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Mac Power Users

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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.
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Episodes

819: The User Interface at 60 MPH

The guys discuss a bunch of listener feedback, the return of Slide Over, the state of iCloud Family Sharing, and check in on David's Rivian experience. 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. 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 segments Submit Feedback iPhone ...

Oct 19, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 819

818: "Recreational Math," with Dr. Drang

Everyone's favorite engineer-turned-blogger returns to the show to discuss the state of iPhone cases, the argument for LLMs, and his go-to automation tools — and why Shortcuts on the Mac isn't one of them. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Guest Starring: Dr. Drang Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-f...

Oct 12, 20251 hr 42 minEp. 818

817: macOS Tahoe, visionOS, & watchOS 26

From Liquid Glass to a stronger Spotlight, macOS Tahoe reshapes the Mac. Spotlight now remembers your clipboard and taps into App Intents, while Apple’s apps gain updates to match their mobile counterparts. 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. SQLPro Studio : A simple, powerful database manager for macOS...

Oct 05, 20251 hr 26 minEp. 817

816: iOS & iPadOS 26

Stephen and David dive into iOS & iPadOS 26, discussing new hardware like the iPhone 17 Pro's design and camera improvements, the thin iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3's sound, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. They explore the controversial Liquid Glass interface and its customization options, acknowledging developer and accessibility concerns. A major focus is placed on iPadOS 26's Mac-like multitasking, background tasks, and the Preview app, alongside updates to core apps such as simplified Camera controls, Messages filtering and polls, a unified Phone app, Markdown export in Notes, and a more robust Files app. The hosts conclude with a positive overall assessment of Apple's software efforts this year.

Sep 28, 20251 hr 20 minEp. 816

815: Automation Update with Sal Soghoian

While Stephen is busy with the Podcastathon, Sal Soghoian joins David to talk about the state of automation and the best way to get started with automation in 2025. 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. Guest Starring: Sal Soghoian Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MP...

Sep 21, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 815

814: The iPhone 17 Event

Subtitle: 500 Billion Selfies Just hours after Apple's iPhone event, David and Stephen gather their notes and thoughts to discuss the company's latest hardware. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Steamclock : We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Us...

Sep 10, 20251 hr 29 minEp. 814

813: Spending All Our Time Saving Things

David and Stephen discuss listener feedback on diverse topics, including securing iCloud data with Parachute Backup, strategies for managing automation triggers, and consolidating read-it-later apps. They also share their minimal travel tech setups, advice for building sustainable productivity habits, and workflows for converting Markdown to Word documents. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to their evolving perspectives on AI, covering its use for "donkey work" and the perceived slowdown in large language model evolution, particularly concerning Apple's position.

Sep 07, 20251 hr 16 minEp. 813

812: AV & Vibe Coding with Tyler McRae

Tyler McRae joins the program to talk about the role of AI in coding and his work in the world of church AV and technology. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Steamclock : We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details. Guest Starring: Tyler McRae Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU for...

Aug 31, 20251 hr 24 minEp. 812

811: Apple in Education with Steve Benner

Apple has been in the education market for decades, and over that time, Apple's position and offerings have significantly changed. This week, educator Steven Benner joins the show to talk about how his school district is using Apple gear in the classroom. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Guest Starring: Steve Benner Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsl...

Aug 24, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 811

810: Unlocking PowerPhotos with Brian Webster

Brian Webster is the developer behind Fat Cat Software, home of PowerPhotos. The Mac app gives users a wide range of extra controls and tools to manage their Photos library. This week, he chats with Stephen and David about the app and its features. 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. Guest Starring: Bri...

Aug 17, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 810

809: Exploring Kagi with CEO Vladimir Prelovac

Kagi is a search engine and browser company offering an alternative to products offered by the tech giants. This week, its CEO Vladimir Prelovac talks with David and Stephen about what Kagi offers its customers. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Guest Starring: Vladimir Prelovac Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Pow...

Aug 10, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 809

808: "The Momentum is Building," with Simon Støvring

Simon Støvring is the developer behind some fantastic apps, including Runestone, Scriptable, Jayson, and Data Jar. This week, he joins the guys to talk about how he works on these apps, his use of Apple's default apps, and how he's thinking about iOS 26. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Guest Starring: Simon Støvring Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU for...

Aug 03, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 808

807: A Sign of Maturity, with Federico Viticci

Federico joins the show to talk to David and Stephen about his Apple gear, iPadOS 26, running MacStories, and how AI is changing automation tools. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Guest Starring: Federico Viticci 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 segments Submit Feed...

Jul 27, 20251 hr 35 minEp. 807

806: Automators Takeover

Stephen's unavailable this week, so Rosemary Orchard returns to the show to check in on the new Shortcuts Updates and Rose's new medication tracking app, Capsule. 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. Guest Starring: Rosemary Orchard Links and Show Notes: More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bo...

Jul 20, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 806

805: The Most MPU Possible

On this feedback episode, Stephen and David answer listener questions about Apple's current betas, then revisit networking, dictation, email, going paperless, and more. This one really hits all the classic MPU topics. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes w...

