Soulver 3 for iOS: Acqualia Software’s Unique Approach to Calculations Lands on the iPhone

Five years ago, Soulver 3, the sheet-based app that serves as a notepad for calculations, launched on the Mac with a long list of new features. In the years since, Acqualia Software launched an iPadOS version of the app and, today, an iOS version. As I said in my review of the Ma … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

AppStories, Episode 379 – A Classic Mac Pick 2

This week on AppStories, we return with a classic Pick 2 episode focused on the Mac. 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. A Cla … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Listen Later: Listen to the Articles as Podcasts [Sponsor]

Listen Later gets you through that huge pile of web articles you’ve been saving for later. Let’s face it, the web is a big place, and there’s always more to read than you have time for. Read-later apps give you a place to save articles for later, but you still need to find the ti … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

MacStories Unwind: It’s All Been Leading up to This

This week on MacStories Unwind, Federico has reached the pinnacle of handheld gaming with a setup that he’s been working toward for years. This episode is sponsored by: Kolide – It ensures that if a device isn’t secure it can’t access your apps. It’s Device Trust for Okta. Watch … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

HomeKit Gadgets: The MacStories Team Collection

John: Everyone on the MacStories team is deep into HomeKit devices. For me, smart home gadgets tick all the boxes: Hardware Software Automation It’s really as simple as that. However, as fun as HomeKit devices can be, they can also be frustrating. The best accessories fit comfort … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Apple Announces Expansion of Support for Used iPhone Parts in Repairs

Source: Apple. Today, Apple announced that it is extending its repair program to make it easier for repair shops to work with used parts while also limiting the use of lost or stolen devices. A complaint leveled at Apple by right to repair advocates is that its use of parts pairi … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Magic Rays of Light: Girls State, Franklin, Spatial Personas, and tvOS Game Emulation

This week on Magic Rays of Light, Sigmund and Devon highlight American Revolution-era drama Franklin ahead of its premiere on Apple TV+. They also dive into new Apple Original documentary Girls State, spatial personas on visionOS, and the possibility of game emulation on Apple TV … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Single-Space Challenge: Trying to Manage My macOS Windows All in One Virtual Desktop

A couple of weeks ago, in a members-only special episode of the Accidental Tech Podcast, John Siracusa went in-depth on his window management techniques on the Mac. This was absolutely fascinating to me. I strongly recommend checking the episode out if you can. One of the many re … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Automattic Acquires Messaging Integrator Beeper

Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, reports that Beeper, the messaging app that ultimately lost its fight to bring blue bubbles to Android, has been acquired by Automattic, for $125 million according to his sources. You may recall that Automattic, the company behind WordPress, Tu … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

AppStories, Episode 378 – Are We Entering a Post-App World?

This week on AppStories, we explore whether we’re experiencing the beginning of the end of apps and consider what might replace them. Sponsored by: Genius Scan – A scanner in your pocket. Jam – Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click. Are We Entering a Post-App World? Trends th … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Are You Worse at Security Than the TSA? [Sponsor]

You know the drill: when you go through airport security there are two lines. In one, a TSA agent makes sure you’re the person in your passport photo. In the other, a machine scans your carry-on for explosives, weapons, or a normal-sized bottle of shampoo. Enterprise security is … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Monument Valley at 10: The Story of the Most Meticulous Puzzle Game Ever Created

Earlier this week, I linked to The Ringer’s profile of Monument Valley on its 10th anniversary, which focused on what’s become of mobile gaming since the game’s release. Today, I have another story about Monument Valley that focuses on the game’s origins and beautiful design. Jon … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Apple Amends App Review Guidelines to Permit Game Emulators and Make Other Changes

Yesterday, Apple announced an update to its App Review Guidelines in a brief post on its developer site. The changes to sections 3.1.1(a) and 4.7 of the guidelines, which apply globally to all apps distributed through Apple’s App Store, address three items: game emulators, super … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

MacStories Unwind: I Don’t Believe This Website

This week on MacStories Unwind, cicadas invade Italian TV, John tries an espresso soda, Dragon’s Dogma II, The Creator, and what’s next in our media queues. Show Notes Unplugged Previous cicada coverage Espresso Sodas Coffee soda: a Calabrian soft drink A recipe Pickle Flavored A … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Vision Pro App Spotlight: Seasons Weaves Immersive Conditions Into a Comprehensive Weather App

Seasons is the sort of weather app I’d hoped for ever since I ordered my Vision Pro. It’s a unique mix of detailed forecast data combined with an immersive spatial computing experience. There’s a gee-whiz, proof-of-concept aspect to the app, but at its core, Seasons is a serious … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Ten Years Later, ‘Monument Valley’ Is a Monument to Mobile Gaming’s Bygone Era

