iCloud is the glue that holds much of the Apple ecosystem together, syncing data and content between devices. On this episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and I walk through what is possible by using the iCloud website, including the data recovery tools, account settings, and more.
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I finally got around to reading ChatGPT’s Student Guide to Writing with ChatGPT, and I think it’s pretty good. The reality is that these tools aren’t going away, and students today should learn how to use them to improve their work product, not replace it.
The guide offers a solid list of ideas — none of which include the prompt, “Please write this for me.” Instead, it emphasizes using AI as a tool to refine thinking, generate ideas, and improve clarity. That’s exactly how I use AI in my own writing.
For example, I’ve been experimenting with having AI read my draft blog posts and ask me clarifying questions. More often than not, those questions push me to refine my ideas and make the post better. The AI isn’t writing for me; it’s helping me sharpen my own words.
For students (and writers in general), the key is understanding that AI is most useful as a creative assistant, not a shortcut. The better your input, the better your output.
If you’re curious about using AI in your writing, I’d recommend checking out the guide.
I recently took a flight and following touchdown, a crew member made a surprise announcement: this landing marked our captain’s final flight after 30 years piloting aircraft. We all applauded. As we disembarked, the captain stood in the aisle, offering each passenger a farewell.
When it was my turn, I congratulated him. I actually thought about what I’d say. “I hope your next adventure is as exciting as this one was.” His eyes met mine, serious and somber, as he quietly replied, “This was it.” I was swept onward by the flow of passengers, but he held my eye for just a moment longer. The sadness on his face has stayed with me.
Life is full of transitions. I’ve faced many — shifting careers, watching my kids grow up, leaving behind the identity I had built as a lawyer. Most big changes in life aren’t surprises. Retirement doesn’t sneak up overnight, and children don’t grow up in secret. Yet, some of us still find ourselves flat-footed when life’s inevitable curves appear. It’s tempting to ignore change, to stick our heads in the sand, pretending it’s far away, until suddenly we’re facing a stark realization: “This was it.”
I’ve written before about the importance of continuously Knitting Your Parachute. Asking yourself often, “What’s next, and how do I make that work?” is a practice I deeply believe in. It’s an approach that keeps hope alive, turns anxiety into anticipation, and keeps you engaged with life.
This week, I encourage you to spend a few quiet moments reflecting: What’s your next move, and how can you embrace it? Whether you’re graduating, shifting careers, or facing retirement, don’t wait until change feels overwhelming. Life’s bends in the road are inevitable, but how we meet them, that’s entirely up to us.
Let’s commit never to find ourselves in a position where we have to quietly say, “This was it.”
It’s stories like this that led me to make the Productivity Field Guide.
If you’ve been paying any attention to social media lately, you’ve probably noticed how much better AI multi-modal art has gotten. The zeitgeist has definitely latched onto this — mainly to generate Studio Ghibli-style art of themselves.
It’s impressive and once again raises the big questions about AI and art. Artists spend years honing their craft. Now, with these new tools, anyone is just a prompt or two away from generating convincing images of themselves and their friends. How are we supposed to feel about that?
I’m still working through my own thoughts on AI and intellectual property, but one thing’s for sure: this toothpaste isn’t going back in the tube.
As an example, I had the new ChatGPT engine generate some drawings for a recent Productivity Field Guide webinar I did on Habits being a useful tool for becoming your best self. I explained to ChatGPT that I wanted to illustrate how habits, once ingrained, become part of your identity. It made this image. Remarkable.
In this week’s episode of The Lab Report: OS updates across the board are here and, is there an Apple AI Doctor in the house? Sparky also invites you to make your Lock Screen special this weekend and sends us off with a brassy music recommendation.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.
Rumors are swirling about a redesigned MacBook Pro slated for release next year, featuring the M6 chip, a thinner chassis — and most notably — an OLED display. A recent 9to5Mac article summarizes the rumors.
I’m particularly excited about the prospect of an OLED screen. This technology promises higher brightness, improved contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors, making the types of things folks do on a MacBook Pro even easier.
However, the notion of a thinner design makes me nervous. In my experience, when surveying the needs of MacBook Pro users — especially those in same creative professions — the desire for a slimmer profile rarely tops the list. More commonly, folks want better battery life, enhanced performance, and adequate input/output.
Apple has a history of pursuing thinner designs, sometimes at the expense of functionality. The butterfly keyboard is the most recent example. If “thinner” is on that whiteboard in Cupertino, I hope Apple doesn’t compromise the performance and reliability that MacBook Pro users depend on. Perhaps advancements in chip design will allow for a thinner MacBook Pro without sacrificing battery life or power. But even if that is true, I’d argue the MacBook Pro still doesn’t need to get thinner. I’d fill that empty space with more battery and a better cooling system to let the new MacBook Pro run even harder.
In the meantime, we can anticipate the release of the M5 MacBook Pro later this year, likely in the fall as the last MacBook Pro with this current, much-loved, design.
I’ve been experimenting with an unconventional home screen that uses a bunch of clever tricks using Widgetsmith and Shortcuts to give my iPhone an entirely different look. In this video I share what I’ve done and how to do it on your own.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.
Running a small business or working as a solo professional often means juggling a dozen roles at once — client meetings, project deadlines, follow-ups, invoicing — you name it. I’ve learned the hard way that when your tools aren’t helping you stay on top of all that, they’re just adding to the chaos.
That’s where Daylite comes in. It’s a powerful CRM and project management app made specifically for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users. What sets Daylite apart is how well it blends contact management, project tracking, calendar integration, and team collaboration, all in one place. It’s like having a command center for your business, designed with the Apple ecosystem in mind.
Daylite is especially useful if you’re in a client-focused profession like legal, design, real estate, coaching, or consulting. You can link your emails, notes, tasks, and appointments to individual clients and projects, so nothing slips through the cracks. I love how it integrates with Apple Mail and Calendar, making it feel like a natural extension of the tools many of us already use daily.
One thing that really stands out is how Daylite helps you stay proactive, not just reactive. You can set up pipelines for sales or onboarding workflows, assign tasks to your team, and always know what the next step is. That means less time digging through email threads and more time actually doing the work.
Moreover, the Daylite development team is 100% committed to giving Mac users the best native experience. They’ve proven that with decades of innovative updates. And because Daylite is a native Mac app (not just a web wrapper), it feels snappy and familiar. There’s no clunky interface or learning curve; it just works the way you expect it to.
If you’re trying to grow your business or just bring some order to the daily madness, I highly recommend checking out Daylite. It’s a great example of a thoughtfully built tool for Apple-centric teams who want to work smarter.
We had a lot of fun this month in the MacSparky Labs. Notable events was a meetup of Vision Pro users to reflect on the first year with Apple’s new device and a deep dive on e-books in light of Amazon tightening the screws on downloading your purchased book.
Here’s what took place in the Labs for the month of March 2025:
If you’d like to be a part of the MacSparky Labs, you can get more information and join right here.
I recently bought a little e-ink display device for putting up status information. It’s pretty clever and kind of fun. Meet TRMNL.
… This is a post for MacSparky Labs members only. Care to join? If you’re already a member, you can log in here.