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Mac Power Users

1,290 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratings

Learn 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.

Technology mac ios tech help how to workflow set up david sparks power
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Episodes

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

July 05, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 81.7 MB

This week, 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.

542: Beta Tales

June 28, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 69.8 MB

It's beta season, and David and Stephen 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.

Mac Power Users 542: Beta Tales

June 28, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 69.8 MB

It's beta season, and David and Stephen 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.

541: WWDC 2020

June 23, 2020 02:30 - 1 hour - 88.7 MB

Recorded just a few hours after the WWDC keynote, Stephen and David share their reactions to iOS 14, macOS Big Sur, and the Mac's transition to Apple-designed processors.

Mac Power Users 541: WWDC 2020

June 23, 2020 02:30 - 1 hour - 88.7 MB

Recorded just a few hours after the WWDC keynote, Stephen and David share their reactions to iOS 14, macOS Big Sur, and the Mac's transition to Apple-designed processors.

540: Subroutine in the Brain

June 14, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MB

On this feedback episode, David and Stephen 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 they've recently encountered with their tech.

Mac Power Users 540: Subroutine in the Brain

June 14, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MB

On this feedback episode, David and Stephen 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 they've recently encountered with their tech.

539: Back to Email

June 07, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 104 MB

David has finally roped Stephen into talking about email. Topics include email services, apps and strategies. Later in the show, they are joined by Rosemary Orchard and Myke Hurley to hear about two specific apps they use every day.

Mac Power Users 539: Back to Email

June 07, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 104 MB

David has finally roped Stephen into talking about email. Topics include email services, apps and strategies. Later in the show, they are joined by Rosemary Orchard and Myke Hurley to hear about two specific apps they use every day.

538: I Predate the Home Computer, with James Thomson

May 31, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 105 MB

PCalc developer James Thomson joins David and Stephen to talk about his background with the Mac, and what it take to build and maintain the same application over multiple decades.

Mac Power Users 538: I Predate the Home Computer, with James Thomson

May 31, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 105 MB

PCalc developer James Thomson joins David and Stephen to talk about his background with the Mac, and what it take to build and maintain the same application over multiple decades.

537: The Photos Field Guide and Apple Photos

May 24, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 85.5 MB

From the early days of iPhoto to now, with Photos.app and iCloud, Apple has offered increasingly-robust photo management tools for its users. This episode, David and Stephen walk through the features and tools you should know about.

Mac Power Users 537: The Photos Field Guide and Apple Photos

May 24, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 85.5 MB

From the early days of iPhoto to now, with Photos.app and iCloud, Apple has offered increasingly-robust photo management tools for its users. This episode, David and Stephen walk through the features and tools you should know about.

536: Our Bags

May 17, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 65 MB

A nerd's bag can say a lot about them. This week, David and Stephen empty theirs to talk through their choices and how they've changed over the years.

Mac Power Users 536: Our Bags

May 17, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 65 MB

A nerd's bag can say a lot about them. This week, David and Stephen empty theirs to talk through their choices and how they've changed over the years.

535: State of the Platform: Apple Services

May 10, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 85.9 MB

From iCloud to Apple TV+, Apple's range of services is broader then ever, but how do they all stack up? Is this shift to services changed how users should view the company?

Mac Power Users 535: State of the Platform: Apple Services

May 10, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 85.9 MB

From iCloud to Apple TV+, Apple's range of services is broader then ever, but how do they all stack up? Is this shift to services changed how users should view the company?

534: The Business of Emoji, with Jeremy Burge

May 03, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

Emojipedia founder Jeremy Burge joins David and Stephen to talk about emoji, how they're made and why they've found such huge success. Then, he explains how tech needs change when one lives on a ⛵.

Mac Power Users 534: The Business of Emoji, with Jeremy Burge

May 03, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

Emojipedia founder Jeremy Burge joins David and Stephen to talk about emoji, how they're made and why they've found such huge success. Then, he explains how tech needs change when one lives on a ⛵.

533: Feeling Frisky with my Money

April 26, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 77.1 MB

On this feedback episode, David shares some about an upcoming studio move, and Stephen talks about recent experimentation with a teleprompter. Also on the docket: connected home cameras, more on working from home and the iPhone SE.

