Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance

Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson
  • 4.8 (810)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance Podcast
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Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

  1. Downloads In The Cloud

    3 DAYS AGO

    Downloads In The Cloud

    The tips start flowing fast, like using Pages’ Presenter Mode for presentations, multi-finger select on iPhone, and disabling 1Password’s auto-login on specific items. Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton also explore the importance of keeping eero Plus security settings active after updates and highlight iOS 18’s new “Pinned Collections” feature for favorite photos. For the more tech-savvy, the discussion digs into the mystery of download folder chaos with tips from John, Jeff, and Kirit, suggesting ways to unify your Downloads folder with iCloud or Hazel. Security takes center stage later on, tackling disconnecting drives, Find My Mac’s reliability, and password management tips that balance safety and convenience. All this and SO much more. Press play, enjoy, and don’t get caught! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1055 for Monday, September 16th, 2024 September 16th: National Tattoo Story Day 00:02:31 Which iPhones did we order? Adam: iPhone 16 Pro – Black, 256GB, AirPods Pro gen2 Dave: iPhone 16 Times 2 – Pink and Ultramarine, both 256GB Pete: iPhone 16 Pro? Quick Tips 00:00:01 Val-QT-Use Pages’ Presenter Mode for…Presentations! 00:13:02 Bill-QT-Use multi-finger select on iPhone and iPad keyboard 00:15:20 Steph G-QT-Disable 1Password Auto-Login on a Per Item Basis 00:23:29 Derek-QT-1054-Customized Shortcut for Action Button 00:26:10 Mike (from Carbon Copy Cloner!)-1048-Not all snapshots are created equal 00:30:31 Scott-QT-eero Plus subscribers need to re-enable Security and Ad Blocking after software updates 00:32:20 iOS 18 Photos Favorites is in “Pinned Collections” 00:35:13 MGG August Giveaway Winners Peter Horan Tim Kobler Chris Westergaard Ben Rosenthal Kirk Moss MGG September Giveaway: 1Focus!, the App & Website Blocker that helps keep you focused on your Mac. Unifying The Downloads Folder 00:40:25 John-QT-1053-Linking iCloud and macOS Downloads folders via Alias 00:41:57 Jeff-1051-Unifying the Downloads Folder the easy way Downloads in the Cloud 00:43:47 Kirit-QT-Use Hazel to Tame Your Download Folder(s) ChronoSync Resilio Sync Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:49:05 Jeremy-Help Diagnosing Disconnecting Drives Isolation Testing Show Business 00:59:01 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment MOAR Questions Answered & Tips Shared 01:02:05 Joe-Is Find My Mac safe enough? The Security vs. Convenience Continuum Musing on login security…and its holes 01:15:29 MGG 1055 Outtro Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: a href="http://sothereiwas....

    1h 18m
  2. The Keynote For The Rest of Us

    SEP 10

    The Keynote For The Rest of Us

    This week’s Mac Geek Gab dives into Apple’s Glowtime event, with Jeff Gamet, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton debating their next Apple purchases. Everyone’s eyeing the iPhone 16 Pro, but there’s a tug-of-war between the Pro and the regular iPhone 16. With new features like the camera control button and iOS 18’s Apple Intelligence Summaries, they weigh the pros and cons. AirPods Pro Gen 2 get serious attention too, with their hearing aid features and active earplugs, sparking a discussion on managing hearing loss and breaking the stigma of wearing hearing aids. The Apple Watch Series 10’s upgrades, including a titanium option and faster charging, are tempting, but the team’s decisions are still up in the air. With the costs adding up, Jeff suggests checking Best Buy Open Box and Apple Refurbs to avoid overpaying. As the hosts navigate their potential purchases, their advice is clear: don’t get caught buying the wrong tech for your needs. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1054 for Monday, September 9th, 2024 September 9th: Wonderful Weirdos Day Special Guest Co-host: Jeff Gamet 00:02:01 Apple’s Glowtime Event 00:02:57 Do We Think We Know What We’re Buying? Adam: iPhone 16 Pro Pilot Pete: iPhone 16 Pro Max (Maybe), Apple Watch Series 10 (Daughter), AirPods Pro 2 Jeff: iPhone 16 Pro (Probably), Apple Watch S10 (Maybe) Dave: iPhone 16 Pro (Probably), AirPods Pro Gen 2 (Probably) 00:06:47 iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Pro Camera Control Button (What about left-handed people?) Cases need to accommodate the capacitive nature of the Camera Control button 00:15:56 QT-Create shortcuts so the Action button does different things at night vs. during the day 00:17:54 Adam’s reasons for the iPhone 16 Pro iOS 18’s Apple Intelligence Summaries for Notifications 00:25:50 iPhone 16 vs. 16 Pro — Which to Buy? Computational Photography Personal Symantec Index (local LLM on iPhone) Sponsors 00:34:38 SPONSOR: 1Password Extended Access Management solves the problems traditional IAM and MDM can’t touch. It’s security for the way we work today. 00:36:09 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. 00:37:47 AirPods Pro Gen 2 Hearing Aid, Hearing Test Active EarPlugs Managing Hearing Loss Tinnitus Reducing the Stigma of Wearing Hearing Aids TheRightOne.com for replacement AirPods 00:50:14 AirPods Gen 4 & AirPods Max Comply Foam for AirPods The Keynote For The Rest of You (also, Cermen is Not to Be Shared) 00:56:45 Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium: $300 surcharge Health and Fitness forefront Apple Watch S10 Gets a Speaker 30minutes to 80% charge 01:05:06 AppleCare+ Month-to-Month 01:06:33 Do We Still Know What We’re Buying? Check Best Buy Open Box and Apple Refurbs Adam: Still iPhone 16 Pro,

