Post Category → not-labs

Mac Power Users 692: State of the Platforms (Spring 2023)

With WWDC just three weeks away, Stephen and I are using this episode of Mac Power Users to take a look at Apple’s various platforms and take stock of where things are in the spring of 2023.

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.
  • SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
  • CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.

Raycast Pro

This week popular extensible app launcher and the new kid on the block, Raycast, released its pro version. Historically the application has been free for individual users, with a paid version for teams. That’s now changed. For $8/month (paid annually), you get a Pro version that includes all of the features you get historically with the free version, along with their AI text generation engine, cloud sync, custom themes, an unlimited clipboard, and a promise for new features in the future.

The price feels steep for that feature set. That said, there are a lot of people who love Raycast. Paying for the tool helps guarantee its future existence and evolution. 

I don’t feel like I’ve given it a fair chance. I’ve tried it several times, but I keep returning to my beloved Alfred. So I’ve decided to experiment and signed up for a few months of the Raycast Pro. I’ll be kicking the tires and reporting back. Stay tuned.

SaneBox: Reduce the Noise (Sponsor) 

All of the emails in your inbox want your attention. But do they all need it? And do they need it right now? No, and you can cut down on the noise with SaneBox, MacSparky’s sponsor this week. 

With SaneBox, you can reduce the volume. SaneBox creates folders and moves unimportant emails there.  A folder for distractions. A folder for newsletters. A folder for CC’d emails. Initially, you’ll train SaneBox and their powerful A.I. will filter these non-urgent emails out of your inbox. Cut down on the noise and focus on what you need to. SaneBox will summarize the emails that didn’t make it into your inbox into a digest and you can deal with those emails when you’re ready to.  

Interested in a quieter inbox? You can give it a spin by signing up for a free trial, and you’ll get a $10 credit you can use towards a SaneBox subscription. Reduce the noise of your inbox, and be more productive every day with SaneBox.

Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad

For many years we’ve been asking for them. Now we are getting them. Apple explains these apps are designed for a “touch-first” interface. Interestingly, while we’ve been waiting for these apps on the iPad, very credible pro-level video and audio apps have already established themselves. Both apps will release on May 23. I’m looking forward to seeing how they work.

Separately, it is curious that Apple will release these apps before WWDC. Could that mean Apple’s dance card is already full for the WWDC Keynote? If so, we may get more interesting announcements in the weeks leading up to WWDC.

Focused 177: The Care and Feeding of Technology, with Mike Rohde

Mike Rohde is back on Focused to talk about the role of analog and digital tools in maintaining creative focus. 

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • 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.
  • NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months.

Mac Power Users 691: Workflows with David Rosenthal

David Rosenthal is a world-renowned keyboardist, musical director, synthesizer programmer, and composer. At the heart of his work is the Mac, and on this episode of Mac Power Users, we talk about his background, career, gear, and more.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 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.
  • Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
  • Fast Growing Trees: We keep you growing. Get 15% off your order.

Automators 127: Feedback!

It’s time for some automation feedback. Topics on this Automators episode include task-inbox processing, automated check-ins, dumping automation confirmations with Shortcuts, home automation, and time tracking. 

This episode of Automators is sponsored by:

  • 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.
  • TextExpander: Your Shortcut to Efficient, Consistent Communication. Get 20% off.

GrammarlyGO Brings in More AI

A recent update to Grammarly adds even more artificial intelligence: it’s called GrammarlyGO. I say “more AI” because Grammarly has always been an AI-based grammar-checking service. (There have never been humans there proofreading your work.)

GrammarlyGO brings it up a notch with the ability to adjust your voice and bring in other AI-based suggested checks. This feature lands for me as a valuable form of AI. Not to write for me but make my own words better. Grammarly incorporating AI like this makes total sense.