I recently read this article at MacStories that inspired me to buy deGeo. This simple app removes all geotag information from photos taken on your phone. With New Year’s Eve around the corner, this one may come in handy.
MPU 170: Tech Resolution
The end of the year is upon us and Katie and I share some of our New Year’s tech resolutions in show 170. Topics include network attached storage, less fiddly writing, and more.
Sponsor: Doo.net
This week MacSparky.com is sponsored by Doo.net. Doo offers a complete paperless solution. With your free Doo account you’ll get high quality optical character recognition with automatic language detection and the ability to make your document editable.
Doo also works offline. The OS X version holds all your files locally (and the mobile versions hold all the meta data in a local database) so if you are out of Internet range, you’ve got no troubles.
Doo is on all major platforms including OS X, iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, and Windows. Finally, I’d like to congratulate Doo on its recent “Best of 2013” award from iTunes for the iOS iPad version of Doo. Spectacular work by spectacular people. Learn more at Doo.net.
The Saddleback Leather iPad Air Case
I use the heck out of my iPad and carry it back and forth to work, court, plane trips, family gatherings, and just about everywhere else I go. As a result, I like to keep it in some sort of protective case. When I upgraded to my fancy new iPad Air, I had to leave my beloved and well-worn Dodo case behind. I wasn’t sure where to go next with my new iPad when Saddleback Leather wrote and offered to loan me one of their new leather iPad cases.
I’ve actually been a Saddleback leather customer for a few years now. I love their company motto, They’ll fight over it when you’re dead. I bought one of their wallets years ago (which I still use) and recently, when my decades old briefcase finally gave up the ghost, I ordered a Saddleback Briefcase to replace it. It is the best-made briefcase I’ve ever owned and makes me happy every time I look at it.
Now I’ve been using their leather iPad Air case for a few weeks and it is working out great. The case is well constructed with thick leather and double stitching where it makes sense. The Leather is over-cut, giving a bit of an edge with the thick leather that acts as a shock absorber when I knock it off the table. (I’ve already done that twice.)
The iPad Air fits in snugly and the whole case fits nicely in my briefcase. The final product looks great and I’ve received several compliments on it already. I’m really looking forward to watching the patina and texture of the case change as the leather ages a bit.
The case secures with two lether straps (no breakable buckles or zippers) that fit into small leather loops sewn into the front. You can bend the front over and reconnect those traps into the loops from the back to give the iPad an angle for lap typing or prop it on a desk to watch a movie. Overall it is a classy, simple design for a top notch leather case.
The iPad Air version is not yet for sale but I’m told it will be soon. They already have versions for the earlier iPad and iPad mini. You can learn more at saddlebackleather.com.











MPU 169: Workflows with Dr. Jeff Taekman
Jeff Taekman joins us the week to talk about innovations in medical education and how he uses his Apple technologies as a practicing anesthesiologist. Jeff also explains how he’s come to rely upon the iPad.
Sponsor: Hoban Press
Are you about to go visit someone for Christmas empty handed? Why not offer to buy them some custom letterpress calling cards? Hoban Press is sponsoring MacSparky.com this week. I’ve heard from many readers that love their new Hoban Cards pressed out of Hoban’s 1902 letterpress machine. I sure love mine. Evan and the gang are expanding.
Hoban Press
Hoban Press specializes in custom letterpress printed items like Business Cards and Stationery. This is the best choice if you need to use your own logo or artwork. They also provide design and layout services.
Hoban Cards
Hoban Cards specializes in in minimal calling cards. This is a less expensive way to get into letterpress printing. Pick from among 12 beautiful, typographic calling card templates. These are perfect for individuals or businesses looking for a unique and classy alternative to conventional, mass produced, soulless business cards.
There is no doubt I’m a geek but I have to admit I really love handing out letterpress cards … like a gentleman. Use ‘MacSparky’ during checkout to receive free shipping.
Gifting iBooks Now Possible
App Santa Delivers
A group of App Developers have gone together to promote holiday sales of their apps with AppSanta. There are some great deals like 1Password for just $9.99, Vesper for just $2.99, and Day One for just $1.99. I already own nearly every app on this list. If you’ve been waiting, this is a great time to buy (or gift) a few of these.
Email Version 1.1 Ships
Back when I was doing traditional print books, it made me nuts that something would change a week after my book shipped and there was nothing I could do about it. One of the things I love about publishing my books through the iBookstore is the ability to update them. This lets me fix mistakes and add new content.
Email version 1.1 is now available for download. If you bought it in the iBookstore, you should see the update icon in your iBooks app. It’s a big download so make sure you’re on WiFi and have some time on your hands.
I’m still finishing up the custom PDF version of Email 1.1. That will be going up this weekend.
A partial list of the updates include the following:
- Better controls on the audio interviews
- Fixed misguided confusion between carbon paper and mimeograph
- Fixed Screencast 4.20
- Changed the recommended write order
- Converted Email Port list into a Table
- Added Apple Mail archive keyboard combination
- Rewrote the description of MailMate based on recent developments
- Added additional screenshots to the Outlook Gallery
- Added explanation of yearly archives
Speaking of udpates, version 1.4 of Paperless and version 1.2 of Markdown are both nearly done and will ship in January. These updates will include new screencasts, content, and other bits of love and affection.
Captain Picard: “Let it Snow”
How could I resist posting this? Make it so.