    1h 19m
  3. Master Focus Modes, Action Button Tricks, and Screenshot Management

    SEP 2

    Master Focus Modes, Action Button Tricks, and Screenshot Management

    Get ready to level up your Mac game! In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson dive into quick tips that’ll have you mastering shortcuts like a pro. From rotating photos directly in Finder with Command-L and Command-R to creating custom action buttons for screenshotting and emailing in one swift move, you’re set to save time and simplify your workflow. Plus, learn how to pause media playback the moment you connect to CarPlay and keep your downloads neatly organized in one iCloud folder. Don’t get caught missing out on these productivity hacks! They’ve also got your questions covered, from prioritizing focus modes to understanding how Passkeys work. Struggling with sending attachments to Android users? They’ve got solutions. And when it comes to cool stuff found, discover how to toggle Mac’s Low Power Mode, why the Blackmagic Camera might outshine Filmic Pro, and how Lightshot makes screenshots a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned geek or just getting started, this episode is packed with tips and tools to keep you ahead of the curve—don’t get caught behind! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1053 for Monday, September 2nd, 2024 The MGG Merch Store is Live! 00:02:18 September 2nd: Calendar Adjustment Day Quick Tips 00:00:01 Zang74-QT-Rotate Photos Directly in the Finder with Command-L and Command-R 00:05:40 Todd-QT-1049-Privacy and Security to Save a Step with running shortcuts! 00:12:27 Bern-QT-Create an Action Button Shortcut to Take a Screenshot and Email it To Yourself 00:13:48 Kirit-Create Shortcut to Pause Media Playback Immediately Upon Connecting to CarPlay 00:16:20 Andrew-QT-1051-Standardize on one, iCloud Downloads Folder 00:20:27 Doug-1051-Home Videos live in your iTunes Media Folder 00:23:34 Andrew-QT-Drag and Drop from Apple Mail to Other Mac Apps Thunderbird Spark Sponsors 00:31:39 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:33:24 Tony-How do I prioritize focus modes? 00:39:32 Drewski-Attachments Send Intermittently To Android Users Driven From Insanity in Real Time 00:49:41 James-Q-How do Passkeys work? YubiKey 00:55:01 Gordon-iCloud+ Email Custom Domain SMTP2Go 01:00:48 Tony-What’s the best way to quickly toggle my VPN on iPhone? prefs:root=VPN Cool Stuff Found 01:04:04 Joe-CSF-Cooldown to Toggle Mac’s Low Power Mode 01:05:15 Jim-CSF-1051–BlackMagic Camera is better than Filmic Pro 01:09:48 Steve-CSF-Blackmagic Camera 2.0 Adds Multi-iPhone Control Davinci Resolve 01:12:56 Steven-CSF-a href="https://mgg.

