Mike and I use this episode of Focused to consider Cal Newport’s philosophy on organizing knowledge work in a sustainable and meaningful manner.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Focused 202: Slow Productivity
Apple’s “Let Loose” Event Set for May 7
We’ve been talking about new iPads for months. It looks like it’s nearly time for release with Apple’s announcement of the “Let Loose” event, scheduled for May 7. The event, confirmed to be an all-digital affair, sure looks to be iPad-focused with the prominent display of Apple Pencil.
Mirroring the online format of last October’s “Scary Fast” event, this one will be at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET) via Apple’s website. The centerpiece of the event is expected to be the new iPad Pro lineup. Rumors suggest that both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models will feature OLED displays, making them thinner than their predecessors. This upgrade is anticipated to enhance the visual experience, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors.
Also, the iPad Air is rumored to get a new 12.9-inch model. This would follow other Apple product lines getting a less expensive larger model like the 15-inch MacBook Air and the iPhone Plus models.
An intriguing piece of the “Let Loose” puzzle is the tease of a new Apple Pencil. Enhanced with “Find My” integration and magnetically swappable tips, this stylus is rumored to redefine digital drawing and writing. Additionally, a potential “Squeeze” gesture feature could introduce a new layer of interactivity, adding to its versatility. It won’t be long now.
FOD • Visit-Based Productivity with Kourosh Dini
I recently got together with my friend Kourosh Dini for a Friends of Dave conversation. I wanted to ask him about his Visit-Based method of productivity.… This is a post for the Early Access and Backstage MacSparky Labs Members. Care to join? Or perhaps you need to sign in?
OmniFocus 4.2 Brings Relative Dates to Perspectives
OmniFocus continues to evolve, and with the release of version 4.2 it brings a slew of enhancements that promise to improve your productivity whether you’re on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch (or even using the new Apple Vision Pro). A few features stand out:
Custom perspective rules are the big one for me. New filtering rules based on dates, repeating tasks, and project groupings allow for more granular organization and review of tasks. You can also set perspective views on relative dates (today, tomorrow, yesterday, and any variation thereof.)
It’s worth noting that this update went out to all versions of OmniFocus simultaneously; I consider that a benefit of SwiftUI.
Mac Power Users 741: In the Apple Trust Zone
On this Mac Power Users feedback episode, Stephen and I catch up on listener feedback, share some unique uses for Freeform, discuss some good Apple Watch apps, and talk about the Mac’s startup sound.
This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:
Automators 152: Action Buttons, Revisited
Rose and I use this episode of Automators to revisit our Action Buttons and share some of our automations. We also discuss text and AI workflows.
The Lab Report for April 19, 2024
In this week’s episode of The Lab Report: Apple expands its repair program, Microsoft is testing putting ads in an unlikely place, young people and selfies, and I’m hard at work on my next Field Guide.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members. Care to join? Or perhaps you need to sign in?
Using TimeZone in Alfred
A Labs member recently wrote in to ask about how I keep track of time zones. The answer is this little Alfred workflow called TimeZone.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members. Care to join? Or perhaps you need to sign in?
Testing Godspeed Task Manager
Several Labs members asked about my impressions of the Godspeed task manager. It’s very opinionated with its preference for using the keyboard over the mouse or trackpad to navigate the app. … This is a post for the Early Access and Backstage MacSparky Labs Members. Care to join? Or perhaps you need to sign in?
Mac Power Users 740: “From The Beatles to The Libertines,” with Lee Garrett
Lee Garret is the new owner of ScreenCastsOnline. He joins Stephen and me on this episode of Mac Power Users to discuss his background in technology, his Apple gear, and how clear communication and processes are key to any successful endeavor.
This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:
- 1Password: Never forget a password again.
- Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
- Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.