This week, Federico and John examine iPadOS and the ways it has failed to get the basics right.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts – Sketch, Note, Draw.

• Celtreos – The shoot-em-up game with tiny ships, big weapons, waves of foes, power-ups and obstacles.

Links and Show Notes

The Trouble with iPadOS

• Not an iPad Pro Review: Why iPadOS Still Doesn’t Get the Basics Right

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This week, Federico and John are joined by Riley Testut for a conversation about the history of AltStore from side-loaded app to official alternative app marketplace in the EU and Delta’s dominance of the Top Free App chart in the US and elsewhere.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Tailscale: Secure remote access to shared resources. Sign up today.
• Notion: Start turning ideas into action. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

An Interview with Riley Testut

• AltStore
  • AltStore
  • AltStore PAL
  • Delta
  • Clip
• Follow Riley and Shane’s work:
  • Riley and Shane’s Patreon
  • Riley Testut on Mastodon and Threads
  • Shane Gill on Mastodon and Threads
• MacStories coverage:
  • The Delta Videogame Emulator Launches on the App Store
  • How to Load Your Game Boy Games Onto the iPhone to Play in the Delta Emulator
  • Game On: Speed Running Game Emulation on iOS
  • Emulators Will Change the App Store Forever
• Other coverage:
  • Apple’s still thinking about the Core Technology Fee in Europe
  • The game emulator your phone has been missing
  • Third-party iPhone app store AltStore PAL is now live in Europe

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This week, Federico and John are joined by Susan Prescott, vice president of developer relations, education, and enterprise at Apple, along with 2024 Swift Student Challenge winners Harshitha Rajesh and Roscoe Rubin-Rottenberg to talk about the challenge and the students’ projects. Then, John is joined by Finn Voorhees and Ellie O’Sullivan, past winners of the Swift Student Challenge who share their advice about participating in the program and getting started with Swift.

This episode is sponsored by:

• DetailsPro – Design with SwiftUI, no coding required.

Links and Show Notes

Student Interviews with Susan Prescott, Harshitha Rajesh, and Roscoe Rubin-Rottenberg

• Swift Student Challenge
  • Apple Announces the Swift Student Challenge Will Begin in February 2024 and New Everyone Can Code Resources
• Coding Resources
  • Swift Playgrounds
  • Swift.org Getting Started
  • 100 Days of Swift
  • Introducing SwiftUI
  • Harvard CS50 course
  • Other Apple Coding Resources
    • Apple and Education
    • App Development

Interviews with Past Swift Student Challenge Winners

• Finn Voorhees
  • Working on:
    • Detail for Mac and iOS
  • Personal apps:
    • Unsqueeze
    • Shortcut Buttons
    • Castaway
    • HexEdit
• Ellie O’Sullivan

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This week, Federico and John revisit their Obsidian systems, themes, and favorite plugins.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Genius Scan – A scanner in your pocket.
• Jam: Developer-friendly bug reports in 1 click.

Links and Show Notes

An Obsidian Check-In

• Our Systems
  • John
    • A shallow system of numbered folders organized by areas, projects, and related notes
      • Johnny Decimal system
    • A separate vault for the MacStories GitHub repos
  • Federico
    • Working files stored in the root folder with a series of Archive folders for older material, reference folders, and Templates
    • Obsidian Sync across platforms
    • Properties for organization and integration with Things
    • My Obsidian Template Setup Powered by Shortcuts, Things, and the Actions App
• Our Themes
  • Federico
    • Border
    • Custom Font Loader
  • John
    • Minimal and testing Border
• Plugins
  • Federico
    • MacStories Plugins
      • Obsidian Shortcut Launcher
        • Obsidian Shortcut Launcher 1.1 Brings Support for File Properties and Backlinks
    • Club MacStories Plugins
      • Markdown Insert
      • Backlinker
      • Export Markdown with Embeds
      • Image Inserter
    • Footnote Shortcut
    • Settings Search
    • Home Tab
    • Templater
    • Actions for Obsidian
      • Actions URI
    • Commander
  • John
    • DB Folder and Dataview
    • Calendar
    • Editor Syntax Highlight
    • Omnisearch
    • Update Modified Date
    • Hotkeys++
    • Natural Language Dates
    • Plugin Update Tracker

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This week on AppStories, Federico and John return with a classic Pick 2 episode focused on the Mac.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Jam: Developer-friendly bug reports in 1 click.
• Notion: Start turning ideas into action. Try it free today.
• Tailscale: Secure remote access to shared resources. Sign up today.

Links and Show Notes

A Classic Mac Pick 2

• rcmd
  • via Link Dump #3
• Keep It
  • OCRKit
• MacWhisper
• Fork
  • Tower
  • Kaleidoscope
• Lightning Round of Safari Extensions
  • John
    • Downie
    • Markdownload
  • Federico
    • Super Agent
    • StopTheMadness

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This week, Federico and John explore whether we’re experiencing the beginning of the end of apps and consider what might replace them.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Genius Scan – A scanner in your pocket.
• Jam – Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.

Links and Show Notes

Are We Entering a Post-App World?

• Trends that may point to a post-app world:
  • Super Apps
    • Are Super-Apps Coming to the U.S. Market?
      • Understanding the DOJ’s Antitrust Complaint Against Apple
  • Artificial Intelligence
    • Rabbit
    • Arc and Sigma browsers
    • AI is about to completely change how you use computers
    • AI Could Replace the Apps on Your Phone. I’ve Seen It With My Own Eyes

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This week, Federico and John explain what’s going on with the US Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Apple that claims the iPhone-maker is monopolizing the smartphone market.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Copilot Money – The best money tracker, with native iOS and Mac apps. Try it free.

• Jam – Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.
• Tailscale – Secure remote access to shared resources. Sign up today.

Links and Show Notes

The US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Complaint Against Apple

• Understanding the DOJ’s Antitrust Complaint Against Apple
• Additional Reading:
  • The DOJ’s complaint against Apple
  • The Department of Justice comes for Apple
  • Apple’s iPhone is not a monopoly like Windows was a monopoly
  • Digital wallets and the “only Apple Pay does this” mythology
  • U.S. versus Apple: A first reaction

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This week, Federico and John take a hard look at Shortcuts to discuss what needs fixing and the new features they hope to see Apple announce at WWDC this year.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software

• Jam: Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.
• Notion: Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Ruminate

• Ruminate Joins MacStories

Shortcuts Wishlist

• iOS and iPadOS 17: The MacStories Review
• macOS Sonoma: The MacStories Review
• AppleScript: Shortcuts Bridge or Crutch?
• MacStories Starter Pack: Introducing Obsidian Shortcut Launcher, A Free Plugin to Trigger Shortcuts from Obsidian

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This week, Federico and John take a look at their latest app downloads on a variety of Apple devices.