Lewis Gordan, writing for The Ringer, looks back at the 10 years since Monument Valley was released and wonders what has become of premium mobile games: With such gigantic success, Monument Valley should have become a blueprint for indies on mobile (and it did, for the small coho … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Obsidian Shortcut Launcher 1.1 Brings Support for File Properties and Backlinks

The updated Obsidian Shortcut Launcher with support for passing document backlinks to Shortcuts. Two years ago, we released Obsidian Shortcut Launcher, a free plugin to trigger shortcuts from Obsidian with the ability to pass input text to Apple’s automation app. In case you miss … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Magic Rays of Light: STEVE! and tvOS Hopes for WWDC

This week on Magic Rays of Light, Sigmund and Devon highlight new Apple Original documentary STEVE!, share a few hopes for this year’s WWDC, grade their Academy Awards predictions, and preview this weekend’s premiere of Apple Original series Sugar. Show Notes Highlight STEVE! (ma … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

A First Look at AltStore in the EU

Callum Booth, writing for The Verge, was able to try a pre-release version of the app marketplace flavor of AltStore, which – pending Apple’s approval – should be one of the first third-party marketplaces under the new DMA regulation. The installation process, as expected, is not … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Ruminate, Episode 181 – A Dusting of Dill

This week on Ruminate, we start with some very old follow up, I have a story about Dominos, we both have a near-miss on being April-fooled, then into a discussion about webmentions, plus a little bit about Arc. Links and Show Notes Webmentions | crashthearcade Mastodon Webmention … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Transit Is Still the Best-Designed Transit App on the iPhone in 2024

I like trains. I like them so much that, despite being 27 years old now, I still don’t have a driving license. I travel by train and use public transit exclusively to get around in my daily life. The island where I grew up had none of that, and it has made the car a […] | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Apple Releases Spatial Personas Betas to visionOS 1.1 Users

Apple has added Spatial Personas to the Personas beta for all Vision Pro users running visionOS 1.1, the latest public release of the OS. Spatial Personas are available in FaceTime where users can collaborate using SharePlay. That means you can work with colleagues on a presentat … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

AppStories, Episode 377 – Why the DOJ Claims Apple Is a Monopoly

This week on AppStories, we 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. Sponsored by: Copilot Money – The best money tracker, with native iOS and Mac apps. Try it free. Jam – … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

Copilot: The Best Money Tracker App [Sponsor]

I’ve been using Copilot for over a year and the reason I’ve stuck with it for monitoring my finances is that it takes so little effort but provides so many valuable insights. That’s been critical to staying on top of my spending because even when I’m busy, I can find a minute or … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 7 months ago

MacStories Unwind, Federico’s Film Fest: Memento

This week on MacStories Unwind, Federico and John are joined by Jonathan Reed to discuss Christopher Nolan’s film, Memento and our weekly On Deck picks. This episode is sponsored by: Kolide – It ensures that if a device isn’t secure it can’t access your apps. It’s Device Trust fo … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Film Featuring the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs and Shot in Apple Immersive Video Coming Later Today

When Major League Soccer’s season began last month, Apple announced that it would release a highlights film of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs that was captured in Apple Immersive Video. Well, Apple now says that the film, called 2023 MLS Cup Highlights, will be available later today o … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Vision Pro Chronicles: My Custom ‘Dual Knit Open’ Setup for Maximum Comfort and Awareness

My custom Vision Pro setup. This is the stand I’m using. Vision Pro Chronicles is a MacStories series about our journeys with the Vision Pro. In this series, we’ll explore the potential of visionOS as a brand new platform in our workflows and personal lives, share how we’re using … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Lickability on the Design of Apple’s Sports App

A few weeks ago on AppStories, Federico and I surveyed recent Apple system app updates to get a sense of where the design of iOS is heading. Part of the inspiration for that episode was a thread that Lickability posted on Mastodon, breaking down Apple’s recently-released Sports a … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

A MacStories Setups Update

Last November, we created the MacStories Setups page. It’s a collection of the gear, apps, and services that Federico and I use for work and play. We knew when we created the page that it would change regularly, and it has. Today, we’re introducing our third update in four months … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

WWDC 2024 Scheduled for June 10-14 Along with Special Event at Apple Park

WWDC24 will include an in-person experience on June 10 that will provide developers the opportunity to watch the keynote at Apple Park, meet with Apple team members, and take part in special activities. Space will be limited, and details on how to apply to attend can be found on … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

ALVR Beta Brings SteamVR Games with Joy-Con Support to the Vision Pro

Ian Hamilton writing for UploadVR about his experience playing Half Life: Alyx with Nintendo Joy-Con and the Apple Vision Pro: The tracking quality is far from ideal and I couldn’t get the gravity gloves to pull objects. Those limitations make much of Half-Life: Alyx still off-li … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

The Next Time You Use a Videogame Emulator, Thank Steve Jobs

Source: Retroplace. We’ve covered videogame emulation on Apple devices many times over the years, but today, I have a fun story from the archives about the Mac and emulation. As Chris Brandrick explains on overkill.wtf, the Mac played a pivotal role in developing the U.S. case la … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

