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.

official application icon for DEVONthink

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.

Focused 238: Knitting Our Parachutes

On this episode of Focused, Mike and I catch up on listener feedback, including how to say no more often, deep vs. shallow work, and when to abandon a focus area. Also, I made an app?!?

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • Nexos.ai: All-in-one AI platform for enterprises. Get a 14 day free trial now.
  • Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
  • Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
  • HelloFresh: Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life!

Democratizing CarPlay Ultra

CarPlay Ultra barely exists at this point in the $200K Aston Martin. The latest rumor has Hyundai putting it in the upcoming (and affordable) $35,000 Hyundai Ioniq 3.

We own the Kia EV6, which is somewhat adjacent to the Hyundai EV’s and the second screen in those cars will be ideal for something like CarPlay Ultra. Moreover, I’ve spent time looking at the Hyundai dashes and I’m certain anything Apple does will be far superior.

While I don’t expect CarPlay Ultra to become as popular as vanilla CarPlay, I hope it gets used enough to remain viable. Car makers are generally pretty terrible at UI.