This episode is sponsored by:

• TelemetryDeck – privacy-first app analytics and usage data that’s not evil. Get 3 month free for any paid plan with checkout code APPSTORIES (new customers only)
• Jam – Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click.

Links and Show Notes

Why’d You Download That?

• Empty Fasting
• Chronicling
  • Also Mentioned: Tempo
• Speechify
  • Also Mentioned: NaturalReader
• Shonen Jump
• Table of Contents
• Windora
• PastePal
• Tower and Kaleidoscope
  • Also Mentioned: Working Copy
• Text Workflow
• Prologue

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This week, Federico and John examine Apple’s Sports and Journal apps and visionOS for clues to what their designs may mean for the next major revisions of Apple’s OSes.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion

Links and Show Notes

Examining Apple App and OS Design Trends

• Sports
  • Apple Launches Free Sports App in the US, UK, and Canada
  • Lickability breakdown of Sports on Mastodon
• Journal
  • Apple’s Journal App: Journaling for All?
• visionOS
  • Vision Pro App Spotlight: GameTrack Updated with Built-In Cloud Streaming

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This week, Federico introduces the world to the MacPad, a hybrid Mac/iPad that he built from an M2 MacBook Air and 11" iPad Pro, and John quizzes him on the build process, software involved, and what it’s like to use.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts: Sketch, Note, Draw.

• Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.
• Notion: Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

The MacPad

• MacPad - How I Created the Hybrid Mac-iPad Laptop and Tablet That Apple Won’t Make
• The Hardware and Accessories
  • M2 MacBook Air (13", 1 TB model)
  • 11" iPad Pro (4th gen.)
  • Rolling Square Edge Pro Core magnetic clips
  • iFixit toolkit
  • PopSocket (PopGrip)
  • ESR cover for iPad Pro
  • JETech sleeve for 13" laptops
  • GL-iNet Beryl AX3000 portable router
  • CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock
  • 90-degree angled USB-C connector
  • GameSir G8 Galileo game controller

• Apps Mentioned:
  • Screens 5
  • Yoink
• Luke Miani’s headless MacBook Air video

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This week, Federico and John share some of their favorite visionOS entertainment apps.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion
• Porkbun – Get $1 off your next domain name with the code APPDEVFOO1.

Links and Show Notes

Vision Pro Entertainment Apps

• Federico’s Apps
  • MirrorPlay
  • Moonlight
  • Play
  • Juno
  • VisionTube
• John’s Apps
  • NowPlaying
  • OneCast
  • Blackbox for Vision
  • Stak!
  • Compatibility Mode Games
    • Bad North
    • Automatoys

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This week, Federico and John move on from hardware to explore visionOS, where it hits, where it misses, and what they’d like to see in the future from the OS.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Paste – Endless clipboard for Mac and iOS devices
• Crouton – A home for your favorite recipes from wherever you find them

Links and Show Notes

Exploring visionOS

• Discover visionOS
• Learn about visionOS
• Designing for visionOS
• Blackbox: Rebooting an inventive puzzle game for visionOS

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This week, Federico and John tell the story of how Federico got his Apple Vision Pro before sharing their first impressions of the Vision Pro hardware.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software
• Bills to Budget – Get your Bills paid on time and your Budgets under control, with Bills to Budget!
• 1Blocker – Enjoy websites without distractions

Links and Show Notes

All Roads Lead to Rome Via Cincinnati

• The story of how Federico’s Apple Vision Pro made it from North Carolina to Rome

Apple Vision Pro Hardware First Impressions

• Apple Vision Pro Travel Case
• Syntech Hard Carrying Case in medium
• 30.5-inch Wood Curved Lap Desk Table Tray with Handles

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This week, Federico and John consider how Apple’s response to the Digital Markets Act will change the world of apps for developers and users in the EU.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion: Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Digging into the DMA

• Understanding Apple’s Response to the DMA
• Apple Shares List of Alternate Browsers That Will Be Available to EU Users in iOS 17.4
• Apple Details How It Plans to Comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act

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This week, Federico and John Federico and John explore workflows they’ve been trying in a variety of apps.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful - Help your clients monetize their passion. Get started for free today!

Links and Show Notes

Workflow Experiments

• John’s Obsidian Note Organization System
  • The Johnny Decimal System
  • Obsidian Iconize plugin
  • Obsidian Dataview plugin
  • Obsidian Folder DB plugin

Federico Experiments with: - Omnivore - Apple Podcasts at 1.2x speed - Journal - MacStories review

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This week, Federico and John kick Apple Vision Pro preparations into high gear, sharing the questions they still have about the device and discussing the apps developers are working on.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.
• Nom Nom – Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.

Links and Show Notes

Magic Rays of Light Joins MacStories

• Magic Rays of Light Joins MacStories
• We Are Bringing Magic Rays of Light, Our Podcast about Apple TV, to MacStories

Vision Pro

• Our Apple Vision Pro coverage last week:
  • Apple Details Vision Pro’s Launch Day Entertainment Options
  • New Apple Vision Pro Hands-On Accounts From Engadget and The Verge
  • A Survey of Popular Apps Currently Compatible With Apple Vision Pro
  • Every Apple Vision Pro Accessory Option
  • Apple Releases a Guided Tour of Vision Pro and Shares a Making Of Video
• Apps We’re Looking Forward to Trying:
  • Entertainment and Media Tracking
    • Longplay
    • Play
    • Sequel
    • Film Noir
    • TV Remote
    • Algoriddim Djay
  • Other Apps:
    • Ice Cubes
    • Runestone
    • Crouton
    • Streaks
    • Mercury Weather
    • JigSpace

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This week, Federico and John are joined by Sigmund Judge and Devon Dundee, the hosts of Magic Rays of Light, a weekly show that explores the world of Apple TV and Apple Arcade, which has joined MacStories, to discuss the show’s move to MacStories as well as tvOS and the apps we use to track media.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software

Links and Show Notes

Magic Rays of Light Joins MacStories

• Visit macstories.net on Monday, January 15th for more about Magic Rays of Light joining MacStories.

