Cool Stuff Found: Tools and Gadgets to Keep You Geeked Out

This week’s Mac Geek Gab is a goldmine of cool stuff found, perfect for every Mac user and tech enthusiast. Dive into tools like the Mac Media Key Forwarder to keep your play/pause controls in check, MacWhisper’s latest updates, and iStat Menus 7 for ultimate system monitoring. Whether you’re compressing PDFs with Lightweight PDF, substituting TextExpander with TypeItForMe, or managing your VPN with Public IP, these tips will keep your Mac running smoothly. Plus, for the speed readers out there, OutRead is your new go-to app, and Scroll Reverser will help you fine-tune your mouse and trackpad experience.

For podcasting pros, this episode is packed with essentials. Auphonic ensures your audio levels are perfectly balanced, while apps like Overcast and Pocket Casts keep you connected to your favorite shows. The Apple Maps web beta and PurePort USB-C cleaning tools also make an appearance, rounding out the list of must-haves.

And for the true geeks, LocalSend offers cross-platform sharing, TailDrive integrates TailScale into your Files app, and AltStore.io opens up new possibilities with easy iPhone sideloading. Don’t forget Pete’s PopPic for 3D photos and Dave’s CellHelmet MagSafe squishy grip—these are the tools that’ll keep you ahead of the tech curve.

Remember, don’t get caught without these essentials!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1052 for Monday, August 26th, 2024
  • August 26th: National Webmistress Day
  • The MGG Merch Store is Live!
• Cool Stuff Found for Your Mac
  • 00:00:01 Ben-CSF-1048–Mac Media Key Forwarder to ensure play/pause always controls Music.
  • 00:02:15 August 26th: National Webmistress Day
  • 00:03:25 rnDoug-CSF-Session, a Private Messaging App
  • 00:06:46 Lee-CSF-MacWhisper has had some killer updates lately
  • 00:10:02 Steven-CSF-TypeItForMe as a Subscription-less TextExpander Substitute
    • Documents by Readdle
  • 00:14:23 GadgetComa-CSF-iStat Menus 7 Is Out! (also in Setapp)
    • Stats for Mac (free)
  • 00:20:43 Ben-CSF-1033–Lightweight PDF to compress PDFs in place
  • 00:23:07 JanLandy-CSF-Public IP to keep your IP in the menubar (helpful for VPN users)
  • 00:26:53 Rod L-CSF-Scroll Reverser and MOS to manage scroll direction for Mouse and Trackpad
  • 00:29:28 Pascal-CSF-plistWatch to Monitor Plist changes in Real-Time
  • 00:30:46 CSF-OutRead – Mac, iOS Speed Reading App – up your reading productivity
• Cool Stuff Found for Podcasting
  • 00:35:05 And also Apple Podcasts on the Web now, too
  • 00:36:22 Bob-What’s everyone using for a Podcast Player app?
    • Overcast
    • Pocket Casts
    • Downcast
    • Fountain.fm
  • 00:43:45 Auphonic for Podcast Loudness Normalization and More
  • 00:55:34 Randy-CSF-VMWare Fusion Pro 13 free for Personal Use
• 00:46:44 RandyWalker-CSF-Apple Maps on Web (beta)
  • Report Corrections to Apple Maps
• Show Business
  • 00:53:26 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment
    • Fountain.fm
• Cool Stuff Found for Charging Your Devices
  • 00:56:46 Ben-CSF-1050–PurePort USB-C for Cleaning Your USB-C Ports