Safari extension Noir adds extensible dark-mode themes ↦

Goodreads, overriden by Noir.One of my favorite Safari extensions is Noir, which applies a dark stylesheet to websites that don’t get satisfactorily dark when in Dark Mode. The $3 app, which is available for macOS and iOS, just got a big update. Noir now offers a library of dark … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Apple TV needs a unified home screen (Member Post)

Just imagine. (Mock-up by Joe Rosensteel.)In my previous column I wrote about the disappointment over the current state of tvOS and the lack of any significant forward movement with the platform. Now I want to focus on one area where I think Apple could substantially revamp and i … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Downstream 23: The All-Letters Episode

Jason and Julia answer your letters. So many questions! We discuss live TV on Apple channels, merger mania, niche streaming, valuable hot-dog streaming rights, “it’s just an eight-hour movie”, and tactical release times.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Preparing for an Audit? We’ve Been There.

In 2021, our company went through the SOC 2 Type 1 audit, and we found out just how challenging it can be to prove compliance to a third party auditor. We also learned firsthand something our customers had been telling us for a while: that we couldn’t have gotten our SOC certific … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 417: The Verticals

In this special Summer of Fun episode, Jason and Myke welcome three special guests to discuss how development, accessibility, and widgets have been affected by Apple’s latest operating-system cycle.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for once again sponsoring Six Colors. Kolide takes a different approach to endpoint security and fleet management. They help companies meet compliance goals by enlisting the support of their users with a structured, message-based approach. Here’s Kolide’s secr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

6C Podcast: Tech projects and art commissions

James Thomson officially declares Jason a developer. James just wants panda stickers. eInkCalendar SystemSix WeatherKit API woes Lametric Time Substance 3D Painter PCalc MiSTer … Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Touch ID on a Mac desktop, deconstructed

A keyboard lurks beneath my desk.I’ve wanted Touch ID on my Mac for a long time. Here at Six Colors, we’ve wished for it since the earliest days of this site. But when it arrived, it was a strictly laptop-only affair. Finally, in 2011, Apple gave desktop users what we had wanted, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 401: Hey, Series of Mirrors

Dan would have wanted you to listen to this episode. Sniff.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) MBW 827: A Response With Lots of Nines

Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, and Jony Ive says goodbye.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 460: 9000 Ginger Emoji

How we pay online, in stores, and elsewhere. How we use (or wish we could use) our smartphones to aid in travel. The data we’d like to see on our iPhone Lock Screen. Our three favorite emoji and a new emoji we’re most excited about.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

OmniFocus gains cross-platform voice automation

The latest update to the Omni Group’s OmniFocus task manager has a mild-mannered version number – 3.13 – but it includes one pretty big new feature. You can now control the app (on iPhone, iPad, or Mac) using your voice, with an assist from JavaScript-based Omni Automation featur … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 416: Shout-out to Bridget Knight

Myke and Jason both have new M2 MacBook Airs, so it’s time for our full review. Jason opens the Stocks app for the first time in ages. Jony Ive’s long fade-out from Apple is completed. And in honor of World Emoji Day, we select our favorite emojis in seven categories.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Kolide–50% Fewer Service Desk Hairs Pulled Out, Guaranteed!

“When was the last time you restarted it?” If you’ve ever worked at a service desk, you’ve probably wanted to tattoo this question on your forehead. Ditto for: “What device drivers do you have installed?” and “What do you MEAN you wrote the password on a sticky note and then you … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Kolide

My thanks to Kolide for once again sponsoring Six Colors. Kolide takes a different approach to endpoint security and fleet management. It’s all about helping customers meet compliance goals by enlisting the support of their end users with a structured, message-based approach. Kol … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

6C Podcast: Public betas and the M2 MacBook Air

We discuss our favorite features of the public betas and Dan’s going on leave! (This episode also contains the complete audio of our hourlong YouTube live stream about the M2 MacBook Air.)… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

M2 MacBook Air Review: A new era

The definitive Mac of the last decade was the 13-inch MacBook Air, introduced in 2010 and featuring a wedge-shaped design. It influenced all the Apple laptops (and let’s face it, a lot of PC laptops) that came after it. Its last major update in 2018 added a Retina display and shr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 400: I’ve Had a Good Run

The 400th episode spectacular! Celebrate Prime Day! Discuss the public betas! And some important news from one of our hosts.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 459: I Neither Tik Nor Tok

Digital lending, when to install public betas, our favorite utility apps, and how we feel about TikTok’s algorithm changes.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) MBW 826: Snelled It!