Media Tracking Apps

• Apps Covered
  • TV Forecast
  • Sequel
  • Play
  • Sofa
  • GameTrack
  • SwitchBuddy
  • Movie Tracker

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This week, Federico and John pick two apps they’ve been enjoying recently.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

A Classic Pick 2

• John’s Picks

  • Natural Reader
    • Also mentioned: Every Word
  • MirrorPlay

• Federico’s Picks

  • GameTrack
    • Also mentioned:
      • SwitchBuddy
      • Sequel
      • Sofa
      • Playlisty
      • How Long to Beat
      • GameTrack Review: An Elegant Way to Discover, Track, and Share Videogames
  • Launcher
    • Also mentioned:
      • Optimizing Shortcuts for the Launcher App and Home Screen Widgets

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[[include: appstories_subscri

This week, Federico and John rethink the share sheet and other ways Apple’s platforms share data.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

MacStories is on Threads

• The MacStories Team Is on Threads (Again)
• Accounts:
  • MacStories
  • Federico
  • John
  • Alex
  • Silvia
  • Niléane
  • Jonathan

Fixing the Share Sheet

• Apps Mentioned
  • lire
  • Reeder
  • GoodLinks

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This week, Federico and John introduce the annual MacStories Selects award winners.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

The 2023 MacStories Selects Awards

• MacStories Selects 2023: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Pixelmator
  • Best New App: Orion
    • Runners Up: Chronicling
    • TotK Travel Guide
  • Best App Update: Sequel 2.0
    • Runner Up: Longplay 2.0
  • Best New Feature: Things’ Shortcuts support
    • Runner Up: Mercury Weather Trip Forecasts
  • Best Design: Mercury Weather
    • Runner Up: Matter
  • Best Watch App: Broadcasts
    • Runner Up: Flighty
  • Best Mac App: Mimestream
    • Runner Up: Bartender 5
  • Readers’ Choice: Ivory
  • App of the Year: Widgetsmith
    • Runner Up: Ivory

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This week Federico and John explore alternative Apple timelines by asking the question: What if?

This episode is sponsored by:

• Dropzone 4 – The essential drag and drop productivity enhancer.

Links and Show Notes

What If?: Exploring Alternative Apple Timelines

• What if the iPod had never been released?
  • Apple Stops Production of iPods, After Nearly 22 Years
  • A Visual History of the Apple iPod
  • A Complete History of the iPod: From 2001 to 2022
  • A Click Wheel Revival
• What if the iPad had never been released?
  • The iPad at 10: A New Product Category Defined by Apps
    • The iPad at 10
  • A brief history of the iPad, Apple’s once and future tablet
• What if the Pippin had been a hit?
  • On the Apple PiPP!N
  • Halo Unveiled at Macworld
  • Ten Games that Defined the Pippin
  • Nostalgia moment: do you remember the PS3 banana controller?
  • Stephen Hackett’s Pippin Unboxing

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This week, Federico and John conclude their tour of their geeky holiday projects.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.
• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

Nerding Out for the Holidays (Part 2)

• Federico’s iPad Keyboard Project
  • Brydge iPad Pro 11 MAX+ Wireless Keyboard Case
    • Amazon
    • Best Buy
• John’s Backup Project
  • easystore 14TB drive
    • Note: 18TB model is sold out
• Federico’s Search for the Things of Read Later Apps
  • GoodLinks
  • Matter
  • Reader by Readwise
• John’s Continued Exploration of the Boox Tab Ultra
  • Boox Tab Ultra
  • Aya Neo
  • Obsidian on the Tab Ultra
• Federico’s Apps, TV, and Videogames
  • Sequel
  • Things 3
  • Foundation on Apple TV+
  • For All Mankind on Apple TV+
  • Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix
  • Sea of Stars
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Metroid Prime Remastered
  • Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC
  • Cyberpunk 2077
• John’s Movies, TV, and Videogames
  • Barbie
  • For All Mankind on Apple TV+
  • Foundation on Apple TV+
  • Monarch on Apple TV+
  • Spider-Man 2
  • Dave the Diver
  • Pentiment
    

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This week, Federico and John share their geeky holiday season tech projects.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

Nerding Out for the Holidays

• John’s 5th Generation iPod Video Restoration Project
  • Apps mentioned:
    • Longplay
    • Albums: Music Shortcuts
  • Parts and Tutorials
    • iFixit
      • Screen
      • Battery
        • Note: John mentions milliwatt hours in connection with the batteries he bought but meant milliamp hours.
    • iFlash.xyz
      • iFlash Quad
    • Elite Obsolete Electronics
      • Transparent Faceplate
      • 3,000 mAh battery
    • KOKKIA i10s Bluetooth Transmitter
• Federico’s Battery Situation
  • The Multi-Battery Lifestyle
  • Federico’s Battery Situation and the Switch
    • Convert Dock Mini by Genki
    • Omni 20+ battery
    • Anker 737
    • Anker Prime Battery
    • Anker 100W Charging Stand
    • Switch Dock for Nintendo Switch OLED, 3 in 1 Switch TV Adapter
• John Obsidian Plugin Exploration and Related Organization System
  • Obsidian Plugins
    • Dataview
    • Projects
    • DB Folder
• Federico’s Wi-Fi Experiments
  • PlayStation Portal

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This week, Federico and John tackle the struggle with staying organized in the face of the never-ending stream of files and other information.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Getting Your Digital Life in Order

• Apps Discussed
  • Obsidian
  • Bear
  • Notion
  • Things
  • Hookmark
• Systems
  • Building a Second Brain
  • Linking Your Thinking
  • Johnny Decimal

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This week, Federico and John explore why there are so many good task managers, but none is a perfect fit with the way they work.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

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This week, John is joined by Relay FM’s Stephen Hackett for a recap and thoughts on Apple’s Scary Fast event, which was recorded live in the Club MacStories+ Discord.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Apple’s Scary Fast Event

• Apple Introduces the New MacBook Pro in Three M3 Chip Configurations
• Apple Reveals New M3 iMac
• Apple’s October 2023 Scary Fast Event: All The Small Things
• Apple’s October 2023 Scary Fast Event: By the Numbers
• Apple Announces Pricing and Availability Dates for New MacBook Pros and iMac with M3 Chips
• Apple’s October 2023 Scary Fast Event: Replay Today’s Keynote
• Apple’s ‘Scary Fast’ Event Brings the M3 to Life

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• Stephen Hackett

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This week, Federico and John cover the web apps they use and why they’re sometimes preferable to native apps.

