Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

This week on Mac Geek Gab 1128, you dive into a treasure chest of Cool Stuff Found with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton. From DockLock Lite keeping your Dock in check to Backdrop 2.0’s animated lock screens and BookMacster’s bookmark magic, you’ll uncover smart Mac tricks you didn’t know you needed. The geeks take a nostalgic tangent into podcasting history before jumping into the now: Agentic browsers like ChatGPT’s Atlas and Perplexity’s Comet that are reshaping how you browse today. Safari killing your Tahoe? Find out why Apple’s AI choices might change how your Mac thinks.

Then it’s back to more gems: Bootable clones return with SuperDuper, World Clock Widget makes global time simple, and Fastmail’s new desktop app joins BusyCal and Fantastical in taming your digital life. You’ll also learn how not to get caught with Apple Notes overwriting your data (keep the app open until it syncs!). Wrapping up, apps like Pixeldrop, Shutter Declutter, and Brick help you tidy photos, redact safely, and silence distractions. Plus, creative NFC tag hacks that make your smart home even smarter. As always, the MGG crew makes sure you Don’t Get Caught.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1128 for Monday, February 9th, 2026

February 9th: National Clean Out Your Computer Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Copilot Money!

Congrats to January’s winner, Amanda Colyer!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Cool Stuff Found

00:00:01 Bruce-CSF-Neo Network Utility

00:03:30 Oskar-CSM-Backdrop 2.0 adds Custom Live Wallpapers to the macOS Lock Screen

00:04:53 Pensacola Craig-CSF-DockLock Lite to keep your Mac’s Dock from jumping

00:06:11 Jim-CSF-1118–BookMacster by Sheep Systems to edit, sort, and sync bookmarks across browsers

00:08:26 Tangent: A discussion about how podcasting (and Maccast and Mac Geek Gab) got started

00:13:35 PilotPete-CSF-ChatGPT Atlas Browser

Comet from Perplexity

00:15:00 Using Agentic Browsers is not the future…it’s the present!

00:26:04 And Safari might be killing your Tahoe

00:28:48 AI integrated into your operating system

Apple needs to choose wisely

00:35:47 CSF-Eney Beta from MacPaw

Sponsors

00:37:21 SPONSOR: Sundays for Dogs. Every bite of Sundays is clean and made from real meat, fruits, and veggies, with no kibble. Stanley loves it! Go right now to sundaysfordogs.com/MGG50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code MGG50 at checkout.

00:39:42 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG

MOAR Cool Stuff Found

00:41:32 Bruce-CSF-1127–ClipGrab to download YouTube videos (free download)

00:42:54 Kirschen-CSF-KeyClu replaces CheatSheet

Use Brew! brew install –cask keyclu

00:45:25 Larry-CSF-SuperDuper WILL do bootable Clones on macOS 26

Using CCC Backup to create legacy bootable copies of macOS

Idea: create a bootable external and stop once macOS is installed, leaving it ready for Migration Assistant (or anything else)

00:52:36 Andrew-CSF-World Clock Widget app

UTC=Universal Time Coordinated

Swatch Internet Time

00:56:33 David-CSF-Fastmail Desktop App for Mac

BusyCal

Fantastical

Spark Mail

Cardhop

Don’t Get Caught with notes Syncing

01:01:42 DGC-Apple Notes only syncs when the app is open on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

This can lead to sync overwrites if one device makes a change without having the latest copy.

Back to Cool Stuff Found

01:04:58 Bob-CSF-1107-Shutter Declutter helps process photos

01:11:00 rnDoug-Mole, a system maintenance tool

01:12:18 DanDXZDB-Pixeldrop for selectively redacting part of a photo

Don’t Get Caught with your data buried in PDFs

01:14:20 DGC-Save redacted PDFs as a single layer so people can’t see your layers

Back on Track with CSF

01:14:50 CSF-Brick to block distracting apps and notifications on your iPhone

01:19:38 Creatively Using NFC Tags

Use NFC Tags with the Home app

01:21:48 QT-Re-use NFC Tags that other people send you!

