Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users since 2009, one conversation at a time. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Robles.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
David and Stephen take on the wide, messy world of Apple photo management, from pruning fifty-thousand-photo libraries to backing up iCloud Photos. They cover Shared Library trade-offs, the cleanup apps worth installing, and more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanz...
Jason Snell joins the show to discuss the state of e-readers, why dedicated reading devices still beat the iPad, Kindle vs Kobo, plus libraries, physical books, note-taking devices, and color e-ink. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. NerdWallet : Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Link...
David and Stephen take stock of where AI is actually useful right now. They cover dictation, browsers, agentic workflows, MCP, and Apple Intelligence, plus the real projects each runs today, including email triage and a customer-service robot. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Mercury Weather : Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sparks The Edito...
After brief thoughts on John Ternus becoming Apple's next CEO, we dive into the current state of Apple Watch. We explore our setups, faces, complications, apps, and what we hope to see improve. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Mercury Weather : Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter...
Patrick Rhone returns. The gang discusses Apple Silicon rewriting the Mac upgrade cycle, the Apple Refurb Store, and minimalist phones. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. NerdWallet : Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Guest Starring: Patrick Rhone Links and Show Notes: Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sp...
A comprehensive look at the state of Apple Smart Home in 2026. David and Stephen share their setups, cover the latest standards, new devices of interest, helpful automations, and how to get started with Apple Home. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Mercury Weather : Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Links and Show Notes: Members can add MPU Pro Max feed with Star Wars ranking bo...
Brett Terpstra and Christopher Gamblée-Wallendjack introduce Bear & Glass, their human-focused Mac automation consultancy. Brett shares his ultimate keyboard-driven workflow, previews Marked 3 and BlogBook. Then the gang geeks out on keyboard utilities. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Guest Starring: Christopher Gamblée-Wallendjack and Brett Terpstra Links and Show Notes: Credits The...
Stephen and David dig into listener feedback on iCloud security, Dropbox alternatives, AI robot assistants, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, Claude computer control, and more! This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: SaneBox : Take back control of your inbox. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sparks The Edito...
David walks through the AI robot assistant he built with Claude Cowork, from file management and email to invoicing and podcast production. Plus, why managed AI agents finally solve the memory and access problems that held chatbots back. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. NerdWallet : Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VIP treatment using this link. SaneBox ...
We break down Finder workflows, Hazel automations, Alfred shortcuts, and the systems that keep us organized on macOS. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano More...
Author and broadcaster David Pogue joins the Mac Power Users to talk about his new book, 50 Years of Apple, and his tech stack. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Things : A fresh new look for OS 26. Download a FREE trial for your Mac. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Guest Starring: David Pogue Links and Show Notes: Credits The Mac Power Users Stephen Robles David Sparks The Editor Jim ...
We break down our entire iPhone setups including Home Screens, widgets, Focus Modes, Control Center, Action Button, and more! Stephen may have inspired David on this one. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. 1Password : Never forget a password again. SaneBox : Take back control of your inbox. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. Credits The Mac P...
In this episode, David Sparks and Stephen Robles dissect the Mac menu bar, contrasting Stephen's minimalist approach with David's maximalist tendencies. They discuss a wide array of apps for everything from system monitoring and screen recording (iStat Menus, Loom, CleanShot X, Screen Studio) to file management (Dropzone, DEVONthink) and home automation (Itsyhome). The hosts also explore popular menu bar management tools like Bartender, Hidden Bar, and Barbie, alongside the new customization options in macOS 26, including multiple Control Centers and enhanced Today View widgets.
David officially welcomes Stephen as co-host, exploring his background in music, podcasting, and his Mac setup. Then, rapid-fire questions, putting Stephen on the spot for some Apple hot takes! This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Insta360 : Introducing the Insta360 Wave and the Link 2 Pro. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Fundera, powered by NerdWallet : Compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Get VI...
David and Stephen celebrate the last seven years of Mac Power Users, reflecting on the topics, episodes, and community that make MPU so special. Then, Stephen Robles joins to accept the baton before his first episode as David's new cohost. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Guest Starring: Stephen Robles Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. More Power...