This episode is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• Electric – Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting.
• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

Web Apps and Services

• The cult of Obsidian: Why people are obsessed with the note-taking app
• Obsidian
• Mailchimp
• Building Calliope: A Technical Journey Through MacStories’ Big Software Project
• Grammarly
• Twist
• Matter
• Raindrop.io
• Home Assistant

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This week, John surprises Federico with a link gathering machine he designed for processing and reading the web.

This episode is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.

Links and Show Notes

John’s Link Gathering Machine

Hardware

• Boox Tab Ultra
• Boox Magnetic Keyboard Cover

Core Apps

• Kiwi Browser
• Matter (web only)

• Feedbin

• Raindrop.io

• Obsidian

• Moon+ Reader Pro

• Other Apps Discussed

  • Kindle
  • Libby
  • Artifact
  • Apple Music

• Chrome Extensions

  • Matter
  • Raindrop.io

• Bookmarklet

  • Obsidian Web Clipper

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This week, Federico and John spend time with the visionOS simulator and consider the design of the Apple Vision Pro system apps and what to expect from third-party developers.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion AI. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Announcements

• Expanding the MacStories Team
  • Niléane
    • Recent Stories:
      • Three Ways to Use BetterTouchTool to Enhance Window Management with a Trackpad
      • Customizing App Icons on a Mac in 2023
  • Johnathan
    • Recent Stories:
      • A Portable HomeKit Camera Plus a Grab Bag of Tips
      • Using My iPhone as a ‘TV Sidekick’ to Improve My Viewing Experience
• Paid AppStories+ Apple Podcasts subscriptions have been discontinued
  • You can subscribe to AppStories+ directly or as part of a Club MacStories Premier membership instead.

Apple Vision Pro Apps

• A selection of stories from MacStories past Apple Vision Pro coverage:
  • Apple Vision Pro: A Watershed Moment for Personal Computing
  • AppStories, Episode 335 – Federico’s Experience with Apple Vision Pro
  • Apple Announces visionOS App Evaluation Process, Labs, and Developer Kits
  • Unity Launches PolySpatial Beta Program for visionOS Developers
  • David Smith on Adapting Widgetsmith’s Weather Features to visionOS
  • Developers’ Early Experiments with visionOS
  • Apple Releases visionOS SDK and Developer Tools

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This week, Federico and John are joined by tvOS expert Sigmund Judge, who just finished writing his tvOS 17 review for MacStories, to understand what has changed in tvOS and where it might be heading.

This episode is sponsored by:

TV Forecast – Track, Explore and Discover Your Favorite Shows and Movies

Links and Show Notes

tvOS 17 with Sigmund Judge

• tvOS 17: The MacStories Review
• Sigmund Judge
  • Magic Rays of Light podcast
  • Threads
  • Twitter

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This week, Federico and John take a look at some of their favorite apps with interactive widgets for iOS 17, iOS 17, and macOS Sonoma.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.

Links and Show Notes

Widgets Everywhere

• Widgetsmith
  • Widgetsmith Pushes the Boundaries of Widget Interactivity
• Home Widget
  • Home Widget Unlocks HomeKit Device Control That Apple’s Home App Doesn’t Offer
• Hue Widgets
• TV Remote
• Marvis Pro and WidgetPod
• LivePod
• Timery
  • Timery’s Updated Widgets Enable Starting and Stopping Timers, Pagination, and More
• Pocket Casts
• Widgle
  • Widgle’s Four Photo-Based Widget Games Deliver Simple, Fun Interactive Diversions

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This week, Federico and John dig into Federico’s review of iOS and iPadOS 17.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – Power up your efficiency.
• Things 3 – Ready for iOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14
• Daylite CRM – Spend less time managing your business and spend more time doing what you love. Regain control now!
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Links and Show Notes

iOS and iPadOS 17: The MacStories Review

• iOS and iPadOS 17: The MacStories Review
• Also mentioned:
  • An In-Depth Look at StandBy and the StandBy Chargers We Recommend
  • AppleScript: Shortcuts Bridge or Crutch?

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This week, Federico and John are joined by Alex live in the Club MacStories+ Discord community for a special episode covering their initial impressions of Apple’s Wonderlust media event, which introduced new iPhones, Apple Watches, and more.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
• CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off

Links and Show Notes

Apple’s Wonderlust Media Event

• Apple’s Fall Media Event Keynote
• Apple’s iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Models: The MacStories Overview
• Apple’s September 2023 Wonderlust Event: Replay Today’s Keynote and Product Videos
• Apple Announces Availability Dates for New iPhones and Apple Watches

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This week, Federico and John look at the history of bookmarking apps, their relationship to read-later apps, how their use of bookmarking apps has changed, and their favorite modern bookmarking apps.

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• AudiOn: Record, edit, share: Tell your story with AudiOn. Try it free now.
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Links and Show Notes

Bookmarking Apps

• Historical Context
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Pinboard
  • Zootool
• The Relationship of Bookmarking Tools and Read-Later Apps
  • Matter
  • Readwise Reader
  • Pocket
• Everything Apps for Bookmarking
  • DEVONthink
  • Keep It
  • Tinderbox
  • Curio
• Modern Bookmarking Apps
  • GoodLinks
  • Anybox
  • Raindrop.io

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This week, Federico and John look back at the gadgets they’ve accumulated over the summer and share what’s worked and what hasn’t.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts - Sketch, Note, Draw.
• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
• HelloFresh – Use code 50appstories for 50% off plus free shipping.