    1h 20m
  4. Cool Stuff Found: Tools and Gadgets to Keep You Geeked Out

    AUG 26

    Cool Stuff Found: Tools and Gadgets to Keep You Geeked Out

    This week’s Mac Geek Gab is a goldmine of cool stuff found, perfect for every Mac user and tech enthusiast. Dive into tools like the Mac Media Key Forwarder to keep your play/pause controls in check, MacWhisper’s latest updates, and iStat Menus 7 for ultimate system monitoring. Whether you’re compressing PDFs with Lightweight PDF, substituting TextExpander with TypeItForMe, or managing your VPN with Public IP, these tips will keep your Mac running smoothly. Plus, for the speed readers out there, OutRead is your new go-to app, and Scroll Reverser will help you fine-tune your mouse and trackpad experience. For podcasting pros, this episode is packed with essentials. Auphonic ensures your audio levels are perfectly balanced, while apps like Overcast and Pocket Casts keep you connected to your favorite shows. The Apple Maps web beta and PurePort USB-C cleaning tools also make an appearance, rounding out the list of must-haves. And for the true geeks, LocalSend offers cross-platform sharing, TailDrive integrates TailScale into your Files app, and AltStore.io opens up new possibilities with easy iPhone sideloading. Don’t forget Pete’s PopPic for 3D photos and Dave’s CellHelmet MagSafe squishy grip—these are the tools that’ll keep you ahead of the tech curve. Remember, don’t get caught without these essentials! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1052 for Monday, August 26th, 2024 August 26th: National Webmistress Day The MGG Merch Store is Live! Cool Stuff Found for Your Mac 00:00:01 Ben-CSF-1048–Mac Media Key Forwarder to ensure play/pause always controls Music. 00:02:15 August 26th: National Webmistress Day 00:03:25 rnDoug-CSF-Session, a Private Messaging App 00:06:46 Lee-CSF-MacWhisper has had some killer updates lately 00:10:02 Steven-CSF-TypeItForMe as a Subscription-less TextExpander Substitute Documents by Readdle 00:14:23 GadgetComa-CSF-iStat Menus 7 Is Out! (also in Setapp) Stats for Mac (free) 00:20:43 Ben-CSF-1033–Lightweight PDF to compress PDFs in place 00:23:07 JanLandy-CSF-Public IP to keep your IP in the menubar (helpful for VPN users) 00:26:53 Rod L-CSF-Scroll Reverser and MOS to manage scroll direction for Mouse and Trackpad 00:29:28 Pascal-CSF-plistWatch to Monitor Plist changes in Real-Time 00:30:46 CSF-OutRead – Mac, iOS Speed Reading App – up your reading productivity Cool Stuff Found for Podcasting 00:35:05 And also Apple Podcasts on the Web now, too 00:36:22 Bob-What’s everyone using for a Podcast Player app?

    1h 19m
  5. Important Tidbits of Now Useless Information (and Some Useful Ones, Too!)

    AUG 19

    Important Tidbits of Now Useless Information (and Some Useful Ones, Too!)

    In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, you’re diving deep into the world of Mac tips and tricks with Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson. From the best screen capture tools to mastering macOS reinstallation, you’ll get insights on how to streamline your Mac experience. Learn how to keep screenshots organized, manage HDR on your iPhone, and discover handy utilities like Shottr and OnyX that can make your workflow smoother. Plus, if you’re worried about getting caught without a backup, Adam shares a close call that underscores the importance of always being prepared. Don’t get caught missing out on how to adjust photo timestamps on your Mac or record videos with your AirPods. Your three favorite geeks answers listener questions, providing practical solutions like using MetaImage for metadata edits and Filmic Pro for capturing top-quality audio with your iPhone. Whether you’re automating drive mounting or keeping your Synology Docker containers up-to-date, these tips ensure you’re always a step ahead in the tech game. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1051 for Monday, August 19th, 2024 August 19th: National Aviation Day Quick Tips 00:00:01 Makay-QT-Remember that CONTROL sends Screenshots to the Clipboard 00:02:20 More Screen Capture Options Shottr CleanShot X OnyX for configuring screenshots’ saving location Important Tidbits of Now Useless Information 00:11:42 Raymond-QT-Reinstalling macOS the Apple Way How to download and install macOS 00:18:10 Grumpy-You can still buy an unlocked phone with Apple financing Follow-Ups 00:22:13 Scott-CSFR-1049–BLE Unlock solves the selective unlock problem 00:25:24 Ben-1049-Lock Your Mac with the right key combinations 00:27:01 Managing HDR on iPhone 00:30:41 Raph-1047-Adam encoded DVD collection MakeMKV (MakeMKV on BluRay) Mac DVD Ripper Pro 00:35:17 Peter-1049-Mount drives with automation and smart home! 00:39:14 Michael-CSF-1049-Jettison from St. Clair ejects disks automatically Sponsors 00:40:55 SPONSOR: 1Password Extended Access Management solves the problems traditional IAM and MDM can’t touch. It’s security for the way we work today. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:42:52 Joe-How do I adjust the timestamp of Photos on my Mac?  MetaImage – Edit Image Metadata from SetApp 00:47:08 Nicole-How do I record videos with audio from my AirPods on my iPhone? Filmic Pro 00:52:04 Adam Almost Got Caught…Backups Saved The Day! Plex Pass

