Apple’s Angle for HomeKit Products: Privacy

While Apple has been in the HomeKit game for many years, thus far they have shied away from making HomeKit products like locks and cameras. If the rumors are to be believed, that’s going to change over the next few years. Apple is rumored to be planning its own set of HomeKit cameras including a doorbell camera. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have other products on the drawing board as well. The question is: Why is Apple getting into this game now?

Apple normally doesn’t enter a space unless they have something to distinguish themselves from the competition. In this case, my guess is privacy. There have been a lot of stories about vendors mismanaging home security data and video feeds through a combination of mismanagement and malice. With its size and focus on privacy, Apple is in a unique position to make HomeKit accessories we can trust to put in our homes. Ideally, Apple would pair this move with a rebirth of their AirPort wireless routers to offer consumers the entire widget. And if Apple is getting into this game, I’d argue it’s because they can offer a level of consumer privacy not currently available.

Upgrade Photos with PowerPhotos (Sponsor)

The Photos app is great until it’s not. If you want to add power-user features to Photos, check out this week’s sponsor, PowerPhotos. It’s the ultimate toolbox for managing your photo libraries on Mac. There are some true power features here that really improve the Photos App:

  • Duplicate Photo Finder: Identify and remove duplicate photos to free up space on your drive and in iCloud.
  • Library Merging: Consolidate multiple libraries into one while preserving albums, edits, and metadata.
  • Advanced Export Options: Export photos with customizable settings, including format, size, metadata inclusion, and folder hierarchy that mirrors your album organization.

There are many more and you can download the PowerPhotos free trial to explore its features, with advanced functions available upon purchasing a license. MacSparky readers can enjoy a 20% discount with the coupon code MACSPARKY25. Enhance your Photos app experience with PowerPhotos today.

Another New Year’s Eve, Another Opportunity to Celebrate a Simple Farm Boy Blowing Up an Intergalactic Space Station of Death

For years now, I’ve been ringing in the new year by watching Star Wars: A New Hope. If you start the movie (Disney+ Edition) at precisely 10:02:43 PM, you get a new year at the moment the Death Star blows up. During these years, I haven’t always paid close attention to the movie (we’re usually with friends and family), but I haven’t missed the inane New Year’s coverage either. (Fireworks are just never impressive on television.) You can learn more about this tradition from the Rebel Force Radio.

WinterFest 2024: Great Tools for a Productive New Year (Sponsor)

The new year is almost here, and with it comes fresh projects, big ideas, and opportunities to grow. Whether you’re writing your next novel, finishing a research project, planning your business, or journaling life’s moments for your loved ones, having the right tools makes all the difference.

That’s why I’m excited to have WinterFest 2024 as this week’s sponsor. This annual event brings together a curated collection of artisanal software–thoughtfully crafted tools designed to help you think, write, and create more effectively.

WinterFest is a celebration of software artisans–small teams of developers who care deeply about their tools and their customers. These aren’t cookie-cutter apps churned out by big corporations. These are finely honed tools that are constantly updated, well-supported, and built to help you do your best work.

No gimmicks. No bloated bundles. Just great software with a terrific discount for a limited time.

I’ve been using and recommending many of these tools for years. They’re the kinds of apps you rely on every day–apps that spark creativity, improve productivity, and make hard work feel a little easier.

With WinterFest 2024, you’ll find tools for:

  • Writing — from outlines to manuscripts to polished final drafts.
  • Researching — collecting and organizing your ideas with ease.
  • Planning — structuring your projects, goals, and next steps.
  • Thinking — capturing, exploring, and refining your best ideas.

Each tool works seamlessly on its own and plays well with others, creating a powerful and flexible workflow tailored to your needs.

For a limited time, you can grab these incredible apps at a significant discount. Just head over to the WinterFest website and check it out.