Mac Power Users 544: The Notes Roundup



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The market for note-taking applications is huge. There are options that just deal in plain-text, apps that serve as “everything buckets,” and still others focus on automation. This week on Mac Power Users, Stephen and I cover some of the better options out there and share how we keep up with various bits of digital information in our lives.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • 1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don’t have to worry about that anymore. 

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  • The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team.

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John Gruber’s Moment of Clarity

This week, John Gruber wrote about the dichotomy in the App Store where Apps like Google Mail can take five years to add some of the most basic features with no repercussion from Apple, while other developers get their apps kicked out of the App Store for byzantine reasons, as we saw with the recent Hey.com kerfuffle. John argues that Apple should be using its App Store might to press developers, particularly successful developers with popular apps, into adopting key iPhone and iPad features (like split screen) on penalty of kicking them out of the App Store.

I agree.

As much as I love the delight in using an iPad, it sometimes also feels like enduring many tiny cuts. Split screen is awesome, but for far too long it was not available in Google Docs. Picture in Picture feels like you are living in the future, right up until the point you use a video app that does not support it. Every year we get a host of new iOS and iPad features to make it easier on users, but too many developers just don’t bother because it does not fit in their multi-platform strategy. Moreover, I think this is in Apple’s own best interest. They are making some great hardware, and their software teams are finding better ways to use that hardware every year. If app developers can’t be bothered to take advantage of those improvements, both the users and the platform suffers.

The Updated Omni Roadmap for 2020

This week Ken Case posted an updated road map for the Omni Group products. If ever there was a year that needed an update to the road map midstream, it’s this one. The most interesting part was his discussion of the decision to move foreward with macOS 11’s new design and programming paradigm. The Omni Group was one of the original Next developers that came over to the Mac with the arrival of OS X twenty-some years ago. That’s what makes his insight on this next transition so illuminating.

But if we were building a new app today, I believe the best way to invest in the future of our products would be to take full advantage of these new frameworks rather than continuing to build on older technology. And if we want our products to stay relevant for another twenty years, I believe that adopting the latest technologies is the right move for them as well.

Of course the Omni Group is one of the first to dive in. I can only hope that other Mac developers are reaching the same conclusion. I truly believe we are about to enter a new era with respect to the Mac. The ability to run iPad and iOS apps represents a big change to the Mac and is going to change the way everyone looks at the platform. It will be a different world, and the developers who are figuring it out now will be the ones to watch.

The Case for the iOS 14 Public Beta

Apple has now released the public beta for the new iOS 14, iPad OS, and macOS Big Sur. This is where everybody who writes about this stuff tells you how you should not install the betas. I am feeling contrary this year.

I have been running the beta on my iPhone and iPad since it was initially released, and I have had very few problems. The battery life is a little worse, but my apps all seem to work, and I’ve had no restarts or crashes. Everything seems to be working fine. I talked about this on the Mac Power Users recently. In my opinion, this year is more about the paint job than the engine. Granted, it is quite an extraordinary paint job, but it’s still paint. As a result, this beta feels pretty stable. I also suspect it is because they released it later in the year. Usually, WWDC happens in the first week of June, and this year didn’t happen until much later.

I have had a lot of fun trying these new beta widgets, and iOS 13 already looks old to me. Don’t blame me if you install it and your iPhone catches on fire, but a lot of us are stuck at home and having something new and shiny on our phones may be just the distraction we need.

SaneBox for Email Disruption in Any Email Client (Sponsor)



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There is a lot of talk lately about email disruption and tools to let you deal with email on your terms. I have to smile when I see this because I took control of email years ago when I signed up for SaneBox, this week’s sponsor. I use SaneBox every day to manage my email. SaneBox acts as your email assistant, sorting your inbox for you, so you only see the most important emails with less important emails relegated to other mailboxes for later.

I’m not the only one who relies on SaneBox. It is also used by companies like eBay, Coca-Cola, adidas, and LinkedIn to help their employees stay on top of the most important email.

SaneBox has many additional features, like the ability to track and notify you if people don’t respond to your email and defer incoming email until later. It serves as a set of power tools to make every aspect of using email easier, and it works with just about any email platform including iCloud, IMAP, Google, and Exchange. No matter what system, platform, or app you use for email, SaneBox can help. It is like a feature upgrade to every email application. If you would like to become the boss of your email, sign up for a free SaneBox trial today and use the links in this post to get a significant discount when you sign up.

Logitech’s New Mac-focused Products

Logitech just released versions of their MX Master mouse and keyboard aimed directly at the Mac. 9to5 Mac did a generally positive review of the whole set.

My Logitech Journey

I have always been hesitant to use the Logitech gear because I had a bad experience with their driver software years ago. Nevertheless, about six months ago I bought a Logitech Craft keyboard and MX Master mouse. Now I’m in love. I am going to make a video on how I use them, but for now I will say that all of the extra buttons are getting used. For instance, when I push down on the Craft Keyboard’s volume dial and twist right or left, I switch desktops.

Best of all are the multiple Bluetooth radios. On the keyboard, band 1 goes to my Mac, band 2 goes to my iPad, and band 3 goes to my iPhone. I use this keyboard to type on the iMac and iPad multiple times every day. (See my desk setup below.) Likewise, the mouse also has separate Bluetooth bands, and now that the iPad has mouse support, I’m good there too.

My concerns about the Logitech software were without merit. While its interface does not feel particularly Mac-like, it runs fine and has not caused any problems. I am going to make a video to explain more, but since Logitech is now embracing the Mac, I thought I would weigh in with a thumbs up.


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Focused 103: Systems and Challenges



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On the latest episode of Focused, I’m tweaking my shutdown routine and prepping for my for sabbatical. Mike’s unpacking his hybrid productivity system. And we each have our own productivity challenge to complete.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • Drafts: Where text starts. Try it free now.

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Mac Power Users 543: A Developer’s Summer, with _David Smith



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This week on Mac Power Users, Underscore David Smith joins the show to talk about what life as a developer is like between WWDC and the fall, when new versions of Apple’s operating system ship.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • TextExpander from Smile: 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 from Smile.

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

  • DEVONthink: Get organized—unleash your creativity. Use this link for 10% off.

Introducing More Power Users


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Starting today, Stephen and I are premiering even more Mac Power Users. For all Relay FM Members that directly support Mac Power Users, we are upping the member benefits.

There is now a specially dedicated feed for MPU members that includes ad-free episodes, as well as regular bonus segments, more focused on news or current happening in the Apple community. This is something we don’t get to do very often on MPU, and we’re excited to have these conversations together. We are calling this members version More Power Users, because you’re going to get more MPU.

If you are interested you can sign up here. One of the casualties of Covid-19 was a lot of podcast advertising budgets. Stephen and I both appreciate your support.