    1h 19m
  6. Beware The Lightning Bunnies

    AUG 12

    Beware The Lightning Bunnies

    Celebrate IBM PC Day with a tech-packed Mac Geek Gab episode? Sure…why not? Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton start with some fun tangents about how the IBM PC relates to Steve Jobs, Apple, Bill Gates, and the art of leadership. Packed with Quick Tips, you’ll learn how to streamline your digital life, like using Do Not Disturb for event durations, and swiping right in Messages for instant replies. Whether you’re curious about mice vs. trackpads, or how to prevent butt dials with upside-down iPhones, this episode covers it all. From cleaning out Lightning port bunnies to setting up secure networks for your IoT devices, this episode tackles the mysteries of tech with practical advice. Get the scoop on iOS 18’s flashlight tweaks and upcoming RCS support, then dive into listener questions about bandwidth needs, smart home devices, and managing your Photos library. Don’t get caught without the latest tips—whether you’re protecting your personal data or optimizing your smart home, Mac Geek Gab has you covered! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1050 for Monday, August 12th, 2024 August 12th: IBM PC Day 00:02:01 About IBM PC Day… and then some tangents about Steve Jobs, IBM, Bill Gates, and leadership in general Quick Tips 00:00:01 Marty-QT-Choose Do Not Disturb for event durations so you don’t forget! 00:08:15 Grumpy-QT-Swipe right in Messages for Instant Reply And swipe left for time stamps! 00:10:00 Does anyone still use a mouse instead of a trackpad? Or how about a trackball? 00:15:26 Tony-QT-Rename your iCloud Downloads folder to limit confusion Addressing (if not Answering) the Mysteries Of The Universe 00:19:47 Joe-QT-1003-Upside down iPhones don’t butt dial 00:22:36 Cleaning out the Lightning (and USB-C) Bunnies 00:26:02 Use Chrome to Enter MGG August Giveaway for Camo 00:31:14 DLH-iOS 18 flashlight can set brightness AND beam width! 00:36:38 DLH-QT-RCS Support Coming to iOS 18 is carrier dependent Sponsors 00:40:13 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Show Business 00:41:46 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:44:20 Andy-How much bandwidth is enough? 00:56:14 Chris-Smart Home Devices Aren’t Acting Smart after Router Change TP-Link Deco AX3000 01:03:15 Clif-Be aware of your employer’s data privacy policies before you put personal data on your work devices 01:04:03 Clif-Should I setup a secure network for my IOT devices? 01:13:22 Felix-How do I move my Photos library back to my Mac from an external drive? PowerPhotos 01:22:16 Paul-CSF-iCloudPD to Download iCloud Photos to Your Synology 01:24:33 MGG 1050 Outtro Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and a href="https...

    1h 26m
  7. As If It Were a Swarm Of Bees!

    AUG 5

    As If It Were a Swarm Of Bees!

