Episode 145: Teaching Tech, Tethering Pain, and a Little CES Talk

This week we bounce between real life and real tech: why tethering still makes us want a MacBook with built-in cellular, what passkeys look like in the real world, and how Google Family Link pushes you into creating Gmail accounts for kids. We also talk honestly about teaching tech, why we often prefer working with people who are ready to level up their productivity, and how listener feedback shapes where the show goes next. Plus, a quick CES roundup with a few gadgets and ideas that actually stood out.

• Late-night work limits, and planning so tomorrow doesn’t get wrecked
• Tethering frustration, and the “just give us a MacBook with cellular” wish
• Michael’s living-room recording setup: Vocaster + OWC dock + Zoom, no virtual device chaos
• Google Workspace security alerts: suspicious login emails and what to check
• Passkeys: what’s great, what’s still confusing, and why some services still ask for a code
• Family Link and kids’ Google accounts: why Google requires @gmail.com, and how passkeys fit in
• Shared iCloud Passwords groups so parents can manage kids’ logins
• Password manager friction on Mac: Apple Passwords prompts vs 1Password workflows
• Listener feedback and the point of the show: it’s not a weekly “how-to,” it’s real conversations
• Teaching tech: beginner wins, real frustrations, and why “productivity level” training can be a better fit
• CES notes: mobility tech, batteries, smart locks, and a few other items that caught our attention
• Quick Surf app check-in: progress, but still clunky in places
• Support and contact info, plus Mastodon handles and the show hashtag

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This episode is a wide-ranging, very on-brand Technically Working conversation that starts with audio workflow testing and ends with bigger-picture decisions about the future of the show.

We spend time digging into what actually happens when we record with the Zoom Podtrack P4Next, , how computer audio is handled, and why VoiceOver and other system sounds can be harder to separate than people expect. A key takeaway is that once audio leaves your computer, it is just stereo audio, and whatever comes out is what gets recorded unless you do very intentional routing ahead of time.

From there, we revisit the idea of switching from Cleanfeed back to Zoom. The main driver is flexibility. If one or both of us are away from a computer and need to record from an iPhone or iPad, Cleanfeed is not an option. Zoom gives us more freedom, removes a extra subscription, and opens the door to potential YouTube livestreams. We also talk about Zoom’s Original Sound setting and why it finally feels usable.

Michael shares ongoing Raspberry Pi frustrations, including re-imaging systems, adding hardware based on advice from others, and why using separate microSD cards for different projects can be the right call. This turns into a broader conversation about hobby projects, learning by doing, and knowing when to ask for help.

Damashe walks through discovering damage to his MacBook Pro screen in a very real-world way while trying to complete an ID verification process. That discovery leads to a plan involving AppleCare, backups, wiping machines, storage limitations, and the general annoyance of migrating between Macs with different capacities.

We also talk about Bluetooth audio switching, why Apple’s automatic device switching is often more frustrating than helpful, and how shortcuts and third-party tools can give you back control over where your audio goes.

Later in the episode, we read and respond to listener comments and reviews. We talk candidly about the structure of the show, why it does not follow a traditional format, and who it is actually for. We acknowledge critic

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Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.