In this week’s episode of Mac Geek Gab, episode 1020, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton dive into a variety of quick tips and deeper tech insights, ensuring you don’t get caught unprepared in the digital world. They kick off with practical advice on keeping your Luggage AirTag batteries fresh, a smart move for any tech-savvy traveler. Jedd chimes in with a crucial tip: disable the ‘Raise to Listen’ feature in Messages to avoid sending unintended audio messages. They also shed light on a common misconception: the Downloads Folder is not synced across devices, a vital tidbit for file management.

The trio then navigates through the nuances of Apple’s user interface, exploring how Apple still acts true to its innovative roots. They address a critical security question from Rob about the safety of disabling Gatekeeper for third-party app installations, highlighting Apple’s Gatekeeper ‘spctl’ command. Further, they tackle a unique issue raised by Jedd regarding a specific Mac causing printer resets, offering a solution involving http://localhost:631/printers/ and the ‘cupsctl WebInterface=yes’ command. The episode also touches on the pitfalls of using Low Power Mode on laptops and provides insights into choosing the best standalone router, discussing options like RT6600ax, WRX560, Eero, NETGEAR Orbi, TP-Link Deco, UniFi Express, and the GL.inet Beryl X Travel Router.

With these tips and tricks, listeners are well-equipped to navigate Apple’s hidden UI features and more, always staying one step ahead.