    Dive into this week’s Mac Geek Gab episode 1049 with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton, where you’ll uncover some savvy Quick Tips to make your tech life smoother. Learn how to prioritize app downloads on your iPhone, master the iOS gesture for selecting multiple items, and tackle the pesky Mail app message about network preferences. You’ll also get a taste of Terminal Geekery with essential commands like ‘pwd’ and ‘cd’ to streamline your workflow. Don’t get caught missing these tips! Then your three favorite geeks address listener questions and geek challenges, such as mounting external drives, selectively unlocking your Mac with Apple Watch, and whether it’s time to switch from Eero to UniFi. A detour into coffee makers reveals the Philips 4400 with LatteGo as an “open source” standout. Plus, get advice on avoiding Amazon Basics UPSes, upgrading to MacOS Sonoma, and safeguarding your data from web-based tools. Always stay ahead with Mac Geek Gab—Don’t Get Caught! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1049 for Monday, August 5th, 2024 August 5th: National Dashcam Day Mac Geek Gab’s August Giveaway: Win a free license to Reincubate Camo! Quick Tips 00:03:53 Random isn’t always Random 00:05:49 Mike D.-QT-Prioritize App Downloads on iPhone and iPad 00:10:23 Alex-QT-iOS Select multiple items gesture 00:14:25 ATC-Mail App Displays ‘Your Network Preferences Prevent Content From Loading Privately’ Message 00:21:52 David-QT-1048-Reminder to Drag a File to get its path also! And now…a quick detour into Terminal Geekery with some helpful commands: pwd from the Terminal to display the working directory open . opens a Finder window with the current directory from the Terminal cd brings you to your default directory (on macOS, that’s usually your home folder) Sponsors 00:26:16 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. Podcasts 00:28:06 Podcast: Grumpy Old Geeks. Hosts Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister Brian have over 50 years of experience as Internet industry pros. Tune in every Saturday for a heaping helping of the real deal on our technological future at GOG.show. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:29:33 Terry-Mounting (or NOT) External Drives Prevent Automount of External Volume(s) on macOS Avoid as if it were a swarm of bees! EjectBar 00:38:33 Brian-How to selectively unlock my Mac with Apple Watch? ->Geek Challenge 00:44:28 Kent-I Got Caught Updating My Printer’s Firmware 00:47:32 Tangent: Coffee-Maker Talk! Keurig vs. Tassimo Open Source with Super Automatics Philips 4400 with LatteGo is what Dave has (look for it on sale!) 00:49:41 Neal-Would You Recommend Migrating from Eero to UniFi? UniFi Cloud Gateway Max a href="https://firewalla.

    1h 22m
  8. Don’t Exposé Your Mac's Hidden Features

    JUL 29

    Don’t Exposé Your Mac's Hidden Features

    Dive into this week’s Mac Geek Gab with Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson as they share invaluable quick tips and answer your burning questions. Discover how to command-click your Dock icon or use Siri for timer math to streamline your workflow. Got a tech issue? It might be cosmic karma or solar flares at play! If you’re not satisfied with Apple’s trade-in assessment, listener Badger advises taking it to an Apple Store—justice matters over logic! Plus, learn to disable wallpaper-click-hides-everything, one-handed map zoom on iPhone, and more. Remember, Don’t Get Caught without these tips! As always, your questions were front and center. Wondering why your Mac’s free space didn’t grow after deleting files? Your three favorite geeks explain the mystery of APFS snapshots and recommend tools like CleanMyMac X and Carbon Copy Cloner. For those seeking the perfect portable Bluetooth speaker, the team shares their favorites, including the JBL Flip 6 and Go 3. Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems are also on the table, with top picks like Eero Pro 6E, Deco XE75 Pro, and Orbi Quad-Band 6E. Plus, cool stuff found this week includes Diptic for collages and Headway’s new CarPlay support. Tune in and Don’t Get Caught without your tech essentials! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1048 for Monday, July 29th, 2024 July 29th: National Lasagna Day Quick Tips 00:00:01 Jim-QT-Command-Click Dock Icon (and Spotlight Search) to Show in Finder 00:03:31 Jose-QT-Use Siri to do Timer Math for you 00:06:36 Are Karma or Solar Flares Causing Tech Issues? 00:10:00 Badger-QT-If you don’t agree with Apple’s trade-in reassessment, bring it into an Apple Store. Justice Matters Over Logic! 00:13:08 Andrew-QT-Disable the Wallpaper-Click-Hides-Everything Option 00:16:01 Jim-QT-Hold Command in Spotlight Search Results to see WHERE a file resides Exposé vs. Mission Control Don’t Exposé Your Tips 00:20:53 rnDoug-QT-One-handed Map Zoom on iPhone 00:22:16 Mark M-QT-Mute the sound in Safari from the URL Bar 00:23:20 Phone calls ringing on your Mac…or not? Sponsors 00:27:01 SPONSOR: Fastmail. Make email better for you with Fastmail. Try Fastmail free for 30 days and get 10% off your first year at Fastmail.com/mgg. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:28:46 Adam-I Removed a Bunch of Files But My Free Space Didn’t Grow APFS Snapshots Empty Your Mac’s Trash CleanMyMac X Carbon Copy Cloner 00:37:59 Garry-1045-Eight is Not (always) Enough 00:41:35 Scott-What’s your favorite, portable Bluetooth Speaker that sounds good? JBL Flip 6 JBL Go 3 Sirius XM Top 1000 Classic Rock and Classic Country playlists 00:49:45 Chris (and many, many others)-QT-1047-Apple Watch Shuffle Mode Is Still There 00:51:23 Nick-Which Wi-Fi 6E Mesh should I get?

    1h 17m
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Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

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