Mac Power Users 533: Feeling Frisky with my Money

April 26, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 77.1 MB

On this feedback episode, David shares some about an upcoming studio move, and Stephen talks about recent experimentation with a teleprompter. Also on the docket: connected home cameras, more on working from home and the iPhone SE.

532: BetterTouchTool

April 19, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

BetterTouchTool takes a Mac's input devices and turns them into automation triggers. It can transform the Touch Bar into a customized set of tools and make a Trackpad or Mouse much more powerful. This week Stephen and David dive into this utility and what it can do.

Mac Power Users 532: BetterTouchTool

April 19, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

BetterTouchTool takes a Mac's input devices and turns them into automation triggers. It can transform the Touch Bar into a customized set of tools and make a Trackpad or Mouse much more powerful. This week Stephen and David dive into this utility and what it can do.

531: Teaching with GoodNotes, with David MacDonald

April 12, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 93.9 MB

Dr. David MacDonald is a musician and professor with a unique way of using the iPad, Apple TV and GoodNotes together to engage and equip his students.

Mac Power Users 531: Teaching with GoodNotes, with David MacDonald

April 12, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 93.9 MB

Dr. David MacDonald is a musician and professor with a unique way of using the iPad, Apple TV and GoodNotes together to engage and equip his students.

530: Working From Home

April 05, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MB

All of a sudden, many people are working from their homes for the first time. This week, Stephen and David tap into their combined decade of experience to share some of what has worked well for them at home.

Mac Power Users 530: Working From Home

April 05, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MB

All of a sudden, many people are working from their homes for the first time. This week, Stephen and David tap into their combined decade of experience to share some of what has worked well for them at home.

529: State of the Mac

March 29, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

For many of us, the Mac is the center of our computing lives, and it's no secret the Mac has had its up and downs over the last decade. This week, David and Stephen discuss the current hardware and software that makes up our beloved computing platform. As a bonus segment at the end, they talk about the 2020 iPad Pros.

Mac Power Users 529: State of the Mac

March 29, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

For many of us, the Mac is the center of our computing lives, and it's no secret the Mac has had its up and downs over the last decade. This week, David and Stephen discuss the current hardware and software that makes up our beloved computing platform. As a bonus segment at the end, they talk about the 2020 iPad Pros.

528: The Merlin Awakens

March 22, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 106 MB

MPU Hall of Famer Merlin Mann returns to discuss using plain text, home automation, the Apple TV and more.

Mac Power Users 528: The Merlin Awakens

March 22, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 106 MB

MPU Hall of Famer Merlin Mann returns to discuss using plain text, home automation, the Apple TV and more.

527: Dictation and Text Capture

March 15, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

Much of computing revolves around writing and text input, but most of us don't think about how to make that process more productive. This week, David and Stephen explore tools and techniques that make text easier to work with.

Mac Power Users 527: Dictation and Text Capture

March 15, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

Much of computing revolves around writing and text input, but most of us don't think about how to make that process more productive. This week, David and Stephen explore tools and techniques that make text easier to work with.

526: I Don’t Aspire to Anything Else

March 08, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MB

It's feedback time! David celebrates his 5th year of being independent, while Stephen has settled on an application to manage his tech history research. Then, more on Do Not Disturb and a whole bunch of listener questions.

Mac Power Users 526: I Don’t Aspire to Anything Else

March 08, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MB

It's feedback time! David celebrates his 5th year of being independent, while Stephen has settled on an application to manage his tech history research. Then, more on Do Not Disturb and a whole bunch of listener questions.

525: Workflows with David Wain

March 01, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 69 MB

Writer and director David Wain returns to the show to share how his creative process has changed over the years, and walks Stephen and David through the steps of making a show like *Medical Police.*

Mac Power Users 525: Workflows with David Wain

March 01, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 69 MB

Writer and director David Wain returns to the show to share how his creative process has changed over the years, and walks Stephen and David through the steps of making a show like *Medical Police.*

524: Photographing the Stars, with Andrew Burwell

February 23, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

The stars and planets are within sight, given the right hardware and software. Andrew Burwell has been honing his astrophotography skills, using Apple products to produce some amazing images of our universe.

Mac Power Users 524: Photographing the Stars, with Andrew Burwell

February 23, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

The stars and planets are within sight, given the right hardware and software. Andrew Burwell has been honing his astrophotography skills, using Apple products to produce some amazing images of our universe.