Links and Show Notes

Summertime Gadget Show and Tell

• John
  • GL-iNet Beryl AX3000 WiFi 6 travel router
  • Home Assistant Yellow
    • 8GB RAM Raspberry Pi 4
    • 500GB Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD
  • Eve Room
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
  • Chargers and Batteries
    • Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand
    • Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger
    • Ugreen 10000mAh Foldable Kickstand Magnetic Battery
  • In the Kitchen
    • Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Coming Soon…
    • 8Bitdo Micro Bluetooth Gamepad Pocket-sized Mini Controller
• Federico:
  • OtterBox MagSafe battery
  • Anker Lightning battery
  • Beats Studio Buds+
  • CableConn USB-C cablehttps://www.amazon.it/gp/aw/d/B09LY9GWS5)
  • SUCIKORIO Neon Strisica LED light strips for outside and inside
  • Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EU version)
  • Meross Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug (EU version)
  • Gardena smart irrigation system
  • Aqara camera G3
  • Zyxel network switch
  • Aqara Water Leak Sensor
  • Aqara Smart Hub M2
  • Anker PowerPort III 65 W

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This week, Federico and John each share two app recommendations in a classic Pick 2 episode.

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• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.

Links and Show Notes

A Classic Pick 2

• Peak
• Matter
• MarkEdit
  • Also mentioned:
    • Typewriter
• Home Assistant
  • Also mentioned:
    • Eve
    • Home+ 6
    • Home Assistant Yellow

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This week, Federico and John look at how making apps has changed along with the evolution of Apple’s hardware lineup and what that means for the future of apps on those platforms.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts - Sketch, Note, Draw.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Links and Show Notes

Why The Way Apps Are Made Has Changed

• Read-it-later app Pocket to shut down its Mac app on August 15th
• John’s Mastodon post about Pocket discontinuing its Mac app
• Modern Life is Rubbish by Blur

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This week, Federico and John look at the latest app trends and where Apple’s system apps are heading to try to answer the question of where the world of apps is heading.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Vitally – A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.

Links and Show Notes

Where Is The App Economy Heading?

• Apps Discussed

  • Mona
    • Mona: A Unique Mix of Customization Options and Features You Won’t Find in Any Other Mastodon App
  • Ivory
    • Ivory for Mac Review: Tapbots’ Superb Mastodon Client Comes to Apple Desktops and Laptops
    • Ivory for Mastodon Review: Tapbots Reborn
  • Reeder
    • Reeder 5 Review: Read Later Tagging, iCloud Sync, and Design Refinements
  • Fiery Feeds
    • Fiery Feeds for iOS Added an In-App Split View Mode That I Wish More iPhone Apps Offered
  • Matter
    • Matter: A Fresh Take on Read-Later Apps
    • Why Are Read-It-Later Apps Suddenly Hot?
  • Readwise Reader
    • AppStories, Episode 312 – Read-Later Apps
    • Using Readwise Reader as My RSS Client
  • iA Writer
    • iA Writer 6 Adds Cross-Document Linking, Metadata, and More
  • Obsidian
    • My Obsidian Setup, Part 1: Sync, Core Plugins, Workspaces, and Other Settings
  • Marvis Pro
    • Marvis Review: The Ultra-Customizable Apple Music Client

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This week, Federico and John to talk about Safari, videoconferencing, Messages, and gaming on macOS Sonoma, plus stickers and widgets on iOS and iPadOS 17.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts - Sketch, Note, Draw.
• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion Projects. Try it free today.
• HelloFresh – Use code appstories50 for 50% off plus free shipping.

Links and Show Notes

macOS Sonoma Public Beta Preview Continued

• macOS Sonoma: The MacStories Preview

iOS and iPadOS 17 Public Beta Preview

• iOS and iPadOS 17 After One Month: It’s All About Widgets, Apps, and Stage Manager
  • iOS and iPadOS 17 After One Month: It’s All About Widgets, Apps, and Stage Manager
  • With iPadOS 17, Stage Manager Is (Finally) Moving in the Right Direction

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This week, John is joined by Alex Guyot to talk about the watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma public betas.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Concepts - Sketch, Note, Draw.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.

Links and Show Notes

watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma Public Beta Previews

• watchOS 10: The MacStories Preview
• macOS Sonoma: The MacStories Preview

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This week, Federico and John explore the web apps and services they use and how they use them.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Links and Show Notes

The Web Apps We Use

• macOS Sonoma web apps
• Dropbox
• Matter
• GitHub
• Grammarly
• Google Docs
• Raindrop.io
• Zapier

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This week, Federico and John conclude a look back at their pre-WWDC OS wishes for iOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 and look at which came true.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Notion – Do your most efficient work with Notion Projects. Try it free today.

Links and Show Notes

Grading our OS Wishes, Part 2

• Related Stories
  • WWDC 2023: StandBy for iPhone
  • WWDC 2023: A First Look at Messages in iOS 17
  • WWDC 2023: New FaceTime Features Coming This Fall
• Related Wishes Episodes
  • Our iOS 17 Wishes
  • Our watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 Wishes

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This week, Federico and John revisit their pre-WWDC OS wishes, including visionOS, macOS, and iPadOS, and look at which came true.

This episode is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• DetailsPro – Design with SwiftUI, no coding required. 50% off throughout June.
• Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.

Links and Show Notes

Grading our OS Wishes

• Related Stories
  • With iPadOS 17, Stage Manager Is (Finally) Moving in the Right Direction
  • What Is Still Missing From Stage Manager on iPad?
  • Faking ‘Clamshell Mode’ with External Displays in iPadOS 17
  • Controlling Music Playback on an iPhone from macOS Sonoma
  • Steve Troughton-Smith on Bringing Broadcasts to visionOS
• Related Wishes Episodes
  • Our xrOS Wishes
  • Our macOS
  • Our iPadOS 17 Wishes

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This week, Federico and John consider the impact that this year’s OS releases will have on third-party apps.

This episode is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.

• DetailsPro – Design with SwiftUI, no coding required. 50% off throughout June.

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Links and Show Notes

The Impact of OS Updates on Third-Party Apps

• Apps Discussed
  • Day One
  • Craft
  • Obsidian
  • Roam Research
  • Sticker Drop
  • Arc Browser
  • 1Password
  • Timery
• More
  • Apple’s upcoming Journal app
  • Three Changes for Productivity I’m Excited About in iOS and iPadOS 17
  • WWDC 2023: Notes and Reminders to Gain Significant Productivity Features This Fall
  • Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit’s Support for DirectX 12 is a Big Deal for Gaming on the Mac

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This week, John is joined by Alex Guyot to talk about the new features coming to Apple Notes and Reminders, as well as new Mac hardware announced at WWDC.

