officially changed its logo to 'X' https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/24/twitter-has-officially-changed-its-logo-to-x/

Google raising price of YouTube Premium to $13.99 per month https://9to5google.com/2023/07/19/youtube-premium-price-increase/

Peacock announces its first-ever price increase for new and existing subs https://9to5mac.com/2023/07/18/peacock-price-increase/

Spotify confirms price hike as premium plan rises to $10.99/month in the US https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/24/spotify-confirms-price-hike-as-premium-plan-rises-to-10-99-month-in-the-us/

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, and on his blog, Trending At Work.

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

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