Mac Power Users 563: macOS Big Sur

November 23, 2020 by David Sparks

macOS Big Sur brings with it a new design and updated features. On this week’s episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I wade into macOS 11, before giving our impressions of the M1-powered MacBook Air.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.
Woven: The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MPU to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once.

Mac Power Users 560: Workflows, with Luc Beaudoin

November 02, 2020 by David Sparks

We’re joined by Luc Beaudoin, a cognitive scientist, author, and developer of the Mac app Hook on this episode of Mac Power Users. Luc explains how we typically gather, process, and use data, and how our computing devices can assist—and detract—in that work.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!
Mailbrew: Your personal email digest. Sign up for a 30-day free trial and get 30% off when you upgrade.
Sync Up, a OneDrive podcast: Takes you behind the scenes of OneDrive.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Mac Power Users 558: Apple Hardware Season, with Zac Hall

October 19, 2020 by David Sparks

Zac Hall from 9to5Mac and Space Explored joins Stephen and me on this episode of Mac Power Users to talk about the state of the Apple Watch's software and hardware, as well as Apple's new iPhones.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MPU to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Mac Power Users 557: Grading the Intel Era

October 12, 2020 by David Sparks

Join us for the latest episode of Mac Power Users. With Apple silicon Macs coming soon, Stephen plays a montage for me that recaps the Intel era, featuring its highs and lows.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team.

Mac Power Users 556: Video Conferencing Deep Dive, with Liana Lehua

October 05, 2020 by David Sparks

On this week’s Mac Power Users, Liana Lehua joins us to share the best workflows and gear for improving video conferencing and home audio and video. We also discuss business apps, widgets, and revisit the iPad vs. MacBook question.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!
MarsEdit: Powerful web publishing from your Mac. Get 20% off.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Mac Power Users 555: iOS 14 Extravaganza

September 28, 2020 by David Sparks

iOS 14 is here, bringing new features like widgets, the App Library, increased privacy, and a lot more. Join Stephen and I on the this episode of Mac Powers to hear us review the release and talk about how Apple could take some of these features farther in the future.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.
Mint Mobile: Cut your unlimited wireless bill to $30 a month.
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.

Mac Power Users 554: Read-It-Later Services

September 21, 2020 by David Sparks

Read-it-later services can be a great way to save and enjoy an article later, away from the noise of social media or an overflowing RSS client. This episode of Mac Power Users has Stephen and I talking about some of the popular choices, and how to keep them from becoming just another thing to check. Then, a recap of Apple’s recent media event.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

MarsEdit: Powerful web publishing from your Mac. Get 20% off.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
eero: The WiFi every home deserves. Get your eero delivered with free next day shipping.

Mac Power Users 553: Sparky's Wrong ... Again

September 14, 2020 by David Sparks

It’s a Mac Power Users feedback episode! Stephen and I talk more about HomeKit, Dropbox, photo management, and much, much more.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
MarsEdit: Powerful web publishing from your Mac. Get 20% off.
1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.

Mac Power Users 552: HomeKit in 2020, with Mikah Sargent

September 07, 2020 by David Sparks

Since its introduction, HomeKit has steadily grown into a wide-reaching ecosystem for smart home devices. This week’s Mac Power Users has Stephen and I talking with Mikah Sargent about HomeKit hardware and software, as well as ways to extend what Apple allows it to do in its default app.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!
MarsEdit: Powerful web publishing from your Mac. Get 20% off.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Mac Power Users 551: Writing Music for the Picture Business, with David Metzger

August 31, 2020 by David Sparks

On this week’s Mac Power Users, Stephen and I are joined by orchestrator and composer David Metzger, whose resume includes Frozen, Muppets Most Wanted, The Avengers, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and more. He shares his setup, which includes multiple Macs networked together, numerous music applications, and (eventually) a full-blown orchestra.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.
Matias: The perfect wired backlit keyboard for your Mac. Get 10% off.
eero: The WiFi every home deserves. Get your eero delivered with free next day shipping.
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.

