Kelly Guimont, Jim Rea, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Kirk McElhearn and Chuck Joiner wrap up the 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guides wraps up with "best of the rest" episodes, packed with practical picks and plenty of laughs. Highlights include keyboard travel cases, socks, portable power options, dictation software, a motorized TV mount, a light, and compact multi-port chargers. (Part 1)

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Show Notes:

Chapters:

[0:00] Finale setup and why this last guide is "the wrap-up" [1:42] Three-part format and where to find the master list of picks [2:45] Panelist introductions and holiday banter [5:23] Round one: Magic Keyboard travel cases and carry solutions [11:17] "Socks, but better": Darn Tough and the lifetime warranty angle [14:54] Sponsor message (Antigravity A1 drone) [16:51] Ugreen 20,000mAh USB-C power bank for laptop charging [20:26] MacWhisper Pro: on-device transcription and "no punctuation needed" dictation [27:18] MantleMount MM815: motorized over-fireplace TV mount with soundbar support [32:16] Logitech Litra Glow: monitor-mounted, software-controlled lighting [34:51] Compact charging: Baseus multi-port wall bricks and Lisen MagSafe/Watch charger [41:33] Wrap-up and where to connect/support

Links:

Jim Rea:

Dexnor Case for Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID/Lock Key 2021/2024, Dust-Proof Protective Slim Leather Keyboard Cover https://amzn.to/4q4BRHV

co2CREA Hard Case Replacement for Apple Magic Keyboard + Magic Mouse https://amzn.to/3MDVNDa

Logitech for Creators Litra Glow Premium LED Streaming Light with TrueSoft, adjustable mount, video lighting for recording streams https://amzn.to/48DA4nx

Kelly Guimont

FINTIE Carry Case Compatible with Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (MK293LL/A) & Magic Keyboard (MLA22LL/A, MK2A3LL/A) - Slim Stand Cover https://amzn.to/4aPEWY2

Darn Tough Men's Number 2 Micro Crew Midweight with Cushion Sock https://amzn.to/48V1dkQ

Baseus 2 Pack 65W USB C Charger Block, PPS 3-Port Fast Compact Foldable USB C Charger https://amzn.to/3MD2HbR

LISEN for MagSafe Charger Stand for iPhone Magnetic Apple Watch Airpods Charging, Airplane Gadgets Magsafe Kickstand https://amzn.to/4pGvz1w

Kirk McElhearn:

MacWhisper https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whisper-transcription/id1668083311

Chuck Joiner:

MantelMount MM815 Motorized Remote Control Pull Down TV Mount with Automated Swivel | Above Fireplace Mount for TVs 45"-90" Up to 115 lbs https://amzn.to/4iDslZL

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs:

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W with Built-in USB C Cable Laptop Travel Portable Charger, 100W Input, Fast Charging for MacBook Pro/Air/iPhone 17/16/iPad Pro https://amzn.to/4qbIj05

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.

Kelly Guimont is a podcaster and friend of the Rebel Alliance. You can also hear her on The Aftershow with Mike Rose, and she still has more to say which she saves for Twitter and Mastodon.

Kirk McElhearn writes about Macs, iPods, iTunes, books, music and more. He is a regular contributor to TidBITS, as well as several other web sites and magazines. He is an avid podcaster who's shows include The Next Track,. You can follow him on Twitter, and visit his personal web site, Kirkville.

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.

Support:

Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon http://patreon.com/macvoices

Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal

Connect:

Web: http://macvoices.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner http://www.twitter.com/macvoices

Mastodon: https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner

MacVoices Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/

MacVoices Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/

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Roddy Doyle