Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users since 2009, one conversation at a time. Hosted by David Sparks and Stephen Robles.
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Apple announced a brand new M6 chip, their first with 2nm process, plus upgraded Mac Studio. Does David regret his recent MacBook Pro purchase? Then we launch into listener feedback, Stephen's second new app, Raycast v2, and more.
Werner Jainek of Cultured Code on nearly 20 years of Things: implementing Siri AI, building a custom sync engine, and staying independent and unfunded since 2007.
We put Spotlight, Raycast, and Alfred head-to-head to find the best launcher on Mac!
In search of the perfect kanban-style project management app, Stephen couldn't find what he was looking for. So, he built his own! We discuss the current landscape of tasks apps, where Kan Do differs, and how it was built.
Merlin Mann returns to Mac Power Users 16 years after being our very first guest to break down the AI system he's built — Codex, "triangulation," 31 cross-indexed data sources, and the infamous "Friday Incident."
David and Stephen turn the show on themselves: bags, chargers, MagSafe batteries, and fitness trackers. No tangential gadget is left behind.
Teacher of teachers Ian Byrd returns to share how he's created thousands of videos using an unlikely stack: Keynote for visuals, Descript for editing, and iPad Pro for using AI remotely.
A stacked feedback mailbag: Siri AI's per-device indexing, a Gmail-to-Siri trick, iOS 27's Extend and Reframe photo tools, subscription fatigue, Wispr Flow dictation, and an automated email robot that resolves Circle support tickets on its own.
David bought his MacBook Pro at the *perfect* time, then we discuss Siri AI, iOS 27 beta, and the cultural reception of AI.
Federico Viticci breaks down iOS 27's Shortcuts updates: Describe a Shortcut, Else If, new automation triggers, and built-in data storage. Plus his coder era, Shortcuts Playground 2.0, and training a local model to build shortcuts.
Lesser-known Mac apps that deserve way more attention: from AI typing assistants, to hacky Stream Decks, note-taking apps, helpful utilities, and beautiful desktop enhancements.
Stephen reports live from Apple Park on WWDC 2026: the post-keynote tech talk, Gemini partnership explained, and Siri AI that finally works. Plus shortcuts, photos AI, and more.
Myke Hurley joins us to discuss the launch of Designed in California, a new Apple history podcast with Jason Snell. Then we share our hopes for WWDC, what AI features we may see, and more!
David and Stephen answer listener feedback: rebuilding Apple Home with Aqara power-over-Ethernet cameras, smart scales, raw photo editing, connecting AI to email, off-site backups, the new TRMNL X display, and DEVONthink's MCP server.
Marco Arment joins us to dive deeper on Overcast transcripts, the 48 Mac mini server powering it all, how AI is changing app development, restaurant tech, and more!
David and Stephen take on the wide, messy world of Apple photo management, from pruning fifty-thousand-photo libraries to backing up iCloud Photos. They cover Shared Library trade-offs, the cleanup apps worth installing, and more.
Jason Snell joins the show to discuss the state of e-readers, why dedicated reading devices still beat the iPad, Kindle vs Kobo, plus libraries, physical books, note-taking devices, and color e-ink.
David and Stephen take stock of where AI is actually useful right now. They cover dictation, browsers, agentic workflows, MCP, and Apple Intelligence, plus the real projects each runs today, including email triage and a customer-service robot.
After brief thoughts on John Ternus becoming Apple's next CEO, we dive into the current state of Apple Watch. We explore our setups, faces, complications, apps, and what we hope to see improve.
Patrick Rhone returns. The gang discusses Apple Silicon rewriting the Mac upgrade cycle, the Apple Refurb Store, and minimalist phones.
A comprehensive look at the state of Apple Smart Home in 2026. David and Stephen share their setups, cover the latest standards, new devices of interest, helpful automations, and how to get started with Apple Home.
Brett Terpstra and Christopher Gamblée-Wallendjack introduce Bear & Glass, their human-focused Mac automation consultancy. Brett shares his ultimate keyboard-driven workflow, previews Marked 3 and BlogBook. Then the gang geeks out on keyboard utilities.
Stephen and David dig into listener feedback on iCloud security, Dropbox alternatives, AI robot assistants, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, Claude computer control, and more!
David walks through the AI robot assistant he built with Claude Cowork, from file management and email to invoicing and podcast production. Plus, why managed AI agents finally solve the memory and access problems that held chatbots back.
We break down Finder workflows, Hazel automations, Alfred shortcuts, and the systems that keep us organized on macOS.
