Episode 4 - Conversation with Adam Tow

ShowNotes
Episode 4
About: Discussion with Adam Tow
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Facts:
- Last name, Tow, is pronounced like “How” or “Cow” or “Tau”.
- Been using Apple products since the Apple ][.
- First Mac was an SE/30 back in 1989.
- Got interested in mobile computing with the launch of the Newton MessagePad back in 1993.
- Currently using an iPad Pro 12.9” (2018), iPad Mini 5, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and a 2015 MacBook Pro.

What got you started in Shortcuts?
- Have long been interested in automation.

Where did the idea for your shortcuts come from?
-LaunchCuts
-Cronios
-ActionCuts

Can you go into some details on your shortcuts?
-NoteCuts
-Run Shortcut
-PromptKit
-Shortcut App Framework
-Record Text to Speech

IFTTT integrations
- A few that created Autocut entries for run shortcuts on my iPhone and iPad on an automatic basis.

LaunchCuts - What’s it about?
- You get folders for your shortcuts and a whole lot more.

Do you have anything you’re currently working on?
- Update to LaunchCuts to better support mouse and keyboard on iOS 13.4.
- Native version of Autocuts.

Were you a user of the Workflow app before it was purchased by Apple and turned into Shortcuts?
- Yes

What device or devices do you utilize the most for shortcut editing and creation?
- iPad Pro 12.9" (2018), iPad mini 5, and iPhone 11 Pro Max

What is your preferred method for contact? Shortcuts SubReddit /u/adamtow
- Twitter @atow and @launchcuts

What type of background do you have?
- Stanford, Symbolic Systems
- Independent Newton developer (1994-1998)
- Veteran of Palm during its heyday (1998-2000)
- Stanford Digital Vision Fellow during 2003-2004 (social entrepreneurship)
- Built the original AllThingsD and Recode site for Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg
- Currently Tech Lead for Events at Vox Media
- Documentary filmmaker (https://autumn-gem.com)

What do you think about the future of shortcuts?
- More hooks into the system.
- Better background processing support.
- Ability to run shortcuts without opening up the Shortcuts app from third-party apps.

Do you have any other points you’d like to mention before we close?
- Stay safe and practice social distancing!

In the next episode, we will cover some further content on recent shortcuts work we’ve been doing and hoping to have another guest on the show soon.

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