This week’s Mac Geek Gab with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton packs in quick tips, clever hacks, and gear finds to level up your Apple life. You’ll learn how to instantly turn screenshots into PDFs, scan docs like a pro, and understand why most Macs can’t handle 20Gbps USB. Get smarter about CarPlay cables, unlock better wireless GPS performance, and discover menu bar magic with tools like uBar, Sketchybar, and Looking Glass. Don’t Get Caught missing the debates over Apple Music vs. Spotify—plus which one wins for playlists and which takes the crown for audio quality.
When it comes to troubleshooting, you’ll see how to fix blank Mail previews, keep your number abroad for iMessage, and squeeze the most out of budget carriers. Round it out with negotiation strategies to lower your mobile and ISP bills, plus Wi-Fi service order tweaks and DHCP reservation tips to keep your Mac running smooth.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1103 for Monday, August 18th, 2025

August 18th: National Fajita Day
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Default Folder


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Pogo Kelly-QT-Turn Screenshots into a PDF in the Finder
00:02:50 Karl-QT-CHiPs taught us some police 11-codes!
00:04:34 Kiwi Graham-QT-Apple devices use randomized serial numbers
00:07:36 Mike-QT-Files.app document scanning maxes out at 24 pages
00:10:59 CSF-Genius Scan (free version)
00:12:10 Peg-QT-Scanning using Image Capture
00:13:48 Craig-1101-QT-Most Macs can’t support USB 20Gbps


Sponsor

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00:17:59 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
00:19:29 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.


Don’t Get Caught

00:20:50 RandyWalker-DGC-Change Out Your CarPlay Cable

Coiled cable for CarPlay


00:24:09 Wireless CarPlay and GPS Passthrough

CarLinkIt 5.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter




Cool Stuff Found

00:30:16 PorthosJon-CSF-uBar, a Dock Enhancer
00:32:16 Ben-CSF-Sketchybar to customize your menubar (video instructions!)
00:34:30 Andrew-CSF-Looking Glass for Apple Music (or Spotify) to control Apple Music from your Mac’s Menu Bar