As part of the MacVoices Live! holiday party, Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, Jim Rea, and Brittany Smith discuss the Apple Watch situation. Apple's rare acknowledgment sparks speculation on sales strategy and complicates those looking to purchase the device for the holidays. The panel also reviews the developments in the messaging encryption controversy, condemning misinformation from politicians and media. Doubting significant regulatory changes, the conversation highlights the importance of factual media coverage.    This edition of MacVoices is supported by the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides. Holiday conversations and great gear picks by our panelists. Check them out: http://MacVoices.com/HolidayGiftGuides Show Notes: Chapters: 0:00:35 MacVoices Live Holiday Party Begins 0:03:19 Holiday Decorations and Red Shirts 0:07:22 Speculation on Software Alterations and Apple Watch Sales 0:09:10 Implications of the Court Case on Apple Watch Sales Worldwide 0:09:52 Apple's Late Announcement and Implications of Biden Administration 0:13:05 Request for Recall and Hardware Changes for Apple Watches 0:13:20 The Apple Watch Debate: Can Apple Brick Purchased Watches? 0:15:57 Biden's Potential Veto and Massimo CEO's Power Struggle 0:16:16 Stalled Negotiations with Massimo 0:18:00 Apple's Unwillingness to Reach a Fair Deal 0:19:26 Apple Watch Controversy and Urgency to Purchase 0:21:47 Keeping an Eye on the Topic 0:22:01 Frustration with the Overplayed Beeper Topic 0:23:32 Mainstream Media's Lack of Knowledge and Nonsense Reporting 0:26:19 Potential Support for Enacting DMA-like Laws in the US 0:29:01 Concerns about Apple's Monopoly and Antitrust Subcommittee's involvement 0:30:58 Apple Haters and Publicity Stunts in Congress 0:33:17 The Mainstream Media's Role in Ignoring Facts and Glossing Over Details Links: Apple to halt Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales in the US this week  https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/18/apple-halting-apple-watch-series-9-and-apple-watch-ultra-2-sales/ Apple could avoid US Apple Watch ban with software update https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/19/apple-could-avoid-us-apple-watch-ban-with-software-update Masimo CEO on Looming Apple Watch Ban: 'These Guys Have Been Caught With Their Hands in the Cookie Jar’  https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/19/masimo-ceo-on-apple-watch-ban/ The slow death of Beeper continues, and more senators want to get involved  https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/18/the-slow-death-of-beeper-continues-and-more-senators-want-to-get-involved "Beeper Mini" app lets Android users send texts to iPhones with blue iMessage bubbles  https://youtu.be/BeJs0XOvFrw?si=HwVFnPoA0TaIJ3Xh 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. 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 h