Drafts 20 Introduces Advanced Wiki-Style Linking

Drafts 20, the latest update to the powerful text editor and capture tool, introduces an excellent feature for creating in-line links to other drafts, workspaces, or even searches. I’ve always appreciated the ability to link notes inside of other notes, like what’s available in B … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

MusicSmart Puts the Spotlight on Music Credits

For as long as I can remember being interested in music as more than a mere source of background audio, but as an art form, I’ve been interested in the people who make music – the artists and their craft. Back when I used to buy CDs at my favorite record store in Viterbo, my | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Releases New Pride Edition Watch Bands Ahead of Pride Month, New Watch Faces Coming Soon

In anticipation of Pride month in June, Apple today has announced the release of two new Pride Edition bands for the Apple Watch, and new Pride watch faces that will be available soon as part of the watchOS 6.2.5 release. It’s become an annual tradition for Apple to debut a new P … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

MacStadium: Mac Private Clouds Built on Genuine Apple Hardware [Sponsor]

Mac and iOS apps can only be compiled and tested on macOS running on genuine Apple Mac hardware. That means developers need access to a large pool of Macs to run their CI-driven development pipelines. MacStadium’s solution is Orka, a virtualization platform specifically designed … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

David Smith’s watchOS 7 Wishlist

David Smith, developer of Watchsmith and a host of other Apple Watch apps, shared his watchOS 7 wishlist today. With his pedigree, there’s no one I trust more to make a thoughtful, realistic, well-informed list of requests for watchOS than Smith. For example, here’s an excerpt of … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

MacStories Unwind – Noto, iA Writer, and a New Maintenance Task Manager

[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98b/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/1f5ca691-cafc-4c3a-817e-301b24b4e42b/noto-ia-writer-and-a-new-maintenance-task-manager_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:34:00” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] This w … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Noto 2.0 Review: iPad Pointer Support, Easy Note Importing, CloudKit Syncing, and More

Noto, the modern notes app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that I reviewed back in February, recently launched a 2.0 update that introduces brand new features and key fixes and enhancements. On the iPad, mouse and trackpad are now natively supported, and you can use drag and drop to ea … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

iA Writer 5.5

iA Writer, my favorite text editor for all Apple platforms (which I still use as the central piece of my Markdown collaboration workflow via GitHub), has been updated today to version 5.5 both on Mac and iOS/iPadOS. I’ve been testing this version for quite some time (it’s the upd … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Directive: A Terrific Way to Manage Recurring Maintenance Tasks

When I look back at the apps I’ve used over the last several years, there is an unmistakable ebb and flow between generalized apps that try to do and be everything and those that don’t. The former type has the benefit of reducing the overhead of having to track data in multiple a … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

AppStories, Episode 163 – The Next Generation of Apps

This week on AppStories, we discuss the evolution of Apple’s platforms and the new generation apps that are emerging across every platform from the Apple Watch to the Mac and embracing those new technologies and business models. https://appstories.net/episodes/163/embed/ [subscri … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Releases Substantial Update to Logic Pro X and Logic Remote

Apple has released a substantial update to Logic Pro X for macOS and the Logic Remote companion app for iOS and iPadOS that is focused on loops, sampling, and beat creation. According to Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing: Logic Pro X 10.5 represents … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Book Track Adds Reading Status, Statistics, Quote Entries, and More

Earlier this year I reviewed Book Track, a new book library manager that debuted across iPhone/iPad and Mac. I noted that the app offered a strong foundation to build upon, but its young age showed in the absence of several valuable features. One such feature, library importing, … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Concepts: Where Ideas Take Shape [Sponsor]

Concepts is a powerful creative ally to help you think, explore, and sketch your ideas. Stretch your mind past the limits on an infinite canvas, using fluid pens and brushes in designer COPIC colors. Used by creative professionals for note-taking, mind mapping, drawing, storyboar … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

A Shortcuts Wishlist

I wish I could quote a single section of Jordan Merrick’s Shortcuts wishlist, but I can’t because I agree with all of it. If you’re a heavy Shortcuts user, you’ve likely come across at least a couple of the limitations Merrick points out (lack of folders and struggling to navigat … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

MacStories Unwind: An Interview with Craig Federighi and Picking an iPad Pro

[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98b/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/016f669c-c675-49c3-a8d0-5ab19bb182ad/002-an-interview-with-craig-federighi-and-picking-an-ipad-pro_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:25:02” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_un … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

My 11-inch iPad Pro Experiment

If you’re in the market for an iPad Pro, choosing the ideal model size is not easy. It used to be simpler, back when the big option was made bigger by its bezels, and the small option had a significantly smaller display. I’ve used a 12.9-inch iPad Pro as my primary computer for f … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

iPadOS and Pointer Support with Craig Federighi

It has been quite a couple of months for the iPad and iPadOS. It started with the new iPad Pros and the Magic Keyboard with Trackpad, which were announced on March 18th. That was promptly followed by iPadOS 13.4, which wasn’t your typical late-cycle OS release. Along with modifie … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Announces WWDC Will Begin June 22