JWST images, Apple’s public betas, the fate of the Apple Car, Lockdown Mode, and MacBook Air orders.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Downstream 22: When Success Isn’t Success

How do the creators of TV shows know how well their shows are doing when their streaming services won’t share meaningful data? Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe tired, or getting creative? And which streamer ranked tops in Vulture’s survey?… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

The last vestige of Jony Ive era ends ↦

Tripp Mickle, reporting for the New York Times: Mr. Ive and Apple have agreed to stop working together**, according to two people with knowledge of their contractual agreement, ending a three-decade run during which the designer helped define every rounded corner of an iPhone an … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 415: My Body Is My Studio, My Exercises Are My Canvas

Apple’s iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas have gone public and we have our first impressions! Also, the M2 MacBook Air has gone on sale, the new “extreme sports” Apple Watch is coming into focus, and for the Summer of Fun we’re drafting favorite app icons.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

First Look: iOS 16 Public Beta

If it’s July, that can mean only one thing: it’s Apple’s public beta season. As has become de rigueur for this time of year, Apple has released the preview version of its upcoming software platform updates, giving the public its first chance at seeing the latest capabilities comi … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

First Look: macOS Ventura Public Beta

Apple’s macOS Ventura, an update due to ship this fall that has arrived Monday as a public beta preview, is full of both little feature refinements and big swings at improving Mac productivity. On the small side, it’s improved search in Spotlight and Mail, expanded Handoff suppor … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Kolide–Endpoint Security For People, Not Paper Clips

You know the old thought experiment about the AI designed to make paper clips, that quickly decides that in order to maximize paper clips, it will have to get rid of all the humans? A lot of security teams have a similar idea when it comes to meeting compliance goals: it would be … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock

My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Magic Lasso Adblock is a great ad blocker for Safari on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. As a native content blocking extension, it blocks all intrusive ads, trackers and annoyances – letting you experience a faster, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

6C Podcast: Orders, beta prep, and Apple’s new modes

Jason bought an M2 MacBook Air, but Dan’s M1 Air is Just Fine. Public Betas are in the air. And Lockdown Mode joins Developer Mode in Apple’s new mode-centric worldview.… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Orders, beta prep, and Apple’s new modes

Jason bought an M2 MacBook Air, but Dan’s M1 Air is Just Fine. Public Betas are in the air. And Lockdown Mode joins Developer Mode in Apple’s new mode-centric worldview.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

M2 MacBook Air for sale, base models coming next week

As promised, the M2 MacBook Air went on sale Friday with the first machines shipping to customers next Friday. (I got my hands on one for a little while at WWDC, but haven’t touched one since.) This product has been repeatedly delayed by supply-chain issues, and so it’s not surpr … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 399: Stuff is Unreliable

Where there’s smoke, there may or may not be fire, especially if you have a Google Nest Protect.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 458: Supply Chain Who?

