Bring Your Own Dog

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

You’re in for a fast-paced ride with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton as they dive into power-user Quick Tips that’ll change your Apple game. From lightning-fast navigation in Notes to creating Spotify-style stations in Apple Music, and securing your Time Machine volumes inside encrypted APFS containers, this episode is loaded. You’ll rearrange CarPlay apps like a pro, check your battery with Siri, and streamline iCloud Mail aliases. And if you haven’t played with ChatGPT’s new voice mode recently, you’re missing out—it’s weirdly friendly.

Then it’s a hard turn into real-world snags, like when JP’s HomePod stopped being a Home Hub—Don’t Get Caught like he did. Adam tries—and fails—to merge his Apple IDs, raising red flags for developer account holders. Cool Stuff Found includes retro-modern turntables from Victrola (this month’s MGG giveaway!) and a handy AirPods noise guide. Listener questions dig into hostname quirks and CarPlay glitches, and the crew weighs in on Apple’s 2026 OS betas. Pilot Pete gives iOS 26 a solid 95%, so maybe it’s time to test the waters—maybe just not on your main device?

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1097 for Monday, July 7th, 2025
  • July 7th: World Chocolate Day
  • Police Code 10-97 – Arrived at Scene
  • MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
  • The MGG Merch Store is Live!
  • We’ll be doing MGG Live at Macstock on Saturday, July 12th! Join us, and use our coupon code: MACGEEKGAB50 to save $50!
• Quick Tips
  • 00:00:01 Dan-QT-Tab from Notes List to get to Start of Note
  • 00:04:44 Tony-QT-Apple Music Create Station – Spotify also
  • 00:06:06 Allen-QT-Encrypt your Time Machine Volumes inside an APFS container
    • 2TB Crucial X9 Pro SSD
  • 00:08:18 Joe-QT-Apple iCloud Mail Aliases
  • 00:11:08 Steve-QT-With CarPlay (or not) you can ask Siri for your iPhone’s battery percentage
  • 00:13:24 Who is using Alexa+ Early Access?
  • 00:17:39 ChatGPT’s voice mode…is friendlier
  • 00:18:40 Gary-QT-ReArrange Apps in CarPlay to suit your needs!
  • 00:19:59 Tim-QT-Show alternate directions in Apple Maps CarPlay
• Sponsors
  • 00:21:06 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.
  • 00:22:34 SPONSOR: Strawberry.me. Own Your Future. Discover what’s possible with a professional coach by your side. Visit Strawberry.me/MGG or use code MGG to claim your $50 credit today.
• Don’t Get Caught
  • 00:23:53 JP-I got caught with my HomePod stopping acting as a HomeHub
  • 00:30:49 Fr-John-DGC Follow Up-CleanMyMac Not as effective as MacUpdater
  • 00:31:48 Bob-CSF-Latest lets you check for software updates on your Mac
• On Merging Your Apple IDs
  • 00:33:11 Adam could NOT merge his two Apple IDs, possibly because he has a developer account?
• Sponsors
  • 00:44:07 SPONSOR: Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you. Head to CalderaLab.com/MGG and use MGG at checkout for 20% off your first order.
  • 00:45:45 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
  • 00:47:19 PODCAST: The 5 AM Miracle. Every Monday morning, The 5 AM Miracle is here to help you dominate your day before breakfast, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.
• Cool Stuff Found
  • 00:48:12 CSF-Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable
  • 00:52:18 CSF-Victrola Revolution GO 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Rechargeable Record Player with Built-in Speakers
  • 00:54:35 PJ-CSF-AirPods Noises Reference Page
  • 00:56:06 Deborah-CSF-1096-OWC’s Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter
• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
  • 00:59:36 Alan-Why does my Mac’s local hostname keep adding and increasing numbers at the end?
  • 01:06:06 Tim-Why Cellular Connectivity Issue with CarPlay
    • iDoing Android Head Unit
• Apple’s Upcoming 2026 OSes
  • 01:11:37 rnDoug-Before you install iPadOS 26 beta…
  • 01:13:32 Adam’s having a good iPadOS 26 beta experience…for the most part
  • 01:14:23 Pilot Pete gives iOS 26 beta a 95% rating
• 01:17:27 MGG 1097 Outtro
  • MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
  • 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