Apple has announced that it’s annual WWDC conference, which will be online-only this year, will be held beginning June 22, 2020. The company also announced the Swift Student Challenge, in which students can submit a Swift playground that creates an interactive scene between now a … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

AppStories, Episode 161 – The Apps Federico Will Use for His Annual iOS Review

This week on AppStories, we discuss the apps Federico uses to research, write, and edit his annual iOS and iPadOS review, including the changes he anticipates making this year and the new apps he’s considering. Sponsored by: Linode – Cloud Hosting and Linux Servers. Get a $20 cre … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Refreshes the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a New Keyboard, More Storage, and Updated Processors and RAM

Apple has updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a redesigned keyboard, more storage, and updated processors and RAM. The new model replaces the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro and starts at $1299 like its predecessor and is available in the education market beginning at $1199. In a p … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

SoundSource: Superior Sound Control from Rogue Amoeba [Sponsor]

SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba puts fine-tuned sound control at your fingertips whenever you’re using your Mac. The app sits within easy reach in the menu bar, ready to tweak the inputs and outputs of system sounds and even individual apps. Plus, SoundSource includes an equalizer, … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

MacStories Unwind – The Week of April 27, 2020

[audio_player src=”https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/0de98b/0de98bba-5e4d-4879-94dc-8c76a3a88322/449bd6cc-0685-431d-b59b-6f0e9989fe3f/the-week-of-april-27-2020_tc.mp3” mime_type=”audio/mpeg” total_duration=”00:30:40” caption=”“] [subscribe_to_unwind] This week on MacStories Unwind … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Q2 2020 Results - $58.3 Billion Revenue 

Apple has just published its financial results for Q2 2020. The company posted revenue of $58.3 billion. Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Despite COVID-19’s unprecedented global impact, we’re proud to report that Apple grew for the quarter, driven by an all-time record in Services and a … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

iOS and iPadOS 13.5 Betas Released with COVID-19 Exposure Notification Tools and Face ID Skipping Feature

Apple has released version 13.5 Developer Beta 3 for iOS and iPadOS, which includes the COVID-19 exposure notification API that it is developing with Google. A beta of Xcode 11.5 was released alongside the OSes too. According to a story published by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg: The … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Due Adds Modern Shortcuts Support with New Reminder Creation Parameters

At some point, I think everyone who manages their work and personal lives in a task manager runs into a clutter problem. With everything from reminders to move my laundry from the washer to the dryer to another to publish our latest MacStories project, it often feels like my list … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Introducing MacStories Unwind: A Weekly Podcast Review of Everything MacStories and More

We’re excited to announce Unwind, a new MacStories podcast recapping everything happening at MacStories and more. Every Friday, the new show will run down the stories, reviews, and other posts published on MacStories, the topics covered on AppStories, and what’s new with Club Mac … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

AppStories, Episode 160 – Utility Apps Revisited

This week on AppStories, we dig into the utility grab bag to cover eight more of our favorite iOS and iPadOS utility apps. Sponsored by: SaneBox – Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $25 credit. https://appstories.net/episodes/160/embed/ [subsc … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Todoist Introduces New Upcoming View Across All Platforms

Popular cross-platform task manager Todoist is introducing a new Upcoming view today that serves as a replacement for the previous Next 7 Days view and adds greater functionality to it with a new calendar element and by offering access to all future tasks. If you’ve used Next 7 D … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Ulysses 19 Brings iPad Cursor Support, External Folders, Material Sheets, and More

The latest version of Ulysses, the excellent Markdown editor, is available now. Ulysses 19 offers enhancements in several different areas, from fully optimizing for the new iPadOS cursor, to supporting external folders for the first time, introducing a new ‘material’ designation … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Darkroom 4.6 Adds Video to Its Excellent Photo Editing Workflow

Darkroom is a terrific photo editor for the iPhone and iPad that leverages iCloud Photos with a robust set of editing tools and filters. With the release of version 4.6 today, Darkroom adds video to the mix. What’s impressive about the update is that it manages to apply the same … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Connected, Episode 291: The Scrooge McDuck of Computers

On this week’s episode of Connected: Myke and Federico share their impressions of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and Stephen reveals the number of items in his collection and the group announces The Hackett Number — the computers-per-capita figure for Stephen’s household. You ca … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

AppStories, Episode 159 – The Evolution of Clipboard and Shelf Apps

This week on AppStories, we look back at the origins of clipboard apps on iOS, how they’ve evolved, and the apps we’re currently using on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac to save snippets of information for use elsewhere. Sponsored by: Linode – Cloud Hosting & Linux Servers. Get a $20 c … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Maps’ Look Around Feature Expands to Chicago

