podchatAll Summaries for Mac Power Users
Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users, one geek at a time since 2009. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Hackett.
713: Photography with Tyler Stalman
Tyler Stalman joins to share the details on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro camera systems. Tyler also shares some of his favorite tips for better iPhone photography and videography.
Sun, October 8, 2023
712: macOS Sonoma
macOS Sonoma brings with it Desktop widgets, a new screen saver and desktop experience, more powerful video conferencing tools and updates to Safari, Messages, Notes, Reminders and more.
Sun, October 1, 2023
711: Getting Some Wisdom with Merlin Mann
Merlin Mann comes back to the Mac Power Users to talk about task management, iOS 17 improvements, and wisdom.
Sun, September 24, 2023
710: Apple's Wonderlust Event
Mere hours after Apple's iPhone 15 event, Stephen and David break down the news surrounding the iPhone 15 line, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the updated Apple Watch Ultra.
Wed, September 13, 2023
709: Save Your Shift Key
On this feedback episode, David and Stephen talk a bit more about window managers and backup utilities, while also answering listener questions and David's modern typewriter, Stephen's new Plex server and a lot more.
Sun, September 10, 2023
708: The Obsidian Field Guide
David has launched a new Field Guide, designed to take everyone's Obsidian usage to the next level.
Sun, September 3, 2023
707: Workflows with Ryan Irelan
Ryan Irelan joins this week to talk about the current state of web development, digital training tools, and his expanding HomeKit rig.
Sun, August 27, 2023
706: Media Management with Casey Liss
Casey Liss rejoins the program to discuss his new app Callsheet and to give David and Stephen a tour of the apps and services he uses to manage his media.
Sun, August 20, 2023
705: macOS Window Management
Since the dawn of multitasking, users have needed to juggle things on their screens. Apple has taken several swings at building good window management tools into macOS, but better solutions can be found in a long list of third-party apps. Stephen and David have tried just about all of them for this episode.
Sun, August 13, 2023
704: “The Details Matter,” with Shahid Kamal Ahmad
Video game industry veteran Shahid Kamal Ahmad rejoins the program to catch David and Stephen up on his work and evolving setup, and then the gang dives into gaming on visionOS, the current state of Android and a lot more.
Sun, August 6, 2023
703: The Portable HomePod Mini Lifestyle
On this feedback episode, David and Stephen check out some additional Safari extensions, answer some listener questions, discuss the Studio Display and address a recent controversy about the sailing workout type on the Apple Watch.
Sun, July 30, 2023
702: Unbridled Enthusiasm, with Chuck Joiner
Chuck Joiner has been covering Apple since 2000 and has been a user longer than that. He joins David and Stephen to talk about what makes the Apple community special, how the company's tools enable its users and some of his favorite apps and services.
Sun, July 23, 2023
701: The Safari Extension Roundup
This week, David and Stephen grab their lassos and gather up some of the best Safari extensions out on the free and open range of the App Store.
Sun, July 16, 2023
700: Our Workflows
To celebrate 700 episodes of the show, David and Stephen talk through how they work, including how MPU gets made each week, how they approach their blogs, other podcasts, videos and more.
Sun, July 9, 2023
699: Catching Up with TJ Luoma
This week, everyone's favorite nerdy pastor TJ Luoma rejoins the show to update David and Stephen on his tech, how he's learned to take time away from work and some of his new favorite apps and services.
Sun, July 2, 2023
698: The 80/20 Split, with Malin Sundberg
Malin Sundberg is one of the developers behind the apps Mercury Weather and Orbit. This week, she joins Stephen and David to discuss her background and work, as well as her hands-on time with the Apple Vision Pro at WWDC.
Sun, June 25, 2023
697: A Niche of a Niche
On this feedback episode, David and Stephen keep unpacking WWDC, talk about their time with the new betas and work through some listener feedback.
Sun, June 18, 2023
696: App Subscription Check-In
Subscriptions aren't just the future of software anymore, but they are how many developers are running their businesses today. David and Stephen open up their App Store accounts to discuss what they're paying for and why.
Sun, June 11, 2023
695: Live from WWDC23
Recorded live at Apple Park, Stephen and David talk about some of the big announcements from WWDC23.
Wed, June 7, 2023
694: Workflows with Chance Miller
Chance Miller is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac. This week, he joins David and Stephen to discuss his work covering Apple and what the group wants to see at WWDC23.
Sun, May 28, 2023
693: Workflows with Mark Bramhill
Mark Bramhill's name will be familiar to many, as he produced "Welcome to Macintosh." This week, he chats with David and Stephen about his podcasting career, using a Mac mini as a home server, the power of Descript and what it was like to create an emoji.
Sun, May 21, 2023
692: State of the Platforms (Spring 2023)
With WWDC just a couple of weeks away, Stephen and David take a look at Apple's various platforms and take stock of where things are in the spring of 2023.
Sun, May 14, 2023
691: Workflows with David Rosenthal
David Rosenthal is a world-renown keyboardist, musical director, synthesizer programmer and composer. At the heart of his work is the Mac, and this week he talks with Stephen and David about his background, career, gear and more.
Sun, May 7, 2023
690: Better Touch Tool with Andreas Hegenberg
BetterTouchTool developer Andreas Hegenberg does his first-ever podcast interview about how he wanted to learn to make iPhone apps and stumbled into making one of our favorite Mac utilities, how the app has grown over the years and making a go of it in the software business.
