Oh...Snap! – Mac Geek Gab 663

· & · Mac Geek Gab Podcast

Proper use of a catchall address, external MacBook and MacBook Pro batteries, granular controls on the volume slider, GPS in Airplane mode, and making an old trackball with with Sierra are just the way this show begins. Listen in for much, much more… and feel free to send your questions in, too!

How to Start a Campfire With a Plastic Sandwich Bag and Water

· · Cool Stuff Found

This video isn’t conventional computer tech. And yet’s immensely technical, invoking a principle of physics. Gotta love that. And so, if you’re camping, don’t have matches, can’t find a flinty rock and can’t get your campfire started for a cold night to come, here’s a really cool demo. What you need is some pulverized wood, a clear plastic sandwich bag, and some water from a nearby stream. Or your cooler. Sound impossible, Mr. MacGyver? Check it out.

Smarter Coffee Brews How You Want, When You Want

· · Cool Stuff Found

There are smart coffee makers, and then there’s Smarter Coffee. This coffee maker is so smart it can start brewing when you round the bend home from your morning jog. With the explosion in app-enabled appliances and smart home technology, it’s not too surprising. With Smarter Coffee, you can use the app or start brewing with a command to Alexa. That’s not all, though — the coffee maker has a built-in bean grinder. It will grind your beans to the perfect consistence, then brew your coffee just the way you like it. Connect Smarter Coffee to a fitness tracker. The coffee maker will start brewing when you near home after your jog or evening commute. Finally, the coffee maker tells you, through the app, how much water is in the reservoir. If you want to set it to brew eight cups of coffee, you’ll know right away if you need to add more water.

Off the Tracks: A Final Cut Pro X Documentary

· · Cool Stuff Found

Are you a fan of Apple’s Final Cut Pro? Or curious about the controversial history of the Final Cut Pro X update? Check out Off the Tracks, a Final Cut Pro X documentary that just hit its crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter. The documentary features interviews with key industry figures and filmmakers, including Randy Ubillos, the creator of Final Cut Pro and iMovie. The documentary won’t be completed until early next year, but you can reserve an early copy for a pledge of $25.

Aura Premium 1-Year Subscription: $29.99

· · TMO Deals

Aura Premium for iPhone

Aura is a meditation self help app for the iPhone that helps you relax and focus. It was developed by meditation teachers and therapists and uses machine learning to adapt to your specific needs. The app lets you choose meditation duration, tracks your mood, and will remind you when it’s time to take a break from your daily routine. Aura is regularly priced at US$96 a year, but with TMO’s special deal you pay $29.99—that’s 68% percent off.

Chicago's New Apple Store Lets You Get Your MacBook Fixed Inside a MacBook

· · Cool Stuff Found

If there’s one thing about Apple Stores that everyone can agree on, it’s that they certainly stand out, and it looks like Apple isn’t aiming to change that reputation any time soon. The company’s upcoming flagship store in Chicago is being constructed with glass walls all around and a carbon fiber roof. But this week, the construction crew deviated from the original design plans and added a white Apple Logo to the center of the roof, making the store look like a giant MacBook. Check out the video of the store’s construction from DNAinfo.