You’re not really celebrating World Backup Day unless you’ve got Time Machine humming, Backblaze backing, and Synology syncing. In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, you, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton dig deep into layered backup strategies with tools like Arq, Hazel, and iDrive e2—plus the always-timely reminder to check your backups. Then it’s on to Quick Tips: did you know iPhone timers can start or stop audio playback? Or that you can quickly reload Safari without blockers? You’ll even learn how naming your AirTags strategically makes Find My a breeze. Security’s in the spotlight, too. Make your password manager ironclad, freeze your credit at the big three bureaus, and finally unravel the mystery of the Creedence Cryptex. Got Mac quirks? Learn how to stop macOS windows from auto-resizing and find the best media tools for ripping Blu-Rays. Cool Stuff Found includes gadgets like the FeatherSnap bird feeder cam, Warp.dev for AI terminal magic, HazeOver to tame your desktop, and the punchy 1More Sonoflow cans. Tune in, geek out, and most importantly… Don’t Get Caught. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1083 for Monday, March 31st, 2025 March 31st: World Backup Day Police Code 10-83 – Work/school crossing detail MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 00:03:46 March 31st: World Backup Day Time Machine Backblaze iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Synology Drive (sync, with versioning) CCC Backup Hazel Arq Backup iDrive e2 Monthly reminder to “Check Backups” Quick Tips 00:00:01 Perry-QT-iPhone timers can stop AND start audio playing 00:25:59 Carsten-QT-Number your AirTags and just name them in the Find My app 00:28:09 Bill-QT-Reload Safari without Blockers 1Blocker 00:34:20 Carsten-QT-Make your password manager even more secure 00:43:15 Freeze your accounts at credit bureaus (it’s free!) Equifax Trans Union Experian Show Business 00:46:01 MGG Reviews MGG Review-SimonLock MGG Review-rn_doug 00:48:54 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:50:46 David-Creedence Cryptex-What is this? 00:56:14 Joe-How do I stop windows from enlarging when I drag them in macOS 15? 00:58:01 Mac-Media and Optical Drive Recommendations-A Few Things MakeMKV to Rip Blu-Rays on Your Mac Cool Stuff Found 01:06:08 CSF-FeatherSnap BirdFeeder with Camera 01:09:17 Rob in STL-CSF-Warp.dev, an AI-powered Terminal 01:11:50 n-Tony-CSF-HazeOver to dim inactive windows on your Mac 01:13:25 CSF-1More Sonoflow HQ51 Over-Ear Headphones 01:16:35 MGG 1083 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 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 Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar 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

Discover quick tips to enhance your Apple experience, like organizing Notes folders and using Siri reminders from the Lock Screen. Dive into managing Plex subscriptions and navigate recent security challenges with macOS updates. Learn about reliable storage solutions and how to handle iCloud email frustrations. Explore VPN options tailored for travelers and the intriguing future of AI, emphasizing responsible use alongside human creativity. Plus, get insights on innovative tech products that boost everyday productivity!

Transform boring hotel rooms into cozy spaces with savvy travel tips! Discover the power of the JBL Pulse speaker for adding ambiance on the go. Get insights into the risks of double syncing folders with cloud services to avoid data calamities. The hosts also tackle the messiness of group messaging with RCS and SMS, offering solutions for common tech frustrations. From domain registrars to safe external drive ejection practices, this episode is packed with tools to elevate both your tech know-how and travel experiences!