01:24:04 MGG 1128 Outtro

MGG Monthly Giveaway

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

[email protected]

224-888-GEEK

Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List

BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You move fast in this episode, stacking Quick Tips that shave friction off your day almost immediately. You tell Siri to take notes on command, record audio directly inside Notes with native transcripts, and pull off smarter gestures in CarPlay Maps and iOS 26 Safari that feel hidden in plain sight. You tame the Camera side button, rename files faster from Finder and app toolbars, and generally remind yourself that small muscle-memory tweaks compound into real time saved. This is the kind of workflow polish that keeps you ahead instead of catching up.

Then the conversation sharpens. You dig into why troubleshooting advice can be too eager to fix the wrong problem, unpack what “absolute mode” thinking really means, and react to Apple’s acquisition moves and fresh AirTag releases.

Listener questions take you into practical territory like grabbing a single frame from video, sharing iCloud calendars with Android users, and understanding how features get quietly “nerfed,” leading to Pilot Pete’s perfectly named Newly Effectuated Reduced Functionality.

You wrap with Cool Stuff Found that spans Vision Pro accessories, immersive gaming, and travel-ready power. The throughline is clear: know what still works, notice what’s been taken away, and adapt before it costs you time. Don’t Get Caught.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1127 for Monday, February 2nd, 2026

February 2nd: The Record of a Sneeze Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Copilot Money!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Gene-QT-Hey Siri, Take a Note

00:03:48 Ian-QT-In Notes, Record Audio and Save the transcript natively! (Use the paper clip icon)

00:06:52 rnDoug-QT-1126-Zoom in CarPlay Maps with a special double-tap (and Peter, too)

00:10:32 Tom-1126-Hold down on URL Bar to close tab (and more) on iOS 26

00:11:13 Bill-QT-1126-Swipe Up on URL bar for All Tabs View on iPhone

00:12:53 Todd-QT-Camera Settings to Get Side Camera Button to do your bidding!

00:17:44 Bill-QT-1126-Rename files in Finder and from apps’ Toolbar

Sponsors

00:21:24 SPONSOR: Tempo. For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/MGG.

00:22:52 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG

We Need To Talk

00:24:12 Craig-ChatGPT is too hasty to troubleshoot my tech issues

ChatGPT Absolute Mode

Hey, Did You Hear?

00:41:23 Apple acquires secretive Q․ai startup for $2 billion

00:45:40 New AirTags from Apple

Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

00:50:21 Rob-How can I copy one frame from a video?

yt-dlp (install with ‘brew install yt-dlp’)

PullTube and Downie (also available in Setapp)

What does NERF stand for when someone kills functionality

Newly Effectuated Reduced Functionality

01:03:04 Larry-How can I share my iCloud calendar with an Android user?

OneCalendar

Sync for iCloud

Cool Stuff Found

01:09:04 Adam-CSF-Apple Vision Pro Dual Knit Band

Demeo on Vision Pro

01:12:29 DLH-CSF-Anker Prime 25W 3-in-1 Travel charger

01:16:36 MGG 1127 Outtro

MGG Monthly Giveaway

Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors

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

[email protected]

224-888-GEEK

Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List

BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You dive into Mac Geek Gab 1126, kicking off with quick tips like batch renaming files in Finder using Craig’s method, then celebrating Lotus 1-2-3 Day with a wild tangent on competitive spreadsheeting and full-contact spreadsheet battles—think TCAS systems in airplanes morphing into “Car As A Service” dreams. More tips follow: three-finger pinch on Mac for quick zoom, pinch iPhone Safari screens for all tabs, time zone hacks for jet lag flyers, Fn key emoji picker, and disabling cellular data on cruise ships to avoid roaming nightmares. Don’t Get Caught hits hard with Michael’s Password Hell survival and Larry’s warning on that pesky Apple Search bug in Settings—hold off nuking your iPad.

You tackle listener queries next, troubleshooting Bob’s Lightroom + Dropbox Trash Bin woes, hunting DLH’s missing CarPlay Maps pinch-to-zoom (maybe iOS 26?), verifying Eric’s MacUpdater safety, and fixing Sandy’s wonky Contacts app step-by-step. Packed with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton’s signature geeky banter, this episode drops January 26, 2026—grab it before tech glitches trip you up.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1126 for Monday, January 26th, 2026

January 26th: Lotus 1-2-3 Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Ecamm Live or Carbon Copy Cloner 7!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Craig-QT-You can batch rename files in Finder

00:05:01 January 26th: Lotus 1-2-3 Day

00:06:40 Competitive Spreadsheeting

Full Contact Spreadsheeting

TCAS System in airplanes

Tangent: Car as a service

00:13:11 When can we move to Car As A Service?

