MGG...Jeopardy Style
Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance
Shownotes Transcript
This week on Mac Geek Gab, you’ll learn how to outsmart your tech before it tries to outsmart you. Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton deliver a barrage of Quick Tips, including reviving dead notifications by force-quitting Notification Center, rethinking your Dock layout for remote desktops, and leveraging iOS’s default translate app setting. You’ll also discover how to scrub orphaned system extensions from your Mac, and how Shortcuts can turn your Apple TV into a photo gallery masterpiece. Of course, you know the drill—Don’t Get Caught skipping the smart stuff.
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Dig into iPhone VPN conflicts with CarPlay, backup reliability with Carbon Copy Cloner, and the surprising value of an AirTag in your car. You’ll learn about com.apple.asr snapshots, decluttering your Lock Screen, choosing the right Focus modes, and comparing Wi-Fi mesh systems like Eero, Deco, and Orbi. We even tackle the Nvidia SHIELD vs. Apple TV Plex showdown, then wrap it up with Cool Stuff Found like the BoostHero flashlight/jump starter, MailMaven, and a solar car battery. It’s everything your inner geek craves—and more.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1092) for Monday, June 2nd), 2025
June 2nd: National Leave Work Early Day)
Police Code 10-92) – Subject in custody / Parking violation
MGG Monthly Giveaway) – Win an eero Outdoor 7
WWDC Is Next Week. Got any Predictions? Also, show will be about 17 hours late!
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 Brad-QT-When Notifications Cease, force-quit Notification Center in Activity Monitor
00:06:29 Hans-QT-Set up your Dock for your remote desktop on the opposite side for a visual reference
00:07:40 QT-Set a default translate app in iOS 18.4 or later
00:08:48 Scott-QT-1091-Use Shortcuts and ArtCast) to create custom Apple TV photo galleries
00:10:38 Brad-QT-Remove Orphaned System Extensions with systemextensionsctl)
systemextensionsctl list
systemextensionsctl gc – garbage collect orphaned system extension(s)
00:15:26 SPONSOR: Square). Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/mgg). #squarepod #ad
Don’t Get Caught
00:17:12 Michael-DGC-Your iPhone’s VPN Might Interfere with CarPlay
00:21:16 Val-DGC-An AirTag in your car might just help the police locate it if stolen!
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:23:21 Shannon-What is com.apple.asr in Snapshots?
00:28:44 Hans-How do I keep my iPhone lock screen free of notifications?
00:34:01 What Focus modes do you use?
00:39:30 SPONSOR: Insta360 X5 Camera). To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com) and use the promo code “mgg”, available for the first 30 purchases only.
Show Business
00:41:28 MGG Review-BenTsuki from USA
00:42:28 MGG Review-Gary-Goo-69 – Too Much Gab, Not enough geek!
00:44:56 MGG Review-Ed-Houston THE Best Mac/Apple product-related podcast
00:46:00 MGG Review-Moe Coffee
00:46:48 MGG Premium) Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment
MOAR Questions Answered
00:50:38 Steve-Reliability of CCC Backup) for a wipe and restore?
00:56:25 Jedd-Which Wi-Fi mesh system(s) do you suggest today?
Eero)
01:02:46 Chris-Is the Nvidia SHIELD TV) really best for Plex)?
Infuse from Firecore) for Plex on Apple TV
Cool Stuff Found
01:08:37 CSF-Limitless BoostHero flashlight and jump starter)
01:12:37 CSF-MailMaven) from SmallCubed
01:14:48 Sunway Solar Car Battery)
01:17:00 MGG 1092) Outtro
MGG Monthly Giveaway) – 1MORE Headphones
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
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors)