Don’t Underestimate Apple’s Shot at On-Device Medical AI

There’s a rumor that Apple is working on an on-device medical AI. The idea is that your iPhone or Apple Watch could use its onboard silicon to privately analyze your health data and offer recommendations, without sending that sensitive information to the cloud.

The general vibe I’m seeing in response to this rumor is justified skepticism. Plenty of folks out there think there’s no way Apple can pull this off, but I think this is exactly the kind of thing they should be doing. This idea presents an opportunity for Apple.

Apple has been steadily building up its health tech for years. With features like Atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection, ECG, and Fall Detection, they’ve proven they can deliver meaningful health tools. And they’ve done it with an eye toward user privacy and accessible design.

Now, imagine layering a personalized AI model on top of that foundation — something smart enough to notice patterns in your vitals, flag potential concerns, or even offer preventative guidance. And because Apple controls the hardware, they could run that AI model entirely on-device. That means your health data stays private, living only on your phone or watch, not bouncing around in the cloud.

Apple’s unique position here — owning both the hardware and the operating system — gives them access to a depth of personal health data that no off-the-shelf Large Language Model could ever touch. Combine that with their Neural Engine and you have a real opportunity to do something both powerful and private.

This also feels like a moment for Apple to make a statement with “Apple Intelligence.” So far, Apple’s AI initiative has been underwhelming and disappointing. This could be a way for them to reset expectations with something carefully designed, respectful of privacy, and genuinely useful.

Of course, this only works if they get it right. Rushing something half-baked out the door won’t cut it, especially when people’s health (and Apple’s AI reputation) is at stake. But if they take their time and nail the execution, this could be a defining moment for Apple’s AI efforts and one more key feature that saves lives.

I hope the rumor’s true and that Apple gives this the time and resources it deserves. It could be something special.

The Lab Report for April 18, 2025

In this week’s episode of The Lab Report: Meta’s lawyers are not Mac power users, Intel Macs go vintage. and some controversy over Siri’s AI investment cuts. I also share my Freeform calendar video and urge you to update to iOS 18.4.1 right now.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.

The Mac’s Gaming Moment Still Isn’t Here

Quinn Nelson recently did a solid job of breaking down the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Mac. If you’re not tracking these things, that’s a big deal: it’s a flagship AAA game that released on the Mac the same day as on other platforms. That kind of same-day launch is rare for the Mac.

So I bought the game. Not because I’m a hardcore Assassin’s Creed fan (though who doesn’t want to sneak around feudal Japan?), but because I was curious. How would it perform on my M2 Max Mac Studio?

The answer: not great.

Actually, worse than not great. The frame rate was inconsistent, often dipping well below 30 frames-per-second when the environment got the least bit complex. There were moments where the game froze entirely. I went through every resolution and graphics setting, from high to medium to low. I even dropped it all the way down to 720p with the lowest possible settings, and it was still unplayable. Perhaps this is because I use a Pro Display XDR? The above screenshot is what my screen looked like often while trying it out.

This is the first time I’ve ever requested a refund on a Mac app.

I want to root for Apple’s gaming ambitions. The company has been talking more about bringing serious titles to the Mac, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows looked like a step in the right direction. But if Apple wants to make a credible push into AAA gaming, they’ve still got a lot of work to do, both on the software optimization side and with developer support.

Framous: The Ultimate Screenshot Framing App for Apple Devices

Charlie Chapman, the developer behind Dark Noise — the white noise generator I use constantly — is back with a another Mac application that feels custom-tailored for me. It’s called Framous, and it allows you to take screenshots on your Apple devices and elegantly frame them inside an appropriate Apple device bezel.

As someone who frequently frames screenshots, Framous is a game-changer. The app offers granular control over how your screenshots appear. You can select specific devices, such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and choose from various finishes, like the natural titanium finish. The attached screenshot showcases my recent home screen with the Framous treatment. (More on that home screen in a future post.)

Framous operates on a freemium model: limited access is available at no cost. You can also choose a Framous Pro license for $10, and unlock all 2025 device frames for $20. Given how integral this functionality is to my workflow, I immediately opted for the $20 option. It’s a fantastic app, and supporting Charlie’s work feels great.

You can download Framous directly from the Mac App Store.

Building A Focus Mode Workflow in Alfred

Something I learned while working on the Alfred Field Guide is that building your own workflows is not that difficult. In this video, I show you how to set up your own to quickly switch between your different Focus modes. You learn quite a bit about Alfred Workflows in the process! … This is a post for MacSparky Labs members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.

Direct Mail: Email Marketing That Feels at Home on Your Mac (Sponsor)

I’m pleased to welcome a new sponsor to MacSparky, Direct Mail for Mac. If you run a business, a side hustle, a podcast, or just want to stay in touch with a community, you know how important great email marketing can be.

The brand-new Version 7 is a huge leap forward. This update brings a host of new features, including a reimagined user interface, smarter list management, powerful email sign-up forms, upgraded reporting, and all-new tools to help your emails stand out. Whether you’re sending to 10 people or 10,000, Direct Mail gives you the tools to do it professionally and painlessly.

If you’ve ever been frustrated with clunky email marketing websites, or just want something that feels right at home on your Mac, I encourage you to check out Direct Mail. It’s free to download and try, and there’s no subscription required if you prefer a pay-as-you-go option. You can be up and running with your first campaign in just minutes. Get started today and grow your audience with powerful, Mac-first email marketing tools.

Mac Power Users 792: Where Automation Meets Intention, with Kim Caloca-Madden

Kim Caloca-Madden joins Mac Power Users to talk with Stephen and me about her online business supporting other entrepreneurs and companies, and how automation and AI make her more efficient at her tasks.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 1Password: Never forget a password again.
  • Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.
  • NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite.

Apple Dodges Another Bullet

Over the weekend, we learned that smartphones and computers are now exempt from the latest tariffs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that smartphones, computer monitors, and various electronic components are among the exempted items. This means Apple has dodged another bullet — again.

This news is clearly good for Apple and for us as customers in the short term. However, it’s also a flashing red warning for the future. Apple currently assembles over 90% of its iPhones in China. That represents an enormous concentration of risk in one country. That’s too much for any company, and certainly too much for a company shipping hundreds of millions of devices annually to customers worldwide.

I fully acknowledge that moving iPhone manufacturing out of China isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Apple has spent decades meticulously building that supply chain, a masterpiece of logistics and precision manufacturing. But global trade dynamics are evolving rapidly, and Apple can’t afford to stand still. This isn’t about politics; it’s about resilience.

Apple has executed Herculean efforts before. Now is another moment when they must rise to the occasion. Diversifying their manufacturing base might be the single most critical long-term move they can make right now. (That sentence was difficult to write because I also believe they need to fix their Siri/AI issues. But ultimately, they need to ship iPhone devices regardless of their current limitations.)