The European Commission Announces an Investigation into Apple and Other Gatekeepers’ Compliance with the DMA

The European Commission (EC) has opened non-compliance investigations against Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon in connection with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). With respect to Apple, the EC is investigating the company’s approach to uninstalling system apps, changing default sett … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

AppStories, Episode 376 – Shortcuts Wishlist (2024 Edition)

This week on AppStories, we take a hard look at Shortcuts to discuss what needs fixing and the new features we hope to see Apple announce at WWDC this year. Sponsored by: Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software Jam: Developer friendly bug reports in 1 click. Notion: … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Understanding the DOJ’s Antitrust Complaint Against Apple

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice, 15 states, and the District of Columbia sued Apple for alleged federal and state antitrust violations. Apple issued an immediate response, and before anyone had time to read the DOJ’s 88-page complaint, the Internet was overrun with hot … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Struggling to Afford Cybersecurity Insurance? Here’s Why. [Sponsor]

When MGM Resorts suffered a $100 million hack in September, CEO Bill Hornbuckle wasn’t too worried about the lost revenue, because cyber insurance would cover the tab. “I can only imagine what next year’s bill will be,” he joked. Weeks later, on a call with analysts, Hornbuckle c … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Making a Macintosh Studio

I’ve lost track of how many MacStories readers have sent me this over the past few days (thank you; you know me well), and, unsurprisingly, the latest project by Scott Yu-Jan is extremely my kind of thing. Scott 3D-printed a Macintosh-like shell to host a Mac Studio with an iPad … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Demystifying Digital Wallets and Apple Pay

One of the many allegations in the Department of Justice’s antitrust complaint against Apple is that Apple stifles competition by: effectively block[ing] third-party developers from creating digital wallets on the iPhone with tap-to-pay functionality, which is an important featur … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

MacStories Unwind: Okay, I Have a Whole Thing

This week on MacStories Unwind, Federico watched Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind and has a request for listeners, and my favorite new TV show is The Gentlemen. Links and Show Notes Picks Federico’s Pick: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Also mentioned: Eternal Sunshine b … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Apple Frames 3.2 Brings iPhone 15 Pro Frames, Files Picker, and Adjustable Spacing

Apple Frames 3.2. Today, I’m releasing version 3.2 of Apple Frames, my shortcut to put screenshots taken on Apple devices into physical device templates. If you want to skip ahead, you can download Apple Frames 3.2 at the end of this story or find it in the MacStories Shortcuts A … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

US Department of Justice and States Sue Apple Under Federal and State Antitrust Laws

The US Department of Justice and 16 states have sued Apple for antitrust violations in an 88-page complaint filed in New Jersey federal court. At the time of publication, the DOJ’s press release, which has been shared with some media outlets, has not been published on the DOJ web … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Job Simulator Devs Say They Feel ‘Vindicated’ By Apple Vision Pro’s Approach To VR

Henry Stockdale, of UploadVR is at the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco this week and interviewed Andrew Eiche, the CEO of Owlchemy Labs, creators of Job Simulator and other VR games: Asked about the studio’s hand tracking focus and how Apple Vision Pro us … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Apple Has Built a New Home for ‘Manuals, Specs, and Downloads’

Apple has consolidated documentation for its products, including manuals, technical specifications, and downloads on a new webpage that was first discovered by the Japanese-language website Mac Otakara and reported on this morning by MacRumors. Most of what you’ll find on Apple’s … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

The App Store’s Updated Purchase History

Matt Birchler discovered a change to the App Store’s Purchase Page that seems to have largely flown under the radar. There are more details on the new page than before, which makes it easier to review past purchases. By default, you’ll see your last 90 days of paid purchases grou … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Ruminate, Episode 180 – Spoilers for Colin

This week, Ruminate joins MacStories, we follow up on the AI/Arc discussion from episode 179, Tim Berners-Lee’s open letter, Robb explains Colin the Caterpillar, and John dives into Southern food. Links and Show Notes Ruminate is now part of MacStories Ruminate Joins MacStories P … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

NVIDIA Introduces Remote Scene Rendering for Vision Pro Development

NVIDIA is in the midst of its 2024 GTC AI conference, and among the many posts published by the company yesterday, was a bit of news about the Apple Vision Pro: Announced today at NVIDIA GTC, a new software framework built on Omniverse Cloud APIs, or application programming inter … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

Ruminate Joins MacStories

2015 was a busy year. At the beginning, I released an app, and at the end, I joined MacStories. In between, Robb Knight and I started Ruminate, making it the longest-running thing I currently do. Ruminate began on a sunny day at a Chicago country club. I remember the show’s origi … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago

AppStories, Episode 375 – Why’d You Download That?

This week on AppStories, we take a look at our latest app downloads on a variety of Apple devices. 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 – … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 8 months ago