Audioengine A5 speakers: enduring desktop sound

The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide #4 continues in Part 2 with Norbert Frassa, Rosemary Orchard, Mike Schmitz, and Chuck Joiner sharing standout tech picks. Highlights include gear for iPhone photography, an overhead camera, an automation pick, protective AirPods cases, audio gear, and an AI-focused book recommendation.

In the Take Control Books Black Friday sale, you can save 25% on all full-price titles. Or, save 50% on all ebooks, including upgrades, for a full year with a Take Control Premium membership for $14.99. Plus, if your order total including Premium is at least $34.99, you'll get a free ebook of your choice! The sale runs through December 3. For complete details, go to takecontrolbooks.com/blackfriday25.

Chapters:

[0:00] Introduction and Take Control Books Black Friday details [0:54] Norbert's next pick: ShiftCam iPhone case and lens system [2:29] Macro photography, telephoto options, and lens ecosystem [3:37] Why ShiftCam makes a great gift and add-on system [5:13] Rosemary's pick: Logitech Reach document camera [6:19] Features, 1080p clarity, and flexible desk mounting [7:33] Book scanning and overhead camera uses [9:09] Mike's pick: Stream Deck Neo for creators and automation [10:26] How Stream Deck enhances workflows and setups [11:21] Chuck's pick: Audioengine A5 speakers overview [13:41] Audioengine S6 desktop subwoofer as companion pick [16:19] Norbert's final pick: "The Rest Is History" membership [19:33] Rosemary's AirPods Pro case by ESR with lock and MagSafe [23:34] Rugged design, secure latch, and charging stability [24:56] Mike's book pick: Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick [26:21] AI mindset, disruption, and student use cases [28:10] Chuck's final pick: Audioengine S6 subwoofer [30:45] Closing remarks and where to find the panel online

Links:

Norbert Frassa:

Shiftcam iPhone 17 case https://amzn.to/48jsEo1

Shiftcam Lenses https://amzn.to/48h19eD

Shiftcam Full Lens Kit https://www.shiftcam.com/collections/lensultra-bundles

Rest is History Club Annual Membership https://therestishistory.com/join-the-club-2/

Rosemary Orchard:

Logitech Reach overhead content camera https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/shop/p/reach-overhead-content-camera

ESR for AirPods Pro 3 Case (2025), Compatible with Airpods Pro 3rd Generation Case (USB-C Cable), Effortless MagSafe, Drop-Proof Lock, Easy Open, Cyber Series https://amzn.to/4rksyFv

Mike Schmitz:

Elgato Stream Deck Neo https://amzn.to/3JYgDML

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick https://amzn.to/3XoUVV8

Chuck Joiner:

White Noise App (full version) https://www.tmsoft.com/white-noise/

OWC Thunderbolt Hub Docking Station https://amzn.to/4pEl4eQ

Audioengine A5+ Wireless Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Premium 150W Stereo Speakers https://amzn.to/487Qmop

Audioengine S6 210W Compact Powered Mini Subwooferhttps://amzn.to/3KgHrrC

Guests:

Norbert Frassa is a technology "man about town". Follow him on Twitter and see what he's up to.

Rosemary Orchard is a nerd, automator, and chocaholic. When she's not making Shortcuts or podcasting about them, you'll frequently find her discussing her love of iPads and other Apple technology on RosemaryOrchard.com, Automators, Nested Folders, The Sweet Setup, and ScreenCastsOnline. She is runs WhenWorks to help you schedule appointments more efficiently. Originally from the UK she now calls Vienna, Austria, home…until she returns to the U.K. Follow her on Twitter.

Mike Schmitz is a nerd and an independent creator who talks about the intersection of faith, productivity, and tech He's a YouTuber, screencaster (ScreenCastsOnline), writer (The Sweet Setup), and co-hosts the Focused, Bookworm, and Intentional Family podcasts. Follow him on Twitter as _MikeSchmitz.

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