Jul 13, 20251 hr 12 minEp. 805

804: From NeXT to Liquid Glass, with Ken Case

Ken Case is the CEO at The Omni Group and has been developing for Apple platforms for decades. He shares with Stephen and David how he got his start in technology, what Apple gear he uses, his approach to customer communication, and his thoughts on WWDC. 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: Ken Case Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU ...

Jul 06, 20251 hr 26 minEp. 804

803: Checking in on the Betas

David and Stephen are running early betas of the next version of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and more. This week, they compare notes and share their experiences with Liquid Glass and new features coming to Apple devices this fall. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. DEVONthink : Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular...

Jun 29, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 803

802: The Ubiquiti Universe

This episode dives deep into Ubiquiti's Unify product line, exploring their routers, switches, access points, and camera systems. Stephen shares his experience switching from Eero to Unify, highlighting the extensive control offered by the software and the benefits of a unified ecosystem. David voices skepticism from a consumer perspective, leading to a discussion on the pros and cons of Unify for both home users and businesses, including cost, flexibility, security, and the level of technical detail involved.

Jun 22, 20251 hr 18 minEp. 802

801: WWDC 2025: A Return to Form

Apple's 2025 WWDC was jam-packed, from a new design system across its operating systems to updated iPad multitasking, a plethora of updates to apps like Messages and Phone, and new features for CarPlay. David and Stephen break it all down. 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. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the...

Jun 10, 20251 hr 42 minEp. 801

800: Three Weeks Too Late

On this feedback episode, the guys talk about laminated windows, NAS options, scanning papers, email services, apps that work with Notes, work phones, and a lot more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Things : The all-new Things Cloud, written in Swift. Download a free trial for your Mac. Links and Show No...

Jun 08, 20251 hr 36 minEp. 800

799: The State of Apple, with Jason Snell

Subtitle: "What Do We Have on the Spacecraft That's Good?" Jason Snell has been covering Apple since all the Macs it shipped were beige boxes. This week, he joins Stephen and David to discuss the company’s range of legal and technological issues that seem to be adding up rapidly. 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 ...

Jun 01, 20251 hr 28 minEp. 799

798: The Email Overwhelm Problem

Subtitle: 'It Moved Five Million Messages' David has been on a journey with his email setup, and as Stephen offers him a shoulder to cry on, Sparks drops a bombshell. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. TRMNL : Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free ep...

May 25, 20251 hr 38 minEp. 798

797: "A Power User in Life," with Jaimee Finney

Jaimee Finney joins the guys to discuss her career, which has been full of twists and turns, but has always been defined by making great products infused with creativity and passion. 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: Jaimee Finney Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More Power Users: Ad-free...

May 18, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 797

796: The Alfred Field Guide

This episode dives deep into Alfred, the powerful Mac utility that goes far beyond basic app launching. David Sparks discusses his new Alfred Field Guide, explaining the app's core features like app and file search, clipboard history, snippets, and Universal Actions. The hosts explore the extensive world of Alfred Workflows, highlighting how they enable deep customization and automation, making complex tasks keyboard-driven and efficient.

May 11, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 796

795: Our iPad Usage

With rumors — and complaints — swirling about the state of the iPad and iPadOS, David and Stephen take some time to talk about their usage of the platform and share where they think Apple should take its tablet next. 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. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email new...

May 04, 20251 hr 3 minEp. 795

794: Back to the Mac, with Chris Lawley

YouTuber and podcaster Chris Lawley joins the show to talk to Stephen and David about how the Mac has replaced the iPad as his primary computer. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Chris Lawley Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join...

Apr 27, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 794

793: Accurate, Not Boring

On this feedback episode, the guys revisit iCloud.com access and Advanced Data Protection, both make confessions about recent setup changes, and answer a bunch of listener questions. 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. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. M...

Apr 20, 20251 hr 25 minEp. 793

792: Where Automation Meets Intention, with Kim Caloca-Madden

Kim Caloca-Madden joins the show to talk with the guys about her online business supporting other entrepreneurs and companies, and how automation and AI make her more efficient at her tasks. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Guest Starring: Kim Caloca-Madden Links and Show Notes: More Power Users: Ad-free ...

Apr 13, 20251 hr 13 minEp. 792

791: Exploring iCloud.com

iCloud is the glue that holds much of the Apple ecosystem together, syncing data and content between devices. This week, the guys walk through what is possible by using the iCloud website, including data recovery tools, account settings, and more. 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. Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MP...

Apr 06, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 791

790: Wandering Around The Verge, with David Pierce

David Pierce is Editor-at-Large at The Verge. This week, he talks with Stephen and David about the hardware and software he relies on for work, the overall state of Apple in 2025, and his complicated feelings about his new SodaStream. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password : Never forget a password again. DEVONthink : Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Guest Starring: David Pierce Links and Show Notes: Sign up for the MPU email newsletter and join the MPU forums. More P...

Mar 30, 20251 hr 31 minEp. 790
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