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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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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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.
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...