Our coding experiences, the toys we collect and enjoy, our thoughts on new smartphones with current-gen silicon, how we feel about targeted ads, and how we manage our online privacy settings.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Stephen Hackett’s calendar is back ↦

Another year, another Apple product calendar from Stephen Hackett: The calendar features my own product photography of Apple products, with each month highlighting some of Apple’s software announcements over the years. Each calendar measures 20 inches by 13 inches (50.8  x 33.02 … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Apple introduces ‘Lockdown Mode’ ↦

This is a fascinating announcement of a feature of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura that wasn’t previewed at WWDC: Apple today detailed two initiatives to help protect users who may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Zoom PodTrak P4 review: Podcasting and the other Zoom (Member Post)

I recently said goodbye to an old friend – a 12-channel analog audio mixer I’ve used to produce podcasts since around 2007. It was always overkill, even when I recorded shows around my kitchen table with three or four guests. This mixer was better suited to making and recording m … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 414: The Meat Seems Questionable

This July 4 Jason spends some time away from the grill to discuss charity shops, stroopwafels, and the differences between the U.S. and the UK. Meanwhile, Myke has been inspired to build his own iPad-based status board. Vive la différence, as they say in yet another country.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock: YouTube ad blocker for Safari

Do you want to block all YouTube ads in Safari on your iPhone, iPad and Mac? Then download Magic Lasso Adblock – the ad blocker designed for you. It’s easy to setup, doubles the speed at which Safari loads and now blocks all YouTube ads. Magic Lasso is an efficient, high performa … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Sponsor) Magic Lasso Adblock

My thanks to Magic Lasso Adblock for sponsoring Six Colors this week. Designed from the ground up to protect your privacy, Magic Lasso blocks all intrusive ads, trackers and annoyances in Safari – stopping you from being followed by ads around the web. Along with respecting your … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

6C Podcast: WeatherKit hacking, beta features, and M2 timing

Jason can see into the future, we ponder how non-nerds will receive some new beta features, and the great mystery of Apple’s M2 Mac roll-out.… Become a member to listen to our exclusive weekly podcast and get more benefits. | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

Adding Apple WeatherKit data to my own weather widgets

A prototype iOS widgetI’ve spent 17 years with a weather station in my backyard, and parsing that data in interesting ways. Everybody needs a hobby. At WWDC 2022, Apple announced that it was releasing its follow-on from Dark Sky, which it acquired in 2020: it’s called WeatherKit, … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

The Back Page: A guide to new Apple software features for your non-tech savvy friends and relatives (Member Post)

Look, not everybody pays as close attention to Apple announcements as we here at Six Colors—your preeminent source for Apple news1—do. That’s understandable: most of the things that Apple showed off at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference Keynote this month won’t materialize … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

iPhone review: A game-changer years in the making ↦

Me, almost 15 years ago at Macworld: Apple’s iPhone is a product that’s been years in the making. Apple’s designers have been working on it for years, and the Web has been buzzing about Apple’s entry into the phone market for just as long—or maybe even longer. But now, after six … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Clockwise 457: This is a Safe Space

Our favorite iPhones of yesteryear, how paranoid we are about our online privacy, our sleep tracking habits, and where we go to work outside of our homes.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) The Rebound 398: Friedman House Rules

Who wants to talk about Apple stuff anyway.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

VirtualBuddy virtualizes macOS 12 and later on Apple Silicon ↦

Mac hacker extraordinaire Gui Rambo has launched an open-source project, VirtualBuddy, that lets you virtualize macOS on Apple silicon Macs for free: VirtualBuddy can virtualize macOS 12 and later on Apple Silicon, with the goal of offering features that are useful to developers … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Downstream 21: I Love Sports Corner

We discuss the “Lightyear” box office and the future of Pixar, finding better ways to binge through smart software, and how streaming franchises are constructed. And then, once again, there’s Sports Corner.… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) The Talk Show 350: Your Sack of Meat With Teeth

Jason Snell returns to John Gruber’s The Talk Show to discuss the biggest threads from WWDC 2022 — in particular, Stage Manager and the M2 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook “Pro”. No sports talk (unless you count soccer).… | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago

(Podcast) Upgrade 413: Tall Is Small

For the Summer of Fun, Jason and Myke compare their iPhones—one’s Max, one’s Mini, but which one has the most apps and which one has the most photos? Also, Mark Gurman’s got our next 75 episodes plotted out thanks to his detailed dump of future Apple product announcements, Jason … | Continue reading


@sixcolors.com | 2 years ago