Quip: The Clipboard Manager That Actually Stays Organized (Sponsor)

This week’s sponsor is Quip, and it’s different from every other clipboard manager I’ve tried.

Most clipboard managers work the same way: they save everything you copy, and after a few days, you’re scrolling through a junk drawer of random text snippets, URLs you’ll never visit again, and those annoying 2FA codes that somehow stick around forever. Quip solves this with something BZG Apps calls “Quip Intelligence”—completely local AI that keeps your clipboard history actually useful.

Here’s what that means in practice. The app automatically removes duplicate entries so you’re not seeing the same email address five times. It strips tracking parameters from URLs before saving them. It filters out those temporary authentication codes that would otherwise clutter your history. And it learns from your behavior to skip the stuff you never actually reuse. All of this happens on your device, so nothing leaves your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

What really stands out is the Smart Collections feature. You can set up rules that automatically organize your clipboard items—all your code snippets in one collection, research links in another, client email addresses in a third. The app handles the sorting, so you can actually find what you’re looking for without scrolling through chaos.

The keyboard extension on iOS deserves special mention. You can access your entire clipboard history from any app without switching contexts. Combined with the Super Shortcuts feature (which turns any clipboard item into a text expansion trigger), it’s remarkably efficient once you get it set up.

Quip is available for $19.99 as a one-time purchase for Mac, or $14.99/year for the full ecosystem across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. There’s a two-week free trial if you want to see how it fits into your workflow.

Direct Mail: Email Marketing Without the Browser Bloat (Sponsor)

I’m happy to welcome back Direct Mail, a true Mac-native email marketing app that’s been making waves with MacSparky readers.

Most email marketing platforms live in your browser, which means you’re always one accidental tab close away from losing your work. Or you’re dealing with a sluggish interface because your internet connection decided to take a coffee break. Direct Mail takes a different approach. It’s a real Mac app that harnesses your computer’s power to work faster and more reliably than any web-based solution.

What I appreciate about Direct Mail is how it handles the details that matter. The app features over 50 mobile-optimized templates that you can customize using a drag-and-drop editor. However, it also integrates with macOS features you already use—such as Photos for images and Apple Intelligence Writing Tools for refining your copy. You receive detailed campaign analytics that show not just opens and clicks, but also individual subscriber activity and engagement patterns. And if you’re using WooCommerce, there’s now built-in integration that connects your store data directly to your campaigns.

The pricing is refreshingly straightforward. You can send up to 150 emails per month for free forever. Need more? Plans start at $20/month or you can go pay-as-you-go if subscriptions aren’t your thing.
If you’re tired of fighting with clunky web interfaces, check out Direct Mail. It’s free to download and try, and you might find that email marketing on the Mac can actually feel… good. Check it out.

OpenCase, A Clever Solution for Your iPhone (Sponsor)

This week MacSparky is sponsored by OpenCase, and I want to tell you about a genuinely clever approach to iPhone cases.

We all want to use MagSafe accessories, but traditional cases add bulk. Stack a MagSafe wallet or charger on top of a case, and you’re carrying around a thick sandwich of phone, case, and accessory. Plus, those accessories slide around or fall off at the worst moments.

OpenCase solves this with a patented design that has an actual open space in the back of the case. Instead of stacking your MagSafe accessories on top, they sit inside that space. The result is a thinner, lighter setup that’s more secure and charges more efficiently.

The open space creates a border that cradles MagSafe accessories and stops them from sliding around. You can also wedge an accessory like a wallet into that space to create an impromptu stand—handy when you’re traveling or working away from your desk. And because there’s nothing between your iPhone and your MagSafe charger, you’re following Apple’s own wireless charging guidelines for optimal performance.

I appreciate that OpenCase isn’t trying to lock you into their ecosystem. They make accessories designed specifically for that open space, but the case works with most third-party MagSafe accessories too. And here’s a bonus: when you’re not using an accessory, you can actually see the color of your iPhone through that open space. If you bought a gorgeous new iPhone color, why hide it completely?

The new iPhone 17 is here, and if you’re planning to use MagSafe accessories, OpenCase is worth a look. Head over to TheOpenCase.com and use promo code SPARKY for 10% off. That’s TheOpenCase.com with promo code SPARKY for 10% off.

Fantastical: The Calendar That Actually Thinks Like You Do (Sponsor)

Today’s sponsor is Fantastical from Flexibits. I want to share why their approach to calendar management continues to impress me after all these years.