This episode is sponsored by:

• DetailsPro – Design with SwiftUI, no coding required. 50% off throughout June.
• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• Daylite – Regain Control of Your Business With Daylite

Links and Show Notes

Apple Notes, Reminders, and New Macs

• WWDC 2023: Notes and Reminders to Gain Significant Productivity Features This Fall
• WWDC 2023: Mac Hardware Roundup

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Federico and John also had the opportunity to sit down with three winners of the Swift Student Challenge in the Apple Podcasts Studio at Apple Park. It was fun and inspiring to chat with Damian Perez, Henri Bredt, and Maria Eduarda Cabral de Lucena.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.

Links and Show Notes

2023 Swift Student Challenge Winner Interviews

• Damian Perez, an East Bay student who developed an app for his girlfriend who is a medical student
• Henri Bredt, a UX design student from Germany who built an interactive e-Piano in a retro-style-design that teaches users’ how to read sheet music, with a focus on an interactive beginners course
• Maria Eduarda Cabral de Lucena, a student from Brazil and participant in Apple’s Developer Academy who developed an app that introduces the benefits of Yoga in hopes of bringing users’ a sense of relief and well-being that can be life-changing

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Today, Federico and John interview the creators of five apps that were finalists or winners of the 2023 Apple Design Awards: Zach Gage, the creator of Knotwords, Swupnil Sahai, the developer of SwingVision, Philipp Nägelsbach, the publisher of Endling, Leon Sasson of Rise: Energy and Sleep, and Jakob Lykkegaard of Lykke Studios the maker of stitch.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.

Links and Show Notes

2023 Apple Design Awards Interviews

• Zach Gage (Knotwords)
• Swupnil Sahai (SwingVision)
• Philipp Nägelsbach (Endling)
• Leon Sasson (Rise: Energy and Sleep)
• Jakob Lykkegaard (stitch)
• Related:
  • 2023 Apple Design Award Winners Revealed
  • 2023 ADA Finalists Announced

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In today’s WWDC episode of AppStories, Federico shares his experience with Apple Vision Pro answering questions from John, Alex, and Club MacStories members.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.

Links and Show Notes

Apple Vision Pro

• Apple Vision Pro

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In the latest WWDC episode of AppStories, Federico, John, and Alex are joined by MacPaw developer Serhii Popov for a developer’s perspective on WWDC before covering iPadOS 17’s Stage Manager changes in depth, along with Notes, Reminders, and StandBy.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.

Links and Show Notes

WWDC 2023: Deeper Into The Week’s Announcements

• With iPadOS 17, Stage Manager Is (Finally) Moving in the Right Direction
• Notes
• Reminders
• StandBy

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For this special episode of AppStories, John and Federico were joined by Alex live in the Club MacStories+ Discord community to share their first impressions of the WWDC 2023 Keynote.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.

Links and Show Notes

WWDC 2023 Keynote First Impressions

• iOS 17 Preview page
• iPadOS 17 Preview page
• macOS Sonoma Preview page
• watchOS 10 Preview page

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This week Federico and John recorded their last-minute thoughts and predictions for WWDC before a live audience in the Club MacStories+ Discord community.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Setapp – An efficient way to get and distribute apps on macOS, iOS, and web.
• DetailsPro – Design with SwiftUI, no coding required. 50% off throughout June.
• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Links and Show Notes

Our Final Pre-WWDC Thoughts and Predictions

• MacStories at WWDC
• The Format of WWDC
• New Macs
• Pack Your Sunscreen, It’s Going to Be a Long Keynote
• What We’re Excited About
• watchOS
• High-End Headset Display Rumors
• Thoughts on iOS
• Gaming

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This week, Federico and John talk about Logic Pro for iPad and their wishes for Apple’s rumored mixed reality OS, xrOS.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Nom Nom – Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.

Links and Show Notes

Logic Pro for iPad

• MacStories Hands-On: Podcast Editing with Logic Pro for iPad
• Hands on with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad

Our xrOS Wishes

• System Features
• Communications
• Stage Manager
• A Virtual Desktop
• Federico’s Hover Theory
• Fitness
• Mindfulness
• Live Sports and Music
• TV and Movies
• Videogames
• Pick 3: Our Top Overall Wishes

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This week, Federico and John share their wishes for macOS 14.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.

Links and Show Notes

Our macOS Wishes

• Safari
• Stage Manager
• More multitasking wishes
• Spotlight
• Calendar
• Notes
• Reminders
• Syncing app settings
• Music
• Shortcuts
  • Stecker

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This week, Federico and John explain the changes to watchOS and tvOS that they’d like to see made in 2023.

Links and Show Notes

watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 Wishes

• watchOS 10 Wishes
  • Charge Notifications on the Mac
  • Widgets
  • Shortcuts
  • The Apple Watch Ultra’s Action Button
  • The Workout App
  • More Information and Guidance About Fitness Statistics
• tvOS 17
  • A Floating Song Lyrics Panel
  • Quadbox
  • An Improved Apple Music Channel
  • Live Music Event Programming
  • Stage Manager on tvOS
  • Siri and HomeKit Integration
  • Better Home Screen Organization
  • A Manual Queing System
  • Add More Sources to Up Next

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This week, Federico and John continue their wish list series with their wishes for iPadOS 17.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Links and Show Notes

Our iPadOS Wishes

• Clamshell mode
• Separate Stage Manager from Multi-windowing
• Controlling Stage Manager
• Controlling Audio and Video inputs and outputs
• Universal Control
• System wishes

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This week, Federico and John kick off their annual OS wishes series with a long list of rapid-fire wishes for iOS 17.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Hit The Island – Funn Media’s innovative, fun, and deceptively simple game for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Links and Show Notes

Follow-Up

• MacStories Unwind Expands to Club MacStories with Unwind+
• Federico’s Mac Setup
  • Connbull USB-C Switch

Our iOS 17 Wishes

• Control Center
• Lock screen widgets
• Home screen widgets
• System features
• Shortcuts
• Music
• Safari
• Phone
• Apple Podcasts
• App Store
• Reminders
• Home
• A Passwords App
• Notes
• Files

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This week, Federico explains his return to the Mac, including his hardware setup and the apps he’s using, and John recommends some apps he should try.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Dropshare – The most flexible file sharing solution for macOS and iOS that just works with your trusted file storage provider. 15% off for AppStories listeners with the code appstories at checkout.
• Hit The Island – Funn Media’s innovative, fun, and deceptively simple game for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
• Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Get 50% off your first box.

