Despite the name of his blog, Hypercritical, I’ve always appreciated the measured tone John Siracusa takes when it comes to criticizing Apple. From the outside, it’s always easy to oversimplify analysis of what’s going on in a trillion-dollar company, and John doesn’t do that.
That’s why his recent post, Apple Turnover, stands out for me, in that John makes a simple argument that Apple has lost its North Star and needs a management change. It’s hard to argue with his logic.
Known as an app launcher and Spotlight replacement, Alfred can supercharge a wide range of tasks across macOS. On this episode of Mac Power Users, Mike and I discuss my new Field Guide covering the app and our use of the application.
This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:
The Opal C1 Webcam is meant to be the webcam everybody actually wants to use. It\’s got tons of software features and a better lens system than anything you\’d find in most (all?) other webcams. It\’s time for me to kick the tires…
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In this very first MacSparky Labs Jam Session, several Labs members and I got together to discuss running a local AI model and how it’s going. There were lots of interesting takes and tips on how that is working in 2025.
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In this week’s episode of The Lab Report: Get ready to become and Alfred ninja (new Field Guide is out!), NotebookLM now on iPhone, and I come to the rumored iPhone Air’s defense.
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There’s a lot to like about Apple’s Reminders. However “quick capture” is not one of those things.
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I recently reviewed the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2024 report, which revealed $16.6 billion in reported losses (a 33 percent increase) and over 859,000 complaints last year. The most frequent victims? Our oldest generation.
It wasn’t so long ago that phishing emails were easy to spot: terrible spelling, awkward phrasing, even comically bad graphics. That’s no longer true. Thanks to AI, scammers can now follow up a perfectly crafted email with a synthesized voice call that talks you through every step of the con. If you’re lonely or vulnerable, it’s terrifyingly convincing.
I experienced this firsthand just recently. I received what appeared to be an urgent notice claiming I owed a substantial amount to the IRS. The email was flawless, and the automated voicemail that followed sounded almost human. My gut told me it was a scam, but I still called my accountant—because who isn’t paranoid about the IRS? If these tricks can shake my confidence, imagine how easily they might break through to a less tech-savvy senior.
Be careful out there; the bad guys are getting smarter. Forewarned is forearmed.
For practical tips on spotting and avoiding phishing scams, check out the FTC’s guide on recognizing phishing. And if you’ve got loved ones in the older demographic, AARP’s scam prevention resources are a must-read: AARP: Scams and Fraud.
Why not talk to your elderly parents this weekend about phishing scams?
Mike and I revisit some old workflows (time blocking, weekly review, reading, and writing) and talk about what’s changed on this episode of Focused.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
This week I’m pleased to welcome a new sponsor to MacSparky, Focus Firewall.
We all know the feeling. You sit down to work, crack open your Mac… and somehow 20 minutes vanish into the black hole of news sites, social media, or some link a friend just texted you. That’s where Focus Firewall comes in.
It’s a lightweight, distraction-blocking app built specifically for macOS. Flip a switch, and it instantly hides the usual suspects – over 140 pre-configured websites and apps – so you can stay on task. There’s no need to fiddle with settings or build elaborate profiles. You just open your Mac and get to work.
What I like most about Focus Firewall is that it strikes a thoughtful balance. It doesn’t nag you or enforce a strict lockdown. Instead, it takes a more mindful approach: encouraging focused time while still giving you a guilt-free “pause” button when you need it. I think of it as an invisible safety net; I don’t have to think about it, but it’s there when I need it. Most days, I only touch it during breaks, when I allow myself a quick jaunt into something like YouTube woodworking.
This app is special because it works with your habits, not against them. And over time, it really adds up. Even if I only use it for a few hours, that’s a few hours without getting pulled into algorithm-driven rabbit holes. I’d much rather have a tool that builds sustainable focus than one that forces it.
If you’ve been looking for a simple, respectful way to block distractions without turning your Mac into a digital prison, I highly recommend giving Focus Firewall a try. It takes less than a minute to set up – and could save you hours down the line.