You know that moment when you’re trying to schedule something and your brain works faster than your calendar app? That’s where Fantastical shines. I can type “Coffee with Sarah next Tuesday at 10am at Blue Bottle” and Fantastical just gets it. The natural language processing isn’t just a party trick. It fundamentally changes how I interact with my calendar. No more clicking through date pickers and dropdown menus when my brain’s already moved on to the next task.

What really sets Fantastical apart for productivity nerds like us is the depth of customization. Calendar Sets let me switch contexts instantly—I’ve got different sets for deep work days, meeting-heavy days, and weekends. The app automatically knows which calendars I need to see based on where I am or what time it is. It’s like having multiple calendar personalities that adapt to my workflow.

The integration game is strong too. Beyond the usual suspects, Fantastical plays beautifully with Shortcuts, which means I’ve automated calendar creation for recurring project types. The app handles conference calls brilliantly—whether it’s Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, the join button is right there when I need it.

One feature that doesn’t get enough love: the weather integration. Knowing if tomorrow’s meeting requires an umbrella or if that outdoor event might get rained out helps me plan better. It’s these thoughtful touches that make Fantastical feel less like software and more like a really competent assistant.

If you’re ready to stop fighting with your calendar and start working with it, check out Fantastical. They offer a free trial so you can experience the difference yourself.

Timing: Stay on Top of Your Time Without Timers (Sponsor)

This week, MacSparky is delighted to feature Timing, the premier automatic time-tracking app for Mac users. As we march toward the macOS 26 Tahoe release, Timing got a nice update and now looks great with Liquid Glass. Just look at this screenshot:

Unlike traditional timers that require manual activation, Timing works seamlessly in the background, meticulously recording your activity across apps, websites, and documents. This ensures you gain an accurate and comprehensive overview of how your time is allocated, enabling you to identify productivity patterns and areas for improvement. Looking at your Timing log will let you know exactly what went down if your day ever gets away from you.

Key Features of Timing

Automatic Tracking: No need to remember to start or stop timers. Timing automatically logs your activities, capturing every detail without manual intervention.
Detailed Insights: Review precise data on the duration spent on specific applications, documents, or websites. For instance, distinguish between time dedicated to a client proposal in Word versus casual browsing on retail sites.
AI-Powered Summaries: Leverage artificial intelligence to receive concise summaries of your daily activities, helping you quickly grasp where your time goes without sifting through extensive logs.
Team Functionality: Timing also has teams support. Collaborate effortlessly by sharing projects, while managers can view aggregated time reports. Importantly, individual privacy is respected, as only manual time entries are visible to supervisors, ensuring a non-intrusive tracking environment.
Integration and Automation: Timing offers seamless integration with various tools and supports automation through features like Siri Shortcuts and a web API, enhancing your workflow efficiency.
Web App Access: Access your Timing data from anywhere using the Timing web app. Start and stop timers on the go, manage your team, and integrate with other services, ensuring flexibility and control over your time tracking.

Understanding how you spend your time is the first step toward enhanced productivity. By providing an unobtrusive and precise tracking system, Timing empowers you to make informed decisions about your time.

DEVONthink – Your Research Command Center (Sponsor)

One question I frequently get from MacSparky readers and MPU listeners is: “What’s the best tool for managing research on the Mac?” My answer is always DEVONthink, and this week I’m happy to have them as a sponsor.

Let me tell you about my favorite new feature: the Mentions inspector. Think of it as your digital librarian that automatically discovers connections in your research. When you select a document, Mentions shows you everywhere its title appears across your database, complete with context. I’ve found this invaluable for uncovering relationships in my research that I didn’t even know existed.

But that’s just scratching the surface. Here’s what makes DEVONthink my go-to research tool:

Its AI engine learns how you organize and helps file new documents
A powerful search language that lets you construct precise queries
Rock-solid sync across devices with end-to-end encryption
Smart rules and reminders to automate your workflow
Rich AppleScript support for deep automation (I use this constantly)

The DEVONthink team keeps pushing the envelope with thoughtful improvements. Recent updates have brought enhanced PDF annotation, seamless Evernote import capabilities, and expanded Markdown support. This continuous evolution is why DEVONthink remains central to my research workflow.

If you’re looking to level up your research game, DEVONthink is offering MacSparky readers a 20% discount. It’s the tool I trust with my own research, and I think you’ll find it just as indispensable.

My thanks to DEVONthink for supporting MacSparky.