Mac Power Users
1,290 episodes - English - Latest episode: 26 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratingsLearn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users since 2009, one conversation at a time. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Hackett.
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Episodes
688: Workflows with Adam Tow
April 16, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 78 MBAdam Tow is a long-time Apple user whose passions include development, photography and the Newton. This week, he talks with Stephen and David about his various projects and the tools he uses to make them a reality.
687: Revisiting Contacts and Calendars
April 09, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBContacts and calendars are a constant for almost everyone. This week, the guys revisit their setups, discuss alternatives to Apple's first-party apps and more.
686: Consuming Content in 2023
April 02, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 96.4 MBMuch of our content consumption is now digital, from books and newspapers to shows and movies. Stephen and David talk through the services they enjoy and the apps they use when it's time to put their feet up.
685: Fighting Digital Distractions
March 26, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 81.1 MBBetween news apps, delivery services, task managers, emails and communication tools, our devices receive an untold number of notifications daily. This week, David and Stephen talk about how to push back against the wave of interruptions that threaten our focus and work.
684: 20 Mac Apps Under $20
March 19, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBIt's that time again: Stephen and David round up some Mac apps for their "20 Under $20" saloon!
683: Workflows with Ian Byrd
March 12, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 80 MBIan Byrd returns to the Mac Power Users to share the story of how he transitioned his business from in-person speaking engagements to on-demand video. Topics include online business management tools, video production, automation, and Ian's one-person company retreats.
682: Full of Surprises
March 05, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBOn this feedback episode, the guys sort through some follow-up before sharing their origin stories and reacting to a surprise or two.
681: Cloudy with a Chance of Beachballs
February 26, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 89.7 MBIn the 12 years since its debut, iCloud has grown from a relatively simple service to one that is the glue holding the Apple ecosystem together. This week, Stephen and David talk about the various components of iCloud, how they work, and what to do when they don't.
680: Workflows with Marco Arment
February 19, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBDeveloper and podcaster Marco Arment joins the show to talk about his desktop-laptop setup, the current state of development on Apple's platforms and what the company may do in 2023.
679: Our Menu Bars, Docks & Startup Apps
February 12, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 93.4 MBStephen and David take each other on a tour of their Mac setups, stopping at the Dock, menu bar and startup items.
678: Sales and Studies, with Kerry Provenzano
February 05, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 86.6 MBRelay FM's VP of Sales drops by the show to talk about her Apple gear, keeping multiple projects going at once and why she has built much of her workflow around Airtable.
677: Software Club: Fantastical
January 29, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 83.7 MBIn this episode of the Software Club, David and Stephen talk about Fantastical and how it compares to Apple's default Calendar application. Michael Simmons then joins them to discuss Fantastical's history and the changes he's seen in the Apple software ecosystem over the years.
676: Workflows with Kaitlin Salzke
January 22, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBKaitlin Salzke is an accountant, student and programmer who has built a library of OmniFocus automations. This week she joins David and Stephen to talk about using Javascript for automation, working on a PC during the week and pushing the boundaries of what macOS can do.
675: Cruisin' with CarPlay
January 15, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 92 MBGone are the days of using tapes, CDs and iPods in cars. Apple has taken center stage in most new cars sold as the iPhone replaced all of those older media sources in the car. This week, David and Stephen pack up and go on a tour of CarPlay.
674: Workflows with Shawn Blanc
January 08, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 88.9 MBShawn Blanc left his job back in 2011 to become a full-time writer. Twelve years later, he's the mastermind behind sites like The Focus Course and The Sweet Setup and more. Stephen and David ask him about that journey and how he's grown his operation from a solo venture to a team running multiple projects.
673: Apple's New Freeform App
January 01, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBIt's not every day that Apple releases a new productivity app, but with iOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1, the company launched Freeform, an infinite canvas app for sketching, organizing and sharing information. David and Stephen have been using it extensively and break it all down this week.
672: Tech That Worked in 2022
December 25, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 97.8 MBStephen and David reflect on the apps and services they've relied on for the past year, and one of them makes a rash vow about new Macs.
671: Out of the Water
December 18, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 86 MBOn this feedback episode, Stephen and David reflect on the first year of the MacSparky Labs, discuss the recent Eufy camera news and answer a bunch of listener questions.
670: Workflows with Francesco D'Alessio
December 11, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBFrancesco D'Alessio joins the show to discuss his work as a productivity YouTuber and writer, as well as the role of AI in software.
669: Drowning Out the Noise, with Charlie Chapman
December 04, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBCharlie Chapman is the developer behind Dark Noise and the host of the Launched podcast. This week, he talks with David and Stephen about his experience as an iOS developer and what it's like when Apple adds OS features that compete with something you've built.
668: Workflows with Tim Stringer
November 27, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 93.7 MBOmniFocus expert Tim Stringer drops by the show to catch David and Stephen up on his businesses, his use of multiple Macs and how OmniFocus 4 is shaping up while in beta.
667: Revisiting Apple Reminders & Notes
November 20, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 94.1 MBApple's Notes and Reminders apps have come a long way since their introductions years ago. This week, Stephen and David look at their history, discuss their current iterations and make some requests for the future.
666: The 2022 MPU Gift Guide
November 13, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBBelieve it or not, it is time for the annual MPU Holiday Gift Guide once again!
665: Covered in Paper Cuts
November 06, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 77 MBOn this feedback episode, the guys revisit backup tools, talk about keyboard shortcuts and discuss a bunch of listener emails.
664: macOS Ventura & iPadOS 16
October 30, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBApple has shipped significant updates to its operating systems, so this week, David and Stephen explore the features each brings to the table, getting deep into macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16.1.