MOAR Quick Tips

00:19:30 Steve-You can also three finger pinch on the Mac!

00:22:56 Todd-Pinch iPhone Screen in Safari to reveal the All Tabs display

00:24:16 Time hack: when flying across time zones, start your day on the time zone you will be ending on

00:25:11 Craig-QT-Use Fn to bring up the Mac emoji picker

00:27:48 Jim-QT-For cruisers, disable cellular data on the ship

Sponsors

00:30:35 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG

00:31:48 SPONSOR: Copilot Money. Your money, beautifully organized, now across every device. For a limited-time, get 26% off your first year when you sign up at https://try.copilot.money/macgeekgab. Get two months free with code ‘macgeekgab’.

00:33:12 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.

Don’t Get Caught

00:34:24 Michael-DGC-Password Hell is a Real Place

Bitwarden

Access became Uplock

00:53:17 Larry-DGC-Known Bug in Apple Search in Settings – Don’t Nuke-n-Pave Your iPad just yet

Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

00:54:26 -n=Bob-?-Why Lightroom + DropBox TidBits Article Won’t Let me Put Files in the Trash Bin?

01:00:18 DLH-Where is CarPlay Maps pinch to zoom?

Maybe in iOS 26

01:04:49 Eric-Is MacUpdater still safe for now?

01:06:17 Sandy-Contacts is being weird…how do I unweird it?

01:17:55 MGG 1126 Outtro

MGG Monthly Giveaway

Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors

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

[email protected]

224-888-GEEK

Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List

BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You start with Quick Tips that tighten up your daily Apple workflow fast. You learn how CarPlay scrubbing actually works while driving, how Siri can jump forward or back in precise time chunks, and why Apple’s vision for Siri, Gemini, and personal intelligence matters more than the hype suggests. You unlock practical wins like copying Voice Memos transcripts, using Continuity for clipboard magic across devices, mastering iPhone copy and paste gestures, and understanding when dragging photos quietly converts them to JPEGs. Along the way, you revisit Apple Newton roots, discover why tools like Yoink still matter, and pick up slick tricks for prepping images in Messages and pausing voice recordings mid-thought.

Then you move into real-world problem solving. You figure out how to record a selfie video on iPhone while reading a script without breaking your flow, why Sign in With Apple is still worth using, and how to monitor drive health without guessing. You finally get clarity on weird Trash behavior, stop your mouse from waking your Mac, and understand why green bubble RCS and SMS sometimes fail on macOS. The episode wraps with a discussion about Apple Creator Studio tools like Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Compressor, MainStage, and premium content across Apple’s productivity apps. Listen to sharpen your instincts so when it counts, you Don’t Get Caught.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1125 for Monday, January 19th, 2026

January 19th: Brew a Potion Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Ecamm Live or Carbon Copy Cloner 7!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors:

BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)!

Eero

Ecamm for Zoom integration

MacPaw

CCC Backup

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Chris-QT-CarPlay lets you scrub while driving

00:04:01 QT-Use Siri to skip forwards and backwards in specific time increments

00:06:18 The future of Siri, Gemini, and Personal Intelligence

00:14:33 QT-See and copy transcripts from Voice Memos

00:15:44 QT-Continuity works for Clipboard Too

00:18:21 iPhone Copy/Paste Gestures

00:21:55 Doug-QT-Dragging photos on iPhone converts them to JPEG

Copying/Pasting on the Apple Newton

Yoink

00:27:01 Jeff-QT-Dragging an image into Messages preps it to send

00:28:15 Pete-QT-Pause Voice Recording on iOS

00:29:54 How do I record a selfie video on my iPhone while being able to read a script?

Teleprompter for Video for iPhone

Also Teleprompter is free with in app purchases

00:34:43 GW-QT-Don’t forget about Sign in With Apple

Sponsors

00:38:50 SPONSOR: Tempo. For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/MGG.