Links and Show Notes

Federico’s Return to the Mac

• Hardware
  • M2 MacBook Air
  • Studio Display
  • Twelve South BookArc
  • Microsoft Audio Dock
  • Logitech LIFT vertical mouse
  • Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac keyboard
  • Elgato Wave XLR
• Software
  • BetterTouchTool
  • Lasso
  • AltTab
  • Mission Control Plus
  • Audio Hijack
  • Setapp
  • Marvis Pro
  • Matter
  • PixelPerfect
  • Bartender
  • Paletro
  • Raycast
• John’s App Emporium Recommendations
  • Sleeve 2
    • Neptunes
  • Dato
  • AirBuddy
  • PopClip for Shortcuts
    • How to Batch Convert Shortcuts for Use Throughout Monterey and with Other Automation Apps
  • Mimestream
  • Lingon X 9

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This week, Federico and John dig into third-party apps with excellent shortcuts support.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Viso – Beautiful minimal image viewer for macOS.

Links and Show Notes

Automation April Update

• S-GPT 1.0.2 Brings Date and Time Awareness, Integration with macOS Services Menu, Passthrough Mode, Better HomePod Support, and More
• Automation April: The Loupedeck Live S Is a More Portable and Affordable Automation Control Panel for the Mac
• S-GPT 1.0.1

Apps with Excellent Shortcuts Support

• Bike Outliner
  • Bike: An Elegant Outliner For Mac-Focused Workflows
• FoodNoms
  • FoodNoms 2 Refreshes Its Design and Adds Refinements to Nutrition Logging and Goal Tracking Throughout
• Actions for Obsidian
• Things 3
  • Things 3.17 Overhauls the App’s Shortcuts Actions
• Actions
• Albums
  • Albums 4.0: A Must-Have App for Music Lovers
• Fantastical
  • Fantastical 3.6 Adds In-App Scheduling and Quarter View
• Book Tracker
• Anybox
  • AppStories, Episode 312 – Read-Later Apps
• MusicBox
  • MusicBox Review: The ‘Listen-Later’ Music App I’ve Been Waiting For
• Crouton and Pestle
  • Crouton Review: An Elegant, Modern Recipe Manager and Cooking Aid
  • Pestle 1.2: The MacStories Review
• Calory and WaterMinder
  • Calory Review: Simple, Convenient Calorie Tracking
  • WaterMinder 5.1 Delivers a Ground-Up Redesign of Its Apple Watch App and More
• Surfed

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This week, John explains his new link management workflow, combining a series of apps and shortcuts, and Federico shares more about his S-GPT shortcut that integrates ChatGPT with Apple’s OSes.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Links and Show Notes

Link Management and Integrating ChatGPT with Apple’s OSes

• Automation April: Thinking About Linking
• Linking Apps:
  • Raindrop
  • Reeder
  • Matter
  • Raycast
  • Actions for Shortcuts
  • GoodLinks
  • Bookmarks in Obsidian
• Introducing S-GPT, A Shortcut to Connect OpenAI’s ChatGPT with Native Features of Apple’s Operating Systems
  • S-GPT 1.0.1

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This week, Federico and John check in on the shortcuts they use the most and the types of tasks they get the most bang for the buck from by automating.

Links and Show Notes

Automation April

• Remembering Alex Hay, the Maker of Toolbox Pro, During Automation April
• Coming Soon: The Second Annual Automation April Community Event Featuring Shortcuts, Interviews, Discord Workshops, and a Shortcut Contest

Shortcuts Check-In

• Apple Frames 3.0: Completely Rewritten, Support for iPhone 14 Pro and Dynamic Island, New Devices, Multiple Display Resolutions, and More
  • Apple Frames 3.1: Extending Screenshot Automation with the New Apple Frames API
  • Apple Frames 3.1.1 with Support for Passthrough Mode
• ShareMenu 2.0, Now with Better macOS Integration and Support for More Input Types
• Things 3.17 Overhauls the App’s Shortcuts Actions
  • More Fun with Things’ New Shortcuts Actions
• My Obsidian Setup, Part 5: Appending Text and Webpage Links to Specific Sections of My ‘Dashboard’ Note

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This week, Federico and John each pick two apps they’ve been enjoying recently and explain why.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Squarespace – Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Setapp – More than 230 powerful apps. Try it free for 7 days.

Links and Show Notes

Pick 2

• John
  • Copilot
    • MacStories Weekly 357, Home Screen: John
  • Gentler Streak
    • Fitness App Gentler Streak Adds Wellness Tracking
    • Also mentioned:
      • Tempo
• Federico
  • Instant Notion
  • TV Forecast
    • TV Forecast Review: An Elegant Way to Track Your Favorite Shows

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This week, Federico and John revisit RSS to talk about how syncing services and apps have changed and share how their use of RSS has evolved.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

• Setapp: More than 230 powerful apps. Try it free for 7 days.

Links and Show Notes

RSS Revisited

• Early Days
  • Requiem for Google Reader, gone but not forgotten
  • Byline
  • NetNewsWire
  • Fever Really is That Hot
• An Email Tangent
  • Ocean
  • Mimestream
• RSS Sync Services
  • Feedly
  • Feedbin
  • Inoreader
• RSS Apps Discussed
  • Reeder
  • Unread
  • ReadKit
  • Readwise Reader
  • Matter
  • Fiery Feeds
  • lire

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This week, Federico and John answer listener questions about apps, automation, podcasting, tattoos, and more.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today.
• Squarespace – Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Listener Q&A

• Editorial
• Instapaper
• Obsidian
• Adobe Podcast
• Earthworks Ethos
• Neumann KMS 104 Plus
• Nuova German LED light strip
• Delonghi La Specialista EC9335M
• Ditre Italia sofa
• Fully sit/stand desk
• Dyson V12 Detect Slim
• Red Rising series
• 20th Century Boys manga
• 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Bluetooth Controller with Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch
• NYXI Wizard controller
• NYXI Transparent Style Wireless Joy-pad with 8 Colors LED For Switch/Switch OLED
• Hori Switch Split Pad Pro
• Play Asia
• Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency by Andy Greenberg
• Standing on the Shoulders of Giants by Oasis
• Octopath Traveler II
• Blanc

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This week, Federico and John cover the increasing competition among web browsers and the emerging features they find most useful.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today.
• Fitbod – Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.

