For the past week1, I’ve been using Apple’s sixth-generation iPad mini, which is officially launching this Friday. I’ll cut right to the chase: I’ve been waiting for this kind of iPad mini refresh for years, and the device absolutely delivers on all fronts. The new iPad mini fulf … | Continue reading
We’ve come a long way from the Wild West of watchOS’ early versions. Changes in recent years have been thoroughly iterative in nature, suggesting that Apple believes that the platform has reached maturity. watchOS 8 heralds no deviation from this path, but as usual, a host of fea … | Continue reading
a.button { text-decoration: none !important; padding: 8px; margin: 8px; white-space: nowrap; display: inline-block; line-height: 1.18; text-align: center; } a.button:hover { transition: none; } a.club { isolation: isolate; position: relative; z-index: 1; width: max-content; paddi … | Continue reading
A quieter release for even stranger times. | Continue reading
DetailsPro is the accessible, graphical tool for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac that brings your app designs to life with SwiftUI. The future of modern app design on Apple’s platforms is SwiftUI, and with DetailsPro, you can be up and running immediately, designing UIs without typing … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/cf844c0b-45d9-48b8-85ae-2bf615d04c86/audio/67ef7e93-16e5-496a-be65-59d1bfd2ffb2/default_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:23:26” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] Spo … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we look at Apple’s evolving approach to the way HomeKit devices and entertainment features are incorporated into the company’s OSes. [subscribe_to_appstories] On AppStories+, Federico covers WidgetPod and Marvis Pro and John gives Federico Apple Maps home … | Continue reading
As usual, Apple sprinkled facts, figures, and statistics throughout the keynote today. Here are highlights of some of those metrics from the event, which was held online from Apple Park in Cupertino, California. iPhone 13 Lineup iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini 28% brighter display 8 … | Continue reading
At today’s Apple event, the company unveiled updates to the iPad mini and the 10.2” iPad. The 10.2” version continues to serve as Apple’s entry-level iPad at the lowest price point of any iPad, while the mini takes a more pro-like turn compared to its predecessor. iPad mini The n … | Continue reading
At this morning’s virtual keynote event, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams announced the Apple Watch Series 7. Packing a brand-new display, a more rounded case design, faster charging, and greater resistance to cracking and dust, the Series 7 is a very nice iterative … | Continue reading
Today, Apple debuted its iPhone 13 lineup consisting of four new models: iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max Similar to the iPhone 12 family of devices, the iPhone 13 and 13 mini are the more affordable options, while the two Pro models add premium features a … | Continue reading
If you didn’t follow the live stream or announcements as they unfolded today, you can replay it on Apple’s Events site and catch the product videos on Apple’s YouTube channel. The keynote video can be streamed here and on the Apple TV using the TV app. A high-quality version is a … | Continue reading
Today Apple announced the following pre-order and availability dates for the products announced today: iPhones iPhone 13 mini Pre-order: September 17 Availability: September 24 iPhone 13 Pre-order: September 17 Availability: September 24 iPhone 13 Pro Pre-order: September 17 Avai … | Continue reading
Today, Shazam surpassed 1 billion songs recognized using its Music Recognition control available in iOS and iPadOS’s Control Center. That’s a huge number, especially considering that the feature was first added in iOS and iPadOS 14.2 less than a year ago. The Music Recognition co … | Continue reading
Shake eliminates the headaches and hassles of processing bug reports in your mobile app. Tracking down bugs and fixing them is critical to your app’s success, but too often, identifying and resolving them is an inefficient mess. With the Shake SDK, you can streamline the process … | Continue reading
Yesterday, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit against Apple, delivering a ruling in favor of Apple that comes with significant caveats. Although the Judge found that Apple‘s operation of the App Store isn’t an exercise of monopolistic p … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/6d007bac-b903-4522-9255-27b76f7dc814/audio/0ff23245-a6f2-46a3-b422-fe5a496d92b5/default_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:21:24” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] Spo … | Continue reading
Earlier this summer Apple began testing the expansion of its updated Maps data in Italy, a rollout that started with North America before continuing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. Today, the company officially launched its new Maps data in Italy, San Marino, … | Continue reading
FaceTime has been a centerpiece feature across all of Apple’s platforms for a long time. However, with the pandemic, it became more important than ever, playing a critical role in the way friends and family have stayed connected. Of course, FaceTime isn’t the only way have kept i … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we examine the growing trend of app customization in the context of Apple’s system apps, focusing on Reminders’ Tag Browser and Smart Lists and Notes’ Tag Browser and Smart Folders. [subscribe_to_appstories] On AppStories+, Federico explains how his recen … | Continue reading
As first reported by Myke Hurley of Relay FM, Apple has announced a media event for September 14, 2021 at 10:00 am Pacific. The event will be streamed online. https://twitter.com/imyke/status/1435272358898638848?s=21 Based on widespread speculation, Apple is expected to introduce … | Continue reading
Apple’s fall OS updates will include a variety of HomeKit and home entertainment features. Unsurprisingly, some of those changes can be found in the company’s Home and TV apps, but this year, those apps only tell part of the overall story. To get the full picture, you need to zoo … | Continue reading
Quill is the messaging app and service that puts you, your time, and your focus first so you and your team can work together better. With Quill, you’re in control of what messages you see and how much you see. That helps you stay focused and on task without constantly being inter … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/7e3d5591-84bc-48fa-9aac-72d0d7690b21/audio/9055370e-c852-41ca-8a4d-be6a0ea8a333/default_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:20:11” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] Spo … | Continue reading