523: State of the iPad

February 16, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 94.3 MB

In the last decade, the iPad has gone from a brand-new device into a wide-reaching line of products that meet the needs of a range of users. This week, Stephen and David talk about the current state of the platform, and how it fits in with the iPhone and Mac.

Mac Power Users 523: State of the iPad

February 16, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 94.3 MB

In the last decade, the iPad has gone from a brand-new device into a wide-reaching line of products that meet the needs of a range of users. This week, Stephen and David talk about the current state of the platform, and how it fits in with the iPhone and Mac.

522: iCloud Family Sharing

February 09, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 74.8 MB

Family Sharing means that up to six people can share purchases, media and other Apple services. This week, David and Stephen walk through the features, how to set it up and the possible pitfalls of this Apple service.

Mac Power Users 522: iCloud Family Sharing

February 09, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 74.8 MB

Family Sharing means that up to six people can share purchases, media and other Apple services. This week, David and Stephen walk through the features, how to set it up and the possible pitfalls of this Apple service.

521: Taming Notifications

February 02, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 79.1 MB

From messages and emails to sports scores and social media, our devices generate all sorts of notifications. This week, we discuss how to weed the garden and tame the madness.

Mac Power Users 521: Taming Notifications

February 02, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 79.1 MB

From messages and emails to sports scores and social media, our devices generate all sorts of notifications. This week, we discuss how to weed the garden and tame the madness.

Mac Power Users 520: Weather Apps & Gear

January 26, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 75.7 MB

Gone are the days of waiting for the evening news to find out the weather for the next day. Now, weather data is accessible anywhere. This week, David and Stephen compare a bunch of different weather apps and services before picking their favorite.

520: Weather Apps & Gear

January 26, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 75.7 MB

Gone are the days of waiting for the evening news to find out the weather for the next day. Now, weather data is accessible anywhere. This week, David and Stephen compare a bunch of different weather apps and services before picking their favorite.

519: Workflows with Greg Pierce

January 19, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

Drafts developer Greg Pierce joins Stephen and David to talk about his move to an iMac, his development career and when it is time *not* to upgrade to a new device.

Mac Power Users 519: Workflows with Greg Pierce

January 19, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

Drafts developer Greg Pierce joins Stephen and David to talk about his move to an iMac, his development career and when it is time *not* to upgrade to a new device.

518: Technology in a War Zone, with Mark Hackett

January 12, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 77.6 MB

Mark Hackett runs a small non-profit working in Sudan, named Operation Broken Silence. This week, he joins David and some other Hackett guy to talk about data management so far from home, the power of Apple's apps like Pages and his move to the iPad Pro.

Guests

Federico Viticci
8 Episodes
Brett Terpstra
6 Episodes
Stephen Hackett
6 Episodes
Merlin Mann
5 Episodes
Jason Snell
4 Episodes
Jean MacDonald
4 Episodes
John Voorhees
4 Episodes
Myke Hurley
4 Episodes
Rene Ritchie
4 Episodes
Casey Liss
3 Episodes
Clayton Morris
3 Episodes
Don McAllister
3 Episodes
John Siracusa
3 Episodes
TJ Luoma
3 Episodes
Adam Lisagor
2 Episodes
Alex Lindsay
2 Episodes
Andy Ihnatko
2 Episodes
Austin Mann
2 Episodes
Charles Perry
2 Episodes
Christina Warren
2 Episodes
David Allen
2 Episodes
Jim Dalrymple
2 Episodes
Lex Friedman
2 Episodes
Manton Reece
2 Episodes
Marco Arment
2 Episodes
Michael Hyatt
2 Episodes
Mike Rohde
2 Episodes
Mike Vardy
2 Episodes
Serenity Caldwell
2 Episodes
Shawn Blanc
2 Episodes
Shelly Brisbin
2 Episodes
Tom Merritt
2 Episodes
Ben Thompson
1 Episode
Christa Mrgan
1 Episode
Craig Hockenberry
1 Episode
Glenn Fleishman
1 Episode
Guy English
1 Episode
Horace Dediu
1 Episode
Jocelyn Glei
1 Episode
Sara Dietschy
1 Episode
Sean McCabe
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

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