663: HomeKit Check-In
October 23, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBWith Matter on the horizon, there has never been a better time to get into home automation. On this episode, Stephen and David talk about how their HomeKit setups have evolved over time and what they hope Apple and others can add to the smart home in the future.
662: Navigating Apple Maps
October 16, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 92.5 MBApple Maps has matured from its rocky start back a decade ago into a robust alternative to Google Maps. This week, David and Stephen go on a roadtrip through the service's history, features and more.
661: Our Desks & Bags
October 09, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 87.2 MBWith David settling in at his new studio, the guys take some time to talk about their desk setups, what's in their bags and what they carry with them daily.
660: App Updates for iOS 16 & The Apple Watch Ultra
October 02, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 88.6 MBDavid and Stephen share some of the treats they've found as apps are getting updated for iOS 16. Then, they talk through their first impressions of the Apple Watch Ultra.
659: Workflows with Alex Cox
September 25, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBAlex Cox drops by the show to update Stephen and David on their new indie life, including Apple silicon hardware, collaboration tools and the new iPhone 14 Pro.
658: Every Letter is Precious
September 18, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBIn this feedback episode, David and Stephen revisit iOS 16 and the M2 MacBook Air, then dive into some listener questions and talk about the state of voice dictation.
657: New Hardware & iOS 16
September 08, 2022 23:15 - 1 hour - 103 MBApple has announced its slate of iPhones and Apple Watches for the year and has major software releases right around the corner. This week, David and Stephen discuss the company's announcements and review iOS 16.
656: The Fundamentals are Timeless, with Stephen Millard
September 04, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBAutomation wizard Stephen Millard joins David and Stephen to discuss Shortcuts, Alfred workflows and a whole host of other automation tools across Apple's platforms.
655: Streaming Check-in with Julia Alexander
August 28, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 81 MBJulia Alexander drops by to discuss the world of streaming services, and how Apple stands apart from its competitors in the space. Also discussed: the sad lack of modern orange notebooks, the importance of the Apple Watch and some of Julia's go-to apps.
654: Data Storage in 2022
August 21, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 87.8 MBFile storage is both more accessible and more complicated than ever. This week, David and Stephen address storage mediums, syncing services, backup strategies and a lot more.
653: Workflows with Chris Christensen
August 14, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBChris Christensen is a web developer, writer and traveler with roots in 90s Apple. This week, he joins David and Stephen to discuss his work, navigating the world and a lot more.
652: Where Does the iPad Fit?
August 07, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 92.1 MBApple refers to the iPad as a magical pane of glass that becomes whatever you need of it. This week, David and Stephen discuss some apps and accessories that help the iPad reach that potential.
651: 3,041 Press Releases
July 31, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBIn this feedback episode, Stephen talks David through his workflows of the Apple History Calendar, and then the guys talk about the current state of Apple's beta software. They also tackle some listener feedback and check in on the new version of Alfred.
650: Craft Deep Drive
July 24, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBDavid shares his impressions of the M2 MacBook Air, then he and Stephen talk through Craft. While it can be used for simple note taking, it also packs a lot of powerful personal knowledge management tools for users who need them.
649: Workflows with William Gallagher
July 17, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 91 MBWilliam Gallagher has written using a Mac for decades. This week, he joins Stephen and David to discuss his work and how he gets words on the page.
648: Software Club: Apollo for Reddit
July 10, 2022 21:15 - 1 hour - 83 MBThis week, Stephen and David talk about Reddit and a third-party client named Apollo, which brings a world-class Reddit experience to iPhone users. Then, they are joined by its developer Christian Selig to discuss the app's origins, working with the Reddit API and a lot more.
647: Workflows with Zac Hall
July 03, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 94.6 MB9to5 Mac editor Zac Hall guests on the Mac Power Users this week with thoughts on life without the iPad, writing workflows, the current Apple Betas and future Macs.
646: Vibing with Tony Miceli
June 26, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 90.8 MBTony Miceli is a world-renowned jazz vibraphonist. This week, he joins David and Stephen to talk about how music and technology have become more intertwined over his career, and how he built an online community of vibraphonists.
645: Live Q&A with Stephen and David
June 19, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBThis week, David and Stephen hosted a live webinar, talking about the current crop of Apple's betas and answering listener questions.
644: Some Cool Mac Utilities
June 12, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBDavid and Stephen catch up on some recent updates to some stalwarts of the macOS utility landscape, and talk about some other apps that make their Mac setups complete.
643: WWDC 2022
June 07, 2022 00:45 - 1 hour - 110 MBRecorded live and in-person at Apple Park, Stephen and David reflect on the announcements made at WWDC22.
642: Shortcuts for Mac
May 29, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 81.6 MBShortcuts arrived on the Mac a year ago, and in the time since, Apple and third-party developers have worked to make it a real contender in terms of automation on macOS. This week, David and Stephen talk about the app and David's new Field Guide on the topic.
641: Catching up with Federico Viticci
May 22, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 95 MBMacStories boss Federico Viticci returns to the show to talk about the iPad's apparent stagnation and how the Mac has grown over the last few years. The guys also talk about Raycast, Shortcuts, Apple silicon and more.
640: The iPhone App Roundup
May 15, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 93.6 MBThe App Store didn't launch until a year after the first iPhone, but it has defined the smartphone era. This week, Stephen and David talk about some of their favorite iPhone apps.
639: Software Club: Greg Pierce and Drafts
May 08, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MBIn the inaugural meeting of the Software Club, David and Stephen talk about Drafts and their use of the application. Then they are joined by Drafts developer Greg Pierce to talk about the app's community of users, its 10th anniversary and how Greg uses Drafts himself.