Apple has updated the Look Around feature of the Maps app to include Chicago, and as always, Justin O’Beirne has all the details. According to O’Beirne, Chicago, which is the tenth US city to be added to Look Around, is the biggest expansion of the feature by land area to date. N … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: A New Breed of Laptop

Following the surprise early release of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on Apple’s highly anticipated accessory and evaluate it from the perspective of someone who uses the iPad Pro as a tablet, laptop, and desktop workstation. I received the Ma … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple to Host Interactive Accessibility Event Online As Possible Warm-Up for WWDC

As noted by Steve Troughton-Smith on Twitter and reported by 9to5Mac, Apple has invited developers to attend an online event to learn about the accessibility features of its devices. According to an email message sent to developers, the event will include opportunities to ask que … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Things for iPad Adds Enhanced Cursor Support with Context Menus and Special Clicks

Today Things, the excellent task manager, was updated with enhanced support for the iPad’s new cursor just in time for the Magic Keyboard’s arrival. While you could use the iPadOS cursor in the app before, now all of the interface elements respond appropriately to it and key addi … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

The Clock: The Best World Clock [Sponsor]

The Clock for iOS and the Mac takes the hassle out of time zones, so you can stay in touch with friends and family and schedule meetings with colleagues scattered across the globe. The app dispenses the confusion caused by time zones, eliminating the worry about when an event is … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Catalina Developer Beta Changes How Mac Laptops Charge to Extend Their Batteries’ Lifespans

The developer beta release of macOS 10.15.5 has a new feature in the Energy Saver section of System Preferences called Battery Health Management that changes the battery charging behavior of Mac laptops with Thunderbolt 3 ports. According to a story by Jason Snell at Six Colors, … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

TV Forecast Review: An Elegant Way to Track Your Favorite Shows

I’ve tried a lot of TV tracking apps and none ever stuck for long, until I tried TV Forecast. Some of the apps I’ve used had busy UIs, were hard to navigate, or just weren’t organized in a way that fits with how I watch TV. In contrast, I’ve been using TV Forecast for the | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Halide Team Experiments with iPad Pro’s LiDAR Scanner

Sebastiaan de With, on the Halide blog, goes deep on the 2020 iPad Pro’s camera module. His examination reveals that the device’s wide camera is virtually identical to that of the 2018 model. And the ultra-wide camera, unfortunately, isn’t quite up to the quality level of what’s … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Adapt, Episode 23: Modular Computing and iPad Sizes

On this week’s episode of Adapt: Federico and Ryan discuss using the iPad Pro as a modular computer, and the pros and cons of the 12.9-inch and 11-inch models in different setups. Afterwards, a Keynote presentation about, to the surprise of no one, the iPad. You can listen below … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Connected, Episode 290: You Strike Me as a Wheel Guy

On this week’s episode of Connected: Federico rejects a new iPhone charging solution, Myke opens a new store and Stephen passes a collection basket to add a set of wheels to his Mac Pro. Then, the three talk about the new iPhone SE. You can listen below (and find the show notes h … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Service Station Review: A Handy Utility to Customize Your Finder’s Services Menu

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of Finder Sync Extensions. I haven’t run across many apps other than Dropbox and HoudahSpot that support the feature. Finder extensions allow third-party developers to customize the Finder on the Mac with buttons in the Finder’s toolb … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Launches New 4.7-inch iPhone SE at $399

Today Apple announced the successor to 2016’s iPhone SE, a new model that retains the same name and goal of being the budget option for customers. The new iPhone SE will be available for pre-order this Friday, April 17, it ships one week later on April 24, and starts at $399, the … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

AppStories, Episode 158 – Digital Spring Cleaning

This week on AppStories, we discuss our approaches to digital spring cleaning. Sponsored by: Linode – Cloud Hosting and Linux Servers. Get a $20 credit. https://appstories.net/episodes/158/embed/ [subscribe_to_appstories] | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

Apple Creates Tool for Spotting Trends in Mobility Data for Feedback on COVID-19 Policies

Apple has shared a new web-based tool that provides insights from Apple Maps on mobility trends. According to Apple’s press release: This mobility data may provide helpful insights to local governments and health authorities and may also be used as a foundation for new public pol … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

HomePass 1.7 Brings Refreshed UI, Customizable Data Fields, and Improved Shortcuts Support

My HomeKit setup started out simple enough with a few Hue bulbs, but over time, it has grown to include security cameras, door sensors, electrical outlets, and more. As the number of accessories connected to my network grew, so did the hassle of managing them. The initial setup o … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago

PDF Expert’s New Reading Mode Offers the Best iPhone PDF Experience

If you’ve ever read a PDF on your iPhone, you know the experience is less than ideal. For short documents you can manually zoom to make the text readable and pan from line to line. For long documents though, that’s a pretty painful option. The best method you can use involves a M … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 4 years ago