DEVONthink: The Best Place for Your Files (Sponsor)

I often hear from listeners/readers looking for a research solution in the Mac ecosystem. My favorite app for this, without a doubt, is DEVONthink. DEVONthink is the most professional document and information management application for the Mac. It’s the one place for storing all your documents, snippets, or bookmarks, and working with them.

The Integrated A.I. assists you with filing and searching, while the extensive search language with advanced Boolean operators.

DEVONthink features a Flexible sync system that supports many cloud services – or lets you synchronize over the local network too – with everything securely encrypted. This gives you the choice for however syncing works best for you!

It has Smart rules and flexible reminders that let you automate all parts of your workflow and delegate boring, repeating tasks. Let DEVONthink automatically organize your data with rules you define!

DEVONthink’s AppleScript dictionary is one of the largest on the Mac. There’s no part of DEVONthink that can’t be automated. Extend DEVONthink’s functionality with your own commands by adding them to its Scripts menu.

Even templates can have scripts inside and you can set up new documents with data from placeholders, or inserted by your own AppleScript code.

And, of course, there’s so much more, from an iOS companion app, email archiving, scanning, or even an embedded web server for sharing your data securely with your team.

Nothing else can hold a candle to DEVONthink when it comes to working with actual files. Also, whether your are a daily DEVONthink user or simply interested, I recommend checking out their blog, where they routinely post tips and workflows for getting more from DEVONthink.

I find DEVONthink’s combination of innovative features and automation support irresistible. Interested? MacSparky readers can get a 20% discount on DEVONthink..

The 15-inch MacBook Air Chip

As the rumors continue to swirl around the looming 15-inch MacBook Air, some leakers are now reporting it will ship with the M2 Apple silicon rather than the earlier-rumored M3. That earlier rumor never made much sense to me unless Apple was willing to use the M3 in all new hardware from now on. Wouldn’t it be confusing if the Mac Pro was based on M2 while the less expensive, less powerful MacBook Air was already on M3?
Regardless, I’ve heard from many readers and listeners that are waiting for this computer to release. I suspect many people will want a bigger screen laptop that isn’t at MacBook Pro specs (and price).

Phone Addiction World Rankings

A recent study ranks the degree of phone addiction in different countries by finding the percentage of waking hours citizens spend with their phone screens.

The Philippines leads with people spending 32.53% of their days behind their small screens. The United States comes in at number 20 with 21.14%.

This is interesting, but I have questions about how they got their data. Also, I’d like to see these number broken down by age. Regardless of how they’re calculated, those numbers are too high. As humans, we do need time to be alone with our thoughts, and technology taken too far ruins that for a lot of folks.

Mac Power Users 688: Workflows with Adam Tow

Adam Tow is a longtime Apple user whose passions include development, photography, and the Newton. On this episode of Mac Power Users, he talks with Stephen and me about his various projects and the tools he uses to make them a reality.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 1Password: Never forget a password again.
  • Fast Growing Trees: We keep you growing. Get 15% off your order.
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

A Better Email Life After SaneBox

B.S. and A.S., as in Before SaneBox (B.S.) and After SaneBox (A.S.). There’s life before SaneBox, when your email is managing you, and life and your productivity after SaneBox, when you are efficiently managing your time and email. 

SaneBox, this week’s sponsor at MacSparky, is an email management service that automatically sorts your email into folders based on each email’s importance. If you’re sill checking boxes and clicking on trash cans to deal with emails individually everyday … there’s a better way. With SaneBox, you will be able to see what you need to read now. The emails that you can deal with later are put in a folder called SaneLater, which has the distracting emails that can wait for you. Keep the disruptions out so you can focus on what what’s important to you. 

You can try this out for yourself. Sign up for a free trial, and get a $10 credit you can use towards a SaneBox subscription. Give SaneBox a try and compare for yourself how you managed your email B.S. (that’s before SaneBox). 

Focused 175: The To-Don’t List

Join Mike and me on this episode of Focused as we get caught up on listener feedback. We discuss journaling data, power naps, and choosing the things you aren’t going to do.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
  • Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
  • Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.

Mac Power Users 687: Revisiting Contacts and Calendars

Contacts and calendars are a constant for almost everyone. This week on Mac Power Users, Stephen and I revisit our setups, discuss alternatives to Apple’s first-party apps, and more.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • TextExpander: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander.
  • 1Password: Never forget a password again.
  • NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months.
  • Things: Now with deep Shortcuts integration. Try it today.

Automators 125: AppleScript Events and more with James Thomson

In this episode of Automators, Rosemary and I are joined by creator of PCalc, Dice, and About by PCalc, James Thomson. We talk about James’ first implementations of automation in his apps, as well as what automations he is using now, and AppleScript versus Shortcuts.

This episode of Automators is sponsored by:

  • TextExpander: Your Shortcut to Efficient, Consistent Communication. Get 20% off.
  • Network to Code: Your Network Automation Strategy Begins with Data. Explore Nautobot now.
  • Electric: Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting.

Dark Noise 3.0

This week we got a nice update to my favorite white noise app, Dark Noise. I suffer from tinnitus, which means I hear a high pitch ringing in my ears constantly (in my case a minor third interval between my two ears). As such, I’ve nearly always got some background noise, whether it be a podcast, music, or some white noise. As such, Dark Noise may very well be the app I use most. (The thunderstorm is my favorite.)

The reason us nerds are such fans of Dark Noise is because it was the first app of this genre to really do it right with automation hooks, customizability, and tasteful design. This latest iteration ups the game with higher quality sounds and better features. The business model has also changed with a free version, which is probably enough for most people, and a subscription tier, Dark Noise Pro, with more sounds and features.

Users who purchased Dark Noise before the 3.0 update will have all current Dark Noise Pro features unlocked automatically. There may be features in the future that require Dark Noise Pro, but for now original users will get all of the same features Dark Noise Pro.

Whether you go with the free or paid version, in my opinion you’re getting the best background noise app available.

Mac Power Users 686: Consuming Content in 2023

Much of our content consumption is now digital, from books and newspapers to shows and movies. On this episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I talk through the services we enjoy and the apps we use when it’s time to put our feet up.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 1Password: Never forget a password again.
  • Setapp: More than 230 powerful apps. Try it free for 7 days.
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.