MacVoices #25299: 2025 MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide #4 (2)

Nov 29, 2025

Guest

Mike Schmitz

Norbert Frassa, a tech commentator and CES veteran, shares his favorite gift picks like the versatile ShiftCam iPhone case, perfect for macro and telephoto photography. Rosemary Orchard, an Apple automation expert, highlights the Logitech Reach document camera for all your scanning needs. Meanwhile, Mike Schmitz, an independent creator, recommends the Stream Deck Neo to enhance productivity. They also touch on audio gear and a thought-provoking AI book, Co-Intelligence, that dazzles with insights. Perfect gifts for tech lovers!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Extend iPhone Camera With Modular Lenses

Try a ShiftCam iPhone case and lenses to upgrade phone photography without buying a new camera.
Replace only the case when you upgrade phones and add lenses as gifts over time.

INSIGHT

Dedicated Overhead Camera Feels Like Pro Kit

The Logitech Reach is purpose-built for overhead demos and content capture with a flexible arm and easy one-handed adjustment.
It folds compactly and ships with either a base or clamp, making it portable despite the $350 price.

ADVICE

Automate Workflows With Stream Deck Buttons

Buy an Elgato Stream Deck Neo to automate repetitive studio or desktop tasks with customizable buttons under $100.
Start small and expand; the Stream Deck ecosystem and extensions reveal many quick wins.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

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.

Show Notes:

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.

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/

Subscribe:

Audio in iTunes Video in iTunes

Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:

Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss