Putting Focus on AR Kit


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Apple’s got a new page featuring Augmented Reality iOS apps. I think that’s a good idea. When I speak with my non-geek friends about Augmented Reality, they first don’t understand what it is, and then they don’t know what it’s for. I end up rambling about education and gaming, but I do a poor job of it. 

I thought with the way that Pokemon blew up, the general public was ready to see AR in a lot more apps, but despite Apple’s powerful tools, it still feels like it is at the novelty level. The more attention Apple can put on this the technology, the better for all of us.

Also, did you know that Apple recently announced AR Kit 1.5? It adds several new features, including vertical spaces. This is notable for a few reasons. First, they are making a significant update mid OS cycle, which is unusual. Second, the number, “1.5”, implies a “2.0” isn’t far behind. Apple isn’t done with AR yet.

MPU 417: Workflows with Manton Reece



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This week programmer and entrepreneur Manton Reece joins the Mac Power Users this week to share how he’s using Apple gear to program and run his own business.

Sponsors include:

  • The Omni Group We’re passionate about productivity for Mac, iPhone and iPad. 
  • Fujitsu ScanSnap ScanSnap Helps You Live a More Productive, Efficient, Paperless Life. 
  • 1Password Have you ever forgotten a password? Now you don’t have to worry about that anymore. 
  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

HomePod as Mac Speaker


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I’m digging my HomePod. The speaker itself is excellent, and while Siri has its limitations, the features it does include are working solidly. (I do wish it could tell me my calendar appointments though.)

One unexpected benefit of the HomePod, which sits on my desk in my home office, is just how well it works with iTunes on my Mac. To play music from iTunes to your HomePod, there is a simple toggle in iTunes for the Mac. You can set volume from Mac and seriously upgrade your tunes. I always need background noise while working so often I’ll play the sound of the ocean or a thunderstorm when I want to focus. Thunder from the HomePod turned up literally shakes my desk. My iMac never did that.



Tinderbox – Get a Discount on the Tool for Notes (Sponsor)



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This week MacSparky is sponsored by Tinderbox, the tool for notes. Tinderbox is a Mac App that lets you collect your thoughts and slice and dice them any way your brain prefers. The application does a great job of adjusting to the way you think. With Tinderbox, you can make a mind map, a check list, timelines, charts, outlines, and more. My favorite feature is that you are not tied to any paradigm with this app. Put your data in and start moving it around to help you make connections that weren’t there before.

People are using Tinderbox in all sorts of ways from writing novels to planning a computer network to organizing a complicated corporate merger.

Tinderbox recently released version 7.3 with more than six dozen visible improvements and a bunch of new technologies. The app continues to improve. Tinderbox can now look at your ideas from Notes, Evernote, Dropbox and more on iPhone and iPad. The new version also has quick links to connect notes instantly and composites to build big ideas from small notes. The new fonts also look fantastic on your Mac.



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Perhaps best of all, the Tinderbox developer has agreed to give MacSparky readers a limited time $50 discount. That’s a great deal so if you’ve been wanting to try Tinderbox, this is the time. Go check out Tinderbox today.

The 2018 Emoji

Emoji are increasingly a bigger deal to me. And I say that non-ironically. I recently sent an octogenarian client an email telling her that her corporate minutes were done and she responded by sending me a text message with a smiling face and heart eyes. That was it.

As text messaging and email have taken over for in-person and voice communications, emoji do fill a role to add context to words. I use them a lot more than I used to.

All that said, the people in charge of Emoji have announced 150+ new emoji and Emogipedia made a cool video showing them off. You can probably expect these in the first major update to iOS 12.

Here are my official awards:

  • Favorite overall: Superhero
  • Runner-up for favorite: Pirate Flag
  • Favorite new animal: Llama
  • Favorite new food: Cupcake!
  • Best new emoji for use in emergency situation: Toilet Paper
  • Social Justice Award: Red Hair
  • Most awkwardly familiar: White Hair
  • Happiest new Emoji: Partying Face
  • Most likely to be misused: Bone

50 Years

Today I celebrate my 50th birthday. I know this is a big one. Right?

For a long time now I’ve known this day was coming, and at the appointed day I’d leave my 40s behind me. At the same time, I felt ambivalent about it. It’s not that I don’t like celebrating my birthday. I love cake as much as any other guy. We even have traditions in my house on my birthday.  It’s all fun for me and who doesn’t like being special every once in a while?

The thing I’ve felt ambivalent about is the gravity of the integer. If turning 50 was supposed to be a big turning point, I don’t feel it. Indeed I woke up today feeling a lot like I felt last night, back when I was in my 40s. I don’t feel older. I don’t feel suddenly smart or senile. I definitely don’t feel wiser.

Instead, my root feeling is the same that it has been for the past several years … satisfaction.

I had a great run in my 40s. My MacSparky thing got pretty big. I wrote some books. I started some podcasts. I quit my law firm and started my own legal practice. And I did all of that on my own terms. Looking back at the last decade, I made a pretty good showing. Best of all, where I did fall on my face, and that happened plenty, I was able to stand back up and keep marching.

I think it is that underlying satisfaction that explains why I’m not too worked up about turning fifty today. I also think that’s why I’ve never experienced a midlife crisis. In my head, at least, I’m just getting started. I’ve got more plans and optimism at this point in my life than I’ve ever had.

There isn’t really a point to this post. It started out as a diary entry, but as I read it, I realized that the reason for my very happy 50th birthday is that people just like you care enough to read my blog, my books, and listen to my podcasts and I wanted to share and say thanks.

Thank you … for everything.

BBEdit 12.1

The wheels at Bare Bones Software just keep turning. Today they released BBEdit 12.1. My favorite new feature is the ability to open files over 1.5GB. That’s right. BBEdit, largely used for development text files can now open 1.5GB files because for some people, a 1.5GB cap on text files was a problem. That is just how extreme some BBEdit users are. Additionally, BBEdit is now fully 64-bit and includes Touch Bar support for the MacBook Pros.