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


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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

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