Episode Details

A MacVoices Live! discussion covers another major recall—this time ESR's HaloLock power banks over fire risks—and explores why power bank failures remain common despite reputable brands. Chuck Joiner, Dave Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jim Rea, Marty Jencius, and Norbert Frassa also react to Logitech's sudden shutdown of its Pop Smart Button, raising questions about product obsolescence, support lifespans, and smart home stability.

MacVoices is supported by SurfShark. "Go to https://surfshark.com/macvoices or use code macvoices at checkout to get 4extra months of Surfshark VPN!"

Chapters:

[0:00] Opening banter and introductions [3:58] Baseball, SpongeBob, and background fun [10:42] PowerBank recall alert — ESR HaloLock safety hazard [12:35] Why power banks fail and lithium battery risks [16:05] Airline safety and lithium battery transport rules [17:47] Manufacturing quality concerns and recall logic [17:48] Logitech's Pop Smart Button shutdown explained [21:56] Product lifespan, customer frustration, and costs [23:47] Smart home reliability and Apple HomeKit discussion [25:34] Logitech Harmony remote worries and alternatives [27:23] Closing notes and credits

Links:

ESR recalls over 50,000 HaloLock wireless power banks due to fire and burn hazards https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/10/esr-recalls-over-50000-halolock-magsafe-power-banks/

Logitech will brick its $100 Pop smart home buttons on October 15 https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/10/logitech-will-brick-its-100-pop-smart-home-buttons-on-october-15/

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Guests:

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.

Norbert Frassa is a technology "man about town". Follow him on Twitter and see what he's up to.

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 d