Bring Your Own Dog
Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Music Tips and Tech Insights
This chapter begins with light-hearted anecdotes about dogs before transitioning into practical advice for Apple Music and Spotify users on creating personalized music stations and generating playlists. The discussion then shifts to topics like Apple email aliases for enhancing privacy and effective communication, as well as exploring the management of APFS volumes and backups. Finally, the speakers reflect on the nuances of voice assistants, emphasizing user experiences and the challenges of smart home technology.
You’re in for a fast-paced ride with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton as they dive into power-user Quick Tips that’ll change your Apple game. From lightning-fast navigation in Notes to creating Spotify-style stations in Apple Music, and securing your Time Machine volumes inside encrypted APFS containers, this episode is loaded. You’ll rearrange CarPlay apps like a pro, check your battery with Siri, and streamline iCloud Mail aliases. And if you haven’t played with ChatGPT’s new voice mode recently, you’re missing out—it’s weirdly friendly.
Then it’s a hard turn into real-world snags, like when JP’s HomePod stopped being a Home Hub—Don’t Get Caught like he did. Adam tries—and fails—to merge his Apple IDs, raising red flags for developer account holders. Cool Stuff Found includes retro-modern turntables from Victrola (this month’s MGG giveaway!) and a handy AirPods noise guide. Listener questions dig into hostname quirks and CarPlay glitches, and the crew weighs in on Apple’s 2026 OS betas. Pilot Pete gives iOS 26 a solid 95%, so maybe it’s time to test the waters—maybe just not on your main device?
- 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1097 for Monday, July 7th, 2025
- July 7th: World Chocolate Day
- Police Code 10-97 – Arrived at Scene
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
- The MGG Merch Store is Live!
- We’ll be doing MGG Live at Macstock on Saturday, July 12th! Join us, and use our coupon code: MACGEEKGAB50 to save $50!
- Quick Tips
- 00:00:01 Dan-QT-Tab from Notes List to get to Start of Note
- 00:04:44 Tony-QT-Apple Music Create Station – Spotify also
- 00:06:06 Allen-QT-Encrypt your Time Machine Volumes inside an APFS container
- 00:08:18 Joe-QT-Apple iCloud Mail Aliases
- 00:11:08 Steve-QT-With CarPlay (or not) you can ask Siri for your iPhone’s battery percentage
- 00:13:24 Who is using Alexa+ Early Access?
- 00:17:39 ChatGPT’s voice mode…is friendlier
- 00:18:40 Gary-QT-ReArrange Apps in CarPlay to suit your needs!
- 00:19:59 Tim-QT-Show alternate directions in Apple Maps CarPlay
- Sponsors
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- Don’t Get Caught
- 00:23:53 JP-I got caught with my HomePod stopping acting as a HomeHub
- 00:30:49 Fr-John-DGC Follow Up-CleanMyMac Not as effective as MacUpdater
- 00:31:48 Bob-CSF-Latest lets you check for software updates on your Mac
- On Merging Your Apple IDs
- 00:33:11 Adam could NOT merge his two Apple IDs, possibly because he has a developer account?
- Sponsors
- 00:44:07 SPONSOR: Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you. Head to CalderaLab.com/MGG and use MGG at checkout for 20% off your first order.
- 00:45:45 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
- 00:47:19 PODCAST: The 5 AM Miracle. Every Monday morning, The 5 AM Miracle is here to help you dominate your day before breakfast, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.
- Cool Stuff Found
- 00:48:12 CSF-Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable
- 00:52:18 CSF-Victrola Revolution GO 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Rechargeable Record Player with Built-in Speakers
- 00:54:35 PJ-CSF-AirPods Noises Reference Page
- 00:56:06 Deborah-CSF-1096-OWC’s Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter
- Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
- 00:59:36 Alan-Why does my Mac’s local hostname keep adding and increasing numbers at the end?
- 01:06:06 Tim-Why Cellular Connectivity Issue with CarPlay
- Apple’s Upcoming 2026 OSes
- 01:11:37 rnDoug-Before you install iPadOS 26 beta…
- 01:13:32 Adam’s having a good iPadOS 26 beta experience…for the most part
- 01:14:23 Pilot Pete gives iOS 26 beta a 95% rating
- 01:17:27 MGG 1097 Outtro
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
- Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
- Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
- The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
- Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
- MGG Merch is Available!
- Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
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- This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
- MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
- feedback@macgeekgab.com
- 224-888-GEEK
- Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
- BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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