The Gen3 AI Revolution

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Claude 3.7 Sonnet lately, and I wanted to share some thoughts on the new “Gen3” AI models. Claude 3.7 is trained with a massive leap in computing power compared to its predecessors.

What’s Different About These New Models?

These new AI models aren’t just incrementally better; they represent a significant jump in capabilities.

There are two reasons for this:

  1. Training Scale: These models use 10x more computing power in training than GPT-4 did.
  2. Reasoning Capabilities: These models can spend more time “thinking” through complex problems, similar to giving a smart person extra time to solve a puzzle.

My Experience with Claude 3.7 Sonnet

I’ve been using Claude 3.7 regularly. Most folks use programming tests to baseline the AI models. I don’t. Instead, I’ve found it to be an exceptional thought partner. One of my favorite workflows is to give Claude something I’ve written and ask it to pose thoughtful questions about the content. Those questions often spark new ideas or help me identify gaps in my thinking.

For those of you who work alone without colleagues to bounce ideas off of, these more capable AI models can provide surprisingly useful feedback. It’s like having a smart colleague who’s always available to help you think through problems. As AI becomes capable of higher-order thinking tasks, there is a lot of room for us to be creative in how we put them to work.

The Human in the Room

You still need to be the human in the room. As smart as these models are getting, you’re making a mistake if you believe they’re actually thinking. They remain tools — increasingly powerful tools — but tools nonetheless. Your judgment, creativity, and ethical sensibilities remain irreplaceable. The most powerful approach is using these AI partners to amplify your thinking, not replace it.

If you’re curious about these Gen3 models, my recommendation is simple: experiment. Ask Claude to help you brainstorm solutions to a problem you’re facing. Have it review something you’ve written and suggest improvements. Use it as a sounding board when you’re trying to think through a complex issue.

You might be surprised at how helpful these conversations can be, even if you’re not using the flashy coding capabilities that get most of the attention.

I’m cautiously optimistic about where this is heading. These tools are becoming genuine intellectual partners that can help us think better, create more, and solve harder problems. Used wisely, they have the potential to dramatically enhance what we can accomplish.

DEVONthink – Your Research Command Center (Sponsor)

One question I frequently get from MacSparky readers and MPU listeners is: “What’s the best tool for managing research on the Mac?” My answer is always DEVONthink, and this week I’m happy to have them as a sponsor.

Let me tell you about my favorite new feature: the Mentions inspector. Think of it as your digital librarian that automatically discovers connections in your research. When you select a document, Mentions shows you everywhere its title appears across your database, complete with context. I’ve found this invaluable for uncovering relationships in my research that I didn’t even know existed.

official application icon for DEVONthink

But that’s just scratching the surface. Here’s what makes DEVONthink my go-to research tool:

  • Its AI engine learns how you organize and helps file new documents
  • A powerful search language that lets you construct precise queries
  • Rock-solid sync across devices with end-to-end encryption
  • Smart rules and reminders to automate your workflow
  • Rich AppleScript support for deep automation (I use this constantly)

The DEVONthink team keeps pushing the envelope with thoughtful improvements. Recent updates have brought enhanced PDF annotation, seamless Evernote import capabilities, and expanded Markdown support. This continuous evolution is why DEVONthink remains central to my research workflow.

If you’re looking to level up your research game, DEVONthink is offering MacSparky readers a 20% discount. It’s the tool I trust with my own research, and I think you’ll find it just as indispensable.

My thanks to DEVONthink for supporting MacSparky.

Focused 224: Chasing Valuable Rabbits, with Chenell Basilio

Chenell Basilio joins Mike and me on this episode of Focused to talk about cultivating curiosity, finding your people, and avoiding burnout.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
  • Cleft: Capture and Share Notes With Cleft’s AI Scribe.
  • Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Why the C1 Chip Matters More Than You Think

The iPhone 16e launch last week came with an understated but significant advancement: Apple’s new C1 communications chip. This custom silicon represents years of development, finally replacing the Qualcomm modem that has powered iPhone communications for generations.

For Apple, this marks another crucial step toward complete vertical integration of their hardware stack.

Developing a communications chip for the iPhone was no small achievement. It required extensive research, testing, and regulatory compliance – which explains why Apple has taken their time getting it right. Seeing the C1 chip finally shipping in a real iPhone feels like a significant milestone in Apple’s silicon journey.

However, the real test lies in its performance. Even those not interested in the iPhone 16e will be watching closely to see how well it handles its core function as a cellular device. Apple appears to have made a strategic decision by debuting the C1 in a lower-volume iPhone model, allowing them to gather real-world data and refine the technology before implementing it in the mainstream iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models.

Looking ahead, the C1 chip opens up intriguing possibilities for Apple’s broader ecosystem. Now that they’ve developed their own communications silicon, the natural question becomes: when will we see the C1 make its way into the Mac lineup? With Qualcomm out of the picture, I feel that is much more likely.

Mac Power Users 785: First of All, I’m David Sparks

On this episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I talk about failed purchase migrations, talk more about notifications, experience the power of old-school blogging, and discuss something new in the Sparks driveway.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 1Password: Never forget a password again.
  • Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity.
  • Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.
  • Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MACPOWERUSERS with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.

Apple Disables Advanced Data Protection in the UK

In another chapter of its ongoing battle with the UK government, Apple has pulled the plug on Advanced Data Protection for UK customers. In a statement, Apple explained, “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK…”

Instead of complying with the UK government’s demands for a system backdoor, Apple opted to completely disable the Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users.

The big question remains: Is this move enough to satisfy the UK government? We don’t know if this is a strategic play by Apple or if it represents a negotiated agreement between the two parties.

This story isn’t over yet. Meanwhile, UK citizens looking to keep their data private are left holding the bag.

Knitting Your Parachute

At a recent MacSparky Labs event, a few folks started asking about career change—how to do it, when to think about it, and what it feels like to make a big shift.

The questions hit home for me because, as many of you know, I spent thirty years as a lawyer before going full time with MacSparky. And when I made that change, I realized something important: if you ever think you might need a parachute, you’d better start knitting it early.

I didn’t set out to build a parachute. I wasn’t trying to escape my law practice. I just started writing about Apple tech and productivity because it was interesting to me. I started guesting on podcasts because I had things to say. It was fun, and it scratched an itch. I had no idea at the time that I was laying the foundation for a completely different career.

But when I hit my mid-fifties, I started feeling the pull for something new. I didn’t need to leave the law—I could’ve stayed in that world until retirement—but I realized I wanted to repot myself, to take on new challenges and chase new goals. And because I had been slowly, almost accidentally, building something on the side, I had options. I had a parachute.

One of the biggest challenges in making that leap was identity. For decades, I had introduced myself as a lawyer. That wasn’t just my job; it was how I saw myself. And when I started telling friends, family, and colleagues that I was stepping away, I got some puzzled looks. “But you are a lawyer,” they’d say. And sure, that was true—but it wasn’t the whole story anymore. It took time to shift my own mindset and let go of the idea that my career defined me.

So, if you’re in your forties—or even earlier—and wondering if you should start preparing for a possible change, the answer is yes. That doesn’t mean you need to quit your job or make a drastic move.

It just means placing small bets on things that interest you. Explore different skills, build relationships in other fields, and don’t be afraid to try something that might not work out. Even if you never need to pull the ripcord, it’s good to have options.

The real point here isn’t that you must change careers, just that you should be intentional about your future. Take some time to reflect on what you want long-term. The earlier you start knitting your parachute, the stronger it will be if you ever need it.