SXSW is in full swing, and Dave is multitasking like a pro—grabbing his SXXpress passes mid-recording while keeping the geeky goodness rolling. Quick Tips flood in, from clicking your scroll wheel to copy text in Terminal to checking CPU usage per Safari tab in Activity Monitor. Need hands-free Siri? Just activate her from your steering wheel. Speaking of hands-free, snagging a wireless CarPlay screen for just $45 sounds like a no-brainer. Adam even took ChatGPT for a spin, using it to summarize scenes in a play he’s doing. You’ll even find your three favorite geeks diving into smarter ways to manage reminders with tags, projects, Kanbans, and location-based alerts. And don’t forget to test your UPS quarterly—Carsten’s got his EcoFlow power station pulling double duty. Apple dropped some fresh gear, and Ken Case describes how he’s using his Vision Pro daily. The M4 MacBook Air, new Mac Studio, and M3 iPad Air made waves, but let’s not ignore the everyday wins—like OpenIn giving you control over mailto links and Thunderbird’s (somewhat broken) indexing. Security gets its moment with a deep dive into “Sign In With Apple” and why padding your passwords matters. Oh, and if you’ve ever raged at Siri for not appending text to an existing note, Adam’s got you covered. Whether it’s tech, tricks, or troubleshooting, one thing’s for sure: Don’t Get Caught! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1080 for Monday, March 10th, 2025 March 10th: Fill Our Staplers Day Police Code 10-80 – Pursuit in progress MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! Special Promo: HelloFresh is running a 50% off special this month at HelloFresh.com with promo code HELLOFRESHPODCAST. Special Promo: Factor is running a special this month at FactorMeals.com with promo code FACTORPODCAST. MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup from Bombich Software! 00:03:26 SXSW This week, and today Dave needs to get SXXpress passes during the MGG recording. Fun! Eddy Cue & Ben Stiller talk Severance (and more) @ SXSW Quick Tips 00:00:01 Nick-QT-Click your scroll wheel to copy text in Terminal 00:04:58 Crampy-QT-Activate Siri from your steering wheel 00:06:06 Activity Monitor will show you CPU per Safari webpage usage 00:07:29 Siri Ignores you when she’s face down CarLinKit Adapter Wireless Aftermarket CarPlay Screen (only $45 today) 00:11:20 Adam used ChatGPT! 00:15:25 Andrew-QT-Tips to Make Reminders Even More Useful Previously-used Alternatives: OneNote, Evernote, Trello, ToDoist, Goodlinks Save Bookmarks Projects (with Kanban boards) Groups Tags Repeating Setting Location Shopping List Siri 00:20:41 Mark R-QT-Test your UPSes Quarterly 00:22:22 Carsten-CSF-EcoFlow Power Stations as UPSes Jackery makes Adam’s 00:26:57 SPONSOR: Rogue Amoeba Software makes some of the best Mac Audio software on the planet, and we couldn’t produce MGG this way without it! Just visit MacAudio.com/MGG and use code GEEKGAB to save 20% on anything they make. Download free trials, then buy online to receive the discounted price. New Apple Stuff 00:29:03 Ken Case-How I use my Apple Vision Pro every day 00:32:33 New M4 MacBook Air 00:39:46 New Mac Studio 00:41:06 New M3 iPad Air 00:46:29 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:47:52 Andy-Offer a Choice of Clients to Intercept mailto links OpenIn 00:51:22 DGC-Thunderbird Mail’s indexing is broken on the Mac 00:54:57 David-Scheduling Meetings with Multiple Calendars (here’s ChatGPT’s thoughts) 01:00:17 GW-Is Sign In With Apple safe? 01:07:35 Using padding on your passwords 01:10:04 David-Any Way to Auto Alphabetically Sort Apple Mail (GC?) BASIC Line numbers by tens 01:14:03 No Mail Client Is Perfect 01:15:44 Adam-How do I get Siri to add text to an existing note on iOS? 01:20:03 MGG 1080 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 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 Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar 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

Dive into the latest tech tips, like sorting iPhone battery usage by time to spot hidden drains. Learn how to customize ChatGPT for smarter suggestions based on your apps. Explore innovative gadgets like the ShiftCam SnapGrip Pro for enhanced smartphone photography and the Oregon Gear Cascade Backpack with its thoughtful design. Plus, discover the benefits of the Nextbase Pico 2 Dash Cam for added security on the road. From window management tools to top monitor setups, it's all about maximizing your tech experience!

Learn how to customize your iPhone’s lock screen with your name using a Focus mode trick. Discover tips on running multiple Terminal commands and using the powerful SIPS command for image processing. The hosts weigh the iPhone 16e's features against its pricier models while discussing advanced iCloud security measures. Troubleshooting Synology network share issues gets a thoughtful exploration, alongside clever parenting tech tips. Plus, uncover the potential motivations behind hacking in a dynamic tech landscape!