Links and Show Notes

The Future of Web Browsers

• Browsers covered:
  • Brave
  • Firefox
  • SigmaOS
  • Arc
  • Vivaldi
  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Federico’s story about Command-K bars

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This week, Federico and John compare notes on the Apple Watch Ultra, including what makes it special and what frustrates them, and share the apps they’re using regularly.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today.
• Squarespace – Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

• Italian shutters
  • 
• Lutron HomeKit-enabled blinds
• Upscaling the Nintendo Switch
  • mClassic
  • Photofast 4K Gamer Pro
  • Genki Convert Dock Mini

Apple Watch Ultra and Apps

• Apple Watch Ultra
• Apps
  • CARROT Weather
  • Timery for Toggl
  • Shortcuts
  • Broadcasts
  • Overcast
  • Pocket Casts
  • Footpath Route Planner
  • µBrowser
  • Spotify
  • TickTick
  • Audible
  • Tempo for Runners
  • Gentler Streak Workout Tracker

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This week, Federico and John conclude their mini-series on artificial intelligence with a conversation about the apps they’ve used that include AI features.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Things – Now with Deep Shortcuts Integration
• Issuu – Get started with Issuu today for FREE or sign up for an annual premium account and get 50% off

Links and Show Notes

Apps and AI

• Notion AI
• Readwide Reader’s Ghostreader
• Ice Cubes
• Using ChatGPT to Help Write SwiftUI Code in Streaks
• Playlist AI

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This week, Federico and John begin a new series on the impact of artificial intelligence on apps and the world around us. This week’s episode sets the stage with a look at chatbots, image generation tools, and issues and opportunities they raise.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Sofa – Be more intentional with your downtime.
• Daylite – Not just another CRM, the small business app that grow your business and Mac users love!
• Squarespace – Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Artificial Intelligence

• ChatGPT Is a Blurry JPEG of the Web | The New Yorker
• 7 problems facing Bing, Bard, and the future of AI search
• This is how Microsoft will compensate websites Bing and ChatGPT steals information from
• CNET pauses publishing AI-written stories after disclosure controversy
• ChatGPT jailbreak forces it to break its own rules
• Getty Images is suing the creators of AI art tool Stable Diffusion for scraping its content
• Replace Grammarly Premium with OpenAI ChatGPT
• CNET’s AI Journalist Appears to Have Committed Extensive Plagiarism
• Elon’s Crumbling Empire + Generative A.I. Goes to Court
• How ChatGPT Will Destabilize White-Collar Work

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This week, Federico and John conclude their look at Mastodon apps with web and Mac clients, plus Mastodon utilities.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc – Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Fitbod – Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.

Links and Show Notes

Mastodon Web, Mac, and Utility Apps

• iPad Mastodon app follow-up
  • Thoughts On Twitter for iPad: This Changes Everything
  • Gavin Nelson on Matodon
• Mastodon instances mentioned:
  • indieapps.space
  • iosdev.space
• Web Apps
  • Elk
    • Unite
  • Phanpy
  • Halcyon
  • Mastodeck
• Mac
  • Wooly (beta)
  • Mammoth (beta)
  • Official Mastodon client
• Utilities
  • Re: Toot
  • Linky
  • Buffer

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This week, Federico and John cover the iPhone and iPad Mastodon apps they’ve been testing and share what they like and don’t about each.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Issuu – Get started with Issuu today for FREE or sign up for an annual premium account and get 50% off
• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.

Links and Show Notes

Mastodon Clients for iPhone and iPad

• In Beta:
  • Mona
  • Wooly
  • Mammoth
• Ivory
• Tusker
• Ice Cubes
• Mastoot
• Tooot
• Toot!

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This week, Federico and John imagine the kinds of apps that may emerge for an Apple VR headset.

This episode is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X – Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.

Links and Show Notes

Imagining Apple VR Apps

• Inside the Tech Powering Apple’s Envelope-Pushing, Risky Mixed Reality Headset
• Apple Delays AR Glasses, Plans Cheaper Mixed-Reality Headset
• Apple Vision? Apple Reality? What Apple Could Name Its AR/VR Headset
• Meta Quest Pro review: get me out of here

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This week, Federico and John look at the history of read-later apps and the many similarities and differences between them and today’s read-later apps, like Matter and Reader, as well as link organizers, such as GoodLinks and Anybox.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Fitbod – Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace – Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase…
• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.

Links and Show Notes

Read Later Apps

• The History of Read-Later Apps
  • Instapaper Founder Marco Arment’s Journey From Bagel Jockey to Publishing Pioneer
  • 10 Years of Instapaper
  • Read It Later Reborn: Pocket Saves Everything “For Later”
  • An interview with Read it Later Developer Nate Weiner
  • Readability for iOS Review
• Why Are Read-It-Later Apps Suddenly Hot?
• Matter: A Fresh Take on Read-Later Apps
• Federico on Readwise Reader
• Readability Directs Shared Articles to Own Servers, Cuts Out Original Publishers

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This week, Federico and John conclude their ‘Gone but Not Forgotten’ series with more third-party apps, including productivity, communications, and entertainment apps, plus games.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Issuu: Get started with Issuu today for FREE or sign up for an annual premium account and get 50% off
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code APPSTORIES at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Gone but Not Forgotten: Third-Party Apps (Part 2)

• Bento
• Growl
• Editorial
• Adium
• Bowtie
• CandyBar
• Fontcase
• iPhone 4 Case Program
• Instacast
• Mr. Reader
• ProTube
• Rdio
• Articles, CoverSutra, and Groceries
• MacHeist
• Rolando
• Jelly Car
  • Jelly Car Worlds
• Flappy Bird

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• John

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This week, Federico, John, and Alex introduce the fifth annual MacStories Selects award winners and interview the MacStories Selects Lifetime Achievement award winner, Greg Pierce, the creator of Drafts.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Kolide – Maintaining endpoint security shouldn’t mean compromising employee privacy. Check out our manifesto: Honest Security.
• RevenueCat – Subscription management built for mobile apps.
• Pillow – Sleeping better, made simple.
• MasterClass: This holiday, give one annual membership and get one free! Click this link now.