Sun, April 30, 2023
689: Apple-sized Asteroids
On this feedback episode, Stephen and David revisit their revisit of Contacts, talk about the differences between Obsidian and Craft, answer questions about version control and get philosophical about modern Apple.
Sun, April 23, 2023
688: Workflows with Adam Tow
Adam 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.
Sun, April 16, 2023
687: Revisiting Contacts and Calendars
Contacts 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.
Sun, April 9, 2023
686: Consuming Content in 2023
Much 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.
Sun, April 2, 2023
685: Fighting Digital Distractions
Between 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.
Sun, March 26, 2023
684: 20 Mac Apps Under $20
It's that time again: Stephen and David round up some Mac apps for their "20 Under $20" saloon!
Sun, March 19, 2023
683: Workflows with Ian Byrd
Ian 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.
Sun, March 12, 2023
682: Full of Surprises
On this feedback episode, the guys sort through some follow-up before sharing their origin stories and reacting to a surprise or two.
Sun, March 5, 2023
681: Cloudy with a Chance of Beachballs
In 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.
Sun, February 26, 2023
680: Workflows with Marco Arment
Developer 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.
Sun, February 19, 2023
679: Our Menu Bars, Docks & Startup Apps
Stephen and David take each other on a tour of their Mac setups, stopping at the Dock, menu bar and startup items.
Sun, February 12, 2023
678: Sales and Studies, with Kerry Provenzano
Relay 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.
Sun, February 5, 2023
677: Software Club: Fantastical
In 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.
Sun, January 29, 2023
676: Workflows with Kaitlin Salzke
Kaitlin 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.
Sun, January 22, 2023
675: Cruisin' with CarPlay
Gone 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.
Sun, January 15, 2023
674: Workflows with Shawn Blanc
Shawn 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.
Sun, January 8, 2023
673: Apple's New Freeform App
It'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.
Sun, January 1, 2023
672: Tech That Worked in 2022
Stephen 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.
Sun, December 25, 2022
671: Out of the Water
On 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.
Sun, December 18, 2022
670: Workflows with Francesco D'Alessio
Francesco D'Alessio joins the show to discuss his work as a productivity YouTuber and writer, as well as the role of AI in software.
Sun, December 11, 2022
669: Drowning Out the Noise, with Charlie Chapman
Charlie 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.
Sun, December 4, 2022
668: Workflows with Tim Stringer
OmniFocus 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.
Sun, November 27, 2022
667: Revisiting Apple Reminders & Notes
Apple'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.
Sun, November 20, 2022
666: The 2022 MPU Gift Guide
Believe it or not, it is time for the annual MPU Holiday Gift Guide once again!
Sun, November 13, 2022
665: Covered in Paper Cuts
On this feedback episode, the guys revisit backup tools, talk about keyboard shortcuts and discuss a bunch of listener emails.
Sun, November 6, 2022
664: macOS Ventura & iPadOS 16
Apple 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.
Sun, October 30, 2022
663: HomeKit Check-In
With 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.
Sun, October 23, 2022
662: Navigating Apple Maps
Apple 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.
Sun, October 16, 2022
661: Our Desks & Bags
With 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.
Sun, October 9, 2022
660: App Updates for iOS 16 & The Apple Watch Ultra
David 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.
Sun, October 2, 2022
659: Workflows with Alex Cox
Alex 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.
Sun, September 25, 2022
658: Every Letter is Precious
In 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.
Sun, September 18, 2022
657: New Hardware & iOS 16
Apple 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.
Thu, September 8, 2022
656: The Fundamentals are Timeless, with Stephen Millard
Automation wizard Stephen Millard joins David and Stephen to discuss Shortcuts, Alfred workflows and a whole host of other automation tools across Apple's platforms.
Sun, September 4, 2022
655: Streaming Check-in with Julia Alexander
Julia 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.
Sun, August 28, 2022
654: Data Storage in 2022
File 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.
Sun, August 21, 2022
653: Workflows with Chris Christensen
Chris 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.
Sun, August 14, 2022
652: Where Does the iPad Fit?
Apple 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.
Sun, August 7, 2022
651: 3,041 Press Releases
In 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.
Sun, July 31, 2022
650: Craft Deep Drive
David 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.
Sun, July 24, 2022
649: Workflows with William Gallagher
William 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.
Sun, July 17, 2022
648: Software Club: Apollo for Reddit
This 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.
Sun, July 10, 2022
647: Workflows with Zac Hall
9to5 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.
Sun, July 3, 2022
646: Vibing with Tony Miceli
Tony 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.
Sun, June 26, 2022
645: Live Q&A with Stephen and David
This week, David and Stephen hosted a live webinar, talking about the current crop of Apple's betas and answering listener questions.
Sun, June 19, 2022
644: Some Cool Mac Utilities
David 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.
Sun, June 12, 2022
2: All About E-Mail (Part 2)
In part 2 of our E-mail series we go in-depth on our various systems for managing email, the pros and cons of each system, developing a good email work flow, learning how avoid becoming a slave to your inbox, email etiquette and other useful tools. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Episode 1 yet, you'll probably want to listen to that for background before picking up Episode 2.
Tue, May 12, 2009
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