Siri Power Moves, CarPlay Smarts, and Phil Schiller's SXSW Stories – Mac Geek Gab 1134 episode image

You’ll come away from this episode with a faster, smarter iPhone and Mac workflow dialed in. You learn how to boss Siri around for brightness, Dark Mode, CarPlay directions, and per‑source audio levels, so your phone actually behaves in the car and on the couch. You tap into power‑user gestures like two‑finger‑tap to open links in a new Safari tab, Quick Actions to spin anything into a PDF, and Option‑click display rotation on the Mac. You even get sneaky with ad‑supported games by flipping Airplane Mode, and peek at where on‑device AI is heading with tools like Locally AI from the SXSW “more personal computer” session.

Then you shift into solving real listener problems so your Apple gear finally stays in sync with you. You clean up contact groups, fix that iPad Mail inbox that doesn’t match your other devices, and fight back against toll‑free robocalls. You hear which iPhone cases and glass protectors the geeks actually trust, plus protection options like Verizon Home Protect and automation tools like Crank to trigger actions based on what you’re doing. The whole way through, you’re reminded of the Mac Geek Gab mantra: Don’t Get Caught missing the tweaks, tricks, and Cool Stuff Found that make your Apple life smoother.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1134 for Monday, March 23rd, 2026
- March 23rd: World Math Day
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
- Congrats to February’s winners!
- The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
- 00:00:01 Ian-QT-Hey Siri, turn up the brightness
- 00:03:50 Scott-QT-1133-Tell Siri to toggle Dark Mode
- 00:10:08 Vira-CSF-Locally AI – run models on your iPhone locally
  - SXSW: A More Personal Computer: How AI is Transforming Desktops
- 00:11:58 Bill-QT-Spoken Directions in CarPlay
  - Adjusting the volume of the different sources on your iPhone (Siri, Music, Maps, more)
  - “Hey Siri, speak louder”
- 00:17:06 Henry-QT-Two-finger-tap to open links in a new Mobile Safari tab
- 00:18:03 ETC-QT-Use Quick Actions to create a PDF
- 00:22:44 Mickey-QT-Hold Option to get Display Rotation options in System Settings
- 00:23:40 Adam’s wife-Stop Ads with Airplane Mode in ad-supported games
Sponsors
- 00:28:37 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
- 00:29:53 SPONSOR: Pocket Hose. For a limited time, you can get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Just text MGG to 64000.
- 00:31:23 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
00:32:49 SXSW: Phil Schiller & David Pogue Fireside Chat
- David Pogue Apple: The First 50 Years
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
- 00:43:49 Joe-Question about Contact groups
- 00:48:32 Bill-How come my iPad shows different Mail than everything else?
- 00:54:45 Craig-Robo Calls showing up from Toll Free Numbers
- 00:59:52 Scott-What iPhone cases does everyone use?
Cool Stuff Found
- 01:14:02 Steve-CSF-Verizon Home Protect for $25/month is a great AppleCare+ alternative
- 01:16:35 Joe-CSF-1133-Crank can launch actions based upon user-configurable criteria
01:19:23 MGG 1134 Outtro
- MGG Monthly Giveaway
- 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
- MGG Merch is Available!
- Mac Geek Gab iOS app
- Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
- Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
- This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
- MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
- feedback@macgeekgab.com
- 224-888-GEEK
- Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
- BackBeat Media Podcast Network