I’ve been working on improving the MacSparky newsletter lately, and it’s getting pretty good. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider. This week’s newsletter covered the Apple Watch and how I think everyone uses it differently. I included a survey, and I’d love for you to fill it out. I’ll be reporting back on the results in a bit.
The Lab Report – 4 August 2023 (MacSparky Labs)
It’s time for the latest Lab Report from MacSparky, covering this week’s Apple news and updates…This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. Care to join? Or perhaps do you need to sign in?
This Month in the MacSparky Labs
Here’s what I sent out to Labs Members in July 2023:
- 2023-07-31 – Notification Week Announcement (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-28 – The Lab Report – 28 July 2023 (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-28 – Obsidian Field Guide Status Update (Level 3)
- 2023-07-26 – Using CleanShot X (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-25 – Testing AudioPen (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-24 – The July MacSparky Labs Meetup (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-21 – The Lab Report – 21 July 2023 (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-19 – Apple’s New Autocorrect and Predictive Text (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-18 – Renaming Files with Name Mangler (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-17 – Addressing AI with Friends (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-14 – The Lab Report – 14 July 2023 (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-12 – Changes to Apple Notes in the 2023 Betas (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-11 – Sparky’s Prime Day Purchases and a Few Recommendations (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-10 – Setting Up and Using Downie (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-07 – July Meetup Details (Levels 2-3)
- 2023-07-07 – The Lab Report – 7 July 2023 (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-06 – Q3 Planning with Sparky (Level 3)
- 2023-07-04 – The OS Betas Deep Dive (Level 3)
- 2023-07-03 – A Stream Deck Intervention (Levels 1-3)
- 2023-07-01 – Q3 Planning with Sparky (Level 3)
If you’d like to be a part of the MacSparky Labs, you can join right here.
Notification Strategies (MacSparky Labs)
Here is an explanation of just a few of the concerns when coming up with an organized system for managing notifications on your Apple devices.… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. Care to join? Or perhaps do you need to sign in?
Focused 183: Practicing Focus
Join Mike and me on this episode of Focused as we discuss how we inject focus into our workdays, and Mike shares about his tiny house retreat experience.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
- Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
- NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months.
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A Cellular MacBook
I don’t usually comment on Apple patents because there are so many of them, and they typically don’t mean what you think they mean.
However, this one about improved cellular technologies in MacBooks has me taking the bait. The case for a cellular MacBook in the Intel days was good. The case for a cellular MacBook in the age of Apple silicon is infinitely better. Apple already makes devices with Apple chips that have cellular radios. Indeed, quite a lot of them. In my opinion, at this point, every MacBook purchase should have a “Would you like a cellular radio with this?” checkbox on it, just like the iPads do.
If I had to guess, Apple is waiting to release its own long-awaited cellular radio chip before taking the plunge. However, if Apple still doesn’t have a cellular radio option for the MacBook when that day arrives, I’ll be out of ideas as to why not.
Notifications Audit (MacSparky Labs)
Here are some further details on wrangling notifications and my initial attempt at getting some of the noisier apps out of my notifications… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Level 3 (Early Access) and Level 2 (Backstage) Members only. Care to join? Or perhaps do you need to sign in?
Notification Week Announcement (MacSparky Labs)
This week in the MacSparky Labs: Notifications. We’ve got more content heading your way. My goal is for all Labs members to wrangle their notifications by Friday… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. Care to join? Or perhaps do you need to sign in?
Mac Power Users 703: The Portable HomePod Mini Lifestyle
On this Mac Power Users feedback episode, Stephen and I check out some additional Safari extensions, answer some listener questions, discuss the Studio Display, and address a recent controversy about the sailing workout type on the Apple Watch.
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.
- Tailscale: Secure remote access to shared resources. Sign up today.
- MacPaw: Introducing Moonlock, the new cybersecurity division at MacPaw, and the upgraded CleanMyMac Malware removal module.
- Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Automators 133: Personal Automation Fun
Rosemary and I are sharing a collection of our favorite personal automations ranging from task and project management to home automation on this episode of Automators.
This episode of Automators is sponsored by:
- Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
- Electric: Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting.
- HelloFresh: Use code automators50 for 50% off plus free shipping.