MacVoices #26099: Live! - Acme Weather, Duck Duck Go's AI, More on Privacy, and Microsoft's Stumbles

Mar 17, 2026

Jeff Gamet, technology blogger and podcaster known for app impressions, and Eric Bolden, tech analyst focused on macOS and Apple devices. They dig into the new Acme Weather app's models, interface, and subscription/privacy tradeoffs. They discuss DuckDuckGo's AI image tool, search data showing up in legal cases, smart-glasses surveillance, and recent Microsoft AI missteps.

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INSIGHT

Weather App Shows Forecast Uncertainty Visually

Acme Weather shows prediction uncertainty by plotting multiple model lines behind the main forecast line.
Eric Bolden highlighted that tightly clustered model lines imply reliable forecasts, while wide spreads signal high uncertainty.

ADVICE

Choose Trials That Preserve Your Privacy

Prefer trials that don't require handing over contact data; two-week anonymous trials reduce privacy exposure.
Eric argued subscribing after a trial forces apps to collect contact info, so shorter anonymous trials are more private.

ANECDOTE

User Frustration With Acme Interface And Trial Cutoff

Dave Ginsburg found Acme Weather's interface primitive and prefers Carrot Weather for its maps and graphics.
He signed up but dislikes that cancelling cuts off trial immediately instead of through the trial end.

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A new weather app from the Dark Sky team sparks mixed reactions from Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs. The panel explores its predictive modeling, interface, and subscription models and privacy tradeoffs DuckDuckGo's AI image tool, growing concerns around data usage, surveillance, smart devices, and recent Microsoft's AI missteps add to the discussion on trust and responsibility.

MacVoices is supported by CleanMyMac from MacPaw. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACVOICES20 for 20% off at http://clnmy.com/MACVOICES

Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and topic overview 0:08 Acme Weather app first impressions 2:28 Weather prediction models and accuracy discussion 3:27 Subscription models and privacy implications 4:51 Interface critiques and app comparisons 8:47 DuckDuckGo AI image editing tool 10:31 CleanMyMac sponsor message 10:58 Data privacy and legal evidence concerns 12:02 AI music generation with Gemini 12:53 Smart glasses, detection apps, and surveillance awareness 18:56 Microsoft AI controversies and Copilot issue 21:30 Wrap-up and panel sign-offs

Links:

New 'Acme Weather' app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps' biggest problem https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/23/new-weather-app-from-dark-sky-forecasts/

DuckDuckGo rolls out AI-powered image editing on Duck.ai https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/19/duckduckgo-rolls-out-ai-powered-image-editing-on-duck-ai/

Police are finding suspects based on their online searches as courts weigh privacy concerns https://apnews.com/article/google-reverse-keyword-search-privacy-c5a0bc6f3790213f92e78aae720d2379

'This is very serious': Judge threatens AI glasses wearers with contempt during Mark Zuckerberg's testimony https://www.fastcompany.com/91495248/meta-ai-glasses-court-judge-threatens-wearers-contempt-mark-zuckerberg-testimony

This App Will Detect People Wearing Smart Glasses Near You https://lifehacker.com/tech/use-this-app-to-know-whether-someone-is-wearing-smart-glasses

Mark Zuckerberg testifies in social media addiction trial that Meta just wants Instagram to be 'useful' https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-testifies-in-social-media-addiction-trial-that-meta-just-wants-instagram-to-be-useful-234332316.html

Microsoft says bug causes Copilot to summarize confidential emails https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-says-bug-causes-copilot-to-summarize-confidential-emails/

Microsoft deletes blog telling users to train AI on pirated Harry Potter books https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/microsoft-removes-guide-on-how-to-train-llms-on-pirated-harry-potter-books/

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.

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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