00:40:22 SPONSOR: Stamps.com. Try Stamps dot com risk-free for sixty days at stamps.com and use code mgg! Sixty days gives you plenty of time to see exactly how much time and money you’re saving on every shipment.

00:41:42 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK

Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

00:43:12 Andy-What should I use to monitor drive health?

Disk Drill

DriveDx

Techtool Pro for repairing APFS volumes

00:48:52 Gary-Why Sometime Trash? Why Sometimes NO Trash?

00:59:37 Andrew-How can I keep my mouse from waking up my Mac?

01:03:25 Caleb-Why can’t I send green bubble RCS/SMS messages from my Mac?

Cool Stuff Found

01:07:19 CSF? Apple Creator Studio

Logic Pro

Pixelmator Pro

Final Cut Pro

Compressor

MainStage

Premium content for Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Freeform, Motion and more

01:18:31 MGG 1125 Outtro

MGG Monthly Giveaway

Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors

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

[email protected]

224-888-GEEK

Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List

BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You walk the CES 2026 floor with Pete and Dave and quickly realize this episode is about practical gear that earns its place in your life. You hear about clever headphones, smarter thermostats, compact travel tech, and simple photo organization that fixes real annoyances without overthinking them. The crew cuts through the hype, calling out what feels thoughtful versus what just looks flashy, so you can spot the difference between tools that solve problems and gadgets that will gather dust.

Then things get broader and more futuristic without losing focus. You explore consumer health tech that is finally becoming accessible, modular controllers that rethink how you interact with devices, and open-ear audio that fits real-world use. Robots take over yards and floors, smart calendars and water sensors aim to reduce daily friction, and networking gear shrinks without giving up power. It is a fast tour of ideas that are close enough to touch, if not already shipping, with one consistent reminder guiding the whole conversation: stay curious, stay selective, and Don’t Get Caught chasing shiny things that do not actually improve your day.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1124 for Monday, January 12th, 2026

January 12th: National Curried Chicken Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Ecamm Live or Carbon Copy Cloner 7!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors:

BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)!

Eero

Ecamm for Zoom integration

MacPaw

CCC Backup

Cool Stuff Found at CES 2026

00:03:41 TDM Twist Headphones

00:06:36 Eve Thermostat

00:08:08 FotoStax – $25 for a 10-pack

00:11:09 Targus Voyager EXP – $89.99

00:14:04 NOMATIC Travel Pack

00:15:52 Eloquens Email AI Autoresponder

00:21:25 Consumer-focused Blood Glucose Monitors

Abbott Lingo, Stelo by Dexcom, Isaac from PreEvent, Y-Brush Halo, Actxa Core Smart Ring

Sponsors

00:27:27 SPONSOR: Copilot Money. Your money, beautifully organized, now across every device. For a limited-time, get 26% off your first year when you sign up at https://try.copilot.money/macgeekgab. Get two months free with code ‘macgeekgab’.

00:28:49 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG

00:30:25 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG

MOAR Cool Stuff Found at CES 2026

00:31:33 Modue – Modular controllers for gamers, creators, and more

00:35:00 Shokz OpenFit Pro Earbuds

00:38:58 Robot Lawn Mowers

Yarbo M-Series, Segway Navimow, Worx, Lymow

00:43:58 Robot Vacuums

Eureka E10 Evo Plus – $299

Eureka Z50 $799

Roborock Saros Rover

00:51:13 Skylight Calendar 2

00:53:28 Droplet Smarthome Water Sensor from Hydrific

00:58:04 TP-Link Aireal Digital in-app assistant

01:00:31 TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Portable Travel Router TL-WR3602BE

01:03:21 CubicScreen.com

01:06:22 MGG 1124 Outtro

MGG Monthly Giveaway

Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly

MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors

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

[email protected]

224-888-GEEK

Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List

BackBeat Media Podcast Network

The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app

Follow us on Mastodon

Mac Geek Gab on Mastodon

Adam Christianson on Mastodon

Dave Hamilton on Mastodon

Pilot Pete on Mastodon

Mona for Mastodon (for Mac, iPhone, iPad)

Adam Christianson on X/Twitter