Apple has resolved an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission by agreeing to allow ‘reader’ apps to link to websites to set up and manage an account with the app’s provider beginning in early 2022. The agreement reflects a loosening of existing App Store Guidelines and w … | Continue reading
A couple of years ago, Apple transformed Reminders from a simple checklist-style task manager into something far more robust. It was a surprising but welcome update that made the app a good choice as the sole task manager for many users. Reminders is back with more surprises this … | Continue reading
Last week the MacStories team launched Project Calliope, an enormous new software project that we’ve been working on tirelessly for the last year. If you’ve been following along, you’ve heard us describe Calliope as a CMS; but from a software-engineering perspective, it’s actuall … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we explore the many ways Mac apps can be made today and how the frameworks, along with design choices and other factors are redefining the landscape of apps on the Mac and what constitutes a great Mac app. [subscribe_to_appstories] On AppStories+, John te … | Continue reading
Recently, Relay FM, which was founded by our close friends Stephen Hackett and Myke Hurley, kicked off their annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help combat childhood cancer. This year’s third annual fundraiser has already raised over $70,000 with a goa … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/f062f977-8690-48d3-9768-2c7d4d841fd9/audio/f113b598-cbb4-4800-9685-4b3cacaa0936/default_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:17:31” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] Spo … | Continue reading
Before I dig into the details about all the new perks we’re offering as part of Club MacStories, here are some handy links where you can see everything summarized and find answers to questions you may have: Club MacStories Plans page Club MacStories+ Details Club Premier Details … | Continue reading
I’ve waited seemingly forever for TestFlight for Mac, so I’m pleased to report that a beta is finally available. The app was released late yesterday, so first thing this morning, I downloaded it and started testing. Here’s what Apple’s developer news site has to say about its bet … | Continue reading
Following a tip by one of our members in the Club MacStories+ Discord server last night (if you haven’t joined yet, now’s a great time to do so), I came across the settings page on the beta.icloud.com website to configure a custom domain and email address with iCloud Mail. This i … | Continue reading
MacStories’ roots are in writing, so it’s only natural that Club MacStories+ and Club Premier are expanding beyond our weekly and monthly newsletters to offer two new exclusive features: Automation Academy and The Macintosh Desktop Experience. Freed of the constraint of an email … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we introduce two new tiers of Club MacStories, run down all the new features of each tier, explain the web app that powers it all, and officially release a back catalog of three months worth of bonus AppStories+ content. Sponsored by: Quill – Messaging to … | Continue reading
Yesterday, we unveiled the all-new Club MacStories, featuring the new Club MacStories+ and Club Premier tiers, a new web app, a Discord community, new original content for members, and more. You can read my announcement here, and sign up for (or upgrade to) the new Club MacStorie … | Continue reading
TL;DR: Today, we’re announcing the all-new Club MacStories featuring two additional tiers: Club MacStories+ and Club Premier. The new plans offer extra content, a brand new, powerful web app to read Club articles on the web with advanced search and RSS features, exclusive discoun … | Continue reading
Hubstaff is the all-in-one time tracking solution for managing field and remote teams that you’ve always wanted. Focusing on the right priorities is critical to managing your employees, and with Hubstaff, you’ve got the tools you need to track productivity and power through proje … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/9fe06bbf-526f-4a97-85dc-740e602111fb/audio/ef5b09f7-5486-46e7-93c4-733c15eff915/default_tc.mp3” total_duration=”00:18:42” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] This week on MacStories Un … | Continue reading
Federico and I are excited to introduce AppStories+, an extended, ad-free version of the podcast we’ve been hosting together since 2017, which will be releasing a day earlier than usual with higher bitrate audio. AppStories+ is just one part of a series of announcements that we’l … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we explore the world of sideloaded apps and games on the iPhone and iPad, including AltStore and the kinds of apps and game emulators it makes possible. Sponsored by: Memberful – Monetize your passion with membership. Technology Untangled – Join Michael B … | Continue reading
Silvio Rizzi, the developer of RSS client Reeder, has released a brand new recipe and cooking app called Mela for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which has immediately become my favorite apps for planning and preparing meals. For me, the two essential aspects of an app like this are h … | Continue reading
[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/episodes/14700694-7162-45d4-a34c-d6e8d2d36521/audio/77ba1f4f-54fc-4d76-b2f5-3f5dc2dc6261/default_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:22:46” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] Spo … | Continue reading
Last week, Apple announced two new child safety features coming this fall that stirred up controversy in the security and privacy world. The first is a technology that scans photos that are uploaded to customers’ iCloud Photo Libraries for digital fingerprints that match a databa … | Continue reading
Apple and Billie Eilish have collaborated on a video visualizing Spatial Audio, the Dolby Atmos-powered audio technology designed to create an immersive listening experience for music fans. Eilish recently released her album Happier Than Ever, which is available on Apple Music in … | Continue reading
Maps is unique among Apple system apps. Most system apps, like Notes or Reminders, are only updated at the same time that major revisions of the company’s underlying operating systems are released. Tweaks are sometimes made with OS point releases but never separate from the OS up … | Continue reading
The intersection of tasks and notes poses an interesting problem. Often, a task requires notes for context and details that can’t be captured with a single line of text. Likewise, notes very often spawn tasks of their own. The difficulty is how to harmonize the two coherently. If … | Continue reading
This week on AppStories, we continue the Summer OS Preview Series with special guest Malin Sundberg, the creator of time tracking and invoicing app Orbit, for a chat about the development of Orbit, SwiftUI, Shortcuts for Mac, SharePlay, and more. Sponsored by: Concepts – Sketch, … | Continue reading