Join Stephen and me on this episode of Mac Power Users as we go deep on the Mac menu bar, comparing our contrasting philosophies and walk through our favorites. We also explore how macOS 26’s multiple Control Centers are changing the game. This episode…
Listen & read notes →Date Archives → 2026
Misguided Optimization – Seth Godin
In some 30 years of representing businesses, a universal truth that emerged was that every time a company I represented got taken over by one of those sharp-pencil guys, they lost their way. Seth Godin’s recent piece on how short-term optimization leads to enshitification…
Continue reading →Memory is King, Again
I’ve been buying Macs forever. For most of that time, the conventional wisdom was simple: Get as much memory as you can afford. Back then, everyone was doing video editing or photo work. Memory was expensive. So you bought as much as your budget…
Continue reading →Why I Still Use Shortform After Three Years (Sponsor)
Shortform sponsored this post, but they didn’t tell me what to write. Here’s my honest take on a service I’ve been using since 2023. MacSparky readers get a free trial and $50 off the annual plan at Shortform. I have a shelf full of books…
Continue reading →The Lab Report for February 20, 2026
The Lab Report is my weekly podcast exclusively for the MacSparky Labs members.
Would you like to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.
Deep Dive – Home Screen Lab
In this February 2026 MacSparky Labs deep dive, I share the latest iteration of my iPhone home screen and explain why I prefer a clean, neutral gray look with clear or gray icons to reduce visual noise, along with custom-made wallpapers created in Pixelmator … This is a post for the MacSparky Labs Pathfinder members. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.
The M5 vs. M6 MacBook Pro Buyer’s Dilemma
This post brought even more questions about M5 vs M6 MacBooks Pro. The timing is weird this year. The M5 MacBook Pro arrives soon. (Likely March 4!) The M6 arrives later in the year with a completely new design and OLED display. You could…
Continue reading →The Red Badge Won
When it comes to my home screen, I don’t like to show too many apps. I prefer to work in context instead of apps. So those context shortcuts in my dock do a lot of the heavy lifting. While on this quest to banish…
Continue reading →DEVONthink AI-Assisted Naming and Filing
The new version of DEVONthink has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. One of my favorites is the ability to name and file documents using the LLM of your choice. In this video I show you how to do it.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.
Donkey Work – What I Actually Want AI to Do
I’ve been using the term “donkey work” a lot lately, and some of you have been asking what I mean by it. Fair enough. Let me explain. When I started paying attention to AI, I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t want it writing…
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