MacVoices

MacVoices #24284: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide #3 (2)

Nov 28, 2024

Jeff Gamet, a tech blogger and podcaster, joins David Ginsburg, an IT professional, and Rosemary Orchard, a savvy automator and podcaster. They dive into exciting tech gift recommendations, including the Ulanzi Pixel Smart Clock and innovative desktop gadgets. Discussions meander through practical smart home solutions and the joy of building with LEGO as a thoughtful gift. They also explore durable phone cases and ideal external drives, blending humor and insights for the perfect holiday shopping experience.

57:24

Creator website

Episode guests

Rosemary Orchard

Dave Ginsburg

Jeff Gamet

AI Summary

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The Ulanzi Pixel Smart Clock serves multiple functions, integrating with smart home systems to display notifications and reminders.

The Super Danny Desktop Lamp offers adjustable brightness and is compactly designed to enhance workspace illumination while being economically priced.

Deep dives

Ulanzi Pixel Smart Clock

The Ulanzi Pixel Smart Clock is a versatile device priced around $50 that offers more than just timekeeping. It can display various notifications, such as alerts when a washing machine finishes its cycle, by integrating with smart home systems like Home Assistant. Users can customize the device with alternate firmware for enhanced features, allowing for a rotating display of different information, such as temperature and reminders for birthdays. While the battery life is limited to about five hours, the convenience of keeping it plugged in makes it a practical addition to both workspaces and living areas.

Intro

4min

Gadget Galore: Smart Solutions for Home and Office

7min

Sound Solutions and Creative Adventures

8min

Enhancing Connectivity: The OWC Thunderbolt Hub

2min

Tech Setup and Desk Organization Insights

2min

Tech Talk: Durable Phone Cases and External Drives

6min

Tech Gifts and Writing Joys

15min

Exploring the Rich Universe of Fountain Pen Inks

4min

Gifts That Level Up

7min

10.

Overview of Holiday Gift Suggestions and Listener Engagement

2min

The second half of the 2024 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #3 got a little crazy as Rosemary Orchard and Jeff Gamet took off on a side discussion about various options for one of Jeff’s picks, while David Ginsburg and Chuck Joiner stuck with the regular format. All told, a good time was had with a whole both laughs and great gift picks. (Part 2)

This edition of MacVoices is supported by MacVoices After Dark. What happens before and after the shows is uncensored, on-topic, off-topic, and always off the wall. Sign up as a MacVoices Patron and get access! http://patreon.com/macvoices

Show Notes:

Links:

Rosemary Orchard’s Picks:

ULANZI TC001 Smart Pixel Clock - Social Media Counter - Digital Alarm Clock with Weather - Awtrix Simulator - Retro Pixel Art Scoreboard Pomodoro Clock Bedside Gaming Room & Office Decor https://amzn.to/4i6wCEs

Blueforcer

SONOFF Zigbee Smart USB Outlet, 5-22V DC Outlet Timer Smart Switch https://amzn.to/4i6wGUI

SONOFF Micro 5V USB Smart WiFi Adaptor https://amzn.to/4i7Dwtl

Mous for iPhone 16 Case MagSafe Compatible https://amzn.to/3ZiVa5

David Ginsburg’s Picks:

SUPERDANNY LED Desk Lamp for Office Home, Eye-Caring Desk Light with Adjustable Gooseneck, 12W Touch Control Dimmable Brightness, Architect Clamp Lamp https://amzn.to/413znR4

OWC 1TB Envoy Single Ultra Portable Aluminum Bus Powered 10G/s USB-C Thunderbolt Compatible External NVMe SSD Drive https://amzn.to/3V3H99C

OWC Express 1M2 Portable NVMe Thunderbolt (USB-C) SSD USB4 Ultra Fast External SSD Drive with Aluminum Heat Sink Enclosure (Enclosure Only) https://amzn.to/4eNlABk

Jeff Gamet’s Picks:

Audioengine A2 Bluetooth Speakers https://amzn.to/4i6x9WY

Audioengine S6 210W Compact Powered Mini Subwoofer https://amzn.to/494e6sq Audioengine D1 32-bit Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp, Preamp https://amzn.to/499V7MX

LEGO Icons Succulents Artificial Plant Set https://amzn.to/3Z77Zix

PILOT Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen, Black Barrel, Classic Design, Fine Nib, Black Ink https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Metropolitan-Collection-Fountain-91111/dp/B00KRPFD96

PILOT Kakuno Fountain Pen, Clear Barrel, Fine Nib https://amzn.to/3V96FKB

Keychron C2 104 Keys Full Size Wired Mechanical Keyboard https://amzn.to/4fMJ4ba

Pilot Multi-Pen Body, Hi-Tec-C Coleto 500 https://amzn.to/3Z3tjFt

Pilot, G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens, G2 Boost Pink Pack, The Colors of Optimism, 8 Pack Pouch, Fine Point 0.7 mm https://amzn.to/4g1Nzhr

BIGiDESIGN Ti Arto EDC Titanium Pen - Machined Raw https://www.jetpens.com/BIGiDESIGN-Ti-Arto-EDC-Titanium-Pen-Machined-Raw/pd/24961

Platinum Fountain Pen, Preppy, Fine Nib, Pink https://amzn.to/49alQt2

TWSBI ECO Fountain Pen Black https://amzn.to/4ePLOTH

PILOT Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink, Take-Sumi https://amzn.to/49amN4A

PILOT Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink, Momiji, Autumn Leaves (Red) 50ml Bottle https://amzn.to/4g3iTwt

Diamine Inkvent Calendar and 24 Inks https://amzn.to/3CILVDn

Blue Pilot G2 Gel Ink Refill for Rolling Ball Pens, Bold Point 24 REFILLS https://amzn.to/4fFBiQh

Chuck Joiner’s Picks:

OWC 5 Port Thunderbolt Hub https://amzn.to/4g17Eo5

Under Desk Cable Management Tray https://amzn.to/4fE0E0P

Magnetic Torpedo Level, Spirit Level 3 Bubble Level Torpedo Magnetic Level Bubble Measuring Tool (6 inch) https://amzn.to/3ZmVIrB

Guests:

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 https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud.

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.

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