MacVoices #25322: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (1) episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 24, 2025 · 23 MIN

MacVoices #25322: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (1)

from MacVoices Video · host Chuck Joiner

Kirk McElhern discusses the latest edition of Take Control of Apple Media Apps, covering what’s new—and what isn’t—in Music, TV, Podcasts, and Books. He critiques the “Liquid Glass” look, notes small updates like AutoMix and pinned items, and argues the apps have reached maturity. The conversation includes accessibility issues, managing personal video libraries, and why Spotify’s appeal isn’t just playlists. (Part 1)  MacVoices is supported by The Antigravity A1. Get off the ground like never before with the Antigravity A1. You have to see the results to believe them. Find out everything you need to know to get off the ground with Antigravity A1 — the world’s first 8K 360 drone.https://www.antigravity.tech/drone/antigravity-a1/buy?utm_term=macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: 0:00 – Why this edition matters; introducing the updated book2:46 – What’s new: AutoMix, lyric tools, pinning, folders, widgets4:04 – Consistency across Mac/iPhone/iPad and where the Mac differs6:39 – “Maturity” vs innovation; why major UI changes may be over7:44 – iPod/iTunes anniversaries and the long arc of media features10:31 – Hardware/software “peaks” and what innovation looks like now12:24 – OS 26 changes, Liquid Glass pros/cons, and usability13:42 – TV app thumbnail/title problems; accessibility concerns16:22 – Using Plex for ripped/personal video libraries19:14 – Playlists, Spotify vs Apple Music, and personalization Links: Take Control of Apple Media Apps by Kirk McElhearn Guests:   Kirk McElhearn writes about Macs, iPods, iTunes, books, music and more. He is a regular contributor to TidBITS, as well as several other web sites and magazines. He is an avid podcaster who’s shows include The Next Track,. You can follow him on Twitter, and visit his personal web site, Kirkville. Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon     http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:     http://macvoices.com      Twitter:     http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner     http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:     https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:     https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes     Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Kirk McElhern discusses the latest edition of Take Control of Apple Media Apps, covering what’s new—and what isn’t—in Music, TV, Podcasts, and Books. He critiques the “Liquid Glass” look, notes small updates like AutoMix and pinned items, and argues the apps have reached maturity. The conversation includes accessibility issues, managing personal video libraries, and why Spotify’s appeal isn’t just playlists. (Part 1) MacVoices is supported by The Antigravity A1. Get off the ground like never before with the Antigravity A1. You have to see the results to believe them. Find out everything you need to know to get off the ground with Antigravity A1 — the world’s first 8K 360 drone. https://www.antigravity.tech/drone/antigravity-a1/buy?utm_term=macvoices Show Notes: Chapters: 0:00 – Why this edition matters; introducing the updated book 2:46 – What’s new: AutoMix, lyric tools, pinning, folders, widgets 4:04 – Consistency across Mac/iPhone/iPad and where the Mac differs 6:39 – “Maturity” vs innovation; why major UI changes may be over 7:44 – iPod/iTunes anniversaries and the long arc of media features 10:31 – Hardware/software “peaks” and what innovation looks like now 12:24 – OS 26 changes, Liquid Glass pros/cons, and usability 13:42 – TV app thumbnail/title problems; accessibility concerns 16:22 – Using Plex for ripped/personal video libraries 19:14 – Playlists, Spotify vs Apple Music, and personalization Links: Take Control of Apple Media Apps by Kirk McElhearn Guests: Kirk McElhearn writes about Macs, iPods, iTunes, books, music and more. He is a regular contributor to TidBITS, as well as several other web sites and magazines. He is an avid podcaster who’s shows include The Next Track,. You can follow him on Twitter, and visit his personal web site, Kirkville. Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon http://patreon.com/macvoices Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect: Web: http://macvoices.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner http://www.twitter.com/macvoices Mastodon: https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner MacVoices Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/ MacVoices Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe: Audio in iTunes Video in iTunes Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher: Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

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MacVoices #25322: Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Apple Media Apps (1)

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This episode was published on December 24, 2025.

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Kirk McElhern discusses the latest edition of Take Control of Apple Media Apps, covering what’s new—and what isn’t—in Music, TV, Podcasts, and Books. He critiques the “Liquid Glass” look, notes small updates like AutoMix and pinned items, and argues...

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