Stephen starts the episode with an announcement, then he and David revisit writing workflows, Keyboard Maestro, notifications, and more. At the end, the guys attempt to answer some questions as quickly as possible... something they aren't great at doing. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter a...
Chris Bailey shares his unconventional tech stack: TextEdit for writing, SimpleNote for tasks, and printing research on paper. He also tried using an iPad mini as his phone to create friction with distraction. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums....
Subtitle: …and Apple Creator Studio After talking through the new Apple Creator Studio bundle, Stephen shares his notes with David after switching to the Apple Weather app for a month. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regula...
From fancy pens to blank screens with a blinking cursor, there are more ways to write than ever. This week, the guys discuss several of them, weighing their pros and cons, and share how they get the words out. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. More Power Users: Ad-free ep...
Our phones are constantly vying for our attention. This week, David and Stephen discuss strategies for managing notifications and regaining control. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch the podcast over on YouTube. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments Submit Feedback How...
With the year winding down, Stephen and David reflect on what went well in their tech stacks, touching on Apple silicon, the company's default apps, AI tools, home automation, and networking. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. DEVONthink : Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Get 10% off. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. You can watch t...
David and Stephen talk through their uses of Keyboard Maestro, diving deep into automation, text expansion, and more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. DEVONthink : Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Get 10% off. 1Password : Never forget a password again. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus...
On this feedback episode, the guys revisit the smart home, iPadOS 26, the lack of a big iMac, charging stations, and much more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. DEVONthink : Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Get 10% off. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get a free month with code mpu. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular...
Subtitle: iPhone, Apple TV, iCloud, Other Services, and the Ecosystem The guys wrap up their review of Apple's 2025 with a look at the iPhone, Apple TV, iCloud, and Apple's other services. They then zoom out and look at the overall ecosystem. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. DEVONthink : Get Organize...
David and Stephen begin their annual "State of the Platforms" series, starting with an in-depth analysis of the Mac. They discuss the success of Apple Silicon, the current laptop and desktop lineups, and future hardware predictions, including the upcoming macOS 27 which will drop Intel support. The episode also covers the Apple Watch's hardware, software, and health features, before delving into the Apple Vision Pro's challenges with third-party software and its evolving market position. Finally, they review Apple's audio products, including HomePods and AirPods, and anticipate upcoming releases.
This episode delves into the transformative iPadOS 26, highlighting how new features like an advanced windowing system, improved files app, and keyboard/trackpad support are making the iPad a more capable productivity device. David and Stephen share their personal experiments using the iPad as a laptop replacement, discussing successful workflows for research and PDF management, while also touching on limitations in video production and future hardware desires. They conclude that the iPad platform is stronger than ever, offering a viable alternative for many users' portable computing needs.
David and Stephen unveil their extensive 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, featuring a diverse array of recommendations for tech enthusiasts, makers, and those who appreciate quality everyday carry items. The episode covers everything from dash cams and Apple gadgets to 3D printers, analog notebooks, and practical household tools, along with personal philosophies on key management. They also highlight the annual Relay FM membership sale and discuss two useful apps, Squarespace and Soulver.
Tyler Stalman returns to offer an in-depth review of the iPhone 17's camera system, highlighting Apple's significant gains in professional video with features like Apple Log, while also addressing areas like the ultrawide lens and portrait mode that still need refinement. He shares practical workflow tips, recommends third-party apps and accessories, and even outlines his vision for the future of iPhone photography, emphasizing aesthetic beauty over pure accuracy. The discussion provides valuable insights for both casual users and aspiring mobile content creators.
In this developer roundtable, Casey Liss, Charlie Chapman, and James Thomson delve into the realities of building software for Apple's platforms in 2025. They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by Apple's annual release cycle, the impact of the Liquid Glass visual redesign, and the evolution of SwiftUI. The panel also offers candid perspectives on Apple's documentation, the shift to subscription models, and the integration of Apple Intelligence, concluding with insights for new developers and their hopes for the future.
David has published a new course covering Apple Reminders, Calendar, Notes, and more. This week, he and Stephen walk through those apps and how they can be used together. Then, a conversation about the M5 and iOS 26 changes. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Hookmark : Links beat searching. Get 30% off with code macpowerusers Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU em...