Mac Power Users 550: The World of RSS

August 24, 2020 by David Sparks

RSS can bring news, blog posts, and even podcasts to you, without needing to visit a bunch of different websites. This week on Mac Power Users, Stephen and I talk about the rise of numerous RSS services, the apps we've seen over the last few years, and share how this web technology makes our lives better.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.

Mac Power Users 548: Jumping into Markdown

August 10, 2020 by David Sparks

From jotting quick notes to writing for the web, Markdown has become a very popular choice for formatting plain text. Its syntax is human-readable and easy to learn. On this week’s episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I teach Markdown 101, covering the more complex things the language can do.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Mac Power Users 547: Of a Certain Age, with Jim Metzendorf

August 03, 2020 by David Sparks

On the latest episode of Mac Power Users, Jim Metzendorf, the editor of Mac Power Users, talks to Stephen and me about his background in audio and photography, and how the gear and workflows have changed in those fields over the years.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team.
TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.

Mac Power Users 546: The Best Listeners

July 27, 2020 by David Sparks

On this Mac Power Users feedback episode, Stephen and I go through some listener email, revisit note apps, and discuss remote troubleshooting iOS devices.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Miro: The online collaborative whiteboard platform. Sign up for a free account today.
Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month.
Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Mac Power Users 545: State of the Apple Watch

July 20, 2020 by David Sparks

The Apple Watch has undergone massive changes since its introduction in 2014. On this week’s episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I review some of that history, then launch into a conversation of the platform's strengths and weaknesses and how we use our watches.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Mac Power Users 544: The Notes Roundup

July 13, 2020 by David Sparks

The market for note-taking applications is huge. There are options that just deal in plain-text, apps that serve as "everything buckets," and still others focus on automation. This week on Mac Power Users, Stephen and I cover some of the better options out there and share how we keep up with various bits of digital information in our lives.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Miro: The online collaborative whiteboard platform. Sign up for a free account today.
The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team.
DEVONthink: Get organized—unleash your creativity. Use this link for 10% off.

Mac Power Users 543: A Developer's Summer, with _David Smith

July 06, 2020 by David Sparks

This week on Mac Power Users, Underscore David Smith joins the show to talk about what life as a developer is like between WWDC and the fall, when new versions of Apple's operating system ship.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
DEVONthink: Get organized—unleash your creativity. Use this link for 10% off.

Introducing More Power Users

July 05, 2020 by David Sparks

Starting today, Stephen and I are premiering even more Mac Power Users. For all Relay FM Members that directly support Mac Power Users, we are upping the member benefits.

There is now a specially dedicated feed for MPU members that includes ad-free episodes, as well as regular bonus segments, more focused on news or current happening in the Apple community. This is something we don’t get to do very often on MPU, and we’re excited to have these conversations together. We are calling this members version More Power Users, because you’re going to get more MPU.

If you are interested you can sign up here. One of the casualties of Covid-19 was a lot of podcast advertising budgets. Stephen and I both appreciate your support.

Mac Power Users 542: Beta Tales

June 29, 2020 by David Sparks

It's beta season, and on the latest episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I have reported for duty with reports of new features and general thoughts on macOS Big Sur, iOS and iPadOS 14, as well as watchOS 7. Plus, a brief announcement about something coming in July.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Cotton Bureau: Shop graphic tees, hoodies, and more. Use MPU10 for 10% off.
SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!

Mac Power Users 540: Subroutine in the Brain

June 15, 2020 by David Sparks

On this Mac Power Users’ feedback episode, Stephen and I talk more about email and working from home, but also get into what it takes to make a MacSparky Field Guide and some weird problems we've recently encountered with our tech.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don't have to worry about that anymore.
Setapp: More than 180 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week.
The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team
DEVONthink: Get Organized — Unleash Your Creativity. Use this link for 10% off.