Apple's little-known iCloud Private Relay feature can protect your Safari browsing sessions from prying eyes. But is it any good, does it slow things down, and how do you get it? Join host Blaine Locklair to get the scoop. Get the FREE Next Level Mac app:

https://www.nextlevelmac.app

Official website:

https://www.nextlevelmac.net

Episode 10 walks you step-by-step through installing the Google Gemini app on your iPhone and wiring it into Siri using the Shortcuts app so Gemini can act as your voice assistant.

You’ll learn how to download and sign into Gemini, create a single shortcut (Talk Live with Gemini), rename it (e.g., Gemini), and trigger it with "Hey Siri," the Action button, or Back Tap. The episode also notes the difference between Gemini’s free Flash model and paid Pro/Ultra tiers.

Follow the short, hands-on instructions to test the assistant and customize activation so you can replace Siri with Gemini immediately.

Get the Next Level Mac app:

https://www.nextlevelmac.app

Official website:

https://www.nextlevelmac.net

Learn how to use your iPhone's secret button feature to assign actions to double- and triple-taps on your phone. Blaine Locklear walks through the Settings path, shows popular shortcuts (camera, flashlight, screenshots, accessibility tools, and more), and highlights new iOS 26 additions.

Get the Next Level Mac app:

https://www.mextlevelmac.app Official website: https://www.nextlevelmac.net

In episode 8 of the Next Level Mac Podcast, host Blaine Locklair explains how iPadOS 26.2 restores the familiar, intuitive multitasking experience by bringing back drag-and-drop functionality. Learn how to enable windowed apps, Stage Manager, and slide-over mode, plus tips for resizing, arranging, and closing windows and the minimum iPad models supported.

Get the Next Level Mac app here:

https://www.nextlevelmac.app

Official website:

https://www.nextlevelmac.net

Host Blaine Locklair exposes how major smart TV manufacturers use automatic content recognition (ACR) to capture and send viewing data — often without clear consent — and how that data is monetized by advertisers. Find out if your own smart TV is spying on you and what you can do to protect yourself. Get the Next Level Mac app in the App Store: https://www.nextlevelmac.app Official website: https://www.nextlevelmac.net

In this episode Blaine Locklair explains how to set up an Apple-based smart home using Matter and Thread, covering compatible hubs (HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K), Matter over Thread vs. Matter over Wi‑Fi, and pairing tips.

Get the Next Level Mac app at: https://www.nextlevelmac.app

Visit us on line at:

https://www.nextlevelmac.net

Episode 5 digs into the Apple Pippin — Apple’s only licensed video game console — covering its powerful PowerPC hardware, CD and modem features, and the Bandai partnership that handled manufacturing and marketing.

The episode explains why the Pippin failed — and how the console later became a rare collector’s item.

Get the Next Level Mac app for iPhone and iPad:

https://www.nextlevelmac.app

There's a new iPad Pro in town, and its name is M5. And it's powerful—and pricey. Is it the perfect one for you? Get the scoop in this episode, hosted by Next Level Mac founder and Chief Editor Blaine Locklair.

Download the Next Level Mac app for iOS and iPadOS at:

https://www.nextlevelmac.app