Episode Details

Belkin is ending support for most Wemo smart home devices, raising fresh concerns about IoT e-waste and long-term reliability. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Norbert Frassa, Guy Serle, Jeff Gamet, and Eric Bolden also react to a new generation of AirTags with louder alerts and longer range, share real-world tracking and wallet stories, and explains Apple Cash's higher instant transfer fees.

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Chapters:

00:28 Welcome and panel intro 09:19 Wemo support shutdown and what still works 12:50 Standards-based devices and open-source alternatives 16:07 Sponsor message 17:44 New AirTags: louder sound, longer range, setup requirements 23:10 Real-world "unknown AirTag" tracking alert story 25:23 Wallet trackers and bag-tracking use cases 28:48 Apple Cash instant transfer fee increase explained

Links:

PSA: Belkin ending support for most Wemo smart home accessories this week https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/27/psa-belkin-ending-support-for-most-wemo-smart-home-accessories-this-week/

Bose made the consumer friendly move to open source its SoundTouch speakers https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/bose-made-the-consumer-friendly-move-to-open-source-its-soundtouch-speakers-163459024.html Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/26/apple-announces-new-airtag/

Apple Cash Users Will See Instant Transfer Fees Increase in February https://www.mactrast.com/2026/01/apple-cash-users-will-see-instant-transfer-fees-increase-in-february/

Guests:

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.

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

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

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