The Ultimate Guide to the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide: My Tips and Tricks for Being a Guest and a Viewer
My Second Year On The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide
If you're a fan of Apple products and services, you might have heard of the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide. It's a series of podcasts and videos hosted by Chuck Joiner, where he invites different guests to share their gift recommendations for the holiday season. I had the pleasure of being on the show for the second time this year, and I want to share with you my experience and my picks for the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide 2020.
My Second Year On The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide
How the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide Works
The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide is a fun and informative way to discover new products and services that are compatible with or enhance your Apple devices. Chuck Joiner invites a panel of guests, usually four or five, to each episode. The guests are usually bloggers, podcasters, authors, developers, or experts in some field related to Apple. Each guest gets to pick three items that they think would make great gifts for themselves or others. The items can be hardware, software, accessories, books, subscriptions, or anything else that has some connection to Apple.
The rules are simple: each item must be available for purchase at the time of recording, each item must have a URL where it can be found online, and each item must not be a repeat of a previous pick by another guest. The guests take turns to present their picks, explain why they chose them, and answer any questions from Chuck or other guests. The episodes are recorded live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and Periscope. They are also available as podcasts and videos on the MacVoices website and various platforms.
My Picks for the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide 2020
This year, I was on episode #20278 of the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide, along with Patrice Brend'amour and Rosemary Orchard. We had a lot of fun discussing our picks and learning from each other. Here are the products and services that I recommended on the show:
Pick #1: AirPods Pro
My first pick was AirPods Pro, which are Apple's premium wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation and spatial audio. I think AirPods Pro are the best wireless earbuds for Apple users because they offer excellent sound quality, comfort, and battery life. They also integrate seamlessly with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. You can easily switch between devices, control playback and volume, and access Siri with a simple tap or squeeze. AirPods Pro also have a transparency mode that lets you hear the outside world when you need to, and a customizable fit with three sizes of silicone tips. AirPods Pro are perfect for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or movies on your Apple devices.
AirPods Pro cost $249 and you can find them on Apple's website or any authorized reseller. You can also engrave them for free with a name, emoji, or text. If you want to protect your AirPods Pro from scratches and drops, you can also get a case or a skin from various third-party vendors.
Pick #2: Anker PowerCore Fusion III
My second pick was Anker PowerCore Fusion III, which is a portable charger that doubles as a wall charger. I think Anker PowerCore Fusion III is the best portable charger for travelers because it combines two essential devices in one. You can plug it into a wall outlet and charge up to three devices at once with its USB-C and USB-A ports. You can also unplug it and use it as a power bank with a 5000mAh capacity. Anker PowerCore Fusion III supports fast charging technologies such as PowerIQ 3.0, Power Delivery, and Quick Charge 3.0. It also has a foldable plug and a compact design that makes it easy to carry around.
Anker PowerCore Fusion III costs $39.99 and you can find it on Anker's website or Amazon. You can also choose from different colors such as black, white, or red. If you travel internationally, you might want to get an adapter or a version that works with different voltages and plugs.
Pick #3: Logitech MX Master 3
My third pick was Logitech MX Master 3, which is a wireless mouse that is designed for productivity and comfort. I think Logitech MX Master 3 is the best mouse for productivity because it has many features that make your work easier and faster. It has a scroll wheel that adapts to your speed and lets you scroll through thousands of lines in seconds. It has a thumb wheel that lets you scroll horizontally or zoom in and out. It has customizable buttons that let you perform actions such as switching apps, copying and pasting, or launching shortcuts. It also has a gesture button that lets you control your Mac with simple movements of your hand.
Logitech MX Master 3 costs $99.99 and you can find it on Logitech's website or any major retailer. You can also choose from different colors such as graphite, mid gray, or rose. Logitech MX Master 3 works with both Mac and Windows, and you can connect it via Bluetooth or a USB receiver. You can also pair it with up to three devices and switch between them with a button. Logitech MX Master 3 has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 70 days on a single charge.