This discussion is filled with tech tips to enhance your Apple experience. Learn how to customize camera lens settings on your iPhone Pro for stunning shots. Discover how to keep your network alive during power outages with a UPS. Hear about migrating purchases between Apple IDs and don’t miss the quick shortcuts to make your workflow smoother. Tips for traveling with tech, troubleshooting email issues, and navigating hotel streaming constraints are covered. Plus, explore the intriguing world of Plex for personal media management!

Unlock iPhone hacks with a three-finger swipe to undo actions, transforming how you interact with your device! Dive into the world of AI-generated music, exploring its potential while sharing listener success stories. Stay secure online with tips to dodge phishing scams and manage your social media presence. Enhance your tech experience with innovative gadgets like motion-sensing garage lights and engage with challenging puzzle games. Plus, discover the creative synergy of AI tools for productivity and collaborative work!

Discover how to keep your smart home running smoothly even when the internet goes down! The hosts share essential tips on local control with Home Assistant and managing DNS settings. Learn about AirPods features, battery management for MacBooks, and clever uses for AirTags. Enjoy quick tips for managing Finder tabs and hear amusing parenting tales intertwined with tech challenges. Plus, don’t miss out on travel battery management hacks and a fun giveaway announcement!

Are you tired of struggling with password management and battery life on your Mac? This week’s Mac Geek Gab has you covered! Discover how to streamline your password management experience by using the escape key to dismiss Apple’s autofill dialog and access your preferred password manager. Learn about the debate between Apple’s built-in password management and third-party options like 1Password. The hosts also dive into battery management techniques, discussing the pros and cons of apps like Al Dente versus Apple’s native battery health features. But that’s not all! Get Quick Tips on using the terminal command “last reboot” to view your Mac’s shutdown history, and learn how to remove unwanted fonts using Font Book. In Cool Stuff Found, explore new AirTag accessories for pet tracking and check out the Insta360 Link webcam for improved video quality. Don’t get caught without these valuable insights – tune in to Mac Geek Gab for all this and more! Ready to supercharge your Mac knowledge? Listen now and discover at least five new things in this episode of Mac Geek Gab! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1074 for Monday, January 27th, 2025 January 27th: Bubblewrap Appreciation Day Police Code 10-74 – How do you copy / Smoke report / “Mental Person” You Decide! NF-Listener MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win an MGG Hat from our new merch store! Quick Tips 00:00:01 JMM-QT-Long Press Files App Icon to Pull Up Scan Menu Option 00:04:14 Kirschen-QT-Type `last reboot` and it’ll show you all recent shutdowns and reboots 00:05:40 Adam-QT-If you’re using Apple Passwords and 1Password, ‘escape’ is your friend 00:10:02 Keep a photo of your license and passport on your phone 00:12:43 StephenA-QT-Fool Websites that ‘block’ Pasting data such as Passwords 00:16:36 Gary-QT-Wow Apple Watch Camera App 00:18:55 JEhndal-QT-Use a cable for software updates on iOS/iPadOS devices if space is a problem Use encrypted backups to backup your iPhone’s health data 00:22:11 Scott-QT-Create a Silence Unknown Callers shortcut 00:23:27 Ferrers (and everyone in the chat)-QT-Shift-and-scroll to change your mouse to sideways 00:26:30 Mental Triggers for The Virtual Rolodex Sponsor 00:31:48 SPONSOR: OWC’s new Thunderbolt 5 hub is available and is compatible with Macs, PCs, and iPads Pro. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:33:17 Andrew-What’s the best way to manage my MacBook’s battery? AlDente for Mac 00:44:21 Valentine-Best Thunderbolt Dock Rec? OWC ClingOn USB-C Securing Device 00:52:49 Phil-Which Ad Blocker to replace Vinegar? uBlock Origin 1Blocker Ghostery 01:01:23 David-How do I remove fonts from my Mac? 01:06:37 Font Tips: Use the My Fonts tab to see which ones you installed, and create your own Font Collections Cool Stuff Found 01:08:40 CSF-Sonos now supports Lossless Apple Music Quality 01:11:54 MySpoonIsTooBig-CSF Elevation Lab AirTag Dog Collar Mount 01:14:14 Shannon-CSF-Insta360 Link Webcam 01:17:17 MGG 1074 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win an MGG Hat from our new merch store! 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 Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network