Pick #4: CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock
My fourth pick was CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock, which is a docking station that expands the connectivity of your MacBook. I think CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock is the best docking station for MacBooks because it offers the most ports and features in a compact and elegant device. It has 15 ports in total, including Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card reader, audio in/out, and optical audio. It also supports up to two 4K displays or one 5K display at 60Hz, as well as power delivery up to 87W for charging your MacBook.
CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock costs $249.99 and you can find it on CalDigit's website or Amazon. You can also choose from different colors such as space gray or silver. CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock works with any MacBook that has Thunderbolt 3 ports, such as MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. It also works with Windows laptops that have Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Pick #5: Setapp Subscription
Article with HTML formatting (continued) The Benefits of Being on the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide
Being on the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide was not only fun, but also beneficial for me in many ways. Here are some of the benefits that I gained from being on the show:
I discovered new products and services that I didn't know about before. Some of them were picked by other guests, and some of them were suggested by Chuck or the viewers. For example, I learned about a smart mug that keeps your drink at the perfect temperature, a wireless charger that doubles as a phone stand, and a subscription service that delivers fresh coffee beans to your door.
I connected with other guests who share my passion for Apple and technology. I enjoyed chatting with Patrice and Rosemary, who are both very knowledgeable and friendly. We exchanged tips, opinions, and experiences about our picks and other topics. We also followed each other on social media and kept in touch after the show.
I promoted my own work and brand to a wider audience. I had the opportunity to introduce myself and my projects to the viewers of the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide. I mentioned my blog, where I write about Apple and technology, my podcast, where I interview interesting people in the Apple community, and my book, where I share my tips and tricks for using your Mac more efficiently. I also provided links to my website and social media accounts.
Being on the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide was a rewarding experience that I would love to repeat in the future.
Conclusion
In this article, I shared with you my experience and my picks for the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide 2020. I explained what the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide is and how it works. I listed the products and services that I recommended on the show and why I think they are great gifts for Apple users. I also discussed the benefits that I gained from being on the show and how it helped me discover new products, connect with other guests, and promote my own work.
If you're interested in watching or listening to the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide series, you can find all the episodes on the MacVoices website or any podcast or video platform. You can also follow MacVoices on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Periscope to catch the live streams of future episodes. You can also check out the picks of other guests who were on different episodes of the series.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found some useful or interesting information. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below or contact me directly. Thank you for your time and attention.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide:
Q: How can I be a guest on the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide?
A: The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide is open to anyone who has something to say about Apple products and services. You don't need to be a professional or an expert to be a guest. You just need to have a passion for Apple and a willingness to share your gift recommendations with others. If you want to be a guest on the show, you can contact Chuck Joiner through his website or social media accounts and express your interest.
Q: How can I support the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide?
A: The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide is a free service that is supported by sponsors and donations. If you enjoy watching or listening to the show, you can support it in several ways. You can visit the sponsors' websites and use their products or services. You can make a donation through PayPal or Patreon. You can also share the show with your friends and family through social media or word of mouth.
Q: How can I find out more about the products and services that are recommended on the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide?
A: The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide provides links to all the products and services that are recommended on each episode. You can find these links on the show notes of each episode on the MacVoices website or in the description of each podcast or video. You can also visit the websites of the guests who recommended them and read their reviews or opinions.
Q: How can I give feedback or suggestions to the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide?
A: The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide welcomes feedback and suggestions from its viewers and listeners. You can give feedback or suggestions in several ways. You can leave a comment on the website or social media accounts of MacVoices. You can send an email to chuck@macvoices.com. You can also join the live streams of the episodes and interact with Chuck and the guests in real time.
Q: How can I get notified of new episodes of the MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide?
A: The MacVoices Holiday Gift Guide releases new episodes throughout the holiday season, usually from November to December. You can get notified of new episodes in several ways. You can subscribe to the MacVoices podcast or video feed on your favorite platform. You can follow MacVoices on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Periscope and turn on notifications. You can also sign up for the MacVoices newsletter on the website and get updates by email.
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